After a rapturous response from the audience for the first Mumbai run, Aadyam Theatre brings back Mumbai Star to its namesake city with an additional show
Aadyam Theatre, a storytelling initiative by the Aditya Birla Group, brings its most ambitious and sonically rich production, The Dragon Rose Project’s Mumbai Star — a vibrant dance musical — to its namesake city. After the blockbuster Mumbai run, the show will be coming back to the city of dreams due to a massive response. Apart from its regular runs on July 12th and July 13th, 2025, at NCPA’s iconic auditoriums, Jamshed Bhabha Theatre and Tata Theatre, this new run comes bearing a bonanza for the theatre enthusiasts. An additional show on July 11th, 2025, has been added due to the increasing demand for the visual spectacle of the season.
Originally written by Devika Shahani, this production is brought to life under the direction of Nadir Khan, with choreography by Avantika Bahl. The show also features inputs from some of India’s finest guest choreographers, including Vidushi Uma Dogra, Krutika Mehta, and Vivaran Dhasman. What unifies this expansive musical is the razor-sharp movement, soaring music, imaginative staging, and a story filled with grit, grace, and emotional resonance.
At the center of Mumbai Star is Dev, a young dancer from a small coastal town in Maharashtra, who journeys to Mumbai with little more than his mother’s dream and an unshakable desire to succeed. When he lands an audition for the reality show Mumbai Star, the stage is set for a life-changing transformation. But his ascent into the world of fame comes with shadows of self-doubt, heartbreak, and a test of integrity — until a chance encounter with a mentor changes the course of his path.
The show’s heartbeat is a breathtaking 19-track original score composed by Dhruv Ghanekar with lyrics by Ishitta Arun. The soundtrack fuses orchestral overtures, folk rhythms, hip hop beats, and soaring ballads, capturing every beat of Dev’s emotional arc. With powerhouse vocalists like Sunidhi Chauhan, Kunal Ganjawala, Nakash Aziz, Stony Psyko, and Ravi Chary, the music doesn’t just accompany the story — it elevates it, pulsing through the choreography with irresistible energy.
The cast is a force of nature. Avenav Mukherjee, Abhishek Choksi, Arushi Nigam, and Jayesh Sarange shine in their roles, with Surabhi Andrade as associate choreographer. Stage legends Rajit Kapur and Srishti Srivastava lend gravitas to the narrative as they take audiences through the emotional rollercoaster that unfolds.
Speaking about Mumbai Star, producer and original writer Devika Shahani shared: “It’s been an exhilarating opening for ‘Mumbai Star’ with Aadyam Theatre this season! The show — originally commissioned by Min-On founded by my mentor Daisaku Ikeda — was born out of the desire to tell the story of mentor and disciple through dance and music. This exceptional team of people has brought this story to life in a way I could never have imagined! I’m excited to continue this journey with Mumbai Star backed by Aadyam Theatre as we return to Mumbai which is the place where we built the show originally.”
Director Nadir Khan added: “The recognition and inclusion of Dance as a vital member of the Performing Arts is a wonderful addition to the Aadyam Theatre umbrella. We are very hopeful that with this small step, the Dance industry will have one more avenue that will allow it to continue to innovate, grow and contribute to the rich and diverse landscape of the Performing Arts we love so much. We’re extremely happy that the response Mumbai Star received over the opening weekend was so strong that Aadyam Theatre has seen fit to add an extra show for our return to Mumbai in July at the NCPA. The show is high-quality, accessible, unpretentious, joyous and exhilarating. It respects and cherishes the traditional but is also loudly and proudly announcing that Modern India has a strong and clear identity of its own. It’s a simple story, told with soul and energy, all while rooting itself in a compelling theatrical narrative that weaves different styles of storytelling together — music, dance, movement and theatre. It’s a great evening out for anyone — children included!”
Originally produced by Min-On Concert Association, Tokyo, with The Dragon Rose Project staging the show, Mumbai Star is much more than a musical — it is an ode to the spirit of Mumbai. A city of contradiction and chaos, of beauty and resilience, of heartbreak and hope — Mumbai plays not just a backdrop but a leading role in the storytelling.
As Aadyam Theatre continues to champion original Indian voices in its seventh season, Mumbai Star stands out as a glowing example of theatrical excellence — rooted in tradition, bursting with innovation, and brimming with the pulse of modern Indian identity. This second Mumbai run promises more than a return; it is a celebration of rhythm, roar, and the relentless energy of dreamers.
