Aditi Rao Hydari's viral walk: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s web series ‘Heeramandi’ was released on Netflix on May 1 and the internet is still talking about the series. From praising opulent sets, and wardrobe to criticising the lack of storyline and trolling Sharmin Segal’s expressions – chatter around the series refuses to die down. But what has taken netizens’ attention the most is Aditi Rao Hydari’s walk in the song ‘Saiyaan Hatto Jaao.’
Aditi Rao Hydari's viral Gaja Gamini walk
Hydari's performance features a graceful sway, subtle hip movements, and a backbend that exudes elegance. This "Gaja Gamini walk," has become a pop culture phenomenon, leaving viewers in awe and sparking a wave of online recreations. Instagram is flooded with reels featuring the now-iconic clip, with many praising Hydari's captivating performance. The fact that Aditi is a
Many believe that the walk has sparked a cultural shift. Some celebrate how it challenges body image insecurities, particularly for those with curves. Hydari's confident embodiment of her figure in the song is seen by many as a celebration of curves, potentially changing mindsets and bringing them back into the mainstream.
What is Gaja Gamini walk?
‘Gaj Gamini’ translates to elephant walk in Sanskrit. The Kamasutra associates elephants with "unrestrained raw sexual power." The text refers to a "hastini" (female elephant) as embodying the most lustful and bold feminine energy. The Gaja Gamini walk likely draws inspiration from this idea in the Kamasutra. The swaying hips reminiscent of an elephant's movement, along with the confident and graceful posture, could be seen as a way to embody this powerful sensuality.
Actresses who have performed the walk in the past
Aditi is not the only actress to have done the ‘Gaja Gamini’ walk on the silver screen. Before her, Madhubala did it in ‘Mughal-E-Azam' in the song ‘Mohe Panghat Pe’ and Madhuri Dixit in ‘Gaja Gamini’.
Aditi Rao on the viral walk
In a recent interview with Connect Cine, Aditi spoke about the viral walk, “I am thanking everybody. That walk, just that little tukda from thumri, it is all over the internet. I really didn't expect that and Sanjay sir did say, ‘Ye chaal bahut important hai (This walk is very important).' He has so much knowledge so he was very much involved in the making of the song,” she said.
She continued, “Kruti Mahesh was there choreographing but he was completely involved in every detail of the choreography and he was very particular about this walk and how it should happen, how will the dupatta fall, how will the waist move, exactly when will the ‘chan' sound will be heard…it was quite incredible”.
The fact that Aditi is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer, also helped in her acing the whole song and the walk in particular.
Another video of the actress is also doing the rounds on the internet where the actress in a conversation with Mashable India is showing all the Hand Mudras of Bharatnatyam.
Heeramandi stars Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Sharmin Segal and Aditi Rao Hydari among others.