Shobhaa De

camellia-panjabi-indian-cuisine

Sat Oct 04 16:59:47 IST 2025

Vegetables: The Indian Way is a lavishly produced coffee table book, which announces itself as “a definitive collection of recipes from the simple to the special”. It is not a book designed just for die-hard vegetarians. Au contraire, meat eaters need it the most! It is a comprehensive compendium, packed with nutritional information one rarely finds in similar volumes.

Camellia Panjabi’s first book, 50 Great Curries of India, sold two million copies internationally and was translated into several languages. Camellia’s credentials are as impeccable as her palate is discerning. As marketing director for the Taj Group of hotels, Camellia built a formidable reputation as a no-nonsense perfectionist with a nose for all things culinary. She attributes her abiding passion for food to her upbringing,; her mother, a doctor, placed immense importance on the nutritional value of food served at home. This early exposure is reflected while she discusses the different categories of vegetables, pointing out that in a vast country like India, each district, each caste and each community has its own traditional dishes, “with an unquantifiable number of cuisines”.

For the past two decades, Camellia has devoted herself to creating London’s most iconic Indian restaurants, working closely with her sister Namita and brother-in-law Ranjit—the trio behind brands like Amaya, Chutney Mary, Masala Zone and the historic Veeraswamy. Till the Panjabi sisters came along and redefined the very idea of Indian cuisine for discerning global diners, desi khaana was relegated to down market dumps serving sloppy curries and leathery kebabs to local neighbourhoods.

The perception changed with the arrival of a sophisticated, well-designed distinctly upscale Chutney Mary serving dishes inspired by Anglo-Indian specialities (Namita had hosted my book launch at this gorgeous venue). There was no looking back as prestigious food awards came their way, heralding the arrival of exceptional cuisine from the subcontinent.

Building on the reputation and success of the first venture, they expanded the portfolio, frequently hosting events for royalty and top tier celebrities. A few months ago, I was invited to a special dinner at the Veeraswamy (Britain’s oldest Indian restaurant). It was hosted for a select few authors attending the London edition of the JLF. At the perfectly curated sit down dinner, the conversation was as delectable as the multi-course meal. Camellia’s fervent after-dinner speech to save Veeraswamy from imminent closure provided much food for thought.

I have known Namita and Camellia for most of my life—we attended the same school in Mumbai. Over the years, our friendship remained on course, with several friends in common. Camellia’s remarkable culinary trajectory (an MBE awarded for her services to the hospitality industry), combined with her laser focused dedication to dominate the space given the competitive restaurant business, has paid rich dividends.

Senior chefs would quake each time Camellia was spotted at any one of the Taj restaurants. She earned their respect, thanks to her vast knowledge and deep understanding of cuisines from across the world. As marketing director, juniors recall with awe how she led her team and structured mega events that left guests gasping! It was Camellia’s ingenuity combined with daring that elevated each experience and led to the creation of perennially popular Taj properties like Mumbai’s Golden Dragon. Sichuan-Style Chinese cuisine was unknown to India at the time, but its fiery introduction to uninitiated desi palates made Golden Dragon the ultimate Chinese eatery.

Her new book is packed with “nutrients”—history, beliefs, stories and information, presented in true Camellia style. Who would have thought radishes (edible swollen roots) would be this elevated! Henceforth, I will never take ‘mooli’ for granted. “Nothing in Indian food is meant to be just so,” insists Camellia.

Adapt, improvise, experiment. Train your tongues, folks. The flavours of India are in excellent hands.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

manisha-koirala-nepal-stance-actress-activist

Sat Sep 20 17:47:31 IST 2025

Outspoken, articulate and politically engaged, Manisha Koirala, the 55-year-old actor from Nepal, has boldly spoken her mind about the recent violent protests in her country, where unprecedented scenes of destruction unfolded as enraged protesters brought Kathmandu to a standstill.

Manisha, educated in Varanasi and Delhi, has a strong India connect. As an established actor in Bollywood, she is widely loved for her award-winning performances in iconic films like Bombay. As the turbulence raged in Nepal, she appealed for peace, while indirectly expressing support for the return of monarchy.

This did not surprise her compatriots and critics. In an old videoclip that went viral, Manisha described Nepal as a “Hindu nation”: “We were a peaceful Hindu rashtra with no conflict. Why was it (monarchy) removed?” Her response to the latest developments was more measured, but it was clear where her sympathies lie.

Manisha belongs to a political family deeply invested in the fortunes of the country. Her grandfather was a popular prime minister, as were two grand-uncles, while her father served as a cabinet minister. Manisha was awarded the Order of Gorkha Dakshina Bahu (2001) by the government of Nepal. Her national standing has made her an unofficial global ambassador for the country. Her status as a much admired actress has won her two generations of fans. Her superbly pitched performance as a headstrong madam of an opulent brothel in the OTT series Heeramandi—The Diamond Bazaar brought her multiple accolades, especially from Gen Z audience.

Manisha’s major life altering turning point came at the height of her career, when she was diagnosed with last stage ovarian cancer in 2012. Manisha took on the challenge and headed to New York with her young brother. By 2014 she was back on her feet. A year later, she immersed herself in relief work after an earthquake devastated her country.

Somewhere in all this, Manisha moved to New York and earned a diploma in film-making. Her book, Healed: How Cancer Gave Me a New Life, inspired millions across the world. Frequently described as one of the most beautiful women in cinema, Manisha was back to what she does best in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi.

I have keenly followed Manisha’s fascinating journey over the years. We occasionally run into each other at airports, social events and lit fests. Manisha’s lack of airs, natural charm and forthcoming attitude provide a welcome change from the standard star nakhras of some of her far less talented contemporaries.

Perhaps she should consider politics? Her country needs people with deep commitment to the future, and the competence to make a difference. Manisha has all the required qualifications to contribute to a Nepal that is repairing itself after the devastation, which Manisha had candidly called a ‘Black Day’. It’s time for a new dawn.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

shobhaa-de-detour-politics-manoj-jarange-patil-agitation

Sun Sep 07 10:45:12 IST 2025

Recently, Mumbai found itself at the mercy of a wild-eyed, wild-haired political activist, Manoj Jarange Patil, 43, who declared an indefinite hunger strike until his demands were met.

Patil, the strident voice of the Marathas—who make up nearly a third of Maharashtra’s population—managed to paralyse India’s busiest city in the middle of its most celebrated festival: Ganesh Chaturthi. Without getting into the legitimacy of his demands, let’s just say, his methods were highly questionable. The tricky, prickly reservation issue is a sensitive, politically engineered strategy, not unique to Patil and his ilk. But the timing of his protest makes one wonder about his motive. For Mumbaikars, who struggled through traffic jams, closed shops and vanishing workdays, his demands seemed secondary to the colossal disruption.

Patil, a school dropout and former Congress worker, was first spotted helping out in a modest eatery frequented by local politicians. The taste of politics proved addictive. Once considered a leader without prospects, he gradually reinvented himself as the face of Maratha agitation—a community with a complex mix of warrior and agrarian roots. Fifteen years ago, he spearheaded the movement for Maratha reservation, faced lathi charges and steadily turned into a professional protester demanding a Kunbi status and 10 per cent quota for Marathas.

The agitation in Mumbai has catapulted a relatively unknown Patil into the national spotlight. His followers even expected a visit from none other than Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who happened to be at the famed Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati pandal while Mumbai was gridlocked. Shah, sensibly, didn’t oblige, which was seen as a snub. Patil stepped up the tempo and declared he would stop drinking water if his demands were not immediately met. The ultimatums continued while Mumbaikars fumed at the mayhem let loose by truckloads of young men with saffron scarves impudently bullying commuters and car owners. Schools, colleges, shops hastily shut down in the interests of safety. Mumbai’s overworked, overwhelmed cops and municipal workers valiantly braved heavy rains as they attempted to restore some order.

I was keen to meet the man responsible for the Maratha menace unleashed on the public. Patil is obviously a shrewd tactician. Bundled under a blanket, he played martyr, inaccessible and remote, ready to give up his life for the cause. Mumbai has seen off many such leaders in the past. For a man whose life was made into an adulatory biopic, with seasoned actor-director Makarand Deshpande in the title role, he is behaving like a well-trained thespian, with carefully rehearsed lines, expressions and body language.

The youngest of four brothers, a father of three, Patil still lives with his parents as a display of family commitment. His early years as a victim of agrarian struggle, in a farming family, shaped his resolve to fight for his rights. He sold his land to fund a movement to honour his hero, Shivaji Maharaj.

With a declared net worth of Rs10 lakh, he has positioned himself as a humble warrior for ‘grassroots empowerment’, a message that has clearly struck a chord with his followers.

Patil is active on social media, providing frequent updates and commentary. Patil’s bravado is at a peak when he declares he wont back down “even if shot’’. That is most unlikely, but it makes headlines.

“Marathas are not terrorists,’’ said Uddhav Thackeray. But they did terrorise the average Mumbaikar. Here’s hoping Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis places Mumbaikars over party politics and resolves the current crisis permanently.

rishab-rikhiram-sharma-white-house-sitar-performance

Sat Aug 23 17:46:04 IST 2025

Quick: Who is the most applauded young sitarist on the global music circuit right now? Arguably, it is Rishab Rikhiram Sharma, 26, the first solo Indian classical musician invited to perform at the Bidens’ famous Diwali White House party in 2022. His backstory is as compelling as his music. Even more so, considering India’s current strained ties with Donald Trump, the present occupant of the White House.

Here was a young, gifted Delhi-born sitarist holding his own, politely but firmly telling astonished White House staffers why he could not accept the “honour” as initially conceived. Ignorant American officials had to be briefed on the deep cultural and spiritual significance of Indian classical music. Patiently, Rishab explained that a sitarist does not play standing up—this was not a guitar to be casually strummed at the door to welcome VVIPs. He requested, instead, for a raised platform with proper bolsters and seating. The stage, he insisted, must be elevated, in reverence to Saraswati—the goddess of learning. He also made it clear that he was not there to provide background music for amusement while the guests enjoyed a lavish spread, but to be heard as an artiste. Rishab won! His dignified performance that evening was respectfully received and warmly applauded.

Music runs in his DNA. Rishab is the fourth generation born into the famed Rikhiram family of master luthiers, celebrated for crafting fine instruments. At 11, his father took him to meet Pandit Ravi Shankar, then auditioning promising sitarists for his school. Rishab played ‘Raga Rasiya’, Ravi Shankar’s personal favourite. At the end of the performance, Ravi Shankar told Rishab’s father he wanted Rishab as his disciple. Only later did he point out to the overwhelmed boy where he had gone wrong! It remains Rishab’s most transformative moment. Ravi Shankar passed away two years later, but his legacy was deeply embedded by then.

Soon after completing his schooling in Delhi, Rishab left for New York and majored in music and economics. Today, the American citizen is invited to perform at prestigious music festivals like Woodstock’s 50th reunion. His shows are invariably sold out. What makes Rishab stand out is not just his music, but his presence—film star looks, flowing anarkalis paired with antique Jadau jewellery, mehendi-adorned hands, and a calm, almost saintly stage aura.

Honestly, I had not heard of him till my daughter mentioned his concerts in Mumbai and Pune. She insisted we catch him live the next time he performs nearby. By now I was hooked. He is such a good raconteur, too. One anecdote in particular stood out: just hours before a concert, Rishab accidentally dropped his precious sitar and cracked it. That his wonderful father managed to fix the instrument in time for the concert says a lot about their relationship. He said the mended sitar sounded even more melodious that evening.

Rishab’s unique positioning as a modern-day musician, who has adopted the sitar as an instrument for healing, makes his music that much more poignant and powerful. I have been listening to some of his spellbinding concerts where a lot of attention is paid to create the right setting with aesthetic lights and sets, providing a regal backdrop to his mood-elevating performance.

Rishab has bashfully admitted he would like to try his hand in cinema—as both actor and director. Well, he certainly has what it takes in terms of charisma. Dating rumours suggest his co-star could be Sanya Malhotra. If true, it is a romance as lyrical as ‘Raga Rasiya’, which depicts Radha and Krishna in playful conversation.

Well, what say, Rishab?

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

lakshmi-venkataraman-byst-impact-jrd-tata-legacy

Sat Aug 09 18:48:34 IST 2025

Lunch can wait… please don’t hurry… are you hungry?’’ The great JRD Tata asked Lakshmi Venkataraman Venkatesan. He was 86 at the time. Lakshmi, a young woman brimming with ideas, was passionately narrating the story of a young, underprivileged entrepreneur. JRD was all ears. “Take your time… his story is more important.”

That one meeting changed everything. JRD came on board, and Lakshmi’s dream—Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust—took off in 1992.

Today, BYST continues to provide a solid platform for young people in the country to convert potentially promising business ideas into profitable enterprises. BYST’s ‘Grampreneurs’ are offered not just financial support, but mentoring, training and global networking opportunities. As JRD once said, “If we touch one life, it has the potential to transform the lives of a billion people.”

This year, I was invited to be on the jury selecting winners for the annual BYST Awards. The process is meticulous and thorough. Not being an entrepreneur or a corporate person, I said ‘yes’ for selfish reasons: the exposure to young, ambitious minds was irresistible. And, as anyone who has met Lakshmi will agree, no one says no to her!

The BYST’s success story is all thanks to one woman’s dedication and determination to translate the original vision into a reality. For the past 30 years, BYST has supported more than 50,000 entrepreneurs, who have collectively generated wealth worth Rs5,000 crore and created five lakh jobs. As I read the detailed profiles of 11 shortlisted finalists, I marvelled at the hunger, hard work and humility that had driven these remarkable individuals to keep at it and achieve their goals.

I first met Lakshmi over a Zoom call. The jury was meeting in Delhi to scrutinise the shortlist and come up with the winners who would be honoured at a prestigious ceremony. Two hours of intense discussions later, I was reeling from the impact of those amazing stories. But it was Lakshmi’s presence that stood out—such control and clarity! Lakshmi studied physics and engineering science at Delhi University and New York University. She was working in a predominantly male environment in the US, before she decided to come back to India.

What Lakshmi underplays is her father’s identity. She is the daughter of R. Venkataraman, former president of India. Coincidentally, former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar was to be the chief guest at this year’s BYST awards, but the unexpected happened. Days before the function, Dhankhar abruptly resigned.

Undaunted, the unflappable Lakshmi replaced him swiftly with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The minister arrived punctually, made a long and engaging speech, reminded Lakshmi of historic connections to BYST (his father, Madhavrao Scindia, was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony, and his grandfather Jiwajirao Scindia was a close friend of JRD). There were speeches galore as mighty industry leaders shared their personal growth stories and lauded the grampreneurs in the audience.

Over dinner the same night, I was fascinated to hear her vivid account of life inside Rashtrapati Bhavan as first daughter, receiving presidents, prime ministers, kings and queens. She recalled how Mikhail Gorbachev boasted at breakfast that his wife made the best coffee in the world. Venkataraman chuckled, “Wait till you taste my wife’s coffee.”

Lakshmi’s lively recollections of British royalty in residence made me ask why she hasn’t written a book about those years. She smiled, and changed the subject. We quickly went back to discussing her passion project—yes, BYST. I came home remembering the sincere words of gratitude expressed by the exceptional award winners whose lives have changed forever.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

andy-kristin-outed-concert-coldplay-kisscam-scandal

Sat Jul 26 17:51:56 IST 2025

The heat is on! The historic Coldplay concert at the Gillette Stadium in the US will go down as one of the most memorable music events in recent times. And the achievement has nothing to do with music! The global controversy has to do with an incriminating image flashed on a jumbo screen during the show. The villain is technology, and a device called the ‘kiss cam’ widely used during concerts to capture candid shots of canoodling couples. It is seen as a harmless distraction—a gimmick nobody takes seriously.

But this time, all hell broke loose when the couple caught on the ‘kiss cam’ turned out to be prominent people on a clandestine date. Add to that the workplace dynamics (he is the CEO of a company where she works as head of HR) and it was war!

Is Andy Byron the first naughty corporate honcho to be caught with his pants down? Surely, Kristin Cabot isn’t the only cheating wife in the US, having a secret nookie with the boss.

Who messed up? I would say, blame Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who quipped mid-concert, “Either they’re very shy or they are having an affair.” As Andy ducked and Kristin covered her face, they had been outed! And for some unfathomable reason, their relationship became the hottest topic across social media. So many days later, the memes are still rolling in!

Collateral damage? Plenty. Andy has been suspended. His wife has knocked off his name from social media. A divorce appears imminent. Kristin has stepped down and her recent marriage is facing challenges. All this over an indiscretion? Or, is that undermining the bigger issue of workplace ethics and corporate culture? ‘You can’t date the boss’ is the thumb rule in most companies. ‘Avoid dating colleagues’ is the other one. Both are frequently flouted. To me, the bigger question involves privacy laws. There were over 80,000 people at the concert in Foxborough in Massachusetts. But the law of averages didn’t work for this couple! What were the chances they would be singled out by the roving kiss cam? Negligible. Hello!

Is it acceptable to legitimise such intrusions? Two private individuals were attending a public concert. Where does it say that the price of the ticket includes the rights of organisers to snoop in on the audience and go public with their personal moments? Should kiss cams be banned after this incident?

Chris is a world figure who has been playing with his band for nearly three decades. He has diehard followers who flock to his concerts. His India tour was a smash hit. Their shows in Mumbai and Ahmedabad this January were sellouts.

In 2016, we enjoyed a private audience with the legend in Mumbai. Chris was staying as a guest of the Taj Mahal Hotel for the Global Citizen Festival, and a small pre-concert private party had been arranged at The Chambers. While invitees showed up in bandhgalas and formal suits, there was Chris, looking disheveled and shabby, wearing a crumpled tee, and making polite noises with overawed invitees. Let’s say, it was a moment! Rock stars can afford to look like hobos and behave like errant schoolboys.

Had Chris not made a monumental faux pas about the couple that fateful night, the camera would have swiftly moved on. Had the couple not panicked, but played it cool by waving, nothing might have happened. Andy would still be running Astronomer, with the able support of Kristin. Too late! As of now, a workplace investigation is on, which is ironic! The US should start with the White House. Or get Bill Clinton to comment on the hug & duck Coldplay controversy.

As for us, let’s take a straw poll about wandering cameras at cricket matches zooming in on unsuspecting fans in the stands.

X@DeShobhaa, instagram@shobhaade

it-takes-courage-to-be-deepika-padukone

Sat Jul 12 14:22:04 IST 2025

New mother Deepika Padukone has a lot going on in her life right now. It is good to see she has her priorities in place. Recently, she made headlines for two different reasons: First, she boldly demanded an eight-hour working day—which indirectly forced her out of Spirit, a big-budget film by Sandeep Reddy Venga. Second, she became the first Indian female actor to be felicitated with the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame honour. Both announcements went viral.

Filmmaking is filmmaking. It is not a corporate job with specified working hours. Actors often shoot non-stop for days, dictated by the production schedule. While several female actors have, over the years, raised concerns about unreasonable working hours, they were ignored. Sadly, even today, there are very few takers for this entirely valid demand. Female actors, no matter how successful they are, are seen as “expendable’’ by producers and directors.

