For the last couple of days, Bollywood has been the talk of the town. Hollywood and Bollywood flocked to witness the grand opening of Nita Ambani’s stunning new arts centre in Mumbai which was nothing less than an Indian Met Gala. The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) is a masterpiece of modern architecture and boasts state-of-the-art facilities that left everyone in awe.
The centre was inaugurated on Friday (March 31) with a musical theatre performance titled “Civilization to Nation: The Journey of Our Nation.” The evening was truly a spectacle, with celebrities from all over the world of arts and entertainment making their way to Jio World Gardens at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai.
As the cream of the crop of Bollywood and Hollywood gathered at the centre, the event was filled with unforgettable moments that are still making headlines. While some gave stunning performances and some lived their dreams, the grand opening of NMACC was an experience like no other.
Here are 5 moments which made the NMACC inauguration one of the most Talked about events:
1) Nita Mukhesh Ambani’s performed a soulful Bharatnatyam dance at the Gala
The mesmerizing evening of ‘The Great Indian Musical: Civilisation to Nation’ witnessed a special performance by the graceful host, Nita Ambani. The accomplished dancer donned her Bharatnatyam attire and dazzled the audience with a meticulously choreographed act to the soulful notes of Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram. Nita’s exquisite performance was a testimony to her unwavering dedication and passion for the classical dance form. It is fascinating to know that her tryst with Bharatnatyam began as early as six years of age, and since then, she has honed her skills to become a proficient performer. The audience was spellbound by the ethereal display of talent and poise that Nita exhibited on stage. Her performance was a true reflection of the beauty and richness of Indian culture, leaving everyone in awe and admiration.
2) SRK’s power-packed performance on ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’
The Ambani’s gala event reached new heights of excitement as Shah Rukh Khan was called in to perform on Day 2. The audience was electrified as SRK took to the stage, swaying to the beats of Pathaan songs. His performance was simply mesmerizing, with the crowd going wild as he broke into a dance to the tune of ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan.’ SRK’s energy was infectious, and he didn’t hesitate to invite Varun Dhawan and Ranveer Singh to join in. The trio danced together in perfect harmony, sending the crowd into a frenzy of cheers and applause. Witnessing SRK’s live performance at the gala was a dream come true for everyone in the audience.
3) Supermodel Gigi Hadid Living Her Bollywood Dream With Varun Dhawan
The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) Gala event on Day 2 was a spectacle to behold, with Varun Dhawan taking centre stage for a dance performance. The crowd was in for a treat as Varun invited supermodel Gigi Hadid who donned a regal saree, even picking her up and giving her a peck on the cheek. However, the video of the performance sparked controversy on social media, with some users criticizing Varun for kissing Gigi without her consent.
Yes exactly Gigi Hadid 🥰 THAT would have been my reaction too if Varun lifted me up and danced with him for 5 secs. pic.twitter.com/ExfCE3CaJK
— Annesha (@ApnaaVarun) April 2, 2023
In response to the backlash, Varun took to Twitter to set the record straight, stating that the act was a planned one. He urged people to channel their energy into addressing real issues rather than creating unnecessary drama on social media.
Surprisingly, Gigi herself had no qualms about Varun’s actions and even thanked him for making her Bollywood dreams come true. She took to her Instagram story to share a video of their performance and wrote, “@varundvn making my Bollywood dreams come true (laughter emojis).”
Despite the initial uproar, it was heartening to see that Gigi and Varun were able to take the controversy in stride and enjoy the moment for what it was: a truly magical performance that brought two cultures together.
4) Alia Bhatt and Rashmika Mandanna’s dance-off on Naatu Naatu
The crowd at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) Gala event was treated to a scintillating performance by two of India’s most popular actresses, Alia Bhatt and Rashmika Mandanna. The duo put on a stunning display as they danced to the Oscar-winning track “Nacho Nacho”, the Hindi version of “Naatu Naatu”. Dressed to impress, Alia donned a short white dress while Rashmika looked resplendent in a gold saree. The two actresses moved in perfect sync, their bodies flowing to the beats of the RRR song. The audience was completely entranced by their performance, hooting and cheering as the two leading ladies flaunted their impressive dancing skills. As a video of their dance battle went viral online, fans couldn’t stop raving about Alia and Rashmika’s electrifying chemistry and impeccable style.
alia bhatt & rashmika mandanna performing together at NMACC pic.twitter.com/TR6vDyszQA
— anushka. (@softiealiaa) April 2, 2023
5) The paparazzi calling out Tom Holland, Zendaya and Gigi Hadid was just hilarious
The A-listers from Hollywood, Tom Holland and Zendaya, graced India for the inauguration of Nita Ambani’s cultural centre. However, what unfolded was beyond their wildest imagination – the paparazzi took centre stage most amusingly. In a viral video circulating on the internet, a swarm of paparazzi could be heard calling out Tom’s name in the most creative and enthusiastic ways imaginable.
From elongated “Toms” to “Aye Tomye/Tommy,” the shutterbugs welcomed the actor as if he was their childhood buddy. The moment left everyone present with beaming smiles, underscoring the immense adoration and excitement that Hollywood stars receive in India. On the second day of the NMACC gala, the paparazzi greeted supermodel Gigi Hadid in Marathi and even requested her to pose for them. Their exclamation, “Gigi didi ikde, ikde,( In marathi – Gigi, elder sister, look here!)” and “yeh kaun hai? Shakira (whose she? shakira?)” had the internet roaring with laughter. Even Zendaya was not exempted from their playful teasing, as they found it hard to pronounce her name and called her ‘Jhandayaa’.
Indian Paparazzi are the best😭😭
— RCB🕺🏻 (@kafiranasahai) April 2, 2023
Agree or argue with walls !!! pic.twitter.com/u6jBVzP6g7
All you need to know about ‘Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC)’
India’s cultural landscape has received a magnificent addition with the inauguration of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre. This avant-garde space is a pioneer of its kind in the country, showcasing the best of India’s music, theatre, fine arts, and crafts.
The centre is an emblem of India’s commitment to strengthening its cultural infrastructure and fostering a rich cultural legacy. A unique feature of this centre is its inclusivity, which grants free access to children, students, senior citizens, and the differently-abled. The centre also focuses on community nurturing programs, including school and college outreach, competitions, awards for art teachers, and in-residency Guru-shishya programs, making it a hub for art literacy programs.
The grandeur of the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre is reflected in its three performance spaces. The Grand Theatre, with a seating capacity of 2,000, the Studio Theatre, a technologically advanced space with 250 seats, and the Cube, a dynamic space with 120 seats. The Art House, a four-storey visual arts space built as per global museum standards, showcases a shifting array of exhibits and installations by the finest artistic talent across India and the world.
The Centre’s concourses are a sight to behold, with public art by renowned Indian and global artists, including ‘Kamal Kunj,’ one of the largest Pichwai paintings in India. The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre is a cultural marvel that celebrates the richness of Indian heritage and its global impact.
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