Like a seasoned pied piper, Sukhwinder Singh knows what it takes to make the audience sway to his tunes. With over a thousand live concerts to his credit, he has performed practically in every big city in India and the world over, but Mumbai's Bandra Fort is one of his favourites, even though he has performed here only once before, for the 175-year celebrations of the Times of India. As the livewire singer gets set to perform here for the second time for the Times Celebrate Bandra festival tomorrow, he tells us that even though he stays in Juhu now, Bandra will always remain his first love. Excerpts:

BANDRA WAS MY FIRST HOME IN MUMBAI
“When I came to Mumbai, Bandra was where I stayed. It's here that I met Laxmikantji of Laxmikant-Pyarelal, at Mehboob Studios, and that was special for me as a singer. Then, I experienced the charm of the Mehboob Studio-Carter Road-Bandstand stretch. It's like a festival is going on in every corner.People here are too stylish. And I think I am one of the top 10 stylish people in India, so I feel an instant connect. In fact, I have got a nice new haircut for the concert. I went to a fancy salon in Bandra and told the guy, “Boy, I am coming to perform in your area. Let this Juhu boy look like a Bandra boy .“

BANDRA FORT IS VERY COSY
“Last year when I performed here, Salman Khan had come and the show had gone on for four hours. People kept requesting for more and I had to fold my hands and request them to let us conclude it. The best thing is that it's very cosy. It feels like performing at a family function. The first time also I had performed for the Times of India and I feel emotionally thankful to them for introducing me to such a wonderful audience. It reminds me of Russia where they have these stunning jazz performances with greenery all around. I would love to sit in the audience myself, at this place.“

THE CONCERT IS ABOUT ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT, ENTERTAINMENT
“Besides my popular songs like Jai Ho and Dard-E-Disco, I have quite a few surprises planned. I will perform an Egyptian version of the song Bismil from Haider and an Opera act with Russian performers. The stage doesn't allow you to follow rules and I am all for improvisation. The audience will be flabbergasted with my show. I performed as a nine-year-old for the first time in England three decades ago and was full of energy, and to date, I feel the same way. The concert is going to be about entertainment, entertainment and entertainment and I will also be singing many songs for my two Bandra boys -Salman Bhai and Shah Rukh Khan.“

DATING AT CARTER ROAD AND SHOPPING AT LINKING ROAD IS MIND BLOWING
“I've had the cops scold me at Carter Road for sitting with girls and I still shop at Linking Road for shirts, T-shirts and bermudas. There's so much in Bandra, plus the beautiful girls and handsome men always make for a fantastic sight. Kuchh toh baat hai Bandra mein.“

Sukhwinder Singh will perform on November 29 at Bandra Fort, 7pm onwards. Complimentary invites can be collected from the Times of India building, Dr DN Road, Fort, on a first-come-first-serve basis from 10 am-5 pm