we’re 13! · more if you love peanut butter like me) for the frosting 1 cup nutella ( add more if...

PLUS 13 KITCHEN ESSENTIALS, 13 HARD-TO-KILL PLANTS, DIY DECOR AND MUCH MORE!

CELEBRATING OUR 13TH YEAR MILESTONE WITH INSPIRING STORIES FROM 13 WOMEN

www.jfwonline.com

`75Vol. 14

Issue 01SEPTEMBER

2020

TELE'S FAVOURITE ANCHOR DD ON 'THE FUTURE OF TELEVISION'

A FRESH START!

6 easy to bake recipes for and

from beginners!

FIRST WOMAN HOME SECRETARY OF KARNATAKA! IPS D ROOPA MOUDGIL

The art of draping and 6 women who ace it!

IT'S A WRAP! Malavika Mohanan

EXPANDING HER HORIZON IN FILMS

We’re 13!

2 | JFW | SEPTEMBER 2020

14Sept

48

36

30

54

COLUMNS

9 Between the Pleats

Sari specialists reveal great truths about the draping tradition

14 Second Nature Find

sustainability in this new line of desi apparel

48 Modelling a New Outlook

Mallika Chaudhuri's message on body image

52 Running for Representation

Kamala Harris, from Chennai to Cali

54 Primetime amidst a Pandemic

Beloved anchor DD reflects over the future of TV

58 Confident in her Khakis

Roopa Moudgil, Karnataka's first woman IPS officer

18 Heel to Toe Soaks, scrubs

and masks for glowing feet

21 Eye Candy Treat your eyes

to the finest and boldest product range

36 Flour in Full Bloom

Newest bakers in town share their specialty recipes

30 Upcycled Interiors

Turn junk into jewellery for your home

FASHION

ON YOUR PLATTER

RENDEZVOUS

16 Sunny Side Upby Anu Hassan

BEAUTY

HOME

IN EVERY ISSUE60 Tinsel Talk64 JFW Online

21

35

SEPTEMBER 2020 | JFW | 3

Of Refreshing Roles & Wise RoutesMalavika Mohanan is not holding back her principles for anybody

22


Founder andManaging DirectorSujit Kumar

Co-Founder andEditor-in-ChiefBina Sujit

Guest ColumnistAnu Hasan

Senior Features WriterRadhika RameshSruthi Ravinder

Copy EditorSusanna Selwyn Contributing WritersFeba GeorgeLakshmi SandilyaSharmila RibeiroShivani Arora

DesignRifah Aiysha

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Marketing Co-ordinationSathiya Baskar

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Suganthion Fashion | LookBook

It was nice to see familiar movies in the list. Took me back to the good 'ol days.

Kailash & Madhu, Coimbatore

Tried out almost everything because we haven't been ordering out much and the kids need variety to survive in my house. Loved the choco paniyaram.

Charuon Beauty | Vanity Case

I had heard about it as a miracle beauty ingredient, but wasn't too sure until now.

Hi Kaavya,We consider ourselves lucky to have dedicated readers like you who keep our spirits up. Hope you find the topics dealt with in this issue to your liking. Happy reading!

Deeksha, Chennai on Lifestyle

WFH hasn't changed the fact that we can still mess up. Some good suggestions.

KaavyaIt’s great that you address

important issues even in the smaller sections of the magazine. The article on beauty trends brought to light issues that prevail in our society though nobody likes to talk about it in the open. I have been featured in the MailBox section earlier for my feedback. Thanks and keep going!

MailboxLOVE WHAT YOU SEE?Don't forget to share your thoughts and suggestions.Tag us, drop us a comment or just email us at [email protected]


YEARS OF JFW!LAUNCHED IN THE YEAR 2007, JFW HAS CONSISTENTLY FUNCTIONED AS THE VANGUARD OF THE STYLISH,

THE SPIRITED AND THE SMART. FOR 13 YEARS IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT REFLECTION OF TIME, POWER, AND VICTORY OF WOMEN THAT WE CELEBRATED AND EMBRACED AS OUR OWN. WE’VE TRAVELLED WITH THESE

WOMEN, WITH YOU OUR READERS AND NOW WE ARE CROSSING OUR 13TH YEAR MILESTONE. HERE IS A HUMBLE LOOKBACK AT HOW THE JOURNEY SO FAR HAS BEEN!


very first Travel special in April. The month of October released “The Gold Issue” an entire edition that was themed gold.

