0:00:07 > 0:00:08Mumbai...
0:00:11 > 0:00:12..the biggest city in India.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Endlessly rich in culture...
0:00:18 > 0:00:19..and in contradictions.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25It's home to one of the oldest
0:00:25 > 0:00:28and grandest hotels in the world, the Taj Mahal Palace.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33I love excess.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36They always say if you've got to ask the price of something then
0:00:36 > 0:00:38you're not rich enough to stay here.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43It has over 500 rooms...
0:00:46 > 0:00:47..and 1,500 staff.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52I don't feel that I'm 61. I feel that I'm 16.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54They built me very strongly.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01It is famed for being meticulous - where no detail is too small
0:01:01 > 0:01:03or demand too great.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08Anything that's possible. I cannot get you pink elephant. I'll try.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12With an army of staff striving for flawless service...
0:01:15 > 0:01:18This is India. And we frankly don't say no to anything.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23..it is where the super-rich of today come to
0:01:23 > 0:01:26live like the Maharajahs of India's past.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31Sometimes I close my eyes and I pretend all of India is like this.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51The hotel's deputy manager, Parveen, is
0:01:51 > 0:01:54responsible for much of its day-to-day running.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59What we need to do is go through today,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02all the functions for the next eight days.
0:02:02 > 0:02:03OK, so start.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Let's talk about the important ones.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10He's looked after hotels all over the world,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13but nowhere on the scale of the Taj.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15- Residential wedding.- Wedding, yeah. How many rooms are let?
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Approximately 80 at this particular time.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27'It's not just a hotel, it's an institution.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32'You know, a lot of different kinds of firsts happened here.'
0:02:32 > 0:02:37The first hotel to have electricity. The first hotel to have elevators.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40'The first ballroom in the country.'
0:02:40 > 0:02:41Thank you.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44Despite having an entire hotel to look after,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48nothing is too small to escape Parveen's attention.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50'It's extremely important to get to the minutest detail.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54'The ironing of the tablecloths to the way the flower
0:02:54 > 0:02:57'arrangements are and checking of each and every glass.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59'These are some of the most important things.'
0:03:01 > 0:03:02This needs to be done.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07A lot of these have developed a bit of a tarnish, so get that done.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11'The kind of people who we get here
0:03:11 > 0:03:15'are the top creme de la creme of society.'
0:03:15 > 0:03:16You see watermarks.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20'Every small detail has been kept in mind to give people
0:03:20 > 0:03:22'a feeling of luxury and exclusivity.'
0:03:22 > 0:03:25See that handle, that's come off.
0:03:25 > 0:03:26So get that sorted out.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28These tablecloths need a bit of an ironing.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32- Certainly, sir. - Those flowers need to be changed.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Can you help checking things when you walk around?
0:03:34 > 0:03:36I do that all the time.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40They hate me in this restaurant. I can find 500 faults.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47We've got 1,500 people working here so we need to ensure every
0:03:47 > 0:03:51person delivers what he is supposed to deliver all the time.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55For example, the in-room dining actually might end up walking
0:03:55 > 0:03:58a mile to reach your room and there are certain places where
0:03:58 > 0:04:01two people have to lift a trolley to bring it to you.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05There's a lot which goes at the back of the hotel to ensure there's
0:04:05 > 0:04:07a perfect service delivered.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12Good afternoon, everyone. We have 45 arrivals pending for the day.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Those most attuned to the demands of the guests are
0:04:17 > 0:04:19the hotel's 35 butlers.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Another important guest is coming and he loves to enjoy his breakfast
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and he loves to have the toast freshly brought
0:04:25 > 0:04:27out from the toaster and on his plate.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31So, the room as per his preference with a toaster, toast holder,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34everything already preset.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37He'll be coming quite late in the night but evening shift butler
0:04:37 > 0:04:41just do a double check of the room because he's a very important guest.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50DOORBELL DINGS
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Valet service.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55We recently had the head of a fairly large country who came
0:04:55 > 0:04:58and stayed with us, one of the premiers.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01And the rider for him was one of the toughest I've ever seen.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05They don't want a speck of light in the room in the night.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10And they don't want even 10 decibels of noise coming inside.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Thank you.- Come, come, come, come right in.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16One of the top-most Hollywood star who visited us for him
0:05:16 > 0:05:19we had to convert the entire room into a gym.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23And he would not eat anywhere in the hotel so we had to set up a dedicated
0:05:23 > 0:05:27pantry with all kinds of food which would be served to him from there.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35Every VIP who comes in has a customised list of things to do.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37SHE CLEARS HER THROAT
0:05:40 > 0:05:43As a hotel, we usually never say no.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- Have a great day.- Same to you and kindly let me know if you require any assistance.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49- Of course I will.- Thank you. - Thank you.- Have a nice day.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I get this room every time I come.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11'I have to entertain a lot
0:06:11 > 0:06:16'so instead of taking people to a restaurant, it's always so much
0:06:16 > 0:06:19'cosier and nicer to have a little dinner over here
0:06:19 > 0:06:22'because it's almost like calling someone to your home.'
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Kalyani Chawla is the brand ambassador for Christian Dior
0:06:27 > 0:06:30in India, and a frequent guest of the hotel.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36The Taj with all this attention to detail,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39it's just fascinating.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42And it's pure luxury more than anything else.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45It's just so... It's just so beautiful.
0:06:47 > 0:06:53I mean, there was Russell Brand staying in this suite in my bed.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57OK, but I'm quite confident that I get better treatment than
0:06:57 > 0:06:58Russell Brand.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Yes, I do.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06A suite at the hotel costs between £2,000 and £9,000 a night.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14I think this is the best part of the suite.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20There's, um... It's actually really romantic.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24And... Sorry, it's in a mess.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28But it's a wardrobe, walk-in there,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and this beautiful bathroom inside.
0:07:31 > 0:07:36And when I'm lying down in the bed, I can still see a little bit
0:07:36 > 0:07:38out of the windows.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41This is my domain.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45It does feel like a bachelor pad to me.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47This is a party pad, yes.
