Dear Editor,

I attended the ‘Unforgettable Tour’ performance of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in Trinidad Sunday evening featuring Amitabh, his wife Jaya Bhaduri, their son Abhishek, his wife Aishwarya Rai, actress Preity Zinta, actor Riteish Deshmusk and others.  The Bollywood divas wowed the audience with their song and dance performances.  People moved with the tunes.  There was heightened exuberance with each performance followed by spectacular fireworks.

It was indeed a memorable performance attended by over fifteen thousand, including a large number of Surinamese and some Guyanese like myself who flew in from Guyana, and many who are settled in Trinidad.

Although I have attended many better Bollywood performances in Trinidad, India, and New York, the Trinidad show was indeed unforgettable for featuring the iconic Amitabh and the beautiful Aishwarya and Preity and a stage cast of nearly 150. It was a blast, although many people complained that the show was too short – only three hours – saying they did not get their money’s worth. Each actor sang and danced scenes from top movies and expressed their love for the crowd asking them how they were enjoying the show. “I can’t hear you,” each one would say followed by a deafening sound of “Yeees” from the crowd.

The thousands of adoring fans, elegantly dressed in traditional Indian attire, started arriving early in the afternoon for the evening outdoor performance at the Queens Park Oval, home of international cricket.  They waited patiently for their favourite film stars bursting into deafening applause when they came on stage to sing and dance.

Although there was also a problem with the stars receiving their luggage which contained their costumes on their flight to Trinidad from Toronto where they had performed the night before, they still managed to put in an excellent performance. The luggage arrived a day after the show when the stars left for another show in Los Angeles.

The show started late because of a disruption of electricity.  Back-up generators had to be used to facilitate the show. The crowd enjoyed the performances which started with songs by Deshmusk who performed a number of upbeat songs backed by a dance crew who were awesome in their costumes.

Deshmusk was followed by Preity, then Abhishek, Aishwarya, Amitabh, and a message from Jaya who appealed for the conservation of the environment.

Preity showed vibrance, changing costumes several times. She performed many dances, including hits from Kal Ho Na Ho and Mission Kashmir.

She told the large audience: “We live in India which is very far from here, but we don’t really miss home. The love that comes from Trinidad and the Caribbean is something else.”

Abhishek took to the stage with an energetic dance to the music of one of his films Bunty Aur Babli. Aishwarya performed a number of dances and although she did not have all her costumes, she changed a few times into both traditional and modern strikingly beautiful outfits.

Amitabh showed his love by performing a few intense scenes from his memorable movies such as Silsila and Agnepaath. He even sang a traditional calypso soca to cheers.  He belted some beautiful poetry driving the audience into a frenzy of a choice selection of super hits.

Abhishek was the most friendly of them all.  He recalled being in Trinidad 25 years ago on stage with his father.  He interacted with the large audience frequently asking them about the show.  He also expressed his love for his mother, Jaya Bhaduri, who looks quite young for her age. Preity and Ash gave riveting performances capturing the attention of the audience. They both gave their love and appreciation to the crowd for making them outstanding actresses and promised to return for future performances. Amitabh does not look like a 65 year old; he is still agile on the dance floor.

A second set of performances followed the intermission by each of the top artistes followed by joint performances.

Music directors Vishal and Shekhar had the audience moving in their chairs with their songs which included Om Shanti Om, Salaam Namaste, Dus and Bluffmaster.

The last act was the hit dance by Amitabh, Abhishek, and Ash bringing the house down with their uninhibited dancing.
Bachchan, speaking on behalf of the performing troupe, said some of the proceeds from the six weeks tour of North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, and India will be used to bring light to millions in the world by providing them with solar lanterns in India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Maldives, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana and Malawi.

The spectacular performances swelled the joy of the fans. Guyanese I spoke with said they enjoyed every bit of the show, and were happy to make the journey from Guyana and wherever else they are settled in Trinidad.

The organizers of the show said it was “extremely successful.” But it is not certain that the promoter made a profit and the organizers did not get into cost and profit.  Rumours circulated that the cost of the show was approximately US$1.5 million. Tickets were pricey with the lowest at TT$300 followed by $500, $1000, and $2500.  The latter gave a front stage seat with unlimited drinks and food.

The stars frequently called out “how are you doing Trinidad and Suriname.” Spectators waved little flags of their countries.  The Surinamese were quite pronounced followed by a small number of Guyanese flags waving in the air. Trinidad was added late in the world tour itinerary but Amitabh and others said they were glad the Caribbean was included.  Many Guyanese express the hope that Guyana would be included next time.

At the end of the performance, thousands waited hoping to get a closer look at the actors.  Some were successful with handshakes and photo ops.

Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram