TGS Life 05/09/2015

They’re staring at bigger goals, not computer screens PUNE, september 5, 2015 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

A growing list of people now includes those who are stepping aside from the corporate ladder to pursue their passion instead of the corner office. How does one journey from being an investment banker to an agriculturist? Read on to find out

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

Entertainment

A song brewed over filter coffee

2 Listen in to the brand new song here:

https:// www. youtube.com/ watch?v=KYv14uptUPU

In an exclusive interview, singer Hamsika Iyer and producer Manish Hariprasad talk about their collaboration, which led to the Heartbreak Trilogy

H

amsika Iyer calls the song Bheege Bheege her baby. That’s how dear the composition is to her. Every moment composer Kaushal Inamdar and she spent bringing the song to life is etched clearly in her memory. “Both of us go back a long way and our addas, where we exchanged ideas and discussed music, are the small South Indian joints in Matunga,” says Hamsika.

The journey, Hamsika recalls, goes back four years. “It was pouring when I received a text message from Kaushal asking me to come to Sharada Bhavan in Matunga. The message didn’t say much but the invitation was tempting. Once Kaushal showed me the lyrics and hummed the tune, the song’s beauty was obvious. I knew, almost instantaneously, that the song had a connect because people sitting around us were smiling and were

as engaged as I was,” she smiles.

Bheege Bheege is part of the Heartbreak Trilogy, which essentially includes three songs that explore the sentiment of longing. At the digital launch of the music video, exclusively on TGS website (thegoldensparrow. com), both Hamsika and producer Manish Hariprasad spoke about how the song came to be. Both the singer and producer have seen their share of success in Bollywood.

Hamsika has rendered her voice to many chartbusters like Chamak Challo, Raabta, Chanda Re Chanda Re, while Manish Hariprasad is creative producer of films like Kai Po Che, No One Killed Jessica and Harishchandrachi Factory.

Through her journeys for international gigs, the singer met the musician Amir John Haddad in Israel. The two got talking about food, travel, and music, and

found that their love for music brought them together on common ground. Amir’s life story fascinated Hamsika and the excitement in the singer’s voice as she narrates it is hard to miss even today. “Amir is born to a Columbian mother and Palestanian father in Germany. He left home in his teens to travel and let life educate him. He now lives in Madrid, Spain, in a beautiful ranch that’s located away from the hustle-bustle of the city. His story was so interesting but when he played music I was absolutely floored and I knew he had to be a part of Bheege Bheege,” she recalls.

Once Kaushal approved the idea, Hamsika reconnected with Amir and brought him on board.

“Amir connected with the idea so well and the melody that he created is still a surprise because it comes from someone, who does not know the language. He has rendered such soulful music to the lyrics that the words come alive,” the singer says. With his Nylon Guitar and Bouzouki, Amir was able to take the song to another level.

As the song came to life, Hamsika played it to Manish as she thought it would be wise to get his opinion on Bheege Bheege. “When he heard the song, his smile stretched from ear to ear,” she says, unable to stop smiling. Manish was so impressed with the composition that he instantly offered to help in whatever way possible. “I have always believed that passion works way more in this industry as opposed to money. Genesis of

Every member of the crew kept all their other assignments aside for the video

Bheege Bheege is passion, and its not a commissioned song. it was a song waiting to be composed, and it was. I never expected the song to be that good and I told her that.

I was instantly impressed and the melody stayed with me. I told her that let me know if I could be of help in any manner with her song and music video,” Manish says.

Even as the song was ready, the singercomposer duo found it hard to put together a budget for a music video. “I saw them struggling with locations.

They were looking for someone to shoot the video, a stylist, and so on. Knowing very well how busy people in the industry usually are, I decided to play a prank. Instead

Manish Hariprasad, Hamsika Iyer and Amir John Haddad

of telling my friends that I wanted them to work on a music video, I simply invited them over to my place over the weekend. Of course, everyone arrived expecting a party and that’s how the wonderfully talented Alphonse Roy, Jasmeet Reen Dhodi and Jignesh became part of this beautiful song,” says Manish.

As the ‘karvaan’ got bigger, a friend provided her house for location, another provided accessories for the shoot, another helped with make-up, and yet another threw open her wardrobe for costumes. “Before Kaushal and I could even realise what was happening, Amir had flown in from Madrid, Alphonse had postponed his earlier commitments, Jasmeet was there to discuss the concept of the song, and Deepak Pallikonda agreed to lend his magical touch by mixing and mastering the song,” Hamsika says.

Manish says, “Yes, it was an experience in itself. Lots of things were crazy. There was no colour co-ordination (laughs). It wasn’t needed either because we were shooting in black and white.

But we kept laughing about how ‘colour hota to lag jaati’.”

Shooting in a Mumbai flat, the group had lot of fun. “In one of the shots of the rains, the whole drawing room was filled with water. After the shot, Alphonse was a nervous wreck looking for the friend whose house it was and obsessed with cleanliness. He was relieved that she was out and there was enough time to clean the mess.

But yes! All that was worth it seeing the final result!” Hamsika laughs.

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TGS LIFE | SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 | PUNE

advertorial dining and living room furniture are available. The store has some of the most comfortable couches and recliners. There is also an art gallery with lanscape and potrait paintaings.

Not just your house even your office furniture is available in plenty. Along with traditional office chairs and tables there are also some unique modern designs.

A perfect blend The designs at Tangent are a blend of modern and traditional. On one hand where you will find the typical grandmother rocking chair, you also have a sleek modern version - much lighter and smaller in dimension right next to it. While one end of the room has a traditional centre table, the other end has a one of the most abstract and unique versions of it. There are numerous colours, textures and patterns in every product to choose from.

One-stop shop for your interior needs

Designer Concepts launches second outlet of Tangent Furniture Mall at Ishanya

P

une-based Designer Concepts, an interiors company provides you with a variety of home furnishing solutions. The company opened their second outlet of Tangent Furniture Mall at Ishanya, Yerawada recently after the success of their store at the upmarket locality of Aundh.

For the customer’s convenience The new store is well-equipped to provide customers with an array of options. There are close to 3000 different products which are only half of what the store has to offer. While some of these are manufactured in India, many are imported from elsewhere. Quite a few of the couches are flown in from Denmark and Sweden and are made of pure leather. While some of the wooden furniture arrives from Malaysia and Indonesia, a bunch of the kitchen products are Italian. “Ishanya is almost like a furniture hub owing to the other furniture stores present. Not to mention that it is easily accessible to the residents of Viman Nagar, Kharadi, Kalyani Nagar, Koregoan Park and Bund Garden among others,” says Rasik Shah, the cofounder of Designer Concepts.

swings for the sunny afternoon when you want to read a book, to the quintessential garden chair and table, Tangent has it all.

Multiple sized beds, bunker beds, dressing tables, rocking chairs are available in a vareity of designs and colours. Ample options for your Keeping the customer and their needs a priority the second outlet was opened at Ishanya far away from the first one. “The idea was to increase the accessibility of the store for the customers. Those that stay on the other side of town might not always be able to travel all the way to Aundh,” adds Rasik. Spread over 10,000 square feet, this store has everything from your dining to your garden needs.

Stores full of variety Designer Concepts began a yearand-a-half back with a 30,000 square foot store at Aundh. Occupying five floors of the building, the outlet at Aundh has 6000 products on display to choose from. The stores have everything that you might need to make your garden look perfect and at the same time take care of the intricate details of your living room.

Providing you options from crane

The concept When Rasik Shah and Viral Shah involved in the interior designing business along with Uday Bhujbal and Mansingh Bhujbal from the construction business decided to come together with the brand, they had a simple vision - to create options that stemmed from concepts. “The furniture options that we provide are concept based.

They are made with a certain idea in mind. We even suggest decorating options for your house if you don’t want to particularly hire an interior designer,” says Rasik. A leather sofa will have much more poise and class while the wooden or crane products will have a rustic feel about them.

Future prospects After launching two outlets in Pune, they plan to launch five more before they move to other regions of Maharashtra. They also plan to collaborate with different brands when the right time and opportunity presents itself. The brand will also make its products available online soon.

