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Guru Randhawa

Guru Randhawa

FOR THE MAN IN FULL | www.mansworldindia.com NOVEMBER 2020 | K 150 NOVEMBER 2020 249 / NOVEMBER / ISSUE SEDANS • BEST • GUCCI RANDHAWA GURU ISSN 2277 - 1840 MW - 1840 2277 ISSN RNI NO. MAHENG/2008/26535 THE SELF-MADE SUCCESS STORY OF GURU RANDHAWA

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MW November 2020 Cover Final.indd All Pages 02/11/20 10:35 PM NOVEMBER 2020

Publisher & Editor N RADHAKRISHNAN

Executive Publisher MINAL SURVE

Executive Editor ARNESH GHOSE

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Assistant Editors SAMREEN TUNGEKAR, MAYUKH MAJUMDAR

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Art Director TANVI SHAH Associate Art Director HEMALI LIMBACHIYA Art Director NANDKISHOR SAWANT Graphic Designers GAUTAMI DAVE, SANJANA SUVARNA Senior Digital Manager JAYESH V. SALVI Production Manager MANGESH SALVI

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INDIA_230x298_MANS WORLD M2_01Nov2020.indd 1 28/10/20 16:00 MASTHEAD November 2020.indd 1 03/11/20 12:10 AM Executive Editor’s Note

MISSING OUT ON FESTIVALS, DOG VIDEOS, AND GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FAMILY

Holidays don't make any sense these months. Festivals and occasions have gone by, with everybody repenting how badly they went by. Birthdays and anniversaries couldn't be properly celebrated. Two Eids. An Onam. One Durga Puja. I am writing this letter on the last day of Durga Puja, and it doesn't feel like the most important Bengali festival has come to a close. Generally, the last day leaves you exhausted, depressed, withdrawals creep in. This year, it feels like any other day. Tomorrow, feels like any other day. But have we realised that the most important thing about festivals, is people? Without people, festivals mean nothing. Religious rituals were performed, but in empty temples, without friends and family. Ornate makeshift pandals were made for idols, but nobody was allowed inside. Friends could not catch up for lunches and dinners, no boisterous house parties, no pandal hopping, no dressing up. Religious rituals weren't enough. That should be our learning from this year for the future — the most important thing that truly matters, is human connection. his pandemic has led to interesting things. Many of Creating divisive lines between people won't lead to a happier future but us, who have been staying away from our families for rather — like this year — a lonelier one. over a decade and more, have come home to them. My These days, if there is one thing that I'd thank Instagram for, it’s dog videos. visits to my childhood home generally have been for I used to follow a bunch of dog accounts, much before the dog influencer about two weeks, twice a year, for the last 12 years. To trend started. Then, once that hit, and dog sketches became a rage — stay beyond that is new, and has been a tad unsettling. introducing a whole new vocabulary of social media lingo — I spiralled down The usual two weeks, would pass by like a speeding the rabbit hole, incessantly consuming dog content. I remember, there was a train, and it always used to be filled with pampering, time when I used to follow more than 75 dog accounts. Dog videos obviously Twith lots of entertainment, and lots of vacation things. Helping out with cause a spike in dopamine, but I also realised that I had started growing a household chores wasn't encouraged because I would be "taking a break". dependency on them. It was like getting a smoke after a stressful day. I would Two weeks, twice a year is also not enough to understand how my family infinitely scroll through videos, staring at cute, furry canines, laughing and members have grown, have changed, have cracked. These last four-five giggling. They lift bad moods, sure, but I started experiencing a low, like a months have felt like a reacquaintance. I have learned so much about sugar crash, when I would pine for a furry companion. Who knew dog videos each of them. They are different people, older, more understanding, could do that, right? Social media is truly evil in all forms. I clamped down on more impatient, more illogical, more warm. Two weeks twice a year, my weird habit, turned a blind eye to the ASMR trends and dog challenges, everybody is at their best behaviour. But now, we have had quarrels and and saw that I was finally not as addicted as I was becoming. Of course, I disagreements. They are also getting used to me being in their space. cleaned my follow list too. These days, I only follow two handles, Barked and Younger members of the family are getting used to another adult, another Woof Woof TV, for exceptionally curated content. They are mood lifters, sure, person who believes he knows better than them. Older people are getting but thankfully don’t cause any negative impact. And, I don’t use “cronch”, used to another younger person who believes he knows better than them. “mlerm”, and “bork” in regular conversations anymore. Egos flare. Personal spaces are encroached upon. Equations change. . Un-take-backable things are said. Everybody is stressed these days. Everybody is tired and frustrated and exhausted. So, one doesn't know whether one should be retaliative, or compassionate. "Why is someone saying what they are saying" is such a nuanced question now. And, in the process, I am also figuring out so many things about myself. Patience is truly a virtue these days. Anybody with a stubborn family will agree. Our parents have been understanding us for so long, but no one teaches us SKY CHIEF CHRONOGRAPH how to understand them. It is something children need to learn on their own, I guess. Like getting over hangovers. — Arnesh Ghose

Available at select Helios outlets - 080 480 33360 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 5

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Brown-beige cotton silk GG diagonal jacket; Solar STYLE 78 Gucci stripe fill coupé boxy shirt with embroidery detail; 52 Fashion news Brown-beige cotton silk GG 54 The designer: THE SELF-MADE diagonal pants by Gucci Kaushik Velendra SUCCESS STORY OF 66 Sartorial Man: The cult FEATURES of G-Shock GURU RANDHAWA 67 Can you really give up 48 Current Cinema: With millions of fans grooving to his beat and with on fast fashion? A Dalit hero clamouring for his approval, Guru Randhawa is on a high, 68 Is distressed denim on By Maithili Rao and he isn’t coming down anytime soon its way out? 74 Up Close: It's Amit 70 Hairstyles inspired by BY MAYUKH MAJUMDAR Sadh’s time to shine TV show characters By Samreen Tungekar 72 Everything about 88 The DIY of book world: oral hygiene Self-publishing 73 Chopard’s tribute By Samreen Tungekar to Oud 92 The desi boom of erotica By Mayukh Majumdar WATCHES FOB 98 Best watches of 2020 103 Longines bringing 12 Radar back a pioneering 16 The interview: collection Pooja Ladha Surti 104 World’s most 18 The A-list important watch 20 New lingos on collector the internet 22 Dads during COVID 24 What’s it like to date during a pandemic 26 PS5 coming to India 28 Fitness for the season 30 Nike’s influence over global athletes 31 The Tesher effect

WHEELS 32 Italy through the eyes of Lamborghini 38 Best high performance sedans in India 42 The new age of retro-design bikes

ON THE COVER Guru Randhawa wearing black crew neck T-shirt; Deep red athleisure jacket TALK 56 with chevron cheat stripe and rinse wash dark blue 46 Everyone has mental denims, all by Numero Uno health, even without REVISITING On the wrist: the illness BVLGARI Aluminium Watch Denim jacket and By Smiti Srivastava HARLEM logo print tee by 47 Blind items – The world we live in today is more Photographer: Kunal Gupta Diesel Art Director: Tanvi Shah On the wrist: newsworthy or not? informed, more connected, and more Fashion Editor:

GETTY IMAGESI BVLGARI inclusive than ever before, and season By Rashma Shetty KUNAL GUPTA Neelangana Vasudeva Aluminium Watch after season, Gucci is the one legacy Make-up by Astha Agarwal

fashion house that is leading the way Hair by Ali Khan ASHISH SAHU

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contents November.indd 9 03/11/20 12:03 AM contents November.indd 8 03/11/20 12:01 AM V A R U N D H A W A N A C T O R Contributors

MAITHILI RAO In this issue: Current Cinema (Pg. 48) Describe your life in one word Unplanned Who’s your favourite actor right now? Jaideep Ahlawat What’s your favourite movie quote? Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night from All About Eve

ASHWIN RAJAGOPALAN In this issue: The A-List (Pg 18) Describe your life in one word Adventure Who’s your favourite actor right now? Christian Bale If you were to invent a gadget, what would it be? Ear buds with real-time, live language translation

RASHMA SHETTY SMITI SRIVASTAVA In this issue: Blind Items – In this issue: Everyone has newsworthy or not? (Pg 47) mental health, even without Describe your life in one the illness (Pg 46) word: Yin Yang Describe your life in one word Who’s your favourite actor Resilience right now? Who’s your favourite actor It’s Shah Rukh Khan forever right now? and Irrfan. But one of my Matthew McConaughey current favourites are and Pankaj Tripathi. If you could uninvent one thing, what would it be? Which is your go-to movie on repeat for Friday night-ins? The idea of free social media where you become the product Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar/ When Harry Met Sally ADITYA ROY KAPUR

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FOSSIL.indd 1 03/10/20 1:46 PM Contributors .indd 10 02/11/20 11:54 PM RADAR

RADARWHO & WHAT YOU SHOULD BE CHECKING OUT THIS MONTH

Curated by Arnesh Ghose

Digital Artist PRASAD DABHADE Intrepid, honest, and uninhibited queer art should always been encouraged and appreciated. Dabhade's art captures the angst, doubts, and heartbreaks of queer people, is visually graphic, but also often cheeky, and definitely has a language of its Actor own that makes his works stand out. Out and ISHA TALWAR proud, more artists should take note. While she has been a common face on TV and web shows, being seen quite often in bits and pieces, Talwar got her true web break in Mirzapur 2 as the level- headed and focused Madhuri Yadav, the CM's daughter who rises to power, thanks to her wily brain. Talwar has stunning screen presence, is a memorable performer, and definitely deserves more projects coming her way. She was seen last year in Zee5's show, Parchhayee, in the films Kaamyaab and Ginny Weds Sunny recently, and will also be seen opposite in Toofan.

Portraiture SOUMYADIP SINHA Always on the lookout for good portraiture and caricature artists, especially those who might be inspired by the greats but also add their own evolution in their art. Sinha's works have a latent humour that immediately bring forth a smile. His works have the chaos of Mario Miranda, and the lightness of Debashish Deb, but also social and cultural relevance, making his works current and poignant at the same time.

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Watch Photographer BINGE LIST SIMONE GANDHI The recommendations must start with There's something very claustrophobic and Ryan Murphy's indulgent goth thriller, suffocatingly intimate about Gandhi's photography. Ratched. With a stunning star cast led She delves right into her subjects, which are hard by the outrageously talented Sarah shadows, dissecting their emotive states, and baring Paulson, Cynthia Nixon, and Sharon their bones. It is intrusive, but also lyrical in quality. Stone, the show's visual horror is Her works during the quarantine are especially stark, hypnotic, while discussing the cruel honest, and reeks of loneliness and pathos. And after past of psychiatry, homophobia, and all that, there is the hypnosis of every gaze of her misogyny. Definitely a must-watch, but subjects that makes her work truly meditative. also not for the faint-hearted. Two Spanish-language shows are on my radar these days, purely because of the writing and production value. Manolo Caro's limited series, Alguien Tiene Que Morir (Someone Has To Die) is a slow-burning study of passion and desire in a rich Spanish household during the Franco regime, and how individual identity clashes with patriarchal autocracy. A fantastic cast led by Cecilia Suàrez and Alejandro Speitzer, the series is top notch. The second is a frothy comedy that I have gotten hooked to because of my new favourite Spanish actress, Mariana Trevino. Last seen in Club De Cuervos and La Casa De Las Flores (House of Flowers), Trevino leads the pack in 100 Días Para Enamorarnos, a modern Mexican show about a couple taking a 100 days off from their marriage to evaluate whether it is worth continuing. Sharp writing, uninhibited performances, and smart comedy, this one is definitely binge-ready. If shows like Jane The Virgin and the Telemundo genre have entertained you, this one should not be skipped.

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On the Radar.indd 32 03/11/20 12:15 AM On the Radar.indd 33 03/11/20 12:17 AM theinterview Q&A WITH POOJA LADHA SURTI Pooja Ladha Surti has a penchant for coming up with the most twisted storylines and the most interesting characters. The writer of , Ek Hasina Thi, and now Flesh, discusses her convoluted ideas, and how she does what only she can By Mayukh Majumdar

Described as a jovial and a fun-loving person by those who know her, it is surprising that Pooja Ladha Surti comes was writing for . In up with such dark and convoluted Andhadhun, we were adamant that only characters and storylines. Whether it could play Simi. Usually we have is the Lady Macbeth-esque character a basic draft, then we cast it, and once portrayed by Tabu in Andhadhun, or the the actor comes on board, the writing powerfully diabolic character portrayed accommodates and celebrates that actor. by Urmila Matondkar in Ek Hasina Thi, How did the idea for Flesh originate, and You and are sort of Surti doesn't shy away from revealing and what is the kind of research you did for "partners in crime" so to say. What makes How different is writing a screenplay revelling in her characters' dark sides. In the same? your association so fruitful? for an eight-episode web series from a the special, Flesh, Surti gives us Siddharth Anand had a broad premise of Sriram is not involved with this project at feature film? a glimpse into the dirty world of human the idea already, and I was asked to break all. It was actually his brother, Shridhar This was a first-time effort from my side. trafficking, and tells us what makes her it down over eight episodes. Danish Aslam, Raghavan (who was writing War for I have only worked on feature films screenplay drafts, I was very clear when an equation of mutual respect with my tick, and why. Read on. the director, also got involved in the writing Siddharth Anand) who asked me to meet before this. I think I learned many lessons I agreed to write for the show — the directors well as producers, is important. as there was very little time as usual. Anand. For Flesh, I wrote and submitted in the process. There was no writer's dark, scary world of sex trafficking I feel one should get paid fairly, and get Shooting began while we were still writing. drafts, which were then actioned by Aslam room, and so the amount of work was is the background. The characters credited fairly. Flesh In terms of research, we spoke to a well- “I believe that with Anand’s production team. actually pretty staggering. I was also of Rajji, Radha, Zoya, and others are known NGO that is very actively involved in the workplace In the films I do with Sriram, I have larger busy with the edit and post production the foreground, the focus. They are What are you working on next? the rescue and rehabilitation of sex crime should be responsibilities. I co-write, I am the work of Andhadhun around the time. negotiating a cruel, destructive, and I am co-writing with Sriram Raghavan victims. We met some cops as well. And bright and associate director, and finally edit the Aslam was giving me feedback, and we brutal world. Their struggle, their story is and Arijit Biswas on a film, as well as a there's always the world wide web. supportive pictures. My first film as a writer,Ek Hasina worked out some of the arcs together. the point. Or should be. horror comedy called Bhoot Police with Thi, was also Sriram's debut feature. Then There was a deadline hanging on our Pavan Kriplani. I am heading the writer's So many people describe you as an — the work, he was making Johnny Gaddaar, and I asked heads, which is, again, a slightly new Do you believe is reaching room for a web series for Matchbox intensely positive and loving person. i.e., writing, if I could edit it. I have never analysed it, experience for me. Not to say that a period of reckoning where writers are Films' Sanjay Routray, the producer How do you come up with such dark and is hard, and sometimes people can work well together. feature films don't have deadlines, but in finally being given their due? How can of Andhadhun. With Sriram and Biswas, twisted characters? often, dark. There's a small bunch of technicians, the case of a series, the writer/s have to the film industry better support clockwise from top left there are two or three scripts we are "Intensely positive" sounds lovely, I As for twisted assistant directors and even actors, who deliver a lot more material in comparison. its writers? Urmila Matondkar working on, all in different stages wish I were all that. Jokes apart, I'm characters, have been a part of every Sriram Raghavan Not really, no. Writers are still battling in Ek Hasina Thi; of completion. one of those people who believe that film. It is an equation of mutual respect, and A story like Flesh could easily have lack of time, resources, and funds. I am Surti with Sriram they are Raghavan; Tabu and the workplace should be bright and that's very important to me. not aware of any blanket solutions to this Is there anything about OTT platforms more fun been sensationalised. Was that ever supportive — the work, i.e., writing, is a concern for you when you agreed to question. There are many different types in Andhadhun; a still that you particularly like or dislike? hard and often times dark, anyway. As than happy Do you keep a particular actor in mind write the screenplay? of people within the film industry, and I from Flesh; poster The trouble with OTT platforms is this: of Phobia for twisted characters, they are more fun characters, while writing your scripts? Even though I was not involved in guess every individual negotiates that There's too much to see, and too

than happy characters, what to do? what to do?” Not always. In Ek Hasina Thi, I knew I the rewrites and gave only the initial terrain in their own way. For me, having little time. GETTY IMAGES

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Keeping Up With GenZ You may have heard these words and thought - "what the hell does that even mean?" Well, that's what we're here for By Mayukh Majumdar

Simp. Bomboclaat. Copypasta. Snatched. the rising COVID-19 cases. COPYPASTA These are words you'll come across on He's a total rat-licker." This is honestly one of the weirdest words Twitter and Instagram if you follow anyone and trends on this list. There are entire below the age of 20. Taken out of context, WAP Twitter accounts dedicated to copy- they make absolutely no sense and if Popularised by Cardi B and Megan pasting tweets from other accounts, and you're heading for a dictionary — don't Thee Stallion, the word stands for "wet this trend is called "copypasta". waste your time. Either the words aren't ass pussy" and is used by women (and For example: "Dude, you tweeted that you there at all or the meaning of the word men) to claim that they've got what it wanted a blowjob — do you really want is completely different from what is takes between the thighs. one or is it a copypasta from implied in the tweet. Below, we catalogue For example: "Baby, you know I'm dirty in an NSFW account?" a few of these words, along with what the sheets — I've got that WAP." they mean. SNATCHED SIMP Remember the STEEZY One of the most popular (and overused) word "fleek"? Yeah, The word is a portmanteau. It means words on social media, the word stands it’s dead now. Instead style with ease. for someone who goes above and beyond of that, we now use For example: "Damn, 's for someone they like. the word "snatched" outfit is steezy as hell." For example: "Rahul is such a simp for to describe Khan that he stood anyone who is TSIF outside her apartment all day with a fashionable. The word stands for "that shit is fucked". placard during her birthday." For example: For example: "The government has "Girl, Rohit was no data on migrant deaths due to the BOMBOCLAAT totally looking at you lockdown — TSIF." When Jamaicans are angry or surprised, because you're looking they use the word "bomboclaat". It is snatched." ENBY equivalent to the word This word is based off of the shortening of "fuck" but has become a BACKPEDALING the word "non-binary". Twitter trend wherein This is used to describe the moment For example: "I've given it some thought a person uploads a when a person reverses their stance in and I don't identify as either a girl or a boy seemingly senseless an argument. It's like when you are on a — I'm an enby." image with the caption cycle and going in the wrong direction "bomboclaat" and users and then you RAT-LICKER quote-tweet it with their backpedal? Yeah, Anti-maskers aka dumb people who refuse feelings about the word. like that. to wear a mask in order to prevent the For example: "This account For example: "After spread of the novel coronavirus are called uploaded a picture of SRK and being called out on rat-lickers, in reference to the bubonic from her lies on Twitter, the plague that was spread by rats. with bomboclaat and I quote- Bollywood actress backpedalled For example: "My neighbour is such an tweeted it and wrote 'my and said that she was being idiot, he refused to wear a mask despite life in a picture' — LOL." misunderstood."

20 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW

Fob New Lingo.indd 20 02/11/20 9:02 AM 230x298mm_APG_AZ_INDIA_MansWorld_GAMECHANGER2020_RZ_39L300.indd 1 16.10.20 10:12 FOB / PARENTING Aniruddh Pathak with his daughter, Rhea

