The infectious energy of the audience is the driving force behind a Vishal and Shekhar live performance – and the Indian musical duo say that playing in the UAE is like “giving a local concert”.
The award-winning musicians have performed in Dubai three times in the past seven years, and will be in Abu Dhabi again on Friday, as part of two Bollywood in the Capital gigs featuring singer and actor Farhan Akhtar and musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
“The people in the UAE feel like they are your own,” says Shekhar Ravjiani. “They know all the words and are merrily singing along. You can just feel the love and affection.”
Vishal Dadlani, his musical partner since 1999, agrees.
“Because the UAE has such a mixed crowd from all over the Indian subcontinent, they’ve grown up on Bollywood,” he says. “It’s great to see Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, plus the local population, having a good time together – it’s the ultimate validation of the theory that music goes beyond world politics.”
So what can fans look forward to hearing at their gig?
"We are going to chalk out a nice combination of all the hits, including all-time favourites such as Khuda Jaane [Bachna Ae Haseeno] and Chammak Challo [Ra.One], and of course, our recent numbers from Fan and Sultan," says Ravjiani.
Sultan, starring Salman Khan, ruled the box-office at Eid. It's songs – including Jag Ghoomeya, Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai, Bulleya and the title track – continue to top Bollywood music charts.
"We are thrilled with the response, says Ravjiani. "All the four songs that were promoted are competing with each other for the top four spots on the charts. It's a great feeling. In fact, after the script narration from Ali [Abbas Zaffar, the film's director], we started composing Jag Ghoomeya, and for the first time, we were able to lock it on the first day itself."
As well as decades-long chemistry, Dadlani attributes the pair’s success to their “many, many creative differences and break-ups”.
“It’s fantastic to have that fight because it takes the song to the next level,” says Ravjiani. “And when both of us start composing, we always have our [difference of] opinion about the direction it’s taking – but in the end, the result is special.”
The pair promise to “make the crowd go crazy” at the show in Abu Dhabi.
“The intention from any concert of ours is to party with the crowd – to show them a special time as well as have a great time ourselves,” says Ravjiani.
pmunyal@thenational.ae
