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if some superstar had arrived on the sets,” says Dulquer, “ He What’s DQ chasing? brought a certain amount of ma­ Dulquer has always been turity to it.” torn between playing KKK was billed as Dulquer’s ‘I’m greedy about character­driven roles and 25th movie, had it not been mud­ star­vehicles. He plays a dled by financial crunches. De­ charming, romantic­at­ lays, production issues and bad­ heart character in a marketing are an inevitable part movie like Charlie but of the glitzy, glam world of the at the same time, he movie industry. Dulquer is aware surprises with a movie of that, even if it puts him in help­ like Kammatipaadam. less situations at times. It was one GOOD CONTENT’ “Which is nice in of the reasons why he established hindsight. But if I his own production firm, to sup­ don’t find a character port young filmmakers, warrant­ worth of substance ...says Dulquer Salmaan on taking a short break from movies, and returning to for a while, then I’m ing a smooth release. “Being in­ Tamil cinema with Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal, releasing today like ‘where am I vested in a project and marketing heading?’. It’s because it right is a lot of commitment. We I’m greedy about good face delays in release when that content.” fails. It’s frustrating sometimes :: Srivatsan S when he was out of work for al­ He does acknowledge when you aren’t allowed to work most nine months recently. that there is a fair bit of and they lock you down with your Dulquer Salmaan is everywhere... typecasting in the previous movies,” says Dulquer, in the Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu A visiting actor industry, especially when about how he handled the de­ and Hindi film industries. This Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadith- he is offered has­been layed release of KKK, whose pro­ omnipresence does make him aal (KKK) marks the directorial roles. “But a character­ duction began in 2017. wonder where his career is head­ début of Desingh Periyasamy. It is driven role doesn’t ed to right now, “I’m always work­ not that Dulquer has not worked necessarily guarantee a Inside Dulquer’s world ing. Maybe it’s just that nobody is with newcomers before. But what good movie, right?,” he The actor feels that there’s room working in so many industries at convinced him of KKK was Peri­ continues, “At the end of for everyone and anyone in Ma­ the moment,” says Dulquer with a yasamy’s crisp narration. “It was the day, I have to shoulder layalam cinema. “Whoever does chuckle, reminiscent of the one fast­paced. The movie is packed the project — whether it is good work gets the lion’s share. Kammatipaadam, Parava that made women swoon over with emotion and the intensity Take a movie like Kumbalangi or Mahanati.” him, when OK Kanmani hit doesn’t drop even by an ounce,” AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Nights for instance. It’s a small screens in 2015. he says, clarifying that KKK is not movie, but did great numbers. It’s Dulquer reveals an interesting a homage to Mani Ratnam’s Thi- the same case with Anjaam Pathi- information on how he filters con­ ruda Thiruda, the title of which raa. Ultimately, one needs to tent, one that may or may not was taken from the song ‘Kannum quer takes a pause and begins rethink the way scripts are being guarantee you his dates . The ac­ Kannum’. by emphasising, “KKK is not a written.” tor prefers a narration from the Dulquer returns to Tamil cine­ rom­com, if that’s what you are Every actor is insecure in one director. “I get a sense of their vi­ ma following Solo in 2017. A word thinking.” He explains, “It has ro­ way or the other, and Dulquer sion when they narrate. If I’m of caution; do not use the word mance, is racy in parts and has a Salmaan is no different. “I’m inse­ reading a script, I have a different ‘comeback’ to describe his re­en­ Breaking away from the mould Dulquer Salmaan and Ritu Varma in a thriller element to it. In terms of cure about my growth,” says the movie that is playing in my head. try. He says he prefers to label still from Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT my line­up this year, I think KKK actor. Expanding further, he says, That’s why some of the movies himself a “visiting actor”. Says stands out.” “When you earlier mentioned ty­ have failed,” he laughs, “I need to Dulquer, “I cannot plan my ca­ It wasn’t the end of my career. Another aspect of Dulquer you pecasting, I am beginning to think see how passionate they are...to reer here like how a Tamil actor When Solo released, I had movies need to know is this: he turns System at fault if the audience perceives me that get a better sense of the world.” would do. Because he/she is pre­ lined up for a year,” he says, ad­ down rom­coms on a daily basis. But Dulquer is not the only star of way. That’s why I break away He says he would rather sit idle dominately focusing on Tamil Na­ ding, “It’s my mom who gets But that does not take away the KKK. The movie has filmmaker from the mould and do a movie and binge­watch movies than sign du, which I cannot afford.” Ask worked up when my movies flop. fact that he became the poster Gautham Menon playing an ex­ like Kammatipaadam. But, I can­ up projects just for the sake of it. him how he dealt with the failure I’ll have to console her saying, boy of romance when Mani Rat­ tended role, “We were all fanboy­ not create a movie like that. It has That did happen to a large extent, of Solo and he says, “Life goes on. ‘Ma, I have movies for a year’.” nam launched him in Tamil. Dul­ ing over him [Gautham Menon] as to find me.”