0:07:47 > 0:07:52I can see complete decadence happening here but...
0:07:52 > 0:07:55which I refrain from - I'm here on work.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56SHE LAUGHS
0:07:56 > 0:07:58There's potential.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07When Kalyani threw a party to celebrate the launch
0:08:07 > 0:08:08of a boutique in the hotel...
0:08:10 > 0:08:13..she took over the whole first floor.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17We actually transformed the entire section
0:08:17 > 0:08:21so we have ripped off the carpets on the grand staircase.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25We took over the entire Sea Lounge which before that nobody could do.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30And we had imported crockery, cutlery, tablecloths, everything.
0:08:30 > 0:08:37In spite of all the unreasonable demands, they not only agreed
0:08:37 > 0:08:40but they did such an amazing job.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44It is definitely the place to be.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46This is the place to be.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51In terms of prestige or in terms of a certain
0:08:51 > 0:08:55calibre of the kind of hotels that you're expected to stay in,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58this is definitely the best. There's no doubt about it.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Space is such a luxury, in Bombay especially.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Everyone's living in little matchboxes
0:09:09 > 0:09:10because there is no space.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14To come to Bombay
0:09:14 > 0:09:20and live in this space, I think... it's beyond just luxury.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22It's just absolutely fabulous.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24And you look out and you see the sea
0:09:24 > 0:09:28because it kind of cuts off everything else below.
0:09:28 > 0:09:34And you just have this expanse of water and the boats
0:09:34 > 0:09:36and the sun shining.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41This is a little mirage in the middle of this city where
0:09:41 > 0:09:44it's just a concrete jungle almost.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02Since the hotel quietly opened its doors to
0:10:02 > 0:10:05just 17 guests in December 1903,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09it's been seen as a home away from home for the high society of India.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13To begin with, we had very few luxury hotels in the country.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17I think it was extremely important
0:10:17 > 0:10:19to be seen and people understand it
0:10:19 > 0:10:22as synonymous with luxury and history.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28The hotel had few rivals when playing host to the stars.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Entertaining everyone from Pierre Cardin to Alfred Hitchcock,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36it was the only place to be for the international elite.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43We are all extremely attached to it and we all call it
0:10:43 > 0:10:46the Grand Old Lady, it's not just a hotel, it's an institution.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53But even grand old ladies cannot rest on past glories.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58But since 2000, when the Indian economy has been booming,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00the landscape of the country is changing.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05All over the country there are new five-star hotels which are coming up all the time.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09To keep its place on the world stage, the hotel must continue
0:11:09 > 0:11:13to court institutions who share an equally illustrious past.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20'This is where everyone comes.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23'This is where everyone meets from around the world.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25'And the Taj, from the very beginning,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28'were art collectors and supporters
0:11:28 > 0:11:29'and sponsors.'
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Hugo Weihe is an international director at Christie's,
0:11:34 > 0:11:37the world's oldest and largest auction house.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40They're holding their first ever auction in India consisting
0:11:40 > 0:11:42solely of Indian art.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45We've been working towards this for a long time
0:11:45 > 0:11:47so this is a dream come true now
0:11:47 > 0:11:49we're on the ground here in India.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54With enough millionaires to fill every room in the hotel,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Mumbai is an untapped market for Christie's.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I think this will be a seminal event
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and the Taj is really the sort of anchor for it.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14For Parveen and his team, an international auction on this
0:12:14 > 0:12:16scale is unprecedented.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22OK, so Christie's is looking at the prestigious event
0:12:22 > 0:12:25and the kind of reputation it has all over the world.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29They've chosen this hotel because of its historic significance,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34because they find this the right background to do the auction.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36It needs to be really handled with care.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Christie's will take over the hotel's two main function
0:12:41 > 0:12:44rooms for a week in the run-up to the auction.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47'We're doing all sorts of events around it.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50'We'll have a reception on Monday and a dinner on Tuesday,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53'inviting all the important collectors
0:12:53 > 0:12:55'and inspire new collectors here.'
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Will they have paintings on both sides? Inside and outside?
0:12:58 > 0:13:00They will have paintings all around
0:13:00 > 0:13:02and I think they will also have paintings inside.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Just ensure we don't have anybody
0:13:08 > 0:13:12walking in there from the hotel who is not supposed to be there.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14So just make sure from front and back.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18I don't want people trying to have a peek or just trying to walk in.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Same goes for you.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Just make sure your people are very clear who's going to be
0:13:22 > 0:13:24allowed to clean up.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26By any means, I want to restrict as less
0:13:26 > 0:13:28number of people inside the hall as possible.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31OK. Thank you.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35So that's the book.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37It's going to be in my office if anyone wants to have a look at it.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42It has some of the best paintings you guys would have seen.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44# I want the waiter
0:13:44 > 0:13:46# With the water
0:13:46 > 0:13:50# I want the waiter with the water for my daughter
0:13:50 > 0:13:53# I want the waiter with the water for my daughter
0:13:53 > 0:13:54# Cos my daughter has an order
0:13:54 > 0:13:57# For some water on the tray. #
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- What are you checking?- The toaster.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Basically, the guest likes to toast the bread.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17As per his requirements instead of ordering and waiting.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19So we have arranged for a toaster which we'll be
0:14:19 > 0:14:24placing in his room before his arrival.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31The toast are ready so that proves it's working properly. There we go.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33It's perfect.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Whether it's extending Gregory Peck's bed or allowing
0:14:41 > 0:14:45President Obama to book the entire hotel...the staff will do
0:14:45 > 0:14:48anything to make the hotel a home for their guests.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Listen, guys. I want you to take care of this gentleman.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54She was very particular.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57He cannot speak and he said, "Have you told the guy I'm deaf?"
0:14:57 > 0:15:01I said, "No, I told him you are a Bollywood or Hollywood star."
0:15:01 > 0:15:06OK, so there she is and she's all ready to go, please ensure...