Deepika’s exit from Spirit has not affected the film’s commercial prospects. Tripti Dimri has smoothly replaced her. Meanwhile, the sequel to Cocktail—one of her breakthrough films—has been announced with a new cast, and, no, Deepika’s name does not feature there. This is the nature of the beast. Filmmaking is a tentative, uncertain gamble that remains fragile and fickle. Deepika’s star power has failed to insulate her from harsh realities which hurt female actors the most. Still, Spirit’s loss may well be her daughter Dua’s gain. I am glad Deepika took a firm stand on this contentious issue which actresses rarely table. Roles vs motherhood? For Deepika, the choice was a no-brainer.

As for the Walk of Fame honour, that’s a different ballgame altogether. Deepika has two years to seal the deal and schedule the ceremony—those are the rules. If she fails to do so, the nomination must be resubmitted. The ‘star’ itself comes with a hefty price tag—approximately Rs72 lakh—which covers creation, installation and upkeep.

Interestingly, anyone can nominate a celebrity (fans must pay a fee to register the nomination), and final selections are made by a panel from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

In Deepika’s case, the buzz is that her name was backed by one of the luxury brands she endorses, and does not reflect her movie graph, since she has acted in just one inconsequential Hollywood film (XXX: Return of Xander Cage). Her Hollywood profile is far lower than, say, Priyanka Chopra’s, who identifies herself with the Hollywood fraternity in Los Angeles, where she lives with her family.

Deepika is an extraordinary force in the entertainment industry. Along with her husband Ranveer Singh, they form a formidable star-couple, inspiring others to push ahead and succeed. Her Live Love Laugh Foundation continues to transform lives with initiatives designed around mental health and wellness conversations.

As a successful businesswoman who invests in startups and has her own line of beauty and wellness products, Deepika clearly knows her priorities. The few times I have met her, I have marvelled at how unassuming and down to earth she is, beneath the blinding aura of her star presence. If she succeeds in rewriting the timetable for women in entertainment, the next generation of female actors will bless her for bringing a new work ethic into a chaotic industry, where all that matters is the next hit.

Too many women have paid a huge price at the altar of fame and success, pandering to professional demands imposed by powerful studio heads in a male-dominated environment. But, hey, Cocktail-2 without Deepika is like an extra dry martini without artisanal gin.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

jaipur-literature-festival-sanjoy-k-roy

Sat Jun 28 17:56:44 IST 2025

Sanjoy K. Roy is one of the three swashbuckling musketeers behind ‘the greatest literature show on earth’—the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), now in its 19th edition. As one of the three pillars (along with Namita Gokhale and William Dalrymple), he helped launch JLF in 2006.

Sanjoy, the silver-maned, indefatigable energy ball, takes care of production—a task as daunting as managing the monumental egos of writers. “Art is the best means we have of bringing people together from different nations, across all ages,” says Sanjoy, his alert eye and manic energy ensuring every small detail is in place.

As an “entrepreneur of the arts’’, Sanjoy (managing director of Teamwork Arts, the company he started in 1986), oversees 33 festivals across 42 cities and 17 countries.

I have been closely associated with the JLF trio from the beginning. But it is really Sanjoy, his beautiful wife Puneeta, and the team that treat me as extended family. Whether they like it or not, I presumptuously include myself in this close-knit, loving parivar. I have travelled with them from Cape Town to Hong Kong, Doha to Seattle, and always felt cared for in a way that goes well beyond the standard “we have to look after our authors”.

Most recently, we were together at the Spain and London editions of JLF. So much was going on in the world beyond our protected haven of discourses and discussions—from the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, to the war in Iran, to the shocking death of industrialist Sunjay Kapur while playing polo at Windsor. Shaken by these developments, we promptly cancelled a rendezvous that was to be hosted for special invitees at the Taj-run St James’ Court. The mood was sombre and far from celebratory. But the rest of the show had to go on—and it did. Inside the hallowed halls of the British Library, global writers gathered, as eager delegates packed the venues to listen to some extraordinary voices discuss the critical issues of our time. Sanjoy and his team managed it all. A few disappointed latecomers were accommodated in a separate area with monitors to listen to their favourite writers.

Sanjoy, who had suffered a serious leg injury requiring stitches during a concert in Valladolid two nights earlier, didn’t miss a beat or his step as he gamely limped up and down the stage. His grasp of multiple subjects, his deep understanding of different genres of music and dance, combined with a recall that is scary, see him take on different avatars without protest!

For a man dedicated to theatre (Shah Rukh Khan remains a close friend from back then), Sanjoy’s journey has been extraordinary. After graduating from St Stephen’s College, he was subjected to a tough interview by Puneeta’s father when he went to ask for her hand: “What do you do? How much do you earn? How will you support my daughter?” the father asked “I work in theatre. I earn 01,000 a month. And Puneeta will look after both of us with her corporate salary,’’ he replied. That’s Sanjoy. And that’s Puneeta. Soul mates in every which way. “I understand his mad energy. And he gets my calmness,’’ says Puneeta, beaming fondly as she watches her hyper-energetic husband leap around. The arts are in great hands!

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

cannes-the-french-kumbh

Sat May 31 17:49:49 IST 2025

Given the staggering presence of desis on the red carpet at the world’s most prestigious and glamorous film festival, it is fair to ask: has quality Indian cinema suddenly exploded on the international scene? Who are all those overdressed randoms preening away on the famous carpet (and getting shooed off by security)? Are they even remotely connected to the film industry? The answer is an unambiguous ‘no’. Most have paid upwards of Rs25 lakh to show up for a personal photo-op and post stories on Instagram. The other ones, seen partying crazily with our stars, are hangers-ons/groupies of prominent Bollywood cliques.

Cannes 2025 (established in 1946) attracted big names from across the film community, but for us in India, it was a demurely sari-clad Sharmila Tagore at 80 who stole the show from an overtly sexy Jahnvi Kapoor (28) in a daring mint-green backless gown.

Tagore’s interviews and pictures were everywhere. I didn’t see any international write-ups on Janhvi. In between these two age divides, we were treated to Cannes veteran Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (51), as global ambassador for L’Oreal. This was her 22nd appearance on the red carpet after her debut in 2002. Ash remains the only recognisable Indian celebrity—no matter how questionable her couture choices. This year she made the biggest impact with “sindoor’’ as her statement. In one go, she messaged patriotism, matrimony, legacy and heritage.

Since divas are always subjected to intense scrutiny at such high-profile events, it is wonderful to see stylish women like Helen Mirren (79) giving half-naked 20-somethings a run for their money.

That’s the true test of gold standard celebrityhood backed by talent and a hefty body of work. Whether it’s Mirren or Meryl Streep or Tagore, what sets them apart is their effortless sense of personal style and grace. They wear their innate confidence lightly, look like themselves, behave without artifice, appear relaxed and happy in their skins.

Compare that with the exaggerated efforts to attract eyeballs from women young enough to be their daughters and granddaughters. Some of our fashion horror stories at Cannes demanded attention for the wrong reasons—let’s call it overkill. From a jewelled parrot handbag to completely OTT garish gowns and make-up, self-styled “first lady’’ Urvashi Rautela became a laughing stock at Cannes, even blocking bonafide celebrities during an appearance.

The pressure to stand out and hog the limelight is so overwhelming, it often pushes hungry starlets to extremes—including stripping nude on the Croissette hoping to grab instant notoriety if not fame. It needs restraint, class and immense savoir-faire for first-timers not to fall for cheap gimmicks. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia (39), who was on the jury, was a breath of fresh air—impeccably dressed and dignified in her conduct. Pity the giddy-headed “influencers’’ who descended in droves, resorting to bizarre outfits just to register their presence.

Yes, the red carpet is a harsh test to pass, given the intense interest. Ageism exists—no denying that. But so does gender bias. Robert De Niro (81) received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Leonardo DiCaprio (50). Nobody commented on their wrinkles, girth or sartorial choices. But all eyes were on Angelina Jolie (49) when she showed up in an elegant statuesque, strapless gown, split up to her thigh, performing her role as ‘Chopard Godmother’—did she or didn’t she go for a Botox boost before the big night?

We need to relax and take Cannes in our stride and respect it for what it is—a film festival, not a fashion parade of tacky taste. Let our talented filmmakers shine and bring home the honours. And as for the flashy film-illiterate crowd hijacking the event—perhaps start with a crash course on world cinema before jumping on the Cannes bandwagon while impudently flashing their bodies… and ignorance.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

met-gala-badge-of-honour-not-really

Sat May 17 17:27:54 IST 2025

Get ready for Cannes fashion, folks. The much-touted Met Gala is mercifully over. But we will be bombarded with multiple images of a few Bollywood stars on the red carpet, who supposedly “put India on the global fashion map”. Let’s get the record straight. The Met Gala is a highly publicised fundraiser for a prestigious museum in New York. The event is controlled by an imperious grande dame called Anna Wintour, feared and despised in equal measure.

It has become the most hyped glamour event on the planet with high-profile celebrities working on their costumes for months. To be seen at the Met Gala is considered a badge of honour, even though it comes with a hefty price tag. There are no free lunches/dinners/cocktails in this set up. Seats cost up to 063 lakh each, and where you are placed is entirely up to madame Wintour. Conversely, a film star gets to sit at a billionaire patron’s table. Or at a sponsor’s table if the star endorses that particular brand. You don’t need to be a global icon to get invited. You just need to know the right billionaire.

Take this year’s buzz over Shah Rukh Khan’s Met Gala debut. Why not? Americans may not have heard of SRK or Kiara Advani. Perhaps, the entertainment world knows who Diljit Dosanjh is. But the others are unknowns, largely ignored by the international press. Priyanka Chopra, now on her fifth appearance, is seen as an American celebrity of colour. Sadly, Indian stars rank low in the Met Gala pecking order. They are ushered onto the red carpet unfairly early—well before the paparazzi frenzy begins. Nobody calls out their names or asks them to pose.

This year’s theme was very specific. It was the first time race was addressed, going by the enigmatic dress code: Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. It was designed as a homage, a cultural and historical look at Black style over 300 years, through the lens of “dandyism’’.

Many supernovas got it right. But most fell flat on their face. Diljit, channelling the legendary Maharaja of Patiala, looked as if he was auditioning for his biopic. SRK was outfitted like ‘Mandrake the Magician’, perhaps intentionally. The women fared a bit better, with Chopra looking straight out of Gone With the Wind and Natasha Poonawala in an antique Parsi gara resembling Mary, Queen of Scots at a Parsi Navjote. One guest who nailed the theme was Mona Patel, whose sharply tailored, androgynous outfit stood out.

But one wonders at the incredible cache attached to this one museum. There are other splendid museums across the world (several in India) that could use support. Problem is, we don’t have a Wintour to call the shots and summon the biggest names to what is really her own ego trip. Yet, they flock!

I had a problem with the theme as well. Given how marginalised a majority of Blacks continue to be in the US, it seems absurd to be celebrating their ‘style’ which was born out of defiance and a blatant lack of acceptance. I found it hard to reconcile myself to the condescension. Hollywood remains deeply divided with outspoken Black stars openly accusing studios of racial discrimination. How many Blacks did you count on the red carpet? As for our overwhelmed stars, proudly strutting their stuff, hoping to grab eyeballs, remember, you are there because your patrons can sell more of their products, and not for your impressive “achievements’’.

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

omar-abdullah-no-playboy-politician

Sat May 03 18:28:14 IST 2025

Curse be upon me if I ask for statehood now,” said a visibly moved Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, responding to the dastardly terrorist attack on innocents in Pahalgam that claimed 26 innocent lives. He went on to say, “There were no words when I met the families…. The children who saw their fathers in blood… the woman who was married a few days ago.”

At 59, Omar stands at a unique moment in history. His call to “stand together as Indians—not just as Kashmiris”—was the most stirring part of his address. He admitted he can’t control a “terrorist with a gun’’ but can definitely “end militancy if people are with us’’. That time has come, declared Omar boldly and unequivocally.

This is exactly what the bruised and grieving country wants to hear from a leader who is talking long-term peace, not expedient retaliation. A lesser person could have taunted the Centre and blamed authorities for the major security lapse that cost the lives of unarmed people, enjoying the unmatched beauty of Pahalgam. This could have been the perfect political opportunity to demand statehood and win brownie points from supporters of such a demand. His mature response, which demonstrated empathy and avoided a nasty blame game, has won over Omar’s critics and opponents—those who have much to gain from a fractured J&K.

Omar’s fascinating political journey is the stuff of gripping film scripts. Surely, a biopic is overdue? His father, Farooq Abdullah, a flamboyant, larger-than-life figure across generations, did not win hearts with his comment after the deadly attacks. “Ask Modi,” he mocked when asked how India should respond to Pakistan, post-Pahalgam. As the National Conference leader, his views were critical in diffusing a potentially incendiary situation. But Farooq chose the predictable route by deflecting the question. As the former CM of J&K, who has consistently backed a dialogue between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, his opinions are eagerly sought by political analysts. An outright condemnation of the attack would have been the right way forward, given the tragic circumstances.

A few years ago, while on a brief holiday in Srinagar, I sought a meeting with Omar—it was nothing more than a casual social call. I knew his father a little bit and my son was thrilled to meet him [Farooq] on the golf course in Srinagar. Earlier, Omar was gracious enough to agree to a breakfast meeting, since we were leaving the same afternoon. Entering the vast Abdullah estate, with its fortress-like security, was an experience in itself. According to his poll affidavit, Omar owns no home, land, car or any other immovable assets of his own—but he has always lived like a billionaire.

Over Kashmiri kahwa and cookies, we chatted politely in elegant surroundings, watched discreetly by alert security personnel. What stood out wasn’t Omar’s boyish charm or trim physique—it was the passion with which he spoke about the valley. It was obvious he wasn’t flirting with politics—he was deeply invested. And was a committed stakeholder in the future of his state. This was no ‘playboy politician’ enjoying the perks of his special position. So many years later, I once again experienced the same feeling listening to his voice of sanity from a wounded destination—our beloved Kashmir, India’s pride.

May Omar continue to lead his people with courage and conviction.

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

bringing-vivienne-westwood-to-india-was-an-inspired-choice

Sat Apr 19 14:17:53 IST 2025

The secrecy! The suspense! The anticipation! When word got out that Britain’s iconic brand—helmed by Dame Vivienne Westwood until her passing in 2022—was making its India debut with a show using the Gateway of India as a dramatic backdrop, major flutters ensued in the frothy, flirty, fabulous fashion world. A lot was anticipated from a global brand that’s sought after by connoisseurs of Vivienne’s trademark look (punk meets rock).

After Dior’s spectacular show at the same venue in 2023, Westwood’s Indian debut had a tough act to follow. Invitations were fiercely sought after, and desperate fashionistas were ready to kill for one.

Reportedly, the show was conceptualised and executed in just a month, following a visit to the Vivz Fashion School in Pune by the brand’s CEO Carlo D’Amario. It was there that he brought Vivek Pawar, the school’s founder-promoter, on board, along with ‘Aaranya’ patron Priyadarshini Scindia. The idea was to spotlight the gossamer-fine Chanderi weaves of Madhya Pradesh along with homespun khadi from the Khadi and Village Industries Commission. Great collab, for sure.

While commendable, the show didn’t quite echo Westwood’s original philosophy—rebellious, outre and out-of-the-box. Just like her own well-documented life which caused ripples each time she came up with a breakthrough collection.

Westwood’s avant-garde thinking was evident from the word go. A lifelong vegetarian, pacifist and gardener, she first grabbed headlines with a boutique named ‘Sex’—inspired by her then-husband’s band, ’Sex Pistols’. She said she opted for punk as it provided her a way of seeing “if one could put a spoke in the system’’. Disruptive fashion and bold statements made her a fashion force throughout her long, colourful life, in which she flourished as extravagantly as her wild, untrimmed garden.

She married Andreas Kronthaler, her second husband—a bisexual man 25 years her junior, when she was his professor. Unfortunately, Kronthaler skipped the Mumbai show and it was Carlos who took to the stage to talk about the brand, with Kareena Kapoor, Priyadarshini Scindia and others, listening politely.

Bringing Westwood to India was an inspired choice, given its niche client base. Though most fashionistas today only associate Vivienne with the bridal gown chosen by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, which had sparked off a huge buzz. Subsequently, Vivienne had graciously presented the gorgeous gown to Sarah Jessica Parker with a charming note. Known for her flamboyance, Vivienne used her position in the fashion firmament to articulate her concerns—civil rights, climate change and nuclear disarmament.

Her brand today seems to be playing it safe by opting for fashion that isn’t edgy enough to woo new fans. Tartan tweeds and flower hats have nostalgic value only for die-hard devotees of the look she pioneered. Perhaps, that is why the debut in India did not quite electrify the scene the way Dior did. Frankly, I was happy watching the show as a mixed bag of models walked around glumly to a tepid response.

I recalled my brief encounter with the redhead years ago at the Place Vendome in Paris. There she was, holding court on a muggy summer evening, as international paparazzi hung on to her every word. We got to speak briefly and she seemed enchanted by all things Indian. Well, for a woman who believed every fashion outing was a battlefield, perhaps the debut is two decades too late? Playing it safe was never an option for the vivacious Vivienne.

However, India is ready! We appreciate fashion risks. Let’s take Chanderi, khadi and more to the world—and break a few fashion moulds with silhouettes that stun. Leave the predictable party frocks to the faint-hearted. Go for shock and awe, Viv. If any label can do it, it is you.

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

croissant-and-prashant

Sat Apr 05 14:33:08 IST 2025

Blame it on the silly season. The heat is melting my brain, and the only way to stay sane is to order a frothy cappuccino with a buttery Prashant to go with it. What’s a Prashant? If you don’t know, you are missing out. Ever heard of a croissant with a name? That name is Prashant. It all started with a viral video of a young man mispronouncing croissant, setting social media ablaze with memes and reels.

The first time ‘Croissant Prashant’ popped up on my screen, I was wondering what all the excitement was about. A young man receiving an AI tutoring lesson and innocently mishearing a word did not seem like a big deal. After all, apart from the snooty French, very few people in the world pronounce croissant correctly. The scene unfolds like this: AI briskly asks, “What is this called?” as an image of croissant appears on the screen. The young man confidently responds, “Pateesss” (pattice). AI corrects him: “Croissant”. He hears “Prashant” and repeats it. And that’s it!

Bakers across India jumped on the trend, labelling trays of freshly baked croissants as Prashant, which began flying off the counters. With Prashant turning into a national obsession, savvy marketing teams wasted no time hopping on to the bandwagon. Britannia led the charge, followed by Netflix India, Lenskart, Swiggy and Myntra. The Prashant phenomenon was now official.

Here’s a sheepish admission: my day begins with a ‘Prashant’ ordered from a neighbourhood bakery. While I enjoy my breakfast treat, I scroll for the latest reel engagingly put together by the OG—a young digital creator called Ayush Hu Mai. There he is—goofy, accessible, relatable, dressed in his by now trademark maroon hoodie, looking dishevelled and confused as he makes some more mistakes trying to improve on his English vocabulary. There is something totally disarming and adorable about his persona, as he unselfconsciously makes one mistake after another, wrongly identifying everyday objects and disingenuously mispronouncing most of them.

