An uncharacteristically warm evening greeted the audience that gathered at Phoenix Marketcity at Whitefield for Mohit Chauhan’s Jashn-E-Mohit concert. As seats slowly filled up at the open air venue, a dance performance by Team Hot Shot, followed by comedian VIP mimicking the sounds of a battlefield to show off the prowess of the sound engineers, set the mood for the show to follow.
It was 8.20 p.m. by the time Mohit Chauhan took the stage, with sparks showering to announce his entry. After a brief greeting, the strains of ‘Jo Bhi Main’ from Rockstar emanated from the speakers, and the singer began the show with the popular foot-tapper. As the applause erupted, Mohit thanked the audience for their attendance, increasing the tempo a little with the soulful ‘Ye Doorian’ from the 2009 Saif Ali Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer Love Aaj Kal , with Team Hot Shots joining him on stage for the number.
As he went on to render ‘Tum Se Hi’ from Jab We Met , a few stray drops signalled the start of a drizzle, ignored by the crowd, who joined in enthusiastically as the singer conducted them with the melody. By this point, a few chairs lay abandoned, while others found their occupants atop them. The set list moved on to ‘Tujhe Bhula Diya’, from Anjaana Anjaani , with Mohit and his background singers appreciatively encouraging everyone to sing along with the chorus.
More applause erupted as the slow tune of the song rapidly morphed into the trippy beats from Tamaasha ’s ‘Matargashti’. As more people got on their feet, Bengaluru’s weather decided to join the show, with the rain steadily intensifying. Mohit took note of the fact and narrated an anecdote from a performance he did in Bengaluru during his Silk Route days, when rains erupted during the band’s performance; wryly noting that it might have been triggered by them singing three songs related to water.
It would appear that his reference about the relation between music and the weather was accurate, because the singer’s renditions of ‘Pi Loon’ and ‘Dooba Dooba’ saw the rain steadily intensify. By the time he had treated the crowd to the newly popular ‘Sachi Muchi’ from the upcoming Sultan , mixing up the songs across time periods and genres, the unfortunate chairs found themselves hoisted above heads as protection from the downpour, and umbrellas were out in full strength. The rain was unrelenting, but so was Bengaluru, and the now drenched audience sent out a message to the rain gods with the rising clamour for ‘Sadda Haq!’. Mohit responded with a smile, saying, “Aapka haq apko zaroor milega,” before the rapid drum beats in the background signalled the start of ‘Naadan Parinde’, another Rockstar number.
Thankfully, the expectant crowd did not have to wait long, with the opening riff of ‘Sadda Haq’ giving them all they needed. The stage lights cut across pouring rain and dancing people as Mohit hit new energy levels with the charged number, reaching the edge of the stage and leaning across as he rendered the song at its rebellious best.
As the evening slowly drew to a close, Mohit treated his audience to Yeh Jawaani Hain Deewani ’s ‘Ilaahi’, invoking the spirit of carefree, youthful abandon embodied by the drenched and lively audience. He went on to offer sincere thanks to the crowd, some taking shelter under chairs and umbrellas and others enjoying the rain, before providing a quick mishmash of songs including ‘Masakalli’ and then ‘Chicken Cuk-Doo-Koo’ from Bajrangi Bhaijaan to wrap up his performance. The singer impressed with his range and energy. The atmosphere was charged with the music and the elements. As far as concerts go, it was one for the books.
