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Home , Amitabh Bachchan, Armaan Malik, Yamini Krishnamurthy

April 26, 2020 Free with your copy of Sunday

Years Of

2004-2020

AMITABH BACHCHAN:+ NOTES FROM FAME THAT THE BERLIN LASTS FILM FESTIVAL FOREVER! By Sanjeev Bijli By Vir Sanghvi Page 14 Page 10

FASHION FOCUS POST-PANDEMIC, WHO’LL WEAR WHAT WHEN? By Sujata Assomull Page 18

“The Bhagavad Gita took me to universes inside myself, universes that I have not seen”

DANCE OF THE GODS ONE OF ’S GREATEST PERFORMERS, MALAVIKA SARUKKAI ON HOW SHE GAVE A sacred SCRIPTURE THE PHYSICALITY OF DANCE BY SHOBA NARAYAN

#DanceOfTheGods

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS 3 To read Brunch stories online, log on to hindustantimes.com/brunch. Follow @HTBrunch on and Instagram

Stuff You Said GET OUT OF QUARANTINE Years Of Last Sunday WITH A NEW SKILL 2004-2020 Five famous faces pick up a new talent during lockdown. You can too! By Dhara Vora Sabhnani Bhumi Pednekar, actor me. I have always tried to explore and evolve through Learn organic living different mediums of expression – be it film, music or “My mom and I always wanted to photography – each is important in its own way.” have a hydroponics garden where we grow our own vegetables. This Armaan Malik, singer and lockdown has made me get into songwriter learning the science of hydroponics So, you've always and understand the essence of wanted to cook? what conservation of environment “Quarantine period is not a can truly mean. I’m proud that our productivity challenge! I’ve garden can now produce food for two always loved helping in the days of the week!” kitchen so, I’ve started learning how to cook simple dishes. I am Kaneez Surka, very good at making scrambled stand-up and improv artiste eggs but now I have nailed Spaghetti Aglio e Olio. Next Master a musical I plan to learn some Indian dishes like yellow dal instrument and bhindi ki sabzi from my mom.” “Just before the lockdown, my anjhula Lovely cover mother gifted me a kalimba , actor Sketch away the Blues stephan samuel Both (African thumb piano). My friend are looking stunning [musician] Ankur Tewari recently “Sketching is something beautiful (sic) posted an image of his and he is that I love doing in my puneet.ranjan It's Great now going to teach me to play it! free time. It helps me Playing musical instruments is a enhance my creativity boardingajetsomewhere This great exercise for your brain.” to the best and it is was a lovely read! I’m sure something, which is so most of us will take away important life lessons from Sanjay Garg, free-flowing, that it is an this lockdown! Not just on fASHION DESIGNER easy mind diverting activity, reflection of our own lives, Try out photography which is really useful but by learning from others, I during these times. I feel that art is a true form can't speak for all hearts, but “In addition to cooking and watching I can say my heart is firmly documentaries, I have started learning of expression of one’s feelings and emotions, so with you and @s_u_r_i_l_i_e!!! photography. I am an extremely through my sketches I have been trying to emote Hope you get to be together, visual person. Some of my earlier all that I am feeling, which in turn has helped soon!!! Take care and lots of love!!! collections were photographed by lighten my mind.”

Sometimes sisters in quarantine can Curating the best of the Internet for your Sunday viewing benefits make your quarantine a blessing. WTF You are always my favourite charm- watch. tap. follow. ness (sic). This just made my day! @Agra_deep TAP Dancing in the night is the new song That is a vehicle worthy of a #Jatt by Lokesh Bakshi. Four musicians and number plate. A vehicle that will 17 dancers shot their pieces from the traverse #Delhi streets, unpaved confines of their homes to create this Haryana roads, khets of Punjab & cool crowd-sourced video! Sangli with the nimbleness of a #Bullet and comfort of a #Bentley. Damn Armageddon, it will overcome the after-monsoon streets of #. Your quarantine FOLLOW @vellaBuddha staircase workout Now all you WATCH Easy moves need to lose Hormazd Sorabjee Check out Farah Khan Kunder and to ignite your weight is a wrote about the Shirish Kunder’s son Czar Kunder’s rap metabolism staircase, Mercedes G-Class in video. Titled Need to Survive it is written and get you leaner shows his column last week and grammar spelling to correct been edited have Some tweets Note: and composed by the 12-year-old and is than ever Deanne Find Hindustan Times Brunch on Facebook, themed around the Coronavirus scare. http://read.ht/EQFB Panday! follow @htbrunch on Instagram or tweet to @HTBrunch or...

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april 26, 2020 4 HuMouR

Shut it out Buoyant music can drown the din of these Amazing depressing times grace From glam rock to Sufi qawwali, a whistle-stop tour of uplifting tunes By Rehana Munir garg imaging: parth Photo

efore I can say anything, Graceland, Paul tapping once the opening strains share his beliefs, are a stranger let’s just agree that Queen Simon (1986) of Pour Some Sugar On Me begin to his language or are unable to at Live Aid in 1985, the The energy of roaring out. I might be biased, appreciate the nuances of his Bimmortal performance African music, considering I grew up in the ’90s, delivery. This towering force immortalised a bit more by the with its major when the music was still hot. The of music challenges, humbles, biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, chords and energy of Animal still spoke to mystifies, consoles and even is a contender for the title of lively rhythms, the post-grunge generation. And changes the human heart. contemporary music’s brightest combined Love Bites was a ballad that you And now’s a good time to be in 20 minutes. And now over to other with the didn’t beat yourself up for singing communion with such greatness. musical magic carpets that can lyrical sharpness of Paul Simon, along to. It was an era that was (But for some perverse reason, fly us to the other side of this long recovering from a low phase, gives nothing if not forgiving. The age I am currently stuck with the day on loop. this eclectic album its mojo. From of glam rock, when awful hair abominable song I the miracle and wonder of The and crackling riffs co-existed in a Love You in my head, plagiarised Chalti Ka Naam from the iconic Allah Hu.) Gaadi, OST (1958) the title track [of Chalti ka The three Andrea madcap naam gaadi] is A yodellingly Bocelli brothers cheerful soundtrack for our live at in this yawningly vacant times the screwball Duomo comedy Boy in the Bubble to the road-trip messy, stone-washed universe. It’s (2020) can bring optimism of Graceland; the joy time to channel it all, sitting in our It all began a smile on the face of certified of I Know What I Know to the temporarily depleted, sanitised with the Italians and their grouches, convalescing patients playfulness of You Can Call Me Al, world. Armageddon It! balconies. More recently, tenor and anti- film snobs. the pint-sized songwriter of the Andrea Bocelli singing from an This is my own go-to album for Simon & Garfunkel duo delivered The Best of empty Duomo cathedral in Milan moments of stress, distress or an evergreen solo masterpiece. As Nusrat Fateh on Easter was like a hardcore ennui. From the comic brilliance a companion to the album, fans Ali Khan workout for the soul. It made my of Main sitaaron ka taraana (to might want to read his definitive It’s a bit late in out-of-shape feelings jump high, dismiss Madhubala’s seductive biography by Robert Hilburn, this piece for crash low, hold their breath and charms at the altar of fair wages published in 2018. Spoiler alert: this confession, then gush out it in a gratifying is socialism at its best) There’s a lot of whining about Art but music is flood, not witnessed since the to the sensuous charm of Ek Garfunkel. Wickedly fun. a mystery to climax of Gully Boy. (Judge not lest ladki bheegi bhaagi si, Kishore me. In other ye be judged.) ‘Music for Hope’ was Kumar steers this soundtrack Hysteria, Def words, it’s the initiative that brought the world with the skill of a genius and the Leppard (1987) not something I can think about; this magnificent online offering. whims of a madman. And then It’s not quite it’s something I can only feel. After delivering four hymns, he there’s the title track, which metal, it’s not Organic, visceral, hypnotic, ends with an exquisite rendition of captures the film’s endearingly just pop. But ’s music Amazing Grace – a transcendent earthy philosophy of not chasing try and keep has already withstood too many performance for the faithful and perfection but joy. A yodellingly your head fawning adjectives for me to add godless alike. Amen and encore. cheerful soundtrack for our from banging to the onslaught. But there is [email protected] yawningly vacant times. or feet from this: It doesn’t matter if you ’t Follow @rehana_munir on Twitter and Instagram

april 26, 2020 guest column 5

sister is also catching up and I think by May they should have their own airline – are you listening Air India?

