FOR THE MAN IN FULL | www.mansworldindia.com AUGUST 2020 | K 150 / ISSUE 246 / AUGUST 2020 / AUGUST 246 AT / ISSUE 90 • SATHYU SUPERCARS • JAPANESE APTE RADHIKA

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MW Radhika Apte August 2020 Cover R1.indd All Pages 03/08/20 6:01 PM

Executive Editor’s Note

AUGUST 2020

Publisher & Editor N RADHAKRISHNAN

Executive Publisher MINAL SURVE

Executive Editor ARNESH GHOSE

Associate Editor RAJU BIST OF FRIENDSHIPS, Assistant Editor SAMREEN TUNGEKAR

Fashion Editor NEELANGANA VASUDEVA FINDING YOUR SQUAD, AND THAT Art Director TANVI SHAH Associate Art Director HEMALI LIMBACHIYA 4 AM PHONE CALL Assistant Art Director NANDKISHOR SAWANT Graphic Designers GAUTAMI DAVE, SANJANA SUVARNA Senior Digital Manager JAYESH V. SALVI Production Manager MANGESH SALVI Idiots (that’s what F.R.I.E.N.D.S. should actually have been titled) never befriend anyone beyond the circle. And because of shows like that, as well mansworldindia.com as pop culture, we believe we are supposed to do the same — form a gang early on and stick with it, warts and all. Sometimes, does it get unhealthy? ARNESH GHOSE Web Editor Sure. But would we rather stay put than go out into the wild to make new Sta‡ Writers MAYUKH MAJUMDAR, SANIKA ACHREKAR, RAJEEV MATHEW friends in our mid-thirties? Hell yeah. The lucky ones find their “gangs” and “squads”. From Dil Chahta Hai Consulting Editor PABLO CHATERJI to Taylor Swift, your squad will always have your back. They will be the tightest of friends, and if scorned, unfortunately, the most relentless Contributing Editors MAITHILI RAO, SOLEIL NATHWANI, foes. Finding your squad is a blessing — some of us forge bonds in our MAGANDEEP SINGH emember “Man is a social animal”? It used to be childhoods that last a lifetime, while others might find new people in everybody’s favourite opener for essays in school. di”erent stages in our lives who become our support systems. They say, Man is a social animal. While the adage opened “I’ve got your back”, and you make a Trust Fall. MANOJ SHARMA General Manager, Sales & Marketing discussions on companionship, equations, and our While we might di”erentiate our circles as personal and social (media), ([email protected]), NEW DELHI roles in society, today, I'd update it to “Man is a social it might just be an update on the “fair weather friend” construct of the media animal”. All of us have two social setups these previous generation. Our socials are all about what’s great in our lives. I'd TULSI BAVISHI General Manager, Sales & Marketing days. The personal, and the social. The social setup is say, hold on to the ones you demolish wa–es with, at midnight, in your ([email protected]), MUMBAI the one we portray on social media, the network we boxer shorts, cribbing about your job. Or put face masks with on weekends Deputy General Manager-Sales & Marketing NOHA QADRI Rinvest in online, the “friends” we follow, DM, comment on, and fight trolls while binge watching crappy films. Or video call for hours, trying to ([email protected]), MUMBAI with. These are like-minded people we might be genuinely invested in, but navigate the pangs of growing up and losing track. As for me, I determine might have never physically interacted with. I remember a certain someone my closeness with someone depending on if they are allowed to watch Assistant Manager - Sales & Marketing SAGRIKA SANJAY walking up to me at a highway dhaba while I was on a road trip with a me get tattooed. If you allow people to experience you when you are ([email protected]), NEW DELHI friend — “Hey, you're Arnesh, right? I know you from Facebook. We're vulnerable, in pain, hurting, and aren’t looking pretty at all (all this holds friends.” I smiled. Friends. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Friends on Facebook. That word true for getting tattooed too, by the way), you've found yourself a squad, a has gone through such an update. shoulder, a pillow for your Trust Fall. They are the ones you have on speed Sr. Circulation Exc. (MIS & Opr) SANTOSH P. GAJINKAR In school, we used to make our individual hierarchy of friendships. dial, the ones your significant others have to impress and win approval of, (+91 99695 71319) Batchmates – Lab buddies – Friends – Good friends – Close friends – Best and the ones you can uninhibitedly call any time (even in the middle of friend(s). It used to help us navigate our equations in our then social circle. the night), because you want to. Pro tip: If you've got people in your life, Accountant PRADEEP ACHAREKAR Primarily, it used to be about relaying information. How much about yourself whom you don’t have to apologise to for ruining their sleep, you've got you share with a certain person determined that person’s proximity to your preciouses. Hold on to them like Gollum. RAJEEV POOJARY Oˆce Manager you. Today, we eagerly share intimate details online, so, honestly, what do Oˆce Assistant VAIBHAV MORE we hold back for those who form the physical, personal circle? Many of us, unfortunately, might not even have one. Childhood and college friends recede often as we grow up, and after a certain age, “making friends” is cringe worthy. We might come across many people we like and admire, MW.Com (India) Pvt. Ltd but are we able to necessarily pick up the phone and text them “Hey, wanna hang out and grab a beer this weekend?” Men, especially, are quite EDITORIAL & MARKETING OFFICE: 401, 4th Floor, Todi Building, Mathuradas Mills Compound, ill-equipped at doing this. And I don’t blame anybody. Our wiring, social Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013., Tel:67487777 construct, and TV shows have instilled a basic understanding of friendship NEW DELHI: 1104, Prakash Deep Building, 7 Tolstoy Marg New Delhi - 110001, Tel:011- 43503672, 23356071, 23356072 BANGALORE: Santhome-33/01, Ist stage, Ist Cross, Indira Nagar, Bangalore-560 038 — one that is old. Everything else is networking. Hence, the Six White Horny — Arnesh Ghose

Contact for editorial: [email protected] Circulation: [email protected]

Printed and Published by N Radhakrishnan on behalf of MW.Com India Private Limited. Printed at Spenta Multimedia, Peninsula Spenta, Mathuradas Mill Compound, N.M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. Published at MW.Com India Private Limited, 401, 4th Floor, Todi Building, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. Editor: N Radhakrishnan. All rights reserved worldwide. Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a postage pre-paid envelope. AUGUST 2020 • MW 5 NEWS-STAND PRICE ` 150 INTERNATIONAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES US $ 115 (1 year); US $ 220 (2 years); US $ 325 (3 years); US $ 525 (5 years)

FUJIFILM.indd 1 03/08/20 6:06 PM MW Executive Editor’s Note.indd 12 03/08/20 9:24 AM Contents AUGUST 2020 Contributors

SEEMA ANAND In this issue: Tall, dark, 64 handsome (Pg 38) COVER STORY Describe yourself in one word: Optimistic What’s your life’s theme song? Radhika Apte: “There may be trouble ahead but while there’s music and Streaming Queen moonlight and love and romance, From feature films, web releases, international let’s face the music and dance....” projects, to writing and directing short films, If you were a man for the whole Radhika Apte has constantly proven that day, what would you do? she is outrageously talented, bankable, and Revel in all my “unwanted” hair definitely one of India’s most prominent international celebrities BY ARNESH GHOSE

FEATURES MAGANDEEP SINGH 56 Current Cinema: In this issue: Six Best Performing Sathyu at 90 By Earbuds (Pg 18) Maithili Rao Describe yourself in one word: 60 Friendship Day Alright Special: Better call What’s your life’s theme song? your bud Creep by Radiohead or Semi- Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind If you could shop for free at one store, which one would you choose? I’m free shopping for the moment at FOB a Dior x Air Jordan pop-up 09 Radar 12 Digital collage artists 14 The Interview: Anvita Dutt 16 The A-List 18 Six best performing earbuds 20 Zoom call weddings 23 Apps for millionaires 24 Sustainable architecture 26 Podcasts for a ASHWIN RAJAGOPALAN good sleep In this issue: The A-List (Pg 16) 28 Community history Describe yourself in one word: projects Unru ed 30 Japanese supercars What’s your life’s theme song? Here Comes The Sun What gadget trend do you wish to bring back in 2020? It would be great to see the TALK return of industrial design, like 36 Not thirsting for the the iPhone 5S thirties By Arnesh Ghose 38 Tall, dark, handsome PRABHAT SHETTY By Seema Anand 40 Hair way to heaven By Pritika Mathur

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CONTENT.indd 10 03/08/20 3:05 PM Contributors.indd 6 03/08/20 4:36 PM Contents AUGUST 2020

RADARWHO & WHAT YOU SHOULD BE CHECKING OUT THIS MONTH

Curated by Arnesh Ghose 50 TECH INFUSED The boldness of tech meets urban fashion. From business Actor meetings to after work scenes, TRIPTI DIMRI the newly launched OPPO Reno4 Let's face it: the only thing that was Pro and OPPO Watch (46mm) will bewitching about Bulbbul was Tripti Dimri's exceptionally nuanced and empower premium lifestyle layered performance. The young actress, earlier seen (maybe not by a lot of people) as the lead in Laila Majnu, delivered a performance in the Anvita Dutt film that is far beyond her age. As the elusive badi bahu, she shows the journey of an innocent, wide-eyed village lass, who is forced to transform into a mysterious and effervescent queen with dark secrets, flexing her acting STYLE chops with elan. Here's looking 42 Fashion news forward to her future projects, and 44 The minimalist of hoping she knocks them out Indian fashion: of the park too. Rajesh Pratap Singh 46 Handloom fabrics of India 49 Sartorial Man: Tie-dye makes a comeback 54 How to build a sustainable wardrobe

WATCHES 76 Tracking Time: Blue watches 79 The Interview: Jaeger- LeCoultre’s CEO Catherine Rénier 80 Breitling Chronomat collection 81 Rado’s ‘Feel it’ collection

Jacket by Perona; shirt by Zodiac; Smartwatch: OPPO Watch (46 mm) ON THE COVER Photographer: Prabhat Shetty Hair and make-up: Kritika Gill

ROHIT GUPTA Styling: Ayesha Das Gupta

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CONTENT.indd 20 03/08/20 5:13 PM On the Radar.indd 27 03/08/20 7:44 AM RADAR RADAR

Art IDENTITY AND INTIMACY Exploring gender, queer, personal identity, and various equations of intimacy through art is possibly the best reason to be on Instagram. It is always so heartening to see young women from around the world empowered enough to translate their life experiences with their art. The global lockdown has obviously added new layers and perspectives to their art, leading to new understandings and newer ways to make, or break, existing rules imposed by society. An adorably kitschy voice on Instagram is @hafandhaf. Inspired by all things desi, Bollywood, and truck art, she talks about love, life, and pop culture through her simple but graphic artwork. Female identity, body positivity, sexuality, and wholesome intimacy — that's everything @prashantiaswani celebrates. A powerfully candid voice, her artwork is heavily pen- and-ink, reflects contemporary styles, Photography and discusses extremely relevant issues. Artist Mrinalini's @thepalettestory.co is SOURAV DAS all about celebrating and loving everyone Always on the lookout for interesting portraiture, irrespective of shape, size, gender, and Sourav Das's photography is part-hypnotic, part- orientation. Her vibe is desi and fun, macabre. He is fascinated with dark tones, creating frank and unabashed, and is definitely a visuals with a mysterious richness and depth that reflection of how youngsters these days elevate even the simplest of photographs, making view the world — without borders. Here's them seem much more than they are. Every to more such voices, more freedom, to photograph seethes with heat, passion, and desire always saying it like it is, and celebrating — often unfulfilled, sometimes unrequited. Is Das the female perspective. able to capture a tiny fragment of every subject he photographs, immortalising a sliver of their inner demons forever? Maybe. But is he also able to incite curiosity, make you want to delve into their stories and nightmares? Definitely.

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Keeping It Together TABREZ In the last few months, Tabrez Alam’s artworks don’t clearly fall under digital collage art has RAHUL V MATHEW the boundaries of digital collages or aren’t as grown to become a popular Rahul V Mathew was one of the first digital complex as others, but are still a beautiful form trend for digital artists collagists who rose to fame for his classic, Indian of expression. He blends movie stills with classic painting collages last year. Since then, Mathew has paintings, which has helped him garner an around the world. Indian evolved his artistic portfolio, with more unique impressive social media following, and his own artists caught up to the collages, as well as album and magazine covers. group of admirers. “It has been a year since I started experimenting “My approach to these artworks is based on how trend as well, and our feeds with digital collages as a technique to create art. I a movie made me feel, and what emotion a frame were showered with some find it very liberating, as it helps me communicate evokes. I then try to find a suitable painting with a brilliant digital collages. bizarre issues that are information-heavy. I enjoy similar colour palette, while still having the same the process of evolving a design. I believe that is objects in the painting that the scene originally We speak to the cream of where the learning starts, and the process that had. I think that ties it all together well, with a little the digital crop about their you follow can help in creating multiple ideas sense of reality while you splash the piece with and outputs, further helping you branch out your your interpretation,” says Alam. artworks and style thought process,” he says. Instagram: @tabrezthethird By Rajeev Mathew Instagram: @rahul_v_mathew

SEHER KHAN Seher Khan was born and raised in Oman, but came to Mumbai when she was 20. She’s a stylist, and her art is heavily influenced by fashion. Her style can be termed as synchronised chaos, as various elements are spread across the canvas, with a human element tying them all together beautifully. “I believe I possess a good sense of colour and composition, which are both crucial for collaging. I THE BIGEYED COLLAGIST remember buying my first iPad, YASH SHETTY which marked the beginning of Sarah Kaushik aka The Bigeyed Collagist's Yash Shetty's visual catalogue is diverse, everything. I slowly started collaging artworks always merge two themes that and the artist likes to keep changing his digitally, and people started to juxtapose each other. Kaushik's classifies her style. His artistic range goes from macabre notice. With the support, I was process as an “automated process”, where the and dystopian to warm and summery. “My motivated, and I deep dived into it contrasting images invite the thought and visual artwork is about creating a sense of peace straight away.” to find each other. and visual harmony. When creating a piece, Instagram: @seherkhanart “I extensively use vintage imagery from India I don’t approach it thinking of a particular PINKOBLUE and beyond, to create scenarios of the current subject in mind. I discover the direction I’m Pinkoblue aka Dipanshu Singhall times. These unexpected compositions address taking while piecing the artwork together. had always been inclined towards the boundaries between various social, political, And I strongly believe that art is never done. art, but a push from his parents and cultural stigmas concerning our society, It can always be bettered,” explains Shetty. and his college professor Shubha eventually hoping to achieve a tolerance for the Instagram: @iamshettyyy Srivastava, helped him get his complexity and diversity,” says Kaushik. foot in the door. Singhall's art Instagram: @thebigeyed_collagist heavily takes inspiration from India’s culture and mythologies, paired with vibrant colours and intricate symbolism. “I believe I am a very colourful person, and that is also one thing that I want to reflect in the collages I make. That’s why I use vibrant colours. Things that inspire me the most are the universe and flora, which are also a huge part of my collages,” he describes. Instagram: @pinkoblue

12 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 13 theinterview decade back, and I had always intended to direct. But it took some time. However, Q&A when I look back, it appears as if all of it just happened overnight. Karnesh was on WITH board as a producer literally in the same ANVITA DUTT week that I wrote the film. Though he was not a producer back in the day. So, for me, Writer-director Anvita everything just fell into place. Dutt believes in rewriting together. When a terrible thing happens to You come across as a person who feels life is Bulbbul, the moon is eclipsed as a shadow fairytales, ones that can be filled with magic. What is the reason behind falls on it, turning it into the blood moon. happy, or sad, but won’t need this positivity? Obviously, it is visually exaggerated, but a man to rescue the princess Yes, I believe life is magical. Even the the colour red plays an integral part in practical, rational, day-to-day life is filled conveying the metaphors in the story. By Jigar Shah with wonder and magic. What is there not to love? But, I do not believe in fairytales. Some Your protagonist is shown to stand up for things in life are cruel and hard, but that does herself and fight her own battles despite all Ever since Bulbbul released, writer-director not make it any less magical. the patriarchy and misogyny. Anvita Dutt is living on Zoom calls, albeit Yes, because she does not need a saviour. happily. A poster of Bimal Roy’s Bandini, I felt Bulbbul was more about the horrific I do not believe in the kind of fairytales I am not working on any of my films and antique wooden furniture, and her crisp realities of life, and not a horror film. How where a prince comes on a white horse to if there is a fun project with my friends sarees are three constants during her Zoom much of it was organic, and how much of it rescue the princess. No matter how spunky on her face. Similarly, in the scene with or if someone I know wants me to write calls. According to Dutt, every script she was by design? the princess is, she always seems to be a Mahendra, I do not show his face lusting dialogues, I would be game. But, yes, I am writes, has a supernatural element to it. Yes, it is about the horrific realities of life. The damsel in distress that needs saving. I firmly after her. I stayed with Bulbbul, her pain, a film director now. Though the world is itching to step out and strange thing about writing, in general, is believe that we all are capable and should be her fight, her fear and her feet. If you watch meet people, she is happy being home. And that it is a craft, and a lot of hard work goes responsible for our actions. We need to be closely, you will realise there is no skin show. As a director, will you tell another lyricist when asked about the story of Bulbbul, Dutt into it. It’s literally labour. Though, in the our own saviours. Yet, you get the feeling that it is graphic. All writing for your film, what to write? is quick to point out that the film has a lot beginning, when you conceive the story, it is I am doing is showing the pain of the victim. No, no, no. My HODs and partners will more context than what is visible on screen. magic, which is neither craft nor engineering The physical and sexual abuse that People usually shy away from watching agree that I never tell anyone what to do. She says that some fairytales may be happy, of any sort. One cannot engineer a story. takes place in the film is very graphic. pain. The intention was to make the Everyone knows their job and how to do and some may be scary, but you need to The story will come to you, and it will take Was it your intention to make the audience feel her pain and her helplessness. it. In fact, I have promised Kausar Munir, stand up for yourself, and fight your own shape. You can engineer a script, but not a audience recoil? Amitabh Bhattacharya, Varun Grover, and battles. No one else is going to fight them story. The story of this film came to me with When you are showing a violent sequence Two people whose performances Swanand Kirkire that each one of them for you. various images and moments. I just sat down of a particular kind, you have the choice of completely stood out were Tripti Dimri will write a song in my film. I will have all to write it. showing it in various ways. You can choose (Bulbbul) and Parambrata Chatterjee (Dr their names in the credits of the film. It How are you taking all the praise coming Then came the hard part of turning it into the gory way, or else you can show it from Sudip). How was it working with them? will be so much fun. We are all friends, your way? a script. I rolled up my sleeves, made sense a distance. One of the best examples was Dimri is a revelation. She is an incredibly and I can never tell them what to do. We The first feeling is that of relief. The second of the images and moments, so that it could in the film Mom, directed by Ravi Udyawar. talented actor, and the best part is that she even have a WhatsApp group wherein if is that of gratitude. Despite being a first-time be made into a script. A lot of craftsmanship While the heinous act is taking place in is humble. She works really hard on her we ever get stuck on a song, we put it out director, many people have put their faith goes into it. The fact that the film has so the back of a car, all he shows is the car craft, and yet manages to give an e„ortless there and help each other out. So every in me, from Anushka and Karnesh Sharma, much of subtext is proof that it was not being driven, while the camera is far away. performance. By the way, her first take is song that we write, each one of us has to the actors, to my department. They engineered. It just happened. It is one of the most horrific scenes I have usually an OK take. We sometimes took a "The strange suggested some word or some phrase had immense belief in my script, and my They always say write what about you ever witnessed. So, you can communicate second take because of continuity or if there thing about that only we know about. vision. The love that the film is receiving has know. You can write a fairytale, but that has tragedy by not showing the act at all. was any noise in the background. writing is that reassured the makers and the crew that they to be even more real. The emotions have In my film, I needed to show it, because Chatterjee was pitch-perfect from the it is a craft, The current debate in the industry is bet on the right horse. to be so real that it will make you believe it was a revelation. Because the film is not moment he came on board. He agreed to and a lot of about the misuse of power, and nepotism. You started o‰ as a lyricist first, so was in the fairy tale. You cannot work on a a whodunit but howdunit. This incident is be a part of it because of the equation he hard work goes What is your take on it? Was it always supposed to be a Netflix it tougher to get a break as a lyricist, or story thinking it will be fantastical, and also the character-defining scene for Bulbbul. shares with Clean Slate Filmz, and me. I The power struggle is everywhere. It release? Did you ever think about the as a director? feminist. You just write the story. I needed to show the tragedy, but I also am just glad I was able to pay it back. He into it. You happens in kindergarten, at a construction theatrical release? Honestly, the credit of me being a writer/ needed to highlight the actions of the got the nuance of the renaissance man so can engineer a site, and every other place of work. It is Bulbbul was always supposed to be a Netflix lyricist goes to Aditya Chopra. He was the The film has a bold red colour palette, from men to set up the said tragedy. Like in the beautifully. He is gentle, intelligent, very script, but not human nature to struggle for power. Original, so the theatrical release never one who announced to me: You are a lyricist. its background to its costumes. What did beating scene, Indraneil lifts the fire-poker, bright and very amused at how people can a story. The Personally, I have not faced it, because came into consideration. It is a dream for You are just not aware. You are a writer you want the colour red to signify? and strikes it. All you see is blood dripping be so stupid. He was the Raja Ram Mohan story of this then I would not be where I am today. I any director to have their film release in the (laughs). I had written some dummy lyrics In terms of colour therapy, the colour red from the fire-poker. After that, we see Roy in Bulbbul. film came to me would not have written more than 100 theatres, but the Friday Fear of the box ošce for him, and his response was: “Yeh dummy stands for anger, blood, and power. In the Bulbbul wincing in pain. Her confusion and with various songs. We get work based on the success is also legit. We did not have the pressure of lyrics nahin hai. Ye toh actual lyrics hain.” Indian context, red not only represents her horror are up close for the audience Now that you have are a film director, will or failure of our last released song. If we the box ošce, but we did have the pressure That’s how I became a lyricist. It was like marriage, but also divinity. We o„er red to feel. I did not voyeuristically go into the you no longer write songs for other films? images and write a good song, we get more work, and of the audience liking the film. But, with some fairytale. Just magical. flowers to gods, we apply red teeka on the beating, but you can feel the aftermath of I am totally a director, but I love writing moments. I just vice versa. This is how it is, with writers. all the praises coming our way, the team is The journey to becoming a director forehead. So, red signifies power. To me, the act. It is a very graphic scene; the only songs. So, for my music directors, producers sat down to You are cast for your talent and merit, not happy that their hard work paid o„. was long and hard. I wrote Bulbbul a it is the colour that brings all these things di„erence is I have focused on the pain and directors, I will always be a lyricist. If write it" on your gender or on who your father is.

