KUSHAL DESHMUKH
PUNE, JANUARY 23, 2016 | www.thegoldensparrow.com
Like father,
like son
The father-son relationship is a universally acknowledged tricky one. Young boys grow up emulating their fathers in every way but as the years add on and work keeps both busy the filial tie suffers. That’s not the case with everyone though. Right here in the city, fathers and sons are busy breaking the norm and bonding over their passion
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
STAGE
Watch a story never told before
A group of theatre enthusiasts bring legendary composer Sajjad Hussain to life on stage and celebrate his musical genius
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By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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aying tribute to a music composer, who was in the limelight for his beautiful songs as much as his arrogance and rude comments, Kalpak Arts and Entertainment shall stage a play on Sajjad Hussain. Known for hits like Yun Zindagi Ki Rah Mein and Woh Toh Chale Gaye among others, his talent was limited to a mere 17 fi lms, as people often refused to work with him. But with a sense of music like no other, the director of the play believes that the man deserves much more. In a candid conversation with TGS, Hrishikesh Samb tells us of his journey as a director, staging the play Sajjad and his future plans. A system developer by profession and a theatre enthusiast at heart, Hrishikesh has been an admirer of the stage for a few years now. While he studied at Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune he was introduced to the world of Purushottam Karandak and similar competitions. He was fascinated by them. When he shifted to Bhivarabai Sawant College of Engineering and Research in Narhe to purse Computer Engineering, Hrishikesh decided to start his own art circle. “My fi rst love was always acting. But direction caught my attention too,” says the 22-year-old. Although he has directed several short plays in the last four years, this is his fi rst 70-minute play and he is super excited about it. Direction allows him to tell his story in the manner that seems most apt to him. Moreover,
the message he wants to get out reaches several people without being altered. While he faced many challenges with the play, the biggest one was getting the attitude and behaviour of the protagonist right. As a director, he was extremely careful about not overdoing the arrogance of the character. Even as the play does not feature a character called Sajjad, the lead is often told not to behave like him, indirectly referring to the music composer and his behaviour. Th is and other aspects of the play
lie heavily on symbolism. “Just like Sajjad the protagonist of this play who is a director believes no end of himself and likes living in his own bubble. Even with the set, the protagonist’s work area is on an elevated platform where no one else is allowed to enter. Ensuring that these small and fine details were made obvious to the audience without actually spelling them out was quite the task. I am happy that the entire team has been able to do justice to the characters and the play,” he tells us, with a smile. Unlike most
“The protagonist of this play thinks no end of himself and likes living in his own bubble”
By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
Joha P returns
une is in for an Arabian treat, as Joha is set to enthral the audience with a folklore. The play Return of Joha will be staged by the Fragments Theatre from Palestine in association with Orchestrated Q’Works, Pune. Joha is the famous character in Arabian literature who features in various stories with different settings for different age groups. His most distinctive companion is a donkey. “The play tells the story of Joha and his donkey Jaljal who return from the past into the present only to discover that the Arab world remains as backward as it was in the distant past,” says Hina Siddiqui, founder of Q’Works. Fragments Theatre is a cultural organisation, founded in Jenin by a group of actors, fi lmmakers and technicians who were inspired by Juliano Mer Khamis, a Palestinian director who was assassinated in 2011. Juliano worked to give young people an opportunity to express themselves using theatre, fi lm and arts in Jenin City. It is because of his good work that the group thrives until today. Return of Joha is a melodrama written by 27-year-old Kamal Awad whose works are inspired by Juliano. He has used his imagination to discover and poke fun at the changes which have taken place across the Arab world in modern times. “It is through his comedy and narratives, the storyteller discovers that the Arab world of ancient time might have been more advanced than the civilization of today,” adds Hina. zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com
social plays, this one merely tells a story. Ask Hrishikesh if his love for theatre might push him to pursue it as a full time career choice and he shakes his head in disappointment. He must stick to his corporate job to provide two meals for himself and his family. “Unfortunately, a career in theatre comes with a certain amount of instability at least when you start off. Picking it as a full-time career might not be the best choice for me,” he adds. However, he promises to continue to be an active part of theatre no matter where his professional career takes him. At the end of the day, acting and directing plays is what keeps him satisfied and content with life. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
THE CREATIVE TEAM BEHIND JOHA Rawand Arqawi: Rawand Arqawi is a producer and cultural manager from Jenin. She worked as a production coordinator for nearly four years with the Freedom Theatre, under theatre artist Juliano Mer-Khamis. Since founding Fragments Theatre, Rawand has been the driving force behind numerous projects including Peter Pan in Jenin, Windows, Chaos in the City, along with other grassroots artsbased projects in her community. Mustafa Statiti: Mustafa has received numerous awards for his work as actor and director, including the 2008 Best Comedy Short - Palestinian Youth Film Festival for Checkpoint Donkey, 2010 Best Short Film - British Palestinian Film Festival for Honor, 2011 Film of The Week – Ynet for My Family and Me. Mustafa has participated in several workshops in USA, Germany, Bulgaria and Sweden. Areej Orouq: The actor graduated from Al Najah university in Palestine with a degree in Fine Arts. She has since participated in many exhibitions in Palestine and coordinated a puppet project in Salfeet, along with working as production manager on several fi lm projects. Areej was a prisoner in Isaerli jail, after she was released she suffered a car accident. Later, she started to make her own art as she believes that it is an important tool of resistance. Kamal Awad: Kamal is an actor and has studied at the Freedom Theatre. He was born and grew up in Jenin refugee Camp. He has performed and collaborated on several plays such as Journey, To Be or Not to Be, Stolen Dreams and Chaos in the City. When: January 28, 7.30 pm Where: Sudarshan Rangmanch, Sadashiv Peth
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Calling all theatre fanatics
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
ENTERTAINMENT
In its very first edition, The Best of Pune’s Theatre Festival is all set to kick off with 44 plays spread across almost every genre By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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n initiative between Expression Lab & Wide Wings Media, this one of a kind theatre festival will see plays by 38 theatre groups from across the city. Plays ranging from mime to musical dramas, oneact and long act plays, the festival will celebrate artists and plays of almost every genre.
ANAND DOH A one-man show, this play is a dedication to Sant Tukaram. “It showcases his journey and thoughts through the 13 most important days of his life,” says Yogesh Soman, who plays the part. This is the period from when Tukaram drowned his spiritual writings and poems in the river and till when it emerged without a drop of water destroying it, he adds. Yogesh, a banker by profession, plays both Tukaram and his wife Avali. He has been staging the play for the last three years and is a part of the theatre group Sneh Pune. When: February 7, 6 pm Where: Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagruha, Shukrawar Peth
“This is our attempt to bring all the theatre groups under a single umbrella. Not only will they get a bigger audience for their own plays but they will be able to witness performances staged by other groups as well,” says Kushal Khot of Wide Wings Media. The event is spread across five venues, Bharat Natya Mandir, Sudarshan Rangamanch, Anabhau Sathe Auditorium, Yashwantrao Chavhan Natyagruha and Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagruha.
