Bharati? But what is it? Or rather, should I say: who is it? Bharati is a young woman symbolizing all the charms and traditions of India. She falls in love with Siddartha, an engineer of Indian origin, raised in Los Angeles, embodying modernism.
But Bharati is also the title of this love story staged in a grand musical show made in India, with 100 artists: dancers, musicians, actors, narrator, acrobats, martial arts specialists.
This show was already presented in Nice last March. Those who had the privilege of attending it have not yet returned from this journey.
On the 14th and 15th of October 2006, the troupe will return to Nice with the sole aim of taking you on a 90-minute tour of India, or at least giving you a delightful taste through a musical performance.
But before wishing you “Bon voyage”, Nice Première called India to talk with a certain Mr. Loyal, also known as the Indian actor Rahul VOHRA.
Nice-Première: Tell us about the role you play in Bharati.
Rahul VOHRA: I am the narrator of Bharati, Mr. Loyal. I accompany the show throughout the journey to India.
N-P: What encouraged you to participate in this show?
R.V.: I am an actor and a cinema artist. I was offered a role that interests me greatly. I bring my knowledge, my skills as an actor, a comedian, and a director. I am someone who has worked a lot in India and France. All these “selves” come together in the “inter-self” which is the narrator of Bharati.
N-P: How would you define this show in a few words?
R.V.: It is a discovery of India, an accessible India, an India that is both modern and very, very traditional. This show is an explosion of colors, feelings, actions, lights, songs, dances, words, legends, tales, traditions…
N-P: It’s a journey! With Bharati, do we travel to India while staying in France?
R.V.: I hope we take you somewhere else during those two hours. In fact, in this show, we claim to take you elsewhere. You are neither in France nor in India, but elsewhere, on another planet.
N-P: You are an actor in India, how would you define Bollywood cinema?
R.V.: Bollywood is a label that is given to all Indian cinema. But there is also auteur cinema, and commercial cinema as well. Some films are made in Bombay, others in the South of India, in Manache, in Kolkata… There is a lot of Indian cinema. But I think it’s a nickname that encompasses everything: Indian cinema is Bollywood. But it is true that popular cinema in India is the musical comedy with an actor, an actress, and a love story.
N-P: Where did you learn French?
R.V.: First of all, in India, where I did my master’s degree. Then in Paris, where I obtained a DESS. I had very good teachers… (smile)
N-P: Have you acted in France before?
R.V.: Yes, I acted with Pierre Arditi in a TV movie called “Passeur d’enfants” on TF1. It was extraordinary to work with someone like Pierre. I accompanied Jean-Claude Carrière during his travels, when he was writing the “Dictionnaire amoureux de l’Inde”. I have quite a few ties to France.
N-P: Which French actor or actress would you like to act with?
R.V.: With the great Jean-Paul Belmondo.
N-P: Any projects?
R.V.: Acting, acting… And acting (Laughs).
N-P: Theater or cinema?
R.V.: It’s the same. I’m lucky because I have a profession where, even when you go to work, you go to play. I’m very happy to say “I’m going to play” while other people say, “I’m going to work”. I will surely do films in France. In India, there is a film that will be released this year. But with Bharati, it doesn’t leave me much time because we are “overbooked” for years.
N-P: To conclude, if I say “Premier” or “Première”, what or who do you think of?
R.V.: Of the channel Paris Première but Premier for us, it is the Prime Minister.
More info on www.bharatitheshow.com
Presentation and special demonstration of the Bharati show, Friday October 13, 2006, at 5:30 PM at the Fnac Forum Nice.
Public rates: 1st cat: €57 – 2nd cat: €46 – 3rd cat: €33
CE: 1st cat: €53.90 – 2nd cat: €42.90
TICKETS:
Billetel 0 892 683 622 (€0.34 mn) Fnac, Carrefour, Géant / www.fnac.com
Ticketnet 0 892 390 100 (€0.34 mn), Auchan, Virgin, Leclerc, Cultura, Galfa Voyages / www.ticketnet.fr
