In a very superficial perspective the musical is simply spectacular with a huge array of bursting colours and fantastic dance sequences, yet with a technically trained eye and a deep knowledge of Indian Heritage one knows and understands that there is more to this musical!

The basis of the musical is the story of Shantilalji (grandfather [dada] of Ayesha Merchant) and his pioneering of Indian dance in Bollywood, and the journey of Ayesha through Bollywood and then her journey back home to Shantilalji and the ‘Thandava’.  

The story for Shantilalji in his paternal role in Bollywood gave great reverence and acknowledgement to the legends of Bollywood like Raj Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Helen, Amitabh Bachchan, and how Bollywood and specifically the dance in Bollywood has been nurtured not just as entertainment but as a sacred portrayal of a more than 5000 year old Heritage of India.

The technically flawless rendition of Kathak and Bharatiya Nathyam, the ancient indian dance forms for worship of the Gods, and their fusion with modern dance and gymnastics, was used cleverly to show Ayesha’s growth in Bollywood and entertainment. This was deeply and passionately contrasted by Shantilalji’s wish for her not to prostitute a form of reverence into a Fifty Rupee portrayal of scantily dressed women representing the ‘perfect dream’ for the Indian cinema, for both viewer and producer.

Shantilalji’s and Ayesha’s story detailed that just as Thandava and worship was the original Indian Dance, Bharat (the original name of India) and its Heritage is the original India.

The amazing and profound exposition in this musical of the philosophy of the ‘circle of life’ confirmed that this philosophy was deeply enshrined in the culture and worship from the ancient and mystical land of India.

The Merchants of Bollywood detailed that just as when India had gained its independence, that that was not the end of the struggle but the beginning of a new one. This aptly fitted in here in South Africa as these were exactly the sentiments of the great Former President Nelson Mandela for South Africa as a nation!

Merchants of Bollywood was a spell bounding dedication to the great and fantastic industry of Bollywood and its spiritually based heritage from the Motherland of India!