India’s first 3D dance film, ABCD (Any Body Can Dance) directed by Remo D’Souza puts together an ensemble of some of the best dancers from reality shows. The movie features Lauren Gottleib of TV reality show So You Think You Can Dance, who has also worked and performed with artists like Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Shakira to name a few.

Lauren says that she always wanted to be a dancer in movies, but she could never have guessed that she would crossover to Bollywood. She plays the role of Rhea in ABCD. “My character is a very talented dancer. She is a very technical, contemporary, ballet dancer. A fight occurs between two teachers, Kay Kay Menon’s character and Vishnu, played by Prabhudheva. Vishnu decides to break away, and I become a part of his new adventure. So you see, Rhea goes from being a technical, classical dancer into doing hip-hop, which is very much like me,” explains Lauren.

She claims to have been a fan of Bollywood for a long time and says it was a dream to be a part of Remo’s project. She is currently learning Bharatnatyam and Kathak to understand Indian traditional dance.“Indian dance forms are so much more fun. Back home it’s serious and the fun is missing. And what I have seen is that dance is a universal expression. Anyone with the heart and passion, anywhere in the world can dance.” The 24-year-old dancer excitedly says, “Working in Bollywood that been the most memorable experience of my life. I worked with Salman Yusuf Khan and he has become one of my best friends.” Salman of the reality show Dance India Dance fame will be seen as Rocky Pereira in the dance drama.