Shobhana in new Ravan musical

NEW IMAGE: The renowned actress and danseuse will be seen donning the role of Ravan.

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Mumbai: Get set to see the powerful Ravana like never before, for renowned actress and danseuse Shobhana is in Mumbai to don the role of the villainous king to change popular perceptions through her dance musical Maya Ravan.

The musical, which features narrations by Naseeruddin Shah, Milind Soman, Jackie Shroff, Revathy and Tabu among many others, will be staged in Mumbai over the weekend.

Shobhana chose to play the ten-headed demon king of Lanka because of his awe-inspiring personality.

"He was handsome, he was an artist, he was a painter, he loved the arts, used to play the instrument called Veena and was a great devotee of Lord Shiva,” Shobhana says.

Shobhana's pet project for the last two years, Maya Ravan is much more than just a Bharatnatyam dance ballet.

"We have used the gestures of Bharatnatyam, we have used gestures of Mohiniattam, film dancing and Kathakali. It brings out the spirit of the Ramayana," Shobhana explains.

One of Malayalam cinema's most versatile actresses, Shobhana has had the opportunity to work with all the megastars of her generation including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan.

"I did a music video with Mr Bachchan. He had a vanity van, security etc, but me… I was a nobody from the South. The production person had forgotten to get a vanity van for me. They figured I would change behind a tree, which we sometimes do if there is no other alternative. But I guess Mr Bachchan tuned in, and he then gave me his vanity can. It was very sweet of him,” Shobhana reminisces.

At 44, the National Award winner, who's considered one of the most beautiful south Indian actresses ever, is still single because she is still waiting for Mr Right.

"I know it’s boring but it’s the truth. Hopefully it will happen,” she says.

So fans of Shobhana and the classical dance form would have to line up at the Nehru Centre in Mumbai on the August 30, to catch the tale of Maya Ravan.