Kanthawala feels that with the WFH bit, frustration levels have gone up. “Zia’s school has just started, and I take care of Dad’s The Word? her entire schooling bit. My wife works in a bank. I’m sitting in my makeshift work With the lockdown ensuring that everyone’s working from home space in her room, and she also settles in (or living at work), and taking equal responsibility in maidless with the computer set up with me. It can times, how have the dads, new ones and with school-going kids, be enjoyable to see your child learn, but been parenting during the pandemic? it’s also frustrating because you constantly By Samreen Tungekar end up nagging your child. And then there’s work pressure too. I’ve sent so many wrong emails, with mistakes, so it does creep into your professional life,” he says. Dabboo Ratnani, celebrity Nadir Kanthawala Three-year-old Liam and his parents photographer, with his kids with his daughter, Zia Myrah, Shivan, and Kiara always had breakfast together, which is a up anything else then,” he says. routine that’s gotten a little haywire during Mumtaz has become comfortable with kept exposing the children to the same the pandemic. “I used to pick him up from taking care of his baby, now six months old. information that they were getting. “I don’t daycare, and then go to pick my wife, Karen, “I take care of him when my wife is working, think dismissing is the right way to deal with and then on the way we’d talk about our and there’s pretty much everything I can kids, I’ve always been the kind of father that day. We’d have a snack on the way, which do. I bathe him, change him, put him to Ruslaan Mumtaz respects their questions, and gives them was our little de-stressing time. Now, that’s sleep, all of it. I had a choice — either to with his son, Rayaan responses that aren’t immature,” he adds. totally changed since we just get out of bed, just sit there and let Nirali deal with it all by While the world changed for the dads brush, get coffee, and grab breakfast in front herself, or be involved, because I’m the dad. cries, and it doesn’t feel very good to keep of the energetic kids, the newbie dads of the screen,” Kotikalapudi says. And honestly, it’s so much more fun than working while she wants us to spend time had their own experiences, since their tiny Sometimes it’s so necessary to take a ,” he says. with her,” he says. tots came at a time when there’s literally break from your kid as well, Kanthawala Vyas feels the pandemic is teaching us Pathak has also been looking into Rhea’s nowhere else to be. Actor Ruslaan Mumtaz "Some times, feels. “Sometimes you end up scolding the to be grateful for everything we've taken studies, something that he couldn’t do earlier became a dad right at the beginning of you scold child for something that isn’t their fault. I for granted. “I’m hoping this realisation has your kid for because of work. However, keeping a child the pandemic, and now he’s back on the something know a lot of people don’t really agree, but seeped in. It has, for me, even towards my entertained is not always easy, and even sets. While he wasn’t going to share the that isn't come on, of course you need a break from it.” own parents,” he explains. more so when they are at an age where they baby’s pictures, he put them out as a ray of their fault. Ratnani feels that it’s important to keep Kotikalapudi feels like while the role of have all this energy. “There are only so many sunshine in the gloomy world. It's necessary your calm. “You can’t lose your cool on the dad involved has been progressing, the books and activities. Thankfully, now we Actor Sumeet Vyas had his baby two to take a them, your pressure can’t be taken out on pandemic is not going to transform anyone. Whether you’re a child living at home with and two days before his enrollment, India have got enrolled her for fitness and ballet months ago, “Beyond a point, to be honest, break from them. Kids can take it very wrongly too, “In India, we always have the option of senior parents, or a parent yourself, the locked down. “We started those online classes online, which takes care of some part dads can’t do much, this early on for the your kid and it’s not their fault that they’re at home. having help. Nothing prepares you for being coronavirus has ensured everyone’s in it, classes, which he absolutely hated. He was in of the time,” he says. baby. But I had consciously decided to take as well" Everyone’s dealing with pressure, even a parent, and things you took for granted, together. Yes, struggles differ, some have a daycare before the pandemic, so he started “Initially, it Celebrity photographer Dabboo Ratnani that time in May and June off, irrespective of — Nadir financial. I’ve told my kids that you can’t you’re doing it now. You’ve all these articles study to work in, and some can barely close associating the virtual classes with being felt like an has been at home with his wife, Manisha, how lucrative an offer is,” he says. Kanthawala spend like you used to,” he says. about how dads are finally involved, but the bathroom door for a 10-minute getaway, sent back to daycare. He’s gotten better extended and his three children — Myrah, Shivan, and Pathak too, feels parents need to keep did it really take a pandemic for you to be but if you have a younger one, chances are though, but he doesn’t entirely understand holiday, Kiara Ratnani. Before the pandemic, Ratnani their mental health in check, first. “Work out, involved with parenting your child? We’ve you’ve gotten riled up, calmed down, and not going out,” explains Kotikalapudi. because you would be the one waking everyone up at eat well, and most importantly, learn to let always been like this, and our dads were the gotten through eight months you never Aniruddha Pathak is a finance didn’t think home, making his wife coffee, dropping the go, you can’t control everything,” he says. same with us,” he says. thought life would throw at you. professional, and has a six-year-old daughter, it’ll go on for kids to school, going to the gym, and going He meditates, and has picked up activities Pathak agrees. “I believe a lot more men Neither did Nadir Kanthawala and Peter Rhea. Pre-pandemic, his routine was crossfit, this long. We to work. “Initially, it felt like an extended like painting or online dance classes, all of are already doing their bit in sharing the Kotikalapudi, who have a four-year-old work, dance class, and spending time with used to watch holiday, because you didn’t think it’ll go on which helps him keep himself in check. load. I don't see the pandemic changing daughter, Zia, and a three-year-old son, Liam, Rhea. During the lockdown, the routine has movies till for this long. We used to watch movies till The role of a father, and the idea of equal anything drastically.” late night, respectively. The duo produce, write, and changed to waking up, helping with cooking, wake up late night, wake up late, and did things we parenting, has evolved in the past few years. Ratnani feels the pandemic will bring host ‘Pops In A Pod’, a parenting podcast setting Rhea’s virtual class, work while she’s late, and didn’t do earlier because of never having Dads want to be more involved, people have about a change. “Simple things, and the from the perspective of fathers. Kanthawala on call, break for lunch and do the dishes, did things time,” he recalls. asked for paternity leave as well. Will the way we handle ourselves, will evolve. tells me how for Zia’s birthday, they don’t work again, dinner, and sleep. we didn’t When virtual classes started, everyone had pandemic shape this further? There will be behavioural changes in have a Peppa Pig customised cake this “Trying to work while managing home do earlier to start waking up early again, Ratnani says. Mumtaz and Nirali, his wife, have everyone, spending so much time with year. “We went to Hamley’s, and we were and a child who has been forced to stay because “I had gotten my computers etc. from the consciously decided that once her each other,” he adds. constantly badgering her to not touch things. at home poses its own set of challenges. of never studio, and I worked on reprocessing images job resumes, he will not take up any “Some seem to be just #forthegram, to We have ingrained it into her that going out Also, we try to keep Rhea away from too having time” from the archives while the kids were in their assignments till they settle down, and can be honest. Parents today have to be on the is not possible, and now, she’s understood it. much screen time,” Pathak says, and adds — Dabboo class. Other than that, we were making fun have help too. “Because of the pandemic, same page, and have to have these However, if she sees either of us leave home, that it’s worse when other kids are allowed videos, TikToks, etc.,” he explains. we don’t have any help, and we have to conversations before having a child. It’s half Ratnani, Peter Kotikalapudi she gets dramatic,” laughs Kanthawala. to play in the building, and they are trying celebrity It wasn’t tough explaining the pandemic with his son, Liam figure this out ourselves. My shoot will finish and half, and it’s got to be equal,” Liam was supposed to be joining nursery, to be safe, by keeping her at home. “She photographer to them, Ratnani says, because they by the time she resumes, and I will not take Kanthawala concludes.

22 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 23 FOB / DATING

on dating apps right now creates an the fear and angst this year has, a lot of Tinder made Swipe Night, a first-person someone new, she feels there anticipation that I don’t like,” he says. people are being impulsive in wanting to interactive event from the US, available is a polarity among people The Dating Dilemma Sahil Singh Yaduvanshi, a freelance date too,” he opines. in India, launched a Prompt feature to in India when it comes to video content creator, is in , Yaduvanshi feels while there are people make pictures more interactive, and socialising with people/ and is on all apps, but hasn’t really been who are adventurous to meet up, dating made Tinder Passport — a paid feature meeting others personally. Of A Pandemic looking to date. “My Grindr has very apps are more about having a getaway, for Tinder Plus & Gold subscribers — free “The concerns that people have limited profiles, but I’ve been swiping because you can’t get laid right now. in the earlier months of the lockdown. depend on how concerned and A good part of 2020 has officially been spent at home. Dating “We’re all so preoccupied normally, and According to Tinder, India saw a 25 per informed they are. While there wasn’t necessarily a priority in the beginning, but as time passes, now we have a bit of time to think about cent increase in the rate of Passporting, is no replacement for physical people reveal how they’ve navigated the dating arena, and health it, and interact with people,” he says. compared to other parts of the world, intimacy, research goes to say But have people’s priorities on these and this was even before Passport was that video calls come as close professionals explain what is a safe-during (we’re far away from apps changed, thanks to all the apparent made free. In India, conversations have to 80 per cent of the oxytocin post)-pandemic-dating protocol to to follow self-reflection we’ve all been doing? been up an average of 39 per cent, and release that is felt when you’re in Anantika doesn’t think so, but she the average length of conversations is physical proximity to someone,” By Samreen Tungekar feels people are slightly more patient 28 per cent longer. TrulyMadly says the she informs. in actually getting to know each other initial days of the first lockdown saw huge Giving a little more insight, Srivastava before they meet. “I’ve always been spikes in some metrics, which later settled says a lot of people are turning to apps 20 days into the lockdown, I attended a someone who wants to take some time at 25 to 30 per cent above normal levels. due to the anxiety of the uncertain virtual speed dating event in April, and to get to know someone before I meet The average time spent daily went up by times. “Finding someone to be with wrote about it here. It was all new, the them, but people sometimes don't want 27.7 per cent, according to TrulyMadly. plays a big role. You have something virtuality of everything, and I was one to be patient. Now, they are, because So yes, we’ve all been incessantly and someone waiting for you once this of the less-well-reads who didn’t they know there’s no way you can meet swiping, as stats suggest. But that is all over,” she says, adding that while think that the pandemic was set someone immediately anyway, so might being said, mental health has officially a lot of people are using the time to take over all of the year. I as well invest in knowing them,” she adds. taken a turn for the worse, even if to make room for more meaningful got back on to dating apps Video calling dates before meeting is we’re kind of used to the lockdown life. relationships, flings are taking a out of sheer curiosity to a more viable option now than it was in Smiti Srivastava, a psychotherapist, backseat, and most are taking a break see what’s the crowd like, the time when we caught up for a movie explains how the trust factor during the from the dating scene altogether. now that the immediate with a Hinge potential. Nachiket Kumar, a pandemic works. “It's the relatedness But, if you’re extremely sure you want gratification of hooking consultant in a big four firm in Bengaluru, of the stress, the exhaustion, and the to hook up, or just engage with someone up was out of the believes virtual dates have become a utter hopelessness of when this will be new, Dr Sharmila Majumdar, one of question. Other than reality. “I have started spending more over that makes one more vulnerable. India’s first certified female sexologists, a few Covidiots, there time on calls. Yes, seeing Netflix shows This creates more opportunities for trust gives some insights. “Even though were some new “here together through sharing screens is there, to exist between people. There is more coronavirus is not a sexual infection, only because of the but being on call has become more honesty with mutual understanding, and it’s extremely important to be careful, lockdown” bios, and like old times,” he expresses. an increasing number of as traces of this virus can be passed on another few that said, I know people, mostly living people are talking about through fluids, through seminal fluid, “Can I take you out before alone, are open to the idea how they're mentally or kissing, etc. Kissing is not safe at corona does?” None have of cautiously meeting up a exhausted. People are “If you’ve all. Having one partner is advisable, taken me out (yet). person or two. The rest of us reflecting on what kind established a and sterilising yourself before and The dating space is in a time still don’t have those guts. of a relationship they're certain level after any sexual interaction is a must. when the casual aspect of it is one that Anantika doesn’t want to able to truly work out in a of emotional Penetration without being face to face, needs to be thought through. You have meet anyone for another six pandemic, and are trying intimacy and a rear position, is safer. Right now, it’s to be able to trust someone to even be months at least, Mukherjee to trust their feelings about trust, physical advisable to abstain. Avoiding oral sex within 10 feet distance. As things open is very clear that he won’t it,” she says. intimacy is important. There are many other ways up, we are trying to get that cup of coffee be meeting a stranger at Srivastava adds, can feel very to express intimacy — cooking for your with a friend or by ourselves, keeping all, till he’s at home, and a “Needless to say, if you’ve tempting. But partner, sending love notes, video calling precautions in mind. But what happens to vaccine is out. Payal Shah, already been having the pandemic is better. Cases are increasing, and if casual dating, and to hooking up? a journalist from Mumbai, virtual dates and have has restrained things are opening up, medically it’s still Anantika from Mumbai was initially on feels that now that things established a certain level us. In countries a pandemic,” she cautions. Bumble just out of boredom. A guy did Atmadip Mukherjee is a final year are opening back up, she feels more of emotional intimacy and trust, physical where testing However, Majumdar believes that initially ask her out for a drive (like engineering student from Hyderabad, on Tinder and on Bumble. I’ve not really inclined than before to meet new people, intimacy can feel very tempting. But the is free, people no matter how the pandemic affects I said, covidiots), but she refused. and he is at home, with his parents. He’s interacted with people as such, especially but would not be comfortable going to a pandemic has restrained us. The risk in are asking our sex lives, Indians will bounce back. “A lot of people wanted to video generally more social, but during the because I know it’s not going anywhere,” very people-heavy place. “The person’s meeting someone new is making people for a Covid “We’re the land of Kama Sutra, our call on the app, and I wasn’t up for lockdown, he has restricted his usage he says. COVID etiquette and general hygiene will more selective in choosing who to meet. couples will be able to bounce back, negative report it, it’s weird to video call someone of apps. “I met this one person through Mukherjee has observed that there definitely factor into my decision about In countries where testing is free, people with each other’s support and solidarity. you don’t know at all. Eventually a dating app, but I knew of him through are more people, in fact, eager to meet, whether or not I can continue seeing are asking for a Covid negative report before meeting” I don’t think we have anything to worry I did unmatch a few, and some mutual friends. So there was an element despite the pandemic. “It’s actually them,” she adds. before meeting.” — Smiti about when it comes to sexual health,” conversations just fizzled out on their of trust, and we were very careful, and surprising. I think people are thinking of Dating apps have also been very When asked about concerns she’s Srivastava, she smiles. psychotherapist own,” she says. socially distancing. Also, I feel being this situation as a break, and because of proactive with their features since March. observed people have while approaching Swipe right, guys. It’s going to be fine. SHUTTERSTOCK

24 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 25 FOB / GAMING

It’s been seven years since the to be the biggest gaming console great while it sits below your TV, specialised PS5 accompaniments PlayStation 4, and while it has in modern history. No, not just in instead of just being a bland, boring that are designed to be the perfect Long- served us extremely well, it’s time popularity and demand, but also metal box. companion for your console. ’s to make way for the future. Given physically. It weighs around six For those interested in hardware HD Camera — priced at Rs 5,190 — the legacy of the PlayStation, the kilos, stands 15.4 inches tall, and figures, the PS5 packs an eight-core will be a streamer’s best friend for unimaginable level of hype for is 4.09 inches wide. The design AMD Zen 2 CPU and a custom GPU recording content. Other accessories Awaited the upcoming next-gen console is is minimalistic, and undoubtedly based on AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture include the Pulse 3D Headphones (Rs valid, and the specifications of it futuristic. It’s a big step up from the hardware, which promises to deliver 8,590), a Media Remote (Rs 2,590), only justify the wait. usual, chunky boxes we’re used to. vivid visuals, and provide the most and the DualSense Charging Station The Sony PlayStation 5 is set This is a console that is meant to look fluid gameplay experience that (Rs 2,590). Arrival we’ve ever seen on PlayStation. It’ll At the launch, you’ll have six also have 16 GB of GDDR6 RAM PS5-exclusives to choose from — The moment Indian and an 825 GB SSD, which, Sony triggers will feature Astro’s Playroom, Demon’s Souls, gamers have been promises, will deliver super-fast dynamic resistance, Destruction All Stars, Sackboy: A patiently waiting for, is loading times. which, again, makes Big Adventure, Marvel’s Spider-Man: finally here. This month, The PS5 controller has also had it all the more MilesMorales, and Marvel’s Spider- the Sony PlayStation 5 its fair share of improvements. immersive. So if you Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition. releases in India. Here’s On the outside, Sony’s new run out of ammo Sony is definitely not worried all you need to know DualSense controller follows the during a game, about competition from ’s about one of the year’s minimal design of the console, and the adaptive Xbox when it comes to India. is sleeker compared to the PS4’s triggers will lock According to a 2019 Huffington Post biggest tech releases DualShock. On the inside, Sony in place till you India report, Microsoft was estimated has made vast technical changes refill your ammo. to sell close to 50,000 Xbox units By Rajeev Mathew to provide a more immersive These may seem in total, while around 4,00,000 PS4 gaming experience. The days where simple, but it gives consoles were reportedly sold in the controllers used to violently shake game developers country. Sony has also closely priced for the sake of effect, are gone. You another major advantage — by letting the new gen consoles to compete now have intelligent haptic feedback them control how much the gamer with Microsoft. Both the Digital and replacing the old rumble technology should feel through the controllers Disc versions will be sold in India at in previous controllers, which allows during a particular point in the game. a price of Rs 39,999 and Rs 49,999 players to feel subtle things with DualSense also gets an integrated respectively. While the prices and greater impact. For example, your microphone, a first for Sony’s specs have been announced, there player moving on different types of controllers, along with a USB-C port is still no confirmation on the official surfaces, or a raging thunder, that that was long-overdue. As a bonus, release date in India. The official echoes in your game. The DualSense Sony also confirmed that they have site withdrew its original November controllers also feature ‘Adaptive retained the headphone jack for your 19 release, but you can expect the Triggers’ that can adjust the wired earphones. console to drop around the fourth resistance of the triggers for different Speaking of accessories, week of November. We waited seven gameplay effects. The L2 and R2 Sony is also releasing a slew of years, what’s another week?

THE EVOLUTION OF THE PLAYSTATION PlayStation PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 PlayStation 4 Release date: December 1994 Release date: March 2000 Release date: November 2006 Release date: November 2013 Total units sold: 102.49 million Total units sold: 158 million Total units sold: 87.4 million Total units sold: 113 million

26 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 27 FOB / FITNESS

SMART BANDS: These are honestly cheaper than strawberries, but a whole lot more useful. Even the most basic ones will now track SpO2, heart rate, and of course, keep a log of the standard mix of steps, sleep, and basic workout routines. Most export data onto an app along with other metrics. You can either wear one instead of a watch or simply prop it on your other wrist, it is perfectly acceptable socially to be seen wearing this nowadays. The Riversong Wave S band does all of the above tidily, and has a decent battery to boot. I just wish Riversong had one integrated app for all their devices than the plethora that bloat the app store (took me a while to find the right app from my device).

StepSetGo is a free app that rewards you for being fit, the more you clock on it, the more points you accumulate, The pandemic is here for the foreseeable which can then be exchanged for things of value, from Gear Up discount coupons, all the way up to an iPhone. Best thing is future, so you might as well get back to the that your data is not compromised. But two caveats: firstly, fitness regime. Here’s our choice of gear for you need to walk regularly and can’t earn all coins in one keeping fit during these trying times single day, clipping your phone to your excited pup. The CLOTHES: other is that you need to have your phone on you as it won’t By Magandeep Singh for Fitness For extreme winters, I find it best to layer myself rather than sync data off your smartwatches just yet. rely on one thick garment to go on top. I just received the Heat.RDY range of tees and shorts from Adidas — a very HEADPHONES/SPEAKERS: unique innovation that is cut wider and relaxed (to allow for Ultimate Ears (Wonderboom 2) has remained a top choice for more movement) and wicks sweat rather well, even after wireless speakers when I am working out — loud and refined, a good few washes. To me, this could also work as a good durable, waterproof, and with a big battery to boot. They are, base layer when the seasons change because sweat-wicking SHOES: however, superseded by the latest Smart Speaker. WiFi and is always a plus. The shorts, although useful, may have to be The UA HOVR series was my go-to gear when the lockdown began, and Bluetooth connectivity, Google (assistant) ready, good for calls with shelved for warmer months. I must confess, I have also used it I was confined to running in my home parking lot, or up and down the strong mic pick-up, and a clear sound range that’s not booming as post-workout lounging gear, and it worked just fine. stairs. GPS doesn’t work in such cases, so it was good that the shoe loud, but enough to fill most rooms in most houses, and comes DTS was fitted with sensors to track it all. Now, the HOVR Machina takes tuned. Another awesome speaker that I have been tinkering with, is things, pun intended, a step further, with more advanced metrics and the boAt Stone 1401. Rugged casing with cool retro-boombox-like data. The shoe is well cushioned to perform great on long runs, but styling, and loud and crisp sound, like very loud and never tinny. The APP: then the special carbon plate inserts give it that spring for sprinting There are many online mic for calls was pretty impressive too, as was the battery life. But when needed. And then there was Elevar, a shoe that comes in at a very places to go and get neither Xiaomi nor boAt were water resistant, so be careful when affordable sub 5K price, and offers great cushioning and support. To me, your workout fix. For poolside. Now since you can’t take this fairly massive ‘Stone’ for a it works fine for short to medium distance runs, and is better suited to me, I have chosen to run (unless you are a crossfit beast), it was perfectly complemented workouts and other cardio endeavours. The ankle support is firm but not go local there too, and by their supra-aural headphones, the boAt 450, which I think constricting, the sole is grippy, and the knitted uppers, soft and airy. I not just for solidarity might be the loudest set I currently have around. Great think they run a quarter size big which, with winters coming, is actually MASKS: sake. Team Boxfit ran sound, thumping bass, comfy yet snug fit that isolates great as they can accommodate thicker socks. The mid-foam is oddly There are many out there, but few that are made for workouts. Frankly, a tight (read flexed) superbly without any ANC. boAt is an Indian brand reminiscent of the Boost by Adidas but is styled and packed differently for my runs, I try and stay off the crowded routes, and run with a gator ship even before that I am mighty proud of for being, pun intended, with a wide heel and a not-too-aggressive heel-to-toe drop. All in all, for around my neck that can be lifted to become a mask if needed. But it’s the pandemic, and so well-tuned-in into the needs and price comfort that price, it’s got a lot going for it. all too wet post the first 10K to want to wear anywhere. Respro made through the lockdown, zones of consumers today. masks that were a great fit (neoprene body with a velcro closure behind they have managed the neck), but having to constantly import filters from the UK became to keep spirits and a costly affair. Now, we have Under Armour, which has made masks tempos alive and specifically for workouts. The outer layer is water resistant, the middle kicking high. Fair layer allows air to pass but restricts moisture, and the innermost layer prices and a great that touches the skin gives a soothing cooling effect. The wired top edge team of coaches to sits snug on the nose with a gentle grip. Another fun find was the AIRism try — two weeks are series from Uniqlo, with sweat-wicking properties, triple-layered to keep free, and then sign up all germs at bay and yet, quite weightless. if you wish.

NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 29 FOB / SPORTS FOB / MUSIC The Dubious Cost Of Winning When a globally-accomplished ultrarunner and coach The Tesher writes a book about the biggest sports brand in the world, you wonder what he’s got to say that you haven’t heard before By D Effect

With his unique ability to fuse Bollywood classics with current hip-hop chartbusters and releasing his biggest single, not to mention all the TikTok steam, Tesher is proving himself to be a name you should take note of By Rajeev Mathew

Exhibit A: At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, committed as a coach. When you consider in 2018 and 2019 for contractual terms that Tesher, aka Hitesh Sharma, lived most Montana is unheard of, and complicated. the USA won 32 gold medals in track and the behaviours exhibited by Salazar starting discouraged their female athletes from getting of his life as a simple Indian-Canadian boy. But somehow, Tesher does his magic, and field events. All of those 32 medals were with commenting inappropriately on the pregnant, with up to 70 per cent pay cuts He grew up in a desi household in the small makes it work. won by athletes sponsored by Nike. That bodies of female athletes, intimidating (even for someone with nine Olympic medals) town of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada. His mashups include combos you’d statistic mentioned by the author of Win them about their careers or trying to when they weren’t competing. Kara Goucher’s While areas like Ontario or Vancouver are never expect to see in one song. For At All Costs: Inside Nike Running And Its force them to delay their having a family, harrowing struggle on this pay cut issue when known to have large population of Indian example, AR Rahman + Travis Scott, Culture of Deception just begins to describe gaining access to private conversations she was pregnant with her first child is one of families, Saskatchewan didn’t have too Govinda + Drake, or Diljit Dosanjh + Big many Indian families. But, Tesher was lucky Sean. “To me, it’s just a fun process. the outsized influence that Nike exerts over of his athletes with their ‘psychologist’, the many ugly but necessary stories one must enough to be part of a niche community of Genres are such a thing of the past. global athletics. taking pleasure in the misery of injuries to read in the book. Nike launched a maternity Punjabis that let their desiness loose, which Pushing the envelope and seeing how athletes of a rival coach, being so sore at line in September 2020. Make of that what allowed him to be exposed to Indian culture different things come together is amaz- Exhibit B: After years of backing their his athletes’ losses to their rivals that he’d you will. and music. ing. One time, I mixed a metal track star athlete, Lance Armstrong, Nike file objections to their performances and You could be forgiven for being deeply His interest in music started with being a with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan vocals, and eventually severed ties with him in 2012, try to get them disqualified or their results cynical about professional sport — given young DJ during weddings, and other Indian it ended up sounding phenomenal. You "Pushing this with a lot of artistes today. Their songs when the evidence against him became annulled, you realise “unsportsmanlike” is how frequent doping busts have been in functions. He used to accompany his father, a have got to try. That’s the key, just try. You the envelope blow up on a platform like TikTok, and that videographer at these functions, and he spun might just hit something some time, and gets the attention of a major label. Sony embarrassingly obvious. Till he was outed woefully inadequate. cycling, track and field events and swimming his Bollywood tunes for the Indian uncles and you might create something completely and seeing Music India saw it with Young Shahrukh by former teammates, he was all swagger What is also puzzling about this set of (three categories of sports that account for a aunties to let loose on the dance floor. “The new in the process.” how different and they reached out and said ‘Hey, this is about his supposed clean record and events, especially someone from outside the significant share of medals at the Olympics) in Indian community in my city started to grow. Tesher’s most successful mashup and the things come something we would love to be part of, and unprecedented 7 titles at the Tour De France, world of athletics, is how conveniently the just the last two decades. The book is a wake- People would have weddings and birthdays one that put him on the map, is his fusion together is we can help you take this song to the next cycling’s pinnacle. other people associated with Salazar seem to up call about how blinded companies and and other little events, but we didn’t have of Sukhwinder Singh’s Ramta Jogi and Lil amazing. You level’,” Tesher says. have escaped censure — the Nike employees people who work for them — not to forget the big banquet halls, so Indians would rent Nas X’s Old Town Road. And he can thank might just hit Currently, the 25-year-old artiste is working on a few more possible releases In Win at All Costs: Inside Nike Running and who funded and aided his operation and countries where these companies are based these community centre gyms. People began TikTok for that. The song was originally something asking for video or music services, and released a year back, but exploded onto the with , along with his other original Its Culture of Deception, Matt Hart’s intent is some athletes who trained under him. For — can get in their pursuit of the limelight. And some time, the local Canadians would find it tough to realms of TikTok, and kept skyrocketing in singles. From here on out, he plans to flood to make the reader pause, and consider the example, how Mo Farah, the double gold while Nike and running in the US, in particular, and you take up such an event. My dad is extremely popularity, with thousands of special Tik- might create his music portfolio with more original ‘win at all costs’ approach that the company medallist from both the 2012 and 2016 are the objects of the author’s attention, one involved in the community, and he decided Toks on the song itself, making it a unique content, and even has a huge surprise pursued over three decades, as exemplified Olympics, hasn’t seen any official sanction is wonders how deep the rot is in other sport, to do videography for all these events. That trend on the app. something collaboration coming up. by their one-time star athlete, and later a perplexing matter. Farah severed ties with other companies and other countries. eventually branched out to people asking him TikTok undoubtedly served as a mega- completely “I usually don’t take this long to drop new new in the celebrated coach, the now disgraced Alberto Salazar in 2017, conveniently well after the To think we would have learnt from the if he provides any DJ services. His reply was, successful launchpad for an artiste like music, but then again, I’ve never really had ‘No I don’t, but I have a 11-year-old son who Tesher. But after the app’s ban in India and process" such a big moment like this in my career yet. Salazar. As the head of the Nike Oregon Rio Olympics. On the matter of intimidation horrors of the state-sponsored doping really likes computers and music.’ That’s how its shaky future in America, focus shifted So I’m taking some time, stepping back and Project, Salazar is used as an exemplar of the of female athletes in particular, especially programmes of East Germany in the late ’70s I started DJing, and that was the start of it to Tesher’s YouTube and Spotify presence. taking it all in, making sure I’m making the pernicious tactics employed by Nike in its on maternity leave, Nike came under fire and ’80s. The Cold War may have been over all,” he recalls. Shortly after his mashup took off, the artist right moves,” he adds. quest to boost its brand via the success of its for three decades, but as Ma’s army from Tesher used to keep himself updated decided to drop an original composition Tesher went from being a young self- athletes, by whatever they can get away with. China in the late ’90s and the Russians profiled with all the new Bollywood songs to play at titled Young Shahrukh. Once again, drawing taught DJ who spins Bollywood tunes at While messing around with doping in the documentary Icarus has shown, the the functions. But when he wasn’t DJing or from his Bollywood and hip-hop influences, functions, to creating mashups and original controls is mostly what the US Anti-Doping battles have just shifted to other fronts. And looking for new Bollywood music, he spent the track flipped Bole Chudiyan, and placed songs that bring in serious numbers. He his time listening to hip-hop. Somewhere, in it over trap drums, with rap verses filled single-handedly managed to give mashups a Agency (USADA) banned Salazar for four seemingly, you do whatever you think you the middle of it all, he decided to fuse the two with Shah Rukh Khan references. The song refreshing rebirth and push it to new levels, years in 2019 (Incidentally, his appeal to can get away with. There may be some hope together. Saying that he has an ear for this blew up, and all the noise it was making creatively speaking. In the process, he may the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the form of some brilliant journalists and would be an understatement. Now, mashups caught the attention of the big bosses at have possibly created a genre of his own, comes up this month), it is just one of the whistleblowing athletes and officials, but it aren’t a new thing in any way, but mash- Sony Music India, who picked it up and even though he admittedly doesn’t believe

many transgressions he seems to have seems like a Sisyphean task to clean sport. GETTY IMAGES ing up Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with French gave it a big-label release. “We’re seeing in them.

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FOB Sports Dharmendra.indd 30 02/11/20 11:47 PM Tesher Effect.indd 66 02/11/20 11:43 PM WHEELS Italy Through Marche, featuring a Diablo, by Wolfango Spaccarelli the Eyes of Lamborghini The Italian sportscar maker seeks to burnish the country’s image following the Covid-19 crisis through a unique photography project

Marche, featuring a Diablo, by Wolfango Spaccarelli

Basilicata, featuring an Aventador, by Camilla Ferrari

Italy was one of the first countries to 20 of Italy’s best-known photographers the mafia and the Sicilian life in the 1970s be ravaged by Covid-19. Though other in areas like fashion, cars, street style, and ’80s. Now 85, she was asked to do countries fared even worse in the later design, travel, documentary, and even a special interpretation of her home weeks and months, Italy’s desperate reportage were commissioned to capture city, Palermo, which are yet to be released. struggle in the early days brought home the beauty of the country through art, “This is an initiative embodying the the devastation of the disease to audiences history, architectural marvels, natural synthesis of quality, excellence, and values around the world. wonders etc. along with the constant that only Italy is capable of encapsulating,” As the country limped back to a presence of a Lamborghini model. The says Katia Bassi, Chief Marketing & semblance of normalcy, Automobili best of Lamborghini, ranging from the Communication Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, the manufacturer of Sián Roadster, to Aventador SVJ, Urus Lamborghini, “social responsibility is an the legendary sports car, decided to Super SUV, Huracán, and Spyder in various integral part of our business approach. ‘reinvigorate the country’s image and versions as well as Miura, Countach, and We proved it during the emergency phase send a positive signal of rebirth’ through a Diablo are all part of the photospreads, when we converted our production to photographic project called ‘With Italy, For many of which are presented here. manufacture masks and protective face Italy’. 21 views for a new drive’ with the idea Joining the group was a special invitee, screens, and we’re doing the same now, by of highlighting the ethos and uniqueness of Letizia Battaglia, one of Italy’s greatest highlighting the unique and extraordinary the country’s 20 regions. photographers, famous for her pictures of treasures that Italy can proudly boast.”

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Basilicata, featuring an Urus, by Camilla Ferrari

Lazio, featuring an Aventador, by Anna di Prospero

Sardegna, featuring a Miura, by Davide de Martis

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Abruzzo, featuring an Huracán EVO Spyder, by Valentina Sommariva

Molise, featuring an Urus, by Roselena Ramistella

Puglia, featuring an Aventador SVJ Roadster, by Gabriele Micalizzi

36 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 37 WHEELS Best High-Performance Sedans In India Four-doors and four seats don’t necessarily have to be boring. Here’s our list of the best family cars that can also set the streets on fire By Sameer Kumar

Sports coupes and drop-top convertibles are all very well when you are in your 20s and 30s. After all, you only need one passenger seat for the girlfriend, right? Inevitably, though, as you hit your 40s, there’s now the wife, kids, parents, and the in-laws demanding to be driven around, and they don’t care much about a bright red, two- seater, low-slung coupe that’s hard to get in and out of. You now need something with four seats, and preferably four doors as well. Have no fear; BENTLEY FLYING SPUR 100kph in 3.8 seconds and is capable of hitting a top speed of 333kph. the Germans and the Italians build some truly Launched in Europe in mid-2019, the all-new Bentley Flying Spur Riding on massive, 22-inch alloy wheels, the Flying Spur boasts mind-altering fast sedans and GT cars, in which recently made its way to India carrying an ex-showroom price tag of smooth, beautifully sculpted bodywork. From its cut-crystal effect LED the entire family can travel at triple-digit speeds. Rs 3.41 crore. Built in Crewe, England, and billed as ‘the world’s most matrix, to its sumptuous leather and wood interiors, this car is simply Here’s a selection of some of the best such cars advanced luxury Grand Touring sports sedan’ by Bentley, the Flying in a different league when compared to the competition. that you can buy in India right now. Spur is powered by a 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 (yes, that’s 12 cylinders, For those on a slightly tighter budget, Bentley also have the Flying arranged in a ‘W’ formation), which produces 626 horsepower and Spur V8. Power and torque figures are slightly reduced, performance 900Nm of torque. With power going through an 8-speed dual-clutch remains almost undiminished and the levels of luxury remain the same, automatic transmission, the Flying Spur accelerates from zero to while the price goes down by around Rs 20 lakh. Bargain.

BMW M760LI xDRIVE handling and safety. The 8-speed automatic transmission is swift This is the ‘sensible’ fast luxury sedan and it is, of course, from and smooth, providing immediate response to driver inputs at the Germany. The BMW M760Li xDrive carries an ex-showroom price tag of throttle pedal. Rs 2.42 crore, a fair bit cheaper than the Flying Spur, yet not too far off The car looks large and handsome, though the massive new grille at in terms of performance and the luxury factor. Powered by a 6.6-litre front might not get universal appreciation. The adaptive air suspension twin-turbo V12 that produces 609 horsepower and 850Nm of torque, ensures maximum comfort for the car’s occupants even on bad roads, the M760Li accelerates from zero to 100kph in 3.8 seconds, and can hit while the cabin — lavished with the best wood and leather — gets a host an electronically limited top speed of 248kph. The car features BMW’s of high-end infotainment equipment to keep you entertained on long ‘xDrive’ intelligent 4WD system, with variable torque distribution and drives. Overall, the BMW M760Li xDrive may well be one of the most an integrated stability control system, for the best possible high-speed accomplished luxury sedans currently available in India.

AUDI RS 7 SPORTBACK UFC and who has posters of the 1970s Lamborghini Countach on Launched in India in July this year, with an ex-showroom price his bedroom walls — that’s the RS 7 for you. tag of Rs 1.94 crore, the Audi RS 7 Sportback in definitely not for As you might expect from a modern, high-performance the faint-of-heart or the weak-of-wallet. What it is, is a full-blown Audi, the RS 7 has the shove to match its swagger; with an supercar that just happens to have four doors and seating for five. 8-speed Tiptronic transmission pushing power to all four wheels, The RS 7 is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that belts out zero to 100kph comes up in 3.6 seconds, and top speed is an 592 horsepower and 800Nm of torque. This brute of an engine electronically limited 248kph. And it’s also designed to keep you is housed in equally brutish, an wedge-shaped bodywork that ensconced in sheer luxury at all times; the seats are upholstered screams aggression. Big wheels, flared wheel arches, massive in a combination of leather and Alcantara, fit and finish is grille up front, LED laser headlamps, twin exhaust exits at the impeccable, and Audi’s MMI infotainment system is class-leading back, and rakish styling executed by some bloke who loves the among all luxury car brands.

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The Rise Of The Electrics It’s the dawn of a new era, as a brash new breed of electric supercars prepare to take on the world. We take a look at some of the standout ones By Sameer Kumar

PORSCHE PANAMERA TURBO S powerful four-door sedans you can buy, but also one of the safest. MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-DOOR COUPÉ You can never go wrong with a Porsche. Especially when it’s a hard- The styling is typically Porsche — not too adventurous, a bit familiar hitting overachiever like the 2021-spec Panamera Turbo S. Powered by and ready for another year or ten with a bit of nip and tuck. The four- If you can get past that very, very long name, the Mercedes-AMG GT The GT 63 S’s styling is a unique mix of aggression and a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which produces 630 horsepower and 820Nm seater interiors get sumptuous leather upholstery, understated metal trim, 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-door Coupé (henceforth referred to as the ‘GT 63 S’) elegance. The mean-looking front grille, flared-out wheel of torque, the Turbo S accelerates from zero to 100kph in 3.1 seconds and a flat dashboard with a large, neatly integrated colour touchscreen is quite something; it’s a four-door, four-seater sports car and luxury arches and squat, muscular bodywork bring that ‘don’t and can hit a top speed of 315kph. It also features a host of mechanical for infotainment. There’s a full set of infotainment controls for the rear sedan all rolled into one very accomplished package. Launched in mess with me’ stance, while the swoopy, flowing lines and electronic features that ensure that the car’s raging performance seat passengers as well, and separate individual screens for rear seat India during the Auto Expo earlier this year, the GT 63 S costs Rs and beautifully sculpted rear justify the use of ‘Coupé’ remains controllable; there’s triple chamber air suspension for maximum passengers are available on the options list. Overall, the Panamera Turbo 2.42 crore ex-showroom, and is powered by an AMG twin-turbo in the car’s name. There’s also a massive full-colour display high-speed cornering stability, an electronic damper adjustment system S’s cabin is simply brilliant and it’s a pity so few people will ever get to 4.0-litre V8, which produces 639 horsepower and 900Nm of torque. for navigation and infotainment, along with a 640-watt with active chassis adjustment, and electronic roll stabilisation. With so experience it. The car is likely to be in Porsche showrooms in India early Performance is well and truly supercar-spec; zero to 100kph in 3.2 Burmester surround-sound system. Indeed, the GT 63 S much electronic firepower, the Turbo S is not only one of the fastest, most next year, carrying an ex-showroom price tag of around Rs 2.50 crore. seconds and a top speed of 315kph is impressive by any standards. 4MATIC+ 4-door Coupé is a Mercedes-Benz like no other.

SKODA OCTAVIA RS 245 measure, the RS 245 even has an electronically regulated limited- FERRARI GTC4LUSSO T bits like four-wheel steering, which helps high-speed handling, and a Alright, let’s face it —every person reading this is not looking to slip differential, which could come handy when pushing really So, okay, the GTC4Lusso T doesn’t have four doors, but it does have dynamic traction control system that’s calibrated to let you fully enjoy spend more than Rs 2 crore on buying a luxurious sedan. And hard on slippery road surfaces. four seats that can accommodate four full-size adults. It’s powered by the car, yet keep you out of the ditch if you get too ambitious with that is all right, because Skoda has a very interesting car for The interiors have generously proportioned Alcantara-clad a turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 that produces 601 horsepower and 760Nm the throttle. The interiors are delightful — high-grade leather is used those who may be looking for budget-spec thrills. With an ex- sports seats, a large centrally mounted colour touchscreen of torque. The muscular, hunkered-down styling is best described extensively inside the cabin, along with restrained use of carbonfibre showroom price tag of Rs 36 lakh, the RS 245 offers a lot of for infotainment, fully digital ‘virtual cockpit’ instrumentation, as ‘swashbuckling Italian grand tourer’, which, of course, is what the and brushed aluminium trim. In a turbo-V8 Ferrari, the sounds of the bang for the buck. multiple driving modes and as many as nine airbags for maximum GTC4Lusso T is. engine and the exhaust note are all the entertainment you’ll ever need. Power reaches the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch safety. For those looking for a practical four-door sedan that While the GTC4 boasts unmatched Euro-chic, it also has the With an ex-showroom price tag of around Rs 5 crore, the GTC4Lusso T automatic transmission, and the car is capable of doing the zero offers very high levels of performance and handling, at realistic performance to back up the panache. The car features high-tech isn’t exactly cheap, but, what the hell, it’s only money, right? to 100kph in 6.6 seconds, hitting a top speed of 250kph. For good prices, the Octavia RS 245 may well be the best deal there is.

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The New Age Of THE INDIAN CONNECTION While retro-styled bikes are now becoming increasingly fashionable all Retro-design over the world, they’ve always been around in India. The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 (and in more recent years, also the Bikes Bullet 500) is the genuine article. The Bullet isn’t retro-styled, it is a 1950s Gen X buyers, with large disposable incomes machine that’s been mechanically and a yearning for bikes they fancied in their improved and enhanced in some ways youth, are driving a new trend in retro-design over the last six decades. And now, for motorcycles those who want genuine 1960s Brit-bike styling with a bit of performance thrown By Sameer Kumar in for good measure, there’s the new RE Interceptor 650, which is powered by a 648cc parallel-twin that produces 47bhp. This is pretty much the golden age of motorcycling. With the The other retro-styled motorcycle in relentless advance of manufacturing technologies, the bits India is, of course, the Jawa. The story that make a motorcycle work have become quite good over BMW R NINET RACER HONDA CB1100 a reasonable 89 horsepower. Classic bits include a of came to India in 1960, set up shop got the years. Engines are more powerful and reliable than ever Based on the regular R nineT, the Racer is pure 1970s, distilled down to two wheels, frame, Introduced in 1969, the Honda CB750 was the first conventional steel tube frame, twin rear shocks, wire- renamed to Yezdi and then shut shop before, and oil leaks are a thing of the past. Tyres really stick fairing and engine. It’s powered by BMW’s 1170cc ‘Boxer’ twin, which produces a healthy modern performance-oriented motorcycle, with a four- spoke wheels (only on the EX) and styling from the in 1996 has already been recounted in to the tarmac, with the kind of grip riders could only dream 110 horsepower. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission, which transfers power to cylinder 750cc engine. That 750, and the CB900F Bol decade when Sony introduced the first ‘’ of in the way-back-then. Suspension actually works without the rear wheel via a fully enclosed, low-maintenance shaft-drive system. The bike’s tubular d’Or that came a few years later, are cult classics that still portable cassette player. “In the day, we sweat it out on wallowing all over the place, and is usually adjustable, so no steel chassis leaves the twin-cylinder engine fully exposed, which is just as well, because have a dedicated fan following today. The new CB1100 the streets, of a runaway American dream. At night, we problem if the pillion is occupied by a large passenger. And it looks quite gorgeous, with its black block and barrels and silver cylinder heads. With its is Honda’s attempt to recreate that 1970s magic, and ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines,” brakes make mincemeat of triple-digit speeds, without the single round head lamp and racy mini fairing, this is one BMW that gets retro just right. Not we’d say, mission accomplished. The CB1100, available sang Bruce Springsteen, in the 1975 track, Born to Run. bike trying to dump you in the nearest available ditch. available in India yet, but next year, maybe? in EX and RS versions (minor cosmetic differences Those were the days, man. And the CB1100 is that bike. But just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, only), is fitted with an 1140cc inline-four that produces Honda, please bring this one to India. the Percy Shelley law kicks in. ‘We look before and after, and pine for what is not,’ said Shelley, 200 years ago. The English poet was no biker-boy but, as it turns out, what he said also goes for motorcycles. KAWASAKI Z900RS Give bikers a bunch of modern, fast, and efficient Launched in response to the 1969 motorcycles, and you’d think they’d be happy. But, no. Turns Honda CB750, the Kawasaki Z1 out what they really want is motorcycles that resemble the rocked the motorcycle world on its machines they lusted after when they were young, when the haunches when it came out in 1972. hormones were raging, and bank balances were meagre. Powered by a 900cc inline-four, the Horsepower costs money, and most young motorcyclists Z1 packed 81 horses, and could hit a many other places earlier. What’s more simply don’t have large wads of cash to blow on big, busty top speed of around 210kph. Plus, interesting in the present context is the bikes. Decades later, for some, it’s time for payback. the Z1 looked mean and purposeful revival of Jawa, in India, by the Mahindra Time, then, to get the one that got away? Maybe. Only, when parked next to the more staid Group. The Mahindras have subsequently the 1970s and ’80s are long gone. The bikes from back then CB750. The Kawasaki was the bike launched the Jawa, Jawa 42, and Perak. are now categorised as ‘classics.’ And new bikes these days for bad boys, as evinced by the use The Jawa is an almost exact replica of have scary things like TFT instrument panels, multi-level of a modified KZ1000 in the 1979 the 1960s/1970s Jawa 250, while the 42 traction control, and riding modes; you almost need a degree movie, Mad Max. Today, bikers of a features a few cosmetic tweaks but is still in computer science to navigate the onboard electronics on certain age can still play out their Mad entirely retro-themed. Both are powered some of the high-end motorcycles now. Max fantasies aboard the Kawasaki by the same 293cc single-cylinder Bike manufacturers know an opportunity when they see Z900RS, which is powered by a engine, which makes 26 horsepower. one. And nostalgic Generation X men pining for lost youth 948cc inline-four that produces 110 The Perak is a retro-style single-seat is an opportunity, if ever there was one. Especially since DUCATI SCRAMBLER 1100 horsepower. The styling is pure 1970s, cruiser that’s fitted with a 334cc single, those Gen Xers, unlike a lot of perpetually broke millennials The original Ducati Scrambler came along in the early 1960s, and hung around until the with colour schemes to match. All the which produces 30 horsepower. For (avocado on toast, anyone?), have money to burn. So, we mid 1970s, getting a range of 250-450cc engines over the years. The new Scrambler was modern bits (adjustable suspension, those who have fond memories of the now have a host of motorcycles that take their design cues introduced in 2015, complete with flower power styling and a simple, non-intimidating, sticky tyres, ABS, traction control original Jawa/Yezdi bikes from the 1970s, from their 1970s and 1980s predecessors. Of course, these low-tech vibe that jives to the psychedelic sounds of the ’60s. The Scrambler 1100 is the etc.) are there, of course, but the the new Jawas will probably provide bikes are entirely modern from the mechanical perspective; newest model in the range, and remains endearingly basic (relatively speaking, that is, spirit harks back to a different time, a healthy dose of nostalgia, all very it’s just that they are designed to look like they’re from an especially when compared to a supercomputer-on-wheels like Ducati’s own Panigale V4R). when men were men and women reasonably priced at Rs 1.65-1.95 lakh, older era. Here’s a selection of some retro-themed bikes that It’s powered by Ducati’s 1100cc air-cooled V-twin, which lives in a steel tube trellis frame were happy to ride pillion. Prices start ex-showroom. we, here at MW, quite like. and produces an adequate 84bhp. Prices start at around Rs 11 lakh, ex-showroom. at Rs 15.70 lakh, ex-showroom.