PLEASE PASS THE CASH I’m working more than I worked before the lockdown. Because I’m a comedian. As a rule – I make most of my living when I’m travelling. I travel to a city, perform jokes for an hour and get paid. Now suddenly I am not travelling – so I have to work longer than an hour (the horror). Like so many of us, I have to figure alternate means of income. Why do you think I’m writing this article? Yes, it means a lot to me that I can make you smile but it means more to me that I have

garg Imaging: parth Photo money for 10 kilos of groceries. And two kilos extra for our neighbours. Honestly, if you are lucky to have a roof and necessities, please Home, Sweet Home try and use this time to reinvent Stay safe, wash your hands, and don’t go loco in the lockdown yourself. Write that book you’ve been planning to write since 2011. By Sorabh Pant I’m working on my fourth as we speak. Nobody will read it but y wife is rarely which finished in four days: do this time. Making jokes around this I’ll write it for me. Or read all the impressed by me. She we have children or anacondas? time is just my way of dealing. So, books you wanted to read since once attended – my wife looked at me as if I had here goes. 2011. Including three of mine. I’m Ma stand-up show where brought down somras from Lord My wife and me co-created writing articles, making pitches I got two standing ovations and Indra. She cried as she held the two children (mostly her though) for shows and brands, editing said, “The crowd really loved it,” packet of haldi and said, “The last and they are now home. For the old stand-up videos to entertain implying that she did not because packet of haldi! I’m blessed to have first few days, we never missed you guys (and earn YouTube ad she operates on a higher plane such a great husband. All other their school so much – if Dunzo revenue so I can buy my kids than the plebeians who enjoy women and gay men on Earth are could have figured a way to their first Boeing 747). my jokes. Even when I bought a so jealous of my luck.” deliver my son’s school teacher house, my wife’s first response Or she may have just said, “Oh, to us, I would have been willing GETTING FRESH to me investing all my life’s nice. Really good job. Thanks, bro.” to tip them over ~100. Things While this is a terrible time for earnings in a home for us and Side note: one upside of the got better because my wife is humans, it is a good time for our our mutual kids was, “It’s nice lockdown was that this was the first smart and we’re ensuring this planet to refresh itself – maybe but the view is okay, ya.” you should too. Help your partner Don’t get me wrong – she is “MY WIFE ONCE ATTENDED A rediscover why the two of you ridiculously supportive, excited STAND-UP SHOW WHERE I GOT fell in love, teach your kids, learn and understanding of all my something new and head over to stupidity, but being impressed A STANDING OVATION, AND SAID, YouTube.Com/PantOnFire and is another thing. Here are three ‘THE CROWD REALLY LOVED IT’… watch my stand-up videos for free. instances when she was impressed IMPLYING THAT SHE DID NOT!” Don’t skip the ads though because by me: I genuinely need the money so my When I got tickets for Peppa time I’ve not seen anyone bargain time for the kids is spent being wife is a little impressed by me. Pig concert in Mumbai, after they with the fruit and vegetable sellers. constructive. So far, we’ve Stay safe, wash your hands and if were sold out. Good for them. The vendors all managed to teach our five-year- you see someone working to improve When I got her to meet Hrithik looked a bit confused that no one was old son about photosynthesis: our situation, try to thank them. Roshan – who was nice enough to even attempting to say, “Arrey bhai, “Papa. The plants eat sunlight, P.S. I’ve also been watching some give both of us a big hug though nimbu pachas paise kam karo,” as then energy and oxygen come. weird movies, reading some weird my wife may have preferred they sauntered back to their SUVs. Now can we watch Chhota books and discovering ‘terrible’ marrying him instead. Power Rangers?” Indian TV. Maybe from next week When I managed to get her GIMME WINGS He’s also learned to make onwards I could review all of it. entire grocery list of items during Look, I know it’s such a tough time paper planes, write alphabets [email protected] the lockdown. for people: those that have been and understand gravity and Follow @ HTBrunch on Twitter infected, our heroes in the medical the planets and I think if this Sorabh Pant is rated among the top comedians in SUPER SORABH! fraternity, cops, the municipality lockdown goes on for a month India. He’s performed stand-up acts all across the As I trudged back home after and even day labourers and the longer, we can help him pass globe and has his shows on Amazon Prime. carrying 12 kilos of groceries – homeless who have no options at his pilot exams. His younger Follow him @hankypanty on Twitter.

april 26, 2020 6 Cover story

“Malavika Sarukkai has carved a prestigious niche: the world recognises her as a representative of Indian culture and ethos” —, dancer, film actor and politician SAY IT WITH DANCE HAILED AS INDIA’S GREATEST DANCER, MALAVIKA SARUKKAI IS FACING HER BIGGEST CHALLENGE EVER!

Text by Shoba Narayan Photos by Sudeep Bhattacharya

wenty minutes before dance form that goes back to the As the second bell rings, hers is based on the Bhagavad the world premiere of Natya Shastra, a second century nudging the audience inside, Gita or the Lord’s Song, her latest production, CE treatise. Malavika approaches the Hinduism’s most influential T The Battle Within, makeshift altar on the dressing and beloved scripture. Part of Malavika Sarukkai, ‘India’s INSIDE STORY table. There are photos of her the Mahabharata, an epic story greatest living dancer’ according Malavika, 60, seems unconcerned late mother, Saroja Kamakshi, that describes two warring to pre-eminent art critic B N by the weight of the expectations along with a few Hindu gods. clans and ends in bloodshed Goswamy, stands alone in her surrounding her. Alone in her She picks up the heavy dance and woe, the Gita plays out as a green room, warming up. green room, she stretches and anklets placed in front of the conversation between Arjuna, It’s November 2, 2019, and sways meditatively, her face gods, touches them to her eyes the despondent warrior, Chowdiah Memorial Hall, serene. She bends and touches prayerfully and dons them. She and , his charioteer Bengaluru, which seats 1,100, her toes, and does dozens of then walks to the wings and and teacher. The late great is overflowing with fans and squats. What she is doing, she stands still, as she must have Indologist J A B van Buitenen admirers. Two Dutch dancers explains later, is emptying herself done countless times on stages described the Gita as a way to say they timed their India trip so “a higher force” can enter her as diverse as Jacob’s Pillow, “bring to a climax and solution to take in the performance. body. “You have to tell yourself Sadler’s Wells, The Kennedy the dharmic dilemma of war.” A kathak troupe has flown in that you are not important,” she and Lincoln Centers, Southbank Deeply philosophical, the Gita from Ahmedabad to see exactly says. “You have to displace that Centre and the Théâtre de is daily reading for countless how “Malavika-ji will make the ego so that you feel bliss, so that la Ville. Indians who seek its edicts for ephemeral personal.” Local you can convey bliss.” This solo production of clarity of thought. Malavika’s dance students in matching late mother, who passed away saris flit around like excited “You have to displace that ego six years ago, was one of them. butterflies, wondering how “In the last years of her life, Malavika will contemporise the so that you feel bliss, she read the Gita constantly,” gestures and movements of a so that you can convey bliss” says Malavika.

April 26, 2020 “With an ensemble Years Of production, the challenge is to 2004-2020 design the space and interact with other dancers. But my life’s breath is presenting in solo.”

balm for quarantine blues Malavika Sarukkai shares five healing touches to add to your life

 Watch performances of classical dance, listen to music as this is soothing and relaxing.

 Observe physical distancing but not social JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION distancing. Reach out to USING #DanceOfTheGods people; empathise as it relieves the sense of isolation.

 Read poetry to help lift one’s spirit.

