where's the party tonight?

While the whole nation is rocking-n-rolling on this latest Bollywood number, we take a deeper prod into this whole concept of 'party circuit'. This carousal not just acts as an occasion for merry making but also means strict business. Networking, cajoling the media, announcements, discourses; all this and much more takes place! Also the recent buzz these days is 'free parties', where stars host bashes without shelling dough, and in the event, the venue gets publicity as the do gets covered by media because of the starry presence!

Prashant Golecha corners some of our renowned television celebs and figure out their take on the serious and the lighter side of this party culture.

Rohit Roy - I am used to parties since aeons. Media's interest has rocketed with regards to TV bashes. Networking does happen but one doesn't get work by merely attending parties. The advantage is that one gets to mingle with people from your own industry. Nowadays, any and every person can be on page 3. I don't even recognize half the people when I open the papers.
As far as free parties goes, nothing is free in life. Normally TV actors charge 1-3 lakhs just for an appearance in restaurant or product launches. If the star is able to gather 50 other TV stars for a party it benefits the place, and by doing this they are doing a favour to a particular venue. Throwing a bash is an art. The food and booze are the vital ingredients to make a party rock. When I throw a party at home, the press is banned.

Shubhaavi K. - I opt only for selective dos; if I like the host and if I get to dance. Most of the people go to parties for PR. There are numerous networking opportunities, as one can talk to people they were longing for. Parties happen in every profession, whether it is the corporate sector, or Bollywood or Tellywood. Publicity happens and it works in the interest of all. I have not heard of TV actors throwing free parties.

Gaurav Chopraa - Publicity is one of the major objectives of throwing and attending parties, which is a norm nowadays. Also if one attends thousand parties, it becomes necessary to throw one! Talking about the media, I guess it's a case of demand and supply. Media needs events to cover even, if it is not fundamentally important. What new news can you print in five different papers; after all there is a limit! I attend only 75 percent of the parties I am invited for, but it's difficult to say NO. My criteria for giving a nod are a) the host and b) the occasion. As far as networking goes, the younger breed gets to approach the senior stars and also gives us chance to meet people whom we can't because of our busy schedules. For example, Rajev Paul lives a stone throw away from my house, but I meet him only at parties.

Shwetta Keswani - I am tired of these parties, and since the last six months I have given it a pause. It is too much of an effort. They have become too commercial and pretentious. A real party is one where you can let your hair down and drink like a fish without bothering, where there are only people who you know, and no press. As TV stars we can't walk in shabbily at a do, so one needs to get into the right outfit, don the right make up and dress the hair perfectly. There are people who say you get work opportunities at parties, but that has never happened with me. I had thrown a birthday bash two years back, but I don't intend to throw one this year.

Tina Parakh - People, these days want to be written about everything; from their marriage, to honeymoon, to their new houses, which was not the case a year ago. It's a subjective thing, at the end of it, and there is no harm in it. And one doesn't need to party to get work. I'm the biggest example of it. I'm more inclined towards private gatherings as I get lost in those typical TV parties, but I do go for Ekta Kapoor's bashes. I am more of a coffee-n-movie person.