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Just take good care of them.
0:15:09 > 0:15:10For half of the staff,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13the hotel has been their home for over 20 years.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Hello there, good evening.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Satish was 18
0:15:16 > 0:15:19when he started as a trainee in the hotel's patisserie.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Hello there. How are you, my friend?
0:15:21 > 0:15:26Twenty years later, he's Chief Concierge, a role that exists
0:15:26 > 0:15:31exclusively to make sure guests get anything and everything they desire.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36A concierge is man Friday. He is your magic wand.
0:15:36 > 0:15:42Maybe, helicopter ride to the hotel. Possible. I can do that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47'Have somebody play bagpipes at the airport to welcome you, possible.'
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Whichever car you like from a sedan to Jaguar to
0:15:50 > 0:15:56Bentley, Mercedes S-Class with Wi-Fi inside, possible.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Maybe a glass of champagne, bottle of champagne, possible.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03I cannot get you pink elephant. I'll try.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07I'll not disappoint you. Elephant is possible.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Great. Thank you.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13So that's what we do. We dazzle, we delight.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20That's how we engage with our guests and build that connect with them.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23And they say concierges are very friendly people.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27That's how we enhance that friendship
0:16:27 > 0:16:29and it goes into relationship later on.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31We have a whole lot of regular guests coming back
0:16:31 > 0:16:34and they come and they hug you and that's important.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38And that's the satisfaction for me.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Before we got married, we were thinking about getting married and
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Pete said, "If we get married, I'll take you all around the world."
0:17:09 > 0:17:11And I thought, "Oh, this will be good."
0:17:12 > 0:17:15So we've kept on doing it, as much as we can.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20For the last 25 years, Suzie and Peter Noble,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23have been shipping their classic car from their home in Essex.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Now retired from their business making metal fastenings for jeans,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31they drive all over India, often starting and ending at the hotel.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35I was like a man Friday for them.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42'Liaising all the trip, into the whole of India.'
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Head straight down this corridor,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48midway through, take the Grand Staircase to first floor.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57They got the car all the way up from England over here.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02So he could travel around the country and each point he went to,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05Gujarat, Udaipur, met some maharajas over there,
0:18:05 > 0:18:10he would call me and tell me what to do with the next destination.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Ensure that our car is coming.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Ensure we have enough parking space for them
0:18:14 > 0:18:18and that's what I would do for them.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Probably they're my favourite couple of guests ever. I just love them.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37It is a little bit British to do it but our interest is, in a way,
0:18:37 > 0:18:42the nostalgia and try and catch a fast-changing world.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50We set off on a journey through China crossing
0:18:50 > 0:18:52the Gobi Desert in a Bentley Continental.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57And we stopped on the desert
0:18:57 > 0:19:01and a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost passed us driven by a Swiss.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05And I said to Suzie, "When we get back home, I'm going to buy
0:19:05 > 0:19:06"a car like that.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09"But I'm going to buy a Lanchester." She'd never heard of that.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Most people haven't.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14The saying used to be in the '20s if you wanted a really good car
0:19:14 > 0:19:17you bought a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20But if you want something a little bit better you bought a Lanchester.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26Somebody said to us today, "Where have you come from?"
0:19:26 > 0:19:28We said, "Britain, England." And they said,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31"Where has this car come from?" "England." "Oh, good.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33"The British are coming back."
0:19:35 > 0:19:37I thought, "I wish they were."
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Basically, it's like being a celebrity.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57And I hate celebs.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00But it's like being a celebrity in this car.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- Look at those playing on the grass, playing horses.- Yeah, lovely.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19There's a feeling of sadness. There's also a feeling of guilt,
0:20:19 > 0:20:24where these lovely children living like that,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26and frankly, you're living in the Taj.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34You feel you don't want to go out into the streets.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39You have to and you feel wretched, really.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41It's a saddening process.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Sue, I'm going to get to the Taj.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49I'm going to go down, put the car to bed.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52If you go to the room, Satish will help you.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Thank you, Satish.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19In a hotel as old as the Taj, Parveen and
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Executive Housekeeper Indrani face
0:21:22 > 0:21:25a constant battle to keep up appearances.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27Just hold on for another 15 days.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Just give it a coat of paint, let it dry.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32We'll do it on, let's say, first week of Feb.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Let's go to 651.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Everywhere from the corridors,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41to the 15-room, 5,000-square-foot Tata Suite,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43is in need of regular attention.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47We've just taken the suite out for maintenance and we're basically...
0:21:47 > 0:21:50We don't have any major visit happening here for the next couple
0:21:50 > 0:21:56of days so we've just decided to do different kinds of paint finishes.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01It's an old building so it needs a bit of massaging every few months.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05OK, so this is the state of affairs.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Can I rip it off and do the same colour as this wall?
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Hue of slightly silver.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- I'll show you the samples.- Exactly.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19'When we started the hotel 110 years back, our founder was very clear.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22'He wanted to make not just any hotel
0:22:22 > 0:22:24'but he wanted to make the best hotel in the country.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26'You have to continuously keep spending time and money
0:22:26 > 0:22:28'and effort on restoring things.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31'In the same manner it was 110 years back
0:22:31 > 0:22:33'and in certain cases you have to do better.'
0:22:33 > 0:22:35And then do a finish which is very similar.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- So it should not be a bright finish. - Put Scotchgard...
0:22:38 > 0:22:41So do a dull finish.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46Do a dull finish. Also I think we need fresh painting.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49It's a part of us. We can't help it. It's everywhere you go.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52There's some issue and when I catch hold of him he knows I'm only
0:22:52 > 0:22:53going to come up with issues
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- that need to be sorted out. - That's why I run away from her.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57You'll always find me running away from her.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Still she comes to my office and drags me.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Because there are so many issues that need to be sorted out,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05alternative suggestions, financial...
