Mumbai doctors to perform Shah Rukh Khan tribute show for cancer patients in Bandra

Dr Rajesh Valand stars in a song performance

Eight city doctors are coming together to belt out Shah Rukh Khan songs in a music show at Bandra's Rangsharda Auditorium on Sunday, December 28, evening. This is a three-hour ticketed show called ‘Kal Ho Na Ho' with proceeds going towards head and neck cancer patients.

This is the fourth edition of the show, with the first in 2018 being ‘Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana' with superstar Rajesh Khanna's songs. The second edition in 2019 was headlined ‘Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein Khayal Aata Hai' with Amitabh Bachchan hits. In 2023, the docs held ‘Om Shanti Om', a Rishi Kapoor musical tribute and now, it is the Shah Rukh Khan numbers.

A performance during the 2019 edition of the show

Said Dr Rajesh Valand, ENT and head and neck cancer surgeon leading the band called the ‘C Smile Foundation', "We always choose to perform songs of Bollywood superstars. We find they resonate more with the audience, who has an immediate connect. We started from Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and now, of course, Shah Rukh Khan. Busy, buzzing docs at the top of their professional ladder and singing make a unique and fascinating combination. Dr Valand laughed as he explained, "We even squeeze in some practice after work at 10.30 pm."

Hero act

Dr Valand added, "I am passionate about singing. I sing at every show. There are orthopaedic surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, gastroenterologists, pathologists, and dentists singing, too. Both our show moderators are maxillofacial surgeons. India is truly going through an epidemic of head and neck cancers."

Dr Valand commended all medical professionals and caretakers. "I see genuine commitment and compassion. There are those who work tirelessly for underprivileged head and neck cancer patients - individuals who may not have the means to afford life-saving treatment, yet deserve the same dignity, care and chance at life as anyone else."

Healers hit the high notes in 2023. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Docs agree that while this is a very worthy cause, the show itself needs to hold audience attention and engagement for three hours. This is a challenge in a world where attention spans are getting short. Said Dr Valand, "I have factored that in. In fact, my aim is not to let the audience resort to checking their WhatsApp messages even for a few seconds throughout. Songs will be interspersed with anecdotes, and I myself will be wearing what the hero wore in a particular movie.

In one of the earlier shows, we had a cutout of a jeep, with a hero singing from it, as happened in the film. It is all about keeping your audience's eyes, and ears in this case, glued to the performance," he said, making us bring a twist to the adage: an apple a day may keep the doctor away, but when these doctors are singing, you are sure to keep the mobile away.

In the end, this show is as much about messages as it is about melodies and medicine. "We often talk to people about refraining from nicotine/tobacco, but this time, preventive messages are couched in music," concluded the docs. Like the wise say: music is life, that is why even our hearts have beats.

For tickets call: 8291342116