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Bollywood glitz and glamour at New Year’s Eve extravaganza

BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE

Atlanta, GA, January 16, 2025: Well over 500 revelers flocked the premises of Astro Celebrations in Cumming, Georgia on New Year’s Eve to ring in the new year 2025, shimmering in glitz and glamor. Hosted by JustEntertain LLC’s Ali Rangoonwala and Rina Gupta, this event boasted an array of celebrity performers that entertained the attendees with popular Bollywood songs and splendid dance numbers. 

Doused in décor to accentuate the glamorous theme of the night, the gala night was emceed by Simran Ahuja, a former Miss India winner and a renowned international celebrity anchor. The program was highlighted by the popular Nach Baliye winner and Kumkum fame, Hussein Kuwajerwala and the first Indian Idol winner Abhijeet Sawant, along with talented artists Abhinanda Sarkar, Shilpi Kaul and Vishal Kothari.

As part of the very first venture under the JustEntertain umbrella, Gupta an experienced organizer of high-profile Bollywood events and Rangoonwala, were upbeat about the overwhelming response from Atlanta metro area residents and thankful to their financial partners. They are confident in taking this event to another level next year and expressed gratitude to their core team members Shruti Gupta, Sunanda Dhar and Lucky Qureshi for their support. 

Performances were peppered with a mix of belly dancing and various raffle contests to keep the crowd engaged and, on their feet, the whole night. Food catered by Maya Indian Fine Dine was exclusively designed and executed by Chef Gary Mulchandani from New York. The bars were fully stocked with premium drinks to keep the libations flowing and spirits high. 

At a press conference organized by JustEntertain LLC the previous day, the celebrities candidly expressed their joy and excitement of being part of the mega celebrations.

“I have a very special relationship with Atlanta,” first Idol winner Sawant expressed, recounting his first performance abroad in Atlanta, back on 2006 with Himesh Reshammiya. “If there’s any city that I have visited most in the US, it is Atlanta!” he said.  “I’m very thankful to Ali bhai and Rina ji for bringing us here. This is the very first time I’m performing for New Years’ in the US or India, and I’m happy that this first is happening in the same city where I performed for the first time,” he added.

Sawant categorically denied any resolutions for the new year and most agreed that resolutions mostly never hold good past the first month. Ahuja, as a former Ms. India, who currently dons many hats as an actor, emcee, entrepreneur, anchor, doctorate in nature cure, author, ambassador folk dance and yoga master trainer emphasized nurturing inner beauty which will inevitably reflect on the outside as well. Upbeat artists Sarkar and Kothari expressed their joy in bringing the new year with Atlanta in style.

“I’m lucky to be part of this profession, where people inside and outside of India too recognize and shower us with so much love,” Kuwajerwala said when he addressed as the Kumkum fame actor.

“While initial impressions focus on external aesthetics, true character and inner abilities are ultimately revealed during challenging times. It is always the reflection of inner beauty that projects on the outside as well,” former Miss India Ahuja said when asked about her definition of beauty.

Rangoowala, Gupta and  Kuwajerwala highlighted JustEntertain LLC upcoming production – India, the Musical, by Producer, Director, Choreographer, and Writer Harshall Kamat.

“Today, Humanity is at its lowest point… Ever! We’re living in a time where FEAR has replaced LOVE as the most prevalent emotion in every heart, mind and soul; across the globe. Amidst what can only be defined as Mankind’s most hateful, regressive and defeatist era, ‘India-the musical’ emerges as a story of hope… a story of compassion… a story of love,” Rangoowala elaborated on the theme of the production.

An ode to the land and it’s legend, “India the musical” offers a peek into the past and a glimpse into the future of India. This 2-hour show, the team explained, is an intricate presentation of the history and culture of India. From kings and their kingdoms to the land and its invaders, from the external rulers of a country to the internal conflicts of its people

“Unlike any other run of the mill Bollywood show, this production takes pride in its mission and understands its responsibilities towards its audience and the world at large. The whole objective is to put ‘India – the musical’ onto the world map… It has the potential to reach a pedestal where people sit up and take notice of its extravagance and impact on an international level,” Rangoowala said. Having served in the non-profit sector for several years now, Gupta expressed her excitement in shifting over to the commercial sector. “JustEntertain LLC is focused on establishing a presence in the Bollywood event space by showcasing premium talent to the Indian American community via Meet N’ Greet and concert style events featuring popular artists from the Bollywood industry,” Gupta said about her latest venture.

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