Bollywood themed opera to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema

London: Bollywood actor Abhay Deol will join popular British Indian singer-actress Preeya Kalidas for a desi version of the famous French opera `Carmen`.

Preeya, 32, who is the former star of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and AR Rahman musical `Bombay Dreams`, will play the lead role of Carmen in an hour-long live musical extravaganza titled `Bollywood Carmen` at City Park in Bradford on June 9. The show will also be broadcast live on BBC. "`Bollywood Carmen` really does have something for everyone; it is an amalgamation of music, dance, story and a lot of fun," said Preeya, in reference to her latest stage role. "Live theatre is very exciting and I think to have the audience as part of that is not only an experience for them but will also be an experience for us," she added. `Bollywood Carmen` coincides with the Indian film industry`s 100-year anniversary celebrations in the UK. "Bollywood films have always been close to me. I started my career in showbiz with the musical Bombay Dreams, so to take the lead role in Bollywood Carmen and showcase the spirit of Bollywood during its 100th year anniversary is definitely something special," the actress said. `Carmen` is known around the world as an opera by French composer Georges Bizet in 1875. It has been adapted several times on film and stage, to critical acclaim and global awards. The lead role of Carmen is known to be a fiery, seductive character and one of the strongest leading female roles of all time, once famously played by singer Beyonce in the 2001 MTV adaptation Carmen: A Hip Hopera. `Bollywood Carmen` is the first contemporary Indian adaptation of the classic story and will feature a hybrid of different sounds. The event will bring together modern British and international pop songs, Bollywood classics and a fusion of cutting edge Urban and Asian beats. PTI