Mumbai’s Worli area is a power centre of sorts not just because it’s where the elite reside, but also because it houses corporate biggies, rubs shoulders with the finest luxury retail stores and premium entertainment hubs. Yet, it’s no normal concrete jungle where just money is minted. The city’s unique topography brings the glimmering waters of the Arabian Sea close to this area. It is no wonder that the area has many upscale skyscrapers, but <keyword id="8307120" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="lodha-park">Lodha Park</keyword> doesn’t just stand tall but also stands apart. The exclusive 17-acre development is no normal residence; it is reserved exclusively for those who seek the best that life has to offer. True to its name, Lodha Park, which is spread across 17 acres has reserved seven acres of it for a private park. The park boasts of unrivalled amenities and hospitality managed residences provides you with a luxurious integrated living experience setting new standards in premium housing right in the heart of the city. Location might be the keyword for real estate, but for premium and luxury real estate, it’s all about the view and facilities. Once you enter the development, the view transforms from busy Mumbai streets to an idyllic, harmonious with nature, home that has everything that a resort would have. <div type="Youtube" id="3Ut7JTsevI4" title="A Richer Life at Lodha Park │ Lodha Group" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3Ut7JTsevI4/mqdefault.jpg"></div> Picture this: It’s a lazy Sunday morning, and you wake up to feel crisp, cool air kiss your cheek. You look out the window and your eyes meet sweeping views of the azure sea glimmering under the blazing sun. You’d be forgiven for assuming you’ve just awoken in an exotic island resort. The reality, however, couldn’t be more different. This exclusive experience is, in fact, available in the lap of South Mumbai, in the heart of one of its most prime localities—Worli. And, you’re at Lodha Park—a 17-acre township boasting five striking 75-storied skyscrapers that tower over Worli Sea Face, each offering enviable views of the cityscape. Identifying the need for comfort and convenience in a city where time itself is a luxury, Lodha Park has been conceptualised as an oasis of calm to offer residents that much-needed respite in the most luxurious environs imaginable. <div type="image" title="Party Lawn-min 12.19.20 PM" msid="81685136" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Prime Living, Personified" comment="subhead" text="Prime Living, Personified">Prime Living, Personified</cmsannotation> Lodha Park immerses you in an indulgent living experience unlike any other. The soaring towers of development—Lodha Allura, Lodha Parkside, Lodha Marquise, Trump Tower and Lodha Kiara— are elegantly perched at the starting point of Mumbai’s Golden Mile, with the double-winged structures overlooking the Eastern and Western Seaboard. But far from being a concrete jungle, this premier residential estate’s distinguishing feature is its sprawling park with over thousands of trees and plants of varied species. All residences straddle this verdant seven-acre space that is peppered with an assortment of areas designed to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Indulge in a spot of gardening at the organic vegetable and herb garden, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the walkways, kick back with your favourite book at the cosy reading nook, or practise breathing exercises at the tranquil meditation pavilion. There are plenty of avenues to be close to nature and breathe in the fresh air and lead a healthy lifestyle. What’s more? The development is also equipped with a pet garden where you can take your pets for a stroll unperturbed. <div type="image" title="NMK01098-HDR-Edit-min" msid="81685165" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Indulgences Galore" comment="subhead" text="Indulgences Galore">Indulgences Galore</cmsannotation> For children aged between two to eight years, a sprawling kid’s play area which offers skating rink, a sand pit, a tempting tree-house promises ultimate enjoyment, while an entertainment zone, complete with video games and board games, is perfect for those aged eight to 14. Parents, too, can cash in on the fun, by spending their weekends at The Jewel—a 50,000 sq ft clubhouse designed by renowned contemporary interior designer Patricia Urquiola, comprising, among other amenities, a world-class spa, a well-stocked library, a private theatre, elegant party venues, and indoor and outdoor sports courts. The creatively-inclined can sign up for dance classes or music sessions organised by renowned trainers, while sports enthusiasts can get their fill of adrenaline rushes by playing a game of cricket on the full-sized cricket pitch (a rarity in a South Mumbai real estate project), taking a few laps in one of the seven swimming pools, or cramming in a workout at the state-of-the-art gym with a world-class fitness &amp; training system. Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Lodha Group.

