Gurmeet to wow SA audiences

INDIAN heart-throb Gurmeet Choudhary is headed for South Africa soon. Rising to fame as Yash in ZEE TV's popular serial Punar Vivah, Choudhary has won the hearts of millions worldwide.

"All kinds of rumours have been floating around, but I can finally announce my tour to South Africa on March 23 and 24 at Emperors Palace in Joburg and the ICC in Durban for the Daily News Celebrate Bollywood Romance concert.

"I'd like all my fans to come to my performances. I was surprised to learn that ZEE TV's Punar Vivah is popular in Africa, and the character I play, Yash, is appreciated by young and older fans. I am really looking forward to performing for you," said Choudhary.

Punar Vivah recently celebrated its first anniversary, having premiered on February 20 last year with a message to bring about change in society. Its continued success has brought various twists and turns into the storyline from time to time.

The charming Choudhary was also the winner of the Indian dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 (Dancing with the Stars). It was judged by actress Madhuri Dixit, film-maker Karan Johar and choreographer Remo D'Souza. The actor wooed the audience and judges with his stylish grooves to scoop the maximum votes, and his popularity won him the much-needed audience votes after he displayed performances ranging from robotic hip hop, semi-classical and international dance forms such as the rumba and paso doble.

"It felt really great. After working for four to five months the journey had finally come to an end. Mehnat rang layihai (the hard work paid off). The trophy belongs to my fans who voted for me," Choudhary said at the time of his win.

The TV heart-throb not only wowed his fans in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5, but also won the Most Popular Face award in the ZEE Rishtey Awards.

South African audiences will witness some wonderful acts from the singing and dancing stars, and Choudhary promises to burn up the stage with his sizzling dance performances.

An awaited highlight is that Choudhary's performances will be interwoven with Javed Ali's singing.

Ali – who's been belting out hits in Bollywood over the past decade – shot to fame with the song Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein from the movie Naqaab. His is the mellifluous voice behind several romantic songs for stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor and Shah Rukh in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, among others.

Ali is all praise for maestro AR Rahman whom he has worked with on several songs, including Jashne Bahaara Hai, Kun Fa Ya Kun and Maula Maula Delhi 6.

Ali started on his musical journey to become a ghazal singer because he was such a big fan of Ghulam Ali. His personal preference is for romantic songs and a Sufi mix. Because of his versatility he became a playback singer, experimenting with a number of different styles, and has since delivered hit after hit.

From an item song to several Sufi numbers, Ali has sung almost every genre there is in the Bollywood movie industry.

There are special acts being choreographed by Shakti Mohan for Ali's songs that are to be performed at the concert. South Africans will be awestruck by her dancing skills and she will mesmerise with her graceful moves.

Global fans voted to make her the dancing queen by winning ZEE TV's Dance India Dance Season 2. After winning the competition, she went on to shine on the silver screen with the song Pritam Pyare from the movie Rowdy Rathore.

Celebrate Bollywood and be romanced by some wonderful international acts at Emperors Palace on March 23 and at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC Durban) on March 24.

• Tickets: R150 at Computicket (083 915 8000) and AA Bollywood Stores, Gateway: 031 584 6160, AA Reservoir Hills: 031 262 4534, AA Overport: 031 207 4504.