2014This year featured the most happening and glamorous girls from Samantha, Trisha, Tamannaah, to Aditi Rao and more.

2015Our highlights of this year came from the men. From featuring chocolate boy Madhavan in the cover to a cover shoot featuring Shamlee shot by Ajith Kumar.

2016 PV Sindhu. The most sensational of covers,

fetched us international recognition. The shoot for this cover saw then Rio medallist transform into a diva.

2017The Handloom special edition featured the then-bride-to-be Samantha as she got candid about her journey in life.

2018The Sania Mirza pregnancy shoot was a beautiful feature that captured the journey of the sports pro taking her step into motherhood. Rima Kallingal, Nithya Menon, Aditi Balan, and Chinmayi were some of JFW’s proud cover girls in 2018 as they were making bold changes to the industry and raising voices for the right things.

2019The year featured Vijay Devarkonda straight out of the ‘Arjun Reddy’ frenzy. September 2019 celebrated all things grand with fashion icon and actress Rakul Preet.

20112011 January featured Deepika Padukone, fresh into lime light, who in a span of a decade has grown to become one of the top artists in Indian cinema. The year also featured then new girls on the block and now super stars Samantha Akkineni and Tapsee Pannu.

2012The year saw a number of elaborate themed cover shoots. The month of February 2012 featured the then Kollywood sweethearts Sneha and Prasana as they made their official announcement as a couple with us. 2013This year we launched our

2020The year kick started with a fashionable shoot starring Tollywood’s youngest sensation Rashmika Mandanna. Followed by a grand movie awards in March. When the pandemic hit, we were faced with challenges and had to think fast. Though we shifted to emag for our reader’s safety we continued to reinvent to quickly changing times and have been providing our readers with our versions of the ‘New Normal’. From Andrea Jeremiah’s first ever virtual shoot to Shruti Hassan’s self-shot cover JFW continued to keep readers engaged and wanting more.

THEN... ...NOW


FASHION | Look Book

SARITORIAL SUPREMACY

Much-needed romanticising of a Sari in all its myriad forms and the alluring sense of ‘Indianness’ that it brings along. By Feba George

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THE CAREFULLY ORCHESTRATED IMAGE

OF FEMININITY has always revolved around the idea of what she wears, along with

playing a pivotal role in providing opportunities for self-assertion since ancient

civilization. The sentimental spark laced with nostalgia, that an ‘unstitched piece

of garment – the Sari’ evokes is undeniable!

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Matriarch of regional drapes and textile

historian Rta Kapur Chishti, the author of

‘Saris of India: Tradition and Beyond’ writes – “The sari has been our means of finding a pathway through

the labyrinth of India's inherited material/ textile culture. The most fluid of worn

garments, the sari reflects and

communicates with all that we can see and touch, feel and experience. It takes us headlong into the intangible aesthetic,

philosophy and technology from

which it emerges. It is our road map for Bharat Darshan - a visitation of

this land.”

Clockwise from top: Many Indian Sari drapes popularised by Raja Ravi

Varma in his paintings from the 19th century;

Sari historian and textile scholar Rta Kapur Chishti;

Chunnu Begum, wife of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad, India, ca.

1915 in Chaugoshiya Sari drape aka Pant-Style Sari

lusciously over the wearer's body. In fact, the beguiling charm of the accentuated fabric lying gracefully is self-expressive.

Today , the Sari has begun to move into newer domain with much noticeable drapes and fabric fluidity, deemed to ‘fit’ any silhouette. The understated elegance of a Sari is often overlooked by many as a – floor-length garment with a blouse, in-skirt and a dozen safety pins for assurance. Truth be told, the narrative of a Sari need not be confused with, as a cumbersome task. It is all about understanding the dynamics of an engineered garment that is uniquely structured by our skilled weavers!

