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JANUARY 2020 / ` 150 TCG MEDIA PUBLICATION

Hero Grooming

SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY & HAPPY

#Muscle

CREATINE FOR A DREAM PHYSIQUE

GET RID OF THOSE LOVE HANDLES

EVOLUTION OF

ISSN 2347-4831

12020011205

INDIA EDITION VOL 12 ISSUE 5

RANA DAGGUBATI

WHEY

LOW IN

CALORIE

HIGH IN TASTE

CONTENTS JANUARY 2020 Jacket: United Colors of Benetton Pants: Fila India

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Cover Story

Full Throttle

T-shirt & Shoes: Numero Uno

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28

13

22 TAN & TRIM

FHM ASKS

QUENCH

GYM

MUSCLE

WHAT THE HELL

SUPPLEMENTS

QUENCH

08 Lights, Camera and Action 10 Tyre’d Up 12 On Track

13 Changing Motions

22 Sculpt Your Sides

28 Remixing Fusion 29 Gory and Gross

26 Toast to Classic Cover Credits: Full Look: Numero Uno Photography by Amit Khanna, Stylist: Victor Robinson

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EDIT NOTE From dreams of being on the ‘Seventy MM’, seeking inspiration from your favourite hero’s on screen avatars to adopting filmy tips to profess love to your partner, and following fashion and grooming trends of the B-town, the hysteria for cinema goes far and wide. We kickstart the year 2020 with a righteous tribute to cinema for immeasurably impacting every aspect of our lives —fitness, grooming, fashion and lifestyle.

Our Fit cover star, Rana Daggubati goes through extreme transformations every time in preparation for his diverse onscreen roles. From the beefed-up baddy in Baahubali to leaner and more docile appearance for his upcoming project, Haathi Mere Saathi, Rana’s grueling regimen is no easy feat and definitely not sustainable, as agreed by the talented actor himself. He suggests viewing fitness from the perspective of lifestyle changes rather than short lived transformations.

In the grooming section, we acknowledge the monumental role of Bollywood heroes in setting trends and sparking the desire to look like them across generations. From clean shaven pin-up stars of 70s, Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna to bearded new age heartthrobs, Ranveer Singh and Ayushmann Khurrana, their reel life avatars impacted the style statements of millions in real life.

With all the motivations from Rana in tow, we further try to keep you close to your fitness goals, and seek expert inputs to clear the air over Creatine supplement. Stepping on the weighing scale might seem to be a nightmare with all the calories gained from the year end parties.

We help you to get back on track and into your favourite pair of denims, both. Get rid of the love handles with our list of exercises targeted at the oblique muscles. For those who want to go all out, we have variants of high intensity tyre workouts to try at the gym or a bootcamp.

In the food and drinks section, we present an insightful review of the all new menu with fusion delights at Monkey Bar in Vasant Kunj. Also, in an attempt to celebrate the true spirit of Vodka, we have delectable cocktail recipes heroing the liquor to try your mixing skills on.

Our January issue is sure to keep you hooked for all you need to do is grab your copy and read through. We promise to comeback with more interesting stories and interviews even in the next issue. Till then, stay fit and phenomenal.

JANUARY 2020 PUBLISHER & EDITOR Nitin Agarwal ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Arpit Agarwal ASSISTANT EDITOR Shivpriya Bajpai ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR Suchita Sehrawat FEATURES WRITER Chitman Kanwar Ahuja ASST. FEATURES WRITER Pancham Bhardwaj COPY EDITOR Akanksha Arora ART DIRECTOR Surender Kumar DESIGNER Braja Kishore Sukla Mayank Bhatnagar Editorial: fhm@tcg.media SALES & MARKETING VICE-PRESIDENT Atul Behl REGIONAL HEAD-SOUTH Tabriz Ahmed REGIONAL HEAD-WEST Rajesh Gogate ASSISTANT MANAGER-NORTH Rajan Narayan Saroj Sales: fhmads@tcg.media MANAGER DIGITAL Rahul Bandhu SR. EXECUTIVE CIRCULATION Rajneesh Laroiya DEPUTY MANAGER HR Seema Negi

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— Shivpriya Bajpai

LEGAL ADVISOR Irfan Ahmed Siddiqui

info@tcg.media Phone: 91-11-43560999

DELHI (RO): 5, UG Floor, Himalaya House, 23, K.G. Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001, India AHMEDABAD: B 308, Iscon Centre, Shivranjani Cross Road, Satellite, Ahmedabad- 380015, India BENGALURU: 1/1, ARN, 2nd Floor, Promenade Road, Frazer Town, Bengaluru-560005, India MUMBAI: A-402, Pranik Chamber, Saki Vihar Road, Sakinaka, Andheri (East), Mumbai - 400072, India

ro Uno Full Look: Nume estro by Zoook Headphones: Ma

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FHM India magazine is printed and published by Nitin Agarwal on behalf of TCG Media Limited (TCGML). Published at 5, UGF, Himalaya House, 23, KG Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. Distribution in India by Living Media India Limited. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. FHM India Edition takes no responsibility for unsolicited publication materials. Opinions expressed in the articles are of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of editor or publisher. Unsolicited materials are sent at owner’s risk and TCGML or the publisher accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. FHM is a registered trademark.

Detailed disclaimer and T&Cs on www.fhmindia.com

LETTERS

Get in touch!

01/20

fhm@tcg.media fhmindia @fhmindia @fhmindia

Letter of the

month

Chiselled Perfection I have been a Karan Singh Groover fan since his Dill Mill Gaye days and my crush on him just keeps growing! He is a true inspiration for all the health buffs like me. His discipline and knowledge of how one must take care of their fitness is simply amazing.

— Chetna Gaur, Delhi

We just have one word to describe this guy drool-worthy! Don’t forget to check out this month’s cover story for some more fitness motivation!

Gentlemen’s Diary Growing a beard is easy but the real work begins when you have to maintain it. I feel men often underestimate the power of grooming and don’t take it seriously.

Hopefully, this would change soon.

— Zorawar Shah, Mumbai

We hope the same, Zorawar!

After all, good things take a little care and so does your beard.

Power Through Winter Winter indeed heightens the laziness in us. So, work out at home really sounds like a great idea during this cold weather. I have incorporated these easy workout tips in my daily schedule and it does make me feel much more energetic throughout the day.

Seasonal Greetings Baileys Irish Cream is one of the best liqueurs out there and all the recipes looked amazing. I tried the Massey Baileys Twist for the Christmas party at my place and everyone simply loved it!

— Anuj Gangwar, Chandigarh

Where there is a will, there is a way and we’re glad you choose the healthy way this season!

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— Ryan D’Souza, Pune

Well, no good Christmas party is ever complete without some good cocktails! :)

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January 2020

7

Tan & Trim

LIGHTS, CAMERA AND ACTION Ever since the advent of Hindi cinema in the 1930s, Bollywood has consistently influenced fashion and grooming. Whether its regal sherwani’s, or sweaters draped over the shoulders, films have shaped the sartorial sensibilities of generations.

By CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA

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Tan & Trim

V

iewing a film has been compared to dreaming. It is a social and psychological experience. Society has a need for fantasy, for identification with larger-than-life characters, for heroes, gods and powerful forces of good and evil who dramatise for us the great virtues and vices which are rarely present in our individual lives.

Herein, the powerful, romantic, suave yet admirable hero played a pivotal role. He charmed the women with his chivalry and inspired men to be more like him, which often reflects in the real lives of the Indian masses. With the massive fan following that superstars Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Vinod Khanna and Dev Anand had—it became obvious that their habits would also be picked up by their followers. From the cleanshaved look, to the slicked back hairdo’s, Bollywood has shaped our grooming rituals age by age.

It is astonishing how much influence films have on men in India. Films such as Bobby made every young man in India start wearing bell-bottoms, Shahrukh Khan draped a sweater over his shoulders in Mohabbatein, Dil Chahta Hai made men grow soul-patches and drive down to Goa every chance they got, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has made every young man in India itch to make a trip to Spain with their guy friends.

Salman Khan kicked off the men’s fitness trend, showing off his body in his first ever leading role as Prem in Maine Pyar Kiya. Over the years, a hairless body and manscaping became more of a necessity among Bollywood actors. With young actors flashing six pack abs and clean, shaven chest, some contemporaries had no other option but to follow suit. There are some Bollywood actors who are hairy, but as the trend demanded, they had to wax off their unwanted body hair, such as Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt.

Another one of the stigma’s

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“The bearded look as well as the moustache has been making its comeback, and it’s bigger than ever before.” that the main men of the industry kicked out was of skincare. It was high time that men understood that it takes more than just washing your face with whatever soap you have lying around and hoping for the best. It’s like anything worthwhile—it takes commitment, consistency, and care, not to mention a healthy amount of experimentation till you find the right products for your skin type. King Khan stepped into the realm of men’s face wash advertisements, paving way for even cricketer Virat Kohli to shine through, showcasing that even the macho man out there requires

gentle care for his skin.

If chivalry, good looks and unprecedented style had a synonym then it would all be summed up as James Bond.

There’s no way to make generalisations about the Bond style overall; but there are a number of different themes that Agent 007 has followed over the years. At its essence, his style was all about looking good in a suit, or more specifically looking good in a dinner jacket. He doesn’t come off as a fussy man or a dandy, but he is snobbish about the clothes other people wear and judges them for it, whether it’s a windsor knot or an Anderson & Sheppard suit.

Recently the biggest change in the normative ways of the modern man’s grooming and styling routine is influenced by actor Ranveer Singh, who makes style statements every time he steps out. From his gorgeous moustache to his funky dressing sense, he is as eye – catchy as it gets. A little out-of-the-box, not everyone can pull off his looks with the same ease that he can.

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Furthermore, Ranveer clarifies the fact that the modern man isn’t afraid to experiment with his looks, or even with his wardrobe. The 21st century man believes in colour, and prints, and lots of them.

The bearded look has been making its comeback, and it’s bigger than ever before. Making the moustache and beard more appealing is none other than Ranveer yet again who made it ever so charming with his character as Ram in Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela, as Bajirao in Bajirao Mastani, or even as the evil Sultan in Padmaavat.

Hollywood star Jared Leto is also known for sporting different versions of the hipster beard over the years, as the actor-singer is one of the few men who can pull off the ‘long hair-scruffy beard’ look in style.

More than a personal choice, moustaches are being used to etch out characters, taking cue from the same, leading men such as Ayushmann Khurrana, Arjun Kapoor and Saqib Saleem have also been flirting with their looks in lieu of acing their roles on the big screen.

January 2020

9

Gym

TYRE’D UP Make way for the most rugged equipment in town, to help create that perfect swoon-worthy body you have always dreamt of.

By ARUSHI GARG

W

ho could have imagined that the tyres which make a vehicle mobile can make our bodies mobile and fit as well? Tyres are one of the manliest equipment one can find in any gym these days, which have been made popular by Hollywood hunks like Dwayne Johnson and Chris Hemsworth. They effectively guarantee a full-body workout, for that desirable shredded and chiselled look. This versatile

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equipment works well for both the upper and lower body, and strengthens the core muscles too, which are useful for both bulking up and getting lean. A tyre can be used to perform a variety of exercise, and by increasing the weight and breadth of the tyre, it can also become a good weight training tool. After regular use, you will see a hike in your endurance levels and the definition of your physique. Here are the most badass exercises that you can perform with the help of a tyre.

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Gym

THE SLEDGEHAMMER STEP-UPS / QUICK FEET

A great cardio workout which will leave you sweating in no time, and is one of the fastest ways to pump up your heart rate for a perfect warm-up. For this exercise, quickly alternate each foot between the top of the tire and the floor. This exercise trains the legs and hips, along with the quads and glutes. The level of explosiveness with which you do the quick steps will make you aware of the level of stamina and power that you possess.

This exercise is beneficial for relieving stress while simultaneously giving you better coordination, kinetic awareness and control.

Swinging the sledgehammer utilises all your upper-body and core muscles, as well as builds lower body power, thereby pumping up

the heart rate. To perform this workout, stand in a regular stance with the torso aligned with the hips. Lift up the hammer with both hands and hit the tyre with as much force as possible. You can start with around 10 to15 repetitions, and increase the count over time.

TYRE FLIPS Tyre flips are great for toning your arms, shoulders and chest, which makes it a classic tyre exercise, preferred by athletes and wrestlers. While it may look relatively easy, if done properly, it can be the path to your fitness goal. Simply squat down, lift the tyre and then flip it. Make sure to maintain a flat back and a head-up posture at all times, otherwise you can injure your lower back. The heavier the tyre the more effective the results will be, as you get the benefits of a weighted squat, with upper-body use as well.

INCLINE PUSHUPS

DEADLIFTS

Deadlifts are the godfather of all exercises as they target your waist, backside, glutes and lower back, while channelling your core muscles as well. It is a powerlifting movement that can help you build a stronger physique.

Just stand inside the tyre, and with both the hands, lift the tyre up as explosively as possible while maintaining an erect chest at all times.

Beginners can do around 3 sets of 10 repetitions each.

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This simple chest workout is great for warming up for the main routine, with the major difference between a normal pushup and a tyre one being the engagement of the core.

For this exercise keep your feet shoulder-width apart and place both hands on the thin wall of the tyre in a plank position. Lower your upper body down to the tyre, bend your elbows and then push back to the initial position.

You can do 3 to 4 sets of 20 repetitions each for best results.

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January 2020

11

Supplements

ON TRACK

It takes determination and patience to achieve “dream physique” goals, and supplements can take you a step ahead, if consumed wisely.

Read on to know the do’s and don’ts.

By SHIVPRIYA BAJPAI

W

ith the end of the holiday season, reality reckons you to get back on track after all the merry making.

We suggest looking past the resolution of ‘new year, new you’ and approaching fitness with sustainable lifestyle changes, one step at a time. Getting a gym membership is the first step towards your resolution. While trainers will give you the download on diet, workout regimen and supplements, the later might be tricky if consumed without expert guidance. In an attempt to debunk myths, we take up one supplement each month. For this issue, we have Nutritionist & Lifestyle Educator, Karishma Chawla who decodes Creatine supplements for us.

Creatine is an organic compound occurring naturally in the human body where it facilitates recycling of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of the cell, primarily in muscle and brain tissue.

Recycling is achieved by converting adenosine diphosphate (ADP) back to ATP via donation of phosphate groups. Stressing upon the benefits of Creatine, explains Karishma, “It boosts power and aids cell hydration by creating an ideal environment for faster protein synthesis. It also delays muscle fatigue by acting as a lactic acid buffer. The body produces some of the required Creatine in liver, kidneys and pancreas, from three different Amino Acids: Glycine, Arginine and Methionine.”

Since Creatine boosts workout power, hydrates the cells and helps as a lactic acid buffer, this creates an ideal situation for protein and muscle

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synthesis. Having said that, the emphasis should be on supplementing through an appropriate nutritional plan that supports the fitness goal, whether it is fat loss or muscle gain. Even though meat and fish helps in Creatine synthesis in the body, the amount is not be adequate for fitness enthusiasts aiming for buffed physique. This is where supplements come into the picture.

Creatine supplements are available in powder or capsules/tablet forms. In case of tablets, 1/3/5 gms, can be consumed post workout or split into pre and post workout, with a six to eight hours gap.

Powder usually comes in the form of Creatine Monohydrate, for which the ideal dose is 1tsp or 5gm mixed with glucose (approx 50 gm) and water, post workout. Hence, this limits the use to people without diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, and a strict fat loss plan.

Regarding the guideline for intake, says Karishma, “It should not be consumed with any health problems, especially liver or kidney issues. High water intake, distributed throughout the day would be beneficial. Smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided. It is important to intake adequate amount of protein and carbohydrates for overall functionality.” Any dependency on a supplement too much is not favourable for holistic fitness. A well-structured nutritional plan along with vitamins, minerals and adaptogens can do the trick as well, concludes the nutritionist.

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FHM Asks

CHANGING

MOTIONS From 70MM to the 5-inch screen of your smartphones, the dynamics of the movie medium have come a long way.

By TASHIKA AND NEHA

MAANVI GAGROO

SUMEET VYAS

ROHAN SHAH

SHWETA TRIPATHI

Actor Online streaming platforms have changed storytelling in many ways.

They have given you the comfort and convenience of watching what you want, whenever you want. Also, the content itself is changing.

Digital content focuses on stories and voices of today. Conversations about feminism, inclusivity, pluralism are all being told by this medium. Movies and scripts that hardly find a space in theatres are now being seen and celebrated on digital platforms.

Actor I think that Internet and smartphones have simplified the whole experience of watching content. People no longer like to wait for their favourite TV show at home, or feel like going to the theatre every weekend. So now, the only time we are motivated to go to a theatre to watch a film is when it’s a spectacle. For instance, watching a Rajnikant film in a theatre is like watching a concert. It is an experience that’s beginning to get rarer.

Actor With the changing dynamics of the medium, the spectrum of content is widening. Although the experience of 70MM cannot be replaced, web series are a unique exercise in themselves. The kind of story you can tell in long formats is just marvellous, where you get lost in a whole new world. I am grateful that I have been a part of these projects.

As an actor, even though my obligations might change, depending on the means, my craft remains the same.

Actor I feel being choosy about the projects you want to do is important, as well as the stories you want to tell. The crucial thing is for those stories to reach people, and online streaming has done exactly that. Be it short films, series or even a feature film; digital platforms make it possible for anybody from anywhere to watch it on their phones and laptops. It is a great time to be an artist in the industry since so much is happening in online streaming platforms.

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January 2020

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Full Throttle Rana Daggubati not only puts in some notable work within the entertainment industry, but he also commits to serious labour at the gym. He embraces fitness as a lifestyle to feel and look his best.

TEXT BY CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMIT KHANNA ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR SUCHITA SEHRAWAT STYLIST VICTOR ROBINSON HAIR JAIPAL RASKAR MAKEUP VIJAY DHAMNE LOCATION COURTESY BODYHOLICS COMBINE TRAINING STUDIO, MUMBAI

T-shirt & Shoes: Numero Uno

QUICK FAVOURITES 80’s movie Nayakan Music genre Changes with my mood Season Winter Sport to play Kabaddi Holiday destination Home

Jacket: United Colors of Benetton Pants: Fila India

Way to relax Staying at home

How did the switch from being an entrepreneur and visual effects coordinator to cinema come about?

