Starting in the 70s on a modest scale these shows often had legendary singers and later a few actors and actresses, normally entertaining local audiences. Some of the performances saw their beginnings as a result of valiant efforts put by actor politician Sunil Dutt and his amazing wife the late Nargis Dutt to entertain and bring succor to the many soldiers who fought for India across the borderlines in forward areas.
Today from those humble beginnings the same star studded shows have become mega dollar productions, costing big bucks to produce and promote. As the shows grew in popularity and stature, the Moranis who usually choreograph and conceptualize most of these shows, have tried to make each show different and unique to continue to attract people to the events. Big names from Bollywood, produce, script, and choreograph these shows. Big stars are roped in to star in them, charging hefty dollar amounts, and local promoters like Mark Premji, spend a lot of money to make sure these stars have an adequate platform to showcase the three hour performances. This time too Premji mentioned spending close to $100, 000 on the arrangements. It was also mentioned that Shahrukh Khan was involved in every aspect of the show-and I guess it showed. If it wasn’t for the megastar and his natural warmth and persona on stage, Temptation 2004 would have failed to tempt all that much.
The show began with local talent Shezi Sardar performing a fast paced dance routine, which was followed by an inane fashion show sponsored by Mumtaz Creations. Every model looked uncomfortable, wooden and unable to walk the walk, as the local emcee Parijat Chandra upset many viewers who said their eardrums were shattered as she kept screaming her way through the 20 minutes or so that seemed to last forever. Emceeing is an art in itself, and if we have to present local talent it must be done with better planning and more grace. Chandra is a lovely person off stage, and I’m sure she wasn’t given much time to plan either. Premji too probably didn’t get to preview this segment because a man with his elegance and class would not have permitted this nonsense. Premji when contacted about the local segment said it was really a filler, since a lot of people were traveling from out of town, and he wanted to give them time to settle in. It was also his way of showcasing local talent on a big stage and to thank his sponsors, one of whom was behind the modeling show. It takes a lot of courage to come on stage and perform before a huge audience and one must appreciate that. Mercifully the Atlanta crowd was kind enough not to boo the performers off stage, as had happened in the Asha Bhonsle-Adnan Sami show.
Finally to excited and relieved cheers and applause, the screen came alive. But alas only to talk about the allure of Mumbai, the tinsel town of fantasies, speed, glamour and glitz, swarming masses and dreams. And then the question was asked if we the audience were ready to take the bite-we were but no, the apple of temptation wasn’t ready to be bitten yet! Instead the audience was subjected to self congratulatory promos of what national promoter Vijay Taneja and gang were up to in Mumbai’s tinsel town . It made you realize how lucky you are to have a humble and classy local promoter who works really hard as does his family each time a show comes on and then has to be literally dragged on stage with his wife to be acknowledged . This time too he was missing or most likely hiding-he hates being in the limelight! As for the national promoters, it would have been better to give the url of their website for us to educate ourselves of their many laurels if necessary.
The show was based on-well may be the theme of the seven deadly sins or was it temptations? Who cared if the concept didn’t make any sense and that “power” isn’t really one of the temptations- arre bhai this is Bollywood..and everything goes! As long as the stars shine!
Finally almost half an hour beyond the expected hour(which still isn’t that bad considering another venue had theirs start 2 hours late and that too on a sunday), the show began with the first of the temptations, the temptress, ex Miss World and budding actress Priyanka Chopra coming on stage personifying Greed. For a new comer the lovely lass has the poise that is a by product of hours of relentless training for international beauty pageants and she danced confidently, to a medley of songs from her recently released films, receiving warm applause. She showed no signs of stage fright in spite of this being her debut tour.
To the background of bursting flames, on a wide screen, Arjun Rampal came on stage personifying “power” repeating his now very familiar trench coat routine, when he comes in incognito hiding in the darkened stage behind his troupe of dancers, and then rips the trench coat off to show his well muscled 6 foot 2 frame. Rampal who in real life is least obsessed with his body and is a wonderful person, has definitely enhanced his dancing skills. His gyrations on stage to a medley of his songs were received with hysterical screams from the female legions and applause from the men. Rampal added to the allure by wearing a see through vest embroidered with flashing sequins on the front, something Preity Zinta too wore later making you wonder if the stuff was stitched from leftovers of Rampal’s torso revealing gear!