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MUSIC l GADGET l STYLE ASK THE EXPERT Fashion and wellness conundrums, deciphered and explained, by celebrity stylist Eshaa Amiin ★ ★ NOISEWARE ★ AGAM ★ SONAM KALRA 9TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE ZYGNEMA ★ MARK RIDDICK ★ FRONTIERER WINNER ★ ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY ★ ARJUN RAJA KUMARI / BLOODYWOOD / ALICIA KEYS METAL SPECIAL > ISSUE 00119 > JANUARY 2018 > ISSUE 00109 > MARCH 2017 > ISSUE 00108 > FEBRUARY 2017 > ISSUE 00123 > MAY 2018 > ISSUE 00106 > DECEMBER 2016 > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S

The Story of India’s Paris Jackson’s The Hot List 2016 Family Secrets NUCLEYA MUSIC FESTIVAL Parvaaz How U2 Got Back to Prateek Kuhad Mallika Dua BOOM ‘The Joshua Tree’ Arunabh Kumar Best Albums Tillotama Shome Fall Out of 2017 Macklemore and more Boy’s Personal is Political Kendrick Lamar u u MIDLIFE Lorde BRUNO CRISIS U2 MARS Swag on the outside. Kesha Anxiety within Don Henley THE On continuing PARVAAZ the Eagles and Best I want to wear coats/outerwear in June. I want to experiment with my workwear INDIA’S MOST EXCITING BEATLES’ SPECIAL REPORT Indian BAND RIGHT NOW ACID TEST 40 years of How LSD triggered ‘Hotel California’ Releases THE their masterpiece ‘Revolver’ Blackstratblues FACEBOOK Skrat Gutslit MENACE THE NEW How can I do more layering? clothes. What's new? PRITAM DWAYNE'S Joshish SUZUKI KATANA and the politics Metallica A HARD LOOK AT NORAH WORLD’S BIGGEST METAL BAND RAISE HELL AGAIN WORLD ZUCKERBERG'S Singer-songwriter and more of Bollywood music THE PAIN AND PASSION DANGEROUS EMPIRE returns with a THAT FUEL THE ROCK BY MATT TAIBBI ‘sneak attack’ LP Monochrome layers, colour-blocking Bomber jackets paired with joggers, and Back in the late 1970s, Suzuki felt the need to spice things up a bit, and looked Macklemore at MV AGUSTA SUPERVELOCE 800 Vh1 Supersonic, Pune, 2017

RSCover MAY 18 FINAL a.indd 2 03/05/18 3:16 PM RSCover Dec2016.indd 1 05/12/16 6:36 PM RSCover2017_Final.indd 1 05/01/18 5:19 PM MV Agusta, masters of motorcycle design, know how to put a cool new (old?) to Europe for a bit of design inspiration. They got in touch with German design RSCover_Final March 2017.indd 1 07/03/17 4:47 PM RSCoverFeb2017.indd 2 06/02/17 11:57 AM layers and alternate solids and patterns, funky/neon trainers, are in. You can mix > ISSUE 00120 > FEBRUARY 2018 > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > ISSUE 00127 > SEPTEMBER 2018 > rollingstoneindia.com spin on things. Indeed, their F3 800 sports bike got a whole new lease of life house, Target Design, to help them design an all-new heavy-hitting sports bike. COPY SUBSCRIBER’S work well for layering. Layer with denim sports pieces with items from your usual > ISSUE 00143 > DECEMBER 2019 > ISSUE> ISSUE 00129> 00133 rollingstoneindia.com > >NOVEMBER FEBRUARY 20182019 when MV’s styling wizards gave it design cues from the 1960s Grand Prix race The Katana 1100 was launched in 1981 and, lo and behold, a legend was born. >> rollingstoneindia.com rollingstoneindia.com and leather/moto jackets for a fun, weekend wardrobe. Opt for a bomber relaxed look. Play with textures, patterns bikes and, voilà, a new retro-racer was born. Under its skin, the Superveloce With its unique interplay of shapes, colours, and graphics, along with a funky Stephen Colbert The Rolling Stone Eshaa Amiin Interview 800 is still a thoroughly modern machine, but its single, round head lamp, little fairing at the front, the Katana was unlike any sports bike the world had ever Sia and prints of various sizes and kinds to How The Pop Star is a celebrity Saved Herself enhance your outfits and, add more style. round tail lamp, stubby little tail piece that’s as curvy as Brigitte Bardot in the seen. And now, there’s a new Katana for those who couldn’t get their hands on The the rise ROLLING stylist and STONE Why Bryan Adams and rise of INTERVIEW Can’t Get Enough of India celebrating 1960s, brushed metal fuel filler cap and vintage-style leather strap that runs one the first time around. The new one keeps the best, nostalgia-inducing design Bono consultant who By JANN S. WENNER

Sept Final Cover.indd 1 21/09/18 4:11 PM across the top of the fuel tank elevate it to another level. That it’s powered by cues from the old bike, combined with an engine from the 2006 GSX-R1000 (one BLAKC LAY RSCoverFeb2018.indd 1 05/02/18 4:18 PM has her own u MAVIS STAPLES | CHUCK D TESSERACT | DUA LIPA | MIGOS > ISSUE 00121 > MARCH 2018 CHANGE > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com 11 an exuberant, 153-horsepower three-cylinder engine and features top-shelf of the best four-cylinder sports bike engines Suzuki ever built), and state-of-the- ZHANG label. She has What colours would you suggest during

DIRECTION THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE MANDARIN years styled stars like running gear from the likes of Brembo, Sachs, and Marzocchi only serves art chassis, suspension, and brakes. It’s the modern-day Eva Amurri to the 1980s SINGER WHO’S of success months when the rains are approaching, REMEMBERING MAKING CHINESE POP , Ishaan to make it that much more lust worthy. MV Agusta, after breaking off from Susan Sarandon; all the best bits are still there, some are maybe even better. The ARETHA THE NEXT BIG and the summer is fading? ASIAN STORY Khatter, Saif Ali FRANKLIN their Pune-based importer, is said to be looking for a new business partner in V-Strom 650 XT, which Suzuki sells in India, is all very well, but the Katana is the Khan, among During a season that’s transitional, I India. So, we hope the Superveloce is coming here sometime soon. bike they need to bring here. Go ahead, Suzuki, do it now. The would suggest that it’s best if you avoid JOHN BLACK PANTHER others, and LENNON & Revolution wearing light colours like white and YOKO ONO’S CHADWICK BOSEMAN and the has been the PERFECT MAKING of a RADICAL SUPERHERO YEAR fashion director beige, because if it rains, they become RSCover_March 2018.indd 1 05/03/18 6:06 PM

NEIL YOUNG’S GODDESS GAGGED // KEITH URBAN // GWEN STEFANI NEW H ARVEST for Femina transparent, which can be problematic. I

> ISSUE 00102 > AUGUST 2016 DAIRA’S > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com

SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S Miss India. MOTO GUZZI V7 RACER III MADCAP NEW Moto Guzzi’s current V7 range of bikes have been designed to evoke ALBUM TIME memories of the early 1970s Guzzi V7 Sport, which was quite successful, A.R.RAHMAN THE SKA VENGERS STORM XX RATED VADER THORGERSON’S IN A WAR ZONE THE MENTOR DAVID GILMOUR MAKING HISTORY and very well liked in its time. The current V7 line-up retains the simplicity MONUMENTAL AT POMPEII EXCLUSIVE Q&A ALBUMThe maestro is on a nationwide talent hunt for promising DUALIST INQUIRY INDIAN HIP-HOP’S and clean lines of the 1960s / 1970s bikes, with a range of different COVERS young talent he will mentor for Nexa Music RISING STARS DIVINE * NAEZY * ACE * BOBKAT * STONY PSYKO

RS February Naezy X Divine Cover.indd 1 11/02/19 3:24 PM stylistic interpretations — there’s a V7 for every Euro-hipster who smokes August 2016 rollingstoneindia.com | Rolling Stone | 2

RSCoverAug2016.indd 2 03/08/16 1:49 PM HVOB / HARI & SUKHMANI / SHADOW AND LIGHT RS DecemberSIDDHARTH 2019 Nexa BASRURCover.indd ★ PHATCOWLEE1 ★ MARTY FRIEDMAN 09/12/19 3:39 PM DEMI LOVATO ★ MARILYN MANSON ★ SAM SMITH > ISSUE 00113 > JULY 2017 > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > ISSUE 00114 > AUGUST 2017 > ISSUE 00116 > OCTOBER 2017 > ISSUE 00117 > NOVEMBER 2017 a cigarette, drinks a beer, or wears a pair of jeans. And the best of the lot, > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com > RS 100 > rollingstoneindia.com SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S COPY SUBSCRIBER’S

THE we reckon, is the V7 Racer III, which looks like it’s just landed up straight Louiz ROLLING STONE CONCERT REVIEW Steven Banks: INTERVIEW: Liam Wilson Gallagher’s Dream Turns to The Theater KENDRICK SWEET in Mumbai Sophisticated Godfather REVENGE Pop of Indian LAMAR from the 1970s. Every bit on this bike — the single seat, rakish angle of the Jazz Walter TEJAS Apple Music TRIBUTE Head Honcho Becker Chris John MAKES IT Eddy Cue (1950-2017) Cornell Mayer HAPPEN! Discusses Steely Dan’s 1964-2017 ‘I’ve India Plans Quiet Hero handlebars, low-slung racy stance, wire-spoked wheels, twin rear shocks conquered anxiety’ OZZY L. Subramaniam OSBOURNE’S At Home with the WHY Violin Maestro SANTANA LIFE ADVICE WON’T EVER and mini fairing at the front — screams retro-styled café racer. It’s not Bhrigu RETIRE LET’S TALK Sahni ABOUT MUSIC AND EXCLUSIVE WHAT Fingerstyle MENTAL HEALTH Wizard HUNTING MEXICO’S ANNIE RAGHU DIXIT MOST The ‘Game suggest you choose more brighter jacket instead of a blazer to add looking like it's November? unusual for Italian bikes to be cool, but this one is pure liquid nitrogen; DANGEROUS CLARKE A FOO Troubadour in Tinseltown DRUG LORD of Thrones’ ADITI Star Tells All RAMESH BELIEVES The Rock & Roll Gospel of Dave Grohl colours, like red, green, blue, indigo, an athleisure touch to outfits. There are many ways to wear suede. think Jim Morrison in the ’60s or Mick Jagger in the ’70s or U2 in the 1980s. LordeAn Old Soul, a New Challenge Emilia Clarke

RSCoverAug2017.indd 2 07/08/17 11:10 AM RSCoverOct2017.indd 2 06/10/17 2:09 PM RSCoverNov2017.indd 2 03/11/17 6:58 PM We hope someday Moto Guzzi (which already sells its V9 range here) will RSCover July 2017.indd 2 05/07/17 5:17 PM yellow, orange. Navy blue and Make sneakers your You can try suede bomber jackets, shirt decide to bring the Racer III to India. tans work well. go-to footwear. Swap jackets (shackets), shoes, chelsea boats, suit pants and jeans for biker jackets, topcoat belts, pouches TRIUMPH SPEED TWIN u more casual and sporty and clutches, if you want to experiment The Speed Twin is a modern interpretation of the classic British twin-cylinder Is satin a good option for the styles of trousers, such with suede. motorcycle, elegant, pared down to the essentials, unburdened with short-lived month of June? as joggers and chinos. fads and frippery. Of all the bikes here, this, along with the Honda CB1100, is Satin is a strict no during the Turn a casual outfit u perhaps the most timeless. The Speed Twin would be equally at home in the hot and humid weather of June. into an athleisure look How can I try both summer clothing as 1960s, '70s and '80s, and we suspect it might still be around (with the IC engine Like silk, satin is prone to show with sports-influenced well as winter clothes irrespective, of swapped out for batteries and an electric motor, maybe) two or three decades water spots, hence it would accessories, like duffle the season? down the road. Powered by a 1200cc parallel-twin that produces 95 horsepower, show the sweat stains and bags and baseball caps. Trans-seasonal layering is the key to the Speed Twin has enough muscle for the street, along with all-around capable download your digital issue now won't even absorb the sweat. achieve such looks. Jersey and trousers chassis and suspension. No, it won’t keep up with something like Triumph’s own It’s much better if you opt for u work for every season. Plus, stoles, Speed Triple, but the Twin looks so much better. The Triumph Street Twin (as Available on: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and Android devices breathable fabrics, like chiffon, What are the ways overcoats, and jackets can transform well as the T100 and T120) is already on sale in India. Triumph just needs to go georgette, cotton and cotton to wear suede? How any menswear summer essential into a one small step further and add the Speed Twin to its India line-up. Subscribe through Magzter, the Digital Web Store, on iTunes and Android Market blends this month. should I wear it without winter outfit. www.facebook.com/rollingstoneindia | www.rollingstoneindia.com | on ipad at magzter.com 44 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW JUNE 2020 • MW 60

Mud.indd52 RS IPAD.indd 22 41 07/11/1911/12/19 3:594:03 PM Wheel_Bikes.indd 44 02/11/20 9:21 AM TALK TALK

arm-twisting the team to side-line his Everyone has mental health, Blind items – co-star. That’s a story. You might ask why an episode can’t be reported. What’s the need for a blind even without the illness newsworthy or not? item? Economics, relationships, and The blind item is finding itself to be at the centre of a debate, with many PR machineries aside, it’s also a little Unlike physical health, mental health does not exist in a binary, it exists on a continuum. celebrities slamming it, and raising an important question: Do blind items bit about the readers that lap this kind It’s time to break the barrier in the conversation about the mind and the body of content. When a journalist takes the deserve a slot in the news space? By Rashma Shetty By Smiti Srivastava regular approach, most stories aren’t told, even more never corroborated by We often talk of the mind and body We often deflect our pain onto Even though the origin of blind the relevant spokespersons. There’s as separate entities, how to connect seemingly smaller problems, and items wasn’t on the most positive also a chance for the story to get killed. with the two, and the different feel confused and moody about it. note, in genuine cases, it did help I remember an episode when I was relationships we have with them. There is absolutely no shame in being many journalists who had spent reporting about a popular Bollywood While there is a plethora of exercises, unable to accept and move on with their time, energy, and resources actress who threw a fit because the meditations, and recommendations your circumstances. finding a scoop, to at least tell their scene she was to be a part of, would from various experts when it comes to stories. The news industry — much remind the audience of a younger taking care of your physical and mental 4) Social media is not a replacement like other businesses — works actress’ popular song. When the episode wellbeing, the two are often seen as for therapy on rapport, and antagonising the was reported, the heroine in question separate functions that make up a A lot of therapists (myself included) industry bigwigs often weighed made her team frantically call the healthy person. use Instagram to educate, inform, heavily on journalists, and even editor of the publication I was then But, mental health and physical health and engage with their audience about publications. From being blacklisted working for, and demanded we reveal are very much intertwined. They impact mental health. While you may find this from interviews and public events the source, or suffer being blocked by each other. Allow me to give you an This is especially dangerous when you extremely helpful, please remember that to complaints against reporters, the the diva. Well, the latter did happen, example. Ms ‘A’ goes for a walk regularly are struggling with depressive, suicidal it may not be enough, and it certainly risk was real, and when one wasn’t until the actress wanted support for a and one day, she injures her ankle. She thoughts, and your mental health needs doesn’t act as a replacement for therapy. willing to go against the public project she was spearheading. needs bedrest for a week. Now, not only professional intervention. So let’s try Your struggles often need an in-depth figure’s PR, the easiest route was to Bet you’re now trying hard to figure does she stop getting the exercise and and break this barrier a little bit and exploration of patterns and behaviours not mention names. out the actress in question in the above the physical benefits of this routine, but reflect together. Did you see a doctor that will only be possible once you see a Many feel that entertainment episode. The curiosity is a natural one. she also has a psychological setback. this year for any illness? Was it physical? mental health professional. journalism is frivolous, and tilts A lot of journalists, including myself, Her motivation is thrown off balance, Did you talk about how you’re feeling heavily towards gossip. But, is it just will tell you how many celebrities and she is upset about missing her ‘me psychologically as well? If not, here’s 5) Holistic care an entertainment journalism thing? engage in the same, with their “off- time’. She binge-eats during this period, how you can keep an eye on your mental Remind yourself that the idea of a Much before I became an I think not. Anything that impacts the-record” banter. That being said, which only makes her blood sugar levels health as much as your physical health. healthy person is not just someone who entertainment journalist, I remember the social fabric needs to be handled I’m with you when you say journalism are higher than usual. She feels sluggish, shows up to the gym every day and eats reading this tiny yet colourfully placed responsibly, and therefore, even blind needs to get more responsible, overall. and her body doesn’t get the endorphins 1) Check in with yourself healthy, but also someone who feels column in magazines and tabloids that items need to be dealt with in the As for the blind items, they will release that it's always very grateful for. Ask yourself how you’re feeling, and be emotionally and psychologically able doled out juicy information, mostly same way. Hard news too, has its share continue to be there whether we What eventually happens is a domino honest about it. Name some feelings, and to cope with their daily circumstances. about socialites, movie celebrities, of derailment. consider them newsworthy or not, effect, where one thing leads to another. validate them for yourself. This helps in Being able to have insight into your well- cricketing stars, and sometimes even The basic rule of journalism includes because there’s an audience that This is an understanding of how physical making sense of your situation. being as a whole is of utmost importance. businessmen. It was a fun game, trying logically evaluating the authenticity earnestly reads them, discusses them, and mental health shadow each other. Ask yourself So, the next time someone asks you to guess the people that were being and intent of the source revealing the and engages with them. The day the Often, mental health is thought of how you’re 2) Google is not your best friend how you’re doing, remember to take a referred to in these texts. But as the information. Apart from this, one of reader decides to stop reading them, in a binary — either you're mentally ill, feeling, and be Stop labelling and self diagnosing. If moment to yourself to think about how novelty wore off, I noticed there was the most important questions that the blind item will see a natural death, or you’re not. Unlike physical health, honest about you’re worried you’re not feeling your you’re doing mentally, as well. very little to guess in these blind items. news writers cannot ignore, is whether or you never know, maybe a mental health exists on a continuum. it. Name some best, don’t jump the gun with a diagnosis As Sigmund Freud says, ‘Out I realised the popularity of the format Many feel that the information is newsworthy. But resurrection in another form. It’s for us Where you belong on this continuum feelings, and based on a . This leads of your vulnerabilities will come when I entered the digital space, where entertainment first, let’s define what newsworthy to find out. depends on your circumstances, and how validate them to amplifying or undermining your your strengths.’ one could gauge the performance of an journalism is essentially means. much better or worse you feel. for yourself. problems, and they’re both unhelpful article instantly. Clearly, the Blind Item frivolous, and Take this example. Individual A is a For those of us who have grown up This helps ways of addressing your mental health. column, with just a silhouette image tilts heavily narcissist, and enjoys watching himself The author is a former believing that showing your emotions in making Smiti Srivastava is a and a catchy headline, was a hot seller towards on screen. That’s not news. Now, imagine entertainment journalist and talking about your feelings makes sense of your 3) Take yourself (and others) seriously psychotherapist based out of as compared to the other stories. gossip. But that Mr A is working alongside Mr who has worked with you look ‘weak’, reaching out can be quite situation If you (or someone you know) is going New Delhi. She offers Today, the blind item is finding itself is it just an B in an upcoming big budget movie. some of the biggest media a struggle. The concept of weakness and through a difficult time in your life, give insight-oriented therapy, and her areas to be at the centre of a debate, and entertainment However, Mr A’s self- houses in India, and has had an inside strength that has been internalised yourself the space and time to cope with of interest are online dating, romantic raising an important question: Do blind journalism obsession is affecting view of the film industry for over

leads to silencing yourself, your it. Take your feelings seriously, and relationships, and the role of evolving SHUTTERSTOCK items deserve a slot in the news space? thing? the movie, and he is a decade humanness, and your vulnerability. don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. technology in the same.

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NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 47

Talk_Mental health.indd 46 02/11/20 9:37 AM TALK_Blind items.indd 62 02/11/20 9:39 AM A still from Article 15 CURRENT CINEMA

Film-maker Sudhir Mishra who directed A DALIT HERO Serious Men ON SCREEN

Sudhir Mishra’s Serious Men is not a film that even Indie A similar taboo, unwritten but dominant, prevails cinema would have dared to handle. It is thanks to when you want a Dalit hero with grey shades to evoke streaming platforms, that it got made an ambivalent response. For taking this on, you have to grant it to Manu Joseph’s debut novel that Sudhir Mishra By Maithili Rao brings to screen. Serious Men is seriously not a film that Dalit issues are not yet suitable even Indie cinema would dare to handle. It is thanks to

Nawazuddin Siddiqui in streaming platforms, that Serious Men could be made. for irony and ambivalence. a still from Serious Men A satire that takes on the elite science community, and a Dalit hero’s vengeance in a rather complicated, The brutal reality demands ambiguous manner, touches on themes usually considered untouchable. an equally searching and Ayyan Mani (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) is PA to a top scientist, Dr. Aravind Acharya (Nassar) at a very unequivocal realistic depiction prestigious research centre (something like the Tata Adi talks of child labour used for cocoa cultivation in Institute of Fundamental Research) that is government South America/Africa, alien microbes and injecting humans funded. Mani is a sponge, picking up disparate bits of in Mumbai’s dingy BDD chawl, peopled by a cross section with photosynthesis to enable efficient oxygen absorption, GETTY IMAGES IMAGES GETTY information, thirsting for the education he could not get. of the marginalised — a jobless, wife-beating drunk, a all with equal glibness and endearing solemnity of a kid He is a quick and cunning learner of not only scientific frustrated father throwing out a young girl for failing her wearing outsize glasses. The script by a quartet of writers information, but also will pour over dictionaries to write exams, other layabouts hanging around aimlessly. Adi is aims satirical darts at select and also random targets, and a pompous letter requesting paternity leave. He is a the shining star, the example of a genius who is courted in the process, blunts the satirical edge. survivor who aims high — to make his son an equal of by the media and the local politician, Keshav Dhavre Embedded in the circus and game of exposure (of those born to privilege. He has a simple gradation of (Sanjay Narvekar) and his US-educated daughter Anuja Acharya) and then the subsequent bargain struck social hierarchy, from 1G to 4G­—first generation learner (Shweta Basu Prasad). between the erstwhile boss and PA, is the poignant story to the fourth—which doesn’t need to work, but idles How does Mani cook up this scam? He uses Adi’s of a driven father, and a hapless child. Adi’s genius act is around swimming pools of five-star hotels. He is a Dalit hearing impairment to rig up his hearing aid with a a secret between the father and son. Oja (Indira Tiwari) who calculatedly uses the victim card to shame the staff bluetooth. So when Adi is being quizzed on TV or a live is a loving wife and proud mother, but she is deliberately of the admissions department of a prestigious school show, Mani gives him the answers, using calculators kept out of it. Mani berates Adi for failing to learn a when his slow-learner son is denied admission even and . He has learnt the con game from speech and finally the poor child breaks down — he olitical correctness imposes crippling though he tries to bluff his way. He claims Dr.Acharya for Dr.Acharya, who milks grants from ignorant, easily jumbles many of the speeches he has learnt by rote, and constraints. More so when you want to a colleague on back-slapping terms, while the top boss bamboozled ministers with his theory of alien microbes Mani looks at the nervously pacing boy with contempt. depart from the mandated stereotype of is snooty, and discourages Mani from speaking to him in in the stratosphere as clues to the origin of life on The sobbing child finally lies down, and now comes the Dalit as a victim. This is a problem felt Tamil – their mother tongue. earth. Mani noses out the fraud and the failed balloon the bravura scene of pure visual drama. Take a bow, across cultures. I remember how American Mani hates and admires the arrogance of the man expedition, and passes on the evidence to a disgruntled Alexander Surkala, whose cinematography has been stand-upP comics, and other satirical shows that revelled (Mani always sports a tie at work like his boss) who subordinate who is denied funds for his own more unobtrusive most of the time, A top angle shot of the in screwing incumbent Presidents, bemoaned that dismisses inconvenient questions with the non-sequitur: authentic research. The film has fun at the expense of boy, a beam of light suddenly illuminating the dingy room Obama was off limits. You could not target America’s I can't deal with primitive minds like you. It is a sentence scientists spouting gobbledygook as abstruse knowledge as it falls diagonally across the boy on the bed. The father first Black president. Someone with his good looks, grave Mani coaches his young son Adi (Aakshath Das) to use not understood by common ignoramuses. Mani catches watches in silence. The loneliness of the boy, who feels he professorial air, eloquence that had intellectual heft and with a precocious dismissive attitude to angry teachers, on the tricks of the research trade, and spins out an has let down his father by forgetting the speech on stage emotional appeal, everything that made him charismatic, or persistent journalists. elaborate scam to fool gullible public, and create a media and having shared the secret with Sayali (the girl thrown challenged writers of comedy and satire (except for white The film hinges on the ethics of manufacturing a child circus around the boy genius, who is touted as both out by the father), who seems to be his only friend. Mani supremacists, of course). prodigy as a means to upward mobility for a family living Ambedkar and Einstein. is stoic, but not defeated. Yet.