The switch really happened in the year 2007-2008, when visual effects was not such a big thing in films. We were a smaller service

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Track Suit: Fila India

I

t isn’t easy to talk mid-workout, but Rana Daggubati manages to pull it off in this charming and motivational interview, where he takes us through his cinematic journey that started out from him being the guy behind the camera to the one in front of it. Standing an astounding six feet plus tall — currently, he has been flaunting his lean physique, which is also a transformation for his upcoming project Haathi Mere Saathi. He had initially hit headlines for his brawny physique and fierce expressions as seen in Baahubali: The Beginning. Edited excerpts…

Full Look: Numero Uno Headphones: Maestro by Zoook

house back then; after which I sold out the business, and went into gaming for a very brief time before I began acting in films. Now, there was a different kind of cinema and stories that I preferred over others, for which my first step was to take time off and learn acting.

Thereafter, I enrolled myself in theatre classes. For me it was a transition from storytelling to acting. After a year, I received my first film - Leader (2010).

After making your Telugu debut in 2010, you made your 2011 Bollywood debut in Dum Maaro Dum which marked you as a promising newcomer. How do you look at your career graph from then to now?

Dum Maaro Dum happening right after Leader was probably the best thing that could happen to me. I was exposed to two different industries, their styles of storytelling and various filmmakers; it opened a world of opportunities which was larger than that of Telugu cinema. As an

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actor, my constant effort is to be a part of films that have stories which cross language and emotional borders—the ones that can travel far and wide. I have done films in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi and further aim to showcase my hardwork across mediums.

Ghazi and Baahubali became extremely successful franchises for me, that placed me on the world map. Moreover, recently I have been in a positive spirit, and believe that’s the mantra I need to follow for years to come.

Having established yourself as one of the leading actors in Telugu cinema, and also being able to achieve panIndian appeal by taking up a variety of roles, from supporting to leading characters, in different languages; what have your learnings and challenges been?

After working in multiple industries, I am more aware of the insights that are at play, be it the thought

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process of various directors, the fitness philosophy of gym trainers, and more so the social and economic differences that are vividly apparent in each of them.

Each industry has opened up and welcomed me with open arms thereby giving me a boost in my journey.

The challenge would be making a film in multiple languages, as you have to repeatedly act and enact the same instances again and again. Such as, in the case of my upcoming film — Hathi Mere Saathi, which should be out in the summer of 2020, wherein we shot thrice with an independent cast. There were Bollywood actors for the Hindi version, and Tamil actors for the Tamil version yet a few of us remain constant in the film. Even though it might look difficult in the beginning, but the end result comes out to be fruitful, as it gets delivered across language barriers.

Throughout your career, you haven’t been afraid to play

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Jacket: Spykar

T-shirt & Shoes: Numero Uno

the anti-hero, and many of your roles have had grey shades. Is that a choice you make?

The choice of the role whether its good or bad, negative or positive really doesn’t matter as long as I can relate to it. The best aspect of my job is that I get to be a different character with every film, I can give each role my personal touch which allows me to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself to be a better version of myself as an actor.

In the last two years, the regional boundaries are blurring in Indian cinema. Has Baahubali given you the confidence to experiment in the Hindi film industry?

I am a firm believer that art transits boundaries and unites all. I think Baahubali really was a film which helped people, filmmakers and storytellers to dream big. Over the years I have been working on how to break through stigmas and make stories that travel from one place to another. Baahubali really was the gateway that made everyone aim big, and unleash their creativity in a sense that would be appreciated by audiences all across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam cinema or even any other region that we went into.

“FILMS, BEING A VISUAL MEDIUM REQUIRE AN ACTOR TO LOOK THE PART AND THAT IS ENOUGH OF A MOTIVATION FOR ME TO DEDICATEDLY WORKOUT.”

Given your tall lithe frame and chiselled physique, there must be moments when you are overwhelmed with female attention. How do you handle it, given your shy demeanour?

It does get overwhelming at times but it isn’t like I am your ideal romantic hero nor do I act in love story based films. But the bottomline is, when something good is coming your way then one should not question it (laughs).

Track Suit: Jack & Jones India

Taking queue from Baahubali — as Bhallaladeva in the film, we saw a never seen before avatar of yours. Having said that nothing goes down without hard work, patience and dedication. Take us through your fitness transformation process for the role.

The character of Bhallaldeva is written and described so majestically that as an actor you aim to go through all sorts of hurdles to do complete justice to it. And my job as an artist requires me to transform my body for every role and each film. I would not advise anyone else to go through such a massive transformation, unless and until they are not into the field of acting.

Shoes: Numero Uno Thunder XL Speaker by Zoook

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What do the first 60-90 minutes of your day look like?

I take out time to breathe and enjoy the simple things in life.

After that my fitness training depends upon the film that I am working on and my character in it — whether I have to be a big guy or a lean one. I begin with cardio early in the morning or else I try to read a little.

What’s one fitness or health myth that people should avoid?

I strongly believe that crash diets are something that people should avoid and rather look for a sustainable way to stay fit.

If you could choose one exercise to do every day for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Mixed martial arts and weapon training What does your daily workout session look like?

My workout session differs from film to film, as I have just lost all the weight since Baahubali for a film that I just finished shooting for.

What is that one thing that you enjoy the most about being an actor?

The fact that I am able to transform myself for every role, and do it consistently is what brings in the element of fun.

How many calories do you target at burning on a daily basis?

I was bad at math even as a child which holds true even today. I don’t focus on calories but rather put in more effort towards looking right as films are a visual medium.

How would you define your diet in 3 words?

Sustainable, eating right and non-complex.

How do you push yourself to workout and not procrastinate?

I have a job that requires me to look a certain way, and that’s more than enough of a motivation for me.

What songs are you enjoying listening to these days?

The theme song of the film The Irishman What are you most excited for in 2020?

I look forward to exploring new fitness training methods.

Hoodie: United Colors of Benetton

What gives you the motivation to workout and improve yourself regularly? Also, what does a typical day of eating and exercise look like for you?

The motivation for me comes from the character that I am pursuing, because most of them are action-based films where one needs a lot of physical transformation. That is the time when I am constantly on a diet which drives me to achieve the physique that I want.

Have you thought of exploring the digital medium? Also do you see fitness and technology really being effective together?

The digital medium is completely changing the way filmmakers and the audience view content. There is so much happening, and herein filmmakers have the freedom to narrate a story by stepping back in time. And they also have the opportunity to create masterpieces that can be 100 hours, 20 hours or even 10 minutes long. I think as a platform the digital space offers a completely different narrative, and I look forward to doing something in the realm for sure.

Fitness and technology are meant to be together, and today you can witness a lot of tech in fitness, be it the apps that monitor how you train and what you eat to even the machines that you use. But I think I am still a little more basic in that sense — I like following simple diet plans and lifting heavy weights while I train at the gym.

What is your take on nutrition and supplements?

While I was training for a complete 360-degree physique transformation in Baahubali, I was required to eat a certain amount of carbohydrates and protein to look a certain way. I was training to become a big guy who is immensely powerful. But those supplements were all taken for the film. Nowadays, I only eat as much as I want to, since there is no requirement for me to become Bhallaldeva at the moment again.

If you could have one cheat day and eat anything without any consequences, what all would you indulge in?

I live in Hyderabad, and a cheat day for me is mostly the typical cuisine that the state boasts of, such as Biryani and a lot of meat, I think

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“FITNESS AND TECHNOLOGY ARE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER, AND TODAY YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF IT HAPPENING AROUND YOU. BE IT THE APPS THAT MONITOR HOW YOU TRAIN AND WHAT YOU EAT, TO EVEN THE MACHINES THAT YOU USE.” that is pure indulgence.

The entertainment industry comprises of hectic schedules with unending working hours, how are you so dedicated to working out?

There is a noteworthy saying by Joe Weider, “Find time for fitness, not excuses,” and I abide by it.

Films being a visual medium require an actor to look the part and that is enough of a motivation for me. When I need to look right then I make sure to take time out to workout no matter what.

What kind of a workout are you following these days, given that you have to constantly work on your body transformation for every role?

My last two films — N.T.R: Kathanayakudu wherein I play the role of N. Chandrababu Naidu

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEAR? Guilty Pleasure Haleem and Biryani Power Comes from within Desire Does not stay constant Love Still trying to figure it out Fitness Lifestyle Strength Comes from within Versatility My job as an actor

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required me to look like him when he was very young. For the same role I had to drop a lot of weight that I had initially gained for Baahubali. And in my upcoming film Haathi Mere Saathi I was required to be strong but also very lean as my character lives in a jungle.

For this transformation I was required to eat lesser carbohydrates and focus more on cardiovascular and athletic training. My next project — Hiranaykhasyap, will be starting soon, and it requires me to bulk back up and you will see a slightly bigger version of me in the next couple of months.

Tell us something about your upcoming projects.

I have a film called Hathi Mere Saathi coming out this summer, wherein I play a man who has been living in the jungle for the past 25 years. My role demanded a physical transformation where I was leaner and had a long beard.

Part of the film will be out in January 2020.

How was your experience of shooting with FHM India?

I really liked it as it was a smooth sailing process, and I would like to thank the entire team.

Full Look: Numero Uno

Muscle

Sculpt Your

SIDES

Tone those love handles with these fat-burning exercises to get that perfect V-shape.

By ARUSHI GARG

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January 2020

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Muscle

O

bliques are situated on the side of your core and is the external abdominal muscle that constitutes the largest part of your abs muscle. Regular crunches may have a slight impact on your sides, but working specifically on your love handles will lead to a chiselled physique, stronger core, tapered waist, and improvement in physical activities like quick movements and twisting.

This muscle is used in a wide range of tasks, including bending and rotating your torso, and also in stabilising and protecting your spine. If you are performing any activity, having solid obliques becomes essential. The moves mentioned here employ varied techniques like metabolic and strength training, which helps you achieve that killer midsection.

Along with physical training, it is crucial to change your diet as well, which includes cutting down on sugar and consuming food that is rich in fibre and protein. It’s common knowledge that fat gets accumulated the most around the belly area, which requires additional effort to keep the unwanted bulge at bay. Doing regular cardio is beneficial as it burns excessive calories and has an overall effect on the body, which in turn slims down your love handles.

These exercises will channel your core as well as side muscles from every angle to help you do exactly that.

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January 2020

23

Muscle

BICYCLE CRUNCH For this exercise, lie flat on the floor on your back and place your hands behind your head. Then bring your knees closer to your chest and explosively straighten your legs alternatively. All you need to do is to

assume that you are riding a bicycle, but in order to achieve maximum results you need to focus on the form and not the speed. Perform at least 3 sets of 20 repetitions each.

HANGING KNEE RAISE OBLIQUE CRUNCH

This is one of the hardest oblique workouts out there, as it strains your shoulder and initially you can’t control the swaying movement of the body. But if you can master this movement, then the reward is toned sides, along with strengthening and conditioning. For this, grab a pull up bar and lift your legs and hips in a 90-degree angle, moving your right hip towards your right armpit and the same on the left side.

Start with 10 reps on each side.

CROSS-BODY MOUNTAIN CLIMBER As the name suggests, the movement in this exercise mimics the action of climbing a mountain, except here the mountain is the floor. This movement targets the entire body as it focuses on arms, core, legs and

ALTERNATE HEEL TOUCHES Though this exercise may seem relatively easy, its benefits are enormous, as this movement is directly targeted at the oblique muscles. Start by lying on your back, knees bend and the feet on the ground with arms at your side.

Alternatively, touch your right heel with your right arm and the same on your left side. Do around 20 reps on each side for best results.

RUSSIAN TWIST

DUMBBELL SIDE BEND

This is one of the most powerful exercises when it comes to working your obliques as it engages your lower abs and also helps in stabilising the body. For this workout, lie down on the floor with your legs bent at the knee and hold your upper body at a 45 degree angle. Then take a weighted ball and start twisting your torso from side to side, while breathing in and out. You can do around 3 sets of 10-15 reps each.

This exercise is most effective with weights, as the maximum result will come directly on your obliques. Just stand up straight with a dumbbell in your left hand and the right hand on the torso, then stretch or bend to the right side. Don’t do this movement with too much weight as it might take away the symmetry of your obliques. Around 15-20 reps are ideal on both sides.

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January 2020

shoulders. Simply, assume a plank position and alternatively bring your knee to the chest in a rapid motion. Speed up or down according to your stamina and do this for at least 2-3 minutes.

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DRINKS FEST

YOUR GUIDE TO EXCITING COCKTAILS AND SMOOTHIES

Toast to Classic

Pg26 Remixing Fusion

Pg28

Quench

TOAST to CLASSIC It’s time we confess our “love-hate” relationship with this liquor, without which no hangover story is ever complete. We bring to you a selection of delectable cocktails celebrating the true spirit of Vodka.

By SHIVPRIYA BAJPAI

Clarity

INGREDIENTS Clear Tomato & Basil Juice : 45ml Ajwain seeds Infused Vodka : 45ml Pinch of Salt Ajwain & Basil Tincture Spray

METHOD Mix all the ingredients in an old fashioned glass, with a block of ice.

Garnish with an Ajwain Leaf.

By AER Mumbai

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January 2020

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Quench

The Ultimate Lake

INGREDIENTS SMOKE Aniseed vodka Taiwanese Oolong tea liquor Campari Garnish Glassware

INGREDIENTS

: 30ml :15ml :15ml : Cocktail Coupe

METHOD Vodka Pisco Hibiscus and Rose Water Lime Juice Simple Syrup Angostura Bitters Hibiscus

: 45ml : 15ml : 30ml : 5ml : 5ml : 4 dashes : for garnishing

Measure all the ingredients and stir them together over ice.

Serve it in the glass and garnish.

By Arijit Bose, Partner at Bar Back Collective

METHOD Mix all the ingredients over ice and strain it over a wine goblet. Garnish with hibiscus flowers and serve.

Camellia

By Noel Mendes, Restaurant Manager, Lake View Cafe, Renaissance Mumbai

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January 2020

27

Quench

MONKEY BAR AT YOUR SERVICE

REMIXING FUSION An eclectic blend of atmosphere and tastes makes for a sensory dining experience.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

A

glass pyramid in Delhi is certainly a unique sight to behold, one that would make you look twice as you marvel at how it oddly fits amongst the concrete jungle. The insides of the glass structure play host to an open floor western-themed bar, with a state-of-the-art music system on one end, and cosy booths on the other; invokes nostalgia for old western bars and intimate city pubs at the same time. All of this is ensconced in bare metal support structures that add to the retro-futuristic vibe of the place.

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‘‘The Apple Pie Cheesecake Crumble single-handedly took the crown over everything else.’’

This blend of themes and tastes is exactly what Monkey Bar is going for, with a new menu that matches their bohemian steampunk identity. We journeyed to their unique Vasant Kunj

location, where they showcased their flavourful interpretation of what fusion food can be like.

The fun began with the finger foods, with a head-to-head battle between the creamy Unauthentic Poutine, and the familiar and spicy Nimbu Masala Fries. There are several tandoori kulcha’s as well, that come with a variety of stuffing’s, from chicken to mutton and even achari prawn, but our favourite remained the thick and fluffy Onion & Cheese Kulcha.

However, even the fluffiest of kulcha’s can’t match the tenderness of the meat in the Monkey Fried Chicken Burger, even though the Bacon & Cheese Burger packed more flavour per bite.

Equally tender and light was the Prawn Fried Rice, which came with an amazing Gundruk Chutney from Nepal that elevated the dish to another level. Fish enthusiasts will love the Meen Pollichathu, which finds inspiration from Kerala toddyshop style masala fish. There are dozens of other options to try, but we had to save some space for dessert, which was a revelation;

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between the bouquets of textures, which was the Masala Chai Eton Mess, and the classic Apple Pie Cheesecake Crumble, where the crumble singlehandedly took the crown over everything else.

There are lots of drinks to pair all of these experiences with, some spicy and some syrupy sweet. Yet the ones that consistently captivated our attention were the desi-fied versions of the Peena Colada, which came with white rum and oddly enough, homemade rabri; and an Imli Sour, which mixed whiskey with an adrak-imli chutney and egg white, to somehow create a completely unique flavour profile.

In the end, all the dishes felt like an honest attempt to deliver a special experience with each bite.

There were places where the risk backfired, and the flavours felt a bit too overpowering, but those were few and far between, making the overall experience quite fulfilling. We would definitely recommend a stop at this place if you are in the mood for something new and unique.

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What The Hell

GORY AND GROSS

Mentally prepare yourself before watching these films that range from weird to horrifying, to “Why am I doing this to myself?”

By NEHA

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, 1971

This movie is nothing if not a perfect cult classic. With an amalgam of dark and disturbing elements, it is undoubtedly not suitable for kids. This movie is filled with violence, nudity and some pretty disturbing images.

But having said that, none of these overshines the riveting prospects this movie holds. It is well scripted and well shot, and those who are already a fan of Stanley Kubrick know what to expect. His ventures into the darker and deeper aspects of human behaviour are not new to many, and this is no exception. For those who have yet to watch this film, be prepared for obscure scenes about a young group of troublemakers in colourful, futuristic yet strange Great Britain. Young Alex, a fan of Beethoven, ends up in prison where he volunteers for a controversial experimental program that is supposed to ‘cure’ him of his violent inclinations but the real problem starts when he is released from prison. The characters are easily admired by many people, and if not for that, at least you all will get an excellent inspiration for your next Halloween costume.

IN MY SKIN, 2002

Everyone has their share of bad habits, but nothing will compare to one that haunts In My Skin’s lead. This French Extremity film was directed by and stars Marina de Van. The story follows Esther, a young woman with a pleasant life and a loving boyfriend. One day she goes to a party with her peers and accidentally injures her leg, and even though the injury is pretty severe, it does not stop her from going out and having fun until the very next day when she goes to see the doctor. Up until now, the story seems pretty obvious and albeit boring, or so you think. After a while, Esther descends into some sort of mental downward spiral in which she gets addicted to picking at her wounds, and ultimately starts to mutilate different parts of her body. Does it get worse? It sure does, as she eventually starts to preserve pieces of flesh that she rips off of herself for fun. Our advice? Watch on an empty stomach.

