Sonali’s Society: Spicy stories ahead

There is an energy about her that is magnetic. She mixes shawls with her pop colour glasses and bags, and brings a chic, understated confidence to everything she does. And her hair… I’m obsessed.”

Fiery drama, bottled!

Lalit K Modi

I’ve had several requests this past week from those in my circle (celebrated couturiers included) to turn up the heat on this page. Always one to oblige, here’s a fiery story — though the flames may be more literal than scandalous. Having faced so much heat over the years, it seems self-proclaimed “fugitive” Lalit Modi still has an appetite for more. Friends tell us you’ll often find a plastic pouch packed with fresh green chillies in Lalit’s pocket, especially when he’s heading out to eat. Apparently, the IPL founder is so obsessed with his piquant passion that he’s birthing a brand based on it. Of course, every empire needs its accomplice, and for this venture, Lalit has lined up Lorenzo Fasola Bologna — the dashing heir of Castello Monte Vibiano in Umbria, Italy. Already associated with some of the world’s best-loved boutique wines and olive oil, Lorenzo will now produce a selection of special chilli oils for the mercurial Mr Modi. With preorders for LK Chilli apparently pouring in, it seems Lalit can conjure up condiments as deftly as drama.

Scene-stealers in the stalls

Ashutosh Gowariker and Farah Khan

Imagine rushing to catch a regular evening film screening and somehow stumbling into a constellation of stars — half the night sky casually queuing for popcorn beside us. This was exactly the scene at Jio World Drive’s Maison PVR the night O’ Romeo released. Luscious lead actress Triptii Dimri had invited a handful of her nearest and dearest to watch the romantic action thriller, but the glamour didn’t stop with her guest list. There were two other famous faces in the audience who appeared to enjoy the film, and they weren’t present on Dimri’s invitation. Dying to know who we spotted? Filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker and Farah Khan — without her trusty sidekick Dilip. I wonder what director Vishal Bhardwaj would make of that.

Winning hearts and headlines

Basil Joseph

An awards function had cinema stalwarts out en masse on Wednesday. From Karan Johar and Kareena Kapoor to Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, and Anil Kapoor, a veritable bouquet of Bollywood’s finest filled a banquet hall at a plush midtown hotel on the night. Amazingly then, in this ocean of A-listers, it was a pint-sized actor-director from down South who stole the show. Take a bow Basil Joseph — now the talk of the town for his authentic, soul-stirring award acceptance speech. “He was so refreshingly real,” we are told, “that you couldn’t help but love him.

Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor and Anil Kapoor

All evening people kept telling him, ‘You look so good,’ and he would reply with, ‘You look good too.’ Then a lissom lady said, ‘I love you,’ and pat came his response, ‘I love you too.’ It took him a moment to realise that was the wrong reply, so he bashfully retracted. It was adorable.” Taking selfies on stage and leaving his glamourous audience in splits, Basil walked away with more than an award — he won hearts. So much so that the entire Saiyaara crew gave Joseph a standing ovation. Casting director Shanoo Sharma, making a rare appearance with the Yash Raj Films team, cheered too. Amongst the industry’s most influential gatekeepers, it’s a significant coup that she stood. Suddenly, more doors look poised to open.