48 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 49 CURRENT CINEMA INSIDE: INTERVIEW WITH KAUSHIK VELENDRA IS DISTRESSED DENIM Ayushmann Khurrana ON ITS WAY OUT? in Article 15 Serious Men makes you remember images from the iconic Bicycle Thieves, or Apur Sansar, but without speaking to Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Aakshath Das in Serious Men us. Not in a significant way

MW StyleLIKES PRADA PAUL SMITH

Acharya learns of the scam, and how Mani betrayed him. Mani gets into action to retrieve some credibility. Davre helps Acharya get his job back, and the scientist presides over a public meeting, and subtly pleads for a child to be left alone to be a child. Adi confesses he knows nothing. Regret, pride, and A still from love suffuse his eyes. If an actor had to carry and convey Bicycle Thieves VALENTINO VALENTINO so many emotions in one shot, there could be no better choice than him. It is a moment of pure cinema — an expressive face bathed in surreal light for the camera eye. look abandoned. The straight shoulders aren’t that What follows is a reconciliatory aftermath — Mani straight anymore. Has Ayyan Mani accepted defeat? The recalls his childhood. The villainous boss turns an conniving Dr.Acharya — educated, Brahmin — goes scot understanding mentor of sorts. The sudden humanising free after committing fraud. Incompletely educated but of Dr. Acharya ensconced in his sense of superiority street smart, Dalit Mani seems to have opted out of the The Bigger, seems plot driven, not organic to the character. system he had tried to game. A bleak conclusion to the The Mani family shifts to a coastal village. Oja runs noir-tinted satire gone awry, a small shop, and picks up Adi from school. Mani is a Such a mood-shifting narrative is the opposite of what The Better solitary figure on the empty beach. Adi walks up and audiences are slowly accepting in purposeful films. Article Oversized suits and double-breasted jackets stands next to him. Their back to the camera, the sea 15, Anubhav Sinha’s hard-hitting thriller, documents the with strong shoulders have been the trend for a before them as twilight descends. The man and boy horrific state of affairs for Dalits, and more specifically, while, but for Fall/Winter ’20, the trend of tent- together, is an image with many resonances. You go Dalit women, in UP’s badlands. Article 15, that won the like enormous tailoring is taking over. Almost back to the iconic Bicycle Thieves, as the boy walks with first Screen Writers Award for best screenplay, gets even every designer is showcasing the oversized suit, the father who has lost his bicycle and job. Apur Sansar more relevant after the brutality and cover up of Hathras. one way or another. From Paul Smith to Prada, oversized suits were one of the highlights of the — Soumitra Chatterji walks with the son he has come to Dalit issues are not yet suitable for irony and season. Gucci embraced oversized tailoring with meet after years of wandering. ambivalence. The brutal reality demands an equally a touch of corduroy, and Fendi literally channelled Serious Men makes you remember these images, but searching and unequivocal realistic depiction. Ambiguity the Big Suit Energy by sending models in a without speaking to us. Not in a significant way. The doesn’t lend the right lens to capture the bitter harvest classic striped suit. Oversized suits can be paired boy goes to the father now in a lungi, the natty office we are reaping as people, and a society. easily with another basic, like an earthy-toned turtleneck, or sleek trousers. Let’s break some formal rules, and supersize it all this season. FENDI

50 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW

Style Opener .indd 39 02/11/20 8:32 AM Current Cinema.indd 50 02/11/20 11:26 PM STYLE / FASHION NEWS

 ADIDAS AND NINJA LAUNCH COLLABORATIVE  H&M’S PLANS TO TRANSFORM OLD CLOTHES 'CHASE THE SPARK' FOOTWEAR COLLECTION INTO NEW ONES IN FRONT OF YOU Adidas and Ninja have come together for a second round of signature H&M is taking ahead its sourced virgin materials will need sneakers. Titled “Catch the Spark”, the collection introduces a selection of sustainability initiatives by launching to be added to help bulk out the colourways as playful as Ninja himself. It features four striking updates to a new recycling system — the ‘Loop’ yarn, but this is done with caution, two of the brand’s most forward-thinking silhouettes — the Nite Jogger — a machine that aims to turn your and is limited as much as possible. and ZX Torsion. The previous silhouette was offered in neutral grey and old clothes into new ones, in front of The machine uses no water or any grey, white and purple, complete with mesh, suede, and rubber panel, you. The machine was launched in chemicals, giving a new yarn that whereas the latest one arrives in understated black and grey, accented one of its Drottninggatan stores in can then be knitted to create new by bold blue and striking amber and orange. Both silhouettes are tech- Stockholm. The machine first cleans clothes. The fast-fashion company inspired and take on vintage styles, allowing the wearer to run after their and shreds the garment into its base aims that all its materials will be dreams, and look good doing it. “When I started playing video games, fiber, and then turns it into a new recycled or sourced in a more no one had imagined what was possible in gaming yet,” Ninja said in a yarn. In certain cases, sustainably sustainable way by 2030. statement. “All I cared about was doing what I loved, so I just kept going. I wanted to use this project to highlight some really personal times in my life and I hope that in doing so, I can inspire others, showing them that it’s okay to chase their dreams too. That’s also why I picked different colors and textures for each of the shoes — as a way of referencing all the  GUCCI PAYS HOMAGE TO different phases we go through on our respective ‘Time In’ journeys.” BRAND LOGO WITH 'FAKE NOT' MOTIF  LOUIS VUITTON CELEBRATES Gucci’s Autumn/Winter 2020-22 menswear collection saw the play of the ‘Gucci Fake Not’ motif in the theme. Taking BASKETBALL IN NEW MENSWEAR CAPSULE inspiration from the ’80s logomania, Creative Director The morning after Lakers were announced as the new National Basketball Alessando Michele paid homage to the brand’s logo, a Association (NBA) champions, Louis Vuitton revealed a new LV x NBA significant element of their designs. Michele decided to menswear capsule collection designed by artistic director, Virgil Abloh. approach this idea in the opposite way. The latest chapter in The new collection is a part of a three-year partnership between LV and this idea is ‘Gucci Fake Not’, where the lettering is combined the NBA. This capsule collection explores the world of basketball, and with the colours of the bicolour stripe. The message is that the the luxury vision of Abloh. It features three main wardrobes — travels  NYKAA TO OFFER MENSWEAR FASHION brand’s idea of fashion is not only high-end, but also about THROUGH NYKAA MAN and transits are embodied in a grey cashmere tracksuit, adorned with mixing different worlds, to make it even more compelling. graphics informed by the lines of a basketball. Game Arrivals come in a Nykaa has unveiled a men’s fashion category on its website and apps. This comes blue hooded leather jacket, monogram jeans and T-shirts and lastly, the after the platform launched their Nykaa Man website and app in 2018, and will now press conference dress code is all about suits and a dress shirt. “Fashion offer fashion and grooming products for men across 560+ brands and 42,000 muses aren’t predictable. Ideas of luxury can be found in the sports world products. To cater to all sorts of lifestyle needs, the latest launch will offer clothing, and its champions as much as in traditional forms of artistry. This collection footwear, eyewear, sportswear, and accessories brands including GAP, Louis celebrates the cultural contribution of basketball and its diverse characters, Phillipe, Raymond, Adidas, Skechers, Pepe Jeans, Hidesign and more. Anchit Nayar, and the idea of relatability as a force of today,” explains Abloh. Chief Marketing Officer, said, “It has long been the vision of Nykaa to bring the pillars of our brands — curation, content and convenience — to both women and men across India. With the launch of our men’s category of fashion products on Nykaa Fashion and our already existing grooming offer on Nykaa Man, men across India will be able to shop for all their lifestyle needs at Nykaa with a guarantee of 100 per cent authenticity, as well as exciting content to discover new trends and  DIESEL APPOINTS products.” In recent months, the e-commerce platform saw an increase in average GLENN MARTENS AS NEW order values and prepaid payments, reflecting the growth of online shopping. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Diesel has appointed Belgian designer Glenn Martens, who is best known  LVMH AGREES TO BUY TIFFANY for his work at Y/Project, as the new creative director. He previously worked with the Italian brand as part of the brand’s Red Tag project, with a AT LOWER PRICE collaborative collection presented at Milan Fashion Week for Spring/Summer Tiffany & Co. has agreed with LVMH to slightly lower the price 2019. Announcing the appointment, Diesel founder Renzo Rosso explained of its acquisition by the French luxury group. With this move, that he was happy to pass the baton to Glenn. “I know for sure he will take the two can end the ongoing legal dispute. Bloomberg News this iconic brand in his hands with love, respect, and passion. And with and other media reported that the two sides had agreed to the right approach to make it dreamed about, desired, and loved.” On the lower the price of the $16 billion takeover to $131.5 per share, announcement of his appointment, Martens said, “I am extremely honoured from $135 per share. The new terms would mean a discount and excited to join the Diesel family. Synonymous with radicality, honesty, and of $425 million, less than three per cent of the initial deal. optimism, Diesel helped shape the way we see the future. Its unique voice has Last month, the initial deal ran into trouble when the French made it an undeniable icon. Today, more than ever, I feel the need to celebrate group said it could no longer complete the transaction by the these founding values, to build bridges through a message of hope.” November 24 deadline.

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a different manner. It shows that if Singh Ahead Of can pull it off, everyone else can too. People are changing the way they think about menswear, and it is a Bollywood-centric His Time market, so that’s what defines the trend. Meet 29-year-old Kaushik What's your personal style like? Velendra, the boy who went I’m always busy, and always running around, from costume designing so I like being in activewear clothing so in the South to doing his I ensure I hit the gym always. I like the first fashion show ever at center of attraction to be my work and my personality. Now I’ve started wearing my Fashion Week, and own clothes, own shirts, etc, and that’s going is achieving what many only to be my new look for a while. hope to, in just a year By Samreen Tungekar With the power look silhouette at your Autumn Winter show at London Fashion Week, do you think silhouettes in menswear are being explored to their I’ll say this bluntly, and you may contest, full potential? that uplifts how a man wants to feel. That but find me a resume as studded as A silhouette doesn’t belong to a category, is one of my strongest points today. Rolling Kaushik Velendra’s. I’ll wait. At all of 29, the and that’s my design process as well. fabrics and putting them into warehouses Bengaluru-born boy who moulded and sold Technically, you’re dressing up the human was one of my jobs, and there was hardly candles to earn his bread, moved to body, and there are a lot of silhouettes for any electricity, so I used to understand the at 16 to become a “light boy” on film sets, the human body that have developed over fabric from what it smells like, and how it leading to work in the costume departments, the years. Things have gotten exaggerated, feels. Today if you ask me to close my eyes and then became an assistant costume or minimal, and it’s a continuous process. and touch a fabric, I can tell you exactly designer. No, that’s not all. After becoming a Actor Ranveer Singh wearing You said your aim is to put India on the Menswear, globally, has witnessed this. In what it is. Everything I went through, made Kaushik Velendra personal stylist to actors like Kamal Haasan, global fashion map. How do you plan India, however, it’s a different subject. Maybe me who I am. he applied to the Mecca of fashion, Central to do that? men like to dress up, but when it comes to St Martins, and became the first Indian-born Whatever I’ve done in the past one year, I experimenting, you have to have a broader Do you aspire to showcase in India in designer to do menswear fashion MA. He was the first India-born person to do it. I perspective, and break out of stereotypes. the future? presented at London Fashion week within recently got to know that there have been Fitness is also a very important factor in Well, next year hopefully if things are three months of launching his label, and was thousands of applications at CSM from defining your silhouette, to be honest. better, I want to do a show in India. It’s a nominated for the LVMH prize within weeks. India, and almost all of them have my name chance for the western world to interact Onward and upward to dressing celebrities as reference. That’s what I have wanted to With the pandemic's onset and the with the country, so it’s like I will do a like supermodel Alton Mason for the do — to be able to create that channel. I digitisation of fashion weeks, also the London Fashion Week show, but in India. I Grammy’s, and our very own Ranveer Singh have created a path that people can follow. number of fashion weeks that have I don’t know what supermodel means, all hope I can do this. for . I was listed at London Fashion Week as the multiplied over the years, do you think my models are supermodels. That’s why October marks a year of launching his first menswear India-born designer. When fashion weeks are relevant? each of my looks have a separate identity. own label, and he’s already presented his someone talks about any Indian designer, Absolutely. It’s your platform to showcase Here, the person who starts the show is the next collection at LFW in September. While they think colour, embroidery, beading, etc. your work, where everyone comes together. strongest look, and not the ending garment. the world is battling the pandemic, Velendra I’m trying to show a completely different I agree, we may not need so many shows. It’s completely different from what happens has moved into his new atelier, which is side of craftsmanship, and the quality of I, for one, want to stick to a seasonless in India. All your models should feel like Alexander McQueen’s former studio, at work that can come out of our country. This collection. I want to create a one massive stars, and the culture needs to shift from Hoxton Square. With an aim to change what "When someone is me, and I am representing a whole new collection that can be shown twice a year showstopper culture to model culture. This Indian fashion stands for on the global map, talks about version of India, wherever I go. instead of four times, and do smaller salon has affected model life, because it then sets "The culture Velendra is here to keep traditions alive, how they present themselves, and are any Indian shows, like Coco Chanel used to do. the benchmark for the model to be an actor needs to with a twist. getting influenced by art, culture, music, and designer, they Do you think Indian fashion has in order to close a show. shift from different movements. But I’m not trying to think colour, become more gender fluid? Where India had its era of male supermodels, showstopper You've dressed Ranveer Singh, who change or bring in fluidity. What I’m trying do you think the limitations in Indian but that's somehow diminished, What were some of your earliest pretty much is the most fashionably to do is retain the masculinity of menswear, embroidery, etc. menswear here lie? with the emergence of Bollywood influences, and how did that evolve into culture to model experimental actor in India. With and give it a new direction. The outfits are I'm showing I decided to work with Ranveer Singh for showstoppers. Do you think the male your current aesthetic? culture, because celebrities sporting the changing beautifully masculine, and yet different in a different this very reason, because the country supermodel is an important part of I used to make candles to be able to eat otherwise, it sets reality of fashion and their fluidity, their approach. I’ve internally constructed my side of our looks at him as a role model for men’s showcasing the clothes? food. That has taught me to mould the a benchmark how do you think the paradigm of outfits on the base of activewear, so they’re craftsmanship. extreme fashion. The minute I put him into I understand that the concept of best garments, and it’s because of working that the model menswear has shifted? body centric, irrespective of who wears an outfit like the one atFilmfare , it created showstoppers in India is what sells, but it with so many costume departments, stars, Menswear is always changing and evolving, them, they'll take the shape of the person’s I'm representing a benchmark. The outfit was a non-Indian becomes more about who the showstopper and everything from my childhood. I learnt has to be an and it’s evolving more these days because body. That’s the kind of change I’m bringing a new version outfit, but was rooted and made in the is, and not the outfit. The face of a fashion to understand the human body, and actor in order to men have become more conscious about about in the principles of menswear. of India" country, and that links the West to India in show has to be the clothes, not the model. understand how to construct a garment close the show"

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On Shilo Shiv Suleman: Pastel mint candy wool silk halter neck dress with self fabric bow details; Ivory cotton knit knee-high socks with rhombus GG Needle punch Revisiting detail; Jackie 1961 handbag; Mid heel platform sandal in silver laminated leather by Gucci Harlem The world we live in today, is more informed, more connected, and more inclusive than ever before. And season after season, Gucci is the one legacy fashion house that is leading the way

Photographer: Ashish Sahu Art Director: Tanvi Shah Fashion Editor: Neelangana Vasudeva Hair & Make-up: Geet Sukhani Assisted by Yashi Tondon Talent: Shilo Shiv Suleman Tarun, Feat Artists Location: The Piano Man Jazz Club, Gurugram

apper Dan is a cultural and historical figure. While other conglomerates were trying to shut this icon down, Gucci swept in, providing him with a platform to create the iconic Gucci x Dapper Dan trend," says Tarun Panwar, who features in this shoot which, is the Italian behemoth's take “Don the Harlem Renaissance that gave the world geniuses and LGBTQIA+ icons like Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Claude McKay, Ethel Waters and Florence Mills, Alain LeRoy Rocke, L.S Alexander Gumby, and Richmond Barthé. In his 1993 essay, “The Black Man’s Burden”, Henry Louis Gates Jr. wrote that the Harlem Renaissance, “was surely as gay as it was black”. And yet, the queerness of these geniuses has often gone unrecognised by the society. Under creative director Alessandro Michele, the brand partnered with the Harlem icon, Dapper Dan, in 2017. Then, in 2018, with support from the fashion house, Dan opened an atelier in Lennox Avenue — the first ever luxury fashion store in Harlem. This is just one of the few steps that Gucci has taken in cultural and social revolutions throughout history, making it one of the most esteemed legacy fashion houses in the world. Intricately embroidered in the fabric of history, lie fashion and queer rights, the Harlem Renaissance led to a revolution in the world of fashion, with the women of Harlem embracing higher hemlines, lower-cut necklines, padded shoulder suits, and colourful Art Deco patterns. The fashion world would not have survived without the blood, sweat, tears, and chandelier earrings of the queer community, and what you wear is how you revolt. In a world marked with conversations about inclusivity, power for the marginalised, and recognition of those on the fringes, fashion is not just the hand that holds the gun but also the bullet that whizzes through the air, shooting the old, and heralding the arrival of a new world. “Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Frida Kahlo, Amrita Sher-Gil, Begum Akhtar — all of these women who were queer in their own way teach us one thing, and that is our revolutions begin in our body,” says Shilo Shiv Suleman, who also features in this fashion shoot. Come, witness a revolution, the Gucci way.

NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 57 MW + FASHION MW + FASHION

“A violinist has his violin, a painter his palette. All I had was myself. I was the instrument that I must care for” Josephine Baker

“Perhaps the mission of an artist is to interpret beauty to people — the beauty within themselves” Langston Hughes

On Shilo Shiv Suleman Greggio wool crew neck knit with patch detail; Brown-Beige cotton silk On Shilo Shiv Suleman GG diagonal pants; black sheer tights; Black-Multicolour matt fluid mid heel slide in black leather with velvet long sleeve dress with Sylvie chain detail, by Gucci crystals and sequins embroidered butterfly on the front; Black sheer On Tarun tights with holes by Gucci Beige-grey-Multicolour vintage lightweight check treated shirt; Van On Tarun dyke brown vintage lightweight Black-Multicolour satin acetate grisaille pants; Leather sole mocassin mini dress, 3/4 sleeve with in black leather with web, tassels, and contrast white cotton organdy bib double G detail; Ivory cotton knit socks collar, cuffs and rouches details; with GG openwork by Gucci Black sheer tights by Gucci

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“To know how much there is to know is the beginning of learning to live” Dorothy West

On Tarun Clear blue sky cady wool silk single-breasted vest with self fabric belt and four pockets on the front; Clear blue sky silk crêpe de chine long sleeve shirt with GG embroidery on the front; Clear blue sky cady wool flare pants; Jackie 1961 handbag; Mid heel platform sandal in silver laminated leather by Gucci NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 61 MW + FASHION

“Most people are aching volcanoes and art really makes us visible to each other. Art makes us visible to each other and therefore, is the only way to start a revolution, I believe” Shilo Shiv Suleman

On Shilo Shiv Suleman Gold-green-orange fine lurex jacquard polo-neck long sleeve knit dress with drawstring detail at the waistline by Gucci

62 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW MW + FASHION

On Tarun Brown-Beige cotton silk GG diagonal jacket; Solar Gucci stripe fill coupé boxy shirt with embroidery detail; Brown-Beige cotton silk GG diagonal pants by Gucci

“I have been in Sorrow's kitchen and licked out all the pots. Then I have stood on the peaky mountain wrapped in rainbows, with a harp and sword in my hands” Zora Neale Hurston

64 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW GG-1000

DW-5900 STYLE / SUSTAINABILITY STYLE / SARTORIAL MAN CAN YOU The to people who are not slim. “We never really found good clothes in our sizes in fast fashion, so not following it Cult of REALLY GIVE helped make the decision on giving up,” GA2100 explains Shikhar. Shikhar feels the conversation on fast fashion in Indian markets contextually G-Shock UP ON FAST varies from city to city. “There are new showrooms and shops that sell big Wearing a G-Shock came to signify an brands, and people do prefer them over open declaration of one's love for the rugged FASHION? local brands, because of the belief that expensive things are better. How can you life, and the great outdoors. Here are the advise someone to move towards slow best options to vie for Fast fashion, and the access fashion? “To anyone who's trying to shift to trendy clothing at a towards finding more sustainable brands, By Magandeep Singh reasonable price, has creeped do your research — a lot of it — because there are brands that will tell you they’re The subject of design is always one of GMW-B5000 up the essentials ladder, and sustainable, when they probably are not? debate — polarising — with people on both has become a way of life. But It might not be easy, but after a while you will get a hang of it,” Shikhar says. sides of the spectrum, liking and hating it sustainability is possible Yash Pandit from Mumbai gave up fast with equal fervour. But great design not only the first without burning a hole in your fashion when he started college, and gets accepted and etched into memories, G-Shock, a pocket. Four people who gave up discovered thrift shops and export reject but also redefines design sensibilities for name inspired fast fashion, tell us how shops around the city. He’s more about future generations. That’s a talent and skill by the idea shopping from these stores than from that few luminaries are endowed with, and that it was a By Sanika Achrekar sustainable brands, as such. “Thrift stores sell pretty good clothes for comparable, often, it takes more than one lifetime to watch that could if not really affordable clothes, pretty comprehend their impact. withstand the shock of gravity, thanks to the With a new H&M and Zara opening their clothes, and looking at the amount “Who wouldn’t much from the same brands that I buy. I The G-Shock by CASIO is one such 10 layers of protection, inside which floated up in almost every mall, fast fashion and the type of clothes we received, I was really apprehensive at first because the mechanism. This was a square-ish want clothes product. Sure, it is a watch, a simple battery- has latched onto us in ways we cannot realised I had to take a conscious call to that last I didn't trust the quality, but you get driven watch that tells time. The founder of shape, now epitomised as the DW-5000c. here are imagine. Trends that are showcased in move towards sustainable fashion. I started what you pay for, honestly,” he says, and two seasons: Spring/Summer and Fall/ investing in classics even though they were longer? Also, recommends thrift shopping in the city, G-Shock didn’t aspire to any lofty greatness I can’t imagine many people having taken a few iconic fast fashion or fame when he set himself to design a to the G-Shock instantly. The pitch it made pieces to Winter are now divided into various other expensive, and making purchases from namely from suburbs like Bandra and seasons. New trends from these shows long-lasting brands.” can look weird Malad, or Churchgate. durable watch. Kikuo Ibe, an engineer by was utilitarian, but wristwatches were still vie for: are introduced in fast fashion stores And how did his choices affect his once you Tanishka Singh gave up fast fashion training, had learnt the hard way what it an expensive affair, and people who could The GMW-B5000: almost every other week, and we’re all personal style? “It's two parts. I buy clothes look back at in the beginning of 2020. “I had been feels like to have a precious thing smashed afford them preferred the standard dressier original silhouette of the GA110 guilty of making impulsive purchases. with an intention of not dumping them yourself in reading up about it for over a year now, by falling other ground. His father’s stuff, plus they weren’t exactly leading DW-5600E is revisited in this Most of us may not know, but fashion is quickly after three to four wears. I get photos after and buying fast fashion cast a shadow bequeathed pocket watch’s untimely demise actively engaged lives. first all-metal reiteration with considered to be the second most polluting them customised instead of random online a few years. on my conscience. So, I decided to start in this manner, was all the inspiration he But this didn’t deter the team or a reverse LCD, solar charging, and industry in the world. We all love polyester shopping. It's a more personal experience Stick to the buying from local vendors, small artistes, needed. The goal was simple, a ‘Triple 10’ the creator. Gradually, as subsequent Bluetooth connectivity. It’s loud and tanks and tees because they are cheap, for me now. Homegrown brands, thankfully, sustainable thrift stores, taking clothes my friends no wrinkle-free, and easily available. But that are evergreen, and trends don't seem to longer needed, stuff like that. I started resistance — a watch that can survive a 10 models followed, the young ones leading chunky, but then there was no other way for fabric holds on to bacteria, and will stink affect them,” he adds. classics — buying clothes that were more my metre drop, is water-resistant to 10 bars active lifestyles — sports and adventure it to be. Personally, it’s my go-to watch, in so fast that you will have no choice but to Can people make the shift easily? Shetty I would aesthetic. I mostly buy from online thrift (100 metres), and could boast a battery enthusiasts, especially skateboarders — shiny gold finish. throw them away. It can take up to 200 feels quality is better than quantity. “Who always say” stores or stores that I know support local life of 10 years. Remember, this was back took a liking to the brand. This stemmed years for that garment to decompose. wouldn’t want clothes that last longer? — Anish Shetty, artists,” explains Singh. in the early '80s; quartz movements had from pure functionality — a virtually GA2100: This is a fairly recent launch, Sustainability, as a buzzword or a way of Also, fast fashion can look weird once you lawyer and Singh feels that in India, small just been introduced (and were pummelling indestructible watch that worked although the company claims it harkens life, started to make even more sense when look back at yourself in photos after a few restaurateur vendors, local businesses have always Covid-19 happened. Sustainable clothing years. Stick to the sustainable classics — I existed; it is majorly big cities where the Swiss watch industry), but no brand effortlessly, and also looked good. back to an old original shape — the octagon. brands and thrift stores were born, but at would always say,” he adds. fast fashion is more prevalent. “That's was even close to such exacting standards Wearing a G-Shock came to signify The BoB (black on black) and Camo colour the end of the day, it depends on the person Shikhar Singhal, a 23-year-old architect- the audience that needs to be targeted of performance. Watches were still glass, an open declaration of one’s love for the ways are the ones to go for. It is also the consuming fast fashion. We spoke to four turned-illustrator-and-graphic designer, with sustainability in the context of and metal cases with fragile movements rugged life, the great outdoors. By the thinnest G-Shock yet. people who gave up fast fashion, and it’s gave up fast fashion a while back. “I think fashion. I personally feel that thrifting that needed to be handled carefully, and ’90s, the G-Shock was a brand force. everything you need to know to start your growing up, my family didn't really buy is very cheap, cheaper than fast fashion the term shockproof was on nobody’s mind 200 models of 200 models had been launched till 1998 DW-5900: The one with an LCD display and own slow fashion movement. from big brands, and usually did get even, and if done in the right way, it can when buying a watch. the G-Shock and recently, in 2017, they sold their 100 the three rotor face, an iconic G-Shock look. Anish Shetty, Mumbai-based restaurateur clothes from stores that used to sell copies lead the way to sustainable fashion.” and lawyer, gave up fast fashion a year ago of original brands, and sometimes got Our early ’00s saw the peak of Ibe-san’s loss saw him spend the best of had been millionth watch. as he became more aware of his purchases. clothes stitched by tailors. After I shifted healthy shopping habits where two years, working away at 200 models to launched till New versions now have solar charge, The analog-digital combo, chunky GA110: “We had organised a book donation drive to Lucknow for college, the practice didn't consumers made wise buying choices achieve the unthinkable. Almost at the end 1998 and atomic time sync, GPS, Baby-G and smaller resin body with metal accents. where we were donating books for the change,” Shikhar recalls. and, in the current scheme of things of hope, ‘Team Tough’ was about to give up recently, in Shock (erstwhile ‘minis’), sound and underprivileged. Most people wanted to Shikhar feels fast fashion is really tough too, taking things slowly is the better

when Ibe-san saw a child playing in the park 2017, they vibration alarms, Bluetooth connectivity GG-1000: Another ana-digi piece, but the donate clothes with an intent of disposing to catch up with, especially when it comes route, even for fashion. SHUTTERSTOCK outside his office. The child’s rubber ball sold their 100 and, most recently, their first smartwatch. first to boast of mud resistance. Mudmaster, gave him an idea — why not suspend the millionth But if you are starting off, OG is the way to Gravitymaster and Gulfmaster together watch in a similar casing? And so was born watch go. So, if you are tempted to acquire one, constitute the Master of G series.

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Fast Fashion.indd 116 02/11/20 11:31 PM SARTORIAL MAN.indd 66 02/11/20 9:28 AM STYLE

Celebrity stylist Pallak Shah recalls, “I wouldn’t When did Shah notice the trend fading? “Back in 2017, every high street brand say the trend “This caught my attention during my first Is Distressed Denim was stocked up with different distressed visit to the mall after lockdown. I was has faded out. denims, right from full length- knee length But yes, it’s sourcing for a shoot, and I could only find to shorts, shirts, jackets, etc. Irrespective the basic denim styles at all the major high slightly gone to On Its Way Out? of gender, distressed denims, in different street brands. Zara had a pair of skinny styles and cutouts, were an important the back to the distressed denims in blue and black, After talking about all the ways to wear double denim, it’s time to part of one’s closet. However, I do see the racks. They’ll which were minimal. I think the trend address the conversation around distressed denims. Are they in, are they trend majorly fading out, epecially after always be a reached its peak in 2018. It is also because not fashionable anymore, or are they just too statement? We find out the Covid-19 scenario. I feel brands are favourite of of ecological factors and a sustainable bringing back their prime focus to their fashion cycle; people are more cautious By Sanika Achrekar denims, and are focusing on building and the rebel” — while investing in denims.” playing with the colour, cut, fit, and wash Isha Bhansali, When one trend is on its way out, of the denim.” celebrity stylist there is always another standout trend that is ready to dominate the market. In the early ‘00s, ripped jeans were a According to Das, “Jogg denims are rage. When we say ‘ripped jeans’, the making their way in the post Covid era. image that comes to mind is the lead With people mostly having work from singer of a band, wearing heavily torn home culture and also with relaxed jeans with a graphic tee. Very rugged. office dress codes — denims that are We saw them make a mild comeback in stretchable, breathable, and give utmost 2010, but eventually, they were replaced comfort, are high in demand. Skinny with coloured denims. Seven years later, denims are going to stay off the racks distressed denim came to life in a more for a while now, and will be replaced mature form — blended with acid wash, by vintage denims with classic straight or faded jeans. cuts, and high-top flared denims. Infact, Samresh Das, design manager at focus has been shifted to sustainable Numero Uno, explains how denim trends denims, people are becoming more change. “Denim is always in fashion. The eco-conscious, and are inclined toward fabric is, however, modernised every year brands and fabrics that are environment in different ways. From incorporating friendly.” patch denims, frays, or studs, the denim Shah says that bootcut and tapered industry is always evolving. Trends keep fits are currently trending. However, coming back too. In 2018 and 2019, people are investing majorly in slim bellbottoms, or flared denims, were very fit and high waist, and darker wash much in. The customisation to the same denim to be able to utilise it more. was introduced by fraying the bottoms, She also noticed that the whiteout or by fusing it with other accessories. denims are back in stores, Similarly, each year, the focus is to evolve breaking the old colour myth, and alter the already existing trend with and can now be worn for formal elements of vogue,” Das explains. and semi-formal engagements. Distressed denim was in demand in 2017, Celebrity stylist Isha Bhansali, when we spotted celebrities across the who dresses a lot of Bollywood world sporting them in their street style actors, weighs in. “I wouldn’t looks, as well as airport looks, and the trend say the trend has faded out. But stuck around for almost two years before yes, it’s slightly gone to the back stores replaced them with more easygoing of the racks. They’ll always be a denim trends. “Ripped denims were once a favourite of the rebel. They won’t vanish, rage among the younger generation. With but they’ll have moments where they changing times, we try to opt for things are the back. Whatever are the trending that are more comfortable to wear, and are styles, you’ll find a distressed version of themselves, and jazzed up with versatile. The word ‘comfort’ in fashion was it,” she says. additional touch of patchworks, paints, never a thing 20 years ago but in recent Bhansali says the current focus is on and other embellishments only made years, both fashion and comfort have been wise leg and retro dad jeans. According them more rebellious. It is safe to hoard interrelated. Just like skinny jeans that to her, the lifeline of any trend is a at least one pair of distressed denims were once an obsession for everyone, were minimum of one year and at times, it can and a jacket in your wardrobe, to be able replaced by boyfriend/mommy or dad exceed up to two years. to add an element of ease and style to jeans, ripped denims too, gradually started There’s no doubt that distressed your outfits, to cash in on the comeback fading, with denims having an athleisure denim had many takers, at one point in moments of the trend.

moment,” explains Das. time. They were a statement in GETTY IMAGES

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Straight Out Of A

TV Show STEVE HARRINGTON Hairstyles play a major role when choosing your RIO favourite character, and can inspire you to change Played by: Joe Keery your look. Here’s a list of characters with amazing TV Show: Stranger Things Played by: Miguel Herran hairstyles that you can try Name of the hairstyle: Retro hair TV Show: Money Heist What to tell your barber: “Take me back to the '80s” Name of hairstyle: Messy curls JESSE PINKMAN By Sanika Achrekar What to tell your barber: “Tame the curls” Keery’s big hair in Stranger Things is one of the most '80s thing that the show Played by: Aaron Paul adapted, apart from the plaid shirts and dad sneakers. His perfectly styled Girls are going gaga over Rio, with good reason. He’s clever, fun, sweet, and TV Show: Breaking Bad long mane was inspired from '80s rock bands. Grow out your hair, add a little charming, especially with his tight, messy curls. If you have natural curls, maybe Name of hairstyle: Butch Cut bit of dry wax to give a texture on the sides, and hairspray all over, to give it a it’s time to let them hang freely, and nail this look. There are numerous ways to What to tell your barber: “Shave it all off” THOMAS SHELBY nice hold. Men with thick locks can easily pull off this hair trend. style curly hair aka noodle hair, depending on the shape of your face, length, and personal choices. With this hair, you can never go wrong. We first saw Paul’s character, Jesse Pinkman, shave his hair in the show’s third Played by: Cillian Murphy season, and he maintained the butch cut till the end of the show. His hair is TV Show: Peaky Blinders trimmed close to the entire head, which is not much longer than facial hair. Name of hairstyle: JONAS KAHNWALD All you need to do is give your hair a weekly trim to keep up the hairstyle. If Texturised crop you’re one of those who don’t get all the fuss about hair, this one’s for you, What to tell your barber: Played by: Louis Hofmann and it’s an even better option for men with receding hairlines. “Thomas Shelby hair” TV Show: Dark Name of hairstyle: Layered hair Thomas Shelby’s texturised What to tell your barber: “Take crop hair is short from all me back to early '00s” sides, with a slightly longer length on top. While getting What started off as short this haircut, ask for a crop, hair has now grown into but make sure you tell your slightly long hair, with layers hairstylist to give you a on side. Between all the sweeping fringe on the right time travelling, we can see or left side, whichever’s Jonas perfecting Zac Efron’s your preference. For hairstyle from High School everyday styling, you will Musical in Dark season 3. have to blow-dry your Every heartthrob’s hairstyle fringes to give that side- from early '00s teen movies, sweeped look. the ones where girls would be smitten by his ‘cool hair’, that’s the style we’re talking RAHIM about. Men with naturally PATRICK JANE straight hair need to grow out their mane till the shoulders, Played by: Sami Outalbali and ask the stylist to layer TV Show: Sex Education Played by: Simon Baker them from both sides. Name of hairstyle: Buzz cut TV Show: The Mentalist What to tell your barber: “I’d love a buzz cut, please.” Name of hairstyle: Wavy curls What to tell your barber: “Wavy curls, please” When Rahim entered the show as Eric’s love interest in Sex Education, we noticed how his hairstyle went well with his tanned skin, and fit body. That buzz cut was entirely Baker’s hairstyle from The Mentalist is a classic one for any man with naturally different from the usual one, or it went so well with Outalbali’s character that we wavy hair. It can be achieved without using too many styling products. The forgot it was a basic one. It’s a low maintenance hairstyle, and can be done in three main thing is the cut, which is medium long, with the top left a bit longer than ways. The combination of buzzed top, sides and beard, where the second one would the sides and back. For the ones who are not naturally blessed with wavy curls, be a high buzz cut fade with lines and lastly, buzz cut fade plus edge up. Rahim’s a slight perm can be used to wave up your hair. The messy hair look only needs hairstyle comes under the last type, which can be pulled off easily with slight beard. a little amount of spray to give it a hold, and you’re good to go.

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taste reflects that too (Herbostra tastes a lot of jeera (cumin) so oddly has a masala zing to it) but most importantly, they are both ARMED TO great at suppressing bad breath for a good few hours. THE TEETH MOUTHWASH: I have always been told to avoid them by dentist friends — if you Working from home provided the author a good have constant bad breath, you need an A TRIBUTE TO OUD opportunity to revisit his dental hygiene routine appointment in the ‘chair’. But if you Chopard’s new men’s scent collection, Gardens of the Kings, is a tribute to Oud, the fragrant oil must, see if you can find Crest, else good ol’ obtained from resins of the Agarwood tree grown in the Indian subcontinent, which — for hundreds By Magandeep Singh Listerine works fine, both are ADA accepted, of years — has been one of the main ingredients for perfumes in India, and later, in Europe. The four which is the gold standard for dental products. Just don’t gargle too long with perfumes in the collection: Agar Royal, Aigle Impérial, Nuit des Rois, And Or de Calambac, showcase The pandemic has taken us to some really but failed. All I can say is it felt tingly to the them lest you wish to singe your the purest quality Oud obtained from the Agarwood plantation of the famous Jalali family in dark spaces, mentally, but also physically, point of ticklish, the first time I used it. Then, palate into complete numbness. Also, don’t Bangladesh’s Sylhet region. We spoke to Chopard Parfum’s CEO, Patrizio Stella, about the collection as we have found corners of our home that I got used to it. The brush charges wirelessly drink anything tart right after, especially we were too busy to notice earlier and now and has a battery that lasts months with orange juice. have found ourselves cleaning regularly. two-minute brushing twice a day. It has What was the idea behind creating people. It is a historical ingredient with a I, for one, found parts of my wardrobe an inbuilt memory function to start on the OIL PULLING: This is something I the Chopard Gardens of the Kings modern take. hitherto unexplored, holding artefacts same chosen mode every time and it also was introduced to many years ago, perfume collection? that have made me question the need for has a two-minute timer. All in all, I have been and immediately scoffed at it for the Alberto Morillas, the master perfumer, is What kind of audience is the Garden of the formals, the authority of big brands, and my brushing better. ‘primitiveness’ that it seems to emanate. collaborating with us for the creation of this Kings targeted at? taste in fashion. Gargle with oil to feel fresh. What will perfume range. His idea was doing a tour all We are talking about mostly men, and travellers But as much as I have enjoyed looking TOOTHPASTE: I have always abhorred they think of next? Coffee beans for teeth over the world and discovering where ‘Oud’ is all over the world. The people are very sloppy on the outside, I have never been Indian pastes for their use of sugar and whitener? Well, I tried it again, and in two coming from. In this trip, you start from India, knowledgeable about the history and tradition more conscious about cleaning up from lack of fluoride; now, some may argue that days, I was convinced it works. In fact, I with Agar Royale. Moving to Japan, we get of Oud, but they want to have a personal touch within. No, this is not my attempt at being fluoride is entirely avoidable, and perhaps suspect it has even improved my general Aigle Impérial, which is the lighter and fresher on how it is interpreted. spiritual. I am talking about self-care. While it is, but as long as it isn’t ingested, I think gastric health. I normally use coconut oil and greener interpretation of the Oud. Later, the chief on the self-care radar has been I’ll risk it, or some of it. Toothpastes made and it certainly takes some getting used you move to , where we have the Nuit des Though Indians have been using Oud-based skin, a close second would be my teeth. by multinationals always left me feeling to — five minutes, and your body starts the Rois. Lastly, we explored Latin America with this perfume for thousands of years, these kinds I belong to the camp that knows you must While the fresher, especially a few hours later. Glad gag reflex. The Herbostra version is labelled fragrance called Or De Calambac. The source of of perfumes have never gained acceptance in brush for two minutes, and if you ask me in chief on the to say that today, we have a lot of local as a mouthwash, but they suggest you do inspiration was the trip itself. The idea was to the West because of their strong aroma, while public, I will shamelessly lie about it too but self-care and smaller brands that are doing a much it for 10 minutes. It is quite a flavourful mix see what the modern Oud would be in different the West have always used Indian ingredients in reality, I rarely spend that much time on radar has finer job. Only trouble — they are a shade in what seems to be a sesame and clove oil parts of the world. to make perfumes in a subtle style. Will the my pearly whites. Of late, I have made an been skin, a more expensive. But if you can stretch your base, definitely tastes herbal, but in a very Garden of the Kings bridge this gap? effort to check out what is out there. And close second quotidian budget, go for the dental pastes palatable way. How did your collaboration with Jalali In the last three years, there is better awareness what I have seen has left me intrigued about from Arata (which come packed like a face and appreciation of ‘Oud’ in the western world. would be Agarwood come about? What is their dental hygiene. Besides, I found a host of cream and yes, that mistake has been made) contribution to this besides the Oud Assafi? I tend to think there are a few elements in this new stuff out there, which has not only got my teeth or Herbostra, which looks more ‘regular’, Jalali Agarwood is a huge contributor to collection that could bridge the gap. The way me brushing for full 120 seconds, but also and both proudly claims to be fluoride and this perfumery. The creation of the ‘Oud’ Alberto Morillas has interpreted the ingredients, persuaded me to try out different kinds of triclosan free. With a slightly abrasive feel segment is where we define the it’s not a simple Oud collection, but something toothpastes, natural mouthwashes, and get that gives the teeth a thorough clean, both luxury of natural perfumery, and that creates different experiences. Therefore, this, oil pulling. Here are some pointers. boast nature-found ingredients, and the the luxe of Chopard jewels and even the people in the past who were not strong watches. The Jalali family has been ‘Oud’ users can recognise themselves in these TOOTHBRUSH: I have always used the developing Oud for the last seven more complete fragrances. Oral-B Pulsar, a hybrid between a regular generations. They say that the and an electric toothbrush, picking them more they develop projects, they Do you expect a big Indian and Middle Eastern up on my travels are known by people outside, market for this new range? abroad. It works which helps them to give back We have started with India not long ago. with a battery, to the local population, and to In the beginning of 2020, and with the new but isn’t as high nurture the culture of Oud. Chopard philosophy, we have re-entered India. frequency as the The reaction from Indian customers is very new ones out Tell us about the importance of positive, and expectations are high. Chopard, there. This time, Oud in the world of perfumery. historically, has been a strong brand in the I got the Oud is by far the key ingredient Middle East. The Middle East and India, they Sonic, which in perfumery along with incense, both love different things. They all have great claims an unearthly patchouli, and sandalwood. history and traditions in fragrances, but they 34,000 vibrations It’s expensive, and is always also have a big wish of understanding luxury per minute. I have associated with royalty and following luxury. This collection is exactly tried to wrap my head kingdom, and aristocratic going in that direction.

