Apr 03, 2025 06:01 AM IST
Remo D’Souza talks to HT about talent on Hip Hop India season 2 and how he ensures reality shows remain ‘real’.
Remo D’Souza is no stranger to reality television. Over the last 16 years, he has served as a judge or mentor on a number of shows such as Dance India Dance, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, Nach Baliye, and India’s Best Dancer, to name a few. He is now judging Hip Hop India season 2, a hip-hop-based dance reality show. While promoting the show, Remo speaks with Hindustan Times about his experiences and navigating questions about reality shows being ‘scripted’. (Also read: Malaika Arora says she often calls out reality show contestants trying to be extra for camera: ‘Yeh drama mat karo’)
Remo on Hip Hop India
The second season of Hip Hop India is a level above the previous one, says Remo, “The thing I am learning this season is that there is no end to it. The moment you feel that you have hit a ceiling, something new comes up and surprises you. India has no dearth of talent, I always knew it. But what we are seeing right now makes me believe we are among the best in the world.”
Remo acknowledges that the current generation of dancers have a lot of avenues and platforms, but he feels his struggle was worth it. “If I had to back and tell the 20-year-old Remo to change something, I don’t think I would want to change anything. Do what you are doing,” he says with a laugh.
Remo addresses ‘reality shows are scripted’ charge
Over the years, reality TV shows in India have been accused of scripting moments and adding drama for TRPs, sometimes even rigging the result. Remo answers these accusations. “Even my close friends ask me, ‘sach bol, scripted tha na yeh (tell me the truth, this was scripted, right)’. And I always tell them, what I have done in the last 15 years, all reality shows have been real. None of the shows is been rigged or manipulated. It’s as real as me sitting here,” says the choreographer-turned-filmmaker.
Hip Hop India season 2 is currently streaming on Amazon MX Player. Along with Remo, Malaika Arora is judging this season.