ERASERHEAD, 1977

There are many who consider David Lynch as the father of modern weird cinema, and he has numerous films on the list, starting with the 1977 surrealist body horror movie Eraserhead. The film starts off with a man on a planet, pulling some levers in space while the head of Henry Spencer, played by Jack Nance, floats above the clouds. A sperm monster escapes from his mouth and floats away. A perfectly good start to a perfectly weird film. The film has a pretty loose plot, which is considered uncomfortable and disturbing, with one of the most unsettling moments being the appearance of Henry Spencer’s baby. The whole plot comprises of various horror and nightmare elements, but none of them stopped the appreciation this movie received for its precise use of sound and alluring landscapes.

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BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, 1999

While the picture is fairly mainstream, it is still peculiar in every aspect. Just the thought of having a little portal into another person’s mind is an enticing concept, but to be in the mind of a celebrity, even if it is for fifteen minutes, would be inviting trouble for anyone. What would you do if you could be in the mind of any famous personalities and what if the route to their brain is hidden right there in your working space? We are fans of both John Cusack and Cameron Diaz, and they both play their parts amazingly.

From the script to the acting, everything is clever, fun and eccentric.

Even the whole set of the office is exceptional. Just picture yourself in a tiny, low-ceiling office, within a confining and claustrophobic area. If not that, just imagine the back pain experienced by the actors after having to deal with a set like that.

S

ometimes the truth is stranger than fiction, and sometimes fiction is stranger than anything you can ever imagine. We bet you have seen a lot of movies in your life; some have been really great, some absolutely terrible, and some have been so completely strange that after the movie is finished, you stare at the screen in total disbelief.

In case you haven’t had an encounter with your share of bizarre movies, we have created a list for you. In our search, we came across some nasty stuff and when we say strange, we mean it.

January 2020

29

JANUARY 2020 / ` 150 TCG MEDIA PUBLICATION

KARAN

JOHAR Outrageously Inventive

ZOYA

AKHTAR Reigning Queen

DIBAKAR

BANERJEE Smooth Storyteller

ANURAG

KASHYAP Breaking The Rules

ISSN 2347-4831

Ghost Stories

STARTS THE YEAR WITH A THRILL

12020011205

INDIA EDITION VOL 12 ISSUE 5

CONTENTS JANUARY 2020

34

Netflix & Spook KARAN, ZOYA, ANURAG & DIBAKAR ON GHOST STORIES

54

20

26

29 WRIST TALK

TORQUE

NUMBER GAME

SILICON

MAVERICK

DRINKS BREAK

TECHSPERT

TRAVEL

PETS

SPEED

CRESCENDO

CUPID

DRIVEN

STAY

CHEERS

10 Toughing it Out 14 Crossing The Streams 19 Patented Persuasion 26 Off The Beaten Road 28 Re-Coupé-ing Tradition

30 One-litre Wishlist 32Conscious Connoisseur 46 Trip Through The Lens 48 Musically Bonded 50 Where The Heart Is

59 Filmy Facts

60 Driving Force

62 Foreign Obsession 64 India’s Romance Revolution 66 Winter-Time Sipping

Cover Credits: On Karan- Glasses: Dior, Suit: Emporio Armani, Accessories: Karan’s Own On Zoya- Black Trench Dress: Zara, Jewellery: Roma Narsinghani On Anurag- Blazer: Burberry, Sunglasses: Tinted Club, Knit: Zara On Dibakar- Blazer: Anuj Madaan, Knit: Hugo Boss. Herculean Speaker by Zoook Photography by Avinash Gowariker, Stylist: Nikita Jaisinghani (For Karan, Anurag & Dibakar), Bhawna Sharma (For Zoya), Pranita Abhi (For Anurag & Dibakar) Assistant Stylist: Daman Choudhary (For Zoya)

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January 2020

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JAMUNI COLLECTION

Introducing Izhaar’s summer capsule of desirable colors on the outside and print on the inside. Nothing else screams summer-time celebrations, louder than the purple gleams and silver sheen. Izhaar by Core Designs is not only a brand the tributes fashion but also pressing issues around the world. The very real floriated design is an inspiration from the beautiful wildlife which unfortunately sprinting towards engagement with each passing day.

Let us embrace nature and contribute to the burgeoning awareness on ecological issues.

Head Office : Plot No. 775 Udyog Vihar, Phase V, Gurugram (HR) - 122016 •Phone : 0124-4116841 •Mobile : 9811051941 Delhi : D-18, Lower Ground Floor, Defence Colony, New Delhi - 110024 •Phone : 011-42662144 •Mobile : 9811051941 Mumbai : 187, First Floor, Zainab Villa, Turner Road, Bandra West, Mumbai - 400050 •Phone : 022-67417020 •Mobile : 9811051941 E-mail : business@izhaar.co.in, marketing.izhaar@gmail.com izhaar_coredesigns @coredesigns

JOKES PRANKS & QUIPS YEAR 2040

Me: Chai pls...

Air Hostess: Lo chai....

Me: ulfat ho gaya... *Runs towards emergency exit*

MINDBLOWN Girlfriend: Surprise me.

Boyfriend: Ajay Devgn’s ghost could’ve repaired the Tarzan car while it was in the junkyard for years, but he didn’t.

Girlfriend: Woah!

ALL IN THE NAME

1. John Abraham making a biopic on Akshay Kumar.

2. Akshay Kumar making a biopic on John Abraham.

3. Salman Khan doing Dabangg 8 with Anil Kapoor’s granddaughter as his heroine.

4. SRK still doing movies with a mandatory scene of him romantically stretching his arms, refusing to move on.

5. Anil Kapoor declining to play the role of a father to his own grandson because he looks younger than him.

6. Amitabh Bachchan is still hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati.

7. Uday Chopra is still waiting for Dhoom 4 .

2013: Matru ki Bijli ka Mandola 2018: Sonu ke Titu ki Sweety 2050 : Shamu ke fufa ki mami ke bete ki Dulhan hum le jayenge

DREAM GUY Solo foreign trip.

Bollywood: Meets the most perfect guy and then falls in love while singing songs.

Reality: Koi meri photo kheech do yaar.

FLOATING AROUND Hrithik: Kyun chalti hai pawan?

Ameesha: Fluctuation in air pressure in different areas.

Hrithik (confused): Na tum jano na hum...

CLICHÉD MUCH Bollywood movie genres: Romantic Comedy Romantic Action Romantic Drama Romantic Horror Romantic True Story Romantic Patriotic

ALL ALONE In a Sooraj Barjatya film: Bae: Come over.

Prem: I’m a little busy right now.

Bae: But my parents are home right now.

Prem: Will be there in10 with my parents.

PRICE HIKE THE WINNER IS Hollywood - And the Oscar goes to...

Bollywood - And The Vimal Pan Masala Filmfare Joy Beautiful By Nature GAURS City AsliMasaleSachSachMDHMDH Award goes to....

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January 2020

OH NANA!! THAT’S MY NAME The funny moment when you realise that Nana Patekar’s daughter’s children call him by his first name.

SING-ALONG Air hostess: Sir, tea or coffee?

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Police: Last night a movie theatre was robbed of one lakh rupees. The thieves took one large bag of popcorn, a combo meal and packet of peanuts.

SHARE GAGS, GET A GIFT

Know any funny jokes?

Every gag used earns you a surprise gift. Write to us fhm@tcg.media

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EDIT NOTE A blink of an eye, and here we are, at the start of a new year. If Bollywood is to be believed, this is the perfect time for the start of a radical journey that will somehow change us for the better, even if we don’t realise it. This is what the silver screen does for us; it sells hope in a lovely package, with the promise that all your dreams are just one step away. Yet, despite the obviously unrealistic expectations set by our larger than life stars, we love to gobble up the cool aid and try to style our lives around our own delusions of an epic hero’s journey.

Thankfully for us, even if those dreams don’t come true, we can still enjoy ourselves along the way, as we explore different aspects of this dream, brought to you by the Indian film industry. This is why we have chosen Indian cinema itself as the starting theme of the year, with lots of exciting and interconnected threads to unravel.

Now, a good hero’s journey can’t start without an equally sexy vehicle. We start with introducing a few exotic 1000cc superbikes, with a special look at the Ducati Diavel 1260, which is truly a class apart.

You will also find the Porsche Cayenne Coupe in this special class, reserved for vehicles that defy expectations, as well as conventions. If you are more of a hardcore explorer, then you can swap out the luxury coupe’ crossover with tougher off-road worthy vehicles showcased in the Speed section. These vehicles will take you anywhere you want to go, including the unique boutique homestays we got to explore, or even your favourite fantasy film locations. We have even included a list of rugged watches that will ensure you never get lost on this fun adventure.

Even if you don’t like any of that and just want to stay home and binge on your favourite movies, we have got you covered, as we turn your boring movie night into a crazy adventure with a list of some of the weirdest movies produced, which you can watch while drinking one of the equally mad vodka cocktails. You will be able to truly appreciate their spooky soundtracks on one of the high-end Devialet Phantom speakers that we got to test over one weekend. Although personally, we preferred listening to songs from The Local Train, an up and coming indie band that makes us hopeful for the revival of the Indian indie scene.

Last but not the least, we bring to you some of the most unique and unexpected personalities from Indian cinema; from the youthful and vivacious Ankita Lokhande, to the charming and down to earth Monalisa. We even got to sit down with the directors from Netflix’s much hyped ‘Ghost Stories’ series, which includes ground-breaking directorial talents of Anurag Kashyap, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar & Dibakar Banerjee; a truly exceptional experience that helped us kickstart the New Year in style. If you are still aren’t as excited as we were while compiling this issue, then just flip over to the Fit section, and see what else we have to offer.

Armani, Dior, Suit: Emporio On Karan- Glasses: n On Zoya- Black Trench Dress: Ow ’s Accessories: Karan ellery: Roma Narsinghani t: Zara, Jew s: Tinted Club, Kni Burberry, Sunglasse On Anurag- Blazer: Blazer: Anuj Madaan, Knit: Hugo Boss Zara On Dibakar-

— Shivpriya Bajpai

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JANUARY 2020 PUBLISHER & EDITOR Nitin Agarwal ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Arpit Agarwal ASSISTANT EDITOR Shivpriya Bajpai ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR Suchita Sehrawat FEATURES WRITER Chitman Kanwar Ahuja ASST. FEATURES WRITER Pancham Bhardwaj COPY EDITOR Akanksha Arora ART DIRECTOR Surender Kumar DESIGNER Braja Kishore Sukla Mayank Bhatnagar Editorial: fhm@tcg.media SALES & MARKETING VICE-PRESIDENT Atul Behl REGIONAL HEAD-SOUTH Tabriz Ahmed REGIONAL HEAD-WEST Rajesh Gogate ASSISTANT MANAGER-NORTH Rajan Narayan Saroj Sales: fhmads@tcg.media MANAGER DIGITAL Rahul Bandhu SR. EXECUTIVE CIRCULATION Rajneesh Laroiya DEPUTY MANAGER HR Seema Negi

careers@tcg.media LEGAL ADVISOR Irfan Ahmed Siddiqui

info@tcg.media Phone: 91-11-43560999

DELHI (RO): 5, UG Floor, Himalaya House, 23, K.G. Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001, India AHMEDABAD: B 308, Iscon Centre, Shivranjani Cross Road, Satellite, Ahmedabad- 380015, India BENGALURU: 1/1, ARN, 2nd Floor, Promenade Road, Frazer Town, Bengaluru-560005, India MUMBAI: A-402, Pranik Chamber, Saki Vihar Road, Sakinaka, Andheri (East), Mumbai - 400072, India

ker by Zoook

Herculean Spea

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FHM India magazine is printed and published by Nitin Agarwal on behalf of TCG Media Limited (TCGML). Published at 5, UGF, Himalaya House, 23, KG Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi – 110001. Distribution in India by Living Media India Limited. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner in any language in whole or in part without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. FHM India Edition takes no responsibility for unsolicited publication materials. Opinions expressed in the articles are of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of editor or publisher. Unsolicited materials are sent at owner’s risk and TCGML or the publisher accepts no responsibility for any loss or damage. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. FHM is a registered trademark.

Detailed disclaimer and T&Cs on www.fhmindia.com

LETTERS

Get in touch!

01/20

fhm@tcg.media fhmindia @fhmindia @fhmindia

Letter of the

month

Sense and Sensibility Rakul Preet Singh is one of my favourite actresses in recent times. I loved her work in Nannaku Prematho and De De Pyaar De. It was so fun to read about her and how she is maintaining a balance in the Southern and Hindi film industries.

— Karan Sharma, Bengaluru

She is pretty amazing, isn’t she? Go ahead and check out who we have on cover for you in this issue.

Competitive Dog Grooming

I’m a dog dad to a two-year-old beagle and the mere thought of putting up a costume or painting my dog to ‘get it into a character’ sounds horrifying to me. I feel it is wrong for us to put our beloved pets through the horrors just for our amusement. I hope this madness stops soon.

Life As We Know It I am about to get married and have been looking for the perfect place for my honeymoon. The article was a blessing for me and it really simplified my work!

— Raguveer Sahai, Faridabad

— Charu Luthra, Chandigarh

We hear you, Raghuveer!

We are so glad we could help you, Charu.

Have a great trip!

Hardcore Portability As a hardcore gamer, I always felt the need for a laptop that would give me great visuals without burning a hole in my pocket. So, thank you FHM for helping me.

— Arjun Shinde, Thane

You’re welcome, Arjun!

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January 2020

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Wrist Talk

TOUGHING IT

OUT

Brave all storms in style, with these rugged watches that are built for a sporty lifestyle.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

GARMIN INSTINCT TACTICAL EDITION

Garmin is a respected name in the field of fitness tracking, and their prowess shines through this tactical edition, which is not only an accurate fitness tracker and GPS device, but also military certified for thermal, shock and water resistance. The system uses a 3-axis GPS, a barometer, and satellite support to provide highly-accurate location data, which can be tracked and shared easily. All the while, the machine is also measuring your heart rate, steps taken and other types of data to keep a complete record of your physical activities. If you don’t like being tracked, there is even a stealth mode, which lets you navigate offline and stop sharing your information with other devices.

You can get this smart tough watch for around `27,000.

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January 2020

A

new year calls for new adventures that promise to take you to unexpected places, through unpredictable conditions. In such situations, your watch also needs to be capable enough to not only survive anything that might be thrown at it, but also perform above and beyond the

traditional functions of simply telling time.

This need in the market has given rise to a category of rugged watches that have moved past the norm of delicate design and complex machinery, and instead chosen to focus on the cutting edge of technology and construction. Here are a few timepieces that showcase what this segment has to offer.

SUUNTO TRAVERSE ALPHA

While it may look like just another smartwatch, this handmade timepiece has been tested against military standards and passed with flying colour. It comes with a stainless steel bezel and nylon textile strap, along with a backlit digital face that is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire glass. In addition to the traditional smartwatch functionalities, this model also comes with a GPS sensor, and a barometer.

Combined, they offer you the option to keep track of your location, the trail you are on and even interesting points on the way. The barometer, combined with other sensors can even possibly provide an advanced storm warning, which can probably save your life in the wilderness. All this takes a toll on the battery though, which usually lasts for a week or two, but with GPS can cut down to around 6-7 hours. Still, that is not bad for a watch that provides so many features at a price of around `38,000.

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G-SHOCK G-STEEL CARBON FIBRE EDITION

G-Shock is one of the most famous names in the segment, and this special edition model lives up to the hype, by combining a stainless steel body with a carbon fibre bezel and strap to provide ultimate shock resistance. The tough sapphire glass comes with a non-reflective coating for outdoor use, along with an LED backlight for night-time visibility. The face itself is designed to be compact but easily readable, with three sub-dials for an hour and minutes, 24-hour, and the day, with the first two dials also supporting dual-time functionality. In addition, you also get Bluetooth connectivity, which enables a host of smart features, such as 300 World Time cities, alarm, timer, home city time swapping, phone finder etc. All of this is solar-powered, so you never run out of battery. You can get this model for a hefty price of around `50,000.

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Wrist Talk

AMAZFIT GTR TITANIUM EDITION

This model represents the new generation of rugged watches, which combine both durability and functionality, in a form factor that is still relatively traditional. To accomplish this, the watch comes with special materials, including but not limited to the use of titanium for the body, anti-wear rubber for the strap, and Gorilla Glass protected AMOLED display for the watch face. All of this makes for a lightweight construction, that doesn’t look as over-thetop as some other contenders.

On the inside, the watch gets state-of-the-art fitness tracking sensors and lowpower GPS, which can easily adapt to 12 types of physical activities. You even get an optical heart rate sensor that can also help track your sleep patterns. The cherry on top is the fact that you get the option of choosing between over 100 digital watch faces, making it seem like you have a new watch every day. This makes it a good option to get for an affordable price of around `15,000.

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January 2020

TIMEX GRIDSHOCK DIGITAL

In the early years of the digital watch revolution, most models were considered to be part of the tough category since their construction was far more robust and required far less maintenance than more expensive and delicate timepieces. Timex as a brand flourished in this era, and still celebrates the initial rise of the format through their GridShock series. This model comes with a huge 55mm diameter screen that is protected by a relatively average but light acrylic crystal.

When combined with the lightweight resin straps, this setup makes the watch feel so light that you almost think that it’s a fake. However, the functioning is still accurate and quite simple, with options for three time zones, alarms and even a triple calendar, in addition to the standard time.

You can get this simple piece of retro-rugged tech at just around `12,000.

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TISSOT T-RACE MOTOGP EDITION

Tissot is generally not a name that you would associate with tough watches, yet they have had several sports watches that match the general criteria.

