A spectacular cast has been announced for the world premiere of Bombay Superstar, the dazzling new Bollywood musical set in the sizzling disco era of the 1970s, which opens at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry on 18 October.

Nisha Aaliya (Ghosts, BBC; Girl on the Train, Netflix) is an award-winning actress who will be leading the cast as fiery rising star Laila, alongside Rav Moore (Bollywood Jane, Curve Theatre) as her dashing hero co-star Sikandar.

They are joined by Pia Sutaria (Disney Theatrical Productions scholarship recipient at the Royal Academy of Music) in the role of Mala, Robby Khela (Indian Idol 4; Sony Entertainment Television) as Vicky, with Sheetal Pandya (Udaan, Tu Sooraj Main Saanih Piyaj) as Dolly, Yanick Ghanty (Hullraisers; Channel 4) as Tiger, Chirag Rao (Bend It like Beckham: The Musical, West End) as Din Dayal and Amar (Winner of Best Female Singer at Asian Music Awards) as Pammi.

Aaron Mistry (Eternals; Marvel/Disney), Daisy Hardy (Bollywood films Mission Cinderella and Tara vs Bilal), Pavan Maru (Bird College graduate) and Alexandra Adams (Northern Ballet School graduate) will make their professional debuts as part of the ensemble. 

Blurring the lines between reel and real-life events in the films of Bollywood icons like Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, this retro musical is a passionate tale of a star-crossed romance between a fiery rising star and her married co-star which thrills and scandalises their star-struck fans. 

Bombay Superstar is written and directed by the master of authentic Bollywood-inspired work Sâmir Bhamra, who is also the Artistic Director of Phizzical Productions. 

Bhamra said: “I’m a child of the 70s and 80s and no matter what challenges life brought, when my heroes came onto the big screen, I could escape and be carefree. Often, we all sat round a VCR watching films as a family - it brought people together in the same way that theatre does, and this has been missing for many people in the last few years. 

“With Bombay Superstar I’ve re-created this happy era of bell bottoms and sparkly sarees with live music, soaring singing to the heights and a story that pulls on your every emotion, in a show that guarantees joy, a great occasion to get together with family and friends and full-on Paisa Vasool! (worth every penny).”

Bombay Superstar is delivered in English and sung in Hindi with subtitles throughout the show to allow accessibility for audiences throughout the country.

The creative team includes video designer Lewis den Hertog, lighting designe Mark Jonathan, choreographers Rohan Shah and Shruti Shah, and musical director Hinal Pattani.

Bombay Superstar will open in October amidst the global celebrations of the Diwali Festival of Light at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry and will then visit Hall for Cornwall, The New Wolsey Theatre, The Lowry and MAST Mayflower Studios. 

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