He is one of us. An ambitious desi youth trying to up his game and be seen as ‘cool’. Why not? Don’t we find countless similar folks at coffee shops as they navigate the maddening, often aggravating accents attached to foreign food items that have become a part of our Indian menus, thanks to the proliferation of global fast-food chains inundating the landscape.

“I make people laugh,” declares Ayush, now that he has been converted into a bonafide influencer’ (56.3k Insta followers), with an agency handling his content. Endorsements are pouring in, for Ayush, who, in a vanity post, says he is six feet tall—expect more tall claims to follow as he navigates the fickle world of viral stardom.

As a social phenomenon, I find ‘Croissant Prashant’ entirely fascinating and would love to meet him before he becomes history after creating a bit of it himself. What sort of a future awaits Ayush, once India’s appetite gets satiated with Prashants, with or without toppings and fillings? How long can the joke carry on before the audience yawns? I watched his new reel which involves “hidden words’’ (lots of hidden double entendres). Prashant’s gullibility and innocence shine as he refuses to utter the word ‘boobs’ and piously says “books”. Yes, I laughed. A bit too clever. A bit too obvious.

Ayush’s life extension on social media will need much more than jejune humour to keep the fans coming back for more.

But as short-lived crazes go, Prashant’s impact has been made strongly and effectively—that too, at a throwaway price. Britannia and others are laughing all the way to the bank. Hope Ayush is doing the same. What next? A bagel named Bomanji?

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

Noel-Tata-a-new-era-begins

Wed Mar 26 20:08:30 IST 2025

At 68, Noel Tata, with a net worth of $1.5 billion, embodies the quintessential old school south Mumbai gentleman who chooses to remain below the radar. The chairman of the Tata Trusts is rarely spotted at the city’s myriad high-profile, glitzy events, unless he has a specific role to play. As he did when I ran into him at a recent award ceremony. There we were looking for a hot cuppa at the counter, while other billionaires discreetly chatted away in the cordoned-off space reserved for VVIP invitees enjoying an elaborate high tea.

Noel was accompanied by his handsome son Neville. We chatted briefly about attending Neville’s wedding lunch in Bengaluru in 2019. Both men were courteous and refreshingly “normal’’ as we waited for our chai. Neville’s wife, the lovely Manasi Kirloskar, is the daughter of our friends—the late Vikram Kirloskar and his wife, Geetanjali. The entire family fiercely safeguards its privacy despite heading some of the most established, high-profile consumer brands in the market.

Ratan was honoured at the ceremony. While accepting the award, Noel said, “Ratan changed Tata forever... What stands out is his humility, dignity and grace... And his profound sense of responsibility to the Tata Group and its heritage.”

Noel has been the brain behind several new ventures that have earned him the respect of shareholders and business colleagues. While his half-brother Ratan Tata was renowned for his philanthropy and love for dogs, Noel has carved his own path in health care.

My personal association with the illustrious group began with Simone, the grande dame of the Tata family (and Noel’s mother). It goes back decades, to the time when Simone launched India’s first upmarket cosmetics brand—Lakme—named after a French opera (which references Goddess Lakshmi). The impeccably groomed Simone and I met off and on, for chatty, informal lunches at their palatial 1912-built marble mansion, which later became the home of Deutsche Bank. I would also run into her at the first-ever Lakme hair and beauty salon we both patronised where she would proudly declare that she used only Lakme products!

Eighteen years after Lakme was sold to Unilever, Noel made a bold return to the beauty business, launching Studiowest, exclusively available at the Trent-owned Westside outlets across India.

It will be interesting to watch what Noel does next. All eyes are also on his three children who work in various capacities within the Tata Group. Fashion and lifestyle products launched under the Trent umbrella are attracting young, trendy, and thrifty customers who patronise Zudio launched by Neville. He has already made a huge success of Star Bazaar.

The joint venture with Spain’s Zara has had a mixed history, particularly after Zara moved out of the spectacularly restored five-storey flagship store after eight years, perhaps unable or unwilling to underwrite a staggering three crore monthly rental. This is seen as a mere hiccup by industry watchers, awestruck by the speed at which Noel is moving ahead. The RNT (Ratan Naval Tata) mantle remains. But a new era has begun.

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

kalki-koechlin-cannot-be-boxed-especially-in-an-industry-that-prefers-conformists

Sat Mar 08 17:03:13 IST 2025

I love the fact that Kalki Koechlin, one of our most versatile actors, does not fit into a box. She has deftly carved a place for herself, defined by her unusual lineage. Being “different’’ in an industry that favours conformists, especially female actors who seem to emerge from the same mould, Kalki has always stood out, as much for her unusual looks as the roles she shines in.

She bills herself as a “French actress and writer’’, but is so much more, as I discovered over dinner in Chandigarh, where we were invited to a well-curated Lit Fest by Chitkara University.

Dressed in an oversized black blazer, fresh off a flight from Goa, Kalki appeared without make-up, exuding an unpretentious demeanour. At 41, she is as busy as she chooses to be, picking her professional assignments mindfully, given her top priority—Sappho, her six-year-old daughter with Israeli partner Guy Hershberg, a talented musician, with a hectic concert schedule across Europe.

Over a shared bowl of Pad Thai, Kalki and I chatted animatedly, mainly about the challenges faced by women professionals as they navigate the choppy waters of domestic responsibilities and demanding careers.

Puducherry-born Kalki comes with a fascinating back story, which, I am certain, she can fluently narrate in four languages—Tamil, French, Hindi and English. Her parents, who were devotees of Aurobindo, made Puducherry their home (they divorced when Kalki was 15). Kalki has two half-brothers, with whom she shares a good relationship. We delved into the dynamics of being a part of the blended, modern, global family, with young children growing up amidst a widening circle of relatives separated by more than six degrees. Like her daughter Sappho, who attends a formal school in Goa, that comes with a proper uniform and standard rules. “It is important for kids to understand boundaries, and we make sure Sappho knows what those are. Screen time is not forbidden, but carefully monitored. As is her intake of candy and salt. We believe in moderation and basic ground rules. Living in Goa, with access to a garden and greenery, a relatively cleaner environment than Mumbai’s, was a conscious choice,” she says.’’

Kalki’s career has been interesting from the word go. Her debut film Dev. D. (2009), opposite Abhay Deol, was an unconventional, contemporary take on the classic Devdas, with Kalki playing Chanda (Chandramukhi). She was learning Hindi at the time, and used to mug up her dialogues with the help of a tutor. The immensely popular Amit Trivedi song ‘Emosanal Attyachar’, created reverberations across India, and soon Kalki was receiving interesting offers from filmmakers keen to explore her histrionic potential.

I admired how comfortable Kalki is in her own skin—there’s zero artifice. Currently, she is studying Hebrew and finding it difficult. She wants her mother-in-law to leave Israel (her home is on the Lebanon border), and live with them in Goa. That’s not happening—her mother-in-law does not want to abandon her homeland regardless of the strife in the region.

Kalki is an activist and fights for gender equality using her voice and stature to articulate her concerns. “Another baby?” I ask her, and she laughs: “Sappho is more than a handful. Raising her is the best thing I have done in life.’’ Looking forward to whichever ‘baby’ Kalki delivers next!

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

masaba-gupta-mixed-heritage-rocks

Sat Feb 22 16:06:54 IST 2025

I absolutely adore fashion’s favourite ‘love child’—35-year-old Masaba Gupta, daughter of Neena Gupta and Viv Richards. I attended the launch of her latest venture, aptly titled ‘Identity Crisis’. A delicious, quirky fine jewellery line, it is likely to create a new slot for expensive baubles—‘white shirt jewellery’—designed to elevate the basic workday shirt and take it from casual to luxe. Such a clever idea! It is a focused 46-piece collection that celebrates individuality.

The launch was low key, like Masaba herself, with her celebrated mother showing up wearing Masaba’s striking fish neckpiece. Those who have watched the mother-daughter duo in the popular Masaba Masaba, fiction-meets-reality series on Netflix, already know a lot about their personal dynamics. They share a very special rapport, given the background to Masaba’s arrival in the world. Today, Masaba is a mother herself, to a three-month-old Matara, and, of course, there is a ‘Mother to Matara’ label in the works! I had hoped to meet Matara’s father and Masaba’s husband, Satyadeep Mishra, at the event, but he was on daddy duty, babysitting their newborn.

There’s so much more to the Masaba story that remains to be further explored. As a hard-working, hard-nosed businesswoman, Masaba oversees 10 stores across India, with ambitious expansion plans.

With Masaba’s bold entry into the competitive but highly lucrative make-up segment (51 per cent of her brand being owned by Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd), we are going to see the creation of a mini-empire, driven by one woman’s belief in herself and all that her brand represents. She calls herself a “serial collaborator’’, having accomplished successful partnerships with brands like Nykaa Samsung, Titan Raga and more.

Masaba’s foray into make-up comes with a terrific narrative. Her foundations, lip colours and glosses are specifically created to go with our beautiful skin tones. This is such a boon, given that imported products have never managed to get our palettes, which go from rich nutty brown to golden copper.

I tried Masaba’s lip colours, and voila I don’t need to look beyond! Her simple philosophy is to “mix, match and make it personal”. The charming thing about Masaba is how completely herself she has always been, despite the challenges she faced growing up with her specific background and personal appearance that set her apart from other children at school. Today, she can look back and candidly talk about the racial jibes she had to deal with. The imaginative and insightful conversion of attributes that could have kept her down have been converted into distinct advantages that distinguish her brand from the clutter places her in a league of her own.

The mixed heritage that once tormented her is today a badge she flashes with pride. ‘Matara’, the unusual name the couple picked for their daughter, embodies the divine energies of nine Hindu Goddesses, celebrating their strength and wisdom. “Motherhood is oddly rewarding,” says Masaba, as she juggles her hectic career as a fashion entrepreneur with a newborn’s exhausting demands. “Motherhood is tiring, but it gives you a sense of accomplishment,” she says.

When I leave the intimate launch at her eponymous store, I see Masaba giggling with her business partner Tarang Arora of Amrapali. Masaba says, “I see jewellery as a big part of the brand’s future.” She is flying high, creatively and personally. Here’s a suggestion—what about a new, irreverent line called ‘Gold Digger’ for our socialites?

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

nirmala-your-vision-your-wisdom

Sat Feb 08 13:55:49 IST 2025

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, 65, created history when she eloquently presented her eighth consecutive budget on a day my mind was on anything but our blessed taxes—my son was getting married the next morning, and I had far more important concerns to deal with.

However, once the pheras (wedding rounds) were done, and I could breathe again, I overheard some corporate invitees animatedly discussing the long-term implications of Vasooli Tai’s budget. She had called it a response to “people’s voices”. She didn’t specify which people—the aam aadmi, oops, the common man? Or, the people in Bihar? Madamji was clear—it was a dream budget “by the people and for the people’’—yes, even those of us who don’t live in Delhi and Bihar. In fact, the reaction to Nirmala’s budget was so enthusiastic that she was soon trending on social media and being hailed as ‘Maa Lakshmi’.

“The economy was in the doldrums,” Nirmala declared, swishing the pallu of her rich ivory-and-gold sari. Members of the opposition did not squirm, they were too busy sniggering. There was definitely jubilation in one particular income bracket—those who earn upto Rs12 lakh a year, azadi from tax! That qualifies as a biggie and social media went to town with clever memes and Bollywood dialogues galore, hailing Nirmala.

Devi—her vision! Her wisdom! For one brief moment, our Nirmala, with a staggering Rs50,65,345 crore budget outlay, out-memed Urvashi Rautela, a minor actor boasting about the Rs105 crore box office figures of a dreadful film titled Daaku Maharaaj. It was time to dance to ‘Dabidi Dibidi’—the grotesque item song from the film that had gone viral. ‘Not just swords, even your gaze can kill me’… goes the song. Nirmala’s critics improvised on the lyrics with their own version… ‘not just taxes, even your policies can kill us’. Fans crowed about the tax-free threshold and brought out the dhols.

“The growth slowdown is a temporary dip,” Nirmala predicted. A brave prediction, given the ground reality. Gold prices hit a new high two days later, trading at 084,500 per 10 gram. I silently thanked my stars for sparing me the pain. The minimal gold at our wedding was old! Bought decades ago when every middle-class family wisely invested in gold ornaments for their toddler’s wedding. Or else, in India, a family’s izzat is frequently and directly linked to the amount of gold adorning a bride in the mandap.

Strangely, with every budget Nirmala presents, analysts insist it will be her last one—they are always in a hurry to write her off and often announce the name of her successor while she is still presenting.

Interestingly, Nirmala’s sun sign is Leo. And Leo women are known to be tough, aggressive and ambitious. They remain undaunted and out there, fighting back fiercely when under fire.

Over the years, Nirmala hasn’t flinched or blinked no matter what the provocation—be it on the professional or personal front.

As for me, I love tracking her budget saris, from the very first watermelon pink Mangalagiri silk at her debut budget presentation in 2019, to the yellow Pochampally, followed by a beautiful Bomkai. Urvashi has her tacky ‘bombshell lewks’, but it is Nirmala who serves looks with her handcrafted budget saris.

“Ab khush ho na, sab? [Is everyone happy?],’’ she asked the nation. “Bahut khush” [Very happy], we chorused. And I wondered if the late Arun Jaitley, her brilliant predecessor, was having the last laugh in heaven.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

monalisa-bhonsle-the-brown-beauty-of-mahakumbh

Sat Jan 25 16:32:56 IST 2025

Is it just those dancing liquid amber eyes? The wide, open smile? The glossy thick hair? God knows! But Monalisa Bhonsle, 16, from Indore, selling simple handmade bead necklaces on the crowded ghats of the Mahakumbh Mela at Prayagraj, became an internet sensation overnight when her video went viral. Suddenly, social media content creators were rampaging along the sandbanks in search of the teenager, whose fame had captured fans across the world.

Dubbed the ‘brown beauty’ by gushing admirers who went into raptures over her eyes, the disarmingly unaffected young girl remained unfazed by the attention, occasionally expressing frustration at selfie seekers cutting into her time and affecting business. Unsurprisingly, it was creepy men who were mobbing Monalisa, offering her money and marigold garlands as enticement.

Relentlessly stalked and chased by undesirables badgering her, Monalisa, according to reports, was sent back to the village by her enraged family. “I will only marry a man chosen by my parents,’’ Monalisa declared as she rebuffed ardent suitors.

So many threads about Monalisa’s life intrigued me—starting with her name! Did her folks realise the weighty significance of their daughter’s name? Did she herself know the importance of being ‘Mona Lisa’? Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, painted on a wood panel between 1503 and 1519, is now considered an ‘object of pilgrimage’ by visitors to the Louvre in Paris, where millions of awestruck art lovers gaze at the lady’s mysterious smile. Our desi Monalisa may soon be forgotten by the very people who are posting reels as she coyly averts her eyes and dodges questions. Obviously nobody cares about her right to privacy!

Her unique journey to instant fame reminds me of Arshad Khan, the blue-eyed Pakistani tea seller, whose image went viral in 2016. He shrewdly leveraged his fame, and converted his extraordinary branding into a business opportunity by establishing ‘Chaiwala & Co’, even opening a flagship tea shop in London after receiving Rs1 crore in Shark Tank Pakistan.

This was possible because of his gender—he didn’t have to seek his parents’ permission before taking advantage of his unique looks to create a brand with high recall. Our Monalisa lives in a parallel universe, a patriarchal social system, with very little agency over her personal life. She did say she was open to modelling offers, but before anything concrete could materialise, she was hastily whisked off by concerned family members.

Such are the perils of living in the age of aggressive social media. A single viral video can transform a person’s life in a blink. Monalisa had nothing to do with the first video which garnered 15 million views, just like that. These are the sort of impressive numbers manipulative influencers crave for, and go the extra mile to generate, frequently manufacturing fake narratives, sensationalising their own lives to get the eyeballs.

My concern for Monalisa stems from a different place. It is clear she knows boundaries and respects them—her inoffensive but firm handling of assorted intruders into her space was remarkable and admirable. For someone denied schooling, she was an absolute pro when it came to firmly rebuffing ill-mannered men edging a bit too close to her. Some of our film stars should learn from Monalisa. When asked how she feels about the excessive male attention, the myriad proposals, she smiled and said, “All of them are my brothers….’’ Touche!

Let’s see what happens to Monalisa once the Mahakumbh winds up and the multitudes go back to their mundane lives. My guess is that she will soon be married off and confined to her marital home, before ‘fancy’ ideas go to her head. It is in this archaic way our society ‘protects’ young women from the outside world. Ideally, Monalisa should go back to school, educate herself and show the world there’s more to her than those amber eyes.

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

know-that-you-are-loved-and-respected-rohit-sharma

Sat Jan 11 15:39:48 IST 2025

Cricket is a quasi-religion in India. And our pantheon of cricketers is worshipped with a fervour bordering on hysteria. Rohit Sharma, 37, captain of the Indian cricket team, found himself in a spot during the fifth Test in Sydney, after taking a bold, controversial decision—he opted out of a key match. Shocked experts damned him. Others hailed the captain’s call. The jury is still out, with fires raging across the cricketing world.

Sunil Gavaskar was among those who showered unconditional praise. “Leaving out a player is hard enough, but to take a call to leave oneself out has to be the bravest decision taken,” he said, as wild theories swirled around Rohit’s own statement. “I have not retired, I stood down. The bat is not working.” It was a candid, unselfish self-assessment which displayed conviction and character.

But Rohit’s stance did not go down well with former Test cricketers like Sanjay Manjrekar, who reminded him, “Retirement is in your hands…. playing for India is not.” This was seen as a huge warning to a cricketer with many firsts to his name.

Rohit’s supporters added one more—he is the first Indian captain to drop himself from the playing XI in a match. Are cricket lovers not entitled to hold views that may go against the sentiments of cricket administrators, coaches and selectors? Is there no room for unprejudiced, unbiased opinions? Rohit, himself, was pretty upfront when he explained his stance. “I am a sensible man, a mature man, father of two children, I know what I need in life. I am not going to take myself out of the game.’’ That left critics asking, “What if the game takes itself out of Rohit?’’ That’s a legitimate concern, given the team’s abysmal performance Down Under, which was topped by the controversy over Gavaskar being left out of the presentation ceremony of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Rohit is not “theatre”, the way the dashing Virat Kohli has always been. He does not possess Kohli’s “rizz’’ or natural swag, but he brings dependable solidity and sobriety—on and off the field. Rohit delivers. Or, used to. His track record is filled with glory, particularly as captain of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup winning team.

Rohit is considered as one of the best batsmen of his generation and one of the greatest white ball opening batters of all time. One well-timed or ill-timed (depends on which side of the debate you are on) decision cannot obliterate these feats. But such is the manic pace at which cricket is played these days, our overworked men in blue receive no respite, either from the game or criticism. Insiders say it all comes down to money—there’s so much of it riding on each performance. These men are athletes, not super humans. Their bodies need restoration between fixtures. But, today, they are flogged without any deeper thought invested in their mental and physical well-being. They are simply not allowed to step off the punishing treadmill—the same one that guarantees wealth and fame. But what a price to pay!

