Latest news with #NMACC
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Nita Ambani visits Vikas Khanna's NYC restaurant, joins welcome crew in dance performance. Watch
Nita Ambani, director of Reliance Industries, recently spent an evening at Bungalow, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna's Michelin-star restaurant in New York, to curate a special culinary experience ahead of the upcoming Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) India Weekend in the city. Accompanied by her daughter, Isha Ambani Piramal, and granddaughter Aadiya Shakti, Nita Ambani received a grand welcome from the restaurant crew. As she arrived, the crew showered flowers on her, and a group of dancers gave a welcome performance. In the video that has now gone viral, one of the performers is seen requesting Ambani to join them. A trained classical dancer herself, she smiled and gracefully joined the dancers. During her visit, Ambani tasted a variety of dishes personally prepared by Chef Khanna, preparing for the food curation of the NMACC India Weekend, scheduled for September 12 to 14 in New York City at the iconic Lincoln Center. One of the highlights was a classic pani puri filled with caramelised pineapple. 'Delicious,' she said, as she took a bite. Watch the video here: A post shared by NMACC India Weekend (@ The upcoming NMACC India Weekend is said to be a three-day cultural extravaganza. The event is organised to bring the artistic richness of NMACC in Mumbai to an international audience. It will include a dance workshop by Shiamak Davar, yoga sessions, a musical theatre performance, Indian food pop-ups, and more. In a statement shared on the NMACC website, Ambani shared the vision behind the initiative: 'The weekend is designed to be a global celebration of India's cultural legacy – our art, crafts, music, dance, fashion, and food.' 'At NMACC, our vision has always been to showcase the best of the world to India and bring the best of India to the world. This special weekend marks the first step forward on that journey, celebrating the spirit of India on one of the world's most iconic stages – Lincoln Center. I am excited to share our rich traditions and legacy with New York City and the world,' the statement from Ambani said.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Nita Ambani visits Vikas Khanna's New York restaurant, dances with welcome crew. Watch
Nita Ambani spent an evening at chef Vikas Khanna's New York restaurant, Bungalow, to curate a culinary experience for the upcoming NMACC India Weekend in the Big Apple. The chairperson of Reliance Foundation was joined by her daughter Isha Ambani Piramal, and her granddaughter Aadiya Shakti, as she sampled the various dishes that Michelin star celebrity chef Vikas Khanna whipped up for her. Nita Ambani at Chef Vikas Khanna's New York restaurant, Bungalow.(Instagram/ Nita Ambani was welcomed to the New York restaurant with a shower of petals and a dance performance. After the performance, the dancers asked Mrs Ambani if she would do them the honour of joining them for a dance. Nita Ambani, a trained dancer, agreed. Footage shared on Instagram shows how she was enjoying the performance with her granddaughter in her arms when the request came. Nita Ambani agreed and handed her granddaughter over to Isha before joining the dancers. She then gave a short performance. During her visit, the founder of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) also helped zero down on the dishes that would be served at the NMACC India Weekend. The video shows her sampling many India-inspired delicacies at Khanna's flagship New York restaurant. 'Delicious,' she was heard saying at one point as she tasted a pani puri filled with caramelized pineapple. Celebrity chef Vikas Khanna said it was an 'absolute honour' to host Nita Ambani at Bungalow. What is NMACC India Weekend? The NMACC India Weekend is a three-day 'cultural showcase' that will bring the essence of Mumbai's Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre to New York City with Indian food pop-ups, a dance workshop from Shiamak Davar, yoga workshops, the staging of a musical and more. The NMACC India Weekend in New York City will take place between September 12 and 14. In a statement shared on the NMACC website, Nita Ambani said the weekend is 'designed to be a global celebration of India's cultural legacy – our art, crafts, music, dance, fashion, and food.' 'At NMACC, our vision has always been to showcase the best of the world to India and bring the best of India to the world. This special weekend marks the first step forward on that journey, celebrating the spirit of India on one of the world's most iconic stages – Lincoln Center. I am excited to share our rich traditions and legacy with New York City and the world,' she said.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sumukhi Suresh: ‘I do self-censorship because I want to last for long'
