01 May,2026 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker Kamat
Rekha
Perhaps the most compelling pick for a âTimeless Beauty' is the mononymous Rekha, and this week she is Chitrangada Singh's chosen icon. Calling the legend the "quintessential Hindi film heroine," Chitrangada finds herself floored by Rekha's ability to deliver "restrained, natural performances" that remain just as compelling today as they were decades ago. Naturally, the actress confesses that Umrao Jaan remains her all-time favourite film. It is a choice that underscores a simple truth: true cinematic immortality isn't just about the glamour, but a performance style that never goes out of fashion.
The Met Gala is only days away and the âWintour of our discontent' chatter is at an all-time high, but let's be real: until the red carpet rolls out, we're all just breathlessly waiting to see who survives the stairs!
Deepika Padukone at the Met Gala in 2018
While critics claim the Met is losing its edge, we can assure you the Indian contingent is sharp enough to cut through the noise. Leading the pack is Isha Ambani, who we hear is likely to be draped in Gaurav Gupta. While the designer himself is skipping the NYC madness, his sculptural wizardry will keep him there in spirit.
Taking his place in the flesh is Mumbai's sartorial sovereign Manish Malhotra, who isn't just dressing the A-list - he's walking the carpet himself in what we expect to be a masterclass in this year's âFashion is Art' theme. Then there's the Deepika Padukone dilemma. She's a regular, but this year the spotlight isn't just on her gown - it's on her glow.
Manish Malhotra
Having just confirmed her second pregnancy on April 19 with that adorable photo of baby Dua, a âpregnancy debut' on the Met steps would be the ultimate power move. And Ranveer Singh? He's left us in a âwill he, won't he' spiral.
We know he's currently in New York and plans to remain abroad for the next few weeks, but whether he makes his formal debut remains the season's best-kept secret. If he does show up, in true Singh style, it won't just be a debut - it will be a takeover. After all, if the stairs don't break the internet, we can always trust a Bollywood power couple to do the job.
In the air-conditioned sanctuary of the VIP box, where even a hair flip is often choreographed and the diamonds usually outshine the floodlights, Wednesday night gave us something far more relatable: raw emotion. Seeing Nita Ambani teary-eyed as the Mumbai Indians' campaign hit yet another snag was the ultimate unmasked moment.
Nita Ambani
Clearly there's more than moolah associated with the game for some franchise owners - the sentimental Mrs Ambani is not alone. Dallas Mavericks' main man Mark Cuban - everyone's favourite Shark Tank firebrand - has made a career out of weeping over NBA championships and screaming at referees, but seeing that same vulnerability at the Wankhede feels different. It's a serious shift from the poised âFirst Lady of Cricket' to a founder watching her blue-and-gold empire face a glitch in the Matrix, and it comes with an authenticity that doesn't feel packaged.
Preity Zinta, the reigning queen of dugout drama and dimpled heartbreak, clearly has a contemporary in the âowners who actually care' club. Sometimes âbeing invested' looks messy, ladies, but we love you more for it.
Pratik Gandhi, my personal favourite âScam' star, celebrated his birthday on Wednesday - not with the flamboyance of his âBig Bull' character, but in his own inimitable style. A quiet day at home was his single-point agenda, and it began with a "wholesome" workout. A temple visit followed - his local holy haunt is Juhu Haveli - and then it was time for cake.
Pratik Gandhi
As greetings poured in, so did the presents, many arriving covered in frosting. At some point, the fridge staged a protest, as did Pratik's mum. "I had to send out a frantic SOS to the group chat, begging everyone to stop sending dessert," the actor laughs. Though this isn't a milestone birthday, it is poised to be a milestone year for Pratik, with his Gandhi biopic due for release. It's the right time for the Mahatma, we agree, and we're not just talking about the TV series at this point.
"The war and the world take up a lot of my mind space," Pratik confesses, and he doesn't intend to sound like a pageant contestant when he wishes for world peace - he means it with the utmost sincerity. "I have a 12-year-old and I wonder what the future holds for her. All this hostility⦠where are we headed?" Hopefully into a better and brighter year, not just for the actor, but for the world he so thoughtfully observes.
