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THE BORN-AGAIN STARS

India Today

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April 07, 2025

Reclaiming their feminine energy and inner brilliance, this is an inward journey of self discovery.

- Jumana Shah, Suhani Singh & Chumki Bharadwaj

THE BORN-AGAIN STARS

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."

-Oscar Wilde

Every journey is distinctive, laced by a matrix of variables specific to a unique set of circumstances. They say, “it’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you're not.” This story chronicles the road to self-discovery of three fabulous women: the titular Maharani of the erstwhile state of Baroda, actress Jyotika and art collector and now OTT star, Shalini Passi. Each of them has carved out a special niche for themselves, claiming their own space despite being ambushed by doubts and challenges. Their inner brilliance has helped connect them with their dreams; using their creativity to embrace their essence and feminine energy, all the while remaining authentic to their sense of self. These women have been reborn, not just for the world but, more importantly, for themselves.

A ROYAL AWAKENING

“My rebirth came from the goddess in 2019,” says Radhikaraje Gaekwad, the titular maharani of the erstwhile state of Baroda, a textile revivalist and heritage conservationist. “It happened when we organised the garba at the Laxmivilas Palace in Vadodara for the first time. It was a high pressure event to organise and entailed charting completely new territory. Though I was a passionate dancer for many years, to host an event for 40,000 people was quite overwhelming,” she recalls, sitting gracefully in an ornate chair, wearing a gorgeous Single Ikkat Rajkot Patola saree at the Laxmivilas Palace in Vadodara.

India Today

This story is from the April 07, 2025 edition of India Today.

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