The MTV Immies are held every year with an aim to award the best talents in the Indian music industry. This year was no exception and the event was held at Mumbai's Bhavans Grounds on December 9. The Immies this year supported relief for the quake victims of India and Pakistan. Also, proceeds from donor passes were given to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. In keeping with tradition, a number of Pakistaniartists perform at the event. The evening started with a qawali -- Ishq Ishq by Shankar, Eshaan and Loy. Alisha Chinoi joined the trio with her Kajrare number.
After having the crowd on its feet, Perizaad Zorabain made her entry. She performed to a song from her new film Ek Ajnabee, which released the same day. Her outfit was put on a bid to collect funds for the quake victims. Later, Euphoria and singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan set the stage alight with their energetic jugalbandi.
Rahat started with his popular song Jiya dhadak dhadak from Kalyug, while Euphoria joined in with Mairee. The duo was at the peak of its performance with Damadam mast kalandar, blending the Sufi (Rahat Ali) and rock version (Euphoria).
Irish singer Ronan Keating, formerly the lead singer of Boyzone, gave one of the best performances of the evening.
He crooned to some of his greatest hits -- I hope you dance, Life is a rollercoaster and When you say nothing at all. His performance lasted for only 15 minutes though audience certainly wanted an encore.
The other performers were Jal, Babul Supriyo, Indian Idol finalists Abhijeet Sawant, Amit Sana and Rahul Vaidya, Fame Gurukul winner Rooprekha Banerjee (her co-winner Qazi Touqeer was conspicuous by absence) and choreographer-turned-singer Ganesh Hegde.
The latter, who has recently released his album G, was joined on stage by actress Preity Zinta. Incidentally, this was Hedge's first live performance.
Bipasha Basu performed to Kajrare and Salaam Namaste, but surprisingly not to any song from her films.
Saif Ali Khan performed to a medley of Yash Raj film songs, along with MTV veejays Sophie, Ramona and Anusha.
Incidentally, Saif had an accident on Friday afternoon on his way home post rehearsal. His car injured a 13-year-old. The actor took the boy to a hospital and paid for the medical bills.
Host Cyrus Brocha had the crowd in splits when he described how Cyrus Sahukar almost made it to Miss India but was rejected in the swimsuit round. Ali Zafar (Huka Pani) gave Cyrus company. The girls couldn't stop raving about Ali and Cyrus made him throw flying kisses in all four directions! Sajid Khan, another presenter, made everyone in laugh with his 'Mom, it can read' line to describe Anupama Verma who had trouble reading the teleprompters.
In the picture, Saif cools his heels with his kids, Ibrahim and Sarah, and girlfriend Rosa.
For the first time in his career, Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant got two awards. Some of the other winners were:
*Pantech Best New Film Artist Award: Himesh Rashmiya for Ashiq Banaya Aapne*Best Female Pop Act: Asha Bhosle for Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo
*Tata Indicom Best New Pop Artist: Abhijeet Sawant (Apka Abhijeet)
*Best Pop Album: Sonu Nigam for Chanda Ki Doli
*Best Music Composer: Himesh Rashmiya for Ashiq Banaya Aapne
*Best Pop Male Act: Abhijeet Sawant for Mohabbatein Lutaunga
*Best Male Singer Film: Kunal Ganjawala for Salaam Namaste
*Best Female Singer Film: Alisha Chinai for Kajrare (Bunty Aur Babli)
*Best Film Album: Shankar, Ehsan and Loy for Bunty Aur Babli
*Best Performance in a film song (Female): Ashwariya Rai for Kajrare (Bunty Aur Babli)
*Best Performance in a film song (Male): Abhishek and Zayed for Dus bahane (Dus)
*Inspiration (Life Time Achievement Award): Yash Chopra
The Immies will be telecast on December 17 on MTV.
Arjun