The Rohit I have briefly glimpsed is when he visits his in-laws who live downstairs. His conduct has been consistently polite and devoid of any fuss. Rohit is not a compulsive attention-seeker. Nor has he let success go to his head. He behaves like a well brought up gentleman, a loving husband and father. Respect! Know that you are loved!

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

shyam-benegal-legacy

Sat Dec 28 14:57:39 IST 2024

I was informed about Shyam Benegal’s death in a setting straight out of one of his films. At the time, the news was not public, but I believed it... because it is most inelegant and shockingly crass to “gossip’’ about death. Shyam and his most wonderful wife, Nira, would have disapproved! But gently. They were not strident folks. Their views and vision were anything but crass, while being forceful and determined. This is what set them apart in a business dominated by hustlers looking for the next deal.

Shyam didn’t have to hustle—the deals he deemed worthy of his time, talent and knowledge base, came to him.

That is true power.

Discretion, and a certain required distance from the film mob, ensured Shyam a high level of respect from contemporaries who recognised his vision and wanted to be a part of it. Being cast in Shyam’s film was an award in itself. Because, nothing Shyam did, was without thought.

Shyam’s films reflected his concerns and encapsulated his cinematic ambitions.

Without sounding annoyingly boastful, I have to provide a backgrounder to my relationship with Shyam—going back 55 years or more. At the time, Shyam was making the very best commercials, along with Zafar Hai. It was during my peak years as a model for several leading brands. I shot one or two ad films with Shyam, and loved the way he approached the brief. He was completely engrossed in getting it right from every conceivable angle. His attention to lighting the scene was a master class in itself.

A few years later, Shyam had made the big leap into the big, bad world of feature films. Soon, he was hailed as the undisputed king of parallel cinema. No idea what he felt about this positioning—he was a filmmaker. Period. His thought-provoking films were making us sit up and take notice—particularly of his inspired casting of gifted unknowns in lead roles. That most of them went on to carve a niche in Bollywood and win national awards, says everything about Shyam’s strong instincts in smelling out big talent.

I was the idiot who said ‘no’, when Shyam offered me a role. The film was Kalyug (1981), and the story was about two feuding business families, loosely based on the Mahabharat. Shyam wanted me to play the role of Draupadi, which was fabulously enacted by Rekha as Supriya. I knew my own limitations better than Shyam. I am no actor, and would have fallen flat on my face. The film went on to win several prestigious awards.

Shyam’s sensitive and intuitive understanding of female characters made each one of them memorable.

Combine that with Shyam’s nose for identifying talent… the hidden gems he shone the spotlight on by giving the bravest breaks—Smita Patil is but one in a select galaxy of incredible actors we as viewers got to watch delivering unforgettable performances, film after film.

Isn’t it wonderful that just days before he passed away, Shyam celebrated his 90th birthday, surrounded by some of his favourite actors like Shabana Azmi and Naseeruddin Shah. Shyam lived an intellectually rich and deeply fulfilling life making brilliant films—breathing, dreaming and eating cinema—possibly till his last breath.

The last time we met we joked about my missed chance to be a “Shyam Benegal heroine”. He laughed and said, “It’s never too late… we can still do it!” Well, this comment sounds as poignant as his films. Who knows when “never too late” dramatically changes to “too late”.

Sorry, Shyam—I didn’t get to say a proper goodbye.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

made-in-heaven-couple-sobhita-dhulipala-and-naga-chaitanya

Sat Dec 14 17:24:40 IST 2024

Sobhita Dhulipala won countless hearts—and broke a few—when she married actor Naga Chaitanya at a hyper traditional Telugu Brahmin ceremony, where every ritual was scrupulously followed. Sobhita bagged the title of ‘Bride of the Year’ with ease, as fans were treated to a series of truly stunning images, featuring exquisite Kanjeevaram saris and eye-popping temple jewellery.

Staying faithful to her roots in south India, the bride exuded grace and good taste with every oufit change. Fashion eagles applauded her decision to ditch Bollywood-style, over-embellished, ostentatious, sparkly lehengas for one-of-a-kind, handwoven masterpieces that complemented the timeless handcrafted, legacy jewellery.

Sobhita arrived in Mumbai from Visakhapatnam at age 16 to pursue her education in corporate law. She won a couple of beauty pageant titles, competed in the Philippines, and came back to sign her debut film opposite Vicky Kaushal. What did it for Sobhita was her role as Tara in the hit OTT series, Made in Heaven, in which she played a wedding planner dealing with her own marital issues. For a self-described “uncool geek”, the sultry Sobhita was noticed by the fashion community and soon became the muse for top designers like Sabyasachi Mukherjee.

Despite her growing celebrity status, Sobhita chose to keep away from the daily Bollywood circus, and one hardly saw her flaunting airport looks or appearing on the red carpet at society weddings. This was a refreshing break for someone who didn’t have a godfather in the film industry and was not a part of any clique.

The first time we met was at Mukherjee’s exuberant flagship store opening in Mumbai. She was dressed in deep red and looked stunning, as she quietly interacted with invitees, without trying to attract any attention to herself. Level-headed, I concluded!

We found ourselves near the elevator and I complimented her lavishly—not just about her beauty, but her varied performances, which ranged from the mysterious mistress of a ruthless underworld don in The Night Manager to her brief appearance as a bejewelled princess in the Tamil epic Ponniyin Selvan. She was restrained and reserved in her response, which was such a relief. I wished her well and left.

Now that she has married into the Nagarjuna family, what sort of a professional and personal future can fans expect? Today’s showbiz environment encourages married female actors to go ahead full steam with their careers, have babies, travel on their own, pursue their interests. There is no lid placed on ambition because of a wedding band.

At 32, Sobhita has a long, productive life ahead of her. The closest Bollywood counterpart I can think of is Rani Mukerji, who married Aditya Chopra, chairperson of the Yash Raj Films.

Sobhita’s father-in-law is Nagarjuna Akkineni, co-owner of the production company Annapurna Studios. Rani took her time to settle into her new responsibilities, especially after she had her baby. Today, she picks her film projects with care, making sure to maintain the all-important work-life balance as she smoothly juggles her commitments. Sobhita is likely to do the same. Her own parents have provided the groundwork—her mother was a primary school teacher and her father, a merchant navy engineer. Sobhita’s sister Samanta is a doctor who specialises in foetal medicine and radiology, and is married to a neurologist.

Sobhita and Naga have set the bar high for showbiz power couples by demonstrating how one can get it so right when stars align. Here’s wishing the ‘made in heaven’ jodi a gorgeous life of togetherness—and more films, please!

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

vikram-seth-a-suitable-man

Sat Nov 30 15:27:16 IST 2024

Our golden boy of literature was the star attraction at the recent Shillong Literary Festival in mysterious Meghalaya. “I was only warned last night that I would have to speak. I agreed on two conditions: a rice beer in one hand and a twig of cherry blossom in the other. Reading and writing are both intensely private activities. So… all this publishing tamasha is absolutely pointless—you should all go home immediately and read a book!” Rockstar Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, seated next to Seth, grinned at the poet’s irreverence, while the audience cheered.

I joined the small group, enjoying a cuppa with the CM, in the Author’s Lounge, as Seth held court and commented as only he can. As photographers clicked away, he turned to me, brow deeply furrowed, and asked, “Is this the first time you didn’t run away from being photographed with a politician?” The elusive author was making a rarer than rare appearance at a literary fest, and had risked life and limb, travelling in his jaunty red Jimny through Manipur, to attend the event.

At a scintillating session, ably moderated by Malavika Banerjee, Seth was on ‘fyaaaa’ as he sprang to his feet and performed a libretto, with gusto. He read stanzas from A Golden Gate, talked about A Suitable Boy, and discussed his writing process with a mesmerised audience hanging on to his every word. “At heart, I do see myself as a poet… fiction is not my métier… prose is always unfinished… there is a memorability to poetry,’’ he said, “It is the emotional content and not technique of a poem that matters. That is the beauty of a poem—the technique should be well-hidden.” Seth reads his own work exceedingly well…. Something I had marvelled at when I first heard him at the British Council in Mumbai, soon after the global success of A Suitable Boy. He recalled our meetings with remarkable clarity, as I gushed away, hanging on to his every word… with gratitude.

Seth is a genius, with an extraordinary mind and a rare talent that has yet to ripen to its full richness. His latest work, a masterly translation of a timeless hymn—’Hanuman Chalisa’—into English, has been widely lauded by critics, given the complexity of doing justice to its 40 rhythmic verses written more than five centuries ago, as an ode to Hanuman.

Seth has been travelling at a manic pace through the length and breadth of India, in his beloved Jimny, which he sees as “a female with a wilful mind”. The red he was looking for in a car had to be the right red, he said, not the cerise red of cherries—which is a depressing colour. Clearly, he found the perfect red and his adventures with the Jimny got underway. I didn’t spot her at the lit fest and asked where she was, “She’s resting after being stuck in Manipur for five days,’’ he answered solemnly.

At a gala night by the hotel pool, where a loud band was playing Boney M. hits, Seth and I attempted a frustrating and fractured conversation over the din. There was just one thing to do—escape. We did. To a kid’s zone. The perfect setting for a heart-to-heart with a man I consider a ‘gift’ to the world.

X@DeShobhaa Instagram@shobhaade

smart-and-sassy-shalini-passi

Sat Nov 16 17:11:33 IST 2024

Pop culture works according to its own unpredictable, crazy logic. An unlikely, overnight celebrity has become the talk of India. Everyone, especially on social media, is discussing, dissing, hissing and mimicking just one person—Shalini Passi.

Passi has smoothly replaced Orry as the most dissected media concoction, after stealing the show from rivals in a much-watched OTT series—Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, which showcases the impossibly opulent worlds of a bunch of women, whose sole purpose in life is to flaunt and taunt. In such a brittle world, one superlatively delicious, ever-smiling woman bathed in all things luxe, from top to toe (think Cleopatra meets Padmavati), enchants and disarms viewers with her beatific presence, as she unselfconsciously sings off-key songs and effortlessly makes others look insecure and trashy. She is even dressed in floaty designer gowns, which generously reveal an impressive cleavage.

Today, Passi is the most sought-after celebrity, with event managers and talent hunters breaking down the doors to her palatial Delhi mansion, to sign her up for shows, appearances and endorsements. So, how does one decode the Passi phenomenon? Her pampered lifestyle is the envy of the less fortunate, as she hosts a ridiculously extravagant party and speaks softly about her family’s wealth and her own achievements as an art patron and philanthropist.

The staggering décor at Passi’s palace includes rare Flemish furniture, cheek by jowl with a Bharti Kher. Somehow, none of this sounds boastful or absurd—it is indeed the fantastical existence of a 49-year-old rich woman, who is not embarrassed or apologetic about any of her choices. Passi was married at age 20. Talking about her early life and wedding, she casually mentions how M.F. Husain was commissioned by her husband to design the invitation cards. “But, first, I need to see the girl,” said Husain, before producing four cards for different functions, after declaring the couple a “Radha Krishna jodi”.

Passi’s radiant mien underlines her beliefs, which include daily meditation and a visit to the temple at 9pm. I can vouch for her religious commitments—I am on the privileged list of “prasad recipients” who get hand-delivered packages of offerings after Passi’s frequent pilgrimages that take her from Tirupati to Badrinath. The few times we have met at glittering social soirees, I have been struck by her calm beauty and peaceful expression.

As the founder of MASH, Passi has positioned herself as a major patron of the arts, lending support to UNICEF and other prestigious organisations. Since 2018, Passi has worked relentlessly to establish her credentials as an important art collector (what with a 25-feet tall Subodh Gupta dominating her manicured lawns).

But it took a glitzy, shallow frou-frou show on Netflix to propel Passi into a cult figure in the fickle domain of popular culture. Even school children know her name and discuss her avidly during snack breaks. It is not about affluence and extravagance alone—there are far richer folks around.

What happens next will be fascinating to monitor. A film based on her life? A musical with her playing the diva? A web series of her own? Fashion label? Anything is possible for Passi—the world is her oyster. As for her Mumbai rivals, Passi makes them passé. Passi has the ultimate put down—each time she flies to Maximum City, she brings her superior Delhi veggies with her! Take that, you wannabes, her Buddha like stance suggests, as she shrugs off their barbs and preps for the next publicity blitzkrieg.

X@DeShobhaa and Instagram@shobhaade

raise-a-toast-to-vidya-balan

Sat Nov 02 11:01:58 IST 2024

Vidya Balan is a New Year baby. At 45, she is aglow in the most beautiful way, having won the hearts and admiration of countless fans across the world, who watched the supremely talented actor take a public tumble on stage at a high-profile promotional event recently, sharing the platform with no less a dancer than the eternally graceful Madhuri Dixit. At one point, Vidya missed her footing and fell down, raising gasps in the audience. But here’s what separates Vidya from others—without the slightest change in expression, Vidya got back on her feet and resumed the performance, ably aided by Madhuri Dixit, who subtly cued her to match steps.

Here are two highly accomplished stars, demonstrating the power of true stardom when faced with an awkward situation. So many days later, social media is still talking about the incident, and heaping praise on Vidya for displaying great presence of mind for carrying on with the show like a true professional. Admirers are lauding Vidya for shining a light on a difficult path countless women tread. Her confidence, indirectly, empowered other women to follow in her footsteps if they falter.

Vidya has much more than just her long list of achievements to look back on. She has always displayed exceptional leadership qualities, which are reflected in her personal and professional choices. It is not as if it has been smooth sailing and nothing else for this multiple-award-winning actor, who spent years struggling to get a toehold in the film industry, waiting it out by taking on small assignments—music videos, commercials and modelling. Till she made it big as a pioneering actor focusing on female-led roles, delivering five consecutive hits, which led to her gathering multiple awards, plus a Padma Shri.

Then came a bit of a slump, with fans constantly questioning her fluctuating weight and tearing into her for making disastrous fashion choices. Through all of this, Vidya managed to convert the harsh sniping into a joke, never letting go of her thousand-watt smile and sparkling sense of humour.

Grounded and always herself, Vidya has held her own in the choppy seas of showbiz, attending film functions on the arm of her highly successful, very influential producer-husband Siddharth Roy Kapur. Her decision to “go childless”generated a huge controversy, with critics insisting she was a “bad influence”on young women. Strangely enough, I was friends with Siddharth’s mother, the soft-spoken Salome Roy Kapur, when we used to model together, notably for the Miss India fashion shows across the country, frequently sharing rooms. And later, Balan, Vidya’s wonderful father, became a buddy, exchanging messages and forwards, expressing views freely on films, politics and life!

As Vidya gets set for the release of the supernatural thriller Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, in which she features once again as the wildly popular Manjulika (first played by Vidya in the original 2007 film), audiences are expectantly waiting to watch her and Madhuri dance together on screen to ‘Ami Je Tomar’.

For a bright student who was pursuing a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Mumbai, to being seen as a high-profile ambassador of sisterhood, Vidya remains a unique Bollywood star—an outsider who has become an insider, but still remains her own person, and not a part of any camp.

I can watch Dirty Picture over and over again, just to marvel at Vidya’s courage and prodigious talent. I cannot imagine any other top star having the guts to take up such a risky role. But Vidya did just that. I have a huge canvas of Vidya playing ‘Silk’ in my Pune home.

Here’s raising a toast to Ms Balan. If only there were more ghosts like her floating around we would welcome these Manjulikas into our homes!

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

ratan-tata-was-beyond-honours

Sat Oct 19 10:54:57 IST 2024

On the day of his passing, Ratan Tata was eulogised in the media as ‘India’s Crown Jewel’, ‘Living Legend’, ‘Ultimate Icon’ and so much more. Anchors and editors ran out of words to aptly describe the towering personality who had become a household name, all thanks to his surname—Tata. Not only was it easy to remember, but it was everywhere, virtually in every home, synonymous with success, wealth and power.

Tata Group had established its brand equity as a trusted name even before Rata Tata took charge. If a consumer was looking for a reliable, durable, well-priced product, just the imprint of the Tata name was sufficient. But it is still fair to say, that post Ratan’s elevation to the top job, it was his personality that drove brand value for every conceivable Tata product—from cars, trucks and airlines to coffee, jewellery and clothes.

I cannot claim to have been Ratan’s friend. Frankly, his best friends were his favourite four-legged furry doggies, and, perhaps, three or four really low-key loyal buddies from way back when. Fiercely private and innately shy, India’s bachelor billionaire was rarely seen at non-business related society gatherings. He made time to attend his close friend Zubin Mehta’s concerts, of course, but other than that Mumbaikars knew how much his ‘me time’ mattered to him and rarely intruded. My husband and I would frequently find ourselves on a public ferry with Ratan, taking us from the jetty at the Gateway of India, to the Mandwa jetty in Alibag, across the sea. We would chat briefly and leave Ratan alone, as did everyone else. Sometimes, Ratan could be spotted with shopping bags, buying fresh vegetables and fruits from handcarts near his home. No hangers on, no entourage. Just a casually dressed man picking brinjals and cabbages from a vendor, like any other Mumbaikar.

When we interacted at more formal occasions like book launches and charity events, he would be warm, friendly and totally natural, asking about our children, but mainly asking after the family’s dogs, aware that all of us were pet parents, just like him. Since his favourite neighbourhood restaurant (Thai Pavilion) happens to be our favourite, too, we would spot Ratan at the corner table, quietly dining with a few friends, and respect his privacy enough never to intrude.

When he was ailing, and hardly moving out of his home, he was gracious enough to make time to meet my daughter Anandita, thanks to young Shantanu Naidu (28), Ratan’s most-trusted aide, who sweetly set up the personal appointment, knowing her unconditional worship of the man. Anandita was floating on cloud nine after spending time with the great man, who was kindness and grace personified, as he engaged her in an informative conversation which revolved mainly over Bijou, her tiny, pretty French poodle, who had accompanied her. When Anandita heard her all-time hero was no more, she shook with grief and cried for hours, unable to come to terms with his passing. So profound was Ratan’s effect on her, that night, as she lay in bed repeating a prayer for him, she actually “felt his presence”, as he blessed her and her inseparable companion Bijou.

The tributes are still being written. There will be books—many books—decoding what made Ratan such a colossus in our collective imagination. There will be films, statues, hospitals, colleges and airports named after him in the years to come. The posthumous Bharat Ratna is a done deal. I doubt any of this would have mattered to Ratan—the honours and accolades. He was much beyond that.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

priyamvada-natarajan-the-glittering-star

Sat Oct 05 11:36:35 IST 2024

A sheepish confession: I was dreadfully unaware of the super celebrity status of the very attractive, highly accomplished co-speaker at the just concluded Jaipur Literature Festival International’s first edition in Seattle. I was struck by her personality and body language as she emerged from the elevator to wait for our ride to the inaugural reception at the magnificent Seattle Asian Art Museum. She was immaculately dressed in a deep purple designer salwar kurta, and was busy applying a matching shade of lipstick. We were both scheduled to speak the next day, and the atmosphere at the glam gala for delegates was dazzling as delegates and patrons enjoyed an evening of presentations that set the tone for the next two days.  

