‘We keep coming back to Pune because of the love we get here’

What does it take for a crowd to forget the chaos of everyday life, even if just for an evening? At around 7.30 PM on 21 March in Liberty Square in Phoenix Marketcity, Pune, the answer came wrapped in nostalgia, harmony, and a shower of confetti as SANAM took the stage. The band—led by Sanam Puri on vocals, with Venkat Subramaniyam (Venky) on bass, Samar Puri on guitar, and Keshav Dhanraj on drums—kicked off the night with a roaring reception that set the tone for what was to follow. Opening with their once-viral YouTube rendition of the classic Mohammed Rafi song Kya Hua Tera Wada, the band instantly transported the audience into a shared space of memory and melody. As confetti burst across the stage, it wasn’t just a visual spectacle, it felt like a trip down memory lane on a warm and cosy Saturday evening. The energy seamlessly flowed into a series of beloved tracks including their modern covers of the evergreen songs such as Lag Ja Gale, Badan Pe Sitaare Lapete Huye, Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara, Jo Bheji Thi Dua, and more, each one greeted with loud singalongs from the crowd. As a sweet surprise to his loyal fans in Pune, Sanam Puri also sang his original love ballad Ishq Bulaava from the film Hasee Toh Phasee. Addressing the crowd that had gathered for his show, Sanam Puri said, “Thank you for gathering here tonight for our show. We keep coming back to Pune every year because of the love that we get here.” He added that he has not been keeping well but assured the fans that there will be no stones left unturned to make this night into a memorable one. He did keep his promise. What stood out wasn’t just the band’s musical precision, but their ability to connect, effortlessly blending retro charm with contemporary appeal. There was an unspoken understanding between the performers and the audience, a rhythm that extended beyond the music. The timing of the concert, coinciding with Eid al-Fitr, added another layer of warmth. It became more than just a live performance: it felt like a communal pause, a shared exhale from the rush of routine. So, remind us again, what does it take to make people forget their daily grind, even briefly? Sometimes, all it takes is the right music, the right moment, and a band like SANAM to bring it all together.