By NIMMI RAGHUNATHAN
INGLEWOOD, CA - All that Salman Khan needs to do is to show up. And all he needs to do when he shows up is be himself: swaggering and keenly aware of his super stardom. It was evident at The Forum here on June 24, when he made a dramatic entry through a LED screen that had thus far not shown any signs that it could split open.
INGLEWOOD, CA - All that Salman Khan needs to do is to show up. And all he needs to do when he shows up is be himself: swaggering and keenly aware of his super stardom. It was evident at The Forum here on June 24, when he made a dramatic entry through a LED screen that had thus far not shown any signs that it could split open.
All Pictures by Yogi Patel.
Sitting with his customary nonchalance one foot perched on the side bar on a chair-cage high above the audience, the star looked down benignly at the screaming mortals below. Not for him the customary smiles and waves of the others, mere actors. The fans lapped it up. At one point, “Sallu bhai” stood up and threw his arms out in an expansive move as if to embrace all the adulation and this time the audience went nuts taking pictures on their cell phones with one hand, feverishly waving with the other and bouncing on their toes while all the while screaming above the throbbing music.
*************
This as it turned out were the calm Salman moments. As he was slowly returned to earth, to the soulful strains of his hit, ‘Tu Ladki Hai, Main Ladka Hoon,’ and he planted his feet on stage, the roaring high energy act was unleashed. If the star’s dancing skills seemed woeful or at best limited, the fans didn’t care - the signature moves were to be embraced. So there was Salman working to please a crowd of already pleased and adoring fans. To a medley of songs new and old that have ruled hearts, he danced: ‘Joote De Do,’ ‘Maria, Maria,’ ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,’ ‘Selfie Le Le’ and of course, numbers from ‘Dabangg,’ from which the tour had spun
off its name, ‘DaBangg Reloaded – The Tour.’
*************
Then there were the duets. He serenaded his protégé Daisy Shah, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonakshi Sinha and Katrina Kaif with songs that he had romanced them with onscreen. But without a doubt his wielding a guitar for ‘Main Hoon Hero Tera,’ summed up what every heart beat in the crowd was saying.
The star spoke briefly afterward thanking the audience, “for your love.”
***********
‘DaBangg Reloaded – The Tour,’ is on a nine city North America tour which has in the recent past also toured across other nations worldwide. In Los Angeles, which has not had too many high wire acts like this one recently, it was a welcome event for the Bollywood loving South Asian community. The SoCal show which brought by Prosperous Entertainment, Super Dylan, Paracha Entertainment and 27th Investments was helmed by Dr.Bharat Patel. Sounding relaxed the day after the mega event, when in reality there must have been a slew of things to take care of, he struck a positive note when asked what the challenges had been in pulling off the show. “There were a lot of pieces in the puzzle,” he said, “but delegation and implementation lessened the stress.”
**********
Katrina Kaif’s appearance was also designed to be dramatic, emerging as she did from the floor to the rafters. In glittery jean overalls she showed why she is among the top of the heap in Bollywood. Fit and able to shimmy effectively, she industriously gave it her all. She also made the effort to make costume changes and impress. For here die-hard fans, some of the songs she danced to: ‘Saans,’ ‘Kamli Kamli,’ ‘Bang Bang,’ ‘Kala Chashmah’ and of course how could there not be, ‘Sheila ki Jawani?’ The three hip-hop dancers who seamlessly filled in the few minutes during costume changes also got a thumbs up from the crowd.
*****************
Even if Salman Khan was not physically on stage, his presence was felt. Manish Paul ensured it. Spontaneous and funny, he had the audience try out the famed dialog, ‘Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di, fir main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta.’ Translation: Once I make a commitment, I don’t even listen to myself. In itself silly and comical, the dialog lent itself for further humor with SoCal couples saying it to each other. Quick to get his pulse on the audience, he got laughs by acknowledging the presence of the huge Gujarati attendance and played them off against the other big contingent – the Punjabis.
Paul, as emcee is not new to the role and as a popular TV host is known for his quick wit. What he also showcased in this program was his rapping skills performing the, “Dabangg Anthem,” which lauded the talents of each star at the show. “Bang, Bang, Da Bangg,” the buff host sang, while mimicking Salman Khan’s dance steps.
*************
Prabhu Deva from the Southern film industry is billed as the ‘king of dance,’ and at the show was admired for his moves to Tamil songs. The beloved choreographer, actor and director seemed to have cut across industry barriers and found fans in Hindi cinema as he showcased controlled steps and then dazzled with fleet moving ones.
