By: Surjit Singh Flora
International superstars will connect directly with fans through virtual chats, online performances and more as Mississauga’s largest South Asian festival moves online to celebrate its tenth anniversary.
Bollywood Monster Mashup will be arriving at a screen near you on July 24 and 25, with live performances, Q&A sessions, festivities and more, as the organization behind the festival takes a different approach to engage audiences amidst the global pandemic. “#StayHome” is the name of the game, as international Bollywood superstars Sunny Leone will take the stage with special dance performances and live chat with the Facebook live audience.
Arjuna Harjai, a critically acclaimed Bollywood composer and singer known for his hit song “Choti Choti Gal” (Motichoor Chaknachoor) and composing “O Soniye” (Titoo MBA), will also perform a selection of hit Bollywood songs.
The event will feature spectacular performances and online interaction “for people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes,” says Vikas Kohli, the executive director of MonstrARTity Creative Community, the brainchild behind the festival. “We’re thrilled to complement this top Bollywood talent with amazing Canadian artists for our virtual stage this year, and we’re able to engage families with workshops in the days leading up to the concerts. We’re grateful to all our funders, collaborators and artists for helping us bring the community together through the arts during times like these.”
On Friday, July 24, international superstar Sunny Leone will be featured in special dance performances and will also be participating in a live chat with the Facebook Live audience. Leone, a notable star of many Bollywood films such as “Raees” and “Ragini MMS 2”, recently made waves in the Indian television industry with the series “Big Boss” and as the host of the MTV reality show “Splitsvilla”. Arjuna Harjai, a critically-ac – claimed Bollywood composer and singer known for his hit song “Choti Choti Gal” (Motichoor Chaknachoor) and composing “O Soniye” (Titoo MBA), will also hit the stage on July 24.
On Saturday July 25, the Meet Bros & Khushboo Grewal will be taking the stage on-screen. The Meet Bros duo, consisting of Harmeet and Manmeet Singh, have delivered chartbusters such as “Lamborghini” (Jai Mummy Di), “Main Tera Boyfriend” (Raabta) and “Babydoll” (Ragini MMS 2) among numerous hit songs. Workshops for kids will also be hosted in the days leading up to the concerts via Facebook Live, beginning at 11 a.m. from July 20 – 23.
The workshops include one-hour sessions with activities catering to kids. The main event concerts will begin at 6 p.m. on July 24 and 25. For more information, visit the event website at bollywoodmonstermashup.com or on Facebook: facebook.com/Bollywood – Mashup