FG

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TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

filmygyan

Welcome back E-Square: University Road: 08:30 AM09:00 AM10:15 AM11:15 AM12:45 PM02:01 PM03:30 PM04:45 PM06:15 PM07:00 PM07:45 PM08:45 PM10:45 PM INOX: Amanora Town Centre: 08:50 AM09:30 AM10:35 AM11:50 AM12:30 PM01:45 PM02:55 PM03:40 PM04:55 PM06:05 PM06:50 PM08:05 PM09:15 PM10:00 PM10:45 PM BIG Cinemas: Chinchwad: 07:10 AM08:30 AM10:05 AM11:30

AM01:15 PM04:25 PM06:35 PM07:35 PM09:45 PM10:45 PM City Pride: Mangala Cinema: 09:15 AM10:00 AM11:30 AM01:00 PM03:00 PM04:00 PM06:00 PM07:00 PM09:00 PM10:00 PM City Pride: R Deccan: 08:30 AM09:30 AM11:15 AM02:00 PM04:45 PM06:30 PM09:15 PM10:00 PM Vasant Cinema: Budhwar Peth: 04:00 PM07:00 PM10:00 PM Apollo Theatre: Rasta Peth: 01:00 PM04:00 PM07:00 PM10:00 PM Neelayam Theatre: Sadashiv Peth: 12:30 PM03:30 PM09:30 PM City Pride: Kothrud: 08:30 AM09:00 AM11:20 AM02:30 PM04:50 PM07:45 PM10:45 PM INOX: Bund Garden Road: 09:20 AM10:05 AM11:10 AM12:30 PM01:15 PM02:20 PM03:35 PM04:25 PM05:50 PM06:50 PM07:35 PM09:00 PM10:00 PM10:45 PM Laxmi Narayan Cinema: Satara Road: 03:30 PM06:30 PM09:30 PM Victory Theatre: Camp, Pune: 09:30 AM02:30 PM05:30 PM10:30 PM City Pride: Satara Road: 09:00 AM10:30 AM11:50 AM02:40 PM03:45 PM06:45 PM08:00 PM09:45 PM10:50 PM BIG Cinemas: Kalyani Nagar: 08:35 AM10:05 AM11:40 AM01:15 PM02:50 PM04:25 PM06:20 PM07:35 PM10:45 PM PVR: Koregaon Park Plaza 09:00 AM10:15 AM12:15 PM01:30 PM03:30 PM04:45 PM06:45 PM08:00 PM09:30 PM10:15 PM11:15 PM INOX Fun N Shop, Fatima Nagar: 09:05 AM10:05 AM01:15 PM03:10 PM04:25 PM07:35 PM09:10 PM10:45 PM Abhiruchi City Pride: Sinhagad Road: 09:00 AM09:45 AM10:45 AM11:50 AM12:45 PM02:00 PM03:45 PM04:50 PM06:45 PM07:45 PM09:45 PM10:35 PM PVR: Phoenix Market City, Pune: 09:15 AM10:15 AM11:30 AM12:30 PM01:30 PM02:45 PM03:45 PM04:45 PM07:00 PM08:00 PM09:15 PM10:15 PM11:15 PM CineMAX: Inorbit Mall, Pune Nagar Road: 09:00 AM10:00 AM12:45 PM02:50 PM04:00 PM05:00 PM06:05 PM07:15 PM09:20 PM10:30 PM E-SQUARE Konark: Kondhwa: 08:30 AM09:15 AM11:15 AM12:01 PM02:01 PM02:45 PM04:45 PM05:30 PM07:30 PM08:15 PM10:15 PM11:00 PM Ashok Theater: Pimpri: 12:15 PM03:15 PM06:15 PM09:15 PM Bollywood Multiplex: Kharadi: 09:15 AM10:30 AM12:00 PM01:30 PM03:00 PM04:30 PM06:30 PM07:30 PM09:30 PM10:30 PM Cinepolis: VIP Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City: 09:15 AM09:40 AM12:30 PM12:50 PM03:45 PM07:00 PM09:35 PM10:15 PM Cinepolis: Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City: 09:00 AM09:45 AM10:15 AM11:25 AM12:15 PM01:00 PM01:45 PM03:05 PM03:30 PM04:15 PM06:20 PM06:45 PM07:30 PM09:05 PM09:35 PM10:00 PM10:45 PM E-SQUARE Vishal: Pimpri: 08:30 AM11:15 AM12:45 PM02:01 PM03:45 PM04:45 PM06:01 PM07:45 PM08:45 PM10:45 PM Vaibhav Chitramandir: Hadapsar: 10:00 AM01:00 PM04:00 PM07:00 PM10:00 PM INOX Jai Ganesh: Akurdi: 09:00 AM10:00 AM01:00 PM04:10 PM07:20 PM09:15 PM10:30 PM Fun Square Multiplex: Wagholi: 12:30 PM03:30 PM06:30 PM09:30 PM Shri Shivaji Talkies: Talegaon: 12:00 PM03:00 PM09:00 PM Fun Square Multiplex: Talegaon: 11:30 AM02:30 PM03:30 PM05:30 PM08:45 PM09:30 PM Vikas Cinema: Manchar, Pune: 12:00 PM03:00 PM09:20 PM Laxmi Cineplex : Narayangaon (Screen 2): 12:20 PM03:20 PMRs. 100.00PlatinumAvailableRs. 80.00GoldAvailable Laxmi Cineplex :Narayangaon (Screen 1): 09:00 PM

PM04:55 PM07:50 PM09:30 PM10:45 PM Cinepolis: VIP Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City: 10:00 AM12:00 PM01:00 PM03:00 PM04:00 PM06:00 PM07:00 PM09:00 PM10:00 PM Cinepolis: Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City: 09:25 AM10:30 AM10:50 AM12:25 PM01:30 PM01:50 PM03:25 PM04:30 PM06:25 PM07:30 PM09:25 PM10:30 PM Fun Time Multiplex: Sinhagad Road: 12:30 PM03:00 PM06:15 PM08:00 PM11:00 PM INOX: Amanora Town Centre: 09:20 AM10:25 AM11:15 AM12:15 PM01:20 PM02:10 PM03:10 PM04:15 PM05:05 PM06:05 PM08:00 PM09:00 PM10:00 PM10:55 PM Abhiruchi City Pride: Sinhagad Road: 10:30 AM11:30 AM01:15 PM02:15 PM04:00 PM05:00 PM07:45 PM09:45 PM10:30 PM Vaibhav Chitramandir: Hadapsar: 10:00 AM01:00 PM04:00 PM07:00 PM10:00 PM E-SQUARE Konark: Kondhwa: 10:01 AM11:15 AM11:45 AM02:01 PM02:30 PM04:45 PM05:15 PM07:30 PM08:01 PM10:15 PM10:45 PM Fun Square Multiplex: Wagholi: 12:30 PM03:30 PM06:30 PM09:30 PM Shri Shivaji Talkies: Talegaon: 12:00 PM03:00 PM09:00 PM Fun Square Multiplex: Talegaon: 12:30 PM03:00 PM06:30 PM09:30 PM Vikas Cinema: Manchar, Pune: 12:00 PM03:00 PM09:20 PM Laxmi Cineplex : Narayangaon (Screen 2): 12:00 PM03:20 PM09:20 PM

