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'Once more! Once more!'

People are going completely crazy. Archana has just announced, "The ace with the base, AMITABH BACHCHAN," about two second ago.

For a full minute we are into the music of Na na na na na re na re from Mrityudaata, but you cannot hear anything except the deafening roar from the audience. On stage, there is only the dance troupe -- boys in churidaar-kurtas and embroidered knee-length vests; girls in orange and green lehangas holding daflis.

As the vocals start, Sudesh Bhosle walks on stage, and there is an audible reduction in the crowd volume. After a few moments, Amitabh runs on stage, holding a mike, dressed in black from head to toe. As everyone spots him, the frenzy starts again, confirming beyond a doubt that it's the star and not the song they've been waiting for. A bunch of fireworks go off on stage, and once again you are into Deaf-world.

The legend is on the smokey stage singing -- his height and awkward lanky build makes him unmistakably recognisable. His voice sounds the same as from decades ago. This is the Amitabh of old, the one we know and love in Deewar, in Sholay, in Sharaabi. He hasn't aged.

Do my eyes deceive me, my friend? Are you -- sane, you -- actually chanting with the rest of 'em? "Once more! Once more!" as the great showman walks off? Well, well...wonders never cease!

Here comes Sadhna Sargam (on extreme right in pic, along with Sudesh Bhosle and Sonali Bajpai), -- the Kalyanji Anandji discovery and prodigy. Poor thing. She has to perform the most anticlimactic item in the concert. Oh well, we have time to go back and settle into our seats now. Never realised we had walked up so far ahead while cheering the Big B on!

Hah, that's good. Is she singing already? I can see her lips move, but can't hear anything but music. Now she's saying a few words. I wonder how many people want to hear Sadhna say a few words. I know the group around me don't.

Okay, time for another star to come. Its a mysterious mummy. Gee, I wonder who that could be? Manisha? No silly, its Anil Kapoor. But let's pretend we don't know that.

As the song Pyaar pyaar karte karte progresses, the dance troupe slowly strip off the bandages, reserving the covered face for the end. Just as the song ends and Teri tirchi nazar main hai jaado... (Loafer) starts, Anil is revealed in blue shirt, blue pants, and a yellow vest.

The crowd goes wild.

Look at that group over there. Do you notice the way those girls are screaming? Anil seems to have a predominantly female following, whereas Amitabh has hard-core male fans -- these boys who are sitting and clapping now, they were standing on their seats shouting when Amitabh was on.

Now it is Sonali Bajpai and Chetan Rana as Viju gets the band cranking to Tu cheez badi hai mast mast... Everyone postpones plans for a quick trip outside and stays put. Many because they want to enjoy the number, others because the aisles are suddenly packed with dancing teenagers.

Archana then proceeds to build up (or tries to, anyway) some semblance of suspense about the next performer. Since Manisha is the only one left, her riddle-filled monologue about a female heartthrob seems irritatingly long.

On comes Manisha, in an orange and gold Arabian-styled outfit and pearl jewellery. She performs to the famous number from Agnisakshi, and walks off to loud protests from the audience.

Johnny Lever. The guy is funny, no doubt. But his monologue seems to go on forever. His star mimicry skit with Sudesh Bhosle is pretty good. But when he walks in a lehanga as Madhuri, I see quite a few conservative folks roll their eyes. Especially when he pulls out two strategically-placed balloons from his outfit and waves them around.

As Amitabh and Anil sing their much-advertised medley of songs, the audience seems to naturally split into two cheering groups. The competition suddenly becomes all too real -- more for the audience than the performers.

The two men on stage seem to share a good rapport. Remember the respect in Anil's eyes as he greeted Amitabh backstage? Holding his hand in both of his and almost half-bowing as if to get his blessings? I don't know why that image keeps coming to mind right now. Both stars, with arms slung across each others shoulder, walk off stage, waving to the crowd. Cute item, this was.

It is Manisha and Anil now. And as we watch them perform some soft numbers from 1942, A Love Story, I don't think there is even a single member among us who is not sighing and holding hands.

The two look great together. See them look soulfully into each others eyes as they dance flawlessly to those romantic numbers? It's like watching the movie all over again in 3D. Manisha looks great in her white lehanga with gold embroidery, throwing shy smiles towards Anil every once in a while. For these 10 minutes or so, everyone is in their seats... All watching. Quietly, spellbound.

Anil takes over. His dialogues are certainly well done. Covered the whole suite of emotions there, he did.

Look, Manisha is back, performing to a song from Khamoshi... wearing a long black cape, black leotards, her hair tied in a pony tail.

Wow! The Big B walks in. In a bandh-gala suit. One hand in his pocket, and the other holding a long stemmed red rose. Manisha stands shyly facing him, head bowed, smiling. As he reaches her, the song finishes and --

Hey, why are you holding your breath? Why is everyone holding their breath?

-- a small sigh breaks out from us, as the most famous voice in Bollywood starts softly Kabhi kabhi mere dil main...

No time to clap. Let's just listen to this. He finishes the song and hands the rose to Manisha. The applause starts and keeps on thundering as B walks her off stage. He returns and starts speaking. Pin drop silence again.

Amitabh walks us through some of his famous films, and dialogues. Hey, did you notice the cheer that went up when he praised Afghanistan before doing Khuda Gawah? I didn't know so many Afghanis were here tonight.

I like the way he is cracking these one-line extempos as he performs Mere anganey main..(Laawaaris). Wives of all descriptions are joining him on stage. Look at that chotihe picked up... she looks like she is torn between wanting to faint and revel in this moment forever! As the song ends, performers come on one by one.

Looks like it's over. All the stars have come on stage and are waving farewell. Come on let's go. Why do you look so disappointed? You are sad to see it end? Don't worry, there should be another star-packed concert soon... And we will be there.

You bet your life we will be there.