This limited edition model was designed around the MotoGP motorcycles, represented by the textured rubber strap and bezel. Even the watch face features a distinctly sporty look, with two of the three sub-dials highlighting the piston design. Individually, they represent displays of 60 second, 30 minute and 1/10th of a second. There is a Tachymeter etched around the outer boundary of the watch face as well, which separates the rest of the watch face from the stainless steel dial. The watch face is protected by tough sapphire glass that has been given an anti-reflective treatment, with a separate date aperture for ease of view. Even though it doesn’t support any smart features, the quality of construction alone makes this watch a worthy purchase, at around `51,000.

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Silicon

CROSSING THE STREAMS Entertainment gets a new destination, as millions of Indians finally get around to cutting the cord.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

L

ack of quality content, driven by a crippling reliance on TRPs, interruptions by long and drawn out ad segments, and absolutely no control over the watching schedule are just some of the problems that bolstered the need for streaming platforms and gave birth to the cord-cutting era in the west. Considering that the Indian audience goes through all these

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January 2020

problems as well, on top of an oppressive censor board; it shouldn’t be a surprise that such a concept has become rapidly popular in the country, with millions of people willingly paying to access the supposed havens of original content.

It’s not just the audience that is enamoured by the freedom, but also the dozens of filmmakers and actors who have found a second wind in the uncut and uncensored

high seas of the internet. This has helped this new format grow beyond the initial horde of enthusiasts who just want access to a vast English library, and attract new eyeballs that are searching for indigenous stories that push the envelope and aren’t afraid of being controversial, to say the least.

Surprisingly, the traditional players are all too happy to jump on this bandwagon and carve out

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their own piece of the pie, afforded by an already established content library, and deep pockets to fund new variants of the tried and tested formulas. The result is a burgeoning field that is already packed to the gills with all types of streaming services that claim to have just what you want to watch.

Let us take a look at some of these platforms and what they offer, to deserve your hard earned cash.

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bridgegap Travels Pvt. Ltd.

HOTEL

VISA

MONEY

Silicon

NETFLIX When we think back to the start of the VOD wars, the first shot was fired by Netflix long before any of the other players started taking the opportunity seriously. In fact, the company enjoyed a decade long monopoly in the paid content sector, even before launching its online streaming service. Their persistence has paid off though, as these days the company enjoys the biggest presence in the space, across the world. At the same time, the company is also focusing on more original content, since traditional production houses have finally smelled the blood in the water, and started recalling their original content for their own streaming platforms.

You can enjoy the entire line-up for as low as `199, all the way up to `800 per month.

AMAZON PRIME Considering the fact that Netflix was originally envisioned as the Amazon of DVDs, it’s not really surprising that the e-commerce giant decided to step in the game themselves, and steal as much market share as possible. Supported by Amazon’s growing Prime customer base and leading cloud technologies, it didn’t take long for the company to do it either, since the service comes bundled with free shipping and Amazon Music, at a fraction of a cost; `129 per month, or `999 per year. The company is also investing heavily in Indian content (Made in Heaven, Breathe, The Family Man, Inside Edge etc.) along with lots of stand-up specials, so you always have something relevant to watch.

SONYLIV Out of all the services backed by an international business giant, SonyLIV is perhaps the most underrated, yet it has been growing steadily, thanks to a slew of popular Indian shows (Kaun Banega Crorepati, Indian Idol, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, Crime Patrol etc.) as well as their long standing partnership with international football clubs (UEFA Champions League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, UEFA Europa League etc.), that have given them a loyal subscriber base. The company is focused on improving this shared growth, by further partnering with other international entities such as Lionsgate for popular English language content. This steady growth strategy has helped them avoid overextending themselves in a bidding war with bigger players. Even their annual subscription price of `499 seems like a calculated move to grow the audience by undercutting the more expensive players in the market. We’ll just have to see if they are able to maintain their momentum in the long term.

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January 2020

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Silicon

HOTSTAR/DISNEY PLUS While Netflix and Amazon were just starting to figure out the Indian market, Hotstar had already swept in and commanded a dominant position in the Indian market, thanks to their tie-ups with IPL & ICC, as well as access to the pre-existing line-up of Star India content. Their partnership with HBO for Game of Thrones and Nat Geo content also boosted the credibility of the platform to provide a wide variety of entertainment in multiple languages. Now that the company has been brought under the Disney umbrella, this original Indian streaming service has transformed into one of the biggest threats to existing and upcoming players, with a quite affordable entry price of `999 per year.

This deal will only get more enticing, once the content list is updated with the entire collection of Disney and Fox properties (Star Wars, Marvel, Disney Classics, Pixar, The Simpsons etc.).

ZEE5 Even though most of the services on this list have enough content to satisfy even the most voracious users, what they lack is a deep connect with the regional audiences that still prefer family dramas on the small screen. This is where Zee shines through, as they have been creating regional content in multiple languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi etc.) for decades now.

This means that they already have a huge library of content that the public not only consumes regularly, but would also love to revisit. This kind of approach gives the brand a personal connection with users of various demographics, which aren’t attracted to badly dubbed/ subbed movies, and are yet to develop a palate for English content.

This is huge niche for them to corner, at an affordable price of barely `99 a month, making it easily the most affordable streaming service from an Indian company.

APPLE+

. . .

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Even though it is only a few months old, and so far contains barely a dozen or so offerings, we still can’t complete this list without the looming threat of Apple Plus. At a super competitive price of `99 a month, the service promises the best quality content possible, from big names like JJ Abrams, Steven Spielberg, M. Night Shyamalan, Oprah Winfrey etc. By investing billions in content upfront and foregoing profits for now, the company has clearly showcased how serious they are about disrupting the market. The previous success of Apple Music globally has proven that the company can actually do this, thanks to the huge base of Apple hardware users, who are essentially locked into this ecosystem for years to come.

We’ll just have to wait and see how Indian audience and content figures into the mix.

January 2020

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Techspert

PATENTED PERSUASION A state-of-the-art all-in-one speaker that could easily replace your entire music system with a single unit.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

J

ust like the automobile purists that abhor any artificial enhancements like turbochargers and electric vehicles, the audiophile community is also filled with thousands of people who still live and die by the aural fidelity of their old-school systems. Even though the majority of the world has accepted Bluetooth and wireless music streaming as the new standard, they still cling to the belief that quality triumphs

convenience. However, certain products defy the assumptions of the masses, and deliver quality sound in ingenious ways; one such being the Phantom Reactor speakers from the luxury audio brand, Devialet.

The speaker is a study in craftsmanship, as the company manages to fit all the components of a high-end Hi-Fi system into a body that takes less space than an entry-level sub-woofer. This requires a highly specialised design that

incorporates over 160 patented technologies and 981 unique components, to deliver a sound that reaches 900W peak output without distortion. The layout is such that you can even see the system vibrating through the sides, as it pumps out a massive sound that covers a wide frequency range of 18Hz21kHz. Even on the software side patented technologies like Analogue Digital Hybrid (ADH), Speaker Active Matching (SAM), Heart Bass Implosion (HBI), and Active Co-spherical Engine (ACE) work together to ensure that the outgoing digital sound matches the physical wave of sound produced by the

vibrating speakers; so that it travels further and creates an authentic listening experience.

This makes it a perfect vessel for listening to all genres of music, as the setup smoothly transitions from rap to classical, to even dubstep without any loss of quality, at any volume.

Considering all that goes into it, it goes without saying that the units are quite expensive, with the 600W unit starting at `1,09,000 and the 900W model going for `1,29,000. At this price range, it is also a bold choice, since the speaker is supposed to be a stand-alone unit, and is not designed to be integrated into existing home theatre setups.

SAME IN CLASS Bose Soundbar 700 & Bass Module 700

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay A9

When it comes to wireless sound, this combo represents a more traditional design language, with some of the best sound output and connectivity options, including HDMI ARC & Alexa. Bose has done a good job with audio calibration; however, you still have to wrangle with the Bose Music app for control from time to time. The entire setup costs a comparable `1,35,000, and you can push the price even further with a pair of wireless speakers to complete the set.

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When it comes to technology that borders into art, the A9 is certainly a direct competitor for the Phantom, although it comes at an even more premium price of around `4,60,000.

The company has incorporated a smart room adaptation technology that is accurate and offers easy connectivity through Google Assistant and OTA updates. Sadly though, it only offers a peak sound of 480W and a limited low-end frequency limit of 33Hz. This almost seems like half the performance for more than thrice the price, making it a tough choice comparatively.

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January 2020

19

Fantasy

Relentless DRIVE

Meet the small town girl who has made an illustrated career out of a strong work ethic and a ‘can-do’ attitude.

TEXT BY PANCHAM BHARDWAJ PHOTOGRAPHY BY YASH VIKRAM BHADAURIA STYLIST NIVEDITA THAPPA AND SUCHITA SEHRAWAT HAIR & MAKE UP SAPNA MAHADEV MHATRE LOCATION COURTESY VICE - GLOBAL TAPAS BAR, MUMBAI

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n an industry where most people are hung up on what it means to be an artist and the impact of their choice of work on the future trajectory of their careers, there is a woman who has spent almost 15 years working tirelessly to create a legacy unlike any other. She has delivered multiple hits in different languages, and even successfully transitioned between film and television, showcasing an uncanny ability towards keeping the audiences hooked. The surprising part is that despite the struggles and successes, she has maintained an effortless charm, and a degree of self-awareness that is hard to come by in the entertainment industry.

We are of course talking about the Bhojpuri film icon, Monalisa, who dazzles the small screen these days in her avatar as the dreaded daayan, in Nazar. We got a chance to pick her brain, since she is after all the fantasy of the month.

Edited excerpts...

January 2020

White Shirt: UCB Skirt: Vero Moda

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You have a very interesting name. What was your journey like, going from Antara Biswas to Monalisa?

Even though I had been working on and off for years, I only got around to changing my name when I came to Mumbai in 2004. I was working on a small budget film — Tauba Tauba.

That’s when this whole thing of having a different name began — a stage name. I wanted it to be unique, and came up with Monalisa; as it was a world famous painting and I believe in astrology.

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W H O ’S SHE? Stage name Monalisa Date of birth 21st November Place of birth Kolkata Height 5 ft 6 in Zodiac sign Scorpio Profession Actor Instagram @aslimonalisa Twitter @aslimonalisa Facebook @AsliMonaLisa

Slit Skirt: Forever 21

Bikini Top: Clovia Herculean Speaker by Zoook

Fantasy

Sweater: The Source Boots: Monalisa’s Own Skirt: Forever 21

Bodysuit: Clovia

You have a degree in Sanskrit, which is almost a dead language in today’s world.

What interested you in this subject, and what was your dream job in that field, before you pivoted towards becoming an actress?

Honestly, I took Sanskrit Honours because I was told it is an easy subject and that I would always get good scores no matter what. I was already working 12 hours a day during that period in time and hardly had any time for studies, hence decided to go along with what my elders told me. As far as my career is concerned there wasn’t much of a pivot, since I always wanted to try acting. From a very young age, I used to enjoy dancing on all the hit tracks as well as trying my hand at enacting my teachers’.

You have experience working in Odia, Bengali, Kannada and Telugu films before you became famous in Bhojpuri cinema.

How did that journey shape your career choices. Do you have plans to go back to non-Hindi/regional cinema?

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“For me, television happened quite suddenly. In fact, I was finalised just two days before the launch episode of Big Boss 10.”

I was barely 16 when I started acting. You could say I was grabbing the best opportunities that were available to me at that point of time.

Languages didn’t matter to me, since my focus was on polishing my acting skills; and this beautiful journey that I have been on has helped me in achieving this goal. In fact, Bhojpuri cinema happened much later for me. Fortunately, after my first Bhojpuri film, I got a lot of offers, and at that time earning money was of utmost importance, so I got really busy and thus a Bhojpuri star was born. At least that’s what

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people call me… (laughs). I got offers from other language films as well, but due to prior commitment couldn’t do them. As far as returning back to Bhojpuri cinema is concerned, I am not really sure.

You were already famous with your regional audience, long before you shifted industries and became a household name in Indian television.

How did this change come about? How is working on soap operas different than your experience in films?

For me, television happened quite suddenly. In fact, I was called and finalised just two days before the launch episode of the Big Boss10.

After BB I was immediately signed for Nach Baliye with my husband, and Nazar happened just a year after that. Though I have to say, television is very different. I love working in Nazar, and the experience has been great so far.

There are so many shades to my character, plus the love that you get from the audience across the world is quite overwhelming. I have become

fhmindia.com

Fantasy QUICK FAVOURITES Film Jab We Met Actor Salman Khan Childhood memory Creating towers of pillows and then destroying them, silly things mostly.

Type of jewellery Oxidised jewellery.

Director I can’t really pick. But for now, it’ll have to be Atif Khan, who directs my show.

Food Chinese Holiday destination Las Vegas

a household name. People call me Mohona everywhere I go, and not just in India.

Compared to that, Bhojpuri industry is still a regional medium, which is continuously evolving.

You have done more than 125 movies in Bhojpuri language. How has the genre changed over the years? Why haven’t these films been as popular, as dubbed versions of other regional films are, these days?

I would say that with every film the level of craftsmanship is certainly escalating. At the same time, every region has its own taste. I feel like Bhojpuri cinema is type casted in a way.

There are a lot of good films, but one needs to watch them with an open mind to understand which ones have the potential to be remade into a mainstream film.

Your engagement and wedding inside the Big Boss house have been the highlight of the entire series. How did it feel like, while it was happening and what were the days after the show like?

I never thought I would come out of the show being a married woman. Vikrant and I dated for over a decade, and I was on the moon when he proposed to me. My wedding was witnessed by a million plus viewers, so in a way I had also recieved millions of blessings.

What are the challenges of living out your life in the public eye, where anyone can comment on your life and relationships?

Well, I always believe in one thing — I am what I am because of the audience’s love.

They are my biggest supporters and biggest critics. I think of them as family, and one doesn’t complain if your family comments on your work.

Rocker Thunder Speaker by Zoook

How do you manage to maintain such a desirable figure and still remain healthy, when most of the industry is still going through the size zero fads?

What is your definition of fitness?

Well in all honesty, I am still trying to be fit. At the same time, I am also quite happy just the way I am. I don’t put myself on very strict diets

Dress: Vero Moda Shoes: Tresmode Earrings: H&M

Big Boss is a very public platform that exposes the true nature of celebrity culture. How was your experience in that environment? How did the entire journey inside the house, shape you into the individual that you are today?

Big Boss 10 was a very different experience for me. There were so many cameras, watching our every move, at all times. On the plus side though, one also gets a lot of time to self-evaluate, as there are no phones, or any outside news whatsoever. The one true thing I learned in Big Boss 10 was friendship, patience and relations. You have got to stand by your people. They will be with you no matter what, through thick and thin.

Fantasy or aspire to be a size zero actress. Self-love is always important to be desirable. The definition of fitness for me is eating right and exercising regularly, with a few cheat days thrown in for good measure.

How have social media and online video platforms changed the way you approach the business? How different would your career have been, if you had grown up with digital platforms such as Instagram and TikTok? For me social media is more about connecting with fans, rather than building a career. My career is acting, which can never be realised solely through social media platforms, at least not for me. Social media just makes it easier to utilise the fan loyalty that we have built, and use it to endorse a product, which I think is just another one of the assignments of being an actor.

What is your day-to-day life like? How do you spend your time while shooting, or when you are free at home?

I am shooting almost every day, so it’s a hectic schedule and that leaves little room for anything else. Still, I try and incorporate as much exercise and healthy food as possible. Vikrant and I are also big movie buffs.

Now that you yourself are playing a vamp in a Hindi television series, how has your perception of the television industry changed? Do you think it has improved with time? What changes would you want to see happen in the future?

Television as a medium is quite different now than what it once used to be. The daily soap I am doing is very different from the regular ones you see. It has supernatural elements and unique villains as well as vamps, and they are given so many shades to explore nowadays.

What is next for you? Do you plan to stick with your soap opera series, and what new projects can we look forward to seeing you in?

I am committed to Nazar as of now. It takes a good amount of time to build a character, and now I am reaping its benefits.

How was your experience with FHM India?

I loved it. All the looks were tailored to my physique, and I was so excited about the way I looked in all different ensembles.

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January 2020

What Bhojpuri film would be the best choice, if remade as a Hindi movie?

I had produced one film, Prem Leela. I feel that it can be made in Hindi.

The best thing about getting married?

Being married is a very different feeling; there are more responsibilities, you become more committed. I’m loving it so far.

What has been the most significant change that you have had to go through, that has made you better?

For me, it was in 2016, when I participated in Big Boss 10.

Ever since I went through that experience, I feel totally changed, like a new Monalisa. People love me anywhere I go even if they aren’t my regional audience.

If you weren’t an actress, what you would you be?

When I wasn’t an actress; I used to work in the hospitality industry. So, if I wasn’t in movies, I would definitely be an air hostess.

Three things that you can’t live without?

My family, my mobile phone, and if I have to choose a third, it would my television or film shoots.

What’s the last thing you binge-watched?

I don’t binge any particular thing per se, but I am always browsing Instagram, or play music on YouTube.

Bralette: Clovia

Sequenced Cape & Skirt: Louvre Shoes: Tresmode Bracelet: Tribe by Amrapali

Hindi cinema is going through a phase, with a lot of projects focusing on regional stories, especially from the U.P region.

Since you are from that area yourself, how do you perceive the portrayal of North Indians in Bollywood? Are there any stories you want to see being adapted? Any role you would want to play?

There are a lot of good comedy stories from the UP region that can be adapted for Bollywood.

I would love to play a character of a girl next door from UP.

What has been your happiest moment in the film industry?

The first day I started working in the film industry.

Speed

OFF THE

BEATEN ROAD Carving your own path takes on a whole new meaning with these capable all-terrain vehicles.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

E

veryone loves new beginnings and second chances, and the New Year represents the impulse to push past barriers and explore uncharted territories. In the automobile sector, this impulse is represented by tough all-terrain vehicles that are built to conquer any type of landscape they come across. These vehicles aren’t always the most comfortable, or aesthetically pleasing, but they do deliver on performance and capability in spades. Categorised for their torquey engines, reliable 4x4 systems and relative lack of creature comforts, these machines are often considered lifestyle purchases destined for use cases that are beyond the abilities of

mass-market consumer cars.

