The world’s first mega musical on Shri Krishna, Rajadhiraaj: Love Life Leela, conceived and created by Dhanraj Nathwani, premiered at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) on Wednesday. The musical opened with a glamorous evening filled with friends, family and Bollywood’s biggest stars. Among the stars present were Aamir Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Shikhar Pahariya, Ananya Panday, Raveena Tandon, Ritiesh Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Aanad L Rai, R Balki, Madhur Bhandarkar and Udit Narayan, to name a few.
While staging this musical masterpiece, Dhanraj Nathwani was delighted to see the response he received from his friends in the industry. In an exclusive interview with News18, after the premiere of the show, Nathwani said, “The biggest compliment I can say is that there is not a single person who said that they did not get goosebumps on hearing the lyrics. Everyone has loved it. We have achieved what we had always wanted – to reach out to the people and the younger generation. People can relate to this.”
He further added, “This is a musical which the younger children will love as entertainment and will enable them to learn about Krishna and go back home. Those who believe in Krishna will believe in him more. So, it will definitely have a great impact on all people. I am sure that our wish and desire to have Krishna’s message conveyed to the world will be fulfilled soon.”
Asked why he decided to make it a musical and not a play, Nathwani explained, “Basically, it is more of a form of entertainment that conveys the message of Krishna and the Bhagvad Gita. People don’t like to get into mythological stories or listen to religious stories. So this is a way for people to connect. Those who don’t believe in God will also believe and start knowing the story of Krishna. So it is more about connecting people to the world and to God.”
Earlier, Nathwani also stated that creating the musical “has been a journey of devotion and passion for me.” Speaking about his vision, he shared, “Shri Krishna’s life is an endless source of inspiration and through this musical, we aim to share the beauty, wisdom and love that he embodies. I am thrilled to bring their timeless stories and the intertwined journeys of Shri Krishna as Shrinathji and Dwarkadheesh, in a never-before-seen way, embarking the audience on an unforgettable journey into the divine saga of Shri Krishna.”
Executive producer Bhoomi Nathwani was also happy to see the response the musical received after its grand premiere. Speaking exclusively to News18, she said, “The best compliment was [when people said,] “You should take this show globally, because it showcases our culture.” On the decision to make it a musical, Bhoomi said, “I believe every human being has a lot of emotions and music is the best way to express every emotion. Similarly, even Krishna's lila has a lot of emotions and music is the best way to express it.”
Earlier, Bhoomi also showed her gratitude towards the entire cast and crew of the musical. She had said, “We are deeply grateful to the entire cast and crew for their immense efforts in bringing this magnificent production to life. We are confident that the audience will be left spellbound, as the ensemble of over 180 artists embarks on this remarkable artistic journey of live singing and dancing, promising a deeply immersive experience into the essence of the divine saga of Shri Krishna.”
The musical features lyrics by acclaimed Indian lyricist and Padma Shri award-winning screenwriter Prasoon Joshi. It explores lesser-known aspects of Shri Krishna’s life, depicting his journeys from Vraj to Mewar and Mathura to Dwarka. Directed by the seasoned Shruti Sharma, known for her expertise in musical theatre, the production showcases over 180 artists and presents the divine forms of Shri Krishna, Shrinathji and Dwarkadheesh together for the first time in a musical play. Award-winning Bollywood production designer Omung Kumar meticulously creates scenes that transport viewers to ancient India. The show is produced by seasoned professionals Parthiv Gohil and Viral Rachh. The story research is done by National Award-winning writer Raam Mori, and promises a rich visual and narrative experience.
The musical, choreographed by Bertwin D'Souza and Shampa Gopikrishna, features stunning dance sequences performed by over 60 dancers. Shampa Gopikrishna continues the legacy of his late father, the renowned Kathak maestro Natraj Shri Gopikrishna. Celebrated costume designer Neeta Lulla, known for her iconic work in Indian cinema, has designed over 1,800 costumes that vividly bring to life the divine and mythical characters.
Rajadhiraaj: Love Life Leela at NMACC Grand Theatre will mesmerize the audience from Thursday, August 15 to September 1, 2024.