So Sreedevi was keen that her three children do well in AN ELEPHANT’S DNA academics. “Genetic analysis at the molecular level is one of the most effective methods for Marriage to PK Govindan Potti, Journeys to the centre management of endangered animals and plants. Complaints regarding the identity of the an engineer at the Vikram Sarab­ elephants were a problem for the Forest Department. So they approached RGCB to develop hai Space Centre, brought her to a marker­based DNA fingerprinting of elephants in captivity. After collecting blood samples Thiruvananthapuram and in 1990, of all the captive elephants, we gave them a database with a unique DNA fingerprint of Soniya enrolled for her doctorate of the soul each. Each elephant was given an ID card with its name, name of the owner, other details in the University of Kerala. “Fortu­ and a QR code. If you scan the bar code, all the details of the elephant can be accessed. nately, my husband supported me TT Srinath’s Facing ‘My’ Mirror, helps the reader navigate With this, the Forest Department could easily identify an elephant. This is the first time in and parenting was a shared res­ India that DNA data has been included in ownership details of captive elephants. We also ponsibility. Even today, we give towards a more purposeful life developed a protocol to DNA fingerprint wild elephants using dung and tusk samples, to each other that space to pursue help solve wildlife crimes, including poaching and illegal trade,” explains Soniya. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA our individual careers,” she says. :: Deepa Alexander viour. His first introduction to existentialism In 1997, two years after she came from a Jesuit, Father John Prabhu, while completed her doctorate, RGCB Religious texts have long shone a torch on the pursuing a post­graduate degree in Human Re­ :: Saraswathy Nagarajan had just come into existence and path to enlightenment, happiness and grati­ source Management at XLRI, Jamshedpur. “He she was selected as a research as­ tude, yet we walk the aisles of book stores in lent me Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor It is after numerous phone calls sociate. “It was in its nascent stag­ search of a compass that will help us navigate Frankl. The book could not have come to me at Decoding the that one gets to speak to Dr EV So­ es. The late Dr MR Das, founder­di­ resentment, grief and modern love. Sensitivity a better time — I was still low from the death of niya. She is preparing to travel to rector of RGCB, had told us that we trainer TT Srinath has been at this for a while my father, I was trying to find my place in my Delhi, to receive the National Wo­ had to take up research in new now — asking existential questions since he extended family. It helped me recognise that man Bioscientist Award for her realms of our specialisation. I took lost his father as a teen, struggled as an entre­ language of genes there are certain givens — you are born and pioneering work in DNA finger­ a little time to find my feet but preneur and trained thousands as a human in­ you will die. So between those two posts, how printing. It is a lifetime achieve­ once I found my niche, I under­ teraction facilitator before finding his voice as do you embrace life, embrace people. And ac­ EV Soniya, winner of the National ment award for the Chief Scientific stood the scope and expanse of a writer of four books and a column in Metro- cept the pain that comes with the choices you Officer – Molecular Forensics and my work. That is when my work Plus. Over the past few years, his ‘Conversa­ make. The only choices we have are — can I Woman Bioscientist Award, talks about DNA Technologies at Thiruvanan­ no longer became work. I was fas­ tions with Self’ that appears on our Health pag­ learn to appreciate my uniqueness, celebrate it her work in DNA fingerprinting thapuram’s Rajiv Gandhi Centre cinated by the doors it opened,” es has engaged with the world, warmly and, therefore, celebrate the other; can I take for Biotechnology (RGCB). she says. without being charge of my life and find Though the award is gender­ Beginning with delving into mo­ preachy. my authenticity.” based, it is always ‘we’ that she lecular biology and biotechnology When we meet to Frankl continues to re­ highlights. “We are not a nine­to­ of spices such as black pepper and discuss his latest main an important part of five team. It is the passion for our ginger, she moved on to more in­ book, Facing ‘My’ Mir- Srinath’s book that had a work that has sustained the team, tricate detailing of plants involving ror – What It Means soft launch, anchored by led by our director Radhakrishna the identification of certain genes To Live In This World, historian Pradeep Chakra­ Pillai, and that has helped us meet and enzymes. Publications in pres­ Srinath, from a well­ varthy, earlier this week. some tough challenges,” she says. tigious journals helped in gaining a established industrial­ Industrialist Suresh Krish­ It was that deep interest in re­ reputation in her domain of work. ist family, looks back na received the first copy search that sustained her through At present, she is working on a on the tough years from N Ravi, director, Kas­ the tough years of child­bearing project titled ‘GenomeIndia: Cata­ that shaped his life turi and Sons. While Krish­ and parenting. “It was not easy. loguing the Genetic Variation in In­ and thinking, with dis­ na spoke on how the book But how many people have the op­ dians.’ arming humanism. defines the weighty con­ portunity to work in a field... that The 54­year­old scientist comes “What I would now cept of existentialism in challenges and motivates them,” into her own when she is talking define as setbacks in simple language, Ravi she emphasises. shop. Gender discrimination and life primarily because spoke on how it was a re­ Born in a conservative joint fa­ inclusivity do not really feature of circumstances that Motivational quotes TT Srinath * R RAGU flection of the writer who mily in Thrissur, Soniya remem­ much in her conversation. “Wo­ were beyond my con­ “has transformed many bers how her mother, Sreedevi, an men have to work doubly hard to trol were actually in­ times over in the four de­ exceptionally bright student, was prove themselves. That is true of stances when life was presenting me a fork in cades I’ve known him. It does not handout bai­ forced to leave school after Class X most workplaces, not only in labo­ the road; asking me to make a choice. While I louts for a perfect life; instead it suggests how to become a wife and homemaker. ratories,” she feels. made those choices, I did not like the conse­ to find a path”. quences. But choice also gives you the power Nirmala Lakshman, director, The Hindu to be responsive rather than reactive. When I Group Publishing, who has also written the fo­ CLOSURE THROUGH SCIENCE came to appreciate that it led to who I have be­ reword for the book, said, “This is a book that come,” says Srinath. “I realised that there is no must be dipped into often, a much­needed ma­ Soon after the Puttingal fireworks tragedy, when 111 people were killed when a pyrotechnics display went awry in a point being futuristic, no point of worrying nual that can show us who we really are.” temple, RGCB’s help was sought to help identify the victims about the past. Every day is a gift.” The book begins at what we consider the through DNA fingerprinting. While Srinath had enough material from his ‘end’ — death, and demystifies a subject that own journey to help others accept or avoid many do not wish to dwell upon. It is also an “The work had to be completed at the earliest as the life’s minefields, the idea for the book originat­ outpouring that the path to happiness is to not victims’ survivors needed some kind of closure. Moreover, ed in early 2018, when he was unwell and jug­ be in pursuit of it at all. there were damages to be paid and identification was crucial gling a training workshop — he has trained Facing ‘My’ Mirror, published by Shakthi for that. The tragedy happened just a few days before the nearly 30,000 participants and worked with Forms, will be launched today at Higginboth- festival of Vishu and many of us spent Vishu at work. A 120 organisations across the world. A member ams, Anna Salai, at 6.30 pm. The author will team from RGCB visited the place to collect blood samples of the Indian Society for Applied Behavioural be in conversation with Vinay Kamath, Senior from relatives. Although, in some cases, there was little to Science, Srinath holds a doctorate from Anna Associate Editor, The Hindu Businessline, and go by and the work was heartbreaking, we were able to meet the deadline,” she recounts. University, Chennai, in Organisational Beha­ author-playwright-poet Shreekumar Varma. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Success STEMS from her EV Soniya on her campus * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

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CHENNAI THE HINDU METROPLUS 2 FOOD FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

food is also on another level: the taste is very pure to the culture they have lived in, and they use spices from the region,” says Kazim. The vibe is also a plus, with currencies from all over the world on display, as well as some vin­ THAI tage items.