In this segment, most vehicles also carry with them a legacy of off-road performance, proven in a multitude of rallies and championships that were designed to challenge the carefree nomad inside us all.

The continued interest in this otherwise niche market is proof that there is a deep connection within the masses for these kinds of adventure vehicles. So much so, that dedicated communities of fans take it upon themselves to host special events just to test the mettle of their personally modified vehicles. If the dirt bug has bitten you as well, and you wish to start the New Year with an exciting new hobby, here is a look at what you can get at different price points.

Speed

MAHINDRA THAR As you start out in this segment, the best thing in terms of affordable off-roading is the Thar, although it is more for sedate off-roading that requires lots of torque. You get the option of either a 2.5 M2DICR engine that produces a decent 63BHP power and 195Nm torque, or a CRDe engine that churns out a healthy 105BHP power and 247Nm torque. Both engines are reliable

and the platform is simple enough that you can easily build on it by adding aftermarket components such as a winch, snorkel, reinforced skid plates, lift kits and much more.

The only limit is your imagination and budget. To start with, you can get the Thar for around `10 lakh, with the company offering multiple custom variants as well, including a Daybreak edition that looks almost like a Wrangler Rubicon.

JEEP WRANGLER Once you start getting into the luxury segment, the Jeep brand is one of the first to come to mind, thanks to their long heritage of off-road performance that goes back as far as World War II, when the military used it extensively for battlefield duty. The Wrangler still remains a steadfast reminder of the classic 7-slated design. While the exterior remains the same, the real changes have been made to the high-end cabin, which now features a responsive 8.4-inch

touchscreen with Apple Carplay/ Android Auto, off-road data display, as well as in-built navigation.

However, what steals the show is the capable 2.0-litre engine that produces 268BHP power and 400Nm of torque. It is mated to an eight-speed transmission and Selec-Trac 4WD system that controls the beefy 32-inch wheels.

All combined, this makes for a lethal off-road vehicle that will cost you a hefty `64 lakh, with the Rubicon edition costing even more.

TOYOTA FORTUNER Despite being one of the most expensive SUVs in the country without actually entering the luxury segment, the Fortuner enjoys the position of being one of the bestselling SUVs in the country as well. It comes with either a 2.7-litre petrol engine, which makes 166BHP and 245Nm torque, or a slightly bigger 2.8-litre diesel engine, which ramps up the output to 177BHP and a massive 420Nm of torque. The power delivery is sufficient to move the hulk of a

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body with ease, with the steering being responsive enough to handle both off-road and on-road conditions. The newer, more luxurious interiors add to the appeal of the vehicle, as customers finally get some much-needed features such as a touchscreen display, 360-degree camera, paddle shifters and even a cooled glove box. Unfortunately, the improvements have also increased the price of the vehicle to around `35 lakh.

MERCEDES BENZ G63 There are very few vehicles that reside at the top tier of the luxury market and can still call themselves proper off-roaders.

One of the few that can, started its life as a military vehicle that went on to become the infamous G-wagon. In its current avatar, the car is a super-luxury SUV that comes with an AMG-tuned 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine that makes a massive 585BHP, and over 850Nm of torque. This combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission and dynamic AMG Ride Control

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system makes for an exhilarating driving experience, complemented with a supple ride.

While the exterior retains the traditional design, the interiors are anything but mundane, as you get a futuristic layout, with multiple screens and options for different types of trim. This makes it one of the rare bespoke SUVs that will feel as comfortable in the dunes of Dakar, as it does in the streets of Milan. You can start curating your own G-wagon, at a starting cost of around `2 crores.

January 2020

27

Driven SAME IN RANGE

RE-COUPÉ-ING TRADITION

Range Rover Sport

This model represents the sports in the sport utility vehicle segment, as the racing brand reverts to form.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

F

or the longest time, the brand name Porsche has been synonymous with sports cars. Yet, with the advent of the SUV wars, it was only a matter of time before the brand had to charter into unknown territories; and take a giant leap of faith in the form of the Cayenne, a one-of-akind, off-road, four-door Porsche SUV. Yet, despite its capability, the car was just too boxy to blend with the brand’s established design language, leaving purists with a sense of unease.

Thankfully, the brand has been listening and have come up with a Coupé version of the Cayenne, which looks a lot more desirable, with its widened snout and sloped rear that features a special dual-spoiler design.

The first one is fixed on the rear of the panoramic sunroof, while the second, motorised one pushes off from the base of the rear window at high speeds. This not only makes it one of the only vehicles that feature double spoilers, but also the only SUV yet with active aerodynamics.

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This type of setup shows you how serious the company is about delivering real-life performance, which is powered through two engines: a three-litre V6-turbo engine with an output of 340BHP and 450Nm torque, or a four-litre V8-twin-turbo engine, that makes 550BHP and 770Nm of torque.

This is enough oomph to push this still massive vehicle from zero to 100kmph in as low as 3.9 seconds, all the way to a top speed of 286kmph; thanks to the perfectly calibrated 8-speed Tiptronic S gearbox, and one of the optional lightweight sports packages that feature a host of carbon fibre parts.

Surprisingly, despite the blistering performance, once you close the doors, you barely feel a thing as the spacious interiors wrap you up in a cocoon of luxury that is dominated by a futuristic centre console, which has multiple touchscreens and lots of high-quality physical switches. The price for this decadence is high though, as even the base model costs a solid `1.3 crore, with the higher end model costing almost `2 crore ex-showroom.

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With a legacy of being a Land Rover SUV, a dualtouchscreen console, and classy and spacious interiors, this vehicle is a formidable competitor to the Cayenne, at a similar top price of around `1.1 crore. While its smaller engine and bulky body may not be able to match the Porsche when it comes to on-road performance, but it can still go toe-to-toe with the best in all other types of terrain.

Lamborghini Urus

With a zero to 100kmph time of 3.6 seconds, a top speed of 305kmph, and a design language that is even more aggressive; this vehicle is perhaps the true competition of the Cayenne Coupé, since just like the Cayenne, which is also the first and only SUV offering from the company. Surprisingly, it is also the company’s fastest selling model, despite costing around `3 crore.

fhmindia.com

Kickstart

UNTAMED

AGGRESSION

SAME IN RANGE Triumph Rocket 3 R

Take a ride with this super powered cruiser that now comes in a naked sports avatar.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

W

hen it comes to motorcycles, design is a very important aspect, as even the smallest changes can have a big effect on the overall product. This becomes even more obvious in expensive bikes oriented towards performance, since the changes that happen in that price range are often the result of extensive research, and a relentless passion towards realising every last bit of potential from the models. Ducati is one such brand that is reputed for their high performance motorcycles, which are as unique in their design choices, as they are capable on the roads. Perhaps their most controversial offering in this regard is the Diavel, which has for a long time straddled the thin line between a high-end cruiser and a sports bike.

However, with the newer 1260 version, the bike takes a rapid departure from its roots, and opts for an even more over-the-top look that leans into its naked-sportscruiser theme. They have pushed the pegs back and reduced the rake angle to provide a more neutral seating position while also maintaining the cruiser comfort,

thanks to the wider saddle. This combined with the new custom chassis, suspension and smart sensors enable a more confident riding experience that lets you push the bike to its limits. To ensure that you never run out of available power, this beast of a machine comes with a 1262cc L-twin-Testastretta engine that produces 159BHP power and 129Nm of torque. The more expensive 1260 S variant also gets the complete Ducati Multimedia system and Link App to help gather highly accurate riding data.

Although, in this price range the extra premium seems almost unnoticeable, since the standard variant itself starts at a hefty `17 lakh, with the S version costing `19 lakh.

If we talk about segment alone, the Rocket is the closest competitor for the Diavel, even though it has a more laid back feel to it. The massive 2500cc engine is brilliant, but sadly undertuned to a meagre 167BHP, which is not enough to push its considerable weight of over 300kgs, making it feel slower in comparison. Although, it is still more than enough bike for any segment and will cost you around `18 lakh.

KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Since the newer Diavel focuses a bit more on the hyper naked look, it faces stiff competition from this flagship naked bike from KTM that produces 174BHP and feels equally torque-y, considering the brand’s preference for aggressive tuning. Even though it is yet to be officially released in the country, the brand has shown no hesitation about their plans for the Indian market, and you can consider it a proper contender at an expected price of around `16 lakh.

Torque

ONE-LITRE WISHLIST Dig in your knees, as these blistering speed demons prove what a true delight superbikes can be.

By PANCHAM BHARDWAJ

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he litre-class is truly the gold standard of the consumer performance bike category, and there are very few players that dominate this market with their selective offerings. The reason for this exclusivity is the high bar of technology and engineering that these superbikes set, which are in certain cases on par, if not directly derived from the company’s professional racing machines. They represent the best that the company has to offer, and are therefore the ultimate

indulgence for people who aren’t afraid to spend enormous amounts of money just to feel the rush of living on the edge. In fact, the only limitation you might face with any of these beautiful works of art is that you will run of road long before you have the chance to truly unleash the full potential of the bike, which is why most of them are only ever ridden on track.

Still, that is as much an endorsement of the vehicle, as any other number we can spout. So let’s have a look at some of the best in the segment and what makes them so.

Torque

KAWASAKI NINJA H2 When it comes to sheer power and raw performance, few machines can stand toe-to-toe with this beast, which features a 998cc supercharged engine that produces a massive 242BHP of peak output with 141Nm of torque. This makes it easily one of the fastest production motorcycles in the world, with a top speed of 300kmph. To handle these speeds, the bike gets a lightweight Trellis steel

frame with a single-sided swingarm, massive Brembo brakes and a set of custom tyres.

The entire body has been sculpted around the frame to provide the best aerodynamic performance, which is crucial for performing high-speed manoeuvres in tight corners. You can get the standard variant at a starting price of `35 lakh, with special editions going all the way up to `75 lakh.

MV AGUSTA F4 RR Superbikes are meant to shine in all aspects, however the most striking feature is often their design; and this particular model is one of the best examples of that with a diamond shaped head and sleek lines that often get it referred to as the most beautiful superbike in the world.

However, the aggressive design also translates to a very aggressive riding position which can get hectic after sometime.

Even beyond the outer shell, the

bike features unique elements, like the frame, which is made from a unique Chromium Molybdenum blend, and supports the impressive 998cc engine which produces 201BHP of power and 111Nm of torque. This figure is comparable to the RSV4, even though the top speed goes down by a point to 298kmph.

You get all of this, and a lot more features at a starting price of around `35 lakh.

SUZUKI GSX-R1000R Suzuki is one of the more respected and well-known brands in the Indian market. Even the design of the bike is familiar, as some of the elements have trickled down to lower end Gixxer models. Yet this bike retains the MotoGP pedigree, with a superbly tuned 999cc engine, which makes a decent 202BHP of power and 117Nm of torque. The top speed is capped at 299kmph, which is a great figure

considering the bike is a bit heavier than the competition despite its aluminium construction. However, the real focus is on refinement, with a smooth power delivery and relatively sporty seating style.

What really puts the cherry on top of the cake is the fact that all of this technology and engineering prowess can be yours for just `22 lakh, making it the cheapest entry on this list.

APRILIA RSV4 RF The value of this model can be discerned by the name itself, with the RF representing Race Factory, a tag that indicates the MotoGP pedigree of this bike, as well as its limited nature, since the company only made 500 units of this unique vehicle. What you get inside, is a 999cc engine that makes a good 201BHP of power and 111Nm of torque.

This puts it at the high end of the

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spectrum, with a top speed of 299kmph, one number just shy of the H2. It gets a lightweight aluminium chassis for a change, with a tall body and sporty riding position. This is great for chucking the bike through small spaces at high speeds, but can take a toll on the body on rough roads. You can get one of these limited edition pieces for around `23 lakh.

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Maverick

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CONSCIOUS CONNOISSEUR India’s first winemaker, Abhay Kewadkar, travels all over the world to find well-balanced versatile wines, and brings them back to create expressions of the spirit fit for a global palate.

By CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA

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chemical engineer by education, Abhay’s career started in 1984 with Champagne India Ltd., a 100 per cent exportoriented unit making sparkling wines in India, in collaboration with Champagne Piper Heidsieck, France. He has come full circle since then, and today is the Managing Director of his own import company, Tetrad Global Beverages Pvt Ltd., with pan India distribution. Edited excerpts...

You started in the wine industry right out of engineering college, which is certainly not a conducive environment for cultivating a palate for refined beverages. How

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big of a cultural shock was the first year, as you were learning about the industry; and what lessons did you take away from that experience?

I had the requisite background knowledge in terms of the fermentation process, etc.

But I had probably tasted good quality wine only once, before I decided to pursue winemaking as a career. That too was champagne, and my first impression was, that the drink was too acidic.

Wines available those days were mostly Golkonda and Bosca, which were too sweet and not palatable for me. So, the first three months were very critical for me to discover whether I can enjoy wines, and whether I am able to differentiate between them. Fortunately, I could and within three months of joining I was sent to France for my first training, which lasted for six months.

My first lesson was, that one should always be ready for challenges, keep an open mind and give in their 100 per cent once they take a decision.

What is your take on the evolving skirmish between ‘old world versus new world’ winemaking, especially considering the almost non-existent Indian identity in the mix? Does India even rank as a serious market in the global industry?

Old world wines are sold on the basis of the concept of “terroir”, which is to do with the region or appellation from where the wine comes from. Bordeaux is an appellation but the names of the grapes in the wine are not mentioned. While the new world wines, such as those from Australia or South Africa, are sold on the basis of varietals and names of quality wine making regions. The consumer found this aspect more appealing as the information is given upfront on the label, while one needs to be very knowledgeable to understand an old world wine label.

In India we do mention the varietals on the label, but we do not have an appellation or GI system which can bring in some credibility. Globally, there is some

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1. Abhay Kewadkar of Tetrad Global Beverages 2 & 3. Bottling plant, with Anne and Geraud Arbeau of Vignobles Arbeau

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“Wine has developed a tag of being an aspirational beverage with snobbery associated with it.” awareness about India now being a winemaking country, but we are still far from being accepted as a quality winemaking naion. Just one or two quality wine producers are not enough.

It won’t be a stretch to say that you have an affinity towards French wine. What is it about that particular region that attracts you?

I learned about winemaking in France, and have worked with some of the best winemakers while I was there, so it is safe to say that I truly do have an affinity towards French wines.

The French culture majorly revolves around food and wine, as every region has its own identity when it comes to their association.

Even the audience that drinks wine often, doesn’t always have a clear understanding of when they are paying for a quality product or just the label.

What is your view on brands using this ignorance to overcharge customers?

How do you decide if a product is worth the price?

It is a known fact that 95 per cent consumers drink the label and not the wine. Over the years, wine has developed a tag of being an ‘Aspirational Beverage’ with snobbery associated with it.

Then there is always an element of demand and supply. This is true for every product in the luxury segment, and wine is no exception. Brands who use this ignorance to their advantage turn out to be more successful.

From the consumer’s point of view, he has no other way but to learn from experience, or be guided by reviews and tasting notes of a more experienced connoisseur.

Do you think a Made-inIndia wine could dominate the global market someday? How do your plans for a microbrewery fit into the picture?

In time to come, ‘Made-inIndia Wines’ will definitely create more awareness and gain respect in the global market, although I do not believe they will ever dominate it. As I stated earlier, we do not have many exceptional quality vineyards. The cost of production is very high owing to expensive real estate and high-interest rates.

Government laws aren’t very helpful either, and even

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good decisions are often negated by discriminatory policies.

Despite the large population, the educated wine-drinking crowd in India is very small and niche compared to people who just want to have a good time. Do you see that as a limitation when it comes to scaling a wine business, or is it an advantage to already have a targeted audience base?

What challenges do you face when educating people about wine?

The biggest hindrance is the mindset that wines are for a more mature audience, it cannot be enjoyed like other beverages and requires an understanding of the drink for one to actually have a good time drinking it. It is sad that wine, for some reason has taken on that ethos. Whereas even the most expensive of scotch or whiskey does not suffer from these stiff uppity image issues.

Another challenge is high market entry costs, bad storage conditions, and alcohol being a grey zone in terms of advertising. Online sales are not allowed, despite the fact that every niche segment needs a digital presence. Wine works out to be an expensive proposition for this aspect, which is indeed a limitation for scaling up a business.

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Scare Squad TEXT BY SHIVPRIYA BAJPAI & CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA PHOTOGRAPHY BY AVINASH GOWARIKER ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR SUCHITA SEHRAWAT

STYLIST: NIKITA JAISINGHANI (FOR KARAN, ANURAG & DIBAKAR), BHAWNA SHARMA (FOR ZOYA), PRANITA ABHI (FOR ANURAG & DIBAKAR) ASSISTANT STYLIST: DAMAN CHOUDHARY (FOR ZOYA) HAIR: RAJEEV GOGOI (FOR KARAN), HUMERA SHAIKH FOR BBLUNT (FOR ZOYA), NIDA FAROOQUI (FOR ANURAG & DIBAKAR) MAKE UP: PARESH KALGUTKAR (FOR KARAN), NIKITA THADANI FOR FATMU (FOR ZOYA), NIDA FAROOQUI (FOR ANURAG & DIBAKAR) LOCATION COURTESY MEHBOOB STUDIO, MUMBAI

On Karan: Jacket & Accessories: Gucci Jeans: Paige On Zoya: Denim Trench: Pause Denim Pants: The Ikat Story Jewellery: Roma Narsinghani On Anurag: Shirt & Jacket: Anurag's Own On Dibakar: Shirt & Denim Jacket: United Colors of Benetton Shoes: Steve Madden

The wait is over as the best directors of the industry reunite once again on the most popular online streaming platform, Netflix, with the anthology of the year, Ghost Stories. The dream team of Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee strives to push their creative boundaries and explore the horror genre for the first time ever.

D

espite completing over two decades in Indian cinema, you have never limited yourself, creatively. Be it filmmaking, production, mentoring or acting; you have done it all. But what brings out your passion optimally to the fore?

