Diary of a Weekend Puneite: Spoilt Forever

“In Mumbai, everybody is transactional!  Unlike people in Pune.” The husband will often wistfully say that ever so often when we end up spending a weekend back in the Bay. This, given his friend list is longer than most contact lists, and how affable and gregarious he is —  I can tell you is saying much. Silently though, I agree with him. Which is why the weekend back in Pune is choc-a-bloc with catch ups rather than a forced one in Mumbai – which is usually filled with chores and retail therapy.

To say that bonds made in the city are forever comes from how easy it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. Twenty years ago, Anaita Shroff was a model and free spirit the whole city of Pune – including the husband — was in love with. Her video with KK always had us say proudly, “Hey, that’s Anaita from my college!” Today, as a super yoga instructor (which she took up post an accident in 1993) – Eefa Shroff is a personal instructor to many of the Bollywood stars, industrialists and more. Recently, I reached out to her for help with an instructor and she did so easily and quickly. It was almost like the 20 years of not being in touch with her didn’t really exist as we chatted nineteen to the dozen.

The story holds true for any situation that one finds oneself backed in. Two years ago, a photoshoot I was asked to direct needed a super professional and I reached out to Sameer Belvalkar. Separated by a degree whilst growing up, Sameer – who found his mojo in photographing Bollywood stars and multiple adverts– was easily reachable and put ten freshers absolutely at ease in front of the camera, delivering superlative results. And yes, negotiating with him came easier than many of the snooty celeb photographers that Mumbai has.

My favourite part about bumping into someone from Pune anywhere in the world, is that no matter what your equation in Pune with them was, outside the city, we are thick as thieves. The hellos get warmer and the hugs tighter and almost everything melts away. And you will chat away bringing a piece of the city, even though you may have never done as much back in Pune!

It’s also perhaps why it comes easy to celebrate every Puneite’s win – be it buying a copy of the Forbes magazine featuring Sanjeev Bajaj on the cover for making Bajaj Finserv a powerhouse. Or discovering Vismaya Firodia and Sunil Bakshi’s boat Infiniti be written about as a must-do experience in the papers. Or being thrilled to see Pune boy Sandip Soparkar make his mark in Cannes and be featured extensively despite all his run-ins with the media. Or share Anu Aga’s down-to-earth interview on social media because truly you wouldn’t know that she’s amongst India’s Top 10 richest women if you met her. Or be stoked to find Pune ladies – Michelle and Natasha Poonawala – in the fashion glossies ever so often.

Amongst other things I am celebrating this week are:

Pindaan: Bunty-Prashant – Pune’s favourite photographers hold helm in this new Marathi movie. The reviews coming in on their opening weekend already look super-positive!

Fergusson College: My alma mater is finally becoming autonomous and moving with the times!

Rains: They are on their way and the showers will stay!

Niddhi Taparia 04-04-16Nidhi Taparia has a day job as a senior executive working with a leading transnational. A weekend Puniete, Nidhi left the city 16 years ago to fall in love with Mumbai – but Pune still is her first crush. Diary of a Weekend Puneite will appear every Saturday. The views expressed here are personal

Nidhi Taparia