0:23:05 > 0:23:08They need financial approval and we come up with some...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Housekeeping is like my second passion.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14So I like to spend a lot of time because I'm married to a housekeeper.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18It's like you know the hotel better than most people know their homes.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23- More than that.- She spends more time at the hotel than she spends at home.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25My home gets my attention only on Sundays.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27On Sunday, it's no for anything.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Do you do housekeeping at home? No.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Do you do the detailing at home about paint and polish?
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I wish I could do that at home but no time, seriously.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I'm a mother and a daughter-in-law and a wife
0:23:38 > 0:23:40so all those takes more precedence.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43But a little bit of housekeeping comes naturally.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44SHE LAUGHS
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Whether it's persuading people to spend £9,000 a night
0:23:52 > 0:23:55on a hotel suite, or millions on a painting,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57presentation is everything.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04'We gear up to the days and there's all these steps ahead of it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07'The catalogue is the first major step when we get that into print.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11'And it's received by the collectors around the world.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17'Now the exhibition is the next major step because this is where
0:24:17 > 0:24:19'everyone will be able to see it in person for the first time.'
0:24:20 > 0:24:24With Christie's best chance to woo the Indian art world approaching,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Hugo, like Parveen, is a stickler for detail.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31'We must be perfectionists and we want to present them
0:24:31 > 0:24:32'in the best possible way.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36'That includes hanging them straight on the wall,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40'having the lighting perfect, the label all at the same height.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44'All of this matters because it's that first impression of a work.'
0:24:44 > 0:24:49- Well done. It's looking terrific. - We're getting there.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52It was a little bit crowded over there, maybe?
0:24:53 > 0:24:57Alongside the art... the hotel will be laying on lavish
0:24:57 > 0:24:59parties for potential buyers.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04- It's a buffet.- Buffet and people are circulating now. It's standing.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06So you're not doing cutlery, crockery?
0:25:06 > 0:25:08No, we're just putting the smaller plates...
0:25:08 > 0:25:12- But is the food going to have knives? Will the food need a knife?- No.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17- Sure?- Yeah.- We started dinner at 8.15.- So is it like networking?
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Champagne?- Wine and champagne.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26That's OK from here onwards. These two fill this two spaces which is fine.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30But it's a bit tight, that's my only concern. Otherwise this is good.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32The centre-piece of the auction is a painting by
0:25:32 > 0:25:33"the Indian Rothko"
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Vasudeo Gaitonde. Christie's are hoping
0:25:36 > 0:25:39it will break the current world record of 3m...
0:25:39 > 0:25:43and become the most expensive Indian artwork in history.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47It's important to be able to present it in a way that everyone can say,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49"Wow. It's fantastic.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54"It looks so beautiful. And I could maybe acquire it and maybe have it
0:25:54 > 0:25:59"in my house and it will make everything look so wonderful at my house too."
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I don't want anybody serving around these paintings.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Tell people to be at least two-three feet away from...
0:26:10 > 0:26:12three-four feet away from the main area.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15So that you don't even land up in an accident where somebody is
0:26:15 > 0:26:17just banging.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22- I don't want any accidents. OK, anything else?- Nothing, sir.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30We've been living this life for so long now, couldn't do anything else.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33We're always together. Have been ever since we got married.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35And it will stay like that.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39There's nobody else that I could travel with.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44- Nobody else would travel with you. - No, that's a good point, Sue.
0:26:44 > 0:26:45That's a good point.
0:26:48 > 0:26:5212 years ago, I had a stroke. Complete left side paralysed.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55And from then onwards he's done everything for me.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59He has to cut my food, do my hair.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02Everything. You can't imagine what he's had to do.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05And nobody else would do that, so he's my rock.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11We thought she was going to be in a wheelchair for life. Half paralysed.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Everything was dead on the left side
0:27:13 > 0:27:18so, therefore, these were dark days for us.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20You can't imagine.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Sue was talking about, "I can sit on my balcony and look at my garden."
0:27:27 > 0:27:30And I said, "No. We're going to the Sudan.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33"We're going to go up the Nile."
0:27:33 > 0:27:34It was a big turning point.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39And Sue has improved every day since.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44And she still supports me.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47And she still does her fair share of all the donkey-work where
0:27:47 > 0:27:49it can be done.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52And I can say no more really.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56How did you both get through those dark days?
0:27:58 > 0:27:59I can't remember.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02I really can't remember.
0:28:04 > 0:28:05No.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09Excuse me.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13Sorry, I can't stand talking about it.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17So there you are and...
0:28:19 > 0:28:21HE EXHALES
0:28:21 > 0:28:22But we turned a corner.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24It's the main thing.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45'And I often said to Sue, "If anything happened to her,
0:28:45 > 0:28:46'"I'd probably come and live here."
0:28:56 > 0:29:01'I'd be quite happy to have ten good years with the Lanchester and Suzie.'
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Chief Concierge Satish, the Nobles' man Friday,
0:29:56 > 0:30:00lives just ten minutes from the hotel with his wife, mother and son.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03HE PRAYS
0:30:04 > 0:30:06TALKS TO BABY
0:30:11 > 0:30:17Come on. Yeah. Yeah. Very good. Very good.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23SINGS TO BABY
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Sharmila also works at the hotel where they met 15 years ago.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34We were selling pastries at Taj.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39And that's where our eyes met. Over a Vienna lemon cheesecake.
0:30:45 > 0:30:51So, Taj gave me a wife and a son and a nice house to live.
0:30:51 > 0:30:52What more can you ask for?
0:30:56 > 0:30:58This is my luxury.
0:30:58 > 0:31:04This is my Grand Presidential Tata Suite. I hope you like it. Yeah?
0:31:04 > 0:31:05BABY GURGLES
0:31:09 > 0:31:11HE IMITATES BABY
0:31:11 > 0:31:13And do namaste to everybody.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15We must do good morning namaste.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Namaste. Yes.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Say, "Thank you for coming.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22"Thank you for coming to my house."
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Seeing this monumental building, you know, it's like...
0:31:29 > 0:31:32"Oh, wow, this is Taj, it's a great big hotel."
