Ronan Keating to perform at MTV Immies 20

'Music in itself is healing. It's an explosive _expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by, no matter what culture we're from. Everyone loves music,' said Billy Joel. Here's how Indians redefine the magical touch at the MTV Immies 2005 music awards show.
The eclectic overture of this show is set with on-the-mark, star-studded performances this year. With awards for 23 categories covering film, pop, international, ghazal, devotional and more, this unique line up of Indian, Pakistani and international talents are collaborating on stage, in support of the Kashmir quake victims.

The performers include Ronan Keating, Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Bipasha Basu, Arjun Rampal, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Euphoria, Strings, Alisha Chinai, Javed Ali, Babul Supriyo, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Jal, Ganesh Hegde, Abhijeet Sawant, Amit Sana, Rahul Vaidya, Qazi Tauqeer and Rooprekha.

Tickets for the show are available across all Planet M outlets, Rhythm House and St Andrews auditorium.

With stars like Lara Dutta, Celina Jaitley, Ali Zafar and Cyrus Broacha as hosts, the audience can now be a part of the action in a seating arrangement done in a stylish, semi-circular stage.

Taking a peek into the awards show, the hysteria will unleash with Shankar-Ehasaan-Loy, Alisha Chinai and Jaaved Ali with 60 qawaali singers performing on Kajra Re, especially composed for the show.
Sanjay Dutt, John Abraham and Pakistani group, Strings will premier the title track of film Zinda, where Sanju baba will lend his voice with John following suit.

Irish pop star Ronan Keating will take your breath away with a medley of his hits including 'Love is a roller coaster', 'Loving each day' and 'I hope you dance'.

All geared to perform at the show, Saif Ali Khan says "From hosting the first year to performing this time, I'm really excited to be a part of the MTV Immies again. This is going to be doubly special as I'll be paying a tribute to someone who's been a great influence to Hindi music over the last three decades - Yash Chopra. Also, it's all for a noble cause - to raise funds for the quake victims."

Sultry siren Bipasha Basu says, "I'll be dancing to some of the biggest Bollywood female hits of 2005, from Bunty aur Babli, Salaam Namaste, Dus and Zeher. I am trying to help those affected by the quake and am hoping you'll do your bit too." Arjun Rampal will also be performing on a track from Ek Ajnabee, while others will be coming up with some more surprises.

Audiences can get their hands on some cool merchandise like Saif's attires, Ronan Keating's memorabilia, 'dates' with the Indian Idols and more at the awards show on December 9 at Bhavan's campus ground at Andheri. Then there's MTV mosh pit too, where a friendly encounter with the stars could get close-to-reality. A teenager with a musical bent can SMS 'Pit(space)Name(space)College name' to 6882 and a call from MTV could get him lucky.

Pantech and Tata Indicom present MTV Immies for Quake Relief, which is also being associate sponsored by Servo, World Space, D'damas and Videocon and partnered by Killer Jeans, Hide n Seek and Red FM, with J W Marriott, Mumbai as the hospitality partners. The proceeds of this award show will go to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. As Ashish Patil, Vice President and General Manager, Creative and Content, MTV Networks puts it, "All for the quake affected in Kashmir, it's music, MTV style, for a cause!"

(Publication: Mumbai Times/Delhi Times/Bangalore Times, December 5, 2005)