Cinematic escapades
My father’s enduring favorite song “Jeena yahan marna yahan, Iske siva jaana kahan” wafted through the air as I stepped into the dazzling red carpet celebration of arguably India’s greatest showman Raj Kapoor’s centenary.
In that moment, fragrant threads of childhood memories of his movies and songs savoured by and with my parents unfurled before my eyes, momentarily drowning out the chorus of photographers calling “NishaJee, NishaJee, Yaha dekhiye.”
Since my childhood until now my impressions of Indian cinema have been ever linked with the iconic presence of Raj Kapoor. His image and aura so totally of romance and the endearing Charlie Chaplinesque vagabond hero!
Undoubtedly his era was way before my cinema-centric age, but my parents had whole sets of his films on the then popular videocassette, that they often delved into the nostalgic favorites.
The few encounters I had with him alongside my movie producer grandfather Laxhman Arora remain crystallized in my memory – his magnetic personality illuminated by that characteristic twinkle in his eye when he spoke to me never dimmed.
This tribute to him sparkled with all the grandeur one imagined of those legendary premieres from the sixties and seventies. My childhood mornings had our prized “radiogram” playing out filmi-favorites every morning, and many from his hit films.
Hence this Centenary tribute to him brought to me the grandeur one imagined of those legendary premieres from the sixties and seventies! This celebration did not disappoint! Screen goddesses of yesteryear glided down the red carpet – the timeless Rekha and eternally youthful Jeetendra representing that golden era.
The contemporary constellation of actors included Vicky Kaushal, Kartik Aaryan, and Riteish Deshmukh, all warmly embraced by the illustrious Kapoor clan in full regalia, led by my friends Rima and Daboo Kapoor. The evening shimmered with the presence of Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Alia Bhatt, alongside Aadar Jain and others from the dynasty.
Saif Ali Khan, as always, moved through the gathering as the embodiment of grace and breeding – his warm, unaffected demeanor a constant in the swirling glamour around him. Sanjay Leela Bhansali arrived in characteristic understated elegance with his mother, settling in to watch Bobby, as did I with my friends Nina and Haresh Advani, and Mithu, accompanied by mum Shashi Bansal.
As the familiar frames of ‘Bobby’ unfolded on screen, I found myself transported once again to those enchanted days of childhood. The immortal melodies still echo in my heart as I reflect on the legacy of Raj Kapoor – truly one of the great showman Indian cinema has ever produced.
Special meet
The week brought another encounter with a personality whose name has become synonymous with the art of food writing. Indeed, you cannot think “Food” as a specialty subject without paying obeisance to this prima donna of culinary journalism. Rashimi Uday Singh contributions unfold under a vast umbrella, from reviews of haute cuisine establishments to vibrant street-food discoveries, from evocative food travelogues to celebrity favorites, spanning not just Mumbai but sweeping across the European continent and the US.
A wordsmith par excellence, she has penned and published an astounding 39 compelling volumes out of 40 – and shows no signs of slowing down!
Rashmi Uday Singh embodies the realm of food writing and culinary storytelling beautifully. Through her NGO ‘Hospitality Hope’, she discovers hidden jewels of the hospitality world, nurturing their creative journeys toward recognition.
Despite having just returned from a resplendent wedding in frost-kissed Amritsar – where temperatures dipped to two degrees – and battling a stubborn fever, I found myself drawn to the suburbs to support her epicurean awards.
This collaboration with Shafquat Ali of GoodFood India and Hospitality Horizon magazine saw me presenting the prestigious ‘Hospitality Hope Icon Award’ and probably lent decor to the stage, for I was there for a longish while.
The elegant spaces of JW Marriott buzzed with energy as Mumbai’s food cognoscenti gathered – passionate bloggers, visionary restaurateurs, and celebrated culinary luminaries rubbed shoulders in anticipation. Save for a somewhat misplaced segment of sponsored awards, the evening flowed with authenticity and thoughtful curation.
The grand finale, orchestrated by Vinod Advani, culminated in a spontaneous outpouring of affection as the entire audience surged forward to embrace Rashmi where some fifty of us posed for a Happy foodie family pic for the paparazzi!
Watching her navigate some health challenges with such grace while maintaining her infectious enthusiasm and unwavering ‘show must go on’ spirit only reinforces what many of us have long known – she’s not just a food writer, she’s an inspiration who transforms everything she touches into a celebration of life.
