Wednesday night saw us at the launch of Kareena Kapoor's The Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva in the company of the star, Shobhaa De whose eponymous imprint Shobhaa De Books has published the book, the book's writer Rochelle Pinto and Penguin's Chiki Sarkar
Wednesday night saw us at the launch of Kareena Kapoor’s The Style Diary of a Bollywood Diva in the company of the star, Shobhaa De whose eponymous imprint Shobhaa De Books has published the book, the book’s writer Rochelle Pinto and Penguin’s Chiki Sarkar.
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“Kareena Kapoor has a massive fan following of young people who admire her sense of style as much as her acting prowess. An authoritative style guide coming from her seemed like a pretty obvious fit,” says De adding, “The SDe Books Imprint will celebrate the lives of real celebrities from different fields.
My next launch is the Adi Godrej biography - it’s a riveting read. Followed by Zia Mody’s thought provoking book 10 Judgements that changed India.” But who, we asked the writer-publisher had been the most stylish star when she edited Stardust in the late seventies? “Parveen Babi,” she replied.
“I can never forget the first time I saw her at Parmeshwar Godrej’s home in Juhu, clad in a sea green Grecian-style gown, she was a vision!” And the one style tip she’d like to give today’s actresses? “Sack your stylists. Don’t be slaves of designer labels and big brands. Find, then flaunt your own identity.” Nice!
Italian style
Roohi Oomerbhoy Jaikishan, the lady who is responsible for a certain Lo Dolce Vita in India invited us to Gypsy Cinema next week where her company RRO will be participating in a pop-up cinema to be held on the terrace of Marine Plaza.
“The four day event will feature four classic films set in Italy (Roman Holiday, Cinema Paradiso, Romeo and Juliet and La Dolce Vita) in an ambience evoking a Roman terrace cafe on a summer evening. RRO will be hosting a tasting session of its Italian range of products with a special focus on its range of cheese,” she said. “Sip a glass of wine, experience Fellini’s Rome. Buon Cibo, Buon Vino, Buoni Amici. Good food, good wine in the company of good friends and good cinema.” she said.u00a0
Golf lore
We received an e-mail from avid golfer and one of the city’s leading industrialists Arvind Jolly. “You had recently written about a golfer who had collapsed on a golf course with nobody accompanying him to the hospital,” wrote the gentleman.
“But all golfers are not heartless and I have a story to tell you: I slipped and fractured my ankle nine years ago on a Sunday morning at a city club. A dear golfer friend of mine Bhagwat Devidayal (Namita Devidayal’s father) rushed to the car park, drove his car through the parking lot onto the golf course to hole 3 and took me to Breach Candy Hospital where I was operated within an hour.
He then spent the next two days looking after me. I had to write this letter because yes, we are losing human values and emotions. But for some of us, golf is a game of friendship and carries high responsibilities.”
A week in the life
If you think you’ve had a busy fortnight spare a thought for Martin da Costa who runs 70 EMG, a flourishing event and festival agency. “On Wednesday last week, I inaugurated one of the greatest exhibitions of the year - the top 20 Artists from the Skoda Prize 2012 entries - at none other than the magnificent NGMA.
The next day, I was in Vagator, Goa dealing with the setup for India Bike Week. A setup that luxuriated in all the glorious contradictions of India,” says the LSE educated, UK born expat. And suddenly, from a clear blue sky, the worst of times because that same day was when I learnt that a very, very good friend who’d been a mentor, support, irreplaceable guide and a constant, benevolent presence had died.” “The crazy, up and down rollercoaster of Mumbai had just tightened its grip once more,” he adds ruefully. “She gives so much, and takes away so fast. There’s no one like her. Anywhere.”
Cartier Sunday
So, it’s off to Bandra this Sunday for the third edition of the Cartier Travel With Style Concours d’Elegance. “Cartier Travel With Style, is among the world’s best four Concours D’Elegance - globally reputed vintage car exhibits and competitions,” say its organisers.
“Held every two years in India and curated by the noted Indian automotive expert HRH Manvendra Singh of Bharwani and orchestrated by noted car aficionado and HRH the Duchess of Cornwall’s brother Mark Shand. Seventy-four cars and 32 motorbikes competing in seven distinct created categories will be showcased at a specially created Cartier Exhibition Area spread across Taj Lands End in Bandra.
” “Royal patrons HRH Maharaja Gaj Singh of Jodhpur and Princess Esra of Hyderabad, Vijay Mallya, renowned vintage collector Diljeet Titus, media barons Vivek Goenka and Hormusji Cama, vintage authority Nitin Dossa, art entrepreneur Jagdish Thackersey and noted vintage motorcycle collectors Mandar Phadke, Percy Bhathena and Reuben Solomon among others are some of the dignitaries who will be at the Concours,” we are assured.