Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Taj Express review: A musical that captures the magic of Bollywood

By Roshan Doug 

IF you’ve been living in a parallel universe or you're unfamiliar with Hindi films, you might be forgiven in thinking that Vaibhavi and Shruti Merchant’s theatrical extravaganza Taj Express is probably a little more than a taste of Bollywood for the uninitiated.


It is, I am delighted to say, much, much more than that. I didn’t like it; I loved it.

Whether you are avid follower of Bollywood musicals or one with only a tacit interest in this genre, I think, you will be electrified by this show and this particular production.

Taj Express tells the story of Shankar, a struggling composer who has a dream of working in the Indian film industry like his idol, AR Rahman.

Directed by Shruti Merchant and choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, it recounts Shankar’s struggle to compose and create music for a new film written by the dubious sounding Raj Pakora. It is almost a theatrical piece about the creative process, how inspiration comes and an artist’s obligation to it. We witness Shankar’s golden opportunity to shine and show the world his artistic talents, but given that he’s got only under a day to produce all the music, will he do it?

The acting was good; the dialogue and delivery were smooth, arousing humour and laughter in all the right place. Both leading actors Vidyuth Gargi (Shankar) and Hiten Shah (Arjun) gave impressive performances that delighted the audience. Taj Express also features music by Rahman himself, the man behind Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire) and many other famous hits including Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se) and Rang De (Thakshak).

Irrespective of what you think of Bollywood musicals, this in itself is worth an evening out.

Like many of Rahman’s previous musical hits, there is something infectiously uplifting about the loud, bombastic pieces in this production – coming in the form of drums, the dhols, the electric guitar and the melodious, haunting sound of the flute. Clearly, the choreographers and the dancers have worked remarkably well, producing a spectacular, dazzling effect that resonated with me throughout the night.

But, of course, I would be perpetrating a grave injustice if I didn’t say a few words about the dancers, the glamorous, glittering costume (by Bipin Tanna) and lighting and sound (Miguel Angel Fernandez and Alessio Comuzzi). All these were incredibly impressive because, as hard as I looked, I couldn’t see anything wrong with the effect, the composition nor the presentation. The dance routines, in particular, were spot on – synchronised to perfection. The dancers were exceptional and, in many places, magnificent especially the soloist, Sadhwi Majumder, whose stage presence was extraordinarily enticing. But there was a notable effort from the whole team exuberating so much vitality; so much energy. I honestly couldn’t fault any of them nor any other aspect of this brilliant family extravaganza.

I reckon that even after this current tour, this production will continue in similar shape or form for quite some time.

Taj Express concludes its run at the Birmingham Hippodrome on Saturday (15).

More For You

Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers Deliver Qawwali Masterclass

NAJMUDDIN SAIFUDDIN & BROTHERS QAWWALI GROUP

www.easterneye.biz

Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers deliver a soul-stirring qawwali masterclass across the UK

Qawwali remains popular with cross-cultural audiences, but very few get the chance to experience one of the world’s oldest music genres in its purest form. Whether it is the diluted style seen in Bollywood adaptations or fusion with contemporary sounds, the tradition is often watered down.

Najmuddin Saifuddin & Brothers Qawwali Group stand apart from that commercialised crowd, presenting the Sufi genre in its most authentic style. The five talented brothers – sons of the late qawwali icon Ustad Bahauddin Khan Qawwal – belong to a remarkable lineage that traces directly back to the first group formed by the genre’s founding father in the 13th century.

Keep ReadingShow less
Celebrating 50 Years of Mili: A Timeless Hindi Classic

The year 1975 was significant in Indian cinema for newly crowned superstar Amitabh Bachchan

Prime Video

Celebrating 50 years of Mili, an underrated classic of Hindi cinema

The year 1975 was significant in Indian cinema for newly crowned superstar Amitabh Bachchan, as he starred in the two biggest films of that year, and also his career, Deewaar and Sholay.

These blockbusters cemented his position at the top. In between their releases came Mili, Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s decidedly different tearjerker.

Keep ReadingShow less
London's Jaipur Literature Festival seeks to
‘build bridges between cultures’

William Dalrymple with his artist wife Olivia Fraser

London's Jaipur Literature Festival seeks to ‘build bridges between cultures’

EASTERN EYE is supporting this year’s Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) at the British Library next Friday (13) to Sunday (15) as its media partner.

“We are happy to do so as we aim to be ‘the voice of British Asians’, as we say on our masthead,” said Shailesh Solanki, executive editor of the newspaper.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Aamir Khan Effect: Transformations That Stun and Inspire

Aamir Khan’s iconic transformation in Bollywood over the decades

Getty Images

Aamir Khan effect: Whiskers, wigs and big wow moments

Aamir Khan returns to the big screen this month in Sitare Zameen Par, a heart-warming Bollywood remake of the Spanish comedy-drama Campiones. He plays a disgraced basketball coach who takes on an unexpected challenge with a team of individuals with special needs.

Sporting a look unlike any from the past decade, the film – due out on 20 June – adds to the many transformations he has embraced over his career, from shifting hairstyles to dramatic facial hair.

Keep ReadingShow less
Exploring South Asian Faiths: A Cultural Journey at the British Museum

The Ancient India: Living traditions exhibition at the British Museum

Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford

British Museum highlights Hindu, Jain and Buddhist traditions in UK context

The British Museum’s Ancient India: Living Traditions is among the most significant displays for Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists living in the UK.

Eastern Eye was given a tour of the exhibition by its curator, Dr Sushma Jansari, the Tabor Foundation curator of South Asia at the British Museum, and Kajal Meghani, the project curator, who has completed a PhD on the contributions of South Asian collectors to the museum.

Keep ReadingShow less