Mumbai: Emmy award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels says she in love with Indian movies as they are vibrant and celebratory. Known for her stint on American show "So You Think You Can Dance", Mia will make an appearance as a guest challenger on hit TV show "Dance India Dance". The Indian film industry is synonymous with song and dance culture and Mia says she is a fan of movie musicals.

"It is my inspiration as a dancer and choreographer. In America, it (dance) is an art form that is not celebrated as much as it used to be back in the golden times and in the era of Hollywood musicals," she said.

"I am in love with Indian filmmaking because it is musical, it is celebratory, it is colourful. I have been so attracted to this form of filmmaking here in India, it is just massive. I would love to be a part of it just because it is so celebrated here and it seems to just grow and grow," Mia told PTI in an interview here.

The choreographer is not much of a fan of contemporary dance and loves to explore new forms. "I am a huge lover of Latin ballroom and Bollywood, these are two of my favourite dance forms. I get little bored with contemporary dance and so I am constantly exploring new forms of movement and story telling (through dance) in different ways."

Mia will be seen as a challenger on Zee TV's "Dance India Dance" season six. The international choreographer says she has seen some episodes online of the popular dance reality show and is amazed with the talent on the show.

"India is such a rich culture I want to see their (contestants) movement and passion. As a professional dancer, it is important to have different flavours. To be a professional dancer, you need to have different qualities of movement and training." The show has veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty as a grandmaster and Mia is excited to meet him.

"I have so much respect for what he (Chakraborty) has accomplished in his lifetime so far. He is still so young and is so highly admired and respected by all as a dancer, actor and at so many different levels. It is an honour to meet and work with him. I am looking forward to it." Talking about India, Mia says she loves the rich culture of the country.

"What I love the most about India are the people of this country, they are so loving and welcoming and supportive. I love the culture, it is so rich. I have so much to learn from it. "I love Indian food. I am enjoying everything here. There is so much to take back with me when I leave from here," the 51-year-old said. (PTI)