Purani Jeans & paani-kum chai!

It was strictly retro evening over Radio Mirchi’s late night programme Purani Jeans at Koolar & Co. in Matunga, among Mumbai’s oldest Irani restaurants, this one catering to the Parsi Colony residents of the area. And calling the tune was Bollywood’s new sexy swinger with the yesteryear look — Vidya Balan in a yellow floral chiffon saree, long tresses flying, dressed as her screen character Krishna Verma from the forthcoming film Ishqiya.The actress, a self-confessed Bollywood retro buff, did a live gig at the cafetaria with RJ Anmol of Radio Mirchi’s programme which brought back in vogue Hindi numbers of the 70s and celebrates its first anniversary as the No. 1 radio show in Mumbai.
Vidya, whose film opposite Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi is one of individuals caught in a web of suspense, crime, passion and deceit, was excitement uncontained. “I love old numbers and Purani Jeans is my favourite show. I listen to it while driving back late from my shoots,” trilled the actress.
While RJ Anmol kept Mirchi listeners tuned in and spun Vidya’s favourite 1970s’ Bollywood tracks from the restaurant-turned-radio studio, she vibed with Purani Jeans listeners from nearby who rushed to the Irani joint when they discovered the action was all happening there. Brun-maska and chai, the pride of any Irani’s menu, was brought out; an anniversary cake was cut, and the party continued over Radio Mirchi music late into the night... a classic Hindi film music lover’s definition of an evening well spent — listening to Kishore and Rafi hits in the company of friends and like-minded music lovers.