Jinxed show called off a second time

Jashn 2008 was meant to be a show-stopper. It sure has become one, albeit not in the way its organisers had wanted.

Cancelled twice in as many months, the show that was to feature Bollywood couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor has left organisers in limbo, fans in the dark, sponsors fuming and a sum of one million dirhams hanging in the balance.

Originally titled Jashn Dubai 2008, the musical was scheduled to be held at the city’s Al Ahli stadium on April 12.

Several hundred tickets, priced between Dh50 and Dh1,000, had been sold. But following some last-minute hiccups, the concert was called off and tickets were refunded.

Last fortnight, Sharjah-based Panama Advertising (PanAd), which was marketing the event, came up with a new venue and date: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, May 9. The title was abridged from Jashn Dubai 2008 to just Jashn 2008. But the show has been put off again – this time indefinitely.

But PanAd is not willing to explain why. "It’s been cancelled due to certain unavoidable circumstances," said Pinky Gajaria, in charge of the event’s publicity.

The company’s boss Altaf hinted that the problem was at their end and not with the stars. "We have given Saif and Kareena an advance of Dh1 million. But the show is not happening, not before September," said Altaf.

Sponsor Opera International Real Estate is not amused.

"Our clients are upset. One was coming from the UK to attend the show," said Azfar Ubaidullah, Head of Sales, Opera International Real Estate.

"They should call the event Jinxed 2008," said Dubai Marina resident Firoze, a fan who had rescheduled major engagements to attend the show.

1,000,000

The amount in dirhams paid as advance to Kareena and saif for the show