Bheeshma Parvam, the cinematic masterpiece blending intrigue and drama, captured the imaginations of audiences with its slick mafia storyline, helmed by the towering talent of Mammootty and directed by gifted filmmaker Amal Neerad. However, beyond the magnetic presence of Mammootty and the stellar musical scores by Sushin Shyam, it was the electrifying dance routines choreographed by Sumesh Sundar and Jishnudas that truly mesmerized viewers. These dance virtuosos, who operate the renowned studio “Myself and My Moves” in the vibrant city of Thrissur, Kerala, are thrust back into the spotlight. Once again, they partner with Amal Neerad for another cinematic endeavor, the much-anticipated Bougainvillea, scheduled for a grand theatrical release on October 17.
The promotional song ‘Sthuthi’, featuring eminent actors Kunchacko Boban and Jyothirmayi, has taken social media by storm, amassing an impressive tally of over 2.5 million views and climbing. Puffy rhythms courtesy of composer Sushin, fused with the melodious voices of Mary Ann Alexander and lyrical flair of Vinayak Sasikumar, the same wordsmith behind the music of Bheeshma Parvam, add layers to this viral track. Jyothirmayi, familiar to fans for her dynamic performances in ‘Chingamaasam’ from Meesha Madhavan and ‘Osama’ from Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, earns accolades for her fresh appearance and style in ‘Sthuthi’. “She’s embraced something unconventional with a wonderful flair,” Sumesh remarks. Jishnudas adds, “We never anticipated her involvement when we received the song. Collaborating with her was an exhilarating experience.”
Fused with various dance styles, including hip-hop, house, whacking, and Afro, the choreography of ‘Sthuthi’ is meticulously designed to align with the song’s somber ambiance. “The song is not a conventional fast-paced number, yet the pace and footwork have drawn admiration,” Sumesh elaborates. The preparation was thorough, with a rigorous 10-day rehearsal precluding the filming.
The charismatic Kunchacko Boban proves once more why he stands as a beloved dancer. “Since our collaboration in Bheeshma Parvam, we had the privilege of working with him again, although, regrettably, that particular song didn’t make it into the final cut of the film. It was Amal ettan who facilitated that introduction, so we reached out to express our gratitude.
. He hinted at plans involving Chackochan [Kunchacko Boban] and us for a future project. Over a year later, we got the call to choreograph ‘Sthuthi’,” Sumesh recounts.
Amal Neerad, besides being an adept director, has a keen eye and passion for dance. “He stays well-informed about emerging dance trends and shared some of these as inspiration for ‘Sthuthi’. Once satisfied with our proposed choreography, he placed his trust in us to bring Jyothi ma’am and Chackochan’s performances to life,” the choreographers reveal.
Despite the initial challenges Jishnu and Sumesh faced when deciphering the lyrics, they managed to craft choreography bursting with energy and character. “Phrases such as ‘Karthavinu sthuthi’ (Amen to the Lord) require thoughtful consideration. With a director like Amal Neerad, we had to ensure the steps were innovative and captivating,” Jishnu explains. The outcome was a seamless blend of intricate, fast-paced movements that left a lasting impression on Kunchacko Boban, who was full of praise despite filming with a hand injury.
The choreographic duo took comfort in working with the familiar team from Bheeshma Parvam, which includes the meticulous cinematographer Anend C Chandran among others. Their longstanding friendship and shared passion for dance paved the way for this vibrant journey that began in 2016 when they transformed their community, Myself and My Moves, into a professional dance studio. The studio played an indispensable role in ‘Sthuthi’, with 16 dancers from their ensemble performing and additional five aiding in production. Their YouTube channel, also named “Myself and My Moves,” showcases their remarkable talent, captivating Amal Neerad’s attention, which led to their involvement in Bheeshma Parvam, introducing iconic songs like ‘Parudeesa’ and ‘Rathipushpam’.
Over the years, Sumesh and Jishnu have built an impressive portfolio, featuring work on films such as Paltu Janwar, Oru Thekkan Thallu Case, Anchakkakkollan, Anuragam, and Malayalee from India. Jishnudas has even been individually recognized for his choreography, securing the Kerala State Film Award for his stellar work in Sulaikha Manzil. They remain focused on future projects, including a yet-to-be-disclosed dance-themed movie, promising more innovative dance experiences to enthrall audiences once again.
