Wacky wardrobe with sassy Tees: Sania's pick

Lucknow, November 19: Sania, Sania, Sania… the crowds had just one name on their lips when the tennis star flew down to take part in the inaugural ceremony of the Sahara Ganj mall on Thursday, eclipsing other stars like Gul Panag and ace shooter and Olympian Rajyawardhan Rathore.

Lensmen went in a tizzy and many in the audience whipped out their mobiles with cameras to record their moment with Sania Mirza. Dressed in a sequinned magenta and yellow outfit Sania and mother Naseema spent much of their time mingling with the Roy family and occasionally obliging autograph hunters. Looking tense initially at the size of the crowds milling to have one dekko at their teen icon, Sania took her time to relax, the smile returning to her face once she was inside the mall with a tight security cordon thrown around her. Careful not to create any controversy, mother and daughter declined the ceremonial tikka, content to flaunt the trademark purple silk stole which they were welcomed with.

Careful with her words, Sania allowed her eyes and smile to do the talking, preferring not to react when a prominent local builder challenged her to a tennis match. The gentleman, a little taken aback at the frosty smile he received, had to content himself with the fact that his moment of glory was captured on TV for posterity.

"I wish I could tell your daughter how proud we are of her. She is a role model for my teenage daughter," commented a lady lucky enough to get a word in with Sania's mother, "really, why don't you tell her that," said Naseema Mirza, turning to Sania, who positively glowed at the compliment. The VIP entourage was given a guided tour of the mall by Sahara Managing Worker Subrata Roy, who ensured a strict security cordon ensured that the media and fans were kept at a distance. It was only once the group reached the Food Court area on the fourth floor that they took a brief respite, settling down for some refreshments which included sampling a special grape-flavoured mocktail especially created to match the 'purple' theme of the mall.

With most outlets yet to open shop, there was little opportunity for a shopping for the Hyderabadi lass, who had to contend with the delights of the evening's fireworks' display by the Moranis to serve as the high point of her visit.

We did manage to get a little birdie to share her latest passion-another sassy Tee to her collection of witty, wacky wardrobe, which defines her attitude and style. "The more bugged I am, the more I like to wear it. I just hope no one sees me in it. They will be in for a rude shock," she giggled.