Filmmaker and stylist Rhea Kapoor — who got married to her long-time beau Karan Boolani in August this year — has said a clear no to Karwa Chauth-related collaborations. She took to Instagram to share a long note, saying that the festival’s spirit is not something she and her husband, Boolani agree with. “Respectfully please don’t reach out to me for karva chauth gifting or collabs. It’s not something Karan or I believe in. We respect other couples who partake and can even enjoy the festivities while they do. It’s just not for me. Or us. So the last thing I want to do is promote something I don’t believe in and don’t really agree with the spirit it comes from (sic),” Kapoor wrote ahead of the festival, which is on October 24.

She also shared how a few people have called her “silly” for rejecting the idea. “For now I feel like if we take care of ourselves and each other we should be good. I only write this because it seems random strangers feel the need to aggressively convince me that I’m being ‘silly’, ‘have to do it’, ‘it’s my first’. No, thank you. let’s move on?(sic)”

Back in 2018, her elder sister, actor Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, too, had taken to social media to reveal how her husband Anand Ahuja “bullied her” to not fast on Karwa Chauth. She called Ahuja “most progressive, compassionate and gentle man” and thanked him for “bullying” her into not fasting. To which he replied: “I didn’t bully you! I just said that I’m fasting if you’re fasting, and if we don’t fast we can just walk around and workout and enjoy the day together! Does that sound like bullying? That sounds like intelligence to me.”

Meanwhile, their mum Sunita Kapoor hosts a Karwa Chauth party at their residence almost every year where many celebs including Neelam Kothari Soni, Raveena Tandon, Padmini Kolhapure, Shilpa Shetty Kundra participate in the festivities.

Rhea Kapoor and her long-time boyfriend Karan Boolani tied the knot on August 14. Giving the grand band baja baraat a miss, the couple instead went in for a cozy family affair at Anil Kapoor’s home in Mumbai. Big sister, Sonam arrived in the city exactly a month ago from London. Guess she was here for the wedding prep. On Saturday evening, the Kapoor residence was abuzz with relatives and close friends who arrived to join in the intimate celebrations.

Guests included Boney Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Anshula Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Sanjay and Maheep Kapoor along with son Jahaan Kapoor, and Masaba Gupta.

As the couple sealed their relationship, Anil Kapoor stepped out of his house with boxes of sweets and personally distributed it to the paparazzi waiting outside. He was heard telling the photographers, “Dil se de rahe hai, aashirwaad do, aap logo ke good wishes do. Thank you so much. Jaise Sonam ko aapne wish kiya, aaj Rhea ko wish kijiye, please.”

Right after the celebrations, while guests posed for the shutterbugs, Rhea, dressed in a red bridal ensemble, zipped off in a car along with Karan. Rhea and Karan’s love story goes back a long way. Karan was the first AD on Sonam-starrer Aisha, produced by Rhea. The two reportedly started dating while working on this project. He has also directed a few episodes of Anil Kapoor-starrer 24.

The two have been attending each other’s family functions and social events, and have been a part of each other’s family portraits for a while now. The Kapoor family has also been quite open about Rhea and Karan’s relationship. At the time of Pagalpanti’s (2019) release, in an interview with BT, Anil said, “I am very friendly with Rhea’s boyfriend Karan.”

Here’s wishing the couple a happy married life.

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Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 9, 2020)

Given the ongoing countrywide Coronavirus lockdown, Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s second wedding anniversary was a low-key affair. After the actress shared their first picture together, taken four years ago, on Instagram, writing, “I’m so thrilled I get to keep you for the rest of my life,” her businessman-husband got her to recreate the moment, only this time on video.

The celebrations began with Anand’s mother, Priya, decking up their house with balloons, and the couple cutting several cakes. This was followed by a group video call with Sonam’s family back in Mumbai. Anil Kapoor, who has got the hang of video calls now that he initiates one regularly with his Malang team, got on one with wife, Sunita, daughter Rhea and her beau, Karan Boolani. “The rest of the day was spent on more video calls with friends. The duo also cooked together,” reveals a source close to the couple.

And while Anand gifted Sonam a gaming console loaded with her favourite video games, we are yet to find out what was her gift to him.

Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 27, 2020)

Much like everyone else around the world, actor Anil Kapoor, too, is trying to keep calm in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides urging people to join #WarAgainstVirus and to stay home, the actor also feels that panic is the biggest enemy of the current crisis as it can spell doom on the whole plan of battling this situation. While acknowledging that this is indeed a “tough time for the whole world”, the 63-year-old feels that the only option right now is to “remain patient, positive, generous, kind and humble”. Excerpts:

Amid this lockdown, and quarantine becoming the way of life, how are you keeping yourself occupied?
We’re all trying to be productive, as much as possible, around the house. I make it a point to workout indoors every day and keep an eye on my diet. On a serious note though, I must give a shout-out to the health and medical authorities, not just in our country, but world over, who’re toiling endlessly to keep us safe from this deadly virus. If it wasn’t for their selfless work, we would all be doomed!

With so much panic around, how are you ensuring that people around you stay safe?
We are just trying to do our best, staying home safe and keeping a positive attitude. My family, team and I, are all aware, prepared and equipped, ensuring that we take all the necessary measures. (My wife) Sunita and I’ve been making sure our team, staff and their families are taken care of in these tough times.

You daughter Sonam Kapoor (aka Sonam K Ahuja) shared a detailed account of how she and husband Anand (S Ahuja) were screened at the airport upon their arrival from London. She lauded the effort put in by the authorities, and continues to spread awareness via social media...
Sonam is in Delhi with Anand. She and her family are staying home and safe. She’s been very vocal, brave and informative about her whole experience, which is a great. I’m sure it helped a lot of people, and has also answered their questions.

As you said you’re training at home. Would you want to share tips on how to achieve a healthy mind and body while being indoors?
I’ve been working out at home almost twice a day. I recently shared my home workout video and might share more in the future. Staying fit and moving, is very important!

Since you couldn’t travel to Germany for your wife’s birthday (March 25), how did you all celebrate the day?
Be it Germany or Mumbai, spending time together as a family is what matters at the end of the day. This year is all about holding your near and dear ones close, but in the safest way possible. So, the celebration was with immediate family, to avoid having too many people in one room, as per the protocol.

Have any of your shooting schedules also been disrupted because of the Coronavirus outbreak?
Thankfully, all my shoots ended in February. March was supposed to be a prep month for my upcoming projects. So while at home, I’m doing my research for Takht and just trying to learn more about Emperor Shah Jahan in depth and really get into the skin of the character. I really enjoy watching period dramas and have been watching a lot of them. I’m also looking at this time to reflect and synthesise for the future.

BOMBAY TIMES (March 26, 2020)

Sonam Kapoor aka Sonam K Ahuja and her husband Anand Ahuja, who recently returned from London, are currently in Delhi with the latter’s parents. The actress, who shared her journey of travelling during the Coronavirus outbreak, has not been able to meet her family ever since she has returned due to being in self-quarantine and now due to the countrywide lockdown.

Sonam took to Instagram to wish her mother Sunita Kapoor on her birthday on Wednesday, and penned down a note. “Happy happy birthday my mama. I miss you so so much. I wish I was there while you cut your cake and I wish I could get your hugs. I love you and I’ll see you soon,” read the post. The Neerja actress also shared a throwback picture with her mother in which the two of them can be seen twinning in black outfits.


Sonam K Ahuja, who is self-quarantining wished her mom with these adorable #WaybackWednesday pictures

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 20, 2019)

Anil Kapoor is a bundle of energy at work — if he is not busy charming his Pagalpanti co-stars Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda with gifts, he is seen giving a demo to Ileana D’Cruz about his latest gadget or teasing Arshad Warsi for his all-black attire. In a candid chat with BT, Anil also opens up about his equation with director Anees Bazmee, the risks he has taken in his career and the path his children Sonam and Harshvardhan are following in the film industry. Read on…

You have done nearly a dozen films with Anees Bazmee. While speaking about the comfort you two share at work, he mentioned that he knows you since the time he would give claps on the sets of Raj Kapoor movies. What are your early memories of working with Anees?
The first incident that comes to my mind is when Anees was writing a film for Pahlaj Nihalani. He was the one who narrated the scenes to me. The film was to be directed by someone else, but the director fell ill. So, Pahlaj called me and asked if he could send Anees to direct a part of the film. I was okay with it. So, the first actor Anees ever said an ‘action’ and a ‘cut’ to as a director, was me.

