Rajniesh steps out of comfort zone for Bajirao Mastani musical
On a hush-hush and brief, but fruitful trip to the Capital, actor Rajniesh Duggal was busy prepping for a new project that he has taken up — a Bajirao Mastani (2015) inspired live musical. Pandit Birju Maharaj is the creative advisor and choreographer of some of its Kathak sequences.
Duggal’s excitement about trying out new dance forms and pushing the envelope for the project is palpable as he tells us, “It’s very interesting to learn these dances. I’m learning a bit of Chhau, which combines martial arts and dance. It is tough, but has great energy and power.”
The model-turned-actor will play Bajirao in the show, the concept and direction of which is being handled by Maitreyee Pahari. Theatre director Rumi Jaffery is looking after the acting department, and the set design is the domain of Jayant Deshmukh.
“I’m playing Bajirao, and Mastani and Kashibai are being played by two leading Kathak dancers. Navni Parihar is playing the role of my mother in it,” reveals Rajniesh, and adds that some songs from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic big screen drama are being used for the musical, with rights and permissions in place.
According to a source, over 50 Kathak and Chhau dancers will be a part of the live spectacle, which will be staged in New Delhi in April.
Duggal, who forayed into Bollywood with 1920 in 2008, says taking on the challenge of this musical was an effort on his part to try something new. “For any TV or film actor, this is not a comfort zone or space. But I am liking it.”
On the film front too, he is ensuring that he takes on different roles. In one such film on his slate, he will be seen as a Dalit character. In another that he finished shooting towards the end of last year, he essays a negative role. Duggal says, “As an actor, when you get interesting directors and stories, that’s when you can explore. I like this space of exploring myself.”
■ radhika.bhirani@hindustantimes.com