Shantanu Maheshwari breaks gender norms in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s new fashion film – Times of India

Fashion films are not going to go away anytime soon. The idea of designers doing fashion films gained traction during Covid 19 lockdown, when we all were confined to our homes and runway shows became a distant dream. But it seems designers have now found their niche in fashion films as it allows them to express their thoughts in a better way. Recently designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla launched their new collection through a film featuring dancer turned actor Shantanu Maheshwari.

“We have always chosen to dream bigger. “Beyond The Light” is our dream for the future. A world built on an indelible foundation of Inclusivity. Where Difference is celebrated instead of being a reason to discriminate against or shun. Heaven and Hell both reside in the Here and Now. We decide as humans whether we choose good or evil. Love is always stronger than Hate. We must always choose Love. An abiding Faith in Love is what gives us the courage to stand up and stand together. It is the ultimate Light that can vanquish the deepest darkness,” shares Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla.

The film opens with the parallel worlds of Heaven and Earth. A peaceful, pristine, celestial Moonrise juxtaposed against a fiery sunset on Earth.

Earth is ablaze with Temptation and Desire as The Devil, essayed by the brilliant Shantanu Maheshwari, fresh from his much-lauded performance as Afshan in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s, Gangubai Kathiawadi. Clad in mysterious black, and with diabolical intent, he begins his crafty seduction through a hypnotic dance.

Shantanu Maheshwari says, “Working with Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla has been a joyride. Beyond The Light drives the narrative with expressions, dance and costume. Good over evil has been a recurring theme in films, but this film captures it in a unique light.”

This segment is a dance ballet. The troupe of kathak salsa dancers are lured by the Devil and appear to almost fall prey to his manoeuvres. And then they turn the tables on him and join forces to overpower him.

As they unravel his dark layers, represented by his clothing, they reveal his white within. The darkness is vanquished when they are in solidarity. This is the powerful message for all of us. That we each possess the potential for both good and evil, that our true nature is light and goodness. That this goodness can be resurrected when we choose to stand for love. When we choose to unite as one. As they overpower the Devil after a chaotic and frenzied dance, we hear and see the shattering of glass.

The film is also an Ode to the Power of Love and its ability to transcend difference and discrimination. The utterly charming social media sensation, beloved for her daily reels and videos on the Mumbai locals, Pooja Sharma Rekha, plays The Healer, whose grace and blessings upon Arya Bhat, an earth dweller, give him the faith to believe in his love for a celestial being as he finds the courage to leave his abode and join her to be united as one. The heart has no borders and love must reign supreme.

Serenity floods Heaven and Earth. A perfect calm that possesses infinite strength. It is time to unite Heaven and Earth in a Dance of Absolute Joy.