Indian Idols rock Durban

From page 1 MUSIC flowed through Sibaya’s Sun Park staget as three Indian Idols took to the stage to give Durban a night to remember.

Salman Ali, season 10 winner of Indian Idols, runner-up Neelanjana Ray and top five finalist Nitin Kumar belted out some of the latest Bollywood hits, golden oldies from movies and qawwali songs as part of their African Indian Idols Tour, which began earlier this month.

Indian Idols is currently in its 11th season on Sony Entertainment TV, Dstv channel 450.

Before the Durban leg of their tour, the singers performed to a sold-out crowd in Cape Town on February 9 and in Nairobi on Friday. Tonight they will perform at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg.

Hermith Hardeo from Bumedia’s management team said they were happy with the show being a sell-out at all three venues so far.

“Indian Idols is one of the biggest reality singing shows in India and the talent is amazing. The show’s fan base is huge worldwide, which is why they are so well received when they visit South Africa. Fans are excited to watch them perform because they are seen on TV,” said Hardeo.

He said the crowds were on their feet dancing and the singers surprised them with impromptu renditions.

“They surprised even the managers. They give the audience their all on stage and their performances are always dazzling. It’s a good feeling when we organisers bring artists to our country and the fans support them,” he said.

Before winning the competition, Salman Ali was the runner-up in India’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs in 2011. After winning Indian Idol 10, he now aims to feature in Bollywood and has already done Bollywood song Sui Dhaaga: Made in India.