Auckland hosts Bollywood event

By MANJU SHELKE

The success of a Bollywood Musical Nite in Auckland featuring top stars from India has inspired organisers to promise an even bigger event soon.

More than 2500 people were treated to three 1/2 hours of performances by Bollywood stars Sunidhi Chauhan and Abhijit Bhattacharya at the Logan Campbell Centre in One Tree Hill on Saturday.

The show was hosted by former Miss India and MTV presenter Nafisa Joseph.

Organisers said the turnout was good despite negative publicity in the buildup to the event.

One of the sponsors, Sahil Shah of Shah Homes and the owner of radio station Apna FM, said "unpleasant" rumours had been spread that the stars would not be attending.

Event manager Yasmin Garg said she had received threatening calls asking her to call off the show. But this was "part of the game" and competition was tough, she said.

The two stars of the show said they were glad to perform in New Zealand. Chauhan is visiting for the second time - the first was with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the late 1990s.

"That show sold on Shah Rukh Khan's name at that time, now, it's Abhijit and me," she said.

"I feel the pressure of responsibility and will give Auckland my best."

Bhattacharya, who performed in Auckland in 1995, said the show had been such a success that he planned to return.

He was pleased to see a multicultural audience at the show.