 Do exercise, yoga and pranayama for a sense of well-being.

 Spend time observing life around you. 8 Cover story “The Bhagavad Gita took me to universes inside myself, universes that I DANCE OF Q&A have not seen” THOUGHTS Acknowledging its influence The hardest emotion to on Indian philosophical portray in dance...? thought is one thing, but how With my Gita production, would Malavika convert an I found that vismaya – the ancient scripture into the feeling of wonder – was physicality of dance? The hardest to portray as it’s cornerstone of the Gita is what ouside of us. call the Viswarupa: when Lord Krishna reveals Tell us the process of himself in all his glory to creating a dance? Arjuna, when he says, “Behold: For me, it is spending months I contain the universe within in solitude, being caught up in me.” How would Malavika a different universe. I will eat showcase this climax featuring and drink, read, and basically an omniscient Krishna? sit by myself to create, make “An easy approach is to notes, and choreograph. show the Vishwarupa with a lot of sound and light effects,” says What was your takeaway Praveen Kumar, a well-known for your latest production? dancer-teacher in Bengaluru. Arjuna’s crisis is so compelling, “Malavika chose the hardest perhaps because it is so “us.” route in that she used the We might find a moment of physicality of dance to depict magic, of truth or divinity, the story and the feelings.” but then we lose it. That is the Physicality, intent and battle within. Because Arjuna perfectionism are terms was given divyadrishyam or that come up constantly divine vision. But when he in conversations about rides into the Mahabharata Malavika. Beginning at the after this divine vision, the age of seven, Malavika learned worst of atrocities happen. from stalwarts So, the takeaway is that belonging to two schools: the transformation doesn’t happen traditional Thanjavur school in an instant. It is something with its firm geometric footwork you work towards. and the softer Vazhuvoor style. She also learned bhava How do you place yourself became a language for me,” she into English and displayed on or facial expressions from in the dance legacy? says. “A language that I can the screen, the emotions and Guru Kalanidhi Narayanan. The artistes I saw and respected interpret in my own way while stories are conveyed through After performing for 20 years, were , staying rooted in the classicism the dance, sans background Malavika went through a purge Kamala Lakshman, that I love.” storytelling or spoon-feeding. Balasaraswathi, Sanjukta This upending of tradition “This is a very ambitious “FOR ME, DANCE Panigrahi, , happens in subtle but significant production – perhaps an ode Vedantam Satyanarayana ways. “It was very important to herself before her physical IS A LANGUAGE, Sarma, , to me to have a female voice prowess wanes,” said Asha Rai, NOT A STYLE!” in sing the part of Arjuna the a journalist. “Certain sections of her early days. Both Yamini- warrior,” says Malavika. “To the production, like the dasha- in 1986 when she questioned ji and Sanjukta-ji were very show a combination of strength avatar, could have benefited everything she had learned. influential. and vulnerability.” An easier from another dancer to portray “Bharatanatyam’s inherited approach, given that both the Bali, Ravana – the villain, if repertoire (margam) is very What are ways players are men, would be you will.” man-centric,” she says. “The of interpreting to feature two male voices. To be fair, solo woman is pining and waiting. I Bharatanatyam? Living with the Gita for seven performance was the norm felt uncomfortable about this. It The devadasis had their years allowed Malavika to see in Bharatanatyam. All felt inauthentic.” repertoire. But Rukmini Devi’s its spirit, not just the story. the yesteryear dancers Malavika soon moved away interpretation was different. “Krishna and Arjuna can Malavika admires, such as from the crowd-pleasing god- She felt certain Kathakali represent our little self and the T , Sanjukta stories that were the staples elements had to come into more evolved self,” she says. Panigrahi and Yamini of traditional Bharatanatyam the dance dramas (not solo). Krishnamurthy, were solo performances and took on Similarly, MAGNUM OPUS artists with occasional forays larger issues that dealt with brought in her interpretation. Malavika’s greatest strength into ensemble productions. trees, ecology, rivers, Shakti – is her ability to contemporise While Malavika does ensemble the female power, and handloom What is your Bharatanatyam in a way that productions – the last one, weaving. “What I learned from interpretation of even classicists can admire. She Thari: the Loom, was an my gurus was a style. But as Bharatanatyam? never dumbs down the dance to ensemble cast of five dancers – I worked on my dance and For me, dance is a language, suit her global audience. While and collaborates with scholars internalised its patterns, it not a style. the Gita verses are translated and artists from different “It was very Dancers on important to me to the danseuse have a female voice sing the part of “It’s a joy to watch Arjuna the warrior” Malavika Sarukkai commanding the length and breadth of the stage with absolute authority and nonchalance” —Hema Malini, dancer, film actor and politician “Malavika Sarukkai’s artistry and brilliance has been acclaimed nationally and internationally.” —, pioneer of modern Indian contemporary dance “Great dancers become great artists, but there are a few who become art itself. Malavika Sarukkai is that” —Vaibhavi Merchant, Bollywood choreographer “When Malavika came to continue Odissi under Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, her first request was to learn Sakhi. Previously, it was only performed “What I learned from my gurus universes that I have not seen. by I have been dancing, feeling, and me. Malavika’s Odissi was a style. But as I worked inhabiting emotions, being was as outstanding as her Bharatanatyam and I would on my dance and internalised inhabited by emotions. But not like this. I would hit a suspended have loved to see her continue its patterns, it became a terror of going into these with both.” —Sharon Lowen, Odissi dancer language for me” emotions but somehow because of divine intervention, I would “I remember disciplines, her primary calling ability to articulate ideas on get pulled out. It was like a watching her is that of a solo artist. “With process (which isn’t necessarily resurrection actually,” she says. perform in an ensemble production, the common among artists),” Sai Shravanam, who won and everyone was challenge is to design the says Ghoshal. accolades for his work on films mesmerised by space and interact with other like The Life of Pi, did the sound her dance.” dancers. But my life’s breath is SOUL OF design. “What differentiates —, kathak presenting in solo,” she says. THE UNIVERSE Malavika akka (elder sister) is dancer, choreographer This is not to say that Author Ravindra’s book her openness and trust in the and teacher Malavika does not collaborate. on the Gita was hugely process,” he says. Most Indian She has had a long-term influential, Malavika says, in Bharatanatyam performances, collaboration with Dr B N drawing her deeper into the even ones that tour abroad, have I align myself so that the dancer Goswamy for the NCPA in Gita. Malavika went on a five- about a dozen layers of sounds, is forgotten but the lustre of Mumbai, where he talks day Gita retreat with Ravindra, says Shravanam. For The Battle dance shines through.” about art and she dances as and then sat with the book for Within, they created 40 layers of illustrations. months, choosing verses that sounds with 77 tracks. [email protected] She also draws inspiration she felt would work as a dance “What I try with every Follow @htbrunch on Twitter from filmmaker, Sumatra narrative. Out of the 700 verses, production and rehearsal Ghoshal who made an award- she ended up choosing just is to bring shruti [the Shoba Narayan is an HT Brunch winning film, The Unseen 15. What grabbed her though tonal background that columnist and a Bengaluru-based author, who has won several awards Sequence, on Malavika and was the crisis that the warrior, forms the foundation for her works. She writes about art, her dance. “Malavika is an Arjuna, goes through. of Indian classical food, fashion and travel. Do read her outstanding dancer and an “The Bhagavad Gita took music] into my body,” column This Indian Life in this issue outstanding mind. She has the me to universes inside myself, Malavika says. “Where on Page 12.

