This Dussehra, producers Randhir Ranjan Roy and Abhishek Narayan are set to bring MAHABALI, a Broadway-style mythological musical inspired by the Ramayana and told from the perspective of Lord Hanuman. The production combines theatre, music, visual storytelling and stagecraft to explore Indian traditions, indigenous martial arts and folklore.
The production features Aankiet Mohan in the title role of Hanuman, Arya Babbar as Ravan, Saanand Verma as Vistarvachie and Pankaj Berry as Kaal Drishti, with performances from Mukul Nag and Aadesh Bharadwaj.
Producer Randhir Ranjan Roy said, “With MAHABALI, our goal is to elevate Indian mythological theatre to global production standards. By blending powerhouse storytelling, state-of-the-art stagecraft and a breathtaking audio video technique, we are reviving India’s rich cultural heritage in a format that speaks directly to modern, multi-generational audiences.”
The production focuses on Hanuman’s journey, exploring themes of devotion, humility, loyalty and selfless service. Rather than presenting Hanuman only as a powerful warrior, the musical also looks at his emotional and spiritual dimensions and his devotion to Lord Rama.
Aankiet Mohan said, “Bringing a character as emotionally complex and physically imposing as Hanuman to a live Broadway-style stage is both the greatest honour and challenge of my career. We are steering away from two-dimensional tropes to show his immense strength side-by-side with his profound, absolute humility.”
Arya Babbar said, “Playing Ravan opposite a narrative centered on Hanuman shifts the entire dramatic friction of the story. It allows us to explore the epic clashes with a fresh, gripping intensity that live audiences have never felt before.”
Music is another key element of MAHABALI, with original musical playbacks featuring Kailash Kher, Shaan, Raghu Dixit and Amit Gupta.
Shaan said, “The music of MAHABALI is designed to evoke deep devotion while maintaining the theatrical momentum of a Broadway show. Every track serves as an emotional heartbeat for Hanuman’s journey.”
Kailash Kher said, “The vocal landscape of MAHABALI demands an raw, earth-shattering spiritual energy that matches the cosmic power of Lord Hanuman. Through this soundtrack, we have infused ancient mantras and powerful rhythms to create a sonic experience that doesn’t just entertain, but transports the audience straight into the heart of the heavens. It is a musical awakening born out of absolute devotion.”
The production will begin its tour in Mumbai on 18 October, with shows at 4:02 PM and 7:29 PM at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA. It will continue on 24 October at Nehru Centre, Worli, with the same show timings, before moving to Bengaluru on 14 November.
With its combination of mythology, live performance, music and large-scale stage production, MAHABALI aims to present the story of Hanuman through a contemporary theatrical format while retaining its cultural and spiritual roots.
