Shilpa Shetty to woo the West

Courtesy: Glamsham
Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Bollywood superstar and international icon Shilpa Shetty comes to audiences across Europe, as she makes her mesmerizing stage debut in Miss Bollywood - a musical tour de force guaranteed to bring theatre aficionados and audiences leaps closer to the grandeur, opulence and true essence of the world's largest film industry, BOLLYWOOD.

Celebrated for her outstanding dancing abilities in the realm of Bollywood film, Shilpa Shetty is set to bring the stage alight, leading a performing company of over 40 leading dancers from Bollywood and beyond in a musical extravaganza that has never before been brought to the international stage, as it sets forth on a bedazzling tour of Europe.

Organized, promoted and produced by Farhath Hussain, who is responsible for the success of over 500 shows worldwide, Miss Bollywood is set against the backdrop of London, in preparing for the 2012 Olympics. It follows the story of 'Maya' - performed by Shilpa Shetty - a classically trained dancer and choreographer, recently arrived from India to set up a dance academy in a soon to be demolished East London building. Maya soon finds herself thrust into the limelight, where she must either sink or swim. Her tribulations include the unwanted attentions of a famous but predatory choreographer and a jealous diva. Will vulnerability, purity of heart and a sizzling passion for dance allow Miss Bollywood to fulfil her dreams against all the odds?

The show's producer and world renowned supremo of some of the world's most lavish stage shows, Farhath Hussain is extremely proud of his involvement with Miss Bollywood, as it embarks upon its European tour, to unprecedented public anticipation. He comments, 'I am thrilled at the end result of a spectacular theatrical project that has involved an unlimited abundance of passion, talent and commitment from all of those involved. It is a highly innovative and original piece of theatre that will span the appeal of a huge cross section of theatergoers, combining as it does, all of the winning ingredients of the classic Bollywood film formula - a perfect concept to bring to the musical stage.'

Miss Bollywood is a concoction of riveting dance sequences that could be entered in the Olympics, showcasing a combination of eclectic dance forms taken from the east and west of India, absorbed and transformed into the phenomenon known as 'Bollywood' dance, with Shilpa Shetty re-capturing on stage some of the Bollywood film industry's greatest hits over the past 40 years.

Miss Bollywood also takes a gentle look at the cultural divide between characters with Asian heritage but who consider themselves totally British and those who are from India in search of fame and fortune in Europe's multi-cultural capital city. The Olympic ideals of fair play and trying one's very best are the inspiration for the storyline and setting, in keeping with the tone of a spectacular show that places entertainment and wow factor as its top priorities.

After months of passionate rehearsing and preparation for what is set to be the most electrifying stage event of the year, Shilpa Shetty comments, 'The project has been a labour of love in its entirety, and seeing its fruition, from the initial concept into a tangible realization has been a dream come true. Miss Bollywood will appeal not only to fans of Bollywood films and their super catchy hit songs but also to the mainstream audiences for high energy dance or musical theatre. Extravaganza is the right description!'

Miss Bollywood is devised by renowned choreographer Ganesh Hegde, whose previous credits includes working with Michael Jackson and the show is produced by international entertainment impresario and promoter Farhath Hussain . The stunning costumes have been designed by leading Indian fashion talent Neeta Lulla, who often dresses Shilpa Shetty in her films and an array of other 'A' list Bollywood actresses.