Talk of the Town

Money talks!

What’s increasingly noticeable at social gatherings is the blatant sucking up to the super-rich and powerful women. The moment certain names walk in, people suddenly discover an urgent desire to run towards them and give a hug, making it seem like they are besties. Swati of Greenko, Meghna Rao of My Home Builders, daughter of CM Revanth Reddy, Apollo hospital Shobhna and Sangita Reddy, Kanika Tekriwal, Allu Sneha... are among those ladies who everyone wants to be a friend of. Watch their social media feeds, within seconds of them posting a reel — it could be a simple “morning tea in the garden...” and they get thousands of likes within seconds.

Understated billionaire wives

Some billionaire wives like to make sure their wealth is impossible to miss — diamonds, Birkin bags, head-to-toe designer labels and enough bling to announce their net worth without a word being spoken. Then there are those who have every reason to flaunt it but choose not to. Women like Jyoti of Vamsiram Builders, Padma of Aparna Builders, Anuradha Reddy of Dr Reddy’s, the women of MSN Pharma, Hetero Pharma, Anita, Hema of KIMS hospitals, Vani Raju belong to school of being understated.

Pubs under the scanner!

Luft Pub isn’t the only Hyderabad nightlife spot to have recently landed on the police radar. In the latest case, Jubilee Hills police booked Luft after allegedly finding six youngsters, including four minors, consuming liquor. But there’s more. Kings and Queens, popularly known as Club Masti, in KPHB was raided in June, with police alleging regulatory violations, including inadequate safeguards against minors. Quake Arena in Kondapur was raided by the EAGLE team in April, with seven people testing positive for drugs. Different cases, same message — Hyderabad’s pubs are being watched. Kids from super rich families are doing contraband.

MSN Realty’s Rs 1,386-crore Raidurg splash

MSN Realty has made a spectacular splash in Hyderabad’s realty market, winning a 5.25-acre Raidurg parcel for Rs 1,386 crore — a record Rs 264 crore per acre. The TGIIC auction fetched a 50.9% premium over the Rs 175-crore reserve price, smashing the previous Rs 237-crore-per-acre record set in May. TGIIC vice-chairman and managing director K. Shashanka said the result reflected sustained investor confidence in the corridor. Another approximately five-acre parcel in the same survey number goes under the hammer on August 28. Is MSN Realty eyeing that too?

Sweet shocker!

Hyderabad’s sweet shops are feeling the heat. TG SAFE teams raided 32 sweet and savoury retail and manufacturing units, including the well-known G Pulla Reddy Sweets. Officials reportedly found poor hygiene, expired food, fungal-infested vegetables, improper storage, labeling violations and pest infestation. Burfi Ghar in Bachupally had its licence suspended and was ordered to stop operations. Thirty-five samples were lifted, while 15 tonnes of food worth Rs 30 lakh were seized. Another warning. Those used to ordering fruits, veggies etc on quick delivery apps beware. Their godowns were raided too and were found to be filthy — infested with insects, rats shit, dirt, etc!

From beats to brews!

Anirudh Ravichander is adding another beat to his business playlist. The composer has invested an undisclosed amount in Ironhill through Albuquerque Records, following the merger of its India and US businesses into one international platform. Anirudh, who co-founded Loca Loka Tequila, has previously worked with Ironhill co-founder Sree Harsha Vadlamudi. This is his second global hospitality and F&B investment. With Ironhill eyeing international expansion, what’s next on Anirudh’s investment track?

A star-studded engagement

Producer-politician, lawyer Niranjan Reddy’s son Sahil Reddy is engaged to fellow lawyer Srihitha Rao. The Hyderabad celebration drew names from the film and social circuits, including Mahesh Babu-Namrata Shirodkar, Rashmika Mandanna-Vijay Deverakonda and many more. Niranjan Reddy is the go-to lawyer for the cities top notch people, including the filmi types. They will never miss his function for anything!

Who, What, When, Where, Why

Who has moved out of his parents home and is staying in good friend Aditya Reddy’s newly built apartments? Actor Akhil and wife Zainab.

What are people saying about restaurants like Hosa, Izumi, Burma Burma? “Highly overrated!”

When was global rap star French Montana hosted at Taj Falaknuma Palace for a “special evening”?

Where does one get to hear the most juicy gossip being discussed? At the Chambers in Taj Krishna! People think it’s very private, but are unaware of those eavesdropping on the next table!

Why is everyone sniggering at a lady, Ms L, who wears big rocks — emeralds, tanzanites etc — and is always talking about how she’s buying jewels worth Rs 50 crores and more. According to her, buying land is a waste because you cannot wear it, but jewels you can and then everyone is just staring at her!