Our first full-fledged film as an actor-director was No Entry (2005). We were supposed to do Pyar To Hona Hi Tha (1998) and wanted Kajol for the film, but we could not get her on board at that time. It was heroine-oriented, so the leading lady had to be strong. Later, Ajay came on board and then Kajol also came in. Anees called me and asked if he could do this film with them (Ajay and Kajol), and I gave a goahead. The idea of the film was given by Boney (Kapoor), who had seen this Hollywood film French Kiss (1995) and worked on it. I remember this incident very well, I don’t think Anees remembers it.

You are extremely friendly with the new bunch of actors who you work with. Unlike other senior actors, you have no qualms of opening up to a Pulkit Samrat or a Kriti Kharbanda or have friendly chats with Ileana D’Cruz. They also seem extremely comfortable with you.
I have always been a people’s person. I want positivity on the set. When you are happy, the atmosphere on the set is good, and the film turns out well. I, therefore, make an effort to be friendly. I reach out to people (co-stars), rather than wait for them to reach out to me. I make the first move. The thing is that an actor can be ‘I, me, myself’ and focus on himself, but then, what happens is that he ends up looking good in the film, but the rest of it does not come together as well. Thus, the film suffers. I don’t let this happen. Whenever I feel that the energy of the actors on the set is low, or a co-actor is tired or has not slept well, then I try to create good atmosphere. Iss sab mein meri energy jaati hai and I forget my lines sometimes. By saying this, I am not trying to be sacrificial here. My only aim has been ki overall film achchi banni chahiye.

On the personal front, we see you enjoyed Diwali with daughter Sonam and son-in-law Anand Ahuja this year. It’s been a year-and-a-half since she tied the knot, how much have you adjusted to her not being around in the house?
This Diwali was great. Last year, we were in London and brought in the festival at her new house there. We had a quiet Diwali, as Sriji (Sridevi) had left us that year, so we had a small puja at home. This time, fortunately, Anand and Sonam were here in India, so we had a great party. It was hosted by Sonam and Rhea, so all their friends were there. My wife (Sunita Kapoor) is a great hostess and I feel Sonam and Rhea have taken it from their mother. Sunita and I were there too, but only to see to it that they don’t destroy the house (laughs!). When it comes to missing Sonam, yes, we do miss her, especially when she is away in London.

As a father, do you see any changes in Sonam post marriage? And how has your relationship with Anand grown over the last year?
Oh, let me tell you, she’s started cooking in London. I haven’t tried any of her dishes yet, but I have heard she cooks well. What I like about my relationship with Anand is that we are like friends. I am also friendly with Rhea's boyfriend Karan (Boolani).

There was a buzz about you teaming up with Govinda for the sequel to Deewana Mastana (1997). Have you been in touch with him over the years?
I keep meeting his children in the gym. Whenever I see his son (Yashvardhan Ahuja), I tell him, “Arre, baap ko leke aao yaar idhar (in the gym)”. Jokes apart, let me tell you that Govinda has lost weight and he is looking good.

There was also news sometime back that one of your iconic films, Ram Lakhan (1989),will be remade. In today’s times, it is challenging to get two heroes of that stature together for a project. Do you think this reason will be a deterrent, if the remake actually happens?
I wonder why? At that time, Jackie (Shroff) and I did 12 to 13 films together. In the current times, John (Abraham) and I have done many films together. In fact, Pagalpanti is my fifth film with him. And all the films that we have done together have done well, except for Salaam-E-Ishq. I think that’s because we didn’t have any scenes together (laughs!). I think that John Abraham-Anil Kapoor is the new lucky pair of Bollywood.

You started your journey in Bollywood four decades ago and charted an illustrious career in the film industry. As a father and an actor, do you think that your son Harsh Varrdhan’s journey in Bollywood has been tougher than Sonam’s journey?
Both of them (Sonam and Harsh Varrdhan) have done it on their own. While Sonam got films like Saawariya (2007) and Delhi-6 (2009), Harsh did movies like Mirzya (2016) and Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018). These films are still fresh in the memories of the people. Maybe, Harsh’s films didn’t do well commercially, but they laid a fantastic foundation, especially, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero. Sometimes for an actor, or an actress, building this kind of a foundation is very important. Doing such kind of cinema is much better than taking up something that is commercial and regressive.

