<h2>Smokin&rsquo; hot shot</h2>
A batsman hits the ball at a game in Five Gardens, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-s-dadar-station-redevelopment-finally-begins-after-years-of-delays-23607536" rel="nofollow">Dadar</a>
<h2>Starry guests</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Farooqui_e.jpg" alt="(From left) Iffat Dutt, Karuna Dutt, Asghar Wajahat, and Mahmood Farooqui at Prithvi Theatre. Pics Courtesy/Mahmood Farooqui and Wikimedia commons" width="1280" height="720" /> (From left) Iffat Dutt, Karuna Dutt, Asghar Wajahat, and Mahmood Farooqui at Prithvi Theatre. Pics Courtesy/Mahmood Farooqui and Wikimedia commons
IT felt like a &lsquo;catharsis&rsquo; as Mahmood Farooqui concluded his Dastan-e-Guru Dutt at Prithvi Theatre on February 15. Iffat Dutt, the daughter-in-law of Guru Dutt (inset), and his granddaughter, Karuna, were in attendance for the show.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Gurudutt_e.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" />
&ldquo;If I had known before, I&rsquo;d have been nervous,&rdquo; the theatremaker admitted. In all, it was a full circle moment for Farooqui, as the show also ended with the launch of the book, Dastan-e-Guru Dutt, by playwright Asghar Wajahat. Now, that&rsquo;s what we call a family moment.
<h2>Pollution&rsquo;s silent toil</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Owl-food_e.jpg" alt="A rescuer tending to an injured kite(right) the Indian Black Kite. Pics courtesy/Priyanshu Kamble" width="1280" height="720" /> A rescuer tending to an injured kite(right) the Indian Black Kite. Pics courtesy/Priyanshu Kamble
It is not just the residents who are affected by the city&rsquo;s poor <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/mumbai-weather-updates-mainly-clear-sky-conditions-expected-across-city-and-suburbs-temps-around-31-degc-23617342" rel="nofollow">Air Quality Index </a>(AQI); the Indian Black Kite, an apex aerial predator, is also suffering.
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Priyanshu-Kamble_e.jpg" alt="Priyanshu Kamble" width="1280" height="720" /> Priyanshu Kamble
Priyanshu Kamble, a conservationist working with Maharashtra Animal Rescue Association (MARA) emphasised, &ldquo;It is the cumulative stress and the presence of heavy metals like lead and mercury in the air that usually drains the birds, which makes them unable to fly resulting in grounding, or severe breathing issues.&rdquo;
<h2>Bid for the best</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Lalu-Prasad-Shaw_e.jpg" alt="Untitled Bibi by Lalu Prasad Shaw; (left) a &lsquo;bandwalla&rsquo; sculpture by Krishen Khanna; (far left) a bronze Pilichamundi mask available for auction. Pics courtesy/StoryLTD" width="1280" height="720" /> Untitled Bibi by Lalu Prasad Shaw; (left) a &lsquo;bandwalla&rsquo; sculpture by Krishen Khanna; (far left) a bronze Pilichamundi mask available for auction. Pics courtesy/StoryLTD
Art enthusiasts have between 3 pm and 8 pm today (February 20) to bid on five artworks in an auction, Friday Five, by shopping and auction platform, StoryLTD. The curated selection features a painting by artist Lalu Prasad Shaw, a &lsquo;bandwalla&rsquo; sculpture by painter Krishen Khanna, a set of prints by Navjot, a bronze Pilichamundi mask, and a Mario Miranda illustration. Those keen to bid on these unique works can log on to storyltd.com.&nbsp;
<h2>Let&rsquo;s run beyond the marathon</h2>
<img src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/feb/Bombay-Run_e.jpg" alt="Runners at a practice session of a previous 5x5 run next to the Naval Dockyard. Pic courtesy/Bombay Running" width="1280" height="720" /> Runners at a practice session of a previous 5x5 run next to the Naval Dockyard. Pic courtesy/Bombay Running
To reignite motivation after the Tata Marathon season, Bombay Running will host the 9th edition of its &lsquo;5x5 Run&rsquo; from May 6 to May 10. Each day will feature a different route across the city, encouraging participants to stay consistent. Co-founder Deepak Oberoi reiterated, &ldquo;Once the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/tata-mumbai-marathon-2026-ethiopians-tadu-abate-and-yeshi-chekole-crowned-champions-check-details-of-all-runners-23612540" rel="nofollow">Tata Marathon</a> is done for the year, a lot of people are motivated to run. In a way, this is our way to motivate them as running five kilometres for five days puts them in the right headspace and gives them the push they&rsquo;re looking for.&rdquo; The run also aims to rebuild discipline, maintain momentum and help runners transition smoothly.

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Mumbai Diary: Friday Dossier

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