Memorable reception

We could not attend the do hosted by the Ambanis in honour of the forthcoming wedding of the lovely Isheta Salgaoncar to Neeshal Modi due to prior travel plans. But from all accounts it was a spectacular evening.

The highlight, of course, was Shah Rukh Khan's witty chat with various members of the Ambani progeny, who he engaged with on stage for insights into their cousin Isheta. Ranveer Singh's energetic dancing also came in for much applause, as did the rendition of the soon-to-be-bride's favourite songs performed by a troupe of foreign entertainers. Other highlights were a spectacular sound and lights show and a magician, who is said to have kept no less than Amitabh Bachchan fascinated by his tricks.

Deepika Padukone is said to have made a stunning entrance and with Indian Accent as one of the caterers, guests say it was a night to remember like none other. Now the party shifts to Goa where the Salgaoncar's Dipti and Raj will be hosting a party for the couple in their beloved home state.

Forced to stay away?
The past weekend saw many of India's high rollers fly off to Dubai and drive down (while the bigger ones choppered down) to Abu Dhabi for Sunday's Formula One world championship finale race at the YAS Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. And while most chose to stay at the swanky adjoining Viceroy Hotel, which overlooks the track, the real heavy weights had docked their yachts at the Marina, with a perfect view of the high adrenaline action.

Subroto Roy and Vijay Mallya

The final race of the season was won by the German Nico Rosberg, with the India contingent owned by the Vijay Mallya - Subroto Roy consortium finishing in 7th and 8th place. But many were surprised that the two high-profile Indian team owners decided to miss the season finale.

"Vijay used to be a regular on this circuit and his mega yacht the ‘Indian Empress' usually had the best parking spot reserved right next to the yacht owned by Etihad, and his party used to go on all night. But, alas, he is in London and hardly in a position to travel," says a source, adding, "Subroto, who is currently out on parole, wasn't planning on attending this year either and surprisingly even his family members cancelled their plans at the last minute," the source further said.

Of course, the fact that both the current owners of Force India were bogged down with problems with regulatory authorities was not lost on any one. "Perhaps they should change the name of the Indian team to ‘Forced To Stay Away?' quipped a wag.

High-powered Delhi wedding
Nitin Gadkari, Union minister of roads, transport, highways and shipping must be a happy man. Not only has he been chosen as the recipient of a prestigious annual award conferred by a pink paper, but he is also gearing up for his daughter Ketaki's marriage to Aditya (son of Sandhya and Ravindra Kaskhedikar), early next month.

Nitin Gadkari

And as is the wont of people in his position, rather than a five-star hotel, the wedding will be held at his official residence at 2, Motilal Nehru Place and you can bet your last rupee (that five hundred rupee note you forgot to exchange), that the prime minister and other heavyweights from the BJP will attend.

The best revenge
A few weeks ago we carried a photograph of Sheetal Bhagat looking incredibly glamorous at a masked ball in London.

Sheetal Bhagat

Now word comes in, that the high profile femme fatale is ensconced in a mansion in Monte Carlo, where she is living the high life along with other members of the international jet set. (No, we do not know how she pays the rent.

We assume doting husband Atulya must be footing the bill.) And if you believe living well is the best revenge, for her numerous critics back home, Sheetal sure is having the last laugh.

Hot wheels
Every once in a while the country's court jesters (aka our political class) make us chuckle and giggle, but mostly makes us want to pull our hair out.

Aum Kadam, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ram Kadam

Whether it's the lodging of silly attention-seeking FIRs against the likes of Coldplay's Chris Martin or the latest occasion where a BJP politician from Maharashtra, our very own Ram Kadamji, who describes himself on twitter as ‘Dashing MLA of Ghatkopar, West Mumbai, Bharatiya Janata Party', took to social media and posted this picture of his minor son Aum Kadam, posing proudly with his birthday gift - a spanking new Mercedes convertible complete with a ribbons!

Aum Kadam with the Mercedes gifted by his father

The ‘dashing' MLA captioned the picture, "#HappyBirthday to my dearest son AumRKadam!!! This my loving gift for him!!!" And though, Ram got the expected backlash from his twitter followers for this gross showing off stunt, many chose to question him on his source of income to make the purchase, with some twitter folk remarking that the car costs nearly Rs1 crore! We wonder what our holier-than-thou PM thinks?

Teflon-coated politico
The Teflon-coated nature of this Delhi politico, who used to be a leading light in the former regime, is legendary. Unlike his other colleagues, who have all been mired in some financial peccadillo or the other, our friend has managed to pass under the radar, even though he is alleged to have amassed one of the most staggering fortunes known to man.

Not only does he own a mansion of jaw dropping ostentation in Dubai, but he is also said to have half a dozen equally spectacular ones in various parts of the world. His personal life too could have given much grist to the rumor mills, what with his many live-in relationships and revolving door of partners. But somehow he's gotten away with it all.

However, his latest enterprise has certainly got his friends chuckling. "His latest significant other was a bit... how should we say it…gauche," said an insider, adding, "So he packed her off to a fancy Swiss finishing school to learn some etiquette. Next thing you know, she's returned with a brand new accent and her Ps and Qs in place. What a smooth operator!" says the source. Indeed.