Sonali's Society: Selfie squad

Ever since this column launched last week, people have been calling me to share all sorts of salacious gossip — most too provocative to print. Tales of an A-list actor whose son is gay, and another A-list star who swings both ways, have been conveyed by multiple khabris. Don’t hold your breath for names; this is not that sort of space. I’d like your daily nuggets delivered saucy, not spiteful — isn’t there already enough out there to give us indigestion? And more importantly, aren’t we over obsessing about sexuality in this day and age? Please, people, do whatever floats your boat. You’ll have neither shade nor shame from me.

Love aaj kal

Sima Taparia

Even three years after Smriti Mundhra’s binge-worthy Indian Matchmaking last aired, the show’s leading lady ‘Sima from Mumbai’ is still very much in demand. The ‘aunty’ from our fair city is currently in the UK, enthralling eager college students at events hosted by the Indian National Students Association UK and a handful of other organisations. Sima Taparia had a packed house in stitches on campus at the University of Warwick on February 12, with shows in London and Manchester to follow. So strong is Sima’s connect with this crowd that this is her second UK campus tour — her first was around Valentine’s Day in 2024. Proof that while love may be complicated, Sima Aunty’s fanbase is decidedly sorted.

Homes for stars, streets for all

Between building spectacular homes for the rich and famous, including brother John Abraham’s Bandra pad, architect Alan Abraham pours himself into a passion project: envisioning and executing a better city for all. Few put their money where their mouth is quite like Alan, who hosted a thought-provoking exhibition titled The Everyday City: H/W Ward Reimagined at The Bombay Art Society last week.

Alan Abraham (centre) with Jackie Shroff (right) at the inauguration of The Everyday City exhibition in Bandra last week. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

“It was a modest event — entirely self-driven, with zero sponsorship,” the unassuming but absolutely brilliant Alan tells us, ruing the dichotomy of a city where fabulous homes dot a landscape that often doesn’t deliver on the basics. “We’re not the grumblers, we’re the doers,” he adds, and we know this to be true. 

Consumed by the need for cleaner, more thoughtful public spaces, Alan has worked tirelessly on urban design and research for the past 15 years, leveraging private clients for the greater good. Not surprisingly, it was ‘client’ Jackie Shroff who did the honours — inaugurating the exhibition on February 12. Alan’s firm is responsible for the design of two gyms for Krishna and Tiger Shroff, as well as their family home in Khar. “There was no better man for the job,” says Alan of Jackie, who is quite the eco-warrior. 

Wearing a thriving plant in a pendant around his neck, Jackie explored the exhibition, before gifting away his green accessory to Alan’s lovely wife Anca. And, from what we hear, apna bhidu paused to share watering instructions too! One pendant at a time, one ward at a time — the city might just bloom yet.

Plated with panache

For decades a doyenne of Mumbai’s fashion scene, Sangita Kathiwada continues to amaze us. Despite starting the year with a fall and fracture, the pint-sized powerhouse keeps up the pace. This comes weeks before it’s official, but in early March Sangita kicks off a regular community dining experience at her Kathiwada City House in Worli. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘community’ — this is where the well-heeled come to mingle.

Sangita Kathiwada

“The first sit-down dinner will be for 20 to 30 patrons and friends — people who have been visiting us for years,” says Sangita, whose niece Aditi Dugar of Masque will manage the meal. Regularly ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Masque has already earned its stripes, so expect the exceptional. On the subject of one niece, let’s talk about another. “I was in Jodhpur for the launch of my niece Urvashi Singh’s book, Kesariya: An Ode to the Karamsot Rathores of Kheenvsar, when I took a tumble,” Sangita tells us. 

It was quite a night, with HH Maharani Hemlata Rajye of Jodhpur unveiling the book, and Sangita, as expected, was decked out in a stunning sari. “I slipped at the fort. Fortunately, the event was over,” she adds. “It was a blip to remind me to be more aware.” With better self-care on her agenda, Sangita has jetted off to Chiva-Som for some world-class Thai-style wellness. She will be back in time to serve up haute cuisine and high fashion in Mumbai next month. Fizz, forks, and fabulousness — all set.

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