In Bharati, a musical currently touring Europe, Bollywood producters have cut out Meera Syal and done their own show. And if you’re going to do Bollywood unironically, why not use professional dancers and singers rather than inexperienced 2nd genners? Unlike Broadway and West End, the European markets aren’t sniffy about local accents.

The musical sounds like an adapted Bollywood stage show. Rather than developing its own book, it reuses filmi hits like ‘Rang De’ (Thakshak), ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ (Bombay), ‘Bole Chudiyan’ (Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham) and ‘Nimbooda’ (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam). The synopsis sounds like Pardesi and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge:

It begins with the return of the modern engineer Siddhartha, who’s been especially influenced by the Western world, to India. The young, friendly man who grew up in the United States and studied there is working on a clarification plant project for the Ganges River…

… he falls in love with the beautiful Bharati. Her adoptive father, Dom Raja from Varanasi, has promised Bharati to another. Although Bharati is attracted to Siddhartha, there’s little hope for their love… Siddhartha [tries to] win Bharati over and fight for her father’s blessing. [Link]

Actress Bhavna Pani stars; she acts in Telugu films. The show cheerfully pimps Indian exotica. Like Bollywood, the story sounds trite, but the visuals are lovely — and they drive an autorickshaw onstage. Check out the video clips.

Midriff modesty:

Kalaripayattu:

Acrobats:

Clothing pr0n:

Rang de peela (paint it yellow):

The John Abraham hair is a dead giveaway — these dudes are from Bombay:

Virtual Kerala:

Praying in the Ganga:

Krishna leela: