Bheeshma Parvam, a compelling mafia thriller featuring the iconic Mammootty and helmed by director Amal Neerad, captivated audiences with more than just its intriguing storyline and the lead actor’s imposing presence. Beyond the gripping narrative and technical finesse, it was the vibrant dance sequences – expertly choreographed by the creative duo Sumesh Sundar and Jishnudas – that added an engaging layer to the cinematic experience. These talented choreographers, known for their dynamic dance studio Myself and My Moves in Thrissur, Kerala, are once again the talk of the town with their latest work in Neerad’s upcoming film, ‘Bougainvillea,’ which is eagerly awaited by fans and set to be released on October 17.
In the promotional track ‘Sthuthi,’ viewers get a sneak peek into the rhythms and beats that have become a sensation across social media platforms, amassing over 2.5 million views and earning wide acclaim. This catchy number is performed by the film’s composer, Sushin Shyam, alongside Mary Ann Alexander. The poetic lyricism penned by Vinayak Sasikumar, also known for his work in ‘Bheeshma Parvam’, furthers the song’s appeal. Jyothirmayi, a seasoned performer and Amal’s partner, rejuvenates the screen with her radiant energy, reminiscent of her performances in notable tracks like ‘Chingamaasam’ from Meesha Madhavan and the sultry ‘Osama’ from Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded. Her presence and style, complete with an exciting new look in ‘Sthuthi’, have been widely praised. “She has brought something fresh and executed it with an impressive flair,” remarks Sumesh. Jishnu adds, “Her involvement took us by surprise, but it was immensely exciting to collaborate with her.”
The choreography for ‘Sthuthi’ is a vibrant blend of diverse styles such as hip-hop, house, waacking, and Afro. “We intricately fused these styles to match the song’s moody undertone. Although not a conventional high-tempo number, it features rapid footwork that has garnered appreciation,” Sumesh details. The preparation involved a rigorous 10-day rehearsal session to ensure precision during the shoot.
Kunchacko Boban, a phenomenal dancer renowned for his captivating performances, enriches the song with his compelling presence. “He’s always been our admired choice. Following Bheeshma Parvam, we worked briefly with him on another project, but the track could not be retained in the movie’s final cut. Nevertheless, since that opportunity arose through Amal ettan, we reached out with gratitude. That’s when he mentioned his vision to feature Chackochan [Kunchacko Boban] and us together, a plan that materialized over a year later with ‘Sthuthi’,” recounted Sumesh.
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The choreographers share that Amal’s interest in dance extends beyond professional discussions to heartfelt dialogues about art and creativity. “Amal frequently updates himself on the latest dance trends and videos. He shared several with us as references and was thoroughly pleased with the choreography we delivered. Once approved, it was up to us to ensure Chackochan and Jyothi ma’am could bring it to life,” they continue.
Jishnu acknowledges the complexity of interpreting the song’s lyrics into dance, particularly with contemplative phrases like ‘Karthavinu sthuthi’ (Amen to the Lord). “Collaborating with a visionary director like Amal Neerad requires us to think creatively and offer something innovative. Our approach centered on movements complementing the song’s rhythm, maintaining energy throughout. Some movements, although minimal, required rapid execution. For Chackochan, this was an unprecedented experience, particularly as he rehearsed and shot the number while recovering from a hand injury,” Jishnu mentions.
The choreographers affirm that working with a familiar team – including Amal Neerad, Sushin Shyam, Vinayak Sasikumar, and cinematographer Anend C Chandran – provided a comfortable and collaborative environment during production.
Sumesh and Jishnu, long-time friends and co-founders of the dance hub Myself and My Moves, have nurtured talent in Thrissur since starting as a dance community in 2016. Their dancers prominently feature in the ‘Sthuthi’ music video, showcasing the studio’s rich talent. “Sixteen dancers performed while five additional assistants supported the effort,” Sumesh reveals. The duo also runs a YouTube channel, sharing dance videos that first caught Amal Neerad’s eye, leading to their work on Bheeshma Parvam with memorable pieces such as ‘Parudeesa’ and ‘Rathipushpam’.
Their resume includes choreographic credits in films like Paltu Janwar, Oru Thekkan Thallu Case, Anchakkakkollan, Anuragam, and Malayalee from India. Some of these projects feature solo choreography by Jishnu, demonstrating their flexibility and commitment to managing both film work and their thriving dance studio. “Our studio commitments mean we cannot always collaborate together,” explains Sumesh. Meanwhile, Jishnu achieved recognition with the Kerala State Film Award for Choreography for his work on Sulaikha Manzil.
Looking to the future, they have been part of another exciting, dance-oriented film project, yet to be publicly detailed, promising more innovation and joyful expression in their upcoming endeavors.
