Sanober Kabir
Mahima Chaudhary, Sanober Kabir along with Harbhajan Mann, Aarti Chabbria, Southern actress-danseuse Shobhana performed at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas celebrations at Hyderabad on Sunday.
This three-day event from January 7-9, which had over a thousand NRIs, in attendance was graced by political bigwigs which included the Prime Minister and the President.
While Shobhana rendered a classical dance, the actresses danced to Bollywood numbers. Sanober and Harbhajan belted out their tracks.
Last-minute event
It is learnt that several stars were roped in at short notice. This occured after the initial plan to have Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra to perform went awry. At the last-minute it was a no-show from them and the other stars were asked to step in.
Apparently, the Moranis were initially involved with the show. But after they skipped the event, Shah Rukh and, later Priyanka, preferred to stay away. In the past Shah Rukh has performed at a Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in New Delhi.
Mahima Chaudhary
Packed grounds
When asked about her show in Hyderabad, Sanober says, "Yes, I did perform at the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Hyderabad. I received a call late on Saturday for the concert. As I was free on that particular date, I was willing to perform even at such short notice.
I flew into Hyderabad on Sunday morning and performed the same evening at a packed NTR Grounds. There were also regional dance performances by some troupes."
Adds Mahima who swayed to chartbusters, "Yes,it was at a short notice. I confirmed the event that same morning. They had the choreographers and everything else ready as soon as we landed that day."
Elaborating about the show, Sanober says, "There was heavy security every where. The stage and sets were gigantic. The NRIs loved the show, especially the younger lot. They were really enjoying themselves thoroughly." Sanober grooved to her Beri Ke Ber as well as other popular Bollywood numbers.
Starry turn-up
In the past several stars have performed at Pravasi shows held in different parts of the country. The Mumbai-based outfit, Concepts, co-ordinated with the stars for this year's show. Mahima and Sanober were performing for the first time at the celebrations.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. It provides an opportunity to the government to reiterate its commitment to build parternerships with the overseas Indians. Incidentally, January 9 is celebrated as the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas as it was on this day that Mahatma Gandhi, a Pravasi Bharatiya in South Africa for two decades, returned to India in 1915.
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