‘India is my home’ – Lisa Ray

 Usha Pudukkotai speaks to Kabir Bedi and Lisa Ray, the stars of the dance-drama TAJ

A Canadian-born film star, Lisa Ray is dazzling Toronto this season with her stellar performance in TAJ. The eternal love story,  a must watch show, brings together two acclaimed actors Kabir Bedi and Lisa Ray. Neither of these two celebrities needs any introduction to Torontonians.

Lisa Ray is known for ‘Bollywood/Hollywood’, ‘Water’ and ‘Cooking with Stella’. Canadians have seen Ray seen as the co-host of award shows and events such as The Genies, The Giller Prize and The Crystal Awards for Women in Film and Television. In 2009 she was named ‘Trailblazer’ at the Reelworld Film Festival and featured as one of the ’50 Most Beautiful People’ of the country in the Canadian edition of Hello Magazine.

In an exclusive interview, Lisa tells Update that she loves India, and thinks of India as her home. However, since her marriage last year, she’s been busier and the commute to India is more difficult. Therefore, Bollywood would have to wait. Ray is well known for her advocacy for cancer and stem cell medicine. She is also a business-owner and has opened Moksha Yoga studio in Brampton.

Kabir Bedi, who plays the lead character in the play, is a famous international actor, who has acted in all 3 mediums – theatre, television and films. He has also found success in Hollywood, starring as the James Bond villain Gobinda in 1983's Octopussy.

Kabir also had a year-long leading role on the “BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL” watched in 146 countries, to London’s West End with ‘THE FAR PAVILLIONS’, Kabir has also done over 60 BOLLYWOOD FILMS, including super-hit “KHOON BHARI MAANG” where he starred opposite Rekha, directed by Rakesh Roshan.

Kabir is a member of the “OSCARS ACADEMY” (Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences), voting for the Oscars for the last 3 decades. In December 2010, the Italian Government bestowed him a Knighthood, “Cavaliere”, its highest civilian honour, for his achievements in Italy.

Currently, Kabir is also presenting weekly TV documentary series on India’s wars on Indian TV channels AAJ TAK and HEADLINES TODAY, “VANDE MATARAM” and “GUNS AND GLORY”, in English and Hindi respectively, which can also be seen in Canada.

He is India’s leading Presenter of Events, Columnist, Activist and Motivational Speaker. After living Hollywood, London and Rome for over 20 years, Kabir is now based in India. He has now launched a film company, Pivotal Movies LLP, for the production of Indian and international films.

In the show, TAJ, which premiered in Mississauga last weekend, Lisa Ray plays Kabir Bedi’s daughter Princess Jahanara Begum. She is her father's companion in his final years, when he is imprisoned in Agra Fort after his son Aurangzeb takes the throne.

Talking about the show, Bedi says that he plays the role of Shah Jahan, the 17th century Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, his beloved wife who died in childbirth.

Both Kabir and Lisa individually said that they are very comfortable working with each other in the play, TAJ. Besides being co-stars, they are good friends as well. “I have hung out at Kabir’s Juhu apartment in the nineties as I was good friends with his second wife, Nikki,” says Ray.

In the show, Bedi engages in an impassioned dialogue with his devoted daughter Jahanara (Ray), taking the audience on an emotional journey that explores the emperor’s life.

After Toronto, TAJ is heading out on a seven-city tour of Canada in October and November 2013.

"John Murrell's 'TAJ' is a spell-binding experience of powerful theatre, multi-media visuals, Indian dance, telling the lyrical yet tragic story of the Moghul Emperor who built the Taj Mahal, imprisoned by his son who overthrew him, and of his daughter, imprisoned with him,” says Bedi.

It takes you back in time, to the 17th-century Mughal India in a 90-minute, multimedia, dance-theatre production.

Crew and Cast:

Concept, Artistic Direction - Lata Pada 

Playwright - John Murrell

Director - Tom Diamond

Choreography - Kumudini Lakhia

Music Composition - Praveen D. Rao

Lighting & Set Design - Phillip Silver

Projection Design - Jacques Collin

Costume Design - Rashmi Varma

Featuring - Kabir Bedi and Lisa Ray

The tour is as follows:

October 19     Mississauga, ON                          Living Arts Centre                                

October 23     Kingston, ON                                Grand Theatre                  

October 26     Sault Ste. Marie, ON                    Kiwanis Theatre              

October 30 Gatineau, PQ (Ottawa, ON)        Museum of Civilization                                              

November 1 Markham, ON                         Flato Markham Theatre    

November 6 Sherwood Park, AB                Festival Place Theatre

November 9 Banff, AB                                the Banff Centre       

So come out and watch this lyrical play, a must see historic production which brings out the best of India and Canada.

For more information, visit www.sampradaya.ca.