Mumbai, June 26: She’s the Big Brother, she’s a perfume and she loves a controversy. But what’s making Shilpa Shetty twirl now is her foray on to the floorboards. Shilpa Shetty is going to take Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage.
Bollywood’s favourite show-off-to-the-goras muse will be acting in a musical titled Miss Bollywood, that will premiere at London’s West End and then travel to Broadway, New York. It is being produced by Farhat Hussein, who also organises several Bollywood shows in Britain, and choreographed by Ganesh Hedge.
“The musical will be on the lines of Webber’s Bombay Dreams. And though it’s crafted as a take on a day in the life of a Bollywood actress, the play is designed to cater to Western sensibilities,” Shetty says, adding that she’s loving the stage. “I’ve done a few stage shows. The whole song-and-dance routine of a musical really fascinates me and I think I’m a natural in the art.”
Shetty is currently enjoying rehearsals for Miss Bollywood; they’re taking place between London and Mumbai. The play is set to premiere in London three months from now and will then travel to New York. Costume designer Neeta Lulla will be dressing up the Indian actress turned British celebrity for the stage. “Since the musical is representing Indian culture and tradition, the costumes will be vibrant and energetic with heavy work,” Shetty says.
The actor goes as far as saying that this is her biggest career move yet. “I want foreigners to get familiar with the Indian culture. Racism breeds out of ignorance. This is an attempt to educate people of the arts about our existence,” Shetty pulls out the racism card once more.
Though she says she has no plans of settling down in UK, with her frequent visits she lets us in on something. “I have two British film offers. But right now, you should watch me on stage,” she teases.
ExpressIndia
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Shilpa is India’s gift to the world. She is really a major celebrity and role model. Let’s hope her musical stage show is a big hit in the USA.