MAM
From Bigg Boss to big nights as Dubai hosts season 19 stars
MUMBAI: From house drama to high seas, Bigg Boss 19 is getting a glossy Dubai afterparty. Danube Group founder and chairman Rizwan Sajan is set to host contestants from the blockbuster reality show at an exclusive two-day celebration in Dubai on January 6 and 7, 2026, marking the finale of one of India’s most-watched television seasons.
The celebrations follow Danube Properties’ high-profile association with Bigg Boss Season 19, hosted by Bollywood star Salman Khan, a season that kept audiences hooked for over three months with its trademark mix of rivalry, spectacle and celebrity drama. Actor Gaurav Khanna emerged as the winner, with Farhana Bhatt finishing as the runner-up.
As part of the post-season celebrations, Sajan will host an intimate dinner at his private Dubai residence on January 6, followed by a luxury yacht party on January 7. The events promise a curated taste of Dubai’s high-life, bringing together key faces from the season alongside influencers and creators from the wider entertainment ecosystem.
The guest list is expected to feature Gaurav Khanna, Ashnoor Kaur, Tanya Mittal, Awez Darbar, Nagma Mirajkar, Nehal Chudasama, Abhishek Bajaj, Baseer Ali, Natalia Janoszek, Pranit More, Farhana Bhatt, Neelam Giri, Kunickaa Sadanand, Mridul Tiwari, Amaal Mallik, Shehbaz Badesha and Malti Chahar, among others.
Calling the show a cultural juggernaut, Sajan said Bigg Boss goes beyond television, cutting across age groups and geographies. The Dubai celebrations, he noted, are a way of recognising the contestants’ journey while spotlighting the city’s global appeal.
For Danube, the association underscores a broader brand play blending real estate with pop culture, entertainment and aspirational experiences. For Bigg Boss 19, it’s a final flourish that swaps confinement for celebration, proving that when the cameras stop rolling, the party is only just beginning.
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Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