april 26, 2020 10 indulge rude films ir sanghvi

Bachchan: A Life In Chapters One reason why ’s popularity has lasted for nearly 50 years is because there have been many Bachchans through the years

wrote, two weeks ago, about my adventures as a young journo in the Mumbai film industry in the late 70s and early 80s. My intention in writing about movies was Ipurely practical: with all restaurants shut, it seemed like an odd time to be writing about food. I was surprised and a little overwhelmed by the response to the column. Obviously, nostalgia is still exactly what it used to be! In particular, I was intrigued that so many of the responses were about Amitabh Bachchan who only made an appearance towards the end of the piece when I wrote about shadowing him for 10 days for an India Today cover story. My memories dated back to 1980 and if you had told me (or Amitabh himself, for that matter) then that 40 years later people would still be obsessed with him, it would only have elicited disbelief. getty images Photo: Looking back now, I realise that part of Bachchan’s man of many seasons appeal is that his life is like one of those movie franchises Amitabh Bachchan has lived his life in phases. Once a phase where, every few years or so, our hero stars in a new episode ends, he moves on. with a new cast and a new plot. Bachchan has lived his life in phases. Once a phase ends, It was a grim time for India as massacres took place he moves on. The angry young man had nothing in common on the streets of Delhi and the world wondered whether with the MP from who had nothing in common the country could hold together. Rajiv told Amitabh that with the man used to take to parties who, in India needed him. Bachchan agreed to join politics and turn, had nothing in common with the host of KBC. Arun Nehru (Rajiv’s cousin and adviser) insisted that It is one reason why a single Amitabh Bachchan Bachchan fight from Allahabad and defeat HN Bahuguna, an biography would never work. Each phase is a book by itself. Opposition heavyweight. After I wrote that India Today cover story in 1980, Bachchan agreed and, of course, he won by a massive Bachchan remained at the top till he was gravely injured in majority. But once he had won, the ‘what now?’ questions 1982 in an accident on the sets of . Doctors began. A sensible move may have been to make him a gave him up for nearly dead but Amitabh fought minister. Instead, Bachchan insisted on focusing on his on and eventually, as the nation held its breath, Allahabad constituency and helping the people of that town. he recovered, an even bigger hero than he had It sounded noble but it was akin to political suicide. ever been. In that age, India was full of political leaders who were I didn’t know him well then but I sensed that he possessive about their territory. Allahabad was Finance was ready for another adventure. Or, a new chapter. Minster VP Singh’s base and he was not pleased to have one It came with surprising suddenness. of India’s most popular figures announce that he would now On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was be looking after it. assassinated. The Bachchans and the Gandhis For several months, while the country hailed this had been close for decades and new phase in Bachchan’s career, VP Singh did everything was Amitabh’s best friend – a big deal because possible to sabotage Amitabh’s efforts in Allahabad. It Amitabh has never had many friends. helped that VP Singh knew every trick in the book and that in good luck he had the local Congress unit sewn up. It mattered also that , possibly one of the worst films VP Singh himself was a nationally popular and respected Amitabh has ever acted in, saw a huge boom in Finance Minister who revelled in being called Mr. Clean. ticket sales and became a super hit Rivalries are commonplace in politics but a battle

april 26, 2020 buddy up fame and scandal VP Singh had suggested that Deadly role Rajiv Gandhi was Amitabh’s best friend the Gandhis had made money on such deals as Bachchan was gravely injured in 1982 in an Bofors and that Bachchan was the frontman accident on the sets of Coolie

between a novice and a wily master is never an equal one. against Bachchan. Things Plus, Bachchan’s name sold newspapers. So, it was easy to began to look very bleak. plant stories (mostly false) in the media. In 1985, Bachchan was Even this would not have mattered so much if VP Singh the King of the Bombay alamy Photo: had not been in charge of Finance. Stories about Bachchan’s film industry (he hates the so-called financial misdeeds, his brother’s assets abroad, and term “Bollywood”) and the his role as a bagman for the Gandhis were manufactured most popular Indian in the and leaked to journalists. world. By 1989, his films I remember interviewing him in 1986, a year and a half were flopping, his personal after he had been elected and sensing that he was completely popularity was declining, out of his depth. On the one hand, he drew cheering crowds there were questions about wherever he went. On the other, the mood was beginning to his integrity and VP Singh’s turn against him, and whispers that he was a crook made supporters suggested an the rounds. arrest was imminent. He told me, in that interview, that he wasn’t sure he But then VP Singh’s had done the right thing in joining politics. He told me of investigators over-reached taking a chopper to a rally in (I think) Assam. As he was themselves. They leaked racing back to the helicopter, a young man ran up to him that they had found a Swiss and placed a note in his hand. It said that while everyone Like the hero bank account linked to (including the author of that note) loved him, he had now he has played Ajitabh (Amitabh’s brother) made it impossible for his fans to offer him unconditional all his life, into which the Bofors money chartbuster The song Jumma love because he was asking them to support a political party. had been paid. This was Chumma from Hum went on to The note left a deep impression on Bachchan. Was he Amitabh demonstrably untrue. But become an anthem all over India misusing the love of his fans? Had he won their love by Bachchan libel cases take years in entertaining them on the screen and then tried to encash it India. So the Bachchans sued the Swedish paper that had for political gain? always wins, also run the story in a London court. Photo: getty images Photo: By 1987, leaks from the Finance Ministry had managed against the Amitabh flew to London to fight it out before the judge. to suggest that Bachchan was implicated in every scandal of odds But at the start of the trial, the paper’s lawyers admitted the day, from Fairfax to kickbacks on deals. that it had now discovered that the charges were false, apologised to the Bachchans and paid damages. hen Rajiv realised that VP Singh was also targeting At one level, this was just a defamation case against a the Gandhis, he shifted VP Singh to the Defence Swedish newspaper in a foreign court. It had no bearing on WMinistry. That made no difference to Singh who the legal case that VP Singh’s investigators were preparing. then let his friends leak that Bachchan was involved in the But the impact it had was completely out of proportion Bofors defence scandal. to the case itself. I still remember the cheering crowds that Shortly afterwards, VP Singh came out in open revolt gathered outside Mumbai airport to welcome Bachchan against Rajiv and suggested (now, brazenly) that the back from London. Gandhis had made money on such deals as Bofors and that It was as though all of India had let out a collective sigh Bachchan was the frontman. of relief that the charges had been proved to be false. Large Bachchan did the only thing an honourable man could. He crowds would stand outside Bachchan’s bungalow and cheer resigned from parliament and said he was giving up politics. him as he entered and left. But that made little difference. Satisfied that he had Most significant of all, Aaj Ka Arjun, possibly one of him on the run, VP Singh increased his attacks, using the worst films Amitabh has ever acted in, which by some proverbs about how the King’s soul is in his parrot and that coincidence, was released at the same time as the London Amitabh was Rajiv’s parrot. Grab the parrot by the neck and verdict, saw a huge boom in ticket sales and became a super hit. you have captured the King. After that, Bachchan was back. His next release Hum While all this was going on, Bachchan came to another contained the song Jumma Chumma, which went on to disturbing conclusion. Once you have turned your back on become an anthem all over India. The image of a dancing movies, you can’t really go back. on the Bachchan, his shirt loosely tied at the navel, replaced the While the Hindi film industry welcomed him, the brooding, Kurta-clad political Bachchan in the public mind. audiences were not as enthusiastic. Such big-budget films web One chapter was over. And it had a happy ending. Of For more columns by as Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi and Jadugar were massive Vir Sanghvi, log on to course, there were many chapters still to come: ABCL, Amar flops. So were Toofan, Agneepath and Main Azaad Hoon. hindustantimes.com/ Singh, KBC and many others. brunch. Follow Vir on Things got so bad that The Illustrated Weekly put him on the Twitter at twitter.com/ But then, that’s the thing about Amitabh Bachchan. The cover with the headline “Finished?” virsanghvi episodes keep coming. And like the hero he has played all his By then VP Singh had won the 1989 election, become The views expressed by life, he always wins, against the odds. Prime Minister and launched a series of investigations the columnist are personal But only in the last reel!