Lodha Park – a richer life amidst nature in the heart of city

<ul><li>The Enforcement Directorate is currently investigating <keyword id="1702687" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="YES-Bank-founder">Yes Bank founder</keyword> <keyword id="128581" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Rana-Kapoor">Rana Kapoor</keyword>.</li><li>They suspect that he's responsible for ₹30,000 crore worth loans at Yes Bank that went bad.</li><li>Here's the full story of everything that the ED's investigation has revealed so far about how Rana Kapoor gave out those loans and pocketed the kickbacks.</li></ul>Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor shunned the family jewellery businesses to break into the tough world of private banking in India. However, his choice of loans, heady risks and illegal practices of lending against kickbacks brought the country’s fourth-largest lender under the lens of investigative agencies. A year after he entered the billionaire club, Kapoor’s world <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/the-fall-of-yes-bank-founder-rana-kapoor-from-a-billion-dollars-to-facing-a-4300-crore-investigation/articleshow/74547669.cms">started to crumble</a> when the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) asked Kapoor to step down from his position as CEO of Yes Bank by January 2019. By July, Yes Bank’s share price had dropped by 78% leaving Kapoor with a net worth of $377 million. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="rana6" msid="74645019" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rana Kapoor addresses his first press conference after taking charge as ASSOCHAM President in New Delhi on 26 July 2013&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 But the bank had lost much more as ₹30,000 crore worth loans went bad, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) held him responsible. After the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/yes-bank-founder-rana-kapoor-arrested-by-ed-on-charges-of-money-laundering/articleshow/74534138.cms">ED arrested him</a>, it has identified 78 shell corporations that are suspected of receiving kickbacks in exchange for loans that no other bank would touch. According to the investigation, as his depositors lost money, he became richer by ₹5,000 crore only in kickbacks. With funds routed through shell companies and benami accounts, Kapoor <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/a-reported-list-of-rana-kapoors-assets-include-a-30-million-investment-in-uk-a-yacht-and-five-properties-in-delhi/articleshow/74594273.cms">bought hotels in New York</a> and London, bungalows in Delhi, flats in Mumbai and expensive paintings. The ED's investigation also revealed that, Kapoor who played fast and hard with rules, also failed to insulate his family from harm. His wife Bindu and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rana-kapoors-daughters-who-said-no-to-banking-are-now-in-the-dock-with-yes-bank-crisis/articleshow/74549729.cms">three daughters</a> — Roshini, Radha and Rakhee — are at the helm of most of these shell companies, and CBI has its claws around them too. The case of money laundering The saga of crony capitalism started to come to light last week when Kapoor was booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on March 6 to look into the connection between him and Yes Bank’s bad loans. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="rana7" msid="74645029" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rana Kapoor arrested at his residence in Mumbai by the ED&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 The ED <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/yes-bank-founder-rana-kapoor-questioned-on-money-laundering-case-house-raided-by-ed/articleshow/74522297.cms">raided his residence</a> at Samudra Mahal in Worli to search for evidence and grilled him for hours. The following day, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ed-continues-questioning-yes-bank-founder-rana-kapoor/articleshow/74525680.cms">officials took Kapoor</a> back to ED’s Ballard Pier office in Mumbai. During the course of the interrogation, the agency expanded its probe to include his daughters. They allegedly own multiple companies that received kickbacks from different corporates who received loans from Yes Bank. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="rana9" msid="74645036" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rana Kapoor reprimanded into ED Custody until March 16&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 The ₹600 crore kickback from DHFL One of the companies suspected by the ED of giving kickbacks to Kapoor’s companies is DHFL — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/yes-bank-founder-rana-kapoor-arrested-by-ed-on-charges-of-money-laundering/articleshow/74534138.cms">accused of misappropriating funds</a> worth ₹25,000 crore, which ultimately led to its downfall. Yes Bank had doled out a loan of ₹3,750 crore directly to DHFL and another loan worth ₹750 crore to RKW Developers, a subsidiary of DHFL. However, when the real estate company defaulted on its loan, Kapoor did not initiate any action. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="rana4" msid="74645060" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rana Kapoor (C) with wife Bindu Kapoor (L) and daughter Roshni Kapoor (R)&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 The ED now suspects that his restraint was a result of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ed-questions-yes-bank-founder-rana-kapoor-for-second-day-expands-raids/articleshow/74530525.cms">kickbacks to the tune of ₹600 crore</a> to Doit Urban Ventures — a dummy corporation owned by Kapoor and two of his daughters. Nearly 80 shell companies set up to receive bribes and buy bungalows Two days into the interrogation Kapoor was arrested for not cooperating with the authorities. Meanwhile, 10 teams of the CBI were involved in its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/yes-bank-scam-cbi-carries-out-searches-at-7-locations-in-mumbai-loc-issued/articleshow/74554915.cms">search operations</a> spread across the south Mumbai neighbourhood. The ED found that Rana Kapoor and his family had more than <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/yes-bank-crisis-probe-agency-says-rana-kapoor-along-with-his-family-owned-78-shell-companies-2194031">78 shell companies </a>set up to receive bribes and invest in properties under the radar. All of these companies were either directly under Kapoor’s control or under the control of his wife and daughters. His wife, Bindu, was the director of at least 42 companies. 
 
