Rahul’s friends had power

Rahul Mahajan’s set of acquaintances are spread across a wide spectrum —from political to the glamorous.

For instance, if he rubbed shoulders with Amit Deshmukh, Milind Deora, Sameer and Pankaj Bhujbal and Sanjay Singh from the political arena, his acquaintances from the celluloid world included Shah Rukh Khan, Manish Malhotra, Urmilla Matondkar, Koena Mitra, Pooja Batra, Payal Rohatgi and a few models and actresses.

Rahul was always concerned about his close friends. He never wanted people to gatecrash into his parties. He used to personally screen the guests.

Once, when he threw a party at Vie lounge in Juhu, Antim Totla, whose name was linked to the Telgi scam, got himself pictured with him. The picture was published in a leading city daily. “Rahul threw a fit, asking how a tainted man was allowed to attend his party,” said one of his friends.

Totla, however, has a good word about Rahul. “I have known him for the last 10 years. At parties, he has never made a nuisance of himself,” Totla said.

Rahul’s favourite joint is Raa in Phoenix Mills. He has also partied in places like Onyx (now closed), Shatranj Napoli and Olive (all at Union Park, Khar West), Sanjay Narang’s Gordon House at Apollo Bunder, Colaba and Bay City Club (earlier Daffodil) in Hill Road, Bandra (W).