OPINION: Do dance numbers like Kissik from Pushpa 2: The Rule still contribute to a movie’s success and appreciation?

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As a lifestyle expert with decades of experience in the Indian cinema industry, I’ve seen dance numbers evolve from mere novelties to integral parts of our films. It’s fascinating to witness how these numbers have managed to maintain their relevance even in today’s era of progressive storytelling and critical acclaim.

This year, Pushpa 2: The Rule is undeniably making a strong impact on the film industry, raking in impressive numbers at the box office. Yet, it’s worth noting that earlier, the film faced criticism for its dance sequence, Kissik, where Sreeleela made a brief appearance.

Although the tune has stuck in people’s heads, it was frequently likened to the dance routine “Oo Antava” from Pushpa: The Rise, which showcased Samantha Ruth Prabhu. However, is it still effective for a movie’s success, particularly one led by a star like Allu Arjun, to incorporate popular actresses in dance numbers?

Impact of dance numbers on cinema

Since the 1930s, choreographed dance sequences, commonly referred to as “item numbers,” have been a staple in Indian cinema. Initially, these performances often featured women in more revealing attire. In the 1950s, this trend was popularized by a now-forgotten dancer-actress named Cuckoo Moray. Since then, such dance sequences have remained a recurring element in films over the years.

Over time, these “item” dance sequences, initially performed by specific actresses or dancers, turned into a widespread practice among leading actresses. However, this trend appears to be growing increasingly repetitive in each new production, with certain dance numbers becoming overly frequent and seemingly forced into the storyline, creating a lack of coherence with the script.

In modern cinema, there’s been an increasing popularity of incorporating dance scenes into movies. However, at times these sequences can disrupt the narrative flow, making storytelling more challenging. Interestingly, some filmmakers choose to include dance numbers even in the post-credit sequence, which may seem irrelevant or unrelated to the main movie plot.

Check out the song Kissik from Pushpa 2: The Rule:

One possible reason these old trends continue may be linked to how popular they remain in today’s society. In discussions online and offline, it’s clear that many people in India still appreciate these dance tunes.

In Indian films, you’ll often find dance sequences as a common theme. These scenes, filled with emotion and creativity, continue to resonate with viewers. The allure of these musical numbers is evident in their rapid spread online, demonstrating their widespread popularity among the public.

In the vast majority of mainstream films nationwide, tunes often labeled as “item numbers” are typically performed by female artists. These catchy songs transcend regional boundaries, appearing not only in popular Indian industries like Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Bollywood, Kannada, but also elsewhere.

One way to rephrase the given sentence could be: “The continued relevance of these songs shows they remain influential among people, often serving as marketing tools for films. In many cases, movies are marketed effectively by including catchy dance numbers, which can attract audiences enough to make them want to watch a movie just for that particular song.

Multiple individuals might debate this topic, viewing it as an artistic representation of a character or simply as an outlet for self-expression. Regardless of perspective, a captivating dance sequence often contributes significantly to a film’s success at the box office, serving as a major draw, particularly in movies with masala genres.

The influence of an actor or actress’s star power extends beyond their songs being appealing or visually striking through representation and choreography. Nowadays, successful dance numbers tend to feature stars with strong celebrity status, such as Tamannaah Bhatia in Jailer’s Kaavaalaa and Pooja Hegde in Beast. While this may not have been the case earlier on in the trend.

Watch Kaavaalaa from Jailer here:

Given these factors – the marketing strategies for films, the effect an actress can have through her songs, and the overall influence on success – is it necessary for every commercially successful film to incorporate similar elements in order to be a hit?

Are dance numbers still relevant in Indian cinema?

If the question of whether movies require such dance numbers is asked, then it would easily become a hard no. If a film can pull in a star actor to a larger-than-life avatar, riding on a well-made script, then the impact of such dance numbers would easily diminish.

In my view as a lifestyle expert, the timeless appeal of dance sequences in films continues to captivate audiences even in the 2020s. Though some connoisseurs of world cinema might be accustomed to more nuanced narratives, they remain unfazed by these vibrant displays and instead focus on the storytelling prowess showcased within these cinematic masterpieces.

Though these dance sequences frequently serve as an entertaining diversion within a film’s narrative, it cannot be ignored that they sometimes reduce the performers to merely decorative elements for the audience’s pleasure, potentially overshadowing their artistic merit.

This may be countered by certain filmmakers by saying that even in suggestive surroundings the song provides a critique of human nature, but the impact remains the same, at least on a particular percent of viewers.

Even though many people and filmmakers understand this pattern, it’s likely to persist for quite some time unless it completely fades away. However, achieving that seems unlikely at the moment, even with massive films like KGF: Chapter 2, RRR, and Salaar: Part 1 breaking through without relying on these trends and still becoming hits.

Alternatively, some films use songs to advance the plot or enhance their storyline. However, these instances are relatively uncommon, making them exceptional cases amidst a sea of typical, run-of-the-mill movies.

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2024-12-11 14:08