 
 <div type="image" title="25110ed6046e3eb4597f509f58f1c4eb_edited" msid="74645069" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rana Kapoor&amp;#39;s property at Amrita Shergil Marg&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div>







 The companies allegedly invested in properties with a net worth of over ₹2,000 crore. An official told PTI that the current market value of those properties could be <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/yes-bank-crisis-probe-agency-says-rana-kapoor-along-with-his-family-owned-78-shell-companies-2194031">well above ₹5,000 crore.</a> His shady overseas properties include two luxury hotels — one in New York worth over $20 million and one in London worth nearly £30 million — two residential apartments in London valued at £15 million apiece, and a yacht. In India, Kapoor owns six bungalows in Delhi’s upscale neighbourhoods, including Jor Bagh, Hauz Khas and Kautilya Marg. Two were bought by a company called Bliss Adobe, which had Bindu as its director. The property on Amrita Shergil Marg was auctioned off by Avantha Realty when Bliss Abode picked it off the market. Coincidentally, Yes Bank’s exposure to Avantha Realty was ₹500 crore. The other house on Sardar Patel Marg was bought by the Kapoor’s shell corporation Bliss Home. ED’s investigation noted that the house was formerly owned by Vijay Mallya. ED also found that Kapoor owns six flats and a parcel of land in Mumbai and its suburbs. Priyanka Gandhi Vadhra and the painting by MF Hussain During the search of his Mumbai residence, the ED seized nearly 50 pieces of art from his home. One of the paintings — <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/india/news/congress-raises-question-over-rana-kapoors-links-with-bjp/articleshow/74544228.cms">a portrait of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi by MF Hussain</a> — belonged to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The Congress party says that the deal between Vadra and Kapoor was a transparent transaction of ₹2 crore. The payment was made through cheque and was reflected in income tax returns. However, the ED is still looking into whether the painting was Vadra’s to sell or belonged to the All India Congress Committee (AICC). It’s also looking into whether the provenance certificate — which authenticates the artwork — was signed by Vadra and under what circumstances. Can’t leave the country Kapoor and his family currently can’t leave the country. A look-out notice was also issued in their names on March 12 along with DHFL promoter Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan. Roshini, Kapoor’s youngest daughter, was stopped at the CSM International Airport in Mumbai trying to catch a flight to London. Kapoor’s arrest has been extended to March 16 during which he will be in the custody of the ED. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is also loading its guns. It has begun a probe into the Yes Bank affairs but has not elaborated on the nature of the probe. The Income Tax Department is next in line to initiate action against Kapoor and others for tax evasion and possession of alleged undeclared foreign assets. Meanwhile, the Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asked for a separate probe to look into the alleged conspiracy behind the deposits of ₹545 crore of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/concern-over-lord-jagannaths-rs-545-crore-in-yes-bank/articleshow/74514318.cms">Shree Jagannath Temple</a>. Money laundering, tax evasion, fraud and insider trading— the founder of India’s fourth-largest private sector bank Rana Kapoor has been accused of it all. And, the evidence against him is piling up. While depositors are all set to get <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/yes-bank-withdrawal-limit-to-be-lifted-in-three-working-days/articleshow/74624128.cms">relief this week</a> as moratorium lifts, Kapoor who claims he has “no clue” why RBI restricted withdrawals - will stay with the authorities trying to explain how he sunk crores into companies that can best be described as money pits. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/yes-bank-crisis-and-its-domino-effect-on-bonds-mutual-funds-and-other-corporate-defaults/articleshow/74586858.cms">Yes Bank crisis and its domino effect on bonds, mutual funds and other corporate defaults</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/the-fall-of-yes-bank-founder-rana-kapoor-from-a-billion-dollars-to-facing-a-4300-crore-investigation/articleshow/74547669.cms">The fall of Yes Bank founder Rana Kapoor from a billion dollars to facing a ₹4300 crore investigation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/rana-kapoors-daughters-who-said-no-to-banking-are-now-in-the-dock-with-yes-bank-crisis/articleshow/74549729.cms">The three Kapoor sisters who said ‘no’ to banking are now in the dock with Yes Bank crisis</a>

