The Ramayana has been retold countless times, on stage, on television and on screen. Mahabali is attempting something different: telling the epic through the eyes of Lord Hanuman, and in the format of a Broadway-style musical.
Produced by veteran producers Randhir Ranjan Roy and Abhishek Narayan, the musical brings together singers Kailash Kher and Shaan, and actor Arya Babbar, and is set to launch around Dussehra.
"The music of MAHABALI is designed to evoke deep devotion while maintaining the theatrical momentum of a Broadway show. Every track serves as an emotional heartbeat for Hanuman's journey," Shaan said in a statement.
Kailash Kher: Mantras and Powerful Rhythms
Kailash Kher said the vocal landscape of Mahabali demands a raw, powerful spiritual energy that matches Hanuman's cosmic strength.
"Through this soundtrack, we have infused ancient mantras and powerful rhythms to create a sonic experience that doesn't just entertain, but transports the audience straight into the heart of the heavens. It is a musical awakening born out of absolute devotion," he said.
Hanuman Beyond the Warrior Image
At its core, the musical looks at the emotional and spiritual depth of Hanuman. Revered as one of the Chiranjivis, or immortal beings, Hanuman is portrayed not just as a warrior of unmatched strength, but as the ultimate symbol of humility who dedicated every victory to Lord Rama.
The story explores how true greatness lies in devotion rather than pride, and celebrates values such as selfless service and loyalty.
Aankiet Mohan, who plays Hanuman, said, "Bringing a character as emotionally complex and physically imposing as Hanuman to a live Broadway-style stage is both the greatest honour and challenge of my career. We are steering away from two-dimensional tropes to show his immense strength side-by-side with his profound, absolute humility."
Arya Babbar as Ravan
Arya Babbar, who plays Ravan, said the Hanuman-centred narrative changes the drama. "Playing Ravan opposite a narrative centered on Hanuman shifts the entire dramatic friction of the story. It allows us to explore the epic clashes with a fresh, gripping intensity that live audiences have never felt before."
The ensemble also features Saanand Verma as Vistarvachie and Pankaj Berry as Kaal Drishti, along with Mukul Nag and Aadesh Bharadwaj.
Why It Matters: Mythology Meets Stagecraft
The timing is deliberate. Dussehra marks Lord Rama's victory over Ravan, and it is the season when Ramlilas are staged across North India. Mahabali enters that tradition with a very different format: professional stagecraft, a designed soundtrack and audio-visual effects instead of the community stage.
The choice of narrator also stands out. Most retellings centre Rama or, increasingly, Ravan. Telling the story through Hanuman, a figure defined by service rather than kingship, shifts the emotional focus of the epic from conflict to devotion.
Producer Randhir Ranjan Roy said, "With Mahabali, our goal is to elevate Indian mythological theatre to global production standards. By blending powerhouse storytelling, state-of-the-art stagecraft and a breathtaking audio video technique, we are reviving India's rich cultural heritage in a format that speaks directly to modern, multi-generational audiences."
What Comes Next
Tickets for Mahabali are available on BookMyShow. How audiences respond to a Broadway-style Ramayana during the festive season will show whether this format can grow alongside India's traditional Ramlila culture.
With inputs from IANS.