Choreographers deserve recognition: Bosco Martis on being overlooked for Chuttamalle

Bosco Martis has again called for long-overdue recognition of choreographers in the Indian film industry. He was recently in the news when he expressed his disappointment at not being credited for his work on the hit Chuttamalle (Devara: Part 1), starring Jr. NTR and Janhvi Kapoor. “I wish Janhvi would have spoken about it in her promotions,” he’d remarked. Jr. NTR and Janhvi Kapoor in the song Chuttamalle (Devara: Part 1)Speaking to Bombay Times about this, Bosco highlighted how choreographers are often sidelined during film promotions, despite playing a pivotal role in the visual and emotional impact of a song.“We choreographers deserve recognition. A song is a story, a world that the choreographer helps create, from steps to set design, costume inputs to colour palettes. Today, a choreographer is no less than a song director.” Without singling out any actor for deliberate oversight, Bosco stressed the importance of crediting behind-the-scenes creatives. “I know nobody avoids naming choreographers on purpose, it’s like forgetting a friend’s birthday. Jahnvi didn’t do it on purpose, but when actors acknowledge the technicians who make them shine, it’s a deeply fulfilling moment for us.” Bosco cited the example of radio platforms that now mandatorily mention singers, lyricists, and music composers, and advocated for a similar norm for choreographers, especially for dance-centric tracks. “For years, I’ve been saying this: mention the choreographer’s name. On iconic songs like Ek Do Teen, Tauba Tauba or Dola Re Dola, the choreographer’s identity is vital to the song’s legacy. It's high time this became an industry norm,” says Bosco, the creative force behind dance hits like Jhoome Jo Pathaan and Kala Chashma.Despite the lack of consistent credit, he did acknowledge that several actors have celebrated choreographers publicly over the years. “Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Shah Rukh Khan and even Janhvi Kapoor have praised us on various occasions. When that happens, suddenly everyone knows your name. That’s when you feel seen.” Talking about Chuttamalle, the choreographer shared behind-the-scenes insights on the track’s filming. “It was a challenging three to four-day shoot. The water was icy cold. Janhvi danced and emoted through it all without complaining. NTR, of course, is a dream, he barely rehearses and still executes every step with grace.” On the set: Bosco Martis with Jr. NTR and Janhvi KapoorBosco credited the song’s success to a collaborative effort and support from the director and producers. “The song wasn’t rushed. We had the freedom to craft something beautiful. And it paid off, the audience has showered it with love.”