I am most passionate about filmmaking, everything else is a subsidiary of what I do.

Being a director will always be my primary and only passion.

Kar a n

Jacket: Givenchy Pants: Balenciaga Shoes: adidas x raf simons Rings: Gucci

Johar

You have never shied away from experimenting with concepts. From Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’s coming of age take on adultery to narrating the beauty of unrequited love in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Do you think the audience has evolved with time and is finally moving ahead of the usual song and dance routine?

I think Indian Cinema in general has evolved along with the audience. We used to tell stories very differently in the 90s when I made my first film, then came the 2000s and today cinema is more identifiable, and real storytelling is the urge of the day. The integration of music within the narrative is what is happening. It is no longer a cut to song situation which used to happen when I began making movies back in the 90s. Today cinema is more natural, organic and has a more relatable and resonant feeling about it.

How do you think fatherhood has evolved you as a person? How do you balance your hectic schedule and spend time with Yash and Roohi?

Fatherhood has been the most amazing part of my life.

I can’t put my feelings into words when I wake up everyday in the morning and see the faces of my two beautiful children. I feel so privileged and honoured to be a father and a mother both

rolled into one. I think it just made me more responsible, accountable and more relatable in a sense because when you are dealing with children you become a child yourself. Coming to my schedule, time management is overrated. I think there is a lot of time in a day to achieve many things, from work, personal commitments to taking time off.

You have expressed your discomfort with the horror genre before.

What led you to direct the anthology, Ghost Stories?

I was very nervous to direct this genre because it is not something that I ever attempted or chose to attempt. And, when this

“I challenged myself in directing the horror genre. I hope what i have created actually resonates with people." particular time we decided on Ghost Stories, I thought of challenging myself. I hope what I have created actually resonates with people.

You have worked as a part of this A-team on anthologies before– Bombay Talkies and Lust Stories. Do you follow any specific guideline while collaborating with these directors on such projects? Do conflict of interests arise and how do you tackle the same?

No, we had the greatest time making Ghost Stories. We meet up for individual films and watch them together.

We are always open to each other’s suggestions and ideas. This group of directors is blessed by the universe. I think they are really a perfect match for each other.

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QUICK FAVOURITES Fictional character Raj from DDLJ Board game Articulate Classic film Pyaasa Way to spend holidays Shopping Rap artist Badshah Music album Best of Lata Mangeshkar One hit wonder Vanilla Ice Childhood memory Watching Roman Holiday with my mom Road to drive on Mumbai Sealink Season of the year Winter

THIS OR THAT Web series or movies Movies Reality or fiction Reality Short stories or period dramas Period dramas Encounter a ghost or a demon I want to slay my ghost of the past and envelop a new demon

Polo: Calvin Klein Jacket: Balenciaga Glasses & Accessories: Gucci

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oming from a family of Urdu poets and prominent actors, didn’t you ever nurse a desire in your growing years to be in front of the camera? Also, when did you realise that direction was your true calling?

I never wanted to be someone who would be facing the camera as I am extremely awkward whenever I am in front of it. I don’t even like being photographed much. I realised I wanted to be a director when I saw Salaam Bombay!

You touched upon the concept of gender discrimination in Dil Dhadakne Do. What’s your perception of women directors making their mark in the industry?

I think it’s great that women directors are making their mark in the industry and with each progressing year, we are witnessing more and more women become a part of the big league which is absolutely fantastic. I remember during Filmfare when Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

“the idea for ghost stories came from karan, when we were looking for what we wanted to do next."

From directing films set on grand cruises and sets to entering the local streets with Gully Boy.

It’s been a decade since your first film was released, and with each film you have set yourself apart. What would you say have been the biggest learnings and challenges over the years?

My first film, Luck By Chance was definitely a challenging one, but then again I do think that some things are always better than the others. Over the years I have realised that each project that you put your heart and soul into will come out shining, brighter than the one before it.

You have said that you thrive on bending genres and inverting tropes, and you attempt to do the same with your next directorial venture, Ghost Stories. Tell us something about how the idea for this anthology film incepted.

The idea for Ghost Stories came from Karan, when we were looking for what we wanted to do next. After which we all got on board for the same.

Once again the dream team has returned to collaborate for another project after Bombay Talkies and Lust Stories.

How do you deal with clash of opinions and ideas?

We have never had a clash of opinion yet, so I would not know how to answer this. I love working with them and I don’t want this to ever end.

Z o ya

Akhtar Pantsuit: Massimo Dutti Jewellery: Roma Narsinghani

won the Best Director Award and Konkona Sen Sharma won the Best Debut Director Award, which in itself is supreme. I truly believe that it is the right time to involve a woman's perspective in the film industry as it is a welcome change.

How difficult was it for you to step out of your comfort zone and into the life of the one’s living in slums and chawls?

I didn’t find it difficult at all. I am a Bombay girl, and am very privé to its people and their lives. I have interacted with them closely and have even shot in Dharavi before.

Having said that, at the end of the day human beings wherever they are, all have the same human experience.

All you need is to tap into that, and the rest is just research and backdrop.

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QUICK FAVOURITES Fictional character Scarlett O’Hara Board game Articulate Classic film All About Eve Way to spend holidays On a beach, eating Rap artist Eminem Music album Purple Rain by Prince One hit wonder Vanilla Ice Childhood memory Watching Godfather on a projector on my dining room wall.

Road to drive on J J Flyover, Mumbai Season of the year Spring or fall

THIS OR THAT Web series or movies Movies Reality or fiction Fiction Short stories or period dramas Short stories Encounter a ghost or a demon I want to slay my demons

Black Pantsuit: Silly Beez Jewellery: Roma Narsinghani

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ou have repeatedly broken shackles of stereotypes with your films. What inspires you to explore diverse trajectories in your films?

The fear of death consistently pushes me to create a mark in the film industry.

You have always depicted cities and its people immaculately in your films. How does the research process goes to focus on details?

You have to look under every stone to get your facts right.

The new-age filmmakers are taking Indian cinema on the global graph and winning recognition in international film festivals. What clicks with the global audience,

Dibakar

Banerjee when it comes to Indian cinema?

I guess they are just looking for either a good story or the stereotypical projection of our country's poverty that has been showcased multiple times to attract the attention of the global audience. I would prefer to support the concept of a 'good story'.

Another anthology with the dream team of Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap after Bombay Talkies and Lust

“digital content has to be fresh and engaging enough to keep you hooked at all times."

Stories. According to you, what is the success mantra in collaborating with multiple directors for a project?

I think to some extent the reason why this succeeds is because all four of us feel happy and lucky to be given such a format to experiment with. And, we are coming at it with the playfulness of young filmmakers starting out and doing something interesting rather than filmmakers who have been in the industry for a long time, and don't want to come out of their comfort zones to try something new.

Do you face creative conflict with the others?

How do you tackle the same?

There aren’t any creative conflicts because each director has been given full independence to do their own segment, and that’s the success of the format. Also, I think what works is our sense of responsibility that if our own film doesn’t match up to a certain level, we will be letting our colleagues down which I think pushes all four of us to work even harder because we like and respect each other.

Blazer: Hackett Knit: Tommy Hilfiger

You are all geared to come back with another Netflix Original with Ghost Stories. What led you to explore the horror genre? What works for online platforms?

Karan Johar was the one to lead the way and we followed suit. I think in order to be successful, digital content has to be fresh and engaging enough to keep you hooked at all times because the audience has the liberty to switch off at

anytime he or she wants to. I think the constant engagement of the audience’s interest is of paramount importance in content that is designed for the online platform.

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QUICK FAVOURITES Fictional character Madhabi Chakraborty in Charulata Board game Carrom board Way to spend holidays With my daughters Rap artist Outkast Music album Can’t select one One hit wonder Baby It’s You Childhood memory Having shakarkandi (sweet potato) in Delhi Road to drive on Walking on my village path in Uttarakhand, since I don’t drive Season of the year It depends upon where I am

THIS OR THAT Web series or movies Both Reality or fiction Reality is a fiction that we are narrating Short stories or period dramas Both Encounter a ghost or a demon We are already in the presence of a demon

Blazer: Hackett Knit & Trousers: Corneliani

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fter watching the 1948 Italian film Bicycle Thieves, you wanted to become a director. Did you have any particular plan in mind when you entered the film industry?

I had zero plans. All I knew was that I wanted to work in films and I didn’t even know if I wanted to be a director. I just knew I had stories to tell and started performing in theatre as an actor. After which everything worked out in my favour as I kept on working hard.

What according to you should be the role of censor and criticism in this country?

I think constructive criticism is the best kind of criticism. It should just be about the criticism of the film and its popular opinions; the star ratings should be left to the audience. I don’t see a role for censors because people do practice self-censorship.

Rather than stigmatising certain actions, we should focus on educating our masses so that they are able to make their own decisions.

Your work had inspired British director Danny Boyle, for his Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. Do

“ghost stories gave me the opportunity to walk past the mainstream rules and turn my segment into a psychological slow-burn. "

Your upcoming directorial venture Ghost Stories has challenged you to step out of your comfort zone.

What can we expect from this anthology and your particular segment?

Anurag

Kas hya p I think I love this anthology, and always look forward to working with Karan, Zoya and Dibakar. Whatever the genre might be, we all take it on as an opportunity to push our own boundaries, experiment and narrate the stories that we otherwise wouldn't have pursued. This time around, it was horror which I have never done before. It gave me an opportunity to walk past the mainstream rules and turn it into a psychological slowburn for which I am extremely grateful.

Once again the best squad of Indian filmmakers has returned to collaborate for another project. Does the creative freedom ever get constrained while working with multiple directors?

There are no restrictions or constraints, as we all have the liberty to follow and narrate our own stories. The only time when we sit down for a discussion is when the order of each of our segments is to be decided before the anthology comes out, and I am generally okay with what everyone decides.

When it comes to the marketing ideas, posters and trailers I hand it over to Karan and Zoya as they are aware of those aspects in-depth.

Trench Coat: I love Pero Knit: Massimo Dutti

you think that praising a young filmmaker comes easily?

I owe my career to Danny Boyle. He was the one who put me out on the world map when my films had not even released. After which I was also a part of the Venice Film

Festival. I think, when you are open to the idea of appreciating other people’s films then it comes very naturally. It definitely helps filmmaking, filmmakers and cinema if you appreciate young filmmakers and other people’s view of cinema.

QUICK FAVOURITES Fictional character Don Corleone Board game Monopoly Classic film Bicycle Thieves Way to spend holidays Diving Rap artist Eminem Music album Roadhouse Blues One hit wonder Vanilla Ice Childhood memory Watching a film for the very first time.

Road to drive on I don’t drive Season of the year Winter

THIS OR THAT Web series or movies Movies Reality or fiction Fiction Short stories or period dramas Short stories Encounter a ghost or a demon Demon

Suit: Herringbone & Sui Knit: Jack & Jones

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One Bollywood song that describes you perfectly?

Anurag: Jab Andhera Hota Hai Dibakar: Chal Kahin Door Nikal Jayen Zoya: Jaan Pehchaan Ho Karan: Hawa Hawai

Rapid Fire

If you were a paranormal investigator, which haunted place in India would you like to inspect first?

Zoya: The street in Mumbai referred to as the “accident spot”.

Anurag: Kala Pani (The Cellular Jail) in Andaman.

Dibakar: South block in Vijay Chowk, New Delhi.

Karan: The tall white building on Bandstand that's apparently built on a haunted bunglow.

Do you believe in the concept of afterlife and ghosts?

Anurag: No Dibakar: No Zoya: I am on the fence on this one.

Karan: I believe in good and bad energies that exist around us.

Who is your go-to person for gossips?

Anurag: Karan Johar Karan: Kareena Kapoor Khan Zoya: Karan Johar or Shweta Bachchan Dibakar: My five year old daughter.

What is your favourite anthology?

Anurag: Dekalog Karan: Modern Love Dibakar: Wild Tales Zoya: Wild Tales and Dekalog What was your one discovery on the sets of Ghost Stories?

Anurag: That I can make a horror film.

Zoya: That it’s a nightmare to shoot at different locations in Bombay.

Karan: That I have no idea on how to direct a film like this.

Dibakar: My experience was that silicon doesn’t react to water, but foam latex does as I was working with prosthetics.

If you have to describe your segment from Ghost Stories in 3 words, what would that be?

Anurag: Creepy Dibakar: Dare ko darao Karan: Lost, afraid and discovery Zoya: Waiting to exhale What do you have to say about the changing dynamics of the medium of cinema from 70MM to online streaming platform?

Zoya: It is an evolution that is bound to happen.

As long as everything co-exists we can keep making cinema on a theatrical big screen in the hope that celluloid and labs would come back.

Karan: Hugely beneficial to content creation in the entertainment industry, and the upliftment of the writers as a result of great content even on film.

Anurag: I think it is a boon and a great medium to explore.

Dibakar: For me it is as if, more and more alternative voices are being silenced not only in cinema, but everywhere. It is the current place for us to be, where else to go.

If you could trade lives with one of the actors for a day who would it be and why?

Zoya: Hrithik, as I want to know the secret behind his fabulous dancing skills.

Anurag: Nawazuddin Siddiqui Karan: Hrithik Roshan, as I want to know what it feels like to be that gorgeous.

Dibakar: Kashmiri woman

ONE WORD ANSWERS Ghost Stories Zoya: Our film Karan: Scope for fear Dibakar: Power cut Anurag: Our film Netflix Karan: Sex Zoya: Chill Dibakar: Deadline Anurag: Home

FHM India Karan: Sexy Zoya: Magazine Anurag: 100 list that used to come out Dibakar: Never heard of it

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Travel

GHATS OF VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH

TRIP THROUGH THE LENS It might be the most common of locations, but put it in a Bollywood film and you will get a tourist spot overnight.

If you consider yourself a true Bollywood buff then a visit to Varanasi is a must. The timeless allure of this place continues to bewitch filmmakers since ages. It has captured the heart of many legendary scenes from Indian cinema, be it Masaan, Laaga Chunari Me Daag, Mohalla Assi, Ghaatak or the all-time favourite Ranjhanaa. Every movie that has been shot here has captured the true charisma of the place, making it one of the prominent shooting locations in India. Apart from the traditional and religious vibrancy and old-world lanes of Varanasi, the ghats also make a perfect backdrop for the romantic genre of the industry. So, in case you are planning to add this location in your travel wishlist, do not forget to affix your favourite screen places in the itinerary.

By NEHA

MUMBAI FILM CITY, MAHARASHTRA The ultimate destination for people keen to have a glimpse of the cine stars, a place where numerous movies are reeled throughout the year, right from full-blown commercial films to the parallel cinema flicks, welcome to Mayanagri, the Mumbai film city. It is an integrated film studio located near Sanjay Gandhi National Park, in the vicinity of Aarey Colony in Goregaon, Mumbai. The inception of Bombay Film City goes back to the year1911 when the first silent film of India was made. Since then the place has evolved a lot and has been continuing up the ladder of expansion and growth. Now it is home to realistic gardens, mountains, lakes, houses, cities and venues, making it the perfect epitome of Bollywood film shootings. Constructed by the Maharashtra State Government to expedite the growth of the film industry, this place is regarded as the dream project of renowned Indian producer, director and screenwriter, Dadasaheb Phalke, in which almost 1000 sets can be put up simultaneously.

Synonymous with Bollywood, to visitors it is an absolute dream world, where everything is beautiful and precise, and it is impossible to differentiate between the word ‘real’ and ‘fake’.

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Travel

RAMOJI FILM CITY, HYDERABAD No matter the age, a trip to amusement parks is always a treat for everyone. In Hyderabad, tourists have a plethora of choices for sightseeing. However, the Ramoji Film City, is like an amusement park of Hyderabad, that has a different vibe to offer in a city known for its Nizami heritage. Praised as one of the biggest movies sets ever and listed among the topmost place to visit in Hyderabad, this location always evokes high expectations from the intending visitors. To begin with, if you want an excellent behind the scenes experience of live film sets and shoots-inprogress, look no more. Furthermore, it contain various restaurants, dedicated areas for shopping, rides and many more. The place has its own charisma, so much so that the Guinness Book of World records has listed it in their renowned log for casing an area of 2,500 acres. It accommodates over 50 film sets, has a fake airport, hospital, railway station, Tihar Jail, temples, mosques, churches, man-made ancient caves, European residential societies, Mugal and Japanese inspired gardens, and much more. This 28-year-old film city is located 30kms outside Hyderabad. You can visit here by car or you can hop on a bus ride; whatever the medium, the journey to the site is a pleasure in it itself.

ATHIRAPALLY WATERFALLS, THRISSUR Remember the iconic song of Dhivara (Khoya Hai in Hindi version), and how Prabhas tried to chase the girl of his dreams Tamannaah in the movie Baahubali, which took the golden screen by storm, or the ‘Barso Re’ song in which Aishwarya Rai Bachan wowed everyone. Yes, it was filmed here, at Kerala’s Athirappilly Waterfall, a sight of mesmerising beauty and natural splendour that will guaranteed leave you thunderstruck. Even though the popularity of the location has increased in the past couple of years, it has always been a famous shooting area for several distinct Indian movies, including King Khan’s classic film Dil Se, and many others like Raavan, Kuch Na Kaho, Yaariyan, Ready and so on. So, if you are truly in search of something majestic and ethereal, visit here, as the ceaseless music of the myriad falls and the hush of the dense forest lends a special charm to the small hamlet of Athirapally, which has been inspiring tourists and filmmakers for decades.

MUNNAR TEA PLANTATIONS, MUNNAR If you believe that Kerela is only about its heavenly backwaters, Bollywood is here to prove you wrong. Picture Deepika Padukone running in her Kanjeewaram silk saree and Shah Rukh Khan chasing her in a tea plantation and you will know what we are talking about. As more and more B-town films are shifting direction for inspiration, India is finally acknowledging the natural wealth down south, and the Munnar Tea plantations have become the flag bearer. Picturised superbly in Chennai Express, Nishabd and even in Life of Pi, this place is paving the way as the idealistic destination of South India.

