It’s that time of the year again and Goa is packed to the gills again. King of good times Vijay Mallya’s super bash at the famed Kingfisher Villa should be the highlight with a host of his close pals including Raja Dhody already in the beach city to give him company. Others camping in Goa include Pria Kataria and Sumit Puri. “My brother and his kids have flown in from San Francisco and around 20 of our close friends from Kuwait and Dubai will be joining our family soon,” said a thrilled Pria. Others who also have plans of heading to Goa for some sun and sand include designer Maheka Mirpuri, entrepreneur Dilip Joshi and nightclub whiz Jeetu Navlani, while legal luminary Zia Mody is among the early birds this year.
But never mind Goa, unlike last year even amchi Mumbai is set to rock. We hear Anup Jalota is gearing up for an energetic 3-day long celebration beginning Sunday with a flurry of parties both at home and with friends, which is also what power couple Milind Deora and Pooja Shetty have in mind. Legal eagle Mrunalini Deshmukh is working on her social calendar for a change to figure out where to go and what to skip with a string of weddings and parties coming up all at the same time. And if you still had any doubt about the kind of action that’s in store right at home, we can tell you that even the globe trotting Ashish Raheja has nixed travel plans to stay put in Maximum City.
But would you believe that someone equally party hearty — the irrepressible Adar Poonawalla — is apparently yet to firm up any plans of New Year revelry because he’s bogged down with work commitments at the Serum Institute? From what we figure, with his dad Cyrus Poonawalla increasingly taking a backseat, the rightful heir is readying to shoulder the full weight of his considerable legacy.
Several others also have more sedate plans too — the every stylish couple Kishore and Kintu Bajaj will also be spending New Year in Mumbai since their children recently got back home after completing their studies in the US. The family theme is what defines the intentions of several others as well, including Farah and Riyad Oomerbhoy. Well known sculptor Arzan Khambatta tells us that Christmas is a day he always prefers to spend at home. “Especially since it also happens to be my son’s birthday. So it was home cooked food, the lit-up tree, carols and family,” he said.
The family bonding is a good thing too, since Arzan adds that New Year’s is a free-for-all with the kids scooting off with friends while he and wife Khushnuma are left to make their own plans.
Those striking a middle path, both is terms of destination and mood, include Vinod and Joanne Nayar — they’ve gotten together with six other couples to spend an idyllic week at Pavna dam near Lonavala. “We have the lake below us and most panoramic view. It’s blissful,” gushed Joanne.
The recently married Surendra Hirandanani and Alka Bhatia spent a romantic Christmas in Alibaug but will be back to spend New Year in Mumbai with the family. But that’s not to say hordes of city’s rich and famous have forgotten to take their annual holiday in Europe. Dilip and Manali Vengsarkar spent Christmas in London and are currently in Cotswold, Gloucestershire to spend time with some friends before they head to Birmingham to bring in the New Year with family. While London has always been the favourite getaway for Mumbai celebs, Dubai also remains a perennial favourite. We hear music mogul Bhushan Kumar is unwinding there with Divya after some hectic months leading up the the release of his wife’s directorial debut.
Off the beaten track...
However in complete contrast to all of them, there are some who are deliberately skipping the year-end fun and music for a different experience. Videocon Group chief Venugopal Dhoot spent a homely Christmas with family and friends in Aurangabad and is now packing his bags for a spiritual journey. “I will be in Tirupati on New Year’s eve. After prayers on the morning of the new year, I’ll be back in Mumbai,” he told your diarist.
Talking of temple towns, Yash Birla is heading out with wife Avanti and children to his favourite Himalayan retreat Rishikesh, a ritual he has unfailingly followed for a decade now. “We all stay away from the usual new year celebrations, but we like to celebrate spirituality in the holy city with prayers and a dip in the Ganges on the first day of January,” said Yash. To each his own, but given how 2013 went by, we’d vote for meaningful conversations, quiet contemplation and the warmth of old friendship.
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