No star tantrums this time

My NEWS readers are relieved that Sheetal Mafatlal now out on bail did not indulge in any hysterical drama and ask for home food

My NEWS readers are relieved that Sheetal Mafatlal now out on bail did not indulge in any hysterical drama and ask for home food

The arrest of Page 3 socialite Sheetal Mafatlal, by the customs authorities upon her arrival from London by the British Airways for carrying undeclared jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh and expensive designer items has come as a shock. Sheetal claimed that the jewellery was old and not bought from London, but the customs officers refused to believe her.

Arrested: On Sunday, Sheetal Mafatlal was arrested at the Mumbai Airport on arrival from London for carrying undeclared jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh. file pic

An ongoing family feud has also been reported to have been behind the suspected tip-off by a family member that led to the arrest.

Now that she has been released on bail, Sheetal'su00a0husband Atulya Mafatlal must not take the matter lying down. He should initiate appropriate action against the family member responsible for plotting Sheetal's arrest.

The arrest could also be termed as a diabolical game played by the concerned members of the Mafatlal family out of frustration.

Good girl
The story published in MiD DAY on June 9, From Harrods to Horror illustrates that there is something about celebrities that evokes the Jekyll and Hyde in us common folk. Most of us including the hypocrites who sanctimoniously declare that money is not important to them would trade places with them in a flash, if given the opportunity.

It is one thing to criticise the lifestyles of the rich and famous and affect contempt for their superficial niceties like air kissing and party hopping, but almost all of us would grab that very lifestyle if it were offered to us.

In short, someone like Sheetal Mafatlal engenders feelings of envy and aspiration in all of us. Conversely, when a socialite like her is brought down as yesterday when she was arrested for evading customs duties we feel a quiet satisfaction at the spectacle of one of them getting her comeuppance for the habitual arrogance and condescension displayed towards the less privileged.

Surprisingly, Sheetal did not throw any tantrums. She did not shed a single tear and nor did she demand home food.