In preparation for his role in the 2013 film Dhoom 3, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan undertook the formidable challenge of mastering tap dancing within a mere 45-day timeframe. Despite the dance form typically requiring years to perfect, Khan’s dedication led him to intensive training sessions both in Australia and Mumbai. He collaborated with professional dancers and students, aiming to deliver a performance that would seamlessly integrate into the film’s narrative.
Khan expressed his longstanding admiration for tap dancing, particularly captivated by the swift movements and intricate sound patterns produced by dancers. During discussions about the film’s title song, he proposed incorporating tap dance, a suggestion that excited producer Aditya Chopra due to its novelty in Hindi cinema. Khan committed to learning the dance, recognizing the opportunity to introduce this art form to a new audience.
To achieve this, Khan traveled to Australia for a month-long intensive training under renowned choreographer Dein Perry, known for his work in Happy Feet 2 and the Sydney Olympics opening act. He immersed himself in the ‘grungy tap’ style, a high-energy variant of traditional tap dance, practicing alongside Perry’s students aged between 10 and 24. This rigorous preparation culminated in a dynamic performance that added a distinctive flair to Dhoom 3.