Priyamvada Natarajan was by far the most glittering star of the gathering, as she mingled with academics and admirers, holding forth on her area of specialisation—the cosmos. Priya, as friends call her, is a leading theoretical astrophysicist and a highly respected professor in the department of astronomy and physics at Yale University. She was featured on TIME magazine’s 2024 list of 100 most influential people, and has been the recipient of prestigious awards.

“I have always been attracted by the cosmos—the night sky. The deep, dark mysteries it held have always seduced me,” she said in an interview. Coimbatore-born Priya stays rooted and connected to her family back home, as she travels the world delivering lectures on dark matter, dark energy, black hole physics, cosmology and gravitational lensing. “Priya’s Theory”—as it is popularly called in her rarefied world—is about a “puzzle that falls into place”, and involves black hole physics, her area of intense research that is likely to earn her a Nobel.

Since I know abysmally little on this dense subject, I was delighted when Priya, the author of Mapping the Heavens, was so easy to hang with as we clicked selfies together and got a friendly local to indulge us while we posed and preened.  

I asked Priya about her early life in India, and she readily shared her current state of emotional anxiety about her beloved mother, whom she speaks to twice a day, no matter what. “I cannot sleep till I have said good night to her… ever since my father passed a while ago, my mother’s health and wellbeing preoccupy me constantly.” I was so touched by Priya’s candid feelings about her parents, and how lonely she often feels as a single woman in the predominantly male world of academia, in which someone like her can be a misfit.  

Priya readily admits she may have to wait 30 years before the coveted Nobel is hers, since there is a long list of male contenders vying for it. I marvelled at her single-mindedness, and she smiled it off, as we switched to other matters, and indulged in a heartfelt woman-to-woman conversation, including her interest in fashion, food and films.

Priya lives in a unique space, in which regular dating becomes a challenge, with most potential suitors getting intimidated by her spectacular success. She confessed she had tried and not succeeded at marriage, and finds long-term relationships very demanding given her professional commitments. 

I was so taken by Priya’s extraordinary personality. I almost became a stalker! We laughed and joked like old friends, and when we said our goodbyes (she had an early flight back to Boston), Priya reminded me I owed her a masterclass in modelling while posing for paps on the red carpet.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

sitaram-yechury-comrade-with-no-foes

Sat Sep 21 10:50:27 IST 2024

Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury—you were quite a guy!

The general secretary of the CPI(M), who passed away recently at age 72, defied all the clichés one associates with hardcore “commies”. From his appearance to his demeanour, he was like “one of us”. Meaning, he didn’t shove his ideology down anybody’s throat, nor was he judgmental about capitalists in his group. He was evolved enough to accept diverse points of view, without compromising on his own political beliefs. With a track record as impressive as his, he could have been a pompous Marxist intellectual talking down to lesser, crassly bourgeois beings. But, there he was with a ready smile and a few warm words for anyone who came up to him. It is no wonder then that the tributes which poured in after his passing were genuinely heartfelt, even the ones from political opponents like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who grudgingly had to admit, “… his demise will be a loss for national politics”.

Known for his witty one-liners and repartees, Yechury made friends across party lines and, to the best of anyone’s knowledge, had no foes. It is so fitting that his last message from the hospital was a recorded tribute to former West Bengal chief minister Comrade Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who had passed away last month. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said Yechury was “fierce in his determination to protect India’s diversity and was a powerful champion of secularism”. Theirs was a friendship that began in 2004 and continued till the very end. Rahul Gandhi described him as a “protector of the idea of India”.

Given his elitist upbringing (in a Telugu Brahmin home) and education (St Stephen’s and JNU, Delhi), Yechury was the epitome of sophistication and charm. Even after the CPI(M) lost to Mamata’s Trinamool Congress, he soldiered on valiantly, sticking to his unshakeable beliefs, even as critics predicted his party’s doom. Soft-spoken and modest, Yechury could easily have been a publicity-seeking, headlines chaser, but he stuck to his brand of politics, constantly reaffirming his faith in India’s secular backbone. After his demise, one particular clip was widely shared—Yechury addressing the Rajya Sabha during his farewell speech, talking passionately about the nation’s “syncretic” culture in Hindi-English.

The few times we met, I was struck by what a chilled-out man he was—communicative, affable, approachable, knowledgeable, urbane and so articulate! On a flight from Kolkata to Jamshedpur, he chatted with my husband in fluent Bengali—they spoke like long-lost friends—about books, art, cinema, philosophy and, of course, politics. He spoke lovingly about his family, particularly his son Ashish, whom he tragically lost to Covid-19 in 2021. Family associates say Yechury was never the same again.

His poignant farewell speech will be his legacy. He reminded his co-parliamentarians that we were all custodians of an India where all religions and belief systems were equally respected. While talking to friends of Yechury, all of them spoke with deep admiration and respect for an icon and intellectual who spent his life demonstrating what he profoundly believed in—a more equal India, tolerant and progressive, forward-thinking and free of religious strife.

Looking back on our conversation during that short flight to the steel city, my heart soared. India needs many more Sitaram Yechurys to keep reminding us of the true “idea of India”, free of narrow caste/religious prejudices and the dirty politics of hate.

www.shobaade.blogspot.com

hema-committee-why-mohanlals-conduct-came-as-a-huge-shock

Sat Sep 07 11:05:51 IST 2024

Mindaathirikku’’ [keep quiet] has been the strong but unstated message to women in Malayalam cinema. “Shut up! And put up with whatever is thrown your way. Be grateful you are still getting work”—That’s the nauseating subtext of all that is rotten in the state of Mollywood. Hopefully, this toxic environment is about to change, now that the Justice K. Hema committee report has been made public. It has dominated the media discourse ever since.

Unfortunately, legendary actor Mohanlal has become embroiled in the controversy, after he resigned as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), along with most members of the executive committee, as soon as victims started speaking out. Mohanlal started his career as a villain and went on to dominate Malayalam cinema, along with his contemporary, Mammootty. This column is not about vilifying Mohanlal. It is to provide a perspective. In an interview, back in 2018, when Mohanlal was asked to comment on the #MeToo movement, he airily dismissed it. He called it a “trend” and shrugged it off with a jeer, “We [men] can also start #MeToo.”

Mohanlal is a powerful, well-connected actor, director, producer, distributor, singer with more than 350 films over four decades to back him. He is popularly known as “the universal star’’ and “the complete actor”, whose net worth is pegged at Rs370 crore, making him the highest paid actor in Malayalam cinema. So Mohanlal, more than any other individual is—and was—in a position to address the myriad problems faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. Perhaps, the same women he has acted with. The film industry works like a close unit, a fraternity. It’s a pretty small world, united by a passion for cinema. And, yet, when it came to helping victims who have endured years of discrimination, ignominy, insults and abuse, Mohanlal chose to resign and not assume any responsibility. This is not leadership.

Personally, his conduct came as a huge shock. I have been a diehard admirer of Mohanlal (and Mammootty) for years, having followed their careers, watched their films and admired their extraordinary talent as actors par excellence. I have hailed both men publicly, describing them as the most accomplished thespians in India. They deserve the same adulation fans heap on Bollywood heroes. Suddenly, an idol has diminished himself in my eyes. “Don’t destroy Malayalam film industry,” Mohanlal thundered.

It was only after the all-India outrage that Mohanlal bothered to pledge support and take a serious look at what his women colleagues are agitating about. Mammootty has distanced himself from AMMA and backed the recommendations and solutions in the Hema committee report. A bit late in the day for that. Further, it was unnecessary for him to add, “There is no power group in cinema,” echoing Mohanlal’s vehement declaration, “I am not part of any power group.” These statements don’t help boost the confidence of victims. The same old clichés are being trotted out, like ‘we will cooperate with the investigation’. Where was his conscience when actor Dileep, who was an accused in the abduction and sexual assault of a female actor in 2017, was reinstated in AMMA by Mohanlal and cohorts, despite protests?

Mohanlal said he did not run away, and that he is not a coward. I am scratching my head to find politer words to describe his attitude and the callous disregard shown by his team, when the nasty news went national. It is too late for excuses, cover-ups and justifications.

Stand up, be counted. Remaining neutral, or on the sidelines, is an unheroic position for men who have been venerated as living legends by fans.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

spin-it-like-shiamak-davar

Fri Aug 23 15:29:36 IST 2024

The acknowledged guru of modern dance in India—choreographer Shiamak Davar—has made several celebrities dance to his tune over the years. Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Ishaan Khattar, to name a few. Shiamak burst on the scene and shook up the languid world of dance at the time audiences were content with the odd rock and roll shows, or the more elaborate musicals like Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar put together by advertising professionals dabbling in theatre.

With his contemporary choreography in the Bollywood hit Dil To Pagal Hai, Shiamak reached mass audiences, unaccustomed to top stars going way beyond the sort of dancing that was popular back then. Shiamak went on to break several rules subsequently, designing dance sequences for top international films like the fourth instalment of Mission Impossible, and gaining fame as director of choreography for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (2006) and Delhi (2010). Brand Shiamak was recognised across India and he went on to win a National Film Award.

With Elton John as his idol, Shiamak went on to experiment and create highly enjoyale stage productions, with him as the principal actor-singer-dancer. He performed the opening act at the Bryan Adams concert in India, and Shiamak’s album—Mohabbat Kar Le—sold over 1.2 million copies with its catchy lyrics and fluid moves. Shiamak’s live performances sold out weeks in advance as audiences danced in the aisles to chartbusters. Teenagers across India wanted to be on that stage, dancing and singing with abandon. Sensing the shift, Shiamak established dance academies at 67 locations in 13 cities across four countries, offering summer courses for children, teens and adults, who connected to his slogan: ‘Have feet, will dance’. Shiamak’s touring productions were—and are—all the rage, as senior instructors conduct classes that are known to transform lives.

Today, Shiamak, as artistic director, oversees operations from Vancouver, where he lives on a charming estate and takes special interest in Victory Arts Foundation, teaching dance to underprivileged children, and children with mental and physical disabilities, following his belief of dance as therapy.

But way before all these well-deserved accolades came his way, Shiamak and I were friends and neighbours in a south Mumbai locality. We would run into each other, hug and kiss warmly, ask about family.

It was with this background of familiarity that I texted him—an SOS, really! Recently, I had jauntily sent out invites to close friends, for a ‘Tauba Tauba’ party. Most invitees were senior citizens who hadn’t heard the viral track and were baffled! Would Shiamak step in and provide a face saver? Someone from his academy who knew the hook step and could teach us, geriatrics, for a few minutes?

Shiamak called immediately. It was 3.30am in Vancouver. Why wasn’t he fast asleep? “I barely knock off for three or four hours,’’ he laughed. Within an hour I received a call from Chetan Rijhwani, a senior instructor, who was sporting enough to readily say, “Yes,” I half-joked, “There could be a few dislocated hips by the end of your session… and I may need knee replacement.’’ Chetan replied, “Let’s just have fun.” And what a star Chetan turned out to be that night, with his surprise entry! His moves, and wonderful spirit, had unlikely people grooving with him, channeling their inner Vicky Kaushal. My face, and the party, were saved! All thanks to the guru in faraway Vancouver—darling Shiamak! I can’t wait to give him a bear hug when he’s in Mumbai next. The message of Mohabbat Kar Le will always remain. Love is all that matters. Till then, I am practicing ‘Tauba Tauba’.

www.shobaade.blogspot.com

tales-of-love-from-bhutan

Sat Aug 10 11:43:54 IST 2024

Jetsun Pema, the beautiful and accomplished wife of the handsomest living king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is the youngest queen consort in the world. She has a unique tulip in the Netherlands named in her honour, called, Queen Of Bhutan. She was married to the Oxford educated, suave and well-spoken King at a dream-like private ceremony (2011) in the mountain kingdom. Over 160 foreign journalists who covered the Bhutanese royal wedding were enchanted by the elaborate rituals performed by Buddhist priests in the palace of great bliss. Today, the royals are proud parents of three children—two boys and a girl.

Bhutan’s queen has strong connections with India, going back to the time she was a student at St. Joseph’s Convent in Kalimpong, West Bengal, and later in The Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Himachal Pradesh. No wonder she is fluent in Hindi. She graduated from Regent’s University in London with a degree in international relations, psychology and art history. An ardent advocate of environmental issues and the president of the Red Cross Society in Bhutan, the queen travels with her king, and actively supports his political and social campaigns.

Let me tell you about the royal love story first. I was in Bhutan to attend the inaugural edition of Mountain Echoes—a jewel of a lit fest. The year was 2011. Delegates, high on the clean mountain air (and more), were invited to dinner at the spectacular home of Indian high commissioner Pawan Varma (author and politician). It is considered one of the best diplomatic residences in the world. Suddenly, a dramatic palace announcement threw protocol out of the window! Wangchuck had shared a very important development in his personal life at the opening of the seventh session of the parliament—he was engaged to be married! And his future wife was none other than the 20-year-old Pema, from one of the oldest, most-respected noble families of Bhutan. There was much jubilation as loyal subjects blessed their future queen, described by the besotted king as “uniquely beautiful, intelligent and graceful… unwavering in her commitment to serve the people and country….” He added, “As my queen, I have found such a person… she will make a great servant to the nation.” Wow! What a declaration. Bhutan allows polygamy (the king’s father had married four sisters in one go), but Wangchuck promised his people he would never marry another woman.

Guess what happened next? We were told the king was on his way, with his fiancée of a few hours, to join our riotous party. Ever the charming and polished host, Varma, along with his gracious family, took firm control of the evening, which was threatening to go a little wild, and the royals were warmly welcomed, strict protocol in place. It remains an evening to remember, with the king and his future queen mingling unselfconsciously with guests.

The royal honeymoon was celebrated in Rajasthan, and it may not be too indelicate in this context to speculate that the heir apparent, Dragon Prince of Bhutan (their first child), was conceived in the jungles of Ranthambore. The deep and emotional connections India has always shared with Bhutan will be continued smoothly by the next generation of royals. This was the sentiment I experienced once again while attending the 13th edition of Bhutan Echoes: Drukyul’s Arts and Literature Festival, in Thimpu, under the patronage of queen mother Ashi Dorji Wangchuck (69), an accomplished author and art patron, whose terrific book, Treasures of the Thunder Dragon: A Portrait of Bhutan, provides a comprehensive and insightful view of the Himalayan kingdom. Queen mother has big plans for the lit fest, that she shared with me over lunch. Bhutanese legacy is in great hands.

www.shobaade.blogspot.com

leander-paes-our-tennis-rockstar

Sat Jul 27 14:35:06 IST 2024

One can count on Leander Paes, the Padma Bhushan tennis superstar, to charm the pants, tees, shorts and caps off anyone in his orbit. He did just that during his terrific acceptance speech, when he (along with another tennis legend, Vijay Amritraj) was inducted into the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport, Rhode Island. They are the first Asian men to be thus honoured. Deservedly so. Leander, at 51, is a diehard Kolkata boy, born to remarkable parents, who, he candidly shared in that amazing speech, conceived the wunderkind in Munich, where they found themselves locked inside the India Pavilion at the ill-fated Olympics, when Palestinian terrorists murdered 11 Israeli athletes. Leander’s father, Dr Vece Paes, was a member of India’s hockey contingent. His mother, Jennifer, a top-notch basketball player, was with her husband.

Leander urged the tennis greats assembled at the induction ceremony, “To do the math.” In the audience, his parents were seen beaming away. Leander has consistently heaped generous praise on his father, saying, “My dad is my hero, best friend, guiding light, North Star”. It’s lovely to know that grandpa Paes has assumed the same mentor role in Leander’s 18-year-old daughter Aiyana’s tennis career. She has picked tennis over modelling/acting. Her mother is the gorgeous Rhea Pillai, who was with Leander for several years, before both moved on. Leander, himself, flirted with films briefly when he acted in a socio-political thriller which was a commercial disaster, Rajdhani Express (2013). No matter, Leander had a blast shooting it since Bollywood was on his bucket list. So was theatre and a Broadway debut! Let’s wait for this announcement. Leander is not known to give up easily!

Leander’s tennis bio is awe-inspiring. He started playing at age five, was a good footballer, but at his dad’s urging, switched to tennis and joined the tennis academy in Chennai. What followed is known to fans.

With 45 weeks a year on tennis tours, the former Davis Cup team captain is finally making time for what he enjoys the most—family, friends and golf. We last met at the Tolly X’mas lunch in Kolkata. The fabulously organised annual tradition is the most significant event on the social calendar in the City Of Joy. Everyone who is anyone is seen enjoying the lavish buffet on the sprawling lawns. And while we were busy greeting old friends, there was Leander, walking up with a big smile, accompanied by a beautiful lady. We met warmly, exchanged a few pleasantries and that was that. We were meeting after a break of a few years during which a great deal had transpired in his adventure-filled life. I turned around to watch the good-looking, fashionably clad duo as they did the rounds, clicked selfies with fans and spread good cheer. Wow! I thought to myself, they look so much in love. Maybe she’s the one!

Leander’s natural charm is irresistible and infectious. Women adore him! And so do kids and senior citizens. His heart-warming acceptance speech at Newport was a genuine reflection of all that he stands for. His humility and grace were not made for media constructs. If only more of our sports stars had this quality!

The personal lives of sports legends interest fans as much as their spectacular records. That’s how it should be. These amazing men and women are not regular folks leading ordinary, humdrum, mundane lives. Everything about them is exaggerated, and that’s what makes them heroes. Our fantasies would be horribly incomplete without the extra pinch of spice in the feast.

X@DeShobhaa, Instagram@shobhaade

why-anant-ambani-is-so-unique

Sat Jul 13 11:13:55 IST 2024

Anant Ambani, 29—Mukesh and Nita Ambani’s youngest child and second son—may turn out to be the most googled man in India when he ties the knot with Radhika Merchant. The pre-wedding celebrations have been in the news for months, what with global world and business leaders flying in to Jamnagar to bless the couple. It has been an extravaganza like no other! At the centre of it all has been the ever-smiling bridegroom—affable Anant, who along with Radhika, has definitely stolen the show from all the high-profile Bollywood star couples, and even international mega entertainers like Justin Bieber and Rihanna. But then, Anant is not just another deliriously happy Ambani dulha. He is unique!

What makes me say this? Well… I have seen Anant as a kid, when he and his family lived at Sea Wind, the 18-storey family mansion, acquired by Anant’s legendary grandfather, Dhirubhai Ambani. I remember a few of the early meetings there, when Anant would be fussing over the motley collection of injured animals housed in a mini-zoo on the premises. With attentive staff and vets in tow, he would spend most of his time caring for his beloved pets, while his doting parents watched over their busy son. Polite, soft spoken and reticent, Anant subsequently went off to Brown University, to earn a bachelor’s degree, and his family moved out to live in what is now the 27-floor iconic Mumbai landmark—Antilia.

