In a recent movement towards fairness and recognition within the Bollywood music industry, Hrithik Roshan, one of the industry’s top actors known for his iconic dance moves, has taken an important stand. The issue of choreographers being overlooked in song promos bubbled to the surface following an outcry from netizens over the missing credit for dance director Vijay Ganguly in the song promo for ‘Main parwaana’ from the film Pippa. This concern was pushed to the spotlight by choreographer Bosco Martis’s public expression of disappointment after he faced a similar situation.
This past Thursday, Bosco Martis took to Instagram to share his discontentment over the industry’s practice of not crediting choreographers in song promos, despite composers, lyricists, and singers receiving their dues. Martis pointed out the significant contribution of choreographers in making not just the actors, but the entire nation dance to their tunes. He called for the industry to take notice of this disparity and implement necessary changes.
The plea did not fall on deaf ears as Hrithik Roshan, who collaborated with Martis on the Fighter’s song ‘Ishq jaisa kuch,’ along with co-star Deepika Padukone, swiftly reacted to ensure justice was served. Sources close to the actor revealed that Roshan felt unsettled by the oversight and promptly engaged in talks with Siddharth Anand, the filmmaker behind ‘Fighter.’ As a result of his intervention, a change was swiftly made. By Friday afternoon, the YouTube version of the song was updated to include the complete credit list, which featured the names of the choreographers, namely Bosco-Caesar, Remo D’Souza, and Piyush-Shazia.
While this rectification was a quick fix to an isolated incident, it raises a broader question about whether other production houses will follow suit in sincerely recognizing the creative forces behind song choreography. Hrithik has taken a personal step towards ensuring such an oversight is not repeated in his future projects by instructing his team to stay vigilant about crediting all creative contributors.
The film industry often celebrates the faces on screen, but the artists working behind the camera are sometimes left in the shadows, without the applause they rightfully deserve. This includes not just choreographers, but also writers, technicians, and support staff whose collective efforts make a movie possible. The recent events surrounding Hrithik Roshan’s action to correct the credits of ‘Fighter’s’ song is a testament to the powers of influence and leadership within the film fraternity when used for the fairness and acknowledgment of collaborative artwork.
In addition to the credits issue, the fact that an A-list actor stood up and made a difference signifies an ongoing shift in the film industry’s attitude towards inclusivity and equal recognition. It encourages an environment where every contribution is valued, and the traditional hierarchy is questioned, maybe even redefined.
The act undertaken by Hrithik Roshan sets a precedent, but it also invites a broader conversation about how the entertainment industry must evolve to better recognize and honor the full spectrum of artists who bring stories to life. This call for change has been simmering for years, and with influential figures openly advocating for change, there is a potential for an industry-wide transformation.
As the ripple effect of Hrithik’s gesture is watched by fans and industry peers alike, only time will tell if other big names and production companies will answer the call for a more inclusive crediting system. It stands as a reflection of an industry’s collective conscience, an echo of the importance of giving credit where credit is due, and a dance of triumph for the unsung heroes behind the glitz and glamour of Bollywood’s musical spectacles.
