IN the Indian cinema industry, playback singers often remain in the background, their voices celebrated yet rarely receiving the same adoration as the on-screen heroes they lend their voices to.
However, on Saturday night, history was rewritten at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur when Bollywood’s beloved playback singer, Arijit Singh, made an entrance that rivaled even the grandest of Bollywood’s superstars.
To the delight of thousands of fans, Arijit opened the concert with the iconic track "O Maahi", making a regal entry reminiscent of Datuk Shah Rukh Khan at prestigious awards shows.
For the next four hours, the audience was captivated as Arijit performed an unbroken set, seamlessly delivering one soulful hit after another.
The concert featured some of his most cherished songs, including "Janam Janam", "Kesariya", "Samjhawan", "Chaleya" and the timeless classic, "Tum Hi Ho."
It was during "Tum Hi Ho" that the emotional peak of the evening was reached; fans from the VIP section rushed towards the stage, many overcome with tears.
In a heartwarming moment, Arijit gestured to wipe away their tears, asking them to smile and share in the joy of the music.
A truly magical moment followed when Arijit began singing A.R. Rahman’s "Naan Un" from the film 24.
After singing a few lines, he paused to express his admiration for A.R. Rahman, acknowledging the immense challenge of performing a song by the legendary Academy Award-winning composer.
The sincerity of his tribute touched the hearts of everyone present.
Organised by Hitman Solutions and Cinestar Events, the concert attracted local and international fans from India, the Maldives, Pakistan and Australia.
The event was a visual and auditory masterpiece, featuring stunning visuals, immersive lighting and exceptional sound quality that created an unforgettable experience for all attendees.
Hitman Group founder and chief executive officer Rohit Rampal shared his excitement about the concert’s overwhelming success.
"This was an electrifying experience that surpassed all our expectations. It’s the third time we’ve had the honor of bringing Arijit Singh to Malaysia and each time, the response is incredible.
"The passion and energy of the crowd were unmatched and it’s a testament to our strong partnership with Cinestar Events. We’re proud to have delivered yet another unforgettable show," he said.
Arijit’s return to Malaysia had been eagerly anticipated by Bollywood fans, as his last performance was nearly a decade ago in 2014 at the Dewan Wawasan Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Named the most-streamed Indian artist of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by Spotify, Arijit continues to hold the title of the most-followed artist globally on the platform as of September 2024, with over 128 million followers.