World’s largest Bollywood music festival – Bollywood music project 5th edition kick started on a high note in Mumbai at Jio Garden on 20th (20^th and 21^st December). A large-scale multi-genre festival, music lovers in India have probably never had it better. Showcasing a bewildering range of artists starting on a sunny Mumbai afternoon till night, multiple adventure zones at BMP Mela and lip-smacking gastronomicaldelights added to the festivity. Artists performed for a crowd of thousands with back to back performances across Stage 1 and Stage 2 with string burst in between, making the entire experience magical.

The festival started with a mesmerizing “Sitar” rendition followed by a rocking performance by Parindey & Panchattavsinging Ghumar from Padmavaton Stage 1. Another twenty minutes into theperformance and the perfect ambience was set on Stage 2 where the Band Faridkotperformed on theiroriginals including Kaise tu jazbaaton ko dil ki dua. Their next number “Suno” from their album phir seand their song Subah got the audience grooving and singing along with them.

The event witnessed soulful singing by SIES college student Priya Nandini,the winner of BMP Voice Hunt. She took the stage and confidently introduced herself. “I am really thankful to BMP for giving me this opportunity. My dad is there on guitar today following his passion... I hope you guys enjoy my performance”, shared SIS college student Priya Nandini who got the chance to perform Live in front ofa large audience. Singing Lag jaa gale and Mahi ve in her melodious voice got her a big applaudfrom the audience.

The band Anand Bhaskar Collective took to stage next, getting the audience grooving to his guitar rendering and song Barso Megha followed by some original compositions. Next in line the group of Desi Boyz set the stage on fire. One of the first time, 6 artists performed Live together. While Abhay Jodhpurkarstarted with Sawan badho re and Mere rooh ka parinda from ‘Ae Dil hai mushkil’, singer Abhijeet Srivastava sung his song Chashni, “Last year I was standing there in audience in BMP. That time I had determined I need to be on stage next season, and here I am performing in front of you. Thank you, guys, for your love and support”, shared Abhijeet Srivastava.

His performance was followed by Tose naina lage piya by Kshitij Tarey, Manmarziyan by Jazim Sharmawho welcomed Abhijeet Sawant, “This is from where Indian Idol started”, said Jazim Sharma. Abhijeet performed on Junoon, Lafzon mein kehna saku followed by performance by Jigrrawhere hesung Jab tak tera haath hai, ghungroo amongst other. The act ended on a high note with all the boyscoming together and performing on songs including Tashan, Tere liye duniya chor di hai, do lafz ki haichurning back to back dance numbers. This was followed by performance by Lisa Mishra & Ash Kingwhere they sung 80’s hits including Chur aliya hai, tu hai wahi, roop tera mastana.

The diversity of the stages and their themes left attendees completely overawed and gave them distinctive experiences within a singular festival venue. The evening was enthralling with Mohammed Irfansinging some of his recent hits including Yaariyan, Who Lamhe, Dil Sambhal ja zara, Muskarane kiwajah tum ho amongst others, followed by MTV Hustleschurning out aaja mere nede nede. Nextwas Nikita Singh with Sunny M.Rwhere they performed with Live Dance performances. Taking themood a notch higher, Neha Bhasingave a Live dance performance and sung dance numbers including“woh ajnabee, Laung Gawacha, kuch ajnabee ehsaas hai” amongst others.

Then came Divine. Listeners loved his performance and jammed along with him, as he sung High Hai – Vibe hai, Aazadi, Sher aaya amongst others. Divine announced, “Who all are here whose friends have ditched them? I find 4-5 of my friends back stabbing me every year, so I believe only in Uparwala and he ensures I am fine. So guys what do you all think? Apna time aayega?”, and the audience wentcrazy singing along with him.

Not letting the mood slow down, BPraakstarted with a bang, singing Bada Pachtaogi, Kabira, Saraa Jag Chadiya amongst other. It was a moment to capture when all lightswent off and the audience put on the mobile flash lights swaying their hands in the air. BPraak went liveon his Social media from stage where the audience sung along with him.