BORN 1 Tapping onto the problems faced by those suffering from multiple personality disorders, this one act play is a story of a brother and his sister. Multiple personality disorder is a very rare illness and not many people are even aware of it. “The play is our effort to not only increase awareness around this illness but also show the problems that such people and those living with them face,” says Ajinkya Gokhale, the writer and director of the play. When: January 31, 9 pm Where: Bharat Natya Mandir
ANATHEMA A horror comedy, this English play is a narration of events between three roommates and a spirit that they believe exists in their room. A production by the group Theatreon which was formed in 2011, the play portrays everything that happens in that one night. “Anathema means a being formed out of a person’s negative emotions. The play uses humour to put forth this very phenomenon,” explains Suraj Parasnis, who is the writer and director of the play. Virajas Kulkarni has assisted Suraj in scripting the play. When: January 29, 7 pm Where: Sudarshan Rangamanch, Shaniwar Peth
CHOCOLATECHA BUNGALOW Portraying the relationship between a mother and her son, the play lightly touches upon children who are slow learners and their lives. The focus is on the mother’s journey and her feelings with her son’s condition. The writer and director of the play, Ajinkya Gokhale says that, “There are a lot of students who suffer from the problem and parents often get upset with them for not being able to join the rat race. This play hopefully sends out a message to these parents.” When: February 2, 6 pm Where: Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagruha, Shukrawar Peth
SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTS ULAGADDI- Winners of Purushottam Karandak, One act Marathi play When: January 25, 9:30 pm Where: Bharat Natya Mandir VITHA- Musicial marathi play When: February 4, 9:30 pm Where: Anabhau Sathe Auditorium SAVLYA- Two act Marathi play When: February 3, 7 pm Where: Sudarshan Rangamanch
SANGEET BAIKOCHI MAITRIN Letting you in on how happy your married life would be if you made your wife your friend, this play by Maurya group is a musical drama. “There are 11 original compositions in the play. Some are original tunes while others are inspired by Goan music to an extent,” tells us, Akshay Joshi the lyricist and the director of the play. When: January 26, 9:30 pm Where: Bharat Natya Mandir, Sadashiv Peth
BELL- Second place winners of Purushottam and Podar College Uttunga Theatre Festival, One Act Marathi play When: January 31, 10:30 pm Where: Bharat Natya Mandir JAR OF ELPIS- Second place winners of Purushottam Karandak and Jayram Hardikar Karandak, One act play When: January 27, 10:30 pm Where: Bharat Natya Mandir PU LA AJOBA- Comprises of two Marathi child plays When: February 7, 10 am Where: Jyotsna Bhole Auditorum O! FRIDA- English Spanish play When: January 30, 10:30 pm Where: Bharat Natya Mandir
THE TRANSPARENT TRAP Bringing to life the problems nature faces because of the over use of plastic, Shrikant Bhide and his team at Dhyaas Pune takes to the stage to spread a strong message. A non-verbal play that uses psychological choreography is a national and internationally acclaimed dance-drama. “We know that we are getting soaked into the use of plastic yet we don’t do anything about it. This play is our way at attempting to awaken the crowd,” says Shrikant, the director of the play. When: January 30, 10:30 am Where: Bharat Natya Mandir, Sadashiv Peth
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
FEATURES
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‘In comedy, there shouldn’t be any lines to cross’ A renowned face in the field of stand-up comedy, Papa CJ is all set to get you rolling on the floor this weekend By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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rom the moment he answered our call to the time we said goodbye, there was not a single dull moment. Being absolutely at ease and doing what he does best, Papa CJ managed to leave us with aching sides by simply being himself. In conversation with the comedian, TGS asks him about his India tour with ‘Naked’, what he loves about stand-up comedy and where does one draw the line between what to and what not to joke about. Read on to find out what he had to say. Laying his life bare in front of his audience, ‘Naked’ is meant to be his latest autobiography. Talking about everything from school, work, passion, sex, love, hope and heartbreaks, he shares every moment that has inspired him. Unlike someone else, who would get emotional about these things, this man uses humour, drama, poetry, music and his storytelling skills like no one else ever has, to get his point across. Growing up and dreaming of becoming an accountant, he holds an MBA degree from University of Oxford. When he was even younger, about five years old, he wanted to become an actor and feels that at some level he
Meet a diva in the making Pune girl Namita Dodwadkar wins the first-ever Mrs India USA crown By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
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amita Dodwadkar recently made history when she was crowned the first-ever Mrs India USA title. Born and brought up in Pune, she went to The United States to pursue higher education. She currently works as a senior scientist at Novartis where she focuses on research and development of anti-cancer medicines. She believes she has the intelligence, poise and willingness to learn and therefore deserved to win the crown. “It’s been like a dream. Since childhood, I wanted to become a doctor but I never thought I would go for modelling and I am loving it right now,” she says. Namita believes in making a difference in every aspect of her life. Having trained in Bollywood and Latin dance, she also conducts classes. After winning the coveted title, she wants to empower married women and encourage them to set an example for young girls to pursue their dreams even after marriage. “I absolutely
enjoy teaching, planning the choreography and performing Bollywood dances. I believe that dancing is all about feeling the music and having fun with it,” she adds. During her college days, she was inclined towards modelling. She took it up as a hobby that turned into a profession later. Even after moving to foreign shores and taking up a challenging job, her focal interest always remained the same. “It wasn’t easy pursuing both professions initially. The modelling industry in America is very different from what we have here. It’s way too advanced. They use more technology and have all the setup. In terms of clothing too they differ a lot,” she says. Her mother is her support system. She credits her for all her achievements and thinks of her when she finds herself in a difficult situation. “She has been my inspiration. Being a single mother is not easy but she always believed that nothing is impossible and set an example for us to follow,” she adds. Here in Pune for week, Namita tries to explore the city as much as she can. “It’s very different from the city that I once knew. I love the weather and warmth that the city offers but it has become quite polluted now,” she adds. She has now started taking up acting classes and want to make it big in the film industry. zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com
has achieved that for himself. After a few years in the corporate life, he began performing stand-up comedy. He has since performed in 19 different countries. “The best part about what I do is that I have a positive impact on people. I am able to motivate and inspire others and that means a lot to me,” he says. A true believer in the fact that live performances are better for a simple reason that the comedian gets an opportunity to explain his intent, this talented man always turns a blind eye to the lows in his life. This helps him deal with them better, he feels. “When one is uploading a video they are competing for the highest views and likes. I did not leave the corporate world to join another rat race,” he says bursting into laughter. For some, however, the online world works and that is their style, he adds. Talking about drawing the line between what to and what not to joke about, Papa CJ says that it is the audience that is at fault and not the comedian. “Until the audience keeps laughing, the comedian will continue and that doesn’t make it his or her fault. In comedy, there shouldn’t be any lines to cross. Ideally one should be able to joke about everything as the intention is never to hurt anyone,” he tells us. Absolutely modest about everything that he has achieved, Papa CJ ends the conversation by saying that fame is a by-product of doing what he does. He does not do stand-up comedy to be famous. He does it because he loves every single aspect of it, he states. When: January 23, 7 pm onwards Where: Susie Sorabji Auditorium, Camp salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
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A night out with short films Featuring some of the best short films spread across various genres, Lost The Plot presents Reel Tiny Films, an event that celebrates short films and their filmmakers
BORDER PATROL
By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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hile Bollywood is busy creating three-hour long blockbusters, there are innumerable filmmakers across the country who are producing better quality films of shorter durations. These short films not only tell a story in the least amount of time but are also much more meaningful and well narrated. Lost The Plot gives you an opportunity to experience and admire short films from across the globe and take a break from mundane Bollywood films. Attempting at making this a once-a-month feature, the owner of the place, Nikita Naiknavre says, “Pune needs
to inculcate a culture of short films. There is only a certain part of the population actively involved with short films and this is an initiative to increase that audience.” Further, the event is also an amazing way to promote talent that otherwise remains hidden from those that aren’t always up to date with what’s happening in the short film world. Reel Tiny Films is a night dedicated to bite-sized snippets of cinema that ought to be celebrated.In collaboration with Arbhaat Short Film Club, six short films will be shown on the last Thursday of every month beginning January 28. For the very first Thrusday, the films have been curated by award-winning filmmaker Umesh Kulkarni. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
MOI MARJAANI Directed by Anubhuti Kashyap this 20-minute romantic fiction is about so much more than just love. Built around the idea of a progressive India, the film is about a single mother living in a small town and running an internet café to feed herself and her son. The woman has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome which means that facial hair is something that she has to deal with every day. Chatting on the internet with a stranger she falls in love with him. What happens next and do they get together is something that one has to see the film to find out. “When I made the film, the subject was fresh in my mind. I had recently met a few women who suffered from the same problem and they became my inspiration,” says the 38-year-old director from Banaras who now resides in Mumbai.
One dead body, two border force cops and their eagerness to watch a football match. The 15-minute short beautifully portrays the powerplay between both cops. While one has been around for long, the other has recently joined the force. What they do with the body, do they get to see their football match, and what actually transpires between them, is what the film is about. “It is a great film, something that
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
FEATURES
is a pleasure to watch. It is the perfect comedy thriller,” says Nishad Chaugule, 27, one of the producers of the film. The director of the film is Peter Bauman. Border Patrol won the third place for the Best Film at the Student Academy Awards, USA 2014, the Student Television Award, Royal Television Society, UK, 2014 and the Audience Choice Award, ClujShorts International Short Film Festival 2014.
MORNING WALK For 29-year-old Omkar Barve this short film drew inspiration from personal experience. The story revolves around how a family reacts to a particular situation. A boy from the family leaves his house just before dawn and makes his way to a local alcohol shop. He buys a bottle and spends some time alone before he makes his way back home. What made this his routine is what the 20-minute film looks at closely. Routine is the essence of the film. “Working on a theme that is close to your heart is always a challenging and enriching experience at the same time,” says the director who is a filmmaker based out of Pune. The film was screened at the Busan International Film Festival in 2013 and at the CAAMfest. International Film Festival, San Francisco in the same year.
THE SCHOOL FOR POSTMEN Jacques Tati is one of the most well-known filmmakers across the globe. His short film The School for Postmen, is a comedy fiction film that revolves around the will of a French postman to be just as fast at his job as an American postman. The 16-minute film is sure to tickle your funny bone.
LITTLE HANDS
PRINTED RAINBOW Unlike the making of other films, this short film had a process of its own. The director of the film, Gitanjali Rao spent three years dedicating her time to the film as she painted it frame by frame. Winning the best short film, critics week at Cannes in 2006, and the Grand Prix at the Tokyo Short Shorts 2006, the film portrays a journey of an old woman and her cat. The 15-minute film has been screened at innumerable international festivals and has bagged about 22 international awards, till date.
Rohin Raveendran Nair’s eight-minute short film deals with the story of a young boy appearing for his mathematics examination, which is anything but easy for him. Perfectly describing what goes on in that little boy’s mind, one can see how he is forced to answer some very difficult questions. Does he finish his exam, does the hostile classroom environment get the better of him? Rohin has written, directed as well as played the role of producer, cinematographer and editor for Little Hands. A well-crafted work, it won the Best Short Film at the Internegative Film Festival 2013 and at the Dharamsala International Film Festival 2014.
TEJAS GAIKWAD
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
INDULGE Power House – The Comic Bar is a one-ofits-kind restaurant not just in Pune but in the entire state. Meet the trio who are slowly taking on the role of god sent for several comic fans in the city By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
Comic nerds, here’s a new hangout for you
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Sneha Thakkar, Chand Budhrani and Yash Mehta at the newly opened PowerHouse- The Comic Bar
being no bar, he adds. Sneha, a media consultant and resident of Market Yard, jumped at the opportunity of setting up a hangout in her side of town. She considered travelling to different parts of the city to meet up with friends quite a major problem. After Sneha conducted an extensive research the three decided to encapsulate on an existing trend and set up a themed restaurant on NIBM road. “This was a theme that had remained untapped and our main intention was to give everyone from the comic cult a space they could call their own,” says the 26-year-old. Since none of them had much of a food background, setting up everything, right from what food to offer to the drinks on
Living the passion Born and brought up in Chennai, Karan Manavalan’s career graph boasts of having worked with some of the finest five-star kitchens in India and abroad. After curating the menu of some popular restaurants in Mumbai, he finally settled down in Pune and now co-owns Jimmy Hu in Koregaon Park
By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
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hen other boys of his age were busy scoring an extra run or a goal on the ground, Karan loved earning ‘brownie points’ at the cooking classes as a tenyear-old. After school, he would spend hours watching his mother cooking in the kitchen and it was from here on, that Karan’s journey to become a chef actually began. Two of his uncles were chefs and whenever they would come home, they would share their cooking skills with Karan. “When I was in high school, I would even take up part-time jobs at restaurants during my summer holidays. I participated in several cooking competitions in
school and won first prizes too,” Karan fondly reminisces. After finishing school, he went on to study hotel management at Manipal University and then got his first break at The Oberoi, Bengaluru. The first two years of his career were the most gruelling times as it was during this time that Karan learned the tricks of the business – some pleasant, some exhausting as he would have to work for over 16 hours a day. He moved to The Park chain of hotels in Chennai and then finally got selected as the sous chef for an Australian venture in Dubai, which, he says, was the biggest learning curve of his career. “I had a great time working in Dubai as their processes were much simpler than what I had seen back in India. Their operations are fully based on technology and are very modern in their approach.” Two-and-a-half years later, in 2012, Karan got a call from his uncle Kishore DF who had started a chain of restaurants in Mumbai. He wanted him to come back and work in Mumbai. So he moved back to India and joined WTF restaurant and consulted a few others with creating their menu before starting his own venture, Jimmy Hu, along with his uncle in Pune in 2013. Starting one’s own restaurant is a different ball game altogether and Karan realised it when he had his hands full with multiple roles. On one hand, he is responsible for putting together his team of chefs and planning out a new menu every few months. Plus, he is responsible for
VISHAL KALE
he 90s had Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place to symbolise the most loved hangout after the coffee shop from Friends. Two decades have passed and, thankfully, we’re now more embracing of the nerds amongst us. After all, who doesn’t remember Sheldon Cooper and his gang of The Flash lookalikes. Carrying the idea forward, Chand Budhrani, Sneha Thakkar and Yash Mehta have got together to give Pune its first comic-themed restaurant and bar. Drawing inspiration from those around them, they realised the absence of a place that celebrated superheroes and even brought them to life. Be it Batman, Superman, Spiderman or even Hulk, each of these heroes has a fan following that can go to war if required to prove one’s superiority over the other. Keeping the competitive spirit alive, The Power House-Comic Bar is a place that brings to life each of these characters with equal zeal and turns into a thriving place for superhero fans to meet and socialize with people who share their interests. Talking to TGS, 40-year-old Chand says, “I know many people who are comic fans and just need a reason to flaunt their superhero merchandise. The comic bar gives them just that opportunity.” The restaurant and bar is a tribute to Sir Stan Lee for bringing to life and humanising comic heroes in the 90s. It is because of him that the craze for these characters is still alive, age
the menu, there was a lot of trial and error that the trio had to undertake. “While we are all foodies, getting the right menu out was a challenge. It’s a completely different ball game when you have to tune your taste buds to decide what’s good and not for a restaurant,” says Chand. With customer satisfaction as their end goal, they decided to finalise a continental and finger food menu, in tune with the theme and décor of the place. Although this is just the beginning, the trio has a game plan in mind. They will soon host a series of costume parties, acoustic bands, open mic nights and other events to constantly celebrate the love people have towards comics and comic characters. “Extending to different parts of the city and to different cities in the country is definitely a part of the plan. We want to reach out to as many people as possible,” Sneha points out. Not only will the place bring back memories from your childhood with the interactive décor but the bar, that offers superheroes and super-villain themed drinks, is a pure delight. With a villain prisoners wall next to the DJ console to the silhouette of the famous Gotham City every inch of the décor is itself a tribute to comics. With its pillars emblazoned with comic panels and Wolverine’s knuckle blades protruding from the wall this hang out bar also offers a mix of original and latest versions of comics and novels. One visit is all it will take fall in love with it and to make you want to keep going back. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
keeping a check on every little chore such as paying the electricity bills, giving instructions to all the staff on how to be courteous with guests and even checking if plants in the garden have been watered from time-to-time. “It’s another level of learning now and I enjoy every bit of my work. Though I don’t cook in the kitchen but every dish that goes out passes through me. We change our menu every now and then and introduce interesting options so no one gets bored. Another thing that is extremely important is to smile while you greet your customers and try to gauge their likes and dislikes. This works a long way and creates a lasting impression on the guests,” he points out.
