Hook, Line & Sinker: How South Indian Moves Conquered Reels

South Indian chartbusters have got the world hooked! These dance tracks have become a viral phenomenon, inspiring viewers to bust the hook steps with the same fervour they reserve for dissecting the latest plot twists. From Ed Sheeran’s playful attempt at the iconic Butta Bomma shuffle to Varun Dhawan and Rashmika grooving to the Arabic Kuthu sway, and even the entire Bollywood Khan-trifecta getting their groove on to the Oscar- winning Naatu Naatu high kicks at Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s lavish pre-wedding bash, it’s clear these moves are so contagious, they’re transcending borders and cultural barriers. On International Dance Day, ace choreographers delve into the science behind south Indian cinema’s most contagious dance moves.

‘Ultimately, the aim is to inspire people to dance’

The magic of South Indian folk movements lies in their universality. Anyone can dance to these rhythms and add their own flair. What makes these moves truly special is their innate synchronicity, even when performed by multiple dancers. Whether its Butta Bomma, Arabic Kuthu, Ranjithame or Ra Ra Rakkamma, ultimately, the aim is to inspire people of all ages to dance and to carry the song back with them.

– Jani Master, choreographer

‘Composed more than 118 steps for Naatu Naatu’

It’s all about improvisation sometimes. I composed more than 118 steps for Naatu Naatu. Now, for the song, Bheem (Jr NTR) and Ram (Charan) arrive at the function in coats. But then we realised the dance might not be visible with their coats on. So, they removed their coats, and that’s when I immediately noticed the suspenders. We dance masters, always improvise with props, be it a stick, a water bottle, or even a plate. They’re both good dancers, but the real challenge was synchronising their styles. We had to develop it all from scratch. They needed to match, and that meant creating something new that worked perfectly for both of them.

– Prem Rakshith, choreographer

‘I opted for a simple shoulder wiggle’

Usually, when a song is set in a college, everyone cannot dance evenly. In Vaathi Coming, since the whole college is dancing, I wanted everyone to perform the step that comes naturally to them. So I opted for a simple shoulder wiggle and it did the trick. That’s what worked for Naa Ready as well.

– Dinesh, choreographer

Ganesh Acharya’s choreography for Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s dance number in Pushpa sparked a frenzy, inspiring countless reels and social media trends

Jani Master’s choreography for the song from Kichcha Sudeep’s Vikrant Rona got people grooving & replicating Jacqueline’s hook step

Choreographed by Prem Rakshith, Ram Charan and Jr NTR’s electrifying moves sparked a global dance craze, culminating in a historic Oscar win

Dinesh ’s choreography struck gold with a seemingly simple hook step. The easy-to-learn shoulder rolls and stomps sparked a global frenzy among fans, going viral worldwide.

Sekhar Master’s gravity-defying chair spins in the Mahesh Babu-Sreeleela starrer had fans and influencers battling it out to nail the viral dance move

Jani Master’s choreography sparked a wave of enthusiasts recreating Tamannaah Bhatia’s seductive hook step, with a version featuring Korean men skyrocketing into viral fame

Allu Arjun’s hook step isn’t just a dance move; it’s a cultural phenomenon. The side shuffle and the shoulder wiggle has captivated audiences worldwide

So catchy, it’s contagious

Tanzanian content creator Killi Paul showcased his love for Allu Arjun’s Pushpa by acing the signature Srivalli step