Prabhu Deva, who turns 40 today, is apparently too busy to celebrate his big day

Birthdays are generally touted to be grand affairs in B-Town and late night parties have become a norm. However, Prabhu Deva, who turns 40 today, is planning to keep himself busy with work.

Interestingly, Prabhu celebrated his 39th birthday last year by performing at IPL's opening ceremony in Chennai. Following which, he organised a private party for friends from the Tamil film industry. This time around, the choreographer-turned-director already has prior commitments.

`The edit of his forthcoming film starring Girish Kumar and Shruti Haasan has already been locked. Though he shot the film in a relatively short period of time, he's also keen on other aspects of production as well as his next,` says a source.

In fact, the two-time National Award winner will reach Mumbai from Chennai so as to board a flight for Vancouver tonight in order to attend an award function there. `He has several projects lined up and this particular visit is more professional than leisure. He usually prefers to be in the country on his birthdays but this year, he's looking forward to be in Canada for a week,` adds the source. I don't have time to be lonely

By Subhash K. Jha

The Indian entertainment industry's male dancing icon Prabhudheva turns 40 Wednesday and says he has no time to brood over his loneliness.

"Of course, I'd like someone in my life. And of course, when I go home in the evening I wish there was someone waiting for me. But very honestly, I don't have time to be lonely. My work fills up most of my day and when I get home I just want to sleep. As for company, I've some good friends in Mumbai and Chennai," he said.

For his birthday, Prabhudheva flew home to Chennai to be with his two sons and very close friends.


Said the choreographer-dancer-actor-director emotionally, "These are friends with whom I go back a long way, from outside and the film industry. I haven't met some of them for over a year because of my hectic schedules. I've flown back to Chennai to be with them on my birthday. No party. Just a quiet get-together."

Prabhudheva made his mark as an actor with films like "Kadhalan" and "Raasaiyya". Later, he went behind the camera to direct hits like "Pokkiri", "Wanted" and "Rowdy Rathore".

On turning 40, Prabhudheva quipped:"I've heard life starts at 40. I wouldn't know until I get there... I suspect 40 would just be another number. I have never allowed myself to stop and consider my age. I've always been on the move."

Looking back on the year that was, Prabhudheva admitted it has been a whirligig of activities.

"I am wearing a number of hats and I've had to move to Mumbai because of the workload in the Hindi cinema. While I love dancing, and even acting in 'ABCD - Anybody Can Dance" was fun, I remain at heart a choreographer," he said.

Everyone in Mumbai wants a piece of Prabhudheva.

"I guess I am lucky. I've been working just as hard from the time I started 25 years ago. So we can't say it's hard work that has suddenly got me so much work in Mumbai. It's a lot of luck and some hard work. I am glad to be in demand as a director. But like I said, I consider myself a choreographer at heart," he said.


He flies back to Mumbai immediately after his birthday.

"I am enjoying the workload. Looking back at my 40 years, I see no reason to complain. God has been kind. Yes, there have been setbacks. But I've survived," he said.