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Himesh Reshammiya, the nasal-voiced singer-turned-hero, is a
huge hit in Mauritius. A rage and a style icon, his debut movie
"Aap Ka Suroor" is a success story here, with youths trying to
imitate his looks and personality.
The picturesque island nation, where 68 percent of the 1.23
million population is of Indian origin, thrives on Bollywood music
with swanky malls, restaurants, roadside eateries and taxis belting
out chart-topping Hindi movie songs - but for the moment Himesh
takes the cake.
His "Aap Ka Suroor", released last month, has drawn full houses and
is still running in many cinema halls. Himesh's trademark baseball
cap, fitted jeans and belt with an oversized buckle, along with his
stubble and pierced ear are a craze among Mauritian youths.
"We love the way Himesh sings and looks. We chill out with his
songs, which reflect both the joy and pain in life," say Sachin, a
Mauritian of Indian origin.
Sachin and his friends meet up every day at the Caudan waterfront,
an elite shopping mall in the centre of the city, and spend their
evenings listening to their favourite singer. Their pierced ears
and baseball caps are signs of their admiration for the popular
musician.
Brushing aside the singer's nasal tone, Kunal, who tries to
imitate Himesh, quips: "We don't think his voice has a nasal
twang. His voice is different from the rest. His music is
astounding and three cheers for him."
Huge Himesh posters adorn the walls of most music and CD stores.
Says Stella, who works in a music shop: "Himesh's 'Aap Ka
Suroor' music CD is selling out fast and people come looking for
the film CD too, which is not yet available here. His
'Tanhaiyaan' number is topping the charts."
Nissan Jhugroo, a taxi driver, just flips for Himesh. His car is
stocked with Himesh's music video CDs, which he proudly puts on in
the car TV for his passengers, irrespective of whether they are
Indians or not.
"Himesh's foot-tapping music is liked even by my French and other
tourists as they don't ask me to turn it off," says Jhugroo.
And Himesh's songs are an essential part of most parties in this
beautiful island nation.
Mahesh Karjolkar, an event manager, who migrated to Mauritius 17
years ago, says Himesh has caught the fancy of Mauritian youths
like no one before.
"For most parties we arrange, people query whether the DJ would be
able to play Himesh's songs. And the parties definitely get
rocking once his techno-beats take over."
Himesh's "Aap Ka Suroor" opened to resounding success in this
island, adds Mahesh.
Apart from Himesh, television actress Smriti Irani, who played
Tulsi in "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", is also popular among
women and girls.
Mauritius's channel K TV is broadcasting 'Kyunki' though they
show older episodes.
Says Maria, an usher at a restaurant: "Tulsi is a hot favourite
here. The episodes are so interesting and intriguing."
Indo-Asian News Service
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