PANGONG LAKE, LADAKH When you first hear the name, it might not ring a bell to you, but if we say the river on the bank of which 3 Idiots’ epic last scene was shot, or the freezing cold water from which Samar Anand (played by Shah Rukh Khan) saves the drowning Akira Rai (played by Anuskha Sharma) in the blockbuster movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan, then the picture would become fairly obvious. Isn’t it? Call it the revival of travel as a genre in Bollywood, or the utter charm of the place, Pangong Lake has become a favourite location of Indian filmmakers, and one of the most desired travel destinations despite its hostile climate or the perilous journey required to reach there.

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Crescendo

MUSICALLY BONDED

From penning down soul-stirring lyrics, to making the Hindi rock genre popular amongst the mesophiles again—The Local Train is bringing the independent music scene of India into the spotlight.

By TASHIKA TYAGI

S

omeone great once said that music binds the world together. It was this same musical bond that brought together a radio jockey, two demotivated engineers, and an Arts graduate, to form one of the most popular Hindi rock bands in India—The Local Train.

Raman Negi creates magic while crooning on the mic, with Ramit Mehra on the bass, Sahil Sarin behind the drums and Paras Thakur strumming the guitar, The Local Train is bringing indie rock to the

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masses. Edited excerpts...

Let’s start from the beginning. How did the four of you come together to form the band?

We were all doing different things, it was not like we met in college or at a coaching centre.

We ended up jamming in a studio and wrote our first album, Aalas Ka Pedh. We wanted to write our own music which brought us, and kept us together.

From forming a band, to releasing your first album,

Aalas Ka Pedh, to becoming such a huge hit today; how has the journey been for you all?

It’s been an amazing journey. We took our sweet time to create the album, but that was also a learning curve. Whatever we’ve learned through those years while making the album, touring and promoting it, is all part of the experience. Aalas Ka Pedh was made when all of us were really young, and it was our debut album as well.

We can now make our own songs and create some

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amazing music; this is the outcome of just four people being passionate about something.

Do you guys ever think of branching out to other genre of music, or do you want to stick to what you do best?

We always like to explore new sounds and create our own vibe with it, but it is a process that has no set steps to follow. We have a particular sound for the band and are always exploring around it.

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Crescendo

Your album, Aalas Ka Pedh, went on to be one of the ‘‘Most Streamed Albums’’ on Apple Music. Do you think digital music platforms and social media has bridged the gaps between artists and music lovers?

Social media and online music streaming services are very important. We released Aalas Ka Pedh independently, and now it is one of the top selling albums in India. Our music is playing everywhere, and we have fans from different corners of the world. Social media and streaming services certainly amplified our reach, and we were able to share our music with a lot of people. We love the fact that something we produced as musicians in order to express ourselves, has received such recognition from all over.

You guys are a big hit amongst the crowds and all your shows are sold out.

What has been your most memorable live performance so far?

Wow, this is a tough question. To be honest, nothing gives us a better high than an entire crowd singing our songs word for word. If we have to choose one performance though, then it has to be the one at the OnePlus Music Festival, at DY Patil Stadium. Playing a stadium gig has always been a dream for us and we are very lucky to have experienced it as an indie band; sharing the same stage with Dua Lipa and Katy Perry. That one was right off the bucket list.

In your latest album, Vaaqif, you have focused on topics like existential crisis, and the pain of nothingness in life.

What made you pen down and focus on such issues?

We try our best to write about things that we notice around us, and the songs are an amalgamation of ideas that we want to talk about. Also, none of

“Nothing gives us a better high than an entire crowd singing our songs, word for word.” our songs are close-ended.

People look for different meanings in songs and take what they like out of them. So while there’s a song that talks about hope and overcoming challenging phases in your life, there is another that talks about selfactualisation.

Who do you believe to be the biggest inspiration behind your music?

With such a wide age gap between band members, all of us had different influences in terms of music. Our music influences range from Nirvana, Aerosmith, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, U2, Twenty One Pilots, and Alt-J and many more. Closer home, Lucky Ali is one of our favourites.

Do you think the state of Hindi rock in India has improved since you guys started out?

Definitely. The indie circuit in India was still in its nascent stage when we started out.

Things are changing now,

ZB-Rocker

Thunder Stone

Beat

DROPPER

because when we go and perform in a small town, there are musicians who actually approach us, and speak to us about our technique and methods. It’s amazing to see artists and bands from different regions, showcasing their music and getting recognition for it.

What’s in store for The Local Train next? Can we expect a new album in 2020?

Yes, we are working on our third album, and we are taking a new approach in terms of musicality, but at the same time, making it work for the game. We create what interests us at the time, and let it roll.

WHERE THE HEART IS

Boutique homestays have changed the way millennials are travelling today. The true essence lies in living and exploring like the locals. We list down our favourite five that are redefining experiential hospitality like never before.

By SHIVPRIYA BAJPAI

CHIRPING ORCHARD IN MUKTESHWAR, UTTARAKHAND Chirping Orchard offers more than just a comfortable accommodation. It promises to be your ultimate tryst with nature, with never ending orchards of peach, plum, apple and pear, and snow-capped Himalayan peaks looming in the background. The orchard invites several birds, so waking up to the cuckoo’s call is not a farfetched dream anymore. The bedrooms are equipped with balconies from where you can spot the Nanda Kot, Panchachuli and Trishul peaks. Vegetables are grown organically in the backyard, while wild grass covers the expansive lawn that extends to a breathtaking view point, offering a panoramic look of the mountains and forests. You can witness the magic unfold in front of your eyes, at both dusk and dawn, while absorbing the tranquillity of the moment. The highlight of Chirping Orchard is the warm and welcoming hospitality extended by the host who will be happy to personally take you on hikes to the nearby village of Nayal. If you are still not convinced, they are pet-friendly as well.

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Stay

ANUGRAHA IN KOTTAYAM, KERALA Anugraha is an elegant homestay in Aymanam, in the central Kerala district of Kottayam. Located near the popular lakefront tourist spot of Kumarakom, this house, along with the Meenachil River backwaters is an ode to slow living, Keralan hospitality, and the natural splendours of this tropical travel destination. Guests can stay in an independent villa, attended by two members of the house-staff. They take one booking at a time, in order to ensure guests get undivided attention and care.

Think of a stay at Anugraha as a holiday visit to a friend’s home in the Kerala countryside. The villa is a heritage home, constructed more than a century ago. It was restored under the direction of architect Bijoy Jain of Studio Mumbai, and styled with contemporary art from the family’s private collection. There’s plenty of privacy when you prefer, but when you’d rather not be alone, then you will be invited to soak in the sights and sounds of the thriving estate, which is inhabited by the family that runs Anugraha, which includes their three dogs, Google, Zuma and Pepper. The 7.5-acre property is punctuated by canals, a pond, vegetable garden, many varieties of tropical fruit trees, hardwoods, bamboo, and various kinds of ferns; in a design that was laid out by award-winning landscape architect Tom Stuart Smith.

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January 2020

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Stay

KIPLING CAMP IN KANHA NATIONAL PARK, MADHYA PRADESH The award winning Kipling Camp was established in 1982 on the edge of the Kanha National Park, by conservationists Bob and Anne Wright. One of the first wildlife camps in India, it still remains amongst the finest. Kipling is now managed by their daughter, renowned tiger conservationist, Belinda Wright. Their motto is “treading softly in the jungle.’’

The camp is the perfect destination for those who wish to relax in idyllic surroundings and explore the remote forests and villages of Central India.

Accommodation is in comfortable cottages set in acres of un-spoilt jungle, and a lake. There is also a private cottage with a sitting room and a patio overlooking the camp’s wildlife waterhole. Kipling Camp is also the home of Tara, the muchloved elephant who featured in Mark

Shand’s best-selling book, Travels On My Elephant. Tara delights in her daily bath-and-scrub in the Banjar River– not to be missed. You will be treated as guests while you learn about the magnificent landscape, mammals and bird life of the Tiger Reserve.

Guests can also go bird watching or on long treks, to learn about the local Gond art, farming practices, local architecture and community projects.

Kipling Camp is a part of the RARE India Community of boutique hotels that believe in conscious luxury. Less than 10 per cent of the land has been utilised for construction and about 15 acres has been set aside as an undisturbed sanctuary for wildlife.

Moreover, they have purposely not built formal gardens or swimming pool in this area, owing to water shortage.

SAFFRON STAYS ELGIN HALL IN DALHOUSIE, HIMACHAL PRADESH Do you want to experience the best snow view? You have to make your way to this Victorian-inspired sprawling seven-bedroom villa right in the heart of Dalhousie. They have a stone-brick fireplace right by the patio, as well as a barbeque counter around the dining area that makes this experience more attractive. If you’re wondering what’s to explore beyond this comfortable villa, you can visit Daikund peak, Kalatop Khajjar sanctuary, and Gandhi Chowk, where you can buy some souvenirs and soak in the local flavours.

The home stay also has a caretaker who will cater to every need while making you feel at home with true pahadi hospitality.

THE FARM IN JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN The Farm is home, studio and gallery space for artist couple Ritu and Surya Singh. It is where they live, work, play and express. Creative, bohemian and sometimes downright eccentric, The Farm has been welcoming guests since 2008. What started out as setting up a space using scrap and discarded materials, has led Surya and Ritu on their artistic journey. The inception and execution of their artwork take place here, right from designing and constructing theme or subject-based art installations for various spaces, including public art installation in the city of Jaipur, to curating ephemeral immersive environments. The Farm is a chance to experience a creative lifestyle with an unhurried pace and a sense of consciousness. As a result, each of the rooms is filled with quirky artworks of artists who have stayed here, acquired art, and those created by Ritu and Surya. Local crafts find their way into soft furnishings and other details in the living spaces. Guests are treated like friends of friends and an ‘at home’ atmosphere is encouraged. The idea is to have a quiet, conscious, restful space, filled with inspiration.

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RISING

Star

From the small screen to Bollywood, this ambitious girl from Indore has been turning heads ever since she stepped into the limelight.

TEXT BY TASHIKA TYAGI PHOTOGRAPHY BY NAVIN DHYANI STYLIST NIVEDITA THAPPA AND SUCHITA SEHRAWAT HAIR & MAKEUP MORAG STEYN LOCATION COURTESY THIRSTY CITY 127, MUMBAI

Top: Louvre Pants: Forever21 Shoes: Tresmode

Rocker ThunderStone Speaker & Mic by Zoook

A

n ambitious small-town girl making it big in the city of dreams, Mumbai—this is probably the most cliched Bollywood film plot ever, but for a cinema buff like Ankita Lokhande, it was simply what she always wanted to do. From being one of the most popular faces in Indian television history to making her mark in Bollywood by starring alongside Kangana Ranaut in Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi, Ankita is inching towards her childhood dream with each step. In an exclusive interview, she talks about her growth as an actor and what drives her to be better with each project she takes.

Edited excerpts...

From staring as Archana in Pavitra Rishta to Jhalkaribai in your debut Bollywood film, Manikarnika, we have seen you grow as an actress who has aced every role. How has the journey been for you, personally and professionally?

As an actress, my journey has been very interesting. I started my career with Pavitra Rishta and the

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Name Ankita Lokhande Date of birth 19th December Place of birth Indore Height 5 ft 6 in Zodiac sign Sagittarius Profession Actor Instagram @lokhandeankita Twitter @anky1912 Facebook @TheAankitaLokhaande official

Dress: Forever 21 Shoes: Tresmode Necklace: The Source

You were born in a Maharashtrian family in Indore with no background in the entertainment industry.

How did you decide to enter this stream of work? Did your family have any inhibitions about you working in this industry?

Being passionate about acting and dancing, I always wanted to get into the entertainment industry. It wasn't planned but I feel I was destined to get into this industry.

When I decided to shift from Indore to Mumbai, my family supported me throughout as this was something I always wanted to do. Initially, I wanted to come to Mumbai after my 12th grade but there was no opportunity back then. Then Zee India’s Best Cinestars Ki Khoj happened and my family pushed me to pursue it and take that chance, no matter what the result. My family really motivated me to get into this industry and my passion was so big that everything eventually fell in place. I am proud of my journey and really thankful to my family for supporting me throughout.

W H O ’S SHE?

show taught me so much, both professionally and personally. I worked in that show for six years and there were many ups and downs but that helped me grow as an actor and as a person. After that, Jhalkaribai and Bollywood came my way. I always wanted to be a part of industry, which had been a childhood dream. So, when I got this opportunity, I couldn’t let it slip away. The film was important for my personal growth too. As an actor, you want to grow and learn new skills each day. I have grown as a person and started understanding myself better after doing a Bollywood film. I have learnt many things, met many people, lost many— that is the beauty of life and that has been the beauty of my journey. So, for me Pavitra Rishta and Manikarnika, both have been the turning point of my career.

Do you think moving to Bollywood is the next logical step after an actor has established oneself on the small screen? Do you ever plan to do a soap opera again?

I won’t say that Bollywood is the only next step but yes, as an actor you need to step up to grow and learn new things. It is not just for actors, even while you are working in any other field you need to keep challenging yourself and move ahead. That’s exactly what I am doing and Bollywood is something I wanted to do as a child. I am very happy to be working in films now.

After working in Pavitra Rishta for six years, it was time for me to take the next step into Bollywood. Daily soaps made me what I am today and I see no problem in doing it again. Irrespective of the platform, the project has to be progressive

“As an actor, you want to grow and learn new skills each day. I have evolved as a person after doing a Bollywood film.” and I should see myself growing as an actor too.

Being a public figure, social media trolls can be intimidating. How adept are you at handling negative comments?

When I started working on Pavitra Rishta, there was no social media

craze back then, but there were articles being published that used to affect me, initially. Later, I learnt to take it with a pinch of salt and let it go. Today, if there is an article about me, I just look at the photos and see how I am looking in them and move on. There are people out there who love me and they want to see me and my social media posts are for them and most importantly, it is for me.

What is Ankita like when she isn’t shooting? How do you let your hair down?

When I am not shooting, I prefer to spend time at home. I love to play badminton in my free time, in fact not many people know this, but I have played badminton at the state level while I was in Indore.

Other than that, I catch up with my friends, go out to party and dance.

I just love dancing.

Dress: Forever21 Shoes: Tresmode

Dress: Louvre Shoes: Tresmode Earrings: Indya

QUICK FAVOURITES Sitcom The Big Bang Theory Designer brand Manish Malhotra Comfort food Roti sabzi and dal chawal Film Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi Actor Salman Khan Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Jacket: UCB Pants: Vero Moda Shoes: Tresmode

Thunder Plus Speaker

by Zoook

Who is your celebrity girl crush?

Kareena Kapoor Khan One hidden talent of yours that no one knows about.

Not many people know that I can cook.

Do you prefer men who are clean shaven or the one’s with beards?

I prefer a man with stubble.

A film character that you would have loved to play?

I would have loved to play Geet in Jab We Met. An actor you would like to work with?

I would like to work with everyone.

What title would you give to your autobiography?

Just The Way I Am

If there was a ‘build-yourown-man’ store in the world, what all qualities and attributes will you add to your ‘ideal man’?

If this was possible then I would want my man to be very confident. He should be charming enough to impress anyone easily and he should just love me. People should be able to see that he is ‘my man’.

Most importantly, he should be a family man as I will only be impressed by someone who loves their family like I love mine. The first thing a girl looks for in a man is how he treats his mother and sister and it is of utmost importance for me.

What is that one thing that you never regret splurging on?

One thing that I can never regret buying are — diamonds. I wish I could buy the whole store.

If you could eat anything you want and never put on weight, what all would you eat?

Call me lucky, but I don’t really put on weight easily. I eat everything without that constant fear of gaining weight. I think I am blessed like that.

After dazzling your fans on television and silver screen, do you plan to venture out in a web series any time soon?

Definitely. I would love to do a web series if a good opportunity comes my way.

What does 2020 have in store for you? Anything exciting and fun that you are looking forward to?

I am really looking forward to 2020. I am sure something very exciting is going to happen in my life this year, both professionally and personally, and I can’t wait to share it all with my fans and loved ones.

Bralette: Clovia Rocker Boombox+ Speaker by Zoook

How was your experience working with FHM India?

Awesome, I loved each and every aspect of the shoot. I was a bit nervous in the beginning, but extremely happy to be a part of it.

Pants: Zara

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Number Game

FILMY FACTS

If you consider yourself a Bollywood buff, take a peek at these points that will surely make you do a double-take.

By NEHA

2017

RELEASED BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION, SMASHED ALL BOX OFFICE RECORDS BY EARNING `1,810 CRORES, MAKING IT THE HIGHEST-GROSSING INDIAN FILM OF ALL TIMES. WELL, NOT JUST IN REEL, BUT THIS MOVIE STRUCK GOLD IN REAL LIFE ALSO.

10 NATIONAL

AWARD WINNER — DRISHYAM FILM MADE A RECORD IN ITSELF. WHO ELSE REMEMBERS 2ND OCTOBER WHEN VIJAY AND HIS FAMILY WENT TO PANJI FOR SATSANG AND HAD SOME PAV BHAJI?

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3 IDIOTS

ICONIC DELIVERY SCENE WAS ACTUALLY PLANNED FOR MUNNA BHAI M.B.B.S. IMAGINE MUNNA BHAI DELIVERING THE CHILD AND CIRCUIT SAYING ALL IS WELL. INTRIGUED?

4 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES

RUN TIME MADE LOC KARGIL THE LONGEST FILM IN BOLLYWOOD. DESPITE THE DURATION, THE MOVIE STILL FLAMES OUR INNER PATRIOT, RIGHT?

1899

RELEASED ‘THE WRESTLERS’ WAS THE FIRST MOTION PICTURE TO BE SHOT IN INDIA. WELL, WHAT CAN WE SAY, NEITHER THE COUNTRY WAS FREE AT THAT TIME, NOR THE CINEMA.

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14 2008 MILLION

INDIANS GO TO THE CINEMA EVERY DAY, WHICH EQUATES TO 1.4 PER CENT OF THE ENTIRE POPULATION. WELL, OVERPOPULATION IS BENEFITING SOMEONE AT LEAST.

