Aboard the Taj Express

Taj Express,a musical directed by Bollywood choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant’s sister Shruti Merchant,aims to change this. Showcasing a typical boy-meets-girl love story,the musical aims to impress with magnificent set designs representing different cities in India.

The choreography by Vaibhavi will imbibe various dance forms,including the South Indian Kooth,Shiva’s Tandav and Maharashtra’s Lavani. The music has been composed by the famous musician duo,Salim-Suleiman and has Pallavi Sharda and Pulkit Samrat in the lead. The play will open at NCPA in Mumbai on July 10. It will travel to other cities after a few months.

The story of the show revolves around Vasu,a street-smart thief who falls in love with Meera,a policeman’s daughter. The love is unrequited because Meera doesn’t know of his existence until destiny brings them on the Taj Express. From Benaras to Agra and Mumbai to Jaisalmer,the show takes the audience on a journey through India as the couple spew limericks at each other and dance to songs — many of which are predominantly folk tunes.

“It’s like a motion picture but a bolder attempt,” says Khyati Binde,executive producer of Taj Express. “It’s very far from Bollywood because of all the theatrical elements involved — the sets,stage,dialogues — and it’s all been done so as to entertain.”