Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 28: Singers Kailash Kher and Shaan, along with actor Arya Babbar, are coming together for the Broadway-style mythological musical ‘Mahabali’, which is set to launch during Dussehra.
Produced by veteran producers Randhir Ranjan Roy and Abhishek Narayan, ‘Mahabali’ reimagines the timeless epic Ramayana from the perspective of Lord Hanuman.
Shaan said the musical’s soundtrack has been designed to evoke devotion while maintaining the pace and energy of a Broadway production.
"The music of MAHABALI is designed to evoke deep devotion while maintaining the theatrical momentum of a Broadway show. Every track serves as an emotional heartbeat for Hanuman’s journey," Shaan said.
Kailash said the musical demanded a powerful and spiritually charged vocal landscape to match the cosmic strength associated with Lord Hanuman.
"Through this soundtrack, we have infused ancient mantras and powerful rhythms to create a sonic experience that doesn't just entertain, but transports the audience straight into the heart of the heavens. It is a musical awakening born out of absolute devotion," he said.
The production explores themes of selfless service, loyalty and spiritual wisdom that have remained deeply rooted in India's cultural memory.
At its core, the musical moves beyond a conventional retelling of the Ramayana to explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of Hanuman. Revered as one of the Chiranjivis, or immortal beings, Hanuman is portrayed as a divine warrior possessing immense cosmic strength while also embodying humility and complete devotion to Lord Rama.
The story examines how greatness is rooted in devotion rather than pride, presenting Hanuman's journey as an enduring source of inspiration across generations.
Arya Babbar, who plays Ravan, said the role offers a different dramatic perspective as the narrative remains centred on Hanuman.
"Playing Ravan opposite a narrative centered on Hanuman shifts the entire dramatic friction of the story. It allows us to explore the epic clashes with a fresh, gripping intensity that live audiences have never felt before," Arya said.
The production features Aankiet Mohan in the title role of Hanuman, Arya Babbar as Ravan, Saanand Verma as Vistarvachie and Pankaj Berry as Kaal Drishti. Mukul Nag and Aadesh Bharadwaj are also part of the ensemble cast.
Aankiet said portraying Hanuman on a live Broadway-style stage was both a major honour and a challenge.
"Bringing a character as emotionally complex and physically imposing as Hanuman to a live Broadway-style stage is both the greatest honour and challenge of my career," he said.
"We are steering away from two-dimensional tropes to show his immense strength side-by-side with his profound, absolute humility," he added.
Producer Randhir Ranjan Roy said the production aims to present Indian mythological theatre on a global scale by combining storytelling, advanced stagecraft and audio-visual technology.
"With Mahabali, our goal is to elevate Indian mythological theatre to global production standards. By blending powerhouse storytelling, state-of-the-art stagecraft and a breathtaking audio-visual technique, we are reviving India's rich cultural heritage in a format that speaks directly to modern, multi-generational audiences," Roy said.
Tickets for the theatrical production are available through BookMyShow.