Seven years on, Neeve remains a landmark in Indian indie music videos, proving crowd-funded art can rival mainstream production.
Our Verdict
Neeve transcends the typical music video format by weaving dance, music, and nature into a cohesive meditation on love and freedom. Phani Kalyan’s ethnic-electronic fusion and the performers’ synchronised yet liberated movements create an experience that lingers long after viewing. A must-watch for anyone seeking indie cinema that challenges conventional storytelling.
Within the chaos of the world, and the smoky dust of ambitious living, there comes a time when you see something incredibly beautiful. This thing makes you wonder why it never existed before in the fist place. Fortunately, most of those moments can be shared these days, via social media and websites. Gomtesh Upadhye‘s Neeve ( Neene in Kannada and Neeye in Tamil ) is one such glorious moment. What makes it all the more special is the way it has been made. Neeve is one of the most wonderful, crowd funded venture to come out in a really long time. And so literally speaking, it’s worth every penny and more.
The music video, starts with a rhythmic rehearsals of two dancers, played by Shreya Deshpande and Niranjan Harish, as they thrive to achieve a perfect sync. However, a slip and misstep later, they realise that there is a sort of binding, which is unexplained and imperative in their routine. The two performers, then realise that the only way to fully express themselves is to will-fully break-free. Hence, their rhythms are now replaced by the timeless breaths and captivating heartbeats. What follows is their attempt to capture the succulent summers, breath taking cold winds and nature’s every apathy that will now speak through their souls.
The music that accompanies the video is as surreal as the journey of these two performers. With an ethnic fusion with subtle inclusions of Electronic, Phani Kalyan pulls off a feat not many established music-men can achieve. If music is its heartbeat, dance is the soul of it. VishwaKiran Nambi, the choreographer for this video, creates a design and decor, which truly brings out the stirring narrative alive. Of course, the cinematography managed jointly by Gomtesh and Akshay Rao, swirls and turns with the steps of the two souls, creating an involving and pitch perfect experience to the viewers. The lyrics by Sreejo ( for the Telugu Version ) creates a space and eternaity wherein it becomes extremely difficult to escape from, and singers Yazin Nizar and Sameera Bharadwaj bind us with their vocals.
The leads here, Shreya Deshpande and Niranjan Harish, exude such poise that it’s hard to blink, even for second, lest we miss out on something. Shreya, has a queen’s command and a ballerina’s grace. Niranjan Harish comes across as a powerful contemporary dancer with a surgeon’s precision in his steps.
The video brought out in three languages has been one of the most brilliant uses of crowd funding ever. Speaking to Hindu Gomtesh explained the thought behind it – “Once we started off, we realised we would need a large budget. So I decided to crowdfund it, and on the crowdfunding platform ZingoHub we managed to raise Rs. 1.80 lakh within three days!” he said.
Here’s hoping the team an incredible success. They deserve every accolade coming their way.
Watch The Telugu Version Here :
The Kannada And Tamil Versions Are As Below Respectively :
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neeve music video about?
Neeve is a crowd-funded music video following two contemporary dancers, Shreya Deshpande and Niranjan Harish, as they explore the synchrony between structured movement and emotional freedom. The narrative celebrates love through dance, nature, and the breaking of conventional rhythms.
Who directed Neeve?
Neeve was created by Gomtesh Upadhye, marking one of the most successful crowd-funded ventures in Indian indie cinema. His vision combined contemporary dance with electronic-ethnic fusion music to tell a unique story of passion and liberation.
Who is the music composer of Neeve?
Phani Kalyan composed the music for Neeve, blending ethnic instruments with subtle electronic elements. His innovative approach creates a surreal soundscape that perfectly complements the dancers’ movements and the video’s visual narrative.
Who are the dancers in Neeve music video?
The music video features contemporary dancers Shreya Deshpande and Niranjan Harish. Their performances showcase both synchronized precision and emotional authenticity, embodying the video’s central theme of breaking free from rigid patterns.
Is Neeve available to watch online?
Yes, Neeve is available on various streaming platforms and video channels. As a crowd-funded project, it has gained significant visibility across Indian indie cinema communities and digital platforms showcasing independent music videos.
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