Manjhi

Phantom

BIG Cinemas: Chinchwad: 10:40 AM01:30 PM02:50 PM04:20 PM05:35 PM07:10 PM10:00 PM11:00 PM Ashok Theater: Pimpri: 03:20 PM06:20 PM09:20 PM E-SQUARE Vishal: Pimpri: 11:45 AM12:45 PM02:30 PM03:30 PM05:15 PM08:01 PM08:30 PM10:45 PM INOX Jai Ganesh: Akurdi: 08:15 AM09:50 AM11:05 AM01:05 PM02:00 PM04:55 PM07:50 PM09:45 PM10:45 PM E-SQUARE: University Road: 11:00 AM11:45 AM02:30 PM04:01 PM05:15 PM08:00 PM08:45 PM10:45 PM City Pride: Mangala Cinema: 10:30 AM12:30 PM03:30 PM06:30 PM07:30 PM10:00 PM City Pride: R Deccan: 11:30 AM02:00 PM04:30 PM07:20 PM10:00 PM Vasant Cinema: Budhwar Peth: 01:00 PM07:00 PM10:00 PM INOX: Bund Garden Road: 08:20 AM09:20 AM10:20 AM11:15 AM12:15 PM01:15 PM02:10 PM04:10 PM05:05 PM06:05 PM07:05 PM08:00 PM09:00 PM10:00 PM11:00 PM BIG Cinemas: Kalyani Nagar: 09:50 AM11:40 AM02:30 PM03:50 PM05:20 PM08:10 PM09:55 PM11:00 PM PVR: Phoenix Market City, Pune: 11:45 AM12:55 PM02:35 PM03:50 PM05:30 PM06:45 PM08:25 PM09:40 PM10:45 PM11:20 PM CineMAX: Inorbit Mall, Pune Nagar Road: 09:20 AM10:20 AM11:10 AM01:15 PM04:10 PM07:05 PM08:05 PM10:00 PM11:00 PM PVR: Koregaon Park Plaza: 11:45 AM12:55 PM02:30 PM03:50 PM05:25 PM06:45 PM07:40 PM08:20 PM09:40 PM10:30 PM11:15 PM Neelayam Theatre: Sadashiv Peth: 03:30 PM09:30 PM City Pride: Kothrud: 11:45 AM02:30 PM05:30 PM08:15 PM10:45 PM Victory Theatre: Camp, Pune: 12:01 PM02:45 PM05:30 PM08:15 PM10:30 PM Laxmi Narayan Cinema: Satara Road: 12:30 PM09:30 PM Bollywood Multiplex: Kharadi: 10:00 AM11:30 AM01:00 PM02:30 PM04:00 PM05:30 PM06:45 PM08:30 PM09:30 PM10:30 PM City Pride: Satara Road: 10:30 AM11:45 AM02:30 PM05:15 PM08:00 PM09:45 PM10:45 PM INOX Fun N Shop, Fatima Nagar: 09:30 AM11:05 AM12:25 PM02:00 PM03:20

INOX: Amanora Town Centre: 11:05 AM Cinepolis: Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City: 08:35 PM PVR: Koregaon Park Plaza: 10:40 PM PVR: Phoenix Market City, Pune: 02:10 PM INOX: Bund Garden Road: 01:00 PM

Drishyam

INOX: Amanora Town Centre: 05:10 PM Cinepolis: Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City: 03:40 PM09:45 PM PVR: Koregaon Park Plaza: 07:15 PM CineMAX: Inorbit Mall, Pune Nagar Road: 01:15 PM PVR: Phoenix Market City, Pune: 10:10 PM Abhiruchi City Pride: Sinhagad Road: 09:00 PM

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TGS LIFE | SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 | PUNE

travel

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

indulge

Making his mark in the culinary world

With a solid foundation thanks to his overseas travels, mixed with a pinch of Indian culture, Varun Ramchandran is the perfect recipe of what a contemporary chef should be

By Salonee Mistry

Contemporary Potato Chaat

@Sal0412 eginning his career as a chef, Varun Ramchandran (34) has come a long way. Today he is not only a well-renowned chef, but also a food stylist and one of the very few food editors in the country. Cooking for the first time when he was just 13, Varun has ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­always loved being in the kitchen. Working under Chef Shailendra Kekade, the man behind Stone Water Grill at Koregoan Park Varun got the opportunity to fine tune his fine dining skills. Right from when he started off till today, every opportunity and experience has groomed him to become an indispensable asset in the food industry.

Believing that the key to a successful career in the culinary world is to go back to the basics, Varun started curating recipes when he started his journey at FOODFOOD. Putting to use his exhaustive understanding of the various cuisines, he also began exploring old techniques of cooking.

He has actively been involved in re-defining the role of those in the back kitchen too. “For any number of audiences watching a food show, the face of the dish is most definitely the chef on screen. There is however a lot of preparation and technical details that are already taken care of by the other chefs. Collaborating on various international projects made me realise that the chefs behind the camera got limited exposure in India,” says Varun. The only way to explain the importance of those in the kitchen was to segregate the components of the dish and detail out the expertise and help required to prepare even the simplest one, he adds.

Promising to lure us with mouth-watering dishes for years to come, Varun is hoping to soon be known as a trendsetting food stylist. He currently works at FOODFOOD as a food editor and stylist. He has previously worked with Zee Khana Khazana as a food stylist.

B

Ingredients for Ragi and Whole wheat crackers Ragi – ½ cup Whole-wheat flour – ½ cup Salt to taste Pepper Chillies(chopped finely) Baking powder – 1/8 tsp Warm water to knead Chaat Masala to toss the crackers Hot & Sweet Tamarind chutney to plate Ingredients for Potato puree 500 gm potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces 1/2 sticks unsalted butter 4 sprigs fresh coriander 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/3 cup milk 1/2 teaspoons sea salt Freshly ground white pepper Method for Ragi crackers Sieve together salt, baking powder and both flours. Add pepper, chillies and warm water and make a tight dough.

Cover the dough in a plastic wrap and let

Use a pizza cutter to give the desired shape you want. You could also roll the dough directly onto the baking sheet.

Bake for about 10 – 15 minutes. Take them out toss with chaat masala and cool them on the rack.

it rest for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven at 200 degree c. Dust a work surface with flour. Press a piece of dough on the work surface with your hands to flatten it. With the help of a rolling pin, roll the dough into a large, very thin rectangle.

Method for Potato puree Fill a large pot with about 2 inches water.

Set steamer basket in pot (water should not come through the holes). Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a rapid simmer.

Add potatoes to steamer basket and steam for 25 to 30 minutes, until tender.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer, while whisking occasionally, until the butter is deep golden brown. Place the coriander and garlic in a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth. Strain the butter over

the garlic and coriander into a medium bowl, add cream, and whisk to combine.

Remove potatoes from steamer basket.

Drain, and immediately press through a medium mesh sieve into a large bowl using a rubber spatula. Fold the cream mixture into the potatoes. Press mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Plating Place a few drops of chutney to form a semi circle on a dinner plate. Using a tooth-pick strike from the centre of the drop outwards to form leaves. Pipe the potato puree within the chutney circle.

Now place the Ragi crackers on the puree, overlapping each other. Garnish with coriander leaves. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

YOUR CHOW AROUND TOWN Treat your teacher’s to a delicious meal

Feta with Balsamic Caviar, Broccoli and spaghetti with creamy caper dressing, potato and leak gateux and apple strudel.

When: September 5 Where: MoMo C afe, Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre, Bund Garden Road

Gelato’s flavour of the month This teacher’s day take this opportunity to thank all teachers by treating them to a delectable meal at MoMo Café.

Teachers will get a 50 per cent discount on their meal on this day. The chefs at MoMo Café will be whipping up a special menu especially for this occasion which will include delicacies like Watermelon

Celebrate the joys of this festive season as Gelato Italiano introduces its flavour of the month, Kaju and Kesar. This flavor sets the pace for the forthcoming festive season and is a sure treat for all the gelato lovers. Enjoy the crunchiness of the Kaju and the mouth-watering aroma of Kesar, as Gelato Italiano delivers extraordinary moments of Ice cream pleasure! The Gelato smoothness is perfectly balanced with the contrasting texture of fresh ingredients which give the flavors a savouy sensation.

When: Till September 30 Where: All Gelato Italiano outlets

Grilling and Chilling

With the approaching chill in the air Hyatt Pune brings you the perfect combination of Beers and Barbecue to complement

the weather. On the menu are grilled, tandoor and tawa preparations such as grilled prawns and fish , flavourful Ajwaini paneer tikka, succulent Murgh malai tikka, Lamb seekh kebab, Pudina aloo and much more. Pair these delicious offerings with some chilled beer and enjoy an evening under the stars.

