Taj Express follows the story of ones man’s passion and another man’s genius. Young composer Shankar struggles with his music, and it’s only when he begins to follow in the footsteps of his idol, A.R. Rahman that he discovers his path to success. The production reveals the secrets of the world's most prolific film industry, and the people behind the screen who make the magic in India's factory of dreams.
Taj Express rhythmically blends explosive dance with the hits of India’s most iconic composers and is brought to life by the stars of Bollywood cinema and its greatest musicians performing live on stage.
It is set to an unforgettable soundtrack featuring the songs of Oscar winner A.R. Rahman.
With a cast of multi-talented performers, Taj Express is an uplifting show full of colour, high-energy music and sensational dance scenes choreographed by one of Bollywood’s top young choreographers, Vaibhavi Merchant and directed by Shruti Merchant. As director of Taj Express, she aims to immerse the audiences in the heart of contemporary Bollywood in a way that’s never been seen before.
Shankar is a young music director working on his first Bollywood film. His ambition is to write the perfect music score for a film, with one smash hit song that will become known around the world. A.R. Rahman is his guru, his mentor and his idol. In his journey to find the music, the film starts to reveal sides of Shankar that he didn’t know existed.
A Bollywood Superstar with great dancing skills. With a string of Bollywood hits, every young man dreams to be like Showbiz, every young woman wants to be with Showbiz, but he has never found true love.
KAREENA is a Bollywood actress, at the peak of her celebrity, a star of the movie scene, a beautiful heroine, a star dancer she feels imprisoned within her Bollywood world and longs to escape the pressures of celebrity, being constantly in the withering glare of the press.
A Cut Throat Criminal - once the servant of the Maharajah of Ranthambore but accused of the theft of the sacred ring, he escapes to Mumbai, where fifteen years later, he has become a gang-lord. To launder his dirty money, he funds the films made by Raj Pakora.
ARJUN is a prince in hiding, an undercover millionaire. ARJUN is teaching dance to street children in an old abandoned Cinema in the streets of Mumbai. In the cinema ARJUN teaches classical dance to give people meaning and value through dance
Shruti Merchant began her career assisting her sister Vaibhavi Merchant in films like Dhoom, Lakshya, Baghban, Kuch Na Kaho, Kal Ho Na Ho, Devdas and Jab Tak Hai Jaan. She made her debut as a Choreographer and won the Big Entertainment Award for best Choreography for the song "Thug Le" from "Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl".
Prior to directing Taj Express, she toured with travelling musicals for over five years as a touring choreographer. She has performed in countries like Australia, UK, Switzerland, South Africa, Spain, France, Singapore and the United States to name a few and it was during this time that she experienced the global theatre scene first-hand. Touring internationally she has gained experience and knowledge in the field of direction and production of stage shows.
With Taj Express, she has created a path-breaking song, dance and drama extravaganza that will entertain and enthral audiences of all ages, world-over.Shruti hopes to have Taj Express tour every big and small city around the world - to give audiences a true flavor of India.
Vaibhavi Merchant is one of Bollywood's leading dance choreographers. The grand daughter of pioneering Indian choreographer Shri B Hiralal, Vaibhavi's journey with dance began at an early age. During her career, Vaibhavi has choreographed dance numbers in numerous hit Bollywood films. She has been awarded a National Film Award for her choreography in 'Dhol Baaje' from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Her recent hits include Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dhoom-3, Fan, Sultan and Befikre. Vaibhavi was also the choreography director for The Merchants of Bollywood, which has been touring globally for the past ten years.
With Taj Express, Vaibhavi has worked towards bringing the magic of the story on stage through the expression and grace of various dance forms.
Pranav Merchant has spent his life building businesses in varied industries including Real Estate, Entertainment etc. and guiding them to profitability. His passion for the International Musical Business brings Pranav on board the Taj Express, where he hopes to introduce audiences in India and abroad to the true essence of India while creating a global platform to showcase Indian talent. As the Executive Producer, Pranav has been dedicated to getting some of the Indian entertainment industry's most gifted talents involved in Taj Express.
Pranav's vision for Taj Express is to have performed in every country around the world and to evolve the show into Seasons that will have audiences hungry for more every time Taj Express is 'back in town'.
Salim and Sulaiman are a renowned Indian music composer duo credited with a host of chart-topping hits. In the past decade the duo have composed music for blockbuster Bollywood flicks such as Chak De India, Fashion, Neal 'n' Nikki and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to name a few.
With the title track of the Taj Express which was composed exclusively for the show, Salim and Sulaiman have created a score that features traditional Indian sounds while maintaining a global flavour.
An award-winning international music theatre Writer and Director, Toby Gough is the creator of hit Musicals such as The Merchants of Bollywood, The Bar at Buena Vista, Lady Salsa, Soy de Cuba, Hemingway's Havana and Havana Rumba! He is also currently working on two new musicals- Miami Libre with Cuban artists living in Miami in collaboration with the Grammy-nominated super group Tiempo Libre and a new Hip-Hop project, in the Dharavi Slums of Mumbai. He recently produced the Cuban Gypsy project album with world music guru Damian Draghici and other legends of Cuban and Gypsy music.
