Shantanu Maheshwari shines in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s fashion film Beyond the Light

July 19, 2022 - 5:58 PM IST

Designers have now discovered their niche by being part of fashion films because it enables them to communicate their ideas more effectively. Recently, designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla launched their new collection through a film Beyond the Light starring dancer Shantanu Maheshwari.

Shantanu Maheshwari shines in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s fashion film Beyond the Light

On an award-winning spree for his stellar debut in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi, Shantanu Maheshwari has now starred in Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla's film Beyond the Light. After essaying the role of Afshan in the Bhansali directorial, the starboy is now starring in the role of the Prince of Darkness in a mesmerising tale that blends delicious fashion with a deeply spiritual message that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Beyond the Light, a recent fashion film by Mumbai-based designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, is narrated by Sukanya Chattopadhyay's voice. Zehaal-e-miskeen by poet Amir Khusrau is incorporated with the singer's expressive notes.

Ever since it was released on YouTube, Shantanu's fans have been ecstatic after witnessing what he added to the film. The heartthrob is seen pulling off looks that have the signature elements of the two prolific designers. Everything has an allure of its own right from the net jacket with bold geometric gold borders in zardozi hand-embroidery paired with a flamboyant, 8-layered, flared skirt in black mul mul, highlighted with gold laces, zardozi embroidery borders and tassels.

The colour palette also evolves with the story. The designers explain that the colours play a vital role, beginning with ivory and off-white, progressing to pastels (with unusual sparkles of lime greens and pinks) and finally transcending to darker jewel tones. “The film also explores the multitude of moods and emotions represented by one colour—black,” they add. When Maheshwari, who plays the ‘Prince of Darkness’ takes the screen, he is dressed in gold-glinted black, wearing a cropped jacket with a zardozi border and coupled with a heavily panelled mul mul skirt with lace details. As the Prince is carried to the ‘good’ side, he appears in all white, dressed in a cloak-style outfit reminiscent of whirling dervishes, before breaking into the ‘dance of joy’ with Sufi spins that mark the end of the film and the proverbial victory of good over evil.

Shantanu Maheshwari says, “Firstly, working with Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla Sir is not something I had ever imagined. They are legends in a true sense. I admire their creations and how they have brought light on Indian Fashion globally. Beyond The Light drives the narrative with expressions, dance and costume. I have never played a deliciously dark character and they had faith and confidence in me on pulling off something like this.”

Shantanu's film is a rich, mystical tale that travels between Heaven and Earth and mesmerises the physical senses as well as the soul. A multi-layered feast for the eyes and the spirit, it is ultimately a powerful lesson that explores the ability of the collective human spirit to overcome darkness and embrace the divine within ourselves and in each other.

Also Read: Sanjay Leela Bhansali introduces Shantanu Maheshwari to the world of movies with Gangubai Kathiawadi