SRK's VoiceOver Draws Tourists to Chittorgarh Show

The light and sound show at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan's historic city of Chittorgarh has become a great attraction for tourists.
With the voiceover done by Bollywood stars Hema Malini and Shah Rukh Khan, the light and sound show at Chittorgarh Fort in Rajasthan's historic city of Chittorgarh has become a great attraction for tourists.

Besides the two actors, famous singers Lata Mangeshkar and Rehmat Khan have also lent their voices to the show.

The one-hour evening entertainment in the fort, which is spread across a 280-hectare site on the top of a 180-metre-high hill, is proving to be a great draw as about 1,000 to 1,500 visitors come to see the show every day.

Chittorgarh, also called Chittor, was the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Mewar under the Rajputs from the 7th to 16th centuries.

Completed at a cost of around Rs.29 million, the light and sound show project is the first of its kind in the state that has been set up on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis.

Financed by the central tourism ministry and executed by the ITDC, the show is being run by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) and Hindustan Zinc Limited on a partnership basis.

"The department of tourism has been making concerted efforts to improve tourist facilities in Chittorgarh and the sound and light show is a step in this direction," Rajasthan Tourism Minister Usha Punia said in a statement.

The minister added the newly introduced show suitably reflects the pride and glory of Rajasthan. The episodes of romance, valour and chivalry have been creatively displayed.

The show begins with a 6th century king's search for a place to establish his capital. He finds Chittor to be a safe place from invasions.

The story then meanders to the valiant defence of the town by Bappa Rawal from Arab invaders.

Episodes in the show also relate to the beauty of Rani Padmini while Rana Kumbha is portrayed as a versatile and able ruler. The spirituality and devotion of Meera, the treacherous plan to kill young Udai Singh and the supreme sacrifice by Panna Dai are some other gripping features of the show that enthral visitors.