If you are a fan of Mohammed Rafi, you’re in for a treat. It’s the late music legend’s 100th birth anniversary in December next year, but the celebrations have started this year itself. His grandson, Fuzail, tells us that a string of special shows are being planned in his grandfather’s memory. “I always wanted to do this. It’s been my dream for my dada. Plus, it being his 100th birth anniversary, so we are really excited. A lot of surprises have been planned,” he says.

Fuzail adds that singer Sonu Nigam, a huge admirer of Rafi, would also be a part of the initiative. “When you hear of Rafi sahab, Sonu ji’s name comes first. I met him in Atlanta recently. Even today, when he does his riyaaz in the morning, he does it in front of Rafi sahab’s photograph. So, he is definitely a part of this. Javed Ali (singer) too. We cannot reveal more names currently. We will start announcing more towards the end of the year,” says Fuzail.

The shows will be spread out over a year, across countries. “Besides India, we will also cover the Middle East, India, Canada and the US,” he says.

Ask why he didn’t take his grandfather’s legacy forward by becoming a singer, and Fuzail says, “I am musically inclined. But I didn’t get into singing as I was worried people would compare me to my dada. There’s nobody in this world who can even touch him (his legacy), and I didn’t want to do anything to mess with that.”