NE FEATURES TEAM
Academy award-winning couple Michael Douglas and wife Catherine Zeta-Jones was in Mumbai to meet their friend, entertainment and sports guru Shailendra Singh. According to Shakespeare, “Who practices hospitality entertains God himself.” This became a reality for the couple. Singh played a perfect host to them.
Singh has known Michael for close to two decades. While Michael has been to India before, it was Catherine’s first visit to the country. Singh ensured the couple, especially Catherine, got a feel of the maximum city taking her to iconic South Mumbai places and ending the day with an intimate dinner at Singh’s residence. Shailendra Singh, while reluctant to share too many details on what he called a very private trip said, “Michael and I have been friends for the past 15 years. The couple has an infectious energy and an outlook on life that is extremely inspirational. Seeing their unpretentiousness humbles you and makes you introspect. They wanted it to be their private time in Mumbai. Honestly, it was just family time and letting them connect with the city.” Michael and Singh were supposed to collaborate on a film called Racing the Monsoon.
The trio went to Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat and the Babulnath temple where they did a special aarti.
The Hollywood couple headed to Shailendra’s home in the evening for some home-cooked dinner, Sufi music and gazing of the decade’s last full moon from the terrace. Shailendra Singh flew down his favorite singer or santoor player to perform for the couple.
