Chicagoans get experience of a lifetime with Javed Akhtar and renowned playback singers

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Chicago: The Yellow Box theater rang out with applause as the legendary poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar regaled the audience with his witty and insightful anecdotes on Friday, May 19, 2023, night.

More than 1,000 people from Chicago and neighboring states enjoyed the event organized by AB Entertainment and Aarush Entertainment, titled “Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon,” a press release from organizers said.

Javed Akhtar, who has penned more than two thousand songs and dialogues in Hindi cinema, shared interesting stories behind every song drawing cheers and admiration from the audience.

During the Q and A session, Akhtar answered all questions, ranging from his personal life to his creative process, with candor and good humor.

The live musical event also showcased the talent of versatile singers – Jahnvi Shrimankar and Meiyang Chang along with a team of musicians, when they performed some of the most popular songs written by Akhtar.

The event kicked off with a captivating dance performance by the students of Shirlzar Dance Company.

The event was a celebration of the rich and diverse musical heritage of India and a tribute to one of its most celebrated writers, organizers said.

Altaf Bukhari, Manoj Rathod, and Sarik Bukhari, the event organizers, thanked Javed Akhtar and the singers, as well as the audience for their response. They also thanked their sponsors and partners.

Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaon brought together music lovers from different backgrounds and cultures, said Bukhari. It was an event that will be cherished by all who attended it according to Rathod, of Aarush Entertainment, a view echoed by Ankit Mahajan who was part of the organizing team.

Chang and Jahnvi have made their mark in Bollywood and beyond, said Sariq Bukhari who anchored the event with Faridoon Shahryar and Anu Malhotra.

Chang, a dentist-turned-singer and actor, rose to fame with his participation in Indian Idol. He has sung for films like Badmaash Company, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, and Sultan.

Jahnvi Shrimankar is a trained classical singer who recently received the Filmfare Award for the most talented upcoming singer of the year for the Hindi song Dholida from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s movie Gangubai Kathiawadi.

Rakesh Malhotra, a Chicago-based poet who also recited “Banjara” a poem from Javed Akhtar’s book Tarkash, said the program full of interesting anecdotes and stories that are intertwined in some of the most iconic songs in the history of Hindi cinema.

Among the high-profile guests at the event were India’s Consul for Press, Ranjit Singh, and community leaders Pinky Thakkar, Sunil Shah and Prachi Jaitly.

The event concluded with a standing ovation for Akhtar, who thanked the organizers and the audience for their warm hospitality and love. He said that he felt honored and hoped to visit Chicago again soon.

Akhtar is currently touring USA and Canada with Chang and   Shrimankar.