'Outsiders’ in Bombay: Lisa Ray reveals why she bonded with Maureen Wadia in the ‘90s
Maureen, the wife of industrialist Nusli Wadia, played a pivotal role in launching Ray.
By Glynda Alves, ET Bureau | Updated:
Agencies
In the 1990s, the Wadias had a place in Lisa Ray’s life – but it was Maureen who played an influencing role.
An “outsider’s” view of goings-on, recounted within the pages of a book, often tends to make for a riveting read — especially when the cast of characters include rich businessmen, stunning models and vignettes of the movie business set in the Mumbai of the glamourous early nineties. Lisa Ray, touted then as India’s topmost model, is one such person whose reminiscences shed light on the private faces of public individuals.
In a chapter in her book about her life’s journey, Ray discusses her rise to dizzying fame and her relationship with Maureen Wadia. Maureen, the wife of industrialist Nusli Wadia, played a pivotal role in launching the young Ray. The two grew close and Ray writes that they developed a bond despite the age difference, perhaps intensified because Maureen too felt “like an outsider in her own way”. Asked if the closeness has endured to this day, Ray said that while she and Wadia are no longer in touch, she hopes she reads her book. “We aren’t in touch, but I am sure she is aware she is in my book by now. She was one of many influences in my life. She was seminal in certain ways. I do hope she reads my book,” said Ray at her book event in Mumbai.
Ray also got close to the family, including Wadia’s sons Ness and Jehangir. In the book, she shares, “I had dated both of Maureen’s sons — not at the same time — and after that, had consented to the odd dinner date, always bringing along a girlfriend.” By 1994, Ray was living in Mumbai and says she was “contentedly single”. She mentions that even though her name at the time was synonymous with “seductive temptress”, her life was anything but that. Regarding her equation with the Wadia heirs, Ray told ET Panache, “Sorry but I am not going to go there right now. You have to understand the whole context.”
As for whether Ray reached out to Ness after the recent imbroglio in Japan, Ray responded, “Yeah, I don’t want to comment on that.”
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An “outsider’s” view of goings-on, recounted within the pages of a book, often tends to make for a riveting read — especially when the cast of characters include rich businessmen, stunning models and vignettes of the movie business set in the Mumbai of the glamourous early nineties. Lisa Ray, touted then as India’s topmost model, is one such person whose reminiscences shed light on the private faces of public individuals.
In a chapter in her book about her life’s journey, Ray discusses her rise to dizzying fame and her relationship with Maureen Wadia. Maureen, the wife of industrialist Nusli Wadia, played a pivotal role in launching the young Ray. The two grew close and Ray writes that they developed a bond despite the age difference, perhaps intensified because Maureen too felt “like an outsider in her own way”. Asked if the closeness has endured to this day, Ray said that while she and Wadia are no longer in touch, she hopes she reads her book. “We aren’t in touch, but I am sure she is aware she is in my book by now. She was one of many influences in my life. She was seminal in certain ways. I do hope she reads my book,” said Ray at her book event in Mumbai.
Ray also got close to the family, including Wadia’s sons Ness and Jehangir. In the book, she shares, “I had dated both of Maureen’s sons — not at the same time — and after that, had consented to the odd dinner date, always bringing along a girlfriend.” By 1994, Ray was living in Mumbai and says she was “contentedly single”. She mentions that even though her name at the time was synonymous with “seductive temptress”, her life was anything but that. Regarding her equation with the Wadia heirs, Ray told ET Panache, “Sorry but I am not going to go there right now. You have to understand the whole context.”
As for whether Ray reached out to Ness after the recent imbroglio in Japan, Ray responded, “Yeah, I don’t want to comment on that.”
US Open champion Sloane Stephens and runner up Madison Keys are best friends who found themselves across the net vying for their first Grand Slam title.
Here's how some other friendship stories have gone down unexpected paths.
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