So much goes into creating an evening that is remembered. And no, luxury isn’t everything. It is elegance, blended with knowing each guest well—their personalities, whims and tastes. Behind closed doors, it is also about meticulous menu preparation, a decor that exudes style with relaxed warmth, and juggling anxiety quietly beneath the surface of it all!
For actor and entrepreneur, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, hosting is precisely this: creating moments that feel intimate, instinctive and unforgettable. She’s masterful at the art, coming from one of the first families of the film industry, known to host the most unforgettable celebrations—tables overflowing with vibrant conversations, bonhomie and memories passed down like a legacy over generations.
To launch our Art of Hosting Series, Manifest sits down with Riddhima to decode the anatomy of the best home gatherings and her secret to playing host effortlessly.
She takes us into why well-dressed works better than overly dressed at her table and why a little sprinkle of imperfection makes for the magic detail!
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni (RKS): I love a beautiful table, good food and gorgeous flowers and great table conversations, but at the end of the evening, what people really remember is how they felt. Did they feel welcome? Did they have fun? Did they want the evening to continue? That really is the art of hosting.
(RKS): I grew up around people who genuinely loved having people over. Celebrations were always about food, family, friends and a lot of laughter. I think the biggest thing I learned is that hosting should never feel tedious or like a chore. It should feel generous and effortless even if a lot of effort has gone into making it look that way!
(RKS): A gathering should feel like you. It could be something as simple as serving a family recipe, playing a particular playlist or using flowers you love. I don’t think everything has to be perfect. In fact, a little imperfection makes things feel much more real.
(RKS): The guest list, definitely. I always think about who is coming and what kind of evening I want it to be. Once you know your guests, the menu, the table and the music almost naturally follow.
(RKS): Definitely. I think people still love tradition, but they’re making it their own. Hosting has become much more relaxed. It’s less about everything being extremely formal and more about creating an atmosphere where people can actually enjoy themselves. There is also much more interest in the overall experience now - the music, the setting, the food, even the way guests move through an evening.
(RKS): Good food, great music and making sure everyone is comfortable.
(RKS): I absolutely do. The table is where everyone comes together, so it sets the mood. I love a beautifully dressed table, but I don’t think it needs to be overly elaborate. Sometimes beautiful crockery, fresh flowers, candles and gorgeous table linen are all you need.
(RKS): I love mixing things. I’ll happily put an old family silver piece next to something very contemporary. I think Indian craftsmanship has so much character that it works beautifully in a modern setting. You don’t have to recreate a traditional table—you can reinterpret it.
(RKS): Food is a huge part of the experience. For me, it should feel generous and delicious rather than overly complicated. I love family-style dining because it immediately makes people feel more relaxed. There’s something wonderful about everyone reaching across the table and sharing.
(RKS): Think beyond the décor. A wedding is ultimately about the people who have travelled, sometimes from very far away, to celebrate with you. Think about what they will eat, how they will be welcomed, where they’ll spend time and what little moments they will remember. The experience should feel personal to the couple.
(RKS): By remembering that guests are people, not an audience. Beautiful décor is wonderful, but if guests are uncomfortable, hungry or don’t know what’s happening, it doesn’t matter. Good hospitality is anticipating people’s needs before they have to ask.
(RKS): I love welcome dinners. They can be much more intimate and relaxed, and you actually get to spend time with your guests. A smaller lunch the day after is also lovely. Those moments often become more memorable than the big celebration because you have time to actually talk.
(RKS): Comfortable seating, beautiful lighting, music at the right volume, having drinks readily available and knowing people’s preferences. Even small things—like remembering someone’s favourite drink or making sure there is something they can eat—make people feel looked after.
(RKS): I think so. Luxury is becoming much more personal. It’s not always about having more; sometimes it’s about having something that has been thoughtfully chosen for you. A smaller gathering can allow you to be much more generous with the details and, most importantly, with your time.
(RKS): Always. I love old pieces because they have a story, and I love contemporary pieces because they keep things fresh. I don’t think a table should look like it came out of one catalogue. Mixing things gives it character.
(RKS): Trying to make everything too perfect. Your guests aren’t coming to judge your table setting—they’re coming to spend time with you. Prepare as much as you can beforehand, and then, once everyone arrives, put the checklist away and enjoy yourself. Spending quality time with your guests with your loved ones is everything for me.
(RKS): I’d start with drinks somewhere comfortable, with a few little things to eat—nothing too formal. Then we’d move to the table for a generous, family-style dinner. I’d have candles, fresh flowers, beautiful music and, of course, something fabulous for some coffee/green tea and dessert—some dancing perhaps—I’d want the evening to go on for as long as everyone wanted. I’m not a fan of rushing people out after dinner!
(RKS): Make people feel welcome. Feed them well. And enjoy yourself. If the host is relaxed and having fun, everyone else relaxes too.
(RKS): Anything that comes with a family story has a special place in my heart. I am very sentimental about things that have been passed down. It could be a piece of silver or something as simple as a recipe that has been made in the family for years. Those things carry memories, and that’s what makes them special.
(RKS): I think you have to bring the warmth with you. Glamour is lovely, but it shouldn’t make people feel intimidated. Talk to your guests, introduce people who don’t know each other, make sure everyone has what they need and, most importantly, make them feel that you are genuinely happy as they are there. That’s what makes any place feel like home.