Mughal-E-Azam: A Stunning Musical Extravaganza!

Picture courtesy: www.scroll.in

Expectations are high when K. Asif’s legendary classic from the silver screen is adapted to a musical play. After six successful runs in Mumbai, Feroz Abbas Khan’s directorial venture, Mughal-E-Azam, has finally arrived in Delhi. Playing at the majorly revamped Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, it is a spectacle of grand measure, a fitting tribute to the original.

Though it took 7 years to make the movie, this play was put together in a record 2.5 months, perhaps the quickest ever for a show of this standard. I was enthralled by the phenomenal feat of live singing and masterful dancing. It is a huge achievement to consistently maintain energy levels throughout 2 hours and 45 minutes.

In my opinion, the true strength of the show is in its impeccable timing. The sets were transformed seamlessly; costume changes were flawless; and the dancers moved from scene to scene, with a fluidity one wouldn’t think possible.

Some of the actors impressed more than others. Anarkali, played by singer Priyanka Barve was outstanding. Her ability to emote through her immaculate singing stood her in good stead. The characters of Jodha Bai, played by TV actress Sonal Jha; and Bahar, played by Pratibha Singh Baghel, performed well. Akbar, played by Nissar Khan was impressive but fell short in comparison to the great Prithviraj Kapoor, who played Akbar in the original. Salim (played by Dhanveer Singh) was disappointing as he lacked a strong voice. One would imagine a more commanding voice for the heir apparent to the kingdom of Hindustan (or at least the actor playing him!)

However, the show isn’t marketed for its acting prowess. The real stars are the classically trained kathak dancers. Their ability to breathe life into scenes and faultless movements were breathtaking. Some truly impressive scenes include the evergreen “Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya”, the stunning qawaali of “Teri Mehfil Mein”, and the war scene where the fighting was vividly portrayed through dance. Kudos to the brilliant choreographer, Mayuri Upadhya.

Manish Malhotra has really outdone himself on the costumes. Each piece stood out for its aesthetic brilliance as well as its subtle imagery. In fact, every scene was a veritable visual treat. The digitally enhanced sets designed by Neil Patel, the projections by John Narun and the lighting by David Lander were all key contributors. Piyush Kanojia did a wonderful job recreating the magic of the original melodies, as well as lending a dramatic background score. The Line Production team of ‘Rapid Waters Pvt. Ltd’ including Namrata Ahmed and Suparna Chakravarti was instrumental in putting together this wonderful event.

There were a few minor flaws. In all its grandeur, it didn’t fully capture the poignancy of the original story. The tickets were very expensive, but that’s understandable, with the amount of time and effort invested in its creation. Some of the cast members need to be changed. Once these issues are addressed, the show will grow from strength to strength.

I highly recommend watching this memorable spectacle, on till the 17^th of September. Fans of the movie will enjoy reliving the decadence of the original, and a first-time audience will enjoy the resplendence of every aspect.

Play rating: 4/5 stars

Picture courtesy: www.radioandmusic.com