Birthday boy Allu Arjun took the internet by storm with his killer moves in Pushpa: The Rise songs O Antava Mawa..Oo Oo Antava and Srivalli last year. But before emerging as a pan-India star with the Sukumar-directed film, Allu carved a niche for himself in the Telugu film industry with his exceptional steps in dance numbers that are a staple for parties down south. As the actor turns 41 today, we take a look at five of his most-electrifying dance performances in Telugu films.
Butta Bomma from Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020)
The viral number from Trivikram Srinivas’ 2020 Telugu-language action drama Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo shows a love-struck Allu expressing his emotions to Pooja Hegde’s Amulya through his dance moves in an off-white set with colourful props. Sung by Armaan Malik and composed by S. Thaman, the Butta Bomma song became an instant hit, with Allu’s moves — especially his improvised moonwalk — becoming a rage among the youth. The music video for this song has garnered over 800 million views on YouTube since it was dropped three years ago.
Seeti Maar from DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017)
In this disco-themed electro track from Harish Shankar’s action-comedy film DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham, Allu again shakes a leg with Pooja on a neon-lit dance floor. Sung by Jaspreet Jasz and Rita, Seeti Maar, a Devi Shri Prasad composition, became one of the most-popular Telugu dance numbers of 2017. Choreographed by Shekhar, Allu combines hip-hop with contemporary Indian dance in the over four-minute-long music video. The actor looks cool in his shimmery black outfits, matching steps with the Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan actress.
Cinema Choopistha Mava from Race Gurram (2014)
Clad in yellow-and-red traditional outfits, Allu and Shruti Hassan take over the dance floor in a rural setting in this celebratory number from Surender Reddy’s action-comedy film Race Gurram. Sung by Simha and Varikuppala Yadagiri, Cinema Choopistha Mava is filled with high-energy acrobatic moves that have become synonymous with Allu over the years. The second half of the song transports us to a fishing village, where the duo dance wearing lungis.
Top Lesi Poddi from Iddarammayilatho (2013)
From Puri Jagannadh’s 2013 romantic action film Iddarammayilatho, this high-energy party number shows Allu adopting a street-dancer avatar. Also featuring Catherine, Top Lesi Poddi is shot on a set resembling a pub with several dance floors. Sung by Sagar and Geetha Madhuri, the song shows Allu stylishly sporting a gamcha along with western outfits and using it to perfection in his hard-to-copy moves.
Mr. Perfect from Arya 2 (2009)
This peppy track by Baba Sehgal, Rita and Devi Sri Prasad from Sukumar’s Arya 2 shows Allu pulling off two different personalities — one of a serious corporate employee and the other of a rowdy thug — with ease. While the song doesn’t feature any of Allu’s highly-athletic moves, it captures his natural flair for dance through hip-hop moves. The Mr. Perfect music video also features actress Shraddha Das dancing in a blue sari.