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The A-List Your monthly ‘how to spend it’ MARATHON MAN guide for all the cool new gadgets If battery life is your thing, the Samsung Galaxy M21 won’t disappoint. The 6000 By Ashwin Rajagopalan mAh battery should have you covered for two days. Samsung sweetens the deal with a 15W fast charger that powers up SIZE DOESN’T MATTER the device in quick time. But this one’s The next gen true wireless Bluetooth more than an energiser bunny. The 6.4- earbuds from Sennheiser are here, and inch FHD+ Infinity U display (2340 x 1080 they make some key improvements. pixels) is quite vibrant, and one of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 better options at this price point. The M31 is ergonomically designed with premium is propelled by the Exynos 9611 processor materials and an elegant metallic and comes in two storage variants — finish, for all-day comfort. These THE G-SHOCK OF SMARTWATCHES 4GB/64GB and 6GB/128. A 48MP primary new earbuds are packed in an Huami’s Amazfit T-REX is probably where a smartwatch meets lens is part of the triple rear cam setup elegant, slim case, and are kitted with a G-shock. This rugged, all-weather smartwatch has passed 12 that includes an 8MP ultra-wide cam, and Sennheiser’s 7mm dynamic drivers. An regulations of military standard (MIL-STD-810) quality tests to a 5MP depth sensor. Rs 12,699 onwards improved Active Noise Cancellation resist extreme environments, and can also withstand extreme feature delivers incredible, high- temperatures. Despite its rugged demeanour, the watch weighs fidelity sound even in noisy under 60 gm (thanks to tough plastic), and doesn’t feel too environments. These heavy on your wrist. The T-REX is packed with 14 sports modes, FLEXI-DRIVE buds ace battery life and offers a host of drill-down data options. It’s backed by a The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive Luxe USB light storage device comes preloaded too — hours of playback solid hardware set-up that includes GPS and GLONASS. The Type-C pen drive for smartphones is with the SanDisk Memory Zone App, time, that can be hardware spec sheet also includes a bold 1.3-inch AMOLED just what you need to move content a powerful content management tool. extended to 28 hours display (360 x 360 pixels) that offers good visibility even under between USB Type-C smartphones, The App sorts content from different with the charging cases. direct sunlight. Rs 9,999 tablets, laptops, and computers, in quick devices, whether it's on the phone, a Rs 24,990 time. This USB 3.1 Gen 1 drive offers a MicroSD card, or on the cloud, in one read speed of up to 150MB/second. It’s view. This pen drive comes in a range of packed in an sleek all-metal body with storage options from 32GB to 1TB. a user-friendly swivel design. The ultra- Up to Rs 13,529

ART ATTACK The Serif from Samsung elevates a TV to a piece of home décor. The Serif is the result of a collaboration between SNUG AND Samsung and the acclaimed Parisian SPORTY design duo, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec. Whether you’re in day-long One moment it’s a piece of art with its Zoom meetings or need a pair own stand, and the next moment it’s a of headphones for a run, the brilliant display, equipped with Quantum Hammer KO Truly Wireless Dot Technology. The Serif, with its earbuds are a convenient option. unique unibody design in the shape of They’re designed for a snug fit, an ‘I’, doesn’t just score with its looks. while the high-sensitivity touch The Active Voice Amplifier function that sensors allow you to control automatically adjusts volume and clarity your music playlist with minimal in real time, is one of the many handy effort. These earbuds come with touches. It’s also one of the only premium Bluetooth V5.0 that ensures TVs that comes built in with NFC (Near faster transmission speeds and Field Communication) for seamless stable connectivity with a range entertainment. And then there’s the of 30 feet. Rs 3,599 clever AI upscaling technology that upscales everything to 4K picture content. Rs 83,900 onwards

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APPLE AIRPODS PRO Most people believe that the only reason you would buy these is because you own an Apple device, and are somewhat married into the universe. But Six Best frankly, this is a worthy top-spot contender even with Android devices. One of the finest active noise cancellation algorithms, awesome call clarity, Performing Earbuds great meaty overall sound with decent base, tiny case, wireless charging and astute ambient sound Whether it is for a Zoom conference, watching Netflix, or listening incorporation (called transparency here), and a to music, these earphones have become almost ubiquitous. With superbly comfortable fit with sweet resistance to so many to choose from, here is our selection of the best six boot. The only two things that let them down is the battery life and the rather steep price, because the By Magandeep Singh 75t will do all that for a much lesser price with a longer battery, and with better sound and bass. Be it the over-the-ear cans or bud-like-plugs, device simultaneously, and switch between Rs 24,900 the classic headphone/earphone conundrum them seamlessly. Battery life also matters a Rating: 7/10 can be represented as an impossible Venn lot, as does audio latency, which is the delay Smile Test: 8/10 diagram comprising three features — battery between a visual you see and the audio life, sound quality, and fit. One can mostly you receive; both these are factors — if not get two out of these three, to overlap. When handled well — can ruin a good evening’s it comes to earphones, that diagram starts worth of online bingeing. Waterproofing looking like three socially distanced circles. is that extra bonus that allows you to have REALME BUDS AIR NEO SAMSUNG GALAXY BUDS (PLUS) And now in the age of Bluetooth, we have one set for both work and workouts, which These are another one of those AirPods clones, but they come at a fraction of The Galaxy Buds were unprecedented, variables like latency and format compatibility is always nifty. Wireless charging, for the the price. The performance, by extension, is similarly somewhat discounted. and Samsung got it so right with to further add to the mix. moment, I can do without, but it’s good if you It’s got decent sound with a balanced profile, great touch controls, good calls their very first attempt. I loved Choosing the perfect earphone then have the feature. handling, and even the sound seal is good. Watching movies was better than everything about them, but it was seems like quite a task. Serious audiophiles Of course, everything is subjective. listening to music, and they were both only in comparison to the two may never entirely agree on what works What sits well in my aural cavity, may not better than the calls. What was worrying above do they feel lesser endowed. best, and most will still eschew the idea of work for you, thereby rendering that set of was that when I tried to sync it with the The touch controls were also a bit wireless headphones entirely, preferring plugs useless. Personally, I resolve this by innate app on a non-Realme device (Pixel troublesome at times, because a double tap would often register superior acoustics to comfort. performing a ‘Smile test’, wherein I plug 3, Samsung S6 Lite), the app didn’t seem as a single tap, so instead of changing the track, it would use pause into Personally, I rate the quality of sound first in the earphones, and then grin wide. If it to connect right with the buds, whereas silence, which can be annoying. No waterproofing was another downer for for range and clarity, although pure pounding displaces them or breaks the seal and leaks on the Realme Narzo 10, it synced much me. The new Buds Plus have debatably better sound because while it does bass is a popular purchase-decision influencer in external sounds, then I rate the fit as not faster, and with complete control options. have a better range and clarity overall, many felt that the sound signature for many. Of late, trying to juggle webinars, ideal. However, if they stay snugly secure, JABRA ELITE ACTIVE 75T That said, the battery is decent, the case was over-refined, and lacks the gritty but real friction that the original set calls, and music in some mad relay of sorts, I that’s two thumbs up. But overall, a low rating Even if these sound a bit low latency, great passive is snug and finished well and if it weren’t provided. The call quality remains sub-par for both sets, sadly. like sets that can connect with more than one here means lack of comfort. pricey, I will suggest you noise isolation with an option for the slightly dated micro-USB charging Rs 10,500 up the ante and go for to allow ambient sounds port, I’d rate them higher. Rating: 7/10 these because among the (called Hear-through), and an Rs 3,100 Smile Test: 9/10 rest here, they are the best app that will tailor the sound Rating: 6/10 value-for-money, high-end based on your personal Smile Test: 7/10 SONY WF-SP800N performers. They can score hearing frequency ranges. I wish Sony would get someone who is not a robot to an easy 9 on 10 for all the The two buds have a name their models because right now, it’s all foreign factors mentioned above physical button on them, AMAZFIT POWERBUDS BEATS BY DRE license plates. But in performance, these beasts are — great sound, thunderous which can be programmed These are an amazing set of buds for the price, and the only ones here to have POWERBEATS PRO unparalleled, at least in their digital noise cancellation, bass (which you can toggle for single, double or triple an HR sensor. The feature set runs more or less similar to the ones above — This high-end set packs some top-end battery life, bass-rich sound, and versatility of use further in the app) in a clicks to perform different small, slightly heavy case but feels premium and solid, tap-functionality on features, and yet they somehow feel a bit (IP55 rated). A special mention of their Quick Attention lightweight and compact functions while listening both buds with app-based customisation, efficient isolation with good solid left behind in their design and aesthetic. feature, which drops volume to dead zero, and allows seat, waterproof form with a to music or with calls, sound, but slightly dull in the mids and highs (tweaking with the app helps), The buds sat just fine, and provided ambient noise in. They pretty much manage to pack in peachy grippy feel, multiple incoming and during. The decent call functionality, and superbly spot-on HR tracking during workouts, a decent sound seal even without all the features of the top-end stuff and if they were a device connectivity, and a click is reassuringly light which can be tracked with the Amazfit app. The app is not the most intuitive, the integrated hooks, which were, in shade less dearer, they’d be a quick pick over many long battery. Oh, I am not yet resounding enough to and doesn’t migrate data to Strava (but it does work with Google Fit) but fact, a constant (and eventually painful) others here. done yet. Small footprint perform the function without outside of that, the metrics it throws up, are reliable and relevant. Overall, in niggle around the back of my ear. The Rs 18,990 case, voice-assistant ready, displacing the buds. I used this price range, if you simply want better sound, charging case is also like a mini briefcase that just Rating: 7/10 automatic ear detection to love the previous model there might be other options, but if you want didn’t feel right after having used niftier ones mentioned above. Call quality Smile Test: 7.5/10 (which pauses the music (65t), but these manage to decent sound plus sports and HR tracking in a is great, and the sound signature is on the neutral side and lacks some bass if you remove even one of raise the bar in every sense premium sweat-proof packaging, (especially given that this is a Beats by Dre product). All in all, for the price, them), wireless charging (in on an already great set. then these are possibly a steal. they offer nothing extra that merits that premium tag. an upgraded model), 4-mics Rs 16,000 Rs 7,000 Rs 21,500 for great call quality, sports- Rating: 9/10 Rating: 7.5/10 Rating: 5/10 suitable (with IP57 rating), Smile Test: 8/10 Smile Test: 8/10 Smile Test: 7/10

18 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 19 FOB / WEDDINGS

our pheras, and sent me a picture. I was sceptical about a virtual wedding initially, but I loved my wedding. We saved a lot of money, which we can use for better purposes. We could hear comments constantly from the Zoom video call and we had a mini Sangeet as well, where people recorded their videos and sent it to us,” he adds. Shreya Shaparia and Dhrumill Shah met for the first time on May 16, 2019. They got engaged in January this year, they decided to get married on May 10 to commemorate the month that had brought them together. However, when

Mumbai-based Akshay Sirsalewala sounds positively giddy when he talks about the money he’s saved. “We had booked The Lalit and The Westin, and both are five-star properties. For our wedding, we would have called over 800 Band, Baaja, people and for our sangeet, we would have called nearly 500 people. Just to give you a ballpark figure, I think we would Buffering have spent around Rs 25 to 30 lakh for You thought a pandemic would keep the big, fat each event. For our lockdown wedding, news of the pandemic spread, they sent where we made food at home, there were out ‘unsave the date’ messages, and Indian wedding from happening? Think again literally no expense. I think we did it in less decided to postpone their wedding to the By Mayukh Majumdar than Rs 20 to 30,000. Even if we add the latter half of the year. But by mid-May, photographer’s fees, the amount will still they realised that things weren’t going to 21st December, 2012 was the date perhaps, the first time since a husband not extend Rs 1 lakh,” he said. change anytime soon — the infamous ‘new that the world was supposed to end, and wife partook in the saat pheras, the Originally, Sirsalewala’s wedding was normal’ had set in. Hence, Shaparia and according to the Mayans. There was even recession-proof Indian wedding industry scheduled for May 1 this year. The hotel Shah decided to get married on May 28, as a movie on it. We were either going to has taken a hit. And it’s a big one. reduction in business, not to mention the properties had been booked, and the it was an auspicious day. collide with a mythical planet called According to Vikram Mehta, the founder monthly outflow of financial resources invites had been sent out. Despite the "We used Zoom, and placed the camera Nibiru, or be sucked into a supermassive of Mpire Events, a luxury wedding planning towards artisans on the payroll. pandemic, two things primarily convinced in an angle where all our relatives, friends black hole that was located at the centre company, "Revenue is down from 100 to From above: But while wedding planners and event the groom to go ahead with the wedding From above: were 22 people present physically, around and well-wishers could be a part of Newly-wed couple Bride Shreya of the galaxy. nil, and the scale for future weddings have managers have been left in the lurch, during the nationwide lockdown — his 250 people witnessed the four-hour long this beautiful day. It was overwhelming Shreya Shaparia and Sirsalewala gets her Clearly, nothing happened, and we been scaled down to 1 percent or 2 percent Dhrumil Shah practice COVID-19 is not stopping the Indian grandparents’ concern regarding the temperature checked wedding ceremony via Zoom, WhatsApp and emotional, as they weren’t present their own kind of went back to our lives. But doomsday of the original budgets.” This means that a wedding from taking place. Sure, the bride mahurat date, and the promise from while their family video call, and FaceTime. physically, and I was bursting into tears a social distancing; pandit wears a mask is upon us now. No no, not because of wedding that would usually cost two crore Akshay and Shreya can't flaunt her Manish Malhotra lehenga his sisters that they could make his and face shield during “Not only did they attend my wedding bit. Our friends and family were all dressed Sirsalewala's families the coronavirus that has killed lakhs of rupees, now has a budget of two lakhs. amidst the columns of a Jaipur palace, but wedding stand out even with 20 people in the ceremony; a phone virtually, they were also very well dressed. up, some sent us photos standing next watch a dance records a virtual people worldwide and demolished an While Srishti Kapur of Floral Art hasn't performance over her relatives, who've logged in on Zoom attendance. For his wedding on May 18, the dance performance by There was make-up and jewellery and to the screen for our wedding reception already staggering global economy. The been as badly aŸected as Mehta, she video call from all around the world, are getting a family had to get an NOC from the society, Sirsalewala's close ones everything. One of my relatives threw rose album, and some were seen dancing on doomsday is upon us, folks, because for, states that there has been a 99 per cent pretty good look at it. and permission from the police. While there petals on her computer screen during the screen at the sangeet night," she says.

