Say, 'Sweet October' (despite the seriousness around)

Today’s the first of October and despite the general  seriousness in atmosphere (the Ayodhya verdict, the Commonwealth Games conundrum) the entertainment world is buoyant.

And it’s not only because Salman Khan’s hit movie gave the marquee’s somnambulant cash registers a much needed shot in the arm. There’s much to look forward to: after all, October heralds the onset of the celebratory season: Navratri, Dussera, Diwali festivals, one after another and then weddings of course, and the big spenders!

The big surprise is television: with the migration of big ticket megastars: the Big B, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Akshay Kumar among them, to the small screen for a bit, the month has some seriously heavy-duty telethon viewing in store, and it requires no effort: you don’t have to leave home, the stars come to you, up close and personal, right in the cosy confines of your TV room, feet-up soothing balm to all that rush-around festive shopping!

Television’s not the only surprise. There was a time when all the Fashion biggies decided to pack up and head to the capital — and Delhi reigned supreme as Style’s one stop shop. Though Delhi is still very much considered the hub, Mumbai in October has a fashion revival in store: one fashion week has just wrapped and another one — a couture one this time — begins next week.

Followed by yet another fashion week, a bridal one that almost coincides with the capital’s fashion week: barely a day’s gap between one finishing and the other beginning…wonderful news for fashionistas who don’t want to leave the city every time a fashion fiesta comes calling.

And yes, there are biggies around for both: Mumbai’s own Shahab Durazi will close the couture week, showing in the city after five years. From the frenzy generated last time he showed, buzz is that the reclusive designer’s show will be the style season’s highlight…the question society bunnies are asking is — will  Bollywood be showstopping for him (as is almost a norm now in Mumbai, home turf of B-town), and if so, who?

Tomorrow’s also Gandhi Jayanti, and fittingly, news of fashion’s khadi focus comes to us: tomorrow kickstarts the Khadi and Village Industries Commision’s month long Khadi Fest, which emphasises khadi products by artisans, including designer wear.

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Meanwhile the Commonwealth Games are nearer than ever: Sunday is D-day. According to a few astrologers, Mars (planet of War) and Venus (planet of Beauty) are terrifically aligned that day. We are a nation that has always allowed for the uncharted, the mystical in our beliefs. Here’s hoping that as the Games commence, the recent past is left behind. That somehow, we learn super quick from our mistakes and rectify glaring discrepancies: and that the Games, when they finally begin, bring the focus back on what is essential and important: the uplifting, unifying, all-inclusive spirit of sport. The planets say it’s possible: can we, for a change?