Phorum Dalal (MID-DAY; October 10, 2017)

"I don't party much,” Gauri Khan says, at the start of our conversation. The star wife may be fiercely private as a person, preferring an intimate soiree over a lavish bash, but that is not to say she doesn’t excel at throwing grand parties. The warm hosting skills of Bollywood’s first lady are legendary — ask Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. It’s not surprising then that when Mumbai was to be given a taste of London’s party scene, she was called in for her expertise.

London’s A-lister club, Cirque Le Soir, is hosting a one-night only party in the city on October 27 and Khan, one of the biggest names in interior décor, has been entrusted the responsibility to design the set. “We all wanted to create a space like no other. It had to be luxurious to the point of decadence,” she says of the Halloween party.

Modelled on the lines of a circus, it will include live performances by magicians, clowns, sword-swallowers, fire-eaters, burlesque angle grinders and stilt walkers. Six of the nightclub’s performers are said to fly down for the do.

The club has dominated the party scene since its inception in 2009 finding patrons in Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe and 8 ude Law amongst others. Khan is aware that the stakes are high as she gets ready to treat the city to “an unforgettable night”. “The sets will be ethereal with luminous ruins that will transform from heaven into hell with a shift in light. [There will be] demons crashing through gothic gates guarded by winged angels and more,” she says.

Imtiaz Khatri, founder of VVIP Universal Entertainment, the promoters of the event, says, “We couldn’t imagine anyone but Gauri designing this for us.”

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 15, 2017)

While speaking to Mirror (May 6) earlier, Tiger Shroff had revealed his plans to start a martial arts and dance school for kids. “It’s great to see kids showing more interest in outdoor activities than in staying home after watching me. They are the future of our country and I want to make a difference if I can with this school,” he had stated.

Now, Mirror has learnt that the 27-year-old actor has joined hands with entrepreneur-turned-film producer Imtiaz Khatri to set up mixed martial arts training studios across the country, the first of which will be launched in Bandra where he resides.

Confirming the news, Tiger said, “I’m happy to associate with Imtiaz on a project which is close to both our hearts. I am and will always be a student of mixed martial arts which is the fastest growing sport globally. Since my first movie, Heropanti, I’ve wanted to give something back to young people who have showered me with so much love and there’s no better way to do that than give them a safe place to learn this amazing sport and channelise their energy in a disciplined way.”

Tiger and Imtiaz have known each other for four years now and Imtiaz who describes his friend as “a passionate and pure soul” is happy to be getting into a partnership with him. “The plan is to set up 12 studios over two years. Tiger, a mixed martial arts exponent himself, is actively participating in the planning and execution,” Imtiaz revealed, adding that the duo has zeroed in on a 3000-squarefeet space in Bandra and work on the interiors have begun.

“We are aiming to start operations within three months.” Will Tiger be mentoring the students as well? “He is willing to do so but he has a full-fledged acting career that keeps him busy,” Imtiaz pointed out.

Meanwhile, Tiger is gearing up for the release of the Sabbir Khan-directed Munna Michael and will kick off Ahmed Khan’s Baaghi sequel shortly.