Then heralding the arrival on stage of the next temptation, was one of the troupe playing a trumpet; at least that is what every one thought as sounds of the trumpet emanated through the air, but when you looked closely the guy was holding a saxophone! While most of us may not know too much about the technicalities of music, even a little kid studying in American schools here takes band as part of curriculum and can recognize the difference. A musician sitting nearby, started laughing in disbelief seeing that. Mercifully Preity Zinta personifying passion came on stage, dimpling a cute smile and telling every one through her dancing in a skimpy red number that it was indeed the time to disco. She also did a segment inspired by the musical Chicago, with a gun toting partner at her feet, but most people didn’t recognize the fact.
Saif Ali Khan quickly came on stage to portray envy, and started his routine with an impish “The name is Khan Saif Ali Khan”-inspired by Bond films… He went on to perform to popular songs from his hit films (most non-enviously one may add) Dil Chahta Hai and Hum tum to name a couple. The performance was routinely intertwined with special effects, bursting of firecrackers and a flawless performance by the multifaceted, multi talented choreographer Ganesh Hedge’s dancing troupe.
Saif Ali Khan was followed by a technical glitch (when someone according to Premji had stumbled over the wires and unplugged the main switch) Rani Mukherjee came on stage personifying Lust. Of all the Temptations this one was pretty miscast as the ever smiling sweet faced actress showed up on stage, dressed like an Egyptian but walking like a cherubically chubby Indian that she has become. The charming miss needs to miss a few meals and get on the treadmill before she gets on stage. Her lack of height makes her addition of extra pounds even more visible on the big screens Mark Premji provided, and unfortunately the camera doesn’t lie.
Then came the moment every one had been waiting for. Shahrukh Khan the not very tall, bundle of energy, warmth and sweetness, becomes larger than life on stage. His wit and humor, an utter lack of ego, and the fact that in real life he is an all-round nice guy shows through his eyes, his smile and his lithe and light movements on stage. He had the crowd screaming with delight as he walked in to the soft strains of the song Kal ho na Ho wafting through the air, and then doing his moves on Suraj Hua Madham from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, before he began lip-syncing to a speech that applies to all his fans universally and runs to the tune of how happy he is to be back, how much he loves his fans and only Shahrukh Khan can lip sync and still look sincere. He then performed to a medley of his songs from Dilwale Dulhania le jayenge, Main Hoon Na, before he poured water all over himself talking about Hot Lanta and the even hotter audience, and acknowledged his debt to the loving masses for making him the star that he is. As his image filled the big screen Shahrukh actually disappeared from stage and re appeared again on wheels going through the audience shaking hands, blowing kisses with confetti swirling around in the air. It was a very cleverly executed entry where he was replaced stealthily by a dummy, as the stage darkened and Shahrukh was able to surprise the 8000 strong unsuspecting but excited crowd.
Next Shahrukh announced that the stars had decided to take potshots at themselves and had starred in a fun film for the audience called Kal Ho Na Ho–Parson to Hoga Hi. Combining shots on screen, with real presence on stage, the six stars took the formula theme of how to get rich quick, and created a story about two girls and two guys trying to get rich by wanting to net a rich spouse, except that while con men Saif and Shahrukh are busy trying to convince Rani and Preity that they are rich eligible bachelors, and the girls are trying to act rich as well, the real Mr. Richie Rich Arjun walks away with the Dulhania Priyanka Chopra. The idea was very run of the mill unfor-tunately and the dialogues and the script only funny in parts. We have seen better skits during some other shows and this fell flat after a while. Perhaps one of the things that would have worked very well would have been more interaction between Shahrukh and Saif Ali since they have great comic timing together.
After the film Shahrukh Khan introduced choreographer par excellence Ganesh Hegde, whose wonderful choreography and dance moves and achievements were then captured in segments on the big LED screen Premji paid top dollars to rent, and was the continuous backdrop for all the performers. Shahrukh Khan talked about Hegde’s contribution in both the national and international arenas and Hegde pleasantly surprised quite a few people in the audience by not coming and performing a dance routine but singing, and doing an excellent job, to a very receptive applause.
It was then Saif Ali Khan’s turn to surprise people as he came on stage and played the guitar pretty competently starting with a Guns n Roses number, wearing a Guns n’ Roses T-shirt, before switching to music from Dil Chahta Hai, and a Punjabi piece. He then invited a bunch of women from different age groups to come and dance as he played segments of the famous hit Dam maro Dam. Saif Ali was much underutilized in the entire show. People who watched the recent Filmfare awards haven’t forgotten the amazing job Saif and Shahrukh did as co hosts, when they were witty, funny, spontaneous and vibrant. It would have been worth every one’s while if they had done more of that on stage, instead of the song and dance routines.
