My Dream Date

Lisa Ray:
Lakme model and anchor of STARbiz, on Star Movies, has not made any plans for the millennium yet. "There is just too much mass hysteria about the millennium. Did you know that to travel to some places you have to spend three-times the normal air ticket price?" But, if she could get rid of her practical streak and get carried away, then Lisa would like to travel across the oceans to spend the millennium eve with John Irving. "I love all his books, especially, A Prayer for Owen Meany and A Son of the Circus, which by the way is based in India." She thinks that the American author would be ideal company for New Year’s Eve as she is certain he would be a great conversationalist. "He makes such humourous observations. His writing is so entertaining, I am sure he would be great company." She would just like to talk to him about everything under the sun over a nice, quiet dinner. "He has a great command over the language and I am sure he would have a lot to say about why people are making such a big deal about themillennium." Lisa’s location for all this talk would be Vienna. "It has such an old world charm about it that it would be the perfect place to bring in the New Year. And John knows the place really well as he spent a year there. All of his books talk of the city and I would love to tour this beautiful city with him."

Kitu Gidwani:
There is no one man that Kitu Gidwani would like to bring in the new millennium with. The actress whose recent performance as the mother of the young Parsi protagonist in Deepa Mehta’s 1947-Earth received rave reviews would like to take the best element of each of the men she has dated and create her perfect man. "There is no one man I have met yet who I would like to be with on December 31, 1999. I would take the personality of one man, the wit of another and the looks of still another." Once the fit is just right, Kitu would take her ideal man to a romantic cottage, near the sea. "But I would like to be near a happening party, just in case we decide to bring in the New Year with a crowd." Though Kitu seems to know exactly where she would take her ideal date, she has no idea where she is actually going to be on New Year’s Eve. But that is okay as long as she is with close friends. "I don’t think I’ll spend a lot of money and travel far. May be I’ll go to Kerala or Goa or even Alibaug. But who knows? Ifsome friends call and say let’s go to New York, probably I will. I think most people are making too much of a big deal about the whole thing. I am sure it will end up being just like any other year."

Sonali Bendre:
For the actress, New Year’s day is always one for double celebrations. January 1 is this leggy lass’ birthday as well. "On New Year’s Eve I like to be with my best friends, so that I can bring in my birthday with people I care about." But if she could choose her birthday present, then Sonali would ask to spend the millennium eve with Mel Gibson. "He is my favourite actor and I think my ideal man would be a taller version of Mel Gibson with lots of personality." While the 5ft 7in-former model has never spoken to her dream date, she is sure he wouldn’t disappoint. "I am sure he is a lot of fun to talk to. I think if you are going to spend the millennium with a man then he has to talk well and keep you entertained." This New Year’s Eve though Sonali will not be spending with her close friends or Mel Gibson her recent success in Bollywood means she is working right through the festive season.

— SUJATA ASSOMULL