Hollywood Director Taika Waititi Praises Remo D¡¯Souza¡¯s 'ABCD' As His 'Next Goal Wins' Hits Indian Theatres

In a recent revelation, acclaimed Hollywood director Taika Waititi, celebrated for his directorial successes like 'Thor: Ragnarok' and 'Jojo Rabbit,' expressed his deep admiration for Remo D¡¯Souza¡¯s 2013 film 'ABCD: Any Body Can Dance.'

Taika Watiti's next is a sports drama 'Next Goal Wins'./Twitter

During a candid conversation with India Today about Indian cinema, Taika acknowledged the early influence of Satyajit Ray¡¯s 'Pather Panchali' on his filmmaking journey. However, he specifically highlighted the cinematic brilliance of 'ABCD,' describing it as a "fantastic big film" that he believes "everyone should watch."

What Was There In The Film 'ABCD'?

Released in 2013, "ABCD: Any Body Can Dance" showcased Prabhu Deva in the lead role, supported by Ganesh Acharya and Kay Kay Menon. The film showcased a talented ensemble of small-screen dancers and choreographers, including Salman Yusuff Khan, Dharmesh Yelande, Lauren Gottlieb, and Punit Pathak.

Interestingly, the success of 'ABCD' paved the way for a sequel released in 2015, underscoring its cultural impact.

ABCD: Any Body Can Dance Poster/Twitter

About Taika Waititi's Work

On the Marvel front, following the success of directing 'Thor: Ragnarok,' Taika Waititi was entrusted with helming 'Thor: Love & Thunder' by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Earlier, in a candid interview with Deadline, Taika revealed his initial lack of interest in directing 'Thor: Ragnarok,' citing financial considerations as his primary motivation for taking on the project. Despite the massive success of 'Ragnarok,' 'Love & Thunder' did not achieve the same level of triumph. In a subsequent statement to Business Insider after the release of his 2022 film, Taika confirmed his non-involvement in 'Thor 5.'

Fun Fact: Taika Waititi's remarkable contributions to cinema were recognised with an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for his 2019 film 'Jojo Rabbit.'

'Next Goal Wins' In Indian Theatres

Taika's latest directorial venture, "Next Goal Wins," which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, is slated for an Indian theatrical release on February 2.

The movie is a sports comedy-drama adapted from a 2014 documentary with the same title. The original documentary, directed by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison, narrates the remarkable transformation of the American Samoan national football team. Initially ranked as the lowest team globally, they endured a humiliating 31-0 defeat against Australia in a 2001 World Cup qualifier match.

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