Dance Numbers Dead: Reels Killing Choreography?

Dance numbers used to be more than just eye-catchers. They featured real choreography that made us want to move, steps that were remembered for more than just trends, and a purpose that either drove the narrative forward or was at least woven seamlessly into it. They carried high-energy moves, expressive body language, and storytelling through motion.

From wedding sangeets and parties to festivals, night-outs, and road trips, Bollywood has always provided a track for every occasion. But in the race to go viral, songs today seem to be losing the essence of storytelling and focusing more on virality. Take the recent crop of viral songs, ‘Dabidi Dibidi’, ‘Mere Mehboob’, ‘Kissik’ or even Son of Sardar 2’s song ‘Pehla Tu Duja Tu’. Are they catchy? Absolutely. But do they really feature dance? That’s debatable.

When one thinks of Helen’s Mehbooba Mehbooba or Katrina Kaif’s electric Chikni Chameli, the choreography was memorable, energetic, and actually dance-worthy. Today, a lot of “dance steps” seem to revolve around gyrating with the male lead or jumping onto him. It is less choreography, more gimmick.

Industry experts have pointed out how the process of creating dance numbers has dramatically changed over the years. Earlier, there were creative discussions around songs. Choreographers, directors, and dancers sat together to craft something meaningful. Today, actors often walk directly onto the set with minimal preparation or communication, and in that lack of collaboration, the soul of storytelling through music and movement is lost.

An actor’s involvement in these songs now depends on their rank in the industry. They may be heard, but there’s no guarantee their input will be implemented. While they might have control over their costumes, they rarely have a say in the camera angles. So, when the camera zooms in on a woman’s chest or lingers on her hips, she often has little to no say in it.

For Bollywood today, the purpose of dance numbers, or any song, really, is to create a hook step that can go viral on Instagram reels. These songs rise quickly and are forgotten just as fast. But songs that were well-developed and thoughtfully choreographed are still remembered years later. Why? Because they outlive the lifespan of a trending audio or a viral step.

Dance and music are powerful storytelling tools, ones that Bollywood has long mastered. They’re trademarks of the industry. But if we give in to the short-lived high of reel trends and lose the long-term craft, Bollywood might lose one of its most defining features.