Bollywood Monster Mashup (BMM) presented by Clorox, Canada’s largest Bollywood show, was a resounding success as over 25,000 people from as far as the United Kingdom attended the festival at the Mississauga Celebration Square on Saturday, August 24, 2013.
“We hit an altogether new level of success this year with so many people attending the show throughout the day,” said Vikas Kohli, Producer, BMM. “I am really thankful to the amazing audience and everyone who helped this show together. We are able to create world-class events like Bollywood Monster Mashup with the support of our corporate sponsors, media sponsors, public funders and over 16 community partner groups.”
This year, BMM pulled out all the stops to go bigger and better, with expanded programming and a number of pre-events lined up prior to the free main show on Saturday, August 24. The day began with kids’ activities and interactive performances enthusiastically attended by thousands of people who arrived from around Ontario with friends and family. These included the Clorox Bollywood Mashup KidZone, Dandiya in the Square, the Bring Your Own Bollywood photo-booth, FILMI Bollywood Monster Mashup Film Festival, the TD Bollywood Mashup Dance Lessons, “Pieces” (a Bollywood skit) and the MONITOR 9 video art festival and wine reception.
The evening stage show closed with a soulful and wildly popular performance by international Bollywood singing sensation and People’s Choice Award winner for 2013 Kamal Khan, with his 8-piece band. Ahead of this was a one-time only performance of the 15-piece Bollywood Dragon Orchestra, which is an exclusive act combining traditional Chinese instrumentalists and Indian singers. Another exclusive performance was the 16-member Global Rhythms, led by Divine Heritage Artistry Bollywood dance troupe and featuring flamenco, belly dance and tribal dancers. There was also the 10-piece West-Indian crossover band Destiny singing Bollywood hit songs mashed up with soca, chutney and reggae rhythms. As well, a special cameo from India’s first YouTube sensation Wilbur Sargunaraj, who premiered a sneak peak of his feature film “Annie Rose” and brought audience members on-stage for an out-of-control singing and dancing bhangra performance.
“It has been a great honour and a pleasure to have Kamal Khan perform at Mississauga Celebration Square,” said Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga, who gave Kamal Khan a kiss during the closing ceremony of the show, and added, “Vikas is a brilliant artist with a great vision, he outdoes himself every year and this year has been no different.”
The festival is done but the fun isn’t over yet. In the wake of its resounding success Bollywood Monster Mashup presents MUMBAI MADNESS! by Besharam as the Bollywood Monster Mashup after-party featuring DJ Asharfi at Revival Nightclub, 783 College Street, Toronto on September 6, 2013 from 10 PM to 3 AM.
