Rain Didn’t Stop Mumbai’s Singles From Showing Up to Speed Date

Umbrellas up and rain falling, Mumbai’s singles still showed up for a speed dating event hosted by the Bombay Times Life.Styled Club this monsoon season. The evening featured ice-breakers, dare challenges, compliment rounds and two-minute dates, all aimed at getting participants to skip the texting and talk face-to-face.

Priyanka Mahajan, 26, said the format worked for her — she connected with one participant during a two-minute speed date and is hopeful about where it leads. ‘Meeting someone in person is so much better than judging them through profile pictures,’ she said.

Others echoed the sentiment. Kishan Kavadia, a repeat speed dating attendee in his 20s, said the format lets you read a person instantly: ‘You get to see a person’s body language and personality immediately.’ Mahima Kori, 26, who came across the event through a Times of India ad, said the in-person format saved her time and energy compared to the usual back-and-forth texting before meeting someone. She received compliments from three participants during a compliment round and connected with one, while planning to keep talking to another.

Vatsal Sagar, the event’s social host, said the goal was simple: move people from URL to IRL. ‘Real connections begin when you interact in person, and that’s exactly what we wanted participants to experience and embrace,’ he said.

Thirty-nine-year-old Priyanka Amar, a single mother attending the event, said she’d rather go the traditional route. ‘I’m old school. If I have to restart my life, I’d rather meet someone in person than through an app,’ she said.