Kalank song 'Ghar More Pardesiya': Ramleela brings together Alia Bhatt, Madhuri Dixit in this rich melody

While Alia Bhatt has had her share of dance numbers, she has never shared space with anyone as elegant and graceful as Madhuri Dixit. That changes with 'Ghar More Pardesiya' from Kalank. The actress shares the space with Dixit in this lavishly pictured song that captures the beauty, secularism, and musical nature of the Ramleela celebrations in pre-independence India.

The song begins with the sight of a serene Dixit, who plays Bahaar Begum, seated on a swing as she begins a song invoking promises. Soon the camera cuts to the outside of the palace, where Bhatt's Roop is taking a tour of the city as it rings in what appears to be Dussehra. With actors playing the god Ram, Lakshman and Sita, sweets and fireworks, she walks through a city that looks like it was designed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Soon, she is drawn to the music emanating from Bahaar Begum's palatial home where she joins the dancers.

The visuals offer a clue to the storyline and marks perhaps the first introduction of Dixit and Bhatt's characters to each other. While the presence of Varun Dhawan's Zafar continues to lurk in the song's visuals, it does not seem that he is following Roop, but keeps missing her by seconds as they pass through the same sights in the city. Rather, Zafar seems to be more familiar with Bahaar Begum's home, where he is likely to meet Roop.

The song has a classical foundation, with Shreya Ghoshal and Vaishali Mhade providing the lilting vocals to help it on its way. Composed by Pritam, it begins rather slowly, before the tempo is picked up by the rhythm section. The song's highpoint is the jugalbandi between Dixit and Bhatt, voiced by Ghoshal and Mhade, respectively. Both singers perform with elan, and the song seems to be the right tempo to kick off a big-budget production. Elegant, the song is a tad over-stylised, but still has enough melody and rhythm to keep you hooked to it.

The lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya hint at the attraction and allure of Ram for Sita, whom Bhatt's character personifies. The song also holds further symbolism as Sita is a key figure in the story of the Ramayana, and is famed for the final test of 'purity' that Rama forced her to go through. With the title of the film, Kalank, the song's characters perhaps hold a deeper meaning.

In terms of choreography, the song has the same festive feel of 'Dola Re' from Devdas (2002), but is a completely different energy. Though it is a song set to lavish production and interiors, it is only Bhatt who takes centrestage. The actress manages to make a mark with the few moves of traditional dance in the song. The only sad part is that we never see Dixit join her and make this more memorable. Perhaps that is saved for the film itself.

Kalank also features Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha and Aditya Roy Kapur. The film is directed by Abhishek Varman and will be in theatres on 17 April.

Watch the song below: