Amandeep Khayal's Dhak Dhak, is a tender journey into love, longing, and listening to the heart

Your heart is beating even now, or so we hope. Soft, if not steady, and ideally, incessant. Amandeep Khayal’s Dhak Dhak – A Man in Love revolves around this fundamental phenomenon and stretches it into something tender and almost philosophical. The show is entirely concerned with the secret emotional life we often ignore while rushing through our days.

Amandeep Khayal on his journey, latest show and more

It is a heartfelt story that explores the quiet beats of love, longing, and self-rediscovery. Through Amandeep’s signature blend of poetry, humour, and intimate narratives, the show invites audiences to pause, feel, and reconnect with the dreams we’ve tucked away.

After touring over 30 cities across India, Australia, and the UK, Amandeep brings this storytelling special to Chennai. The seed for it was planted during a trip to Australia. “We had planned everything carefully, but a series of unexpected challenges unfolded along the way,” he recalls. “Yet it was through those very unplanned moments that I experienced one of the most beautiful moments of my life, Dhak Dhak.” Reflecting on how storytelling has shaped his relationship with his own heart, he adds, “To be honest, the stories have made me a bit kinder towards my heart.”

Amandeep believes the core of the show lies in accepting what life offers. “You never know when life will lead you to the one meant for you. The real magic lies in embracing the moment, rather than trying to plan what comes next.” His writing balances honesty with gentleness. “I believe a story comes alive only when you stay true to its soul. As Javed sahab beautifully says, it’s easy to write difficult things, but the simple things are often the hardest. A story must remain gentle and honest so that those who listen can find their own unspoken emotions quietly blooming within its words.”

The show grew from a single story that expanded over time. “I began with that one story I wanted to share with the world; everything else kept on building through the trial shows.” For him, spontaneity and structure coexist. “Both are equally essential, two halves of the same art,” he says. On balancing them, he elaborates, “This is where your time on stage truly begins to matter. The more you devote yourself to your craft, the more you learn to recognise when a moment calls for spontaneity and when it needs structure.”

Every city, he says, has changed the energy of the performance. “Every city and every show carry their own unique magic. I’m always grateful—and often amazed—by how lovingly audiences embrace such a new art form. One of my most cherished experiences was in Australia, where not only people from India but the entire Indian subcontinent came together to cheer for us and carry our stories back home in their hearts.”

Chennai holds a special warmth for him. “The audience in Chennai has always been incredibly warm, and I’m truly excited for them to join us once again.”

Email: shivani@newindianexpress.com
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