She is no stranger to Chennai and in her words, she loves the city. When Mumbai-based singer Sunidhi Chauhan took the stage at the Music Academy on Wednesday and expressed her love for the city, it made the eperience even more special. “I am not new to this city and I am always happy to perform in Chennai. You people are so aware and informed when it comes to music. I love you people,” she said, as she warmed up for the evening, dressed in a funky green top and jeans. Chauhan was the seasoned rockstar ready to rock the show all through the evening.
But, it was not the playback singer that the crowd witnessed, as Chauhan effortlessly donned the hat of a performer.
Welcomed by hoots, a rousing applause and incessant cheering, Chauhan began the concert with crazy kiya re from Dhoom 2, and that was the beginning of a musical extravaganza for the full house. Deftly moving to songs that highlighted her versatility and voice range, Chauhan didn’t miss any of her popular hits or the crowd’s favourites and she was complemented aptly by an equally-skilled orchestra.
Following the momentum of the first song, the singer belted out one pop number after the other. While raat ko dhai baje (Kaminey), Chokra jawaan (Ishaqzaade) among other foot-tapping songs performed at the show prompted the audience to groove with the singer, the slow-paced yaariyan (Cocktail)and mera ishq sufiyana (The Dirty Picture) gave a glimpse into the singer’s voice range.
And, if it was Sunidhi unplugged, then there had to be the sensuous sheila ki jawaani (Tees Maar Khan)and the flirtatious beedi jalayle (Omkara). The more recent halkat jawaani (Heroine) was among other favourites that elicited a roaring round of applause.
Hitting the crescendo was however, jhoom baraabar jhoom (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom), and the Chennai audience that was often cited as demure and home-bound, was in no mood for calling it a day.
Rakesh Maini, one of the finalists of Indian Idol Season 5 joined the musical rhapsody for duets like Disco Deewane (Student Of The Year), apart from recent solos like tera sajda (My Name Is Khan).
The show was replete with entertainment, courtesy the emcee for the evening, Ravi Raj, who kept the crowd entertained with his snappy one-liners.
And, the concert kept the promise made to the audience – an exhilarating and mind-blowing musical experience like never before.