0:31:32 > 0:31:37I never imagined that I would be ever walking into this hotel.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44And, you know, I'm working for that hotel
0:31:44 > 0:31:47and at times I wonder when I look outside it's...it's probably
0:31:47 > 0:31:52somebody else out over there who is also dreaming to come inside
0:31:52 > 0:31:54and work and I have something for them -
0:31:54 > 0:31:56it's like, "Dreams do come true.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00"The Taj really makes your dream come true."
0:32:09 > 0:32:11For the wealthiest in Mumbai,
0:32:11 > 0:32:15an exclusive retreat can be found via a private lift in the lobby.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24The Chambers is one of the most sought-after business clubs
0:32:24 > 0:32:29in the whole of India. Membership is by invitation only.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Consisting of a library, bar, dining and conference rooms,
0:32:35 > 0:32:37this is where captains of industry
0:32:37 > 0:32:40and the international elite network and broker deals.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49Bernard Steinrucke is president of the Indo-German Chamber Of Commerce
0:32:49 > 0:32:53and he and his wife Ranjana have been members for the last six years.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56When I came, this was my first home in Mumbai.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I had a beautiful suite here on the sixth floor.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06Luckily, the hotel took good care of me.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14It makes you proud.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18You know, it's kind of situates you in a certain time
0:33:18 > 0:33:20and place which is rare.
0:33:22 > 0:33:29Having grown up in Bombay, it's our first idea, the word posh.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33I mean, before you had terms like...
0:33:33 > 0:33:37er...over-the-top luxury and things, there was posh
0:33:37 > 0:33:41and Taj represented that so it's very associated
0:33:41 > 0:33:49with growing up in Bombay and something very special.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51It's iconic in that sense.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55Sometimes when I'm having lunch here with guests you happen to
0:33:55 > 0:34:00bump into some of the celebrities of Mumbai
0:34:00 > 0:34:07but they are comfortable here because nobody's bothering them.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14Make sure that the grooming of the boys is up to the margin.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Make sure everybody polishes shoes.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22And get a lot, the next time, anyone who polishes, just an empty brush
0:34:22 > 0:34:27and a liquid polish. Everybody needs to wash their face, gel their hair.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Well, we have exclusive music
0:34:30 > 0:34:32even for the members of the Chambers today.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37And we've got Anoushka Shankar, daughter of the famous sitar player
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Ravi Shankar, who's going to be here tonight.
0:34:40 > 0:34:41Hello.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- Hi.- I just want to say hello, Parveen, deputy manager.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45It's a pleasure having you.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50And thank you very much for everything in the suite.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52We didn't get time to thank you.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54Such a pleasure for us to be in there.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55It's an honour for us having you stay.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- Thank you, it feels like coming home.- Great. Thank you.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00INDIAN MUSIC PLAYS
0:35:04 > 0:35:08The hotel has welcomed some of the world's biggest music icons.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11It was the first home of jazz in the city, playing host to the
0:35:11 > 0:35:14likes of Duke Ellington.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16When George Harrison took up residence,
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Anoushka's father, sitar legend Ravi Shankar, taught him
0:35:20 > 0:35:22to play in one of the hotel's suites.
0:35:38 > 0:35:43Right now, I'm thinking I will change this one.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46David Cameron has already replaced Sarkozy
0:35:46 > 0:35:51so we want to add Tom Cruise and where's Anoushka's picture?
0:35:51 > 0:35:54Anoushka, for sure.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Nikhila is the Hotel's director of public relations.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02It's her job to make sure that the hotel
0:36:02 > 0:36:06capitalises on its illustrious past.
0:36:06 > 0:36:07If you come to Mumbai,
0:36:07 > 0:36:10actually, if you come to India and you come anywhere
0:36:10 > 0:36:13near the city of Mumbai, this is where you must stay.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16Anybody who's anybody has wanted to stay here
0:36:16 > 0:36:21and we try to keep it as current as possible so the VIPs that we are
0:36:21 > 0:36:26putting up right now have actually visited us in 2013, most of them.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29Um, I'm going to be leaving a little space for Tom Cruise
0:36:29 > 0:36:33later but, um, that's because I love him.
0:36:34 > 0:36:39I think it's about sharing the same space with somebody who is
0:36:39 > 0:36:44world famous and world-renowned, so I think it's nice... Sorry? Um...
0:36:45 > 0:36:47It's fine now. What do you think? Is it too crushed?
0:36:47 > 0:36:52I think you can actually push even Sir Mick Jagger a little down.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55And then everything won't be so cramped.
0:37:02 > 0:37:07When my dad was first in Mumbai, he used to be a banker.
0:37:07 > 0:37:12When he was transferred to Mumbai and I was six years old,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14this was my home.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19And I remember running around in the corridor singing loudly
0:37:19 > 0:37:23and my mother used to be very, very, you know,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26she would try to keep me quiet saying, "Please," you know,
0:37:26 > 0:37:29"Please, we're out in the lobby," and for me it was my home.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35I thought everybody lived in such lavish, beautiful homes.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15We just go and do random checking of the rooms basically.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21So, what happens is, on a daily basis,
0:38:21 > 0:38:22we take about four or five rooms.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25The rooms are chosen at random at the last minute.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27We spend about an hour, we've got
0:38:27 > 0:38:29six to eight people who go on the floor.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Put it back.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34So you have one guy would check the air conditioning,
0:38:34 > 0:38:36there'd be somebody who would check the plumbing.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Then the housekeeper, so she also has her team of people, there's
0:38:39 > 0:38:42one helper who has to strip the room, maybe one supervisor, then we
0:38:42 > 0:38:45get somebody from in-room dining to see the glasses and all that.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Moeed usually comes and checks the room along with us,
0:38:47 > 0:38:49in terms of all the other detailing.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58There are some water stains, there's some kind of staining, so...
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Write it on, please.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08And because if you need to check a room in 10 minutes,
0:39:08 > 0:39:09you need that number of people to just
0:39:09 > 0:39:12kind of completely strip everything and do that.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16You do four to five rooms a day.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20Why are we laminating these?