Rana Kapoor's hotels, bungalows, flats and paintings — everything that Yes Bank founder is suspected for buying with kickbacks

<ul><li>ABNAH acquires 100% stake in KA Hospitality, adding seven restaurants in three cities to its portfolio.</li><li>KA Hospitality runs four continental restaurants under the brands — Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Nara Thai and CinCin.</li><li>Growing affluence and the desire for high-quality dining experiences is an incredible growth opportunity, says <keyword id="5978562" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aryaman-birla" source="Orion">Aryaman Birla</keyword>, promoter of ABNAH. </li></ul><keyword id="6359480" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aditya-birla" source="Orion">Aditya Birla</keyword> New Age Hospitality (ABNAH) founded by Aryaman Vikram Birla, said that it acquired 100% stake in KA Hospitality on Tuesday. KA Hospitality runs four continental restaurants under the brands — Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Nara Thai and CinCin. This acquisition helped ABNAH add seven restaurants to its portfolio, across three cities. The company currently operates Jolie’s, a members-only club, spanning across 30,000 square feet in Worli in Mumbai. The financial terms of the acquisition were not revealed. ABNAH promoted Aryaman Vikram Birla has been planning to build premium casual dining restaurant chains across India. Aryaman Birla is the son of <keyword id="44373" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aditya-birla-group" source="Orion">Aditya Birla group</keyword> chairman <keyword id="6354955" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kumar-mangalam-birla" source="Orion">Kumar Mangalam Birla</keyword>. He is a cricketer and sits on the board of group companies. “We continue to believe in the remarkable potential of the premium casual dining space, spurred by rising disposable income and evolving lifestyles of the Indian consumer. The intersection of growing affluence and the desire for new-age, high-quality dining experiences presents an incredible growth opportunity," said Birla, director of Aditya Birla Management Corporation and founder of ABNAH. He adds that the company added best-in-class restaurants to discerning diners, and that each of the four brands uniquely stands. The four brands are positioned across the customer value pyramid, spanning the mid-market to premium segments. Hakkasan is a Michelin-starred brand serving modern Cantonese food. Yauatcha is an award-winning dim sum teahouse from London. Nara Thai is a contemporary brand that captures the essence of authentic Thai cuisine. CinCin is a modern Italian brand and designed to reflect the vibe and culture of the Italian ‘La Dolce Vita’ lifestyle. KA Hospitality was founded by the late Kishor Bajaj in 2011, who introduced Hakkasan and Yauatcha to Mumbai, believing that India was ready for Michelin-grade dining. Karyna Bajaj, who took over as executive director in 2016 brought in Nara Thai, and created a homegrown brand CinCin. "Over the span of twelve years, we have nurtured our family business with unwavering commitment. We have built KA Hospitality from its very foundation, driven by passion into a formidable establishment renowned for crafting exceptional dining experiences. It is with great pride that we now pass the baton to ABNAH,” said Karyna Bajaj. In June this year, the metals to cement group which also has extensive presence in the retail sector, entered the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/aditya-birla-group-to-take-on-tata-reliance-now-in-the-branded-jewellery-space/articleshow/100787757.cms">branded jewellery segmen</a>t. It said that it would invest ₹5,000 crore, and house the business under a new venture called ‘Novel Jewels’.

