The upcoming release of Amal Neerad’s ‘Bougainvillea’ is set to captivate audiences not only through its narrative prowess but also due to the infectious choreography that has taken social media by storm. The film, fronted by the formidable actor Mammootty, is a much-awaited follow-up to the success of ‘Bheeshma Parvam,’ which combined slick storytelling with an impactful visual style. As anticipation builds for Bougainvillea’s October 17 theatrical release, all eyes are again on the dynamic choreography by Sumesh Sundar and Jishnudas, whose viral dance moves have previously electrified the screen.
Sumesh and Jishnudas, masters of movement who operate the dance studio Myself and My Moves in Thrissur, Kerala, have once again stepped into the spotlight with the promotional song ‘Sthuthi.’ This track features actors Kunchacko Boban and Jyothirmayi, and has quickly become a social media sensation, amassing over 2.5 million views. The song, a collaboration between composer Sushin Shyam and singer Mary Ann Alexander, is penned by Vinayak Sasikumar – the same talent who orchestrated the lyrical magic of Bheeshma Parvam.
For Jyothirmayi, dancing is hardly uncharted territory. Her past performances in hits like ‘Chingamaasam’ from Meesha Madhavan and ‘Osama’ from Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded have been lauded for their exuberance and sensuousness, respectively. In ‘Sthuthi,’ her confidence and style have earned accolades from many quarters. Choreographer Sumesh Sundar expressed surprise at the actress’s involvement, saying, “She has tried something new and has done it with flair.” His partner, Jishnu, described the experience of working with Jyothirmayi as exhilarating and unexpected.
The choreography in ‘Sthuthi’ incorporates a fusion of diverse styles including hip-hop, house, whacking, and Afro, ingeniously blended to complement the song’s dark undertones. Sumesh shared insights into the creative process, stating, “We have fused the styles in such a way that it compliments the dark vibe of the song. It’s not your typical fast number, but we have used fast footwork and that has been appreciated.” To perfect this innovative choreography, a rigorous ten-day rehearsal session was held in advance of filming.
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At the core of this performance is the charismatic Kunchacko Boban. Known for his dancing prowess, Kunchacko, or Chackochan as affectionately called, never fails to mesmerize audiences. This project marks his reunion with Sumesh and Jishnu after an unreleased effort in a previous film. Sumesh recounted the serendipitous opportunity: “Since we got that song due to Amal ettan we had called him to thank him. That’s when he told us that he had plans to work with Chackochan and us in a movie.”
Amal Neerad, whose love for the art of dance is widely recognized, played a pivotal role in steering the project towards its dance-centric appeal. Jishnudas mentioned how Amal’s unique vision pushed them to exceed creative expectations. “When you work with a director like Amal Neerad you have to come up with something different and out of the box. We worked on moves that went with the pace of the song. The energy had to be maintained.”
The seamless teamwork of the Bheeshma Parvam crew, including composer Sushin Shyam, lyricist Vinayak Sasikumar, and cinematographer Anend C Chandran, ensured a comfortable and cohesive environment during the shoot. This camaraderie extended beyond the immediate film project, rooted in Sumesh and Jishnu’s long-standing friendship since school days and their shared passion for dance, which led to the founding of their studio.
With a filmography that boasts of a diverse range of movies like Paltu Janwar, Oru Thekkan Thallu Case, and more, the duo’s dedicated approach has also successfully brought together young talents from their studio to participate in the dance sequences in Bougainvillea. Sixteen dancers from Myself and My Moves contributed to ‘Sthuthi,’ while an additional five assisted in the choreography.
Beyond Bougainvillea, the duo continues to expand their creative horizons with involvement in an undisclosed upcoming dance-oriented film. While maintaining commitments to their studio, the future looks promising for these choreographers as they navigate the vibrant world of cinematic dance with precision and passion, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting their next projects.
