MUMBAI: It was an unusual afternoon at The National Centre of Performing Arts in Mumbai. While this melting pot of arts and culture is used to hundreds of people visiting it every day, on May 11, it was home to over 950 underprivileged people who had come from all over Mumbai to enjoy BookMyShow’s stage production of Disney’s Aladdin.
The afternoon, organized by BookASmile, the charity initiative of BookMyShow, brought together less fortunate people from all walks of life to see this grand and mesmerizing musical production. The moment became even more special when they were joined by popular actor and anchor Maniesh Paul, who visited NCPA and spent time with them.
Actor Maniesh Paul said, “I believe entertainment is so much more than giving people a chance to have fun or enjoy themselves. In its various forms and formats, entertainment is a window to new cultures, languages, wisdom, talent and opportunities, important for the well-rounded development of the young generation today. Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky enough to be privy to such experiences which is why it was incredible for me to be a part of this wonderful afternoon hosted by BookASmile, allowing the less fortunate to be able to see a musical of this scale.”
“BookASmile believes in giving the less fortunate access to experiential learning through entertainment led experiences. With BookMyShow’s Disney’s Aladdin in town, it was definitely something that we wanted to take to the less fortunate, allowing them to not just create fond and happy memories, but also give them a chance to be a part of and explore a whole new world”, said Farzana Cama Balpande, Head- BookASmile, the charity initiative of BookMyShow.
BookASmile partnered with over 15 NGOs for this initiative, who support different causes right from integrated learning for children and developing life skills to providing basketball and football coaching to the less fortunate.
An excited Sita Patil, 15, who got to see Disney’s Aladdin said, “My friends and I have never seen something so beautiful before. Everything in Disney’s Aladdin was so grand- from the stage, the costumes, to live singing and dancing. It was definitely inspiring to be here. Plus, to meet Maniesh Paul was definitely unexpected.”