Stars of the menu Salman Khan and Zareen Khan have vi­ CUISINE sited more than once. Majeed clearly remembers a visit by Shah Rukh Khan. “The star visited our restaurant with once more four of his friends and they ordered the mixed grill platter,” he recalls. Asked about the most sought­after dishes by Indians, Majeed points to the Back in Mumbai for his second innings, Flavour kebabs. “Shish kebab and joojeh kebab pioneering chef Ananda Solomon brings his destination Local are two dishes that are ordered most spices, true­to­ frequently by Indian visitors. The key favourite Thai cuisine at Thai Naam by Ananda culture recipes and ingredients are lime, salt, black pep­ 24­hour marinations per, yoghurt and, in some cases, saf­ :: Mini Ribeiro gets the best selection straight from make the food here fron,” he says. Thailand. “Luckily, I am next to the stand out * SPECIAL Majeed also shares a secret behind airport too, so that helps,” he says ARRANGEMENT Chef Ananda Solomon is back to the taste — the meat is marinated for light­heartedly. On a serious note, he :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: where he belongs — his kitchen in more than 24 hours. In a majority of adds, “This cuisine is a lot about Mumbai. A man who gave Mumbai, ICONIC RESTAURANT dishes, dried lime is also used as a herbs and that is what makes it chal­ Frequented by its earliest tastes of real Thai food at spice. Traditional Iranian dishes in­ lenging. The food should be an expe­ Thai Pavilion in 1993, at President, Bollywood stars clude mutton and chicken kebabs mar­ rience for the diner’s nose and ton­ Mumbai – IHCL SeleQtions, he is now inated in garlic yoghurt, as well as fra­ gue, from the beginning till the end of and royalty, Al set to take the city on another jour­ grant rice served with saffron and the meal. I want this cuisine to grow ney of Thai flavours, this time at his Ustad has a lot sumac, with a side of grilled tomatoes, on people.” new restaurant Thai Naam by Anan­ onions and cucumbers. Fresh lavash is Much like a home, Thai Naam pro­ more to offer da, a 96­seater, with four distinct din­ served piping hot, and for dessert, mises you an authentic Thai expe­ ing areas, at The Orb, in Sahar, Andh­ than just sticky dates are served with a delicious rience. A rust­red brick wall adorns The kebab nutty sauce and mint tea. eri East. the entrance, similar to the flooring kebabs. Though Thai food is comfort food for him, in ancient Thai homes. “Art elements Back for more “a way of life”. His sojourn with the those are from northern, central and southern cuisine began way back in the 1990s The food is affordable compared to Thailand are reflected at Thai Naam, delectable, too when he went to Thailand to learn at sultan of old Dubai other kebab joints. The cheapest on be it in our culinary offerings or the hotels and street food stalls. the menu is hummus, which will cost décor and design,” says Ananda. Says the chef, “I love Thailand, the you seven UAE dirhams, while the The menu is intentionally limited, people, their culture and food. I have most expensive dish is the Sultani din­ but abundant in vegetarian options. been exploring it for a very long ner at 47 dirhams. “I don’t want people to get con­ time, but my last two years after I left The restaurant receives a great flux fused,” he states simply. From mari­ Taj President, were when I saw the of people through the week. There is nated chicken morsels wrapped in cuisine in a new light. I visited villag­ no difference whether it is a weekday pandanus leaves and fried, to a spicy es along the length and breadth of or weekend, say regulars. “It’s always mince chicken salad and steamed Thailand and delved deeper into the full. There are no reservations, it’s first John Dory with lemon garlic sauce, to nuances of the cuisine. Different come, first served. We see about 400 long green eggplant with tomato, places do Thai cuisine differently to­ walk­ins on normal days and around pickled garlic, edamame and chilli, day, and a lot has changed since my 500­600 people on weekends,” adds all dishes reflect his ‘less is more’ phi­ earlier trips. I sought answers to sev­ Majeed. losophy. He does not believe in doing eral ‘why’s. I interacted with “I have sweet memories of this “too much with the ingredients”. chefs across age place. My father used to bring me here The dishes are served in a se­ groups and saw how when I was a child. Old habits die hard quence, with progression of flavours they all work to and I’m a regular visitor,” says Kazim. in mind. “Nothing is served without a make sure the legacy The restaurant was set up by Mo­ reason, merely to fill your stomach. of Thai food remains hammed Al Ansari, who left Gerash in You must savour each morsel and unchanged and is southern Iran for Dubai in 1941. He first taste the ingredients,” he avers. :: Tom Cijo carried forward.” the patrons include royalty and cele­ ran a grocery shop and bakery in Bur Chefs of Ananda’s stature often Fresh ingre­ brities from across West Asia , includ­ Dubai before setting up the restaurant stop actual cooking, but he cooks ev­ dients make all When you walk into Al Ustad, a popu­ ing Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, 41 years ago, working there until he ery day, and says the learning never the difference and lar kebab joint in the heritage neigh­ the Crown Prince of Dubai. passed away in 2015 at the age of 83. stops for him. It is the same mantra Chef Ananda bourhood of Bur Dubai, the first thing What makes this Iranian kebab joint His sons Majeed, Shahabuddin and Ta­ he teaches his young team, whom he makes sure he that will catch your eye are the hun­ so popular? “The ambience and the leb now jointly run the restaurant. has hand­picked from Kerala for dreds of photos that adorn its walls. And, what is Majeed’s special pick their skills. On a closer look, you can spot many for a first­time Indian visitor? “I would For a man who has helmed a popular face posing with the restau­ taste we dish out,” says Majeed, who recommend the mixed grill for Indian successful restaurants, he rant owners, clearly happy after a satis­ can easily converse in Indian languages tourists. It works well when you are displays the same excite­ AGE-OLD FAVOURITE fying gastronomical experience. The like Hindi, Punjabi and Malayalam, with a group of people or your family. ment and nervousness a men common in all the photographs Ancient Greeks used barbecue skewers apart from Arabic and English. The platter can work for an individual newcomer would, anxious­ are Majeed Anssari and Shahabuddin made of stone as long ago as 7th Mohammed Kazim, an Emirati busi­ and also extend to serve 7­10 people.” ly awaiting your reaction, Anssari, co­owners of the always Century BC. They were unearthed nessman and a licensed tour guide who And whether or not you are pinned as you taste his food. No crowded Iranian food joint. And, those during archaeological dines here frequently, agrees. “It’s a fa­ along with King Khan on this restau­ smugness and overconfi­ posing with them are the likes of Sal­ excavations in Santorini by mily­run restaurant and you get to inte­ rant’s wall of fame, is up to you. dence for this soft­spoken man Khan, Anil Kapoor, John Abra­ professor CG Doumas. ract with them, it’s very authentic and chef. That is what makes ham, Arjun Rampal and Zareen Khan, casual. It’s a place for everyone, which In this column, we take a peek at some of him Ananda Solomon. to name a few. Not just Indian stars — is exactly what Dubai represents. The the most iconic restaurants