20 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 21 FOB / APPS

"We had the pandit physically present, and we only had our friends, relatives, RICH KIDS It's Instagram for those who have and well-wishers join us through Zoom," lamborghinis, private planes, and can a‘ord she adds. Apps daily massages for their dogs. While us Photographer Monisha Ajgaonkar shot plebs can view pictures on the app, only the the Shaparia-Shah wedding. Having shot uber-rich can publish them. Get on the app multiple weddings, this was a completely and you'll find rare coin dealers, the scions For The 1 of prominent real estate families, and a dierent experience for her. "From shooting with the guest lists of Russian heiress or two. After all, being rich is boring when nobody sees you, as their around 500-1,000 people, it's reduced to o”cial Google Playstore bio reads. 15-20, where only the first family is involved Per Cent while the others enjoy and give blessings virtually. From carrying just equipment, we When you’re a millionaire, FLYBLADE have started to carry sanitisers, sanitisers the world is your oyster. Consider this the Uber for millionaires. for the equipment, and even our own This app allows users to book bottles of water. Our team size reduced But with that much money chartered flights in seconds. Tap a from 12 to two — one photographer one, at your command, where button and get a flight — it's that videographer," she says. From above: Jaipur-based Tulika Singh’s fiancé had every group a dierent time to arrive at our do you invest? Let us help simple. Want to fly helicopters, Guests at the seaplanes, and jets between "Since a lot of guests will not be invited, come down from Coimbatore to Jodhpur place,” she says. you out with a list of apps Sirsalewala wedding Manhattan, Miami, and the Hamptons? interesting trends like video challenges, are greeted with for the wedding preparations and got Were the coronavirus to magically specifically meant for the Flyblade is the app for you. Want to Zoom ceremonies, virtual tributes and hand-sanitiser; stuck there due to the lockdown. disappear, Singh would have invited over friends and family super rich purchase a seat on an existing flight, toasts, even virtual sangeets are going to be join in over video “It was a total ghar wali wedding,” she 150 guests and spent around Rs 10 lakhs to crowdsource a flight, or charter a the new way of celebration. More intimate calls for the says, “we got an event manager who could 15 lakhs. But her lockdown wedding cost By Mayukh Majumdar private aircraft? Flyblade is the answer. Shaparia-Shah experiences that'll be cherished, less stress, manage a mandap in our home, and had approximately a lakh. wedding 11 years ago, an iOS application was developed and feeling of being overwhelmed where all our functions at home. We maintained The big, fat Indian wedding is a little by a man, Armin Heinrich, called 'I Am Rich'. SOTHEBY'S APP the truest of emotions will be displayed," social distancing, and my husband’s uncle smaller and a lot thinner, but the eort that This application sold on the App Store for Ever wanted to know just how broke you Ajgaonkar says about the immediate future works at a law firm, so he managed the goes into it hasn’t been aected by the US$999.99 (equivalent to $1,187 in 2019). The are? This app will help you come to that of wedding photography. permissions and knew what steps had to be global pandemic. The love is still there, and app had no function at all, but contained a realisation. The Sotheby's app helps you taken. We wanted a lot of people to attend so are the laddoos. The rose petals are still glowing red gem and when pressed, displayed browse or search their upcoming auction the following message: calendar, and access the world’s most our wedding but now, we had to choose being showered — except this time around, I am rich extraordinary art, precious objects, wine, whom to call. We did not call a professional the hands that throw them at the couple I deserv [sic] it and jewellery. With this app, you can photographer because then we’d have to aren’t adorned with mehendi, but encased I am good, register and place your bids on the go. cut our guest list even shorter. Most of the in gloves. The smell of butter chicken and healthy & successful You can also get notified about lots you family members were on video call, on vodka is mixed with the clinical odour of The next day, Apple Inc. removed the are bidding on or are interested in, so you Zoom, on WhatsApp. Calling a member hand sanitiser, but you’ll still hear the application from its App Store, which just don’t miss an opportunity. made it even more exclusive because by then, from each family was very di•cult for us, phrase “agli baari tumhari hai” being only eight people worldwide had bought

so we managed it in a way where we gave thrown around liberally. MONISHA AJGAONKAR; SUNIEL SRI the application. If you are someone who IVIP BLACK Considered the world's most premium thinks buying an app just to enjoy this level lifestyle app, iVIP Black gives members of exclusivity is oh-so-regular, we've curated full VIP treatment at all partner venues a list of applications that are developed worldwide. Members receive VIP specifically for the rich. treatment — extra-special experiences like complimentary upgrades, surprise gifts, "Since a lot welcome packages, exclusive rates, priority access, and other unique privileges — across of guests will iVIP Ltd's global range of luxury partners not be invited, and services. With this app, you can receive interesting complimentary room upgrades at luxurious trends hotels, book private yachts, jets, and receive like video invitations to "exclusive evenings". challenges, Zoom ceremonies, virtual LUXY tributes, Luxy is the leading dating app for "high- even virtual quality singles". Are you successful, sangeets are conventionally attractive and, most going to be the importantly, enjoy luxury? Luxy is the new way of Tinder for you. To get on to Luxy, you have to go through a verification process that celebration" guarantees the "best user community" in the dating app world.

22 AUGUST 2020 • MW

FOB Apps.indd 66 03/08/20 7:41 AM FOB / ARCHITECTURE SEBASTIAN ZACHARIAH SEBASTIAN

we design now has to be extremely sensitive and as self-reliant as possible, because the structure is going to be there Taking The for the next 30 to 40 years. Whatever we are making now will determine how we are going to live through this period that is Ecological Route ahead of us, in the time of climate change," he says. With sustainability being the buzzword of the decade, "Sustainable design is an attitude about Indian architects are looking at ecological ways how you design your life and the spaces to ensure that their designs leave as less a carbon around you," he adds. footprint as possible Verrjit believes that there is no formula for sustainable design because every By Mayukh Majumdar Architecture Brio worked on The Tala Treesort located in climate is different, be arid, or windy. He Maharashtra. The team conceived the villa as a celebration of talks about a school in Malaysia which was Tala's forested tropical setting, a stone's throw away from the Kuda caves. Consisting of one main large space, the villa is protected by a Over the course of the past few years, close to a harbour where the river used to thatched roof. To ensure maximum airiness granted by the natural leading architects have tried to be flood every few years. The Architecture surroundings, the team wrapped the villa in a layer of operable glass conscientious about the effect that their Brio team was supposed to build the school design has on the environment. To a certain on stilts but instead, they used spare Pandala agrees with his colleagues and extent, these architects are bound by their shipping containers, and built the school on believes that sustainability is the need duty to their client and their aesthetic, but top of them. of the hour if we want to move forward. this is where the challenge lies — to please In Maharashtra's The team at Architecture Brio also “Architecture is also a huge contributor the client’s sensibilities, while following Govardhan Eco worked on The Tala Treesort located in to climate change. Thirty to 40 per cent Village, Team Biome an ecological road by accepting the very used stabilised Maharashtra. Verrjit and team conceived of the energy we use for making building responsibility of design. Why so? mud bricks, timber, the Villa as a celebration of Tala's forested components go to waste. We don’t bamboo, and The reason being that, unlike many Mangalore tiles. tropical setting, a stone's throw away from consider biodiversity when we move to a other products, architecture affects the The team also "Ecological designs are designs that creating the built as a quarry for the future. the Kuda caves. Consisting of one main property and place ourselves there. This is made provisions for user and the environment for generations rainwater harvesting embody logic, ecology, and economy, This means while they embody waste into large space, the villa is protected by a a huge concern in our industry,” he says. to come. A house stays on the land it was and built the Eco within. These three and additionally, the their designs, their designed buildings thatched roof. To ensure maximum airiness And for Pandala, the understanding has Village to not require created for decades, and the effect it team, are the four solid pillars of our (when their use is over) can be repurposed granted by the natural surroundings, to first come from the client. any air conditioning, has on the environment multiplies during or fans design concept. So, the design should be as a space for a different use or can be the team wrapped the villa in a layer of “Mud is the most basic material you the time. If it is built using sustainable an ecologically positive insert and should taken apart and used again elsewhere. operable glass. can get. Traditionally we had mud houses products, architects can take it apart and be built in a collaborative and cooperative For instance, in Bengaluru's Swastika all over the world. I am not stuck with rebuild it without any additional cost to manner where the clients, contractors, and Dance School, Vishwanath and team He also talks about his experiences mud, but I always try to use the local the environment and if it is built using the In Bengaluru's architects work as a team to co-create," used stabilised mud bricks (mud being in Uttarakhand where the team tries to materials to build houses. In the US, Swastika Dance resources provided by the land it is going School, Team Biome she adds. a sustainable element), and precast excavate the rock from the site, and build they have begun to use human waste to to be inserted in, it is more likely to survive used stabilised mud In Biome's designs, the team is also concrete elements to give the school a the house on that rock. In Alibaug, a place extract metal. Not only does using waste bricks (mud being a natural anomalies. exploring use of waste as a resource and structure that would help it get maximum that floods a lot, the team built a pre- and mud reduce the carbon footprint but sustainable element) Architects like Chitra Vishwanath, the and precast concrete daylight and ventilation. But one of her fabricated studio that can be disassembled by using mud, you can make aesthetic principal architect and managing director elements to give the best works is Maharashtra's Govardhan and built in another space with no extra designs with curves because it is school a structure of Biome Environmental Solutions, Robert that would help it get Eco Village, where she used her trademark cost or damage. malleable unlike concrete. You can shape Verrjit, the architect behind Architecture maximum daylight stabilised mud bricks, timber, bamboo, and mud to any form you want. You feel so and ventilation Brio and architect Eugene Pandala, are Mangalore tiles. Using her vast knowledge comfortable inside a mud structure – it trying to do this by exercising mindfulness of construction and the use of spaces, looks and feels organic.” during their design negotiations with the the team made provisions for rainwater Unlike many Pandala, like Vishwanath, is a huge clients so that the effects of their work can harvesting and built the Eco Village to not other products, advocate of mud. Ashtamudy’s The be a positive insert into the environment. require any air conditioning or fans. architecture Raviz hotel has been built in a way that affects the But the challenges are plenty. Verrjit says, “As architects, if we have to user and the would ensure the project has restorative "The biggest challenge we face is the look at the future, we need to realise that environment measures to save the natural environment challenge of "hedonism". We try our we need to design responsibly. Whatever for generations around it. For example, an old boat utmost to convey the benefits of frugality. to come. If building yard on the water edge of the Frugality in the brief posited by the clients, a house is property, was restored to nearly its in the use of materials, in the need for built using original state, using laterite boulders. resources while occupying the building," sustainable This incorporates a number of hideouts says Vishwanath, who doesn't believe in resources, it's for natural breeding of fish, crabs, and the word 'sustainable' when it refers to The Raviz hotel has been built by Eugene Pandala in a manner that ensure that the project more likely other supporting living organisms. The her design philosophy, and prefers using includes restorative measures to save its surrounding natural environment. For example, an to survive plants used at the water edge include old boat building yard on the water edge of the property was restored to nearly its original ecological, as it is a grounded phrase and state, using laterite boulders. This incorporates a number of hideouts for natural breeding of natural species of mangrove to recover the therefore, a challenge. fish, crabs, and other supporting living organisms anomalies depleting biodiversity.

24 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 25 FOB / PODCASTS FOB / THE BRAND

GAME OF DRONES You may have accidentally dozed o to a OPPO Watch Game of Thrones episode after a 12-hour This smartwatch marks OPPO’s explosive binge, so let’s try something dierent. Game Crafted entry into the smartwatch category. With of Drones is yet another oering from sleep podcast maestro, Drew Ackerman. In a for the Bold a host of segment-first features along with nutshell, Game of Drones is a recap of GoT a classic, stylish design, it looks like OPPO episodes, but Ackerman puts his signature If it wasn’t already has nailed it in their very first go. The OPPO A Bit Of spin of boring storytelling to it, and turns the Watch is a 46mm-sized style statement recap of an exciting episode into a masterful grabbing eyeballs for for your wrists. In a refreshing first, the and purposeful snooze fest. This one’s all the right reasons arrival of the OPPO Watch marks the first available on YouTube, the podcast’s own website, and iOS. with its already time a smartwatch uses an AMOLED dual- Shut-Eye impressive smartphone curved display, a design choice you only have the privilege of seeing on premium, Our schedules have arsenal, OPPO's latest flagship phones. The stunning display, launches are going to gone for a toss with the with a segment-first 72.76 per cent screen- pandemic. For those of make you wider eyed. to-body ratio, helps bring vivid and crisp us who are too old for We take a look at two visuals to life. The smartwatch is powered bedtime stories, sleep such new products by an impressive and capable 430 mAh podcasts are the new way battery, which is supported by VOOC to a good night's sleep flash-charging that lets you replenish your battery from zero to full charge, in By Rajeev Mathew just 75 minutes. Another key feature is the exclusive HeyTap Health app, that allows you to take personalising to new heights, by photographing your outfit, and then utilising AI imaging to generate a matching watch face, to complement your look. SLOW RADIO White noise is another eective strategy to induce sleep, but in case you were looking for an alternative to the regular white noise and wanted RECIPEZZZ FOR SLEEP to try more interesting sounds, BBC’s While a lot of podcasts read you fictional Slow Radio is the perfect choice. The stories, RecipeZZZ for Sleep reads out a podcast is stacked with an impressive recipe from a cookbook. Seems weird, but range of sounds including everything it has proven to be extremely eective, from the process of making cider, to according to reviewers and the podcast’s sounds captured from a walk in the loyal fanbase. The podcast is described as OPPO Reno4 Pro woods in Suolk, England. “white noise for the culinarily inclined.” OPPO’s Reno series has always been a consumer and critic favourite. The OPPO Reno4 Pro has been specially crafted for those who want to experience the best of their technology, along with a smartphone that is designed to be a style statement in itself. As the most lightweight premium phone with 6.5-inch display in India, weighing 161 gms and measuring 7.7mm thin, the SLEEP WITH ME Reno4 Pro comfortably sits in the palm of your hand. With its E3 Super AMOLED screen, 3D Borderless Sense Screen with a single Boring and uninteresting stories are one of the most tried-and-tested methods punch-hole display, and a screen-to-body ratio of up to 92.01 per for falling asleep, and Drew Ackerman’s GET SLEEPY cent, the smartphone allows you to witness visuals on seamlessly- Sleep With Me does not disappoint. Get Sleepy is one of the most highly-rated designed screen. The Reno4 Pro has a refresh rate of 90Hz, podcasts in the world. It’s a big-budget Sleep With Me is one of the most and a 4000 mAh battery that allows you to get the best of your podcast, and each episode first starts popular podcasts to help you sleep. device. But when it does run out of charge, the 65W SuperVOOC Ackerman takes you through one story with calming meditation to lighten the 2.0 — the the world's fastest smartphone charging technology in a 60-minute episode, but it is all done body. Then, a story is narrated by a in a rather dull and monotone voice, calming male or female voice artiste. The that’s commercially available — will bring the battery up to its full with several unnecessary tangents that voice is then layered with subtle ASMR capacity in just 36 minutes. What else does one need? almost force you to shut your eyes. soundscapes and soft music, which only add to the drowsiness.

26 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 27

FOB podcasts.indd 26 03/08/20 9:40 AM FOB / CULTURE itihasology

INDIAN HISTORY PICTURES Admin Shashank Singh pursued his passion for stories from his History’s Instagram school books, and wants millennials to take interest in history The why: “I've been interested in history since childhood. In 2017-18, I thought about having a page related to history. The Gatekeepers intention was to have a collection of pictures and historical events, and sharing it with like-minded people. Initially, it was History is almost always written by the victor, but that does not mean that the only my family and a few friends who had access to the page. Later, my family and friends suggested me to go public.” vanquished haven’t managed to make their voices heard. With each post on Instagram, The verification process: “I generally post about facts and these handles promote history that does not make it to school textbooks. Who writes pictures that have a link to what is happening currently in the country. Thus, it makes the posts relatable to the followers. history? According to inspiring Pinterest boards and statements on sites that Instagram The research for the posts is generally from the Internet. The influencers use to find captions for their next post, it is always the victor. During the reference and source of the pictures are given the due credit in Nuremberg trials, Winston's Churchill's enemy in World War II, Hermann Göring says: my posts.” The goal: “Earlier, my goal was to make my page the largest “The victor will always be the judge while the vanquished remains the accused” ITIHASOLOGY collection of historical pictures and facts available on any Admin Eric Chopra wants people to realise is social media platform. But since this page is one of the biggest By Mayukh Majumdar that our understanding of the past is based on pages on Instagram related to history, my ambitions are a our interpretations little different now. Now I aim to make people (especially the millennials) interested in history, and to show them pictures as The why: “I tend to view everything historically; well as facts that are authentic and verified.” brownhistory be it paintings, cuisines, fashion, or books. This awe and fascination that history provided me with, was something I wished I could give everyone access to and thus, I came up with itihasology — indianhistorylive a platform striving to make people realise that history is not merely a strict-narrative of names, dates, and places.” The verification process: “To verify the veracity, the very first step is to rid ourselves of any sort of certainty. What people need to realise is that our understanding of the past is based on our interpretations. At itihasology, each post is made up of multiple-sources to ensure that it is as accurate as it can be. This year, we set up a team of passionate BROWN HISTORY The verification process: “I ask questions and volunteers and advisors. The contents and resources Admin Ahsun Zafar believes his page is a then I cross check for myself. I cite the books of each post get verified at least thrice before it is conversation with himself and papers after every post. It is all there made public.” for anyone to investigate. To be honest, the The goal: “As an 18-year-old student of history whose The why: “It is simple. I wanted to learn comment section lets you have it if you made idea of fun is to talk to sculptures at a museum, I more about my roots, my origins, any kind of mistake.” am striving to create a youth-driven platform which how I came to be. A part of "loving The goal: “I want the page to run on piques the curiosity of an audience that feels they are yourself" is knowing yourself, and your its own. I want it to be a fully community- far removed from the Indian past. To make the past history and heritage are a part of that. driven page, like people having conversations more interactive, we hold musical workshops and As I tried to better understand myself, with each other. I don't know how exactly I'm walks at museums, art galleries and heritage sites.” I created an IG page and posted what going to do that, but right now, I try to give I've learned.” the platform to others as much as I can.”

THE HYDERABAD HISTORY History Project as a blog in September 2017, and thehyderabadhistoryproject PROJECT created the Instagram handle later in February 2018.” LGBTQIAP PLUS HISTORY OF INDIA The verification process: “I try to archive from reputable lgbthistoryindia Admin Yunus Yacoob Lasania’s journalism career The verification process: “Once I want to write Dr. Anandya Kar, admin of the page, wants to sources, which are mostly books that were published, led him to disseminating authentic history in the about something, I collect related material, either familiarise today’s queer youth with their history and research them for more details. Moreover, if you city of Nizams. online or in libraries, or I just buy them. I must have have the Internet, you don’t need to work very hard to spent thousands of rupees purchasing old (and out- The why: “I remember seeing a page on LGBT history, find old magazines, journals, and blogs. But you need The why: “I was covering crime and politics, but of-print) books over the past few years, from a place which didn’t mention anything about the LGBT history to be passionate. I think you will get one story after an under one of my bosses at The Hindu, I really came that specifically sells old things. The second aspect of South Asia. Nevertheless, South Asian countries like extensive research of even an hour.” to understand Hyderabad's history and heritage. It of my work concerns oral history, which I think is India have a significant role in sexuality. India is the first The goal: “To make people aware of what it was like was one beat that I had not covered, and I remember equally important and powerful. I click all the images country that decoded sex and sexuality as a science before, and not to take things for granted. People, in the vividly having an animated discussion on some myself, mostly. I got myself an expensive smartphone through the Kama Sutra. The contemporary history is age of Grindr and Tinder, are really not aware that 20 heritage sites that won the INTACH award in 2015. for that purpose, and also for light editing on the go.” also significant. I was disheartened, and as Rabindranath years back if you were gay, and want to meet someone, In 2017, I wrote a story on Osman Ali Khan, the The goal: “The basic goal is to educate people about Tagore said, "Open thy mind walk alone. Be not afraid, you have to go through a series of struggles just to talk last Nizam of Hyderabad, which made me realise Hyderabad's rich history, its people, food, places, walk alone", I decided to start this page by myself. to a person. the importance of oral history, and also got an and heritage. I want to give a wider and different overwhelming response. I started The Hyderabad perspective on things.”

