Get ready to have your mind blown: A humanoid robot just stole the spotlight from Bollywood’s Akshaye Khanna with a jaw-dropping ‘Fa9la’ dance performance at IIT Bombay’s Techfest 2025. But here’s where it gets controversial—while some are hailing this as the future of entertainment, others argue no machine can ever match human charisma. What do you think?
What was supposed to be a routine tech showcase at Asia’s largest science and technology festival transformed into a viral sensation when a humanoid robot took center stage. Dancing to the infectious beats of ‘Fa9la’—a track popularized by Akshaye Khanna in the Bollywood hit Dhurandhar—the robot’s performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. Its fluid movements, impeccable timing, and uncanny rhythm left the audience in awe, blurring the lines between engineering marvel and artistic expression. Within moments, the crowd whipped out their phones, capturing a moment that felt like a glimpse into the future.
And this is the part most people miss—this wasn’t just a robotic demonstration; it was a full-fledged performance that rivaled human dancers. Developed by Bidyut Innovation (though some tech-savvy viewers identified it as the Unitree G1, a Chinese-manufactured robot), the machine’s expressiveness sparked a wave of online admiration. Instagram reels and YouTube shorts of the dance went viral, with viewers praising both its technical precision and emotional resonance. One commenter joked, ‘Akshay Khanna finally has competition!’ while another quipped, ‘Decades of Boston Dynamics bots getting kicked have led to this.’
But not everyone was sold. A heated debate erupted in the comments, with one user declaring, ‘No robot can replace the aura of a human performer.’ Others leaned into the fun, nicknaming the robot ‘Chitti Dakait’—a playful nod to Bollywood’s iconic robot character. Meanwhile, a technical enthusiast pointed out the robot’s origins, sparking discussions about the global race in robotics.
Composed by Bahrain-based artist Flipperachi, ‘Fa9la’ (also known as ‘Sher-e-Baloch’) became a cultural phenomenon thanks to its catchy rhythm and Khanna’s signature moves. Now, a robot has joined the craze, raising questions about the intersection of creativity and technology. Is this the beginning of a new era in entertainment, or just a flashy gimmick? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