Though comedian-actor Sumukhi Suresh's vivacity caught the attention of many as she danced with actor Dino Morea during a masquerade ball sequence in the recently-released Netflix series 'The Royals', it's her comedic talent that has been filling up large venues with audiences who turn up to watch her perform sketches. 'Performing for a big room has given me a risk appetite which artistes need sometimes. To taste the success of a big room that has assembled to hear you speak is such a boost and encouragement to perform and do better,' says Sumukhi, who recently performed 'Hormonal' at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre's (NMACC) The Grand Theatre. The set, initially named 'Hoemonal' (2022), borrows heavily from her experiences during the pandemic-induced lockdown. It was during this period that Sumukhi discovered that she had PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), causing hormonal imbalances and weight gain. Also, among her pandemic realisation was that she wasn't well-versed with the dating game. So much so that her disastrous experiences triggered a fear of dying alone, giving her enough fodder for 'Hormonal'. Sumukhi Suresh concedes that performing the show at the packed 2,000-seater NMACC venue is as much a surreal experience as it is a statement of power, which silences the critics who doubt whether women can be funny. 'How can women not be funny? Look at your mother. Our mothers are constantly funny,' says the Mumbai-based artiste, adding that 'the ultimate validation comes from the audience, who buy the ticket and attend the show.' Through a series of sketches, she examines the lives of single, urban women in their 30s, the search for love, the fear of being alone as well as the ideas of beauty. But balancing messaging with humour is not something Sumukhi does intentionally. 'If you simulate or plan that today I will talk about this, then it does not work. The audience will see through that,' says Sumukhi, who was born and raised in Nagpur. She moved to Chennai to do her graduation and later, worked at a children's library in Bengaluru. At a time when comedians often find themselves in trouble for speaking up against the authorities or system, Sumukhi believes in self-censorship. She says: 'The art of stand-up is connected to the performer's intuition, quick-wit and improv skills. These often land us in trouble. Second, the stand-up comedians are the voice of conflict. It is inevitable that our thoughts won't be widely accepted. I do self-censorship because I want to last for long and leave a legacy behind. That means I have to navigate the game accordingly.' Since there are a plethora of platforms available for comedians, artistes and digital content creators, Sumukhi believes that there is no room for complacency. 'You have to practise your art. You can't keep repeating something just because the audience liked that trick,' she says. Today, artists are also vulnerable to frequent online trolling notwithstanding the following they enjoy. 'You can't predict anyone's reaction. The only thing I can say is that if you are offended, then don't engage with it (content),' she says. Considering how naturally humour comes to Sumukhi Suresh, it is difficult to believe that being a stand-up comic wasn't a conscious career choice. She discovered her penchant for comedy when she accidentally walked into an improv event in Bengaluru, thinking it was an audition for a play. Even as she was working at a food lab, she began moonlighting as a comic on Bengaluru-based 'The Improv', a comedy show. Nearly two years later, she decided to solely focus on being a comic. She gained wider recognition when 'Pushpavalli', a web series created by her, started streaming on Amazon Prime Video in 2017 and its second season released in 2020. Sumukhi's popularity received a fresh boost following her appearance in 'The Royals'. 'I was a last-minute addition to the show. The makers gave me the freedom to do my thing,' she recalls. How does she react to fan comments that she is 'Pushpavalli' and she 'should not have played secretary' to Bhumi Pednekar's character? 'I feel validated that something ('Pushpavalli') I created, co-wrote and acted in left a mark. It's a community of women who expect me to do well. That's amazing,' she says. Though viewers want new seasons of 'Pushpavalli', Sumukhi says that writing for herself is not always a cakewalk. She wants to be cast in shows and movies written by others. With Vikramaditya Motwane's 'CTRL', for which she wrote the dialogues, Sumukhi made her debut as a writer. 'Though I am not trained in writing for films, working with a director-writer like Motwane became my training,' says Sumukhi, who is writing for another project directed by him. When asked how she manages to dabble in so many things, she says, 'This is the dream — to do all of this. Whatever little I learn from other projects, I try to incorporate in my stand-up performances.' She is also the founder of Motormouth Writers, which she aspires to turn into a hub of stories and facilitate development of shows. On the wishlist of this multi-talented artiste is the desire to create 'a massive multi-season comedy show and act in it too'. Sumukhi Suresh believes she has the ability to pull it off. 'I have been working hard for that moment. Pushpavalli was just the beginning,' she says. That apart, she wants to create a dance-comedy feature. 'I've written it already. At some point, I have to catch Farah Khan and ask her if she would direct it. She will take that script to the next level,' she says.