28 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 29 WHEELS The Japanese Supercar Is Not An Oxymoron Japan is often associated with utilitarian hatchbacks and boxy MPVs. But look deeper, and you’ll find that the Japanese have had a fair share of great sports cars and supercars. Here’s a quick look at some of the most memorable ones, and a glance at their best performing Indian cars By Sameer Kumar

Most high-performance car enthusiasts go moony-eyed while discussing with caution if you’re going to dismiss Japanese high-performance cars, because European supercars. And for good reason. Bellowing V12s, screaming V10s and they can most certainly go neck to neck with almost anything that Europe can V8s, tyre-shredding performance and styling that makes the heartbeat faster produce. Over the last 50 years, some of the best, most memorable supercars — that’s where names like Ferrari and Lamborghini and Porsche reign supreme. have come from Japanese manufacturers. What they lack in V12 engines and Triple-distilled automotive high performance? It’s not just the holy trinity of dramatic styling flourishes, Japanese high-performance cars make up in everyday Ferrari, Lambo and Porsche. BMW has their much-vaunted M division, Mercedes- usability, reliability, handling and finesse, without compromising on things like Benz has AMG, Audi has their RS series, Volvo has R-Design and even Jaguar has acceleration and top speed. In India, a country where fuel economy matters more SVR (Special Vehicle Operations), all of which produce extra-shouty fast cars. than anything else, Japanese manufacturers haven’t really sold any ‘supercars’. LEXUS LFA Nobody knows if it’s the Bratwurst or the Focaccia or the Riesling, but clearly the However, they have taken the occasional stab at cars that offer a bit of excitement, Before they did the LFA, Lexus (a subsidiary impressive supercar produced in Japan, it’s titanium valves, this engine is a work of art — at least Europeans know a thing or two about building supercars. and we’ll come to these a bit later in the story. of Toyota) was seen as a very competent the most intense, exhilarating, and completely as good as, and perhaps, better than anything ever So where does that leave the Sashimi? In a puddle of Teriyaki sauce, that’s Meanwhile, to settle the ‘can Japan do supercars?’ question, let’s take a look luxury car manufacturer that made lux-barges demented supercar ever produced in the world. produced by any European manufacturer. Only 500 where. No, really, Japan doesn’t figure in the supercar discussions very often. at some absolute beasts that have emerged over the last few decades. This is, for wealthy, unimaginative middle-aged Powered by a howling, screaming 4.8-litre V10 units of the LFA were produced, each priced at close to Sure, Japanese cars are very well engineered, quiet and reliable. Even luxurious. by no means, a comprehensive list of Japanese supercars, but simply a sampling bankers and dentists. With the LFA, Lexus that makes 550 horsepower and redlines at US$400,000. Today, values have appreciated, and you’d But for many, the Japanese supercar may as well be an oxymoron. However, tread of some of the very best. didn’t just shed that image, they blew it 9,000rpm. With its forged aluminium pistons, be lucky to find a used example for $800,000. The best into the weeds. The LFA is not just the most forged titanium connecting rods and solid supercar in the world? This one just might be it.

MAZDA RX-7 SERIES 8 the Series 8 RX-7 (produced from 1996-1998) was speed of 260kph. Nobody would have expected a MITSUBISHI 3000GT VR4 on this car, along with four-wheel steering, While the RX-7 was first launched in 1978, the powered by a sequential twin-turbo, and a twin- relatively smaller manufacturer like Mazda to take Co-developed with Chrysler, the Mitsubishi active aerodynamics, and electronically third-generation car, which was launched in the rotor Wankel rotary engine that pumped out 276 a chance on the quirky rotary engine and stick with 3000GT coupe was launched in 1990, controlled suspension. The car could early 1990s, was perhaps the most memorable. A horsepower. The car could accelerate from zero to it for two decades, but Mazda did, and the Series 8 and was powered by a twin-turbo V6 that accelerate from zero to 100kph in less than unique take on the high-performance sports coupe, 100kph in around five seconds, and could hit a top RX-7 was sheer brilliance. produced 300 horsepower, which went five seconds and hit a top speed of 265kph. up to 320bhp on later versions. Mitsubishi It was a memorable sports coupe, which chose to go with full-time four-wheel-drive many believed, was far ahead of its time.

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TOYOTA SUPRA MK IV 100kph in 4.6 seconds, and was bigger wheels and tyres, improved Toyota first launched the Supra in capable of doing speeds of around brakes, and what have you. The the late 1970s, but things got really 260kph. The Supra has cult status Supra is Japanese supercar interesting only in the early 1990s, among Japanese performance car royalty, no question about that. when the company launched the enthusiasts, featured prominently (Toyota launched an all-new Supra fourth-generation Supra. Powered in the 2001 hit, The Fast and the last year. The car, developed in by a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, Furious, and remains a big hit with collaboration with BMW, is plenty the fourth-generation (A80) Supra aftermarket car tuners. Owners capable but nowhere near as packed a 326 horsepower punch, continue to modify the MK IV charismatic as the old, MK IV Supra could accelerate from zero to Supra with bigger turbos, NOS kits, of the 1990s.)

TOYOTA 2000GT 1970. Back then, the 2000GT was priced at close to Back in the late 1960s, Toyota and Yamaha joined US$7,000 and today, on the rare occasion that one hands to produce the Toyota 2000GT, a stunningly shows up at an auction, prices can exceed US$1.2 beautiful rear-wheel-drive coupe. Powered by million. Even James Bond loves this Toyota — Sean a 2.0-litre straight-six engine that produced 148 Connery drove one in You Only Live Twice, and Daniel horsepower, the 2000GT was a limited-production Craig says the 2000GT is his favourite Bond car of all car, and just 351 units were produced from 1967 to time. Believe us, the 2000GT was as super as cars get.

HONDA NSX any European high-performance car. Powered by a 3.0-litre Here, we’re talking about the first-generation Honda V6, which featured Honda’s VTEC (variable valve timing) DATSUN 240Z NSX, which was launched in the year 1990, and its system, the NSX boasted 270 horsepower, which later went The Datsun 240Z, which was launched in 1969, was also an production continued till 2005. The NSX was one of the up to 290bhp when engine size was increased to 3.2 litres. iconic performance car of its era, and is still fondly remembered greatest supercars to ever emerge from Japan, what with The NSX could accelerate from zero to 100kph in less than five by the cognoscenti. Produced from 1969 to 1978, the 240Z (also the legendary Ayrton Senna having played a role in the seconds, and hit a top speed of around 280kph. The handling known as the Nissan Fairlady Z in some markets) was a rear- development of its chassis and suspension. Even Gordon was sublime, and the car was also way more reliable than the wheel-drive coupe that was powered by a 2.4-litre inline-six, Murray, the genius engineer who designed the McLaren F1 Ferraris of its time. Honda launched an all-new NSX in 2016, which produced 150 horsepower. Four-and five-speed manual supercar, once said that the NSX was the inspiration behind which is a hybrid in keeping with the times. It’s competent, transmissions were available, and the 240Z could accelerate from the F1, and that the NSX chassis was way better than almost but simply not in the same league as the old NSX. zero to 100kph in just eight seconds, and hit a top speed of more than 200kph. Later iterations of the car included the 260Z and the 280Z, with power output climbing to 170bhp. The 240Z was one of the world’s top sports cars of its time, and earlier this year, a 1970 model sold for US$900,000 at an auction in Japan.

32 JULY 2020 • MW SEPTEMBER 2019 • MW 33 WHEELS SUBARU IMPREZA WRX /

NISSAN 300 ZX allowing the car to accelerate from superbike, an F1 car and even a fighter jet. MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO Two completely different cars from two The 300ZX was launched in 1983 and zero to 100kph in five seconds, and The commercial was aired only once, at different manufacturers, and yet, the two are by 1989, had grown up to be a serious hit an electronically limited top speed the Super Bowl XXIV, and was never used almost always mentioned in the same breath. contender in the high-performance coupe of 250kph. In 1990, Nissan got the again, with the Nissan management not Each wouldn’t be the same without the other. segment. The 1989-spec Z32 Nissan 300 acclaimed movie director, Ridley Scott, to wanting to encourage street racers. That Both cars were launched by their respective ZX was powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo direct a commercial for the 300ZX, where commercial lived on, on YouTube, and so manufacturers in the early 1990s, and battled V6 that produced 300 horsepower, the car was shown as being faster than a does the car’s ‘wild child’ reputation. each other for the next 15 years in the world rally championship. There were many different versions, but engine sizes ranged between 1.8 to 2.2 litres, with Subaru going with their ‘Boxer’ four-cylinder engine, and Mitsubishi with their line-four. Both cars started losing steam by the mid-2000s, but by then, they had already reigned supreme as giant-slaying super-sedans that offered radical performance for the slightly unhinged. Those were the days.

NISSAN SKYLINE GT-R propelling the car to a top speed of about The first Skyline GT-R was launched in the 300kph. Tuners like Nismo and some others, late 1960s but our favourite model is the fifth routinely fettled with the GT-R’s turbos and generation car — the R34 Skyline GT-R — also engine internals to coax anything between 500 known as the Godzilla. Launched in 1999, the R34 to 800 horsepower out of the Nissan straight-six. JAPANESE HIGH PERFORMANCE IN INDIA was powered by twin-turbo 2.8-litre six-cylinder This was a sledgehammer of a performance car, engine, which produced 330 horsepower, with brutal, unrelenting power delivery. India is the land of fuel economy. For the coupes, this was the best budget hot-hatch valve timing technology, and provided vast majority of car buyers here, nothing you could buy in India two decades ago. proper high-rpm thrills that enthusiasts matters more than mileage — the greater crave. Power output was only around number of kilometres a car can do for every Maruti Grand Vitara XL-7 105bhp, but tuners fettled it with passion, litre of fuel, the better. So, of course, India A seven-seater SUV, one from Suzuki at fitting aftermarket air-filters, remapped isn’t the best market for flogging high- that, should be the least viable candidate ECUs and free-flow exhaust systems for a performance cars. Still, for what little it’s for boasting any sporting credentials. performance boost. It wasn’t a ‘supercar’ of worth, the Japanese have given it a shot in And yet, the XL-7’s claim to fame was its course, but for car enthusiasts in India back the past. Let’s take a quick look at some of outstandingly brilliant engine. Codenamed then, the City VTEC was a godsent. the go-faster cars that were introduced in the H27A, this 2.7-litre V6 produced 185 India over the last few years. horsepower and 250Nm of torque. It was a Maruti Baleno RS creamy-smooth, high-revving engine that Back in 2017, Maruti tried its hand one Maruti Zen Carbon/Steel loved to be thrashed and made orgasmic more time at doing a hot hatch with In the early 2000s, Maruti did a two-door noises while rocketing the XL-7 to triple- the Baleno RS. This little hatchback version of the much-loved Zen hatchback digit speeds. Build quality, handling and featured a 1.0-litre three-cylinder in India. This was available in two versions everything else about the XL-7 was quite turbocharged engine, which produced — Carbon and Steel – and had the regular ordinary, but its V6 took it to a different 102bhp. With lightweight bodywork, Zen mechanicals, with no changes made league altogether. compact dimensions, and slick manual to the car’s 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine transmission, the Baleno RS was fun to that produced 60 horsepower. Still, with its Honda City VTEC drive. Unfortunately, its 102bhp wasn’t lightweight bodywork and close-ratio, slick Sold in India in the late 1990s and early really enough to elevate the car to proper shifting 5-speed manual gearbox, the two- 2000s, the Honda City VTEC was a proper hot-hatch status, and its bigger price tag (as door Zen at least had some basic sporting ‘hero car’ of its time. Its 1.5-litre four- compared to the regular Baleno) didn’t do it ambition. For a country starved of sports cylinder engine featured Honda’s variable any favours either.

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and have kids, if that’s on your generations, look at them di€erently. He is always thinking about how to that Man U-Arsenal match. He, films, read enough crappy novels, and Not thirsting checklist. Others, like me, finally find And this is where it gets interesting. get a promotion, or an appraisal, or dim-witted that he is, thinks that watched enough web shows and porn time, and resources, to indulge in The 20s are attractive, dangerous, figure out a bigger house, better car, she is as satisfied with domesticity as to believe that this is how it is. Older their aspirations and bucket lists, and and risky. For teenagers, the 20s have pre-school, financial planning, et he is, and forgets that while he has men discuss her in hushed whispers, for the thirties truly taste independence. an aspirational value. For those who cetera et cetera. The man is expected had social company for the whole like lost opportunities. Older women The 30s do come with a sense of are older, the 20s promise a second to figure all of this out. Even in our day, she hasn’t. She might be looking snarkily discuss her hemlines and While the rules of ageing might be the same complacency. If you have been in taste of their dangerous and risky progressive metros, only forward to a weekend around the blouse sleeve lengths. A country’s for all genders, the roles they play and the a long-term relationship, or have past. For everybody, the IDGAF of a small percentage has learned to city, while he is craving for some imagination has twisted many perceptions they enjoy, are not quite. The 30s gotten married, you'll know what I the 20s is a drug they desperately lead an equal-footing marriage. But, sleeping in and couch time. This is young women’s loneliness, frustration, treat men and women differently — and not mean. We get so used to a certain, want another hit of. But, we look at in most of India, the man is not necessarily fiction, right? We and unfulfilled desire to fodder its always kindly albeit comfortable routine, that we the 30s through di€erent looking still, unfortunately, bringing home are used to seeing wives around us horny fantasies. don’t find the need to step out of it. glasses. On the attractiveness scale, the bread. who are stuck in this familiar grind. As the woman steps into her 40s, By Arnesh Ghose You leave a little bit of the struggle 30-something men are at the bottom, Now, the interesting bit is, the She does dress up in the evenings, the male fantasy transforms her behind in the previous decade, and while 30-something women are woman is bringing home the bread cooks, waits for her husband to come into the predatorial cougar. She is to just want to stay in, curl up, or right at the top. In this country, by too. But if we do a quick scan around home. She does watch her weight, be stayed away from. While this is Turning 30 is treated like the death cuddle with. The 30s, sometimes, the time you are 30, in most cases, us, if the family is single-earning, afraid of gaining any, and joins the primarily an American or European sentence. I know that we are obsessed beg for some slowing down, and you are married. The 30-something the earner, in most cases, will be local gym with a few friends. She imagery, especially if the woman with youth, but turning 30 really gathering moss. Add familial married man is uninteresting. He the man. Because, in our country, doesn’t want the man to stray because is single or divorced — similar doesn’t mean that it’s time to place responsibilities, EMIs, and “when has happily — or sometimes, out “raising kids” is still the mother’s that would be disrespectful to her visualisations happen in India too. the co‘n order. While you do leave are you sharing the good news?” to of habit — set into a domesticated primary responsibility. So what homemaking skills. They would Single and divorced 40-somethings the recklessness of your 20s behind, that, and you have all the ingredients routine. He might start balding, happens when she has packed her all say that she “couldn’t keep her are called “man-eaters”. But what you gain is a little wisdom (from for “let’s just stay in and Netflix and many do. He gains weight and is husband o€ to work and her kids o€ man at home”, that “he wandered interestingly these days, as men step the mistakes of said recklessness), chill — but the kosher kind, which fine with it. He had experimented to school? She might be working from because she let go of herself”, that into their 40s and own their salt- and you are generally a tad more involves binge-watching shit and with his wardrobe in college, but home, earning equally big bucks, but she is to also share the blame of his and-pepper, they start becoming comfortably placed in your life. The eating shit — shall we?” now all he has to wear are formals, for the collective imagination of the infidelity. And, surprisingly, this is attractive opportunities all over job's either closer to your dream gig, But while both men and women mostly. Why bother with losing that Indian male, Bhabhi is all alone at a reality — with minor tweaks — again. Thanks to the “hot daddy” or pays big bucks. Some get married mostly go through this same life gut? Everybody around him has a home, bored, thirsty, pining for some across socio-economic segments. trend in pop culture, the older man experience, society, and younger gut — they call it the “prosperity company. No other country sexualises Just because she has an MBA and — who is rich, successful, stylish, paunch”. Family becomes priority. the 30-something married housewife consults for global companies from has good taste, well-travelled, and Friends and social life tends to take more than India. We must also home, or rules boardrooms at the hits the gym — is seen as a desirable a back seat, or involves spouses. astutely note that, while Bhabhi has o‘ce, doesn’t mean that she will be motif. I suspect John Slattery's a tantalising connotation, the term exempted from taking responsibility silver fox act as Roger Sterling in “Uncle”, often used to refer to an old, for her man’s wandering. So she Mad Men kicked o€ this obsession. unattractive man, is derogatorily puts in all the e€ort she can, which Suddenly, social media started used to tease 30-something men. the husband’s might not notice, but swooning over fit and handsome From deodorant ads to numerous all the other men around her do. over-thirty men. Closer home, we slapstick comedies on TV, from Every neighbourhood, mohalla, and championed Madhavan, drooled films and web shows to porn, from building complex will have a few over designers like Arjun Khanna Shrimaan Shrimati to Bhabiji Ghar Bhabhis everybody is constantly and Nikhil Mehra, and saw the Par Hain! to the cult classic Savita twittering about. Every smile of resurgence of the phenomenon that Bhabhi, the young married woman hers is dissected, every question is is Milind Soman. is a desirable fruit for the Indian imagined to be an insinuation, an What is the allure of older men? Is man. What is the origin story of this invitation, like she is daring you to While it the same “experience” factor that obsession then? For starters, a bored cross the line. Younger men crush on Bhabhi has draws young men to housewives? woman, in the prime of her sexuality, her, fantasise, ogle. They believe that a tantalising Is it the “he can make anything alone at home, is fiction gold. It is she knows that she is being watched, connotation, happen with a snap of his finger” common knowledge — thanks to that she is enjoying it. Younger men the term like Mr. Big from Sex And The City? scientific research — that women believe that they have “evolved taste” “Uncle”, often Is it their power, financial security, hit their sexual desire peak during when they fall for older women and used to refer ability to splurge and indulge, and their 30s, while men start plateauing. not “girls” their own age. “Bhabhi to an old, their attentive pampering? Their That information helps to paint the is experienced”, they believe. “I just unattractive sexy nonchalance when they say “I’ve picture of a horny woman, waiting need one night with Bhabhi to show man, is got it” while picking up the cheque at home all day just to canoodle her a good time”, they dream. Their derogatorily after dinner — or when buying a with her husband at night. But he manhood will earn a badge of honour used to tease penthouse? comes home tired, disinterested in if it can satisfy an “experienced” 30-something Or is it just, quite literally, daddy

sex, and really keen on watching woman. They have seen enough men issues? SHUTTERSTOCK

