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Did Sonakshi Sinha-Zaheer Iqbal become brief 'traffic-stoppers' at Sangeeta Babani's 'sculpted tea-break' unveiling ? by Chaitanya Padukone

Entertainment: Renowned artist Sangeeta Babani, specially invited another talented artist-painter- charming actress Sonakshi Sinha and her debonair hubby Zaheer Iqbal.

By Chaitanya Padukone 14 Oct 2024

in Entertainment

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One amazing talented artist deserves another!

Renowned artist Sangeeta Babani, specially invited another talented artist-painter- charming actress Sonakshi Sinha and her debonair hubby Zaheer Iqbal. Also invited was popular local celeb-MLA & BJP President Ashish Shelar. This was to unveil her unique and thought-provoking public sculptures series Tea Break' on auspicious Dussehra Day at the Perry Road Junction, Bandra West. The blazing sunshine outdoor event which ultimately took place after 12 noon was unfortunately delayed for quite some time, due to unavoidable reasons. The unveiling event also had in attendance a galaxy of top civic bosses from BMC H-West Ward, tVishvas Mote (Deputy Municipal Commissioner of Zone 3), Asif Zakaria (former H-West Ward Corporator), Swapna Mhatre (former H-West Ward Corporator) and patron Ram Raheja, bringing together a blend of star power and civic leadership for an event of profound social significance.

Sonakshi Sinha, Sangeeta Babani and Vishvas Mote at Sangeeta's sculpture series unveiling in Bandra

Traffic-stoppers--Star Sonakshi Sinha with actor husband Zaheer Iqbal

Unwittingly, both Sonakshi Sinha and hubby Zaheer Iqbal ( the 'ek-duuje-ke-liye' married couple) proved to be brief traffic-stoppers for a few minutes when a crowd of local star-gazers gathered around and passing vehicles slowed down or briefly stopped for a 'jhalak dikhlaja'. But the conscious law-abiding citizen that she is, actress Sonakshi saw to it that she quickly finished what she was supposed to. Soon both Zaheer and she got back into their waiting premium BMW car to prevent any further traffic-jam,

Tea Break is a series of eight life-size sculptures, dedicated to the 'unsung labourer-workers' masterfully crafted in fiberglass and metal, capturing construction workers during a moment of pause—sharing a tea break. We witness the workers in a rare, unguarded moment—one sipping a steaming cup of chai, another holding a biscuit as if lost in thought, while yet another leisurely reading a book/newspaper. Their helmets, symbols of their labour and protection, lie discarded beside them. These moments of pause, though fleeting, reveal the quiet dignity and humanity of those who build the city around us.

Ram Raheja, Asif Zakaria, Swapna Mhatre, Ashish Shelar, Sonakshi Sinha, Sangeeta Babani, Zaheer Iqbal & Vishvas Mote at artist Sangeeta Babani's Tea Break unveiling in Bandra 3

Sonakshi Sinha and artist Sangeeta Babani share a moment while Vishvas Mote watches on at Sangeeta's sculpture series unveiling in Bandra

Together with the BMC, Sangeeta Babani’s contributions to Mumbai go beyond merely beautifying the city with her stunning sculptures and murals—they transform public spaces into powerful platforms for dialogue. Babani’s sculpture Quest for Knowledge champions the cause of equal education for all, while her mural Think Blue to Go Green urges commuters to reconnect with and appreciate their environment. The BMC’s partnership in initiatives like these reinforces their dedication to cultivating impactful public art that resonates deeply within the community.

Dignified actress Sonakshi Sinha, who came dressed in a soothing white casual yet trendy kurta paired with blue denims, expressed, “Sangeeta ji has made a beautiful, beautiful installation dedicated to our labour force, and I am glad that we are unveiling it on the auspicious occasion of Dussehra.” Actor-hubby Zaheer Iqbal added, “It is indeed a beautiful sculpture by Sangeeta ma’am. I am so glad that all the construction workers who work day and night to make our homes are getting their due credit.”

Actress-artist Sonakshi Sinha with her painting

Patron Ram Raheja, whose vision and commitment helped bring the initiative to life had the last word, “We wanted to shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our industry - the men in hard hats. Without them, none of our grand visions and designs would ever come to fruition. We hope this installation in the heart of Bandra, will make everyone not just recognize their efforts but maybe also think of them every time they take a break from work and sip on tea.”

Art serves many purposes, but one of its highest aims is to enhance our quality of life. With Tea Break, Sangeeta Babani invites viewers to reflect on the familiar themes of labour and community. “I want to bring attention to the often-overlooked yet crucial role that construction workers play in shaping our urban landscapes. I aspire to encourage questions, challenge societal boundaries, and inspire new perspectives, urging our society to recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into building the environments we inhabit.” shared Sangeeta Babani.

Sangeeta Babani with Marcellus B ( left) and Chaitanya Padukone — Sangeeta Babani with Marcellus B (left) and Chaitanya Padukone

Read also:

#sonakshi sinha #Zaheer Iqbal