Farhan Akhtar and Shankar Ehsaan Loy steal hearts in Toronto!
The venue was Powerade Centre in Brampton, Ontario. The same venue where Shreya Goshal had performed some moons ago. The crowd was similar, over 95% (or so it seemed), from the Indian subcontinent. But there was a difference, actually a huge difference,…in energy. The crowd was much younger, even pre-teens – mostly dressed up in casual, ripped jeans and little T-shirts – the girls in tiny dresses and boys ready to rock’n roll. For Shreya Goshal I recall sari-clad aunties, shaadi-style lehngas, and grandmothers ready to break into Punjabi dance steps. As I entered the arena, I discovered that ‘The Farhan Akhtar Fan Club’ are rock stars in the making.
Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy – 22 years of melody
It was an evening of Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Farhan Akhtar. The music maestros Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have been producing great music for 22 years for Bollywood cinema. They have worked with Farhan Akhtar in his directorial and acting endeavours such as “Dil Chahta Hai”, and “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”.
Opening Act – Farhan Akhtar’s Star Power
While the opening act was Farhan Akhtar and the musical trio of Shankar Ehsan Loy followed, my gut felt that the star power was the versatile and endearing Farhan Akhtar. He poured his heart out in his songs, his rendition of Urdu poetry, and his positive energy and connection with his audience. His sensitivity and humility shone through with subtle innuendos, as he recounted childhood tales. Farhan Akhtar, the rock star on stage, thanked the people for singing along and placed his colleagues on a pedestal. It was a truly heart-warming performance.
No Bollywood Airs – Pure Talent, Humility and Gratitude
There were no Bollywood airs, none of those ego-laden 6-feet tall security personnel escorting him to the stage and back. Farhan Akhtar embodied pure talent, humility and gratitude for the love he received from each person sitting (but mostly dancing) in their seats. The concert was a huge success with Farhan stealing hearts and Shankar Ehsan Loy filling the air with the magic of Bollywood music late into the warm Toronto summer night.
Farhan Akhtar Sings and Dances to Senorita in Toronto.
Read more on what’s happening with the Desi community in Canada as The HUM Awards won hearts in Toronto this season!
