Bhojpuri film actors, following in the footsteps of Bollywood stars, are all set to woo global fans with live performances.

Members of the Bhojpuri film fraternity, which has seen a phenomenal growth in the last few years, have joined hands to organise their first star-spangled stage show called "Bhojpuri Hungama" in India and abroad.

Produced by Mehmood Ali of Pen and Camera International in association with First Release Worldwide Company, the show will begin Oct 26 in Mumbai.

Actor Ravi Kishan, said to be the superstar of Bhojpuri films, is leading the troupe and is thrilled to bits.

"I have worked very hard to popularise this language, which was looked down upon as a c-grade vernacular language. I am from Jaunpur and love my language. I decided to market it in a way that would make it an international phenomenon. And see... we are going to have our first Bhojpuri concert across the globe," Ravi told.

"Over 270 million people speak and understand Bhojpuri and we are expecting more than 100,000 people to attend the concert in Mumbai," he added.

Twenty shows are being planned in various parts of India and rest of the world.

With the phenomenal growth experienced by the Bhojpuri film industry, many Bollywood stars too have joined in to add the glamour quotient.

"From Amitabh Bachchan to Dilip Kumar and G.P. Sippy - everybody is now showing interest in Bhojpuri films. In fact, Dilip saab told me that Bollywood is selling pizzas and burgers to Indian audiences while you are selling the authentic Indian stuff," added Ravi.

Yesteryears actress Saira Banu recently entered Bhojpuri films with "Ab To Banja Sajanwa Hamaar", which is produced by her.

"I always felt it was a beautiful language. There is something distinctive about it. I remember in 1976, in 'Bairaag', I played a Bhojpuri-speaking banjaaran (gypsy girl). I had also spoken the language in 'Sagina'. Prior to that, I had seen 'Ganga Jamuna' and it left a tremendous impression on my mind," said Saira Banu.

She added: "Bhojpuri is an earthy language, there is so much of Indianness to it. And since the dialect is close to Hindi and Urdu, Bhojpuri cinema has a great future. I plan to continue making films in Bhojpuri."

Amitabh is playing an important role in "Ganga" - a Bhojpuri films produced by his make-up man Deepak Sawant.

Bhojpuri diaspora is present in countries like Mauritius, Ghana, West Indies, Fiji, Nepal, Dubai, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.

"There is a huge craze for Bhojpuri films and people will start respecting them after the international shows. Shweta Tiwari of 'Kasauti Zindagi kii' fame is also joining us. Actresses Nagma and Rambha are also part of this concert," said Ravi.

"Mohanji Prasad, the godfather of Bhojpuri films, is going to be our guide and mentor," he added.

In India, Bhojpuri films are now gaining popularity beyond the boundaries of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They are doing good business in Maharashtra, Punjab, Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.