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skin tones with brightly coloured dark as night and yet, he glowed with skin. But in the short term, a good clothes. Ditch the uninspiring beiges the light of a thousand suns — what moisturiser will go a long way and greys for T-shirts in bright reds, was his secret? There’s a lovely little towards that “Vishnu glow”. cobalt blues and dark jewelled greens story of one time when he lets her into Moisturise and exfoliate religiously Tall, dark, are perfect. Or go with a crisp white his skincare secret — sweet potatoes. every day, and finish by spending a shirt and blue jeans — you have no Tales narrated during the few minutes admiring the result in idea just how sexy white looks on November ekadashi fast describe the mirror. If you can love what you handsome darker skin. that when Vishnu wakes up from his see, you’ll love how you feel. Raising a toast to a nation of brown-skinned men SHIVA’S ADVICE Self belief and inner strength. Walk By Seema Anand proud. Confidence is your best accessory. Nothing is as sexy as a man who is comfortable in his own skin. skin’? Aside from Lord Krishna, has Gen Z lives under the eagle ‘dark’ ever been equated with beauty scrutiny of a very unforgiving for the average man? social media culture that expects In fact, for the Ancient Indians, perfection at all times. The only the attraction of “dark” was more problem is — what are the paradigms than just skin deep. I believe that of male beauty? Is it the impossibly despite our pursuit of ‘fair and lovely’, bu‡ed, six-pack bodies that stare at invented by deep down, we are hardwired to love us from magazine covers? Or is it the ‘white’ races our brownness. the introspective, self deprecating, — toxic, often fatal Not only is our ancient mythology emotionally accessible man that one concoctions full of references to the power and finds within those same covers? made with white the beauty of dark skins, the very There is plenty to worry about. The lead, vinegar and expression “he turned dark” was colour of your skin shouldn’t be one horse manure. a metaphor for intense sexual of those things. By Victorian times, arousal — possibly referring to the It will be a challenge to junk however, the “dark” man darkening of the complexion during hundreds of years of prevailing had so captured the Western heightened passion. attitudes around ‘white is beautiful’, imagination that he was turned into “Becoming dark” was regularly do a 180-degree turn, and start The global standard of handsome, a figure of romance, prompting an invoked during love festivals, where believing in the gorgeousness of mysterious, and worldly is based on entire new genre of literature that men and women would paint their your darker complexion. But it can the colour of your skin. You come centred around his dusky, brooding, skin with sa‡ron and black aloe be done. into this world with an incredible man of the world sexiness. paste, as a prayer for a lifetime Spend a few minutes every day in advantage. It’s time to understand A fascination that continues of sexual pleasure. This ritual front of the mirror, to see how good how special you are, and make the till today. Did you know, during darkening of the body was considered you look as a brown-skinned man. most of it. ovulation, women are most attracted a highly refined skill, and is listed Fall in love with yourself. The phrase ‘tall, dark, and to darker men because of this as one of the 64 love arts of the And for each time you are attacked handsome’ first originated in deeply ingrained perception that Kama Sutra. by self-doubt, remember, you only Edwardian England. Britain’s Not only is darker skin represents security and So today, instead of turning to have to convince yourself in order to spreading empire opened the our ancient worldliness. This was first cited by Western fashion magazines, let me feel good about yourself. The world channels for Englishmen to travel to mythology full Johnson and Masters, but since bring you some advice from our already thinks you’re beautiful. distant parts of the globe in search of references to then, has been a part of thousands ancient texts on how make the most of fortune, often returning with both the power and of studies, Ph.Ds, and articles, with of your brownness. money, and a swarthiness that gave the beauty of a slight di‡erence in the way it’s An acknowledged them a distinctly exotic air — sultry, dark skins, phrased (macho-looking men, darker BRAHMA’S ADVICE authority on the Kama brooding, mysterious. the very skinned men, etc.) At this point, all Having manifesting the universe, VISHNU’S ADVICE four-month sleep, he is always served Sutra and Eastern Until then European standards expression the other factors, like intelligence, Brahma created the abodes, the Emerging from the cosmic ocean, sweet potatoes to revitalise his glow. Erotology and winner of beauty, nobility, and wealth had “he turned reliability, etc. are superseded by this occupations, even the life rules for Lakshmi had been immediately The sweet potato story, most likely, of the Sultriest Voice Ever Known been measured by how ‘pale’ the skin dark” was a one characteristic. the many and diverse beings he had struck by the lustre of Vishnu’s dark also finds a mention in one of the To Man, Anand is a revered was. And such was the competition metaphor for But what of India, a nation of brought into this world, including glowing skin, her eyes drawn to Devi Puranas. storyteller, and is associated with the for ‘palest’ that, ironically, the first intense sexual brown-skinned people who, for detailed advice on shringar. And him despite the crowds of gods and The lesson here? A healthy diet is UNESCO project for Endangered

whitening creams were actually arousal centuries, have idealised the ‘fair his advice was to accentuate dark SHUTTERSTOCK demons surrounding him. He was as always the best thing for a glowing Oral Traditions

38 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 39 INSIDE: INTERVIEW WITH RAJESH TALK PRATAP SINGH HOW TO MAKE YOUR Hair WARDROBE SUSTAINABLE way to

heaven MW LIKES A hairless torso may look great on Instagram, StyleHERMÈS but it’s the furry chests that we like to put LOUIS VUITTON LOUIS

our heads on after a rough Monday, or after TOMMY HILFIGER rounds of hot, wild sex By Pritika Mathur

My mom always says that you should Hairy men things to think about than shaving his Adding to this, pubic hair prevents never count the chapatis you eat, and the can keep you ball bag. He is proud of what he’s been vaginal infections, and your skin from blessings you receive. toasty from given. How sexy is that? Also, it gives me chafing during sex. You have more I took the liberty of adding orgasms to foreplay the much-needed assurance that I don’t chances of getting an STI when you’re that list. to climax, need to try too hard and get a bikini wax shaved. All you have to do is find a Being in an all-girls boarding school and are every 20 days, to ‘get ready’ to sleep with partner who will appreciate a full bush, always made me inquisitive about men. scientifically someone. It’s painful, costly, makes my and find it sexy. Easy, no? Not really. What they might be doing in their free proven to skin weird, and let’s not forget about the Many men judged me for my preferences time, what they might smell like after last like a pressure to impress that it puts on me. but then again, if they’re not happy with the PE period, what they discuss in the Duracell Yass girl, he’s a real man, and not a your Amazon, they can dine elsewhere. locker room, and who I was going to lose battery. Also, plastic doll. BRB, booking tickets I am now 100 per cent convinced that my virginity to in the upcoming holidays. they are to Hairyland. hairy men can keep you toasty from Straight out of a Judy Blume book, right? smoking hot. I once matched with a ‘Mutt of foreplay to climax, and are scientifically Just when fantasising about the So, if you’re Andheri West’ and boy oh boy, did we proven to last like a Duracell battery. men-next-door (literally) wasn’t a part of the have the best sex of our lives. I can Also, they are smoking hot. So, if you’re a enough, Abhay Deol, Jason Momoa anti-body still recall brushing my hands up and part of the anti-body hair clan, consider and Hugh Jackman waltzed into my hair clan, down his au naturel stubble, pecks, moving to the other side, and maybe life, making me crave my hairy Prince consider and his pubic bush. The sex felt so real, you’ll change your mind? Charming. Now, my ‘ideal’ guy had to moving to the so connected. While many men shave A hairless torso may look great on have a great jawline (so defined he could other side, down there just to feel, let’s say, bigger, Instagram but ask any girl, it’s the open a beer with it), a heavy stubble, or and maybe it’s really the hair that turns most furry chests that we like to put our

a long wizard-like beard (yes, I would you’ll change women on. Give me a rug over a satin heads on after a rough Monday, or CALVIN KLEIN accept either) and some chest hair. your mind? chest any day. after rounds of hot, wild sex. Basically, Mutt from Schitt’s Creek. My best friend, on the other hand, After all, I’m just a girl, waiting Just the thought of a guy with a prickly thinks hair is gross. She says, “Body hair for a scruffy face to wake me up with The Magic Of stubble and a man rug, gave me the is fine, but pubes are best shaven.” It’s a warm hug and a sloppy kiss, and chills. Rub some glitter on to that, and somewhat akin to getting a piercing that ask me, “Do you want your pancakes viola! I’m sold. you think looks terrible, but your best before or after sex?” Monochrome Now the question remained — Will I friend thinks looks gorgeous on you. Monochrome is having a moment, and is like hair down there, as much as I like it While she thinks of hair down there as standing out for one aspect in particular — colour. The recent Fall/Winter ’20 witnessed up here? embarrassing or disgusting, I believe it Mathur is a digital models storm the runway wearing strictly one And the answer is, hell yes. There’s makes me more confident. I’d rather be content creator who colour, albeit fashionably. Louis Vuitton played no better feeling than a man giving his Queen B in the bedroom (or anywhere has worked with with muted grey hues, whereas Casablanca’s raw, unapologetic self to me, looking else *wink*) than worry about his various platforms, such as TVF pink tint brought out the playful aspect of the

like a real man who has more important ongoing thoughts. Girliyapa and Luxeva. SHUTTERSTOCK trend. Truthfully, monochrome head-to-toe PRADA looks can be tricky, but can be interesting to sport if styled well. So, are you going monochrome this month?

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TOD’S REVEALED PRE-SPRING 2021 COLLECTION AT MILAN DIGITAL FASHION WEEK Tod’s pre-spring 2021 collection was unveiled at Milan Digital Fashion Week. In a video titled, ‘Inside Tod’s Studio,’ creative director Walter Chiapponi shares the journey behind the development of the collection. The viewers were able to see the process, collection development, and  FLIPKART INVESTS $35 MILLION IN magical craftsmanship that goes into the making the line. Both menswear and womenswear collection were inspired from the ’70s. The ready-to-wear ARVIND FASHIONS TO TARGET YOUTH outerwear pieces such as trench coats, cropped blazers, parkas, and biker Flipkart has revealed that it has invested $35 million in Arvind Fashions jackets stole the show. Accessories such as backpacks, belts, and loafers for a stake in one of its subsidiaries. After the acquisition of Myntra and were engraved with the signature T symbol. The collection will be available Jabong, Flipkart has already established dominance in India’s fashion from December at the brand’s physical and online stores. e-commerce industry. It has acquired a stake in Arvind Fashions’ Arvind Youth Brands that runs the Flying Machine brand in India. The two companies said the new investment strengthens their relationship, and  MIUCCIA PRADA SAYS they look to meet the demands of the “fashion-conscious” youth in India. Arvind Fashions runs one of the nation’s largest fashion portfolios, and GOOD BYE also manufactures and carries apparels of international brands including In February, Prada had announced the appointment of Raf Polo Assn, Arrow, GAP, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Aeropostale, the  LONDON FASHION WEEK Simons as the co-creative director of the brand. During the digital Children’s Place, Ed Hardy, among others. ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER DATES Milan Fashion Week, three decades after her first ready-to-wear The British Fashion Council announced that London Fashion Week will take collection was launched, head designer Miuccia Prada presented place this September, in both physical and digital formats. The event is set to her final solo collection. About the collection and presentation, the take place from September 17 to September 22, and will be a gender-neutral Italian brand stated: “These inherently and fundamentally echo showcase. The schedule will focus on sustainability, as the fashion council the traditional fashion show, where each observer has their own states. Usually, September is about spring/summer preview for the next physical and ideological vantage-point on the collection, their own year, but the focus this year will be about living in the now, choosing slow opinions, their own observations.” Prada and Simons will present fashion, and focusing on consumption. The central theme of the fashion week their first joint collection later this year during the womenswear is said to be “reset”, as a part of the BFC and LFW’s Positive Fashion and spring-summer 2021 season. #LFWResetInitiative.

BURBERRY SALES DOWN BY 48 PER CENT IN Q1 2020 Burberry has revealed its financial resumption of overseas travel. We saw results for Q1 OF 2020, and the numbers an excellent response to new product have been a¥ected due to the ongoing launches in recovering economies, coronavirus pandemic. The retail as well as online. Demand for leather RAF SIMONS IS REISSUING revenue dropped 48 per cent, from $628 goods was particularly strong in million in June 2019 to $323 million June mainland China and Korea, bringing PIECES FROM ITS ARCHIVES 2020. Store sales also decreased by 45 new, younger luxury customers to the per cent over the quarter, compared to brand. As we enter the second phase Fashion designer Raf Simons has a four per cent increase during the same of our strategy, we are sharpening our announced that he will be reissuing 100 period last year. The company’s CEO, focus on product, and making other pieces from his brand’s archives as a new Marco Gobbetti, said in a statement, organisational changes to increase our collection, to celebrate the label’s 25th “In Q1, sales were severely impacted agility, and generate structural savings anniversary this year. Titled ‘Redux’, the by the drop in luxury demand from that we will be able to reinvest into collection was photographed by Simons’ COVID-19, and we expect it will take time consumer-facing activities to further long-time photographer, Willy Vanderperre. to return to pre-crisis levels with the strengthen our luxury positioning.” It features the “KOLLAPS” hoodie from the  MAISON MARGIELA  GUCCI REVEALS A COLLABORATIVE brand’s SS02 collection that was inspired ANNOUNCES NEW CEO PROJECT BASED AROUND G-TIMELESS WATCH from 9/11 attacks, a shirt and tie from Maison Margiela has announced Gianfranco Gianangeli as its new Gucci has revealed a collaborative project from artists across the world FW98, and a roll-neck from the designer’s chief executive o˜cer. Gianangeli has previously worked as global based on their G-Timeless watch. The Italian brand’s creative director, debut collection. The brand explained in retail director at Givenchy, as an associate international director Alessandro Michele, asked for artworks from illustrators, painters, and a statement: ‘Raf Simons Archive Redux’ at Prada, and has held several merchandising positions at Bottega digital artists, with their perspective on the automatic watch. Artists will be “both a creative and a commercial Veneta. He succeeds Riccardo Bellini, who will be shortly joining include Winnie Chi from China, Kieron Livingstone, Oh de Laval, Cambo, gesture, a chance to experience these luxury fashion house Chloé. He will report to Ubaldo Minelli, chief and Tishk Barzanji from the UK, Balfua and Margot Ferrick from the garments for the first time. A nostalgia for executive of Maison Margiela owner, OTB. He will start at the label United States, David Macho from Spain, and Andrey Kasay from Russia. the unknown.” Raf Simons Archive Redux in September, OTB said, in a statement. The Paris-based label has Even though every artist has brought their personal eye to the project, collection will be available from selected been part of the OTB portfolio since 2002, alongside brands such all the pieces share a dreamy, surreal mood, perfectly in keeping with retailers in December 2020. as Diesel, Viktor&Rolf, Marni, and Paula Cademartori. Gucci’s signature eclecticism. GETTYIMAGES / SHUTTERSTOCK

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consuming. The process is a beautiful and for me, it is how as humans, we're The Minimalist journey. The people involved are extremely evolving, and I think that we are messing up. creative, innovative, and it’s a micro world This whole drama about natural fabrics being where the people who are working on it, like sustainable, or about technology being the Of Indian Fashion textile engineers, whether it’s handloom or a vampire is not true. The fact is technology is modern high-tech loom, get a high out of it. telling you about the ability to harm. There An evolutionary and a revolutionary in menswear, designer Time is the only limitation when it comes to needs to be a balanced and a very scientific Rajesh Pratap Singh doesn’t believe in playing by the rules, and the weaving, and it’s always an ongoing process. approach to this. It can’t be fables and only thing that defines fashion, for him, is the essential evolving of storytelling, or half-baked truths. Where do you see Indian textiles going? a garment, albeit with flexibility By Samreen Tungekar Are we giving enough importance to them Menswear is still looked at from a festive at present? wear point of view, in the designer space. Anyone who has ever spoken to Rajesh Pratap I see the positive side, and I think that Indian How have you seen menswear evolve? Singh, has only come away with lessons in textile has been given, and will be given We’ve had our periods of uncertainties humility, absolute love for the craft in fashion, and more and more importance. I think there is and loss of confidence, where priorities with no regard for the popularity contest in the a lot of talent out there in the design space, were a little different, but men have always industry. He’s known for his clean, chic designs and textile designers, fashion designers, dressed up. We’re such a diverse country. that (while he doesn’t use the term himself) are amazing weavers, are already on this journey. The higher you go in the social status, or the minimalistic. He weaves his own fabrics, and is And I can tell you, it's better than before. economic condition, men really spent a lot intricately involved with his garments. Time and It’s going to get even better. There has been of time dressing up. Look at the ‘50s, ‘60s, again, he’s proven his commitment to textile a growth in the handloom sector and in ‘70s. Look at the royalties. They were like crafts, like when he collaborated with a weavers’ organised textile, where they are using a lot virtual peacocks. Indian men have become cooperative in Kullu, in 2017, among many other of mechanical technology-based loom. The more confident and evolved in their choices. things. A believe in technology and taking a future is good. The classic way of clothing, the banker balanced approach to clothes and fashion, Singh outfits, have been shunned. We won’t go talks about the growing importance of textiles, How have you innovated Khadi for back to boring, in that sense. We will evolve and the complications of sustainability. your designs? further, in a better way. I think it will be more One must understand that Khadi is a brand responsible fashion. What's one rule of fashion that you refuse to owned by the Khadi and Village Industries compromise on? Commission. At times, we’ve used Khadi A lot of what happens in fashion has also Well, the rule, is that you have no rules. I think from KVIC, and recently, from Rajasthan and become a combination of high and low you just keep evolving, keep doing your thing, Bengal. On the other hand, we do handspun fashion, like streetwear entering luxury. and making things that mean something. I'm not and hand weaving separately, but technically, And, is Indian fashion making crafts more much into fashion, in the traditional sense of it. we are not allowed to call it Khadi. So, there futuristic and relevant? We’re in the business, but I don’t look at are two versions of it, and we do both. We There are two factors: one’s is the human it traditionally. work with our own spinners and weavers, and factor, and the other is the technique. And we also work with KVIC. We’ve done a lot then, in my opinion, the more you blend What essentially is a classic Rajesh Pratap with handwoven and handspun textile, which with sensible, intelligent, and responsible Singh outfit? goes beyond the brand khadi. technology, there will be a future, and it Who knows, who cares? I don’t. The moment the will do well. Luckily for India, we love our collections are done, I want to do the next thing. Do you think india is essentially a heritage. We are not like a lot of countries, Evaluating or appreciating is not my job. What sustainable country as opposed to the West, where local textiles have become a museum I feel happy about is creating timeless designs, as many voices from the fashion space have piece. I think we have a good thing going. which someone tells me they have had with them pointed out? for years. When people come and say I had this Not at all. Completely not true. Personally, Fashion weeks have been going digital, due outfit 20 years ago and I want this again, those I get very irritated with these blanket to the ongoing pandemic. How do you see are things that matter. statements. People who say that have no clue this shift happening in India? what they are talking about. Sustainability, I cannot tell you about India, but I will tell you As a designer, what aspects of Indian fashion itself, is a very complicated issue. I don't about fashion as a global phenomenon. It are yet to be explored to their full potential? have a complete answer for all the aspects doesn't work. There had to be a reset button. It’s cliché to say handlooms, etc. But you know, of sustainability, and neither does anyone I We were not ready for the speed, which we have the variables of permutations and have met. makes us compromise on a lot of things. And combinations that are only available in India. I so, we will have to see the industry in a new think it’s the innovativeness and flexibility we But then where does India stand on the way. It was bound to happen, the pandemic have that hasn’t been exploited enough, or hasn't sustainability scale? just accelerated the topic. This industry been given a fair chance. That is interesting. Sustainability is a human knowledge effort, couldn’t have lasted the way it was moving. 30 per cent of what we were making, wasn’t What are the challenges in weaving your "The change was bound to happen, the pandemic just accelerated consumed. A lot of traditional rules of fashion own fabric? the topic. This industry couldn't have lasted the way it was are going to change, and the industry is going I wouldn’t call it a “challenge”, but it’s time to go in a different direction.

