K Asif’s majestic epic ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ has charmed legions of followers all over the world for more than 60 years. After more than 200 enthralling performances in six Asian nations, its sublime stage adaption. Now it makes its North American debut. The 13-city tour gets out on Friday, May 26 in Atlanta, with stops in New York, Chicago, Toronto, and other cities.
This Broadway-style spectacle, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Shapoorji Pallonji Group, is also India’s longest-running. It will be performed in North America by Cinema on Stage and will bring a timeless love story intertwined with the silken strands of India’s syncretic culture and its rich dance, musical, cinematic, and theatrical traditions to a worldwide audience.
Director Feroz Abbas Khan states, “There cannot be a better way to end the pandemic-induced lull than to bring ‘Mughal-E-Azam: The Musical’ to an international audience. We are well aware of how difficult it will be to maintain energy levels as we go from city to city with a large team and learn to become acquainted with a new location each time, but we are looking forward to it. The last few years of not being able to play have left us all eager, and we will put in even more enthusiasm and effort than ever before to ensure that this tour is a huge success. Mayuri Upadhya’s choreography of dance sequences to do honour to the grand musical soundtrack is a major component of our endeavour, and we are confident that viewers will enjoy every minute of it.”
Mughal-E-Azam:
Deepesh Salgia, the musical’s Creative & Strategic Vision, adds, “When we approved this project seven years ago, we had no idea it would run for 19 seasons and travel to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Muscat, Doha, and now North America.” A large production like this requires a lot of technical and logistical expertise, but what truly makes it universally adored is its emotional heart and the love tale of Salim and Anarkali. And, of course, this is India’s most expensive stage show, with beautifully choreographed dance routines, magnificent lighting, exquisite costumes by Manish Malhotra, and live signing.”
Following its 2016 premiere in Mumbai, India’s first Broadway-style musical, with a cast and crew of more than 150 individuals, has received widespread acclaim. It was nominated for seven BroadwayWorld India Awards in 2017, including Best Play, Best Director, Best Costume Design, Best Choreography, Best Original Set Design, Best Original Lighting Design, and Best Ensemble Cast.
This homage to K Asif’s masterwork has blossomed into a musical of incredible scope, intensity, and grace, and it is maybe the best moment in Indian theatre. According to Deepesh, “We at Shapoorji Pallonji are extremely delighted to bring this musical play to a country that prides itself on creating a global ecosystem for a theatrical production.”
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