Explosion In Atlantic City

Popular Bollywood singers Sonu Niigaam and Sunidhi Chauhan as well as British-Indian rapper Hard Kaur set the stage on fire with their electrifying performances at Trump Taj Mahal Arena in Atlantic City, Bhargavi Kulkarni reports

Singers Sonu Niigaam and Sunidhi Chauhan as well as British-Indian rapper Hard Kaur enthralled audiences with electrifying performances.

Organized by Bharat Jotwani and Victor Khubani, the show was held in the packed-to-capacity arena of the famous casino near the Boardwalk.

"Trump Taj Mahal arena provided the perfect setting for this explosive sold-out concert of 5,306 attendees," Jotwani told Desi Talk. "People traveled for many hours from all over the Northeast area to attend this mind-boggling four-hour explosion."

Jotwani, who has organized many star-driven shows in the last two decades, said only a few singers can draw an audience of more than 5,000 in the tri-state area. "We called the show Explosion 2009 because of the musical star power it has," he said.

Chauhan, the first performer of the evening, began with "Chaliya" from the film "Tashan."

Dressed in a black tank top and jeans, she went on to sing her most popular songs - "Crazy Kiya Re" ("Dhoom 2"), "Desi Girl" ("Dostana"), "Dekh Le" ("Munna Bhai M.B.B.S."), "Dance Pe Chance" ("Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi"), and "Sajna Ve Sajna" ("Chameli").

The 26-year-old singer indulged fans with some dance moves, too. Pausing once in a while to prod the audience to sing along with her, she professed her love to her screaming fans. "I am so honored to be here," she said. "You are one of the best audience I have ever seen."

Next on stage was Niigaam, who was dressed in jeans, a black shirt and a silver jacket. He opened with "In Lamho Ke Daman Mein" ("Jodhaa Akbar") before moving on to "Tanhayee" ("Dil Chahta Hai"), "Kal Ho Na Ho" ("Kal Ho Na Ho"), "Saathiya" ("Saathiya"), "Tenu Leke" ("Salaam-e-Ishq'), "Main Agar Kahoon" ("Om Shanti Om") and "Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke, Phir Milenge" ("Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi").

No Sonu Niigaam show is complete without a tribute to his idol, Mohammad Rafi. Niigaam sang some evergreen Rafi numbers like "Yaad Na Jaye Bite Dinon Ki," "Sau Saal Pehle,"
"Badan Pe Sitare," and "Maang Ke Saath Tumhara."

Niigaam has recently entered into a partnership with media and software company Cinsay Inc. to market his music to Western audiences.

Hard Kaur sang her popular songs "Move Your Body" ("Johnny Gaddar"), "Agg Lage Aaj Kal De Fashion Nu" ("Haal-e-Dil"), "Glassy" "Bombay Deewana" and "Main Talli" ("Ugly Aur Pagli").

Kaur, who has now become a household name, rose to popularity as a participant in Sony Television's "Jhalak Dikhla Jaa."

She is touring with her choreographer Savio, who is also one of the background dancers.

The second half of the show once again saw heart-racing performances from Chauhan, who opened with her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."

Niigaam started his second set with a tribute to Michael Jackson.
He sang "Billie Jean" and moon walked across the stage while the crowd begged for more.

"The world has lost one of the most entertaining and popular rock star," he said.

The show ended with Niigaam inviting all the performers, dancers and organizers on stage and introducing them amid applause and encores.