Annu Kapoor: It was interesting to host an Antakshari competition with contestants reciting poetry along with film songs
Ujjain hosted an innovative Antakshari competition at the Vikramotsav 2025 , which revolved around not only Bollywood songs but also Sanskrit shlokas and Hindi dohas. The event was hosted by popular host-actor Annu Kapoor . The event was coordinated by producer Kumarr and thousands of spectators gathered at Tower Chowk to enjoy the musical extravaganza along with the participants.
The event gave a new platform to Ujjain’s cultural heritage; contestants were seen performing to Bollywood songs and also recited Sanskrit shlokas and Hindi poetry. Approximately 7000 spectators were present at the show. One of the highlights of the event was Annu Kapoor’s performance, he mesmerized the audience by singing his favorite song, Deewana Hua Baadal and Sawan Ki Ghata Chhayi. He then invited the audience to sing the chorus, turning Tower Chowk into a musical symphony.
Another thrilling round occurred when a scene from a film was shown on screen, and the audience had to sing the related song. As soon as Havan Karenge played, the crowd enjoyed in excitement and danced to it. A total of six teams competed fiercely, comprising 24 participants. They performed to Bollywood songs, recited Hindi poetry, Sanskrit shlokas and dohas from Indian literature.
In an earlier interview with BT, Annu Kapoor said, "When I was first chosen to host Antakshari on TV, I was approached at the last minute when the original host decided to opt for something else. I have enjoyed hosting the show for years now because I have made an effort to bring out the unheard songs of Indian film history into focus."
The event gave a new platform to Ujjain’s cultural heritage; contestants were seen performing to Bollywood songs and also recited Sanskrit shlokas and Hindi poetry. Approximately 7000 spectators were present at the show. One of the highlights of the event was Annu Kapoor’s performance, he mesmerized the audience by singing his favorite song, Deewana Hua Baadal and Sawan Ki Ghata Chhayi. He then invited the audience to sing the chorus, turning Tower Chowk into a musical symphony.
Another thrilling round occurred when a scene from a film was shown on screen, and the audience had to sing the related song. As soon as Havan Karenge played, the crowd enjoyed in excitement and danced to it. A total of six teams competed fiercely, comprising 24 participants. They performed to Bollywood songs, recited Hindi poetry, Sanskrit shlokas and dohas from Indian literature.
In an earlier interview with BT, Annu Kapoor said, "When I was first chosen to host Antakshari on TV, I was approached at the last minute when the original host decided to opt for something else. I have enjoyed hosting the show for years now because I have made an effort to bring out the unheard songs of Indian film history into focus."
Read more
