Bachchan lookalike to perform in Durban

SHASHIKANT Pedwal, Amitabh Bachchan lookalike and impersonator, will perform in Durban at the weekend.

With an Instagram following of almost 600 000, Pedwal has been featured in leading media platforms in India, including The Hindustan Times, India Today and Entertainment Times.

Born in Lasalgaon, a town in India’s state of Maharashtra, Pedwa was raised in Dhule and now lives in Pune – both cities are in the same state. The 52-year-old teacher and actor is married to Sharmila. They have two children – Siddhi, 23, and Venktesh, 21.

Pedwal is a diesel mechanic teacher by profession at the Government Industrial Training Institute in Pune. He has been performing stage shows as Bachchan for more than a decade.

In an interview with POST, Pedwal said: “I like to teach students, and I like acting as well.”

Pedwal said it was when he started college in 1988 that he realised his resemblance to Bachchan could become a career.

Pedwal is known for getting the Big B look, voice and mannerisms on par. He has performed across the world, including in New York and Dubai.

“I have been performing as Big B for the past 15 years.”

Pedwal has met Bachchan twice. He has also filled in for Bachchan in Nagraj Manjule’s film Jhund. Pedwal said this was his first visit to South Africa.

“It is exciting. I look forward to standing in front of the South African audience.”

Pedwal will perform in BIG B – A Musical Nite on Saturday at 8pm at Suncoast. The promoters said the show was a Bollywood musical celebrating Bachchan’s greatest hits.

The concert will feature Pedwal and singer Chetan Rana, also from India, and South African performers such as Jani Punjab, Sharmaine Deol, Eshara Maharaj and Seleena Mohanlall. They will be accompanied by the showband The Conchords. The show will also feature dances by KSDI and Vande Mataram Dancers.

◆ Tickets are available at TicketPro or Spar stores.