Choreographers Sumesh Sundar and Jishnudas are making waves once again as they return to the big screen with their energetic and captivating dance moves, this time in director Amal Neerad’s much-anticipated film, Bougainvillea. Following their successful collaboration with Neerad in the critically acclaimed Bheeshma Parvam, the duo’s latest venture promises to bring even more dynamic choreography to audiences when the movie releases on October 17.
The choreographers have already set social media abuzz with the release of ‘Sthuthi’, a promotional song from Bougainvillea that has garnered over 2.5 million views. This number, performed by actors Kunchacko Boban and Jyothirmayi, combines a seamless blend of hip-hop, house, whacking, and Afro styles. Sung by the film’s composer Sushin Shyam and Mary Ann Alexander, with lyrics penned by Vinayak Sasikumar, the song resonates with fans of Neerad’s previous work, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting the full release.
Jyothirmayi, who is no stranger to show-stopping dance numbers, wows audiences with her impeccable style in ‘Sthuthi’. Her past performances, such as the high-octane ‘Chingamaasam’ from Meesha Madhavan and the sultry ‘Osama’ from Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded, have cemented her reputation as a versatile dancer. “Jyothirmayi brought something new to the number with her flair,” notes Sumesh. Jishnudas adds, “Initially, we didn’t know she was part of the project, so it was especially thrilling to choreograph for her.”
Kunchacko Boban’s energetic dance performance pairs perfectly with Jyothirmayi’s charisma. Sumesh and Jishnudas have been working closely with the actor since their time on Bheeshma Parvam. “Kunchacko has always been a favorite. After we worked on another movie with him, although the song never made it to the final cut, it was Amal Neerad who encouraged us to continue our creative partnership. He envisioned Kunchacko in ‘Sthuthi’, and it unfolded beautifully,” shares Sumesh.
The choreography for ‘Sthuthi’ took shape during an intensive 10-day rehearsal period.
. “Amal Neerad’s interest in the latest dance trends challenged us to think outside the box. He shared various dance videos for inspiration, allowing us the creative freedom to choreograph something unique that matched the song’s mood. This collaboration led us to integrate fast-paced footwork, complementing the song’s rhythm,” explains Sumesh. Jishnudas adds that crafting suitable moves to match the song’s lyrics was initially challenging, but their creativity soared under Neerad’s open-minded direction.
For Sumesh and Jishnudas, working with the same creative minds from their Bheeshma Parvam journey—Amal Neerad, Sushin Shyam, and lyricist Vinayak Sasikumar—created a familiar and comfortable atmosphere on set. This camaraderie helped foster a seamless creative process, translating beautifully on screen in Bougainvillea. Sumesh recollects, “It feels like working with family. Everyone knows their strengths and exactly what they bring to the table.”
Both choreographers hail from Thrissur, where their dance studio, Myself and My Moves, serves as a creative hub for talented dancers. Several of their students had the opportunity to showcase their skills in ‘Sthuthi’. This dance studio, which began as a community initiative in 2016, helped the duo refine their craft and expand their influence, ultimately catching the eye of Amal Neerad. Their studio’s YouTube channel is a testament to their hard work and commitment to dance, featuring myriad clips that illustrate their unique style.
In addition to their role in Bougainvillea, Jishnudas’ choreographic excellence was recently recognized when he won the Kerala State Film Award for Choreography for his work on Sulaikha Manzil. The team is also involved in an as-yet-unannounced dance-oriented movie project that promises to showcase even more of their talent and creativity.
With anticipation building for Bougainvillea’s release, the buzz around ‘Sthuthi’ and its mesmerizing dance moves is a testament to the captivating power of Sumesh Sundar and Jishnudas, and their ability to elevate any film project they touch.