Apart from being a restaurateur, Karan loves to travel around the world and draws inspiration from cuisines of different countries and regions. He loves experimenting with ideas and enjoys dishing out international recipes using locally available ingredients. He plans to start more interesting restaurants including a South Indian joint, which could boast of authentic food beyond idlis and dosas – and something that everyone could afford. One of his favourite cuisines is Japanese and Karan will soon introduce his own twist of popular Katsu Curry at Jimmy Hu. It’s a simple chicken fried recipe which anyone can easily try at home. heena.grover@goldensparrow.com
Something’s stewing
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
Warm up your appetite this winter with these healthy and delicious stews TEJAS GAIKWAD
By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
TGS LIFE
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ucked away inside a by lane of the busy Kothrud area is Stew Art, a cosy food haven that serves some of the most delectable stews in the city. Don’t judge the place by its humble set up, since you are sure to change your mind once the dish arrives. Something that started out as an experiment to introduce Puneites to one-pot healthy meals, Stew Art has now become of the most sought after joints for people who are looking for food that’s high on taste with zero guilt quotient. The owner, Hemant Th ite, who started the place two years ago, is proud of the fact that this is perhaps the only stew-only restaurant not only in the city but a first-of-its-kind in the country. “When we opened the joint, a lot of people didn’t know about stews, but now I get customers not just from different parts of the city but from different cities and even abroad,” smiles Hemant. With around 17 different varieties of stews on offer, there’s something for every taste bud. “Inspired by cultures in India, Central America, Italy, Singapore, and Malaysia, all our stews though taste absolutely varied, the preparation process for all remains the same - slow cooked on low flame with not more than 5ml of oil per serving – makes these stews absolutely a healthy any-time meal option.” heena.grover@goldensparrow.com
INDULGE YOUR CHOW AROUND TOWN Republic Day Treat As the country gears-up to celebrate the 67th Republic Day of India, Chili’s American Grill & Bar brings forth an offer to double this happiness. Walk into any Chili’s outlet and win an opportunity to get a 67 percent discount on your entire bill. Chili’s will announce one table as a winner of the discount every hour, till the flag is lowered. Choose from a variety of appetizers, main course and desserts from the likes of Chicken Wings, Texas Cheese Poppers, Terlingua Chili, Classic Bacon Burger, Jalapeno Vegetarian Burger, Spicy Grilled Shrimp Tacos, Veggie & Cheese Quesadillas, Veggie Tacos, Molten Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake, and Chocolate Chip Paradise Pieamongst many more. When: January 26, 12 noon onwards Where: Chili’s American Grill & Bar, UG 49, Phoenix Market City, Viman Nagar
Blossoming flavours of Macchiato CORN CHOWDER (SERVES 4) Ingredients Onion, finely chopped 1 large Garlic cloves, chopped 2 nos Cayenne pepper 1 tsp Vegetable stock 1litre Thyme 1tbsp Medium-sized potatoes, diced 3 nos Carrot, diced 1 nos Sweet corn kernels 200 gm Red or green pepper, diced 1 nos Butter 1 tbsp Fresh cream 100 ml Salt & pepper to taste A handful of chopped coriander or fresh parsley Method: Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic. Add the stock, vegetables, herbs and seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce flame and cook for 20 minutes or till vegetables are tender. Add cream, stir and remove from heat. Serve in bowls and garnish with coriander/ parsley and toasted brown bread or herbed rice. What the expert says: Th is dish could be made healthier by adding a portion of meat (chicken or fish). For vegetarians, milk could be added to this which will increase the protein content. Health score: 3/5 The cream could either be Calories/serving: eliminated or replaced 252 kcal with coconut milk Proteins/serving: (rich in medium chain 2.5 gm triglycerides, which help to mobilise stubborn fat in the body).
Know your Stew Stews are a great meal replacement but ensure that the portion size isn’t too large or it will contribute to extra calories. They should consist of a portion or two of vegetables or meat stock and some form of carbs like quinoa, broken wheat, oats and brown rice. You can add flavours by using various herbs which are also beneficial for health such as pepper, cloves, garlic, ginger, rosemary and so on. If you are trying to lose weight, stews can be made accordingly by using low calorie vegetables like onions, bottle gourd, zucchini, capsicum, tomatoes and carrots. The carb portion could also be completely avoided by adding small portions of chicken or fish. Avanti Deshpande is a nutritionist and practices at private clinics across the city Reach her at: www. avantideshpande.com
CALDO DE RES (SERVES 4) Ingredients Large onion, chopped 1 nos Medium tomato, chopped 1 nos Cubes of pumpkin 8 nos Medium capsicum, chopped 1 nos Corn cob, chopped into discs 1 nos Meat, chicken or mutton 500 gm Chicken or mutton stock 1 litre Vegetable oil 2 tbsp Chilli flakes ½ tsp Lemon juice 1tbsp Salt to taste A handful of chopped cilantro Method: Heat oil in a casserole and sauté onions till translucent. Add tomatoes and peppers. Cook until soft. Add vegetables and meat and stir fry. Add the stock and seasoning. Cook for 40-50 minutes on low flame till the meat becomes tender. Garnish with fresh cilantro. What the expert says: Th is dish is a good replacement for meals as it is more complete for a balanced diet. The mutton could be replaced with fish and for the vegetarians, beans like rajma or Health score: 4/5 Calorie/serving: pumpkin seeds could also be 361kcal added to improve the protein Proteins/serving: value. Additionally, some form 15 gm of carbs like oats or brown rice could also be added to this to make it more fi lling.
This season, celebrate fresh beginnings and explore espresso in a whole new way as Starbucks debuts a brand new line of its iconic and beloved Macchiato beverages. With Starbucks’ passion for all things new, coffee continues to blossom with these new beverage innovation, and everyone is sure to fall in love with the rich, complex flavours of the all-new Hazelnut Macchiato, Butterscotch Macchiato, Butterscotch Macchiato Frappuccino blended beverage and Chocolate Hazelnut Macchiato Frappuccino blended beverage. When: Ongoing Where: All Starbucks outlets in Pune
A culinary parade Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar will be celebrating the spirit of being Indian this Republic Day with an extravagant culinary display. Guests can enjoy cuisines from various states of India at the brunch. Beautiful, traditional rangoli patterns, that are believed to exude an aura of positivity, will adorn the restaurant. To add to the patriotic spirit, the servers will be dressed in traditional Indian attire. The wholesome and tasty spread will include starters like Tulsi Malai Hari Mirch ka Paneer tikka and Lal Mirch ka Murgh tikka. The main course will include Indian traditional dishes such as Lacchedar Palak aur Malai Kofta and Trimurti Motia Pulao. When: January 26, 12:30 pm to 3.30 pm Where: Eighty Eight, Hyatt Pune Kalyani Nagar
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
FEATURES
Like father,
like son
The father-son relationship is a universally acknowledged tricky one. Young boys grow up emulating their fathers in every way but as the years add on and work keeps both busy the filial tie suffers. That’s not the case with everyone though. Right here in the city, fathers and sons are busy breaking the norm and bonding over their passion
RAHUL RAUT
By Ashish Phadnis & Salonee Mistry @TGSWeekly
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ajas and his brother Tejas began playing the violin with their father, Atulkumar since they were five years old. Dhananjay and his son Chaitanya have been acting together since the latter was four. Girish has always been taking his son Anurag on outdoor trips be it hiking, trekking, cycling or running. Suhrud’s father Anand was inspired by his son and started going on cycling trips. Each one of them offers a case in point for fathers
and sons who take the extra effort to get to know each other and spend some quality time together. They might not be the best of friends but for them the time spent during these activities is something that they absolutely cherish. For generations now, fathers have been closer to their daughters while mothers to their sons. Barring a few exceptions, you’d will rarely find a father and son bond over a common interest, let alone get along all the time. TGS talks to five such duos from across the city and learn of the activities that help them bond and how it has helped their relationship grow.
