Bhushan, who choreographed the ‘Brahmakalasha’ song in Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1, shared how the team approached it with reverence and realism.
Rishab Shetty‘s latest directorial Kantara Chapter 1 has struck a deep chord with the audiences with its perfect blend of folklore, emotion and cinematic craft. With raw, grounded performances, soul-stirring score, and breathtaking visuals, the film has left them captivated, and craving for more.
One of the major talking points of the film is the ‘Brahmakalasha’ song which many described as ‘goosebump-inducing’ and ‘spiritually immersive.’
Recently, in a chat with Cinema Express, choreographer Bhushan opened up about the intense process of crafting this ritual-inspired sequence.
He shared that the ‘Brahmakalasha’ song carried multiple layers- rituals, traditions, and a narrative embedded within another. “There’s even a Shakuntala bit in it. For me, it wasn’t just choreography; it was a dance drama,” he was quoted as saying.
Bhushan revealed that the song was filmed over eight days, bringing together 200 dancers alongside the lead cast to recreate the grandeur and authenticity of a real ritual.
The choreographer shared, “We had archakaru (priest) from Kolluru to help us understand the Kumbha Abhishekam and Brahma Kalasha process. I even studied a five-page PDF that detailed every ritual, costume, and movement. The direction of each step mattered- it had to align with tradition. Sometimes, that meant adjusting the light or re-shooting scenes to keep the essence intact.”
He further added, “We treated it like a real ceremony. Two hundred deepas glowed behind the dancers. The whole atmosphere was spiritual, almost otherworldly. I remember thinking, ‘This film will win.’ I could feel it.”
Meanwhile, Kantara Chapter 1 is enjoying a stellar run at the box office. Helmed by Rishab Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 stars him in the lead alongside Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah, and Jayaram.