12 April,2011 05:57 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
Shah Rukh, Siddharth Mallya expected to attend midnight birthday bash after R&B singer's Friday performance before 2,000-strong crowd
POPULAR rapper and R&B artist Akon will be in the city this weekend. The rapper will not only perform before a 2000-strong audience at Westin hotel on Friday, but will also bring in his birthday -- April 16 -- with a grand celebration there at midnight.
Arriving soon: R&B singer Akon will perform at Westin hotel on Friday
and celebrate his birthday there, says the hotel. File Pic
According to sources close to the event, biggies from Bollywood and other celebrities are expected to attend the birthday party, including Shah Rukh Khan and Siddharth Mallya.
Though Westin authorities said they did not know whether Khan or Mallya would be present on Friday, they confirmed the singer's performance and birthday bash.
"We can not confirm Khan's or Mallya's presence because there haven't been any reservations in the hotel, but we have heard that a few VIPs will be present at the party -- but we do not have the names yet," said Nasir Shaikh, director, food and beverages, Westin.
Akon will also be performing at Gurgaon and Bengaluru over the weekend. But the inclusion of the city in his itinerary happened at the eleventh hour, said sources close to the event. They said they had started working on the programme just a few days ago and were having a tough time managing things.
"We have loads do, including the concert and the birthday celebrations," said a source. "The event got confirmed only last week."
Birthday cake
Hotel authorities said they had booked a presidential suite for the artist as he was expected to stay the night.
"We are planning a special Akon cake and menu for him, especially for his birthday. We are looking at what he likes and after that the chef will decide on what to prepare," said Shaikh. "As for the cake, it's going to be a chocolate cake."
According to hotel authorities, a popular poultry brand from the city is getting the singer to the city. Though a spokesperson from the poultry company denied the concert and the birthday celebrations, other sources said it was on. About 22 people will accompany Akon, crewmembers as well as family. His sister and personal bodyguards will be with him.u00a0
"He will be belting out six popular tracks, after which there will be the birthday celebrations," said Shaikh.
Though the singer had performed at a private party in the city in December, this week's event will be his first before a large crowd.
Last week there were reports that Shah Rukh Khan was throwing a birthday bash for the rapper and that the singer would perform either in Mumbai or the city.