Aryaman Birla adds premium restaurants like Hakkasan, Yauatcha to group’s hospitality portfolio

Maharashtra identified 14 districts as red zones— here’s the complete list of containment zones in Mumbai and Pune

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/50308296.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
<a href="http://Disney India brought Beauty and the Beast, our favourite classic and the longest running Broadway musical first to Mumbai, where it received a thundering reception with sold out shows and followed it up with ten shows in Delhi. From December 19 to December 27, the capital will witness the musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast that promises to be an experience like no other, with 3D sets, swiveling chairs to give a 360 degree immersive experience and a talented cast that will leave one spellbound. While audiences are flocking Thyagaraj Stadium to catch a glimpse of this unique live entertainment modified to taste the Indian sensibilities, Business Insider caught up with Siddharth Roy Kapur, Managing Director of Disney India and Producer of Beauty and the Beast to give us an insight into the work that goes behind the scenes of such a large scale production. What was the initial idea behind bringing Beauty and the Beast to India? At Disney India, we were looking for an opportunity to create a unique Disney live entertainment experience for families. Our research showed us that urban upper middle-class Indian audiences today are very well travelled and have in fact experienced shows of this nature at some point internationally. Families in India have limited options for magical entertainment and leisure experiences together – watching a movie, shopping in a mall and eating at a restaurant comprises the sum and substance of what is on offer. They have the inclination to explore newer experiences and the ability to spend on them too, but these experiences have not been available to them. We intended to fill that void. You can call this an experiment from the perspective that we were testing the waters, as something of this size and scale hasn’t been done in India before, but based on our understanding of the market we really did believe that Live Entertainment can help fill the void of entertainment options for families in the country. Why Beauty and Beast and not any other Disney classic? We decided to go ahead with Beauty and the Beast as our first Broadway-style musical in India for multiple reasons. Beauty and the Beast has been our first show for entry into Live Entertainment in most markets. In the US we made our Broadway debut with this show and subsequently in over 28 countries too, so it’s like a good luck charm for us now. However more importantly it is a simple and beautiful love story with the core themes of love and redemption, which resonate well across all cultures. The success of the film, the popular songs and characters and the familiarity of the story amongst Indian audiences also played a crucial role in making this our first choice. The musical production received an overwhelming response in Mumbai. What do you think clicked? I think it was a mix of multiple elements that worked for us. Firstly, people were amazed with the scale and uniqueness we had put together in the show as they had really not seen something like this before. The show had many firsts to its credit. On an average a musical show on Broadway or the West End has not more than 30-40 artists on stage, here we have more than 100 local performers, making it the biggest production of Beauty and the Beast globally. Even in the way we envisaged the seating with swivel chairs for the audience to enjoy a 360 degree view of the show as the action plays out around them, created a very immersive experience. To bring alive the story, we used advanced technology through luminous stage and sets, which further enhanced the grandeur of the show. This is certainly the biggest production in musical theatre that the country has witnessed and the response from the Mumbai run, with every show sold out, and now the initial positive uptake from Delhi is quite overwhelming. What would you say was one of the biggest challenge on this journey? Finding the perfect venue was a hurdle initially, given the scale at which we had envisioned the set-up of the musical; but our venues – Dome@NSCI, SVP Worli in Mumbai and Thyagraj Sports Complex in Delhi, both mini arenas, gave us the sort of freedom to be able to experiment with the format, which has never been done before anywhere in the world. What was a challenge finally turned out to be a great opportunity and our vision paid off. Do you think live entertainment should play a larger role in India? Our research clearly shows that the Indian audience is ready for large-scale family entertainment in the country. Also music is such an inherent part of our culture that it almost seems like a no brainer that musical theatre