Asian Express Newspaper – Bollywood’s Iconic Movie Makes its Musical Debut!

Witness the nostalgia and re-live the atmosphere of 80s Bollywood disco in all its technicolour glory as one of the most iconic Bollywood musicals of all time and the pioneer of the Box Office 100 Crore Club, Disco Dancer, sets the London stage ablaze. Disco Dancer The Musical will make its world premiere debut at Sadler’s Wells from 16^th – 20^th November, the high-octane production running across seven shows. Introducing new audiences while reconnecting older generations to the lead characters and lovers from the silver-screen blockbuster, ‘Jimmy’ and ‘Kim’ will be joined by an ensemble cast of supporting characters and a troupe of 28 dancers.

Saregama Live, the events division of India’s oldest music label, Saregama, and innovators of Indian music for a global audience, will bring the trailblazing, big-screen superhit to life onstage. Recreating the evergreen, original soundtrack by the undisputed and legendary King of Disco and Pop, the late Bappi Lahiri, Disco Dancer The Musical will provide an electrifying, live theatre experience for audiences. The all-time hit film and its tale of love and vengeance will be transferred to the stage in an unforgettable production. Movie magic will be recreated  through elaborate dance, music, drama, emotion and comedy – all of the ingredients of a sure-hit masala entertainer.

The 1982, Bollywood super hit, Disco Dancer, was India’s first ever 100 crore film, starring the inimitable King of Dance, Mithun Chakraborty, and directed by B. Subhash. Its evergreen and progressive soundtrack was crafted by celebrated composer, the late Bappi Lahiri. The musical pioneer was famed for redefining the disco and pop genres within the framework of popular Indian cinema. The film featured anthemic, dancefloor classics that have gained notoriety and fans across the globe, such as “I Am a Disco Dancer” and “Koi Yahan Nache Nache”. The seminal “Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja” went on to be featured in the Adam Sandler hit, You Don’t Mess With The Zohan, in later years as well as welcome a cover version by international music artist, M.I.A. Disco Dancer became the biggest foreign film hit of the 80s. The music album went platinum in India while becoming synonymous with the genre of Indian disco around the world.

The world-famous home of dance, Sadler’s Wells will host the stage adaptation of the Bollywood cult classic. Its superhit soundtrack has been reimagined by multi award-winning Bollywood composers, Salim-Sulaiman (Aaja Nachle, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Band Baaja Baaraat, Coolie No 1). India’s most acclaimed composer duo, their previous stage compositions include the Sadler’s Wells production, Umrao Jaan Ada. Disco Dancer The Musical is directed and choreographed by Rajeev Goswami, whose West End stage credits include Beyond Bollywood and Umrao Jaan Ada; and film credits include blockbusters such as Veer-Zaara, Bunty Aur Babli and Dhoom.

Written by Nicholas Bernard, Irfan, Ali Haji, Khush Mullick and Veer Panchal, Disco Dancer The Musical is adapted from the original script by Dr. Rahi Masoom Reza and Deepak Balraj Vij, The story chronicles the romance between Jimmy and Kim and Jimmy’s anguish as his mother dies in a wicked conspiracy. The grand-scale stage production features Arjun Tanwar, Hriday Gattani, Salonie Khanna, Tia Kar, Varun Tewari and Dipeesh Kashyap, joined by an ensemble of 28 dancers. Performances will be introduced by British Asian, stand-up comedian, Shazia Mirza.

Disco Dancer The Musical will transport audiences to the era of 80’s Bollywood disco with the interactive excitement of live singing and dancing. Leading talent in Indian film and theatre will create a magical, fantasy world onstage during a week of performances to warm the hearts of audiences in London this winter.

For ticket bookings: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/saregama-live-disco-dancer/

Watch the Disco Dancer The Musical trailer here: