It’s been virtually one 12 months since we first chatted with Fast Fashion. Lower to right this moment, the Norwegian dance group has amassed over 10 crore views on the YouTube video of its members dancing to Kala Chashma (Baar Baar Dekho, 2016) and Chura Ke Dil Mera (Essential Khiladi Tu Anari, 1994). They’ve additionally joined fingers with a few of the largest names in leisure. The previous 12 months, in their very own phrases, has been nothing however “surreal”.
We caught up with the dance group — at present on their maiden journey to India — for a enjoyable, unique shoot in Mumbai. “India is so vibrant, individuals [here] are so good. We’re studying day by day,” Bilal Malik, the group’s co-founder, tells us, as we cool down for a chat after the shoot. One other founding member, Nasir Sirikhan, chimes in, “Greater than half of our following is from right here, they’ve been supporting us for 10 years! We’ve been wanting to return right here for a decade now.”
However, what took them lengthy? “Typically, after we wish to do one thing, the other occurs. That is our story,” Sirikhan replies, including, “We got here to India only for a handshake, however we received a hug! In simply three-four days, it (India) appears like house.”
A meet-and-greet was additionally deliberate throughout their go to, which received bought out very quickly!
Of late, Fast Fashion has been collaborating with a bunch of massive names, the newest to affix the listing being former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli. “We’re assembly nice individuals and dealing with numerous proficient individuals behind the scenes as effectively. There’s a really real connection after we meet them. That’s how the result is so cool. We’re studying from them, too,” says Bilal.
Point out Mumbai and one of many first issues that involves thoughts is vada pav. Have these dancers dug into this humble bun bursting with flavours, but? They give the impression of being puzzled, however the minute we are saying ‘Indian burger’, pat comes the response: “Oh sure!” “I put numerous additional chutney, it was so good!” gushes Bilal.
That aside, Fast Fashion has ticked off one other quintessential Mumbai trait. “We travelled in a neighborhood practice, put up a efficiency for individuals there and made movies! It was essentially the most excessive expertise. Once we wished to alter seats, they had been like ‘okay’! They supported us, everybody smiled. Then, we met 70 [content] creators. All of them have a lot to provide. We received a more in-depth have a look at the individuals following us,” says Sirikhan.
The group is most likely going to return for a pan-India tour that would come with stops at Kerala, Delhi and Chennai. Has life modified again house after the worldwide fame they’ve received? Sirikhan says, “Not likely, you could be the largest individual [in whatever field], individuals in Norway don’t care. However, small modifications have certainly occurred.”
He elaborates, “The opposite day, Bilal and I had been available in the market to purchase groceries. Two Somalian girls, who would [otherwise] stroll by us with out interacting, stopped and stated to us, ‘Are you guys going to bounce?’ We had by no means imagined [something like] that will occur. We all the time knew that our target market is these between the ages of 15 to 35. Now, older women and men again house additionally know who we’re!”