When: Till September 30 Where: Fishbowl Outer deck, Hyatt Pune, Kalyani Nagar

A treat for all Pani Puri addicts Spice Bites’ Pani Puri is zesty known for its quality and delicious taste

By Zainab Kantawala @kantawalazainab

O

ne can never get enough of trying out different places that offer Pani Puri.

Located in the by lanes of Paud road, Spice Bites Pani Puri is one place you need to stop by the next time you’re in the area. Mashed potatoes with chickpeas along with the spicy and tangy pani are waiting to explode in your mouth.

What sets the joint apart is the fact that it serves nine flavours of this yummy treat in mineral water. The flavours include special pudina, sweet, garlic, lime, ginger, pudina, jaljeera, hajama-hajum and a special mix. The sweet flavour includes a thick paste that the owner Sanjay Rathod, creates using dates,

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

INDULGE RAHUL RAUT

tamarind and almonds, whereas the special mix includes spices, pudina and tamarind.

“I opened the stall three months ago and it has already gained popularity. I’ve tasted so many different kinds of Pani Puri when I was in Rajkot, Gujarat, so I thought I’d open a place that served several flavours in Pune too. I wanted to incorporate cleanliness and quality as well, so people could try the variety without worrying about hygiene. Th is was a challenge, so I thought about using only mineral water,” says the 21-year-old.

You can try six flavours for Rs 20 or all nine flavours for Rs 30, per plate. The popular favourite here is for the spicy pudina and jaljira, which are zesty and spicy. “We cater to more than 200 customers per day, and everyone has praised our special mix flavour. However, the garlic and ginger flavours are still to get the attention they deserve,” adds Sanjay.

Where: Spice Bites, opposite Hotel Samarth, Paud Road zainab.kantawala@goldensparrow.com

WEEKEND FOOD COURT

RESTAURANT NAME

LOCATION Panash, Four Points By Sheraton Viman Nagar, ahead of Phoenix Market City

CUISINE TYPE TABLE BOOKING

TIMING

SPECIALITY

PARKING

CARD

HOME DEL

Sushi, Dimsum, Teppanyaki

W

W

X

Cuban Food

W

W

X

Pan Asian

020 3093 1030/ 7709006688

W

19.00 - 23.00

Global Cuisine

020 3093 1030/ 7709006688

W

12.00 - 24.00

Mediterranean

020 3093 1031/ 7709006688

W

19.00 - 23.00

Global Barbecue, Desi Tandoor, Moroccan Tagines

W

W

X

The Eatery, Four Points By Sheraton Viman Nagar, ahead of Phoenix Market City

Multicuisine

020 3093 1031/ 7709006688

W

19.00 - 23.00

Indian and Continental

W

W

X

Chhavni, Hatel Deccan Pavilion, At Navale Chowk Narhe, Pune

Multi-cuisine

020-66834500, 8796075745

W

11.00 - 15.00 19.00 - 23.00

Punjabi

W

W

W

Parichay Hotel & Restaurants, FC Road

Multi-cuisine

020-25531511/2/3

Maharashtrian & Punjabi

W

W

X

Royal Symphony at President Hotel, Erandwane

Multi-cuisine

020-30255555 Ext 08

Indian and International Cusine

W

X

Rumaani Veg/ Non Veg, FC Road

Multi-cuisine

020-25538365

Mutton Kheema Pav Chicken Rassa

W

W X

Cuba Libre s37, 2nd floor Season Mall, Magarpatta city Alfresco Beyond The Eatery Four Points By Sheraton Viman Nagar, ahead of Phoenix Market City

X W X

11.00 - 23.00

11.00 - 23.00

7.00 - 23.00

TO PARTICIPATE IN TGS FOODCOURT, CONTACT- } Ananda 7507169414

} Prasad 9527507064 } Yogesh - 9011055077

814, Demech House 4th Floor, Law College Road, Pune 411 004 | Tel: 020-2432 4332/33 | www.thegoldensparrow.com

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TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES

From journalist to a sports-based event organiser

W

ith the aim to improve the value of a person’s life using sports as a medium, Kabir Mandrekar (26) quit his job as a sports journalist.

He then spent six months networking and researching before setting up Get-AGame. “The idea with the venture was not just to better the structures followed by schools when it came to coaching their students but to also provide a platform that promotes sports. Pune lacks structure, venue and opportunities when it comes to sports training and I wanted to change this,” says Kabir.

Apart from organising training sessions in schools to coach kids, Kabir’s venture allows anyone to pick a game when they feel like playing. It is as simple as logging onto the website, choosing the game you want to play, and booking it so even if you don’t have company to play don’t be disappointed.

Kabir believes that his efforts will soon bear fruit and that games other than cricket will also fi nd a following. “It is the appreciation I get from students and other players after a tournament, or game, that makes me positive of the outcome,” he adds.

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They’re staring at bigger goals, not computer screens

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES

A growing list of people now includes those who are stepping aside from the corporate ladder to pursue their passion instead of the corner office. How does one journey from being an investment banker to an agriculturist? Read on to find out

By Salonee Mistry @Sal0412

C

ubicles are boring. But they are secure. A salary account is much easier to handle.

But it brings along its own burdens. For

adults, paying the rent and living up to other commitments is the way of life. But you can’t pursue every passion post-retirement.

There are enough arguments and their own counter-arguments when it comes to choosing the path less travelled. Those working in the corporate

sphere, perhaps, mull over these statements on a daily basis. Most continue to day-dream about a future that includes making time for what they love alongside what brings in the moolah. Very, very few, however, step out of the confines of the cubicle to smell the coffee, brew their beer, bake a

cake, or click a pic. TGS met six such courageous people, who broke the mould to make a career switch and are often seen encouraging everyone to follow their own dreams. salonee.mistry@goldensparrow.com

From investment banking to a farming venture

H

ailing from Calcutta, Sriram Parthasarthy (46) studied to become a chartered accountant and worked with the banking industry for 16 long years. His wish, however, was to be able to touch the lives of several people and being unable to do this, he quit the banking industry in 2010.

Ever since he was a child, Sriram wanted to start his own business. When an opportunity came along, he didn’t waste much time in seizing it.

Dismayed at the inefficiency in the agricultural sector, Sriram decided to help make things a little better. He leased two farms in Konkan and started working on them to get a handson experience in the agriculture sector.

Today, Sriram owns Mr Karrot, which delivers vegetables and fruits direct from the farm. Mr Karrot has eliminated middle men in its distribution cycle, which puts a larger share into the farmer’s pocket and yet it competes at market price, even as the vegetables are more hygienic, Sriram claims. “I’m a workaholic and I run a very busy schedule throughout the week. It’s not easy to fi nd time to do anything else when you are trying to make a difference,” he tells us.

From engineer to a brewery owner

B

ored with the regular routine of his job in United States, Shailendra Bisht (36) enrolled in a homebrewing course which helped him learn a new skill and break the daily monotony. As time passed by, his interest in brewing grew and it turned into an obsession. “It was so much fun to be able to make your own beer. All the equipment was readily available and there were plenty many courses. It is just a step over cooking, it is so easy, once you get the basics,” Shailendra shares.

Once he found something that he loved so much,

there was no looking back. He quit his job of 10 years, teamed up with a friend, who knew how the business world worked, and moved to Pune to open his own brewery. The Independence Brewing Company at Mundwa was launched by Shailendra and his partner Avnish Velanki about three years ago. He dreams of entering the retail space with his very own brand of beer soon enough. When Shailendra is not at the brewery, he loves to play squash, spend time with his family and enjoys reading.

From sales vice-president to a baker

From public relations to dance therapy

W

hen Anubha Doshi (35) decided to switch careers a decade ago, she remembered what her father had taught her about helping others and her passion for dance. After studying communication management and living a corporate life for more than two years, Anubha was not satisfied. She wanted to do so much more and so she enrolled for a Masters in Psychology at Pune University and topped her batch. After attending a dance therapy session conducted by Tripura Kashyap, in Bangalore, Anubha had a fi rmer grip on what she always wanted to do. She trained under Kashyap for a few years and

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got a diploma from WCCL Foundation in Arts-Based Therapy. Then, she began teaching. “Dance therapy is not a profession for me anymore. It adds so much value and meaning to my life and gives me immense satisfaction at the end of the day,” says Anubha.