Arre inki (Harsh Varrdhan) toh bas do hi filmay nahi chali na. Meri toh kitni saari nahi chali thi in the initial days. Be it the MS Sathyu’s Kahan Se Kahan Guzar Gaya (1981), or Vamsa Vruksham (Telugu, 1980). My film, Pallavi Anu Pallavi (Kannada, 1983) with Mani Ratnam also didn’t do well. These were my first few films, but it laid a foundation in terms of the kind of films I wanted to do.

Log Harsh ko bolte hai ki he has to do the typical masala entertainers. They used to tell me the same thing. It’s like déjà vu. People have forgotten that Harsh ka baap bhi toh aisa hi tha, in fact, his baap was even worse. In my initial days, actors like Rishi Kapoor and Jeetendra would pull my leg and call me a ‘thailawala’ actor, which means someone who plays a character looking for work, with a bag on his shoulders and an overgrown beard. They all considered me the serious kind of an actor. Everybody used to make fun of me and say, ‘Arre yaar tu Kapoor hai’, you should do more commercial films. Kuch masala picture kar, kya yeh sab kar raha hai? I always knew what I wanted. No pain, no gain.

Harsh Varrdhan will follow his own path. At the moment, he has three films in hand. He is in the prep mode for all of them simultaneously. One film is a biopic of the Olympic gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra. It is an ambitious project and we are looking forward to it.

Sometime ago, your reply to a fan on social media asking you to become the CM of Maharashtra, like you did in the film Nayak (2001), went viral. At a time when films are being made on socially relevant subjects, don't you think it's the right time for a film like Nayak 2?
Arre bohot hai aise subjects hamare paas. Everybody, including the directors, politicians, have been approaching me since years, asking me to do something on those lines. People are offering me big money to do films like that. However, jab tak kahani correct nahi hai, tab tak I won’t do it. I don’t want to do a sequel just for the heck of it. It has to fit in correctly. I have got something in mind now, hopefully that should work out. Fingers crossed.

Sonam Kapoor-Ahuja on life after marriage, juggling life in 3 cities, and her intimate home that makes her happy
Sangeeta Wadhwani (TIMES LIFE; November 3, 2019)

Today, 11 years on and with noteworthy films, a home production, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja has the confidence to decide everything – from hair to make-up to camera angles, lights, footwear, body language for all her shoots.

The actor’s wedding last May led to a host of dreamlike bridal images being unleashed on her fans and friends. “So I’m basically living between London, Delhi and Dubai, but I guess that’s because the world has become so much smaller, travel has become so convenient. My life hasn’t changed that much post marriage as I was always travelling. I have mostly been living out of hotels since I was 17, but having a base in a city is more stabilising. Having a home in each of these cities has helped me feel more grounded,” she says.

Setting up a home, running it, being mistress of her own manor, was a change from simply moving cities. Says Sonam, “Setting up a home was interesting. But let me tell you it’s a small home. It’s just for my husband and I. I think it’s romantic, it’s intimate, and it feels great.”

Both Sonam’s mom, Sunita Kapoor, and her maternal aunt, Kavita Singh, are legendary homemakers, painstaking hostesses, with a highly-refined sense of aesthetics. As of now, she insists, “I think marriage is just a formality in our time – of course, it is a commitment. But I feel we were already committed to each other before we were married. Marriage was something that we did for our friends and family. So I don’t think our relationship has changed so much since the time we were dating. He (Anand Ahuja) was travelling to Mumbai a lot, and I was travelling to London and Delhi. So things were pretty much the same before marriage as well. And even now, he travels a lot, I travel a lot. But for the world, we are married and I notice that changes the way people see me. Like, I am getting asked these questions!” she laughs, heartily.

On that note, we travel away from all things personal, to Sonam’s TOP FIVES across a host of things stylish and lifestylish...

