As the premier of the long-awaited and long-rehearsed Bollywood 360° draws near, it is time to introduce some the stars of the programme.
Executive Producer Akshita Nama of Indiance, which is putting together the event, said that casting is extremely important for any creative production.
“It is not just who can play the roles or character well, but who is committed enough to undertake the tasks of acting and dancing. It is a major commitment, entailing countless hours of practice and rehearsals,” she said.
In our experience, a good production needs not only dancers who can act, but also people with passion and drive.
Akash Kumar
The four lead members of the Group have embraced the opportunity to be a major part of the show. They are highly talented and brimming with enthusiasm.
The protagonist and hero of the show is Karan, played by Akash Kumar.
He has been a part of Indiance for the past ten years and played the role of a cop in our last production.
“Going from comedy to a more dramatic role is a great challenge and acting in this show is an awesome experience. I am excited to see how it all unfolds,” he said.
Akshita acknowledged that this young man is a great actor and dancer.
“He has shown great dedication and commitment over the years,” she said.
Deepna Nathu
The show features Deepna Nathu in the female lead role of Aasha.
She said that capturing all the emotions and themes was not only challenging but also confusing.
“The great cast and crew help me. When there are professional and dedicated people involved, everyone remains alert and open to discussion and improvement,” she said.
As the Director, I have to ensure quality of acting and keep the cast motivated.
It is important to keep them at ease, close to each other, open to suggestions and allow opportunities to challenge each other.
For instance, Aasha is a complicated and troubled character, who lives in the fear of her past actions, finding it difficult to move on in life.
Deepna finds that playing the role of Aasha is extremely fulfilling as she wants a similar life herself.
“It was easy to choose Deepna to portray the lead character because she was full of promise with dedication, commitment and talent. She is a trained classical dancer, another important requirement in our productions,” Akshita said.
Rushabh Trivedi
Rushabh Trivedi, who plays the role of Swami, is among the favourites at Indiance and has been a part of every production.
He has a rare combination of qualities. He is a great actor, a good musician and has a sound knowledge of Bollywood. The experience and support he gives to new actors on stage is priceless. He brings energy and calmness to the stage inspiring other actors and makes the scenes captivating.
Yashika Shindhe
Gauri, played by Yashika Shindhe, is Aasha’s best friend in the play. She encourages Aasha to come to terms with herself and lead her life.
“Playing Gauri is basically like projecting my personality, who I am in this character. We are similar; I am excited about things and so is Gauri. I have always been a dancer and hence the chance to play a character on a show of this scale is a great opportunity and challenge,” she said.
We wanted to give all younger members of Indiance a chance to take up a leading role this year because, as I have experienced in my own life, such opportunities enable them to grow and shine.
Rahul Parbhoo is a member of the Indiance Committee based in Auckland.