april 26, 2020 12 indulge this indian life shoba narayan

Recipe For A Relationship Struggling to cook? Phone your relatives in the ancestral village

am cooking at home these days, which is a disaster because I am not a good cook. My mother tried her best to teach me techniques. It is just that I get Ibored halfway through making the dish, and decide – on the spot – to add what is at hand – say, raisins to a rasam (sacrilege) or cumin to a risotto – just to see what happens. Usually, what happens is that the dishes go untouched and we order in. In my house, my husband cooks. He says it is to help out, but I know it is self-preservation. That, and the fact that he hates the kitchen looking like Cyclone Fani has made landfall. So today, I decided to make lunch. Nothing too ambi- garg imaging: parth Photo tious. Just one dish called keerai molagoottal, which sounds like something the baby spit up, but is actually very good. just right! one red chili. That’s it. The dish is made with a dubious green, quite literally – its Indian recipe blogs Well, what if you added too much water and the dish is too Latin name is Amaranthus dubious or viridis, I cannot decide thrive because runny? “Just fry a little raw rice, grind it and add,” said my which based on the photos. In Tamil, we call it arai keerai. they offer precise coach. It will coagulate and give the dish some girth. In preparation, I called my aunt in Kerala. I had to force measurements What if I added too much salt? “Boil a potato, chop and add. myself to do this, rather than look online for the recipe. The It will absorb the excess salt.” problem with calling my relatives – all amazing cooks – is It is this sort of customised instantaneous adjustments that they give you the recipe along with a half-portion of guilt that is the pleasure of learning from a live person rather (“Why haven’t you called before and must you only call when than a master chef on television. you want something?”) and a side-serving of sarcasm (“Even a Alongside you get recipes for things you didn’t know child can make this simple dish – haven’t you made it before?”) you wanted. When I told my aunt that I was worried about Most Indian women are terrible with recipes anyway, Covid, she said to drink dry-ginger kashayam or decoc- since it is all andaaz or guesstimation with us. A pinch of this, In a lockdown, tion. How was I going to get chukku or dry ginger, I asked. a handful of that, add chilies according to taste and so too with telephone She said to slice ginger into thin strips and dry in the sun spices. No wonder Indian recipe blogs are thriving. They give for three days. Voila, there you have it. I have dry ginger at precise instructions without any of the snarky comments. But conversations home now. And I am making this drink with jaggery, dry we are in a lockdown and telephone conversations are great are great ginger and lemon juice, called panagam. It is heavenly in because they are distancing but social. because they the heat and apparently, very good for improving immunity. Radha Mami was in fine fettle in Alappuzha. Finally, she So the next time you want to cook something, take a said, the world had come around to her point of view. Cook are distancing chance and call an aunt or uncle. Yes, those ones in your two meals a day, eat, pray and sleep. but social ancestral villages, the ones who you think are weird. At a time We got talking about food. She gave me some recipes and when we all long for human company, a phone call is the next I quizzed her about the mistakes I had made that usually turn best thing. You may be calling to ask for a recipe, but you will my dream-dishes into dirt (quite literally for we throw them get a relationship, with some surprising twists along the way. into the soil). As for me, I told Radha Mami that I was craving some You know how you can tell the quality of a speaker dur- Chinese food. She had never tasted a gobi manchurian in ing the Q&A with the audience? The same thing applies here. her life. When I explained the taste to her, she suggested When you ask an aunt a recipe, she answers live questions that I make the fried manchurian balls with millet flour and helps you improvise. She solves sticky situations on the on the instead of maida. It was healthier, she said. spot. web Who knew? I bet I could not have got a millet manchu- Take the greens recipe that I was going to make. rian recipe online. I wouldn’t have even known to search THIS INDIAN LIFE by In theory, it is very simple. Cook some tuvar dal in the pres- Shoba Narayan can also for it. be read on hindustantimes. sure cooker till soft. Steam the greens. Make a dry roast of S hetty rabhat com/brunch. Follow Shoba urad dal, red chillies, pepper (which gives it a distinctive on Twitter at twitter.com/ (This column addresses the issue of parenting our parents and other unique facets of This flavour), and cumin. Cut or grate some coconut. Grind it all ShobaNarayan Indian Life and our culture. If you have stories about the weird and wonderful together. Add the greens in the end. Mix with the dal. Gar- The views expressed by relationships that enrich or enervate your life, write in.)

nish with a tadka of black mustard seeds, curry leaves and the columnist are personal This Indian Life appears every fortnight Columnist photo : P

april 26, 2020 indulge 13 techilicious rajiv makhni New iPhone SE: Masterstroke or Disaster? At first glance you’ll think it’s the latter, but you will be so wrong

design that is five generations old (the iPhone 6 design small wonder Size Matters (It Always Has) legacy carried forward), huge borders around the screen For people who prefer From larger screens to better refresh rates, every company tries to that even a ~4,000 Android phone can’t get away with today, smaller phones that fit outdo the other. But there is an audience for smaller phones and Aa very small 4.7-inch screen that goes totally against the better in their hands, screens, lighter phones with size specs that aren’t overwhelming. new trend of large to largest screens, no face ID which is now a staple bags and pockets, Yes, people have smaller hands, people like things that fit in the front from Apple on all new iPhones, and a single camera (yes, one lens Apple’s new of their jeans pocket, a phone that fits better in a small handbag only) at the back which makes it literally many years behind in opti- SE scores high and a phone that doesn’t feel fragile and delicate with no sides and cal prowess – and all of this at a pretty hefty starting price of ~42,500. no bezels. Apple with the new SE scores big in this department: 4.7 At first glance and first impression you would dismiss the new iPhone inches screen size, 7.3 mm thin and 148 grams. SE as a disaster. You would be very wrong! The new iPhone SE 2020 is actually a small little masterstroke Camera Matters Too from Apple because it addresses so many different issues and tacti- Contrary to all beliefs, the SE can take great pictures with its one cally will go on to become a very successful phone. Why? Well, it all Contrary to all camera. Yes, it has no telephoto lens or any other wizbang add-on boils down to these six factors. lens. But to most people that won’t matter. It is estimated that 90 per beliefs, the SE cent of all pictures taken are with the main single lens even with Price Matters can take great phones that have three to four lenses. For a price that is a small frac- You would think that a starting price of `42,500 is massive. For that pictures with tion of the iPhone 11, you’re getting almost exactly the same thing kind of money you could buy a state of the art flagship Android with the main lens because the processing inside is with the A13 phone. You would be right, but you would also be absolutely miss- its one camera. bionic chip and the neural processing engine. Thus, the photo results ing the point. If you are in the Android domain then this isn’t the Yes, it has no owners will get will be more than satisfactory. phone for you. But if you’re an Apple fan, if you love iOS, if you telephoto lens love that Apple logo at the back of your phone, if you’re entrenched It Beats The iPhone XR hands down within the Apple eco system, if you own other Apple products, if or any other The XR is a great phone and its sales show that. But the SE actually you like things simple and easy and if you’re a little constrained on wizbang add- beats it hands down. It’s about `10,000 cheaper for the same 64 GB the money front – the SE is an easy buy. It’s almost one-fourth the version, the XR has a bigger screen but both phones have the same price of a fully-specced iPhone 11 Pro. And it has quite a few things on lens. 326 ppi of pixel density, the iPhone SE has the A13 bionic chip with similar to the 11 series (which is my next point). a third-generation neural engine while the iPhone XR has an A12 bionic chip with a second-generation neural engine. The Insides Really Matter Yes, Apple went with a design choice that almost everyone would Markets Matter scratch their heads about, but what they didn’t compromise on is the on the Only Apple would have the guts to put out a phone that looks five insides. The A13 bionic chip inside the SE is exactly the same as the years old and fill it with innards that beat the best of the best. Will one in the super expensive iPhone 11 series. No difference. So in terms web the new SE Apple address the markets it truly wants to dominate: In- For more Techilicious of performance and smooth running, you’re buying the same phone. columns by Rajiv Makhni, dia and China. This is a phone built from the ground up for these two They also have a third-generation neural engine inside the SE. They log on to hindustantimes. markets. Pity they didn’t call it the new iPhone IC – because these com/brunch. Follow Rajiv gave it wireless charging, which is great for a starter iOS phone. They on Twitter at twitter.com/ are the two countries this phone has literally been made for. RajivMakhni added a fingerprint sensor and gave it touch ID which makes so much Rajiv Makhni is managing editor, Technology, NDTV, more sense than a face ID in a world where we all wear masks now. The views expressed by and the anchor of Gadget Guru, Cell Guru and Newsnet 3 The SE is a small little pocket-rocket in terms of performance. the columnist are personal Techilicious appears every fortnight