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- Because they're getting everything on, will stain.- No, no, no.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- Can't have lamination, please. - They're at side table every day.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29No lamination.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31You go for a better quality if you think staining is an issue
0:39:31 > 0:39:34you go for a non-stain finish, but no lamination, please.
0:39:35 > 0:39:40Tell Nikhila to get you better quality. Yeah? No lamination.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42Yeah?
0:39:53 > 0:39:57We're supposed to be giving the best to our guests as far as hygiene,
0:39:57 > 0:39:59cleanliness and maintenance is concerned.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00And that is why they're coming to us
0:40:00 > 0:40:04and they're not going to any other smaller hotel.
0:40:04 > 0:40:05Housekeeping.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10But you've got to look exactly the way a guest would have seen
0:40:10 > 0:40:14the room so you have to get into every corner.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17You know, you'll find dust in certain places.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20You will find small marks on things and
0:40:20 > 0:40:24that's about getting your people to see, so you've got to see yourself.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26You know, it has to be perfect, so you've got to give a guest
0:40:26 > 0:40:28zero defection by all means.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30And it takes a huge amount of hard work
0:40:30 > 0:40:33an eye for detail to reach zero defect, so that's what
0:40:33 > 0:40:35the team's job is.
0:40:35 > 0:40:36What do you check?
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Hmm? What do you check when you come to the room?
0:40:41 > 0:40:45When this was introduced, you didn't see the size is not up to the mark?
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- They said they were changing it... - It's not a matter of changing.
0:40:48 > 0:40:49Why didn't you see it?
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Abbas, it's your responsibility, this is your part of the room,
0:40:54 > 0:40:56so then you're supposed to see it.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09With the imminent arrival of the art elite, Nikhila has
0:41:09 > 0:41:13called in the Hotel's art consultant to make the most of their collection.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16So just take this but very carefully, huh?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Lift it from one side and you lift it from the other and just hold it.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21We just want to see how it looks.
0:41:21 > 0:41:26You know, the hotel has the most exquisite art but
0:41:26 > 0:41:30the guests who are coming, of course, know art, they love art.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32They may not be able to see these because these pieces are hidden
0:41:32 > 0:41:36in suites or in lounge so we thought let's bring the pieces to them.
0:41:39 > 0:41:44So, we're lining the pathway for the entrance with masterpieces.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54So they'll have masterpieces inside and outside.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Within the hotel's collection are some of the most important pieces
0:42:01 > 0:42:05of modern Indian art, including four paintings by Gaitonde.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08And it's perfect.
0:42:08 > 0:42:14In the late 1950s, a group of new modern artists emerged in India,
0:42:14 > 0:42:17many of whom were supported by the Tata family who owned
0:42:17 > 0:42:18the hotel.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24They found an outlet in the hotel's gallery space.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28A lot of these artists actually came and stayed in this hotel and painted.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30We used to have an art gallery here, where a lot of these painters
0:42:30 > 0:42:35would come and sell their art pieces and the hotel would buy them.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39Put it down, hold it from the base. Only from the base.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42Don't hold it up. Don't hold it up.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46So, we have some of the most beautiful collection of Indian
0:42:46 > 0:42:47contemporary art.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51Be careful because otherwise you'll hit the wall.
0:42:51 > 0:42:52Now, go up.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Up, up, up, up.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Many of the artworks being sold at the Christie's
0:42:56 > 0:42:58auction are by this same group of artists.
0:43:00 > 0:43:04So, the Gaitonde painting is one of our most important
0:43:04 > 0:43:06paintings in the entire collection,
0:43:06 > 0:43:10possibly the most important, so the fact that we brought it out
0:43:10 > 0:43:13and putting it here is a huge deal.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17VS Gaitonde is arguably the most famous abstract artist
0:43:17 > 0:43:19the country has ever produced.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21They are going to be showing a light on the old ones,
0:43:21 > 0:43:26personally, I think ours is perfect, but I'm biased.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29How much is it worth?
0:43:29 > 0:43:30It's priceless!
0:43:30 > 0:43:32SHE LAUGHS
0:43:38 > 0:43:42I'm going to see from the other side to see if it's straight.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44If the auction is a success,
0:43:44 > 0:43:48the value of the works in the hotel will increase substantially.
0:43:50 > 0:43:55It looks lovely. It's really nice. It looks like it was always there.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58I'm very happy with it.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00I'll just have to get that spotlight down and...
0:44:02 > 0:44:04It's like it was meant to be there.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19Good afternoon, I'm Steven Murphy, Chief Executive of Christie's.
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Thank you so much for coming.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23It's actually an auspicious moment today,
0:44:23 > 0:44:27but we're here announcing this great moment for Christie's
0:44:27 > 0:44:32on the same day as the 110th anniversary of this great building,
0:44:32 > 0:44:35this great institution of this hotel that we're part of.
0:44:35 > 0:44:37So we're very excited to be showcasing
0:44:37 > 0:44:39all of this wonderful art
0:44:39 > 0:44:42to all of our clients around the world in the same moment.
0:44:42 > 0:44:43Thank you.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46APPLAUSE
0:44:46 > 0:44:49Indian modern art has been doing well over the last 10-15 years,
0:44:49 > 0:44:54but the market has been overseas with New York and London and...
0:44:56 > 0:44:58But not in India.
0:44:58 > 0:45:00What's nice about this particular auction
0:45:00 > 0:45:04is that it's almost like they're coming back to India.
0:45:04 > 0:45:05It's their return.
0:45:06 > 0:45:11'Well, The Taj is the sort of iconic hotel in India.
0:45:11 > 0:45:17'So it is the appropriate place for a high-end art event.
0:45:17 > 0:45:21'And Christie's and The Taj, they're good brands.'
0:45:21 > 0:45:24Two big brands, fighting it out for attention.
0:45:26 > 0:45:30We have to carry on this event much better than their expectations,
0:45:30 > 0:45:32so actually not just meet their expectations,
0:45:32 > 0:45:34rather exceed the expectations.
