Bollywood Music Project 2025: Mumbaikars revel in classics such as ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Rock On’ and ‘Uchi Hai Building'

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy were one of the many performers who enthralled the audience over two days. Photos Courtesy: Special Arrangement

All the Bollywood fans lived their dream in Mumbai as The Bollywood Music Project (BMP) 2025 came alive this weekend for its eighth edition.

The first day saw the legendary Shankar Mahadevan & Friends headline the festival and deliver an expansive three-hour musical performance with the Padma Shri awardee and Grammy-winning maestro at the helm, alongside Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa. The trio took audiences on a nostalgic journey through timeless anthems like ‘Dil Chahta Hai,' ‘Rock On,' ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho,' ‘Tere Naina,' and ‘O Rangrez.'

Farhan Akhtar and Shaan brought an electrifying energy with hits including ‘Senorita,' ‘Socha Hai,' ‘Pichle Saat Dino Mein,' ‘Toh Zinda Ho Tum,' ‘Gallan Goodiyan,' ‘You're My Love,' ‘Dus Bahane,' ‘Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe,' ‘Chaand Sifaarish,' and ‘Jab Se Tere Naina'. The best part was that all of them were reimagined with vibrant funk-rock arrangements.

Adding to the magic, percussion maestro Sivamani unleashed a breathtaking world-percussion performance blending konnakol, jazz, and tribal rhythms, while Siddharth and Shivam Mahadevan infused contemporary ghazal and devotional melodies with lush electronic textures.

The evening also featured an exciting lineup of melodic storytellers - Anu Malik reignited his ‘90s classics like ‘Ek Garam Chai Ki Pyali Ho' and ‘Uchi Hai Building', Baba Sehgal energised the crowd with ‘Thanda Thanda Pani,' while Kunal Ganjawala and Avinash Gupta charmed audiences with their iconic playback hits. Shaarib and Toshi's Roohaniyat ensemble transported listeners with soulful Sufi-ghazals, and Abhijeet Sawant rounded out the evening with vibrant pop-rock anthems.
The second day was no less as Bollywood music fans witnessed a powerful finale led by the acclaimed composer duo Salim-Sulaiman Merchant, who mesmerised fans with unforgettable numbers like ‘Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai,' ‘O Re Piya,' ‘Chak De India,' and ‘Ainvayi Ainvayi.'

The evening also featured dynamic performances by Neha Bhasin, who delivered a powerhouse set blending her soulful vocals and edgy pop energy on hits like ‘Jag Ghoomeya,' ‘Dhunki,' and ‘Nai Jaana.' Bismil made a memorable debut with his soul-stirring Sufi-rock set, performing ‘Husn,' ‘Mere Maula,' and ‘Ishq Sufiyana,' while the evergreen Usha Uthup brought her signature jazz-disco flair with classics like ‘Darling,' ‘Hari Om Hari,' and ‘Ramba Ho'. Hargun Kaur enthralled the audience with Punjabi Sufi-folk renditions layered over minimalist tabla sounds.

The festival also showcased a diverse lineup featuring Kabir Singh, Abhay Jodhpurkar, Aflatunes, Rakesh Maini, Simran Choudhary, Farhad Bhiwandiwala, Rishabh Chaturvedi, Pawandeep Rajan, and Khushboo Grewal, adding richness and variety to a celebration of Bollywood music over the years.