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: HORS D’OEUVRES tion as early as 7 am. Preparing AJWA THALASSERY DUM it is served. “We cut it like a Thalassery biryani is a meticu­ BIRIYANI cake and plate it. You have to go lous and time­consuming pro­ right down and scoop out the cess that requires adequate 205, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, rice and meat and place it on planning and preparation,” Arumbakkam your plate,” says Naushad Mo­ says Razak, who along with Hits: Mutton and fish hamad, one of the partners. I three of his friends opened biryani, prawns mulakittathu relished the aromatic prepara­ Chennai’s maiden branch of Aj­ tion, which tasted delicious. wa Thalassery Dum Biryani. Misses: Spring chicken, fish The hours (four, says the chef) Three chefs from Razak’s fa­ fry spent painstakingly preparing mily take turns to come to Meal for two: ₹800 this biryani were worth every Chennai to prepare the special­ morsel. ¬ ity dish everyday. The kaima 48538383 The date pickle, typically rice variety is sourced from served with biryani in the Ma­ Bengal, and only ghee is used. and the cooked rice are sealed labar region, is made of dates The meat gravy, cooked on me­ and kept aside for close to three syrup with grated beetroot, Radisson checks its plastics dium heat with sautéed onions, hours. carrots and green chilli. It takes :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: tomato and few spices, requires We order mutton and the a while to get the palate used to Radisson Hotel Group, has finally caught on to the anti­single­use REVIEW no oil. fish biryani. The chef recom­ the varied tastes of the rice, plastic bandwagon. The leading chain has started its campaign to launch “The aroma and flavour can mends spring chicken, which is meat and pickle, and once it a global roll­out plan of plastic reduction, including the introduction of be attributed to the kaima rice, made with fresh chicken weigh­ synchronises, you begin to rel­ bulk amenities in all hotels across the group’s portfolio, by 2022. The and the three stages of slow ing anywhere between 450 to ish its effect on the taste buds . group has announced a global commitment to #refusethestraw, cooking which are the most es­ 600 grams. Our biryani arrives The flavourful, ghee­infused ensuring plastic straws and plastic stirrers are no longer used in its A balancing act hotels by 2021 and eco­friendly alternatives will be offered to guests sential aspect of this style of bi­ unassumingly, topped with preparation with a hint of ma­ upon request. It will also implement bulk amenity dispensers across all ryani,” says Razak. The most fried onions and served with sala here and there, and a brands by the beginning of 2022, replacing small bottles for common Kerala’s popular Ajwa Biriyani chain important aspect of Thalassery small portions of sweet dates splash of sweet tangy date pick­ bathroom products, the company said in a statement. This action is opens its maiden Chennai outlet. How biryani, however, is the dum: pickle and onion raita. Just as le provides a satisfying meal ex­ expected to help avoid the use of almost 500 tonnes of plastic annually. the mutton or chicken gravy the dish is cooked in layers, so perience. For vegetarians, Federico J González Tejera, president and CEO, Radisson Hospitality AB does this Thalassery variant fare against there is vegetable biryani and and chairman, Global Steering Committee, Radisson Hotel Group, says: the Madras biryani we love? We find out plain aromatic ghee rice or the “Plastic pollution is one of the current major global issues and our Group Kerala nei choru, along with is proud to play a leading role in driving plastic reduction across the four vegetarian side dishes travel and tourism industry.” :: Chitradeepa Anantharam pelled soon). For me, biryani such as dal fry, cauliflower fry, has to be high on drama, and and paneer butter masala. Everything under one roof Biryani lover that I am, I find it come with all the parapherna­ Completing the meal with a hot hard to decide which style is lia. So when Chef Razak AC Sulaimani is a good idea. If you’re the kind that struggles to narrow down on best. took me into the kitchen of Aj­ Thalassery biryani is all the kind of food that you Madras style, made with bas- wa Thalassery Dum Biryani, I about the right amount of spic­ want to try when you step mati rice and high on spices, was wondering where all the es, perfect cooking of the rice out to eat, here’s help. ALOE, has always been my prefe­ cooking takes place, as the and finally balancing both with which stands for A Little Of rence. I love Ambur­style birya- kitchen was spic and span. perfect dum. We are informed Everything, the new addition ni where red chilli paste replac­ There were huge dabaras that for dinner they also serve to The Belstead Hotel, es the whole green chilli, as of various sizes, and I was Malabar special items such as Nungambakkam, promises well as subtly­spiced seeraga puzzled where that appe­ nei pathri, puttu and Kerala pa- the best of different cuisines samba biryani. Therefore, tising aroma was emanat­ rotta. But the restaurant, with a from around the globe, under when I visit a newly­launched ing from, as there was no seating capacity of 60, has one roof. The restaurant is eatery specialising in Malabar trace of any cooking. nothing to write home about in open 24/7, meaning you can or Thalassery biryani, as it is “We begin the prepara­ terms of ambience. step right in even if you crave popularly known, I am admitt­ So has the experience made seeraga samba chicken edly sceptical. me shift loyalties? What can I biryani in the middle of the To begin with, I could not ac­ Dig in Ghee stars in this say? Thalassery biryani is an ex­ night. The menu has stuffed cept this plain­looking, white show, almost as much as the perience, but Chennai biryani mushroom caps, cheddar colour dish being called birya- meat does * SPECIAL is an emotion. malai broccoli, lal chicken tikka, chicken tornado and chicken burger. The ni (this prejudice was to be dis­ ARRANGEMENT place is done up with ‘foliage interiors’, which will hopefully add a dash of freshness to the table.

