Jaya Bachchan: Bonds That Bind

Only few at the packed house at St. Andrew’s auditorium, Bandra, watching the musical ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ noticed the lovely silver haired lady chatting animatedly with a few friends in the audience. It was only after the curtains drew to a close that the word spread… ‘Jaya Bachchan…Jaya Bachchan…’ And indeed Jaya Bachchan it was, in a classy grey ensemble, looking visibly moved by the emotional beauty of the Andrew Lloyd Webber play, and in no rush to leave the auditorium either. Reason? She was obviously there to support her old friend, Devieka Bhojwani, who poignantly essayed Mary in the play directed by Alyque Padamsee, just as she had in 1974 in the very same musical! The few stragglers who lingered behind after nearly everyone had left the auditorium, were treated to the sight of Jaya gingerly but gamely making her way up the ramp to get on stage and greet Devieka with a warm hug, followed by feisty producer Raell Padamsee. We like!