Roving Eye

Anyway, the music will be more eclectic, the place larger and for those who want to grab a bite the option for fast food is limitless. Again, one heard that Pizza Express will open below Studio and next to it McDonald8217;s. If all this is true then the belt between Sterling and New Empire cinemas should be the next centre of entertainment for the city.

Write on

Author Vikram Chandra was spotted in the company of film-maker Anuradha Tandon and film star Vijayendra Ghatge on Monday at Geoffrey8217;s. Chandra was at the end of his month-long stint in Mumbai and left for Washington on Sunday. The low-profile writer is in the midst of his second novel and if it is anything like his first then Indian writing can look forward to more awards. Red Earth And Pouring Rain has been translated into Italian 8212; Chandra spent 10 days touring Italy 8212; and Love amp; Longing In Bombay is on its third print run, with the paperback also hitting the stands.

Incidentally, Chandra was also part of the scripting team for the film 1942 8212; A Love Story. Perhaps Ghatge was trying to woo this muse, Bollywood needs better scripts!

Baby boom

About this time, two years ago, there was a triple wedding in the Hinduja family. For those who do not remember, there were three mandaps and the queues to wish the Hinduja boys went on and on 8212; so lavish was the affair.

But most people never got a chance to wish the couples as rain drowned out the reception as soon as it began. Well two years later, one of the couples, Ajay and Sona, have already had a baby boy. Now we hear that the other two Hinduja brides are expecting too. With all the children near the same age, maybe the next generation of Hindujas will all get married together as well.

Jazz jam

The Chicago Jazz Ensemble were in town last week and they generated a lot of excitement. The first show at the NCPA8217;s Tata Theatre was on Friday night and Mumbai8217;s leading culture vultures turned up in large numbers. Sitting right in front were Gerson and Uma da Cunha with NCPA8217;s Vijaya and Farokh Mehta. On Saturday night, the group played to Mumbai8217;s hip and happening crowd at the 1900s. Among the party animals spotted there were Gautam Singhania and AD Singh. Not that it was a night of easy listening for them.

Straight after the concert, the night club began to blast techno music. This week 1900s seems to have outdone Three Flights Up. On Friday night, the place was so crowded that people spilt over to the pool and lobby area. But there is no doubt that the favourite bar these days is Geoffrey8217;s 8212; try getting in any evening!

Brit wear

Noel Tata formally launched the new Daks Simpson boutique this week, at the Taj. This British company is well known for their quintessential British fashion. All the merchandise available is imported. A suit costs Rs 13,500 and for the Mumbai market they are bringing down only the lightest of fabrics. But with their rather heavy price tag probably their only clients will be the Tatas and their close friends.

Keeping up

Five-star hotels seem to be concentrating on their Indian restaurants, at the moment. The Tanjore at the Taj, well known for attracting phirangs, has changed its menu and is now attracting the locals. Spotted dining there were Anil Ambani, Milind Gunaji and Milind Soman. Ambani was back there Sunday night with Business India8217;s Ashok Advani and Parmeshwar Godrej. Ever since Anil and Mukesh were named Businessmen of the Year by Advani8217;s fortnightly, they have been favouring the media man with their company. A lot of people were surprised to see Advani still walking about. A warrant has been issued for him in Pune 8212; apparently one of his cheques bounced.

If the Tanjore is the talk of town, then the Oberoi cannot be far behind. The Kandahar has introduced a West Punjabi Food festival. Jiggs Kalra8217;s food fest goes on till the weekend. Indian food is the flavour of the year.

And finally8230;

Copa Cabana, as always, was jam packed on Saturday night. But there was one man who received all the attention this weekend. An advertising executive-cum -society columnist got into a spot of trouble. It seems he made a rather friendly move on a women sitting at the bar. Well, he got a far greater reaction than he expected. Her other half, who was sitting next to her, decided to get enraged rather than shrug off the pass. Along with some of his rather large friends, he decided to teach this ad-man a lesson.

An unfair fight followed. The poor creative columnist we think will not be doing too much writing over the next few days. After the thrashing he got, we think R amp;R is definitely in order.