I first met Niharika Khan when she was a newbie jewelry designer and had a tiny store, off Waterfield Road in Bandra, Mumbai. I was working with a tabloid at the time and her PR agency invited me to check out her wares. I remember clearly, the moment I stepped into the quaint little shop, I felt a sense of oneness and belonging with Niharika and her husband, Ayub.
The couple were candid, friendly, talented and most of all had a wicked sense of humour! It felt like I had known them forever when in fact, I had just met them a few minutes before, for the first time…
About a year or two later, Niharika opened Purple Porcupine, a much bigger boutique (this time, on Waterfield Road) and stocked numerous other designers who explored quirkiness in their designs.
Since then, even though she may not have a boutique anymore (what with two daughters to bring up and so with doing costumes for so many Bollywood films), Niharika has grown from strength to strength in her professional life.
Hence, it came as no surprise to see most of the film industry’s biggest players land-up at Mia Cuccina in Versova to party with her (and her friend Shanoo Sharma) as they celebrated the success of The Dirty Picture.
Niharika has won the Filmfare Award for Best Costume Design for The Dirty Picture and two days ago, it was announced that she’d also won the National Award for the same film. And even though this party was planned weeks ago, most people thought it was to celebrate her winning the National Award!
The evening saw a galaxy of stars turn out to party hard with Niharika and Shanoo. Among them were Jaya Bachchan, Sandeep Khosla, Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jesia, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sudhir Mishra, Kunal Kohli, Nikhil Advani, Anurag Kashyap, Madhur Bhandarkar , Arunodhay Singh, Adhuna Akhtar, Dipanita Sharma, Jackky Bhagnani, Bunty Walia, Ekta Kapoor and Hazel Keech.
Being a foodie, I must mention the fabulous Italian food being served by Mia Cuccina. Everybody enjoyed the Cicchetti (Italian starters) like Sun-dried Tomato and Date Cigars, Mushroom & Fig Pizzetta, Bruschetta Bell Pepper, Chicken Sausage Pizzella, Turkey Sandwich, Basa Poppers and Prawn Tarts.
Here’s wishing Niharika all the very best in her forthcoming ventures as well, from Team MissMalini.