Diwali parties in Mumbai, particularly in Bollywood, are all shimmer and shine, courting Lakshmi with the quintessential opulence and grandeur that is befitting of the goddess of money.
Shobha and Jeetendra Kapoor's Diwali parties are legend in the city. Since the late Raj Kapoor held his Diwali extravaganza on Diwali day, the Kapoors started hosting their card party a day before so that the guests did not have to skip one for the other. And just like every year, the Kapoors' party this year, which happened on Wednesday night, saw the who's who of B-Town in attendance.
"I do not remember exactly when Shobha and I started our Diwali party tradition, but it was before Ekta was born ...it's been more than 35 years now, I think," says actor Jeetendra.
The guest list is a mix of television and film power personalities, given Ekta's incredible success in both spheres, and is easily one of the best parties of the festive season.
The blinding flash of emeralds, rubies and diamonds, couture threads and the clink of champagne toasts make for a dazzling night at the Kapoors' card party, that bears an indelible stamp of the lady of the house, Shobha's elegant taste, in all aspects — from the ornate décor to the floral arrangements, the flowing bar and the lavish food spread.
The tables are flushed with serious cash at stake and everybody's a great gambler on the night of lights.
Out of all the Diwali gamblers in the film business, Akshay Kumar is by far the luckiest hand and it's a rare occasion if he ever misses a win on a table of cards.
The Bachchans' party is being held on Diwali day, October 23, and is as exquisite as anything the Bachchans do together as a family. Even though Amitabh doesn't gamble and is a teetotaler himself, his guests have a raucous time doing both!
Everything is organised impeccably and the entire family — Amitabh, Jaya, Aishwarya and Abhishek — play the most gracious hosts throughout the night to a well-heeled guest list. People from all over India stand outside the Bachchan home in Juhu, apart from the usual Sunday crowd, to marvel at the sparkling lights adorning the bungalow during Diwali, hoping to catch a glimpse of any one of them.
Aamir Khan's Diwali celebrations are as limited edition as him, with a very select few joining him on the festival of lights, and this year is no different. It's more of a boisterous family affair than a grandiose Bollywood one. Karan Johar, who has been on holiday with his mother Hiroo in New York, flew back home on Wednesday. "We will be celebrating our first Diwali in our new house and then going to the Bachchans party later," he said from the airport.
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra held their annual Diwali party at home earlier on in the week.
Given the size and play of the Bollywood parties, and the high stakes on the card tables, you'd be forgiven for thinking that a word like recession even existed! It's a Happy Diwali indeed!
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