Courtesy: Hello!
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THE HIGH FIVES OF SONAM KAPOOR AHUJA…

FASHION MUST-HAVES
- High-waisted black trousers
- Saree
- Shawl – a nice pashmina or a nice Hermes scarf. I like accessories like that
- White shirt
- And a nice pair of ballerina flats or pointed toe flats and cool sneakers

OFFBEAT PLACES TO VISIT
- Kyoto, Japan Marrakech
- Leh, Ladakh
- Vietnam
- Wine country in California

FASHION FAUX PAS
- When your slip shows under your saree
- The wrong innerwear
- Wearing sandals without a pedicure
- Wearing clothes that don’t go with the weather, or the occasion
- I generally appreciate people who take care of themselves, in terms of how they look; it says a lot about how they see themselves in a social context

TRENDING SONGS ON YOUR PLAYLIST
- Senorita
- Taylor Swift’s Lover
- Songs by AR Rahman
- Songs by RD Burman

THINGS ON YOUR WISH-LIST THIS YEAR
- Since I feel I already have what I want, and am so grateful, I will make wishes for my loved ones! So first, for Rhea my sis, I hope her movie goes on the floor soon
- Second I hope she gets married soon, she’s been dating the same guy for many years, I hope they get married this year
- For dad (Anil Kapoor), he is going to be 62 this year, so I wish for him to have the same energy and exuberance that he has always had
- For my mom, I hope she is more relaxed about us. I wish her greater peace of mind, I wish to spoil both my parents
- For my brother, I hope he achieves whatever he sets out to achieve, and for my husband, the same

THINGS TO MASTER
- My temper – though I don’t have much of a temper, I’d like to master it
- I believe one should master what one already uses – so I would like to further my mastery of Hindi as well as English
- My craft of acting
- Master how to be the best version of myself; self mastery is a lifelong journey, a critical one
- Gain some mastery over relating, improve on that aspect of life as well

ICONS
- Sarojini Naidu
- Meryl Streep
- My father, Anil Kapoor
- Toni Morrison
- Oprah Winfrey

FAVOURITE BOOKS
- An Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, though I don’t agree with it anymore
- Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
- A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
- Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh

INDIAN STYLE ICONS
- Maharani of Cooch Behar
- Waheeda Rahman
- Meena Kumari in Pakeezah
- Nutan
- Madhubala for her unforgettable screen presence

ON YOUR BUCKET-LIST
A sustainable career – not just when I am in India or London or Delhi, but a career that ‘travels’, feels vibrant. Maybe even acting in a foreign production

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 2, 2019)

Sonam Kapoor, who dressed up as Wednesday Addams for Halloween 2018, has decidedly kicked it up a notch. This year, the actress, along with businessman-husband Anand Ahuja, hosted a party at their Delhi residence and dressed up as Mughal-E-Azam’s Anarkali and Salim. Sonam captioned a picture of them together with, “Pyaar kiya to darna kya?” eliciting a thumbs-up from friends, including actor-brother Harsh Varrdhan Kapoor, who hailed the picture as “Maddddddd!”

While the guest list predominantly featured the couple’s friends from the Capital, Sonam’s Veere Di Wedding co-star Swara Bhasker was also in attendance, who turned up as Frida Kahlo. “Sonam and Anand had converted their house into a Halloween set-up with candles, pumpkins, spiders, smoke, red lights, among other things. The party went on till the early hours of the next morning. DJ MC Soopy belted out international tracks,” informs a source.

The buffet was in-line with the theme, and included cupcakes with RIP written on them and with chocolate bats, pecan pie, bloody eyeball cake pops and spider-webbed doughnuts.

Deepali Singh (DNA; June 9, 2019)

Just two days short of her birthday, Sonam Kapoor aka Sonam K Ahuja found herself being trolled for her comment on the recent Aligarh murder case. But the fiesty actress, who’s known to speak her mind, believes trolls don’t deserve her attention or time. “Do they change what I believe in? No. Then why should I waste my energy dealing with them? Trolls are pests. If they were offering constructive criticism, I would take it up and educate myself. I will speak my mind no matter what and no one should tell me to shut up. They can have their opinion, I can have mine,” the Veere Di Wedding actress states defiantly.

In control of her life
Moving on to happier things, Sonam, who turns 34 today, informs that birthdays at her house have always been a family affair. “It would start with mom and dad pampering us with our favourite treats, followed by a truckload of gifts and friends coming over to wish me. I am so thankful to the universe that there’s nothing much that’s changed for me. There is abundance of love coming my way, more each day, and I am just lapping it up,” she says. This year, her husband Anand and sister Rhea have planned something, so it will be another intimate family do.