around that number, SHUTTERSTOCK

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Style_Grooming Oral hygiene.indd 72 03/11/20 9:02 AM Style Grooming Chopard Perfume.indd 116 02/11/20 9:31 AM UP CLOSE HIS TIME TO SHINE ’s journey may have taken a slower route, but his career graph is proof that slow and steady wins the race, and can look dapper while doing so By Samreen Tungekar

emember the really cute heart-throb Aditya “I woke up each day, and attempted to love again. It took its time, but from Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr? Yes, that was 20 God showed some mercy, and things got better,” he optimistically says. years ago, and I wouldn’t completely blame 20 years is not a short time. There have been blessings, and he’s you if that’s not the first thought that comes to learned his lessons too. There was a period in between when Sadh went your mind when you think of Amit Sadh, who off the grid to take a break to better his skills. What have been his biggest stood out as Omi In Kai Po Che! first, moving blessings, and hardest lessons? “I went away to better myself as an actor, on to more roles, be it an Akira, or a Sultan, and and as a person. I then came back, and worked even harder to find work beyond. Sadh hasn’t had the easiest journey, but he’s more than happy again. It took a little while. But the lesson is, it’s okay to go away to work withR how it’s been, and warmly discusses the growth, taking a break, and on your craft. You see people take breaks in other fields, but if an actor the space he’s in today. does it, we all think he's fallen off,” he says. While you may not be too familiar with his debut, Sadh looks back at Sadh’s performance in both the seasons of Breathe have made people his kickstart fondly. “Kyun Hota Hai Pyarrr was a great opportunity at a sit up and take notice. He breathed life into Kabir, and the complexed young age. There was so much learning from my peers, it really gave me nuances of the character had a life of their own. Does he think of hope that I would do well. It set up a good foundation to build on and it such things when he looks at a script? “I just look for human stories. got me visibility, which is so important as a young actor,” he recalls. Something that explores the challenges of life. Something that people From commercial TV to reality shows to finally the big screen, Sadh can watch and see themselves. I also need to work on projects that wasn’t someone who was medium-oriented. He just wanted to act. “Over answer life's questions and help better the society. Breathe was written the years, I've worked hard. There is this theory that film actors are better and executed so well, something that I could sink my teeth into. Kabir actors, which, I believe, is untrue. A good actor is a good actor, despite was an interesting character with so many layers, it's a character that the format. Back in those days, TV was made in a different style. It was actors dream of playing,” he responds. more melodramatic, and there was a lot of camera work to emphasise Life and work started snowballing after his break, and he’s had a emotion. Films were done a little more truthfully,” he describes. plethora of releases in the past two years. It’s been an exhausting ride, Very candid about the toughest of times, Sadh feels like the wait to get sure, and Sadh is ready for his next break (laughs). “It’s been intense. his due was quite unpleasant. He was filled with self doubt, and felt like Although, I would love to take a bit of a break again at some point, to it’s all too hard. But, he had to keep trying, and boy, are we glad he did. relax and focus on myself a little. Maybe travel a little and just live life

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“We need to create a society where reaching out is easier. Suicide rate in men is high, and we need to stop creating this pressure on men to be 'tough', to always be strong and hard. The strongest men are empathetic, kind, and soft” Sadh with Sanya Malhotra in Shakuntala Devi

Amit Sadh with Abhishek Bachchan in Breathe 2

without work, for a while. One has to earn and make more moments to be able to come back on a film set, and share those moments. If you don’t do that, you become repetitive, and could be boring for your audience,” he adds. The OTT space embracing actors and film-makers is a conversation that’s only been evolving with time. Sadh has established himself in the OTT world so well, and he believes the power of the audience on these platforms is real. “OTT has allowed the power to be in the hands of the viewer. With OTT, streaming services can see what people actually watch and enjoy, and they can make shows according. I hope that streaming services take more Breathe 2 risks with the shows they put out, and also have shows that truly represent to our society, being overlooked and and experiences make them toxic. Maybe we can change their outlook on life today's diverse society. I hope they tell stories from people that didn't have not loved. They're the ones that clean with just one good gesture,” he earnestly suggests. Fair enough, although it a voice in the past,” he says. our streets, make our coffee in the sounds like a mighty task. While he hopes his own work diversifies as well, he does believe some morning, deliver our groceries, grow Sadh fondly remembers Sushant Singh Rajput, from their Kai Po Che! stories are meant for the silver screen. After all, we’ve heard this multiple and pick our vegetables, they take days. He remembers Rajput’s enthusiasm and desire to achieve, and believes times in this year itself, theatre and cinema is a way of life for people. The care of us when we are in the hospital. that’s what makes his memories of Rajput so special. Keeping aside the silver screen can never be replaced by OTT, according to Sadh. “I think as a They're the real heroes,” he says, and I mudslinging and the whodunnit debates, the real conversation about mental society, we need to get out and enjoy places like the theatre and cinemas, wholeheartedly agree. health, and the importance of reaching out has somewhere gotten lost. The and not always binge-watch at home by ourselves. It’s important to go out Recently, Sadh took a break from need to destigmatise, to break down toxic masculinity, is more than ever with our loved ones and not sit in isolation, especially from a mental health social media when he commenced before. Sadh believes we all need to be kinder. point of view. A balance of both is great,” he chuckles, and adds that as an shooting for Zidd. While social media is “We need to create a society where reaching out is easier. Suicide rate actor, the process for the silver screen and the OTT space are very similar, one way to connect with your fans and in men is high, and we need to stop creating this pressure on men to be but the execution of production is what’s different. give them a glimpse into who you are, 'tough', to always be strong and hard. The strongest men are empathetic, Like most of us, Sadh’s lockdown has given him time to reflect. And the toxicity of trolling can be a heavy kind, and soft. We, as movie makers, can change this. Let’s push stories that connect with himself. That being said, Sadh is quick to point out how as a price, and he feels the best way to deal change people's perception of how men should be strong, and emotionally society, we have forgotten about the working people at the 'bottom'. “Big with negativity is with love. “People who unavailable all the time. Lets show more men breaking down and crying, and businesses have been bailed out, but the hardworking people that run our are angry, violent, abusive etc. just need that being okay. Let’s show how women stand by our sides, and take the country have been overlooked. They've been forgotten about, with little someone to care about them, someone lead. This will go towards empowering women too,” he suggests. money. I've seen it and read about it firsthand — families are having to survive who is nice, and actually listens to them. Here’s to change, good change, and actors who know the value of bringing on basics. It breaks my heart to see the very people who are so essential No one is born toxic. Their environment their best selves on our screens.

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Vintage wash denim trucker jacket; Crew neck creek red logo print T-shirt; Vintage wash distressed jog jeans and sneakers by Numero Uno THE On the wrist: BVLGARI Aluminium SELF-MADE Chronograph watch SUCCESS STORY OF GURU RANDHAWA

With millions of fans grooving to his beat and with brands clamouring for his approval, Guru Randhawa is on a high, and he isn’t coming down anytime soon

BY MAYUKH MAJUMDAR

PHOTOGRAPHER: KUNAL GUPTA ART DIRECTOR: TANVI SHAH FASHION EDITOR: NEELANGANA VASUDEVA MAKE-UP BY ASTHA AGARWAL HAIR BY ALI KHAN ALL WATCHES BY BVLGARI

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Denim jacket and logo print tee by Diesel ursharanjot Singh Randhawa, known to the Randhawa followed up with Tu Meri Rani and Suit, the On the wrist: world as Guru Randhawa, is not an easy latter was his second collaboration with Coomaraswamy, BVLGARI Aluminium Watch Gperson to get a hold of. And neither is he the who had given him his first break. This time around, the most talkative. But when you've got over 21.3 million song was a blockbuster hit, and currently holds over 430 followers on Instagram — with every post averaging million views on YouTube — and counting. over eight lakh likes and over 3.54 million subscribers on Randhawa has added to the success of numerous YouTube — you can do whatever the hell you want, the films through the sheer power of his urban-bhangra- world be damned. pop music, be it , Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, Born in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Randhawa had something Badhaai Ho, Saaho, or Street Dancer 3D. So far, the Hindi that the 77,928 people of the district did not. As it film industry has recreated six of Randhawa's original usually does unless you're born to famous and wealthy compositions — Suit, Tu Meri Rani, Patola, High Rated parents, Randhawa's career as a musician began with Gabru, Outfit, and Lahore. small-time shows in his home district. He then graduated He's caught the eye of Pitbull, but Pitbull appears to performing at parties and functions in Delhi. to have gotten more coverage because of the sheer Officially, Randhawa hit the music circuit in 2012 pull that Randhawa has. His fanbase loves him, and with Same Girl, in collaboration with Sri Lankan-British Bollywood apparently cannot do without him. singer-songwriter, Arjun Coomaraswamy. The song was Randhawa has kept himself busy during the lockdown. a disaster for both the artistes. He released a shoe called The 751, which was later called A year later, with some help from his brother out by Diet Sabya as being an alleged copy of a design Ramneek, Randhawa released his first single, Chhad by Giuseppe Zanotti, an Italian footwear and fashion Gayi, on YouTube. Over the course of the next year or designer. On the July 2 this year, the singer also made a so, he released multiple songs — Khali Bottlan, My Jugni, shirtless debut on Instagram. Shot by Dabboo Ratnani in Modern Thumka, Billo On Fire, among others. None of his signature style, Randhawa attributed his fit physique them hit the mark. to his coach, and Guru Nanak. But, as they say, the Universe loves a stubborn soul. Since then, he has posted many fitness videos Through some stroke of luck, Randhawa met Bohemia, and pictures on the gram, and has acquired a new level a Pakistani-American rapper who was already a star at of confidence. the time. Bohemia saw something in the 24-year-old In October, Randhawa released his latest song, musician, and approached T-Series, the Indian music Naach Meri Rani, featuring Bollywood's go-to dancer, network which is the most subscribed YouTube channel Nora Fatehi. While the concept was supposed to be in the world with 156 million users. Together, they new, the story is a quintessential love story in a music released Patola and the rest, as they say, is history. video — boy meets girl, and then aankhon hi aankhon

“IT’S A GOOD THING FOR INDEPENDENT ARTISTES TO HAVE THEIR SONGS RECREATED IN BOLLYWOOD FILMS. THE FILM PERFORMS BETTER, AND THE AUDIENCE ALSO ENJOYS IT, SO IT BENEFITS EVERYONE. AS LONG AS YOU’RE RECREATING YOUR OWN MUSIC, ITS FINE, BUT I’M NOT EXACTLY A FAN OF RECREATING SOMEONE ELSE’S MUSIC”

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Vintage wash denim trucker jacket; Crew neck creek red “THERE IS A FEAR THAT I DON’T RUN logo print T-shirt; Vintage wash distressed jog jeans and sneakers OFF TO HOLLYWOOD, AND CREATE by Numero Uno SOME HUNGAMA THERE. I FEAR THAT On the wrist: BVLGARI Aluminium I’LL GO TO HOLLYWOOD, AND BECOME Chronograph watch A SUPERHIT THERE. WHAT’S GOING TO BECOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY THERE THEN?”

mein moments take place, and before you know it, love is akin to stopping all the work you do. Dil pe patthar rakhke blossoms. While the song itself isn't as catchy as some shoot kari. other Randhawa classics, the music video has already garnered over 65 million views on YouTube. Try getting Six songs of yours have been the hook out of your mind, though. We dare you. recreated in Bollywood films — how do It's impossible to dislike Randhawa's music — even you feel about that? the staunchest Hans Zimmer and Nina Simone fans will It's a good thing. Independent artists get a bigger platform, inevitably groove to Patola after two shots of vodka. and more opportunities. We also get to work with Bollywood Randhawa is the very embodiment of 'desi swag', and superstars. The film performs better and the audience also he's definitely not going anywhere. enjoys it so it benefits everyone. As long as you’re recreating your own music, its fine, but I’m not exactly a fan of recreating What would you say is the turning point someone else’s music. in your career? It’s the love of the people. They kept listening to my music. Today, you are a household name, but First, it was one song, then the second, and then the third, how difficult was your journey when and all of that added up to who I am today, and where I stand. you started out? I wouldn’t call it a difficult journey, but it has been a journey How was it collaborating with Pitbull on full of learning experiences, for sure. There are a lot of things Slowly Slowly? How did it come about? that aren’t possible, but you have to go ahead and do them. When artistes are working on projects, you naturally look up So, I think that every day is a learning process. I believe that to artistes who’ve come before you, and whom you listen to. I nothing is difficult, its just the way you live your life aur ussi used to listen to Pitbull, and eventually, I got the opportunity mein barkat hoti hai. to collaborate with him. I went to Miami and created the song. and shot the video for it. I believe that some things are written What are these things that you don’t in the stars, and this was also one of them. find possible? Different stages of your life come with their own set of You’ve had five music releases this obstacles. If we talk about 2011-2012, there was the cost of year — how was it possible to make making music videos. Then, if we talk about 2014-2015, there that happen during the pandemic? was the question of how to release one’s music. In 2016-2017, Mask laga ke (laughs). Everything else was the same, but we there was the question of breaking into Bollywood, and 2018- wore a mask and shot the videos, and released them. It’s all 2019 was all about collaborating on the global stage. Now, in about working hard and honestly, if you don’t go out at all, it 2019-2020, its all about when to wear a mask.

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You are known as the King of it in my own way and eventually, the end product is Clubs because of your popular my song. party numbers. How much of Guru Randhawa do we see in the songs Does your personality transfer into you sing? your music? In my songs? What can you see in my songs? Absolutely. And whatever little doesn’t get transferred is worked on by the directors, and they make it happen. Your songs are such popular party numbers and I’ve read that you’re What do you think is the main not a party person... difference between the music Yes, that’s true, I don’t party a lot. I like sitting in one culture of the West, and here? place. I’m sitting in one place as we speak. See, I made the song for my audience, so I didn’t see any difference in my song. But yes, there is a lot of difference Yes, so how much of Guru Randhawa between the songs we sing, and the music that comes can we see in your music? out of the West. Unka dayra kuch khula hua dayra hai and In my videos, you’ll see Guru Randhawa and you’ll they can talk about things and do certain things in their see Pitbull also. But yes, every song has its own videos because there is greater acceptance there. In India, mahaul, so to speak. Love songs are shot differently, to an extent, we have to hold ourselves back a little but to and songs like Lahore have a different vibe altogether. answer your question, I didn’t see much difference in the Every song is shot according to its vibe, and I sing song I worked on.

Jacket, printed shirt, T-shirt and trousers all by Scotch & Soda; Sneakers by Fila On the wrist: BVLGARI Octo L'Originale watch

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Jacket, printed shirt, T-shirt and trousers all by Scotch & Soda; Sneakers by Fila “MUSICIANS FROM PUNJAB ARE On the wrist: BVLGARI Octo CLIMBING THE LADDER TO SUCCESS L'Originale watch BECAUSE OF THE LOVE OF THE AUDIENCE. IT'S NOT A TREND BECAUSE TRENDS COME AND GO, BUT YOUR AUDIENCE WON'T CHANGE”

In the past few years, we are seeing anyone come near me. I did whatever our government musicians from Punjab climbing the asked us to do. ladder to success. What do you believe is the reason for that? What is your favourite song till date? The reason for this is the love of the audience. That’s what I My own song? It hasn’t been released yet. believe. It’s not a trend because trends will come and go, but the audience won’t change. What's your main source of inspiration? Television. The people who come on television are great You are only 29 years old, and you people. So, I watch TV, and look at these people, and think have given so many successful songs. that even I want to become like them and do the things they Do you fear that you might plateau in do. I watch great people, listen to them, and I want to become the future? like them. Yes, there is a fear that I don’t run off to Hollywood and create some hungama there. I fear that I’ll go to Hollywood, and Is there anyone specific you are become superhit there. What’s going to become of the people inspired by? that are already there then? Spider-Man.

Tell us about your fitness journey. The actor who plays Spider-Man? I’m actually eating a Samosa right now. I always wanted to No no, the character. The way he can fly anywhere, I also be fit, but never got the time. During the lockdown, everyone want to do that. He makes me feel like I can do anything. was at home and to save myself from falling into the trap of Bas, I just fear that these Hollywood wale don’t get inactivity, I joined a gym. frustrated with me in one or two years. I’m also learning US style English now. Has your diet changed? Yes, absolutely. My diet has changed completely, and I only eat So, you have Hollywood ambitions? Tell what my trainer asks me to eat. us something about it? I’m going to work in a Hollywood movie soon, as a hero. We’ve In July, you performed live after already begun speaking to the concerned parties and very almost three months. What was quickly, you’ll see me in a five-minute or a ten-minute role. the difference, and what were the precautions you took? What is next for Guru Randhawa? The difference was that there were only 50 people in Bas Hollywood pe raaj karna chahta hoon yaar (I want to rule front of me, and I had to wear a mask, and didn’t let over Hollywood, that’s all).

86 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 87 “Digital can be difficult for an THE DIY OF THE BOOK WORLD: average author — the one in the middle — who used to sell 5,000 to 15,000 copies. Online stores are not conducive for browsing. That’s how even SELF I was discovered, through bookstores, because if no one PUBLISHING had heard of me, how would they discover my work?” The pandemic brought out — Amish, author the author in the best of us, and short stories, novellas, tales about living through a lockdown came alive. But the issues of royalty,” he adds. self-publishing industry is Author Amish — yes one that’s existed forever, and — the one who made has only grown over time. mythology cool, self- Here’s a lowdown on where it published his first book, the stands in 2020 very well received Immortals By Samreen Tungekar of Meluha in 2010, after being rejected by every When author Siddhartha Gigoo self-published publisher he went to. “It was for the first time, it wasn’t really a planned decision. Amish a necessity,” he says. Gigoo has gone through the traditional publishing According to him, self- route (his book in January this year was through a “When a movie is announced, does anyone ask who the publishing has now become publishing house), and while that took him a good studio is? I find this question extremely baffling, as if the easier, as compared to the past two decades. “Back then, the one and a half years, he self-published Love in the publishing house decides if the author’s work is good. People biggest problem was the minimum print runs because you Time of Quarantine in 21 days. It took technology, have this mindset,” he adds. had to print a minimum of 3,000 copies. Printing was a lot Kindle Press, and determination. One of the limitations of traditional publishing is enormous more expensive as well. Now, you have print-on-demand for This is a conversation with authors that have delays. Gigoo explains that traditional publishers have loads as little as five copies. You can reasonably sell online, whereas self-published, platforms that allow self-publishing, of book proposals coming to them. “When I was writing my earlier, you just had the offline models, and bookstores would the pros and cons of both forms of publishing, and first book in 2011, it took 18 months for me to get a response not take the books of a self-published author,” he recalls. India’s most important literary agent weighing in. from a publisher. That’s just the beginning — a yes or no. Even though he fought the odds, Amish feels being Brace yourself. Then comes scheduling the book. Their line-up is so packed published by traditional publishers is a lot easier. “Publishers Kindle Press has a lot to do with how self-publishing that your book will be scheduled for the next year, or the year get you proper distribution, which is difficult for an individual became even more accessible. In 2008, ’s after. By the time the process is done and the book is out, five to do. So, if there’s a choice, one would obviously prefer to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) launch meant writing years have already passed,” he says. be published by a mainstream publisher. Self-publishing is a is now open to all. KDP provided authors tools that “When it comes to traditional publishing, there is no route you take if there’s no option,” he clearly states. can help them do the head-to-toe of a book on their budget to even market your book, you have to pay for it. So is self-publishing going to get bigger post the own — writing, editing, formatting, designing a cover, They are also cash strapped, they are in the business, so pandemic? “For now, physical bookstores aren’t completely and making an ebook. Gigoo’s experience with self- other than the initial bit of a quick sell, they aren’t invested open. So distribution is much more online, which works for publishing has been good, because he’s sick of people in marketing your book. If you self-publish, you market it authors who are at the top. People go on an app looking for a asking him, “Who is the publisher?” yourself. You have complete creative control too. When it particular author, Digital can be difficult for an average author How does it matter who is the publisher, he retorts. comes to cost, there is zero cost in self-publishing, and no — the one in the middle — who used to sell 5,000 to 15,000

88 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMER 2020 • MW 89 copies. These authors were normally discovered in physical book. But in our case, since the author is investing, we can look at which all self-publishing houses don’t. Another big problem is stores. The average author, which is the heart of any industry, the quality. That is the difference,” says Purohit. credibility. Reviewers, for instance, don’t tend to take self- faces these challenges in the online space. That’s how even I While the common misconception is that authors self publish published books seriously,” he states. was discovered, through bookstores, because if no one had because they’re rejected by traditional publishers, Purohit is Gupta says that as an agent, he works with authors heard of me, how would they discover my work? The hardcore seeing a reverse trend, he says. “Authors are very sure that they who have worked with big publishing houses, so he can’t reader visits bookstores, and sees the book displayed there and don’t want to go through traditional publishing, because it would recommend self-publishing. He wouldn’t self publish either, picks it up. Then they start talking about it,” Amish says. take a lot of time. Also, the benefits that traditional publishers because he feels it lacks credibility. “I may not recommend Tarun Grover, a new author, recently wrote The Tale used to bring to the table of marketing and very widespread self-publishing, but now

