The opening of Amadeus at the NCPA Complex in Mumbai on Saturday night was a star-studded extravaganza that had owner Farrokh Khambatta basking in the warm glow of all the compliments he received throughout the night.
Everybody who was “Somebody” was there, dressed in their finest, sampling the amazing buffet of gastronomical delights that were laid-out on the lawn.
The divine and delectable Shobha De held court in one corner of the restaurant and she looked dazzling in a lovely kaftan-style outfit. Who was it by, we asked her? “It’s not by any famous designer,” she tells me. “I don’t wear designer labels often. In fact, I don’t wear the clothes, I let them wear me,” she says in her trademark husky voice.
Actress Vidya Malvade also looked resplendent in a strapless blue gown, detailed with ruffles. This too was not by any known designer.
Designer / artist Nisha Jamvwal wore an interesting hat on her head while “It-Girl” Pooja Bedi opted for a demure, black, Calvin Klein dress.
However, it was ex model Anna Bredmeyer who stood out in her red chiffon dress by Ritu Kumar, which had lovely floral motifs printed on it.
Even designer Lascelles Symons painted the town red by teaming a pair of bright red jeans with a black waistcoat and a tee shirt that had a black-tie printed on it.
Among the other well-heeled celebs spotted at this soiree were actress Poonam Dhillon, artist Brinda Miller, Parvez & Roshni Damania, actress Madhoo Shah (of Roja fame), Queenie Dhody and Farhad Taraporewalla, Soni Razdan, Neena Gupta with daughter Masaba, photographer Atul Kasbekar and designer Azeem Khan with wife Sameena.
The tempo of the party was set in high-gear with a trio of musicians belting out old classics which kept the crowd on their toes. We loved hearing familiar oldies by Elvis, the Beegees and other legends.
This was one party that rocked Mumbai city after a really long time. All the elements were perfectly in place – world-class interiors, flowing champagne, fabulous finger-bites and food and preppy live music.
Farrokh Khambatta has pulled off another coup, after Joss, and it can be rightly said that this Amadeus really does ROCK!
(Video credit: Ridhima Sinha)