Malavika’s Mumbaistan: A candle for Himanshu Roy | Mumbai news - Hindustan Times
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Malavika’s Mumbaistan: A candle for Himanshu Roy

Hindustan Times | ByMalavika Sangghvi, Mumbai
May 14, 2018 03:37 PM IST

To say that Mumbai received the news of Additional Director General of Police, Himanshu Roy’s, untimely death last Friday, like a shot through its collective heart, would not be wrong. Almost a legend in his lifetime, Roy’s sterling attributes of dignity, grace, courage and honour had made him a heroic figure of mythological proportions, across the city.

To say that Mumbai received the news of Additional Director General of Police, Himanshu Roy’s, untimely death last Friday, like a shot through its collective heart, would not be wrong. Almost a legend in his lifetime, Roy’s sterling attributes of dignity, grace, courage and honour had made him a heroic figure of mythological proportions, across the city. The outpouring of grief and sadness following his tragic death was unprecedented; message after message spoke of his kindness, his courage, his outstanding rectitude and moral decency. Like so many others, we too had known him and been the beneficiary of his kindness and concern. A problem taken to super cop Roy’s desk was not only taken care of with efficiency and precision, but also handled with empathy and fairness. We discovered that we not only shared the same passion for fine writing instruments, but also used the same brand and model! He’d been the quintessential south Mumbai boy, a product of Campion School, and St Xavier’s College; an exemplary officer, a devoted family man, an upright citizen and a symbol of all that was good and great, not only in the police force, but in the world too. When we had heard of him going on medical leave owing to his illness, we had texted him to say we were “only a shout away” if he “ever needed anything”. His response had come immediately: “Thank you Princess. God bless you, always.” A message we will always hang on to and treasure.

Senior IPS officer Himanshu Roy.(HT File Photo)
Senior IPS officer Himanshu Roy.(HT File Photo)

Spread your wings across this broken city and fly beautiful spirit, fly.

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A NO-CHEAT DAY

(LtoR) Virat Kohli with Sourish Bhattacharyya.
(LtoR) Virat Kohli with Sourish Bhattacharyya.

“How’s the food at Nueva?” was the first thing Virat (Kohli) asked when he heard I write about food, writes the Capital’s larger-than-life food writer and blogger — legendary for his appetite — Sourish Bhattacharyya, about this delightful picture shot this week with the elegant right- handed batsman who heads the Indian national cricket team. The cricket superstar was not making polite conversation: the eatery at RK Puram, specialising in South American cuisine, belongs to him. “He, of course, doesn’t get to eat much, whether at Nueva or any other restaurant. He told me, ‘I can only eat what I am allowed by my fitness coach. I have to stay away from any kind of comfort food, and, no cheat days,” Bhattacharyya shares. “To achieve Virat’s kind of greatness, you have to lead in many respects the life of a monk from a very young age, as you work towards greater successes.” What’s more, Kohli’s abstemiousness appears to have been contagious: Though Bhattacharyya had favoured the pan friend dim sums and lamb mince balls, he says about the encounter, “even I wasn’t eating much”.

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM

It is not surprising, given our connect with Cannes (we were the result of our parents’ exuberant vacation, following

Manish Malhotra.
Manish Malhotra.

our father’s stunning win at the film festival, many moons ago, and the resort had also been the first stop on an extended honeymoon, the start of many subsequent visits), we exult in its news. So, this year, when we heard the makers of an international ice cream brand had chosen designer Manish Malhotra as its brand ambassador to represent it at the annual film festival, we were not surprised: after all, we had grown up hearing stories of how the seaside resort became the cynosure of all eyes during the famous film festival, when cavorting starlets, legendary auteurs and the international paparazzi descended on it. Cannes had always worn two hats during the film festival: on one hand, as a prestigious film competition with an eminent jury, and on the other, of an international market place fuelled by glamour and commerce. Over the decades, it had become one of the best international showcases for brands. From make-up and premium vodka, to upmarket ice cream brands — it was all part of the game. Malhotra had been flown in for the day, done a brand shoot, attended a sparkling soiree that evening and was back in Mumbai when we spoke yesterday. The trip, though, not his first to the resort, had been refreshing and sweet.

Like ice cream.

THE BRIDE WORE PINK

Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia.
Angad Bedi and Neha Dhupia.

“Neha Dhupia and I met many years ago at a jewellery event that we co-judged together, and have been in touch ever since,” said designer Anita Dongre, currently in New York to launch her flagship store in America. She was referring to the beauty queen title-winner and actress who tied the knot with actor Angad Bedi in a private and shotgun wedding last week, coming as it did on the heels of the mega high-profile Sonam-Anand nuptials, and had caught everyone by delighted surprise. “She had called me at 2am in New York and told me that she is getting married. At first, I thought she was pulling my leg, but it turned out she wasn’t!” said Dongre. The actress had specified she wanted to keep her wedding look simple and elegant and had one thing in mind: She wanted to wear soft pink. “I had just made a beautiful pink lehenga and instantly knew that would be perfect for her,” says Dongre, “So, I quickly customised a choli and dupatta to go with it. To complete her look, the actress complemented the lehenga with uncut diamond jewellery, paired with emeralds,” says Dongre, adding “She made for such a beautiful bride!”

Indeed.

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