Neeraj Shridhar headlined Vivekananda College’s annual fest Pallavi this week, drawing a packed crowd of Delhi University students who sang along to 2000s chartbusters, from Tha Kar Ke to Heyy Babyy. Students soaked in the nostalgic energy even before the singer arrived, grooving to the DJ’s dance numbers.
He welcomed students on the stage
‘SRK encouraged me to write Love Mera Hit Hit’Addressing the audience after two songs, Neeraj said, “I was told that you guys are very excited about the concert and I’m equally excited to be here with you!” Accompanied by Gorisha Nath on lead vocals, the singer powered through late 2000s and 2010s hits with a live band, turning the venue into a high-energy singalong. Sharing the story behind one of his most famous songs, Love Mera Hit Hit from Billu (2009) Neeraj shared that it was Shah Rukh Khan who encouraged him to add a Punjabi touch to it. “This song is very interesting because it was created at Shah Rukh Khan’s house. He said to me, ‘Neeraj yaar, ek Punjabi line…’ I wasn’t sure but I took my time and wrote a few lines. I told everyone, ‘No one’s going to laugh now. I have something in mind.’ Pritam was there too, and when I recited the lines, everyone freaked out. They said, ‘Yes, this is the song we’re going to have.’”
The singer performed full-length tracks rather than mashups
‘Thoda desi vibe ho jaye?’Gearing up for his popular song, Chor Bazaari from Love Aaj Kal (2009) Neeraj said, “When I sang this song, it stayed number one for 11 months. When I was first asked to sing it (for the film), I was a little reluctant. But I went ahead anyway and ended up really enjoying it. It has a slightly desi vibe, thoda sa desi vibe ho jaye?” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
Students enthusiastically climbed onto their friends’ shoulders for a better view
