STER-KINEKOR DELIVERS EXCLUSIVE DIWALI TREAT
With Bollywood hit – The Merchants of Bollywood
“India’s answer to Billy Eliot” The Daily Telegraph
From 9 November audiences across South Africa will get to experience the glamour and beauty of the spectacular stage production – The Merchants of Bollywood – exclusively on the big screen at Ster-Kinekor. A story centering around the heart of dance and the fusion of tradition and modernity, this is a vibrant piece that will appeal to all audiences – from die hard Bollywood fans to those who simply appreciate a well-crafted, high-energy production. Ster-Kinekor is going big with this Bollywood extravaganza as the title releases in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Kwazulu Natal. With limited shows on 9, 10 and 11 November, bookings are now open so that you can get your tickets before it’s too late!
The Merchants of Bollywood is a tale that begins in the deserts of Rajasthan in India, in the temple of Shiva. The Merchant family dynasty upholds the ancient traditions of the Kathak dance, which is known as the dance of the Gods. Shantilal Merchant (Arif Zakaria) is the last of their line of gurus and the tradition of the Kathak dance is about to die out.
Shantilal used to be a choreographer during the golden time of India’s film industry as the country recovered from Partition. He believed that cinema would be able to heal the wounds of a divided country. But as soon as the industry became commercial and lawless, influenced by dirty money and western trends, he left to form his own dance school in the desert. Here he teaches traditional folk dance.
The talent and spirit of dance runs in the family as Ayesha (Carol Furtado), Shantilal’s granddaughter has left Rajasthan to become the queen of choreography of Bollywood films. This move was against Shantilal’s wishes as their approaches to film choreography are at opposite sides of the spectrum. He believes that films should change people’s lives but Ayesha believes they should help people to escape.
A family feud is ignited as Ayesha rebels against her classical training in favour of modern western dance styles. In an attempt to make it right, she travels back to the deserts of Rajasthan to visit Shantilal. Here she finds herself in the arms of her childhood sweetheart Uday (Dipender Singh).
Her grandfather is dying and soon there will be no one left to continue to family tradition, performing the dance of the Gods. Ayesh decides to marry Uday and stay in Rajastan to run the dance school and hold the family traditions high. But she will run the school her way – a balance of old and new. What follows is a grand finale that is an energetic fusion of folk, classical, modern, western and Indian dance forms. Can the power of dance heal wounds?
This truly magical Bollywood production launches just in time for Diwali, the festival of lights. The Merchants of Bollywood is a celebration of everything glamorous and beautiful, bringing together dance, family, tradition and love. It will be screened at The Zone and Riversquare in Johannesburg, Centurion in Pretoria, Gateway in Kwazulu Natal and N1 City in Cape Town. Exclusive to Ster-Kinekor, this is one not to miss!
For more information or to book your seats visit our website at sterkinekor.com, our mobile site at sterkinekor.mobi or call our Ticketline 082 16789. Follow us on Twitter @sktheatres, or you can Facebook us at Ster-Kinekor Theatres. Own an Iphone, Blackberry, Nokia phone or Samsung Android? Download Ster-Kinekor’s App right now, to get the latest updates on what’s happening on the Ster-Kinekor Theatres’ big screen!
