Choreographer Sandeep, aka Aata Sandeep, seems to be having a fantastic year. Earlier this year, in January, he choreographed the viral dance moments for the Hook Step song from Megastar Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. The song went viral, and a couple of months later, Sandeep won a state award for Best Choreography for the song Gira Gira Gira from the film Champion. He continues to be in the news for choreographing the chartbuster number Yesha Nagula from the Nani-starrer The Paradise.
Yesha Nagula, a Dharkari-Style Song
The recently released Yesha Nagula is a Telangana folk song and has been generating considerable buzz for The Paradise. Shot on Nani and Keerthy Suresh over seven days on a special set on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the song took Sandeep around a week to choreograph.
“When I first heard the tune of the song (without lyrics), I instantly felt the vibe and believed it would be an instant chartbuster,” he says, speaking to Filmfare. The choreography was designed according to the lyrics, characterisation and body language of the performers.
“It’s a Pehlwan (wrestler) and Dharkari style of dance,” describes Sandeep, adding that such art forms are performed as part of celebrations at events. “The style of dance has vibe, royalty and showcases strength, and director Srikanth Odela wanted me to capture these emotions aesthetically.”
While Nani and Keerthy Suresh nailed the dance moves, Sandeep is thrilled with the overwhelming response to the song. Many fans are recreating the hook steps and making reels as a form of appreciation.
On Working With Megastar Chiranjeevi
Sandeep’s wife, Jyoti Raj, also works with him to choreograph dance sequences. The duo choreographed the Hook Stepsong from Megastar Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, which became an instant blockbuster.
A die-hard fan and strong admirer of Chiranjeevi, Sandeep has often expressed his respect for the legendary actor. “Working with Megastar Chiranjeevi Sir is a blessing,” says Sandeep. “It’s a dream come true and a once-in-a-lifetime milestone in our lives.”
The Challenge of Creating a Hook Step
Creating a memorable hook step can be challenging, particularly when a song needs to connect with the masses. Sandeep believes realistic dance moves and catchy beats are key.
“I choreograph the song based on hero’s character arc and the song context in the film. That gives me a chance to compose steps naturally and in sync with the film’s theme,” he explains. “Since dance is also a form of expression, a hook step should have the required vibe. I try to bring nativity in the lyrical dance for realistic approach; it helps the song travel fast thereby helping the film.”
Also Read: The Paradise: Nani, Keerthy Suresh’s Yesha Nagula Becomes an Instant Chartbuster
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