Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
On a crisp February evening in 2026, the grand halls of Maharaj Banquets in Franklin Park, Illinois, transformed into a pulsating haven of love, music, and pure desi magic. Doors opened at 6:30 pm on Saturday, February 14th Valentine’s Day itself for “Valentine’s Vibes; Dil Me Ho Tum,” an enchanting celebration of romance co-organized by Maharaj Banquets [Sahail Khan and A J singh] and the ever-charismatic Dr. Anu Gupta. Under the expert event planning of Hitesh Master and the warm, witty hosting of Chinmayi Bhatt-Desai, the night unfolded like a Bollywood dream sequence come to life, blending soul-stirring melodies, electrifying dance, laughter, and heartfelt connections.
Chinmayi Bhatt-Desai, with her trademark charm and over three decades of stage presence, opened the evening memorably by quoting a timeless romantic dialogue from the classic film Silsila: “Main aur meri tanhayi, aksar yeh baatein karte hain… tum hoti to kaisa hota…” The line instantly set a dreamy, poetic mood, evoking stolen glances, unspoken longing, and the magic of love—perfectly priming the audience for an unforgettable night of romance.
The evening kicked off with Chinmayi Bhatt-Desai sparkling introduction, setting a tone of joy and anticipation. As guests savored appetizers, 15-year-old prodigy Shubham Thakkar took center stage on the keyboard, delivering youthful passion through timeless tracks like “Moh Moh Ke Dhage,” “Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin,” and “Bulleya.” Trained for over seven years under Hitesh Master Nayak in Hindustani classical traditions and pursuing his Visharad certification, Shubham’s performance was a beautiful reminder of how dedication and riyaaz can shine even at a tender age.
The spotlight then shifted to two powerhouse vocalists: the versatile Bollywood sensation Swapnil Sahu and the inspiring Dr. Anu Gupta. Their introduction sparked thunderous applause, and together they wove magic with a medley of evergreen classics “Tip Tip Barsa Paani,” “Dil To Pagal Hai,” “Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen,” “Mere Khwabon Mein,” and “Ladki Badi Anjaani.” The chemistry soared through romantic duets like “Dil Mein Ho Tum,” “Tu Meri Zindagi Hai,” “Tu Shayar Hai,” “Jhumka Gira Re,” “Neele Neele Ambar,” “Aisi Deewangi,” “Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam,” “Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai,” “Pehla Nasha,” and a heartfelt string of favorites—“Mile Ho Tum Humko,” “Jub Koi Baat,” “Ye Sama Sama Hai,” “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas,” and “Pyar Deewana.” Swapnil’s solo renditions of “Meri Bechaini Ko,” “Janam Janam,” and “Muskurane Ki” added layers of emotion, while the crowd swayed in unison.
The live band, Hitesh Master Orchestra, provided seamless Sa Re Ga Ma vibes throughout, with Hitesh Master Nayak on keyboard, Raju Syed on guitar, Bobby Messy on congo and dholak, Kalyan Pathak on drums, Anand Master Nayak handling sound, Dinesh Patel as DJ, Gabriel on lights, and Poornima Decorators creating a dreamy stage. A lively photo booth captured candid moments of joy, while the non-stop dance floor pulsed with energy.
Over 80 enthusiastic members from the Midwest Silver Club added extra warmth to the gathering. Special thanks poured out to Sunil Shah, Dr. Radhika Chimata, Noor Tejani of Midwest Silver Club, Dr. Anu Gupta, Hetul Thakker, Maharaj Banquets, and every guest and supporter who made the night memorable.
Nestled in Franklin Park, Maharaj Banquets is the perfect venue for every dream event, accommodating up to 300 guests and specializing in weddings, corporate gatherings, and all occasions. The vibrant Valentine’s evening setup features stunning decorative tables and chairs adorned with red bows, while the delicious multi-cuisine menu blends Indian, Pakistani, Italian, American, and Mexican dishes tailored for banquets.
— Asian Media USA
