More than 60,000 people thronged the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau City on Monday, October 28, 2013 to have a glimpse of Bobby Deol, one of the most popular stars of the Hindi film industry.
He did not disappoint them. He spoke, sang and danced with many, adding fun and colour to the Radio Tarana Diwali 2013.
Robert Khan, the Station’s Managing Director said the event attracted the largest number of people for any Diwali Festival held in New Zealand this year.
“It was a great joy to watch a vast sea of men, women and children at the venue participating in the Festival of Lights. At any given time, there were at least 25,000 people and the programme, held from 12 pm to 9 pm was packed with fun, entertainment and food. While we are grateful to Bobby Deol, VIPs, our sponsors and all the people who made this the best Diwali event in the country, I am proud of my team which worked hard it make it a spectacular success,” he said.
Krishna Sharma, who has close connections with film celebrities in the Indian film industry, said that people came to spend the day with their families and friends, enjoy quality entertainment and food, visit various stalls, and learn of some special offers. “Matinee idol Bobby Deol was of course the star attraction. His presence augured well with 100 years of Indian Cinema now being marked,” he said.
Friendly Star
Flown by Radio Tarana flew the ‘Bobby Boy’ (whose real name is Vijay Singh Deol) from Mumbai for the occasion. He proved that he was a people’s actor, in the true steps of his father, megastar Dharmendra and older brother Sunny.
Bobby Deol appeared in a small role in Dharam Veer when he was eight years old, while his first major role was in Barsaat released in 1995. Since then he has had an illustrious movie life, giving a series of mega hits, starring with almost all major actors of the day. Among his most successful films were Soldier, Ajnabee, Hamraaz, Om Shanti Om and Players. Yamla Pagla Deewana, featuring him with his father and brother was a runaway hit in 2011, encouraged by which Producer-Director Samir Karnik followed with Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 in June this year. Apne, released in 2007 was the first film to feature Deol family together.
“I am delighted to be in New Zealand and I hope to return sometime soon with my father and my brother. It is great to participate in the Diwali celebrations and be with thousands of fans,” he said in his brief speech at the official ceremony held at a specially erected stage outside the Vodafone Events Centre.
VIPs galore
Among the special guests who attended the official ceremony were Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Members of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Alfred Ngaro (National), Ross Robertson, Dr Rajen Prasad, Carol Beaumont (Labour), Auckland City Councillor Arthur Anae and Manurewa Local Board Chair Angela Dalton.
Mr Joyce hoped that popular actors like Bobby Deol would find New Zealand a great destination for film shooting and production.
“We have had at least two Hindi films shot in New Zealand making it big in the box office. We greet Bobby and others as India marks 100 years of Indian Cinema and hope to see more of them in our country,” he said.
Mr Joyce said that Diwali has become one of the most important festivals in New Zealand’s cultural calendar and that an increasing number of people from other ethnic groups enjoy the festival year after year.
“I am happy to see such a large number of people at this Festival organised by Radio Tarana,” he said.
Among the other speakers were Mr Khan, Dr Prasad, Mr Anae and Mr Bakshi.
Special awards were later presented to Bobby Deol on behalf of Radio Tarana, the Indian community and Sponsors.
The entertainment programme included traditional cultural performances, a Bollywood Dance Competition, amusement for children and a spectacular fireworks display at dusk.
Multicultural Festival
The fact that Diwali has transcended the portals of Hindu households to embrace a cross-section of the society was evident with thousands of people from other ethnic groups and faiths thronging the Vodafone Events Centre.
They experienced and enjoyed the culture, costumes, colour and of course cuisine that was aplenty.
The overcast sky and the showers that descended for a few minutes during the official ceremony failed to dampen the spirit of the thousands of men, women and children who were present to watch their sons, daughters, friends or neighbours perform on stage and scour a variety of items.
As the festival concluded with fireworks around 9 pm, someone remarked, “This is a fitting finale, leading up to the actual Diwali Day on November 3, 2013.”
Photo :
1. Bobby Deol addressing fans at Tarana Diwali on October 28
2. Bobby Deol with the Radio Tarana team
(Pictures by Lion Beats, Auckland)
