As India makes her debut on the Formula 1 circuit, pop icon Lady Gaga will be leading the celebrations. Actor-producer Arjun Rampal, part owner of hip Delhi nightclub Lap, which will play host to the F1 after-parties, has scored the coup, managing to get the super-busy musician to headline the event. He says, “Since there are going to be so many international celebrities coming down for the races, we knew we had to push the parties to the next level.”
The races are scheduled to take place from October 28- 30 at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Rampal admits the negotiations weren’t a cakewalk, saying, “It wasn’t easy getting her down, since she is the biggest superstar in the world. But I have to say her management was cooperative, and the guys from Desihits.com (a music portal that has remixed Gaga’s music with Indian artistes in the past) were also a huge help.”
Ask Rampal whether the headline-grabbing singer had to clear her schedule to make time for his event, and he says, “Lady Gaga was going to be in the region to promote her new album, so that’s something that fell into place. Also, she’s very passionate about India and wanted to explore the market here.”
Unlike her Grammy-winning colleagues, like Jennifer Lopez who is known to demand an all-white room filled with vanilla candles and white roses wherever she goes, Gaga hasn’t made any unreasonable requests in terms of food or décor yet. “The requirements she’s conveyed to us so far are really reasonable,” Rampal reveals, adding, “Everything has been done professionally. So far, it’s been a delight to work with her.”
And while the actor refuses to reveal any details of her potential playlist, he does offer some hope to those who can’t afford the Rs 40,000 ticket to watch Gaga perform. “We’re in conversation with a few broadcast partners to be able to televise the show,” he says.