april 26, 2020 14 cinema

The Inside story The famous Berlinale Palast, where the films were screened

Four Nights At The Movies As if it were a deliberate precursor to the pandemic, the 70th Berlin Film Festival put out stories of hope and resilience By Bijli

the great divide recall value Checkpoint Charlie is The logo for the Berlin the name given to the International Film Festival best-known Berlin Wall 2020 is cute bear crossing between East and West during the aprilcold 26, war 2020 efore the Coronavirus for her directorial debut, The Lost pandemic, the 70th Berlinale Daughter. Based on the book by opened its below-freezing Elena Ferrante, it tells the story of Bpoint doors to the city of a middle-aged divorcee who while Berlin on February 19. The EFM, or trying to rediscover herself is instead the European Film Market, is held confronted by her turbulent past. in this exciting city every February. Maggie, famous for her roles in films This film market is slow and lacks the such as Mona Lisa Smile (2003) and exuberance and parties associated The Dark Knight (2008), engaged us family time with the glamorous Cannes film with her vision for the film, in which Sanjeev Bijli (right) and his niece Nayana festival. Add to that the gloomy, sub- she has cast the supremely talented Bijli (left) with actor and director Maggie zero temperature, and you are glad Oscar winner Olivia Colman. This Gyllenhall at the Berlinale it’s just a four-day event. In fact, most will be a film to watch out for, and people talk about their return on day will possibly receive a lot of attention one itself! during awards season. Amongst the many other films TALES OF THE CITY I got to screen, the one that made an This is not to say that this isn’t a instant impact, which meant I had to significant market for films and that acquire it immediately was Philippa Berlin as a city isn’t vibrant enough Lowthorpe’s Misbehaviour. Based on to host it. Divided during the cold war actual events, it tells the story of a after World War II and then reunified group of women who planned with the fall of the Iron Curtain, you and succeeded in disrupting the still come across remnants of the 1970 Miss World competition in broken Berlin wall at various places London that was hosted by the iconic NO TRIP TO BERLIN IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A QUICK STOP AT CHECKPOINT CHARLIE, THE BEST- KNOWN BERLIN WALL CROSSING (From left) Misbehaviour is about a group of women who disrupted the 1970 Miss around the city, now covered with American actor and comedian Bob World competition in London; plays a photojournalist in Minamata, colourful graffiti. Just a few minutes’ Hope. These women entered the which highlights the greed of many corporations, relevant even today walk from the center of Potsdamer auditorium and shouted slogans Platz, you can visit the Holocaust condemning the very sexist nature travels to Minamata, Japan, where As uncertainty looms large Memorial, a melancholy reminder of the pageant that objectified toxic waste and mercury poisoning in our lives, movie release dates of the city’s tumultuous past. The women. It was appalling to watch have had devastating effects on the are delayed and reshuffled for the famous Brandenburg Gate, built in the participants being labelled as communities there. It highlights the year, and the Cannes film festival the 18th century by the Prussian king perfect 36-24-36. With actresses Kiera greed of many corporations, relevant has been officially postponed for Fredrick William II, is one of the best Knightley and Jessie Buckley in the even today, without any regard for the first time in 74 years. Daniel known and most visited landmarks lead, the film that will inevitably be the environment, human, and animal Craig will invoke his Licence to in Berlin. And no trip to Berlin is delayed due to the pandemic raises life. The seemingly interminable Kill on November 25, Wonder complete without a quick stop at very significant questions and makes narrative, however, is rescued by Woman will wield her Lasso of Checkpoint Charlie, the name given you wonder if much has changed in Depp’s brilliant performance. Truth in August, and December by the Western powers to the best the last 50 years. In addition to watching all these will see the return of Maverick known Berlin Wall crossing between East and West during the cold war. WAITING FOR THE FORMAT FOR THE BERLIN FILM Berlin is also home to three THE DAWN FESTIVAL IS THE SAME AS ANY OTHER Unesco World Heritage sites: The Our red carpet invitation this year Museum Island, Sanssoussci Palace, was at the Friedrichstadt-Palast, and FILM MARKET. LOTS OF SCRIPTS and the Modernism Housing Estates. my red carpet date for the evening TO READ BEFORE THE MARKET, And if you get tired of visiting these was my niece Nayana. We were sites and absorbing history, Berlin invited to the premiere screening of MEETINGS, AND SCREENINGS. has 23 Michelin star restaurants to Andrew Levitas’ Minamata. Johnny thought-provoking films, I also got my and Iceman in Top Gun. We all stimulate your gustatory receptors. Depp plays a photojournalist who dose of popcorn fare at the screening eagerly look forward to the return of Greenland. This action thriller, a of normalcy and our invigorating PAST IN collaboration by the director-actor dates with the movies. As Harvey THE PRESENT duo from Angel has Fallen, Ric Dent says in The Dark Knight, But let’s talk about films. The Roman Waugh and Gerald Butler, is “The night is darkest just before format for the Berlin film festival is a roller coaster ride about a family the dawn, and I promise you, the the same as any other film market. trying to survive a natural disaster. dawn is coming.” Lots of scripts to read before the Cool finds I watched this in February and [email protected] At various places market, meetings, and screenings little did I know then that the world Follow @ HTBrunch on Twitter around the city and Instagram fixed over four days, and pitches by colourful graffiti would be faced with a pandemic so famous actors and directors. One adorns remnants enormous in weeks to come that our Sanjeev Bijli is Joint of our first pitches this time was by world would be shut down, and many Managing Director of of the broken PVR cinemas, and a much loved acclaimed actress Maggie Gyllenhal Berlin wall would lose their lives. face on Delhi’s social scene

april 26, 2020 16 Bguestooks column Making A Case For The Classics: An Open Letter To Millennials They are fiercely radical, brave, different and exciting; read them now By Eliot

Photo Imaging: Parth Garg

Dear (Fellow) Millennials, their eyes. It’s a form of virtual 5 GREAT BOOKS-TO- There is so much that is universal reality: it enhances your own MOVIES ADAPTATIONS about the human experience: we y name is Henry and I’m experience, you see the world in all have parents, we all face death, one of the UK editors more colours and life appears The Tell-Tale we are all capable of love. Patterns of a classics series. I’ve richer and more sensational. It’s Heart (1953) repeat across human history: Mbeen invited to write an a wonderful feeling! This is a brilliant and avant- there are cycles of repression open letter to you in this Netflix Of course, when you read a garde animation of Edgar and liberation, of optimism and age of swiping and liking, when book that has been transmitted Allan Poe’s chilling short pessimism, of inward-looking and story, with a voiceover by we are all inundated with quick- across time and space you do outward-looking. Bleak House James Mason. fire text-bites of 140 characters or notice differences, differences is a book about London but it is less. I’m going to wave a flag for between the world in the book The Trial (1962) also a book about any city: the the classics and why you should and the world outside your This is Orson Welles’s contrasts between rich and poor, read them. window. If you read Bleak House adaptation of Franz Kafka’s the interconnectedness of life, the But hold on a second – what in Bengaluru, for instance, tale of deadly bureaucracy. role of chance, and those timeless is this word ‘classic’? It’s such as I did in 2004, the streets of It stars Anthony Perkins, human qualities of ambition, an over-used term it’s easy to Victorian London described by two years after Psycho, cowardice, pride, loyalty and and includes a memorable lose sight of what it means, or Charles Dickens can seem a far love. The Victorian setting is the cameo by Welles himself. worse, it’s easy to associate it with cry from the bustle of a thriving, difficult, dusty, old-fashioned contemporary Indian city. Kes (1969) Participate in the Ken Loach’s adaptation of A Kestrel for a Knave by #BrunchBookChallenge IF YOU READ BLEAK HOUSE IN Barry Hines tells the moving Visit online: read.ht/yrz BENGALURU, THE STREETS OF story of a 15-year-old boy from Yorkshire who forms wrapping paper – it’s there because VICTORIAN LONDON DESCRIBED BY a special bond with a young kestrel. that’s when and where Dickens DICKENS CAN SEE A FAR CRY FROM THE was writing – but the gift is inside BUSTLE OF A THRIVING INDIAN CITY Apocalypse Now (1979) and it’s not just for Victorians, it’s This grand, visionary film is Francis for you, it’s for all of us. texts that you studied at school I personally take a lot of Ford Coppola’s version That is what ultimately and which can’t be relevant in any pleasure in these differences: of Heart of Darkness by distinguishes a classic work meaningful way to the world today, I appreciate learning about Joseph Conrad. Set during of literature from a historical the Vietnam War, a young can they? different times and different document. It is not simply a captain ventures up-river Yes they can! In my eyes a cultures, different countries and in search of insane record of the time and place in book can only be a classic if it is different centuries. In fact, most Colonel Kurtz. which it was written: there is a still vibrantly alive, if you can of my historical and geographical truth wrapped up inside it from read it and connect emotionally knowledge comes from reading Clueless (1995) which we can all benefit. It has and intellectually with the text, works of literature! I also enjoy This is a spot-on adaptation of shed its scaffolding and soared if it still has a spark that can pass the puzzles of unexpected Jane Austen’s Emma, into the future, across the years, which transfers the action over and light a corresponding vocabulary or unfamiliar customs through different languages, and from Regency Sussex to spark inside you. A great work or specific topical references. contemporary Beverley landed in your hands where you of literature allows you to enter But much more importantly, Hills, starring Alicia are sitting reading it now. It’s an the mind of another human these very differences emphasise Silverstone and Paul Rudd. extraordinary feat of immortality being and see the world through the overwhelming similarities. and time travel!

