The party-hard or stay-at-home type? Mumbai's shindig pros give Aastha Atray Banan cues on what to do this party season
Imran Khan
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Chill and sleep at 1 am
Well, he has a pool in his living room, so he really doesn’t have to leave, ever. But, actor Imran Khan prefers a low-key affair at home with wife Avantika and is an advocate of sleeping at 1 am, wrapping up quickly after everyone has wished each other Happy New Year.
“Last year, my daughter, Imara, was only six months old. So, we just called people over for dinner. I like avoiding anything hectic. It’s about good food, good drinks, and not trying hard at all.” If heading for a party like his, he recommends you wear a casual look — chinos and a shirt will do — and concentrate on relaxing.
Mix tikkas and hip hop
“Last year, was the first New Year after I got married to Prianca, and we had a roof-top party, with lots of close friends,” says Roadies host Rannvijay Singh. While throwing a party at home, he ensures that there is some good catering — last year included tikkas and pastas — and there is a DJ to play anything everyone wants. “I wanted hip hop and R&B all night long.” This year though, he is spending 10 days in Dubai before heading to Nagpur for a big NYE bash. “Some years you need to do that — go out and dance the night away. Pick the biggest party you have an invitation for and go to that,” he says.
Go somewhere exotic
“I am an intellectual party person who doesn’t poop the party!” laughs actor Neil Nitin Mukesh. “The one party I remember is my first New Year when I was 18 I had organised a thematic lavish get-together at home. It will always hold a special place in my heart because that was the first time I hosted a party, at my own expense and it was not just my friends, I’d called over family, co-stars and relatives?” But today, the 33-year-old says he would recommend getting out of the country. “Take off to an exotic locale and do something out-of-the-box.” New Year’s, he reminds us, is about looking every inch of a gentleman and feeling like you’re the king of your castle. So wear anything that makes a statement in a subdued, yet stylish manner. “I personally like to dress in Giorgio Armani and smell like Tom Ford.” But, he recommends getting one good party in, at least for the memories.
“I remember asking this crush out and I went on my knees and proposed and the next thing I know I’m drenched in a pool of puke and it was pretty funny because she went like ‘bro I’m sorry’ and I was like this isn’t happening. The worst thing could be passing out at the bar before the countdown even begun.”
Wear pyjamas, be a hipster
“The best parties are with Indie music playing in the backdrop,” says Yaariyan actress Evelyn Sharma. “I love bands like 50 Seconds to Mars and Block Party.” She recommends you use your roof for the venue. Since it’s all about being hipster, people can even turn up in pyjamas. “I usually wear skinnies and an oversized, yet sparkly top.” She also has some advice on how to make the party a success.
“Make it a mix of friends and a couple of interesting strangers. How else would you make interesting conversation?” But, as she says, if you are a true hipster, you would just head off to a different country every year. “How many ever countries you go to, a new one still exists.”
Go for a sit-down dinner
For the last five years, author Madhuri Banerjee, had been doing the same thing: dancing on the same songs, drinking Sprite, and then standing in the line for the buffet. This year, she decided that she wants to be all grown-up about it. So, she is headed to Bandra’s Out of the Blue for a fancy, sit-down dinner with “elegance” being key. There are grown-up cocktails, like the Cosmopolitan that she loves, and also a live band that will play retro music. Instead of the jeans she wore every year, she is wearing a red gown with a “bit of bling. Getting dressed up is the best part of this.” “I think this New Year, I wanted to be me, and not pretend to be someone else. It’s all about conversation. When it turns 2016, I want to talking about something meaningful with someone. That will make it worth it.”
Best bet, play Bollywood
“I have realised that whatever may happen or whoever we may be, Indians love Bollywood music,” says Jannat 2 actress Esha Gupta. “I have been to every kind of party — but this one time, we were around 200 people and we just danced
till the sun came up, after which we went off for breakfast. In the beginning we danced on songs of DJs like Calvin Harris, but later Bollywood numbers took over.” She wore a formal dress, drank red wine and her song for every party since last year has been Hrithik Roshan’s Bang Bang.
Head out for a quiet night
Decembers are always hectic for socialite and entrepreneur Aneesa Dhody Mehta, thanks to her event organisation firm. “It’s also wedding season, so it’s party after party.” And so, when December 31 comes around, all she wants to do is head out of town. “Alibag is my favourite destination. It’s quiet. Maybe you can rent a house,” she says. It’s about getting a
barbecue going on in the garden, and putting on music as varied as retro to old school to house. “Everyone just plugs their iPod in. The main aim is to be away from Mumbai.”
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