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Mughal-E-Azam Play Review – Majestic & Exhilarating
The theatre world in India has been abuzz ever since the news of the play adaptation of K. Asif‘s classic Mughal-E-Azam has come out. The play which is in a Broadway-style musical format created ripples and fueled curiosity & discussion, especially since the original film was a monumental epic and taking on the mantle of enacting it on stage would be a daunting task . I was privileged to catch the premiere show and I must say that the pre-emptive adjective of spectacular in the advertising campaign was more than lived up to.
The following brief impressions was my takeaway, I am not writing a full-fledged review as theatre really has not been my regular diet of entertainment, but I am writing from an audience point of view and am sure that this play will widen the net of the theatre-going audience, doing a great service to the art of theatre, which in India needs more attention and patronage.
Grand Sets – the sets bring to life the bygone Mughal era, a mix of actual sets and front plus back projections. One is left open-mouthed at the sheer grandeur of the sets. Mellifluous recreation of Naushad’s melodies – The music has been very aptly adapted while at the same time retaining the richness and classical melody of the original work.
Outstanding Performances – All-round accomplished performances make this a winner to watch. Special mention of Priyanka Barve who essays the role of Anarkali & had the audiences spellbound with her acting, singing and dance.Melodious Singing – All the artistes have done a tremendous job in bringing to life the immortal melodies. Jab Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kiya and the Teri Mehfil Mein Kismat Azmakar(the Muqabla song between Anarkali & Bahar) deserves a special mention & have been beautifully rendered by the respective artistes.
Punchy Dialogues – The dramatic quotient of the play is enhanced manifold by the powerful & at times profound dialogues. Masterful Direction – Feroz Abbas Khan proves yet again that he is a master storyteller and that when it comes to regaling the audience, he is a director par excellence. His meticulous attention to detail adds a layer of perfection to the staging, all departments working seamlessly together to enact the epic drama.
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