Completely occupied by her work, Anubha hardly gets time to be involved in anything else. She loves reading and learning as much as she can about dance therapy. She is the founder of the creativity hub, Artsphere located at Kalyani Nagar.

GET IN TOUCH: 9765046161

E

ver since she can remember, Babita Karkaria wanted to become a chef. Succumbing to family pressure, she completed her BSc in Chemistry and followed it up with an MBA. After working for 13 years, Babita quit when she was the vicepresident of sales at a multinational company. Fed up with the corporate life, she took a sabbatical for a year and decided to travel to Europe, another near-permanent resident on her to-do list. She also wanted to use this time fruitfully and decided to enrol in a culinary course at the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie (ENSP) in France.

Babita mastered the art of

making pastries, ice-cream and other sweet delicacies. Once she was back, she began to cater from a production unit in Viman Nagar.

About a year ago, she opened her own patisserie, The French Window, at Koregoan Park. “Even though, pay check at the end of the month is a relief, the satisfaction from the job I am doing now is much more.

In addition, I have fulfi lled a dream I had as a child and I could not be happier,” says Babita. When she is not at work, the master chef loves travelling, reading and spending time with her two dogs.

GET IN TOUCH: 9766644202

From marketing to photography

E

ven though he wanted to be an architect when he was growing up, he landed up pursuing an MBA and chose to follow a career in marketing.

After spending seven years in various multinational companies, Anshum Mandore (36) fi nally decided to follow his true calling. “I had this nagging feeling that I wasn’t made for the corporate world. The only other thing I loved doing was photography and it made sense to turn my passion into my profession,” says Anshum.

Absolutely loving the fact that he is his own boss, Anshum’s new profession has given him immense fame and recognition, he adds. He won the Best Theme Photographer in the Better Photography Wedding Photographer of the Year 2014-2015 contest. There were more than 18,000 entries from over 5,100 photographers. For Anshum, his biggest challenge was to get his fi rst break as a wedding photographer. But from there on it has been a smooth sail. An animal lover, foodie and a movie buff Anshum likes to capture anything he can whether he is working or not.

GET IN TOUCH: 9923000877

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

THRILL OF DRIVING

Land Rover Discovery Sport launched at Rs 46.10 lac

Makes it the only 5+2 seater luxury SUV in its segment

J

LR India’s announcement of the new Discovery Sport price — starting at Rs 46.10 lac ex-Mumbai, was greeted with hoots and whistles. The new Sport is the fi rst of a line of upcoming Discovery-based vehicles, meant to bridge the gap between the Land Rover and Range Rover vehicles. Available in four variants and two engine options, the new Discovery Sport is the only vehicle in its segment to offer 5+2 seating (in three of the four variants).

Engines on offer are the 150PS/400Nm TD4 and the 180PS/420Nm SD4 2.2-litre four cylinder diesels. Both use a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The vehicle is flush with technology — there’s Adaptive Dynamics and MagneRide on the top variants and a

Terrain Response System standard across the range.

4WD is full-time and uses an electronic Haldex centre differential.

Visually, the Discovery Sport reflects the styling of its larger, more upscale brethren. The front fascia and headlamps in particular recall the Range Rover. It’s not all show, however. There’s still a 600mm wading capability, along with 25 and 21 degree approach and departure angles respectively. Significantly, the new Discovery Sport will be manufactured by JLR in their Pune facility, no doubt contributing to its competitive price.

JLR will offer a 3 year/100,000km warranty and a complimentary 3 year service pack with the vehicle.

PRICES 2.2L TD4 Diesel S : INR 46.10 Lacs (5 Seats) 2.2L TD4 Diesel SE: INR 51.01 Lacs (5 Seats), INR 52.50 Lacs (5+2 Seats) 2.2L TD4 Diesel HSE: INR 53.34 Lacs (5 Seats), INR 54.83 Lacs (5+2 Seats) 2.2L SD4 Diesel HSE Luxury: INR 60.70 Lacs (5 Seats), INR 62.18 Lacs (5+2 Seats)

Vespa launches new 150cc scooters Moves the most upscale scooters you can buy further up

I

f you though paying 80,000 rupees for a scooter was silly, you may want to turn the page immediately, for Vespa has launched 150cc versions of their scooter, priced all the way up to Rs 88,696 for the SXL variant. Vespa now sells four distinct models of scooter: VXL and SXL variants with both 125 and 150cc motors. Updates are shared across either engine capacity and include a new seat design, new front fascia, fivespoke alloy wheels wearing broader tyres with a rather nice looking tread pattern, digital console and some particularly fetching matte paint jobs.

The new 150cc motor provides a small bump in performance, delivering 11.6PS and 11.5Nm, just about one point above the 125cc engine. While other manufacturers have mostly abandoned this size of engine, Vespa has managed to further differentiate itself by choosing a 150cc mill and those amazing colours. The Vespa SXL twins are available in five colours (orange, matt black, white, matt red and azure blue), while the VXL scooters are available in six (yellow, white, red, matt black, green and maze grey).

The SXL 150cc is available for Rs 88,696 and the VXL 150 cc is priced at Rs 84,641. The new 125cc SXL is priced at Rs 81,967 and the VXL 125 is yours for Rs 77,308, all ex-showroom, Pune.

C 63 S AMG launched at Rs 1.3 crore Takes the fight straight to BMW’s door

G

oing only by the amount of luxury car launches you’ve been seeing on these pages, you’d think that atleast someone in the country is having acche din. Mercedes has added the C 63 S AMG version to their range of C-Class vehicles in the country, and it’s available now at Rs 1.3 crore onwards. If you just asked why you’d pay that much money for a small sedan, you’re not the target audience.

The numbers tell the story: the popular 4-litre V8 motor that Mercedes often uses now puts out 510PS and 700Nm of torque, while being a full 32% more effi cient than the previousgeneration C 63. No surprise; the old one used a naturallyaspirated 6.2 litre engine. To put that into perspective, that’s more torque than is available in some entry-level trucks. Except that trucks don’t often come with Burmester sound systems, 19” alloy wheels, LED headlamps and several herds worth of leather. The AMG Speedshift

7-Speed sport transmission makes another appearance here, after the recently-released S 63 AMG, as does AMG RIDE CONTROL with electronically controlled suspension.

Mercedes is on a roll; the C 63 S is the 10 th AMG model launched in India, which is the largest performance portfolio of any manufacturer. The C 63 S AMG at Rs 1.3 crore is in the same ballpark as the BMW M3, but is significantly more powerful and based on the “World Car of the Year” C-Class, which makes a compelling argument.

TGS LIFE

A subtle bling!

SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

Features

By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM

blouse, choli, jacket or kurti in darker hues with a solid bright centre, this will not only give you a sense of height but also make you look slimmer,” says Nivedita.

A

t a wedding pop-up show, held in the city recently, fashion designer Nivedita Saboo and bespoke jewellery-maker Biren Vaidya of The Rose Group, showcased their latest collection and shared some interesting insights on the best ways to put together your wedding ensemble.

While talking extensively about the current trends and fusion fashion gaining centre stage, the duo also laid emphasis on the importance of sticking to the conventional with a few twists. pastels & charcoal While red remains predominant as the colour for the main event, brides today are switching to unconventional colour palletes and combinations, says Nivedita. “For an evening occasion, such as a mehendi or a sangeet, one can go for combinations of charcoal grey with candy orange, olive with blush rose or any simple shade of nude with navy blue or candy floss.”

Many brides-to-be now prefer contemporary styles and design elements while maintaining subtlety. So if you want to go for intricate thread work in your costume the quantity of bling can vary. “The idea is to give importance to finesse and technique.

