International Dance Day! Kruti Mahesh: ‘Naatu Naatu’ choreographer Prem Rakshith should have been acknowledged at the Oscars

Kruti Mahesh

For over a century, dance and song have been a distinguishing element in Indian cinema. Even as the years passed by, many films were remembered for their song and dance routines. While dance numbers and choreographies play a vital role in Indian cinema and storytelling, the choreographers are still struggling to get their due credit. At the beginning of this year, well-known choreographer Bosco Martis, one half of the famous duo Bosco-Ceasar, raised the point of them not getting due credit even as his and Ceasar's choreography in 'Fighter' went viral.

Bosco's post on Instagram about choreographer credit saw him get the support of his peers and also made filmmakers take notice of the issue. Today, on International Dance Day, dancer and choreographer Kruti Mahesh shared her thoughts on the matter of credit and what the industry needs to do. Kruti, a National Award winner, has been the brain behind choreographies like ‘Ghoomar, ‘Dholida', ‘Garmi', ‘Ghani Cool Chori' among others.

"Bosco very correctly spoke about and addressed this issue. It's not just now, but even songs that have I watched from the golden era and even before that (did not adequately credit choreographers). There are many songs where the credit of the choreographer is not there and the song is visually appealing and it's an audio -visual medium. The music directors, composers, and singers are given their due credit. Sadly, they don't acknowledge the choreographer all the time. Although, it has improved."

"Especially in Indian cinema, because most of the cinema is based on the songs and the dances, and not just dances. There are other songs which are montage songs and which are moment songs and there are love songs. They're all choreographed by technicians and choreographers. Every song needs to be given the due credit that everyone involved in has been there - especially the choreographer. And it needs to be addressed," she stressed.

Prem Rakshit should have been acknowledged at the Oscars:

When asked to give a shoutout to recent choreographies that won her heart, Kruti shared, "I like and appreciate a lot of choreographies. For example, 'Naatu Naatu' was brilliant. I think Prem Rakshith, who is the choreographer for that song, has done a mind-blowing job with that song. And I watched the film because of that song. I wanted to see how it was placed in the film. Obviously, the movie was wonderful too".

"But that was one song that I don't think I would have loved to do because I don't think I would have done justice to that song the way Prem Rakshith has done. He should have been acknowledged even at the Oscars because along with the song, the choreography is what made everyone remember that song," Kruti added.

Kruti further acknowledged the recent numbers and choreographers that she loved. "There's a Nora Fatehi song that Rajit Dev has choreographed and there is a Jacqueline song that Piyush- Shazia have choreographed. Vijay Ganguly is doing some amazing work. I absolutely loved 'Jhoome Jo Pathan'. I thought it was very glamorously shot and Bosco has again done a fabulous job."