Ask her how different is the 34-year-old from say, the 28-year-old Sonam and she says, “Principally, not much but then we all grow up to be in better control of who we are. The 34-year-old me is more self-assured. She holds on to what she believes in and doesn’t take criticism to heart. She is headstrong, fierce, will debate with knowledge and cares a damn about anyone who doesn’t matter. At 28, I was far more vulnerable and wary of the world,” she replies.

The multi-tasker
On the work front, Sonam had Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga in the beginning of the year, which was appreciated for being the first mainstream movie to showcase a lesbian relationship. Even though it was not a box-office success, the actress states that it is the most special movie she has ever been offered. “We live in a society that has negated the LGBTQ community from the mainstream narrative for so long. That film was made to establish that these voices are out in the open, the laws against the community have been banished and actors will do films about them. Till date, I don’t see Ek Ladki... as an off-beat venture. It was a sweet, emotional love story. Those who watched it had only one thing to say — the film is all heart. We won at that,” she adds.

Not content doing just one thing — she is an actor, producer, invests in art and jewellery and owns a clothing line — Sonam believes that multitasking is necessary for an artiste. “I want to use my voice for more things that I take keen interest in. Rhea and I are discussing to start something new. I will also be producing a documentary this year about global warming and I am looking to back more environmental issues that are being sidelined,” she signs off.

For several others, it’s happy holidays in London and aamchi Mumbai
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 27, 2018)


It time to take a break from shoots and take time out with the family. After wrapping up a hectic action-packed schedule of his home production, the period drama, Tanhaji, Ajay Devgn has taken off to Thailand with actress-wife, Kajol and their kids, Nysa and Yug. The Devgns will bring in the New Year at a remote island away from the madding crowds. The 49-year-old actor is already on a chill pill while his better half is going batty.

Ajay’s Golmaal Again co-star, Parineeti Chopra, is happily shopping on London’s Oxford Street. She returns from the Queen’s City only in the first week of January.

Fresh off the success of Badhaai Ho, Sanya Malhotra will also bring in the New Year with her sister and friends in the UK capital. Anil Kapoor has also flown off to London while daughter Sonam and son-in-law Anand Ahuja are off to Bali. It’s also an English winter for Radhika Apte, as also Rajkummar Rao and Patralekhaa.

Not everyone is headed for foreign shores. Sara Ali Khan is in Mumbai, promoting her second film, Simmba. It’s family time in aamchi Mumbai for Shraddha and the Kapoors before she jumps into the next schedule of Saina.

Farhan Akhtar, whose KGF is going great guns, will spend time with his daughters, Akira and Shakya, at a Khandala farmhouse.

MUMBAI MIRROR (November 7, 2018)

Kangana Ranaut, who is in Manali to celebrate Diwali with family, vintage wine and music, spent Monday outdoors for some sun and snow with her parents, sister Rangoli and her nephew.

Anil and Sunita Kapoor, meanwhile, are in London with daughter Sonam and son-in-law Anand Ahuja, while younger daughter Rhea has joined in with rumoured boyfriend Karan Boolani. On Monday, the happy bunch dropped by a theatre at the West End to catch Lin-Manuel Miranda’s widely acclaimed musical, Hamilton. “The plan is to fan this spark into a flame,” Rhea captioned the image of the family outing.

Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra was recently joined by actress-cousin Parineeti Chopra and friend Isha Ambani in Amsterdam, where her bachelorette had commenced on Sunday. While the bride-to-be chose a Georges Chakra dress for the occasion – “Featherweight of the world,” she said about her outfit – her gang, which also included sister-in-law-to-be Sophie Turner and besties Srishti Behl-Arya, Natasha Pal, was colour-coordinated in red.

After the party, groom-to-be Nick Jonas left a comment on a picture of PeeCee and Pari shared by the latter. “Wow she is so beautiful. Any chance you could introduce me?” Parineeti shot back, “She is very hard to get! But I can try for you, if you agree to pay the 5 million dollar shoe hiding fee!”

