Fabulous Lives Vs. Bollywood Wives Season 3 on Netflix might be pegged on the never-ending Delhi Vs Mumbai ‘which is better’ debate but it becomes a mishmash of neither here nor there. In this season, besides Neelam Kothari sharing her traumatic first marriage experience and Seema Sajdeh revealing about moving on in life with former fiancé Vikram Ahuja, the Netflix series, produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, is limited to a Mauritius trip, brief appearances by Gauri Khan and Karan Johar, and several catty confrontations. There are, however, three new cast members — Shalini Passi, Kalyani Saha, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni — representing Delhi, who join the existing Mumbai girl gang. While art collector Shalini Passi emerges as the clear winner this season, we also focus on the other two popular Delhi girls who are pitted against the Mumbaikars.
Shalini Passi
Art, design and fashion patron Shalini Passi is the lady who has caught everyone’s attention in the newest season of The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, which started streaming on October 18 under a new name — Fabulous Lives Vs. Bollywood Wives. The Delhi art collector, married to PASCO group chairman Sanjay Passi, has been a revelation on the show. From her brand of wit, her outlook towards life, her philosophy, her fashion sense to her nonchalance — she’s fascinating. And her one-liners, peppered with humour and a certain amount of spontaneity, have gone viral. Here’s a taste of some Shalini Passi-originals — ‘The only reason I don’t hold grudges against other people is that it affects my skin’; ‘I would rather jump into the deep ocean than be with all of you’ (and, she literally did); ‘I like things more than people.’ No wonder she’s the only one this season the Bollywood Wives can’t stop talking or thinking about, just like us, the audience. Shalini hardly keeps herself free throughout the day. Besides her art endeavours, her passion lies in taking lessons in dance, singing, pilates, and more. She takes her entourage wherever she goes to take care of her well-being. She loves to live wholeheartedly and doesn’t ‘do lunches’. Shalini, the founder of MASH, a digital platform to integrate art, craft architecture, design, and fashion, also lends a hand to promote and support other artistic endeavours. Along with her husband, she’s part of various philanthropic ventures and makes hefty donations to several social causes.
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni
Neetu and Rishi Kapoor’s daughter Riddhima is a jewellery designer (R Jewellery) and a yoga enthusiast. Popular as an influencer, she makes her official screen debut with Fabulous Lives Vs. Bollywood Wives. Though representing the Delhi girl gang, Riddhima is a blend of both Delhi and Mumbai since she moved to the capital city only after her marriage to Bharat Sahni, the owner and managing director of WearWell which is into garment manufacturing and export. Her brother and actor Ranbir Kapoor jocularly introduces her and says that his sister has no filter while talking and is full of fire. Riddhima shares that she is called ‘mini Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) ji’ because of her candid nature similar to her father’s. However, throughout the show, she comes across as a sweet, prim and proper person, so we are yet to see the fiery side that her brother talks about. She is seen bonding with her mother Neetu Kapoor while sharing small details about life with her, and her daughter Samara shows a lot of spunk and is very clear about becoming an actress. Riddhima even reveals she had a crush on Maheep Kapoor’s better half, actor Sanjay Kapoor, when she was a kid.
Kalyani Saha Chawla
Popular Delhi socialite Kalyani Saha Chawla is all about opulence and that is how she has paved her way for decades. As a single woman, she adds an energy to the show just like Seema Sajdeh had done in the earlier seasons. Calcutta-born Kalyani moved to Delhi to work in various sectors of media and hospitality before marrying Vishal Chawla. After the divorce, she decided to co-parent daughter Tara Tahira (currently working in London) with her former spouse. A seasoned entrepreneur and an art gallery owner, Kalyani remained the vice president of Dior India for over a decade and has established the luxury brand in the country. She owns a luxury silverware brand Rezon and co-owns a fashion e-commerce brand Lulu & Sky. It’s fun to hear her pop fun Bengali phrases, such as ‘Arrebaba’, here and there whenever put on the spot.