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Her way or the highway Have you heard of the ancient story from The Mahabharata in which Savitri’s undying love and dedication made the Lord of Death spare her husband Satyavan’s life? Light and Blind Productions brings to you a spin-off of the tale, in which an avant-garde Savitri has everything under her control and is determined to play only by her rules. Called Yaman versus Woman, the play is directed by Hariramakrishnan J and written by V Chandrasekar. Watch how Satyavan breaks free from his dilemma of choosing between Yaman and his wife, during the course of the play. This 90- minute-long modern comedy features a mixture of professionals and budding artistes, who have come together for the love of theatre. Yaman versus woman will be performed at Mylapore Fine Arts auditorium, on March 1, at 4 pm and 7 pm. Tickets are priced at ₹250, available on bookmyshow and at the counter.

Paper tales Backyard, in association with Soul Craft, brings to you this Sospeso bottle making workshop. This Italian craftwork, helps in turning decorative elements from printed films, paper and fabric into works of art that can be applied to make tea coasters, plasters and photo frames. The workshop also includes paper veil-making sessions. Participants will be provided with embossing pads, embossing tools, sospeso paper, and all other necessary craft-making tools. The Sospeso workshop will be held in Backyard, Adyar on March 1 from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Entry fee is ₹2,000. For queries, contact 7259422731 or 7358458117.

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CHENNAI THE HINDU METROPLUS 4 CARTOONS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2020 CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC

POOCH CAFE PEANUTS

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE CALVIN AND HOBBES

TIGER THE GUARDIAN QUICK CROSSWORD-13314

To play The Guardian Quick Crossword, The Hindu Cryptic crossword, Sudoku & other puzzles online, scan the QR code.

6 Alternative to spectacles (7,6) 7 Held up (7) WUMO 12 Small measure used in recipes — open oats (anag) (8) 13 Wistfully mournful (7) 15 Grotesque sprite (6) 18 Read carefully (5) 19 Putsch (4)

Solution will appear in MetroPlus dated February 29, 2020. ■ Across 20 Confused situation Solution No. 13313 PEARLS BEFORE SWINE 1 Deadpan (8-5) (9) 8 Little devil (3) 21 Old French coin (3) 9 Plant of the primrose 22 Trashy — shoddy family — limper pen (5,3,5) (anag) (9) ■ Down 10 Capsize (4,4) 1 Adhere (5) 11 Dark blue (4) 2 Blameworthy (13) 13 Two-digit prime (6) 3 Made better (8) 14 Took it easy (6) 4 Tool (used with a 16 Gaelic language (4) sickle?) (6) 17 Files containing 5 Charges for information (8) professional services (4)

Metroplus invites your feedback Feedback to the articles in the supplement. A green thumbs-up Letters may be sent to: Metromail, c/o The Editor, The Hindu, No 859 & 860, Kasturi Buildings, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600002, e-mailed to [email protected] or Lazy Gardener’s Plant Parents’ Meet-Up tweeted to us @THMetroPlus. All communications must contain the provides an opportunity for plant lovers in name of the writer and the complete mailing address. Chennai to get together and discuss their hobby

Say green The Lazy Gardener team striking a pose

* SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

:: K RAJASHREE DAS deners initiative, is the Plant Parents’ Meet­Up in 13 cities across India includ­ “You have an extra day this year. How ing Chennai. Garg quips, “It is all done are you going to make it more valuable on a volunteers’ basis by people who and useful?” asks Vinayak Garg, the gathered together on Instagram. They chief gardener (also known as the foun­ started with volunteers in 50 cities." der) of Delhi­based Lazy Gardener. Garg adds, “We have sent out kits and The organisation started out eight are training volunteers on these topics months back, by providing a variety of so that anyone who comes is able to go plant food sticks that you can insert into back learning something new and the mud for healthier plants, “And at useful.” that time we started creating content on At the Delhi office of Lazy Gardener, Instagram. We created videos on how to the team has created a curriculum and garden, talked to people and got them put it together in cards created for the together on Instagram to discuss plants. volunteers. They will also cover topics Very soon we grew and within six about light and watering, which “are the months we had 50,000 followers,” says two most essential things people should Garg. Lazygardener.in is nearing learn about,” says Garg. 100,000 followers on Instagram today. Under light, the discussion, Garg says, That is when Garg realised that a lot of will mainly be about indoor plants, what people they were are attracting were kind of light requirement do different those who are just starting to garden and plants have and how to assess the light get plants. They usually have one or two intensity within the house with respect plants. “Which is why we started Million to a window and artificial light. Gardeners as an initiative to inspire new “One of the reasons we see most peo­ people to take up planting,” says Garg. ple struggling with plants is because The third event under the Million Gar­ they think the solution to every problem is watering. And over watering kills. So when to water and how much to water. Also the ways of watering that harm the plant. When you water from overhead, PLANT PLAN the leaves of certain plants can rot,” ex­ plains Garg. The earliest surviving detailed garden plan, dating from about 1400 BC, is Gardening, Garg believes, helps with of a garden belonging to an Egyptian well­being. “It is also the simplest and high court official at Thebes. The most actionable things one can do as the main entrance is aligned on a pergola first step towards helping the environ­ (trellis-bordered) walk of vines ment and the climate.” leading directly to the dwelling. The Plant Parents’ Meet-Up will take place on February 29, between 10 am and 11.30 am at the Semmozhi Poonga Amphitheatre. The event is free of charge. To register log on to https://tinyurl.com/ chennaiplantmeetup

