Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Dossier

Hello India
Fashion designer Anita Dongre seems to be the choice for not just visiting royal ladies (the Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Mathilde of Belgium) but political royalty too. While it might have been difficult for many to look beyond the dashing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who is currently on tour of India with his family, First Lady Sophie Grégoire Trudeau looked radiant in an outfit by Dongre, in Gujarat. "I was happy to see how stunning she looked in our yellow chanderi suit. It's gratifying for me as a designer when a global personality like her chooses to wear us," Dongre told this diarist.

Celebrating freedom
The Indian presence at international film festivals seems to be getting stronger with every passing year. At the recently concluded Asians on Film festival in Los Angeles, which was started as a way to promote Asian American minorities in Hollywood and break down stereotypes, Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi (in pic) won the Best Cinematographer Award for A Crimson Man.

Directed by Mike Pappa, the film is inspired by science fiction writer Philip K Dick's work and explores the wounds of war through the eyes of a child. "Over the past few years, I have served as cinematographer in films of several genres including psychological thrillers, science fiction and fantasy. This has been incredibly exciting and has enabled me to explore a multitude of visual possibilities, and reach a diverse audience," Dehlvi told this diarist.

Born in a family of filmmakers, writers and artists (Dehlvi is celebrated artist Tyeb Mehta's grandson) in Delhi, he moved to Mumbai to study journalism at St Xavier's College before taking up work in the camera department of films including Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminey.

A sound heritage venue, this
It's not every day that Mumbai's culture buffs get to experience a live performance by a star at a heritage venue. Barring the odd concert at the Gateway [that is far less intimate] there is little to boast about.

Shubha Mudgal

Shubha Mudgal, accompanied by Aneesh Pradhan and their young colleagues Dnyaneshwar Sonawane, Shweta Deshpande and Dhaivat Mehta showcased the many forms of the Baramasa at the grand closing of India and the World: A History of Nine Stories exhibition at CSMVS's lawns.

As this diarist soaked in her renditions that wafted across the setting, it made us wonder - why not have more such events at this heritage venue? With the Banganga festival showing no signs of a return and the Elephanta festival a pale shadow of its earlier avatar, the city could do with another heritage venue on its calendar.

Jokes aside, pay up!
"We can't pay you but our event will give you exposure," is a line peddled to many a comedian speaking at educational institutions. But now, at least one stand-up comic has had enough of non-paid gigs to be forced to dish out some "free" advice.

Papa CJ took to Twitter yesterday to write a note to colleges that seek the services of comedians, without remuneration. "Thanks, but no thanks," is essentially the gist of what CJ had to say to these institutions, and if you ask us, such treatment being meted out to talented artistes is no laughing matter.

Trunk call
We learnt of another side to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday, when he along with wife Sophie and his cute-as-buttons kids decided to spend time at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura.

The first family petted and fed rescued Asian elephants that are now being taken care of by the NGO. In a video appeal, Trudeau speaks of the need to teach children about the importance of our wildlife and nature.

"As cities grow and populations increase we have to make sure we are taking care of elephants and other life that have been here forever and having to adjust to a world that is changing," he says. Despite it seeming like an elephantine task, coming from Trudeau, we think it's time to pay heed.

Pic/Shadab Khan

One look in the mirror
Rani Mukerji gives her tresses a final check before heading for an interview for her upcoming film in Andheri yesterday.

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