Desi Girl, Global Footprint

Janhvi Kapoor

Brands announce ambassadors so frequently, it barely qualifies as news anymore. But that wasn’t the case when New Balance picked Janhvi Kapoor to represent them in India recently. Even though the Bollywood belle was picked to be the face of the footwear giant only for the local market, it was US-based publication Women’s Wear Daily that broke the story. To call it the ‘Priyanka factor’ would be myopic, yet it is clear that Indian film celebrities are increasingly regarded as noteworthy on the global stage. More power to our desi girls — may they rule the world. 

Bowled Bya Blunder

The lack of respect for history and legacy in cricketing circles is often rued by our in-house cricket nut. The latest misdemeanour is mounted on Marine Drive for all to see: a signboard for Wankhede Stadium spelt ‘Wankhade’. Logos of the Mumbai Police Traffic Control Branch and the Mumbai Cricket Association appear at the bottom, suggesting one or both parties have authorised the signage. To be fair, this is an unintended gaffe — yet so many feathers have been ruffled. One such ruffled party is the legendary Barrister Sheshrao Wankhede’s daughter, Ramola Wankhede Mahajani. Her gentle request is only for the erroneous board to be replaced. Here’s hoping the authorities act swiftly.

The show must go on

Manish Malhotra

He is well known for hosting super-glam A-list parties and being the go-to designer for so many Bollywood beauties, but it is something else entirely that makes Manish Malhotra really special. The quiet, solid foundation on which his fashion dominance is built is unwavering commitment.  Back in the day, his interns told tales of reporting to work in the wee hours of the morning. Decades since, Manish continues to excel with undiminished passion. This week we hear the designer’s mother has been quite ill. Despite the obvious personal stress, Manish kept his commitment to close Dubai Fashion Week with a spectacular show on February 6. He flew in just for a day, returning to be by his mother’s side after the show. Now that she is home from the hospital, and surrounded by her nearest and dearest, we trust she will have a speedy recovery.

Plating up a new chapter

Mishali Sanghani and Ammar Moiz

For over a decade, Mishali Sanghani’s Pali Bhavan has been a Bandra institution. With its vintage maximalist vibe, it delivered charm in spades, alongside divine Indian food. At year-end, it quietly downed its shutters — but not without an unofficial last hurrah. Saying goodbye the night we happened to dine there, were Malaika Arora, her dishy rumoured beau Harsh Mehta, and designer Vikram Phadnis. “We made an announcement on Instagram, and people started to call us out of panic,” Mishali confesses. Thankfully, when one door closes, another opens and, in this case, perhaps two. Within a week of closing in Bandra, the eatery welcomed regulars to their new outpost in Churchgate. Located in the iconic building that is home to Eros Cinema, the new Pali Bhavan is a “grown-up version” of the suburban OG. In addition, plans are afoot to open in Dubai. Could it have something to do with Sheikh Hamdan’s whistle-stop visit to the restaurant when he was in Mumbai in April 2025? It never hurts to have the Crown Prince as a patron, but this move may have more to do with the fact that Mishali and her co-owner husband Ammar Moiz now live in that dazzling city. Either way, when it happens, Dubai will be richer for it.

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