Pratik Babbar in a lungi goes Wild in Goa

By Subhash K Jha Recession and terrorism be damned. This year Goa has recorded the highest number year-end revelers in the last ten years. A lot of Bollywood was there too. But the one Bollywood rebel who seems to have made the largest splash in the New Years eve pool is Pratik Babbar. Pratik who took time off from the promotion of Dhobi Ghat, took off for a few days to Goa to attend the much talked-about Sunburn music festival. What followed was sheer pandemonium of the fun kind Says a prominent attender of the Festival, “Pratik was in complete'chill' mode. He was half-naked at the Sunburn event, wearing only a lungi with kajol in his eyes and black nailpolish! It was a sight. He had lost his shy demeanour completely at the Festival and was seen mingling freely and hobnobbing with strangers.” The real fun part, apparently, was when Pratik tried to get on one of the four stages where rock performers were pounding away non-stop beats for 72 hours. Pratik, it must be remembered, always wanted to be a rock star. He personally told this writer that he had learnt to play the guitar, grew his hair long and acquired all the trappings of rock musician before Bollywood beckoned. Here at the Sunburn music festival was his chance. Unfortunately guests were not allowed to get on stage. Says Shailendra Singh, Joint Managing-Director of Percept the organizers of the Sunburn festival, “Yes Pratik was there and so were a lot of other Bollywood A-listers including Priyanka Chopra.I've never seen her having so much fun. Nor for that matter did I imagine the shy Pratik would be freaking out in a lungi.” Says Singh, “My 15-year old son Shantanu made his debut as a musician on stage.I'm proud to say he brought the house down. About Pratik going on stage, all I can say is the stage is for the musicians. Invitees are just not allowed. We had internationally renowned deejays like Paul Van Dyk and Ferry Corsten playing music non-stop for the guests. No one was allowed on stage. We at Sunburn don't give special privileges to Bollywood stars. They are most welcome. But tell me where else but at Sunburn will you see politician Mani Shankar Iyer and heart specialist Dr Naresh Trehan freaking out alomgside Pratik and Priyanka.” Priyanka, by the way way, was spotted at the Sunburn festival with her best friend Tamanna. Priyanka's parents and brother were also with her in Goa to bring in the new Year.