Get ready for a holiday weekend like no other as The Bollywood Big One gears up to dazzle UK audiences with one of the biggest live Bollywood spectacles in history. Taking place on Sunday, 4 May at Co-op Live Manchester and Monday, 5 May at OVO Arena Wembley, the mega-event will be a celebration of cinema, music and dance that spans generations.
The superstar-studded lineup reads like a Bollywood fantasy dream come true. Headlining the event is none other than Salman Khan, whose on-stage charisma is expected to bring the house down. Joining him is the timeless diva Madhuri Dixit, still reigning supreme as the industry’s most iconic dancing queen. The show also ropes in Gen Z favourites Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff, Sara Ali Khan, Kriti Sanon and Disha Patani, bringing a thrilling mix of old-school charisma and new-age vibes.
A once-in-a-generation show
For British Asian audiences, The Bollywood Big One is more than just a concert. In fact, it’s a cultural milestone. It's been 25 years since a major Bollywood concert of this scale hit Manchester, and 20 years since Wembley hosted a show of such star power, making this event more of an emotional homecoming for fans across the UK and beyond.
From timeless icons to new-gen stars, Bollywood’s finest come together for a historic UK tour
Adding extra glitz to the affair are comedic icons Sunil Grover and Manish Paul, who will host the two-night extravaganza with their wit and flair. But the surprises don’t end there; organisers have hinted at additional artist announcements, making this an unmissable, once-in-a-lifetime event for die-hard Bollywood fans.
The legacy behind the magic
At the helm of this ambitious production is Farhath Hussain, a trailblazer in bringing Bollywood shows to global audiences for over four decades. This show is a culmination of his decades-long dream to bring Indian cinema’s brightest stars to a world stage with full-scale production, theatricality and heart.
In partnership with Hussain’s FH Group, the tour is a UK-India collaboration aimed at amplifying the reach of South Asian entertainment while also honouring the cultural impact of the British Asian diaspora. With venues like Manchester’s newly launched Co-op Live, the largest indoor arena in the UK, and the iconic OVO Arena Wembley hosting the event, the show’s scale reflects the growing appetite for Bollywood beyond borders.
Bollywood megastar and timeless dancing queen returns to captivate British audiencesGetty Images
Why this matters now
The UK’s South Asian population has long supported Bollywood with fervent love, but in an era of global streaming and shrinking cultural borders, events like The Bollywood Big One represent a shift. It’s not just about nostalgia or glamour; it’s about visibility, representation and legacy.
And let’s not forget the draw for non-diaspora fans either. Bollywood’s global fandom is thriving, and this concert could well be a gateway for a wider audience to discover the heart and spectacle that defines Indian cinema.
Tickets and tour info
Presale tickets go live on Tuesday, 11 March at 10am, with general ticket sales launching on Thursday, 13 March at 10am via Ticketmaster and AXS. For full tour details, visit the official site: www.bollywoodbigone.com
Whether you're a lifelong fan of Salman’s swagger or Madhuri’s grace, or a newcomer swept up by Bollywood’s rising wave, we assure you that The Bollywood Big One is going to be a night of unforgettable entertainment, connection and pure cinematic wonder.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.