Foreword by Alyque Padamsee
Preface by Lara Dutta
Sabira Merchant is a name you associate with sophistication and good taste. A trendsetter, she added sparkle to Mumbai’s performing arts scene with her presence.
Bold, beautiful and brilliant, Sabira is India’s beloved thespian, celebrated quiz queen, and renowned grooming and etiquette expert. From bringing disco to the city—her nightclub Studio 29 ushered in a new era in Mumbai’s nightlife, causing a frenzy among partygoers in the ’80s—to training beauty queens such as Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta before they went on to win their crowns, Sabira’s legacy can leave anyone green with envy.
For a suburban Muslim girl who got married in her teens to the love of her life and had three children one after the other, the feats Sabira has accomplished are astounding and inspiring, given how difficult it was for women back then to balance personal life and career, that too in theatre, radio and television. In her memoir A Full Life, Sabira recounts her eventful journey—her triumphs, setbacks, joys, fears and hopes—and through her journey, a rare glimpse into Mumbai’s glorious past.
SABIRA MERCHANT is a renowned thespian and etiquette trainer. She has coached beauty queens such as Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Yukta Mookhey and Diana Hayden for international beauty pageants. She has worked with India’s top corporates to train their workforce in social behaviour, corporate finesse and etiquette. Acting has always been her passion and she finds immense satisfaction in teaching.
MITALI PAREKH is a writer, editor and columnist based in Mumbai. She writes on popular culture, food, fashion, animal rights and welfare, gender issues, lifestyle and travel. Her articles and columns have appeared in top newspapers and magazines such as Mumbai Mirror, Elle, Femina, Harper’s Bazaar, The Caravan, The Guardian, Mid-Day, The Hindu Business Line, Mint and many others.
“Sabira really has all the makings of a theatre great—discipline, vulnerability and excellent speech.”
ALYQUE PADAMSEE
Theatre personality and ad-film maker
“Very simply, there is no one in this country quite like Sabira Merchant. She is irreplaceable.”
LARA DUTTA
Actress, entrepreneur and the winner of the Miss Universe 2000 pageant
SABIRA MERCHANT is a renowned thespian and etiquette trainer. She has coached beauty queens such as Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Yukta Mookhey and Diana Hayden for international beauty pageants. She has worked with India’s top corporates to train their workforce in social behaviour, corporate finesse and etiquette. Acting has always been her passion and she finds immense satisfaction in teaching.
MITALI PAREKH is a writer, editor and columnist based in Mumbai. She writes on popular culture, food, fashion, animal rights and welfare, gender issues, lifestyle and travel. Her articles and columns have appeared in top newspapers and magazines such as Mumbai Mirror, Elle, Femina, Harper’s Bazaar, The Caravan, The Guardian, Mid-Day, The Hindu Business Line, Mint and many others.
