THE WADIA LEGACY
ONE OF THE BOOKS BANNED IN INDIA: THE POLYESTER PRINCE; THE RISE OF DHIRUBHAI AMBANI IS SELLING LIKE HOT CAKES ON THE STREETS OF MUMBAI. INSIDE IS THE STARTLING REVELATION THAT THE AMBANI FAMILY HAD PLOTTED TO MURDER NUSLI WADIA. THE AUSTRAILIAN JOURNALIST HAMISH MCDONALD WAS THE REPORTER WHO WROTE THE BOOK, UNRAVELLING THE PLOT.Wadias, Tatas, Jeejeebhoys, and Godrejs are among several families that have contributed in no small measure towards the industrial and economic advancement of their community. One such family has for the last 250 years taken on the challenge of industrial entrepreneurship with great success and provided tremendous resources for their community’s well-being – that family is the Wadias.Even today the Wadias lead the pack of the mega industrialists of India. With their unique multi-ethnic, multi-religious marriages and culture the Wadias are no less than any European business family. They can easily said to be the desi version of the Rothchilds. From Lovji Nusservanji Wadia, whose date of birth is unknown, died in 1774 establishing a shipping empire to Nusli Wadia of Bombay Dyeing all had devotedly and loyally stuck to their morals and sincerity of purpose to develop their community. Just recently the Wadias flew to Pakistan in their private jet and relished the food in Lahore and mixed with a few select of the country. The visit was not made public. It is said Dina, too, was accompanying them - Dina is based in New York, Nusli shuttles between USA and India and Ness, well, he is another story that we will mention later in this article.
Coming back to Nusli, the son of Dina and Neville Wadia who controls Bombay Dyeing and a dozen other concerns, with another dozen of business honours tagged to his name, has had his share of corporate success and sleepless nights. At one point it was a game of death that challenged him in the vicious and lethal Indian corporate world where Dhirubhai Ambani was the culprit. Or it is said. But whatever the case – that we will talk about later – the sources are as reliable as can be. Although Nusli wouldn’t talk about it but the truth is that the Bombay Dyeing and Polyester king Ambani at one point in time were arch rivals. Hence, a plot was hatched to completely wipe out Nusli Wadia. There had been reported incidents of his being attacked though, at that time he always travelled with an escort of armed security.There are several stories about the origin of the Dhirubhai-Nusli feud. Some say that it was a war between old money and new money. Nusli Wadia, grandson of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah from his mother's side and an impeccable centuries-old Parsi business pedigree from his father's side, was quintessential old money with all the arrogance and easy flamboyance that goes with it. Dhirubhai's was the amazing rags-to-riches story of the "I am ready to salaam anybody" variety. From a petrol station attendant in Aden to the biggest business house in India - it was a growth marked by guts, innovation and an incredible vision that was governed more by business expediency than by ethical constraints. In 1989, the arrest of a bandmaster named Prince Babbaria triggered off high drama with the revelation of a plot to murder Nusli Wadia. A couple of Ambani officials were implicated, but as is typical of several notorious cases in India, this too has come to nothing. Soon after, the two warring factions called a fragile truce, probably on the realisation that the bloody corporate battle was doing neither of their businesses any good. The Ambanis were, however not attempting to shed their upstart image and transit from "robber baron" to respectability.
Rumour is that the pert Bollywood actress, who has been dating the suave industrialist son of Maureen and Nusli Wadia for the past few years, is reportedly on the verge of a break-up. And the reason being given by Bollywood insiders is Preity’s popularity and apparent rise on the social circuit as co-owner of Team Mohali during the recent IPL cricket tournament. That, plus her seeming fondness for Team Mohali’s casanova skipper Yuvraj Singh appears not to have gone down too well with her reticent beau. Further, Ness’s investment in the IPL also reportedly suffered a beating and what the Wadia scion’s views on this must be is anybody’s guess. That there are regular spats between the feisty Preity and quiet Ness is known. But as for the recent controversy, the actress who is back to work and dubbing for Jahnu Barua’s film Har Pal in addition to attending rehearsals for the Bachchans’s world tour, said heatedly, “What rumours are you talking about? Which couple doesn’t have its ups and downs? Ness and I are no exception. You don’t go ahead and break-up just because you fight.” Marriage is not even a talking point in her life currently. “Even my family is not concerned about my marriage. It’s not happening in the near future,” retorted the actress shortly. As for Yuvraj Singh, the industry grapevine suggests a flirtatious liaison between the dashing cricketer and pretty actress did flicker briefly during the IPL but has died down now. Neither will talk about it, of course. The whispers had started long back. There was trouble in paradise, they said. And the cracks were beginning to show. First they stopped making joint appearances at private functions. Then they stopped making joint appearances at public events. Okay so they were always together at the IPL matches but that, most insist, was more out of a sense of business than anything else. Her more-than-warm embraces with her captain Yuvraj Singh was, according to some, the final nail in the coffin. And now it’s official. The golden couple Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia have finally called it a day. The two have gone their separate ways. The insiders aren’t really surprised because they’d felt the coldness creeping into the relationship months back. And Preity’s hugs with Yuvraj didn’t really help matters. Also, Ness’ mother Maureen Wadia didn’t really take to Preity as bahu material.Remember the disparaging remarks she made against the actress. All this took its toll. The couple apparently was waiting for the IPL to get over before calling it off officially. The million dollar question now is who will own the Punjab Kings XI team. But we guess all that can wait for later. The immediate concern is what’s the couple going to do now and how are they coping with the heartbreak?Hardly seems like a heart break.
Dina Wadia was in Mumbai recently. The only Bollywood celebrity who had the honour of audience with Dina was actress Preity Zinta, Dina Wadia being her beau Ness Wadia's grandmother. Preity says that every time she met Dina, she was more impressed than before. Says Preity, “The first time I met Dina Wadia I stared at her open-mouthed. My goodness! She carries so much history within her. Since then we’ve met over dinner and other social occasions several times. Each time I’m struck by her gentle demeanour, her classic elegance, and yes, her fragility.” While speaking about one of her favourite women, Preity’s face lights up. She continues, “She's so beautiful, so fragile. I was also struck by her unmistakable facial resemblance to her distinguished father (Jinnah). They look like father and daughter for sure! I've never seen two people who resemble one another so closely.”Preity said she had met Dina Wadia both in Mumbai and abroad. “She lives in New York but she visits Mumbai where she has close family. She carries an aura of unmistakable strength. Every time I meet her there’s so much to imbibe from her. You know there are some people in this world who just carry an aura about them. She’s one of them.”The last time when they met Dina Wadia wanted to know about Preity’s IPL matches. “She has so much to tell. And I just want to sit and keep on listening to her. She takes a lot of interest in my life. The last time we met she wanted to know all about the IPL matches. I was surprised, why would someone of her stature want to know what I'm doing? She conveys so much joie de vivre in her attitude.”
Back in Bollywood - Madhuri Dixit
