Actress Elli Avram dances to a popular Hindi song. Actress Elli Avram dances to a popular Hindi song.

Ignoring criticism from all quarters for celebrating the Saifai Mahotsav at a time when hundreds of refugee families are suffering in Muzaffarnagar, Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday night ensured that the event's grand finale became a memorable occasion not only for the residents of their ancestral village but also for the high-profile performers from Bollywood.

Bollywood dhak dhak girl Madhuri Dixit at Safai festival Bollywood dhak dhak girl Madhuri Dixit at Safai festival

Over two dozen artists, including Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit, performed on the stage on the last day of the fortnight-long gala, and tried their best to oblige everyone by dancing on popular Hindi songs. Although the state government had taken every care to hide the payments made to these stars for their performances, the chief minister couldn't resist opening the public coffer as soon as he was informed about the soon-to-bereleased movie Dedh Ishqiya of Madhuri Dixit.

Superstar Salman Khan shows off some moves on the last day of Saifai Mahotsav. Superstar Salman Khan shows off some moves on the last day of Saifai Mahotsav.

Akhilesh announced 1 crore for the film as its major portion has been shot in UP. Saif Ali Khan-starrer Bullett Raja was also given an equal amount for the same reason. The Yadav family, which is known for its special liking for the Bollywood stars, appeared enthusiastic at the event. The young CM himself was camping in Saifai since Tuesday to supervise the final day's events and to welcome every artiste who landed at the airstrip of his village. The villagers danced whole night with their favourite stars and returned home with a promise from SP's Badaun MP Dharmedra Yadav that similar programmes would be organised on a much bigger scale next year.



Massive arrangements

Stars at Safai carnival Stars at Safai carnival

Huge hoardings were erected in Etawah district to welcome the performers, and fullpage advertisements with the pictures of Mulayam, Akhilesh, Dharmendra Yadav, PWD minister Shivpal Singh Yadav and Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Yadav were displayed in local newspapers.

"Welcome to the guest from the film industry. Many artists including Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan will be the guests in the Mahotsav," the advertisement announced. Sources claimed that the music system and light arrangements at the event were worth `2 crore. About 100 artists of a Mumbaibased company had worked day and night for over a week to prepare the stage. "At least `200 crore was spent on organising this 14-day programme," said a senior officer on the condition of anonymity.

Stars at Safai festival in Uttar Pradesh Stars at Safai festival in Uttar Pradesh

Further, 36 CCTV cameras were installed and a special control room was set up to keep a close eye on the grand event. Slamming the SP government, BJP state president Laxmikant Bajpai dubbed the programme as a "filthy display to money power" at the cost of development of the state, that too when "more than 50,000 riots victims of Muzaffarnagar" are suffering. SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary, however, said, "The presence of Mulayam, Akhilesh, Shivpal and Ramgopal Yadav in these programmes is proof of their active participation in public life."