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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: Insta made me eat it
There are more restaurants in India than ever before. There are more cuisines available than we have ever known. And , inevitably, there are more menu clichés (what we call 'food trends ' when we are being polite) than we have ever seen. Call me a jaded old bore, but these are the current trends/clichés that I hate the most. Dirty Sandwiches There has always been a distinction between the European conception of a sandwich and its American counterpart. In Europe, sandwiches are clever combinations of ingredients that you can enjoy without feeling that a vat of ketchup has fallen on you. The classic American sandwich has usually been a little fatter (the Reuben, the Hero, the hamburger etc) and has required you to open your mouth really wide while simultaneously ensuring that ingredients don't drop out of the sandwich as you are eating it. That's fine with me, but what I object to is the trend to over-sauce sandwiches to create the so-called Dirty Sandwich. This kind of sandwich contains so much ketchup, mayo, melted cheese, hot sauce etc, that it is supposed to make your face dirty from all the sauce that will smear itself around your mouth or drip down to the front of your shirt. We have imported this trend and I really don't see the point. Loaded Fries The French Fry is one of the world's great culinary inventions and its many variations (matchstick fries, steak fries, shoestring fries, triple-cooked chips, etc) are delicious when made fresh with the right kind of potato. So, why do you need to dirty it? It's the same phenomenon as the Dirty Sandwich. They pour melted cheese on the fries or douse them in truffle oil (more about which later) or drown them in some tomato-chilli sauce. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why they need to do this. Do these people not really like fries? Is that why they have to destroy their natural flavour and texture? Matcha Just as we mindlessly import trends from America, the Americans themselves have long abused Japanese cuisine by plundering its flavours, dishes and ingredients for rubbish variations. One example is matcha, a specific kind of Japanese green tea powder, which has a distinctive flavour (if you use real matcha, which people outside Japan often don't) that I enjoy. But now, bogus matcha is used to flavour everything, partly because the real matcha is expensive and, thanks to massive demand from America, in short supply. You will get matcha versions of all kinds of food and drink now, from martinis to dumplings, and even when the Matcha flavour does not taste obviously fake, I have to say that I am fed up of the matcha overload and the extent to which people use it because it's trendy or they saw it on TikTok. Fermentation and Foraging Oriel Castro, who was head chef at El Bulli, and now owns the three-Michelin-star Disfrutar, held a super class (full disclosure: As Chairman of Culinary Culture I helped organise it) in Delhi last month and demonstrated how he had taken forward the techniques he had created with Ferran Adrià at El Bulli. A fair number of India's great chefs flew in to attend it, and I think all of them had the same thought as me: It is a shame that the advances of El Bulli and Disfrutar have come to be represented by talentless imitators who spherify liquids and put foams on everything. I feel the same way about the Noma legacy. If you talk to René Redzepi or eat at Noma, you realise that his food is about understanding the world around us and enjoying the best that the earth has to offer. But like El Bulli (where Redzepi once worked) Noma has been ill-served by its imitators who think that the food is only about foraging and fermentation. There is nothing I find more annoying than a chef who thinks that if he can pick up some dodgy-tasting leaves in a forest and ferment them for six weeks he can be the next René Redzepi. Cheesecake I love cheesecake, as I have often said on these pages. I am not snobbish about it; I grew up on frozen Birds Eye cheesecake not on some chefy version. But now, as we are overwhelmed by an avalanche of cheesecake, all I can say is: Enough already! My major problem with the cheesecakes I find at most places is that they are not very good. They are usually made by people who have no love of cheesecake but are simply replicating recipes they found on YouTube. Three years ago, they all made Biscoff cheesecake because the internet was full of videos that promoted a Belgian brand of Speculoo biscuits made by a company called Lotus. Because Speculoo is a ridiculous name, the biscuits were called Biscoff (short for 'biscuit with coffee' ) outside Belgium. The Biscoff cheesecake used a Speculoo base and (sometimes) Biscoff paste (a sort of Nutella for biscuit lovers). The people who made the cheesecake focused on the industrial Biscoff flavour rather than the cake. Now, because the internet is full of recipes for Basque cheesecake, the same people have switched to making that. Basque cheesecake is not a traditional recipe, but is simply a cheesecake created by a restaurant in San Sebastián in 1988, which made