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WASHINGTON, July 22 - Top Bollywood playback singers, Sunidhi Chouhan and Atif Aslam, packed many punches Friday night at their “Intense” concert which drew people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka together in a spirit of unity! Some 3,000 people flocked to the Constitution Hall to hear these talented artistes who, at 28, are relishing their well founded and rightly deserved success!

The show was adeptly organized by Manish Sood of Across the World Travels, and Deepa Shahani, and we hope it sets a standard for South Asian extravaganzas. Doors opened on time, allowing the large crowd to settle in; there were adequate drinks on the hottest day of the year so far; delectable cuisine by Rangoli restaurant; and an effective sound system which is quintessential for a musical concert.

Sunidhi and Atif were in top gear, each performing non-stop for well over an hour in a three-and-a-half hour show which began with dance performances by talented artistes of our area.

Clad in a black and gold ensemble, Sunidhi treated the audience to most of her recent hit songs. In a voice that is powerful, husky and sensuous, she rendered fast-paced numbers such as “Crazy Kiya Re” (Dhoom 2), “Ainvayi Ainvayi” (Band Baaja Baaraat), “Desi Girl” (Dostana), “Sheila Ki Jawani” (Tees Maar Khan) and “Beedi Jailaile” (Omkara). A true blue performer, she entertains even as she sings, all the while energizing the crowd. “I’m having a rocking time”, she told the audience.

Proving beyond a doubt that she is a versatile singer, she marked a departure of sorts from her signature, racy pop hits and chose romantic songs close to her heart including Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s awesome original “Surili Akhiyon Wale” (Veer), “Te Amo” (Dum Maaro Dum) and “Bin Tere” (I Hate Luv Stories). About the latter, she said, it “means a lot to me. I just love singing it on stage”.

Sunidhi and Atif are currently on a 10-city tour which spans the month of July. Washington was the sixth stop on the itinerary.

At a press meet the day before the DC show, held at the Diya restaurant of Tysons Corner, Sunidhi gushed: “It’s a pleasure being in Washington ... I always have a great time coming to Washington and this time especially. This time, Atif is on board. He has got a great fan following even in India, not just in Pakistan. We have done five shows already and the response has been great ! In fact, it’s been unbelievable ! I am expecting more from Washington because I know what people are like here. Each time I come here, it’s a pleasure. I just have a blast ! So, I’m expecting the same blast again”.

In her earlier music concerts here, Sunidhi was paired with Sonu Nigam and Adnan Sami. We asked her how the current tour is different?

“This time, I have so many new songs” she replied. “There is a lot of energy. There is a different kind of energy in this show. Atif has a big fan following and I have my fans as well. I am sure people will like it”. About the response so far, she said, it “has been wonderful, incredible everywhere ... For me as a singer, as an artiste, the most important part is all the love and affection that people give, the appreciation that I have got from my singing”.

Atif, who is best known for his powerful vocal belting technique, cut a rock figure on stage with his guitar, sunglasses, top hat, jeans and white tee. He knows how to play to the gallery, especially to the women ! He sang songs from his albums such as “Hona tha Pyaar” and “Doorie”. But, it was his Bollywood hits which elicited the maximum applause and these included “Tu Jaane Na” and “Tera Hone Laga Hoon” (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani), “Pehli Nazar Mein” (Race), “Aadat” (Kalyug), “Tere Bin” (Bas Ek Pal) and “Woh Lamhe” (Zeher).

At the press event, in Diya, Sunidhi admitted, “Singing is a very difficult process. It is very challenging. Not everyone can sing. But, yes, if you have talent, then no one can stop you from being a good singer”.

Asked about her inspiration, she replied, “I think it’s people around me - the close ones, the dear ones, the people at my work. That inspires me to become better”. She specifically mentioned Lata Mangeshkar who, she noted, “is an inspiration to all”. The legendary singer, on her part, has called Sunidhi “one of the finest young singers”.

Sunidhi is among the few female singers of the current generation who have lent their voice to almost every top actress in Bollywood. Regarding her popular song, “Beedi Jailaile” (Omkara), actress Bipasha Basu, on whom the song was picturized, has said, “Sunidhi is a goddess. Her singing is so powerful. She added another dimension to my dancing”.

At Diya, Sunidhi warmly greeted her fans, happily posing for pictures and signing autographs. In fact, she left the venue of the press conference and then re-entered only to spend more time with everyone.

Shalini Bhatia, who was among the audience, enquired about her collaboration with Latino pop star Enrique Iglesias. “It was just a song called ‘Heartbeat’”, Sunidhi explained. “It is my first collaboration with an international pop star”.

Inspite of receiving film offers, the songstress has no plans of making an advent on celluloid anytime soon. “I keep getting offers”, she told reporters at the press conference. “It’s just that I’m very happy with the way things are going. I believe there is a lot more to discover with singing itself”.

When Dr. Anthony Antoniswami, anchor of the popular Spirit of India radio program, queried about her favorite song, she deftly side-stepped the question, saying “there are so many songs. I have to sing all those songs for you”, she added, much to the delight of the gathering. Sunidhi then asked the anchor which is his favorite song of hers. “Everything you sing”, Dr. Antoniswami replied, to cheers!