Tango Malhar: Director Interview

Tango Malhar is more than just a dance film; it is a vibrant exploration of how Argentine tango - a dance of deep intimacy and complex history - finds its rhythm amidst the bustling streets and rich cultural sensibilities of Pune, India. We sat down with the director Saya Date to discuss the challenges of blending two distinct worlds and why art remains a vital bridge across socioeconomic divides.

The Inpiration

What was the initial spark for Tango Malhar?

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was having a conversation with my Tango teacher and co-writer Manish about how privileged we were to be able to embrace each other through Tango while the world was disconnected and shut away. It is a privilege accessible only to a few, and we wondered what would happen if someone from a different socioeconomic background got the opportunity to enter the Tango world. "What would their journey be like?" was our primary question, which ultimately culminated in Tango Malhar.

What is it like directing a dance film in India?

India is truly vibrant and dance is a very integral part of our culture. However, the dance forms practiced in India do not involve the close proximity of tango. Hence, directing this film was a very interesting process of explaining tango and tango’s history to the cast and crew so as to create a blend of the two very different cultural sensibilities.

The Production

Why film in Pune?

Tango Malhar has been largely filmed in Pune, Maharashtra, which is my hometown and the place where I started learning tango from my mentor and co-writer, Manish. Pune has one of the largest tango communities in India. Pune is also an educational hub for youth who are very enthusiastic about supporting an experiment like Tango Malhar. Hence, we thought it would be a great fit to capture Malhar’s journey.

What is the reality of Tango in India today?

As I mentioned earlier, the intimate nature of tango is at odds with Indian sensibilities, so it is difficult to adjust to it culturally. Even the tango music is slower and more classical as compared to the fast-paced rhythm of Indian songs. Hence, the tango community is currently small, comprising individuals who have had access to go abroad and learn tango or learn from the people who come from outside India to teach tango. It is a privilege to be able to get that exposure but, on the brighter side, the community seems to be growing steadily.

How did you find and cast your lead dancers?

In terms of casting, I had two options in mind: tango dancers who could be taught how to act or professional actors who could be taught how to dance. I chose the latter because tricky improvisations in tango can be manipulated in a medium like film through different cuts to make the dance look more elegant. Hence, the main cast includes people who are non-dancers but who picked up tango really well. Meanwhile, the people you see in the scenes of the milonga are part of the local dance community in Pune who very enthusiastically came for the shoot!

What inspired the film’s unique costumes?

Antoinette, a friend from the tango community, was in charge of the costumes in the film. We created mood boards for each character - what kind of outfits they would wear functionally as well as personality-wise and culturally. For each character, the costumes reflected their mood in that particular scene, but we also kept their sociocultural background in mind while playing around with different styles and colors. So if the audience pays attention, they’ll be able to gauge how the environment around the characters shapes their fashion choices.

Do you dance tango yourself? 

Yes, I am a tango dancer myself! I found tango when I moved back to India after living abroad for several years. More than the dance, I was initially drawn in by the vibrant community, a bunch of extraordinary individuals who’re passionate about mastering this very difficult dance form. I may have joined the community but I stayed for tango. It has been meditative and taught me to let go. I also competed at the tango championship in Buenos Aires in 2023, and I love to meet and dance with people across the world.

Closing Thoughts

What is your main hope for international audiences?

The primary message of the movie is that art transcends class, and how important art is in giving purpose to life. Even if you don’t pursue it professionally, just engaging with art gives your life meaning. I feel like this is important to understand in the current context since the funding for art programs is diverted because it is deemed non-essential. However, Malhar exemplifies how art makes life meaningful beyond a person’s mundane existence.

Watch Tango Malhar Now

From the heart of India to the soul of Argentina - stream the award-winning journey today.

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