Bollywood is going to shine in full force next month at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Aishwarya Rai, Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Lara Dutta, Isha Sharvani, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghosal, Shankar-Ehsan-Loy as well as percussionists Taufiq Quereshi and Sivamani and 408 dancers from Shiamak Davar’s troupe are leaving no stone unturned to ensure the world remembers the day.
The Games, which begin on March 15, will have event management company Wizcraft handling the event. Viraf Sarkar, director, Wizcraft says, “We have been appointed to conceptualise, produce and direct the 11-minute cultural programme for the closing ceremony. We cannot give any more details right now.” Hearsay suggests that effort is on to rope in Aamir Khan as well.
Percussionist Taufiq Quereshi, who has composed the track that will be played as the mascot Shera makes an entry says, “It feels great to be part of such a mega event.”
Incidentally, Quereshi was also part of the team that had been sent to Jamaica two years ago to bid for Commonwealth games 2010. India beat Canada to be chosen as the next host.
Says Sunidhi Chauhan, “I feel honoured to be representing my country. I am also really lucky to be offered a full-fledged live concert a day prior to the closing ceremony.”
Actor and danseuse Isha Sharvani has also been invited by the Australian government to perform five concerts. She says, “I always wanted to be a gymnast so that I could win an Olympic medal. Well, that has not happened, but this is the closest I could come to an event of such stature.”
Shankar-Ehsan-Loy have composed a special song ‘Chalo Delhi’, which is written by Javed Akhtar. Shiamak Davar, who is choreographing the entire event, already has three instructors in Melbourne teaching the locals bangra steps. This way even they will be able to be participate in the celebrations.
r_faheem@dnaindia.net
