Aishwarya Rai Shows 'Virgin River' Actors How to Do Garba in Throwback Moment

Martin Henderson and Daniel Gillies starred alongside Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 'Bride & Prejudice' (2004) long before they were well-known for their parts in 'Virgin River,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' and 'The Vampire Diaries.' Rai instructing Henderson and Gillies in the traditional Gujarati folk dance known as Garba, which is typically performed during Navratri, is one of the movie's most unforgettable throwbacks. 

The Garba Moment

In 'Bride & Prejudice,' there is a song called "Dola Dola" during which Aishwarya Rai, Martin Henderson, and Daniel Gillies dance together in a Garba-styled sequence. Rai reportedly assumed the position of instructor, leading Henderson and Gillies through the dance's rhythms and moves.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Despite not being indigenous to Indian dance customs, the actors eagerly followed her example, creating a lighthearted on-screen connection that cuts across cultural divides. In the movie, Gillies portrays Johnny Wickham, and Henderson plays Darcy. Both actors try to win over Rai's character Lalita during that Garba scene.

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Bride & Prejudice's overarching objective of blending Bollywood musical energy with Western storytelling was perfectly embodied in this sequence. The film, which was directed by Gurinder Chadha, was intended to be a cross-cultural rendition of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice,' set both in India and elsewhere, fusing Western actors, vibrant Indian dance, and music. The dancing in the Garba segment is still one of the movie's most cherished scenes, but so is the warmth and charm with which these performers transcended ethnic boundaries while working with Rai.

Why Is the Viral Flashback Trending Now?

A revived interest in cross-cultural Bollywood moments, particularly during Navratri season, when Garba is widely celebrated, has led to the current resurgence of the retro moment of Aishwarya Rai teaching 'Virgin River' stars Martin Henderson and Daniel Gillies to play Garba. Fans and media outlets started posting nostalgic images and videos from the 2004 movie 'Bride & Prejudice,' which featured this ironic Garba dance sequence.

Legacy of the Cross Cultural Dance & What It Means Today

Looking back, that playful Garba lesson carries more significance than just entertainment. It proved how movies can serve as a platform for cross-cultural interaction, allowing performers from wildly disparate backgrounds to adopt new roles and gain new skills. As she transitioned between Indian and foreign films with grace, Aishwarya Rai's role as a cultural ambassador was underlined.

It was an early example for Henderson and Gillies of fusing Indian aesthetics with Hollywood identity, a trend that would reverberate years later when both performers began to take on a variety of international roles.

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