On Sari and its many drapes

To initiate a conversation on cultural testament as well as style and identity today, the self-effacing Sari enjoys a prominent role in wearers’ wardrobes and their social lives. The structure of the unstitched garment is such that, through the simple tucks, elegant pleats and crisp or loose folds, it curves

Did you know Most of the regional

drapes in India, do not require an in-

skirt, are often worn without a blouse

and always without safety pins.


1.You will need a dark

cotton handloom sari with a thick border.

2.Make about 5-6 pleats with the inner end and

hold at center back waist.

3.Drape outer end

anticlockwise under pleats and double knot at right waist.

4.Drape pallu over

left shoulder. front portion in at the

center behind the waist.

5.Bring right edge of pallu back to front and tuck in at left

waist. (For optimal viewing check more

about it on The Sari Series)

(which literally translates to ‘pleats at the back’) originated from Tamil Nadu. It is a draping

technique that requires no in-skirt, no safety

pins or sometimes even no blouse!

The Pinn Kossavam

Drape

A Sari connoisseur, Sumitra Selvaraj of @sareesandstories beams with pride conveying her love for the Nivi drape, which has been her preferred drape for 25 years. “I love the structure of the Nivi and with the mundhani pleated and pinned at the shoulder, it allows me the greatest

Ever so traditional and classic Nivi drape has been a household favourite through generations.

Master the Drape

dexterity. I have found that the Nivi drape is exceedingly corporate, even in a country where Saree wearing in an office setting is no longer common. In more recent years I have become comfortable with the open mundhani, and that is a function of my changing role,” she exclaims.

Power-dressing for the win

Having upped the cool quotient along with keeping the many values and linkages, intact; are the urban women residing in India metros. Their revival projects and fashion experimentation on this apologetic garment has led to reinforced nationalisation of the six yards. A Sari savant and mother of two, Letha Jose of @sydbylethajose talks about the progressive shift in mindset towards the saree as an ‘alternative wear’, rather than a ‘uniform/occasional wear’ – “A few years ago, experimenting with how you drape the saree was frowned upon. Today you have many confident young ladies draping them in dramatic, bold


and beautiful ways that elevate saree to chic than traditional. Only when such draping styles are adopted, more and more youngsters will come forward to accept it as a comfortable and cool everyday wear and not just occasion wear. And that will give saree the fillip to remain a sartorial choice of the young.”

Lose the in-skirtThe most functionality can be achieved when

the pre-conceived notion of an in-skirt being mandatory is

dropped out. Simply tie the inner end of the Sari

around the waist and secure a knot.

Safety what?A newbie experimental

Sari draper tends to be conscious of the drape spilling out of places. Professional

sari drapists can abide by this trick of securing pleats using a needle and thread, to avoid

tacky gaps. Of course, you will need a helping hand.

Steam to perfectionAlways steam/iron the

pallu after pleating them i.e., if you are obsessed with stiff crisp pallus.

To blouse or not

You decide how much or less, you want to style your ensemble and get this, anything can work

as a blouse. Just channel your inspiration and find

the right pairing.

Master the Drape

StylingTricks

Let’s say we tuck the fabric in the corset and use the pallu as a cowl neck or simply wear a kurti over pleated sari or add a broad leather belt for more prominent curves or... the options are endless, aren’t they? It is truly bespoke for the masses!

Compelling drapes driven by functionality and elegance, along with experimentation.


By liberating the six yards to transition into new markets,

new territories, new opinions,

new silhouettes and new

choices; there exists a willing desire to keep traditions and basic roots of culture alive.

Beyond timeless weaves and everything in between

The tale of a Sari doesn’t end here. From history to novelty, the six yards has travelled through festivals, occasions, traditions, rituals and class symbolism to mark the foundation of innovative and modern drapery. Appreciating the woven loom as it is, evokes pride in the wearer. Similar are the views of Chennai-based Madhulika Kapilavayi – a staunch believer of embracing

the rich traditional weaves as an extension of herself. “I believe in an egalitarian society, and our craft traditions, though practiced by various communities, is still a single unit. The weaves are an absolute part of this land, there may be many divides but art always stays rooted to the land. The land will remain undivided.” Through her brand Margazhi she blends her unique style, strong traditional roots and opting for timeless weaves all in one ensemble.