april 26, 2020 INDIA’S MOST TALENTED Books 17 MILLENNIALS IN BRUNCH

APRIL 21, 2019 Free with your copy of Sunday Hindustan Times

5 Favourite Classics So it frustrates me when people associate the classics with TRAVEL FOCUS!+ dullness and olden times. The A SCOTTISH SOJOURN TO The Canterbury Tales, REMEMBER reason these books have survived BY NIKHIL KHANNA Geoffrey Chaucer PAGE F10 is precisely because they are not “You can’t compare 10 years of YouTube I love The Canterbury with 150 years of Bollywood. the dull books of olden times: Give us three years; YouTube will give Tales. Chaucer’s eye for Bollywood tough character is still razor- those books have been forgotten. competition!” ship after more than The classics were, and still are,

six centuries. I have fiercely radical, brave, different, YEARS OF twice led a group of exciting. We remember them 2004-2019 BREAK THE INTERNET pilgrims from London to for a reason. As the poet W H DOUBLE ISSUE! Canterbury, each of us Auden said, ‘some books are THE telling one of Chaucer’s undeservedly forgotten; none are tales along the way. BIG BAM undeservedly remembered.’ THEORY FLIP THIS MAG! Selected Works, So I heartily recommend that WHAT MAKES YOUTUBE STAR BHUVAN BAM BOLLYWOOD’S Thomas Browne we all read the classics. These MOST LOVED? [ AN HT BRUNCH EXCLUSIVE ]

‘Few people love #BigBamTheory the writings of Sir Thomas Browne,’ THERE IS SO wrote Virginia Woolf, ‘but those that do MUCH UNIVERSAL are the salt of the ABOUT THE earth.’ I particularly APRIL 21, 2019 recommend ‘Urne- HUMAN Free with your copy of Sunday Hindustan Times Buriall’, which is an EXPERIENCE: archaeological account of a TRAVEL FOCUS+ WE ALL HAVE FOOD, FLOWERS Roman burial site and a AND FRUITY GOLGAPPAS “People should love metaphysical meditation on how they look. IN DC! We have many years BY VIR SANGHVI PARENTS, WE ALL of culture to unlearn!” —Lilly Singh, 30, PAGE 14 historical funerary customs. FACE DEATH, WE YouTube superstar The Life and Opinions of ALL LOVE. AND Tristram Shandy, “Lilly’s decision to take a break from social media showed me the importance of mental health!” Laurence Sterne PATTERNS REPEAT —Debasree Banerjee, 28, Beauty vlogger It seems to be a fictional autobiography, ACROSS HUMAN YEARS OF but the narrator isn’t HISTORY! 2004-2019 “I loved it when BREAK THE INTERNET born until the start Lilly started naming her pimples. DOUBLE ISSUE! She encouraged me to be myself of Volume III. Sterne unapologetically!” are the best books ever written. —Dhwani Bhatt, 25, revels in digressions, Lifestyle blogger elisions, diversions, It’s true there are hurdles to parentheses, double- overcome: the language or the entendres and soaring context may need elucidation FLIP THIS MAG! meta-fictional flights of fancy.T he before you can fully appreciate the book includes an entirely black page work. But I can guarantee that you SUPERWOMEN INC. INTERNET SENSATION LILLY SINGH INSPIRED THESE TWO GIRLS, AMONGST MILLIONS OF OTHERS, and a marbled page of endpaper. TO FIND THEIR VOICE, SPEAK THEIR MIND AND BECOME SUPERWOMEN, JUST LIKE HER won’t regret the effort. HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED WHEN WE GOT THEM TO MEET THEIR SHERO... I hope I’ve convinced you. I [ AN HT BRUNCH EXCLUSIVE ] Through the Looking Glass, #SuperwomenInc Lewis Carroll have recently written a book which covers all the classics from the Darker and colder JUNE 9, 2019 than Alice in Epic of Gilgamesh to the poetry of Free with your copy of Sunday Hindustan Times Wonderland, Lewis the First World War. It has short Carroll’s sequel is just pieces about each author and each YEARS OF as dream-like and 2004-2019 title, with recommendations and FASHION FOCUS +NEW WAYS TO thought-provoking. WEAR YOUR links to other books you might SUMMER STYLE STAPLE: When Alice comes THE SCARF across the Red King enjoy, and it’s designed to help PAGE 20 asleep, she is told you explore this enticing literary he’s dreaming about her, and that if landscape and discover the books he wakes up she’d ‘go out — bang! — that will speak to you. just like a candle.’ But to get you started, here “You need a lot of things for a song to work. But for me, words are important!” are some of my favourite classics – —Prateek Kuhad The Master and Margarita, and, for fun, a list of my favourite Mikhail Bulgakov movie adaptations (see box items). This surreal novel was written in Stalinist I hope you enjoy these and many Russia and only happy years of reading! published decades later. Yours sincerely, HEARTBREAK KID WHAT MAKES 29-YEAR-OLD PRATEEK KUHAD FROM JAIPUR It interweaves scenes Henry Eliot SUCH A SENSATION AMONGST MILLENNIALS IN INDIA AND ABROAD

from the Passion of the #HeartbreakKid Christ with a nightmarish, [email protected] carnivalesque vision of Follow @htbrunch on Twitter Moscow, in which Satan Editor and writer, Henry Eliot stalks the streets with a giant gun- organised various literary tours and toting cat called Behemoth. has written The Penguin Classics Book, Follow This Thread and Curiocity EVERY SUNDAY WITH HT! april 26, 2020 For all stories, visit www.hindustantimes.com/brunch 18 Fashion

being constant summer The concept staple of ever- The kurta changing will be a and frenetic favourite fashion this summer has been says Manish renounced Malhotra by socially- conscious fashion houses

THE POST-PANDEMIC FASHION RUN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN AFTER LOCKDOWN WILL LOOK VASTLY DIFFERENT. THE GOOD NEWS: CONSUMPTION WILL BECOME MORE SENSITIVE AND CONSCIOUS OF QUALITY. By Sujata Assomull

he Covid-19 pandemic effect on our purchasing power, will be a watershed in and fashion buys will no longer the history of mankind. be a priority. India, of course, has T As with every other its own unique relationship with domain, the rules of fashion will fashion, thanks to textile and craft be rewritten too. As Vogue’s Anna being at the very heart of our Wintour, perhaps global fashion’s dressing traditions. The current most powerful voice, said: “There’s buzzwords of global fashion, no way we’re going back to the way repurposing and upcycling, are things were.” traditional here. For example, It may seem frivolous to talk kantha embroidery, a popular about fashion right now, but let’s technique used in contemporary keep in mind one fact: with so Indian fashion, is a traditional much economic disruption, the technique from Bengal. It was used local textile industry will be a on discarded fabrics as a way to major employer and will help breathe new life into old garments. many – worldwide – to get back While I am no fortune teller, this on their feet. Clothes are also part moment in time will change the of everyone’s life and many of us way we dress. Fashion, after all, enjoy fashion. evolves and has always spoken of There is no question however, the times we live in. So here’s what that the pandemic will have an I think will happen.

