Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Gen Z dances to 'Des Rangila' with Brazil-imported steps
On India's Independence Day, people celebrate by making short videos called reels on Instagram.
This year, almost everyone used the same patriotic song, 'Des Rangila' from the movie Fanaa.
The song has been a symbol of patriotism in India for about twenty years.
Gen Z made the dance their own, but the footwork actually comes from a dance trend in Brazil.
Some creators made funny videos pretending the Prime Minister sent them on secret missions instead of dancing.
Other creators used the song to talk about problems in India, like pollution and unfair treatment.
One creator changed the words to 'Des Andhera Andhera' to say things are going wrong.
People also made silly videos, like wishing India happy birthday with Ireland's flag and celebrating '26 August'.
Even virtual games like Roblox had parades, and celebrity Rakhi Sawant rode a horse made with AI.
The song makes people feel proud and shows many different sides of India.
Gen Z creators flooded Instagram with Independence Day reels set to 'Des Rangila', the patriotic song from the film Fanaa.
A viral reel by creator @yallum_dd showed an 'Independence Day dance in the Gen Z style' with footwork lifted from a Brazilian dance trend.
Creators joked about national missions, including Namira Khan's reel placing her face on a rocket and Piyush Bhandari's post about training for 15 August.
Some reels offered social critique, like Aishi Das Khan's 'Des Andhera Andhera' parody posted on 22 July during the peak of youth protests in Delhi.
Brands joined in with AI-powered greetings, while Roblox parades and a Rakhi Sawant reel featuring an AI horse also went viral.
- Who
- Gen Z creators on Instagram, including @yallum_dd, Namira Khan, Piyush Bhandari, Aishi Das Khan, and Shamiya Shaikh; celebrity Rakhi Sawant also featured.
- What
- Viral Independence Day reels set to 'Des Rangila', including minimalist Gen Z-style dance steps imported from a Brazilian trend, humorous 'national mission' skits, and some socially critical videos.
- When
- Around India's Independence Day on 15 August; the viral dance reel was posted on 3 August and the critical parody on 22 July.
- Where
- India, shared on Instagram; the dance trend originated in Brazil, and parades also appeared in Roblox worlds.
- Why
- 'Des Rangila' has dominated patriotic sentiment in India for two decades and resonates with Gen Z as 'patriotism with main-character energy' that represents 'everything India actually is.'
Celebratory Patriotism
Critical Patriotism
Tone of Independence Day reels
Celebratory Patriotism
Creators celebrate the holiday with joyful 'Des Rangila' dances, 'unity in diversity' themes, and humorous skits.
Critical Patriotism
Creators like Aishi Das Khan use the song for pointed critiques of India's state of affairs, including a 'Des Andhera Andhera' parody and visuals of pollution and in-fighting.
Pressure to prove patriotism
Celebratory Patriotism
Patriotic reels are a lighthearted expression of national pride shared by many Indians.
Critical Patriotism
Creators like Shamiya Shaikh highlight that Indian Muslims face pressure to prove their patriotism even after raising voices on national issues; commenters agreed they feel the biggest pressure to prove patriotism.
- Song
- 'Des Rangila' from the film Fanaa
- Platform
- Instagram reels
- Holiday
- 15 August, Indian Independence Day
- Dance source
- A Brazilian dance trend
- Viral dance reel
- @yallum_dd's 'Gen Z style' reel posted 3 August
- Parody song
- 'Des Andhera Andhera' by Aishi Das Khan, posted 22 July
- Celebrity appearance
- Rakhi Sawant riding an AI horse with a giant flag
- Brand activity
- AI-powered greetings and promo images