Saiyaan Hatto Jaao | Akhil Joondeph Choreography | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Heeramandi

Choreographed and directed by Akhil Joondeph
Filmed and edited by Honna Afzal
Performed by Akhil Joondeph, Ashna Singh, Kanchan Raju, Khushi Agarwal, Twisha Chawla
Music by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Inspired by depictions of queer dancers and courtesans in ancient paintings and temple sculptures, we explore a world of sexual freedom and liberation. But history has not favored these stories, in the past or in the present, erasing them from dominant narratives and “sanitizing” the courtesans’ art forms that were once ripe with romance and queerness. Will these artists and their stories be relegated to the margins for eternity? Or is there hope for them, their art forms, and their history to exist beyond the confining bounds of culture and societal norms and flourish once again?

This piece is about our queer history, but also about our present. Expressions of sensuality, especially queer sensuality, are shameful, vulgar, and low-class. But why? Why must stories of joy and freedom be seen so lowly, and why must these narratives remain absent from our history? I wanted to interrogate the past, present, and future of “the closet” and its relationship with South Asian history and culture through the lens of ancient courtesans and dancers, and showcase the queerness of our past, present, and future. We are here, we have been here, and we will continue to be here.

Special thanks to Amit Patel for studio space and Saroja Srinivasan for our sarees.

#queeramandi

[VinainiJayasinghe]

akhil ive already said this but this is truly a masterpiece, so so beautifully done

[andaazmusic]

The sensuality of SLB’s Heeramandi has been repurposed in a beautiful and profound manner. Kudos to Akhil & the entire team

[k-poplachimolala]

Very nice performance. All are too good. Your expressions... Awesome

[kanhavlogshappiness]

Akhil you are amazing, talented and wonderful ❤

[DimaRakesah]

This really captures the sensuality of the song in a lovely way ❤

[susmitamondal]

What an emotion 👏🏻👏🏻Wow 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻just awesome 👌🏻hats off all of you 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 superb choreography 🫡

[peaceminusone]

What is wrong with people.. can't they simply appreciate art? You all did great