GIRISH AND ANURAG KONEKAR Right from when he was a child Anurag Konekar has been accompanying his father, on outdoor adventures. Be it trekking, cycling, camping or scuba diving, the father and son duo have done it all. For the past six months, however, both of them have not only been frequenting the gym together but are also running and participating in marathons. As a result, the bond has just been getting stronger. While Girish is a leadership coach and runs the venture Beyond Horizon, Anurag is a professional football player and plays for Deccan Rowers Pune, “Doing anything with my father is a great experience. There is always something new on his mind and it helps me get to know him a little more,” says the 18-year-old. While the two have not had a major confiding moment, when they have let the other in on any of their secret, they still value every minute that they spend together. “Every adventure that we go on gives us a way to better our conversations. I have seen the dedication and passion my son shows in whatever he does and I absolutely admire him for that,” says a proud Girish. While the entire family goes on trips, picnics and camping together, both father and son look forward to this with equal zeal. These outings are that time of the year when they make up for all the time that they haven’t spent together because of their busy schedules. Other than these adventures that they both embark upon, you will never find the two sitting and talking. “It is just something that we don’t do. We are more compatible when we are outdoors and so the entire exercise is very important for us,” Girish tell us.
Had it not been for theatre, Dhananjay Sardeshpande, 48, and his son Chaitanya, 23, would have not have anything to talk about. It is their love for the stage, acting and scripting that allows the two of them to share a bond that they could not even express in words. “When I see my son acting alongside me or when I act in a play scripted by him, there is a feeling of immense pride. It’s our way of materialising a bond that we would not be able to express otherwise,” says the father who is part of the clerical staff at LIC and pursues theatre as a hobby. Chaitanya, on the other hand, has dedicated all his time to acting and is pursuing it as a career in Mumbai. Both have pursued a postgraduate degree in drama. Recollecting a time when he shared the stage with his son, Dhananjay tells us about the time when he was playing the villain in a play and his son was the hero.
Normally, a son follows in the footsteps a bike in over 25 years it’s been a daunting of his father and carries forward his task,” says the 22-year-old. Seeing his profession or hobby but in the case of citypassion, Suhrud decided to go on cycling based businessman Anand Ghatpande, 45, trips with his father and they began it is exactly the opposite. His son Suhrud planning for their ride from Pune to was a regular cyclist in his college days. Kanyakumari. He would cover 20 to 25 kilometers from This marked the start of their combined their home in Katraj to cycling journeys. They his school in Bibwewadi have not just completed the on the cycle, daily. “The Pune-Kanyakumari route road was dotted with but are also participating lots of ups and downs in another challenging and it wasn’t an easy job Jammu to Pune ride, but he never complained starting from January 26. and continued riding. It’s not just the sport, but He was my role model Suhrud is also helping his for cycling,” says Anand father run the business who could not be more while preparing for his proud of his son. When GRE tests. “There are very his friends asked him few things that are common to participate in the between us. During our Narmada Parikrama cycling expeditions our - DHANANJAY SARDESHPANDE Expedition On Cycle relationship becomes Tour, he had his son’s stronger and I enjoy that dedication in my mind and did not have to part the most,” says Suhrud. Though he think twice before agreeing. started cycling first, it’s now Anand who is Soon Anand gained command over more experienced in long distance cycling cycling and started long distance rides, and his valuable tips have always helped which surprised Suhrud. “I had never his son. Both of them feed on each other’s thought that my father would start cycling experience and mistakes, which only makes at this age. As someone who hasn’t ridden them better cyclists.
“It’s our way of materialising a bond that we would not be able to express otherwise”
The violin has been a part of this family for almost three generations and it is one of the reasons that allows the Upadhye men to spend time together. Learning the violin from their
father when they were just five years old, both Rajas and Tejas have now made it their fulltime career. All three of them have a different educational background but music and the
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
FEATURES
“Every adventure gives us a way to better our conversations. - GIRISH KONEKAR
SIDGONDA AND ANIRUDDHA PATIL
PANDIT ATULKUMAR, RAJAS AND TEJAS UPADHYE
VISHAL KALE
ANAND AND SUHRUD GHATPANDE
Chaitanya was so young that no matter what they did, he would not be scared of his father as a villain simply because he was his father. They had to try so many things to evoke the correct emotion from the young boy. Chaitanya explained that he owes his career to his father. “When we are together, we are always discussing plays and scripts. Not only does theatre give us something to talk about but it helps us both grow as artists.” The father and son never let go off an opportunity to work together. Apart from helping them bond, theatre has also allowed the father and son to appreciate and respect each other more. Ask Chaitanya what are the other conversations that he has with his father and he laughs saying that, they only discuss theatre and have never gone beyond that.
TGS LIFE
RAHUL RAUT
DHANANJAY AND CHAITANYA SARDESHPANDE
VISHAL KALE
TGS LIFE
violin is the one thing that constantly keeps them connected. Rajas is a Computer Science graduate, Tejas has completed his graduation in Commerce and their father used to work in
a bank before he took voluntary retirement and began pursuing music full time. “I love performing with my sons. It is great to see the two of them do something that is so close to my heart,” says Atulkumar, who has won a National Award for his music. Rajas, the younger of the siblings, very often performs alongside his father. He says that no matter how much he tries he would never be able to be like his dad. “My father is an amazing musician and an even better human being. There is absolutely nothing about him that I can find fault with,” he says. All three of them have absolutely different styles of playing the violin and when they perform together it is a treat for the audience. For Rajas, the best part about performing with his father is that he gets to share his audience. While performing together is something that they cherish, both sons feel that performing with their father is a huge responsibility. They would also imbibe Atulkumar’s ability to keep his ego aside when it comes to appreciating another musician. When the three gets together they often talk about artists, music and obviously the musical variations that they can create through their violin performances. “Even though music is something that binds us together, I am glad that they have an individual identity as well. They are inspired by me but their music has more of them,” says Atulkumar.
Sidgonda, 35, and Aniruddha Patil, seven make an adventurous pair. Sidgonda, an engineer by profession is a regular trekker and has covered over 90 forts in the Sahayadris. He decided to give Aniruddha a taste of the experience too. Even before his son was five, he took him for his first-ever trek to Kailasgad. Though, it wasn’t a tough journey for regular trekkers, for the little boy it must have been quite a task. This did not discourage him and he eagerly waited for his next trek. Until today, the Aniruddha has completed 45 fort treks, including several medium and difficult grade climbs. “I wanted my son to feel the thrill of trekking as early on as possible. The fact that even at a young age he enjoyed the treks made me extremely happy,” says Sidgonda, better known among friends as Sid. Aniruddha is in the first grade at Novel International School in Chinchwad and has successfully climbed forts like Torna, Harihar,
Moroshicha Bhairavgad, Tailbaila, Kaladgad, Chandan-Vandan, Chaulher, Pimpala along with Khanderi-Underi forts in the last two years. He has also completed the Dudhsagar Falls trek in Goa. “It was a great experience to walk along the train tracks, finally reaching the destination to enjoy the waterfall,” remembers the young boy. Not just trekking but Aniruddha has also participated in several rappelling activities too. Ask him what he likes the most about trekking and pat comes the reply, “When we walk through jungles we can see many types of flowers, trees, birds, small animals and insects and it’s all very beautiful. I also like sleeping in tents after campfire,” he says excitedly. “The best part about Aniruddha is that he never complains or gets tired of walking. He is full of energy,” says the proud father. He easily adjusts to new surroundings and enjoys every bit of the trek. He also helps other kids on the trek as he is the most experienced amongst them, Sid adds.
