Track Listings

Amazon.co.uk Review

The Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced musical Bombay Dreams arrived on the London stage in June 2002. It's a hard task to retain the exciting authenticity of the Bollywood musical while coating it in a layer of West End musical, without dissipating the whole experience.

Considering that Bombay Dreams composer AR Rahman is one of such a phenomenon in India, it is odd that much of this music comes across as cheap imitation. One has the feeling that he was trying (or was he pushed?) to squeeze the music into a box, and only now and then does it burst forth from its restrictions. "Chaiyya Chaiyya" is one of the best pieces, in Hindi and with added metal guitar it has real oomph, but comes from the much-loved Bollywood film, Dil Se, and is a massively popular song in India.

"Closer Than Ever" also has something, with interesting chord progression and some soaring lines for the singers to get their teeth into--the only number to do this. There are beautiful moments, but with no evident characterisation and appallingly banal lyrics by Don Black, it doesn't grab. The show itself makes up for the lack of musical originality with some stunning choreography, but ultimately leaves one wishing that they had just brought over a real Bollywood musical. --Antonia Couling

Click here to read our review of Bombay Dreams, the musical.

BANANAS OVER BOLLYWOOD?

If you are simply "bananas" over bollywood, then you might like to read the following:

• Bollywood In Love - catch it while you can (ends January 2003)
• Bollywood Dreams - a digital homage (end January 2003)
• Bollywood Homes - Abu Jhani & Sandeep Khosla's interior design benediction. Sadly only the pictures remain now!
• Bombay Dreams - A R Rahman's theatrical tribute to the industry is a must see.
• The Rough Guide to Bollywood - DJ Ritu's musical guide to the Hindi Film Industry.
• Bollywood Books - our selection of some of the best books on the subject.
• Bollywood Boy - our review of Justine Hardy's pursuit of Bollywood heart-throb Hrithik Roshan.
• Bombay Time - Thrity Umrigar's simply brilliant book about the Mumbai Parsee community. Absolutely nothing to do with Bollywood...but a great novel about the city!
• Lagaan - surely you've seen the movie by now? Read our review and see if you agree.
• Devdas - Sanjay Bansali's remake of this classic 1917 tale.

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