Humanoid Robot Steals the Show at IIT Bombay Techfest 2025, Dances to ‘Fa9la’ and Earns the Name ‘Chitti Dakait’
Techfest 2025 at IIT Bombay is known for futuristic innovations, cutting-edge research, and ambitious student-led experiments. Yet, amid panels on artificial intelligence, robotics, and deep-tech startups, one moment stood out and captured the internet’s imagination. A humanoid robot, instead of rolling through a scripted demonstration, took centre stage and danced—confidently and fluidly—to the viral track ‘Fa9la’.
What audiences initially expected to be a routine technology showcase quickly transformed into a full-blown performance. As the Arabic beats of ‘Fa9la’ filled one of Techfest’s main stages, the robot responded with precise timing, expressive posture, and rhythm that felt strikingly human. Within moments, phones were raised across the crowd, recording a spectacle that seamlessly merged advanced engineering with pop culture.
When Engineering Meets Entertainment
Unlike conventional robotics demonstrations that focus on mechanical movement or functional tasks, this performance leaned into creativity. The robot did not merely move—it performed. Its coordinated steps, controlled gestures, and sense of musical timing surprised students, families, and tech enthusiasts alike.
The crowd reaction said it all. What began as curiosity turned into cheers and applause as the robot continued its routine. The performance served as a vivid illustration of how far humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence have evolved, particularly when developers move beyond utility and explore expressive capabilities.
In many ways, the act symbolised a shift in how technology is presented. Rather than showcasing raw technical specifications, the creators chose storytelling and entertainment, making complex innovation accessible and memorable to a wider audience.
Social Media Takes Over
It did not take long for the moment to escape the boundaries of the IIT Bombay campus. Short clips of the dancing robot flooded Instagram reels and YouTube shorts within hours. Viewers across platforms praised not only the technical sophistication of the robot but also the confidence and “attitude” it displayed during the performance.
Many users commented that the robot’s movements felt uncannily natural, while others were impressed by how smoothly it adapted to the song’s rhythm. The viral spread of the video underscored how a well-timed, creative demonstration can resonate far beyond academic or tech-focused circles.
Who Built the Dancing Robot?
According to the caption of the viral post, the humanoid robot was developed by Bidyut Innovation, an Indian robotics and technology firm. While the performance itself stole the spotlight, the mention of its creators sparked curiosity about the hardware and software behind the act.
In the comments section, one user added a technical perspective, claiming that the robot featured in the ‘Fa9la’ dance was the Unitree G1, a humanoid robot manufactured by Unitree Robotics, a company based in Hangzhou, China. While this detail prompted discussion among tech enthusiasts, it also highlighted how globally interconnected robotics development has become, with innovations crossing borders and being adapted for creative use cases.
Netizens React: Humour, Hype, and Pop Culture
As with most viral moments, the comment section quickly became a space for humour and pop-culture references. One user joked, “Finally! Akshay Khanna isn’t the only one anymore, competition is here.” Another quipped, “This is what decades of kicking Boston Dynamics bots has led to.”
Not everyone was ready to crown the robot as a replacement for human performers. One commenter insisted, “No way, no amount of technology is as good as humans. Akshay Khanna is Akshay Khanna. No one and nothing can replace their aura.”
Others leaned fully into the fun, bestowing the robot with a nickname that quickly caught on—“Chitti Dakait.” The name playfully referenced iconic Indian cinematic robots, further cementing the performance’s place in internet culture.
Techfest’s Legacy of Defying Expectations
Techfest, widely recognised as Asia’s largest science and technology festival, has long been associated with pushing boundaries. Hosted annually by IIT Bombay, the event attracts innovators, researchers, students, and industry leaders from across the world.
Over the years, Techfest has showcased everything from space technology and sustainable engineering to robotics and artificial intelligence. The humanoid robot’s dance performance fit squarely within this legacy—not because it introduced a new product, but because it challenged expectations of what a tech demonstration could look like.
Instead of focusing solely on function, the performance highlighted creativity, emotional engagement, and the growing overlap between technology and art.
Why ‘Fa9la’ Made the Moment Bigger
The choice of music played a crucial role in the performance’s impact. ‘Fa9la’, also known as ‘Sher-e-Baloch’, is composed by Bahrain-based rap artist Flipperachi and features in the recently released Bollywood blockbuster Dhurandhar. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film stars R Madhavan, Ranveer Singh, and Akshaye Khanna.
The song had already gained massive popularity due to its infectious rhythm and Akshaye Khanna’s distinctive dance moves. By choreographing a humanoid robot to the same track, the creators tapped into an existing cultural wave, amplifying the performance’s relatability and viral appeal.
The result was an unexpected crossover—Bollywood music, global rap influences, and cutting-edge robotics converging on a university tech stage.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Robotics
Beyond the spectacle and humour, the performance offered a glimpse into the future of human–robot interaction. As robotics advances, machines are no longer confined to factories or laboratories. They are increasingly entering public spaces, entertainment, education, and even cultural expression.
The IIT Bombay Techfest moment demonstrated that robotics is not just about efficiency or automation. It can also be about connection, creativity, and shared experience. When a robot can make an audience cheer, laugh, and debate online, it signals a shift in how people emotionally respond to technology.
Conclusion: When Code Learns to Groove
The dancing humanoid robot at IIT Bombay Techfest 2025 did more than perform to ‘Fa9la’. It sparked conversations about innovation, creativity, and the evolving role of machines in society. Whether viewers saw it as a marvel of engineering, a fun internet moment, or a playful challenge to human performers, one thing was clear—the performance left a lasting impression.
As netizens continue to share, remix, and nickname “Chitti Dakait,” the moment stands as a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful way to showcase technology is not through technical jargon, but through a beat, a stage, and a perfectly timed dance move.
