Doha, 05 Nov 2022 (QT)

By Vinay Nayudu & Ashraf Siddiqui

While Rahat Fateh Ali Khan mesmerized, Sunidhi Chauhan simply rocked the night in company of composing duo Salim and Sulaiman Merchant at the mammoth Lusail Stadium on Friday at the Bollywood Music Festival held as part of Darb Lusail festival marking the start of grand fan festivities ahead of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Almost 50,000 people crooned to soul-stirring Bollywood songs as the FIFA World Cup 2022 final venue came aglow with the torch lights of their mobile phones.
While Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who hails from Pakistan, is a popular performer whose voice is on many famous Hindi cinema tracks, India’s Sunidhi Chauhan’s iconic singing has won her many awards.

Spectators could be seen tapping their feet, applauding, whistling and at times dancing in the aisles as the music masters dished out one hit after another. Just as the music night began, Nasser Al Khater, CEO, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC, while speaking of the event said, “We are very happy. This was an important event for us to test the Lusail Stadium much ahead of time before the beginning of the World Cup in Qatar. We are very happy with this show and we are looking
forward to welcoming everyone back to the FIFA World Cup.

“We are also happy that people are enjoying the Qatari hospitality. We are always keen to ensure that all spectators and guests feel at home and that there’s nothing missing in their experience of these great events. “At the same time with so many people coming together, there will be congestion at Metro stations, there will be traffic on roads. And that’s why we always urge all to leave their place of stay early at the stadiums and follow directions for a smoother passage out at the stadiums and Metro stations.”

“It was a smooth affair at the 80,000-capacity Lusail Stadium on Friday as spectators and guests were guided by efficient volunteers with all courtesy. The huge movement of the crowd towards the Metro station also mattered little to fans as they continued dancing of drums they carried along much to the delight of all.”
Not only those who attended the event but the artists themselves were taken in by the occasion at the sprawling venue.

“This is crazy,” screamed Gauhar Khan, Indian actress and model, as she introduced the evening. “I was in Japan when it hosted the 2002 football World Cup, but this in Qatar is historic. We all can say we were at the Lusail Stadium!,” she added.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, highly accomplished Sufi and qawwali singer, said, “I welcome you all to FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.” And then he captured the hearts of all with his great singing. After rendering “tere bin nahin lagda dil mera”, Rahat, nephew of the legendary singer late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, introduced his
son, saying “My son and my brother are giving me company with the music.”

From Aafreen, Aafreen, to Mere Rashke Qamar to Tere mast do nain…. Nusrat was indeed magical.

Later came Sunidhi and she rocketed with some of greatest hits including desi girls to beedi jalay le piya.. before signing off in her signature style – “this is Sunidhi Chauhaaan”.

“It was soul stirring night and just right tonic for we football fans ahead of the world’s greatest football show one earth, echoed Nishat Mohammed as he ran out to join his friends to celebrate outside the stadium soon after the show.

A crazy Lionel Messi fan, Nishat said he has been lucky that he also got a ticket to watch a World Cup match when Messi and Argentina play against Saudi Arabia during the groups stage of the tournament.

Abdulaziz Al Nasser at one of the VIP Lounges at the stadium said, “It’s fantastic. It’s an event that brings different cultures together. It’s a great occasion for all the expats who live in Qatar and we love them. As for me, while I may not understand their singing but I love the notions, the musical instruments that they play.
“All these different instruments coming together takes a lot of orchestrating to do it and creates a beautiful atmosphere for the body and the soul.”

The event was part of a final hosting exercise at Lusail Stadium and open to all and only Hayya card holders.

Mehr Nissa from Hyderebad, said, “What a beautiful crowd and show. And if this now, just imagine how it would be during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It’s thrilling.