Renowned choreographer and film director Remo D’Souza became a household name after appearing as a judge on Dance India Dance nearly 17 years ago. Along with his professional journey, the audience also became aware of his personal life, especially his relationship with his wife Lizelle D’Souza.However, long before fame, Remo was known as Ramesh Gopi Nair. Over the years, a common misconception has spread that he converted to Christianity in order to marry Liesel (formerly Watkins). The couple have now clarified that this belief is far from the truth. In a conversation with Curly Tales, Remo addressed the assumption directly. “I want to make one thing clear. “People think I converted because of her,” he said, while Liesel quickly added: “Yes, please.
That’s not me, that’s not me.
I didn’t take it away.”Born in Bengaluru to Gopi Nair and Madhavyamma Nair, Remo revealed that his decision to convert to Christianity came very early in his life, when he was just 15 years old and living in Jamnagar, Gujarat. He explained that his connection to the church played a major role in this choice.“Before coming to Mumbai, I was in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and converted there. Because I was doing a lot of work for the church.
I used to perform for them, collect clothes, and give them a lot of charity. One day Father Davis came and said: “Tum itna kuch karte ho Church ke liye, tum converter kyun nahin ho jaate?” (You’re doing so much for the church, why don’t you convert?)He also talked about his family’s reaction to his decision. “My cousins and everyone there are Catholics,” Remo said. “I asked my father, ‘My boss (converts) Karun Kya?’ (Should I convert to Christianity?) He said, ‘Don’t change my name, but do what you want.’” Respecting his father’s wishes, he kept his roots in his name and now goes by Remo Gopi D’Souza, incorporating his father’s name as his middle name. Remo and Liesel married in 1999 when they were in their 20s, and have since built a life Together.
The couple has two sons, Adonis and Gabriel. On the work front, Remo’s last directorial was Be Happy.