*************
Sonakshi Sinha, the lead actress in the hit, ‘Dabangg,’ was lively. Among the earlier acts of the evening, she was the first one who probably brought some of the audience to its feet to dance along with ‘Saree Ke Fall Sa,’ and the Prabhu Deva choreographed, ‘Go Go Go Govinda.’ Along with Paul she created another dialog ode to Khan with the this line: ‘Thappad se darr nahin lagta, jitna pyar se lagta hai,’ from ‘Dabangg.’ she told Paul, “I made my debut with him (Khan) what more can a girl ask for?”
***************
Managed, scripted and directed by Sohail Khan Entertainment and JA Events LLP, the show aimed for high production quality. PRG Entertainment Worldwide which was praised by SoCal promoter Patel, pulled out all the stops. There literally was fire and fireworks through the show; flames shot up at the lip of the stage, display pyrotechnics punctuated the show and the stage at most times was awash with lights of every hue.
The scene stealer however was the LED wall at the back. It captured the colors on stage; Kaif ‘s red and black ensemble and Fernandez’s pink gown for instance were neatly reflected and no pattern ever repeated. It was with Sinha however that the background jazz became interactive as she moved globes of fire and released exploding stars. And when Khan was to make his entry, the ‘wall’ which must have used a truss system, easily slid open and close.
What was missed however were screens that usually grace the sides of the stage so those at the back can see better.
************
Two sticking factors in an obviously successful show. The first - the dances seemed like a TV show with one camera. With the exception of Khan a few times, no one made an attempt to leave the center of the stage. Randhawa was the only true stage performer, nimble on his feet and daring to cover the sides of the stage. Second, the audience would be hard pressed to remember a single song that was rendered in its entirety. The medleys without doubt, were smooth but there was no number one left The Forum with humming. Oh, one more – what was the purpose of showing rehearsal clips of the show during the show?
**************
A shout out to the bevy of dancers who performed tirelessly. The production had several costume changes and the props were numerous. From puzzling plastic skirts to pretty angel wings, they raced on and off stage adding value but not drawing too many eyeballs, trained as the audience was on the stars.
*************
The cheerful, ‘never not happy,’ Jacqueline Fernandez oozed charm. Smiling and looking happy to be there, she was spirited yet dainty in her moves.
Among the opening acts, Daisy Shah was first seen in a silhouette and then performed to some numbers but seemed to struggle to get the audience going.
*************
Guru Randhawa, a Punjabi singer who is climbing the charts in Bollywood and whose star is on the ascendant stole hearts singing in Punjabi and proving that music knows no language. For whatever reason however, he also chose to speak in the language leaving many nonplussed. Randhawa who writes and composes his own music soon had everyone dancing to his melodious beats.
*************
Local SoCal talent was on stage. Singers Khushi and Ujval Zaveri sang a few Bollywood numbers as the crowd rolled in. Then there was a pack of young dancers from the Arya Dance Academy who had the thrill of dancing with Khan to ‘Selfie Le Le.’
Sitting with his customary nonchalance one foot perched on the side bar on a chair-cage high above the audience, the star looked down benignly at the screaming mortals below. Not for him the customary smiles and waves of the others, mere actors. The fans lapped it up. At one point, “Sallu bhai” stood up and threw his arms out in an expansive move as if to embrace all the adulation and this time the audience went nuts taking pictures on their cell phones with one hand, feverishly waving with the other and bouncing on their toes while all the while screaming above the throbbing music.
*************
This as it turned out were the calm Salman moments. As he was slowly returned to earth, to the soulful strains of his hit, ‘Tu Ladki Hai, Main Ladka Hoon,’ and he planted his feet on stage, the roaring high energy act was unleashed. If the star’s dancing skills seemed woeful or at best limited, the fans didn’t care - the signature moves were to be embraced. So there was Salman working to please a crowd of already pleased and adoring fans. To a medley of songs new and old that have ruled hearts, he danced: ‘Joote De Do,’ ‘Maria, Maria,’ ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,’ ‘Selfie Le Le’ and of course, numbers from ‘Dabangg,’ from which the tour had spun
off its name, ‘DaBangg Reloaded – The Tour.’
*************
Then there were the duets. He serenaded his protégé Daisy Shah, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonakshi Sinha and Katrina Kaif with songs that he had romanced them with onscreen. But without a doubt his wielding a guitar for ‘Main Hoon Hero Tera,’ summed up what every heart beat in the crowd was saying.
The star spoke briefly afterward thanking the audience, “for your love.”
***********
‘DaBangg Reloaded – The Tour,’ is on a nine city North America tour which has in the recent past also toured across other nations worldwide. In Los Angeles, which has not had too many high wire acts like this one recently, it was a welcome event for the Bollywood loving South Asian community. The SoCal show which brought by Prosperous Entertainment, Super Dylan, Paracha Entertainment and 27th Investments was helmed by Dr.Bharat Patel. Sounding relaxed the day after the mega event, when in reality there must have been a slew of things to take care of, he struck a positive note when asked what the challenges had been in pulling off the show. “There were a lot of pieces in the puzzle,” he said, “but delegation and implementation lessened the stress.”