“I see a redefining of the very concept of fashion. More versatile clothes Upcycling ahoy! (Above) Pernia Qureshi will be in demand.” wears a Gucci dress that once belonged to her mother to set an example; (Right) David —Anita Lal, Good earth Abraham’s designs show that Indian clothes are non-confining homemade beauty Author and beauty expert Vasudha Rai (left) has started tutorials over social versatility wins media on how to groom at home Mother’s days There will be a 4“People will turn demand for more to their mothers’ versatile designs and grandmothers’ rather than wardrobes because new clothes of the sentimental connection with the pieces” —Palak Shah Shopping our closets has become old is gold the catchphrase of fashion during 5 “We want to make waste the lockdown. “I have no immediate a resource and give old desire to shop. I have come to clothes new value,” iBlown away! realise that we actually need very —Dhatri Bhatt, H&M “What was seen as little to look good and feel good. In lockdown, we have the time to Photos courtesy: G ood earth courtesy: Photos 2 essential, like weekly It is about quality, not quantity,” reflect on our style buys, especially the On repeat mode blow-out services, says Pernia. For festive clothing, impulsive ones. Anita Lal, founder of 1“ Instead of pre- will now be looked she will mix and match her pieces Good Earth, explains, “I see a redefining draped sari dresses I’m at as luxury” with pieces from her mother’s and of the very concept of fashion. It need pairing blouses —Rod Anker grandmother’s closets. not be frenetic and ever-changing with with something Over the years we’ve The reasoning behind this a constant demand for newness and simpler and taken for granted will not simply be economic or its inevitable redundancy and waste at unstitched the services offered by ecological, says Ekaya’s Palak every level. More versatile clothes will for recurring neighbourhood salons, going to Shah. It will be emotional too. be in demand.” wearability” them for blow-drying, manicures “The overwhelming impact of the While there may be a period —Amit Aggarwal and threading. Since the lockdown pandemic has made all of us think of “revenge buying” after the Many of us already have too much began, however, women have been long and hard about many things lockdown ends that will benefit stuff so we will not be buying more forced to DIY their own grooming. including our families. People – a concept that renowned trend Hairstylists such as Delhi-based will turn to their mothers’ and “POST-COVID, forecaster Li Edelkoort has called Rod Anker, make-up artist Savleen grandmothers’ wardrobes because THERE WILL “quarantine of consumption.” Manchanda and author and beauty of the sentimental connection with Designer and stylist Pernia expert Vasudha Rai have started the pieces,” she says. And social BE A NEW Qureshi says, “Because we lived in tutorials over social media on how distancing has made us realise the SENSITIVITY AND this consumerist culture, we are to groom at home. Says Rod Anker, importance of that quality over UNDERSTANDING completely unaware of what we “I think some of these ‘weekly human connect. quantity OF WHAT WE even have in our wardrobes at home. blowout’ type services were never The focus will So this is a great time for spring needed and with life being put be on buying HAVE DONE THAT cleaning. It will help you create a into perspective because of the less but better NEEDS TO BE fresh, new, upcycled wardrobe.” pandemic, they will drop off to quality clothes Since every neighbourhood some extent. What was once seen feels Tarun ENACTED IN THE market has a tailoring shop, and as essential will now be felt as a Tahiliani WAY WE LIVE” access to beautiful fabrics and luxury.” Instead we will go to salons trims is so easy in urban areas, for things that last, such as a good —Tarun tahiliani repurposing is easier in India than cut or colour. Vasudha Rai adds, the purveyors of fast fashion, this in most countries. Re-wearing, “In beauty, therapies such as laser segment of the fashion world had recycling and repurposing will have hair removal, ultherapy and derma already become more mindful before style cred. Expect designers to be rolling, which have long lasting the pandemic. H&M, for instance, more open to working with a client’s effects will be enjoyed much more has a garment collection programme existing wardrobe. One of the first than before.” where customers are encouraged to designers to embrace upcycling was drop off their old clothes in exchange Amit Aggarwal, who says, “Our for a voucher towards their next structured blouses are loved with purchase. The brand sorts and recycles our pre-draped sari dresses, but I’ve ithe lounge choice the old clothes. “We want to make consciously created a line with the 3“The kurta’s popularity waste a resource and give the old same blouses paired with something this summer is going to be clothes new value,” says H&M India’s much simpler and unstitched to strong”— communication manager, Dhatri Bhatt. entertain the dialogue and the The kurta has emerged as the lounge Veteran designer Tarun Tahiliani purpose of recurring wearability.” outfit of choice in this time of #WFH. sums it up best when he says: “Post- It’s a trend that will go beyond Fashion designer David Abraham of Covid, there will be a new sensitivity clothes, as Jaipur-based jeweller Abraham and Thakore says, “Lounge and understanding of what we have Sunita Shekhawat explains. wear is clothing that is easy, adjustable done that needs to be enacted in the “Jewellery is considered a form of and not confining. Much of Indian way we live. It may mean many of us investment. In the olden times, it clothing, from kurtas to salwars, will buy less, but better quality.” was called stree dhan – wealth for falls in this category.” Bollywood’s [email protected] women. For us as a jewellery brand, favourite designer Manish Malhotra Follow @HTBrunch on Twitter and Instagram reworking or re-assembling jewellery advises: “Kurtas are beautiful and pieces is a great way to give each versatile, you can wear them with Dubai-based fashion journalist Kurta cool Sujata Assomull is also an piece a new design.” linen easy pants, shorts and salwars, Indian clothing like the kurta, says author and an advocate of so it’s a fabulous style mix. The kurta’s David Abraham, has emerged as the lounge mindful fashion. She was popularity this summer is going to outfit of choice in this time of #WFH the launch editor of Harper’s be strong.” Bazaar India. 20 personal agenda

Actor Arunoday Singh date of birth place of birth sun sign February 17 New Delhi Aquarius SCHOOL/college first break Kodaikanal International School/ In the movie Sikandar Brandeis University, Massachusetts high point of your life low point of your life My marriage The divorce

Describe yourself in a haiku. A sunlit chair / A perfect cup of coffee / Leave me there

What’s your most-used Hindi word? Kya?

And your favourite word to use in a poem...? Light. Singh Ambika Photo:

What’s the last thing you googled? Exact syllable count of a haiku.

Which character from fiction could qualify as your dream woman? Catwoman. Because in some fever dream – I am Batman!

What’s your first memory of being on stage? Playing Peter Pan, in a middle-school play.

Tell us one thing you have learnt from your past relationship? How to maintain boundaries and value my own space.

What’s your most expensive indulgence? Travel.

And what’s the most dramatic thing you’ve done in your life? Serenaded a girl by singing Frank Sinatra under her balcony.

Tell us the best part about being on social media. To be able reach so many people and to have my poems read and appreciated without hav- ing to wait for some publisher to find me good enough to publish.

And the worst part...? The negativity and hate that people spew, and how addictive social media is.

List one habit of yours that you want to get rid of. Smoking. On my Phone Most used app: Instagram What would the title of your biography be? On speed dial: My father Ridiculous. Most used Instagram filter: Interviewed by Ananya Ghosh Probably Juno [in Instagram stories]

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