Inside the Star-Studded Sitar Concert: Why Bollywood’s Biggest Names Are Flocking to Listen to Rishab Rikhiram Sharma
Mumbai, March 21, 2026 — On Friday night, Mumbai witnessed a concert unlike the usual high-octane Bollywood arena shows or international pop tours. Instead of booming bass drops, the city’s A-listers were entirely spellbound by the meditative, soulful strings of a sitar.
The man at the center of the stage was Rishab Rikhiram Sharma. His recent Mumbai concert, part of his widely acclaimed Sitar for Mental Health India Tour 2026, transformed into a massive star-studded affair. The audience was packed with Bollywood royalty, including Deepika Padukone, Gauri Khan, Tara Sutaria, Mrunal Thakur, Soha Ali Khan, and Maheep Kapoor.
But who exactly is the young maestro making traditional Indian classical music the hottest ticket in town?
The Last Disciple of a Legend
Rishab Rikhiram Sharma is not an overnight sensation; he is a musical prodigy with deep classical roots. Born into the prestigious Rikhi Ram family of luthiers (master craftsmen of Indian musical instruments), Rishab began learning the sitar at the tender age of ten under his father, Sanjay Rikhiram Sharma.
His exceptional talent soon caught the eye of the globally revered sitar legend, the late Pandit Ravi Shankar. Impressed by the young boy’s devotion, Pandit Ravi Shankar took Rishab under his wing, making him his youngest and very last disciple. Today, Rishab carries forward that legendary Guru-Shishya legacy, bringing the ancient instrument into the 21st century.
‘Sitar for Mental Health’
What truly sets Rishab apart from traditional classical musicians is his profound core mission. He is the mastermind behind the “Sitar for Mental Health” initiative. Conceived during the pandemic when Rishab himself was battling anxiety, the project explores the therapeutic and healing power of classical Indian music.
His concerts are designed not just as musical performances, but as immersive, multi-sensory meditative experiences. By blending ancient, soulful ragas with subtle contemporary electronic elements, Rishab creates a safe space for mindfulness, introspection, and emotional release. His ability to fuse traditional sounds with modern production has allowed him to transcend age barriers, drawing massive crowds of Gen-Z youth alongside older classical music purists.
The Bollywood Endorsement
The Mumbai leg of his 2026 tour proved just how deeply his music resonates. Videos from the event flooded social media, showing Deepika Padukone—dressed elegantly in a maroon ethnic suit—thoroughly enjoying the performance. Deepika attended the concert alongside her mother-in-law Anju Bhavnani and sister-in-law Ritika Bhavnani, taking a peaceful break amid the blockbuster success of her husband Ranveer Singh’s film, Dhurandhar 2.
She wasn’t the only one captivated. Tara Sutaria, looking stunning in a white saree, and Mrunal Thakur were seen fully immersed in the soundscapes. Entrepreneur Gauri Khan arrived with Fabulous Lives stars Maheep Kapoor and Bhavana Pandey, while Soha Ali Khan embraced the minimalist glamour of the evening.
In previous shows, his magic has also drawn praises from industry heavyweights like Bhumi Pednekar, Mira Rajput Kapoor, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga, and Anil and Tina Ambani.
A Global Icon
Rishab’s influence extends far beyond Bollywood. He holds the distinct honor of being the first solo sitar player to perform at the White House, having been invited to play at the historic 2022 Diwali celebration hosted by US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. He has also gone viral for his sitar reinterpretations of modern tracks, bridging cultural boundaries and introducing neoclassical music to the global fusion scene.
Following the massive success of his Mumbai gig, Rishab is continuing his 2026 tour across major cities, including Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Delhi.