Picture: Pabitra Das

Thank you Kolkata..! What an amazing night... Love you all. @ FarOutAkhtar

And an amazing night it was. On Sunday evening, Farhan Akhtar the rocker took over Netaji Indoor Stadium for close to 75 minutes for 91.9 Friends FM Presents Farhan Live Rock On Concert, belting out the biggest hits he’s been part of as a director, producer, actor or singer. About 7,000 fans let out a deafening roar at the start of each song, erupted in excitement when Farhan displayed his rocker moves and sang along as he pointed his microphone towards them at the concert in association with Senco Gold, P3, Arish and Bijoli Grill. t2 tracked Farhan the rockstar through the 11 numbers he and his band Rock On jammed and jived to…

Sindbad the sailor: Calcutta band Krosswindz kicked off the evening with a 30-minute act comprising golden oldies like Summer of ’69, Prithibi and We Will Rock You. But all eyes were on stage for the entry of one man: Farhan Akhtar. At 7.10pm, the Bhaag Milkha Bhaag star strode on stage, looking cool in grey cargo pants and a blue MARD tee. Even as the dad of two adjusted his mic, Farhan’s voiceover of the poem Toh zinda ho tum penned by dad Javed Akhtar and from the film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) played through. A mad rush to click him on cell phone cameras and a huge roar greeted Farhan as he began the evening with the Rock On!! number Sindbad the sailor.

Maximum cheers: When Farhan spontaneously danced around on stage, showing trademark effortlessness in his moves.

Dil dhadakne do: The buddy song from ZNMD was next on the playlist, with Farhan fans going into raptures when he exhorted them to sing along. “That’s my favourite song and I screamed my lungs out when Farhan asked us to join in,” said Nitika Mehta, a Farhan fan since Dil Chahta Hai.

Maximum cheers: When Farhan pointed to his MARD tee and recited a few lines from his poem What’s this country I live in?

Socha hai: It was back to Rock On!! as Farhan and co-vocalist Shannon Donald belted out the peppy number, even as the crowd went into a tizzy.

Maximum cheers: When the man flashed that signature smile. Sigh!

Pichhle saat dino mein: “Kya aap mere saath yeh gaana gaaogey?” asked Farhan. The house responded with a roar as strains of the Rock On!! hit filled the air. “Pichhle saat dino mein is my favourite Farhan number and I can’t wait for him to sing it here,” New Jersey resident Bela Khanna had told t2 before the show.

Maximum cheers: When Farhan jumped off stage and walked into the crowd on his right and left, exhorting them to sing along.

Khwabon ke parindey: Back from a break — during which Shannon took centre stage with Yeh tumhaari meri baatein from Rock On!!, Aaj ki raat from Don and Hai yeh maya from its sequel — Farhan belted out Khwabon ke parindey, his favourite number from ZNMD.

Maximum cheers: The crowd screamed out loud when Shannon sang Aaj ki raat and Farhan walked on stage to spread his arms wide, Shah Rukh Khan style!

Senorita: “Now we will sing your favourite song from ZNMD,” was the smiling promise from Farhan as the first strains of Senorita set the crowd screaming.

Maximum cheers: When Farhan did the signature Senorita jig. “Who wants to do the Salsa on stage,” was the question from the man as young girls rushed to join him on stage, but couldn’t make it for security concerns.

Farhan ‘Milkha’ Akhtar does push-ups on stage

Tum ho toh: Senorita apart, it was this slow romantic number from Rock On!! that got the crowd going the most. Women from six to 60 screamed as Farhan pointed the mic at them and asked them to sing along, even as the rest lit up their mobile phones and swayed along.

Maximum cheers: When Farhan stopped singing and went face down on stage to do a few push-ups, Milkha Singh style! The roar was deafening.

Zinda: The slow strains of Tum ho toh immediately gave way to the pulsating beats of Zinda, the Bhaag Milkha Bhaag chartbuster as Farhan and Co. really upped their act, putting a lot of energy into what they claimed was their last song of the night.

Maximum cheers: When Farhan waved goodbye and walked off stage. “We want more,” screamed out all 7,000 fans. And brought the man back!

Dil chahta hai: “Today is Friendship Day and I can’t think of a better song,” smiled Farhan as he belted out a remixed version of the title track of the buddy film which marked his debut as director.

Maximum cheers: As the sound system developed a momentary glitch, Farhan sat down on stage and said: “Ab toh main kahin nahin jaoonga.” Cue for the crowd to go MAD!

Saanson ki zaroorat hai: Remember the Aashiqui hit that was reprised for a short sequence in Rock On!!? Farhan surprised the crowd with Saanson ki zaroorat hai, but every fan was happy enough to sing along.

Maximum cheers: Farhan’s Garba steps were a huge hit.

Rock on: What better way to end the fun evening than the title track of Rock On!!? Farhan put all his energy into the number, bouncing around on stage and air-guitaring.

Maximum cheers: When he stepped off finally with the promise: “I will be back again. And again. And again.”