“This Was Such An Impromptu Attempt”: Janaki Omkumar On Viral Rasputin Challenge Video

Trending Rasputin Challenge: The Rasputin Challenge is a dance challenge started by two students, Janaki Omkumar and Naveen Razak from Kerala’s Thrissur Medical College.

“This was such an impromptu attempt. We did it just after the class one day just spontaneously” said Janaki Omakumar about the viral video on the internet.

In the video that went viral on the internet, the two medical students, Janaki Omkumar and Naveen Razak choreographed a dance move with which they danced to the tunes of the 1970s Boney M classic song, 'Rasputin' in their medical attire.

The 30-second long video of the two medical students caught the attention of many and went viral after it was posted on social media. Both students have also received enormous appreciation and recognition due to the video

But at the same time, they also faced backlash and criticism from the media because of religion. A lawyer with leanings to the right-wing also went as far as to warn Janaki Omkumar's parents and specifically drew attention to the differences in the religion of Razak and Omkumar.

It was when their fellow medical students around the state joined hands to stand with the duo and combat the irrelevant hate coming from various directions. 'The Rasputin Challenge' began on the social media platforms by the medical students' network in the Indian Medical Association. Since then, it has also inspired many other rising online video challenge trends like #StepAgainstHate and #StepAgainstCommunalism.

So far, even the Kerala Police have shown their support for The Rasputin Challenge. “Get Vaccinated From Nearest Vaccination Centre.. Crush The Curve.. Back to Basics.. #keralapolice #CovidVaccine” tweeted the Kerala Police on 11 April. Attached to the post is a video of two Covaxin and Covishield vaccine bottles doing The Rasputin Challenge.

Get Vaccinated From Nearest Vaccination Centre..
Crush The Curve..
Back to Basics..#keralapolice #CovidVaccine pic.twitter.com/QfS8fPCoR3

— Kerala Police (@TheKeralaPolice) April 11, 2021

Janaki Omkumar has posted the Rasputin Challenge video on her Youtube channel which has also generated many viewers.

Watch the video here.