'Americans understand India as an emerging superpower, they do not understand that we'd already arrived.'
Indian-American actor Akshay Kapoor, on what to expect at New York's Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
"The fact is, we're all a little nervous. We're hoping to make the prime minister proud of us."
That is Indian-American actor Akshay Kapoor describing his team's efforts to put together a show at the Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday that does justice to a resurgent civilisation.
Kapoor, born Swapnil Gohil in Nadiad, Gujarat, grew up in New Jersey. According to his father Yash Gohil, he got bitten by the acting bug after meeting superstar Amitabh Bachchan during a trip to India.
After passing out of the Mason Gross School, the arts conservatory at Rutgers University, he performed at a few stage shows before heading for Bollywood. He took time off to learn Hindi and got a few roles to show for the effort, including in Popcorn Khao Mast Ho Jao (2004), Alag (2006) and Ek: The Power of One (2009). Now, back in the US, he hopes to showcase India in the presence of its newest leader.
"We're celebrating Narendra Modi becoming prime minister," says Kapoor, who will co-host the first two segments with Nina Davaluri, who last year became the first Indian American to be crowned Miss America. He describes how the entertainment show he is working on progresses from Indian history and culture, to modern achievements and the promise of a dynamic future,
After that, when Indian and American dignitaries walk in, PBS NewsHour host Hari Sreenivasan will step in to address the more political aspect of the show, Kapoor says.
His task is to paint a picture of modern India -- "How we changed from Gandhiji's, Bapuji's teaching (to) spin our own cotton to become (self-reliant) to now (organising) a mission to Mars... We're showing the world that we've arrived as a country."
He describes the wealth of Indian history when he says while "Americans understand India as an emerging superpower, they do not understand that we'd already arrived."
Kapoor, who says he plays the role of entertainment director for the event, describes the dances as representing the culture of various Indian states, classical styles, and fusion forms. The music includes performances by violinist Dr L Subramaniam and his wife, Carnatic and Bollywood singer Kavita Krishnamurthy.