Business Standard
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
NR Talent & Event Management's Hariharan Live in Concert: An Evening to Remember
PNN New Delhi [India], June 16: Padma Shri Hariharan lit up The Grand Theatre at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) with his very first live performance at the venue, delivering some of his most beloved Bollywood hits in an unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia. Each rendition was met with thunderous applause, as the audience immersed themselves in the magic of his timeless voice. The concert was beautifully curated and executed by NR Talent and Event Management, helmed by Namrata Gupta Khan and Rabbani Mustafa Khan. Despite heavy Mumbai rains, fans thronged the venue, united by their love for the maestro. Hariharan opened the show with Kesariya Balamwa. One hit followed another - Dheemi Dheemi, Roja Janeman, O Hansini, Chanda Re, Jhoka Hawa Ka, Kaash Aisa Koi Manzar, Baahon Ke Darmiyan, Nahin Samne, Jeeva Rangla, and each song met with love and spontaneous wah-wahs, and multiple song requests from an audience clearly unable to get enough! "It's so nice to be here singing for you at this lovely theatre," Hariharan enthused in the midst of his performance. The evening became even more special with the presence of his son, Akshay Hariharan, who joined his father on stage to reimagine and recreate the veteran singer's classics like Dauda Dauda Bhaga Bhaga Sa, Chhappa Chappa, and Kay Zhala with an electrifying EDM twist. The timing couldn't have been more perfect... performing together on Father's Day, the father-son duo brought an unmatched warmth and vibrancy to the stage. The maestro also led a spontaneous medley session, inviting the audience to sing along to favourites like Aye Dil, Sawan Barse, and Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera. And just when everyone thought the night couldn't get better, he delivered what the audience had been waiting for all along... a soul-stirring rendition of Tu Hi Re. The entire experience - immersive, emotive, and electric, was brought to life by NR Talent and Event Management. Founded by Namrata Gupta Khan and Rabbani Mustafa Khan, the company is known for organising concerts that are more than just shows... they are experiences where audiences feel, connect, and celebrate music in its truest form. Namrata and Rabbani, daughter-in-law and son of the late Padma Vibhushan Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, carry forward a rich legacy of music. Rabbani, a singer himself who has also performed on Coke Studio, brings deep insight and artistry to the company's vision. Since 2016, NR Talent has produced large-scale concerts, corporate events, and festivals across India and the globe, working with celebrated names like A.R. Rahman, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Yo Yo Honey Singh, among others. Their signature annual event Haazri honours Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan with the 2025 edition featuring A.R. Rahman in a soulful Sufi concert attended by over 10,000 people. Very recently, they had also managed and produced Sau Saal Pehle, a one-of-a-kind tribute to Mohammed Rafi with Sonu Nigam, marking Sonu's first-ever Rafi tribute show in India.
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hariharan mesmerises Mumbai with his music
Hariharan captivated the audience at the NMACC's Grand Theatre with a nostalgic journey through his iconic melodies, spanning Bollywood hits and independent tracks. The concert, featuring duets with his son Akshay Hariharan, showcased his versatility and infectious energy. He concluded the evening with a heartfelt tribute, earning a standing ovation for his performance of Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyaara Hai. Sunday evening (June 15) at the Grand Theatre at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) felt electric as Hariharan walked onto the stage, opening the concert with Kesariya Balam in all its folk-classical glory. 'So nice to be here, singing for you at this lovely theatre! Thank you very much for coming today,' he greeted the audience warmly. What followed was not just a concert — it was a mood, a memory, a masterclass. Hariharan's soul-stirring, crowd-favourite melodies including Roja (Bombay), Jhonka Hawa Ka (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam), Chanda Re (Sapnay), Nahin Saamne Tu (Taal), and Ay Hairathe (Guru) created an atmosphere steeped in nostalgia and emotion. Introducing the title track from Yaadein, he said, 'Yeh gaana aap sab ko yaad hoga, toh hum saath mein gayenge,' inviting the audience to join in, and they did. From there, he eased into his evergreen tracks like Yeh Lamhe Yeh Pal (Lamhe), Chhod Aaye Hum (Maachis), and Bahon Ke Darmiyan (Khamoshi). His velvet voice flowed effortlessly, every pause turning into a silence worth listening to. The audience, an elegant blend of old-school connoisseurs and young music enthusiasts, sat enraptured. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Many mouthed the words, some sang along aloud, others simply remained still, soaking in every note. With his son Akshay Hariharan During the nearly three-hour-long concert, Hariharan also brought infectious energy to the stage. He performed upbeat tracks on stage with his son, Akshay Hariharan, who joined him in recreating songs like Bhaaga Sa (Chachi 420), Kabhi Main Kahoon (Lamhe), Telephone Dhun (Hindustani), and Dil Ne Dil Se Ikrar Kiya (Haqeeqat), engaging the audience with light-hearted anecdotes and behind-the-scenes trivia. A multiple National Award winner with over 8,000 songs in seven languages to his credit, Hariharan delighted fans not only with his voice but also his flair, changing jackets four times and glasses thrice as he delivered one beloved number after another. He also sang a Marathi song, some of his independent hits including Krishna, and ghazals like Kaash Aisa Koi Manzar Hota, which drew sighs and claps from fans. The final performance of the night was a heartfelt tribute in response to the recent airplane tragedy. As he sang Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyaara Hai, the audience rose in a standing ovation. Visibly moved, Hariharan folded his hands and said, 'Thank you,' as the applause continued to pour in.