Sometimes, we would receive an invitation from Mukesh to watch the latest films at the magnificent home theatre in Antilia. Nightly screenings of Bollywood and Hollywood films are an intrinsic part of the Ambani routine. I recall watching Inception, the very complex, very intriguing, award-winning film with a small group of movie buffs at Antilia. Described as a “savagely complex ride’’, Inception explores the depths of the sci-fi thriller genre. Despite its great reviews, it confounded and frustrated fans and critics alike with its oblique ending. This was Christopher Nolan at his mind-twisting best! At the end of the long screening, which was attended by, amongst others, two of Bollywood’s most cerebral filmmakers, Mukesh turned to me and asked, “What did you think of the film?” I shrugged and confessed, “I loved it…. but didn’t understand a thing… especially the ending… did you figure it out?” Mukesh smiled, looked around and wondered, “Where’s Anant? Let’s ask him to explain… he will figure it out for us.’’ And that’s exactly what happened. Anant joined the group and provided a concise, convincing, logical explanation, which was such a relief!

On another occasion, I remember a short conversation with Nita about Anant, when she referred to his passion for animal welfare, and how he had a vision for establishing a world-class facility to care for our four-legged friends. This was years before Vantara in Jamnagar was opened. Nita mentioned Anant’s deep and abiding love for nature and how he combines his concerns with on ground mobilisation, given his sharp sense for sustainable business models.

Anant is a director on the board of Jio Platforms since March 2020. His responsibilities extend to Reliance New Energy Limited and Reliance New Solar Energy Limited.

But for now, it is time to disco!

The mega celebrations will end soon. But the mood, which was built up for the climax (the wedding ceremony itself), will linger, as millions of Instagram followers, hooked to every tiny detail of the multiple ceremonies, replay clips of the grand functions, with jaws dropping at the sheer opulence of it all! Never before has India witnessed a beloved son’s wedding being solemnised on such a mammoth scale. This can only happen with the abundant blessings of the almighty showered on the entire family.

Shaadi Mubarak, Anant and Radhika.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

how-bollywood-celebs-like-raveena-tandon-are-targeted-by-bandras-organised-gangs

Sat Jun 29 12:23:55 IST 2024

Recently, a video featuring actor/activist Raveena Tandon went viral, with heated debates raging over an incident involving her car, driver and herself. An enraged group was seen aggressively shouting into the camera, accusing Raveena and her driver of rash driving, resulting in a couple of women suffering injuries. Raveena can be seen telling the crowd not to hit anyone, as they try and push their way past the watchman and attempt to rush into her compound. Initial media reports were misleading. Did she or didn’t she? Was her driver at fault? Did innocent passers-by, near her gate, get hurt due to negligent driving? Social media was quick to judge and condemn the star, some going as far as to state she and the driver were both drunk at the time.

The timely arrival of cops and a close look at the CCTV camera footage clearly established that Raveena’s car had not touched the women. Nobody was injured, least of all an elderly lady. But till the police arrived, examined the footage, met the mob and clarified it was a false and frivolous complaint, there was complete chaos. Since no FIR had been filed, the beleaguered star could finally heave a sigh of relief.

But what if her innocence had not been this unequivocally established? What if the mob had managed to get their hands on the driver? Or, if Raveena herself hadn’t kept her cool? These were the questions uppermost in my mind when I met her for dinner at a common friend’s home. Raveena recounted the horror of that night in detail. And from all accounts, it does seem like there is a well organised gang operating in tony Bandra, where so many Bollywood stars have homes. Consider the pattern. The gang meticulously stakes out the target’s home, observes the star’s schedule, keeps an eye on the star’s outings, and waits for the right opportunity, preferably at night when not too many bystanders are around in the leafy, dimly lit lanes. This is a serious security issue, given the number of star toddlers and older kids who are often spotted walking to a nearby park or store with nannies in tow.

Once the cops had given her the all clear, Raveena was shocked to see a video tweeted by a man called Mohsin Shaikh, who accused her of road rage and said the Padma Shri actor, who has won a national award, was “drunk”. Raveena has filed Rs100 crore defamation suit against him for damaging her reputation. Extortion is generally the motive, along with the desire to gain cheap publicity. Stars and their children are vulnerable targets. Hiring bodyguards is but one option, living with constant insecurity is the greater concern. Better policing may solve the problem. However, if what Raveena says is accurate, organised gangs have moved into the upscale Bandra neighbourhood with the sole purpose of intimidating, assaulting and blackmailing movie people.

One of the ladies present advised Raveena to apply for a gun license. I disagreed vehemently. Mumbai is not Los Angeles. Bandra isn’t Beverly Hills. America’s gun culture has claimed the lives of countless innocents. Guns create more problems than they solve. Raveena was brave enough to confront the bullies, while facing great personal risk to her own life. Another woman may have got scared and handed over the innocent driver to the mob. These are the times we live in. Deliberately misrepresenting an incident led to an emotional trauma for Raveena, her four children, husband and staff. Fortunately, she was honourably exonerated. Others may not be as blessed.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

kangana-ranaut-slap-controversy-who-is-the-bigger-heroine

Sat Jun 15 14:19:18 IST 2024

Suspended woman constable of the CISF Kulwinder Kaur suddenly became heroine no.1 in the eyes of millions. It was alleged that she had slapped controversial real life heroine Kangana Ranaut, the newly minted Lok Sabha MP from Mandi, at the security-check area inside Chandigarh airport. The video of the incident went viral as divided opinions jammed social media, with supporters of both women pitching in.

Kaur, according to her seniors, has not faced any inquiry or punishment earlier. She joined the CISF in 2009, and has been posted at Chandigarh airport since 2021. Her husband is posted there as well. The couple has two children. Kaur comes from a family of farmers, and her brother, Sher Singh, is a farmer leader. The attack on Ranaut, Kaur said, was provoked by Ranaut’s derogatory remarks during the farmer protest against the now-scrapped farm laws. Particularly, Ranaut’s comment that female protestors were paid Rs100 to sit there. Kaur’s mother was one of the women.

Ranaut is reveling in her hour of glory. But Kaur has been suspended, arrested and is facing a police case. In short—it was a very, very ill-timed and expensive attack which has cost Kaur a great deal, while Ranaut has walked away after posting a video of the attack, where she assured her fans that she was “safe”.

Nobody so far has actually seen the footage of the slap—assuming the slap was delivered in the first place. If the footage exists, it is imperative to share it. Kaur has everything to lose. She has a great deal at stake. Did she or didn’t she slap Ranaut? Nobody can justify or condone the unpardonable attack by a cop in uniform, on government duty. Regardless of whether Kaur actually slapped Ranaut or merely pushed her roughly, the fact is, an ugly fracas took place in a public area and was witnessed by many. Kaur was definitely out of line and has broken the law.

Why then is she being hailed as a hero?

Several prominent people have rushed to defend Kaur. The film industry is divided on this matter, and most have opted to keep silent. Those who have defended Ranaut are mainly known BJP supporters. By and large, Bollywood stays out of political matters, fearing retribution. In Ranaut’s case, the polarisation of sentiment is not based on just political affiliations—it is more personal. Ranaut has been ostracised by colleagues ever since she uttered the one word Bollywood hates—nepotism—on a popular TV show. There’s hardly any mainstream actor, producer or director ready to work with the fiery Kangana.

Two important issues are getting mixed up in this slapgate. Does a cop have the right to assault a citizen, no matter what grudge he or she holds against the person? The answer is no. The entire security system at airports will collapse if cops arbitrarily decide to fix celebrities whose views they dislike. Does Ranaut have the right to express offensive opinions? Yes, absolutely. Kaur acted on her personal animosity. But she cannot take law into her own hands because of her suppressed rage. Ranaut is known to make the most outrageous comments on sensitive issues. But, henceforth, she needs to be doubly sensitive towards public opinion and not abuse her position and privileges. If citizens are backing Kaur and expressing concern about her future, it is largely because Ranaut’s conduct has antagonised millions. Kaur is not remotely as entitled or privileged. Her reputation and livelihood are seriously dented. Soon, people will forget Kaur and the so-called slap, that may or may not have happened. So… who’s the bigger heroine of this saga—Ranaut or Kaur?

porsche-crash-reflects-how-vitiated-pune-s-social-atmosphere-has-become

Fri May 31 15:45:11 IST 2024

My home is not too far from Kalyani Nagar, the scene of the ghastly accident in Pune, when an underage brat, in a swanky Porsche, at 200 kmph, flung two young techies 15 feet in the air, killing the young woman on the spot, while her male friend succumbed to grievous injuries later. Kalyani Nagar is a posh area with several upmarket restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs, frequented by techies who love to party over weekends after putting in long hours at demanding jobs. Most are ambitious out-of-towners, happy to let their hair down in a new city miles away from home. I have frequented these places myself, and keenly observed the scene, especially after midnight, when the roar of Ferraris, Porsches and Aston Martins, racing across the Kalyani Nagar bridge, often drowns out the high-decibel tracks being blasted by DJs as young things dance the night away fuelled by exotic cocktails… and stronger substances. If there is an age limit, it is recklessly disregarded by owners of these glittering waterholes as arrogant, super-entitled underage monsters stagger in nonchalantly.

The juvenile in Pune had spent Rs70,000 in two bars that fateful evening. Petty change for someone like him, son of controversial real estate developer Vishal Agarwal, and grandson of Surendra Agarwal, a notorious businessman, with links to underworld dons. Both are under police detention, while the juvenile delinquent is in a children’s observation centre for 14 days.

As a person who loves Pune, none of this is shocking. It has become the ‘Pune way of life’, after rapacious builders with strong political backers grabbed tracts of prime land and built gleaming towers, boasting of unimaginably luxurious amenities. Builders and netas ruthlessly conspired to ruin what was once a cultured and refined city known for its high standards of education, and its impeccable legacy of freedom fighters, thinkers and intellectual stalwarts. Today’s Pune is like a den of thieves, with uneducated, ridiculously wealthy builders who think it is cool to allow teenage children to run around in cars that cost Rs2 crore and more. So what if one Porsche gets totalled in a careless accident? There are five more equally expensive cars in the garage, just for the enjoyment of kids who like speed.

In this case, the matters are far more serious, with attempts to intimidate and bribe the family driver into accepting responsibility for the crime. The brat’s friends have, however, admitted to the police it was their friend at the wheel of the killer car, while the father and grandfather were busy offering allurements to all and sundry, including two doctors who threw away the brat’s blood sample into a dustbin and substituted it with a ‘clean’ one. Both docs have been arrested after public outrage and political pressure escalated. Irony: the brat was too drunk to realise he was beaten up by an enraged crowd who summoned the cops.

Friends who live in Pune say the clubs and pubs are pretty empty following the tragedy, as owners wonder how to get back to business without flouting laws. Surely, it is not all that tough? Live streaming of entry and exit points is being considered. But why not do it the way the rest of the world imposes age limits—insist on legit ID cards and enforce the rule strictly.

This case is not just about an out of control car being driven by a drunk juvenile who hit and killed innocents after bingeing with buddies. It is a ghastly reflection of how vitiated Pune’s social atmosphere has become after the city was captured by the likes of the Agarwal family. Stricter laws are but one way to control those who think they are above justice. Wake up, Pune! And pay up.

the-other-sabyasachi-mukherjee

Sat May 18 11:49:01 IST 2024

I am Sabyasachi Mukherjee, not to be confused with my namesake, the celebrated fashion couturier,” declared the venerated director-general of Mumbai’s pride, George Wittet’s Indo-Saracenic jewel, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. The supremely swish, fashion-forward invitees to a very special event on the lawns of the museum tittered politely and giggled as the charming middle-aged man spoke on. Most of them had zero idea about this other ‘Sabyasachi’. It was, after all, a fashion event titled, Legacy of Deft Hands, celebrating India’s artisanal heritage.

The over-modest and highly refined Mukherjee, dressed in a well-cut formal suit, provided a succinct introduction to the spectacular fashion walk, as top models circled the impressive statue of King George V. It was a first visit to Mumbai’s historic landmark for this chichi Gucci-Chanel set.

As director-general of one of the premier art and history museums in Asia, Mukherjee heads a dedicated team of the museum that houses priceless treasures inside the awe-inspiring grade one heritage building, which celebrated its centennial in 2022. His style is “people-oriented’’, and despite formidable scholarship in his chosen field, the soft-spoken gentleman retains his genial aura without overwhelming eager visitors flocking to his beloved museum, where he has held sway since his appointment in 2007.

He delivered a charming speech after he was elected, as an honorary member, to the two-century-old American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He disarmingly stated, “I never dreamed of being recognised and honoured by such a prestigious institution of remarkable minds.” Considering the Academy was founded by the likes of Alexander Graham Bell and Benjamin Franklin, this befitting honour was an apt and timely recognition of Mukherjee’s considerable achievements.

As a fairly regular to the museum since my growing years, I have observed its remarkable evolution from a musty, dusty place that attracted sullen-faced school kids on a mandatory museum trip, to what it is today—a vibrant, buzzing complex that attracts scholars from across the world, along with enthusiastic locals, who take in the newest exhibits, shop at the well-curated museum store which offers great, well-priced, sophisticated gifts, to students who opt for a postgraduate diploma course in museology and art conservation with Mukherjee himself as director. Who could ask for a better guru? With the addition of a children’s museum and new galleries, the familiar old space has been transformed into a modern, lively cultural hub with exciting, interactive activities that have seen a dramatic rise in footfalls.

When I met Mukherjee at the special fashion show evening, I was initially blinded! Of course, by his brilliance, but on a more mundane note, by the bright lights shining into my eyes. Surrounded by beautiful installations and inspired by the invaluable weaves on display from the Sangrahalaya’s textile gallery, it was difficult to focus. We chatted briefly, as art gallery aficionados, collectors and historians waited to meet the host.

Legacy of Deft Hands was a triumph. Befittingly, the corner reserved for Ikat weavers working on looms saw interested invitees stopping to exchange a few words with our wonderful crafts community, quietly but surely placing India on the global map. Here’s hoping the low-key director-general treats us to many more experiential exhibits that engage, inform and enchant. The Sangrahalaya has shown us how!

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

parakala-prabhakar-the-lone-voice-of-dissent

Sat May 04 11:50:39 IST 2024

“I am keen to invite Parakala [Prabhakar] to Mumbai… What do you think? Do you know him?” A friend asked. No, I don’t know the man. And no, it is not a good idea to invite him, unless you want to invite trouble, I replied. Parakala is ‘the’ man right now. Possibly, the only man boldly standing up for his beliefs. An outspoken public intellectual, Parakala is logically and fearlessly taking apart those in power and being widely applauded for saying what millions dare not. This has made him a folk hero at a time when there is a dearth of any heroes. That Parakala happens to be the estranged husband of Nirmala Sitharaman, Union finance minister, makes him doubly fascinating for millions of fans hailing him as the voice of the voiceless, an anti-establishment figure, articulating the concerns of countless citizens. His flatly stated, highly critical views, calling out Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his political colleagues, have found many takers, mainly because his interviews are not rants. He makes sense, speaks calmly and answers without waffling. Given his impressive academic credentials, it is difficult to fault his cogent arguments as he holds forth on specifics without resorting to sensationalism and name-calling.

But it is equally his rather unique position vis-a-vis his powerful wife that attracts extra attention as analysts attempt to deconstruct the marriage and read between the lines. Nirmala and Parakala have been married for 38 years and are parents to a daughter named Parakala Vangmayi, who is married to Pratik Doshi, a key aide of Modi—the guessing games continue. Parakala’s “outbursts”, publicly slamming his high-profile wife as he tore into the Union budget, are dubbed the story of every home by amused outsiders. Nirmala has maintained a stoic silence, which is just as well, or else we would have witnessed a full-scale soap opera, a domestic slugfest with gloves off.

Now that Parakala has been positioned as the lone voice of dissent, that too, during such a sensitive election, he finds himself in the spotlight, not always for the right reasons. On a podcast, he went ahead and called Modi a “dictator”, adding, “He’s not a democrat.” These sort of comments have found a niche audience with fans hailing Parakala as an iconoclast, risking personal safety while defending free speech.

Parakala comes from a staunch Congress family, with both parents active in politics. His books and essays reflect his own political thinking in unambiguous terms. Parakala’s critics are quick to dismiss him off as an oddball who is capitalising on the mood of the nation and being an agent provocateur with a hidden agenda. Well, so far his agenda remains under wraps, as observers figure out his motives and moves. The fact that no known attempt has been made to muzzle him, displays enormous confidence, especially since many young folks and stand-up comics have been warned to zip up or else.

India could do with many more Parakalas, but that’s a tall order. His brilliant mind is hard to match. It is not important to agree with his viewpoint. But it is important to recognise his right (and the rights of others ) who are challenging the status quo. Once the elections are behind us, perhaps, Parakala will not be as urgently needed and public discourse will resume its old course. Dissent and democracy go hand in hand. More voices need to be heard.  In Parakala an unlikely hero has been created, all thanks to unprecedented political developments in the country. When my friend was advised not to invite Parakala to Mumbai, it wasn’t his safety that caused concern, it was hers.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

all-about-nepals-own-billionaire-binod-chaudhary

Sat Apr 20 11:30:07 IST 2024

Binod Chaudhary, 69, is an unusual man. He wears his ‘Nepal’s first billionaire’ status very lightly. The man who took Wai Wai Noodles to the world, and came in the Forbes billionaires list in 2013, is a fitness enthusiast, avid trekker, writer and filmmaker, with 122 companies in five countries and 76 brands in the global market.

We reconnected recently at a retreat in Gangtok and, soon after, on his home turf—Kathmandu. The one quality that jumped out during our interactions? His focused interest in everything and everyone around him. He gave me his book, Making it Big: The Inspiring Story of Nepal’s First Billionaire, a chatty, highly readable account of his incredible life. It is a huge bestseller in Nepal and sells briskly in India, too. It starts with an earthquake in Chile (2010) and ends with the devastating earthquake in Nepal (2015). Sandwiched in between is his own story, engagingly written by him in Nepali and later translated into English and several other languages. He is working on his second book, which recounts the Wai Wai success story, detailing the strategy that propelled the brand to unimaginable heights. “A battle cannot be won with compassion,” he states, confessing candidly, “My aggression has overshadowed my good qualities.’’ This is a rare admission for a man who is mega successful and unabashedly proud of his achievements. As the chairperson of the Chaudhary Group, Binod has left the day-to-day running of his vast empire to his three sons—Nirvana, Rahul and Varun.

I remember attending Rahul and Surabhi’s grand wedding in Jaipur. Surabhi, Binod’s beautiful and capable daughter-in-law, is a Mumbai girl, while Nirvana’s wife, Ashrayata, is from Nepal. The close-knit family works seamlessly and efficiently within the assigned roles.

The Chaudhary men are on the move non-stop, what with their vast and varied business interests—from banking, real estate, hospitality, telecom, housing, finance, hospitals and education. Aware of their family lineage, Binod says, “I belong to a community with a proud history… Marwaris have never received the respect they deserve.’’ Binod’s grandfather, originally from Shekhawati in Rajasthan, came to Nepal as a young man of 20 and put down roots. “Marwaris have a wonderful support system, which is why they succeed wherever they go,” declares Binod, as he looks back on his extraordinary life, crammed with personal and professional adventures.

As a seasoned politician and member of parliament from the Nepali Congress party, Binod cites his friendship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while pointing out that India could have done much more for its smaller neighbour, in terms of building Nepal’s infrastructure. Well, the airport at Kathmandu could do with a major facelift, given the tourist traffic from India and the rest of the world.