0:45:34 > 0:45:37'This is a combination of perfection and eye for detail.'
0:45:40 > 0:45:42And it falls to Parveen's team
0:45:42 > 0:45:44to make sure that nothing is overlooked.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49So basically it's a seven-course sit-down dinner.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Chef has crafted the menu, which is there.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54As of now, they have not told us how they want this printed.
0:45:54 > 0:45:56Have another paper one?
0:45:56 > 0:45:59No, that's what I'm saying. I want to use the one we did for...
0:45:59 > 0:46:02No, no, not the school one... Sorry, I'm getting mixed up,
0:46:02 > 0:46:05- that other one with the antique look. Was old.- No, it's here.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07It's right here.
0:46:07 > 0:46:08It has a nice archival look
0:46:08 > 0:46:11and it goes with the whole feeling that we're trying to create.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14You can do either burnt insert or just do regular,
0:46:14 > 0:46:17you don't have to go with the burnt insert.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19- No?- Yeah.
0:46:19 > 0:46:24So do this outer. So you know the size now that you need to make.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27'It is a opportunity for us on the international stage.'
0:46:27 > 0:46:29I mean, it's the first time Christie's is coming to India
0:46:29 > 0:46:32for an auction and they've chosen The Taj,
0:46:32 > 0:46:34so from that perspective it's huge.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36- How many lots are there?- 18.- 18.
0:46:36 > 0:46:40He's supposed to be in now, so I think we should move to the venue.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45To ensure the auction is a success,
0:46:45 > 0:46:48the team is planning every last detail...
0:46:50 > 0:46:53..something head of food and beverage Mehr knows all about.
0:46:55 > 0:46:59Can we just have them organised properly? And you put little tags...
0:46:59 > 0:47:01- Certainly, ma'am. - ..that says exactly which item
0:47:01 > 0:47:04- and what is the bar stock you're going to maintain.- Fine, ma'am.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08Because, as discussed last time, my biggest concern is that you guys
0:47:08 > 0:47:10do it once and then after two weeks again we have to come and check it.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13It should not be like that. Have a proper check list.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16Also, make a check list here on the wall, which clearly says what are
0:47:16 > 0:47:20the items you will be stocking and what quantities you intend to put.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24'I mean, we keep checking and checking and checking.'
0:47:24 > 0:47:27Each time you check, you find something new.
0:47:27 > 0:47:28I don't want all this, you know,
0:47:31 > 0:47:32Why? This is typically happening,
0:47:32 > 0:47:36because again you're not doing what I had told you last time.
0:47:36 > 0:47:39'That's the only way to reach perfection,'
0:47:39 > 0:47:42is to keep challenging yourself to find something else to correct.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45So the idea is to be as organised and clean, so at one shout,
0:47:45 > 0:47:48the butler comes running, he sees it, and says
0:47:48 > 0:47:50"OK, my coasters, my this."
0:47:50 > 0:47:52Ideally, you should be able to just see it and do it,
0:47:52 > 0:47:54but still a tag would be beneficial
0:47:54 > 0:47:56and you should write down the exact quantity...
0:47:56 > 0:47:59'That is the idea. We're constantly fine-tuning
0:47:59 > 0:48:01'till you reach that level of perfection'
0:48:01 > 0:48:03or till the guest arrives.
0:48:03 > 0:48:04You need to keep coming,
0:48:04 > 0:48:08it's not like we do it once and we don't, you know, go back to check it.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10Yeah? And you guys are here every day,
0:48:10 > 0:48:12so I expect that you will check all this every day.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14- Your new cupboard has come, huh? - Yes, ma'am.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16Engagement tools cupboard. OK.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Good. I think we'll say that's it for now.
0:48:33 > 0:48:37With a few days to go before the auction itself,
0:48:37 > 0:48:39the seduction of Mumbai's elite is well under way.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51This event was supposed to be 400 to 450.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55It's now become I think a little more than that.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00But we've got the who's who of the city, you know.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03Pretty much a good mix of socialite and industrial,
0:49:03 > 0:49:05so it's been going smooth so far.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20- So which painting are we heading for?- All of them.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23All of them?! My God.
0:49:23 > 0:49:27Too many zeros, no? But zero has no value.
0:49:27 > 0:49:29THEY LAUGH
0:49:31 > 0:49:35I love that. I love the use of colours. It's a happy painting.
0:49:35 > 0:49:41It'll really work well in my home. 162,000-243,000.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45So I'm worried about what that might end up at the auction.
0:49:45 > 0:49:46So am I. Yeah.
0:49:49 > 0:49:52I have a couple of head waiters and one or two managers,
0:49:52 > 0:49:57who are only looking out for the VVIP people and when I say VVIP,
0:49:57 > 0:49:59it's not to say that the others aren't important,
0:49:59 > 0:50:02but it's more to say that we're looking out for the people
0:50:02 > 0:50:05who are used to us normally really pampering them.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12There are certain spots which are the one where you go
0:50:12 > 0:50:15and you know you're going to meet half of the world.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20You are showing that you have the power to buy something,
0:50:20 > 0:50:22you were there. It's a prestige.
0:50:24 > 0:50:28This place, the Taj, you can meet...
0:50:29 > 0:50:33..I don't know, everybody in the world is going through,
0:50:33 > 0:50:36so I've met a lot of people there -
0:50:36 > 0:50:41Madonna, Gerard Butler, Salman Rushdie.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43Every person in the world who is known
0:50:43 > 0:50:46wants to go in the Taj, nowhere else.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50I would not be there if it was not the best.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57MUSIC: "Traces Of You" by Anoushka Shankar
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Here in Mumbai,
0:51:09 > 0:51:13one big difference from all of the other places in India
0:51:13 > 0:51:17is money is more important than anything else.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25What you see in the Taj
0:51:25 > 0:51:27are only rich women.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30But you don't know from where they come.
0:51:33 > 0:51:34They don't look at your caste.
