The Broadway-style musical ‘Kaneez’ features the voices of Shaan, Papon and Javed Ali.

When director Randhir Ranjan Roy first encountered the love story of Tanno Bai and Dharikshana Tiwari of the 1920s, he saw in it a tenderness that is rare today. Randhir, who has directed, says, “The story is about love – pure and fearless – that existed despite casteism and religious differences.” queensA new Broadway-style musical, which will premiere in Mumbai on November 28.

Randhir’s adaptation explores the delicate beauty of love that breaks boundaries, just like the 1970s cinematic romances he grew up admiring. “The kind of love we saw Pakeezah Or Mughal-e-Azam It is rarely seen today. People still crave that depth,” he reflects. “When I conceived this story, I had the grace of Meena Kumari in my mind; This is a tribute to him in many ways.

Although the title of the musical is reminiscent of the classic Pakeezah Starring Meena Kumari, Randhir explains, “In the 1920s, a Kaneez was a woman taken into a home as a maid or companion. Our protagonist is a tawaif – an artist, not a prostitute by compulsion, but because of her passion for singing and dancing. She is called a Kaneez because she chooses devotion rather than subservience.”

Balancing sensitivity and spectacle has been at the heart of the production. “We have treated the subject of faith and caste with respect,” says Randhir. “Our references to Radha-Krishna and Mughal-era traditions are merely symbolic. The play talks about humanity – of a time when acceptance came more naturally than it does today.”

music as heartbeat

Music creates an emotional core queensBinds its opposite worlds – bhajan and mujra – into one continuum of devotion and desire. “The pandit’s son sings bhajans; the tawaif sings thumri. They are divided by faith, but united by music. The same was true of Tanno Bai and Dharikshana Tiwari.”

The production features the voices of Shaan, Papon and Javed Ali – each chosen for their distinctive vocal depth.

Randhir spent months finding the right cast to bring his vision to life. “We held several auditions and ultimately Kirti Killedar and Gulki Joshi were selected – both trained singers with a strong presence. Kirti has the mix of innocence and poise we wanted for Meher, while Gulki has the dignity and intensity of Tanno Bai. Among the men, Siddharth Nigam brought the youthful sincerity that the role demanded.”

Kirti, Gulki and Siddharth found ‘Kaneez’ exciting because of its blend of music, dance and theatre.

Setting up a Broadway-style production in India comes with logistical trials. “Every auditorium is different,” says Randhir. “We had to adapt the set to fit venues like Mumbai’s Jamshed Bhabha Theater while keeping it portable to other cities. Technically, the play will give audiences a world-class experience, but it took months to get it right.”

The team has been rehearsing since July to prepare for the November premiere. “It’s been about 10 months from concept to stage,” says Randhir.queens Lasts for two hours with short intervals. After Mumbai, we are planning to take it to other cities including Hyderabad. An adapted version could be staged in a heritage area like Golconda.

Kaneez – A Musical Love Story – designed and directed by Randhir Ranjan Roy, will be staged on 28th and 29th November at Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai.