Last July, when chef Neelam Bajwa, Maitre D at Olive Bar and Kitchen, launched an LGBTQi bash at the Bandra restaurant, she was utterly disappointed at the turnout. Only 30 people showed up. "I was in tears because I was expecting a crowd of 150," recalls the third generation British Indian, who now lives in Mumbai.

The party was organised under the banner of Zsa Zsa Events (inspired by Hungarian-American actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor), that she founded to host LGBTQi events for the "discerning client". The idea was to provide a safe, secure and "non-sleazy" haven for the queer community. Considering it was prior to the September 2018 verdict on Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), decriminalising homosexuality, she had to go easy on the promotions. These were limited to an Instagram page she had created, which had only a few followers. "Owner AD Singh had given us the go-ahead. We asked our regular guests if they would have reservations if the venue hosted a party for the queer community. Though we got a go-ahead from them, we kept it low key to avoid any drama," she says. "But, I knew it was only a matter of time before we became better known."