You don’t have to completely get rid of the bling, but know the right amount to be added instead,” she recommends. the right fabric If your wedding is to take place during the rainy season, georgettes and chiffons are a big no-no, says Nivedita. “Silks and satins work really well on a gloomy day as they catch

bright colours and add cheer to the look. To add more grace to your overall look, you can accentuate the fabric with various surface ornamentation techniques such as crystal, stone and mirror embellishments, hand embroideries, zari and sequin work on the fabric.”

Spark a fusion From young sisters, cousins to not-so-old aunts, fusion-inspired look is for everyone who likes to play and experiment with looks.

Saris draped in gown-style or lehengas teamed with heavily embellished jackets have made a huge comeback. If you want to play up your ensemble for the multiple functions in the morning and evenings before the wedding, some of the most stylish and innovative

looks in Nivedita’s look book are long-length jackets with dhoti pants for the mehendi or a short jacket with hugely flared sharara pants for the sangeet.

Dress according to your body Many brides-to-be with a plum figure go for an over-sized outfit thinking it would cover their flab. It’s the biggest mistake. “In fact they make you look sloppy. For an appleshaped body, the emphasis should be more on vertical lines and cuts. Colour blocking is a great way to cover up those extra kilos. If you are going for embroidery, look for lengthwise work on a fabric, which will make you appear leaner. Similarly, if you are combining different shades, always keep the sides of your

Bejewelled While the evergreen traditional Judau set remains a favourite for any bride-to-be on her D-day, these days, sets of unique gems crafted in contemporary designs are gaining a lot of popularity. “Earlier, people would buy clothes to match their jewellery, which has changed in the recent times. Now, women choose jewellery according to their attire,” says Biren.

Biren who specialises in manufacturing handmade jewellery recommends pieceunique jewellery for events running up to the wedding. “The modern bride wants a piece of jewellery that can be worn more often even after the wedding. Keeping that in mind I suggest they go for necklaces and earrings made with combinations of tanzanite, emeralds and diamonds or ruby and emeralds, which would perfectly go with an attire for a cocktail or a sangeet.”

Calling pink the new red and the colour of the year, to add more drama to your look, Biren suggests playing up your neck piece by combining stones and gems of different sizes and colours, keeping one colour as the highlight (pink, as he suggests) so as to complement your ensemble for an enhanced look. He also suggests not going overboard with your look on the day you want to wear a fusion or western attire. For instance, if you are wearing a long jacket with sharara, avoid the neck piece and go for chandelier earrings instead since those alone would steal the show. heena.grover@goldensparrow.com

Performances strengthen Indo-German relations

After performing in Germany and Pune, GRIPS theatre is all set to wow the audience with Du and Me this weekend

By Salonee Msitry @Sal0412

W

hile on the political front, India and Germany have been doing their bit to maintain healthy relations, the entertainment industry is not to be left behind. Be it the Salman Khurshid video with the wife of the German ambassador to India, Eliese Steiner, or the GRIPS theatre group performing in Berlin, every little bit counts.

Pune visits Berlin Marking the 25th anniversary of GRIPS theatre in Pune in June, the play Du and Me was written

by Vibhawari Deshpande, Shrirang Godbole and Lutz Huebner from Berlin. The play was to portray the

cultural differences and similarities in the two nations and bring to the front the connection that thrives because of love. Concepts, like that of marriage and family, were discussed in the play. This is the second youth play organised by the group. “For the past 29 years GRIPS has been performing German plays by translating them to Marathi. This play, however, was specially written to cater to both the German and Indian audience in 2011,” says Vibhavari.

The group also travelled to Berlin to perform the Marathi version of Du and Me for the audience. Even though it was an amazing experience, it was a challenging one too, Vibhavari told us. The theatre group also held workshops for German theatre enthusiasts.

Workshops were

exchange, Du and Me revolves around these two students and their lives in the new countries. Love is the only language that breaks all boundaries and helps connect.

Throughout the play the viewer is amused as situations, and reactions to those situations, unfold. The play teaches one to embrace and respect all cultures even when there is a difference of opinion.

organised in Pune by German theatre groups as well. “The most difficult part of performing at Berlin was the fact that no one understood what we were saying. Since theatre is based largely on an immediate response from the audience, it was a little difficult to sense the pulse in the auditorium,” says Vibhavari.

Synopsis of Du and Me The Deshpande family bids adeui to their daughter Radha, who travels to Berlin on a student exchange. At the same time, they open their house to a student from Germany, Boris Seidler. Talking about everything contrasting and similar in this

A Global Affair GRIPS is currently working on a play that they can perform globally.

Dusaldoff in Germany, Pune and Bangalore are currently the cities on the list. The idea is to create a script that breaks all possible barriers, especially in terms of culture. While researching and brainstorming is in full swing, the hope is that the play appeals to everyone.

When: September 5, 7:30 pm Where: Jyotsna Bhole Sabhagruha, Tilak Road

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

STAGE

He will don a director’s hat soon

Girish Kulkarni shot to fame as an actor and scriptwriter with Vaalu in 2008 and, over the years, he has built a formidable reputation for himself

By Salonee Mistry @Sal0412

W

hen Girish Kulkarni writes a script his audience most definitely knows that it is going to be special.

Even after winning two national awards, he has absolutely no airs about himself. In conversation with the talented actor, scriptwriter, producer and soon-to-be director, TGS learns what sets Girish apart from the others.

Be it Deool, Valu, Vihir, Gabhricha Paus, or his latest production Highway-Ek Selfie Aar Paar, the fi lms Girish pens are sheer magic. “I have a keen interest in humans. I love observing incidents and people around me. Everyone has a story to tell, you just need to be able to hear it,” says Girish. His observations make him question people’s actions as well as

behaviour and, slowly, story ideas turn concrete. It is a habit that makes Girish’s scripts relatable and a huge success. In fact, Vihir travelled inter nat iona l ly to be screened at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2010 and was well accepted.

Script-writing is not Girish’s only talent.

Playing the funny cop in Anurag Kashyap’s Ugly turned into his Bollywood debut. He has, however, acted in several other Marathi movies, most of which he has written himself. He has also been actively involved in theatre productions since he was in college. Not in a particular hurry to bag bigger roles in Bollywood, Girish wants to wait for the right

script to come his way. Like most actors. Girish too looks out for characters that are different and pose a challenge for him. Being modest about his achievements and skills, Girish says, “Everyone is capable of multiple things and it is simply about realising what you can do.

I am grateful that acting and writing come naturally to me.” Winning two national awards is an added responsibility that demands higher quality work, he adds.

Girish is soon to direct an upcoming comedy Marathi fi lm, Jaun Jaanar Balasaheb and its script being worked out right now. Since most of his movies have been directed by Umesh

“Everyone has a story to tell, you just need to be able to hear it”

Kulkarni, the two share a close bond. Even though they are poles apart, they have managed to click and create magic on screen.

Living most of their lives in Pune, Girish and Umesh have been friends for the longest time and continue to work from Umesh’s studio in Pune even now.

Telling us about his most recent release, Highway- Ek Sefie Aar Paar, Girish says that the movie is meant for the new generation. It is about new trends, new ways of communication and how everyone is constantly on the move. The fi lm has a very simple message and is a complete entertainer. Shot on the MumbaiPune Expressway the fi lm highlights eight different stories that run parallel to each other.

Girish plays the role of an NRI, who is travelling to Pune to meet his ailing father. salonee.mistry @goldensparrow.com

They believe in performing only original music

By Sudheer Gaikwad

T

he Gravy Philosophy’ is an intriguing name for a band. But then this six-member outfit also has an equally unique approach to their music-making. Featuring Daniel Llangovan (vocals/guitars/bass), Dev Mitra (vocals/guitar/bass), Joshua Pandit (vocals/guitar/ bass), Abhiram Menon (drums/ percussion), Raghavendra Ram (synthesizer/FX) and Rustom Jhaveri (saxophone/FX), the band believes in a f lexible philosophy when it comes to their individual roles. They make and performtheir own music, with everyone contributing and collaborating in the creation of their music, which in their own words ranges from psychedelic and alternative rock, to electronic, country, jazz and folk.

