We have always wondered why Bollywood hasn't done more to monetise its brand quotient
We have always wondered why Bollywood hasn't done more to monetise its brand quotient. Unlike in the West, where Hollywood sells as one of the biggest tourist attractions, there is not even a Bollywood theme park in Mumbai's Film City.
And now word comes in, that Dubai has beaten Mumbai to it, and will open doors to its own Bollywood theme park this October. An area known as 'Bollywood Boulevard,' which will feature various filmy attractions; restaurants known as 'Rock On!' and 'Mughal-e-Azam', a ride called 'Sholay, The Hunt for Gabbar' and even a Ferris wheel and carousel called the 'Lagaan Corner'.
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(Left to right) Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan
Interestingly, the park's promoters flew Aamir Khan in to shoot a promotional video. “The park owns the rights to Lagaan and Aamir recreated his famous scenes and dialogues from the hit film,” says a source. “They have also bought the rights to Salman's Dabangg, SRK's Ra.One and Hrithik's Krrish,” he adds. One more reason to visit Dubai soon.
Fashion's Juggernaut
We are almost embarrassed to confess that when the first Ensemble store opened its doors in 1987, we had been one of the first journos to document its launch. At that time Tarun Tahiliani's ground breaking paean to India's nascent fashion awakening, had featured designers like Rohit Khosla, Neil Bieff, Amaya, (of which Anil Kapoor's wife Sunita had been one part) and Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, who sold under the label Jashan. So it is only fitting, that when we spoke to Tina Tahiliani Parikh, Tarun's enterprising younger sister, about the store's imminent relaunch next week there was a whole lot of nostalgia and memories shared.
Tina Tahiliani Parikh, Monisha Jaising, Gaurav Gupta
The new, bigger, better store, all 8,000 feet of redesigned elegance by architects Bijoy Jain and Krupa Patel, is positioned as a one-stop, multi-level fashion haven, that will offer patrons the best of the Indian fashion under one roof, says Tahiliani Parikh. And keeping in mind the store's fondness for Indian textiles, handlooms and edgier silhouettes, the store will include new sections ranging from menswear to contemporary Indian and Western fashion, saris, a curated selection of fabrics, and even a larger space dedicated to accessories.
“Labels like Tilla, Maku, Pichu and Eka will feature in the contemporary section,” says Tina, “along with the store's blue chip roster of Monisha Jaising, Savio Jon, Varun Bahl, Gaurav Gupta and Sabyasachi Mukherjee.” Tina's personal design sensibility leans towards Asha Sarabhai, the Calico Museum in Ahmedabad and Isse Miyake.
Will you sell what is known as red carpet ball gowns, we ask, former financial analyst who did her the Masters in International Policy at Stanford University? “Err yes, we will keep.. ball gowns” she says, adding, “I suppose nearer to the 'Season.'” We can almost hear the shudder in her voice. We like!
Present Day Nostalgia
Mumbaikers of a certain vintage will know what a significant part of the city's nightlife, the Taj's coffee shop, Shamiana had been. Pre-Trattoria and the restobar nightclub phenomena, the cavernous ground floor eatery had been the go-to place for all manner of night owls and revellers post midnight.
Taljinder Singh
Over cappuccinos (and prawn curries and fish and chips), the city's best and brightest would be seen winding down and gearing up for the next day. For reasons mysterious, when new brooms swept through the hotel, they swept away the iconic coffee shop in whose place came the Zodiac Grill and the Starboard Bar.
No surprises then that news that the hotel is re-launching the Shamiana has been received with a great deal of excitement and nostalgia. The hotel's GM, the dapper Taljinder Singh, has been working round the clock and on site, to oversee its launch and next week is hosting a lunch to reintroduce it to the populace. “We invite you to experience the new Shamiana, re-imagined in every way. Brand new everything. Same old spot,” and fittingly the event is called Present Day Nostalgia.
The Good Neighbours
The month will witness a robust instalment of Oval Adda, the brainchild of city elder Gerson Da Cunha, publisher Padmini Mirchandani, and Ayesha (Poo) Sayani, a wondrous phenomena that has gripped residents of SoBo's famous Art Deco precinct, and involves like-minded neighbours engaging with each other in a congenial and stimulating manner towards mutual stimulation.
Gerson Da Cunha, Denzil Smith and Padmini Mirchandani
Its latest instalment features a rehearsal reading of Yasmina Reza's 'Art,' by theatre veterans DaCunha, Vijay Crishna, Farid Currim and Denzil Smith. And when you consider that two of the actors actually live cheek by jowl, in the Oval neighbourhood, that's a big thumb up for neighbourly spirit.
Dorji works for national happiness
We have never understood why unlike the Sikkim-born Danny Denzongpa, Kelly Dorji, the actor and erstwhile model, has not got his due in Bollywood. Like Denzongpa, Dorji has an innate refinement, and an interest in many activities besides movies.
Kelly Dorji being inducted in to the foundation by Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck
The actor, last seen as drug lord Nayak, in 'Power,' the 2014 Kannada film, has been displaying a growing interest in philanthropy and spirituality, and was inducted in to the Tarayana Foundation, working to uplift and enhance the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities in Bhutan recently.
Established in 2003 by Her Majesty the Queen, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, it will see the handsome and soft-spoken actor extend his influence and position to help the vulnerable and the disadvantaged help themselves.
And with his travel agency being actively involved in making Bhutan the number one biking destination in Asia, this alumnus of Xavier's College, Mumbai who got his break when Maureen Wadia discovered him at a Glad Rags contest, will have more reason to visit his beloved homeland where Gross National Happiness is of primary concern.
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