'City of Dreams': a Bollywood musical for Indians

Call it a homegrown musical. Indian audiences will get to savour the glitz and glamour of Bollywood on stage through a play called 'City of Dreams', which is set for its maiden show here Friday.

The song and dance extravaganza, with 40 dancers and some well-known artistes from television and theatre, depicts the Hindi film industry from various perspectives. The two-hour play that will have all the elements of a Bollywood film will premiere at St. Andrews auditorium.

Director and producer of the play Mohomed Morani told IANS: 'People in India do not get a chance to see a musical except for events like the Filmfare awards or Zee Cine awards, which we organise. But those shows are only for invitees.

'This is for the first time that common people can buy tickets and watch it live like they do for Broadway musicals in the US and West End musicals in London.'

About its theme, Morani said, 'Bollywood has always been a subject holding special fascination for people. They want to know everything about it.'

He is associated with Cineyug, which is one of the biggest event management companies and organises international shows for stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerjee and others.

Cineyug gained much acclaim for organising Shah Rukh's live show 'Temptations 2004' and has produced successful films like 'Arjun', 'Damini' and 'Raja Hindustani'.

Morani, who made the successful musical 'Miss Bollywood' with actress Shilpa Shetty, said, 'That was made for an international audience and travelled to London and Germany. But 'City of Dreams' is made for an Indian audience though we will be taking it internationally to Germany, England, Dubai, Bangkok, Muscat and Abu Dhabi.'

The story of 'City of Dreams' revolves around an aspiring actress Adaa, who comes from Lucknow to Mumbai to make it big in Bollywood. Adaa is played by Morani's wife Lucky Morani.

The others in the cast include actress Kashmera Shah, Gaurav Chopraa, Shipra Singh and Anand Tiwari.

Television actor Gaurav, who is playing a Bollywood super star, Karan Kapoor, in the play, said: 'I am extremely thankful to the Moranis as they have cast me for the role. It is such a huge project and they could have easily roped in any big film star for the role.'

'It is one of the most challenging roles I have ever played,' said Gaurav, who has acted in various television serials like 'Lavanya', 'Piya Ka Ghar', 'Aisa Desh Hai Mera' and 'Left Right Left'.

Gaurav has appeared in the academy award nominated Hollywood film 'Blood Diamond' and is playing the lead in an English film 'The Killing Moon'.

'City of Dreams' is being co-produced by Ashvin Gidwani of Ashvin Gidwani Productions (AGP) and is presented by Reliance Capital of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group

(ADAG).

Copyright  IANS

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