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; October 10, 2018)

In her 11 year-long-career, this will be the first time that Sonam K Ahuja will share screen space with her father, Anil Kapoor, for Shelly Chopra Dhar’s Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga. She will also play the on-screen daughter of her uncle, Sanjay Kapoor, in Abhishek Sharma’s The Zoya Factor (TZF). She says, “When you watch Ek Ladki Ko Dekha..., you will realise that it was the best film for dad and me to come together for the first time. As for TZF, it’s going to be a fun flick.” Ask her how different Anil and Sanjay are on the sets, and pat comes the response, “When it comes to work, dad is serious whereas chachu is more chilled out.”

We reached out to Sanjay and asked him for a reaction to what Sonam had to say. He reasons, “She feels more comfortable around me. Tomorrow, if my daughter, Shanaya, works with me and Anil, she will invariably have lesser inhibitions around him.”

He adds, “The atmosphere on the sets of TZF is chilled out. So, Sonam feels a lot more relaxed. Plus, the character is similar to her real persona. This is the first time I’m shooting with a family member; I just had a cameo in Mubarakan (2017) where I played Arjun Kapoor’s father. Sonam and I have never had the chance to spend quality time like this. As we are working together, we meet every day, discuss a lot of things and are getting to know each other.”

The actor not only bonded with the Veere Di Wedding heroine, but also with her hubby Anand S Ahuja. He reveals, “A few days ago, Anand dropped by on the sets and I interacted with him. They are a wonderful couple. He complements Sonam perfectly.”

Nishi Tiwari (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 31, 2018)

Just like his courtship with Sonam Kapoor and their subsequent nuptials, Delhi boy Anand Ahuja’s 35th birthday on Monday was a visual treat.

“To the love of my life and the kindest and gentlest soul I know… You make my world better,” the actress marked the day with another picture of them together and a message to go along with it.

Meanwhile, patriarch Anil hung out with his son-in-law and an array of celebratory cakes (left), exclaiming, “You are already having a hell of a year!” The youngest Kapoor sibling, actor Harshvardhan, rejoiced at the opportunity of finally getting to post a snap of the couple long after he had clicked it. “One of my favourite pictures that I have captured… London (sic),” he said.

But the most innovative of the lot was filmmaker-stylist Rhea, who got her sneaker fiend brother-in-law a gigantic shoeshaped cake. “I didn’t know what shoe you really wanted so we just made you one we were sure you didn’t have,” she said cheekily.

This party sure belongs to a tastefully done mood board, no?

Entrepreneur Anand opens up on building fashion brand with actor-wife and sustaining long-distance marriage
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 28, 2018)

Over two months into his big, fat wedding, Anand S Ahuja has been shuttling in and out of Mumbai. Although admitting that his trips to the Maximum City have become more frequent, courtesy wife Sonam K Ahuja, the entrepreneur — who opened his clothing store, Bhane, in Khar yesterday — says his connect with Mumbai goes beyond her. “I have been coming to Bombay even before I met Sonam; my best friends are from here. I know more people here than in Delhi. However, my work is based out of the capital. So Sonam and I will be shuttling between the two cities for the time being.”

Though many modern couples may sneer at the idea of a long-distance marriage, Ahuja says it requires the same qualities as a conventional one — “patience and romance”. “When it comes to marriage, small things matter a lot. We eat meals together, even if we are in different time zones, on Skype. We also actively make sure that we don’t go over two weeks without seeing each other.”

Admitting to being hopelessly romantic, he reveals that their courtship too was old school. “We would talk over the phone. It was seven weeks before we actually met. By then, we knew we were in love, but met in person to solidify it. At the end of the day, it’s about being patient.”

If their shared idea of romance makes them a perfect match, their sharp eye for fashion makes theirs the perfect marriage in the world of couture. Hoping to build a brand with his fashionista wife, Ahuja says, “Sonam and I would love to build a brand together. She gets fashion, I get fabrics. Besides her [apparel line] Rheson, she is also involved with our label.”

He credits the doting wife for giving a distinct shape to his Mumbai outlet too. “I got clarity on the label after I met Sonam. She is decisive and I am the exact opposite. She intuitively knows what’s good for me. She has brought a lot of clarity to my life. This store reflects a personality thanks to her. We wanted to create a plaza — there is a coffee shop and a cupcake store. We wanted to create a niche brand with a unique story behind it. We are launching a new line in September.”