Aditi Rao Hydari’s performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Heeramandi” has garnered praise, particularly for her portrayal of courtesan Bibbojaan. Alongside her acting, her rendition of the “Gajagamini walk” in the film has also gained attention. In an interview with Zoom TV, Aditi responded to the viral video of her performance in the song “Saiyaan Hatto Jaao.”
Aditi expressed uncertainty about whether her walk is accurately termed the “Gajagamini walk,” stating, “I want to ask somebody, Sanjay sir, my dance teacher, what is it? Is it the Gajagamini walk, the swan walk? What walk is that I don’t know! I’ll say it was what Sanjay sir asked me to do. I followed Sanjay sir and what he told me.” She acknowledged the existence of similar walks in various dance forms like Kathak, such as the “Mayur chaal” (peacock walk) and “Gajagamini” (walk of seduction).
Describing the creative process behind the scene, she mentioned, “He (Sanjay) is very good at spotting magic on the spot and he created a lot of nuances in the process.” Aditi also shared an anecdote about Bhansali’s appreciation for her appearance, even though she had expressed concerns about her weight post-Covid. She recalled, “He said, ‘No you look beautiful. Let’s shoot.’ I really value that. That’s why I say he is an incredible teacher.”
About Heeramandi
‘Heeramandi’ revolves around the courtesans of Heera Mandi, Lahore, during the pre-partition era, set against the backdrop of the Indian independence movement. The series, criticized for its historical inaccuracies, features an ensemble cast including Sonakshi Sinha, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, Shekhar Suman, Fardeen Khan, Adhyayan Suman, and Farida Jalal.