Arjun Rampal and wife Mehr Jesia won't be hosting any IPL parties this year following good friend Lalit Modi's exit

Arjun Rampal and wife Mehr Jesia are missing in action in this edition of the Indian Premiere League (IPL).

The couple, responsible for arranging 55 glamorous parties post IPL matches at different venues around the countrdistanced themselves from the event following former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi's exit and the BCCI's dissociating themselves from parties. Their proximity to Modi had bagged them the contract to arrange parties last year.

New rules dictate that individual franchises can have their own parties, but team players will not be a part of them. Unlike last year when team owners were busy hosting parties and fashion shows, this time it will be more hushed.

A source reveals, "For IPL 3, the couple was able to bring in the fashion world to parties. Mehr roped in designer friends like Manish Malhotra, Rocky S, Anamika Khanna and others to showcase their work during the parties. However, they are completely out of the scene now that Modi isn't the boss any more."

Even though there's a blanket ban, the source adds that team owners Vijay Mallya (Bangalore Royal Challengers), Shah Rukh (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Shilpa Shetty (Rajasthan Royals) will host private parties for friends and members of the team. Prasad Biddapa has been roped in by Mallya to organise fashion shows.

Both Arjun and Mehr remained unavailable for comment.

Money Tales

Arjun's company reportedly made a profit close to R 15 crore on the parties. Also because of the couple distancing themselves from IPL 4, none of the big designers are showing much interest this year.

Last Year...

Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jesia tied up with IPL 3 to organise parties and fashion shows after every match. There were a total of 55 parties and fashion shows!

The concept was decided upon after Mehr and IPL chairman Lalit Modi brainstormed about it. Mehr explained the need for parties after matches saying that they will bring all the players together even if they don't drink. The team on whose home ground the match is played will be the host for the party.

Top fashion designers such as Shantanu-Nikhil, Manish Malhotra, Rocky S, Anamika Khanna have already agreed to be a part of the event.

Victory Bash

After Rajasthan Royals' victory over the Delhi Daredevils yesterday, Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra partied at the Jai Mahal in Rajasthan along with their team members.