# Prem Rakshith

Prem Rakshith (born Thomas Satish) is an Indian choreographer who works predominantly in Telugu cinema. He is recipient of a National Film Award, three Nandi Awards and six 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 (2022). 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.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Language |
| 2005 | Chatrapathi | Telugu |
| 2006 | Vikramarkudu | Telugu |
| 2007 | Madhumasam | Telugu |
| 2007 | Satyabhama | Telugu |
| 2007 | Yamadonga | Telugu |
| 2007 | Mantra | Telugu |
| 2007 | Pourudu | Telugu |
| 2007 | Azhagiya Tamil Magan | Tamil |
| 2008 | Aatadista | Telugu |
| 2008 | Bhale Dongalu | Telugu |
| 2008 | Kalidasu | Telugu |
| 2008 | Kuruvi | Tamil |
| 2008 | Parugu | Telugu |
| 2008 | Ready | Telugu |
| 2008 | Baladoor | Telugu |
| 2008 | Avakai Biryani | Telugu |
| 2008 | Hero | Telugu |
| 2009 | Billa | Telugu |
| 2009 | Current | Telugu |
| 2009 | Magadheera | Telugu |
| 2009 | Ganesh | Telugu |
| 2009 | Rechipo | Telugu |
| 2009 | Mahathma | Telugu |
| 2009 | Kasko | Telugu |
| 2009 | Kurradu | Telugu |
| 2009 | Arya 2 | Telugu |
| 2010 | Kedi | Telugu |
| 2010 | Adhurs | Telugu |
| 2010 | Darling | Telugu |
| 2010 | Varudu | Telugu |
| 2010 | Simha | Telugu |
| 2010 | Sura | Tamil |
| 2010 | Maryada Ramanna | Telugu |
| 2010 | Don Seenu | Telugu |
| 2010 | Brindaavanam | Telugu |
| 2010 | Khaleja | Telugu |
| 2011 | 100% Love | Telugu |
| 2011 | Badrinath | Telugu |
| 2011 | Shakti | Telugu |
| 2011 | Seema Tapakai | Telugu |
| 2011 | Dhada | Telugu |
| 2011 | Kandireega | Telugu |
| 2011 | Bezawada | Telugu |
| 2011 | Velayudham | Tamil |
| 2012 | Poola Rangadu | Telugu |
| 2012 | Ishq | Telugu |
| 2012 | Naa Ishtam | Telugu |
| 2012 | Lovely | Telugu |
| 2012 | Rachcha | Telugu |
| 2012 | Dhammu | Telugu |
| 2012 | Endhukante Premanta | Telugu |
| 2012 | Saguni | Tamil |
| 2012 | Tuneega Tuneega | Telugu |
| 2012 | Dhenikaina Ready | Telugu |
| 2013 | Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu | Telugu |
| 2013 | Baadshah | Telugu |
| 2013 | Doosukeltha | Telugu |
| 2014 | Veeram | Tamil |
| 2014 | 1: Nenokkadine | Telugu |
| 2014 | Aagadu | Telugu |
| 2014 | Alludu Sreenu | Telugu |
| 2015 | Baahubali: The Beginning | Telugu |
| 2016 | Dictator | Telugu |
| 2017 | Baahubali 2: The Conclusion | Telugu |
| 2017 | Mersal | Tamil |
| 2018 | Rangasthalam | Telugu |
| 2021 | Annaatthe | Tamil |
| 2021 | Gully Rowdy | Telugu |
| 2022 | RRR | Telugu |
| 2022 | Acharya | Telugu |
| 2023 | Veera Simha Reddy | Telugu |
| 2023 | Dasara | Telugu |
| 2023 | Skanda | Telugu |
| 2024 | Pushpa 2: The Rule | Telugu |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Films | Result |
| 2007 | CineMAA Awards | Best Choreographer | Yamadonga ("Nachore Nachore") | Won |
| 2007 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Choreography | Azhagiya Tamil Magan ("Ella Pugazhum") | Won |
| 2008 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Choreography | Kantri ("Vayasunami") | Won |
| 2008 | Santosham Film Awards | Best Choreographer | Kantri and Takkari | Won |
| 2008 | Nandi Award | Best Choreographer | Kantri | Won |
| 2009 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Dance Choreographer | Arya 2 ("Mr. Perfect") | Won |
| 2010 | Nandi Award | Best Choreography | Adhurs ("Assalaam Valekum") | Won |
| 2011 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Choreography | Badrinath ("Nath Nath Badrinath") | Won |
| 2014 | Nandi Award | Best Choreographer | Aagadu | Won |
| 2015 | Nandi Award | Best Choreographer | Baahubali: The Beginning | Won |
| 2015 | Santosham Film Awards | Best Choreographer | Baahubali: The Beginning | Won |
| 2018 | Santosham Film Awards | Best Choreographer | Rangasthalam ("Rangamma Mangamma") | Won |
| 2023 | National Film Awards | Best Choreography | RRR ("Naatu Naatu") | Won |
| 2024 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Choreography | RRR ("Naatu Naatu") | Won |
| 2024 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Choreography | Dasara ("Dhoom Dhaam Dosthaan") | Won |