Sunday, August 17, 2008

Bollywood 2008 Extravaganza

Abhishek Bachchan was everywhere on Friday night at Nassau Coliseum: walking through the windows of the stage surrounded by bodyguards; soaring above the crowd on a platform emphasizing women and serenading; rapper, in a red leather jacket, with the duo Vishal - Shekhar; current scene to hug his wife, actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, while she made please to the public on sustainable development.

All this movement, and yet she could not quite overcome the long shadow cast by his father, Amitabh, a veteran of more than 150 films. He worked half disk that his son, but the focal point clears of the unforgettable Tour, a four-hour song and dance and most extraordinary featuring several stars of Indian cinema.

There is no American equivalent of this show, in which the actors, joined by dozens of dancers, recreating numbers popular film music. Here, all the talents - acting, singing, dancing - are equal. Well, not always singing in most Bollywood films, the voices are provided by reading the singers while the stars on the screen lip-sync.

And so has most performances here, making it an extravagant yet curiously chosen case. For a large part of the exhibition - most of whose solo series of lithe actress Preity Zinta, who was dressed as a drum, and energetic comic actor Riteish Deshmukh, who, during the theme song of the film "Cash", danced in front too awkwardly $ 100 - the crowd responded as if they were watching a film: seated, silent consideration.

These performances have also been saddled with a contrived intimacy. Actors had jumped off the screen on stage, but are still at a remove. Success requires the removal of the veneer unattainability. This was done best by Madhuri Dixit, the oldest women performers, who is also the most graceful and subtle, its performance with Ms. Rai Bachchan, in a dance routine from "Devdas", was one of the night's most stirring.

Curiously, some of the most enthusiastically received performances were also less traditional. Vishal-Shekhar, a young duo better known for his work progressive band that dabbles in hip-hop, were enthusiastic, especially on "Deewangi Deewangi", "Om Shanti Om." They also played with an orchestra, upending the issue formality.

Although the musicians remained on stage for Amitabh Bachchan the first solo series, they were less accordingly. His appearance was more an exercise in collective memory of an excellent performance. A star of stratospheric proportions, it was celebrated with hagiographical video and voice-overs. ( "Even the way he made an impact." "They APED his hairstyle.") The young Mr. Bachchan made one of his father's best-known routines, "Don", while images of the film flashed on a screen behind him.

With a silver goatee and short dark hair, the elder Mr. Bachchan cut a figure August. But he, too, has not been immune from pick pocketing inheritance. Towards the end of the show in a segment that was part oral performance, part "Inside the Actors Studio", he discussed his own parents with emotion. First, he recited a few lines of "Agneepath, "A poem by his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who was, he says," written to inspire the Indians. "(Friday was the 61 th anniversary of India's independence.)

Then he talked about his mother, who died last year and has slipped into his character of the film "Deewaar," who prays for his mother's health. As Mr. Bachchan delivered the lines, has increased its voice deep, medium and unlikely raspy. And then just as quickly as it had begun, he broke back to normal and was greeted with the night's most heartfelt ovation. On a night full of carefully choreographed moments, this flagrant act explosion also proved to be the most authentic.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Abhishek Experienced World Tour With Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai, which is currently occupied by the Bachchans "Unforgettable concert, said that as co-star, she often asked to experience Abhishek a world tour. And when he finally consented, they dance as husband and wife."You know, when we were co-stars, I have always said Abhishek a world tour is something he has experience. In fact, one of my world tours I even asked my organizers asking him to come on board. He would say, 'Not yet, not yet. "And who would have thought when he is finally ready for his first world tour, we would go together as husband and wife," Aishwarya Rai told IANS in an interview.

"It's a wonderful experience. We danced together on screen and also performed together. But we have never been on a concert tour together. Even the public on all answer us as a couple. They keep the shower us with blessings and best wishes. "

The actress took a break in his tour and flew to Mumbai with Abhishek to meet his father who is ill.

Aishwarya Rai's Interview
Q: It seems jetlag was invented for you and Abhishek?

A: Ha! I grabbed this opportunity to come back home because Abhishek had to attend an event. I came back to see my father. That's been a gnawing concern all through ever since my father fell ill. The first couple of the Unforgettable shows were really difficult because I didn't get enough time to rehearse. But after that it's been fantastic.

Q: In spite of the fact that you couldn't rehearse enough?

A; I was ill for three weeks before we left. I was on antibiotics throughout. I barely had five days to rehearse before we left. Only I know what it took for me to look chipper at the press conference.

Q: How could you dance after getting up from your illness?

A: The first two shows were really tough on me. I had to do everything in my power to not let my post-illness weakness show. I practically learnt my steps during the shows. I just had the last three-four nights to first watch the acts and then try to learn them.

Q: You must be torn between the anxiety for your father and the ecstasy of dancing live?

A: I am. My father is such a strong man. And so is my mother. They're both going through his illness and recuperation together. My father is the strongest man I know. His faith in the power of healing is so strong. I feel his strength and also the love of all those who have sent their genuine concern. He has gone through his second cycle of chemotherapy and now he's going through his third. It's not easy for us.

Q: Wouldn't you've preferred to stay home at this time?

A: My father wouldn't allow that. My parents are made of incredible substance. When I was toying with the idea of backing out of the tour, they put their foot down. My dad was like, 'No way. Life goes on. There's no way I'll let you take steps back'.

Q: The international press has gone ga-ga over your dancing?

A: I enjoy dancing and I'm having the time of my life. But I wanted to come back to Mumbai for a while to spend time with dad. If it was London, it would be a hopping flight. But from the US, you lose time because you cross the meridian line. So much as I'd like to come back every week from the concerts, I can't. But I just had to see dad. And this weekend we just had one show. Now we return to do a show in Houston.

Q: How is it dancing with Madhuri Dixit?

A: For the two of us it's like old times again. We felt we were both back to doing 'Devdas' together.

Q: You hadn't forgotten your 'Dola re' steps?

A: You know muscle memory never lets a dancer down. If you're a dancer, you never forget steps for a song or dance you've done before. When the music plays the body just takes flight. And that's the best way to dance.

Q: Dancing with the whole family - is that a new high?

A: It's a wonderful experience. We've danced together on screen and also performed together. But we've never been on a concert tour together. These concerts are special because we're doing them as a family and it's the first concert Abhishek and I are doing after marriage. Even the audiences all over now respond to us as a couple. They keep showering us with blessings and good wishes.

And when we perform to the 'Guru' song, you should hear how they coo and clap. You know, when we were co-stars, I always told Abhishek a world tour is something he must experience. It's just such a high to connect on such an intimate basis with your audience.

In fact, for one of my world tours I had even asked my organisers to ask him to come onboard. He'd say, 'Not yet, not yet'. And now who would've thought when he's finally ready for his first world tour, we'd go together as husband and wife.

Q: Your best shared moment during the concerts so far?

A; After the performance at Amsterdam, I looked at Abhishek and asked how it felt. And he reminded me that I had urged him to go on stage from long before. 'And now we're on stage as husband and wife,' he said. That was a memorable moment.

Q: A section of your friends in Mumbai continue to believe the shows aren't doing well?

A: What do you do? I've spent a entire career fighting off false perceptions about my life and career.

Q: Do you improvise in the programming for each concert?

A: Well, we added 'Dola re' in the US when Madhuri came on board. Abhishek and I have also added a romantic act. Most of the show is pre-set, but we're modifying it here and there. As the number of performances increases we're having more and more fun. We're getting more and more interactive with the audience.