05 May,2026 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker Kamat
Pic/Special Arrangement
Sunil Gavaskar turns âshutterbug' for the definitive Sachin trinity on Sunday: Khedekar, Tendulkar, and Pilgaonkar in one frame. Playing both party host and photographer, the little master captures this rare convergence - spanning both the pitch and the stage - for posterity
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar's annual bash has long since proven that his guest list isn't restricted to the pitch. His circle of friends extends well beyond the proverbial boundary line of the willow game, and this was reiterated on Sunday evening at The Indus Club in BKC, as guests like Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff, and Atul Kasbekar held court, alongside cricketing royalty including Sachin Tendulkar, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, and Ravi Shastri.
Jackie Shroff, Aamir Khan, and Sachin Tendulkar
Explaining to our in-house cricket nut that he and Aamir go way back, Gavaskar added that one of the most memorable moments from his gatherings came during a previous edition. Apparently, Amitabh Bachchan was once genuinely starstruck meeting golden great Chandu Borde, reminiscing about watching the Pune stalwart smash 109 and 96 against the West Indies in 1959. Even the Big B, it seems, has his heroes.
Back to the night in question though: the bar was well-stocked (with âThe Little Master Martini' and âSunny's Straight Drive') and the spread was handsome, but the real conversation starter was a dish labelled âNana's Special Mutton.' One couldn't help but wonder if the recipe was a direct contribution from Nana Patekar himself, who was mingling merrily just a few feet away from the buffet.
And on the subject of food, when a friend asked Tendulkar if he'd actually eaten dinner yet, he gestured to the crowd and quipped, "This is dinner," implying that being around his mates was a feast in itself. There are many wonderful ways to savour a Sunday evening, but those in attendance at this soiree would say in unison, "No better way than this."
The Indian fashion takeover of the West is officially in full swing, with two standout names leading the charge. Natasha Poonawalla kicked things off at the King's Trust Gala in New York City on April 29, proving once again that she is the undisputed queen of avant-garde tradition. Draped in a striking Arpita Mehta ensemble, she brought the soul of Bengal to the Big Apple with intricate Kantha embroidery. It wasn't just an outfit - it was a high-fashion manifesto styled to perfection by Rhea Kapoor.
Isha Ambani and Natasha Poonawalla
Not to be outdone, Isha Ambani arrived at the Met Gala pre-party on May 1 in a custom Manish Malhotra x Swadesh masterpiece that was essentially a handstitched history lesson. Crafted over 450 hours, her âbandage dress' featured 26 distinct borders representing every corner of India - from Parsi gara to Banarasi brocade.
If you are wondering why these moments matter, it's because they go far beyond fashion. In a landscape that often borrows without credit, Natasha and Isha are reclaiming the narrative - placing our craftsmanship, history, and identity firmly at the centre of global style. These aren't just red-carpet wins; they're cultural mic drops - unapologetically Indian and impossible to ignore.
While most folks spent weeks obsessing over which Bollywood icons would grace the Metropolitan Museum's steps, the real tea is that India didn't just attend the Met Gala - it literally laid the groundwork. Before a single stiletto or custom gown touched the floor, Kerala had already stolen the show.
Sivan Santhosh and Nimisha Srinivas
Forget the guest list - we're talking about the 6,840 square meters of sheer craftsmanship underfoot. Manufactured by Neytt in Alappuzha, this wasn't just any rug. Marking their fourth year providing the foundation for fashion's biggest night, it took 500 artisans and 90 days of meticulous weaving to create the 57 rolls of sustainable sisal matting required.
Sourced from Madagascar and perfected in Cherthala by Sivan Santhosh, Nimisha Srinivas, and their talented team, this carpet had to be flawless - because when you're the stage for global icons, there's zero room for a loose thread. So, stay pressed about the guest list if you must, but remember: India didn't just walk the Met carpet, we made it.
Forget the overpriced âashrams' and âsilent retreats' where you pay six figures to sit on a burlap sack. For the A-list, true zen isn't found in a crystal - it's found in the quirks.
Salman Khan and his âSukh'
Take Salman Khan, the man who can trigger a box-office riot with a mere flick of his wrist. Where does he find his centre? In the wag of a tail, as we learned over the weekend. He calls a quiet moment with his dog, "Sukh," which is as much a state of mind as it is the dog's actual name. And I'm not surprised - the only creature who isn't asking Salman for a sequel is likely a Chow Chow!
Then there's Mira Kapoor, who defined "heaven on earth" as an escape to her mother's house on Sunday. It's the ultimate sanctuary where the kids are suddenly someone else's problem and she can change her food order at the last minute without a judgment in sight.
And Twinkle Khanna? She's ready to trade her mattress for a view. "I'd give up my bedroom but never my balcony," she confessed last week, and we get it. True luxury is being able to court the sun without having to court the crowd. In the world of the famous, calm clearly isn't a state of mind - it's a specific location where no one is asking for a selfie.
