Dreamy dulha writes Shalini Sharma

Now that everyone is chattering about Sonam Kapoor’s upcoming nuptials to beau Anand Ahuja (which we announced in this column some weeks back), it’s time to microscope Bollywood’s next damaad. All fans of the beauty can exhale in relief. Our girl has picked well. Anand is far from being your diamond-studded Rolex, red Ferrari, Punjabi puttar; on the contrary, friends emphasise his courteous manners and simple style. The Ahuja family is one of the biggest garment exporters from Asia. Anand’s family is worth $1.2 billion but very careful not to flaunt their wealth. Anil Kapoor’s family on their part is very appreciative of their future in-laws’ low decibel discreet style. The Ahujas own a house in Delhi that more than whispers wealth. When guests drive up a stupendous driveway  to their mansion, they have to first pay their respects to the grand matriarch of the house, who the family reverentially avers was the real force behind the Ahuja’s billionaire journey. Anand lives in a plush apartment in London but does not believe in keeping any servants and will serve you himself. You get the drift — ideal husband material.  

THROWING THE MATCH

Has Pakistani cricketer Imran Khan taken the vows yet again? Truth is that even his family and closest friends are clueless, but none are willing to wager that he has not either! Last time he tied the knot with TV presenter Reham Khan, his family heard about it from the media. Our friend from Lahore buzzed to say that Imran’s sisters who wield a huge influence on him and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), are absolutely furious with him. Just when he has a promising chance to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan in the forthcoming elections, he has allowed the narrative to be overshadowed by rumours of his nuptials with Bushra Maneka, a 50-year-old divorcee with five children from her previous marriage. She is a faith healer whom he turns to for advice on every teensy-weensy matter. Adding a further bizarre touch is the lady’s ex-husband publicly stating that he was asked by Allah to divorce his wife, so that she should be free to marry Imran. The Khan sisters, meanwhile, are now contemplating how to tackle this new challenge to their political influence. It’s no secret they made short work of Reham Khan and her desire to be the next heir of the PTI party. Piquantly, the sisters still adore ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith and even stay with her when they visit London. Just too many yorkers in this saga!  

DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

It’s always charming when the rarified world of old-world South Mumbai collides with the more pugnacious world of Bollywood. The twain makes for interesting contrasts. Ashim Ahluwalia is the filmmaker son of Jamini and Tito Ahluwalia, brother of Maithali Ahluwalia of the very eclectic store Bungalow 8, (India’s answer to the now defunct Colette in Paris). Ashim’s marriage wound up a couple of years ago and so did his sister’s relationship with his ex brother-in-law. Romance has claimed him again and the girl who has caught the reclusive boy’s attention is none other than actor Niharika Singh. The same one whom actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui tried to relationship-shame in his biography. (Incidentally Ashim directed both of them in his film Miss Lovely which debuted at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.) The protective boyfriend/director sat the distraught girl down and explained to her exactly how to nail Nawazuddin legally. The strategy worked. The actor withdrew his book and Niharika is grateful for her swain’s sharp legal resources. We hope the romance wades its way unchallenged through the infamous South and North Mumbai divide. Mumbaikars will understand what we are talking about.  

Society insider Shalini Sharma has two decades of experience observing and reporting on the commerce and confessions of people who are generously described as celebrities.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and are not in any way endorsed by the newspaper.

Corrigendum:  In the column The Insider by Shalini Sharma (dated December 16), DNA After Hrs had carried an item captioned Losing The Sparkle, regarding differences between designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee and KishanDas & Co. However, Sabyasachi Couture refutes the claims made in the copy and the newspaper unconditionally apologises for the distress caused to the designer and the harm it might have unintentionally caused to him and his brand’s reputation.