Toby is Director of Brazil!Brazil! Irish Celtic and Irish Celtic Generations Musical. He has created pioneering community engagement, conflict transformation projects in Sri Lanka, Yugoslavia, Africa and Australia. He directs a world music theatre venue- The World Festival, in collaboration with Brian Cox and Peter Gabriel, which won the Spirit of the Festival lifetime achievement award.
He is also the recipient of five Scotsman First Prize Awards at The Edinburgh Festival and two Spirit of the Festival Awards, two Total Theatre Awards, the Guardian International Theatre Award and has been nominated for a Grammy Award for his work with Tanzanian musicians, the Zawose Family.
Taj Express is Bipin Tanna's second experience with a musical on Stage in addition to various Bollywood movies and TV shows.
Designing costumes for the show was an extensive and intriguing project for him which resulted in over 1000 costumes and more than 500 accessories featuring exquisite details, colours, glamour and bling. One of the goals of the show is to put Indian textiles on the international map and the Taj Express is as much a journey through the vast array of Indian textiles as it is through India.
Having started his career with fun and spunky jingles, Abhijit Vaghani made a beeline into mainstream Bollywood,scoring absolutely thrilling and record-breaking backgrounds and tracks in Blockbusters. His eccentric sense of style and individuality equipped the scenes with precision and character. Interpreting visual scenes into matriculate sounds comes naturally to this promising young musician.
His productions are greatly appreciated and acknowledged not only within the Bollywood Film industry and its audiences, but internationally as well. The national and international acclaim that he has achieved in such a short span of time only proves his dedication and passion for the world of music. His work as a Music Producer in latest hit movies- Sarabjit, Fan, Ki & Ka, Kapoor & Sons and Bajirao Mastani displays inspirational productions, which reflect his passion, drive and the ability to create unimaginable harmony.
Having been working with us since our Taj Express world premiere in Singapore, way back in June 2012, now also taking care of our other shows Craig is excited to be working on such a diverse set of shows.
Coming from a background of international live concert touring, there is not a place he has not worked at, often he can be in the most remote locations at the drop of a hat, and this makes him well versed in what’s required to deliver the high energy sound reinforcement this show requires.
His company Think Audio Productions Ltd based in the UK designed our show control system, working closely with our Creative Manager/Chief Assistant Director Ankush Dhawan since our very first performance. Together they have created a system that enables us to bring a taste of India to anywhere in the world.
Craig is modest about his work; here are a few examples of his past and present projects - London 2012 Olympic Games, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games, 2014 Glasgow
Commonwealth Games. UK Festivals- Glastonbury, Download, V, T in the Park. International tours with, We Will Rock You "The Queen Musical", Il Divo, Elbow, Foals, Andrea Bocelli, Hurts, Nitro Circus, Crosby Stills & Nash, Celtic Thunder.
He also runs his own company which provides technical services & staff to the live events industry.
On a personal note Craig is currently following his passion of flying, training to gain his helicopter pilot license, Where does he find the time!!
Being raised in the boards of stage, with both parents' as artists, Stephan decided to shape his own destiny, taking the world as a destination, through all the continents and cultures.
Years later after venturing throughout the world, he decided to return to his origin - Theater. He started working as a Stage Manager on several World Tours and host to some of the best shows as a Local Production Manager such as Ballet Rafael Aguilar, Stomp, Slava Snow Show, Walt Disney On Ice, Arturo Brachetti, Estopa, Canto Del Loco, West side Story (German Production), Soweto Gospel, Harlem Gospel among several others.
Years later decided to join his two passions and ventured on to be the Managing Director of UNIART, heading it from its head office in Beijing for three years.
That's how his relationship with TAJ EXPRESS began, taking us to a journey of no boundaries.
Stepping into Bollywood at an early age Shahbaz learnt the nuances of Bollywood working as a Production Assistant, Production Head and eventually a Production Controller for various Feature Films, TVC's and Music Videos for Production companies such as Highlight Films, The Walt Disney Company India etc. With Production being his main criteria of interest, he strives towards being "Production Perfect" and keeping the Production team a cohesive unit.
"Working on an International Musical such as Taj Express requires a completely different skill set which is a challenge I love to embrace and perfect".
The world of stage and theatre has always been very attractive and inspiring to Aruna. Being trained in Bharatnatyam from an early age, dancing has always been a passion, and stepping into Bollywood turned her passion into her profession. Being a performing artist and touring the world with a leading Bollywood Musical, it was time for her to take the next leap, and that is when Taj Express came along.
Working as a Stage Manager on Taj Express has been a dream come true for Aruna. As Stage Manager of this magical musical she promises to never disappoint the shows audience and leave them wanting for more.
Having trained in gymnastics, jazz and contemporary dancing, a career in Bollywood was a dream come true for Nitin. He has also worked as an assistant choreographer with Ms. Vaibhavi Merchant. Having been travelling around the world as a performing artist in a leading Bollywood Musical helped him gain a new perspective to Theatrical Musicals. He got to learn and experience the technical aspects of Stage with Taj express.
"Working as a Head Mechanist in Taj express has been fun and challenging at the same time and looks forward to catering the show to audiences all around the world."