College-mates Daniel and Joshua started The Gravy Philosophy as a four-piece band in 2013, which has extended to a sextet in 2015. “Each one of us comes from a different musical background, which is what gives our music a diverse range and a unique style,” said Joshua, adding “It blends the simplicity of folk and the intricate shades and textures of psychedelic music.” If one considers influences such as Pink Floyd, Simon and Garfunkel and Donovan, the British folk icon of the 60s, then we have some clues to

this band’s musical inspiration ad direction. Special ambient effects from the synthesizer and the sonorous texture of a saxophone add a one-of-a-kind dimension to

the band’s music.

Having performed at popular venues such as High Spirits and Blue Frog, the Pune audiences have had a taste of The Gravy

Philosophy musical menu.

“The audiences have responded positively to our original songs,” said Joshua. It is all the incentive they have needed to continue with

the original music formula.

Where: blueFROG, Yerwada When: September 9, 9pm onwards sudheer.gaikwad @goldensparrow.com

Wants to be as fit when she turns 50

By Heena Grover Menon @HeenaGM

T

his 26-year-old owns a beauty salon along with her mother and is a fashion, hair and beauty blogger. With a super hectic schedule which allows her to take only a day off in a week, she sets aside an hour every day to work out.

We caught up with Aleena Macker to capture her fitness regime and find out all about secret of being in a great shape. Read on to know how!

VITAL STATS Aleena Macker Weight: 50 kg Height: 5 ft, 4 inches

MORNING • I wake up at 8 am every day and do stretches for at least 15 to 20 minutes. I am quite a gadget buff so prefer reading news updates on the phone and then checkout my day’s schedule, meetings, etc. My biggest mantra to stay fit is no matter how busy my schedule may be, I keep an hour aside for exercise. I don’t do rigorous gym workouts but love doing cardio, running, power yoga, zumba and swimming (twice a week). My daily morning ritual is to drink a glass of warm lemon water. On my weekly offs, I get up at 7 am and do power yoga for an hour and start my day.

• At 8.30 am, I eat a bowl of fresh fruits that consists of apple, banana, guava or pear. I have a light breakfast at 9.30 am which mostly includes eggs and toasts.

Just before heading to my salon, I either have a glass of milk or a cup of light coffee.

EVENING • When I get home at 7 pm I have bowl of lotus seeds (makhana). After that I go out for a swim or run. On days I am too exhausted, I do yoga or simply work out at home. I love dancing so I have been doing zumba twice a week as well.

• I come back home at 9pm and then take break of 40 minutes and then have a light dinner that consists of vegetables and wheat pasta or vegetables and brown bread. I avoid rice and curd at night.

NIGHT • After finishing my dinner, I sit down and work on my blogs, read up and make plans for the next day or the week. Since this is the only time that I get for myself, I stay up till late sometimes to finish tasks or simply unwind.

• And 1am I hit the sack.

ALEENA’S FITNESS WISDOM I am quite fortunate to have a lean body .

Many of my friends tell me that I don’t need to exercise. It’s a common myth that a person with a naturally lean figure doesn’t need to exercise. It’s essential for each and every one of us to indulge in at least one activity. I may be fit today, but if I don’t follow it religiously, it might affect me when I grow older. I don’t

NOON • At 12 noon, I take a break and eat some mixed nuts. Then again at 1.30 pm, I have my lunch which is a mix of vegetables, dal, rice and chapati. I don’t really follow a diet plan as my mother cooks very healthy food.

Look your best this monsoon

Dhira Gandhi

I

t’s that time of the year when your skin needs extra attention.

There are high chances of your makeup getting ruined and washed

out. It’s about time you gear up and face the downpour and still look your best. Beauty professional Dhira Gandhi, who runs a salon ‘Chenz’ shares some expert tips to help you look your best in the lovely rains.

• Most of our skin tends to get oily and sticky due to the increase of humidity during monsoons. Prep your face using an oil free face wash or an exfoliator and apply an oil free moisturiser.

• Most important part of makeup during rains is to skip heavy foundations and opt for tinted moisturizers like a BB cream to even out your skin tone and

•

•

•

give a healthy glow to your face.

Just applying compact on a naked face is a complete NO. It will stick to your skin due to humidity and block your pores. Apply a light stroke of weightless powder on top of your tinted moisturizer.

Indulge in a bold eyeliner and kajal on your eye. Prefer earthy shades of eyeliner like a black, grey, brown, olive green or dark blue. Go nude or light shade of lips for this look. Th is will help you balance out your face.

For those who prefer just kajal, pop your lips with a bright colorful lip shade.

(As told to Zainab Kantawala)

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

FEATURES EXPERT SPEAK

Atul Kurpe, Director, Focus Five Fitness Club It’s good to know that Aleena is aware of her fitness requirements but there are some areas which need attention.

She must eat something right after waking up like dry fruits.Try adding slow-absorbing carbs in the breakfast like oats/muesli etc. Instead of nuts, have fruits at noon. She is taking a huge gap between lunch and evening snack.

She must spare five minutes around 4 pm to have a small meal. She must have enough food to avoid exhaustion in the evenings. After exercise in the evening, if she feels hungry, she ought to grab dinner immediately. She should try and go to bed early as her body demands rest for recovery. If she wants to be fit for her whole life, she has to focus on combinations of exercises (strength training, cardio, yoga), balance nutrition as well as seven to eight hours of sound sleep.

Expert rating: 7/10

exercise to stay thin, but do it as I want to stay as fit and healthy in my 50s as I am now. heena.grover@goldensparrow.com

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

14

Meet the party guy

NightLife In a candid conversation with Lovell Prabhu, the guy who practically got fashion to the city, we find out what makes the best and the worst in the life of a regular party goer

By Manasi Shroff @ManasiShroff

H

e’s been a fashionista of the city for over 25 years and every nightclub’s favourite. From after parties of India’s famous fashion weeks, to the glamorous parties he hosts for his friends, Lovell surely adds fun to the nightlife.

“I love colour,” smiles Lovell, who is usually seen wearing bright jackets with jeans and a slick ponytail. “I believe that it simply lightens the mood and makes you feel much livelier as opposed to a black or grey,” he says as he also claims to believe that nothing can be classier than comfort. All of us can agree to the fact that wardrobe

malfunctions are likely to occur with discomfort, and as Lovell puts it rightly, “There’s always a morning after the party.”

Speaking about awesome nightlife, “Pune hosted one of the first DJ parties when a guy called Paul Hartman recorded music in cassettes and we had an amazing

New Year at the Taj Blue Daimond.

The first of its kind in the country actually,” he claimed. Well, knowing the fact that Pune houses a number of famous musicians, we could expect only the best from our city.

Lovell clearly recalls the good old days where parties would go on all night and were safe for everyone.

“Today, I feel a little sad because the crowd in the city just doesn’t want to dance. They’ll hold a drink and keep looking at a few who are trying to have fun.” Moreover, he seemed disappointed as parties are not about socialising anymore. “It’s tough to make friends at a lounge because you never know who looks

at you in what way and we spend most of our time ignoring drunk people, who try to throw themselves on women, and even men for that matter.” One can only hope that the little flaws we have change and Pune gets back to its reputation of being a place to let your hair down and interact with people.

Where’s the party tonight John Dahlback

End the weekend on a high note as the internationally acclaimed DJ John Dahlback is all set to perform at Bluefrog. Supporting this super DJ will be Nikhil Chinapa who drives the crowd to the dance floor with his amazing beats. John Dahlback, leads the global dance scene with a forthcoming album on one of the world’s leading electronic labels Ultra and a diary that defines the term transatlantic as he jets back and forth between America, Ibiza and beyond. Nikhil Chinapa is one of the most popular DJ’s in the country and has played a key role in putting the country on the EDM map with a vision of changing the face of the clubbing scene in India.

When: September 6 Where: Bluefrog, Yerwada

Prateek Kuhad Live

Prateek Kuhad is coming to Pune with his first album, In Tokens and Charms

that released earlier this year and will be performing at The High Spirits.

