Mahjong: The new language of leisure for India’s elite

Once a staple in Asian households, Mahjong is now the game of choice for the elite. At plush clubs in Mumbai, chic Delhi living rooms, and intimate Kolkata gatherings, brunches and soirées revolve around the clatter of tiles.

What began as curiosity is now a social flex, with women dressing up for Mahjong lunches and themed soirées. Popularised by shows like Fresh Off The Boat and films like Crazy Rich Asians (2018) as well as K-dramas, it is now drawing India’s elite across generations into its orbit. And when everyone – from Bollywood wives Maheep Kapoor and Bhavana Panday to Lutyens’ ladies – is in Mahjong mode, and even industrialist Harsh Goenka is posting about it, you know it has become the new language of leisure and luxury.

‘It’s a workout for your mind & a social activity’

Mahjong’s growing appeal lies in its ability to challenge the mind while offering a social escape. “It demands strategy, memory, and quick calculation, making every round an engaging workout. Players track discarded tiles, anticipate opponents’ moves, and plan winning combinations – skills that sharpen focus. It’s like a workout for your mind and a social activity without indulgence,” says Mumbai-based Priya Shamdasani, who’s been playing for five months.

For many club-goers, this mix of play and mindfulness has redefined leisure. “It entertains and exercises the brain simultaneously, which is why it resonates so strongly with the social elite,” says Ria Bajaj, co-founder of The Mahjong Network.

What’s Mahjong

Originating in 19th-century China, Mahjong is a four-player game where players draw and discard tiles to form winning sets and sequences. Blending strategy, skill, and a dash of luck, it is both competitive and social

Kolkata catches the Mahjong fever

While Mumbai, Delhi, and even Goa have embraced Mahjong with feverish enthusiasm, Kolkata is still warming up to the trend.

“Here, the game has found its way into intimate house parties, where small groups of friends gather over tiles and converse rather than in sprawling club lounges. It is building its following in private living rooms, slowly but surely making its way into the city’s larger cultural circuit,” said Ria Bajaj, co-founder of the Mahjong Network.

“As of now, there are no trainers in Kolkata, we are flying them down from Mumbai and Delhi,” Bajaj added.

Kolkata-based Mahjong player Sunita Goenka said, “Mahjong varies across cities because trainers pass down their own versions. The basics remain the same, but scoring differs, creating regional styles.”In an Instagram Story, Harsh Goenka wrote, “In Mumbai, women have stopped doing lunch. They now do mahjong. It looks innocent enough – a square table, some tiles, some Prada handbags. But make no mistake, this is a blood sport played in silk kaftans.

Deals are struck, alliances formed, and one wrong move can cost you a labubu, or worse, your reputation. The tiles click... the Cartier bangles clink, and between sips of green tea and bites of gluten-free cake, empires are built and friendships are.

.. gently dented. By the end, no one remembers who won. But everyone remembers who wore the same Hermès scarf twice (sic).”

‘People want curated Mahjong sessions for private parties’

Mahjong has taken on distinct cultural shades across Indian cities, adapting to local social fabrics.

“In Mumbai, it dominates elite clubs, with inter-club tournaments – led by the Willingdon Club – becoming seasonal highlights. In Delhi, the craze spills into chic cafes, boutique spaces, and brunches, turning casual hangouts into stylish Mahjong sessions. We’re even asked to curate Mahjong sessions for private parties,” says Sheetal Patel of Let’s Mahjong, who conducts in-person Mahjong classes.

‘Players dress thoughtfully for the sessions’

For many, Mahjong is more than strategy – it has become a lifestyle statement.

“Mahjong is a beautiful occasion,” says Sangeeta Kewalramani, founder of House of Mahjong, which counts celebrities among its members. “Players dress thoughtfully, knowing they’re here to play and socialise. And a beautifully designed Mahjong set is a fashion statement in itself,” she adds.

‘The game doesn’t have anything to do with gender’

While women dominate the trend, it is also finding favour as a couple’s activity. For Pune couple Manish Singh and his wife Sangita, it is more of a family hobby now.

“My wife started playing with friends and she was consumed by it. That’s when I realised that I need to pick it up just to keep up with her. Now every weekend is a Mahjong date night for more of us,” he says. Suyash Mehta, an entrepreneur from Mumbai, says, “I play cards, go bowling – Mahjong is just another recreation for me.

I don’t think the game has anything to do with gender.”

Know your Mahjong lingo

Twittering of sparrows: Mixing the tiles before you pick a fresh setPung: A set of three identical tilesChuck: A tile that has been discardedKnit: A special hand pattern using odd and even numbered tiles across suitsPair: Two identical tiles, needed to complete a winning handMixed chow: A sequence of the same numbers across different suits (e.g., 3 bamboo + 3 character + 3 circle)

Many people are turning to boardgames as the centrepiece of their gatherings Mahjong, with its mix of strategy, culture and social play, will soon be one of the most sought-after games at kitty parties– Rinkey Puri, international Mahjong coach

Mahjong is riding a modern revival. It is no longer just a grandma’s game, but a stylish social phenomenon. The game is being played less at homes in isolation and more within communities like clubs and pop ups– Sheetal Patel, Mahjong coach