Wanted Live 2001:
Star Power Meets Performance Power.

By Kavita Chhibber

Megastars, a superlative display of technical wizardry, topped by high caliber performances were the highlights of the "Wanted" show that took place at the Lakewood Ampitheatre in Atlanta on September 3rd. Brought to Atlanta by local promoter Mark Premji, who, as always, added his own little touches with a sensational display of fireworks. The show confirmed the view that these live shows have come a long way in terms of quality and substance. No longer are they limited to a few songs and dances and a parade of your favorite stars.

The Wanted show focussed on the elements of nature, and the performers gave it their all as each element flowed into the other in smooth succession. Pulsating special effects preceded each actor or actress... Namrata Shirodhkar danced to the stage representing lightning; she was also the compere. Soon after, the sound of roaring winds and images of a lovely Sushmita Sen floated across the giant TV screens put up to enhance the clarity and effects of the show, especially for the audience sitting far away. On a darkened stage, in a shimmering white outfit, she glided in gracefully and swayed rhythmically to the beat, until the stage lit up.

Sushmita Sen dancing as gracefully and lightly as the element of wind that she represented, wowed the crowd to numbers from Fiza and her blockbuster "dilbar dilbar" from Sirf Tum. Soon she melted into the fog and lights - like a dream; only to make way for the next element, water... the falling rain, the songs of the ocean waves, the soft bubbling of water cascading across the TV screen, and a simultaneous replication of the ocean through mammoth sea-green cloth on stage took your breath away by its sheer beauty. The undulating waves  - smaller and tidal - washed over the stage as performers swayed underneath the cloth to create the dazzling effect until, resplendent in a sequined blue lehnga-choli, Juhi Chawla emerged from underneath to dance to her  "Bole, chananam meri payal bole" hit number from the movie "Gang".

Juhi went on to perform to a medley of songs from her films before the earth began to rumble and as the big screens exploded with images of earth opening up, and innocuous looking rock on stage began to sway. The earth exploded and so did the rock, and out came hunk Sanjay Dutt - a vision in black - to the hysterical screams of female fans who rose in crescendo as he took his trenchcoat off and bared his sculpted upper torso. Sanjay went on to dance to a medley of his hit songs from Khubsoorat and Khauff. "Wow, that is a man" drooled a pretty lady in the audience, oblivious to her husband sitting nearby!

And then there it was... the moment everyone had been waiting for... as his face flashed across the mega screen, the hazel eyes crinkling in a smile, the dimples flashing larger than life, the theatre erupted in an ear shattering vocal explosion. Shahrukh Khan, who is truly the darling of the masses overseas, rose as if from the earth that had seemed to part only moments ago, to rise like the phoenix, spewing fire as fireworks exploded around him. The effervescent Khan then went on to literally light of up the stage with his energetic, fiery performance, his witty interaction with the crowd, his patience with people who climbed all over him on and off stage. It was obvious he loves his fans just as much as they love him; he bent over backwards to accommodate them (literally as a girl charged towards him and he pretended to be mowed down!)

Shahrukh made it a point to invite members from the audience, "because this is the only opportunity I get to dance with you," and was almost snowed under by two girls from the audience who knew dance steps from every song of his films. Then came a very sporting sardarji from the audience who matched Shahrukh step by step in a very fast paced, complicated bhangra and gave in only when Shahrukh did a headstand. The trio received personally autographed gifts from Shahrukh and went away with unforgettable memories as well.

The other highlights of the show were songs by a wonderfully gifted singer Richa Sharma - her rendition of "Damadum Mast Kalandar" was outstanding. She also tried very hard to get the audience involved but the Atlanta crowd obviously reserved accolades only for the stars. Let us hope that next time these lesser known but equally gifted artists get an equally warm response from everyone. Another actor who fortunately received a great reception was the talented Johnny Lever who had the audience in splits with his spoofs on the movie "Titanic" of stars trying to save the damsel from jumping off a cruise ship. His imitation of Shahrukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Nana Patekar, Daler Mehndi and late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan were right on the money. He went on to spoof Michael Jackson's trip to India: "When Michael came to India the queue was so long an old lady asked if it was some babaji and if he performed miracles. 'Yes' came the answer. 'He was black before and now he is miraculously white," quipped Johnny.

Juhi Chawla and Shahrukh Khan then collaborated with Johnny Lever on a skit spoofing the Indian film industry's obsession with Hollywood. Shahrukh and Juhi portrayed two star struck Bollywood actors who, behind each other's backs, are trying to woo Steven Spielberg (Johnny Lever) to let them star in one of his movies.

Sanjay Dutt and Sushmita Sen returned to dance onstage to a medley of songs and a spicy interaction where each tried to out talk and out wit the other. Sanjay finally carried Sushmita off with a flourish. Juhi Chawla then surprised the audience with an announcement: "The good news is that I am going to sing for you even though I am not exactly trained for it. The bad news is that all the doors have been closed and there will also be no refund on the tickets." Well, the refund was not needed as she went on to do a melodious and charming rendition of "pehla nasha" from her maiden film "Qayamat se Qayamat tak". She then touched everyone with an emotional speech saying that she is not sure how long she will do these shows; "Maybe it is time to move on" and added that even as she leaves she will carry innumerable memories of love and appreciation with her.

Shahrukh Khan then returned with the 8 young finalists of the Shahrukh Khan look alike contest, ranging in ages between 7 and 11 years. The finalists, Vishal Aggarwal, Vishal Seernani, Romeen Sheth, Ruby Gupta, Sarina Santani, Ishita Chotia, Ayush Dayal and Shivani Bhakta danced with Shahrukh on stage. He was very amused to see three girls among the contestants and quipped as he saw cute 7 year old Shivani Bhakta: "Yes you look exactly like me. Do you want to grow up and be Shahrukh Khan?" When the girls nodded in unison he laughed, "Oops, I hope not! I hope you will grow up to be wonderful young ladies and have a great life!"

The show excelled in both the technical displays, which were outstanding, and the material, which was varied and entertaining. There were some in the audience that had hoped for the grand finale to be an item where all the stars would have performed together on stage. At the same time, everyone agreed that they got more than their money's worth and the most wanted will indeed be wanted back again in the near future!

Perhaps the only thing that left a sour note was the "Shahrukh Khan Look Alike Contest," which did not deliver what it promised. The contestants were told that the 8 finalists will get to perform on stage with Shahrukh Khan and he will choose the winner who will then fly to India and spend a week in a 5-star hotel plus spend a day with Shahrukh Khan, as well as have dinner with him after the show along with his/her family. The 8 finalists worked very hard and when they did come on stage they were barely given a couple of minutes to perform. Not only was the winner not chosen, the promised gifts were not presented and neither did the dinner with Shahrukh Khan take place. Finally, all the parents were called to a meeting by local promoter Mark Premji who explained that the fiasco was not his doing, that he will try to get in touch with Shahrukh Khan in Toronto and get him to promise in writing that all the 8 finalists whenever the come to India will get to meet Shahrukh Khan individually. The cost of the two free tickets would be split amongst the eight children who will receive a check from Premji.

Let us hope in future events things are better organized, especially where little kids are involved.