/> Kamal Haasan is indisputably the most adventurous actor in India. And Birju Maharaj is undoubtedly the most accomplished exponent of the Katahk dance form in this country.

When the two maestros, explosively creative and unstoppable in their own fields, decide to come together the result cannot be anything less than historic.

Birju Maharaj is all set to choreograph a Kathak dance for Kamal Haasan in the Hindi-Tamil bi-lingual Vishwaroopam.

The last time Birju Maharaj choreographed for a Hindi film was in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas where Madhuri Dixit's dance number, a talking-point to this day, Kahe chede chede mohe was supervised by the Kathak maestro. And now in Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam Birju Maharaj returns to Hindi cinema after 9 years.

The news that Birju Maharaj will choreograph a full Kathak dance number by Birju Maharaj for the actor's under-production directorial venture, was so surprising that it seemed unbelievable.

However Kamal Haasan confirms he is indeed all set to perform the Kathak dance under Birju Maharaj's keen supervision.

Says a source close to the actor, "Kamal Haasan is a keen exponent of Indian classical dancing. In fact in the Tamil classic Sagara Sangamam in 1983 Kamal had done a complete film that revolved around classical Indian dancing.

Since then, off and on, he has performed snatches of classical Indian dance in his cinema whenever he could. In Vishwaroopam there was an opportunity to do a full-fledged Kathak dance number. Kamal grabbed it. And got Birju Maharaj on board. "

The two have been rehearsing Kamal Hasan's steps for the last two months.

Says the source, "The perfectionist that he is, Kamal insisted on rigorous rehearsals for his Kathak number with Birju Maharaj eventhough the actor knows the basic steps and mudras. "

The song for the dance has been composed by Shankar Mahadevan.

Says Kamal Haasan, "Yes, I am indeed doing a Kathak dance under the supervision of Birju Maharaj for Vishwaroopam. It isn't going to be part of the film just for the heck of it. The dance is an integral part of the script. I thoroughly enjoy watching and performing the classical dance forms. "

When was the last time we saw a leading man perform an Indian classical dance?