Column: Tongue in Check

Want the latest buzz on the gossip front? A peep into the lives of the rich and famous? A wind of Chennai’s best-kept secrets? Writer, activist, anchor, and queen bee Apsara Reddy fills you in with all that and then some in this column.
‘Party’ Politics
The competition among venue promoters in our city is getting fiercer by the day. Malls, brands and hotels are roping in influential people with contacts to draw up guest lists that include the elusive ones.Chennai recently saw two such bashes; on the same day, same time, too! One was hosted by two young lasses, and had A-listers, corporate honchos and heads of companies walking in, and the other, coordinated and promoted by an upcoming choreographer, saw all and sundry hobnob. Most of the guests were friends of the less-known choreographer, and one of them commented “I really regret going there. Some people were seen throwing up on the floor”.

On his own steam
Shariq Hasan is sizzling, and how! Sporting a come-hither look, a chiselled body and a masculine moustache, he has managed not overdo it with that South Indian look, and yet, has a very namma-Chennai-boy look about him. Spotted at an event recently, Shariq was seen networking and excitedly discussing his upcoming film projects. The fact that it was first Mahat who’d spotted him had some people gossiping that Shariq will get a chance through Simbu if Mahat refers him to his good friend. But guess what? Shariq is going on his own steam and signing projects without the charitable hand of any other.

For the richie rich club only
Anearly 76-year-old building in the heart of the city is where the super-luxurious penthouses and plush apartments are! Bang in the heart of the city, in Nungambakkam, this one’s a gem of real estate. Each floor, meticulously converted into sprawling modern apartments and inspired by New York design sensibilities is the brainchild of one of city's well-known educationists and inspirational speakers. This property, has many takers, including director AL Vijay, who bought a swanky penthouse, and later sold it to a businessman. The building has had a few Art Deco touches,too. The availability of apartments is a closely guarded secret. As a result, the vintage building has apartments owned by the city's seriously loaded set!
No Free stuff, please
Celebrity makeup artistes usually find that tag by offering complimentary sessions to socialites and celebrities. But two top-notch makeup professionals in the city are raking in the moolah without bending backwards. Athiya and Ramya, who began their careers recently, are booked for months on end at a steep price of nearly 30k per face! It seems from gold dust powders to pearl-laced con