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Beat the Blues Musician couple Greg and Lea started out playing on the streets of Toulouse * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Lessons in for this project, calling it her one big chal­ green living lenge, and YouTube, her friend. “About a couple of years ago, I finally went to an actual dance school and realised that Redwood Montessori’s Organic Fair what I do is not tap dance at all,” she features vegan jams, puppies and more laughs. Traditionally, tap is danced to jazz music, but Lea modifies the choreog­ :: Sweta Akundi of filled pasta and dried pasta, raphy to go with the rock and roll, blues­y and Bob Maassy’s traditional can­ music they create. Just going organic is no longer dies made using jaggery. Yes, though it is Greg who first thinks enough, recognises co­founder The fair is dedicated to teach­ up the harmonies, it is after he jams with of Redwood Montessori, Madhu­ ing both children and adults how Lea, who dances and brings in the ra Visweswaran. Ahead of the to be environment­friendly, with rhythm to it, that the song finally takes school’s eighth organic fair, she the help of stalls such as Future shape. One of their songs, ‘Train to New says, “We want to teach the kids Farms, that will help you set up Orleans’, uses harmonica and the tam­ that it is not just about what is your own hydroponics system at bourine to sound like a train chugging best for you, but also what is best home, and The World Wildlife along, and into a station before it stops to for the environment.” Fund. “The WWF will help the a grand halt. The concept behind Organic students commit to Earth Hour, Fair, which will have over 57 stalls and teach them about the Nilgiri The X factor this time, is promoting a culture tahr, Tamil Nadu’s State animal.” Being a visual band, style is just as impor­ of mindful choices and clean eat­ The students will have a stall of tant to them. Greg has fashioned a mic ing for daily living. What started their own, selling proucts such as out of the speaker of an old rotary tele­ with the aim of moving children tie­dye cushion covers, organic phone, and made three guitars — one away from unhealthy and pro­ soaps, candles, class decor, sand shaped like a cigar box — all of which he cessed foods, has now expanded art and notebooks, all made by plays. to reducing one’s carbon foot­ kids between the ages of six and print. “It is beyond just food; it is 10. They will donate the proceeds ...... about your mind, body and the from these to Madras Naturalists’ Though it is Greg who first environment. This wellness Society, to spread awareness on thinks up the harmonies, it is comes with an emphasis not only the decreasing numbers of migra­ on the organic but also on the tory birds. “In our school, we years ago,” says Greg. “Before that she ac­ after he jams with Lea, who natural,” says Madhura. generally have talks by natural­ One Rusty Band, the tually worked with a circus in Mexico, dances and brings in the Take for instance, a dish like ists like Poochi Venkat, and we Carnival of French duo which made and I was in another rock band.” He rhythm to it, that the song pizza. “It is not wrong for a child spot birds on campus. Recently, points to Lea sitting beside him on a finally takes shape to want pizza, but instead of giv­ we took the students on a walk to its Chennai debut with couch at Starbucks in Phoenix MarketCi­ ing them processed pizza, we can Adyar Poonga for birdwatching Global Isai Festival, brings ty. They have just finished their perfor­ Lea declares Greg a ‘one­man band’, learn how to make it using flour with a naturalist. After that, they mance at the Global Isai Festival when we and he says, “I need to separate the in­ that has a mix of seven other wanted to do something to help together groovy, street- meet. Packing the wide set of instru­ struments in my brain, each follows its grains,” she says. with the conservation of birds,” style rock and roll and ments they travel with has taken them ov­ own reading like boom tah boom tah…” This edition’s stalls include says Madhura. er half an hour, and they are now un­ he starts vocalising. “You just have to Fouziya Cooking, which makes Finally, the fair will also hold a some tap dancing winding with hot tea. keep training.” natural and vegan products like puppy drive for the children to rust “It is difficult as it is for artiste couples, She interjects, “The first time he tried jams, pickles and peanut butter; take indie and rescue dogs home. but staying in different countries made it it, I remember him complaining, ‘It is not Kase cheese; Sugar Plum, that off­ The Organic Fair will be held :: Sweta Akundi own. Not to worry, standing next to him even more so. We wanted to live together, possible, I can’t do it, I can’t do it’.” She ers a variety of chemical­ free and at Redwood’s Kottivakkam cam- engaging the crowds to get up and dance and we realised that the only way to do so looks toward him, brushing his arm, and made­to­order cosmetics; Vena­ pus on February 29, from 4 pm For its first trip to India, One Rusty Band is his partner Lea. With ‘adorkable’ ex­ would be to work together,” chips in Lea. adds, “But you picked it up in one month, ria, with over 100 different types to 7 pm. is doing quite well. After stealing the li­ pressions, she does acrobatics and tap Lea started learning how to tap dance it was so impressive.” melight at Global Isai Festival in Chennai, dancing. While Greg cites Jimi Hendrix and ‘70s it performed at the Mumbai edition and is Lea is the rhythm half of the duo — her blues as his inspiration, Lea is a big fan of now in Pune. dancing isn’t just a visual component, Stomp, a US­based percussion group. The French duo has garnered atten­ but adds a layer of percussion to the mus­ “They create percussion with absolutely tion in the city for its dirty blues style of ic. She also plays the tambourine and ALL THE RIGHT STROKES anything… A table, glasses, feet…” In In­ music, the kind of rock and roll which de­ washboard, which she wears like a The washboard as a dia, Lea has danced with kathak dancers mands that you move to it. breastplate. If they remind you of Euro­ musical instrument and jammed with a tabla player. Mindful Greg, the musical half of the band, pean street artistes, it is with good rea­ is used in zydeco Though they are touring many coun­ splurge plays guitars, both blues and electric, son. music. This genre tries now, they look back fondly on the Students’ keeping time on the snare drum and ca­ It all began in the streets of Toulouse, evolved in days they played on the streets. “Here, creations jon with his feet, alternating between France, for Greg and Lea, who are mar­ southwest Louisiana people come to listen to us. But on the will also be harmonica and vocals — all simultaneous­ ried and have been together for 11 years and blends blues streets, there was always a chance that on sale with rhythm. ly, in an impressive sight. now. This project, they say, is their baby. you touched someone who was a stran­ * SPECIAL Naturally, he looks lost in a world of his “We started as street performers five ger to our music,” says Lea. ARRANGEMENT

Mundane reality Works from the Courtyard of Memories series by

Santhosh (below) * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Tactile memories Textures and elements of folk art lend artist Santhosh D Andrade’s realistic portrayal of everyday scenes a new dimension

