CHICAGO AWAITS SALMAN KHAN

Salman Khan, the heartthrob of millions, destiny’s child and the superstar who will be remembered in the history of cinema for the unprecedented star power that he commands, will be back in Chicago after 12 long yeas to perform live for his fans. The Da-Bangg Reloaded Tour that promises to be a unique three-hour extravaganza that will be touring USA and Canada beginning June 22 is one of most awaited live Bollywood events across the globe currently. While, Salman remains the highlight of the show, it will also be the first time ever that Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan will be seen live on stage at a tour. The tour that begins in Atlanta on June 22, hits Chicago on June 23.
While the power-packed star show is already making news in Chicago and all across the US,
but it may be a special moment for Chicagoans particularly, as the one man who is ensuring everything runs smooth and the audiences get their dose of entertainment is none other than Chicago based Bhavesh Patel.
As the international promoter of the Da-Bangg Reloaded Tour, Bhavesh Patel is being working day and night to put everything to perfection but is quick to credit it all to the magic of Salman Khan. He also is all praises for all his promoters across centers who he says believed in him and made the show possible on such a large scale.

It was Salman’s idea
Bhavesh who has known Salman khan for about 25 years now, says that their families share a very special relationship. “He’s like family to us and has always been extremely loving towards us,” says Bhavesh talking with a visible fondness for the superstar. On how this idea of bringing the tour to the US came about, Bhavesh says, “It was basically Salman’s idea.” He says, “I remember that I was at Salman’s house. We were all having tea and talking about shows. And just then, Salman said:’ I want to do shows again. I want to connect with my fans.’ So, it was actually Salman’s desire to reconnect with his fans that set the wheels in motion for the Dabangg tour.” He adds, “The shows were first held in Singapore, New Zealand and Australia and then Salman said, let’s do it in US and Canada. That’s when he told me that you are doing my show. In my head, I was thinking that I would be doing the show in Chicago but he told me to be the promoter for the entire US and Canada. So, I was in fact summoned to do this show, which I gladly and earnestly accepted.

The US and Canada tour will be a new experience
Bhavesh realizes the frenzy any Salman Khan show creates and knows that many people may have seen the Dabangg show at its earlier destinations or may have caught glimpses of it on You Tube etc. So, in order to give the audiences a totally new, unseen experience he informs that the US and Canada has been totally re-thought. He says, “We call it Da-Bangg Reloaded and it bring along many new things for the audiences in US and Canada. It is for the first time that Katrina Kaif is a part of the show. We have totally re-formatted the show. The stage, the costumes, the acts everything has been re-choreographed. There is a new script to the show.
The preparations are in full swing
Managing superstars and their entourage is no easy task. The entire Da-Bangg crew of 150 people arrive in the US, 3 days ahead. On how is Patel ensuring that all the logistics and management is taken care of, he says, “Yes, it’s a mammoth task. We have 8 stars including Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonakshi Sinha, Prabhu Deva, Daisy Shah, Guru Randhawa and Manish Paul. Along with them technicians, staff, production managers comprise of about 150 people. We have been on the project for last 2 years and now we are in the final three-month phase. Thankfully, I have an efficient team who have been taking care of everything from airline tickets to hotel bookings. We are constantly re-checking that everything is in order. But I do believe that all my promoters nationwide are doing a great job.” He admits, “As a promoter there are always challenges but we have done everything to ensure a fantastic show. We have also got on board PRG Worldwide Entertainment Technology Solutions, that lead in entertainment technology globally to be our production partners to ensure a flawless experience. We were originally planning 5 shows but now we are doing 9 shows that says a lot about people’s interest in the show.” He adds, “For my national tour, it would not have been possible without the support of my local promoters.”

On Salman’s recent arrest
While preparations were underway for the big Salman Khan show the news of his recent arrest in the blackbuck case must have come as a shock for many. Bhavesh says, “I wouldn’t deny that when the news of Salman’s arrest came, we were stressed. It did send the promoters and the people who had bought the tickets and people who were planning to buy the tickets in a semi panic mode. However, we believed that things will fall in place and they did. I want to reassure all the fans that the show is as per schedule, people who are planning to buy the tickets must know that everything will fall in place. We are not foreseeing any hiccups. I want to thank all my promoters who believed in me. And for the fans we wish to tell them that in any unforeseen situation their money will be refunded to them.”

Being Salman Khan
And now that the big news of Salman in the US is travelling far and wide is Bhavesh getting any crazy requests from fans. Bhavesh laughs and says, “We are getting requests every minute. Some people want to just touch Salman, some want to shake hands, some want to take pictures. It’s amazing the following he enjoys.” On knowing Salman personally, Bhavesh says that he has noticed a special star quality in him. “If Salman is at the airport or at a public place and when the situation allows he will stop and oblige the fans. He is a great people’s person. He is a great humanitarian and has a heart of gold. He never forgets people who have stood by him through the ups and downs. And his fan following ranges from 5 year olds to 70 year olds. In fact, extends beyond nationalities. For this show we are seeing interest from not just South Asians but also Americans and others too.

