The perennials still flutter in and out of the party circuit but the cameras are now also trained on a whole new bunch of celebs du jour.

BOLLYWOOD PRESENCE – THE WISH LIST FOR LUNCHEONS AND LAUNCHES

• Saif Ali Khan
• Aishwarya Rai
• Abhishek Bachchan
• Karan Johar
• Malaika Arora
• Fardeen Khan
• Salman Khan
• Sushmita Sen

Divya Palat and Aditya Hitkari: the couple that clings together, stays together.	Amrita Arora: li’l sis following admirably in big sister’s footsteps.
Deepika Padukone: feet on the ramp; eyes turned towards the big screen.	Ektaa Kapoor: Subject of speculation when spotted with hunky male, other than cast member.
Kamal Sidhu: TV's original girlie VJ, now grown-up glam.	Perizaad Zorabian: crossover actress with the Julia Roberts smile.
Priya Sachdev: Marriage does bring fame.	Rakshanda Khan: small screen style siren who fits on to stage and in and out of parties with equal ease.
Soha Ali Khan: sedate royal with a warm presence.	Upen Patel: boyish charm and dimpled chin make a pretty picture anywhere.
Shilpa and Shamita Shetty: sisters, always in arms, smiles patted in place

NOVEL PARTY SETTINGS

It’s not about thinking bigger and better, but thinking different

• Luxury tents, arranged in clusters on the shore, a small bonfire and gypsy band.
• A barn dance in an unused garage with low haystacks for seating and an empty truck converted into a bar.
• Atop a mammoth machan, or a bamboo grove. Recreate the eerie delight of a forest, as trees and creepers sway in the twilight breeze.

CREATIVE PURSUITS

Bangkok street and Mughal mujra are passé. Verve recommends...

Buff and shine party: for girls and metrosexuals. An afternoon soirée of nail art and tarot reading while nursing a jug of Pimm’s and being pampered.

Shipwreck party: charcoal, tattered white cloth, huge cauldrons of food.

Rooftop beach party: freshly-laid sand, grilled chops, flip-flops, linen pants...refuge under the stars.

The ugh! party: must come as off-season label hag. Go garish or ridiculous-retro but be prepared to make fun of yourself and others.

For complete story, subscribe to Verve Magazine or buy the Verve issue on stands now!