Watch Sergei Polunin in his breakthrough, crossover video for Hozier’s
‘Take Me To Church’, directed by David LaChapelle.

At just 19 years old, Sergei Polunin became the youngest ever Principal for the London Royal Ballet. He was called ‘the best dancer of his generation’. At age 21, in a move that shocked the ballet world, he quit. His rampant partying, bewildering comments to the press and unprofessional behaviour earned him a new title – ‘the bad boy of ballet’.

Now, eight years later, at a chance encounter in Amsterdam, Sergei Polunin accepts the invitation of India’s Entertainment and Sports Guru, Shailendra Singh, to travel around India. Over the course of seven days, Sergei Polunin follows his newfound mentor to some of the holiest places of the world, along the sacred banks of the Ganges River. Without hesitation, he immerses himself in mystical experiences and takes time out to narrate deep reflections of his life. 

Sergei’s journey in the art world has been well-documented, but never before has been as candid and genuine about his inner most feelings and the mind space he finds himself in at this stage in his life. In Varanasi, they merge with the thousands that gather for the Ganga Aarti (nightly prayers to the Mother River) and visit the Manikarnika Ghat (cremation riverfront) where families burn the bodies of their deceased love ones, in the hope they will break the cycle of death and birth and attain nirvana. 

Sitting in a boat, in the middle of the divine river, he discusses how, when he was born, his mother thought he was from India and how the path of his life veered from the light, towards to the darkness and back again. In Jaipur, he watches a traditional sufi dancer, wanders through the ‘Palace of Mirrors’ and discusses the earliest days of his dancing, when he didn’t even realize that it was ‘art’. In Rishikesh, he chats with Shailendra along the same Ganges River and discusses his karma and feelings on humanity. He meets the local children and offers flowers and candles into the sparkling blue rapids before taking a holy,
sin-cleansing bath in its frigid water. 

Throughout the journey, Sergei feels a slowly unfolding, but powerful attraction to Lord Shiva. In the course of getting to know him better, understanding the cycles of destruction and rebuilding that Sergei manifested in his own life, Shailendra tells him, ‘for me, you are an incarnation of Shiva.’ Guided by Shailendra Singh, Sergei’s journey through India is an adventure that leaves its mark on him. It not only changes him, but vicariously, it holds the potential to change us all. 

Music by Bahramji, ft Mashti & Swaan

The film features songs by the Kurdish New Age musician - a special combination between the ancient and traditional, connecting with the modern ; an urban vibe rooted in meditation

Sergei : unplugged cinema
The Press