Binod, who was introduced to Modi by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is keenly watching elections 2024 in India, and won’t be surprised if an unexpected twist upsets the best calculations. His own country is going through a period of turbulence and, at the moment, his political party is on shaky grounds as the demands for a return to monarchy, reinstating the king and declaring Nepal as the world’s only Hindu kingdom, get more strident. Binod is too shrewd and powerful to allow any of this to deter his personal growth vision. His position in Nepal looks unshakeable, despite attempts to dig up old cases and vilify the family.

“I want everything from life,” Binod flatly states, as he rushes off for yet another meeting, a linen jacket casually slung over his arm. The brotherhood of billionaires ensures a certain comfort to the man who has survived earthquakes and more, never once losing sight of his goals. The ground beneath his feet is rock steady, as he confidently takes the Chaudhary Group to the next level.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

paresh-maity-unplugged

Sat Apr 06 17:28:15 IST 2024

Artists see things differently. Thanks to that special gift, the world also begins to see and appreciate the vision of the creator. My attitude towards the prickly jackfruit changed forever when Paresh Maity immortalised it in bronze. A gigantic version of the fruit was on display at Bikaner House in Delhi (2022) at Paresh’s solo exhibition, titled Infinite Light. The jackfruit was described as India’s largest bronze sculpture. “The structure of the fruit depicts life in the city,’’ Paresh said. He saw what most of us didn’t! That’s what makes Paresh, a Padma Shri award recipient, a sought-after artist, acquired by galleries and collectors who dote on the Delhi-based, beret-wearing artist with a master’s in fine arts from the College of Art, Delhi. ‘The Force’ is his most iconic sculpture, made of 8,500 bells. But it is his vivid water colours I lust after. Paresh says watercolour is the most difficult medium in the field of art. Well, recently I discovered Paresh’s absolute control and mastery over the medium, at a wonderfully organised retreat in Gangtok. We were a group of approximately 40 people invited by Harsh Neotia to experience a delightful Easter weekend at the exquisite Taj-managed Guras Spa and Resort, carved out of a rocky hill in Gangtok, with Danny Denzongpa and Bhaichung Bhutia as neighbours. During our two short days at the gorgeous property, which has glorious views of the majestic Kanchenjunga, Paresh was busy translating his vision into watercolours of immense beauty, while the rest of us chit-chatted over second flush Darjeeling tea.

I don’t own a Paresh, alas. But each time I pass through Delhi, I stop to admire his gigantic work at the T3 Indira Gandhi International Terminal. I have always been an admirer, but this was the first time we both had the time and leisure to connect and chat. Paresh is a dandy. His meticulously selected outfits are a reflection of his personal aesthetic. He says he is a follower of the “less is more’’ philosophy, but his fashion choices are anything but minimalistic. When he walked in for a formal farewell dinner at the resort, all eyes were on the man in a zari embroidered black achkan bearing his signature motifs woven in gold thread, a heavy silver choker, and tan shoes. The trademark black beret was firmly in place. Paresh is a photographer’s dream I discovered, as I shot his portraits in the resplendent gold embroidered achkan. He posed like a pro, and took directions unfussily, while Jayasri Burman, his partner, an accomplished artist herself, watched on. Soon, it was my turn to pose for Paresh. Not only did he click the most flattering portraits, but within seconds, he had cropped and composed the perfect shot. Prolific, gregarious, ambitious and restless, Paresh is a man who loves being Paresh. That’s such a refreshing change from artists who pretend to play modest and claim they are embarrassed by attention. Paresh is unabashed and upfront—a man who enjoys being in the spotlight and has the distinction of holding the biggest solo exhibition by any single artist in India, spread over four cities and five months.

As for me, I shall cherish my Paresh-shot portraits and frame them for posterity. I cannot afford a Paresh watercolour, which runs into several lakhs. But how many Paresh collectors have been lucky enough to be photographed by the artist? Ha! I win!

kiran-rao-is-on-top-at-50

Sat Mar 09 16:28:22 IST 2024

Come to think of it, producer, director, screenwriter Kiran Rao has occupied the director’s chair since birth! At 50, she is where she wants to be—calling the shots, professionally and personally. Her latest film, Laapataa Ladies [missing ladies], received a standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival, where her earlier film Dhobi Ghat had been equally feted. Interestingly, superstar Aamir Khan, her ex-husband (and co-producer of Laapataa Ladies) had auditioned for the role played supremely well by popular Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan… and was rejected by Kiran. That’s the level of confidence and respect the two share.

A couple of years ago, we were invited to dinner by Aamir and were delighted when Kiran joined us to cut a birthday cake with Azad, their young son. Kiran’s team was waiting impatiently for Aamir to watch a rough cut of Laapataa Ladies at his studio on the ground floor. There was zero awkwardness in any of this. Equally, there was none when Kiran enthusiastically participated in the extended wedding celebrations of his daughter Ira, through Aamir’s first marriage to Reena Dutta. Both ex-wives share a strong Bengali connection. Reena is born a Bengali. Kiran lived and studied in Kolkata and is a proud Loreto girl who speaks excellent Bengali. With her royal lineage (grand-daughter of the titular Raja of Wanaparthy state, J. Rameshwar Rao, founder of Orient Longman), Kiran’s upbringing in a progressive, highly educated family is richly reflected in her professional and personal choices. Influenced by the movies of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, Kiran has opted for an off-beat, cerebral route when it comes to helming film projects.

Her social concerns are evident in Laapataa Ladies, which ostensibly revolves around the tragi-comedy of two young brides in rural India, getting accidentally swapped on a train. Behind the laughs and broad humour, several strands of feminism and gender justice are expertly woven in, via dialogues that highlight the deep-rooted prejudices ingrained in our complex society, which looks the other way when a woman is ill-treated and abused in multiple ways. Kiran expertly uses the metaphor of the traditional ghungat (veil), that covers more than just a women’s face—it effectively negates her individuality and hides acts of blatant discrimination within her own family. There are telling scenes highlighting domestic interactions that underline how hard it is for a new bride to survive, forget thrive, in her brand new environment, amidst strangers who fail to acknowledge her as an individual with a mind of her own. Like when the bride is tutored to keep her eyes downcast permanently, now that she is married and sporting a ghungat.

Kiran’s quiet assertiveness is a class act, which is obvious when one meets her socially. As an acknowledged fashionista with a specific design aesthetic, Kiran is confident enough to favour organic fabrics over sequined designer wear, and stick to minimal jewellery, the kind favoured by successful Bollywood personalities. Stripped of artifice and by shunning glitz, Kiran stands out in an ocean of OTT couture.

Kiran and Aamir, who have faced flak in the past, for speaking up on matters that are considered sensitive, and been labelled as anti-nationals for doing so, have the courage of their convictions to stick to their strong belief systems. This attitude in an era of compromised political principles, is inspiring and courageous. They have paid a big price for that….

But, today, Kiran commands the respect of the film industry for being herself! Not Aamir’s ex-wife. Hard-earned, yes. But oh so well deserved. Let’s hope there will be fewer laapataa ladies in India henceforth.

anita-nair-and-my-crush-mammootty

Sat Feb 24 15:27:05 IST 2024

Till last year, I used to be a lit fest junkie. Now, I am done! I outgrew the circus and decided to spare myself the tedium of being reduced to a performing flea. But am I glad I accepted the invitation to the recent Colombo Literature Fest, where I ran into Anita Nair at breakfast…. And forgot all about string hoppers. We were sharing a panel the same evening. The topic was provocative: The Empire Strikes Back. I asked if she had ‘prepped’ for it; I hadn’t! She reassured me it would be a cakewalk—all we had to do is respond to questions posed by the moderator. Well, the panel turned out to be unwieldy and directionless, but later, on the lawns of the majestic Galle Face Hotel, Anita and I had our first ‘proper’ chat. And I sincerely hope, a long-term friendship was forged that balmy night, when we talked about our work and discovered we had a common crush—actor Mammootty! I breathlessly asked Anita if she had met the actor, and she had. And when she promised to send him Malayalam translations of her books, Mammootty replied, “No. I don’t want translations. I want to read you.” Ufffff. Such a loaded response. We both blushed like schoolgirls and gushed some more. It was not yet 10pm, and Anita announced she was calling it a night. I stared in utter disbelief. I was instantly fascinated by her daily regimen, which begins at 4.30am and includes daily practice (carnatic music) and so much else, efficiently packed into a writing schedule, and mentoring via Anita’s Attic, while prodigiously writing her award-winning books. “You must tell me what you think of Gowda,’’ she said casually, about Borei Gowda, the cop-character she has meticulously crafted for her immensely popular trilogy of crime thrillers. “Is Gowda like Mammootty?” I enquired mischievously. “Yes,” replied Anita. Oh ho… I am in love with Gowda, already!

I have started on the trilogy after Anita generously sent the books. Her plotting is impeccable, but it is her knowledge and understanding of police procedurals that blew me away. Combine that, with her penetrating psychological insights into human behaviour along with her descriptive powers of the landscapes where the action takes place, and the reader immediately recognises an original voice in a crowded field. To merely call these three books crime thrillers is to take a lot away from Anita’s masterful control over language and structure.

Anita’s personality and poise ensure public attention and it is tempting to describe her using the same words publishers use for blurbs—“tempestuous” and “exotic”. She speaks with a certain quiet certitude, which often throws unwary interviewers. A Republic Day baby (her birthday falls on January 26), Anita, at 58, cuts an arresting figure, and exudes a no-nonsense air, which belies her vulnerable charm.

She frequently makes her own early morning chai, before the household awakes (her grownup son lives on his own), and she has quiet, contemplative me time, to write, think, make notes, sing, dream. It’s a writer’s life all the way.

I am looking forward to my personal discovery of Anita’s complex and intriguing world, which explores gender, class, sub-cultures, inequalities, discrimination, corruption and rot, expertly decoding what it means to be a woman who writes in contemporary India and addresses multiple social dilemmas as seen through her very specific, sharply focused lens. Gowda, her charismatic, taciturn, blunt cop, sounds like a delicious blend of Anita herself, with dollops of Mammootty thrown in for garnish.

It is time for Eating Wasps… and celebrating Anita some more, methinks!

why-i-want-to-go-on-a-biryani-date-with-dongris-darling-munawar-faruqui

Sat Feb 10 15:01:51 IST 2024

The extraordinary story of 32-year-old Munawar Iqbal Faruqui, winner of the 17th season of Bigg Boss (Indian television’s biggest reality show) is worthy of a biopic. Frankly, I hadn’t heard of the stand-up comic, poet and rapper, till I watched the coverage of his victory parade, when he took the trophy to his modest home, waving to a sea of delirious fans cheering him as he stuck his head out of the sunroof of his fancy car. At first, I thought I was watching the usual fan-mania outside Shah Rukh Khan’s Mannat—the superstar’s palatial seaside bungalow. But hello! These visuals were from gritty Dongri, not snotty Bandra. Dongri—Mumbai’s most notorious ghetto, once home to gangsters like Dawood Ibrahim, Haji Mastan, Tiger Memon, Chhota Shakeel, Abu Salem. Dongri—from where the dreaded D-Gang operated. Dongri—shunned by Mumbaikars, and damned by cops. Here was a son of Dongri, who had won the hearts of millions of viewers and walked away with prize money and gifts worth more than Rs1.4 crore. This was no freaky win. The thousands who had turned up to greet him, did so out of genuine admiration. Shopkeepers in Dongri had put up his posters, while neighbourhood eateries offered discounts on food. Their boy had won! A Dongri boy had brought glory to their neighbourhood. No longer would Dongri be seen as nothing more than a dangerous, overcrowded slum that bred international gangsters and where crime was a way of life. Munawar had altered and upgraded Dongri’s image overnight!

Munawar, a driver’s son, left Junagadh in 2002 after his home was burnt during the Godhra riots. His father moved the family to Mumbai, and subsequently, Munawar lost both parents. He dropped out of school, did odd jobs, sold utensils at Rs60 a day. Till he discovered his forte—black comedy! Not everybody was amused by his humour. Munawar spent 37 days in jail following his arrest by the Madhya Pradesh police in Indore on New Year’s Eve 2021, when he was picked up mid-performance for what was called a ‘hate speech’. Several stand-up comedians representing southeast Asia, stood by Munawar, offering support and solidarity, citing their right to freedom of expression.

Today, Munawar has 4.7 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, 11.6 million followers on Instagram. His net worth is pegged at Rs8 crore, based on his fees of Rs15 lakh per paid post, and Rs2.5 lakh per stage show. His video, ‘Dawood Yamraaj & Aurat’ has garnered 20 million views, and Munawar is already planning his next professional moves.

His personal life is as interesting as his dazzling rise to fame. But fans are not judgmental at all. On the contrary, they admire him for being upfront and responding candidly to frequent ‘womaniser’ rumours. His dating pattern is avidly monitored on social media. Life on the fast track is likely to transform Munawar’s disarming personality—that’s a given. Soon, he will be seen sporting designer wear at red carpet events and schoomzing with celebrities from the other side of the railway track. Munawar’s makeover is on. You can take the man out of Dongri, but you can’t take Dongri out of him—and that is Munawar’s real strength. Dongri inspires his work and lyrics. Dongri is his bedrock. When a Dongri resident said “the trophy has finally reached Dongri”, it was a rich tribute to the grime and dirt of Dongri and led to the success of Dongri’s darling—Munawar.

I want to go on a biryani date in Dongri with Munawar. Working on it!

how-asha-thadani-is-visualising-hope

Sat Jan 27 15:38:30 IST 2024

There is an open door, shut by a closed mind….” This is the line that grabbed me when I opened Asha Thadani’s catalogue, Broken—Dalit Lives, which introduced viewers to her just concluded exhibition of photographs in Delhi. Asha has been chronicling the lives of the most marginalised citizens of India, and reminding us powerfully that, “The human spirit is never in chains, imagination is never in shackles and creative expression through art, song, verse and dance, allows them freedom of the mind, in a defiance of the caste cabal.’’ Asha’s searing series of photographs, visualises the lives of 10 such dalit communities, in the fervent hope that at least a single door for a closed mind opens.

Asha is a photographic artist based in Bengaluru, and has been creating images that explore power structures since 1996. Her works have received international recognition and been shown at important museums like the Albert-Kahn Museum and Garden, Paris, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai. Nominated for the prestigious Henri Cartier Bresson Award (2015), Asha continues to address social injustices by deep diving into the human tragedy behind the most dehumanised segments of our society. She writes, “The dalit life has been one of isolation and pain, and systemic injustice.’’

As I went through the wonderfully written text by popular podcaster, writer and magazine publisher, Ramjee Chandran, my eyes refused to focus! Let me explain. There was one particular image of a little girl, at the coal mines of Jharia, that shook me up. I simply couldn’t look the child in the eye without cringing in shame. I started to read the bone-chilling text accompanying this section, titled The Unseen Suffering, and my stomach churned—rogue mines employ four lakh people, including women, and children who are not yet 10. They live as bonded labour and work 18 hours a day. That little girl’s direct gaze—defiant, scorching, challenging—began to haunt me. And I reached out to Asha, through our common friend, the extraordinary Prasad Bidapa, to express what I felt about Asha’s powerful work. That little girl now resides in my home in the form of a life-size photograph, sent by Asha. It’s interesting to note that her presence has disturbed the domestic equilibrium enough for visitors who stop and stare and sometimes ask, “But why would you want such a picture on your wall? Doesn’t it bother you?” Of course, it does! Which is why it is there.

There is another, equally compelling portrait of a handsome, rugged young man posing with a cluster of goat heads. Yes, goat heads. I plead ignorance! I had no idea that a dalit tribe called the Holeyas harvest the brains of goat carcasses for a living; the brain being the part of a goat that fetches the most money. Dalit males who specialise in extricating the brain are as young as 10 or 12. Their life expectancy is 35 to 45. They often die of bites from the ticks on the heads of the goats being burned, or from toxic furnace fumes. The young man stares back, his eyes blazing—pride? Anger? Rebellion?

Some days ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi consecrated the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with much pomp and ceremony. More than a century ago, in a village in Chhattisgarh, Parsuram Bharadwaj, a dalit, was stopped from entering a temple. He decided to express his protest by tattooing the word Ram on every part of his body, as a challenge to Hindu orthodoxy. Others followed. Today’s Ramnamis, looking for jobs in big cities, don’t wear their devotion to Ram as visibly. Asha calls the Ram tattoos, “A chant in writing.” It is the devotion of the defiant. I cannot wait to meet Asha—she has given so much ásha (hope) to India’s most wretched.

fareed-zakaria-style-and-substance

Sat Jan 13 11:12:33 IST 2024

I am pretty certain the first time I met Padma Bhushan Fareed Zakaria (well-known journalist, author and columnist), he was wearing half-pants. He was a schoolboy living in his parents’ home in south Mumbai, and we were friends of the Zakarias (Rafique and Fatima). The handsome, suave and very refined young person we subsequently ran into over the years is today a global figure, and at 59 carries off his multiple international awards and accomplishments most elegantly. Fareed self-identifies as a “çentrist and a secular, non-practising Muslim”. His father was a prominent politician from a Konkani Muslim family, and was an Islamic theologian, who was known for his advocacy of traditional Islam. Fareed’s mother was an editor, and gave me my first major break as a national columnist. Our ties go back decades.

This time, we were meeting in Udaipur, at the wedding of my god-daughter Malika, Fareed’s niece. Tasneem Vikram Mehta, Malika’s mother and Fareed’s sister, is one of my dearest friends. The occasion was emotionally charged and deeply sentimental, as all the invitees to the three-day celebration in the magnificent Mehta family haveli, overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake, enthusiastically participated in the well-curated festivities. Malika’s father, the erudite Vikram Jagat Mehta, and Tasneem, made sure every guest at the intimate ghar ki shaadi was made to feel special. Fareed, clad in a brocade bandhgala, played the benevolent maamu [maternal uncle], receiving guests and enjoying the proceedings. The man about whom it was said, “Fareed is so well-versed in politics, he can’t be pigeonholed…’’ sensibly avoided talking shop at the shaadi, which may have disappointed his admirers, dying to pick his brains and get his take on issues like the Ram Mandir. Given that Fareed has made it to several international lists of top analysts of our times, his decision to respect the mood of the rituals and not hog the limelight was the right one.

Fareed’s cover essay in a news magazine, after the 9/11 attack, was titled, “Why they hate us…’’ and was passionately argued at a time the world needed a deeper perspective. More recently, when Fareed declared, “The world sees what America does not…” people paid attention. Ditto, when he announced “A new world order needs new thinking…” Forbes had him on the list of “25 most influential liberals in American media”, making it clear that Fareed’s words count.

His weekly show on TV is eagerly watched by several diehard fans, including my 87-year-old sister, who was thrilled to see her hero in the picture I sent from the shaadi. His provocative topics ensure he keeps his viewers riveted. In his characteristic non-intrusive way, I noticed how Fareed is never ever “off the job”—quietly asking relevant questions, probing, observing, without the other person feeling the slightest discomfort.