RELEASED BLOCKBUSTER GHAJINI WAS THE FIRST BOLLYWOOD MOVIE TO CROSS 100 CRORES AT THE BOX OFFICE. IN CASE YOU HAVE SHORT TERM MEMORY LOSS GET IT INKED ON YOUR BODY.

32 PER CENT

INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF INDIAN’S VISITING SPAIN WAS THE RESULT OF THE MOVIE ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA. THE MOVIE HAS BEEN ENLISTED AS A CASE STUDY FOR MARKETING MANAGEMENT COURSES IN THE COLLEGES OF SPAIN.

2000

RELEASED KAHO NAA... PYAR HAI WAS ADDED TO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF WORLD RECORDS’, 2002 EDITION, FOR WINNING THE MAXIMUM NUMBERS OF AWARDS FOR A MOVIE. THE MOVIE WON A TOTAL OF 92 AWARDS!

January 2020

59

Drinks Break

DRIVING FORCE Ranked amongst the top 30 Table Tennis players in the world, Sathiyan Gnanasekaran believes the sport is in its highest form.

By MRINALINI SINGH

M

ember of the Indian team that took the bronze at the 2011 Junior World Championship, G Sathiyan has become India’s highest-ranked player in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings. Sathiyan, a seasoned player at 30, was nowhere near the top100 bracket until just a

few years ago. Yet now, he has signed up with the top German club — Grünwettersbach, for the prestigious German Bundesliga Top Division League. Sathiyan is also the lone Indian to enter the Men’s Singles Pre-Quarterfinals, of the Continental Tournament.

We talk to the talented man to find out what helped him strike the right chord with the game.

Edited excerpts...

Drinks Break

How old were you when you started playing table tennis and how did your career begin?

I started playing table tennis at a very young age. I was captivated by the speed and spin, something I feel came naturally to me. I was five, when my mom took me to a table tennis coaching centre near our house, and that was the beginning of my career.

India’s top-ranked table tennis player ever and the current World No. 30, what has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?

The Asian Games medal was one of the biggest achievements

“The Asian Games medal was one of my biggest achievements, and best performance, so far.” of my career. I would put it among one of my best performances so far. Most of the powerhouses in the sport are from Asia, and to win a medal against them is a big achievement. It makes you dream for more. Also, beating Japanese prodigy, and World No. 5 Harimoto Tomokazu, in the Asian TT Championships earlier this year and reaching the quarters was one of my best achievements.

How difficult was it to cope with the pressure of trying to become the best? Did you have moments of doubt along the way? What kept you going?

I started winning from a very young age. Winning became a part of me, it became a habit. It was something that pushed me further. I was always competitive and there were absolutely no moments of doubt for me.

If the opponent has taken a substantial lead, what is

your strategy? Try and play safe, or take the risky route and be aggressive?

Risky route and be aggressive. I would take a calculated risk and be aggressive to play a strategic game with the opponent, and try to overcome their lead.

If you could start playing table tennis all over again, what style would you prefer? (Defense/Penhold/ Counter/Blocker/ Attacker, to name a few.)

If I could start my career as a table tennis player all over again, I would definitely play as the attacker. It keeps me on my toes and helps me stay agile at all times.

Share some tips you can offer to novice players to improve their game, or perhaps an inspirational message for those looking to succeed.

Table tennis is a fantastic

sport. Initially, youngsters should enjoy the sport and limit their aim to understanding the game better. Don’t think to compete from the very beginning, as it creates a lot of pressure. Learn the techniques and have fun playing the sport, and eventually you will be able to play at the national and international level.

The life of a sportsperson is filled with various forms of exercises. Please share your training and diet tips with the readers.

My morning fitness session

lasts for an hour, from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, and then I eat breakfast. I practice from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and then have my lunch. Again in the evening, there is skill training and service practice followed by three hours of practice between 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. This cycle continues for six days a week. I have a dietician and seperate programs to follow during tournaments and training.

Whenever I’m in Chennai, I train at the Raman TT High-Performance Centre to keep me going.

What do you like to do when you aren’t training or playing table tennis?

I watch movies and try spending time with friends.

Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?

Hands down, Roger Federer.

Where do you see table tennis as a sport progressing in India over the next five years?

I feel like this is the golden era of table tennis and the best is yet to come; because it is not only Sharath, Manika and me that are performing well, there is also Manav and Archana who are doing quite well. I do feel that we are going to take the sport to a new level. I hope table tennis reaches the same heights as badminton, and we win an Olympic medal very soon.

Pets

FOREIGN OBSESSION Looking for some fancy international pets to match your style? It is time for you to stop and educate yourself about the inhumane practice.

By NEHA

I

f you are looking for a story that will tell you which breed suits your personality better, or what is new in the pet trend, then this might not be the right place, however, we suggest you to hold on for a moment and have a read. The issue we are actually going to address is far from being cute and cuddly, but still takes the face of the most widely accepted trend—the craze of expensive and foreign breeds of pets in India.

Being an Indian brings with a colourful spectrum of different mythologies, and we remember one such Hindu lore about Yudhishthir, and how he was accompanied by his dog to the heavenly abode. This proves that the pleasing relationship between pets and man has been going on since the golden

age. From mythical references, to film stories, to emotional plots in books and novels, the examples of this bond never seizes to leave us emotional. However, in today’s world the whole array is changed, as these cherished breeds have fallen quite far from grace; and who is to blame for that? Us. Our incessant craze for foreign and expensive breeds has managed to push native breeds from home to streets. It is all about a status symbol now, that can be boosted through a bigger price tag and luxurious grooming. “For people who want to show off status or class, we urge them to stick to fancy handbags and sports cars (made using vegan leather, of course). Animals are not toys”, says Radhika Suryavanshi, Campaign Coordinator, PETA India.

When talking about the numbers, it is sad to say that many

Pets

legendary Indian breeds are on the verge of extinction. Though there are various reason for the gradual disappearances and decline in interest, the primary cause is the arrival of exotic pets. We can easily see how the bloodlines of the locals were diluted by that of European imports. Another reason could be the influence of Indian entertainment culture. There is no denying the fact that when we watch something on TVs and films, we find a way to adopt that in our life. For instance, take the example of our most lovable pet of all time — dogs. The popularity of these animals is heavily shaped by the media industry. The year 2003, a Vodafone commercial aired featuring an adorable pug, which in turn fuelled the sale of the breed. But when owners discovered that these canines have respiratory problems, because they are bred to have that adorable flat face and short nose, they are abandoned to suffer by many. “Exotic breeds have been in the country for quite a few decades, but it has always been problematic for various reasons. One of the main issues is the demand for purebreeds, which results in a great deal of inbreeding; which in turn lowers immunity, encourages various breedspecific diseases and handicaps, as well as temperament issues. Many of these breeds require responsible pet owners and skilled management, which Indian owners are not known for.

As a result, shelters receive abandoned pedigrees in large numbers, often suffering from

“People who just want to showoff, should stick to fancy handbags and sports cars.

Animals are not toys. ” chronic ill health and prolonged neglect.”, says Geeta Seshamani, Vice President of Friendicoes SECA. This is not a new problem either, as after the 1996 Disney movie, 101 Dalmatians, everyone wanted a black and white spotted dog.

But soon, reality set in and abandoned Dalmatians were dotting our country’s streets.

Data shows that India’s pet shop industry is growing by 20 per cent every year on average.

“80 per cent of all foreign breeds in India are weak and full of potential diseases.

When you buy a dog, there is a 50 per cent chances it will already have parvo or distemper, or will be unsocialised because it has been taken far too soon from its mother. The selling and buying happens in black since it is illegal for any breeder or pet shop to sell animals without a license, but 99 per cent don’t have it”, says Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, People For Animals India Organisation. Yet somehow the industry is filled with

unregulated breeders, and while there are many laws that ban the illegal breeding and import-export of different species, such illicit matters and sales are still looming large.

Somewhere in the race of trends, we managed to confuse the real meaning of the terms, expensive and exotic. However, the reality is not what we want to construe, but actually comprises cruel stories of suffering, unsanitary conditions, illegal capturing, and even death. In the excitement of showing off, we are actually forgetting that these foreign breeds are not suitable for our sub-continent. Panting pets that always look drained are unfortunately a common sight during summer. As people are turning more status-conscious, one can easily spot breeds of canines that were hitherto alien to us in city homes. “It’s not just the Indian climate that affects breeds that originate from different regions and climates.

Climate is just one of the challenges. Frankly, most dogs get acclimatised to new weather conditions, if introduced gradually. It’s the lack of breeding knowledge and mental stimulation that are bigger areas of concerns”, says Anand Vishwanath, CEO and Founder of Anvis Pet Relocation & Anvis Inc, member of IPATA. Another issue with

the foreign breeds is that we are unable to provide them with the kind of nutrition they require.

It is time for us to draw a line.

A pet is a commitment for life and no amount of money or power can beat the seriousness of the responsibility that it is. “Dogs, cats and/or any other animals for that matter are sensitive beings with thoughts and feelings. They are not ours to buy and sell like rice or teacups”, says Radhika Suryavanshi. Furthermore, Geeta Seshamani says,”These breeds are neither a fashion statement nor meant to be a status symbol; to be acquired and tied to a person’s gates for the guard, taken for a walk once a day. It’s completely the antithesis of why a person should acquire a pet, be it pedigreed or desi. It’s meant to be a companion and a family member. Treat it like one.”

So, now the question is how much do you understand? How on earth did we get tangled in this atrocity in the name of a trend and fashion in the first place? When you decide to bring home a pet, you ultimately become a parent. They cannot speak for themselves, they are not capable of defending themselves, but your one act of love is all it takes for them to mark their life to you. So, in case you are planning to bring home a pet then instead of the word ‘attractive’ focus on ‘lifetime’.

INDIA’S ROMANCE REVOLUTION While films have pleasurable elements, today we challenge previous paradigms that insist upon propagating the notions of times gone by.

By CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA

Cupid

T

he history of Indian cinema is in many ways the history of song, dance, heroic acts and the much talked about concept of ‘filmy romance’ . Put another way, the evolution of cinema can perhaps most accurately be seen through its past films that still present themselves in sneak-peaks till today. Since the advent, Indian cinema, also now known as Bollywood, has made a few of its on-screen key features major mainstays that still remain persistent even in the 21st century. Be it in the old 1930s with features such as Alam Ara (1931)—India’s first sound film, with it’s use of music, song, and dance, as Film and Cultural Theorist’s—Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen note, was established as ‘the mainstay’ of Indian cinema.

Yet the ways in which these elements have shifted over the ensuing decades—since the use of a single-system camera and the simultaneous recording of image and sound—are myriad in their manifestations, reflecting at times the serendipitous method not only of incorporating these elements into the film story but also, more broadly, of the development of the cinema itself as a storytelling device.

Alternately hailed and bemoaned, fetishised and stigmatised, song and dance have continued to play an outsized role not only in the world of the Hindi films but even the regional cinemas.

Bollywood plays an important role in shaping ideologies in India and South Asia as a whole. One of the major mainstays of cinema around the world, and probably even more so in Bollywood, is romance. The idea of love, romance and pursuit, and realising the dream of finding ‘The One’ are a standard feature of Indian cinema. Be it a thriller, a murder mystery, horror, or boy must meet girl story in popular cinema.

“Bollywood since ages has influenced the idea of love and relationships.”

But how much do those ideas feature in the lives of today’s youth in an age where they are inundated with a plethora of entertainment avenues? How much are the real-life ideas of love, romance, sensuality and even sex guided by what’s showcased on the big screen?

CREEPY STORIES Being a part of the youth of today, we understand how much the ideal yet pretentious love stories on the big screen are showcased. The biggest misconception that still shines through films such as Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein and R...Rajkumar is the creepy yet subtle art of using stalking as a tool to fall in love. Well, let us shine some light on this concept - stalking a girl or a boy to the extent of making them think that they love you, doesn’t make you the Romeo or Juliet that you think you might be.

VICTIM CARD Indian cinema is a maledominated industry, meaning the portrayal of women in films is a reflection of the woman’s role in Indian society from a man’s viewpoint. Often films mould opinions, and encourage the poor treatment of women. And Bollywood productions focus on the plight of wealthy women, whose treatment at the hands of the men in their lives is offset by their comfortable lifestyles such as in Biwi No.1; wherein after the husband leaves to live with the other woman, the wife’s world is shattered yet she goes through leaps and bounds to get him back.

This is where the problem begins;

instead of moving on or indulging in self-love the wife is ready to accept the husband back into her familial life on account of a mere apology.

At the same time, movies such as Veer Zara speak of a young girl who is confident, outspoken and knows what she wants, yet she has to succumb under her father’s decision to marry a man of an influential family, thereby submitting to the patriarchal society of today. It speaks volumes of how Bollywood has a problem in portraying their male leads in more softer roles, against those of the stigmatised patriarch.

UNSPOKEN TABOOS The depiction of intimate scenes in films has been a long debate filled with humour, societal restrictions and sanskaari criticism. Even the scene picturisations, as they are frequently called, have evolved, shifting from little more than impromptu moves around tree trunks as seen in the film Kya Kehna to highly choreographed affairs featuring real life instances in Lust Stories, are seen as a development in modern Indian cinema.

Be it the portrayal of heterosexual or LGBTQ communities, sex has always been used as a taboo word in this field.

Yet with films such Fire, starring Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das to

the current favourite web series Made in Heaven starring Arjun Mathur, have given the audience a sense of reality in the more obscure form of entertainment.

WANNABE ENDINGS Let’s face it , the concept of ‘Happy Endings’ does not exist in reality. And there is no certainty that love prevails it all. And with Bollywood being the goody two shoes that it is, has a problem digesting the fact that rejection could ever be an option. Evident in films such as Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! wherein Shahid Kapoor emerges back from the afterlife, while consistently looking after his family and lover’s wellbeing as a supernatural being. Even Sultan projected the much talked about notion of the hero winning a fight in the end to prove a point that good prevails and all is forgiven.

Our word of advice to the wise— please add some reality to the stories.

Cheers

WINTER-TIME SIPPING Ordering cocktails is more difficult than it should be, but it’s worth the effort to learn how to define your palate. For us, this zingy spirit sealed the deal.

By CHITMAN KANWAR AHUJA

S

picy, citrusy, and lightly sweet—full of zesty notes and herb—and a big kick of cinnamon, this whiskey based cocktail cocoons the alcohol between a vibrant mix of orange and tingling spices. Perfect for a cold afternoon, especially during

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the holidays; it pairs really well with the biting winter wind, as you sit on a balcony, gazing at a sunset.

The Highlander Cocktail is designed for the folks who enjoy a quality read that’s not too serious—and perhaps already have the know-how to adjust their drinks as needed,

per their palate. As we stepped into the bar at the Renaissance Bengaluru Race Course Hotel, the bar manager, Nilotpal Bhattacharya, was kind enough to take the time to understand our likes and dislikes. So unlike today’s bartenders, who usually make matters worse; by either guiding us towards a drink we’ll allegedly like or hiding what

“The first spot on a drink’s ingredient list usually goes to the dominant spice by volume, and usually by flavour.”

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they’re doing like magicians protecting their tricks, as they brush off questions with a stuffy superiority. Nilotpal’s efficient team captured our taste buds just right, in the very first instance.

The first spot on a drink’s ingredient list usually goes to the dominant ingredient, by volume, and flavour. Nilotpal starts with pouring 60ml scotch whiskey, 15ml maple syrup, 1 spoon jaggery syrup, and 15ml brandy in a mixing jar. Once the ingredients are well incorporated, he adds lots of ice, and stirs them together.

Finally, the drink iss strained into a whiskey glass with a block of ice, finished with a cinnamon spray. Inspired by local ingredients and Bangalore’s weather, the spirit is garnished with a dehydrated slice of orange, and a cinnamon stick.

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Chef’s Hat

SIMPLICITY RE-INVENTED Chef Avinash Kumar puts a modern spin on local flavours, and shares the secret to cooking a sensational dish in this tell-all.

By ARUSHI GARG

You are well known for experimenting and improvising with various flavours and cooking styles.

Where do you take inspiration from when developing a new dish?

The inspiration comes from the people whom you cook for. If you create something, and it is appreciated from the heart; that is the biggest inspiration for me to create something new. Most dishes that I prepare here at Novotel Imagica Khopoli are inspired from the local flavours, blended with modern cooking methods.

How would you describe your style of cooking?

I started my culinary journey in Mumbai; a city with a unique blend of cuisines, yet still attached to its local Mumbai flavours. From there, I moved to Goa, a place full of flavours, spices and seafood.

My experience there impacted my style of cooking to a great extent. Initially, my style of cooking developed from what my mother taught me. She cooked food with her heart; and no matter how simple the ingredients, they were always fresh. I adopted this as my style, which is simple and fresh flavours, made from the heart, and cooked using modern culinary techniques.

Is there a secret to a successful restaurant?

My secret would be excellent taste, quality ingredients, and effective marketing.

After 15 years in the culinary industry, what has been your most challenging feat, yet?

Working in a kitchen is challenging in itself, with new experiences every day, and the pressure to be spot on. In metros, people need a break from their day-to-day routine; away from their corporate role, going out with friends and experimenting with new flavours is what spices up their bored life. That is where

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“Working in a kitchen is challenging in itself with new experiences every day.” we chefs play a bridging role between happiness and the mundane life.

You specialise in Seafood and Nouvelle Western cuisine. Do you have a favourite dish that you enjoy cooking?

I love cooking and eating a well made steamed sea bass, with lemon and chillies.

If you could invite any three people for dinner, who would they be, and why?

I would like to invite Chef Hemant Oberoi, Chef Ananda Solomon, and Chef Imtiaz Qureshi. That is because when I started my journey, they were the people who were pioneers and inspirations in the culinary field in India, and still remain to this day.

Any advice that you would give to someone who wants to become a chef?

First, get yourself trained in a good culinary school.

Moreover, you need to be creative in all that you prepare, while also being able to work in high-stress environment; able to accept criticism, and most importantly, have a desire to learn.

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