Shahrukh Khan showed up in a jazzy outfit, saying he always wanted to be a rock star but since he is only good for love he would instead get people on stage and perform with them. Perhaps that has become the most interesting part of the show-the stars inviting unsuspecting members of the audience, their excited reactions, the spontaneous interactions that cannot be rehearsed and Shahrukh is a master of witty spontaneity. Before he fulfilled his promise he announced that there would be a classical dance performance by Preity and Rani and that both had worked very hard at that segment which was his personal favorite. What followed was a colorful fusion or was it confusion of classical and modern steps by both actresses as the two hit songs from Dil Se and Saathiya were aligned to their steps. Still the color and rhythm and their smiling faces, made up for the lack of training in classical dance especially visible in Preity Zinta’s segment.
Shahrukh Khan then returned in a jacket and a dhoti that kept flying up to his knee much to his gleeful dismay! He kept his promise and invited a woman and a man separately on stage and the funny, spontaneous and heartwarming conversations that followed were perhaps more charming and enjoyable than most of the show. Maybe the next step for Shahrukh is to do stand up comedy and become a talk show host as well. Both participants received free roundtrip tickets on Delta airlines not to mention the personal attention from the Khan, which made it not just memorable for them but for the star himself. The audience saw their own private dreams come true through those two on stage and the promise that some day they too may manage to get there!
There was one sore point in the show in this segment however. Several audience members took offence to the fact that Shahrukh Khan offered liquor to the man he called on stage and gifted him a whiskey bottle which he autographed. The audience felt it was a family show and set a bad example when the heartthrob of millions promotes liquor on stage. I hope the promoters will take note.
The over seas market has become a lucrative venue for the Bollywood film industry globally, and one of the trademark events of that global allure are the star studded Bollywood shows that come to town.
After his segment Shahrukh introduced Priyanka Chopra and said that they had discovered a hidden talent they did not know about until they came to Atlanta-that the Miss World can sing! It seemed like the songs were prerecorded and Priyanka may have lip synced. It is a common practice these days to do so for technical perfection and to avoid onstage gaffes. She did however do an elegant job of belting out a Christina Aguilera number followed by some golden oldies with an especially good rendering of “Aiyeeyeh meherban”, the sultry asha bhonsle number. Premji who went and saw the show in Orlando as well, says from what he could see she seemed to be singing live. Priyanka has a well trained husky voice and can make a future for herself as a singing star if she wants!
Priyanka then reintroduced Arjun Rampal mentioning jokingly that women love it when he takes his shirt off. Women screamed in anticipation as Rampal came on stage in martial arts gear, and obligingly took his shirt off before performing a graceful routine of martial moves with a sword. He then called an excited female fan on stage and made her go through the martial paces, before putting the neck chain he was wearing, around her neck. The audience and Arjun cracked up when he asked her if he could kiss her and she said innocently she had an uncle in the audience. Arjun deadpanned- “would uncle mind?” and she called out-“uncle would you mind”. Uncle would have probably come on stage himself for the kiss if he could! Arjun laughingly still planted one on her cheek and she went away all excited.
The last segment of the show featured Shahrukh Khan and the three actresses performing onstage to several of Shahrukh’s films- from Kuch Kuch Hota hai, Dilwale Dulhania le Jayenge, Chalte Chalte, Devdas, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi gham, Main Hoon na before the grand finale where the stars dressed up like hippies and gyrated to “It’s the time to Disco”. Well, soon it was the time to khisko for the Atlanta audience that for once was very appreciative with their applause and cheers.
Was this the best ever show? I don’t think anything has matched the quality of the Wanted and Lagaan shows in the past or even parts of the Heartthrobs show with Hritik Roshan..in fact if you took out Shahrukh Khan the show would have lost its fire, in spite of the fire works. Still it had some refreshing elements, and the effort and hard work that goes behind creating such shows must always be applauded. A lot of people who don’t see these shows on a regular basis said they had a wonderful time. Premji says he too has received a lot of emails congratulating him on bringing a fun show to town.
And of course as long as dil mange more-there will always be an encore!