HIGH PRIESTESSES...
Zarine Khan, the warm hostess with the mostest loving family, has parties that rock unto the wee hours at her exquisitely done up Juhu bungalow. What I find extra special is how her full family joins in, spreading graciousness and warm hospitality.
Zarine is a master at presenting her characteristic menu that is often drawn from husband Sanjay Khan’s family repertoire of Persian and Mughlai fare, blended with her own Parsi favourites that guests look forward to. Just this weekend at a dinner at her home for a sheikh, no sooner was dinner announced than every guest promptly went to her table directly where a delectable feast was served in the best china, and the table dressed with elegant candelabras and exquisite cutlery and glassware.
At another such dinner, a sheikh from the UAE had jumped into the pool fully clothed, followed closely by Gauri Khan and her husband Shah Rukh Khan, and soon even Zarine and Sanjay were pulled in, champagne glasses in hand, and everyone laughing uproariously! Such joie de vivre makes for an unforgettable evening.
Apart from the Bollywood set, her guest list includes society A-listers, politicians and international personalities. And it is all enhanced by a star hostess with warmth and a sharp eye for detail, son Zahid playing the DJ, and daughter Farah Khan Ali’s photographic skills making
everyone strike a pose.
Gauri Khan is acclaimed for her dos as an accomplished host using her beautiful interiors, her flair and her husband’s charisma as assets to throw some of the best orchestrated parties. Her Id dinner parties are a talking point and the larger than life bungalow ‘Mannat’ adds to the aura of it all.
Gautam and Nawaz Singhania’s memorable parties go on and onto the next day — on cruises that waft one away from reality and the bustle and buzz of Mumbai in their luxury yachts. Lazily sailing across calm seas. Every service at hand, attendants in stellar livery circulating with long glasses of colourful cocktails. And of course, the inimitable attention of Nawaz is exemplary. The food always beyond compare leaving guests wondering at the degree of organisation they orchestrate even at sea.
TWINKLE KHANNA
Twinkle Khanna, known for being Akshay Kumar’s strongest asset, is an ace at hosting stylish intimate dinners for friends and business associates. It is known that he is proud to call his acquaintances and associates home rather than at a five star venue, and his gorgeous mother-in-law Dimple has a reputation for style and elegant entertaining as she adds to the evenings that are said to be low profile and small dinners.
DEEPAK & SMITA PAREKH
Deepak and Smita Parekh’s parties — especially their special themed Christmas parties — are nothing if not enchanting. They stand tall in the party circuit and their Christmas brunch is famed as a splendorous afternoon that stretches into the evening with the cuisine starting with aakuris and a plethora of egg preparations extending to croissants and chaats for tea to champagne and caviar sundowners at seven in the evening. Guests fly in from London and New York for this fairytale-like extravaganza that takes over almost the entire Taj Mahal Hotel.
Shilpa Shetty has always been a warm hospitable friend for years, but today when I see her post marriage, she has taken on the elegant homemaker and hostess role like a duck to water. At her sprawling Juhu bungalow with manicured gardens, her dinners are carefully constructed to enthrall guests. This new ‘kid’ on the block plays host to Bollywood’s most endearing lot from Madhavan, Ash and Abhishek, Amitabh sometimes to Sridevi and Boney, and Harman Baweja. A long bar, intimate corner seatings, super attentive hosts Shilpa and her husband Raj Kundra ensure that each guest is cared for. Her Diwali party is the talk of town with the city’s wannabes vying for an invitation.