Prem Rakshith


Prem Rakshith is an Indian choreographer who works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He is recipient of a National Film Award for [Best Choreography|National Film Award], three Nandi Awards and six Filmfare [Awards South|Filmfare Awards].

Early life and career

Prem Rakshith was born in Puducherry and raised in Chennai. His real name is Thomas Satish, and was actually born as a Hindu, before his grandmother got the entire family converted to Roman Catholic.
Prem received acclaim for his work on "Naatu Naatu" from RRR. The hook step involving N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan dancing together became popular. "Naatu Naatu" became the first song from an Indian film to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Rakshith was credited as a choreographer at the ceremony, where "Naatu Naatu" went on to win. It has also won the Best Original Song award at the 80th Golden Globe Awards, making it the first Asian as well as the first Indian song to win the award. He was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2024.

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryFilmsResult
2007CineMAA AwardsBest ChoreographerYamadonga Won
2007Filmfare Awards SouthBest ChoreographyAzhagiya Tamil Magan Won
2008Filmfare Awards SouthBest ChoreographyKantri Won
2008Santosham Film AwardsBest ChoreographerKantri and TakkariWon
2008Nandi AwardBest ChoreographerKantriWon
2009Filmfare Awards SouthBest Dance ChoreographerArya 2 Won
2010Nandi AwardBest ChoreographyAdhurs Won
2011Filmfare Awards SouthBest ChoreographyBadrinath Won
2014Nandi AwardBest ChoreographerAagaduWon
2015Nandi AwardBest ChoreographerBaahubali: The BeginningWon
2015Santosham Film AwardsBest ChoreographerBaahubali: The BeginningWon
2018Santosham Film AwardsBest ChoreographerRangasthalam Won
2023National Film AwardsBest ChoreographyRRR Won
2024Filmfare Awards SouthBest ChoreographyRRR Won
2024Filmfare Awards SouthBest ChoreographyDasara Won