:: Gowri S surroundings, and its translation into lend. Though from a distance, they ap­ his canvases, remain the same. pear to be just another acrylic paint­ It is an everyday sight through a The 39­year­old, who hails from ing, as one looks deeper, these tex­ framed window of what appears to be Chilimbi in Mangalore, combines skill tures are revealed. Santhosh’s a traditional house — a sari­clad wo­ with perception in his work. His love technique is what creates this effect. man stoops over, trying to draw water for the folk art form of mad­ “Acrylic by itself, is rich. But, I add 10 from a well. A realistic portrayal at hubani surfaces repeatedly to 11 layers of colours to the canvas that, the layered work also has ele­ in the form of motifs and to get the texture. I initially patch ments and motifs of madhubani hid­ references. “My first brush the colours on, and let them dry. den within. In another frame, to the with madhubani was at a Meanwhile, more patches are backdrop of pink walls and a very de­ college camp. Then, so­ placed beside them. Once they are fined staircase flanked by walls with mewhere down the line, I dry, more layers of different co­ madhubani motifs, sits an elderly man started mixing folk art with lours are slapped on. The in a kurta-dhoti deep in thought. On realism,” says the artist, more the layers, the the staircase is also a little girl, en­ 33 of whose works more the richness,” grossed in her own world. are on display at Sa­ explains Santhosh Realism, as is evident, is artist San­ rala’s Artworld, to­ adding that when thosh D Andrade’s forte, but the tex­ day. He goes on, different colours tures that these physical canvases lend “Some of the works are placed layer to, are what makes his work in acrylic on display are re­ by layer, new stand out. To the point that they invite presentations of shades take one to run their fingers over the can­ my childhood me­ form. It takes vases. mories. Others him 10 to 12 What started out as a childhood pas­ are of my own days to finish time — he used to imitate portraits of surroundings. one work, Ganapati, Hanuman, and Jesus using Now, we as a so­ says the ar­ crayons — soon grew into a passion. “I ciety, are losing tist, adding was obsessed with electronic gadgets, out on the natural that the and still am. I used to paint and oper­ beauty of our sur­ tools for the ate electronics simultaneously,” he re­ roundings. With same, are also made calls. And after pursuing a Bachelor’s industrialisation, by him. in Fine Arts, specialising in Folk Art, this is becoming a Santhosh Andrade’s he started painting professionally. Fif­ reality,” he says. works will be on display teen years after, not much has But what makes today at ArtWorld Sara- changed, except of course the techni­ his works stand out, la’s Art Centre, Teynam- cal expertise. Santhosh’s love for his are the textures they pet.

