Tinsel town glitz set to come to NZ with ‘The Merchants of Bollywood’

The biggest Bollywood dance drama is coming to Auckland this month, featuring a cast of more than 40 performers who are coming all the way from Film City Mumbai- the heart of Bollywood.

The Merchants of Bollywood boasts of more than 1000 performances and been watched by over two million people around the globe in the past 15 years. It has been named after notable Indian choreographers Vaibhavi Merchant and her grandfather Hiralalji Merchant, and is choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant on Salim-Sulaiman’s music arrangement.

The Merchants of Bollywood depicts the history of the world’s largest and most prolific film industry and a galaxy of stars that have lit its way over generations.

Recently, we had a chance to talk to Carol Furtado who has been part of the show since its inception as Ayesha Merchant- the female lead and found about more about the show and her journey with it.

Swati Sharma: A journey that started 15 years ago. To the world, The Merchants of Bollywood is a dance spectacle about the history of Bollywood, from Bollywood. What does it mean to you?

Carol Furtado: The theme of the show revolves around the individual's struggle to adhere to traditions in a modern and rapidly changing world. But that description doesn’t quite portray the firecracker that is this show. The Merchants of Bollywood is a dance spectacle that gives you a glimpse into one of the largest movie industries in the world, but more than that I see it as an entertaining introduction to a vast and ancient culture.  

Swati: You play the lead – Ayesha Merchant – in the dance theatrical. How much do you personally relate to the character?

Carol: I play one of the protagonists, Ayesha Merchant. Ayesha is a young girl with a traditional village upbringing who has these big Bollywood dreams. She possesses the courage to defy convention and pursue her dreams. She is also talented enough to become the reigning queen of choreography in Bollywood all on her own merit. But she's also like her grandfather, she too grows disillusioned with the industry as she realised how commercial it's become. She too finds fulfilment and peace upon returning to her roots.

I understand what it's like to defy conventions. My family is very conservative, they expected me to apply for a conventional 9-5 job and weren't happy when I continued dancing professionally even after I got my degree, it took them a while to accept that what I was doing wasn't the same as being a stripper.  

Swati: The glowing reviews and comments from entertainment industry legends would surely put a lot of pressure on the artists. With so many shows of the musical over the 15 years, how do you keep the character fresh and versatile with every passing performance?

Carol: It's a natural question to ask, with any other job by the time you're repeating the same task for the twelfth-time monotony has already settled in. But, performing before a live audience is always a thrill (doesn't matter how many times you do it) because every audience is different. As the performer, you feed off the excitement of the crowd before you and recognise your duty towards them- they're out there cheering for you and you know you can't let them down. At the start of every show I'm very conscious of the fact that while this might be the thousand six hundredth time I'm playing this part, there are people in the audience who are watching the show for the very first time and I want to make sure they leave feeling entertained. 

Swati: Apart from musical productions, what else is the food for soul for the dancer in you?

Carol: Visiting dance clubs. I'm a teetotaller, like many of my dancer friends, and it's invigorating to let my hair down once a week and hit the dance clubs where we then proceed to shamelessly try and outdo each other with our own dance moves while people around us are too drunk to even manage standing upright.

Swati: New Zealanders would be experiencing Bollywood like this for the first time. What is in store for them?

Carol: The Merchants of Bollywood show is like a big party on stage. We've got fabulous dancers in stunning multi-coloured costumes and incredibly energetic dances, giving you a taste of everything from traditional ethnic dance styles to hip-hop and disco all set to hit Bollywood songs that make it impossible to keep your feet still. 

You won't get answers to any deep philosophical questions. What you'll get is a feast for your senses- a sampling of the different flavours of India from the folksy to the urban which will help you finally understand Bollywood's ever growing popularity around the world. 

Shows & Tickets  

There are 4 shows planned for New Zealand, with four shows in Auckland and one in Tauranga.

Where: Civic Theatre Auckland, Auckland

When:  19 OCT 2018- 7:30 pm

20 OCT 2018- 7:30 pm

21 OCT 2018- 3 pm

Tickets: Ticketmaster.co.nz

Where: Baypark Arena Tauranga

When: 23 OCT 2018- 7:30 pm

Tickets: Ticketek.co.nz