11 Reasons Why Mughal-E-Azam the Musical Play Is A Must Watch

The epic and iconic cult film with its thundering monologues and unforgettable songs will return to the stage in a grand production from today at NCPA. Here are the top reasons making this spectacular grand musical a not to be missed experience.

1) Broadway Style Musical:

For the first time in the history of Indian theatre, a musical play will be staged matching the standard of Broadway. This stage production combines the grandeur, music, lyrics and of course the epic love story of Salim and Anarkali, with modern technology.

2) NCPA:

The NCPA Mumbai regularly welcomes some of the leading orchestras from around the world, including the Vienna Philharmonic, Israel Philharmonic, Bavarian State Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and London Symphony Orchestra, amongst others along with staging landmark theatre productions. As co-producers, NCPA has spared no expense in ensuring that the Mughal-E-Azam musical play is an experience like none other. The choice of NCPA as a venue is prestigious and befitting for such a production as it is the only venue where something of this scale and technology can be staged.

3) Shapoorji Pallonji:

The 150-year-old business group had a brief stint with the entertainment industry. In the 60s, the group funded K. Asif's magnum opus Mughal-E-Azam which with a budget of $ 3 million was the most expensive film ever at that time. Decades later, in 2004, the third generation of the Mistry family produced the colour version of the film, when this film became the first film in World Cinema to be restored in colour for a mainstream theatrical release. It is befitting that with their long history with the film, they are also producers of this spectacular musical play.

4) Feroz Abbas Khan:

The production will be helmed by well-known director Feroz Abbas Khan. He is the winner of several International and National Awards for his film Gandhi My Father and is the creator of stage masterpieces like Tumhari Amrita, Salesman Ramlal, Mahatma v/s Gandhi and several other plays. The New York Times called his Mahatma v/s Gandhi ''one of the most provocative English language plays to emerge from India in years''. Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Kirron Kher, the late Farooq Shaikh, Seema Biswas, Boman Irani, Satish Kaushik and Shefali Shah, have given their finest performances under his direction. No one else could have envisioned re-creating this epic film as a spectacular musical and you cannot miss out on watching his vision unfold on stage.

5) Live Music, Dances & Dialogues:

Live performances of the film's original songs to provide an unforgettable experience. Couple this with live dances and powerful dialogues and you get one of the rarest creations in Indian theatres.

6) Opulent Costumes:

The costumes for this extravaganza have been designed by ace designer Manish Malhotra. Manish is one of the most celebrated designers in India. He is an influential personality whose designs reflect contemporary India with his panache for Indian wear. He is known for his colour storytelling and glamorized intricate craftsmanship. Over 25 years of his career, Manish has received over 35 awards and designed looks for over 1000 films. He has been felicitated with the Rajiv Gandhi Award by the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi.

7) Scale & Grandeur:

The scale & grandeur of this production is of an unprecedented scale and never before seen in the history of Indian theatre.

8) Aesthetic Dance Numbers:

Mayuri Upadhya's choreography is breathtaking and pioneering. She is the winner of the ''International Competition of Choreography for Asian Dance Productions'', South Korea (2012). Mayuri is one of the most innovative and talented choreographers of the country with her style being modern and contemporary yet strongly rooted in Indian traditions. Her work has travelled across India and other countries and been appreciated and applauded by the Queen of England, the Prime Minister of India - Mr. Narendra Modi and Hindi Film Legend, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. Her body of work includes Make in India, Madhur Milan, Katha Parva, Madhushala, Mangalyam, Nav Durga, the Prayog and Kaali which have set a new benchmark in the field of choreography.

9) Magnificent Sets:

The sets of this grand musical have been designed by Neil Patel, the award-winning production designer and set designer of theater, film, television, opera and dance. Recent works of his include The Lion, Pretty Filthy, Stage Kiss, Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3); the feature films Some Velvet Morning, Loitering With Intent and Dil Dhadakne Do; Anna Bolena at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the television series Billy and Billie. Past credits include Side Man on Broadway, the West End and the Kennedy Center on Broadway. He has twice been recognized with an Obie Award for sustained excellence and has been the recipient of the Helen Hayes Award and numerous Henry Hewes and Drama Desk nominations. His design for This Beautiful City was chosen for the 2011 American Exhibit at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space.

10) Projection Design:

John Narun is executing the projection design. Nominated for an Emmy Award for his television work, John's creative evolution has been a colourful one. Trained to be a theatrical lighting designer, he soon fell into a job as an animator. After more than twenty years in broadcast, he is now focused on finding ways to bring live performance and digital media together. Combining his animation experience with his love of the theatre has led to some of the most exciting projects of his career. From concerts with artists like Madonna to huge mega productions at Radio City Music Hall, to name a few of his works, have been landmarks.

 11) Lighting Design:

David Lander is in charge of the Lighting Design. David received the 2011 Drama Desk Award for Best Lighting Design for Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Moisés Kaufman, starring Robin Williams. Recent Broadway productions include The Winslow Boy directed by Lindsay Posner with Roger Rees, The Heiress directed by Moisés Kaufman, starring Jessica Chastain and Dan Stevens and The Lyons starring Linda Lavin. David received a 2009 Tony Award Nomination for Best Lighting Design for 33 Variations, written and directed by Moisés Kaufman, starring Jane Fonda.