In 2011, Mallika Sherawat had brought in the New Year at one of Mumbai's suburban hotels, Malaika Arora Khan sizzled in Aamby Valley in 2010, and Parineeti Chopra dazzled at the same location two years later. Now, Daisy Shah is perhaps the only Bollywood celebrity hoping to bring in the crowds in Borivali. “Earlier, with various actors performing at various events, the crowd would get divided thus affecting the revenue. But now we can pool in more revellers even with time restrictions,“ points out the Hate Story 3 actress, adding that after the bash, she will join Salman Khan and his family at the actor's Panvel farmhouse.

Rajeev Reddy, CMD, Country Club, insists that business has grown in the last few years with New Year Eve's bashes becoming the rage, particularly in the Middle East. “I won't say that the domestic market has gone down but it definitely has not gone up. In fact, most artistes prefer performing abroad because the build-up, media coverage and remuneration is better.“

So while Mumbai pays to make music with composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy or DJ Notorious at amusement parks, Chitrangda Singh will sizzle in Dubai, Sara Khan in Abu Dhabi, Shefali Jariwala in Bahrain and Vidya Malvade in Doha. Mallika Sherawat will make pulses race in a Casino in Goa, Richa Chadha will rock Delhi, Karishma Tanna will do masti in Pune, Gurmeet Choudhary and wife Debina will swing together in the City of Joy Kolkata. Even Sophie Choudry is off to Dubai for a “private party“. Talking to Mirror, Sophie rued the fact that there are hardly any shows in Mumbai now because it is difficult to get permissions. “Also, now people prefer singers who can perform longer. Ever since I moved to India, I have performed on New Year's Eve for 11 years but never once in Mumbai. I guess that says it all.“

One of the organisers admitted that Sonakshi Sinha, Jacqueline Fernandez and Shruti Haasan had been on their wish list, but they had other commitments. Even Priyanka Chopra who performed at a hotel in Chennai took off to Phuket, leaving her cousin, Mannara to light up Bangalore. “I don't know if anything has changed since I am performing for the first time. I've been an assistant choreographer, I love dancing, so I'm looking forward to having a great time,“ she smiled.

The actresses are paid around Rs 40-50 lakh for a performance but as a source from a hotel pointed out, they are known faces and outshine the event. “We don't like that,“ she said. “Of late, guests prefer trips abroad, fine dining and private parties to watching an actress gyrate to her hit numbers.“