That is the hallmark of a professional journalist, who rarely ‘relaxes’ even in a social setting—who knows where the next scoop can come from? His book, The Post-American World, talks about the “rise of the rest”—us! And others. Well, it is a perspective nobody can afford to ignore. It is refreshing to learn Fareed loves cooking! Food, that is. Not media stories. Seeing how fit he is, one wonders about his palate-discipline, given his culinary passion. The Mumbai boy in half-pants to the tuxedo-wearing Upper West Side New Yorker, our Fareed has come a long, long way in the world. We are proud of him!

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

multifaceted-mozez-singh

Sat Dec 30 10:45:50 IST 2023

Rizz—the catchword of 2023—is possibly a tad overused, but let us hand it to people who don’t acquire ‘rizz’. They are born with it. I place storyteller, filmmaker, writer, producer, director Mozez Singh in this coveted category. He has ‘rizz’ written all over him! Today, he is poised to make a major mark in the cut-throat world of films, with a soon-to-be launched documentary on another Singh—popular rapper and hip-hopper Yo Yo Honey Singh. The trade buzz is strong, and it is being hailed as one of the top Netflix releases to look out for in 2024. Mozez called it an “exhilarating experience”, describing the process as an “adrenaline-filled creative ride… and my entry into the hypnotic world of documentary filmmaking”.

Mozez tasted success with his earlier films (Zubaan, Human and White Noise), and won the prestigious Rising Director Asia Star award at the Busan International Film Festival. Today, he is amongst a small, select group of talented filmmakers who are sought after by prestigious production houses. Please note: his ‘rizz’ factor does not originate in his movie triumphs. Mozez just has to walk into a room to create an impact. It is his unique personality that draws attention even before anyone knows who he is. Chameleon-like and mercurial, man-boy Mozez has become a muse for several top designers who see a global, magnetic personality in him. Given his lithe good looks and an extravagant wardrobe that can go from Tom Ford to Goa beach hippie chic, Mozez revels in the attention and remains a perennial sartorial adventurer. As a clothes horse, his gender fluid appearance provides inspiration for cutting-edge fashion shoots that break the mould.

Flamboyant and androgynous, Mozez himself could be the subject of a future documentary, given his charmed life. “Fashion should be freeing,” Mozez stated in an interview, living up to his commitment towards normalising LGBTQ+ choices.

Mozez’s aesthetic comes from his beautiful mother, Maheep Singh, whose wardrobe he used to raid growing up in their sprawling mansion in Delhi. His collection of bold jewellery is from Hanut Singh, his childhood friend.

A life of privilege, for sure—Mozez’s grandfather was the founder chairman of Ranbaxy, a legacy pharmaceutical company. Mozez could so easily have been another entitled Delhi brat, running around the world doing his richie-rich celebrity thing. That he chose to come to Mumbai and made his career in an entirely different field is to his credit.

Mozez was a precocious 13-year-old schoolboy when I first met him at his stunning Delhi bungalow, filled with contemporary art and rare silver. I was there to shoot for a magazine feature, that required a tiger skin for me to pose on. Dilip Mehta, the renowned photographer and a friend of the Singh family, picked their magnificent residence for the shoot. Suddenly, I noticed two teenaged boys lurking around and gawking at the strange spectacle being staged—Mozez and Hanut! Today, we share a terrific friendship and share our views on anything and everything—from politics to books. His bachelor apartment, in trendy Bandra, boasts an impressive library, where he spends most of his time reading, writing and creating. With his frequent travels to exotic destinations in India and across the globe, Mozez’s restless mind rarely demands a break.

I like his spiritual energy field—as an ardent Shiva devotee it was the beautiful altar at the entrance of Mozez’s super-chic apartment that left the strongest impact. Shiv bhakti and avant-garde fashion—great combo!

bowled-over-by-jessica-posner-odede

Fri Dec 15 18:19:44 IST 2023

I was intrigued when media personality Alex Kuruvilla sent a tempting invitation to an evening of cocktails, connections and conversations about the ‘Power of Girl Effect’, hosted in the Zenith at the St Regis Hotel. Dressed in a crisp white blazer, Jessica Posner Odede, CEO of Girl Effect, an international NGO that helps girls in Africa and Asia make choices on multiple levels, was busy greeting invitees. Supporting her in this inspiring initiative was global media mogul Jonathan Newhouse.

Around us were some of India’s best known philanthropists, like Adar and Natasha Poonawalla. After the informal meet and greet formalities, Alex introduced Jessica and her dedicated team—giving guests an idea of what exactly Girl Effect is all about. It was left to Jessica to take us through her incredible journey from Kenya to India, that has led to Girl Effect making vital inroads and transforming lives of confused adolescent girls here and in Africa—those who have no direct access to much-needed information regarding basic female health. Nor do they enjoy the emotional support required to process sensitive matters involving taboo subjects—menstruation, contraception, pregnancy and more. It was when Jessica heard a teenager say, ‘the first time I menstruated and saw blood, I was convinced I was dying’ that she decided to do something about it and launch Girl Effect, which has reached more than 23 million young Indian women online.

“Go forth and shine,” she urges girls, while encouraging confidential conversations in a safe environment through media and tech products. In India’s Hindi belt, Girl Effect proved to be a real boon, with young girls relating to content such as a specially created web series, chatbots, a girls-only Facebook group, and an informative website, which Jessica claims encourages every girl to write her own story. An online community—Bak Bak Gang—provides a safe space for non-judgmental conversations about love, life and sex. Bol Behen acts as a virtual big sister and offers advice to girls at every stage.

When the dynamic, articulate Jonathan proposed an eloquent vote of thanks, several questions arose in the room—around how one could contribute. This was the prime objective of the evening, and it was heartening to see the passionate engagement of high-powered invitees, ready to open their wallets and extend support in whichever manner.

My husband and I were blown away by Jonathan’s prodigious memory—travelling across the world, interacting with hundreds of people as he has been doing for decades, Jonathan retains an awe-inspiring recall, even for the tiniest detail. He reminded both of us about our conversation back then, and we shared a few laughs—mainly over my tattoos and his! Since mine are powerful pro-women Kanji symbols, they seemed an apt representation of Girl Effect—what a delightful coincidence. Jonathan said he had to make sure to cover his inking while travelling in Japan, where tattoos are associated with Japanese criminal gangs (Yakuza). While tattoos are not illegal in Japan, most visitors cover up at temples and shrines, and make sure not to expose their tattoos while strolling through the streets of the country. Phew! Jonathan just saved me from future embarrassment since we are travelling to Japan soon. Thanks Jonathan—that was a very valuable tip, indeed—I will make sure my arms stay covered!

As for Jessica, she made me aware of how urban, female youngsters living in Tier-1 cities, take sensitive information so much for granted. Compared with their less privileged counterparts across India, our young female adults are so much better armed to deal with adolescent challenges. It is time to step up and offer other far less informed counterparts the same knowledge-access as we enjoy.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

tanvi-jindals-own-muso

Sat Dec 02 11:49:26 IST 2023

Tanvi Jindal Shete at 36 is a petite bundle of super-charged energy. Daughter of Sajjan and Sangita Jindal, mother of two tots, director of Jindal South West (JSW) Foundation overseeing the education portfolio, and the dynamic founder of the just opened MuSo (Museum of Solutions), Tanvi’s life spins at unbelievable speed. Her involvement with young minds started in 2009 as a member of the first cohort for the Teach For India fellowship programme in a low income school. After graduating in economics from New York University, Tanvi decided to invest time, energy and money in a passion project—the incredible MuSo. As a space dedicated to empower children to think out of the box instead of staring at static museum displays as passive participants, MuSo offers a world-class experience, possibly, the only one of its kind in India, which encourages visitors of all ages to learn and be inspired, as they walk through nine vibrant floors, meticulously designed by the best Indian and international brains.

I was invited by Sangita to experience MuSo along with my grandchildren before its formal opening. Can’t claim I was jumping with joy—it was a Sunday morning and I rarely step out on Sundays! But which grandma can say “no” to a carnival, live music, food stalls and a staggering amount of activity for restless bachchas? Not only did I make it, but also I became a bachcha myself! I was taken for a great walkthrough by Nameeta Premkumar, the creative force behind some of the most engaging exhibits. Since the opening theme is water, every floor focuses on water and its vital importance—the earth’s survival depends on how we respect our water resources and conserve them for future generations. These narratives are skilfully showcased with apt installations that talk about conservation and eco-responsibility without being boring or preachy. I fell in love with Puddles, the vividly colourful sea turtle, who is the star of a lyrically shot film showing Puddles on a journey through oceans that are rapidly getting denuded of coral and other aquatic life due to our abuse and ignorance.

I was introduced by my friend Surya (key member of the MuSo team) to Michael Peter Edson, the energetic chief museum officer, who left Washington, DC, and a cushy position as director, web and new media strategy, for the prestigious Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex, to come on board. This is Mike’s first trip to India—and he is already in love with all things desi! After just over a month of being in Mumbai, he is very much at ease and in tune with all things Bambaiya. Mike’s Diwali Puja celebration with the extended Jindal family will always remain memorable, he said, with a twinkle in his eyes, recounting how seamlessly the playlist switched from devotional music during the puja to contemporary club right after, when young people got a party vibe going and started grooving to Taylor Swift tracks.

I bought two well-crafted Puddles for my youngest grandchildren, who were nowhere in sight! They were busy playing in water in a designated area, where bright yellow water proof ponchos are provided to young enthusiasts as they splash around and follow a water trail that teaches them to respect the world’s most precious resource. This is pro-active learning at its imaginative best, in a brightly lit museum space that lets children run around in a safe, supervised setting that’s filled with wonder and delight! Bravo, Tanvi and team. I hope MuSo travels to other cities soon… kids across India will cherish this very special centre designed just for them.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

goodbye-prithvi-raj-singh-oberoi-the-ultimate-hotelier

Sat Nov 18 11:18:08 IST 2023

I woke up to the sad news that Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi (popularly known as Biki) had passed away aged 94. He had stepped down as executive chairman of the group that runs 32 hotels, with a presence in seven countries, after an astonishing career that had successfully redefined the very meaning of hospitality in India. The word ‘prithvi’ in his name is significant―Oberoi was known as the ultimate hotelier across the world, respected by peers and admired by those in the trade who wanted to be more like the diminutive legend, impeccably dressed at all times in well-cut Savile Row style suits, perfectly set off with elegant ties and pocket squares. Dashing and dynamic, alert and forward–thinking, he was a true bon vivant who recognised the best life had to offer―and was always striving to make that available to his guests at any of the Oberoi Hotels across continents.

Yes, there will be multiple tributes and heartfelt prayers as mourners pay their respects to a lovely man, who had inherited a hotel empire from his father, and had grown it to its very impressive present. Among all the Oberoi hotels I have stayed in over decades, it is the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata that remains special. The 500-room property in the heart of Kolkata―shrewdly acquired by Biki’s father (Rai Bahadur Oberoi) as a distress sale during the cholera epidemic―remains the grandest of all the Oberoi properties, with its old world charm and discreet opulence. I also adore The Oberoi Cecil in Shimla (built in 1884) for much the same reasons―it spells distinction and history in every corner and clearly held sentimental value for Biki, given the wonderful reopening of the heritage hotel in 1997 to which we were invited, along with a few of Biki’s friends from Delhi and overseas. Over a relaxed weekend, we saw the supremely considerate host in Biki, looking after his special mehmaan as only a generous, thoughtful lord of the manor does.

Each time we met Biki, the spontaneous warmth and signature style were on full display. Charming, courteous, sometimes chomping on a cigar, at other times instructing staff to pick up a piece of paper from the vast grounds, here was a man whose attention to detail was mind-boggling. Since the hotels were―and remain―personality-driven, these high standards were non-negotiable and diligently followed by well-trained teams, most of them from the Oberoi Centre for Learning and Development (OCLD). Our daughter Anandita had made it to the last round of this highly coveted, strictly merit-driven and frighteningly competitive pan-India programme. It was time for the toughest part of the interview―the walk! This is where nervous aspirants enter a large hall and have to walk its entire length to meet the bossman himself. Biki was known to ask strange questions that had little to do with hospitality. My daughter had mugged up every conceivable response to questions about hotel management, food, service… what she hadn’t factored in was the curve ball Biki threw: “Hello! How are your parents? Do give my regards to your mother.” Anandita candidly replied, “My parents are well… and my mother is waiting for me in the coffee shop downstairs.’’ Biki chuckled and said, “l will come and say hello to her.” Which he did. He also told me how well Anandita had done and I should be proud of her. But she wasn’t selected! Later, we were informed it could have been because Biki felt she was too privileged to take the heat in the kitchen!

I wish I had had the chance to tell him so many years later that Anandita has worked exceedingly hard to strike out on her own―privileges be damned. And, yes, had she made the cut that morning, she would have made him and the group very proud, too.

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade

borwankar-the-first-female-police-officer-to-boldly-take-on-the-system

Sat Nov 04 16:57:12 IST 2023

Legendary top cop Julio Ribeiro, 92, penned an interesting column recently, in which he bracketed two very different women—a top cop (Meeran Chadha Borwankar) and the much-discussed TMC MP Mahua Moitra. Frankly, I cannot think of two women who are more dissimilar, but I loved Ribeiro’s very modern take on both.

I had briefly seen Moitra at the Jaipur Lit Fest earlier this year, where she had swept past the gawkers, swishing back her hair, and adjusting her fine sari, surrounded by hefty bouncers and a flock of drooling admirers. She looked and behaved like the diva she indeed is.

At the Tata Lit Fest in Mumbai this week, I was on a trailblazers’ panel with a bona fide star—the indomitable Borwankar, whose latest book, Madam Commissioner—The Extraordinary Life of an Indian Police Chief, has been creating waves and ruffling several political feathers since its launch. Borwankar walked into the author’s lounge, without bodyguards or bouncers, and no fawning entourage. Dressed in a smart blazer with an embroidered IPS badge on the pocket, the feisty woman did not need ‘showcasing’. Soft spoken, with a no-nonsense approach, here was a woman who had handled many highly sensitive, hugely high-profile cases during her tenure, and did it with utmost fearlessness.

I had read the book and rejoiced in Borwankar’s triumphs over entrenched bureaucratic systems that are difficult to challenge. The fact that Borwankar has named names in her book, and rattled the likes of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, makes her an unusual former IPS officer—unafraid of possible repercussions from those in power today. But, then, what are threats to the woman who rode a motorcycle on night patrols in Mumbai’s notorious dock areas and tackled the prostitution racket head on. Being a crack shot and expert horse rider certainly helps. Today, at 68, Borwankar (teetotaller and strict vegetarian), maintains her athletic frame and exudes teenage energy as she briskly walks up on stage and our session starts with Borwankar telling a rapt audience about her daredevil encounters with some of the most dreaded criminals in Maharashtra (I include politicians in this category).

She receives enthusiastic applause when she responds candidly to questions from the audience. As the mother of two boys, she has had to deal with parenting challenges when the kids were younger, and she had to take tough calls, sometimes from riot torn areas where her personal safety was at stake.

Later, post our enlivening session, we met over a dinner at a trendy restaurant close by. Borwankar was joined by her bright and fun son Ankur, a lawyer, who oversees her publishing contracts and helps her out with speaking engagements and other books-related marketing decisions. They are a good team—communicative and comfortable with one another. As Maharashtra’s first female district police chief as well as its first police commissioner, Borwankar’s place in history is ensured. But that she did not hesitate to critique the country’s criminal justice system and fight the good fight, taking it to the highest level, speaks a lot about her commitment and integrity, and loyalty to her uniform. Today, there are several outstanding women police officers at every level. But Borwankar was the first to break the mould. Did she face resistance and resentment from male colleagues? Oh yes! Especially during the arduous training period when she was the only woman in a dining hall filled with men, with a batchmate taunting her by playing cheap film songs and berating her for speaking Punjabi English.

Her book is a candid account of what the police uniform means to a determined cop, who successfully handled the early jeers and jibes to emerge on top of her game—undaunted by unprincipled netas transferring her for not playing ball. Borwankar was the first female police officer to boldly take on the system. Let us hope she isn’t the last.

the-elusive-mona-who-gave-it-all-up-to-become-mrs-dev-anand

Sat Oct 14 14:55:14 IST 2023

For the past month, the media has been abuzz celebrating iconic actor Dev Anand’s birth centenary. The excitement has not surprised his fans, what with over a 180 invitees to a special screening of Guide—organised by the National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC)—dressed as Dev Anand or his lovely co-star Waheeda Rehman. And, Waheeda was conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award the same week! In the ongoing hoopla, one person was missing—Dev Anand’s wife, screen name Kalpana Kartik, all of 92, and living the life of a recluse. It was only after a small news item appeared, with a quote from the lady, that fans woke up to the realisation she was very much around, even if far from visible. As Dev Anand’s co-star in five films, Mona Singha (Kalpana’s real name), the beauty queen from Shimla, sweetly confessed she still felt her late husband’s presence and recalled how he always addressed her by her given name—Mona.

So much is known about Dev Anand. And so little about his missus. Fans know Dev saab—his spectacularly successful, six-decade-long career, with over 100 films, a Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. His last film was released the year he died in London aged 88, with a register in his hand, working on his next project. His BA degree in English literature from Lahore made him something of an oddity in Bollywood. But it also added to his sheen as a polished, refined, sophisticated actor with a distinct style and westernised mannerisms. The characteristic loping walk, his head-nodding during songs, and those oversized, high-collared bomber jackets with heavy scarves, and caps worn at a rakish angle, created the stylish Dev Anand brand, which remains intact even today.

I had met and interviewed Dev Anand, so I can safely add that he was an intensely self-absorbed man, permanently “in character” and totally submerged in the cinematic world. He referred to movies as “motion pictures”, and spoke knowledgeably about world cinema. He neither flaunted his private life, nor hid it. His conversation was easy and urbane, unlike the more rough language used by some contemporaries. He barely ate or drank, taking care to maintain a painfully lean frame. At film events, it was soup; not whiskey. And salads, not biryani. Disciplined and meticulous, he leveraged the potential of their banner—Navketan Films—and produced films he believed in. He unsuccessfully courted politics and paid a huge price for refusing to endorse Indira Gandhi’s Emergency.

The triumvirate (Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand) dominated commercial cinema and established themselves as cult figures, with loyal fans imitating their every style innovation—from dialogue delivery to sartorial experiments.

Today’s movie goers are being re-introduced to these greats of Indian cinema, thanks to the efforts of archivists who have rich material on these stalwarts, which is waiting to be mined. As for me, I am far more intrigued by the elusive Mona, who gave it all up to become Mrs Dev Anand and live in the shadows, after starring in films like Guru Dutt’s Baazi, with her debonair husband. I’d give anything for a biopic on Kalpana, with a small detour that features Suraiya, who died unmarried—after a well-publicised romance with Dev Anand that went nowhere, because her conservative family disapproved. Sigh, those times were not half as savage as today. The gossip was less snarky, and the media environment spicy rather than toxic.

I am waiting for a comprehensive retrospective of Dev Anand’s films, which will provide today’s movie buffs with important insights into the making of immortal movie legends like Dev saab. Believe me, their gold standard status is no accident!

@DeShobhaa @shobhaade