World's now a stage for Big B

Lights, camera, action! Well, cut the cameras. After performing for more than 30 years on the silver screen, Amitabh Bachchan is about to make an appearance on stage. The Hindi play, details of which are still under wraps, will open in May 2005.

Ramesh Pulpaka, chief executive officer of Bachchan's AB Corp, told Business Standard: "The play will also mark the company's entry into theatre production. We are committed to encouraging stage acting and this will be the first step in this direction."

Pulpaka said the script was ready but added that the director had not been finalised. The play, set in contemporary times, is expected to appeal to both Indian and global audiences.

Pulpaka said it would be staged in the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa and West Asia, which have sizeable Indian populations. The firm is in talks with agents to sell the play in these parts of the world.

The play will be co-produced with Sanjay Goradia, a Gujarati playwright. Goradia has produced plays like Pati Patni Aur Mein with Shatrughan Sinha, Maa Retire Hoti Hai and Dr Mukta with Jaya Bachchan, and Chupkay Chupkay with Zeenat Aman.

On the Gujarati stage, he has produced Manjula Marfatia (BA with English) with Ketki Dave and Baa Retire Thai Chhe, a Gujarati blockbuster, with a record of over 500 shows.

Even in its second coming, movies remain AB Corp's staple. It has three films lined up for release, two in Hindi and one in Bengali. Around April-May, Viruddh, co-produced with Mahesh Manjrekar, will hit the screen, followed by Company in November-December.

The company, which was called Amitabh Bachchan Corporation a decade ago, was declared sick in 1999 after running up debts of Rs 90 crore (Rs 900 million). Relaunched as AB Corp in 2003, Bachchan's endorsements are its major source of revenue.