a normal cheesecake but burnt the top. Nigella Lawson made it famous in 2020/2021 and now, people act like it's the only cheesecake that matters. It's not. And I do wish people would go back to more interesting versions. Truffle oil It does not smell like truffles, but because of its low prices and ubiquity, people have actually begun to think that this is the aroma of truffles, having never smelled the real thing. I don't mind that it's fake. I have no strong views on vanillin, for instance, the bogus vanilla that is usually used in India, because it costs next to nothing. My problem with truffle oil is that it smells disgusting. To be in a restaurant that is serving truffle oil is like encountering a herd of farting goats. If you are unfortunate enough to consume it, the stink will stay with you: You will burp it up for hours afterwards! And yet, all Indian chefs use truffle oil, claiming 'this is what the market demands'. And finally As you can tell from this rant, I have only just hit my stride. Expect another instalment soon! From HT Brunch, June 21, 2025 Follow us on
Calgary Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Review: It's really something when a theatre troupe can pull off Much Ado About Nothing
Article content There is much to recommend in The Shakespeare Company and Full Circle Theatre's production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Article content It's one of Shakespeare's more problematic plays. It's a comedy, but at its heart, it's about a group of men discrediting an innocent young girl. It's Shakespeare's comic version of his tragedy Othello. Article content A group of soldiers returning from battle stops to rest at the home of the wealthy lord Leonato. The young soldier Claudio is instantly smitten with Leonato's daughter Hero, and she with him, a device straight out of Romeo & Juliet. Leonato's niece Beatrice is a hater of men, most specifically of the vain soldier Benedick, mirroring Katrina and Petruchio from Taming of the Shrew. Beatrice and Benedick's friends conspire to trick them into becoming lovers, but the other conspiracy is to convince Claudio that Hero is not chaste. Article content Article content Any production of Much Ado rises or falls on the chemistry between the actors who play Beatrice and Benedick. Shakespeare has written some of his finest banter for these characters, and Megan Baldrey and CJ Gordon attack it with relish. Article content Baldrey's Beatrice is so voluptuous it's a wonder she isn't fending off suitors, but she does have a viper's tongue, which she turns on Benedick the moment he arrives at the villa. She teases him mercilessly, occasionally winking at the audience to let us know the disdain she holds for him. Article content It's up to Hero, and her lady-in-waiting, Margaret, to drop hints that Benedick is really in love with Beatrice but sworn to pretend otherwise. Baldrey's initial disbelief is hilarious, as is her gradual realization that she does like him. Article content Article content Claudio, the army commander and Leonato are the ones who have to convince Benedick that Beatrice is in love with him. They know that this will feed Benedick's ego. The fun is watching Gordon processing this revelation, and questioning his old philosophy that he is a bachelor for life. Article content Article content Director John Knight turns the scenes in which Beatrice and Benedick overhear the conversations of the conspirators into pure slapstick. He has Baldrey and Gordon crawling about on the floor and hiding behind the small set pieces on the stage. It's the antithesis of the witty verbal matches Baldrey and Gordon had earlier on, but both actors are up to these demands as well. Article content Joel David Taylor runs a gamut of emotions for Claudio. First, he is smitten with Hero, all eager-eyed and puppy-like. When he thinks that Don Pedro is wooing Hero, Taylor becomes petulant and sullen, but turns into the proud peacock when Hero announces she will gladly marry him. Taylor is most convincing when he turns his anger on Hero at their planned wedding, accusing her of being wanton. His anger is palpable. Article content It's always a challenge for modern actors to play Shakespeare's innocents. Hero is probably 15 years old. Caitlyn O'Connor's reaction to being maligned is not that of a child but a woman, and that's not Hero. Her admonishment of Claudio when he discovers the truth is better.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Sooraj Pancholi On Losing Films After Jiah Khan Case: 'They Had To Protect Their Investment'
