shot-button

Sonali's Society

Updated on: 23 March,2026 09:29 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Sonali Velinker Kamat | mailbox@mid-day.com

The date dilemma didn’t dampen the occasion, if anything, it amplified the festive spirit

Sonali's Society

Pic/Shadab Khan

Listen to this article
Sonali's Society
x
00:00

Backstage Pass

Finding their footing, literally, actors Kalki Koechlin and Siddhant Chaturvedi turn rehearsals into a full-blown main character moment at Lakme Fashion Week on Sunday


Fort-ified in glamour



Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali threw open the doors to her new store in Fort on Eid — a happy accident, as we hear it. Farah tells yours truly she actually intended to launch her boutique over three days — between March 19 and March 21 — but approved the invite without her reading glasses on!

Ekta Raheja
Ekta Raheja

The date dilemma didn’t dampen the occasion, if anything, it amplified the festive spirit. Farah’s family was the first to show up in support: dad Sanjay Khan, brother Zayed with wife Malaika, Fardeen Khan with mum Sundari, sister Sussanne, cousin Laila, and a handful of next gens. 

Co-host Ekta Raheja looked lovely in a pale-yellow outfit, accessorised with some of Farah’s finest emerald pieces, and made it a point to mingle with as many guests as possible. Also in attendance were Shweta Bachchan-Nanda, Tanya Godrej, Tarun Tahiliani, singer Sukhbir, Sushmita Sen, Zoya Akhtar, Seema Sajdeh, Rekha, Poonam Dhillon, Bobby Deol and wife Tania, Anna Singh, Bhairavi Jaikishan, Kim Sharma, and Dia Mirza.

In selfie mode: Ayesha Shroff, Anna Singh, Shaina NC, Prerna Goel, and Farah Khan
In selfie mode: Ayesha Shroff, Anna Singh, Shaina NC, Prerna Goel, and Farah Khan

Several lovely ladies dropped by after attending Manish Malhotra’s mum’s memorial, most notable among them being Twinkle Khanna — who threw a bejewelled black jacket over the outfit she wore to the prayer meeting, appearing perfectly poised for both. As if that weren’t enough, two Thackerays — Aaditya and aunt Sharmila — added extra sparkle to an already glam gathering. Star-studded, family-approved, and undeniably exclusive — Farah’s launch sparkled in every sense.

From rink to riches

Long before she became a World Cup-winning cricket star, Jemimah Rodrigues was a state-level hockey player — zipping across the rink with dreams bigger than the scoreboard. Malad knew her hustle back then; the world was just late to the party.

Ronnie D’Souza and Jemimah Rodrigues
Ronnie D’Souza and Jemimah Rodrigues

Over the weekend came a full-circle moment — with a twist. Ronnie D’Souza, Uncle’s Kitchen United rink hockey team owner and one of her earliest supporters, made his way to Goregaon to meet Jemimah on set. That’s where she handed him an autographed Team India jersey — less a gift, more a quiet thank you. Because when Jemimah was dropped from the ODI squad in 2022, she didn’t disappear — she returned to the rink. 

At Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana, she turned out for UK United and smashed a hat-trick, reminding everyone exactly who she was. Ronnie never forgot it. Fast forward to 2026, having scripted history with an unbeaten 127 against Australia. New stage, same roots — and she’s still looking back with gratitude.

Dining with a diva

One may have expected Alia Bhatt to shine among the stars at Farah’s store launch, but it was mum Soni Razdan who made a brief appearance. Keeping things characteristically cool, the veteran actress shared warm greetings with a few close friends before making a swift, discreet exit from the boutique.

Soni Razdan
Soni Razdan

Not content to call it a night, though, Razdan traded the store’s spotlight for a quiet dinner at the exclusive Breach Candy Club thereafter. Proving once again that while the kids are out collecting likes, the legends are still collecting the best tables in the city.

The weekend that was

It has been quite a weekend in our fair city, marked by Eid and a host of other activities — both solemn and festive. Saturday, in particular, brought Bandra streets to a standstill as crowds gathered outside Galaxy for a glimpse of the season’s biggest star, Salman Khan.

Salman Khan
Salman Khan

In the absence of his annual Eid film release, the show shifted to his suburban home, with father Salim Khan leading the cast. Seated in a wheelchair and surrounded by his family, the nonagenarian acknowledged the waiting crowd with a gentle wave — a moment that felt particularly poignant, given his recent hospitalisation.

Not far away, in Santacruz, the film fraternity turned up in full to pay their respects on the passing of Manish Malhotra’s mother, Sudarshan. From Kajol and Ajay Devgn to Urmila Matondkar, David Dhawan, Gauri Khan, and Vicky Kaushal, the turnout stood as testament to the warmth and goodwill Manish commands in the industry. Taken together, the weekend was a reminder of what defines Mumbai — its remarkable capacity for both collective joy and shared grief.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Did you find this article helpful?

Yes
No

Help us improve further by providing more detailed feedback and stand a chance to win a 3-month e-paper subscription! Click Here

Note: Winners will be selected via a lucky draw.

Help us improve further by providing more detailed feedback and stand a chance to win a 3-month e-paper subscription! Click Here

Note: Winners will be selected via a lucky draw.

guide mumbai mumbai guide weekend guide things to do in mumbai

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK