Haye Rama : A Reality Hotter than Dreams

1^st Dec 2011 - The lights dimmed, the smoke cleared and we were swept away in a tide of passion so potent most of us still feel our faces heating up at the memories.

A heart -broken Swayam was fighting a losing battle with his heart to keep Sharon at bay while a confused Sharon was fighting her own battle trying to keep her heart at bay. She had pushed Swayam away because to her convulated thinking he knew her too well to be allowed in. Swayam was too hurt, too wounded to dare to acknowledge the love his heart still harboured for the unattainable diva. In this mix was thrown a paso-doble, a dance about war, about the matador and the bull locked in a dance of death. The metaphor was too apt to be missed. They were at war but not with each other, they were fighting themselves. The bull and the matador both resided within them. The other person was merely a reflection of their deepest desires and their strongest fears. Sharon tried to escape his love but couldn't, one look and she gave her back her hand back in his. She kept pushing him away, but as soon as he tried to leave, the diva jumped on him not letting him go anywhere. Her statement was bold and effective, Swayam Shekhawat belonged to her and he was not allowed to leave till she gave him permission. This was her game and she was going to hold on to the illusion of being in the driver's seat for as long as she could.

We watched transfixed as these two lonely souls found emancipation in each other. Lost in the music they came as close as their hearts dared. Their passion was born out of pain, a raw need to be with other, to touch each other, to feel each other, to breath in each other's essence. They may have been forced into this situation but as soon as the 1^st bar of music started, the world disappeared and it was just them and their dance. Sharon challenged, Swayam accepted..Swayam challenged, Sharon won.

We knew dance was an expression but that day, that performance showed us just how strong that expression could be.

There are so many people responsible for the creation of this masterpiece. The technicians with the perfect camera angles, the stylists with that dramatic black and white combo. Given that Swayam was the all-white character and Sharon, the grey one, the white outfit for her and the black ensemble for him was a symbolic twist, one I thoroughly enjoyed. The choreographer, Jai Kumar Nair. I had watched this guy in DID but this dance made me his fan forever. Stunning job man!

The creatives, for coming up with the concept of this performance. The song may not have been the best choice for SwaRon but given the constraints of copyrights, it's a minor blip I'm all too willing to overlook. This was to me, the best utilization of Shantanu and Sneha, the actors', dancing skills. The performance took the story forward. It was not a dance for the sake of dancing, it made a statement about their prevailing relationship status. It told us where they were and where they were headed.

Last but not the least, Shantanu Maheshwari and Sneha Kapoor. That these two wove magic whenever they shared a frame is much celebrated fact. This performance showcased them at their best. They had the perfect attitude, the perfect body language and flawless moves. A special kudos to Sneha for doing such a fabulous job while suffering from malaria and jaundice and a special thanks to Shantanu for being the perfect co-actor and supporting her.

I can't end this post without mentioning their BTS Iv regarding this performance. How cute were they all shy and blushing while talking about it! It was hard to believe that this was their 1^st Iv. I loved the shy articulate Sneha and the blushing teasing Shantanu. If only we had got the bloopers Sneha spoke about **sigh**!