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Daler, Karisma wow Toronto

Firdaus Ali in Toronto

Toronto's party animals came alive on Sunday as Daler Mehndi and Karisma Kapoor shook a leg with the crowds at the city's plush Air Canada Centre.

The troupe from India, including singers, dancers, musicians and Milka Singh, managed to rock audiences to the animated beats of bhangra all night long.

The show played to packed houses and latecomers queued up for last-minute tickets. After all, the Bhangra King and Bollywood's Dancing Queen were in Toronto and the city was not going to let them go without enjoying the hoopla and fun.

The blue-eyed dancing queen held audiences spellbound with her animated dances. Her loud outfits comprising sequined gold and silver ensembles were as explosive as her dances. While she showed her prowess, she sang some lines along with Daler, adding to the fun.

Performing hit dance numbers from films like Hum Saath Saath Hain, Biwi No 1, Chal Mere Bhai and Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Karisma proved to be an energetic bundle all along. She even invited a young man from the audience to be her Husband No 1. The stage "husband" danced with his "wife" and the audiences loved it, crying for more. Karisma later autographed the young man's gold robe, which he promised to treasure all his life.

Mehndi, not to be left behind, rubbed in the charm with his colourful costumes and lively singing. Better known as "Dollar Mendi" for his success at stage shows -- he managed to hold the audiences spellbound with his groovy beats and thumping dances. Audiences danced on their seats as he sang Bolo Tara rara and Sade naal rahoge to...

The audience also got a taste of Milka Singh. Milka is a star in the making and Daler's younger brother. His hit songs from the album Ishq Brandy and rock-star-like appearance kept the audience entertained.

Though, both Karisma and Daler came to Toronto last year on different stage shows, they managed to light the stage yet again. The show was sponsored by Esquire Promotions, Eye of Asia and Nav Bhatia of Toronto.

An announcement that another film show would be held in October featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Sanjay Dutt, Sushmita Sen, Namrata Shirodkar and Johnny Lever had the audience in a tizzy.

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