Entertainment business
On how the Patel family forayed into the entertainment business, Bhavesh says, “My father, Mr Babu Patel, got associated with live shows back in the 80’s in Houston. He did shows that had Rishi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Padmini Kolhapuri. By mid 80’s we move to Chicago and my dad continued to do shows. We started Sahil but continued in entertainment too. Recalling his first landmark show, Bhavesh says, “In 1992, we did a show with Aamir and Salman, just after Andaz Apna Apna.” He adds, “For my national tour, it would not have been possible without the support of my local promoters. And locally till date all events we have presented with our partners Nick and Mayur Patel of LA TAN. Their support has been invaluable for me.”
On the upcoming Da-Bangg show, Bhavesh says, “It’s going to be a full paisa vasool show. Salman will be on stage for an hour and he is personally taking interest in every planning. He just called me the other day to check how the things are moving and he’s really involved in the show.”

By Zofeen Maqsood
It may be a special moment for Chicagoans particularly, as the one man who is ensuring everything runs smooth and the audiences get their dose of entertainment is none other than Chicago based Bhavesh Patel. As the international promoter of the Da-Bangg Reloaded Tour, Bhavesh Patel, is the promoter for all the shows in the US and Canada. A busy man these days he’s just back in the city after completing his recce to LA one of the 9 states where the high-profile tour would be performing.

Bhavesh is a known name amongst the South Asian community in the country as he successfully runs the very famous Sahil boutique in Devon started by his dad Babu Patel. The family has also been involved in some of the biggest entertainment shows to the US. But Bhavesh acknowledges that the current tour is a big duty he has to execute flawlessly as none other than Salman himself has bestowed this responsibility on him.
Bhavesh says, “call it Da-Bangg Reloaded and it brings along many new things for the audiences in US and Canada. It is for the first time that Katrina Kaif is a part of the show. We have totally re-formatted the show. The stage, the costumes, the acts everything has been re-choreographed. There is a new script to the show. So, no one can get a feeling that they have seen a similar show before. It is going to be a totally new experience”.
Bhavesh says, “I wouldn’t deny that when the news of Salman’s arrest came, we were stressed. It did send the promoters and the people who had bought the tickets and were planning to buy the tickets in a semi panic mode. However, we believed that things will fall in place and they did. I want to reassure all the fans that the show is as per schedule, people who are planning to buy the tickets must know that everything will fall in place. We are not foreseeing any hiccups.”
Bhavesh informs that Salman absolutely loves Chicago. Unfortunately, this time the stay in Chicago is very short. They just land in Chicago from Atlanta and the very next day they travel to Texas. So, we won’t have so much time to take him around in the city. But he’s been here 5-6 times and loves the vibe of the city. He likes to go to the downtown but more than anything else he loves spending time with his friends. Bhavesh who is the youngest national promoter informs that they have taken care to keep the prices affordable. He says a $60 ticket will give you a decent view and in some centers the ticket prices are as less as $39.

The Da-Bangg Reloaded Show in Chicago will be big

Hetal Patel, of HP Live Events who will be presenting the show in Chicago along with Lucky Day LLC, a local gaming company is upbeat about the show. He says, “I am very sure that it will be a houseful show.” Hetal Patel who has been involved with other live shows in Chicago has earlier brought Falguni Pathak, Sonu Nigam, Atif Aslam and the famous Dream Team show. Talking about the Chicago edition of the show, he says, “This time I have taken the front seat and I am bringing along a lot changes. We have simplified the pricing of tickets and have kept it very affordable. We are very transparent about everything. In the recent situation, when Salman was arrested, we guaranteed personally that people would get their money back.
What makes me confident about this show is that Salman Khan is coming to the US after more than a decade for a show. Both Indians and Pakistanis are his die-hard fans.”
About taking up the responsibility he says, “I had been following the show and took over this show last year when I became a promoter for Bhavesh Patel.
I must inform my audiences that the front row tickets in Chicago are the most affordable than anywhere and we are honestly promising what we aim to provide to the audiences. There are no empty promises of star photos like sometimes happens in live shows.
Hetal Patel, who has been an independent business owner for last 23 years and owns 7/11 stores and gas stations is passionate about Bollywood. He says, “Entertainment is in my blood and I enjoyed Bollywood since childhood. Until now I was the audience and today when I am promoting the show I exactly know the psyche of the audience. We guarantee a wholesome, clean entertainment presented with a lot of love and passion and we are sure fans will love every moment of it.”