BOLLYIDOL 2005
(29 April 2005)

BollyIdol, the national talent search for young people interested in Bollywood-style theatre enters its second year and is now calling for entrants. The brainchild of husband and wife performers Samir & Leylah Bhamra, this year's BollyIdol contestants will take part in the auditions that run alongside the duo's theatre production 'Precious Bazaar'. Regarded as gurus, Samir and Leylah have helped launched the careers of some of last year's winners who have starred in films, plays, at dance performances and on Asian Television.

The auditions will take place over seven days in three regions this year. They are Greater London, Midlands and North. You must enter BollyIdol in-order to be allocated a date to audition. As they can only audition a finite number of people over these days, it is advisable to book a slot as soon as possible. The auditions run alonside tour dates for 'Precious Bazaar'

TOUR/AUDITION DATES FOR 'PRECIOUS BAZAAR'

	VENUE	BOX OFFICE
17 - 18 June	Watermans, Brentford	Tel: 0208 232 1010
16 - 17 July	The Lowry, Salford Quays	Tel: 0870 787 5780
17 - 18 Sept	New Walk Museum, Leicester	Tel: 0116 225 4900
24 Sept	Millfield Theatre, Edmonton	Tel: 0208 807 6680

BOLLYIDOL PRIZE

By entering BollyIdol 2005, this could be your chance to win a starring role in Phizzical Productions forthcoming show 'Pagal'. You will be trained and nurtured in all aspects of performance as well as receive a makeover and photo-shoot to start your portfolio. All you need is energy, talent and commitment to see the project through.

• Rakhee Thakrar acted in a short film called Tourrettes Haiku, and now plays Roopa Chauhan on the BBC Asian Network soap Silver Street.
• Jas Binag acted in a play called Anum. The show sold out and will be touring in Europe in 2005.
• Bhavika Mistry has continued to perform at various stage-shows including one for Shah Rukh Khan. She turned down the main lead for a Bollywood film to continue touring Precious Bazaar.
• Fagun Thakrar and Zafreen both participated in Zee TV’s Item Bomb. Fagun was one of the finalists who traveled to India to meet the producers of Musafir. Fagun won. Fagun has recently worked on a French feature film.
• Zafreen has since worked on two short films. Zafreen has been offered the female lead in Hangama Productions forthcoming production.
• BollyIdol costume designer Sharnpal Jeethley is designing a range of clothing for a store in New York following the success of Precious Bazaar. She is currently playing the lead female in Anum.
• Jas Binag and Zafreen were talent spotted in Leeds, and asked to audition for a BBC short film.
• Mark Khutan and Jaimal Mistry are currently developing material for their solo albums. Mark and Zafreen are working on launching a dance school called Timeless Motion.
• Jaimal Mistry was recently a finalist in the UK seniors Boogie Woogie final. Jaimal also runs workshops for young people interested in singing and dancing.
• Jas Binag, Mark Khutan and Jaimal Mistry recently auditioned for TikkaBilla a CBeebies programme.
• Sheena Raichura was the finalist for B4U’s Race for the Face competition. She was later offered a part in a Bollywood film. She has since been signed up by a professional modeling agency, and has walked the ramps at NEC.

Click here for a BollyIdol entry form and for details about the competition.