In the masala mix that makes Mumbai’s vibrant life spicier than a jumbo bottle of Sriracha, the last weekend was epic! It presented several unique “moments”, but major afsos – there were far too many competing events. Shah Rukh Khan turned 60. No, it was not declared a national holiday, but going by the celebratory mood across the city, it was treated as one. SRK fans had flown in from across the world – the girls from Peru were the sweetest. There they were – Indonesians, Sri Lankans, Nepalese, French – waiting for King Khan to show up, wave, blow kisses, spread his arms. Mannat mania was in overdrive as thousands sang and danced outside Khan’s Bandra residence.
But the Bollywood Badshah was not in the bay! He had slipped away to bring in his birthday with a close-knit group of buddies, at his villa in Alibaug. It was an informal midnight celebration. How do we know? Clips were helpfully shared by Farah Khan on Instagram. The impromptu party looked refreshingly “normal” and as cool as the Birthday Boy himself.
SRK has mastered cool like no other (“I am the best. It’s not arrogance. It’s my belief”). King of Kool could be another tag for the man who once declared himself “the last of the stars.” Since every hero with five big hits to his name thinks of himself as a “superstar”, SRK deserves an edgier tag. I doubt that Johnny Depp would ever make such a claim. And these days, SRK is more Depp than Depp himself.
Then comes the question of the other two Khans – SRK’s colleagues, contemporaries and friends. If he is “the last of the stars”, what does that make Salman and Aamir? Or Akshay, Ajay? Amitabh Bachchan at 82? Sidekicks? To make things simpler, let’s just start calling Big B the Emperor. Emperor Bachchan. The others can take their pick from King, Badshah, Prince of Passion, Raja of Raunch, Maharajah of Masti, Sultan of Sleaze. Kyon ki…Shahenshah toh ek hi hai. Aur ek hi rahega. And as SRK promised his besotted fans, he ain’t going anywhere! He will still be around doing what he does so spectacularly well — at 70, 80, 90, 100 — winning hearts, breaking hearts, wooing and romancing in his trademark fashion. Inshallah.
PS: The Enrique Iglesias concert was declared a flop.
Also read: Shah Rukh Khan is the modern guru for an anxious generation
A wedding and sweet nostalgia
Meanwhile, not too far away from Mannat, one of India’s most illustrious and storied business families was all set to celebrate the wedding of the fifth-generation Birla scion. Vedant Birla, firstborn son of Yash and Avanti Birla, wed Tejal Kulkarni (“after rejecting 200 rishtas,” gushed a relative), at a glorious ceremony on the lawns of Birla House, the family mansion in the heart of Mumbai.
This was a legacy shaadi at its zaniest best. Part-rave, part-satsang, part-Rishikesh ghats, part-Burning Man. The vibes and textures kept changing, starting with the insane baraat. No horses, elephants, camels… or commandos. Just an amazing DJ on top of an improvised truck, spinning tracks that had the groom’s friends grooving like they were in Ibiza, while the father of the groom briefly took over the DJ’s console and sportingly braved the unseasonal downpour.
Seated inside the mansion were many sages from different mathas and peeths, clad in saffron robes, waiting to bless the couple as the auspicious time for the varmala approached. Melodious renditions of favourite chants (“Achutam Keshavam…”) filled the air, as the bride made her appearance on the balcony (“like the Pope,” commented a guest) and invitees cheered. My eyes were wet. Stop it, De! Must be the raindrops, I told myself. Sentimental fool!
But yes, I had known Vedant’s father (Yash) and mother (Avanti) when they were his age. No! Much younger! And we were friends with the groom’s grandparents, Ashok and Sunanda Birla. I felt ancient! But nicely ancient, as I hugged Avanti, recalling the many happy occasions we had stood on these very marble steps with her late in-laws, laughing and chatting while other guests made their way to the garden. Sweet nostalgia.
The rain! Socialites as soggy as the papdi chaat scrambled indoors, clutching hair extensions that had become rat tails. The false eyelashes lay sadly on the wet astro turf.
Well… weddings are designed to generate nostalgia. As I stared at the portraits of Ashok, Sunanda, and Sujata (Yash’s sister) hanging on the walls of the magnificent living room, I smiled at the memory. Ashok and Sunanda would definitely have been on that DJ truck during the baraat, participating enthusiastically in their beloved grandson’s “shubh vivaah”.
Also read: Shah Rukh Khan’s India is about love, not hate. Chak De! India to My Name Is Khan
India’s cricket queens
Just as the Birla pheras concluded, there were cheers echoing across the carpeted salons of Birla House – our incredible women cricketers had lifted the ICC World Cup at the women’s ODI final against South Africa in the presence of 45,000 deliriously happy spectators packing the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The match had attracted fans from all over, and nothing could dampen their enthusiasm – not even that ill-timed downpour.
Personally speaking, I was cheering for the team, yes, but reserving a few extra cheers for Jemimah Rodrigues, our Mumbai Chi Mulgi, who’d scripted history with an unbeaten 127 in the semi-final run chase against Australia. The brave and courageous Bandra girl deserves praise for not just her cricket, but her self-belief – from hockey player to the star player in the national team, young Jemimah had played street cricket as a kid – and look at her now!
She faced prejudice and vile abuse for wearing her Catholic faith on her sleeve. Humiliated and unfairly targeted, she was denied honorary membership in the local Khar gymkhana because of certain unproven charges of religious conversions on the club’s premises against her father Ivan. But when her turn came to acknowledge the team’s stupendous win, she tearfully thanked Jesus! Good on you, girl! Ignore those bigots. They are nothings and nobodies. Losers, all.
Cricket authorities, let’s show these exceptional women more love – give them a pay hike already! They deserve it far more than some of the “boys” in blue, earning fat cheques, and scoring andaas!
Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh… and all you wonder women – India is so proud of you!
These are our asli superstars!
Shobhaa De is an author, columnist, social commentator, and opinion-shaper. She has written 20 books. She tweets @DeShobhaa. Views are personal.
(Edited by Prashant)