Kareena, Sonu Niigaam and SRK to rock UAE

When it’s time to ring up the festivities in the UAE, can entertainment season be far behind?

The upcoming Indian festival of Diwali, along with Eid Al Adha has seen organisers pull out all stops to ensure your calendar is complete with celebrity spotting that includes Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor for the world premiere of their film ‘Ra.One’.

However, the buck doesn’t stop there.

Other celebs roped in to entertain audiences across the emirates include Pakistan’s singing Sufi sensation, Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan who will perform in the capital, while the award-winning Sonu Niigam will make his way to Dubai for a special Eid performance.

If, like us, you too are itching to grab those diaries and schedule in your concerts for the season, Emirates 24|7 brings you all the details.

And if music and Bollywood glamour really isn’t your thing, then we strongly suggest a trip to the capital to catch the Test and one-day cricket matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, from October 25 until November 18 at Dubai Sports City.

Indus Creed Live – October 21
Fans of India’s most celebrated rock super group, Indus Creed, will be happy to know that the band is on its way for a head banging concert in Dubai since its reunion last year.

Looked upon as the pioneers of Indian Rock, Indus Creed shot to back in 1993 with a line-up that included Uday Benegal (vocals), Mark Selwyn (bass), Mahesh Tinaikar (guitars), Zubin Balaporia (keyboards) and Jayesh Gandhi (guitars).

After recorded three highly successful albums, the band members went their separate ways.

However, since reuniting in 2010, with two news band mates in Rushad Mistry and Jai Row Kavi, the members are currently working on their highly awaited 4th album, which will be released towards the end of 2011.

To catch these Indian rock legends live, head to The Music Room, Majestic Hotel on October 21 from 6pm. Local bands are also expected to perform.

Suggested tracks for your Indus Creed iPod playlist includes, “Pretty Child”, “Trapped”, “Sleep” and “Top of The Rock”.

Tickets cost Dh100. Call: 050 248 4054

‘Ra.One’ World Premiere – October 24

It’s been touted as the most expensive film to come out of Bollywood. And with a whopping estimated budget of Rs1.5 billion, you can only expect an equally hyped world premiere for Shah Rukh Khan’s sci-fi adventure, ‘Ra.One’.

So needless to say, Khan will bring his magnum opus to Dubai on October 24, walking the red carpet at Grand Cinemas, Wafi, along with co-stars Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.

Organiser Rashid Saeed, managing director of Essar Events, told Emirates 24|7 earlier: “We couldn’t be more excited to present the hottest Bollywood film of the year with India’s biggest stars, all in Dubai during the Diwali festival.”

And fans that are eager to meet their favourite celebs up close are in for a special festive treat this time around. Rather than limiting the film’s premiere to sponsors, corporates and members of the media, tickets for the 3D sci-fi flick’s star-studded screenings will be on sale to the public.

For those who think the plural in ‘screenings’ is a grammatical error are in for another surprise. Saeed has also confirmed that ‘Ra.One’ will be shown simultaneously across three screens, with the stars making an appearance in all the showings.

Following the screenings, the stars will jet off to a charity dinner at the Grand Hyatt with the who’s who of Dubai, where a special skit put together by the actors will be staged, followed by a charity auction.
“It is still a surprise as to what will be auctioned off,” said Saeed. “It could be personal memorabilia of Shah Rukh’s and Kareena’s or it could be costumes from the film. Everyone will have to wait and watch.”

Proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre.
Watch this space for ticketing details.

Diwali Dhamaka with Mika Singh – October 27
If it’s Diwali time, then a little bit of bonding and whole lot of bhangra is the order of the hour.

And to make this possible, Diwali Dhamaka at Wonderland Theme Park is bringing down all the top talent from India, including headliner Mika Singh, along with the ‘Munni Badnam’ girl, Mamta Sharma.

Adding a zing to the rest of the evening will be comedian Shakeel Siddiqui and Pakistan’s Faiza Mujahid, best known for her track ‘Bandiya’ from ‘Khuda Ke Liye’.

We are certainly expecting controversial king Mika’s performance to be a showstopper, with the singer churning out all his big hits, including ‘Saawan Mein Lag Gayi Aag’, ‘We Are The Bhais’, ‘Jugni’, ‘Singh Is King’ and many more.

The show kicks off on October 27 at 9pm, with tickets costing Dh100, Dh200 and Dh300. Call: 04 298 1262

Ek Shaam Rahat Ke Naam – November 3
An evening of rhythm and soulful music is what is on offer this Eid Al Adha, as the legendary Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan takes to the stage at the Abu Dhabi Hall, Adnec to mesmerise audiences in the capital.

Nephew of one of Pakistan’s greatest Sufi singer, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the younger Khan comes from a 200-year-old lineage of qawwali singers, starting his music training at the age of seven.

In an interview with SAWF.com, Khan has talked about the early days with his uncle, saying: “Mr Khan initiated me into it when I was seven years old. On that day, I remember Mr Khan was rehearsing; I listened to him with a child’s curiosity and wondered what was happening.

“I went inside the music room and sat next to him and he told me to start singing so I started singing.”

Soon after he was performing on stage with his country’s most leading qawwali singers.

But the artist would only come into his own after the demise of his uncle.

While the death of Ustad Nusrat shook up the music industry, Khan immediately picked up the gauntlet and proved that he was not one of those new-age musicians who would shun traditional qawwali and go the popular music route.

Today, his Sufi voice has gone mainstream though, with the singer providing vocals to a number of Indian films, including ‘Bhol Na Halke Halke’, ‘Jiya Dhadak Dhadak’, ‘Mein Jahaan Rahoon’ and many more.

Organised by Cyclops Communications, doors for the concert open 8pm, while the show starts 9.30pm. Tickets cost Dh140, Dh400, Dh640 and Dh1,000. Call: 04 446 4801

Shukran Dubai: Sonu Niigaam Live – November 7

The super-talented Sonu Niigaam returns to Dubai for a four-hour non-stop musical, along with his 30-member troupe, specially choreographed with Bollywood dancers and top musicians.

What promises to be an unforgettable Eid Al Adha special performance, organisers Oberoi Middle East are expecting a full house at the Madinat Arena, Madinat Jumeriah on November 7.

Expect all of Niigaam’s top hits, including ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’, ‘Sandese Aate Hain’, ‘Saathiya’, ‘Shukran Allah’ and of course, ‘Mubarak Eid Mubarak’ from Salman Khan’s ‘Tum Ka Na Bhool Payenge’.

Of course, knowing Niigam’s live performances, expect a lot of impromptu jugalbandi or mixing on stage and a host of surprises.

Doors open 8.30pm, with concert starting at 9.30pm. Tickets cost Dh200, Dh250, Dh500, Dh1,000 and Dh2,000. Children below five years are free, with no seat. Call: 050 626 0593.

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