Glittering Nite of Tamil Cinema Stars

This is a review on the recent mega star nite concert held in Singapore

It was reputed to the ultimate concert for the Tamil cinema fans. Yes, the star studded 'Mega Star Nite concert held in the Singapore Expo on Sunday 28th July 2002 was a delight for many Indians in Singapore.

Although the concert was to start at 6pm, there was much delay at controlling the huge crowd and with many impatiently rushing into the entrance, the show only started at about 7.20pm.

A burst of glittering fireworks on stage set the mood for the concert. The Expo hall at Changi was almost full house with a crowd of about 10,000 people. The head of the South Indian Artistes Association, veteran actor Vijayakanth began the show. After showing a slide show, which paid tribute to the late dynamic actor Sivaji Ganesan, the show started with a bang.

Many popular celebrities graced the stage. From the sizzling Simran to the boyish handsome actor Madhavan more than 50 Tamil cinema artistes danced and sang for the crowd. Comic sketches were also aplenty and one of the most interesting entertainment items was done by actor Prashanth. He called up any girl who was celebrating her birthday on that day to come up to the stage. A shy Japanese gal ran up and before she knew it she was waltzing with the actor and cutting a cake. The actor was also PR savvy as he took the opportunity to give away a movie poster of his to a fan called up on stage. A smart tactic indeed to promote himself and from the raving applause it seemed evident that he was successful in bringing the crowd alive when the music blasted for a popular song from his movie 'Chocolate.

Actor Vijay seemed strangely too quiet and stiff. Singing a song from the movie 'Badri he drifted away as fast as he came on stage. Sethu fame Vikram sang the popular 'O Poodu song but somehow seemed off the tune and it didnt go too well with the crowd. Maybe the song has lost its effect on the crowd.

Actor Suriya received a great applause too when he danced for a popular number. Maddy danced for two songs from his upcoming movie 'Run and needless to add the girls were screaming his name fervently at the sight of the handsome artiste. Actor Abbas energetically danced for three numbers and actor Shaym danced with the cute Jyothika for a popular hit from the movie '12B.

Actress Simran gave a dazzling performance. She danced using fast and sleek steps for a Spanish number and for a song from the recent flick 'Panchadandirum.

For the concert actor Satyaraj was one of the most entertaining and versatile people on stage. He cracked many jokes and likewise actress Khusbu was bubbly and cute. Actress Rumbha spoke in halting tamil and apologized for not being able to dance as she had an accident. Guess the audience forgave her as actress Meena danced on her behalf for a song from the movie 'Shah Jahan.

Ajit Kumar missing in the artistes' troop didnt seemed to be noticed by many who were more interested to catch the sight of their favorite heroes, Rajini and Kamal. True. Although many young actors and actresses wooed the crowd with their energetic dances and songs it was the dynamic duo who captured the audience attention without much effort. There was no doubt that the charismatic Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan were the ones whom all the audience were dying to see. The moment they stepped on stage, the crowd cheered and whistled non-stop for about ten minutes. Some over zealous Indians even rushed forward from their seats to get a closer glimpse of these veteran actors.

Both actors asked each other questions on stage to entertain the crowd. Actor Kamal posed the hot question of what his much-awaited movie 'Baba was all about to Rajini. The latter explained without giving away much information and added suspense by saying one has to watch to see what it is all about. Good PR on Rajinikanths part too in promoting his movie.

The only disappointment was that the show was shortened and actor Vijayakanth remarked that if more time allowance was given they would not mind entertaining the crowd till 3am in the morning.

Overall, it was a nite of the tamil cinema stars who glittered and dazzled many.