will be a huge hit in India. So I believe that live entertainment could play a larger role in the Indian context. There are no challenges as such, but if I had to pinpoint any it would be lack of venues in the country to house a show of scale. Talking of challenges, what were the few challenges you faced while working on ensuring the musical production suits Indian sensibilities? Our idea since day one was to create a unique experience for Indian families, so instead of going for a traveling show we were clear that we wanted to make a completely local production. We have since them embarked on an interesting journey of firstly putting together the creative team which would bring this show to life and then went on to put together the best on stage talent for the show. There was a thorough audition process held across 5 cities in India where there were over 1,000 physical auditions held from a total of 8000 entries received. As we don’t have existing trained talent for musicals in the country we really picked raw talent and have invested in honing their skills in the past few months. Dance and vocal training has been part of their daily routine in preparation for the show. The venues as I earlier mentioned was a challenge which eventually has worked really well. Why not a Hindi Beauty and the Beast, considering you’re aiming at an audience that lives and breathes Hindi movies? Beauty and the Beast is a classic and we wanted to present it to the Indian audiences in its original language. Also English is the first or second language for millions in our country, unlike many other countries. The 1000 physical auditions for Beauty and the Beast have thrown up so many new talents. What do you have to say on that? When we started with our auditions even we had not expected such a positive response as we were looking at very specific talent that could sing, dance and act. Considering there is practically a non-existent ecosystem for such talent, we were amazed with the talent we came across. India certainly has a great pool of talent and it is up to companies like ours to nurture and hone their skills. What can we expect next from Disney India? We are absolutely delighted with the response from the audiences in both Mumbai and Delhi. We would definitely love to bring them more such experiences">Disney</a> India brought <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=beauty+and+the+beast">Beauty and the Beast</a>, our favourite classic and the longest running <keyword id="38332" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Broadway-musical">Broadway musical</keyword> first to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=mumbai">Mumbai</a>, where it received a thundering reception with sold out shows and followed it up with ten shows in Delhi. 
 From December 19 to December 27, the capital will witness the musical adaptation of <keyword id="407573" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Beauty-and-the-Beast">Beauty and the Beast</keyword> that promises to be an experience like no other, with 3D sets, swiveling chairs to give a 360 degree immersive experience and a talented cast that will leave one spellbound. 
 While audiences are flocking Thyagaraj Stadium to catch a glimpse of this unique <keyword id="1363323" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="live-entertainment">live entertainment</keyword> modified to taste the Indian sensibilities, Business Insider caught up with <keyword id="105230" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Siddharth-Roy-Kapur">Siddharth Roy Kapur</keyword>, Managing Director of <keyword id="149162" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Disney-India">Disney India</keyword> and Producer of Beauty and the Beast to give us an insight into the work that goes behind the scenes of such a large scale production. 
 
 
 What was the initial idea behind bringing Beauty and the Beast to India? 
 
At Disney India, we were looking for an opportunity to create a unique Disney live entertainment experience for families. Our research showed us that urban upper middle-class Indian audiences today are very well travelled and have in fact experienced shows of this nature at some point internationally. Families in India have limited options for magical entertainment and leisure experiences together – watching a movie, shopping in a mall and eating at a restaurant comprises the sum and substance of what is on offer. They have the inclination to explore newer experiences and the ability to spend on them too, but these experiences have not been available to them. We intended to fill that void. You can call this an experiment from the perspective that we were testing the waters, as something of this size and scale hasn’t been done in India before, but based on our understanding of the market we really did believe that Live Entertainment can help fill the void of entertainment options for families in the country. 
 
