Promoters fail to pay Indian Soap stars
- Third show cancelled
By Rehana Ahamad
Although the four Indian soap stars managed to thoroughly entertain the relatively large Guyanese audiences at both the Guyana National Stadium and at the Tuschen Community Centre Ground, they are still to receive full payments for their work.
As such, the Port Mourant, Berbice leg of their tour has been cancelled, with Promoter Christine Persaud claiming to have been “robbed.”
“We sold so many tickets and yet, we don’t know where the money went. I think I’ve been robbed or something,” she told this newspaper yesterday.
Promoter Christine Persaud
Persaud noted though that her partner, “Popo” (only name given) will remain in Guyana while she goes to the United States to organize more money for the artistes to be paid.
The international artistes who managed to create exciting memories for local fans are Pavitra Rishta’s Asha Negi (Purvi), along with her onscreen counterpart, Rithvik Dhanjani (Arjun); Suhasi Dhami, better known for her role as ‘Abha’ in the TV series Yahan Mein Ghar Ghar Kheli; and ZeeTV’s Choti Bahu, Rubina Dilaik (Radhika).
Speaking briefly with this newspaper yesterday, Dilaik (Radhika) said that everything with payments seems to be okay.
Asked directly if she received her money from promoters of the ‘Bollywood Stars Live’ show, Dilaik responded, “Ya! Everything is fine.”
However, a local performer who has been working closely with the stars of India told Kaieteur News that ‘Abha’, ‘Purvi’ and ‘Arjun’ have not yet received full payments.
“I am not sure what the case is with Radhika at this point, but Arjun, Purvi and Abha still have to collect the balances from the two shows in Tuschen and the National Stadium.”
Reliable sources have informed that thus far, Anil Bheem and the BMRZ Band out of Trinidad and Tobago, along with the local contract-advertiser, Sukhram; Master of Ceremonies, Joel Ghansham; Sita Panday and Ishara Dance Troupe are yet to receive any form of payments.
It is no secret that there has been some confusion ever since the show was announced less than three weeks ago.
“The first problem is that the promotion for the event was horrible! The organizers just jumped right into bringing these artistes. They did absolutely no proper ground work,” the source said.
Asha Negi (Purvi) left during her rocking performance at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
He added that it was ridiculous that there were only five ticket locations countrywide for a show of that magnitude.
“You have four Indian soap stars here, and a great cast for a show. They could’ve made this a massive success, but with the way it was organized, the show didn’t do as well as it could have,” the source said.
He added though that the crowd turnout at the shows was great, even amid the sloppy promotion work.
“They had no one who is experienced to help them in setting up the show, and I don’t think they managed to make any profit. I wasn’t paid, and I am highly upset, but I think they came up with the idea and they had big expectations and it all backfired. They didn’t do their homework,” the source, who was a part of the show, maintained.
According to Joel Ghansham, the show was not even coordinated, and that he and ‘Arjun’ were forced to improvise at the last minute.
“Me and him, we came up with the funny parts of the show and him mocking me to get ‘Purvi’ and so on…he kept asking if I was okay with it and I said yes; let’s do it,” Ghansham recalled.
This publication understands that as a result of being owed for the show at Tuschen, ‘Purvi’, ‘Abha’ and ‘Arjun’ were apprehensive about appearing for the Stadium concert on Saturday night.
But, as a result of the large crowd support, the actor and actresses came out at the last minute to perform at around 23:00hrs.
Kaieteur News understands that as of last evening, most of the stars left their rooms at the Princess Hotel and were residing with an locally-based Indian family until their scheduled departure later today.
“They said that they don’t want any problems, so they are leaving. But they are really upset though,” a source told this newspaper.
The performances, which ended around 02:00 hours, were all spectacular.
First of the four on stage was ‘Radhika,’ who, with the help of local models, showcased some of her exclusive designs of Indian garments. Beautifully decked in a bright red and blue sari, the Choti Bahu did an entertaining dance from Alka Yagnik’s hit song- ‘Ek Do Teen’ from the movie Teezab.
Following her was Suhasi Dhami ‘Abha’ who was backed by the talented ‘Ishara’ dancers. Hers was also a stunning performance that had members of the audience on their feet, and saw one fan even going up on stage, positioned on one knee, asking the Indian beauty for her hand in marriage.
Next up was Pavitra Rishta’s Asha Negi who was suddenly no longer playing her sweet and emotional character ‘Purvi,’ but a dancing diva who had been flirting with TV personality, Joel Ghansham, even in the presence of her onscreen and real life lover, Rithvik ‘Arjun’ Dhanjani.
But it was all well as she childishly reminded the audience that she was married four times in the still running television series- Pavitra Rishta. “I have found my fifth husband in Guyana,” the actress joked.
The night’s theme centered on Ghansham battling the Indian heartthrob for his girlfriend, with the most entertaining aspect being the two in a dance off to the hit Chutney song- ‘Yam Bakabana’.
And with ‘Purvi’ joining in, ‘Arjun’ reminded humorously that she is the ‘Ardash Bahu’ (ideal daughter-in-law) of Pavitra Rishta who should not be whining away onstage. But evidently she did not care, and went on to giving the ‘Chutney Whine’ with Ghansham.
Another highlight of the night was ‘Arjun’ and his ‘sweaky’ lie detecting chicken, which exposed a member of the audience who claimed that he has no relationship with anyone besides his wife.
The crowd was also pleased with ‘Abha’ who sang the hit Chutney song – ‘Leh go me nah Raja.’
But who can forget little Deon Persaud, who created storm with his Michael Jackson dance moves.
Saturday night’s show ended with hundreds of fans forcing themselves into the stars’ dressing tent for photo opportunities.
