Shahid's 8-minute homage to Michael Jackson

By Subhash K Jha

Shahid Kapoor will be rehearsing vigorously the whole day on his birthday on for his Michael Jackson act for the Filmfare awards.

Says Shahid, "The Filmfare organizers felt I could do the Michael Jackson tribute. And I took up the challenge. We didn't have much time to rehearse, only four days.

But I've grown up watching MJ's music videos, am a huge fan, so it wasn't difficult to master the choreography. I will be paying a tribute, not copying MJ. But it better not to adulterate his steps."

While other performers at the Filmfare awards will have their acts recorded Shahid will be performing live.

Says the focussed performer, "Yes, I'll be going live… a 8-minute homage. I love dancing on stage. In India there's no specific culture for stage performances.

Out West there's a huge market for live performances. Their films don't have songs and dances. Their pop stars have a vibrant stage culture. So stage performances are a huge market in the West."