GETTY IMAGES GETTY moving. 30 per cent of what was made, wasn't consumed"

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 YADVI AGARWAL The designer & founder at Yavï works with chanderi, khadi,  UJJAWAL DUBEY pashmina, silk, brocade, and jamdani, as well as explores Fashion designer Ujjawal Dubey of smaller weaving clusters in Kashmir and Kullu Antar-Agni works with handwoven “The best part about our heritage is that the weaves of cotton, and a blend of cotton and silk, each state have something special to o er. It is rather mainly. This fabric is manufactured in exciting, studying the crafts and working within its PRAISE rules/parameters to create something that embodies Meerut, Bhagalpur and Maheshwar. “We usually work with fabrics that are the brand's language and comes together in its own unique in nature. Fabrics like handwoven unique journey. I like working with artisans, as it cotton, cotton-silk are a few fabrics that enables you to see your vision, with their expert we work with. We have also recently craftsmanship. The fabric art that I explore THE developed a handwoven fabric with in my work would be hand embroidery, elastane, cotton and zari which has been patchwork, petal dyeing, adda work, machine used in some of our styles. Handmade embroidery, block printing, digital printing, fabrics have a character that is waiting to crochet, tie and dye.” be explored and have a natural aesthetic to it, which is something I love. The fact that LOOM it goes through a process of touch and We’re nothing if not a country high on feel elevates its look and value. While heritage, and handlooms form an integral we mostly prefer working with handwoven fabrics, you will part of Indian fashion. Seven fashion come across exciting prints designers and brands delve into details of and embroideries in some the handloom fabric they work with the of our garments.” most, and the stories they weave By Samreen Tungekar

HIMANSHU SHANI AND collaborate with already work from home — their MIA MORIKAWA spinning wheel, loom and kitchen activities happen in the 11.11/eleven eleven, the brand child same space. We found an alternative to fast fashion in the  GAURAV JAI GUPTA of designers and founders Shani and humble handloom fabric. We take refuge in the qualities of Akaaro, Gaurav Jai Gupta’s brand, weave their own textile, Morikawa, uses kala cotton as the hand-knitting, painting on textile, the animated quality with a loom in their studio. The woven fabric is then sent backbone of their fiber portfolio. Kala of bandhani, the earthiness of natural dyeing, and the to weavers across the country to produce it on a larger cotton is indigenous to the region pure power of collective e ort. Other fabric arts scale. Hand-quilted blend of zari and silk, cool wool and silk of Kutch, on the west coast like bandhani, kalamkari, mirrorwork, weaves, feature in his work of India shibori, block printing, and natural “I know the narrative that we usually use is benarasi, chanderi “Hand spun kala cotton, dyeing are some of the techniques etc., but from a technical point of view, these are just names of as a fabric, feels real in we work with to embellish and the cities where the fabric is made. We do a lot of silks, wool, a way that only things enhance our textiles.” and cotton, and we do blends, like silk wool, or stainless steel which take the correct with wool or cotton. I use a lot of metallics, with steel or cop- amount of time to per. We take the yarns, and work with them. I’ve always ma- mature can. Kala jorly worked with natural materials, it’s my palette. I don’t cotton is a non-GMO like the idea of synthetic anyway. Handwoven seed, one of the material is always more breathable, and I like oldest recorded strains doing newer blends within. I like innovation, of cotton, and it does not and pushing the idea of where we can take require irrigation beyond the Indian textiles futuristically. I don’t use natural rainfall of the region. Our label motifs, or traditional Indian motifs. We uses heritage techniques such as do more abstract work, and I like working handloom weaving, hand painting, with abstract patterns, and geometry.” miniature tie-dyeing, and quilting. Many of the rurally located artisans we

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 JENJUM GADI Ever since big brands picked it up, the fashion Menswear designer Gadi has always pushed for quirk in his work. He uses matka silk trend has become one to die for, and there has from Bihar and Assam, as well as Andhra handloom cottons Tie & Dye been no dearth of tie-dye products from top “I love using heavy matka silk. I find the thickness and weight of the fabric perfect for menswear. The look and feel of the fabric is such that it works names, with eye-popping multi-digit price tags perfectly for Indian festive wear, as well as for western outfits, and is By Magandeep Singh versatile in adapting to the embellishments and silhouettes one Sneaks Back chooses to work with. The fabric is also very trans-seasonal. I usually work with matka silk from Bihar and Assam. Another fabric I love working with, is Andhra handloom cottons. Today, an idea needn’t be novel to be • Nike Air Force 1 Black Tie-Dye: and subtle? The first tip: go easy. Layer They make for the the absolutely comfortable material for popular. It just has to be repackaged Launched a few weeks ago, this was it gradually. If there is anything as shirts and kurtas, as the fabric is a breathable one.” right. And let me be the first to admit a quirky AF1, with quite the stand-out too much, then T&D is an easy one to that I love repackaging; everyone does. aesthetic on a silhouette that rarely overdo. Use it as an accent instead of The logic of this, especially in fashion, is ventures beyond basic colour-blocked as the vocabulary of your style. Maybe that everything comes back, albeit in a patterns. Nike also launched workout a scarf or socks to begin with, perhaps new avatar. And somehow, if something gear with the tie-dye effect around the a tie or a pocket square (if you are still returns after having been adopted and same time. getting a chance to use those). repackaged by top designer labels, we • Prada: Their SS19 drew heavily on An anti-fit T&D tee paired with jeans accept it ever more readily so. the retro T&D visuals and yet, it seemed could work well, or perhaps a T&D jacket The most recent rebound, is the fairly updated in terms of the structure, to go over a pastel colour-blocked set. tie & dye. and definitely more hipster than hippie. And always remember that the rest of it For a technique that sprung up as a • Crocs Tie-Dye: From clogs to must match in tone, but the T&D piece unique form of expression in so many slides, Crocs did a good few versions, can safely stand out in both brightness, civilisations independent of external with splashes of colours on a grey and colour intensity. Remember, you are influences, it had almost been dead background. Definitely eye-catching. wearing a mighty piece of garment, and

SHUTTERSTOCK for a long time. People just went off • Levi’s 501 ’93 Straight Fit Shorts: I flamboyance is a must to carry it off. it, confining its definition to a mere was surprised to find them on the Indian Doubt yourself for a second there, and SONAM DUBAL ANEETH rudimentary art form relegated to website (good job, guys), but — pardon you will lose the crowd forever. Revivalist designer Sonam ARORA college students attempting fashion on a this pun — it would take a real man to As for trying it out at home, I am not Dubal uses handloom woven Founder of Pero, shoestring budget, or hippies who never pull these off. entirely opposed to it. If times have made khadi for his menswear Arora uses outgrew the ’70s. • Palm Angels: How can we talk of us desperate enough to walk around our collections, which is handwoven But since last year, tie & dye has anything contemporary and hip, and not house whipping coffee for a good part woven in Pondichery. The merino wool, become the fashion trend, pun intended, have street culture be a part of it? They of an hour, there is certainly more to be khadi is layered with and pashmina di€erent textiles, from Himachal to die for. Ever since the big brands ran some very slick monochrome versions. gained from a DIY tie & dye effort. such as silk Pradesh, among picked it up, there has been no dearth Now that I have your attention, how “One of our other handwoven of tie-dye products from top names, may one incorporate the trend into their most popular fabrics, with over 1,000 with eye-popping multi-digit price tags. wardrobe in a manner that is creative fabrics in weavers across the country Here’s a small selection, by way menswear “The fabrics we work with would be of example. is handloom handwoven cotton and linen (checks woven khadi. and stripes) from West Bengal, Having a home chanderi from Madhya Pradesh, in Pondicherry, I cotton-silk from the south of India, was introduced to the handwoven merino wool and Ashram weaving centre by pashmina from Himachal Pradesh. The my friend. I loved the woven textiles that brand has worked in close they made — both cotton and from fabric collaboration with more than 1,000 waste, creating beautiful textures. This weavers/craftspeople across various handwoven khadi has a natural breathing regions in the country to innovate property and takes extremely well to handwoven, dyed, and printed dye, while maintaining its texture and textiles. Every season (twice a year), weight. This makes it perfect for creating we develop nearly 50 varied textiles the jackets in my collection. One of the with at least five di‡erent regions in founding principles of my label, Sanskar India, involving at least 500 weavers by Sonam Dubal, has been to work across the country.” towards reviving craft, while working with artisanal communities. We work with craft techniques like block printing, dyeing and embroidery. Our collections are a melange of textiles, lile eri silk, khadi, chanderi, wool, vintage brocades and ikats.”

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Jacket by Perona; shirt by Zodiac; trousers by NM design Studio Smartwatch: OPPO Watch (46 mm) TECH Phone: OPPO Reno4 Pro INFUSED The boldness of tech meets urban fashion. From business meetings to after work scenes, the newly launched OPPO Reno4 Pro and OPPO Watch (46mm) will empower premium lifestyle

Photographed by Rohit Gupta Art Director: Tanvi Shah Fashion Editor: Neelangana Vasudeva Assisted by Sanjana Suvarna Hair and make-up by Gayetri Chakravarthy Talent: Sharan Mahatani, TFM/360 India Smartwatch: OPPO Watch (46mm) Phone: OPPO Reno4 Pro

50 AUGUST 2020 • MW MW + FASHION

Shirt and trousers by Suit by NM design Aroka Studio; waistcoat by Lecoanet Smartwatch: OPPO Hemant; shirt by Watch (46mm) Zodiac Phone: OPPO Reno4 Pro

52 AUGUST 2020 • MW STYLE / SUSTAINABILITY

 RESTYLE AND REWEAR You need to find ways to restyle Sustaining your existing clothing. Just because A Lifestyle you have bought something from a While we debate on if sustainability is a buzzword or if it’s actually practised, there’s fast fashion company, doesn’t mean you need to throw it away right an ongoing conversation about what being sustainable actually entails. Does it just then, while building a sustainable mean buying from newly-launched sustainable brands, or rethinking your buying capsule. Restyle that old jacket choices? What does a sustainable closet look like? We find out by adding some new buttons to it By Sanika Achrekar instead of buying something new every time. Rewearing is the key to Dressing in a way that does minimal damage make a garment last for a long time. to the environment can be a tad difficult. Sometimes, the sustainable alternative may be well out of budget. We get it, the urge of running into the Zara store, splurging on numerous colourful blazers and graphic hoodies, it’s quite tempting. But if you want to make your wardrobe more sustainable, you need to first decide what aspect of sustainability matters to you the most. You might care about the way clothes are made, or maybe you care about the environmental impact of fabrics.  HOW TO SUSTAINABLY Once you determine your priorities, here’s STORE Brands that provide a list of suggestions by celebrity stylists What’s the point of boasting about sustainable packaging Lakshmi Lehr and Sanam Ratansi, to craft a sustainability when you still use plastic to sustainable closet that reflects your values. store your garments and shoes? Plastic Packmile is used in most of the packaging, there Packmile is a sustainable are rarely any brands that use paper packaging company that promotes packaging, or use brands that promote green and reusable packing ethical ways to pack. Most fast fashion solutions. Bhive is a compact light-  CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLY companies pack the garments in a plastic weight paper bubble wrap that MATERIALS zip-lock bag, making it even more toxic. is used to contain your products While making a purchase, carefully check Green packaging is the need of the hour. while shipping. It also has numerous the tags for the fabric information, or the Recyclable options made from bamboo, products such paper tapes, paper information on the product page of the recycled plastic, silicone and non- tape dispenser, and more. brand’s website. Choose products made hazardous materials such as cardboard, Natur Tec with linen, organic cotton, hemp, and cork paper wrap, paper tape, and many more At Natur Tec, you can find leather, as these are comparatively less can be used for packaging products garment storage packaging material. harmful to the planet. during deliveries. You can choose pillow style closure, adhesive closure, hanger seal, or  THRIFTING PIECES  QUALITY OVER bottom gusset closure systems for If you’re on a budget and find ethical QUANTITY your storage. It also oers wardrobe brands expensive, you can always opt for The best way to make sure you’re not accessories such as hangers, clips,  ORGANISE YOUR CLOSET thrift shopping. Thrift shopping can be buying the same basics again and again, and collar stays. First, you need to take stock of what’s left addictive, considering there are loads of is to opt for quality over quantity. Invest Thaili in your wardrobe. This way, you’ll know options to buy from, as they’re cheaper in good-quality versatile pieces that you Thaili oers cotton bags for all everything you own, and get a lot of use as well as quite different from usual can easily mix and match with the rest of purposes. The cloth bags are made out of your clothes. It’s easy to go with clothing brands. You can find thrift shops your already-existing wardrobe staples. of recycled cloth, upcycled waste trends, but it’s absolutely necessary to on Instagram, as well as in the nooks of Learn to care for your clothing in order to cloth, or fresh cloth. You can easily see whether it’s possible for you to wear it suburbs like Bandra, or the streets of increase its life span. Remove odour from store your stu in these bags instead more than 30 times in the future. Like in the Colaba. Insta-stores such as Folkpants, clothes without washing or dry cleaning of plastic bags or shoe boxes, which iconic movie Confessions of a Shopaholic, Bodements, Bygone Echoes, Shop Retro by spraying a mix of vodka and water on gives you more closet space too. you need to ask yourself, “Do I need this?” etc. offer affordable clothing with options the garment. It kills bacteria, removes before buying that expensive trench coat. for both men and women. any smell, and it evaporates quickly.

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The aable, soft-spoken maker of the unforgettable Garm Hava turned 90 last month, SATHYUSATHYU ATAT 9090 of reasons. Sathyu left the safe isolation of Mysore (the M as a new generation discovers the iconic film that is a landmark in Indian cinema in his initials stands for Mysore) to experience the liberating By Maithili Rao spirit of IPA (Indian People’s Theatre Association) and like- the old film was lacking in skill), lime-washed minded creative companions — Balraj Sahni, Kaifi Azmi, and walls predominate, Fatehpur Sikri and the Shama Zaidi, his wife and collaborator. Zaidi’s consummate periphery of Taj (where finally Amina gives touch of scripting and costume design add immeasurable in to the persistent Shamshad) are subdued authenticity to his films. ochre, Amina’s death is dramatic contrast of Even with a fine script written from an insider’s knowledge, red and white. The red of her bridal dupatta and a superlatively talented cast, it needed intrinsic empathy and red of her blood staining the white and also a degree of objectivity to bring the story to life. sheet, as Salim opens the door and looks Salim Mirza’s (Balraj Sahni’s last and finest performance) at his darling daughter. Sathyu talked of a family is the microcosm of what happened to so many rooted director’s selfishness and cruelty to his actor Muslims of north India, in the wake of Independence. when he talked of this scene, a scene that Salim Mirza stands firm like a sturdy tree, gentle and Sahni relived for the camera — the scene courteous of manner and steadfast of principles. The of his daughter Shabnam’s suicide. Do we scorching winds that blow across Agra singe his branches, mourn Sahni’s personal tragedy and laud his but not uproot his faith that Gandhiji’s martyrdom and professionalism? And admire the director’s Nehru’s assurance of equality for all, will prevail in the long unerring instinct for this moment of poignant run. This faith is tested again and again. understatement? Amidst all the troubles, his ray of sunshine is Amina (Gita Everyone knows how the film ends. Sidharth), his pampered daughter, who dies by suicide when Salim Mirza, wife Jamila (a superb Shaukat both ardent suitors betray her, which is the final tragedy. Like Azmi) and younger son Sikandar (Farooq Pather Panchali, two deaths strike the narrative like hammer Shakuntala) are on the last trip to the station. blows — one a gentle tap and the other, cruel smiting of Sikandar, at the end of a futile job hunt, sees the heart. Old Amma Jaan hides in the store room for wood his fellow jobless friends marching to demand when the family moves out to a rented house. When she is their rights under a red banner. He gets off near death, they bring her to the haveli courtyard, where from the tonga to join them, and it impels the shrivelled old lady recalls moments from her life before Salim Mirza to get off and join his son. Insaan slipping into easeful death in the presence of her family left kab tak akela jee sakta hai? The famous last t is rare, make it unique, for a novice director to scorch behind in India. A loving goodbye, unlike Pishima’s casual, words of a great, sensitive actor in an equally our conscience with a masterly first film, and also offer anonymous death in Pather Panchali. memorable film. a healing touch that is relevant to this day. Garm Hava, In a film where colour is muted (perhaps the restoration of Kaifi Azmi’s lines — he co-wrote the script with Shama Ireleased in 1974, is just shy of four years to complete 50 Zaidi based on an unpublished story of Ismat Chughtai — are decades. In hindsight, M.S. Sathyu seems the most unlikely a fitting finale to the narrative. director to have bequeathed a classic that is so poignant, Jo toofan ka karte hai door se nazara, unke liye toofan tender, and sharp in its understanding of people caught In hindsight, M.S. Sathyu wahan bhi hai yahan bhi in history’s vortex, and make a family’s intimate tragedy Dhaare mei jo jaaoge banjaaoge dhaara, ye waqt ka ailan representative of the larger tragedy of Partition and sundered seems the most unlikely wahan bhi hai yahan bhi. lives. His background of theatre art direction, and experience Has anything changed at all for the young Sikanders in of being Chetan Anand’s assistant did not prepare us for director to have bequeathed today’s India? Garm Hava makes you ask these uncomfortable Garm Hava’s searing power to move us to tears. questions. Therein lies the humanism of the film, and courage Except for Ritwik Ghatak’s anguished epics, none of a classic so poignant, tender, of conviction. Bombay stalwarts even dared approach the wounds of the and sharp in its understanding Garm Hava was made before the Emergency. Post the Partition. The South did not have first-hand experience of Emergency and Indira Gandhi’s return to power, Sathyu the trauma of mass migrations and tribulations of people of people caught in history's rediscovered his Kannada roots. A totally different terrain uprooted from homes amidst the mistrust and slumbering and narrative style marks the engaging and visually exciting violence, that could blaze into a conflagration, at the slightest vortex Kanneshwara Rama (1977), about a legendary bandit in the

