In the beginning of October 2025, I made a split-second decision to book tickets to Asia’s largest Bollywood music festival, the iconic Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai. All to see one artist – Shaan.

Here’s why:

Core memories often have the power to make us feel a certain way. That’s probably why they stick with us. It’s like watching your comfort show.

I watched Shaan years ago when concerts weren’t even part of a lifestyle. It was a huge deal that a school was able to bring him to the city of Belgaum. At the time, Shah Rukh Khan’s Don had released and the title song was a huge hit.

What Is Bollywood Music Project 2025?

Bollywood Music Project 2025 is a large-scale, multi-genre Bollywood music festival bringing together top artists for an immersive two-day celebration of Bollywood music culture.

My experience

Driven by this enthusiasm, I made my way to Mumbai’s biggest Bollywood festival, a 2-day concert filled with some of India’s most loved artists, at Jio Garden. Only after leaving my abode to get to Bandra on the first day, did it hit me – was I strong enough to bear the heat?

Thanks to my lucky stars that chose to go on vacation that day, the AC in my vehicle wasn’t working and ten minutes after we were on our way, one of the tyres gave up. What’s a day without such hiccups, right?

An hour and a half later I was at the venue.

The event kicked off late with the sun dead set on burning everyone but once the announcement was made, nothing else but the music mattered.

The Bollywood Music Project line-Up

Day 1: Solo wanderer

Day 1: Solo wanderer

The best part about going solo to Bollywood music festivals in India? You can change your mind as much as you like. I switched between stages, strolled past cute stalls, popped by the bar, found a seat when I needed a breather, got back up immediately to attend another stage… I moved like the wind.

But of course, when I saw groups of people dancing in their little circles, taking pictures together and living this experience as one, I felt a little alone on that large ground.

Then Anu Malik came on stage and my solo party continued!

As Shankar Mahadevan kicked off what could only be described as a celebration of music, I walked away from the stage. It was getting too crowded and difficult to breathe. Only after I was right at the back, as far as where the stalls were set up, I noticed more people. Somehow, the number had tripled since morning. There were about 12,000 people gathered in one place for this massive Bollywood concert experience!

Just as I was looking for a spot on the lawn to rest my feet, I spotted a girl dancing without a care in the world. I approached her and struck up a conversation. She was super friendly, all smiles and sways. We danced together till his set ended. This interaction reminded me why going solo might seem scary but in the end can lead to treasured memories. By the end of the night,euphoria took over that feeling of envy I experience throughout the day. I was smiling, tired and content. Until a tarot reader asked me to sit down at her table.

Then, my joy doubled. But this story is for another time, for when her predictions come true or not. Check this space after six months!

Day 2 at the Bollywood Music Project: “I don’t know you, but you’re awesome”

Yup, that’s exactly what I told a guy whose mom seemed like a riot!

Initially I thought she was by herself, because she was all smiles and unfiltered comments. Later, I saw her at one of the stages with her sons. It seemed like she had dragged them along instead of the other way around. “My friends and I love doing things like this,” she confided. I got the sense that while her sons were studying in Mumbai, these trips were a break from her life back in Kolkata.

I can only hope to hold on to my fun side when I’m her age.

Before crossing paths with her, I met another lady in the entry queue. While talking about NMACC and live events, she said, “My husband and I just returned from South Africa. We booked this event to see what it was like. Our children were very surprised but encouraged us to go.”

She was quite surprised that I was attending the event by myself and asked me about Day 1. We walked in together. After security, I hung back till her husband joined her. She introduced me to him by name and said, “Any time you feel like, join us. We’ll be around.”

More than the live music performances at this Bollywood festival in Mumbai, the impromptu interactions will stay with me. This is one of the many reasons I don’t mind going solo. I get the opportunity to strike up conversations and hear stories I wouldn’t otherwise. How many times have you brushed past someone without giving them a second thought? Human interaction can be so beautiful, at times. Mind you, not everyone is up for friendly conversation and while rejection stings, I take it in good spirit.

While waiting for the stages to come alive with music, I wandered around the ground. Now that I’d shed the hesitation from Day 1, I felt more confident and care-free. I stopped by booths I had only noticed while leaving the day before. So, on Day 2, I made it a point to stop and check them out.

Good thing I did, because I spun the wheel and won a special Diwali edition Cadbury box! I wasn’t so lucky at a Tuborg stall where the prize was weird green plastic goggles. So, that’s two wins!

Music is the answer

Dawn to dusk, Spotify is always on in the background. God forbid, my thoughts catch up with me, right? Well, that and also I enjoy music. I’m not an expert at discussing the intricacies, but I will vibe to Anu Malik’s rhyme choice. I’m no lyricist, but I will agree that “Bheege hont tere” when heard live is pure bliss.

If memory serves me right, it was Khushbu Grewal who gave a shout out to Indian artists. She poured her heart out when she said that India has wonderful artists, they just need our support.

I would’ve never guessed how great Kunal Ganjawala sounds if I hadn’t heard him live at this Bollywood Music Project 2025 stage. I was shocked that a song like Hum Dum Suniyo Re was his baby! These Indian artists have always been in the background… or playback, as it’s said. To see them own the stage in casual jeans and a jacket or a neon onesie or pink bodysuit, soulful voices paired with live bands and insane choreography, it was one hell of an experience I’m thankful for.

My favorite performances

What’s a blog without a list of my top choices?

• Kunal Ganjawala
• Kabir Singh, Shankhar Mahadevan & Friends, Salim-Sulaiman
• Sakshi Srivastava
• Shaarib Toshi
• Usha Uthup
• Asees Kaur
• Hargun Kaur
• Pawandeep Rajan
• Aflattunes

Want to learn more about the event? Check out their Instagram page here.