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
THRILL OF DRIVING
RAHUL RAUT
STORME LEVEL: UP
When was the last time you saw more power in a vehicle variant upgrade? By Tushar Burman @tburman
Y
ou have to hand it to Tata Motors; they’ve done what all enthusiasts wish and pine for each time a manufacturer releases an updated variant. Almost without exception, such variants of existing models add up to little more than decals and perhaps a few dealer-installed extras. It wasn’t even that long ago that we drove the updated Safari Storme, but Tata believes it’s time for another one, so here it is: the Safari Storme Varicor 400, indicating an updated engine
now producing a max torque of deliberate slam to close properly 400Nm. Power is up to 154bhp, you and the feature-complete, but get LED DRLs now and there’s a dated looking console package. If new six-speed transmission as well. you squint in just the right way, The rest of the car is about the it’s almost charming and oldsame as it used to be. If there have world. The Bluetooth and iPodbeen tweaks to the interior, they compatible entertainment system aren’t immediately apparent. Our has a basic dot-matrix display top-spec media vehicle came with which does the job. It’s surrounded a couple of ornamental extras in the by traditional clicky buttons and form of a deflector on the bonnet some regal-looking chrome trim. It and a non-functional hood scoop looks a bit like someone put modern that appears glued on. It’s enough electronics in a period-correct ‘90s to incite the occasional doubleentertainment system. take from passers-by, but On the go, the that’s about all. things that strike you Verdict The interior will are the ones that + Space, feel immediately haven’t changed. powerful motor familiar to Safari The gelatinous ride - Dated fans. The tall perch quality is still there; TGS rating from which you you need to wait for ;;`ZZ till the wheel, the the suspension to stop heavy doors that need a oscillating if you happen to jump something like a speed bump. Steering is heavy, and something that only true fans will appreciate. Even Mahindras of all sizes have light, sharp steering these days. The new, torquier engine takes a while to spool up to 2100rpm, when the turbo kicks in and things get interesting. We wish the throttle response was calibrated to better use the torque. We found ourselves mashing the throttle all the way to the floor to get a move on. The new six-speed
transmission appears to have a short first and second, with taller gears thereafter. Fifth is about all you need on non-express highways, with sixth invariably dropping you out of boost. We found third gear ideal for narrow state highways, village roads and light elevations. Four-wheel drive is available by way of a three-position knob, as usual. Tata continues to deliver the Safari Storme with folding jump seats at the back instead of a perfunctory and unsatisfactory third row. This means you have a cavernous cargo area, enough for a large dog and his toys to travel
long distances in comfort. Yes, we tried this as well. In all, the Varicor 400 certainly makes for a more interesting variant than a decal and accessories job. The additional power and torque unfortunately don’t change the vehicle’s dynamics much. The Tata Safari Storme Varicor 400 ends up feeling a bit like your fastidious doctor uncle’s daily ride: neat, complete and betraying, perhaps, a streak of shaukeen, but ultimately a bit dated. And all this at Rs 14.6 lac ex-showroom, Delhi, which puts it up against SUVs that offer more value and capability. tushar@goldensparrow.com
TGS LIFE
From Reel to Real
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
Reality shows have proved to be a launching pad so many artists known to us today. Here are some Puneites who were a part of reality TV, and now are accomplished in their own fields
FEATURES
By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
W
hatever opinion you might have of reality television, you can’t deny the fact that they have managed to produce some formidable talent. For celebrities like Shekhar Ravjiani, Ayushman Khurana, Rannvijay Singh, Shakti Mohan to the latest name on the block, Prince Narula, each has been a reality show find. Call it an impossible dream to make the leap from TV but they have all managed to build a successful career. Meet some Puneites who have been a part of our favourite reality shows. SANJANA GANESAN Being a bright student, she topped all courses through her college years and was on her way to become an engineer, when she realised her passion for modelling. She participated in Style Diva pageant and after that there was no looking back. She went on to participate in the biggest pageant of the country, Miss India, in 2014 and was one of the most popular finalists. She was then offered to be a part of reality TV show on MTV ‘Splitsvilla’ which made her realise that she was meant to be in front of the camera. “After Miss India, I resumed my studies. My friend, who was casting for Splitsvilla, offered me to be a part of the show and I thought, why not? You get to live in a palace in Rajasthan and getting a shot at finding true love seemed like a paid holiday to me. So I took it up,” she says. The show was hosted by Nikhil Chinapa and Sunny Leone. Taking up the show, made her get closer to her dreams. She recognised her strength and weakness, as the show tested her potential through various tasks that came along with every episode. “It helped me grow as a person. Initially, I was a shy person but now I have opened up. It made me a lot more independent and realise my ambitions. It gave me a platform,” she says. Her journey had a little bit everything, love, hate, drama, action and lots of fun. But she accepts not all is real in the world of reality television. “It’s as real as you want to be. Yes, the element of scripting is always there but, at the end, it’s all about entertainment,” she adds. Now, she has completely shifted her focus to anchoring. She is a TV presenter with a sports channel and recently anchored the Indian Premier League. MANSHEEL GUJRAL Having grown up in a family that was musically-inclined, taking up singing for Mansheel was a natural choice. She started her music lessons when she was seven years old. “I have grown up listening to Pink Floyd and Beatles and I
Mansheel Gujral
Sahil Sah
had already forgotten about me,” he recalls. Around the time he was offered another dance show Kuch Kar Dikhana Hai. He was one of the finalists of the show but that experience too didn’t work wonders for him. “Even after doing these shows, they aren’t counted in my profile. They were all scripted. We are told to talk and behave in a certain way. Artistic qualities are not counted at all,” he complains. Sahil recently choreographed for the Marathi movie Zindagi Marathon and is now working under Bollywood choreographer Feroz Khan. Sanjana Ganesan
have always wanted to be a singer. After my father heard me humming one day, he decided to enrol me into a classical music class,” she says. She lit the stage on fire with her performances on the reality TV show India’s Raw Star. The show not only gave her much-needed exposure but also took care of her grooming. “After the auditions, I was called by the Raw Star team to be a part of the show. It was different from other shows on TV, as we had the liberty to choose the songs and the genre. It was like a music school for me,” she says. The show was judged by Yo Yo Honey Singh. She gained popularity for singing Punjabi folk songs and fusion music numbers on the show. The show helped her develop her personality and gave her a bigger platform. “The experience was amazing. The show gave a face to my voice. People started recognising me because of it,” she adds. She has a lot of new singles lined up for this year and is currently on a musical tour around the country with Amit Trivedi. SAHIL SAH He doesn’t recall the time when he first started dancing. He was known as a dancer amongst his friends and always participated in dance competitions. Coming from a family that didn’t support his passion, he chose to study Information Technology to pacify them. “I would practice after working hours. I couldn’t focus at office and only waited for my working hours to get over. I soon realised that I was born to dance,” he says. Sahil soon got a call from a TV channel representative after he was seen performing at a dance competition organised by a local cable show. They called him to audition for Boogie Woogie. “I was very young when I did Boogie Woogie. I even won that show but by the time I completed my studies, people
SUJATA TAWARE KERIKOPPA Being a sportsperson all her life, Sujata had no idea she would one day become an accomplished dancer. From training in classical forms like Kathak and Bharatnatyam, to learning Latin dances like bachata, she knows it all. “Never in my dreams did I think about taking up dancing as a career. During one summer vacation, I joined a dance class to kill time and fell in love with it,” she says. After participating in multiple dance events and competitions, she auditioned for Dance India India Season 2. Later, she was called to be a part of Dance India Dance
Sujata Taware Kerikoppa
Supermoms. “I’d participated in many international competitions before but I got recognised after my stint on DID. People started knowing me as Sujata from DID. I became famous,” she smiles. Now, she is called as celebrity guest and judge various dance competition held across the country. She recently represented India at a multicultural dance festival held in Greece. She also teaches Power Yoga and contemporary dance on a cable channel. zainab.kantawalagoldensparrow.com
PICS BY RAHUL RAUT
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
FEATURES
Spending hours in the kitchen, straining to get the ink right, and enduring backbreaking hours to make sure you walk tall – these young entrepreneurs want way more than just a big pay cheque. Meet four mogulsin-the-making who aren’t in the mood to let their age play spoil sport
They’ve got what they want before they got too old
C
arving a niche for themselves and inching slowly towards success is the best description for the journeys these four entrepreneurs are on. Not only have they chosen to fight all obstacles that come along the way, but they’ve stuck to their passion even in the toughest of the times. With not much experience on hand they’ve made mistakes, learned from them and are climbing the ladder of success every single day. They’ve walked this planet for less than three decades but their achievements are already worth a standing ovation.
