Bharatanatyam Collaborations & Cinematic Performances
From silver screen debuts to international stage productions, see how I blend classical Bharatanatyam with storytelling for brands, films, and special projects.
A short interview about my journey as a dancer and my collaboration with a jewellery brand. I love how art forms can intersect, with dance telling the story of history and design.
Portraying the wonder, or 'Adbhuta' rasa, of Queen Lokmahadevi for a brand collaboration. It was a beautiful project that allowed me to interpret history through the lens of Bharatanatyam.
Celebrating the queen's valor, or 'Veera' rasa, in the second part of a brand film. Using dance to embody such a strong historical figure was a powerful experience.
A teaser for the final part of my brand collaboration, telling the story of Rani Lokmahadevi. These projects are a fun way to bring classical dance to a new audience.
My character Bhama on the big screen in the bilingual film 'Dange/Por'. Being a part of this crazy project was an incredible learning experience and introduced me to so many talented people.
A closer look at my character Bhama from the film 'Dange/Por'. It was a thrill to bring my dance background to a cinematic role.
A behind-the-scenes look at my performance for the 'Chandramukhi 2' audio launch. This was a 'thoda glam' performance and one of my favorite looks.
A quick backstage selfie before my performance at the 'Chandramukhi 2' audio launch. It was so exciting to be introduced as an actor for the first time at this mega event.
Getting ready for the 'Chandramukhi 2' event. This video shows the intricate hair and makeup process that goes into creating a grand, cinematic look for a stage performance.
A few more selfies from the 'Chandramukhi 2' audio launch. I was so thrilled with this look, from the detailed makeup to the beautiful hair styling.
About Collaborations & On-Screen
When I take on a brand film or a cinematic role, it is not just about looking the part. It is about taking the abhinaya—the emotional storytelling of Bharatanatyam—and adapting it to the camera. Whether I am portraying a historical figure for a jewellery campaign or performing for a movie audio launch, I ensure my classical training translates into a performance that feels modern, grounded, and honest.
When you see my work on screen, you see the years of discipline behind it. I have always believed that classical art forms like Bharatanatyam have an incredible power to bring depth to commercial storytelling.
My journey has been a mix of traditional stages and modern media. Take my collaboration with Shaya, for instance. Bringing the 'Adbhuta' (wonder) and 'Veera' (valour) rasas to life to represent Rani Lokmahadevi allowed me to explore history through movement in a way that feels relevant today. It was not just about the dance; it was about embodying a character's spirit for the camera.
Then there is the film side of things. My experience with 'Dange/Por' taught me how to shift from the grand scale of a stage to the intimacy of a lens. It is a different kind of challenge, but one I absolutely love. I treat each project—whether it is a film promotion, a brand launch like Chandramukhi 2, or an international ensemble piece with the Akram Khan Company—with the same rigour I apply to a traditional Margam.
I am always happy to chat about how we can integrate traditional dance into your creative vision. If you have a project that needs a bit of classical storytelling, reach out and let's see how we can make it work.
Shreema Upadhyaya
Hi, I'm Shreema. I move between the classical stage and the film set, always looking for that sweet spot where tradition meets modern storytelling. If you are looking for a performance that holds the room's attention, let’s chat.
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