Dipti Nagpaul-D’Souza spends a day watching Team Rockstar at work for the Rockstar concert, all orchestrated by A R Rahman. Stand by. It's too crowded in here. Whoever is not a part of the rehearsals, please leave the hall.” It takes a few moments to register the words, said with a wave of impatience by A R Rahman, otherwise known for being utterly soft-spoken.

The musician, scheduled to perform at the Rockstar concert on November 1 at Andheri’s Bhavan’s College, has been in Mumbai for a week to practice for the show. On the third day of the rehearsals at Juhu’s Ajivasan Hall, the team assembles by three in the afternoon, setting up equipment and prepping to groove.

Almost lost amidst the technical team and organisers, are some of the most prominent names of the Indian music industry Mohit Chauhan (leading vocals), Sivamani (percussion) and Ranjit Barot (drums). Ranbir Kapoor, the face of Rockstar, in contrast, is seated on the carpeted floor, tuning a guitar with the help of a member of the support team. Renowned sound engineer KJ Singh is busy at the music console. A team of dholis sporadically beat their drums, in an attempt to get their timing right. The director Imtiaz Ali, with little part to play, has chosen to take the day off, we are informed.

Shortly afterwards, Rahman arrives and the mechanical din is replaced by a welcoming cheer. Cups of tea are floated around the room as the musicians indulge in friendly banter. But the fun is short-lived. Having finished his cuppa, Rahman rises to his feet and soon everyone knows who is the boss. He takes to the keyboard and quickly checking the equipment, orders “the crowd” out of the room. People do move out but not very far from the exit, from where they can hear the music when it plays and peep in for a few glances.