THE CULINARY DREAM A master at what he does, 27-year-old Rushad Wadia had never in his life baked a pizza before he decided to start a pizzeria in the city. Setting up The Greedy Man Pizzeria at Kalyani Nagar about three months ago, he could not be more content with the response he has got. “My dream is to own a restaurant that serves Persian cuisine. The pizzeria is where I sharpen my skills as a chef and as a food innovator,” he grins. A chilled out boss at his workplace, Rushad is often seen deep inside the kitchen making pizzas, at the tables taking orders, and sometimes even at the door managing guests. Whenever Rushad cooks, the one person who always occupies the space at the back of his mind is his mother. She is probably the reason that he became a chef too. He worked at a few restaurants in the city to be able to fund his fi rst venture. The Greedy Man Pizzeria, despite being around for such a short while, has won - Nikita Malhotra the Times Award for the Best New Comer and the young chef couldn’t be more proud. The restaurant changes its menu every fortnight and keeps inventing dishes along the way. The key to his success, Rushad believes, is innovation and dreaming big. He is grateful that he has not faced any major challenges in terms of setting up the restaurant. “There are more than enough pizzeria brands across the city and competing with them was daunting at fi rst. What keeps us thriving however is that we cook from our heart and serve only the best,” he says, as he sets up the pizzeria to welcome customers. The Greedy Man Pizzeria: Kalyani Nagar
“After setting up the shop I had to bake for the opening day. I was on the verge of a breakdown”
A LOVE AFFAIR WITH CHOCOLATES Since she was 17 years old, Nikita Malhotra knew exactly what she
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
FEATURES Later, he worked out a barter system. The door of his shop, for example, is something he got in exchange for one of his tattoos. “Meeting daily expenses was the biggest challenge for me. The two months when I was unemployed and setting up my studio, was a truely testing time,” Pranay tells us recollecting his journey. This young tattoo artist is so well-known today that he has clients from across the country and keeps travelling to major metro cities every two months. InksTattos: Aundh road
wanted to do. With a little investment from her father, she started lot of innovation in the chocolate designs and have everything Chocolate Story in Kalyani Nagar and has never looked back since. from heel shaped chocolates to champagne bottles as well. With a customer base that increases every day, her chocolates are Chocolate story: Kalyani Nagar well-known and much-appreciated throughout the city. When she started off it was just her making chocolates from INKING HIS DREAM JOURNEY home. They were usually for friends and family Raised in a middle-class family, Pranay Shah and Nikita never thought of pursuing it at as a completed his BBA from Pune University and profession until a family member suggested it worked with a marketing company for two to her. Even when she set up the store, it took a years. However, what set him apart was the fact while before she decided to get help on board. “I that he knew he wouldn’t be there for long. He had just finished setting up the shop and had to was only working to save enough money to buy bake for the opening day. I was on the verge of the equipment he would need to set up his own a breakdown. I was genuinely ready to give up tattoo studio. even before it started, but my family pushed me Always interested in drawing and painting, to pursue it,” says the chocolatier. tattooing was a medium for Pranay to grow as Whenever there is a culinary course that an artist and he set up his studio three and a includes even a tad bit of chocolate in it, the half years ago. He loves wandering around 24-year-old is the first to enrol. The independent with his tattoo kit and turns his inspirations young lady not only wants to expand her current and observations into art. “I once saw a guy venture but hopes to set up several dessert bars tattooing my friend and since then I fell in love in the city. “Just being around chocolates makes with the process. The aspect of my artwork - Pranay Shah me happy. What makes me happier is when being permanent and gilding someone else’s someone walks up to me and tells me that my body was something that fascinated me,” says chocolates brought on a smile on a tough day,” she adds. Her the 25-year-old, as he smiles shyly. bubbly and cheerful persona is hard to miss all along. Chocolate Fighting his family to pursue his dream, he sold his new story offers a variety of chocolates and cakes. They also do a phone when he was short on money to start the venture.
“My artwork being permanent and gilding someone else’s body fascinated me”
ONE STITCH AT A TIME A picturesque little studio in the heart of the city at Shaniwar Peth, is Shradha Hedau’s haven. With broad smile, she welcomes everyone into her shoe studio and pampers them a little bit too much. Allowing you to choose everything, from the kind of design to the cloth, heel and colour that you might want, her business is truly one of a kind. “I wanted to do something that no one had ventured into before. We made diamond shoes a while back and we are in the process of making gold ones too. This creativity and uniqueness about what I do keeps me hooked on,” she says, showing us some of her classy and tasteful deigns displayed on the rack. A dancer at heart, the 24-year-old was a professional Hip Hop and Latin danseuse for about five years. An ardent lover of shoes since she was a child, she decided not only to become a shoe designer but wanted to manufacture and customise them to meet her customer’s needs too. Shradha is involved in every single part of the process. She has done several courses internationally and learned different styles and ways of manufacturing and designing shoes. The cheapest shoes are priced Rs 2,000 and the cost usually depends on the materials and design you choose. Her staff hails from different parts of the country but each and every one has been trained by her. “It is not just about managing your work. You need to know how to do everything from nailing the heel on to stitching on the cloth,” she says. Today not only does she have a strong customer base internationally but was most recently featured on designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s television show as well. Shradha Hedau Footwear Couture: Shaniwar Peth salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
SP
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
SHOPPING
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All that is bling at TULSHIBAUG RAHUL RAUT
If you are the one who loves junk jewellery then Tulshibaug is a place just for you. Disorderly, noisy and very crowded, the market is lined with stalls selling everything that spells fashion. Once you walk into the lane, it is unlikely that you will emerge on the other side with nothing in your hands
Silver danglers Make a statement with these black stone earrings at any given occasion. Price: Rs 50
Silver kada Team this floral textured kada with any western or traditional outfit. Price: Rs 40
Beaded kada This very sophisticaed piece of accessory can be pained with any plain apparel or can be matched with a blue dress. Price: Rs 220
Floral earrings Pair them with a plain outfit and you are set for day out with friends. Price: Rs 40
Gold leaf Necklace This simple yet elegant neckpiece is a perfect accesory for a nightout. Team it with a plain black top and you are good to go. Price: Rs 180
Silver ring necklace Make a statement with necklace by pairing it with a printed t-shirt. Price: Rs 120
Anchor necklace This neckpiece will come to you very cheap and yet will define your persona. Price: Rs 30
Classy Danglers Show off your style with these purple danglers. You team them with a white shirt, or a dark shade outfit. Price: Rs 30
Gold oxidised kada This uber stylish kada can be teamed with a black dress and you are set for the party. Price: Rs 120
Chic studs These very classy studs will make you stand out of the crowd in a very efforless way. Price: Rs 30
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omething to keep you busy and a caring family is all one needs to be happy believes Ramanlal Firodiya. Selling incense sticks simply because he has nothing else to do the whole day, this 71-year-old, welcomes every customer of his with a broad smile. An ex-resident of Bhingar Camp town of Ahmednagar district, Ramanlal is an avid reader and loves to listen to old Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi songs in his spare time. It was at the age of seven that his parents learned of his polio and he began to be home-schooled. Since then he has lost complete mobility on his right leg and is also blind in the right eye. “As a child I kind of felt special. Everyone had to get up early and go to school, but mine was when I wanted it to be,” he says, smiling as
he recollects his childhood. He goes onto say that now however he wishes that his situation was a little better as he would have at least been able to help his family out. After moving to Pune in 2004, he started living with his parents in a flat in Anand Nagar, which is owned by his elder brother, Chavanlal. His brother he feels has been his pillar and support system throughout his life. Back in his village, his elder brother ran a medical store and he had trained Ramanlal to work at the counter. Once the shop shut, they all moved to the city. His brother currently works as a manager in a pharmaceutical company and
RAHUL RAUT
With a smile on his face...