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:: Nikhil Raghavan nuary in Los Angeles, had his name as a nomina­ tion, under the ‘Foley Supervisor’ category for the Come April and the world will see the international Hindi film Gully Boy , along with others in films release of The Iron Mask , directed by Oleg Step­ such as Atlantics, Parasite, Shadow, The Fall of the chenko. The Russian and Chinese language ver­ American Empire and The Sound Story. sions of this Sino­Russian co­production, titled “It was a close call, but we were upstaged by Pa­ The future’s bright Sci­fi films and Journey to China: The Mystery of Iron Mask , was rasite. But personally,the very fact that my work technology­based films are starting to released late last year. The trailer of the forthcom­ was recognised as of international standard was do well at the box office; (From top) ing film shows a lot of jaw­drop­ comforting enough,” says Vi­ Of androids, Scenes from Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25; ping action sequences and chemis­ jay. The hard work and the Virus; Nine * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT try between Arnold uphill climb that started in Schwarzenegger and Jackie Chan. 2003 while doing his Masters up in Nirnayam (1995) and Joseph One of the three sound design­ SOUND EFFECT in Advanced Music Produc­ (2018). Mohanlal in Ulladakkam (1991) ers who worked on the film is Named after Jack Foley, the tion at Glamorgan University, extra­terrestrials and Soman in Thalavattam (1986) Chennai­based Vijay Rathinam category involves the reproduction the UK was paying off, despite showed how diametrically opposite who, along with Alexey Sinitsyn of everyday sound effects that are his reluctant move back to In­ two people practising the same profes­ (Mosfilm) and Harry Cohen (sound added to films in post-production dia from a creatively enriching sion can be. Designer of Once Upon a Time in to enhance audio quality. These period in England. In recent The popularity of medical dramas Hollywood and The Hateful Eight ) sounds can be anything from , Vijay has worked on and viruses and thrillers in Malayalam, Jenuse says, designed all the sound effects to swishing of films such as Panipat (with clothing and is down to the social nature of the field, enhance the feel of this magnum Stephen Gomes), Mariyan footsteps to and how familiar people are with hospi­ opus. Vijay, incidentally, has exclu­ and Sarvam Thaala Mayam squeaky doors Mollywood goes through a reel of change as tal procedures and doctors. This might sively provided all the foley inputs and breaking and has just completed de­ be a reason why Aashiq Abu’s Virus for The Iron Mask , which was glass. signing sound for the Madha­ filmmakers discover the formula to making science­ (2019) was well­received, apart from mixed at Mosfilm in Russia by Gary van­Anushka starrer, Nishab­ fiction and technology­based movies the fact that Nipah outbreak and its se­ C Bourgeois ( Captain America: dam (Telugu version) and verity, was still fresh in people’s memo­ The First Avenger) and Dmitriy Kli­ Kabir Khan’s The Forgotten :: Aswin VN ry. minov. “All the foley effects have Army Amazon series (with Ratheesh and Jenuse agree that in or­ been created at our sound facility, The Audioville, Stephen Gomes). An old man, wearing a mundu and a der for science­centric movies to work by our team of foley experts. One of the highlights Vijay’s The Audioville provides sound design shirt, walks back home with his caretak­ in Kerala, the stories must be set in a of the film is the fictional weapon called the Mace and Foley services for a lot of international films er — a short white android, also clad in terrain familiar to the Malayalam au­ which uses high decibel sounds to kill people. We and television series.”Working with international mundu from waist­down with a thorthu dience. In fact, the best works, both in had to be careful that the sounds we created and productions through their directors and editors is around his shoulders. This would have literature and cinema, with science or designed do not affect the film’s audience; striking enriching. Soon after my Masters I joined as Sound sounded surreal and an improbable re­ technology at the heart of it, were com­ a balance without taking away the sound and visual Editor at Inspire GLG, an animation tele­film studio cipe for a hit in Mollywood a few years mentaries or critiques on human na­ effect of those scenes, was a challenge,” says an ex­ based in Worcestershire, ,” says Vijay. ago. But not today, after the success of ture and society. Be it Aldous Huxley’s cited Vijay. Currently, he is doing only a couple of Indian Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25, last year. Brave New World or James Cameron’s Vijay has an important nomination which recog­ films a year. “There’s a lot of work coming in from The film was a bold attempt since Avatar, the story was about our society. nises the talent in him and his team of sound de­ international productions,” concludes Vijay, who past works of science­fiction (sci­fi) or The recent attempts in Malayalam ci­ signers at The Audioville, the studio from where has just completed work on The Owners and similar fantastical themes featuring nema to portray science or technology they work on many international film productions. Dreamland, besides TV series, Kingdoms of Fire science or technology haven’t had centered themes seem inspired by this. The 67th Annual Golden Reel Awards, presented (directed by Peter Weber) and The Trial of Chris­ much success in Kerala. “I wasn’t wor­ “Kunjappan was born out of my desire by the Motion Picture Sound Editors and held in Ja­ tine Keeler. ried about whether or not it would be a to explore the alienation mobile devic­ success since I was confident it would es are creating in our society.All of us work if I turned it into a family drama . are glued to our screens,” Ratheesh The tough part was getting a supportive says. He says the android in his movie producer as it was a double whammy — symbolizes a totality of technologies a technological fantasy with a septuage­ that keep us busy today. narian protagonist,” says Ratheesh Ba­ Although not a sci­fi, Ashiq ’s path­ lakrishnan Poduval, who wrote and di­ breaking Virus is a movie centered on a rected Kunjappan. scientific quest to control a potential Jenuse Mohamed’s Prithviraj­starrer pandemic. Muhsin Parari, one of the Nine was the other ‘scientific’ cinematic writers of the movie, admits that they Sound choice surprise of 2019. Prithviraj plays an as­ were worried how people would re­ Vijay Rathinam trophysicist, a rarity in itself for Malaya­ ceive a world filled with countless med­ * SPECIAL lam cinema, investigating an astronom­ ical jargons. He adds, “So we were care­ ARRANGEMENT ical phenomenon in the movie. Jenuse ful to ensure that the script was as adds, “However, more than a pure sci­ engaging as possible. But then again, fi, the film was a psychological thriller fear of death, and hope of life, are un­ with elements of science in it. That iversal feelings”. made it a far more palatable watch for menon that occurred in Kerala in 2001. For any movie to be successful, Je­ the viewers.” Although it was appreciated for various nuse says, the focus should be on hu­ aspects of its making, it failed to leave man elements that people can relate to. A blast from the past an impact on the audience . Comment­ Nine, for instance, was more of a psych­ The history of science and technology ing on the style and theme of the film, ological journey than a scientific one. in Malayalam cinema is a history of Rahul says, “The style employed is “This is especially true of sci­fi or other mostly failed attempts. Madhu Mut­ Western and was inspired by subjects extreme genres like fantasy. For a large tom’s Bharathan Effect , which ex­ that are explored there. It is however, portion of Malayalam audience, those plored the concept of anti­gravity, and hard to sell such a theme in Kerala since themes are hard to comprehend. So :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Vinayan’s Athisayan (2007) , a tale there is a limited audience for it.” you need to make it culturally relevant CINE QUIP clearly inspired by Marvel’s Hulk, both The first sci­fi in Malayalam was re­ for them like Ratheesh did in Kunjap­ failed to connect with the audience . leased in 1967. Directed by P Subrama­ ,” quips Jenuse. The social and cul­ Poor CGI might have been a reason why niam, Karutha Rathrikal was an adap­ tural relevance regarding the issue of they didn’t work. “If the idea is too fan­ tation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s The care for old­people in Kerala, Ratheesh tastic, then it’s important to make the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde believes, was a factor in making his mo­ audience feel that what is happening starring Madhu. Apart from that, vie a success. on­screen is plausible. Hollywood mo­ science and technology in Malayalam This larger social aspect may have vies often have the budget for good CGI, cinema have been restricted to commu­ been the missing factor in the past at­ but we don’t. That is why we decided to nication devices, killer robots and tacky tempts at sci­fi in Malayalam or maybe make an actual android which could do lairs of villains in CID Nazir films, clear­ they were just unlucky to have come move minimally and a stunt double, for ly inspired by props from the James out before the current generation of certain scenes, in Kunjappan. CGI was Bond series. movie­goers had arrived in the scene. kept to a minimum,” says Ratheesh. The one science that Malayalam ci­ Nevertheless, Muhsin believes, a new <> Cinema is part of a space­time Meanwhile Rahul Sadasivan’s Red nema has explored well is medical group of movie goers made up of gener­ continuum. If a movie image is the Rain (2013), starring Narain, was a so­ science. Medical ethos have been well ation­Z members, provides an oppor­ space one saw, the sound one heard lidly made science­fiction thriller. It ex­ portrayed in films like Amrutham Ga­ tunity for Malayalam writers and film­ decided the time factor. Everything plored perhaps for the first time in Ma­ maya (1987) and Ayalum Njanum makers to try sci­fi and other bold, that one experienced in a film — be it layalam cinema, an extra­terrestrial Thammil (2012) . Meanwhile the dark fantastic themes without much fear of birds or sky or day or night or seasons theme inspired by the red rain pheno­ side of the medical community comes failure. — is determined through sound. Resul Pookutty, in 2018

The villain kind of girl In an interview to Entertainment Tonight, Mendes spoke about how motherhood has limited her choices on screen. Now that she has children, Eva says she has struck many kinds of roles off her list, even if she has done them before. “I don’t want to do anything too violent, and of course nothing that is sexual,” she says adding, “So a lot of things are off my list.” She says that Clothes and the man leaves her with not much choice Remember Robert Pattinson, who played Edward Cullen in except perhaps Twilight? a Disney film. The 33­year­old who has been the face of Dior for years now But she admits he has come a long way in the style department. “I never clarifies that would have thought I would be wearing chiffon, silk and satin,” she would like says Pattison and shudders about a tuxedo he wore along with to play a villain basketball shorts last year. Pattison also winces as he recalls one in a Disney film of his major style blunders. It was what he chose to wear at the rather than the premiere of Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire in 2005 (He princess. “I like the played Cedric Diggory in the movie). “I wore leather trousers with villains of the Disney cowboy boots and a velvet jacket,” he said. Pattinson is now all set movies. They’re fun.” to play the masked superhero in The next year. IANS IANS

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