Last Updated: Sooraj Pancholi opens up on his return to films, industry rejections post Jiah Khan case, and why he holds no grudges: "They had to protect their investment." In a small studio tucked away in Mumbai's Andheri, Sooraj Pancholi seems almost too restless for the confined space. He suggests walking and talking—an idea betrayed by the modest dimensions of the room. So instead, the 34-year-old actor settles for a traditional sit-down interview, though the energy in him is hard to contain. It's been just a few days since the release of Kesari Veer, a historical epic that marked Sooraj's long-anticipated return to the big screen. The film may not have set the box office ablaze—it grossed ₹25 crore worldwide against a reported ₹60 crore budget—but Sooraj isn't dwelling on the numbers. 'I get messages from colleagues, directors, and fans who say I've grown since my first film," he says. Then he pauses and adds with quiet candour, 'But I'm still not satisfied. I want to do better work, better films, and work with experienced directors." Kesari Veer, which featured an ensemble cast including Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, and Akanksha Sharma, might not have been a commercial triumph, but for Sooraj, it represents something far more personal: a reset. 'Each film, no matter its fate, builds more confidence in an actor. Even a flop teaches you something. Still a long, long way to go," he reflects. His journey in cinema has been anything but linear. Since his debut in 2015 with Hero, Sooraj has appeared in just four films as a leading man—largely because the past decade saw him caught in a legal storm. In 2013, his then-girlfriend, actor Jiah Khan, died by suicide. Sooraj was arrested and charged with abetment. It wasn't until 2023 that a CBI special court acquitted him, citing lack of evidence. For Sooraj, Kesari Veer isn't just a film. It's a personal milestone. 'This is the first time there is no other load on me," he says, acknowledging that the burden of public scrutiny has finally begun to lift. And yet, even after two years of acquittal and over a decade since the tragedy, the questions persist. '2025 is the last time I'm talking about this," he states firmly. 'It's done. Everyone has seen and read all about it." Does he feel bitter about how the industry reacted? 'Many filmmakers backed out of films I was cast in," he admits. 'But I understood. Paise unhi ke lag rahe hain, boss (They're the ones investing money). I wasn't producing those films. They had to do what they thought was right. Everything has its own time." But there's no trace of self-pity. If anything, Sooraj sees the uphill climb as a badge of honour. 'I like it this way," he says with a shrug. 'I prefer having everything the hard way. Fire will always test gold." Now, with Kesari Veer behind him, he's looking ahead with optimism—and clarity. 'In the end, I'm only as good as my directors," he muses. It's no surprise then that his wishlist includes names like Kabir Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, both of whom he assisted before stepping into the limelight. 'It would be full circle," he smiles. 'And once that happens, I hope we can sit on these very chairs again and talk about that phase of my life." First Published:
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rain, Rhythm & Retro: Meenakshi Seshadri Dances To 'Swati' Song
To celebrate the arrival of the monsoon, legendary actress Meenakshi Seshadri danced to the hit track Aane Do Ab Zubaan Par from her 1986 film Swati. She shared the nostalgic video on Instagram, delighting fans with her grace and energy. Meenakshi, who became one of Bollywood's biggest stars in the '80s and '90s, first rose to fame with Hero after debuting in Painter Babu. Her impressive filmography includes classics like Aandhi-Toofan, Meri Jung, Dacait, and Inaam Dus Hazaar. This dance throwback struck an emotional chord with fans who grew up watching her on screen. Read More
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Hero Vida's VX2 e-scooter to launch with battery subscription option: Details
Hero MotoCorp is gearing up to unveil the Vida VX2, a new electric scooter under its EV sub-brand, Vida, on July 1, 2025. This upcoming model is expected to be a more affordable alternative to the existing Vida V2 lineup and will debut with the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) subscription model to lower ownership costs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This 'pay-as-you-go' subscription scheme will allow customers to finance the scooter and battery subscription options will be available, allowing customers to select plans based on their daily or monthly usage and budget. Unlike the sleeker V2 series, the Vida VX2 leans toward a more family-friendly design, featuring a wraparound LED headlamp, flat seat, and a compact TFT display. The scooter has already been spotted at dealerships, indicating that deliveries are likely to begin soon after launch. Simple One review: Is this the EV to beat? | TOI Auto The VX2 is expected to offer two battery size options—2.2kWh and 3.4kWh—with the lower variant likely featuring a single removable battery and the top-end variant packing two units for a claimed range of over 100 km. Hero is expected to use the same frame, motor, and electrical components as the V2 series, helping keep costs in check. While official pricing is yet to be announced, it is likely to undercut the V2's current price range of Rs 74,000 to Rs 1.20 lakh, ex-showroom. The BaaS model will be supported by Vida's expanding network of over 3,600 fast-charging stations and 500+ service points across 100+ Indian cities. Full specifications, variant-wise features, and pricing details will be revealed at the official launch on July 1. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.
