Fans of Indian cinema will be delighted as Amal Neerad prepares to release his much-anticipated film ‘Bougainvillea’ on October 17. Stirring excitement and generating buzz is not only the lead actor, Mammootty, known for his commanding screen presence, but also the exceptional choreography which has already gone viral on social media. Behind this phenomenon are the talented duo, Sumesh Sundar and Jishnudas, who became sensations for their work in the previous Amal Neerad hit ‘Bheeshma Parvam.’ Operating from their dance studio, Myself and My Moves, based in Thrissur, Kerala, they have managed to capture the essence of modern dance styles and infuse it into mainstream cinema.
The recent buzz revolves around the promo song ‘Sthuthi,’ which has garnered over 2.5 million views across social media platforms. Showcasing a striking blend of hip-hop, house, whacking, and Afro dance styles, the song is a standout feature in ‘Bougainvillea.’ The song was composed by Sushin Shyam and features vocals by Sushin himself alongside Mary Ann Alexander. The lyrics, penned by Vinayak Sasikumar—also credited with the songs of ‘Bheeshma Parvam’—seem to seamlessly tie into the visual grandeur of the performances.
Famed actress Jyothirmayi, who is Amal Neerad’s partner, is a prominent feature in the song alongside Kunchacko Boban. Her previous associations with iconic dance tracks such as ‘Chingamaasam’ and ‘Osama’ highlighted her dance prowess, but her performance in ‘Sthuthi’ reveals a bold new flair. Sumesh Sundar describes Jyothirmayi’s participation as a refreshing surprise and emphasizes the excitement of working with her. For Kunchacko Boban, his versatility and discipline were brought to light once again as he brought the choreography to life through rigorous rehearsals, impressing audiences with his seamless moves despite a hand injury.
The creative process behind the scenes involved a deliberate decision to cater dance styles that augmented the dark, intense ambiance of the promo song while employing swift footwork. Sumesh and Jishnudas spent over a week in rehearsals, experimenting with choreography until it aligned with their artistic vision and the director’s storyline.
. Their method involved not just choosing intricate steps but ensuring these moves synchronized perfectly with the pacing of the song, resulting in an electrifying effect.
Amal Neerad’s keen interest in dance as a narrative tool is well noted, and it served as a backbone for the choreographers’ efforts. Not only does he follow the latest dance trends, but he also provides the choreographers a broad creative canvas, giving them the freedom to draw expertly crafted sequences and adapt them for his films. Sumesh recounted a pleasant past encounter, “Amal Ettan reached out to us after ‘Bheeshma Parvam’ for another project with Kunchacko Boban. Fate now brings us together for ‘Sthuthi’.”
Reliving the camaraderie and successful synergy with the team from ‘Bheeshma Parvam,’ Sumesh and Jishnudas were in familiar terrain working with composer Sushin Shyam, lyricist Vinayak Sasikumar, and cinematographer Anend C Chandran, leading to an environment fueled with professional harmony and creativity on the sets.
The bond between Sumesh and Jishnudas extends beyond their studio, sharing a history from their school days. Their dance studio, Myself and My Moves, inaugurated in 2016 on the principles of community building, has since evolved into a significant cultural hub. It is not just a space for choreography but also serves as an incubator for budding dancers who aspire to reach the same heights as the duo. A testament to the studio’s legacy, sixteen dancers from their ensemble featured in the music video for ‘Sthuthi,’ with five others stepping in as essential part of the team, reinforcing the strong community base they’ve built.
Their film credits include projects like ‘Paltu Janwar,’ ‘Oru Thekkan Thallu Case,’ ‘Anchakkakkollan,’ and ‘Anuragam,’ adding a rich layer to their ever-expanding portfolio. Working on multiple projects simultaneously, like their unpublicized dance-oriented film, demonstrates their momentum even as they juggle studio responsibilities.
Jishnudas has also risen to acclaim as the recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Choreography for his commendable work in ‘Sulaikha Manzil.’ As they continue to expand their artistic boundaries, their enthusiasm and dedication ensure they remain pivotal figures in transforming the cinematic dance narrative.
