As Farah Khan prepares to fly off to New York to rehearse with Shakira for her live performance on MTV America, the feisty choreographer is determined to take Bollywood to America this time. Says Farah, “I earlier did Bombay Dreams and then Mira Nair’s Vanity Fair for an international audience, also a Chinese film. But somehow the impact of my dances was diminished in the US. In fact, Bombay Dreams didn’t do half as well in the US as in Britain.” But this time through Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie, Farah intends to shake those luscious hips, Bollywood ishtyle. Farah will not only give totally desi steps to Shakira she’ll also try to dress her up in Indian clothes.

Says Farah, “The chorus dancers are definitely getting into low-cut ghagra-cholis and Indian jewellery. The steps will be a mix of Bollywood and Western…that’s the way I choreograph in India as well. I’d say it’s time for Bollywood to make an impact in America, and the sooner the better.” Of course, she’s pleased as Punch about a chance to Bollywoodise Shakira’s chartbuster. “The show will be watched live in 32 countries through MTV America. It’s a three-minute number with a great rhythm. I fly down to New York on August 22. And stay right till September 1.”

After announcing the latest honour in her roster to husband Shirish Kunder, the first person Farah phoned was Shah Rukh Khan. “We’ve started work on our next film, Om Shanti Om. And I was scared about Shah Rukh’s reaction to this sudden international assignment. But Shah Rukh was cool. ‘Go girl, go for it! Do us all proud!’ That’s how he reacted.”

In one way or another choreography refuses to leave Farah behind. “I know!” she’s worried. “I want to be known as a director now. I just have to give up my dancing dreams. Now I’ll only do a bit of choreography for my brother Sajid Khan’s film, nothing else.” She recently did a rare rocking number with Amitabh and Abhishek. “While doing the Rock ’’ roll Soniye number, I was like this star-stuck fan in front of Amitji. He’s a rock star. And it’s my regret that I’m no longer directing Happy New Year. I had a rocking role for him.... But I have to work with him soon.”

Farah is as nervous as a schoolgirl about the impending release of her husband Shirish Kunder’s directorial debut, Jaan-e-mann. “Shirish is so shy he wouldn’t tell the world what a film he has made. Let me say he has made a film that will make quite an impact.”

As good as her own directorial debut, Main Hoon Na? “Even better. Everyone is doing such great work. Look at Karan Johar in Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. It’s such an honest and probing take on marriages. I got scared watching it…just got married recently, and all.”