Mumbai Diary: Sunday Dossier

Celebrity problems

We finally decided to brave the crowds and head to H&M's first city store at a Lower Parel mall. And guess who had a similar plan? Director-choreographer-TV host Farah Khan (who has lost oodles of weight, by the way). As she stood in line at the billing counter, gradually heads began to turn. One enthusiastic lady, after confirming with Farah that she was in fact, Farah, even took a selfie. Ah, Mumbai life.

The Sound of Silence

Earlier this month, Coke Studio Pakistan released a heartwarming clip that that had the world sit up. The live studio-based music show, which is in its ninth season and is helmed by ace Pakistani band Strings (Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood), showcased new technology - a vibrating couch with LED lights - so that those with hearing disability can also experience the music. What's interesting is that the organisers have built an entirely new studio, Coke Studio for the Deaf, which uses this technology. We thought it would be the perfect time to chat up with producers Kapadia and Maqsood. Well, they didn't turn down this diarist's request, but remained elusive.

We learnt from an insider that the idea wasn't really theirs and they didn't want to hog credit that wasn't due. It seems like the men of great music also happen to be men of ethics.

Hang on, I'm almost done

At the promotion of his upcoming film produced by Sohail Khan (left) held on Saturday at a Lower Parel hotel, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui seemed intent on looking his best for the shutterbugs. Pic/Atul Kamble

Sunny days in Trinidad
India's batting legend Sunil Gavaskar named a chapter (Trinidad, I love you!) in his .autobiography, Sunny Days, for good reason. It's his favourite venue in the Caribbean and his average at the Queen's Park Oval where he played on India's 1970-71, 1975-76 and 1982-83 tours is 99.13 in five Trinidad Tests.

Sunil Gavaskar being lifted by Trinidadian cricket enthusiast Roodal Mahelal after the Indian opener's double century at Queen's Park Oval in April 1971. Pic courtesy/Gavaskar - Potrait of a Hero by Clifford Narinesingh

Our Kolkata-based correspondent Debasish Datta informs us that Gavaskar was invited as guest speaker for a function to celebrate the Queen's Park Oval Cricket Club's 125th anniversary. Brian Lara, the prince of Trinidad, was expected at the event too.

Gavaskar not only made his debut on this ground in 1971, he also scored his first double century in the fifth and final Test there in the same year. We found a rare photograph of the young Gavaskar in mufti being carried by cricket enthusiast Roodal Mahelal after that second innings double century effort. It must be stressed that Gavaskar scored 124 in the first innings, so it was Sunny all the way.

Desperately seeking Ash
On a wet Mumbai evening, we were at a Todi Mills eatery, when we noticed four gentlemen sitting at the next table, having a few drinks. Why we noticed them was because one kept asking, "So, what's up with Aishwarya now?"

Aishwarya Rai

When we saw who the question was directed at, we understood why. It was ad guru Prahlad Kakkar, who was Ash's neighbour before she became Mrs Bachchan and moved to Jalsa, and directed her in ads including her famed ‘Hi, I am Sanjana' Pepsi commercial. His friends kept repeating the question, and he kept tactfully skirting it. Well, now, even we want to know what Ash is up to.

Prahlad Kakkar

Good in abundance

It's not often that actors are candid about the stuff they are asked to do for PR. Which is why when Shaad Randhawa talked about why he started his video series #TyaagIsAbundance, we felt like fresh air had hit us. The 37-year-old actor tells us that when his team was strategising a new plan, he figured he should use the platform to do some good. So, for the last few weeks, he has been filming five-minute clips on the men and women who go about Mumbai silently, making a difference to the world. "Some teach kids on the roads, some feed animals. They are giving their time." A few videos have already been uploaded on Randhawa's FB page. With friends suggesting more names of such silent do-gooders, there are more to come.