FAME IN THE FRAME
They came, they walked the carpets, they spoke and they made a difference. They also struck a pose for India Today Group Photo Editor, Bandeep Singh. A look at the famous faces who lit up Conclave 2018
STAR SISTERS
Resplendent and captivating, the superstar Kapoor sisters, Kareena and Karisma, commanded all eyes as they strutted onstage and talked about films, khandaan, nepotism in Bollywood and, of course, motherhood. Although “by the grace of God” both had great careers, their famous family hardly helped them. “We may be somebody’s children or grandchildren, but once you are on that silver screen, you are just anybody,” contended Karisma. Their children are their most precious jewels, now, despite the pain of public interest in their offsprings. “Every day, my son Taimur’s moves are monitored on social media. He’s just 14 months old,” said Kareena.
SABYA SHOW
For ace designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee (left), nobody is more stylish than Rekha. That’s because of her matchless sense of self. “Individualism is the next big luxury,” said the man responsible for revolutionising India’s ethnic fashion scene. Precisely why his favourite customer is the one who doesn’t care about his brand. Mukherjee also praised Rahul Gandhi’s “great aesthetics” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s style: “He knows how to put things together”.
NAEEM CUT
Trendy is a word Naeem Khan doesn’t like. “To me, classic is important,” said the Indian-American designer, known for his intricately detailed gowns, much favoured by women in the spotlight, Michelle Obama to Kate Middleton. Chaos of colours and vibrant embroideries are India’s natural heritage, he pointed out.
SHUTTLE QUEEN
Winning a silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics may have changed her life but she is still the same, said P. V. Sindhu, world’s No. 4 badminton player. What’s her mantras? First, practice makes perfect. Second, a no-sugar diet. And third, no phones.
MATCH STROKE
Kidambi Srikanth is fast becoming the man to beat in world badminton. And with four Super Series titles, 2017 was truly a dream year for Indian badminton’s blueeyed boy. “India is the only nation to actually have five men singles players in the top 20,” he said. “India really has the potential.”
RUPI FACTOR
Instagram poet, social media activist, menstruation-themed photo series artist, bestselling author, Rupi Kaur of Canada performed “spoken word poetry”, a potpourri of sexuality, heartbreak, love, loss, racism and revolution. “I want to apologise to all the women I have called pretty before I have called them intelligent or brave,” confessed the young woman, who has been banned, censored and celebrated in equal measure.
THE ROASTERS
Comedians Tanmay Bhat and Rohan Joshi of All India Bakchod, or AIB, may keep us laughing during their shows, but they have stopped laughing at the funny shows on television today. With a string of digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Alt Balaji entering the fray, the traditional TV medium seems to be dying a slow death, they said. “Earlier, kids didn’t have much choice, but today they can watch anything and anybody. For us, it has provided a bigger cinematic canvas,” said Joshi. “AIB wouldn’t have survived in the old set-up,” felt Bhat.