Longinus Fernandes (Longie) is an Indian choreographer and dancer, who won the Filmfare Best Choreography Award in 2009; and internationally he is most known as the choreographer of the closing credits dance sequence featuring Academy Award for Best Original Song winning song, Jai Ho and another featuring O... Saya, also nominated in the same category, in the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008).[1]

Longinus Fernandes
Born20 October [year missing]
Bangalore, India
Other namesLongi and Longie
Occupationchoreographer
Years active1995–present
Awards2009: Best Choreography: Jaane Tu Ya Jaane NaPappu Can't Dance Saala
Websitewww.longinusworld.com

At the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, director Danny Boyle thanked him in his acceptance speech, while receiving his award for Best Direction, and also apologized for missing out his name in the credits.[2][3][4][5]

Career edit

Longinus started out as a dancer in Hindi cinema in early 1990s, which paved way for work as assistant choreographer, soon he graduated to choreographing independently with film, Dil Ka Doctor (1995).[1] Though he came into limelight when he took part in the reality dance competition, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (Season 1), on Sony TV in 2006, where he partnered with actress, Shweta Salve and the couple were adjudged the runners-up,[2] thereafter in 2008 he appeared as a judge in another reality dance competition, between television actors, Saas v/s Bahu, on Sahara One channel.[6][7] He has also choreographed music videos like, Baba Sehgal's Balle Balle Ho Gai and Adnan Sami's Lift Kara De.[1]

In 2008, he choreographed two songs in the film Slumdog Millionaire, O... Saya and Jai Ho, which were shot at Lion's Gate, Essel World and the CST station in Mumbai, with scores of dancers.[8]

In February 2009, he also started work on Bollywood Hero, a three-part international miniseries'.[9]

Longinus was also awarded the prestigious "Fred Astaire Award" (2009) in New York for best film choreography (Slumdog Millionaire).

He was also the choreographer for the opening of "So You Think You Can Dance-Canada" (for three consecutive years 2009, 2010 & 2011)

Filmography edit

Awards edit

  • 2009: Filmfare Best Choreography Award: Jaane Tu Ya Jaane NaPappu Can't Dance Saala[13]
  • 2009: Fred Astaire Award Best Film Choreography : Slumdog MillionaireJai Ho
  • 2009: Best Choreography Guild Award Nominee - "Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na"
  • 2010: Star Screen Award Nominee: Guzaarish
  • 2015: Fred Astaire Award Nominee Best Film Choreography - The second best exotic Marigold hotel
  • 2019: Genius Choreographer of the Year 2019 - Genius Indian Achiever's Award by Genius Foundation & World Records of India [14]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Interview: Choreographer Longi talks about working with Danny Boyle MiD DAY.
  2. ^ a b 'It wasn't easy to make Dev and Freida dance' Rediff.com, 24 February 2009.
  3. ^ Boyle apologises on stage, choreographer thrilled CNN-IBN, Wed, 25 February 2009.
  4. ^ Danny made up!: Longinus The Times of India, 24 February 2009.
  5. ^ Danny Boyle's acceptance spech at the Academy Awards "There's one guy I should mention, we've mentioned a lot of people, I forgot the guy who choreographed the dance at the end of the film, he's called Longinus [Fernandes] and I forgot him off the credits, and I only found out about it two weeks ago, that he's the best choreographer in the world. I'm an idiot... and I apologize from the bottom of my heart Longinus".
  6. ^ Week 1 Archived 15 September 2008 at archive.today Saas v/s Bahu Official website.
  7. ^ Dancing warriors The Tribune, 23 August 2008.
  8. ^ Credit Note by Danny Boyle Archived 3 January 2013 at archive.today The Times of India, 24 February 2009.
  9. ^ 'Slumdog' folks helping IFC: Take One Prods. will supply crew for 'Bollywood' mini By James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter 26 February 2009.
  10. ^ a b NEWS FLASH[permanent dead link] Screen, 28 March 2003.
  11. ^ New Flash[permanent dead link] Screen, 2 May 2003.
  12. ^ Punjabi film Sajna Ve Sajna Screen, 26 October 2007.
  13. ^ Filmfare Awards... Archived 2 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine MSN, Saturday, 28 February 2009.
  14. ^ Genius Award 2019 [Genius Foundation (Gujarat)|GIAA], 1 June 2019.

External links edit