Longinus Fernandes, who was missed out in the slumdog credits for which the film makes Danny Boyle made up by acknowledging him in the Oscars, has got further acclaim for his work on the award winning Jai Ho!song. The Bollywood choreographer has won the coveted Astair Award 2009, in the Best Film Choreography category at a ceremony held in New York. Longinus beat competition from choreographers Anthony Van Laast [Mamma Mia] Aakomon AJ jones [Centre Stage Turn It Up], Tracy Phillips [Make It Happen], Patrick de Bana and Pedro Gomes [Fados], Kenny Ortega [High School Musical 3], and Todd Underwood [Were The World Mine], to create history. “I am really exhilerated,” said an excited Longinus, who couldn’t make it to New York as he was shooting for a film in Ladakh.
” My name was sent for nominations by Tabrez Noorani, the online producer for Slumdog, and it came as a surprise because I never expected to win with so many heavy weights in the competition. I’ve grown up watching musicals of Fred Astair, Bob Fossey and the like and today, I find myself on the same plane,” he said. He also said that there’s always a woman behind the success of every man. Here, longinus would like to give full credit to Farah Khan. “We started on stage in 1985 and did some stage shows. Although she went full fledged into films, I continued doing my small bits here and there. But she has always promoted me. I’m sure she’ll be happy t hear this news. I thank Danny Boyle as he recognised my talent and put me up on such a hugh pedestal of world cinema. And A.R.Rehman, as the song was very well composed.” Meanwhile, Longinus also bagged a few Hollywood projects and has already completed work on the mini series Bollywood Heroes. ” This is just the beginning and I have a very long way to go,” expressed the chorepgrapher.