<h2>Visarjan Vibes</h2>
Shilpa Shetty bids an energetic farewell to Lord Ganesha in Juhu on Tuesday.
<h2>Spotted in Transit</h2>
London seemed to be the setting of a mass exodus for Bollywood stars and their babies this summer, and though most are back in aamchi Mumbai, whispers continue to trickle in from Blighty. The latest is a sighting that appears to confirm a long-simmering rumour about a superstar&rsquo;s daughter and her beau, an heir to serious cinematic legacy. Our fly on the wall spotted the comely pair at Heathrow, waiting by the baggage carousel. If and when this romance finally goes Insta-official (and beyond), it won&rsquo;t just break the algorithm &mdash; it will officially unite two of the most gilded families in Indian cinema.
<h2>Bappa meets Bollywood</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Ritesh-ganpati_e.jpg" alt="Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, with their sons" width="1280" height="720" />Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh, with their sons
Mumbai&rsquo;s biggest celebrity arrived on Monday, in a flurry of flowers and festivities, for his annual homecoming. From Sachin Tendulkar to the inimitable Ambanis, marigolds and modaks abounded as Ganpati Bappa made his way into homes across the city. Mana, Athiya, Ahan, and Suniel Shetty welcomed Bappa for the very first time, with their deity arriving in an eco-friendly, gorgeous avatar.
At the Shroff residence, apna bhidu Jackie had his dog join the aarti, alongside wife Ayesha and daughter Krishna Shroff. Rashmika Mandanna had her cute cocker spaniel, Aura, join the aarti action as well, but no pooches were cuter than the two at the Tendulkar residence, dressed in glittering traditional jackets.
Over at Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh&rsquo;s home, it was a day for twinning &mdash; both boys and dad Riteish sported kurtas cut from the same fabric. At Shilpa Shetty&rsquo;s, Raj Kundra and son Viaan were twinning too. Celebrity sparkle aside, Mumbai saw devotion, family and a whole lot of festive flair on Monday &mdash; exactly as Bappa intended.
<h2>An Antilia welcome</h2>
There is no question that Mukesh and Nita Ambani do everything on a grand scale &mdash; and their Ganpati celebrations are no exception. Monday marked the beginning of their much-anticipated festivities, with the day unfolding in stages for guests ranging from Reliance employees and members of the media to an enviable roster of celebrities.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Radhika-Ambani_e.jpg" alt="Radhika Ambani" width="1280" height="720" /> Radhika Ambani
Orange was the colour of the day, with ushers at Antilia dressed in vibrant saffron kurtas, while the Ambani family embraced a palette of orange and pink. Matriarch Kokilaben Ambani, impeccably dressed for the occasion, paid her respects to the deity from her wheelchair. Earlier in the day, Anant Ambani and wife Radhika joined a group of priests for prayers. Radhika later changed from her orange ensemble into a jewel-toned pink Kanjeevaram silk by Manish Malhotra for an evening dance performance choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Madhuri-Nene_e.jpg" alt="Dr Shriram Nene and Madhuri Dixit" width="1280" height="720" /> Dr Shriram Nene and Madhuri Dixit
As the evening progressed, celebrity arrivals came thick and fast. Sachin Tendulkar and family made it into town after offering prayers at home, while Katrina Kaif and husband Vicky Kaushal&rsquo;s arrival caused a flutter. Karan Johar opted for an ivory Anamika Khanna ensemble for his appearance &mdash; unexpected for the day, but characteristically dapper. Also in attendance were Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra, Kajol and her kids, Kareena and Karisma Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and sister Nupur, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, and Madhuri Dixit in a stunning Patola sari. If Monday was any indication, the 10-day celebrations for Bappa are only set to get grander.
<h2>Still so lovely</h2>
Poignant stories have a way of turning up in all sorts of places, including the yellowing pages of old magazines. Among a trove of vintage periodicals we recently chanced upon a 1989 issue of Illustrated Weekly of India, carrying an interview with Neena Gupta, then a young Mumbai-based actress and a new mother.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/sep/Masaba-Gupta_e.jpg" alt="Neena and Masaba Gupta" width="1280" height="720" /> Neena and Masaba Gupta
The interview, conducted by the late editor Pritish Nandy, found Neena speaking candidly about the birth of her daughter, Masaba. She offered a straight bat to many of Nandy&rsquo;s questions and, to continue with the cricketing analogy, played a classy innings.
When asked about motherhood, Neena&rsquo;s response was disarmingly simple, &ldquo;I love it. It&rsquo;s not easy. But she&rsquo;s so lovely.&rdquo; Four decades on, the words have acquired an extra resonance. Masaba is a celebrated designer and public figure in her own right. But that fleeting glimpse of a mother, freshly discovering her daughter, remains tender and timeless.
The phrase &ldquo;so lovely&rdquo; also brings to mind Stevie Wonder&rsquo;s 1976 classic, Isn&rsquo;t She Lovely, written to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Aisha Morris. Different circumstances, different voices, but the same uncomplicated wonder at the arrival of a child.

Over at Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh's home, it was a day for twinning — both boys and dad Riteish sported kurtas cut from the same fabric.

Sonali`s Society: Shilpa Shetty`s visarjan vibes as Bappa meets Bollywood and Mumbai

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Over at Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh’s home, it was a day for twinning — both boys and dad Riteish sported kurtas cut from the same fabric.

Sonali's Society: Shilpa Shetty's visarjan vibes as Bappa meets Bollywood

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