They are the most sought-after socialites in the nation’s capital, the queens of kitty parties, who are clicked sipping sangrias and margaritas with perfectly manicured fingers sporting dazzling rocks.

Zee TV has come up with Dilli Darlings, a show which not only captures Page 3 in motion, but also reveals what lies behind the public personae of these affluent ladies by peeking into their luxe lairs as they run their domestic chores, following them on shopping sprees and spa sessions, and spying on their gossip binges laced with drama and intrigue. And, of course, capturing their exclusive parties that get thrown in the hippest places, including one on the premium cruise liner Jalesh. At home, most are shown to be perfect homemakers, planning dinner menus for guests with their cooks. Personal crises like having to choose between invitations to clashing parties hosted by rival socialites lead them to the thakur ghar!

Some of them were born in laps of luxury while others made their way up. But they are all unapologetically self-indulgent, full of swagger, seriously stylish and ready to flaunt it all. t2 catches up with three of the swish set of 10 Dilli Darlings at the show’s launch in, where else but, Delhi. Here are snatches of the conversations.

(Picture sourced by correspondent)

Sona Sharma

Owner of a popular salon in Greater Kailash 2, the glamourous grandmom is the senior-most in the party. A cancer survivor, she is living her second life queen size.

Her story

Everyone wants to be famous. The things we do for ourselves — work out, do make-up, dress well — it is all because we want to look good and when we enter a place we want people to look at us.

I don’t hide my age. My granddaughter is seven and my grandson is five. I married at 17. Initially, I was a homemaker. I raised my children, took care of my family. Then eight years back I had throat cancer and lost all hope. It took me a year-and-half to get back on my feet. Once I realised I had not died I wanted to do something and show people I was not over. It was a challenge. I started working — opened the salon — and started going to parties.

People think we are social butterflies. When this show came, I thought here’s a chance to show what I actually am. We were just ourselves on the show. At times, I was nervous as I have this problem of talking — I lisp because of the surgery — but the production team helped me out.

When I got a call from Zee and told my sons, both said no. They said my health won’t permit me. My husband wondered if someone was playing a prank. But gradually they supported me.

I wake up at 5.30am and am in the gym by 7. I make breakfast for everyone and then visit my salon or spend time at the factory. This is a message to all the (aged) ladies who think it’s all over. Why? Our first innings was for our family. Now we should give priority to ourselves. I wear the shortest of clothes. I look fair enough, not vulgar. My grandson says: “Dadi, you are going to party again! Table pe chad ke mat dance karna!” That is what I do when I am high (laughs). My granddaughter says: “Dadi, you look hot.” She is the one who clicks my Instagram pictures.

I plan what to wear in a party when I travel from work to home. So once I reach my mind is set. By the time we are having dinner, I start doing my make-up. It takes me just half an hour to dress and I look the best! Once everyone goes to sleep I am off for the party.

(Picture sourced by correspondent)

Manya Pathak

Co-owner of India’s leading microbrewery, Ministry of Beer, along with her IIM-Calcutta graduate husband, Manya is herself an engineer and an MBA with corporate experience in various MNCs. She also works as consultant for embassies, trade promotions and events.

Her story

To me, Page 3 is something I had to earn. I was a corporate professional. I worked for big companies and good brands. Then I realised I wanted to be an entrepreneur. My husband also had a glorious corporate career but wanted to do something different as well. We connected over that. Ours was an arranged marriage. I asked him: “What do you do?” He said: “I make beer”. I thought: “Bas, mujhe toh isi se shaadi karni hai.”

Once we started Ministry of Beer, we didn’t know how to get the cream. This industry works on relationships. It is like your visiting card. To get access to them and later become one of them was a journey in itself. We started going to parties, inviting people, knowing PRs. Dheere dheere it happened.

The budget of a party depends on the host — Rs 1 lakh or Rs 10 lakh. The most expensive client I have had has paid Rs 5,500 per guest. We have to take care of everything, from security to entertainment.

I know most of the other ladies on the show as we move in the same circuit. You can make that out when you see our dynamics. The show features all of us together while there are parallel stories going on in our lives. Each of us has a story. Mine, for instance, is aspirational. Indian television has not seen such a show where Page 3 women talk about their fears, their happiness, or, as in my case, their journey, how they fought their battles, emerged victorious and are together. Pura perception change ho jayega logon ka. They just see my picture in the newspaper. Now they will have an idea how I am at home, how I spend my day, what drives me, why I cry or celebrate.

I have three bachchas — a black labrador, a golden labrador and a St. Bernard — and since I have my restaurant and parties to attend, I have someone to look after them. He was hesitant to come in front of the camera so I had to coax him. But he was very proud ki “meri madam TV pe ayegi!”

(Picture sourced by correspondent)

Shaloo Jindal

Among the wealthiest in the group, with a penchant for white stones which she has used lavishly in her palatial home. The kitty party queen has also installed a glass staircase there just to be able to hear the click of her heels as she steps down.

Her story

When I am home, I have no idea what’s happening outside. There I am a wife and a mother. But when I walk out, I do so in style.

My picture came out for the first time in the newspaper when I won the Teej Queen award some years back. I also got the Grihalaksmi award and the title of Karva Chauth Queen. I always come back with prizes from kitty parties. We have theme kitties. I create my own accessories and do my hair and make-up. You can make out easily from the finish whether it was done at home or outside. There is not a single kitty party where I have not won an award. But now they have stopped giving me awards as others stopped putting in the effort as they knew I’d be the one to win.

Kitties can happen at any level — in restaurants or hotels or homes. In a kitty party, we fix an amount and play tambola. Through the year, it is seen who manages the best deal. I have a kitty coming up in six days so I am surfing the Net all the time in search of deals. The best host of the year is awarded.

Couple kitties also happen but they happen mostly in pubs as there is drinking and mostly at night when men are free. Even the tombola has to be created according to the theme. Recently we had a Facebook theme kitty and the tombola tickets were printed in keeping with that. These days we are also doing Teej kitties as Sawan (the lunar month of Sravan) is on. The decor has to reflect that.

When they approached me for the show I told them to shoot a lot of it at my home as things collapse in my absence. And they agreed as they wanted me to be in my comfort zone, with my family and friends. It is not a show where they lock you up elsewhere!