The wonderful life of Shalini Pasi. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Shalini Pasi is a vibe. Even when she is tired, she still has a sense of peace. Following her talk on women in artistry at the Madras Art Weekend (MAW), we sit down for a chat in her suite at the Park Hyatt. Between answering calls, directing her staff, sipping fresh juice, and getting ready for the MAW inauguration (within 30 minutes I saw her in three different outfits), she says, “I was in Doha, I landed at 3 in the morning. Chennai.”
But she is not complaining. “I have always enjoyed the hectic pace of things. I like to keep my days full. I take time out in the evening to strategize and think,” she says. A Delhi-based art collector and philanthropist, Shalini became a national sensation… or should we say, a global sensation after her debut this year. fabulous life vs bollywood wives On Netflix. The reach of the show is massive, she says. “It is broadcast all over the world and has been translated into many languages. After the show, it was heart-warming to see fans coming to meet me at hotels and airports. What made me really proud was that security personnel at airports were moving towards me,” she smiles.
An art collector, Shalini’s house in Delhi is like a museum. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
This transition to television came at a time when Shalini herself was planning to start a travel and art show. He believes that for a long time India has been portrayed as a country with a poor, backward and divided society. She says she wants to “showcase a hopeful India while showcasing the crafts and designs of people rooted in tradition,” adding that she has planned to shoot in Leh, Ladakh, Puducherry, Mamallapuram, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Dharamshala. Traveled across India. But he needed to build his audience. Then Karan Johar asked her if she would be interested in the third season Wonderful life of Bollywood wives. “Everything has its time, and this was a good time to create and reach a larger audience,” she says.
And will we see him next season? “Ask Netflix,” she smiles. Ever since the show came on air in October this year, he has been receiving both abuses and criticism. There has been a flood of memes about him on social media also. “I find them really funny. I didn’t think anyone else would find them funny or interesting or relate to them. It’s crazy that thousands of people are using their voices and making videos,” she says.
For MAW, Shalini brings Milaya, an embroidery atelier founded by Gayatri Khanna, to Chennai. It is a collaboration with MASH (a digital platform launched by them that explores the intersection of art, architecture, fashion, design and craft). “We are showcasing the works of Indian modern masters that have been translated into beautiful embroideries by Milaya Studio,” she says. Shalini’s heart is in art. “I wanted to be an artist or architect, and received training from painter Bishamber Khanna. I studied all the artists I collect now. Be it Raza’s works or Hussain’s works, when you study art you also study art history,” she explains. She says the first piece of art she bought was a painting by MF Hussain. His house is now like a museum, filled with art works, sculptures and installations.
Apart from art, she also keeps an eye on fashion. And her costume choices – some over-the-top, including an outfit complete with Cleopatra-inspired headgear and daggers – Wonderful life… There is proof of this. “My fashion is eclectic. This is me. I don’t intend to be ‘it’ girl. I just want to wear things that make me feel fun,” she says. And as far as her most amazing dress to date, she says, “That’s still in the pipeline.”
published – December 13, 2024 03:49 PM IST
