behind the scenes: azadi express show

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Posted: 18 years ago

Behind the Scenes

Express Features Service

Pune, August 12: If the Star Azadi Express, the Independence Day special put together by the Indian Express and Star TV, is a burst of colour and excitement on stage, backstage, it is a confusion of colour, nerves, props and too many people.

But the adrenaline is pumping and it's not just the Red Bull that's doing the trick. Before the performances, it's the anticipation that keeps both the stars and backers on their toes; after the performance, it's the thrill of applause.

The green rooms were seeing action long before the actual show. Girls need their time to get ready, after all. So Dia Mirza, Anita Hasanandani, Sanjeeda Sheikh and Geeta Basra began with the war paint and costumes at least three hours in advance. And with all the make-up and jewellery strewn around, it did look like a wreck zone. "I'm really excited about my Rajasthani getup," said Hasanandani whose green room was, of course, right next to Eijaz Khan. 😆😆

Sajid Khan and Riteish Deshmukh were chatting in Khan's green room while the host of the show (Khan) was being caked with foundation by his make-up man. "I've always been the host and the dost," joked Khan, "And I love doing shows. But I especially like the message this show is trying to send out to the NRIs." As the show begins, Deshmukh reserves his seat in front of the monitor backstage to see his friend Khan and others perform, while Mirza and Sheikh keep him company on either side. Mirza, looking pretty in her traditional outfit, is sharing spearmint and gossip with Deshmukh, while loudly cheering anyone who is about to go on stage.

With last minute sound-checks, prop checks, cue confusion, film stars, TV stars, dancers, choreographers, make-up artists fighting for space, and even Gandhiji looking for his stick, behind the scenes is a mess. But the performances on stage go without a hitch and that's what makes the show a success.