With three back to back to high energy performances, the audience was in for a great surprise with a surprise performance by Arijit Singh, who performed along with Vishal Bhardwaj Live on stage. The audience was amazed and went wild when they witnessed Arijit Singh on Guitar playing for Vishal Bhardwaj. Everyone was hooting for Arijit, when Vishal Bhardwaj announced, “He will be supporting me in my performance today. I want to listen to Arijit as much as you guys and we will have him perform in between”. Vishal Bhardwaj and Arijit had a fun time on stage, with Vishal telling Arijit’s secrets to the audiences about his filmmaking. Vishal Bhardwaj churned out hits including Paani paani re, Chappa Chappa chadka chale, zaban pe laga re, Pehli baar mohabbat ki hai where Arijit joined him, Dhan te nan amongst others. Arijit’s and Vishal’s Live jamming session on Naino ki mat manyo re, along with great musicians had the audience shout once more.

With cloudy weather, Day 2 of the 5^th edition started with a delightful performance by Bridge Bhaasha. Next on the lineup were Nikhil Paul Gorge and Prajakta Shukre who churned out some Marathi numbers for Mumbaikars. Showcasing the largest music talent BMP Stage saw some back to back Bollywood numbers including Dilbaro, dum a dum mast kalander, Lamberghini, tere bin, Sakhiyan amongst others by Peak Level Ft., Aabha Hanjura, Nupur Pant, Ramya while Piyush Kapoor did a mashup of English and Hindi mixing lyrics with popular hip-hop beats.

Singers Meghna Mishra, Priya Saraiya, Vibha Saraf, Mellow D, Ragini Tandon, Shahd Mallya, Yash Narvekar rocked the evening with some Bollywood chartbusters Dilbaro, Tum bin, Main Nachdi fira, Main kaun hoon, Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo. The audience was thrilled with Asees kaur performance as she sung Monica oh my darling, Yeh Kaali Kaali aankhein, Ankh lad jaye. Anusha Mani and Shannon Donald reminded the audience of the solo album days from the 90’s and 20’s with their splendid performance singing Pal, Made in India, Yaaro Dosti, Pari hoon main.

Next on the list was Singer Divya Kumar who enthralled the audience with Bollywood hits Saason ki mala, mast kalandar. He was joined by Arijit Singh as the surprise act for Day 2 while singing song Maayi teri chunariya. The audience went into a tizzy as Arijit took off his hood while playing guitar and sang along with Divya Kumar. You could hear the sound of once more from all corners. Appreciating Arijit’s gesture, Divya Kumar said, “So guys how did you all find the surprise? All this was possible only because of BMP. We have artists like Arijit in today’s time also, who come on stage to support other artists. He shows that artists are not bigger than music”. This was followed by Live Dance performance and singing by Shalmali who gave audience back to back hits to dance on including Move your body, Daaru Desi, Lat lag gayi and more.

Ram Sampath was welcomed with a roar as by the audience as he started with ishq mein tere mar jaunga. His famous Bhag Bhag DKBose received huge applaud. Taking the audience on a musical roller coaster was Raftaar with his foot tapping rap. The crowd went wild as he sung bandook meri Laila, ude jugnu, Dilli wale. The entire ground turned into a dance floor with Raftaar’s Punjabi hits.

Day 2 grand finale was unbelievable with Sunidhi Chauhan going live making the audience rock and roll. She started her performance with Kamli Kamli, Chaliya o Chaliya, and other dance numbers. Sunidhi said, “I would like to sing some of my older songs because of which I am what I am today. I hope you all enjoy it too”. She danced freely while performing her old songs including Mast, Race dil ki, Hai ishq toh, Mehboob mere, Bidi Jalayele and more.

With a crazy vibe and amazing Energy, 2 days of Bollywood Music Project has set a new benchmark for all music festivals in India.