Music maestro and Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman delivered his first-ever live performance at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab on Sunday, paying a heartfelt tribute to the personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) .
Titled ‘Jai Ho – A Tribute to the Bravehearts’, the special event was organised by the team of filmmaker Imtiaz Ali’s upcoming film Main Vaapas Aaunga and took place during the iconic Beating Retreat Ceremony at the JCP Stadium . Thousands of visitors gathered at the venue to witness the historic musical evening .
A Historic Performance
The event held special significance as it marked Rahman’s maiden performance in Punjab, with director Imtiaz Ali noting that an artist of such stature had never performed in the state before . The location was deeply symbolic, as Main Vaapas Aaunga is a Partition-era drama that draws heavily from stories of love, loss, and displacement along the India-Pakistan border .
Rahman opened the musical set with the soulful melody ‘Chanda Suraj Lakhon Taare’ before transitioning into songs from the upcoming film . The programme included energetic renditions of ‘Maskara’ performed by Nilanjana Ghosh and actor Vedang Raina, and ‘Ishq Mastana’ by Mohit Chauhan alongside Pooja Tiwari and Nargis .
The evening concluded with Rahman’s iconic patriotic anthem ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’, filling the venue with an overwhelming sense of national pride .
Dedication to the Armed Forces
The Main Vaapas Aaunga team dedicated the film’s upcoming music album to the courage and sacrifice of all Indian armed forces personnel . Director Imtiaz Ali, actor Vedang Raina, producer Mohit Choudhary of Window Seat Films, and Ananya Birla of Birla Studios were present at the event, welcoming the audience and expressing their gratitude to the BSF .
Speaking about the occasion, Imtiaz Ali said: “This performance is an ode to the national spirit, to our bravehearts on the border, the BSF and the Indian Army, and to the spirit of solidarity and love that binds us all.” He added that the film, which originates from the making of the border during the Partition of 1947, brings a “message of love because, ultimately, only love sustains us” .
About ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’
Set against the backdrop of the Partition of India, Main Vaapas Aaunga is described as a story of love and longing. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Sharvari, and Vedang Raina in pivotal roles .
The music has been composed by AR Rahman with lyrics penned by Irshad Kamil, reuniting the trio that previously collaborated on acclaimed films such as Rockstar, Tamasha, and Amar Singh Chamkila . The film is produced by Birla Studios, Applause Entertainment, and Window Seat Films .
