In 1989, Mary Ellen Mark worked for eight months photographing 14 circuses across India. The photographs were published in 1993 in the book Indian Circus. Ten of these photographes appeared in a February 1991 Life Magazine article The Greatest Show in India. National Geographic contacted Mark soon after Life published the photographs, asking to use the story for the basis of a film. In October 1993, Mark joined Martin Bell for the three week shoot in the Great Royal Circus.

Circus of Dreams follows the life of 11-year-old Pinky as she practices under the supervision of her trainer, Pratap Singh.

PRATAP
I've always loved the circus, right from the beginning. In every drop of my blood, the circus is there. Both my parents were in the circus. When my mother came down from the trapeze act, her labor pains started. When I was born there were rope marks all over my body because my mother had slid down the trapeze.

PINKY
Only when I came to the circus, that's the life I remember. Before that, I don't remember. Even when I'm old I'll be in the circus.
The thing I like the most in this whole circus life is going from one world to the other world. Different places. Travelling all over... Madras, Changanacherry, Junagard, Banares, Ahmnabad and Goa. When people clap, I feel happy, very happy.

CIRCUS OF DREAMS

CAST & PRODUCTION CREDITS