Why Beauty and Beast and not any other Disney classic? 
 
We decided to go ahead with Beauty and the Beast as our first Broadway-style musical in India for multiple reasons. Beauty and the Beast has been our first show for entry into Live Entertainment in most markets. In the US we made our Broadway debut with this show and subsequently in over 28 countries too, so it’s like a good luck charm for us now. However more importantly it is a simple and beautiful love story with the core themes of love and redemption, which resonate well across all cultures. The success of the film, the popular songs and characters and the familiarity of the story amongst Indian audiences also played a crucial role in making this our first choice. 
 
The musical production received an overwhelming response in Mumbai. What do you think clicked? 
 
I think it was a mix of multiple elements that worked for us. Firstly, people were amazed with the scale and uniqueness we had put together in the show as they had really not seen something like this before. The show had many firsts to its credit. On an average a musical show on Broadway or the West End has not more than 30-40 artists on stage, here we have more than 100 local performers, making it the biggest production of Beauty and the Beast globally. Even in the way we envisaged the seating with swivel chairs for the audience to enjoy a 360 degree view of the show as the action plays out around them, created a very immersive experience. To bring alive the story, we used advanced technology through luminous stage and sets, which further enhanced the grandeur of the show. This is certainly the biggest production in musical theatre that the country has witnessed and the response from the Mumbai run, with every show sold out, and now the initial positive uptake from Delhi is quite overwhelming. 
 
 What would you say was one of the biggest challenge on this journey? 
 
Finding the perfect venue was a hurdle initially, given the scale at which we had envisioned the set-up of the musical; but our venues – Dome@NSCI, SVP Worli in Mumbai and Thyagraj Sports Complex in Delhi, both mini arenas, gave us the sort of freedom to be able to experiment with the format, which has never been done before anywhere in the world. What was a challenge finally turned out to be a great opportunity and our vision paid off. 
 
Do you think live entertainment should play a larger role in India? 
 
Our research clearly shows that the Indian audience is ready for large-scale family entertainment in the country. Also music is such an inherent part of our culture that it almost seems like a no brainer that musical theatre will be a huge hit in India. So I believe that live entertainment could play a larger role in the Indian context. There are no challenges as such, but if I had to pinpoint any it would be lack of venues in the country to house a show of scale. 
 
<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/50308394.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> 
 
Talking of challenges, what were the few challenges you faced while working on ensuring the musical production suits Indian sensibilities? 
 
Our idea since day one was to create a unique experience for Indian families, so instead of going for a traveling show we were clear that we wanted to make a completely local production. We have since them embarked on an interesting journey of firstly putting together the creative team which would bring this show to life and then went on to put together the best on stage talent for the show. There was a thorough audition process held across 5 cities in India where there were over 1,000 physical auditions held from a total of 8000 entries received. As we don’t have existing trained talent for musicals in the country we really picked raw talent and have invested in honing their skills in the past few months. Dance and vocal training has been part of their daily routine in preparation for the show. The venues as I earlier mentioned was a challenge which eventually has worked really well. 
 
Why not a Hindi Beauty and the Beast, considering you’re aiming at an audience that lives and breathes Hindi movies? 
 
Beauty and the Beast is a classic and we wanted to present it to the Indian audiences in its original language. Also English is the first or second language for millions in our country, unlike many other countries. 
 
The 1000 physical auditions for Beauty and the Beast have thrown up so many new talents. What do you have to say on that? 
 
When we started with our auditions even we had not expected such a positive response as we were looking at very specific talent that could sing, dance and act. Considering there is practically a non-existent ecosystem for such talent, we were amazed with the talent we came across. India certainly has a great pool of talent and it is up to companies like ours to nurture and hone their skills. 
 
What can we expect next from Disney India? 
 
We are absolutely delighted with the response from the audiences in both Mumbai and Delhi. We would definitely love to bring them more such experiences 
 
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Image credit: Hindustan Times/ Beauty and the Beast India

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