**********
Katrina Kaif’s appearance was also designed to be dramatic, emerging as she did from the floor to the rafters. In glittery jean overalls she showed why she is among the top of the heap in Bollywood. Fit and able to shimmy effectively, she industriously gave it her all. She also made the effort to make costume changes and impress. For here die-hard fans, some of the songs she danced to: ‘Saans,’ ‘Kamli Kamli,’ ‘Bang Bang,’ ‘Kala Chashmah’ and of course how could there not be, ‘Sheila ki Jawani?’ The three hip-hop dancers who seamlessly filled in the few minutes during costume changes also got a thumbs up from the crowd.
*****************
Even if Salman Khan was not physically on stage, his presence was felt. Manish Paul ensured it. Spontaneous and funny, he had the audience try out the famed dialog, ‘Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di, fir main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta.’ Translation: Once I make a commitment, I don’t even listen to myself. In itself silly and comical, the dialog lent itself for further humor with SoCal couples saying it to each other. Quick to get his pulse on the audience, he got laughs by acknowledging the presence of the huge Gujarati attendance and played them off against the other big contingent – the Punjabis.
Paul, as emcee is not new to the role and as a popular TV host is known for his quick wit. What he also showcased in this program was his rapping skills performing the, “Dabangg Anthem,” which lauded the talents of each star at the show. “Bang, Bang, Da Bangg,” the buff host sang, while mimicking Salman Khan’s dance steps.
*************
Prabhu Deva from the Southern film industry is billed as the ‘king of dance,’ and at the show was admired for his moves to Tamil songs. The beloved choreographer, actor and director seemed to have cut across industry barriers and found fans in Hindi cinema as he showcased controlled steps and then dazzled with fleet moving ones.
*************
Sonakshi Sinha, the lead actress in the hit, ‘Dabangg,’ was lively. Among the earlier acts of the evening, she was the first one who probably brought some of the audience to its feet to dance along with ‘Saree Ke Fall Sa,’ and the Prabhu Deva choreographed, ‘Go Go Go Govinda.’ Along with Paul she created another dialog ode to Khan with the this line: ‘Thappad se darr nahin lagta, jitna pyar se lagta hai,’ from ‘Dabangg.’ she told Paul, “I made my debut with him (Khan) what more can a girl ask for?”
***************
Managed, scripted and directed by Sohail Khan Entertainment and JA Events LLP, the show aimed for high production quality. PRG Entertainment Worldwide which was praised by SoCal promoter Patel, pulled out all the stops. There literally was fire and fireworks through the show; flames shot up at the lip of the stage, display pyrotechnics punctuated the show and the stage at most times was awash with lights of every hue.
The scene stealer however was the LED wall at the back. It captured the colors on stage; Kaif ‘s red and black ensemble and Fernandez’s pink gown for instance were neatly reflected and no pattern ever repeated. It was with Sinha however that the background jazz became interactive as she moved globes of fire and released exploding stars. And when Khan was to make his entry, the ‘wall’ which must have used a truss system, easily slid open and close.
What was missed however were screens that usually grace the sides of the stage so those at the back can see better.
************
Two sticking factors in an obviously successful show. The first - the dances seemed like a TV show with one camera. With the exception of Khan a few times, no one made an attempt to leave the center of the stage. Randhawa was the only true stage performer, nimble on his feet and daring to cover the sides of the stage. Second, the audience would be hard pressed to remember a single song that was rendered in its entirety. The medleys without doubt, were smooth but there was no number one left The Forum with humming. Oh, one more – what was the purpose of showing rehearsal clips of the show during the show?
**************
A shout out to the bevy of dancers who performed tirelessly. The production had several costume changes and the props were numerous. From puzzling plastic skirts to pretty angel wings, they raced on and off stage adding value but not drawing too many eyeballs, trained as the audience was on the stars.
*************
The cheerful, ‘never not happy,’ Jacqueline Fernandez oozed charm. Smiling and looking happy to be there, she was spirited yet dainty in her moves.
Among the opening acts, Daisy Shah was first seen in a silhouette and then performed to some numbers but seemed to struggle to get the audience going.
*************
Guru Randhawa, a Punjabi singer who is climbing the charts in Bollywood and whose star is on the ascendant stole hearts singing in Punjabi and proving that music knows no language. For whatever reason however, he also chose to speak in the language leaving many nonplussed. Randhawa who writes and composes his own music soon had everyone dancing to his melodious beats.
*************
Local SoCal talent was on stage. Singers Khushi and Ujval Zaveri sang a few Bollywood numbers as the crowd rolled in. Then there was a pack of young dancers from the Arya Dance Academy who had the thrill of dancing with Khan to ‘Selfie Le Le.’
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