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the suffering of drought victims. This nationally known film, made in 1982, reflects total disillusionment with the power Even if his other films don't games played by politicians who will not declare draught in a chronically-arid district of Karnataka. It is a tussle for power measure up to our unrealistic between a CM (we only see his hands on an impressively expectations, it is enough that official table and hear his voice), and a rival minister who wants to displace him. Sathyu made Garm Hava, which Caught in this situation where his hands are tied, is Satish (Anant Nag), who is newly posted here. He is will always be counted among the idealistic, a product of JNU, as is his wife. Satish, for all his good intentions to stay neutral, has to intervene best of Indian cinema. between two local leaders — Bhimoji, leader of small Of how many film-makers farmers and the municipal workers union, and a Cow Protection Association, arguing for animal rights while can you say that? 1920s who grew into a Robin Hood figure the real agenda is Right Wing Hindu ideology. over time. Set in Shimoga, Shama Zaidi’s Sathyu adapted the novella of the renowned Kannada script opts for a narrative that begins writer U.R. Ananthamurthy, who never ceased questioning them, but doesn’t observe their orthodox ways. Nithya then with the end and goes back in time, with the establishment and its compromised ideology. meets a young man from Punjab, who is revealed to be an a recurring ballad to mark the different Ananthamurthy has the rare gift of seeing many sides of ex-Khalistani. They fall in love and start living together, to the acts of the narrative into thematically Sathyu’s trust in theatre device to colour a textured narrative issues, and the complexity of conflicting ideologies. He consternation of the old couple, who decide to leave. Popping organic segments. is vindicated by the film’s engaging quality. Kanneshwar has an ethical viewpoint, but is not judgemental about his up to give his cynical two bits is the parasitical layabout The film traces the rise of Rama (Anant Rama is a much underrated film, and deserves a higher place characters. This ambiguity is rich and layered. Sathyu’s Narahari, who pronounces that instead of a masjid or mandir Nag), an ordinary farmer who is jailed for in Sathyu’s oeuvre for its vigour and innovation. film can’t convey all these ambiguities, and Satish’s own at the Babri Masjid site — you can guess the film’s time frame confronting the village Patil. He escapes Chitegu Chinthe (1978) is a crazy spoof on action self-awareness of his nawabi style of living (a given for his — they should build a jail, where the inmates can count the from jail, only to be betrayed by his wife. His films, timid directors and prima donna producers, stars status) and revolutionary impulses. Bara makes cut-and- bars for a day or years. For all its good intentions and using meeting with the laidback cynic Chenira (a like MGR and his imitators, its logic defying plot twists. dried statements rather than convey the implicit levels the iconic songs of the legendary poet G.P. Rajaratnam, scene-stealing Amol Palekar) results in his Kannada thespian C.R.Simha swaggers through his role of ambiguity and self-reflection. A tough task, given the Galige is stilted. And preachy. joining the bandit group led by the old and as Gajasimha, PM of an imaginary Gajadweepa, while he evolving plot where a communal riot is created, so that Sometimes, you wonder if an iconic first film is a eccentric Junja (B.V. Karanth, the theatre reads comics at meetings with foreign potentates, and a political rival is undercut, and the local ramifications of burden on a film-maker. Even if the other films do not great, who also composed the film’s music). is totally dependent on his pretty secretary to carry on resolving a situation getting out of hand. It is an extremely measure up to our unrealistic expectations, it is enough In the dense jungle, the bandits’ lair, he the work of the state. The good guy is a karate champion watchable film and makes an important point about the that Sathyu made Garm Hava that will always be counted meets Malli (Shabana Azmi), who oozes who is framed for shooting a bullet at the hero in an nature of realpolitik, where a well-meaning bureaucrat can’t among the best of Indian cinema. Of how many film- seductive arrogance. When old Junja dies, action scene, and is jailed for seven years. He escapes, voice his “revolutionary” impulses. Satish goes back to makers can you say that? Rama becomes the leader with Chenira an seeking vengeance, and the spoofing goes out of control academia, where armchair revolutions are convenient outlets able and trusted second in command. From with an American secret agent — a pretty, young woman to vent frustration. regular exploits of raids and loot, Sathyu — entering the scene. The satire is unrelenting, and the Sathyu’s last film, Galige (Moments), has an interesting develops another strand of Rama taking narrative lets go of logic in the spirit of a political set up. premise, but obviously it is a vehicle for preaching to the on the usurious Matha head, a hypocrite Bara (Kannada), (Sookha was its Hindi version), is a converted. An orphan who grows up into an independent exploiting peasants, with talk of Dharma. blistering indictment of devious politics and the ineffectual young woman Nithya, working in Bengaluru’s famous watch In an act that recalls Mother India intervention of an idealistic District Commissioner to alleviate factory, is suddenly faced with an old couple from northern when Birju destroys the moneylender’s Karnataka, claiming to be her grandparents. She houses ledgers, Rama tears up the account book that collects ransom money in the name of inherited debts. Sathyu's film, Kanneshwar An important thread of the narrative is the marching freedom fighters carrying the Congress flag and Rama, vindicates his trust preaching non-violence. Initially scoffing at their ‘Sardar’, in theatre device to colour a who has no guns, and only words of sacrifice and self- assertion, you can see Rama’s attitude change. The local textured narrative, and deserves police superintendent (Tom Alter) is determined to catch Rama at any cost, and emotionally blackmails Malli into a higher place in the film- betraying her lover. The final battle on the verdant hills of Malnad gives maker's oeuvre for its vigour and the classic Western climax — death of a friend leading to voluntary laying down of arms — a touch of folk grandeur. innovation

58 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 59 FRIENDSHIP DAY SPECIAL BETTER CALL YOUR BUD 9 celebrities discuss their camaraderie with their 4am friend, that BFF they call up to grab a bite, hide a body, or DM their ridiculous Never Have I Ever to SHASHANK ARORA Movies, music videos, social media, RANVEER I have two 4 am friends who I grew up with, in high school. #BFFGoals. Whether you grew up on a diet NAEZY BRAR Prateek and me go back 25 years. The one thing that I miss of old school college days in Xavier’s with the the most right now is my other 4 am friend, who pulls my ’90s slogan of “pyaar dosti hai”, or you’re a My 4 am friend is Amit Gosain, now a big hotelier. I’ve known him since 1996. leg a lot. Right now, no one is pulling my leg, and people are boomer addicted to F.R.I.E.N.D.S, a millennial One of my favourite memories associated with Gosain and two other friends, taking me seriously, One of my most favourite things about gorging on One Tree Hill, or a Gen Z with is when we used to go food-hunting in Lucknow after 3 am. The four of us them is their brutal honesty. They know everything about me, a hundred more shows and movies about were truly the post 3-am Diners’ guide in Lucknow, and proudly so. We would every secret, and everything that I go through, and I know lifelong friendships to access — the best know about the smallest of nooks and hole-in-the-wall places. We are literally everything that they go through. I think we don’t talk about our friend character is someone you look at — 4 am friends because we wouldn’t sleep before 4 am. Even now, during our accomplishments as much as we probably share our downfalls. and carefully place your BFF from your life, conversations, we remind each other of our 4 am wake-ups. At times, we As we’ve known each other for 25 years, we’re the kind of friends into that mould. Friendship, for some reason, might not have spoken for months on end, but when we do catch up, it’d be who know how to keep secret codes with each other, the ‘quick has always been honoured, sidelined, and like nothing changed. The only time we had fights were in college. He knows wink’ when you want to leave from a place, or you feel some honoured again as you grow up. And friendship me more than most people, given 24 years is a long time. There are people guy is stupid. I’ll always be that guy with them, and I want to tell also, somehow, always becomes what you want who you can be your current self with because they know your past self, them that they might think I’m becoming famous here, but I to come back to. and the real you. So, it is easy to be yourself with them. That’s the case with still need them. The meaning of a “4am friend” changes, Gosain too. He knows the real me. and maybe gets more complicated, as one navigates life beyond your first social circles, of school or college, or even your internships. While the description of the best friend has I’m almost dreading the stinkers I’m going to get always been someone who has seen you in after this article comes out but if I were to name only ROHIT your diapers, your ugly puberty days, evolving one, it has to be Priyanka Bhatia. I’ve known PB for into the person you are, you realise — adult over six years now. Funnily, I never thought we’d make SARAF friendships are more complicated than that. it this far. The first time I met her was at Chaturthi Childhood friendships that undergo relentless celebrations in our complex, when she’d just moved turmoil when you’re in different phases of One thing about me, is that I used to be a different person, with different friends. I had from Dubai. My friend and I decided to mess with her your life don’t necessarily last as lifetime one friend I was close to, but he was trouble. I used to bunk school, get into fights, and and I sent her a text from my number saying “Kya aap friendships, and that’s not always a bad thing. rob stores when I was with him. But that was never the case with Bilal. I was a different mere bhai ki bhabhi banogi?”. And PB being her usual The important thing, though, is to know who person with Bilal, and he brought out the best in me. He is the first friend I call when I sloth-self, didn’t understand anything. I’ve practically matters to you, and do what you can to keep need support, or want to share what’s happening in my life. I don’t trust anyone as much spent almost every day of my life with her since 2014 them. The 4am friend is definitely that person, as I trust him. I was used to being the funny guy, but then Bilal came, and he was funnier. until Feb’2020, before she decided to move away to irrespective of if he or she supported your We became such thick friends that we were recognised as the ‘Naved and Bilal’ duo. Sydney. One of my most memorable times with her decision to rebel in your teens, or changed After becoming a known personality, I think it’s harder to form friendships. though, has to be this one time we crashed a wedding your perspective in your ’20s. Everybody is opportunistic, and only want to be friends for a selfish reason. So, I back in 2017, in Juhu. We landed there, dressed in a suit Over to nine such stories, and friendships. believe my old friends are my true friends. and sari, and were mid-hogging when we realised it's an (film) industry wedding.

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SUMEET VYAS

SHUBMAN GILL My 4 am friend is my best friend, Khushpreet Singh Aulakh. He’s GURMEET literally the one person I go to for everything, be it professional or personal. He’s my adviser. We don't really have a special symbol, CHOUDHARY like a cool handshake or anything, but it’s a connection that we I have two friends who are very close to me: Rohmanch Mehta and share. He knows pretty much everything about me, from my Vikaas Kalantri. I’ve known Mehta for 12 years, and Kalantri for eight smallest doubts, to a thought that might’ve crossed my mind. years. It's often thought that men don't share enough, or stay away Friendships have their own share of fights, and I think to resolve from emotional sharing, but we discuss our lives, and that has really any fights or differences, communication is of utmost importance, brought us closer together. We have a special word, which is an inside because most of the time it's just the lack of communication that joke amongst us — it's called 'choko'. I can't discuss the emotions is the issue. When we fight, I try to keep my ego at bay, and just associated with this word, but we can use it to describe anything. communicate with Khushpreet.

ZAEDEN Who is my 4 am friend? Well, that actually keeps My 4 am friend is Anand Tiwari, we've known each other KARAN changing, depending on what I want at 4 am. If I'm for a little over a decade now. This one time, we were I actually have a few 4 am friends, but my close friend Nina will have TACKER hungry at 4 am, I know I can rely on my friend Shreya supposed to fly to Delhi for a show, and it was a morning be that 4am friend. I've known her for around five years now. We've to pick up the phone, and feed me. A lot of emotional flight. I have a tendency to miss flights. He called me about shared so many memories, but one of my favourites has to be from problems at 4 am are dealt by my friend, Poorna. We've 20 minutes before the flight was about to take off and Europe in 2017, during my tour. One of the best parts of this trip was known each for about five to 10 years. They're reliable, asked, "Where are you?" and I said, "I'm on my way". From that we were really drunk and randomly entered this casino, and I know they will always answer my phone, and I know the background, my house help urged, "Baba, you're late ended up winning about €7000. I think the best trait about any best that I'm on the 'favourites' list of at least one of them. for your flight", and on the other end of the call, Tiwari said friend has to be how they listen to you, and she really listens to me, Communication is the way we resolve our fights and "Baba, you're home. Fuck off". He doesn't judge me, and and understands me. I can pour my feelings out to her at 4 am, or at differences. We chat about our differences from all that is most important in friendship. My favourite thing any time. We do fight sometimes, and mostly it’s because I’m a really perspectives, and they know a little bit more about me about him is that he inspires me in a lot of ways. If he has an moody person. But we resolve the fights because Nina gives me space than I'd like for them to know. They know all my dirty idea, he acts on it immediately, and tries to make it happen, to fix myself. She pretty much knows everything about me, especially secrets. They’re my closest confidantes. which is an inspiring characteristic to pick up on. all the things that people reading this will never know.

62 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUST 2020 • MW 63 COVER STORY COVER STORY RADHIKA APTE: STREAMING QUEEN From feature films, web releases, international projects, to writing and directing short films, Radhika Apte has constantly proven that she is outrageously talented, bankable, and definitely one of India’s most prominent international celebrities

BY ARNESH GHOSE

INTERVIEW BY SAMREEN TUNGEKAR

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PRABHAT SHETTY  GETTY IMAGES HAIR AND MAKE UP BY KRITIKA GILL STYLING BY AYESHA DAS GUPTA

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still remember my first interaction with Apte. In work, a deeper exploration of her talent, celebrating her early 2015, I reached out to her for an interview uninhibited naturalness and candour, emotional prowess before the release of Manjhi – The Mountain and bandwidth, and capacity to empathise. This year, Man. I had scrambled for her personal number she is gearing up for a huge release with Liberté: A Call somehow, and we had a quick, affable chat, and To Spy. An espionage thriller based in pre-WW2 Britain, Izeroed in on a diner for our interview. But will they allow Apte plays the famous British spy, Noor Inayat Khan, and us to shoot you there, I had asked, because I needed a from the few clips and interviews available online, the film couple of profile shots of hers. “Oh, don’t worry, I'll request looks taut, edge-of-the-seat, and absolutely arresting. Will the manager and we’ll shoot quickly quickly,” Apte had Apte knock it out of the park? Of course. Closer home, replied. When she walked in, I almost didn’t recognise she is leading a talented pack with Nawazuddin Siddiqui her because she is tiny. Even tinier behind a gigantic in Netflix's Raat Akeli Hai, a murder mystery, that looks pair of shades. But, I remember her taking them off, and extremely promising too. blasting that trademark eye-to-eye smile, and I could But, going back to that question that popped up in my not look anywhere else for the next hour. She was warm, head in 2015: Has Apte changed, now that she is a bigger, buddy-like, she spoke like she had known me for ages, and international, celebrity? was immensely grounded, had no filter, and didn’t try to Not. One. Bit. hide her Indianness. After we had overshot our interview Through my interactions with her in the recent years, time by half an hour, we quickly started setting up for her she still remains zero-filter, zero-fucks-to-give. She still photographs. When the unhappy manager emerged, like I talks to you like you're a chum, rattling off a conversation had expected, she stepped in before I could, told him we at high speed, digressing, taking multiple detours. In would take only a few minutes, and requested him to be any interaction with Apte her intelligence, always shines nice, and allow us to finish the photos. “Chal, chal, jaldi- through. Still grounded firmly, there isn’t any high horse. jaldi click!” She said, like we were a bunch of college kids, “Who wouldn’t want to work with you? You will always snapping without permission for a college project. We get work” I said, during a conversation I had with her a kept giggling through the shoot, cracking jokes about how few months back. She energetically countered: “No baba. the manager would throw us out that very instant, and There is nothing like that, okay? Please. I also have to look I walked out of that interview, wondering if I'd ever find for work.” Her innate Maharashtrian affability often cracks another celebrity who'd behave like that. through the English poise she has acquired, over the last Sneakily, I also wondered back then, if, when Radhika decade or so. What’s brilliant is that Apte is one of the few became a bigger star, she'd still remain exactly like people in the industry who has been able to treat it like it that too? is their workplace — and not their whole life. Because of In the last couple of years, Radhika Apte has become her attitude and perspective being correctly focused, she a phenomenon. From crackling international projects has been able to be a part of Bollywood’s talent pool, and to kick-ass outings on Netflix India, Apte has adeptly also rise above its pettiness. In an industry that is presently established herself as one of this country’s best actors riddled with in-fighting and mud-slinging, and has for the right now. Every outing of hers, from Parched to Phobia, longest time been a toxic cesspool that tends to suck you Lust Stories to Andhadhun, The Wedding Guest to right in, she has been able to keep her head in the game, her three streaming shows — Stories By Rabindranath and not waver. Radhika Apte is here to do her job — and Tagore, Sacred Games, and Ghoul — has been stunning she's bloody brilliant at it.

"Film culture is a culture, and not just a business, at least from the audience's point of view. Going to the cinema is a culture, and it's beautiful. If you just completely take it away from people, it's a loss"

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"I think I've gotten selective with what I do, because I'm not running after fame or popularity. What I've realised is I want to be happy, and if my work doesn't make me happy, then I don't want to do it"

Tell us more about your character in accordingly. Now — at the moment at least — there Raat Akeli Hai? are two conditions when I choose the project. It has I play Radha, a very mysterious woman; she’s been the to be challenging me and exciting me, that’s one question ‘rakhail’ of the man who she’s getting married to, and he is that I ask myself. The second question that I ask myself murdered on the wedding night. She’s had a very difficult involves the first question — When I have to wake up at life, so she basically feels there is nothing to lose, she is 4 am or 5 am to shoot, will I feel like Oh God, I can’t do this feisty, and can quite come across as arrogant and rude. and I don’t want to do the shoot or am I going to be like, There are a lot more things about her that are far more I can’t wait to go to the shoot. If the answer is the latter, progressive than others, but she’s also mysterious, and I will take the project. I think I’ve gotten selective with we do not know whether she means what she says, or what I do, because I’m really not running behind fame or whether she’s tricking you. popularity. I’m really not. I think what I’ve realised is I want to be happy, and if my work doesn’t make me happy, then What about the story made you take up I don’t want to do it anymore. this role? Honey (Trehan, the director) was the reason I took it You’d be one of the best people to up firstly, because, you know, I hadn’t read the script. discuss the growth of OTT platforms But when I read the script, this character was like one with. Do you think it’s not only opened in noir cinema, like this mysterious woman who is also up doors for newer talent, but also for very attractive in a strange way, but she’s also troubled, the ones who are already silver screen and needs to be rescued. At the same time, she is A-listers, in that sense? also that person who will rescue you from your own With the pandemic, now even A-listers are demons. I have never played a part like this, and I also releasing their films on OTT platforms. So, there is no have never played the part of a woman from Radha’s distinction. But isn’t it great that if there’s a Salman Khan background, and or that region, in India. All of this made film and an indie actor or actress' film, they have equal me want to do the film. exposure on the OTT platform rather than having some ridiculous number of screens and no screens? So, a How has your choice of characters over viewer can choose content more democratically. I the years, between commercial films, think that’s great. web series, short films, changed? Do you have a selection process for what While the advantage of releasing a film you do? on an OTT platform would be no box I do think my choices have changed. Sometimes, you’re office pressure, what according to you, offered certain work, and you choose, or some times, are the challenges? it's something that’s never offered to you, sadly, so it’s I think film culture is a culture. It’s not just a business, from limited. You normally don’t always get what you want. But the audience point of view at least. Going to the cinema, I think earlier, I was trying to make a name, and I really I feel, is a culture, and it’s a beautiful thing. If you just needed the exposure, so I was making different choices. I completely take that away from people, it’s a loss, so I am also needed to make the money, I didn’t come to Mumbai hoping that we can revive it in a more democratic and with any. So, I was struggling, and I made my choices more equal way, and it’s not a culture we lose.

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You’ve done theatre, short films, is never ready sometimes. We have our strengths here as commercial Bollywood films, as well as an industry, and I think we can do better. web series. What’s the format that you feel closest to? Speaking of opportunities, do you think I have never chosen a format or chosen a project there’s been a significant rise in the because I wanted to be on that platform. There’s no one quality and quantity of female-centric format I feel closest to. As an audience though, I think the storylines, characters, and films, from most romantic format is going to the theatres. And the the time you started out? most viable and realistic is OTT, because there are so many In a way yes, because of OTT platforms. I think there advantages. I think both have their advantages are a lot of things where women are finally getting more and disadvantages. work, and in general, actors are getting a lot of work. But in films, I mean yes of course, there are films with And does this feel like homecoming to female-centric stories, but weren’t there films like that you, after the #Radflix phase of 2018? years ago too? Like Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil, Sridevi, It feels really great to come back to Netflix, of course. Madhuri Dixit, were all doing amazing films with female- I’ve been meaning to return for a long time, it didn’t centric parts, so I don’t know if statistically, we have an happen, and I am really happy to have the old increase, in that regard. friendship renewed. How’s self-isolation in London going? You’ve also worked across industries, What do you feel like doing once you can from regional to Hindi, to English. come back to Mumbai? As an actor, what are the different London is not self-isolating anymore. Though the break characteristics that you’ve imbibed feels better, every time I read about what’s happening in from such a versatile environment? India and around the world, it’s just really heartbreaking. If I think when you work with regional cinema, it’s really I’m going to come to India, then the first thing I am going difficult because you don’t speak the language. It is to do is see my parents. difficult to bond with the people there because some people find it difficult to speak English and Hindi, but How do you see the industry recovering you understand the culture a little better. I enjoy it the from the setback this year, in all aspects, most when I’m doing films in the languages that I speak. be it the amount of work for everyone, So, I have done less films in the South, because I do not theatres reopening, or the general vibe speak the language. I didn’t get around to learn it, but on a set? working outside India, I think the most professional thing I really don’t know. One thing I have learnt from this I’ve observed is that people pay on time, and we should pandemic, is to not think about the future. I think nobody definitely embrace that. Second is people are punctual. knows what is to be done, or what is going to happen. Another aspect that’s different is that every head of We don’t know when the vaccine is coming, and how that department has read the script, and is very well aware changes things. Or is it too early for the vaccine to come, about what we are going to do whereas, in India, the script are people anyway going to get it? We don’t know.