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
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takes care of all his expenses. “Things would have probably been very different had I gone to school and pursued even college after. The fear of failing, because of my condition always held
me back,” he says, choking up a little bit. No matter what his situation today, Ramanlal is a happy man. He has made peace with life and has decided to get up every day with a smile and
go to bed with a smile too. His inner strength to keep fighting and not ending his life is something everyone can be inspired from. (As told to Salonee Mistry)
City celeb chat Get yourself a Name: Sanskruti Sanjay Balgude Profession: Actress Three words to describe me: Crazy, passionate and sensitive I love my job because: It gives me the satisfaction of doing what I absolutely love Best advice I have received: Everything happens for the good When buying something, the first thing that catches my eye is: The style What’s your inner animal?: Don’t laugh but it has to be an elephant The first thing you notice about an attractive person: Their smile and etiquette’s The perfect start to a day is: Undoubtedly a cup of coffee Your current fourwheeler: I don’t drive yet Your fitness regimen: Dance is the answer to everything Your food indulgence: Desserts Books by your bedside: Nothing specific. I am a moody reader The first site you visit when you fire up your comp: Google or YouTube Your favourite city: Pune Ideal holiday: Any place surrounded by nature, either alone or with my best friends (As told to Salonee Mistry)
personal stylist Plan out your shopping budget to make sure you have enough moolah to acquire the best of fashion at the 10th edition of StyleCracker Borough
By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM
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tarted with an aim to give customised styling services that would not just suit your fashion sensibilities but your pocket as well, The StyleCracker Project is back with yet another exciting pop-up this Sunday The borough is targeted towards young college and office-going boys and girls may be in need of makeovers but don’t know the tricks. Says Tia Paranjape, associate director at The StyleCracker Project, “We have three expert celebrity fashion stylists on board who will be present at the borough and help visitors pick up clothes and accessories that suit their personalities. All one needs to do is just tell the stylists your budget.” The stylists will take a quick session with customers to discuss their preferences and then take them around each of the stalls from where they can pick up clothes, shoes and accessories to create any particular look that the customers need. “All this will be provided at the style borough for free,” adds Tia. If you want a particular stylist at a particular time, you can also pre-book appointments with them so you don’t have to wait for your turn. Says Prachiti Parakh, a senior stylist with the brand, “We are quite kicked as we have planned some very exciting activities, freebies and giveaways for visitors. We have also tied up with a couple of corporates and there will be VIP sections and styling workshops where people can come and get groomed.” Prachiti has styled several Bollywood celebrities including Alia Bhatt, Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. This time, she will focus mainly on current fashion trends. “The emphasis will be on making the trend work for you, your body type and your lifestyle,” she
Prachiti Parakh
adds. While everyone wants to follow their idols when it comes to fashion, Prachiti says that one should always give priority to comfort first. “Follow trends, but don’t let them own you in a way that doesn’t work out for you. It sounds daunting but we’re here to help.” Apart from Prachiti, Nikita Rawlani whose portfolio includes styling celebrities like Varun Dhawan, Kunal Kohli, Jennifer Winget and many more will be at the event along with Ashna Makhijani. Ashna comes with years of experience in styling on-screen stars. Together, Nikita and Ashna will offer fashion DIY and quick fix solutions to everyone. Besides fashion, the event will also feature interesting food stalls, live music and children’s activities. When: January 31, 10 am onwards Where: The Westin, Koregaon Park heena.grover@goldensparrow.com
TGS LIFE
JANUARY 23, 2016 PUNE
BUZZ
My Hollywood debut makes me nervous Deepika Padukone is the latest Bollywood star to go international and the actress says although she is proud to have bagged XXX: The Return of Xander Cage, she is nervous about venturing into a new territory. The 30-year-old Bajirao Mastani actress will share screen with Hollywood Vin Diesel and Samuel L Jackson in the DJ Caruso-directed action thriller, which is the third installment of the XXX film franchise. Deepika says her ethnicity helped her bag the role and in the film she will be given an opportunity to flaunt her Indianness. "I am very excited. But I want to confess that I am very nervous. Most importantly I feel proud to be a part of a film where I get to flaunt my ethnicity," Deepika said. "The reason they are roping me is because of my background. I really hope that I do well in the movie and people go and watch it," said the actress. The actress says it has been her constant effort to keep improving every year and she is happy to see her efforts pay off two years in a row. "I work to compete with myself and keep setting the benchmark for myself, to keep bettering. After a successful 2014, I hoped I can do better and then it happened in 2015," she said. Despite her busy schedule, Deepika makes sure she reads and also tries her hands at baking. "I haven't got a weekend for three years. But when I do get it, I like to just catch up on sleep."
Faizal to make his Marathi film debut By Salonee Mistry @SaloneeMistry
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inning Dance India Dance Li’l Masters, Jhalak Dikhla Jaa and becoming the protagonist of one of the most sought after mythological shows, Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap, Faisal Khan has achieved more than he had ever dreamed of. As he was busy winding up the shoot for his debut Marathi film, he spoke to TGS about his character in the film, his journey till date and what his future plans are. “My life changed after I won Dance India Dance. When I auditioned, I had never thought it would end like this,” says the 16-year-old. Charming almost everyone with his innocent smile, the young boy will soon be seen on the big screen as the lead in the Marathi film, Prem Kahani - Ek Lapleli Gosht. Playing a Rajasthani boy in the film, Faizal did not need to learn Marathi but he understands the language to a good extent. He also felt that he could relate well to the character and the script as it was a great mix of dance, acting and action.
While all kind of work is important it is also necessary that the character fit his age. He believes that he is at that age when he can neither play macho characters and nor be a child artist so this film was just right. Talking about his journey until now he feels extremely fortunate to have been offered the kind of work that he has done. Maharana Pratap turned into his acting school as that was the first time he had actually acted. This film too has been a great experience for him. The fact that he has been able to help his parents and support then in any little way possible, gives him immense satisfaction. “The main reason that I work is so that I can lend a helping hand to my parents who have sacrificed a lot for my siblings and me. I am happy that I was able to buy a house for them,” he says proudly. The one thing that Faizal finds the most challenging while acting is getting through a comedy scene. Faking laughter is something that he absolutely can’t do but hopes that he can manage even that someday. He is hopeful of a Bollywood debut soon and is keeping his fingers crossed. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com
Brie Larson shines in her upcoming film By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab
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rie Larson, better known for her role in Short Term 12, is back with yet another film, Room. This time playing a more challenging role of an abducted woman who has been held captive in closed space for several years. The story is based on a popular novel that goes by the same name. Her character Ma is sure to create a connection with the audience. She believes Ma's character in the book is different from that in the film. “The character of Ma in the book is not a complete one. She's just sort of this ethereal essence in a way. It's all told from the five-year-old boy's perspective, and so everything about Room has this sort of dreamy innocence to it. So you don't get to see the complexity of his Ma. In his eyes, she's doing great and their life is awesome and there's nothing outside of Room,” she says. This was a great opportunity for Brie as she got to portray the three-dimensional character of Ma, and to show all of the complexity that the room is wearing down on her. “I had to prep for eight months, things like my wrists had to be sore. I started wiring my brain to think that my
wrist was sore, so that by the time we started shooting, I didn't have to remember, "Oh, my wrists are sore; I can't do that." I almost felt it like a phantom pain in my wrists. You inhabit it but when the movie is done,” she adds. The film has received critical acclaim and four Academy Award nominations. Brie Larson's performance in particular has been singled out for awards; she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress, the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress and is nominated for the Oscars. “The moments that I feel a huge sense of accomplishment are actually the smaller ones. The times that I’ve gotten to speak with people after the screening, seeing people’s reaction and hearing how the movie has moved them gives me an incredible feeling,” says the humble actress. She is now busy shooting for her next film Kong: Skull Island. The film is a reboot of the King Kong franchise and will serve as the second installment in Godzilla-Kong cinematic universe. “We’re shooting in gorgeous locations and it’s so different from most things that I have done. It’s very physical so it’s less cerebral. I think that with movies like this gives you a great opportunity to tell the same old stories in an accessible way so that they reach more people,” she says.