‘We just want to have fun’

Chelna Khatau. Megha Chaturvedi

The countdown has begun. There’s an electric buzz in the air, and the one thought that’s on everyone’s mind is ‘Where’s the party?’

With just a day till the New Year, Mumbaikars are rushing about to put finishing touches to their celebratory plans. Some have already jetted off to the country’s perennial party destination, Goa, to ring in the New Year, while others plan to splash out on grand, lavish parties some with casinos, and cabaret dancers, others with Bollywood starlets and chart-topping singers.

This year, housewives are all set to splurge on a night of revellery and fun. To really live it up. They don’t mind spending a bundle on dancing at discos or enjoying candle-lit dinners at the Leela.

Says Neeta Shah, a resident of Andheri, “My husband and I will be going to JW Marriott. Though we are spending Rs9, 000 for a night, we’ll spend the New Year watching celebrities perform live. It’s a different experience. Going this hotel every year is a ritual we follow. And since Mallika Sherawat is performing this time, we are more enthusiastic to go there!” Sukanya Sharma and her husband plan to bring in the New Year at at Manori Island, Malad.

“The Manori Islands has resorts with private beaches, so I don’t mind spending about Rs4,000 to spend just a night there. It makes you feel like you’re in Goa. Sitting around a bonfire, singing songs and being merry is exactly what I will do on the last day of the year,” she exclaims. For Ruchi Chowghule, a 25-year-old homemaker, it means dancing the night away at a friends place “bang opposite Bandra bandstand”.  She adds, “We’ll pay about Rs3,000 per couple and enjoy dancing the whole night.”

But despite the festive spirit and fabulous parties, there are some youngsters who aren’t enthusiastic about spending on big parties. Apurva Swarup, an assistant manager at Stockbroking Corp, says he’s tired of the fuss and the chaos associated with big, organised parties.

“I’ve been to these parties and seen the chaos. I don’t feel like doing it again.”

He adds: “It’s okay for people who have money to spend on expensive parties, but for people like me, who watch what they spend, it’ not worth it. I’d rather go for a small party, where there are no gatecrashers or unknown people.”

Rahil Kothari, who’s studying in the US, but is here in his Christmas break, plans to spend New Year’s Eve with friends in Khandala.“Mumbai’s just too expensive,” he says.