Akon in Macau 11 11 11: Singer booked for Indian millionaire's epic 50th party

One Night Only 

As Sanjeev Mahtani, Chairman of Must Garments, celebrated his 50th birthday, he threw a party that was out of this world – well, out of Hong Kong most certainly. 

200 plus guests were whisked off to Macau at the Lotus Ballroom at the Four Seasons, a heady night filled with Turkish belly dancers, scantily-clad ladies from St Tropez, circus acts, jugglers and a nine-course meal interrupted with copious Cristal champagne ensued. 

Just when you thought la dolce vita couldn’t get any more decadent, just after midnight, multiple Grammy-nominee and American Music Award winner Akon hit the stage for a medley of hits. 

“I’ve been to a lot of parties, birthdays, award shows in my life,” said the Senegal-born R&B superstar, who enthralled the VIP audience of a select few. 

“But this something else!” 

Among a sea CEOs from the business community and captains of industry, in the audience we spotted Faye Ho (Stanley Ho’s grand-daughter), champion jockey Douglas Whyte, owner of Cubic, Paco Chan, celebrity chef Harlan Goldstein and his wife Helen, the gorgeous Alyscia Mak with husband architect Jon Pan while noted French photographer Jean Gorguet was taking snaps of the guests. 

“There are a lot of fine lookin’ ladies in the house – and it isn’t easy to impress me – but y’all take care of yerself,” said Akon as he indulged many by posing with them for a keepsake snapshot.  "I like that. I like that a lot!” 

 While the party progressed till the wee-hours of morn, when asked to speak, the usually reticent Sanjeev grabbed his Pucci-clad wife, the lovely Manisha, and said, “You know she’s my HMV – His Masters Voice – what do you want me to say honey?” Said a guest, “It’s always the quiet ones that throw the best bashes!” 

Indeed. 

P.Ramakrishnan (e-mail: ramakrishnanp@Hotmail.com) 

NOTES: Akon in Macau, 2011. What an incredible party! Sanjeev and Manisha Mahtani hosted one of the best parties I've EVER been to. And Akon - what a performer! Sanj turned 50 and proved life begins after it. Had a great time, and even better one writing up about it for SCMP's Cityseen column. Such gracious hosts and lovely people. The one thing I got out of the event was how much his close friends and family loved the couple - there were so many toasts in celebration of the awesome twosome.