“Dancing On The Grave,” a documentary directed and penned by the visionary Patrick Graham and from the house of India Today Originals (helmed by Chandni A Dabas), delves into the heinous murder of Shakereh Khaleeli. The show represents a seminal effort to unveil the mysterious circumstances surrounding the untimely demise of this beloved figure. Its goal is to afford viewers a new dimension on this case, rendering it a pivotal contribution to the genre of crime documentary series.
Shakereh Khaleeli- The woman who believed
Shakereh Khaleeli hailed from a distinguished, affluent family in Bangalore, being the scion of the legendary Diwan of Mysore. She was a veritable iconoclast, a woman of unflinching determination and indomitable spirit. The documentary “Dancing On The Grave” masterfully captures her journey, showcasing how, despite being blessed with unparalleled wealth and privilege, she chose to eschew it all in favour of true love with her soulmate, Shraddhananda.
The title of the documentary is, in fact, symbolic of the fate that befell Shakereh, as she opted to spend the remainder of her days in the loving embrace of her beloved in the comfort of her ancestral home in Bangalore. Tragically, this decision ultimately resulted in her downfall, a “grave” of her own making.
The Societal Cruxes In The Documentary
Religion Bias
The palpable strain within the marital bond of Shakereh Khaleeli and Swami Shraddhananda was conspicuously apparent. Shakereh’s matriarch, Gauhar Taj Namazie, exercised prudence by admonishing her progeny against Swami’s alliance, and subsequently, she was “shattered” upon learning of Shakereh’s nuptials to Swami Shraddhananda. Meanwhile, Swami Shraddhananda unflinchingly asserted that Gauhar. However, a virtuous woman could not reconcile with the fact that Shakereh had espoused an “idol worshipper” and ought to be “buried alive.”
The religious prejudice in India is once again laid bare, as Shraddhananda admits that the “Hindu-Muslim” divide restrained him from disclosing Shakereh’s demise, for he was apprehensive of the repercussions of such a revelation.
Elitism
In the third episode, Shraddhananda discusses how he met Shakereh Khaleeli in the 80s. Again, a clear conscious state of elitism that has showcased a lingering rage in India becomes evident in the documentary. Shraddhananda’s description of Shakereh Khaleeli as hailing from an elite upper echelon of society and his sense of being an incongruous outsider amidst such opulent circumstances serves as a poignant manifestation of the deeply entrenched societal divide of “class” in all its insidiousness.
The ‘Modern Woman’ taunt
We see Shraddhananda describing Shakereh Khaleeli as the ‘modern woman.’ He describes the ‘modern’ with Shakereh’s habits and desires, her unhappy marriage, her habit of taking ‘wine’ with her meal and how she smoked ‘cigars.’ He then talks about ‘virginity’ and how eighty per cent of the Indian men want their wives to be “virgins”, yet he gives in and marries Shakereh. It was almost evident how it was so ‘generous’ of him to accept a woman like ‘Shakereh.’ It almost looks like he seeks to diminish and belittle a woman for not conforming to societal norms.
The Denial
It is not our place to judge matters as sensitive as this. The task of delivering a definitive verdict rests squarely with the judiciary. Nevertheless, the documentary in question is a stunning showcase of Shakereh’s unvoiced and uncelebrated anguish. The juxtaposition of fantastical visual sequences, masterfully interwoven by director Patrick Graham, with the raw accounts of Shakereh’s existence as a “woman” is truly remarkable.
Furthermore, what strikes at the core of our being is the outright denial of the “betrayal” suffered by Shakereh, as Shraddhananda and Alok Vagrecha asserted. This denial serves to deepen our emotional wounds and intensify our collective sorrow.
The Other Side
The genesis of this narrative can be traced back to the third episode, where Alok Vagrecha and Imran Qureshi assumed the mantle of presenting the opposite side of the argument. However, the real star of this documentary is the intrepid Patrick Graham, whose decision to approach Shraddhananda and let him keep his side naked to the world is truly commendable. Shraddhananda’s unbridled love for Shakereh is nothing short of convincing, as evidenced by the lyrical verses he utters praising her and her life. Their love was not just a mere romantic fling but a deeply rooted, existential bond that transcended all boundaries
An intriguing watch for anyone who likes to binge on crime docuseries.
We would rate it 4 out of 5 stars to this brave effort.