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Gay actor Anesh Sheth (far left) plays a transgender character in ‘Bombay Dreams.’
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‘Bombay Dreams’
Aug. 8-13
Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree St.
404-817-8700
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HOME > COMMUNITY > THEATRE
By: JIM FARMER
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Aneesh Sheth remembers a time a decade or so ago when performers of color scored only marginalized roles in the theater, if that.
He is happy that times are changing.
The openly gay actor, born in India, is one of the stars of the musical “Bombay Dreams,” which debuts in Atlanta next week via Theater of the Stars. It’s an unconventional production about the Bollywood industry, a nickname for films made in India.
The actor likens Bollywood to Hollywood — only more productive.
“Bollywood is responsible for triple the amount of films that Hollywood produces,” he says. “Many of the Bollywood films last three or four hours. Some are musicals, though they are nothing at all like a ‘Moulin Rouge.’ A lot of Bollywood is fluff, but people love it. There is a huge following, and I think that is because there is something for everyone.”
“Bombay Dreams” opens in India, where Akaash, a poor boy living in the slums, dreams of making it big as a Bollywood actor. His home is about to be torn down to make room for a cineplex. He and his neighbors get help from a lawyer, and Akaash falls for the lawyer’s photographer girlfriend.
Sheth plays the key role of Sweetie, a eunuch who has surgery to make her a woman. Sweetie is Akaash’s best friend, who has been in love with him most of her life.
The actor says that despite playing a woman, he did not have to do a lot of research for the role.
“In India, there are a lot of eunuchs, and people know that,” he says. “The important thing was to treat the character right.”
Sheth wanted to play Sweetie because of the challenge to not to make the character a stereotype.
“She is very funny and has many jokes,” Sheth says. “I don’t want Sweetie to be just the comic relief, the character who comes onstage and becomes a clown. Sweetie gets betrayed, and I want the audience to feel that.”
“Bombay Dreams” is a culturally important musical, says the actor.
“It’s the “Miss Saigon” of South Asians,” he jokes.
The show’s response has been positive along the national tour, even though audience members don’t know what to expect initially.
“It’s not for everyone, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the diverse audiences we’ve had,” Sheth says.
Sheth grew up studying classical music, then made the move to the U.S. and musical theater. The climate is better for him now as a man of color, he says.
“Before, it was very different,” he says. “Now with shows such as ‘Miss Saigon’ and ‘The Color Purple,’ there are more opportunities for people of ethnic backgrounds. There are also so much multi-ethnic characters in mainstream shows these days.”
He says that Indian culture does not embrace gay men and lesbians.
“It’s still not accepted,” he remembers. “You see men holding hands and embracing, but they are straight. It’s just affection for them. But when you see gays doing it, it’s not alright. It’s odd how that works.
“In India, just last week there was a fight to make homosexuality legal,” he adds. “Gay sex is illegal now.”
Sheth feels that gay audiences, in particular, will enjoy the spectacle of “Bombay Dreams” as well as the costumes and the splashy musical numbers.
“It can be considered camp,” he asserts.
Later this year, Sheth starts work on the independent film “Bomber Jacket.” He plays a gay character in the project, which takes a look at the abuse of gay and transgender people.
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