Farhath Hussain's Dream Team 2000 were among the UK's most wanted on the
26th, 27th and 28th August as they took to London, Birmingham and Manchester
for a stage show full of the very magic which has made Bollywood one of the
world's largest and popular film industries: Lights, cameras, intricate
dances and award winning stars.
Each of the four main performers brought their own dash of unique style and
wonder to the shows, with each star representing an element of nature. The
show opened with the dazzling Sushmita Sen, representing air, as she
gracefully glided onto a pitch black stage with special UV light
illuminating her beautiful white costume. Elegantly moving towards the
audience as though being carried by air itself, she allowed herself to float
through a series of meticulously precise jumps and falls before being lit in
all her glory, a moment received with thunderous applause and camera clicks
galore. She then launched into the increasingly popular song from Fiza,
Mehboob Mere which had a packed auditorium in raptures. Disappearing only
for a second, as Sting's Desert Rose played until she returned within
seconds to a roar of applause and danced to her superhit Dilbar number from
Sirf Tum. Her entry on stage and opening act were certainly worth the wait
and exceeded expectations for a debut performance, with a set piece which
can only be described as simply mindblowing. It seems Sushmita Sen is set to
conquer the world of stage in the same manner in which she has made an
impact on the film world, as given this tour's performances she is already
being dubbed the 'Queen of Stage'.
The damsel with the golden smile, Juhi Chawla was up next, preceded by a
spectacular visual effect which mimicked water from ripples to an ocean's
roar, which is worthy of mention alone. Juhi appeared from under the sheet
which represented water, and danced to her token song from Gang and an
instrumental medley of her hits which was breathtakingly choreographed with
energy effervescing from every dance move. She then took the brave move of
rendering to the audience in her own voice the romantic Pehla Nasha and a
song from her debut film, Qayamat se Qayamat Tak. Her smile continued to
evoke the same warmth which has followed her everywhere, and she interacted
with fans, thanking them for their support over the years, and in a very
emotional state announced "I'm not sure how much longer I'll be doing this
and may not even tour anymore," before thanking a fully lit arena who gave
her applause and cheers with welled eyes, each audience member in disbelief
that their fragrant flower may not be in the limelight for much longer,
sending a silent prayer.
Earth was the element up next and it seemed as though the ground had
exploded as Sanjay Dutt emerged from an exploding rock to receive a true
superstar's reception. The charismatic hero danced to hits from recent films
such as Khauff and Jung and generated screams from all corners, as the
hearty gentle giant of Bollywood took to the stage.
The biggest superstar Shahrukh Khan's picture on the video screens alone
caused a near riot as girls screamed and guys cheered for their favourite
actor. He appeared ascending on a crane from in front of the stage, blowing
fire as a bewitched audience watched in awe and wonder. He jumped into a
series of hits from Josh, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and others as the
crowd looked on at their hero. The aura surrounding his stage presence was
only fuelled by the reaction of the audience, there is no doubt he received
a megastar's reception.
Namrata Shirodkar's debut performance was as electrifying as the element she
was portraying: lightning. Her entrance to Sunta Hai Mera Khuda from Pukar
and moving into Tun Tunak Tun from Vaastav, evoked a warm reception which
touched the Indian beauty to no end. She took to the mic to thank the crowd
and introduced comedian Johnny Lever who had the audience in hysterics with
his rib-tickling unique style of mimicry and joke-telling.
Sanjay Dutt and Sushmita Sen participated in a double act which had the
audience cheering for more as they performed to Kudi Anjani Hoon and Bahut
Khoobsurat Ho before a comedic teasing interaction leading into a
hilariously choreographed version of Aye Shivani before continuing the
antics. Sushmita then took the mic to express how overwhelmed she was by the
response which had welcomed her, thanking the crowd for creating her and
supporting her since her debut. Sanjay also took to the stage to thank
everyone for thinking him deserving of the Best Actor award for his role in
Vaastav before delivering a dialogue from the award winning film to sheer
perfection.
Shahrukh's reprise saw him inviting audience members to come and dance with
him on stage, and giving out prizes for his lookalikes.
Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla ended the three and a half hour spectacular
with a sketch based on a Hollywood directors quest to sign up a Bollywood
artiste, which included some excellently shot spoofs of popular films such
as Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Josh.
Overall performance wise the show was effervescing effort and dedication,
and was technically brilliant with some of the best use of stage technology
seen in a long while. To live up to the standards set and success of
Millennium Masti is not an easy task, but Farhath and his team have managed
to surpass their last concert by giving the people what can only be
described as a show from the depths of imagination and beyond any
expectations, something truly wanted and needed - a new standard to reckon
with in the international arena.
The extravaganza ended with a pyrotechnic display which showered the
audience with light as the stars came on to thank everyone for coming to
watch the Dream Team 2000, wake up a sell out audience, and prove they are
the most Wanted.
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