"One thing I've learnt from this pandemic, is to not think about the future. I think no one knows what needs to be done, or what's

GETTY IMAGES GETTY going to happen"

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Raat Akeli Hai

Ghoul

Lust Stories

"I think when we become a part of the industry, it's important to see whether we stay true to the work, or become a part of it and start behaving like an insider"

At this point in time, an important of the industry, it's important to see whether we stay true conversation within the industry (that to the work, or become a part of it and start behaving like also might be getting lost in translation) an insider. is the insider vs outsider debate. As someone who is purely self-made What are your other upcoming projects? herself, what would your opinion be? I did a series this year, which will eventually come out. I don’t like nepotism being associated with what Other than that, all my projects have been on hold, so I’m has happened recently. I find it very disrespectful. I think waiting to see what happens next. nepotism is a product of the entire society in India. We are all obsessed with certain families, we are all obsessed Who are the contemporaries you like with their kids. We always go and watch the film when it is watching, or would want to work with? by some people even if they are new, but they are from a A film you recently liked? certain family, irrespective of if they’re good or bad. To be very honest, I haven’t watched anything recently to So, we have also developed nepotism. As an audience, say what I liked, very sorry about that. But one of the if we reject it, it will not exist. It doesn’t work one way, shows that I have watched recently and loved, is Delhi and it’s a very complicated subject to speak of, in such Crime Season One. I would love to work with Ruchi Narain, a short time. But I do think that now, a lot of people are but there are innumerous people that I adore. Like Anurag producing and directing films that are not from their Kashyap, Anurag Basu, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee. It’s

families, in that sense. So, I think when we become a part a really long list. IMAGES GETTY

72 AUGUST 2020 • MW AUGUSTAUGUST 2020 2020 • •MW MW 73 STYLE / ADVICE TRACKING TIME MUSIC l GADGET l STYLE ASK THE EXPERTCOLOUR ME 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

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Tracking Time August.indd 75 03/08/20 8:57 AM OMEGA CONSTELLATION GENTS’ COLLECTION The new 41mm watches in the Constellation range integrate some of Omega’s finest and most advanced watchmaking materials into the designs. This includes models in stainless steel, 18K gold, or a combination of both. The bezels have been crafted in polished ceramic, replicating the look of the original Constellation Manhattan of 1982 that used shiny sapphire glass. The caseback features sapphire crystal, and offers a view of the Master CoAxial Calibre 8900/8901 inside. All watches have been Master Chronometer certified by the Swiss BOVET RÉCITAL 26 BRAINSTORM CHAPTER TWO Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS) at the industry’s Following the success of the Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One last year, this 2020 version of the watch highest standards of precision, performance, and — with its distinctive asymmetrical profile — comes in the iconic sloped writing sapphire crystal case, and magnetic resistance. features Bovet’s patented double-sided flying tourbillon, a second-time zone with a 24-city disc, and a precision moon phase while offering five days power reserve. The back consists of a bezel and four horns machined from titanium. The dome dial, in blue or green translucent quartz or blue aventurine glass, displays the hours and minutes of local time in the upper part of the case. The seconds are read off an index fixed on the tourbillon at 6 o'clock. The dome, located at 3 o'clock, displays the second time zone. The names of 24 cities, representing the 24 time zones, are printed on the rotating part of the dome, which makes a complete revolution, by scanning the 24-hour graduation of the base ring. A three-dimensional V-shaped needle allows the selection of the displayed time zone. The moon-phase indicator is positioned at 9 o’clock, and is also displayed by a rotating dome. The two circular windows, which overhang the dome, make it possible to read the age of the moon according to the specific orientation of its crescent. It needs correction only once in 127 years. Only 60 movements will be produced for the model, which will be distributed among the blue quartz, green quartz, or blue aventurine glass dial versions, in limited editions of 10 timepieces each. HUBLOT CLASSIC FUSION CHRONOGRAPH JAEGER LECOULTRE SPECIAL EDITION CAPRI This watch is inspired by the stunning Blue Grotto water caves off the Italian island of Capri. Inside these caves, light gets refracted by the MASTER CONTROL crystal clear electric blue water, onto the rocky walls. The 45mm case is made of polished black ceramic with a satin finish, surrounded by a bezel that is machined from ceramic, in a vivid turquoise blue. The MEMOVOX TIMER same wave of blue is seen lapping around the striated rubber strap, This JLC watch comes with a useful and brings the dial of the chronograph to life with its chiaroscuro new function — the timer. The effect. It is powered by HUB1143, a self-winding chronograph alarm can be either set in the movement, with a power reserve of 42 hours. traditional way, or based on the number of hours that should elapse before the alarm rings (for example, the duration of a meeting or the number of hours of sleep on a given night). The indicators are linked, so whichever alarm- setting method is chosen, the second indicator will automatically move to the IWC PORTUGIESER corresponding position. The dial is laid out in concentric rings, in two shades of blue with a sunray YACHT CLUB MOON & TIDE finish, complemented by an inner ring CHOPARD MILLE MIGLIA This nautical sport watch is the first from IWC to sport the engraved in bas-relief with polished newly developed tide indication. A sub-dial at 6 o’clock numerals. The latter also features the indicates the expected times for the next high and low tide. The elapsed hours-until-alarm indicator in GTS AZZURRO CHRONO double moon-phase display at 12 o’clock has been enhanced the form of a small hand tipped with a red As is well-known, Chopard has been, for more than three decades, the main to show spring and neap tides, and provides information about JL logo, and its outer edge also features the sponsor and official timekeeper of the world famous Italian 1000-mile Mille the strength of the current tides. Spring tides, which bring the Memovox’s signature triangular markers Miglia classic car rally, from Brescia to Rome and back. This stainless steel particularly high water, occur at full moon and new moon. The that point to the alarm time. Comes in the (750-piece limited edition) chronograph is one of the two models produced 44mm case and the filigreed bezel are in 18K gold, set against a new 40mm Master Control steel case. The this year to celebrate the rally. It features a sub-dial layout inspired by a blue dial with 18K gold appliques, and a blue rubber strap. The automatic mechanical Caliber 956 movement classic car instrument cluster. The elegant steely blue 'Azzurro' dials contrast 82835 calibre has a power reserve of 60 hours. has a power reserve of 45 hours. with the 'Mille Miglia red', used for detailing the hands as well as the instantly Limited to 250 pieces. recognisable '1000 Miglia' direction arrow that frames the date window. The mechanical self-winding movement has a power reserve of 48 hours.

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Tracking Time August.indd 76 03/08/20 8:58 AM Tracking Time August.indd 77 03/08/20 8:59 AM TRACKING TIME / THE INTERVIEW SEIKO PROSPEX DIVER’S WATCH 55TH ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITIONS “THE KEY WORDS ARE The limited edition trilogy series are recreations of three landmark watches that Seiko launched in the first decade, after launching its first diver’s watch in 1965. While faithful to the RESILIENCE AND AGILITY…” original designs, the 39.9mm case of the 1965 Diver’s Re-creation, and the 44.8mm case of the 1968 Professional Diver’s 300m Re-creation, are made from the Seiko developed ‘Ever- Catherine Rénier has been the Chief Executive Officer of Brilliant Steel’, giving them a brilliant white hue and unique look. The 52.4mm case of the 1975 Professional Diver’s 600m Re-creation, like the original, is made from titanium. All three Jaeger-LeCoultre since May 2018. In an exclusive interview watches share the same blue-grey dial, while the straps pay homage to the originals, and are with MW, she talks about how the Covid crisis has affected modern in both the material and colour. The 1965 and 1988 versions are powered by the 8L55 JLC, and the road ahead automatic movement, while the 1975 version carries the automatic caliber 8L35, all of which have a power reserve of 55 hours. The watches are water resistant upto 200m, 300m, and 1000m, respectively. In addition, the 55th anniversary of Seiko’s first diver’s watch, is also MW: How has the Covid crisis giving the perspective of our designers, celebrated with a stainless steel modern reinterpretation. Its 40.5mm case is characterised affected the luxury watch industry in and highlighting the inspiration of our by a slim profile, and features the same special 55th anniversary blue-grey dial, and comes your opinion, and how has it affected creations. In these special times, our with both a stainless steel bracelet and a silicone strap. It is powered by the caliber 6R35 JLC, in particular? inspirations remain the beauty of the movement, with a power reserve of 70 hours. Catherine Rénier: The key words are Vallee, and the peacefulness of the resilience and agility. We had to rethink Nature surrounding the Manufacture. the way we wanted to deliver all our But the new Master Control are also messages. Fortunately, our products already available in boutiques. The and messages were on good track, Date and Calendar models have been and ready to be shared. The change delivered to our boutiques, and the first has been with the digital turn that was ones sold are already on the wrist of our slightly quicker than expected. We are clients. The rest will come progressively, really happy with how the situation has in the next months. been handled by our teams so far, and BELL & ROSS it is a great example of the passion and MW: Tell us the idea behind your determination of the people behind stunning new Master Control series BR 0392 DIVER the watches. that you launched last month. CR:The Master Control, first launched design. The design of watchmaking BLUE BRONZE MW: What would be your road in 1992, was inspired by the of the '50s embodies a certain form This diver’s watch — with 300m water map going forward, when the legendary watches created by of elegance and sophistication. resistance — comes in a 42 mm wide bronze market reopens? Jaeger-LeCoultre in the 1960s, During the 2000s and the 2010s, case, with an unidirectional rotating solid CR: It is comforting to see how quickly with useful functions and high- the demand for larger and thicker bronze bezel featuring a 60-minute scale we managed to adapt to this new performance calibres. We have watches was substantial. During this with an anodised aluminium insert. The dial context. For example, the response decided to keep this vintage spirit, period, the watch cases increased in is in blue with gold-plated applique indices. to the digital platform has been very as it is part of the collection’s identity, size. In response, there is, therefore, a Powered by the automatic mechanical positive. At Jaeger-LeCoultre, we will while bringing it into the present with return to a design that is more refined calibre BR-CAL.302 movement. Limited edition of 999 pieces. continue to fuel this platform with new revised design. Today, Master Control and to smaller diameters, which maybe timepieces throughout the year. Our first has been relaunched with further explains the interest in the '50s spirit. chapter of the year was about the new improvements in the calibre (stronger Master Control collection, with the new reliability, 70 hours power reserve). MW: Would there be any more Master Control Chronograph Calendar, These technical improvements launches later this year? Jaeger-LeCoultre PANERAI LUMINOR MARINA and the reveal of strong performance remind the reliability of our calibres, all CR: This year, we will talk about sound, Master Control TM improvement on our calibers. covered by the up-to-8-years warranty Chronograph Calendar with the minute-repeaters but also with FIBRATECH 44 MM In the future, we will focus on the of the Care program. We also decided the Memovox. We will bring several new One of Panerai’s great contributions to the watch industry opportunities that we are given. We to give a new look to the collection Memovox to the public in 2020. One over the last two decades is the introduction of new high- have to adapt and constantly evolve with highly-qualitative Novonappa calf of them will be the new Master Control tech materials. This watch follows in that tradition. Its 44mm our business model, and develop new straps. The case was also reworked and Memovox Timer, a Memovox featuring case is made from FibratechTM, a composite developed by channels from digital to physical. After redesigned with new lugs integration. a new complication, offering the the Panerai Laboratorio di Idee. Made from unidirectional mineral fibres that are natural and eco-sustainable, it is all, we are only a little piece of this long And a new function, the Chronograph possibility, on top of the classic alarm, produced by the fusion of basalt rock. It is 60 per cent 187 years story for the Maison. Calendar, is introduced. to set the alarm as a countdown alarm. lighter than steel, resilient, and highly resistant to corrosion. It will also have, for the first time in the The Fibratech of the case is set off and enhanced by the MW: Some cities in China are MW: What was the idea behind history of automatic Memovox, an open TM Panerai-developed Carbotech used for the bezel, the back in business. What has been JLC's giving it the classic look that harks caseback, showcasing the hammer and crown, and the crown bridge lever. The watch is powered experience so far? back to watches in the '50s and '60s? gong of the caliber. Following the launch by P.9010 calibre, which has a power reserve of three days. CR: In this unique context, many things of 2018 and the new additions from last The strap is made from Panerai’s proprietary SportechTM, a CR: The '50s are in the DNA of the woven material giving a waterproof rubberised effect, blue are going digital, with the example Master Control collection, but there is year, Polaris will also continue to be a with white stitching, fitted with a trapezoid titanium buckle, of the Watches and Wonders digital more. Master Control is a subtle blend focus in our novelties. There is still a lot with black DLC coating. A second rubber strap in blue is also platform, which celebrated the Chapter 1 of historic influence and modernity, to discover in 2020, as the Maison has supplied, with a screwdriver for removing the buckle. of the 2020 novelties. We shared videos thanks to the very refined and readable more chapters to reveal. Stay tuned.

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Tracking Time August.indd 78 03/08/20 8:59 AM JLC.indd 1 03/08/20 7:39 AM THE BRAND TRACKING TIME / THE BRAND

Reinterpreting ‘FEEL IT!’ WITH RADO The brand’s new ‘Feel It!’ collection demonstrates a new warmth and energy, by The Classics reinforcing the brand’s status as a master of materials Breitling’s new Chronomat & Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection, take their ado’s new collection covers the whole “Why we do what we do won’t change, what we inspiration from the past, while looking to range of elements that have helped do won’t change. How we present and talk about the future make it a major global brand: materials, the brand we’re so proud of, needed to change. innovation, technology, history, We believe ‘Feel It!’ will allow us to connect and lightness,R smoothness, design, warmth, energy, engage with a whole new audience of watch The Breitling agelessness, durability, vibrancy, style, fashion, enthusiasts all around the world.” We take a look HYPERCHROME and colour. Says Rado CEO Matthias Breschan, at some of the pieces from the collection. AUTOMATIC Chronomat Collection The case of this watch is in Rado’s pioneering plasma high-tech ceramic, Introduced in 1984, when extra-thin quartz timepieces were CAPTAIN COOK with stainless steel side inserts, titanium the order of the day, Breitling placed a bold bet on an impressive BRONZE AUTOMATIC caseback with sapphire crystal, and a mechanical watch that became an icon of its era. Nearly 40 years later, stainless steel crown. The green dial comes This watch is a combination of a bronze the Chronomat has been redesigned for a new generation of fans. with rhodium-coloured applied indexes, case, box-shaped sapphire crystal, bronze Every chronograph in the new collection comes with legacy and the moving anchor symbol. Powered bezel with high-tech ceramic insert, features that make it instantly recognisable: the signature rotating by ETA C07 automatic, which provides a a titanium case back with sapphire crystal, power reserve of 80 hours. Comes with a bezel highlighted by rider tabs, the interchangeable rider tabs at 3 and a dark green leather strap. Powered 3-row polished plasma high-tech ceramic o’clock and 9 o’clock, enabling the wearer to either a ‘count up’ or by the ETA C07 movement, with an bracelet with a titanium 3-fold clasp, and ‘count down’, and the highly recognisable stainless-steel integrated 80 hour power reserve. ceramic pushers. Rouleaux bracelet, with a butterfly clasp. The watches in the collection are powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, an in-house mechanical movement with HYPERCHROME power reserve of about 70 hours. Like all Breitling watches, the CLASSIC AUTOMATIC Chronomats are COSC-certified chronometers. Inspired by Rado’s first collection from Chronomat B01 42 has a 42-millimeter stainless-steel case with 1957, this watch, with a two-tone colour a choice of a silver, copper, or blue dial, with black contrasting combination and a steel case, features a chronograph counters. green dial and a bezel in polished, scratch- Chronomat Bentley celebrates Breitling’s partnership with the great resistant plasma high-tech ceramic, with a warm metallic glow. The Easy Clip System British luxury car brand. It has a 42-millimeter stainless-steel case, with allows personalisation of the bracelets that a green dial and black contrasting chronograph counters. CAPTAIN COOK come with the watch. Powered by ETA Chronomat Frecce Tricolori Limited Edition has a blue dial featuring AUTOMATIC C07.611, automatic, 25 jewels, 3 hands, red tone-on-tone sub-dials, and the Frecce Tricolori logo on the dial. This Captain Cook is a bigger, bolder printed date at 3 o’clock, up to 80 hours watch is limited to 250 pieces. reinterpretation of an original model from power reserve. For those who want to take sporty luxury to a whole new level, the 1962 Rado archive. The 42 mm watch is a mix of materials, including high-tech there is also a Chronomat B01 42 with a striking 18K red gold case, ceramic and sapphire crystal. The dial presented on a black rubber strap, with an 18K red gold folding clasp. and bezel stand out with their glossy green appearance. The Swiss-made C07 automatic movement provides a power The Breitling SuperOcean reserve of 80 hours. The Rado Easy Clip System enables easy personalisation of Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection the strap. The choice includes a rice-grain bracelet in steel, a leather strap, and a This collection takes its design inspiration from the brand’s original SuperOcean watches from Nylon Nato style strap. 1957, that embodied the cool, laid-back surfing lifestyle of the 1950s and 1960s. The watches come with two dial options: a classic black dial or a blue dial, with a black vintage- RADO TRUE inspired leather strap, with a pin or folding buckle. They are also available with an integrated THINLINE LEAF Ocean Classic stainless-steel bracelet. RADO TRUE SECRET Besides its slimness (just 5mm One of the standout design features of this model is its bidirectional concave stainless-steel in height), this watch stands out AUTOMATIC bezel with an ultrahard scratch and shock-resistant ceramic bezel ring, whose luminescent dot at for its green mother-of-pearl The secret to this watch is in the cut- the 12 o’clock is an ideal feature for a dive watch. The timepieces in this collection are powered by dial. The 39mm x 43.3mm case out dial section at 12 o’clock, which the Breitling Caliber 10, which offers a power reserve of around 42 hours. is in polished green high-tech offers a great view of the balance The collection also features the SuperOcean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition, a watch that is all ceramic, with a sandblasted wheel. The 40 mm case is in Rado’s about colour. It has a 42-millimeter stainless-steel case and bidirectional rotating bezel with an titanium case back and a yellow pioneering plasma ceramic. The dial ultrahard black ceramic bezel ring, and a black dial. gold-coloured PVD coated features a light green to dark green stainless steel crown. Powered by gradient. ETA C07 automatic that But the real highlights are the splashes of colour marking the hours at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock on the quartz ETA 282.002 calibre. powers the watch has a power reserve the dial, making it easier to read in different lighting conditions. The hour markers, and the hour of 80 hours. and minute hands are coated with Super-Luminova in the rainbow graduation of colours.

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Brietling.indd 1 03/08/20 8:53 AM Watch - Rado.indd 81 03/08/20 1:22 PM BOOKEND / THE SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE SHIBANI DANDEKAR Here’s what Shibani Dandekar’s Instagram feed says about her

First up, Dandekar is a major dog lover. All the best people are, after all Mountains or beaches? She's more of a beach person, for sure

Dandekar also has a strong girl gang that uplifts her and empowers her in her daily endeavours

Fitness plays a huge role in Dandekar's Then, of course, there are life, and she cutesy images with beau Farhan Akhtar that make regularly shares our day better training videos on Instagram

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