Do lafzon ki hai dil ki kahani..., the evergreen R.D. Burman number from The Great Gambler , immediately takes you to Venice’s Grand Canal where Amitabh Bachchan romances the glamorous Zeenat Aman on a gondola. Four decades later, singer-composer-actor Sherrin Varghese has given a new flavour to the track. He has conceptualised a cover video of the song featuring singer Veena Parasher and transwoman Ain Honey Aarohi.
With the tagline ‘My love for another woman’, the video released on YouTube breezes through the relationship of the couple Veena and Honey, both dressed up in traditional Kerala sari with the beautiful backwaters and a houseboat forming the ideal setting.
“Love comes in all forms. In this case you can look at their love in different ways. It can be the love between two women or between a woman and a transwoman. We have left it open-ended for the viewers to decide,” says Sherrin.
Sherrin says that he opted to bring in Honey Aarohi to highlight the extent of support being given to the LGBT community in Kerala.
“In places like Mumbai you come across them only at traffic signals or at weddings. They are always looked down upon and kept isolated everywhere, which is terrible. But Kerala is miles ahead when it comes to the encouragement the third gender is being given to become a part of the society. Kerala has a transgender policy in place. These people have made their mark in the field of fashion, cinema and beauty business and are slowly becoming a part of the mainstream. Through this video I wanted to set Kerala as an example and thereby encourage other states to change their attitude towards these individuals. As for choosing Honey, she is a stunning model and a classic example to be showcased for the world to see,” says Sherrin.
Veena Parasher and Ain Honey Aarohi in the video
Having done many shows together, Veena says that she immediately warmed up to Sherrin’s idea of showcasing love in a unique way.
“The song is close to my heart and when Sherrin suggested this concept after we recorded the song, I didn’t have to think twice. I have seen how badly transpeople are treated and often wondered what they might be missing out on in life. Every one has a right to love and this song celebrates the emotion,” says Mumbai-based Veena.
She can’t stop gushing about the shoot. “It was fun shooting in the backwater, a first for me, and the houseboat, all wearing the Kerala attire,” she smiles.
Sherrin Varghese
Meanwhile, for Honey, it is all a dream. “I was pleasantly surprised by the storyline. I am getting accepted as a woman and that is a beautiful feeling. Also, the shoot itself was a new experience for me. They made me comfortable on the set. In fact, I am proud about being chosen for this work, which eventually is an honour for my community and people like Renju Renjimar, Sheethal Shyam and Anjali Ameer who have always stood by me,” says Honey.
Fact file
Sherrin Varghese, who hails from Irinjalakkuda, is a member of Band of Boys, the first boys’ band in India (2001). He has brought out five albums, performs live electronica at concerts and festivals, is an anchor and has acted in serials and films, Lijo Jose Pellisery's Double Barrel being one. A participant of reality shows such as Sach Ka Saamna and Malayali House , he also does theatre. Meanwhile Veena Parasher, winner of several reality shows, is a sought-after live performer and has performed gigs across the globe with her band. She recorded her first Bollywood song with ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali.
