When: Wednesday 12th December

Where: Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London

Bollywood superstar and international icon Shilpa Shetty made her mesmerising stage debut in 'Miss Bollywood', a musical tour de force that made theatre audiences leap closer to the grandeur, opulence and true essence of the world's largest film industry popularly known as 'Bollywood'.

Celebrated for her outstanding dancing abilities in the realm of Bollywood film, Shilpa Shetty brought the stage alight, leading a performing company of over 40 leading dancers from Bollywood film and beyond in a musical extravaganza that has never before been brought to the international stage.

Miss Bollywood is set against the backdrop of London, in preparing for the 2012 Olympics. It follows the story of 'Maya', performed by Shilpa Shetty, a classically-trained dancer and choreographer, recently arriving from India to set up a dance academy in a soon-to-be-demolished East London building.

Maya soon finds herself thrust into the limelight, where she must either sink or swim. Her tribulations include the unwanted attentions of a famous but predatory producer and a jealous diva. Will vulnerability, purity of heart and a sizzling passion for dance allow Miss Bollywood to fulfill her dreams against all odds?

The musical is a concoction of riveting dance sequences that could be entered in the Olympics, showcasing a combination of eclectic dance forms taken from the East and West of India, absorbed and transformed into the phenomenon known as 'Bollywood' dance, with Shilpa Shetty re-capturing on stage some of the Bollywood film industry's greatest hits over the past 40 years.

Miss Bollywood also takes a gentle look at the cultural divide between characters with Asian heritage but who consider themselves totally British and those who are from India in search of fame and fortune in Europe's multi-cultural capital city.

The Olympic ideals of fair play and trying one's very best are the inspiration for the storyline and setting, in keeping with the tone of a spectacular show that places entertainment and wow factor as its top priorities.

After months of passionate rehearsing and preparation for the most electrifying stage event of the year, Shilpa Shetty comments, "The project has been a labour of love in its entirety, and seeing its fruition, from the initial concept into a tangible realisation has been a dream come true. Miss Bollywood appeals not only to fans of Bollywood films and their super catchy hit songs, but also to the mainstream audiences for high energy dance or musical theatre. Extravaganza is the right description!"

The show was devised by renowned choreographer Ganesh Hegde, whose previous credits includes working with Michael Jackson. The stunning costumes were designed by leading Indian fashion talent Neeta Lulla, who often dresses Shilpa Shetty and an array of other A list Bollywood actresses.

Miss Bollywood first appeared at Royal Albert Hall, London on 12th December with international celebrities gracing the red carpet including singer Jay Sean, Tottenham footballer Jermaine Defoe, Member of Parliament Keith Vaz, Celebrity Big Brother participant Daniel Llyod and host of other VIPs.

Courtesy: IndiaFM