Roving Eye

O MaldivesAt this time of the year everyone is on holiday, and for most people the destination is London. A little bit of work is combine...

O Maldives

At this time of the year everyone is on holiday, and for most people the destination is London. A little bit of work is combined with a lot of pleasure and somehow, the weeks away from home end up paying for themselves. But for some people, being on holiday is work. And generally the favoured locations are exotic spots like the Caribbean, Phuket and even the Maldives. Think we are kidding? No way. Last week, Sonali Bendre, Sushmita Sen, Diana Hayden, Kaizad Gustad, Lara Dutta, Himanshu Malik, Shyla Lopez and photographers Nisha Kutty and Subi Samuel went to the Maldives, for a couple of days, to participate in an event organised to celebrate the opening of a new island and resort.

The truth has a nasty way of catching up and nothing is more harsh than Mumbai, these days. The city is really dead with all eyes glued to television screens. If it were not for the efforts of several die-hard party animals 8212; who try every trick in the book to liven up life 8212; amchi Mumbai wouldresemble a funeral parlour. Kishen Mulchandani, a well-known party person, is one such mover and shaker. On Saturday night, he called a few of his friends to Palkhi for a quiet but fun time in his Indian restaurant. Rohit Bal or Gudda8217; was in town and he really seemed to enjoy being away from the village of Delhi. Keeping him company was Sonia Garware, dressed in a Rohit Bal original, Sasha Sippy, Aarti and Kailash Surendranth, Sonali Bendre revealing her fabulous tan and even more fabulous figure in short black dress, Devika and Suresh Bhojwani, Sanjeev Chowdhury and Achla Sachdev. The model was the first to leave as she had to get up early on Sunday for a shoot. She has two shows on the Music Asia channel every week and seems to love being in front of the camera. More people should tune in 8212; she is a great anchor and these days that is a rare talent.

Everyone else stayed on to eat, drink champagne and converse. With Gudda around the main topic of conversation that night was fashion, with diners askingfor his advice on personal style.

Vote bank

Fashion really was foremost on everyone8217;s mind this week. The other event that dominated the city8217;s night spots were the Elle style awards. To be held next month, the purpose is to get as many people to vote for their style icon. So don8217;t be too surprised to see a style brigade, dressed in black and white, going around bars asking people to cast their votes. Giving the team a helping hand, on Thursday night, was Madhu Sapre who went to Copa Cabana and the Ghetto trying to drum up votes. Now, we think she would be an ideal choice for the most stylish female model as she is always changing her look and makes it a point to dress in the latest fashion.

The next night it was her ex-beau Milind Soman8217;s turn to promote the awards at the Fashion Bar amp; Bistro. Lending him a hand that night were Lascelles Symons, Himanshu Malik, Rohit Bal, as well as Elle8217;s beauty editor Superna Motwane, the associate fashion editor, Anaita Shroff and Artdirector Ami Patel 8212; who were all spotted shaking a leg at the Bistro8217;s very cramped dance floor.

And finally8230;

We hear that the Piramals are tying to revive the city by opening a large shopping and entertainment centre in Tardeo. It will be home to McDonald8217;s, a bowling alley, a video arcade and a shopping mall called the Piramads. This mall promises to be the new Bond street of Mumbai as among the stores that are expected to open up here are Shyam Ahuja, Ensemble and Swarovski. A shopaholics ultimate fantasy.