Visually extravagant productions give theatre a boost in Gujarat

It took the makers of

Bollywood Masala

more than 70 actors and an equally strong backstage team, to turn it into the kind of visual extravaganza that left the audiences spellbound. After the curtain call, even a huge stage didn’t seem enough, as the entire team of the play came on stage to acknowledge a standing ovation. While the grandeur of this play certainly left Amdavadis in complete awe, it isn’t a one-off. Gujarat, which is now bustling with a thriving theatre scene, has seen a steady rise in the number of similar visual extravaganzas, which provide the audience with an unprecedented theatrical experience.
Be it Kadak Badshahi, Samudramanthan,

Dhaad

, Raavto or Thakoreji, plays exploring a larger than life canvas, laden with engaging visual elements, are taking audiences by storm. Complete with big sets, lights and sounds, these grand plays ride on big budgets. From a

Kadak Badshahi

set costing ` 5-6 lakhs per show to

Samudramanthan

touching a whopping `8 lakhs as production cost, such plays are not only bringing something new to the table, but also turning out to be big money churners, ensuring a bright future for an otherwise cash strapped theatre industry.