
The who’s who of the Indian entertainment industry and some international stars came together on Sunday for the home-to-home fundraiser concert I For India.
The proceeds from the concert will go to India COVID Response Fund managed by GiveIndia.
The four-hour-long concert, which was streamed on Facebook, featured A R Rahman, Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ajay–Atul, Akshay Kumar, Alia Bhatt, Amaan Ali Bangash & Ayaan Ali Bangash, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Anil Kapoor, Ankur Tewari, Anoushka Shankar, Anushka Sharma, Arijit Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, B Praak, Badshah, Bhumi Pednekar, Bryan Adams, Dia Mirza, Divine, Dulquer Salmaan, Farah Khan, Farhan Akhtar & Band, Gulzar, Hariharan, Harshdeep Kaur, Hrithik Roshan, Jack Black, Javed Akhtar, Jay Sean, Joe Jonas, Kapil Sharma, Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kartik Aaryan, Katrina Kaif, Kevin Jonas, Kiran Rao, Kusha Kapila, Lilly Singh, Lisa Mishra, Madhuri Dixit, Mame Khan, Mindy Kaling, Nalandaway Foundation, Nick Jonas, Papon, Parineeti Chopra, Pritam, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Raja Kumari, Rana Daggubati, Rani Mukherji, Ranveer Singh, Rekha Bhardwaj, Rohit Sharma, Russell Peters, Saif Ali Khan, Sania Mirza, Shabana Azmi, Shah Rukh Khan, Shaheen Bhatt, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Shreya Ghoshal, Shruti Haasan, Sidharth Malhotra, Sonu & Nevaan Nigam, Sophie Turner, Sunidhi Chauhan, The Shillong Chamber Choir, Tiger Shroff, Twinkle Khanna, Varun Dhawan, Vicky Kaushal, Vidya Balan, Virat Kohli, Vishal Bhardwaj, Will Smith, Ustad Zakir Hussain and Zoya Akhtar.
Shah Rukh Khan closes the concert by singing "Sab Sahi Ho Jayega", which has been composed by Badshah and written by Saini. Shah Rukh's son AbRam makes an appearance in the song. Once the star finishes his track, he says, "I can go for one more," AbRam interrupts, saying, "Papa, it's enough."
Will Smith says, "India holds a really warm and special place in my heart. My family and I have spent a lot of time here and it's really like a home away from home for me. So, when Karan Johar asked me days ago to be a part of this, I jumped at the opportunity. In these dark and difficult times, there are hundred and thousands of migrants going without income, food and homes. That's why it's important that initiatives like I for India are able to garner our support. I have the luxury to be at home, surrounded by my family during this time. Please participate if you can."
Ranveer Singh croons "Doori" from his last on-screen outing, Gully Boy.
Vicky Kaushal says, "I am proud of India - the way we have united in our fight against COVID-19. We can perform a surgical strike at our enemy by being inside our homes. I salute all the frontline professionals. The most important thing for us right now is being at home, but it's very sad that many of our brothers and sisters don't have a roof over their head and are stuck either in their work cities or somewhere between their native towns and places of work."
Sonu Nigam sings a few of his hit tracks like "Tanhai", "Yeh Dil" and "Suraj Hua Maddham". He then invites his son Nevaan Nigam, who croons Maroon 5's "Sugar" and "Girls Like You". Sonu concludes his act with a rendition of Kal Ho Na Ho title track.
Canadian singer Bryan Adams performs his popular track, "Shine a Light".
I For India concert pays tribute to Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. While Mira Nair spoke about Irrfan, Amitabh Bachchan paid tribute to Rishi.
Mira Nair says, "To speak of Irrfan Khan in the past tense is virtually impossible because Irrfan was always alive. He was alive to life. He was alive to whimsy. He was alive to hypocrisy. He was alive to friendship. He was alive to the street child. Irrfan was one of the most beautiful listeners I have ever known. He listened beautifully and harnessed it into his art.
In his work, there was never repetition. There was never something that you had seen before. There was always this inimitable honesty. This twinkle and this knowing sense that he had seen through it. He was bringing it to you with nothing that covered the purity of the intent.
I will miss you so much Irrfan, but you have left an extraordinary legacy of work because you always knew that you were special. And, that you had something that must be cherished, nourished and not fritted away. That's what you gave us, in each one of your roles.
You have also left an inspired group of extraordinary actors across the subcontinent who looked to you. Your flame is still in them. That is my only sucker, as I keep going in a world without Irrfan, in a cinema without Irrfan, but thank you. There are no words for what you have given us."
Music composer Pritam and singer Arijit Singh perform a special version of "Shayad" from their recent release, Love Aaj Kal 2.
Alia Bhatt appears with author, sister Shaheen Bhatt to thank essential services providers and frontline workers. They also express their fear of 'unknown'. 'Every day, we wake up feeling fearful. The whole world is grappling with it,' said Alia before announcing that musician Ankur Tewari will join her and Shaheen for a special performance.
The act begins with Alia singing "Ik Kudi" as Ankur plays the piano. Shaheen joins in singing the title track of Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, directed by her father Mahesh Bhatt.
Hrithik Roshan sings and plays "Tere Jaisa Yaar Kahan" from Yaarana on his piano. The song was originally composed by his uncle Rajesh Roshan.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan says, "I would like you to know that you aren't alone. There is always a beacon of hope. All frontline workers and medical fraternity are working hard to make us feel safe, keep us safe and look after our well being."
Nick Jonas says that India is now his second home and he stands in solidarity with everyone in the time of crisis.
"My heart breaks for those whose lives have been affected by it. The migrants, daily wage earners. I am going to say I can, I will and I must help. Please donate," says Nick before performing a rendition of his hit track "Jealous". Towards the end, the singer is joined by actor-wife Priyanka Chopra and they both ask fans to donate.
"I, for one, am for India. If ever I get kicked out of North America, you will see me performing live there (in India)," jokes Russell Peters. The comedian appeals to his fans to donate towards the initiative.
Varun Dhawan performs an act in collaboration with Shiamak Davar's Institute of Performing Arts Global. He dances to "Mile Sur Mera Tumhara" from his recent release Street Dancer 3D.
"Love and kindness will get us through this," Varun said before the act.
Farhan Akhtar, along with his band, perform "Tum Ho" from "Rock On!!" for the audience.
Mindy Kaling sends love to her "brothers and sisters in India", and asks people to donate towards I For India.
Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner express their love for India and ask people to donate for I For India.
AR Rahman says, "Art has the power to change and inspire. Let us stand for those who aren't privileged. Let us show we care."
The musician then performed "O Aashiqa" from his upcoming film 99, which is his maiden production.