Big B's baritone to add glitz to Rajasthan sound and light show

Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is expected to lend his voice for a sound and light show at the majestic Amber fort here, a bid by the Rajasthan government to further boost tourism in the state.

"The Amber Development Board has already held talks with Amitabh Bachchan for the voiceover for the light and sound show and he has given an in principal approval for it," Usha Punia, Rajasthan's minister of state for tourism, told IANS.

The widely popular Bachchan, 64, has acted in over 160 films and is one of Bollywood's most celebrated actors.

Punia added that eminent poet and lyricist Gulzar has already written a script for the show to be held at the renowned Amber Fort, around 10 km from the state capital Jaipur, which will be illuminated with laser lights on the day of the event.

The Amber fort, built of marble and red sandstone, has an imposing and rugged look from outside, but displays a warm interior dйcor influenced by both Hindu and Muslim ornamentation. Work on construction of the palace complex was started under the reign of Raja Man Singh in 1592.

With a record arrival of more than 1.2 million foreign tourists and 17 million domestic tourists during 2005-06, Rajasthan has become India's vital tourist attraction. Almost 60 percent of international tourists to India visit the state.