"Aamir woos the audience with éclat"
Doing an art-house movie and attempting to market it like a mainstream movie is usually an impossible task. But when you are the clever Kiran Rao and have the charming Aamir Khan by your side, it becomes a plausible project. Throw in it the late Smita Patil's son Prateek Babbar in a stellar role and you have a combo that could work. Co-hosting the evening was the film producer Smita's sister Manya Patil, who was beaming with the pride of an aunt whose nephew has an outing with Aamir to start his career. But it's all hard work as Aamir Khan attempts to woo the audience.
A special screening in Delhi for "Aamir's Friends" was attended by the city's film loving jet set and some editors and politicos. Salman Khurshed, Rajdeep Sardesai and Sagrika Ghose and enough page3 celebrities were cosseted by Nakul and Timsy Anand who were also co-host for the film evening.
The show which began a little late was a social affair too. PVR Rivoli turned on the hospitality and guests enjoying the free popcorn and other goodies that make for typical "real" movie outing.
Screening over, selected guests were whisked away to the Sheraton for a sitdown dinner with the Khans. The evening ended with an innovative movie memento, a CD of the film made as a prank in white chocolate. Good enough to eat? Was that the message?
"Art scene hots up"
Delhi's art summit has been growing in strength over the last three years. This year it became the world's most attended specialist art fair.
Given the population in India and the galloping growth of the upwardly mobile middle class, this is a trend that would go places.
Art is also an expensive plaything for one-upmanship among the rich and famous. Whether it's buying installation art or even modern contemporary structure, the Delhi-Bombay jet set is making fashion statements and raising price to bizarre level and newfound love for art. Now if only Pragati Maidan were to spruce up its act and the Indian babu culture relaxed its hold, then organizers would be able to pull off an even better show than this one which already attracts exhibition and galleries from all over the world.
Amidst the rich women exhibiting their knowledge about art and its price, one could spot the Union home secretary taking a quiet stroll and some editors along with some real art lovers.
"Melange of fun, work"
Delhi's celebrities and visiting collectors vied with each other and with auction houses like "Chirsties" and "Sotheby's" to host lunches and dinners and keep the memento of the overheated art environment going. Even those only slightly interested in art were happy to bask in the sunshine of artist, agents, collectors and galleries. Delhi's art names like HCL's Guddu Nadar and Brila's daughter Lekha Poddar were among those who discussed their pet subject. While hostesses like Feroz Gujral and sugar magnate Raj Shri Delhi's celebrities and visiting collectors vied with each other and with auction houses like "Chirsties" and "Sotheby's" to host lunches and dinners and keep the memento of the overheated art environment going. Even those only slightly interested in art were happy to bask in the sunshine of artist, agents, collectors and galleries. Delhi's art names like HCL's Guddu Nadar and Brila's daughter Lekha Poddar were among those who discussed their pet subject. While hostesses like Feroz Gujral and sugar magnate Raj Shri Patti of South India hosted their own events. A glamorous mix of unending fun and work!
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