Prateek, a Delhi-based singer is known for his folky and mellow songs. He has recently released his album In Tokens and Charms that featured gems like Oh Love, Go, and Fire. The multi-faceted vocalist sings in Hindi and concentrates on lyrics about love, heartbreak, wanderlust, and fantasy, woven in with delicate guitar riffs and chords and simple drum beats.

singles with musicians such as Madonna, Ricky Martin, Mary J. Blige and Craig David. Tatva K has performed all across the world and has been supported by International artists like Bobby Friction, Marcus Schulz, Global DJ Broadcast, just to name a few. He has produced music for Bollywood movies like Nasseruddin Shah’s The Blueberry Hunt and Anurag Kashyap’s Lohpath, and has given background music to numerous mainstream Bollywood movies. Atharv, also known as the Punjabi Romantic King made his presence felt in the Industry with his first hit single, Tu Raja Ki Raj Dulari, which topped the iTunes chart.

When: September 10 Where: Hard Rock Cafe, Koregaon Park

I Am Bliss When: September 9 Where: The High Spirits Cafe, Koregaon Park

We Are Punjabi Tour

Get set for the ‘We Are Punjabi’ tour with Tatva K and Atharv featuring Juggy D. Sohniye fame Juggy D, the King of Bhangraton, has been performing since the age of 14. He made his breakthrough alongside Jay Sean. Juggy D has also appeared on numerous crossover

This coming Saturday The Beer Cafe brings you I Am Bliss which is a Pune based band. This is a musical project between Danesh Munshi and Pune based band veterans Shreyas lyengar and Siddharth Gupta. Initially having met 4 years ago, Munshi and Iyengar both independently went on to play in various bands around India, China, and the UK, playing most major festivals in South East Asia such as MIDI, Modern Sky, and Chaoyang Festival to name a few. Fusing alluring melodies with sun drenched guitars, youthful chaos, and powerhouse drums, I Am Bliss is the new noise. Riding the wave of straight-

in-your-face punk and indie garage rock, the band is getting immediate attention from such early beginnings. They are known for their colourful performances perfectly blended with energy and they know exactly how to get the crowd rolling.

When: September 5 Where: The Beer Café, Koregaon Park

Jugalbandi between Saxophonist and Bubble dancers

Enjoy a unique jugalbandi between a world renowned Saxophone artist Amneris Haiduk from Ukraine and two international dancers Lysenko Kateryna and Yatskov Ruslana also from Ukraine.

These international artists are all set to mesmerise the audience with their unique performances. The dancers will perform inside a bubble on the tunes

Kangana Ranaut to play an actress in Rangoon

K

angana Ranaut is looking forward to Vishal Bhardwaj’s 1940-set drama Rangoon that will see her playing an actress, who is romantically involved with her mentor.

Riding high on the success of her latest fi lm Tanu Weds Manu Returns, the National Awardwinning actress will star alongside Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in the movie.

While Vishal got career-defining performances out of Shahid and Saif in Kaminey, Haider and Omkara, it remains to be seen how he uses Kangana’s talent in the period drama.

Kangana calls the movie a “passionate love story”, which is set in a turbulent period of Indian history. “It is a fi lm which is set in the 1940s during the World War II. It is about three characters and one of them is a superstar and her mentor, who she is romantically involved with. Another one is a soldier. It is about INA, independence and so many other things. It is a very passionate love story,” Kangana told PTI.

No problems between Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor

T

he camaraderie they shared on a reality TV show recently may have left media abuzz but Saif Ali Khan says he and Shahid Kapoor have always been cordial with each other.

The Phantom star said he and Shahid, who previously dated Kareena Kapoor, would have never agreed to work together if they had any issues.

“Why should there be any enmity between me and Shahid? There is so much going on, people trying to sell anything...As far as I am concerned, we really don’t have any issues. He has always been very decent. And why wouldn’t he be? And so am I. There is nothing bad between us no matter how much people want,” Saif told PTI. Both the actors will be sharing the screen space together in Vishal Bhardwaj’s 1940-set drama Rangoon, which also stars Kangana Ranaut.

“If we have any issue, we (Shahid and I) would have not signed a fi lm together,” he said.

Saif, who is yet to begin shooting for the fi lm, said he has attended the fitting sessions so far.

“I am very impressed with the way Dolly aunty (Dolly Ahluwalia) has designed my costume. It’s a period drama, so the costumes are also very different,” he said.

Th is is the second time Saif is teaming up with Vishal after Omkara, where he received a lot of acclaim for his role as Langda Tyagi.

TGS LIFE SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 PUNE

Besides Rangoon, the 28-year-old actress will star in Ketan Mehta’s Rani Laxmibai and Hansal Mehta’s Simran. She is also in talks for Tigmanshu Dhulia’s biopic on late actress Meena Kumari but it is not yet confi rmed, Kangana said.

The actress will be next seen opposite Imran Khan in Nikhil Advani’s Katti Batti, which hits theatres on September 18.

The actress said it is a very emotional drama about relationships that unfolds in a thriller-like manner.

“It is a larger-than-life love story. It is very intense and overwhelming but that is still being kept under wraps. I wanted them to cut a promo to show the intrigue and thriller-like element but they have not done it. It is a fi lm about loss. But the promotions are about Katti Batti and kissing and not kissing.”

Kangana said she was attached to the character of Payal that she plays in the movie.

The character apparently has commitment issues.

BUZZ

Starring in sequels mere co-incidence: Shraddha

W

ith so many young actresses in Bollywood trying to do challenging roles, the competition must be severe to handle. Shraddha said she, however, prefers to focus on what she is doing, rather than keeping a tap on what her peers are up to professionally.

“We all know each other, we meet each other. We are all working. I think we are very happy and blessed to be working. I give my everything to the fi lms that I do. So, my attention is only on that.

I do not ne c e s s a r i l y thing about what others are doing,” she said.

The actress is currently shooting with Tiger Shroff for director Sabbir

Khan’s Baaghi. Shraddha injured herself while rehearsing for a song from the fi lm.

She said it was an injury that she sustained while shooting ABCD 2 last year. “I got the injury during ‘ABCD 2 and it came back to trouble me in Baaghi. These partial muscle tears are very annoying...

They can come back.

“I was supposed to shoot a song with Tiger and had to dance, the sets were up, Sabbir sir was very sweet he said he would postpone it for a day for me to rest so we had to postpone it for one day,” Shraddha said. The actress will soon start shooting Rock On 2 in Shillong.

Shraddha is the newest addition to the fi lm that has Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal.

Haven’t reshot for ‘Jagga Jasoos’

R

anbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif starrer Jagga Jasoos has been in news for getting delayed but the actress says they have not re-shot any of the scenes for the movie. “No we didn’t reshoot anything... I wish... Because if we were re-shooting we would at least be shooting something. A very large portion of the fi lm is complete but there are some slightly complex sequences which are left. It’s a very brave fi lm. We have tried a lot of new things in the fi lm and to do that I think it takes time,” Kaif said.

The comedy-drama fi lm, directed by Anurag Basu was supposed to release last year but got delayed. The fi lm tells the story of a young detective, who is in search of his father.

Uncomfortable doing adult comedy : John

A

ctor John Abraham, who is returning to the silver screen after two years, says he is neither comfortable doing adult comedy fi lms nor will he produce any. “I would not act and produce an adult comedy fi lm. But that doesn’t mean I have a problem with it. I am not comfortable doing adult comedies.. it is not in my DNA. That’s not my space,” John said.

“Comedy in general is beautiful.

To make people laugh is lovely. It feels great when people laugh and go home. I want to make people happy. I want to do something that

is harmless,” he said.

At a time when when Bollywood is churning out quite a few adult comedies and they are doing well at the box office, the Madras Cafe actor feels there is a space in the market for everything.

“There is nothing wrong with it. There is a market for everything and everybody has the right to make what they want. And everyone has the right to see what they want to see,” the 42-year-old actor said.

John emphasised that guidelines should be followed while watching adult comedy fi lms.