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That Desi Spark

@thatdesispark

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A global storytelling platform that celebrates South
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Fun Fact: Not everyone in the @netflix “Best of the Best”dance auditions actually knew the choreography.

The film’s choreographers reveal that some of the people in the background were extras, not dancers, and had to genuinely guess their way through the routine on camera. The result? Some very real confusion hiding in plain sight throughout the audition scenes.

#BestOfTheBest #BollywoodFusion #Choreography #BehindTheScenes #DesiCinema by @thatdesispark

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21 hours ago

On this episode of Playback, That Desi Spark sits down with choreographers Phillip Chbeeb and Makenzie Chbeeb, and co-choreographer Joya Kazi, the creative team behind @netflix “Best of the Best”.

Here, Makenzie breaks down the subtle handshake between Maya and Anjali, a move created to show their bond without a single word. It shows up when they’re kids, before their high school performance, and again in one of the film’s most pivotal moments, when it’s Anjali who reaches out to remind Maya that the sisterhood is still there.

Episode goes live TODAY @8PM EST!

#BestOfTheBest #MaitreyiRamakrishnan #BollywoodFusion #Choreography #SouthAsianCreatives by @thatdesispark

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4 days ago

A $10,000 Fendi Baguette featuring 39,500 beads, 475 mirrors, and more than 138 hours of handwork has reignited a familiar conversation around Indian craftsmanship and global luxury. Fendi lists the bag as “Made in Italy,” while its resemblance to traditional Indian mirror-work aesthetics has drawn criticism in India.

From Fendi’s mirror work to the controversy surrounding Prada’s Kolhapuri-inspired sandals, the bigger question remains: when Indian craft makes it to the global luxury stage, who gets the credit?

#Fendi #IndianCraft #DesiFashion #CulturalAppropriation #indianfashion by @thatdesispark

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5 days ago

That Desi Spark speaks with Phillip Chbeeb, Makenzie Chbeeb, and Joya Kazi, the choreography team behind Netflix’s Best of the Best.

Set inside the competitive world of collegiate Bollywood-fusion dance, the film puts movement at the center of a story about friendship, identity, and the South Asian American college experience. Stay tuned for our conversation with the team behind the choreography. @netflix @netflixgolden

#BestOfTheBest #JoyaKazi #BollywoodFusion #Choreography #SouthAsianCreatives by @thatdesispark

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5 days ago

PART 3: Another moment for Desi talent at TIFF 2026!

From major honors to films reaching an international stage, South Asian creatives are continuing to earn recognition at one of the world’s biggest film festivals.

✍️ TIFF / APP

#TIFF2026 #DesiTalent #SouthAsianCinema #FilmFestival #SouthAsianCreatives by @thatdesispark

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11 days ago

South Asian talent is taking the spotlight at TIFF 2026, with filmmakers and performers bringing stories from across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Canada, and the diaspora to one of the world’s biggest film festivals.

From major premieres to emerging filmmakers and genre-bending shorts, this year’s lineup showcases just how expansive Desi storytelling has become on the global stage. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3!

✍️ AnokhiLife
📸The Hindu, Keerthy Suresh’s Instagram, urban asian, TIFF, FilmInk, Amazon, YouTube, Golden Globes, The Pioneer, Festival de Cannes, indieactivity, Vimeo, The News Minute’s Instagram, Social News XYZ, DOC NYC, Vogue India, Fantastic Fest

#TIFF2026 #SouthAsianCinema #DesiTalent #IndianCinema #SouthAsianFilm by @thatdesispark

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14 days ago

From Zanjeer to Deewaar, Sholay, and Don, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar created heroes who were angry, defiant, and willing to challenge the system—helping make Amitabh Bachchan a star and reshaping what a Bollywood leading man could be.

What topic should we cover next?

#SalimKhan #JavedAkhtar #AmitabhBachchan #Bollywood #IndianCinema by @thatdesispark

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22 days ago

For Lauren Mariasoosay, some of the sweetest parts of Hamilton happen after the curtain comes down.

From handmade keepsakes to a growing collection of Eliza friendship bracelets, Lauren shares the little gifts from musical theater fans that she gets to keep long after each performance.

#LaurenMariasoosay #Hamilton #HamiltonBroadway #ElizaHamilton #Broadway by @thatdesispark

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25 days ago

Headquartered in Mumbai, the new platform marks Billboard’s entry into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing music markets.

With coverage spanning languages, genres and generations, Billboard India is positioning itself as a bridge between India’s music industry and the global stage.

✍️Iworld

#BillboardIndia #IndianMusic #SouthAsianMusic #Mumbai MusicIndustry by @thatdesispark

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a month ago

For Lauren Mariasoosay, gratitude means remembering where the dream started.

From performing for her stuffed animals at four years old to looking out at a Broadway theater each night, she reflects on the small reminders that bring her back to why she started—and why there’s still nothing quite like being part of Hamilton.

#LaurenMariasoosay #Hamilton #HamiltonBroadway #Broadway #Gratitude by @thatdesispark

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a month ago

For Lauren Mariasoosay, every performance of Hamilton begins with a moment to take it all in.

She shares the spot where she pauses before stepping into the opening number as Eliza—a ritual that marks the downbeat of each show before the story begins.

#LaurenMariasoosay #Hamilton #HamiltonBroadway #ElizaHamilton #Broadway by @thatdesispark

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a month ago

Through 5 Junction, Warner Music Group is investing in artists with the potential to bring South Asian sounds and identities to wider U.S. audiences. Led by Anjula Acharia and featuring talent including Rhea Raj and Nora Fatehi, the move signals a growing belief that South Asian music isn’t just a niche—it could be part of the next global wave.

✍️ CNBC

#SouthAsianMusic #5Junction #AnjulaAcharia #WarnerMusic #SouthAsianArtists by @thatdesispark

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a month ago