For the first time, the choreographer executes an event completely managed by him, at the opening gala of a Pune-based stadium

Ganesh Hegde directed and designed the gala opening ceremony of the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium that was held in Pune on Sunday.

The event was entirely managed and executed by his company —- Ganesh Hegde Entertainment. The starry line-up of performers included Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Preity Zinta, Jacqueline Fernandes, Sameera Reddy, Dia Mirza, Neha Dhupia and Prachi Desai backed with more than 600 backdrop dancers.

Says Hegde, "Though I have done several such shows, this is the first time that I was doing a televised show on such a big scale. The event was directed, designed, choreographed, managed and executed by my company." The choreographer feels this step is basically an extension of what he was doing all these years.

He explains, "As a choreographer, I would look at what a star would perform to which songs, choreograph his act and devise a grand entry. But now I am overseeing the entire show and all the acts." This, he feels, has an advantage for a show to be a complete entertainer.

He explains, "Normally at such shows, the stage and lights are managed by someone else and the choreography by another person. At many times the choreography and the perhaps the stage or its backdrop would not match.

But by having one person doing the entire show, this problem does not occur. As I select the star's acts, I can accordingly have the stage and lights to match." Ganesh is now looking forward to staging more such shows for a complete entertainment experience.

Bipasha Basu on her act

"Ganesh Hegde has always been very dear to me and has been part of my career since my early days. I did my first ever show with him as well as my first world tour.

Since then our professional relationship has blossomed with me featuring in his video as well. Working with him has always been a pleasure.

For the opening ceremony of the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, he directed and choreographed Dola Re Dola for me and it was a unique experience. I've not done anything like this before but his belief in me gave me the confidence to go ahead with it and ultimately it turned out beautifully."