Of A Would-Be Father. He self-published the book with distribution, are now diminishing because of Amazon and online Ashwin Sanghi there’s so much backlog in AuthorsUpFront, a self-publishing platform. He has worked buying,” he says. regular publishing, printing with publishers, and a publishing house before. “While the Explaining the money module, Purohit explains in the costs have increased, and traditional route does give you certain advantages, in today’s traditional publishing model, the author gets 10 per cent of the presses are not working time, self-publishing as a concept is growing, and other than MRP, in the best case scenario. In self-publishing, his return is not at 100 per cent capacity. smaller authors like ourselves, some big authors have also 10 per cent, it would be upwards of 10. It could be between 20 Obviously, these things taken this route,” he adds. and 25, depending on the price. “Commercially, too, a publisher won’t last forever, but I don’t Grover says that the first reason behind affiliation with a would pay the author royalties on a yearly or half-yearly basis. In know if people would be publishing house is, like Amish also pointed, the distribution self-publishing setups, the credit period is between 30-45 days. willing to wait for 20 months and selling. But it’s very difficult for new authors to be heard by So it's not only more money, it's also timely payments,” he says. to get their books,” he adds. And as a literary agent, how has his role evolved in “Traditional publishing houses have to look at books from a Kanishka Gupta, a very prominent name in the agenting the process? Literary agents space. Gupta, an author, literary agent, and consultant, is the are doing a lot, he tells commercial viewpoint, whether the book will sell or not, because founder of Writer’s Side, a very large and popular literary me. “I do B2B, if someone agency and consultancy. Gupta recalls how traditional is looking for a publisher they are the ones investing in the book. With self-publishing publishing was when he started out, and the bureaucracy or collaboration, then I involved. “Back in 2002 or 2003, there was no culture of step in. Now because of this platforms, since the author is investing, we can look at the quality” sending out mails. We had to send a hardbound manuscript, explosion of OTT and interest — Manish Purohit, co-founder of Authors Upfront and they were returned back to you by courier. First time in audio and ebooks, we are writers hardly ever got a chance. Publishing was an exclusive in a position to sell audio world, where nobody had access. At that time, I was a terrible rights. The biggest money writer, I wasn’t even a good editor. I just kind of slowly generator is OTT. Suddenly, publishing houses. “The amount of effort that goes into getting Shalini adds, “Taking a book through a publishing process worked my way towards setting up this thing, and in 2008 I everyone in Bollywood is your first book out, small authors sometimes don’t have the is long and expensive. At the end of the day, everyone is doing became an agent without really knowing agenting,” he says. interested in books. And that bandwidth,” he adds. a business. Sometimes, traditional publishing will pick a more There were fewer publishing houses when Gupta money is five times more There are more such self-publishing platforms, namely, money-yielding manuscript, and might ignore another good started, but eventually, more of them, like Bloomsbury, than usual,” he says. there’s one called Buuks, and another called Zorba. Shalini manuscript. This way is for those who don’t want to keep waiting Simon & Schuster etc. came in. “I like to think people Sharma details why Gupta set up Zorba eight years back. Zorba has packages with for their book to see the light of the day.” like me have democratised publishing. If it’s a good self- publishing is growing (he doesn’t deny it is). “The self- different price points, so that authors can decide what suits Foreseeing the future of self-publishing in India, Shalini says book, it reaches the publisher, and they make you an publishing business is growing because there are only a few them. “Our costs range from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 90,000, so it’s that the self-publishing industry is set to grow, even if you take offer,” he says. well-respected traditional publishing companies, and they quite a range, and you’re paying for people’s skills,” she informs. the pandemic out of the picture. “In a smaller way, it gives people Gupta has been around for almost 11 years, and find it difficult to go through every proposal. Some publishing Manish Purohit is the co-founder of Authors Upfront, a self- choice and creative freedom, and people want that,” she affirms. remembers how self-publishing became even more companies also follow a hybrid model where a manuscript publishing platform. With both him and co-founder Arpita Das Now, for some insight by traditional publishing. Yogesh prominent when Amish was rejected by everyone. “Even is considered good, but not seen as a good fit in the overall coming from decades of experience in traditional publishing, Sharma, Senior VP Sales and Marketing, Bloomsbury India, Ashwin Sanghi, who went on to become a huge success scheme of things. The author is then given the option of buying the idea was to bring quality to self-publishing. “We are not explains the key difference between the two forms. “The story, was rejected at first. There were international back copies for a fee, which covers cost of publishing services,” a CreateSpace, we believe that while everyone can publish, traditional model is about finding the best content to publish success stories as well, like the Fifty Shades of Grey writer he informs. you need a certain level of intervention in the form of editorial and partnering with the author to do whatever is necessary to E.L James. That has given people confidence,” he says. Grover sees more opportunity in self-publishing in the future. quality or marketing and design support. The process is — realise the true market potential of a book or manuscript. In the However, he adds, even in mainstream publishing “If you look at publishing as an industry or look at the market people write to us, and we look at the manuscript, to decide if self-publishing model, you are on your own, even if the content or houses, there’s a separate section of self-publishing, from an author’s perspective, it has changed drastically. The we can work with the author,” he explains. writing is of high quality. The services or efforts, which are a given called customised publishing, where they will take money digital world has evolved, and it has made the process of So what makes a self-publishing platform different from a at traditional publishing companies, are charged for at every step and publish your book under their imprint. “Also, unless becoming an author much easier. There will be more evolution traditional publishing house? “Traditional publishing houses of the way, even though the company or people you work with you’re on a platform as good as Manish Purohit’s Authors on this front,” he adds. have to look at it from a commercial viewpoint, whether the may not necessarily be domain experts,” he explains. Upfront, going with an MNC’s customised publishing is a So go home, write that book, and be the author your book will sell or not, because they are the ones investing in the One cannot talk about publishing without talking about safer bet. Purohit and such publishers do quality checks, Instagram bio says you are.

90 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMER 2020 • MW 91 When Anveshi Jain, one of India's most Googled people, is informed that her net worth is around Rs 4-5 crores, there's a pause, followed by a delighted laugh, and a "fuck, really?" In 2019, Jain had about Rs 70,000 in her bank account and two years before that, when she'd run away from her hometown of Khajuraho to come to Mumbai, she had THE Rs 4,800 to her name. What changed in one year? Her starring role in ALTBalaji's hit series, Gandii Baat 2. Jain states that despite having faced rejections, she was finalised for the second season of Gandii Baat because of her audition, and "of course, the body type they were looking for." "When I was finalised, they told me if I knew DESI that what I had signed up for had bold content. I asked them what bold content meant, according to them. They asked me to check out the first season and when I did, I was shocked. This is what I had signed up for? Shit. But then I thought, I have to take a chance, and make the best of it," she says. BOOM Jain featured in Bai-sexual, which also stars actress Flora Saini. The two have a love affair in the episode, which is shown in complete gritty detail — there's no soft lighting, mood music, or Gustav Machaty-esque thrill of intimacy involved. OF Mohite, the brain behind the series, says that

EROTICAthis was a conscious decision, not just in this episode, but throughout the five seasons. From a popular platform like "We've seen erotica before, but woh erotica humne sheher ALTBalaji to some ke dekhe hai. You have a swimming pool, bikini-clad women, well-known yet well-hidden a champagne bottle, and muscular men. Nobody had seen erotica of real India. So, I thought why not make something platforms, India’s desi erotica for Bharat, instead of India," he says. Mohite states that taboo market is brimming with topics like homosexuality, and a woman wanting bigger actors, creators, and those breasts, are always thought to be an issue for those living in India's cosmopolitan cities. His aim, through Gandii Baat, has who want to normalise bold been to show that these are issues that those living in rural content, as well as an India also face. audience that’s finally waking "There's no compromising on the reality of it. Having said that, I don't believe in nudity, I believe in titillation. The up, and taking notice of what difference between Gandii Baat and the apps that have the land of Kama Sutra can cropped up that follow this format, is that you will never find bring on screen somebody naked in our show," he adds. Rithvik Dhanjani in AltBalaji’s XXX The apps and VOD services that Mohite is referring to are By Mayukh Majumdar popular, but hidden in the crevices of the internet. There's

92 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 93 “We've seen erotica before, but woh erotica humne sheher ke thing I knew for sure was that I was doing it for ALTBalaji. nudity. But, you never know, there might be an offer I It’s a brand in itself,” he says. So successful was his work can’t refuse,” he adds. dekhe hai. You have a swimming pool, bikini-clad women, a in the show that when he got a call from ALTBalaji again, However, as the desi erotica space on OTT platforms he couldn’t take up the opportunity because he already is growing, actors and those managing them are still not champagne bottle, and muscular men. Nobody had seen erotica of had commitments. completely on board. Nishant Pandey was already an established actor of sorts “We don’t usually recommend an Ullu or a Hotshots real India. So, I thought why not make something for Bharat, instead when he got a call for Ullu’s Kavita Bhabhi. Pandey plays all because right now, the soft porn or the intimacy that of India” — Sachin Mohite, director of Gandii Baat the male characters in the show. you see in these shows is moving upwards, but at some “The director, Faisal Saif, asked me if I was sure about point, that model will die down, and you don’t want it to doing a character that is controversial for an Indian haunt you in the future. Now, ALTBalaji, irrespective of audience, which is still trying to digest what bold content shows like Gandii Baat, still has shows of substance. You A still from Ullu’s The Bull of Dalal Street and erotic cinema is. There are misconceptions about this would do an ALTBalaji to build a relationship with Ekta whole genre. When I was approached, I knew one thing: (Kapoor) for future work opportunities,” says Sanjeevini I’m an actor, I have to do justice to the character even if it Singh, a Mumbai-based talent manager who has worked is the role of a gay husband, which is one of the roles in with Rajkummar Rao and Swara Bhasker. Kavita Bhabhi,” he says. Rohan Mehra recently made his debut with Eros Pandey believes that viewers will still take some time to Now’s critically acclaimed show, Flesh, says that he was digest this genre of desi erotica, but he states that there approached by ALTBalaji, and the first thing the casting is an audience that has grown up with Angelina Jolie’s agent asked him was if he was open to sex scenes. Original Sin, and are open to shows like Kavita Bhabhi. “The ALTBalaji casting agent was upfront with me While they may not say it publicly, Agarwal says that but I have heard tales where the casting agents have he has been approached by some of the biggest names been shady. I know of a female actor who was a part of in the film industry who want to be associated with his a show on one of these platforms, and the makers were platform. Actors like Vivan Bhatena, , Rithvik advertising it on porn sites. She was taken aback but of Dhanjani, Ashmit Patel, and Anupriya Goenka have course, no one did anything about it,” he says. already dipped their feet into the pool. Even Mohite, whose Gandii Baat model first started it “I was aware about the edgy and bold content that Ullu all, is worried about the state of the desi erotica space in does, and that was a major concern for me. Peshawar India. Mohite personally doesn’t allow anyone near the (another Ullu original) is still to be released, so The Bull monitor when he’s shooting intimate scenes, a fact that of Dalal Street turned out to be my OTT debut. The Bull Flora Saini confirms. of Dalal Street does have a few lovemaking scenes, but “I’m a little scared with the kind of apps that are coming they’re not forced. The screenplay justified it, so it wasn’t in. There are people now who make an erotica in 20 days, like it was forced in there to grab eyeballs,” says Patel. and put it on air. I’m scared about the kind of content “When it comes to intimate scenes, I’ve never done any coming up because these will cause issues with censorship nudity. In that sense, I’m still a little bit conservative, and later. Although people are lapping up this kind of content HotShots, Primeflix, Nueflix aka Flizmov, Gup Chup, and are going to be around two more digital platforms under the I was offered a show by a very popular platform a couple now, it is spoiling the main intent that one started with — many more. Unlike apps like ALTBalaji and Ullu, these Ullu banner that will go on air in the next six to eight months. of years ago, but I had to say no as it required frontal to tell stories that are taboo,” he says. apps and websites feature graphic sex scenes and often, From the October 17, we’re also launching Ullu 2.0, which total nudity. will have a premium segment. The valuation of this premium A still from Ullu’s Kavita Bhabhi Anveshi Jain and Flora Saini in a still from Gandii Baat Take Pimp on Primeflix, for example. The series features content is Rs 5 to 10 crore,” says Vibhu Agarwal, CEO and actor Gaurav Bajaj, a TV soap actor, and is about a man who Founder of Ullu. lives a dull life, and then becomes a professional escort for But ask Agarwal what the most popular show on his app is, women. Tanveer Alam, the scriptwriter for the series says, and he laughs and says: “Kavita Bhabhi”. quite confusingly, that the story is “not sexual content, it is Desi-erotica shows on OTT platforms aren’t just beneficial based on sexual content”. for the Ekta Kapoors and Vibhu Agarwals, they also catapult This format is a money-maker, definitely. Launched in the actors starring in them to heights of social media fame. December 2018, Ullu is notorious for its erotic content. During Rahul Jaitly, another Gandii Baat favourite, started out as the first two months of the lockdown, Ullu saw a growth of a theatre artiste in 2013. After roles in Saavdhan India and over 250 per cent. Crime Patrol and in advertisements, he broke into the scene “When the subscriptions increase, so does the revenue. with Gandii Baat Season 2, and Dubey Ji and the Boys on We have shifted our headquarters from Uttar Pradesh, to ALTBalaji and Ullu respectively. Brisbane. We are now coming up with new ventures. There “I had not done any intimate scenes back then, but one

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Ipad forDecember 2019.indd 1 06/03/20 5:39 PM Tracking Time November.indd 97 01/11/20 10:22 PM DE BETHUNE DB28XP HERMÈS SLIM D'HERMÈS GMT STARRY SKY GMT watch with two day/night indicators for home time The ‘microlight’ decoration on the titanium dial, which and travel time on a blue dial, comes in a 39.5mm pink gives the impression of a starry sky, is uniquely a De gold case that is just 9.48mm in thickness. The time, in Bethune innovation. Comes in a 43mm titanium case. a given destination, is adjusted with a dedicated push The manual-winding mechanical movement has a button. The self-winding mechanical movement has a power reserve of 144 hours. power reserve of 42 hours. MEN’S MEN’S

GIRARD-PERREGAUX QUASAR LIGHT The glittering tourbillon of this BVLGARI OCTO FINISSIMO skeletonised watch appears to float S BLUE DIAL inside an invisible case made from The distinctive octagonal watch in 40mm steel a single 46mm sapphire disk. The case with a blue lacquered dial featuring sunburst self-winding mechanical movement finishing. Self-winding mechanical movement has a power reserve of 60 hours. with a power reserve of 60 hours. Limited to 18 pieces.

BOVET 1822 RÉCITAL 27 This triple time zone watch, with an additional moon phase OTHER NOMINEES indicator on a blue guilloche dial, comes

COMPLICATIONS in a 46.3mm titanium Laurent Ferrier Classic Origin Green case. Manual-winding mechanical movement OTHER NOMINEES Petermann Bédat Dead beat second with a seven-day power reserve. Limited VOUTILAINEN 28SC Romain Gauthier Insight Micro-Rotor to 60 pieces. The elegant two-tone dial of this watch is made from silver and engine De Bethune DB28XP Tourbillon turned by hand. Comes in a 38.5mm titanium case. The manual-winding Squelette Manufacture-Only ® mechanical movement has a power reserve of 65 hours. Carbonium Edition Greubel Forsey Hand Made 1 MB&F HM10 Bulldog Ti

98 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 99 IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN PORTUGIESER CHRONOGRAPH SARPANEVA WATCHES LUNATIONS The quarter-second scale on the inner réhaut (inner bezel) HARVEST MOON of this chronograph not only allows precise reading of the The skeletonised watch houses an ultra-precise calibre stop time, but also reminds us of the Portugieser’s origins that mimics the monthly moon phases to the decimal of a as a nautical precision instrument. Comes with a green dial second — 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.3 seconds, in a 41mm steel case. Self-winding mechanical movement and needs no adjustment for 14,000 years. Comes in has a power reserve of 46 hours. a 42mm steel case with a manual-winding mechanical movement, with power reserve of 60 hours. ICONIC

CHOPARD L.U.C PERPETUAL TWIN BREITLING CHRONOMAT B01 42 The perpetual calendar watch comes in a 43mm, 18K rose The distinctive dial with three counters in a 42mm steel gold watch with a ruthenium grey dial, with four case is made from galvanic copper that has been sun- sub-dials and a date indicator. The self-winding mechanical brushed, and features galvanic black counters. Self-winding movement has a power reserve of approximately 65 hours. mechanical movement has a power reserve of 70 hours.

OTHER NOMINEES OTHER NOMINEES VACHERON CONSTANTIN OVERSEAS PERPETUAL Bulgari Aluminium Chronograph PIAGET ALTIPLANO ORIGIN AUTOMATIC CALENDAR ULTRA-THIN Parmigiani Fleurier Hijri Perpetual Calendar The minimalistic, classical-looking watch comes with a white opaline Girard-Perregaux Laureato SKELETON Open-worked perpetual calendar watch IWC Schaffhausen Portugieser Yacht Club dial in a 40mm white gold case. The self-winding mechanical Infinity Edition (42mm) movement has a power reserve of 44 hours. with moon phase, comes in a 50mm pink Moon & Tide Seiko Professional Diver's 1000M gold case. The self-winding ultra-thin skeletonised mechanical movement, Behrens Apolar

CALENDAR AND ASTRONOMY AND ASTRONOMY CALENDAR which is only 4.05mm thick, has a power reserve of 40 hours.

100 NOVEMBER 2020 • MW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 101 TRACKING TIME / THE BRAND Howard Hughes

ULYSSE NARDIN DIVER X CAPE HORN The distinctive dial with three counters in a 42mm steel case, is made from galvanic copper that has been sun-brushed, and features galvanic black counters. Self-winding mechanical Bringing Back movement has a power reserve of 70 hours. A Pioneering Collection The Longines Spirit collection brings a rich heritage back to life, linking history with innovation

From their earliest days in the early part elements drawn from the days of pioneering of the last century, Longines watches have aviation. Reworked and updated, they blend been known for their reliability, accuracy, harmoniously with the overall contemporary robustness, and original technology. It is design. The elegance of the watches are then not surprising that they have adorned complemented by the state-of-the-art self- the wrist of adventurers and explorers, winding movements, L888.4 and L688.4,

DIVER’S DIVER’S all through history. Aviation pioneers like which have power reserves of 64 and 60 Amelia Earhart, Elinor Smith, and Howard hours, respectively. Hughes were all fans of Longines, so was The new Spirit collection is available GRAND SEIKO 9RA5 PROFESSIONAL polar explorer Paul-Émile Victor. in three hand/calendar models (40 mm DIVER'S 600M The Longines Spirit collection brings this and 42 mm), and a chronograph (42 This watch is helium and water resistant to 600 metres, rich heritage back to life. Linking history mm) with matte black, grained silver, and comes in a 46.9mm high-intensity titanium case that is with innovation, the new models take or sunray blue dial. The case is adorned 40 per cent lighter than steel. The spring drive movement traditional features from pilot's watches, and with a steel bracelet, or a leather strap has a power reserve of 120 hours. combine them with contemporary lines and in dark brown, light brown, or blue. codes. The oversized crown, the flange, the The three-hand/calendar watch is also pronounced step around the crystal, the font available in a "Prestige" edition, with three of the dial, the diamond-shaped indexes, interchangeable straps (steel, leather, and and the large, luminous ‘baton’ hands are all NATO in brown leather).

OTHER NOMINEES

DOXA SUB 300 CARBON Breitling Superocean Automatic AQUA LUNG US DIVERS 48 Boutique Edition This watch is water resistant up to 300 metres, and comes in a pressure-resistant 42.5mm Ming 18.01 H41 titanium case with a screw-down crown. The Reservoir Hydrosphere Bronze x scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is treated with an antireflective coating. The automatic Revolution “The Maldives Edition” movement ensures a power reserve of 38 hours.

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Tracking Time November.indd 102 01/11/20 10:27 PM Watch Longines.indd 1 01/11/20 11:15 PM THE BRAND TRACKING TIME

Patek Philippe 1526, Cunningham Montanari, 62, began collecting watches over four decades ago, and pursued his World’s passion as a student in the United States. Over time, as his collection, which includes Cartiers, especially those made in London, Rolex, pocket watches, vintage digital watches and even watch catalogues, grew, Most and he became a kind of mythical figure in

Pages from Time To Wear the watchmaking community. Montanari, who zealously guards his privacy — hence the pseudonym John Goldberger — Important became known to the wider world when he put his vintage Rolex — the only white gold Daytona known to exist — for sale at an auction in 2018. The watch sold for $6million, and Montanari donated the Watch important watch collector”. That is, of proceeds to a children’s charity. course, a good reason for him to be on Among his most prized possessions is the pages of this magazine, but there is a a book on watches commissioned by the topical reason as well. American banker JP Morgan. “JP Morgan Collector Montanari, who writes under the pen was one of the biggest watch collectors of name John Goldberger, is also an author his time, and he had several hand-coloured Auro Montanari, who of — among others — 100 Superlative timepieces that were made between 1600 Rolex Watches, Patek Philippe Steel to 1800. He published his ‘Catalogue of zealously guards his privacy, Watches, Longines Legendary Watches, the Collection of Watches’ as a gift to his gained global renown in and A Journey into the Deep, which is close friends and fellow watch aficionados, 2018 when his vintage focused on Rolex dive watches. His latest and I was lucky enough to snap it up at an Rolex — the only white gold book, released in June this year, is on the auction,” says Montanari. Daytona known to exist — relationship between time and speed, or Each time he travels, Montanari takes sold for $6 million watchmakers and racers. Time to Race, time out to spend time at watch shops co-authored with Italian motorsport and flea markets, and keeps in touch By Rahul Wadhwa journalist Cesare Maria Mannucci, takes with auction houses. His golden rules of a fond look at some great racing drivers collecting include keeping it simple and fun, Auro Montanari is clear about what he and car lovers, and of the timepieces they and “buying the seller, not the watch”. thinks of contemporary watchmaking. “I wore before sponsorship arrived big time Montanari may not think much of the do not see any great innovations in the into motorsport. The men who populate manufactures of today, but what about panorama of modern watches. We are in the book include F1 world champions and the ones who are independent? “Philippe the third millennia, and the Swiss brands legendary motorsport figures such as Jim Dufour and Roger Smith have often held still take inspiration from the past,” he Clark, Stirling Moss, Carroll Shelby, and my attention. They do some exciting work,” says. And then, he adds: “In the 1950s, for Ayrton Senna as well as tycoons such as he says. He also feels that Seiko has been example, Omega and Rolex introduced the the American industrialist and racer doing sterling work for ages. “As a brand, it ‘Tool’ watches. These were very innovative Briggs Cunningham. is undervalued.” timepieces for that period, without any “Cesare Maria Mannucci wrote about Montanari is also a stylish man, and influences from the 1920s or the 1930s.” the car manufacturers, tracks, and so, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the But, hold on a second. Who is this racers, while I focused on the watches,” next book he is working on with Italian gentleman, and why are you being says the Bologna-based electronics designer Alessandro Squarzi will have both subjected to his views? Auro Montanari is and telecommunications entrepreneur. vintage clothes and vintage watches. “I met not your usual Panerai/Rolex/AP-sporting Among the watches, and watch lovers that Alessandro Squarzi a few years ago, and I braggart with provocative views, mostly Montanari’s research unearthed include discovered we shared the same passions: borrowed, on horology. Count Carlo Felice Trossi, the first president vintage watches and vintage clothes. He According to the Foundation de la Haute of Scuderia Ferrari and a two-time Grand has amassed a great collection of very Horlogerie that promotes watchmaking Prix winner who was often seen on the interesting watches, and these include around the world, Montanari “is a true track sporting a custom-made, over- different models of Omega Speedmaster, horological scholar and serious collector sized Patek Philippe chronograph, and Seamaster, military timepieces, Patek of the highest order, synonymous with Briggs Cunningham and his Patek Philippe Philippe Nautilus, and Rolex Sport watches. expertise, quality, discretion, and taste”, Perpetual Calendar Moon Phase (ref 1526) In Time to Wear, I will juxtapose his and a respected US-based luxury magazine and a chronograph with a black dial collection with his work — vintage denim once described him as “the world’s most (ref 1463). and military-inspired clothing.”

104 NOVEMBERNOVEMBER 20202020 •• MWMW NOVEMBER 2020 • MW 105 BOOKEND / THE SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE What Neena Gupta’s Instagram say about her

Gupta's feed is also a goldmine for those who love vintage photographs from the Neena Gupta and good, old days of the her fashion designer- film and TV industry cum-newly-fledged- actress-daughter, Masaba Gupta, share a close bond, and that is all over Gupta’s feed

The actress is also a huge fan of nature, especially the hills

She is a fantastic actress, everyone knows that. However, she's also quite a style icon, and can give Gen Z a run for their money

Gupta loves dogs — after all, all the best ones do

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