Nileeka Bose: The choreographer bringing Bollywood energy to 'Picture This' and British screens

She’s the woman behind the moves in Picture This—the Amazon Prime rom-com where British banter meets Bollywood beats. And in this Eastern Eye exclusive, Nileeka Bose, founder of The Bollywood Co., takes us behind the scenes of a film that’s putting Brit-Desi stories (and dance floors) on the map.

Some people dance to impress. Others dance to express. For Nileeka, dance has always been about something deeper: connection. Bridging cultures, generations, and entire continents—one foot tap, shoulder shimmy, and joyful spin at a time. And nowhere does that connection come alive more vividly than in Picture This, Amazon Prime’s latest Brit-Desi rom-com.

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At the heart of this cinematic celebration is a choreographer whose journey is as dynamic as the dance sequences she creates.

Nileeka Bose, the creative force behind the dance sequences that light up the screen

That wedding scene? The one where the aunties are clapping in time, the cousins are showing off, and everyone’s lost in the music like it’s their real big day? She’s the woman behind it all.

But her Nileeka’s journey didn’t start under the bright lights of Bollywood or even on a film set.

It began when she joined a professional dance company at 16, one of the youngest in the troupe. “There were jobs I couldn’t even do because of my age,” she laughs, remembering those early days. Nevertheless, she stayed loyal to the company for over seven years, eventually becoming Assistant Manager. When the company closed, it marked the beginning of her next chapter: starting her own venture, The Bollywood Co. (BollyCo). “It was terrifying,” she admits. “But also, I couldn’t not do it.”

The dream: More than just dance moves

What sets BollyCo apart isn’t just slick choreography or flawless performances. It’s the simple, powerful idea that anybody can dance. And Nileeka means it.

“That’s why we have a range of dance services, from public classes right through to professional offerings,” she explains.

That joy isn’t just in the big moves but in the little moments: the nervous bride nailing her sangeet steps, the dad who swore he had two left feet finally grooving at his daughter’s reception. “Dance can elevate anything,” she says. “Dance plays such an integral role in defining culture and community.”

At BollyCo, it’s about bringing together research on trends, creative strategy, and of course, fantastic dancing. And in Picture This, all of that comes together perfectly.

How she landed Picture This: Hint—It started in her inbox!

It wasn’t some huge, glamorous deal that got her involved. It started with an email. “I sent over my portfolio and expressed keen interest,” she recalls. That led to a couple of meetings with director Prarthana Mohan. “Often, it’s more about how you can execute the director’s vision versus what you can personally offer,” Nileeka explains.

“I think a lot of choreographers make the mistake of thinking everything is about their dance style and their vision. Ultimately, you need to be able to work with someone else’s.”

That adaptability sealed the deal.

Nileeka Bose, the creative force behind The Bollywood Co., choreographs culture and connection in Picture ThisInstagram/nileeka

Choreographing the chaos: From “nostalgia” to “now”

Once on board, Bose knew exactly what had to be done: make it real. “Long gone are the days when you could just twist lightbulbs and pat dogs and call it Bollywood unless you’re doing satire!” she laughs.

Her approach? Authenticity. “Many dancers wore their own Indian outfits. I even brought in some of my personal pieces for them. We didn’t want it to look ‘costumey.’ It had to feel like a real wedding. Because if you’ve ever been to a South Asian wedding, you know that energy can’t be faked.”

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For Picture This, she wanted to tap into something deeply familiar. “It wasn’t about inventing something new,” she explains. “It was about tapping into nostalgia, what people who grew up in South Asian families in the UK would recognise. The classic wedding moves, the inside jokes, the way someone’s mum might suddenly join in with a finger wag and steal the spotlight.”

Behind the scenes: 2 takes and zero time

Every set has its chaos moment, and for Picture This, it was the wedding credits dance. “It was the last scene of the day, and we were running out of time,” she recalls. “Total madness.”

But somehow, they nailed it and in just two takes. “Prarthana told me I smashed it,” she grins. “She was as surprised as I was!”

With ensemble dances, one-shot takes are notoriously tricky. “Everyone had to hit their mark, no room for mistakes. It was stressful, but also electric.”

From Polite Society to Picture This: Two very different vibes

Nileeka isn’t new to Desi projects on the global stage. “Working on Polite Society was wild,” she says. “That one was about stunts and action and high energy.”

Picture This, on the other hand, was more grounded. “It’s about two brown girls growing up in East London, it’s not Bollywood fantasy, it’s more like, ‘Hey, this could be your cousin’s wedding.’”

And that difference? She loves it. “There’s space for both kinds of stories. We don’t always need to be in Mumbai to tell Desi stories.”

What’s next? Your guess is as good as hers

So, what’s next? She laughs. “I never know! This industry is like… things happen last minute. You could be chilling and then get a call that changes everything.”

Is it nerve-wracking? Sure. But it’s also what makes her tick. “I love that no two days are the same.”

Her advice for aspiring choreographers? Get out there.

“You have to be everywhere. Try everything,” she says. “And don’t think you’re done learning. I’m still learning.”

She’s candid about how unpredictable this career can be. “Some gigs you hustle for, some just fall into your lap. But you have to show up for all of it. Be open.”

Telling stories through dance

In Picture This, dance isn’t just for decoration. It’s the heartbeat of the story. It’s how families connect, how cultures blend, and how joy is made visible. And for Nileeka, that’s always been the point.

Choreographer Nileeka Bose brings Bollywood energy to British screens in Amazon’s Picture ThisInstagram/nileeka

“Dance is storytelling,” she says. “It’s not just steps. It’s people.”

And something tells me this is just the beginning of her story.