(From top) Sushmita with Raima at the launch party of Hushh and Kobe Sizzlers; Sush with Bickram Ghosh and Jaya Seal Ghosh. Pictures by Rashbehari Das

Time was turned back on Saturday night to a more regal era as Sushmita Sen, looking glamorous in a white cutwork outfit, unveiled a restaurant — Hushh and Kobe Sizzlers — at City Centre. The former Miss Universe sat inside a private enclosure — separated by transparent plastic blinds — on the roof of the new party haunt as the guests trickled in one by one.

And just like a queen indulging in jharokha darshan, our delightful diva was obliging guests with a “Hi” or “Hello”, and charming each one of them.

Sanjeev Goenka, Bhaichung Bhutia, Jisshu and Nilanjanaa, Bickram and Jaya Seal Ghosh, Raima Sen… they all had their special moments with Sushmita.

“Her father had been to my concerts and Sushmita expressed her eagerness to listen to my music,” Bickram said.

Goenka’s Saregama is the producer of Karma, Confessions & Holi, Sushmita’s next release, which stars ex-boyfriend Randeep Hooda.

Sitting with Sushmita on Saturday, though, was her man of the moment: ad film-maker Madhav Menon. But daughter Renee, in her pink dress and red-framed glasses, was the show stealer.

Hushh, positioned as an Italian Resto Lounge & Bar, is one of the only eateries in town to have a wooden oven for the pizza. And if you are not feeling so Italian, you can always dig into the Kobe sizzlers, part of Mumbai’s daily life since the Opera House outlet came up in 1977.

The two-in-one outlet belongs to Rajat Dalmia, Sushmita’s business partner.

Back to Sush, the actress gave a glimpse of her painting prowess by doing a quick sketch of the facial contours of a goddess and signing “Durga, Durga” in the corner. But it was Sushmita’s presence that made all the difference to the party.