All eyes on a class act

No it was not a broadway show, but the concert of popular playback singer Neeraj Shridhar, who is also a part of the hit  band ‘Bombay Vikings’.

As part of an initiative called ‘Leave Office Early’ by Tata Photon Plus, the concert was scheduled to start at 6 pm. However, with the energetic emcee giving away prizes, the opening act by Sayanti Das, a participant of ‘Star Voice Of India’ and the lighting of the lamp by the dignitaries (singer Lucky Ali and Sanjeev Khera, Regional Hub Head (South India) and Chief Operating Officer) it did take almost two hours before Neeraj finally came on stage. There was also a brilliant laser show perfectly depicting the initiative of leaving office early.

Soon the crowd began to chant his  name and he finally came on stage. “It’s a privilege to perform here. Bangalore has given me everything and made me what I am. So I am starting the show with a lovely song,” he exclaimed as he broke into Ajab Lehar Hai from Break Ke Baad. Speaking of his association with singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan and film-maker Sajid Khan, he said, “I wasn’t really a Bollywood guy but these two people wanted me to sing this song for Sajid’s movie.” He was referring to ‘Hey Baby’, which got the crowd shaking a leg.

When he performed Hare Ram Hare Ram from Bhool Bhulaiya, a troupe of dancers wearing colourful costumes joined him. With their hippie moves and timely movements, Neeraj and team won everyone’s hearts with a well choreographed piece.

Explaining the next song, he said, “This song is dear to a friend of mine. I actually wanted him to sing it.” The ‘friend’ was actor Shahid Kapoor and the song in question was Aye Pappi from Kismat Konnection. For this song, two street dancers came on stage and did some fantastic moves including b-boying.

Neerat went on to perform ‘Race’ from the movie ‘Race’ and Aahu Aahu and Chor Bazaari from Love Aaj Kal. The concert would obviously have been incomplete without the songs of ‘Bombay Vikings’, which actually shot him to fame in the late 90s. So Kya Soorat Hai and Woh Chali followed.

Then he rendered Love Mera Hit Hit Soniye from Billu, which had everyone on their feet trying to get his attention. He followed it up with Let’s Get It On With Golmaal from Golmaal Returns, Aale from Golmaal 3, Mera Jeena Yahin from Aashayein, Bebo from ‘Do Knot Disturb’, Prem Ki Naiya from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Character Dheela from ‘Ready’.

During Aale, he even came down and made people and greeted everyone present in every stand from the Corporate to the VIP lounge. “I hope I don’t end up crying while leaving the City because you all have given me so much love,” he gushed.

Supported by Sayanti Das during duets, Neeraj’s able band performed effortlessly too and deserves a mention. All in all, it was a class act that had mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, all dancing to the tunes of Neeraj. “It was a fantastic show. I had a great time,” said Ritu Gupta, a homemaker who had come for the concert with her family. “I like all of his songs but my favourite is Aahu Aahu,” she added.