Not Fat & Bald But Handsome & Fit: Genie From Disney's Aladdin Musical Will Grant You 3 Wishes

July has become a month of 'magic and charm' for Delhites as their very own Genie has come to the city. He appears from a dark cave-like backdrop on stage of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, but is nothing like your regular Genie. Unlike the one you have seen in the classical tale Arabian Nights, this Genie has an athletic body and is not the bald. Mantra Mugdh has flawlessly essayed the character of Genie and has managed to grab attention.

Disney¡¯s Aladdin, the Broadway-style musical is nothing less than a gateway to dream land. You will find the Genie jumping happily from one corner of the stage to other.

In an exclusive chat with Indiatimes, the 34-year-old RJ turned actor said, "Playing Genie in Disney¡¯s Aladdin is one of the highest points of my career. I am thrilled to be a part of Disney¡¯s Aladdin and perform this iconic role. Genie as an animation had the liberties to do a lot of things. But we are mere mortals, we are humans and hence all the limitations. So, when the opportunity to create this magnificent musical production came, we had to make sure that Genie¡¯s magical attributes remain intact. And maybe that is the reason why the preparation was different as compared to other roles. To get into the skin of Genie¡¯s character, all I could say is that I really looked up to Robin Williams and when I say I looked up to I literally looked up to the heavens and said, ¡®Hey Robin, I need you here¡¯ and that¡¯s it, I think he blessed me with whatever I am doing on stage." Mantra hold the character close to his heart. "It is a tribute - it¡¯s something that all Robin Williams fans would like to say that we miss that guy. We miss that wonderful person. It¡¯s just that," he added.

This is Disney¡¯s second outing with a Broadway-style musical in India, the first being Beauty and the Beast (2015). The otherwise in English play takes a turn with the entry of Genie, when he introduces Aladdin to an altogether new language, i.e. Hindi. It is from this point that the character of Genie leaves us in splits. When Aladdin, played by Siddharth Menon and Taaruk Raina in the musical, tells the genie that he will grant the latter freedom, Mantra joyfully responds, ¡°I will also get freedom. I will also do a 9-5 job like others. I will also get stuck in the Noida-Gurgaon traffic jam. Wow.¡±

There is not just one but many such dialogues that helps the characters connect with the Delhi audience.

Mantra started his his journey with All India Radio in 1998 and later became a part of a private FM station from its inception. Not only this, he did India's Got Talent and gained a name as a famous host. He also showed his acting prowess in Comedy Circus and dancing talent in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Mantra has been hosting the Pro-Kabaddi League for past four seasons. Mugdh has been spotted in films such as Tum Mile, Bheja Fry 2 and London Paris New York.

On asking if he feels that theatre and stage shows are getting as much importance as films in the country, Mantra said, " I believe that theatre will always be the father of entertainment and has been around for much longer than most people could ever image. It has always given films and television life. It is not the other way around."

" I am glad with the way theatre is being appreciated in India right now, especially with these grand musicals like Beauty and the Beast and Disney¡¯s Aladdin - they have done so wonderfully well in the last couple of years! Theatre is evolving with time and evolving fast as well. I completely believe that the Indian theatre is in safe hands of a lot of wonderful directors who are doing some tremendously amazing work. So, I am looking forward to doing more theatre because live stage is what attracts me more than anything else. "

Mantra wants to travel in times to see the dinosaurs, visit moon and bowl 6 deliveries to Brian Lara, if given 3 wishes.

Mantra will soon be seen in the film High Jack too.