0:51:34 > 0:51:39Money is money and that's a very big thing in Mumbai.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55# Traces of you
0:51:55 > 0:51:58# Linger like a teardrop
0:51:59 > 0:52:01# Fresh upon the air
0:52:01 > 0:52:04# My heart sings for you
0:52:04 > 0:52:07# Play me like a rain cloud
0:52:08 > 0:52:11# Sounds upon the air. #
0:52:11 > 0:52:14APPLAUSE
0:52:32 > 0:52:36At these levels, when you're talking about million-dollar pictures,
0:52:36 > 0:52:40there's only a handful of buyers at any given time,
0:52:40 > 0:52:43so, yes, we will see lots of diamonds and emeralds.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49I think that what we'll see tonight...
0:52:50 > 0:52:53..is, because it's a live sale
0:52:53 > 0:52:56and it's a chance for people to show off a little bit,
0:52:56 > 0:52:58especially when you're bidding in the room
0:52:58 > 0:53:00and you can see the actual bidders,
0:53:00 > 0:53:03people do lose their inhibitions, perhaps,
0:53:03 > 0:53:06and they do lock horns.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10These battles do emerge
0:53:10 > 0:53:14and I imagine that within the Mumbai social network,
0:53:14 > 0:53:15there's going to be quite a lot of that.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20You look amazing.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22- You have your card?- Yeah, yeah.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25- Buonasera.- Buonasera.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36Welcome to all of you. Welcome to all of you,
0:53:36 > 0:53:39whether you're on Christie's Live or here at the Taj Mahal.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Lot number one of a historic Christie's sale in Mumbai.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45Shall we start this at seven lakhs? seven lakhs 50. Eight lakhs, sir.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47Gentleman flying in from England. nine lakhs...
0:53:47 > 0:53:49You can tell when someone's about to bid.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52They start shuffling their feet or they go quiet.
0:53:52 > 0:53:56- Lot number one, sold! - APPLAUSE
0:53:58 > 0:53:59If one of the billionaires starts bidding
0:53:59 > 0:54:02and he's bidding in the room, I don't think they'll let it go.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05Because there's that element of...
0:54:07 > 0:54:08..well, pride, I suppose.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Sir, it's yours.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17Thank you, sir.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19Lot number 63,
0:54:19 > 0:54:24a Vasudeo Gaitonde from 1979.
0:54:24 > 0:54:27I can start this here at 3.5 crores.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29After a week where Christie's and the Taj
0:54:29 > 0:54:31have been courting the Mumbai art scene,
0:54:31 > 0:54:34the success of the event would largely be judged
0:54:34 > 0:54:37on whether one lot breaks a world record.
0:54:37 > 0:54:38At 8.5.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41Going on?
0:54:41 > 0:54:44Currently, that stands at 3 million.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Here now at 9, 9.5.
0:54:47 > 0:54:48At 9.5.
0:54:48 > 0:54:5110, Damian's in at 10 crores here now. 11 crores.
0:54:53 > 0:54:5512, I have.
0:54:55 > 0:54:5914. Sandhya, you're in - new bidder at 14.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01Sandhya's bid. Holding with Sandhya. 15, I have.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04Coming in? 15 is here.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08500 if you like.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10Will you take 15.5?
0:55:10 > 0:55:12Yes, I will. Thank you.
0:55:13 > 0:55:1416.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17Back to Diki now at 16 crores.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21Small step for you. Big step for Gaitonde.
0:55:21 > 0:55:22AUDIENCE LAUGHS
0:55:22 > 0:55:25- 16.5.- 16.5, well done.
0:55:28 > 0:55:3017 crores.
0:55:30 > 0:55:32At 17.
0:55:32 > 0:55:34Small steps. 17 and a half!
0:55:35 > 0:55:3718, Diki.
0:55:39 > 0:55:40Sonam?
0:55:40 > 0:55:42Sure?
0:55:42 > 0:55:43You've said that before.
0:55:44 > 0:55:4618 is with Diki.
0:55:46 > 0:55:47At 18.
0:55:52 > 0:55:540.5?
0:55:59 > 0:56:0018.5
0:56:06 > 0:56:0819 crores.
0:56:13 > 0:56:14This close now.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22Sonam, you've come this close. We're this close now.
0:56:22 > 0:56:2519 crores. 19.5.
0:56:25 > 0:56:2719.5.
0:56:27 > 0:56:28One more deep breath.
0:56:30 > 0:56:3220 crores.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34- Well done. - GASPING AND APPLAUSE
0:56:42 > 0:56:4320.5.
0:56:45 > 0:56:46At 20.5.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Sure, Diki?
0:56:51 > 0:56:53Final, final call. Thank you.
0:56:53 > 0:56:57And, Sonam, you have it at 20 and a half crores.
0:56:57 > 0:56:58- GAVEL BANGS - Sold!
0:56:58 > 0:57:00CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:57:05 > 0:57:07Well done, thank you, both.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13The day I was moving into this hotel
0:57:13 > 0:57:18I was called by my executive director of operations and he said,
0:57:18 > 0:57:22"Just remember one thing, and that is that this is everybody's Taj."
0:57:26 > 0:57:30Today, when I sit back and think about it,
0:57:30 > 0:57:31I understand what he meant.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39It basically meant that everyone in this city,
0:57:39 > 0:57:41everyone in this country
0:57:41 > 0:57:44feels an emotional attachment to this institution.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57Everybody has a kind of fond memory which is connected to the hotel.
0:57:57 > 0:58:01People have lived here, people have grown here, got married here,
0:58:01 > 0:58:04so it's a hotel which lives in the memories of people.
0:58:24 > 0:58:29Everyone knows that having a wedding at the Taj
0:58:29 > 0:58:30is obviously expensive.
0:58:31 > 0:58:34When you see the Taj on a wedding invitation,
0:58:34 > 0:58:37you obviously think that this is a great family.
0:58:40 > 0:58:43INDIAN MUSIC PLAYS