Bhojpuri actors to unite Indian diaspora in Middle East, Africa

Varanasi, May 28 (UNI) Come July next and Bhojpuri actors Ravi Kishen and Pratibha Pandey will stage overseas shows to unite the Indian diaspora living in the west asia and South Africa.

The shows will be staged at five overseas destinations under the auspices of Global Organisation for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), including Mauritius, Dubai, Muscat and South Africa, the young starlet from Balia (Uttar Pradesh) Pratibha Pandey told newspersons here today.

The promising singer-cum-actor is here to promote her maiden Bhojpuri film 'Humara Se Biyah Karba.' ''The five shows starting in July will be aimed at uniting the people of Indian origin, especially those from UP and Bihar living in the Middle East and South Africa through the power of Bhojpuri fusion music,'' Pratibha added.

It will be the first time that a lead lady of Bhojpuri film industry will be staging shows in countries housing sizeable population of Indian expatriates. ''I am fortunate to be the first Bhojpuri actress to be embarking on an initiative till now, furthered by Bhojpuri cinema's superstars Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kishen,'' she noted.

A music graduate from Lucknow, Pratibha also claimed that her arrival in the Bhojpuri film industry would usher the end of flop glamour dolls from other states dominating the Bhopjpuri cinema space. ''Mai UP-Bihar ki beti hoon jo gaana gane Mumbai pahoochi thi par ban gayi nayika. Ab imported Bhojpuri heroino ka daur khatam'' (I am the daughter of UP and Bihar who went to Mumbai to build a career in singing, but ultimately ended up becoming an actress. Now, the days of actresses imported from other states is over) she boasted.

The singer, who has carved out Hindi music albums, including Rama Rama, Chup Chup Khode Ho, Jiya Bekarar and Indian Hot Mix, besides starring in the video of the same albums in the past, now wants to become the flag bearer of girls from Bhojpuri heartland starring in the cinema of their land.

''A few months ago, I was attending a Bhojpuri film award function, where none of the glamour girls, including Nagma, Bhagyashri, Rambha or Rani Chaterjee were able to utter even a single word in Bhojpuri, which left the audience angry. At that very time, I decided to end the rein of these actresses in the Bhojpuri cinema.'' The arrival of girls from Bhojpuri speaking states will also transform the male-dominated Bhojpuri cinema into a film industry which will have equal opportunity and role for both the sexes, she added.

Pratibha's debut as actress in 'Humara Se Biyah Karba' has created vibes in Bihar and has entered a second house full week in theatres of East UP, including those in Varanasi, Gorakhpur and her native district of Balia.

The dusky beauty will be flying by a helicopter shortly to Balia only to promote the film on the social evil of dowry.

The future Bhojpuri film projects starring Pratibha, include Humre Angana Mein Tohar Ka Kam, Sajana Sajayiyya Maang and Paanch Bihari Sabpe Bhaari. She has also been signed as the leading lady for a Hindi film 'Shan Se Pareshan.' UNI ARS ATI AK GC1207