Dance is the real star of the fourth production of Aadyam Theatre's seventh season.
Directed by Nadir Khan, Mumbai Star, originally written by Devika Shahani, with music by Dhruv Ghanekar, had toured Japan for the Min-On Concert Association, and was reportedly a success. For the Japanese, this form of dance must have been new and invigorating-a kind of capsule introduction to contemporary Indian dance, from classical, to Bollywood, to street style.
Right from the start, when Dev (Avenav Mukherjee) and his pals dance in a fishing village - (choreography by Avantika Bahl, with other experts contributing to specific genres), one can see that the show will be fun to watch. Dev comes to Mumbai to participate in a reality show, that promises to launch the winner into showbiz, and of course it isn't easy. The 'commuting' dance which ends with him being ejected from a local train was fabulous. He does need a fairy godmother, however, to take him to Tilak's (Abhishek Choksi) dance school, where he instantly masters kathak and also fall in love with rich girl, Koel (Arushi Nigam). Of course, her father objects, but then, Dev expectedly wins the reality show and becomes a celebrity.
The plot, such as it is, falls apart after this, though the dancing remains dazzling throughout. Some of the creativity used for the vibrant musical set pieces could have been spent on a somewhat fresh script too. It's like when the movement stops, the play comes to a standstill. A simple set, with the imaginative use of lights, portrays different locations; the costumes match the mood of the scenes.
Credit due to Nadir Khan and his team for getting together such a talented cast and crew; who put in the effort that must have gone into mounting this extravagant production
(Deepa Gahlot is a journalist, columnist, author and curator. Some of her writings are on deepagahlot.com)