To constrain a Sari, is to constrain humanity itself, expresses Selvaraj. Image of the six yards has been recast long before! The shackles of limitations are broken to recognize the archival value of adorning these evergreen weaves. Elevating one’s authentic style and form of self-expression through a Sari is truly fascinating! Such is the nature of a utilitarian fluid garment that allows indigenous people to drape in functional ways with or without, an in-skirt and a blouse.

Making an unstitched garment your own

Collision between toxic masculinity fused with

androgyny.

The community of Sari wearers’ and

Sarigrammers almost constitute as an

emerging subculture; powered by

experimental drapes and pleats combined with the right (or no)

blouse and accessories. Having said that, the language of sartorial style is the easiest to

attain in a Sari, albeit it needs exploration to

survive and thrive. So go ahead, hone

your individuality and give a fresh aesthetic

to the drape, by amplifying it.


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Someone else's word

chopping noises. Looking down I saw that my

neighbour’s gardener was chopping down all the bamboo that was forming a hedge along their wall. I felt a pang of regret as I saw him ruthlessly wield a pair of shears. For many months I had looked down from my balcony at these lush green rows of leaves and to see them getting chopped down made me

One day while I was inspecting my rainforest – what ? You don’t know where that is? That is what I call my collection

of plants in my huge balcony that spreads all of one and a half metres! I am realistic if nothing else. So – getting back to the rainforest inspection…. While I was doing that, I heard


feel I was losing something.As he chopped them down, bunches

of leaves and stems fell over on to our side of the wall and I had a brainwave. Maybe they would make a nice addition to the rainforest.

So, I called out to him “Annein” (the poor chap was in his twenties – old enough to be my son but I didn’t pause to think about that when I was excited about new entrants to the rainforest community. He looked up. “Will the cutting grow if I plant them?” I asked him. He said “No ma. We have tried it. It doesn’t.”

I couldn’t believe that he could be right. Yes, he is a gardener and he knows his job… so what? Sometimes when you get an answer to a question too quickly you tend to suspect its veracity. Well at least I do.

I also have this attitude in me that refuses to accept it if someone says something is not possible. Unless it relates to turning into a unicorn or something else equally ludicrous, if I haven’t tried it for myself and found it wasn’t possible, why take someone else’s word for it? This is an approach that peppers my life with curiosity, excitement and a resilience to failures. And so, I decided to ignore him.

I needed more voices to chime in regarding this. So, I promptly turned to that place where you get validated authentic information. The internet of course – and even there I turned to the one place where opinions become facts. Facebook and Instagram.

I put out a question about growing bamboos. It was interesting to see how many people copy pasted from unverified sources about how to grow bamboo. When I asked if it was from personal experience, I was met with silence. Typical huh?

In the meantime, our gardener was working with alarming speed and I realised that soon he would come and clear away the leaves and shoots that were accumulated. I decided there was no harm in giving it a shot and dashed

down and grabbed an armful to bring back – which by the way was a mistake. The darn thing had little bristles that stuck to my arms and I was scratching myself like a dog with fleas for the next hour!! (I feel an imaginary itch now as I type!!)

I decided to run three experiments. I retained the leaves in one set and planted them in soil. The other set had their leaves chopped and bare, naked sticks were buried in a pot. The third set I cut into small pieces and dropped into a container with water.

Over the next week I monitored them closely, the tall ones with the leaves were the first to go. They dried up within a day or two. I would edge

carefully past those dangerous leaves as I continued my rainforest inspection. Once itchy twice shy and all that!

The other two experiments were continuing with indeterminate results. Deciding to spur progress, I added some coloured pebbles to the glass container. I don’t know what I hoped that would achieve. That some added colour would make them sprout into life? Needless to say, that did not happen.

It is now two weeks and all the

coloured pebbles seem to have achieved is to... well add colour to the Rainforest. The leaves are now beginning to wither away in the glass jar and close inspection of the culms (yes that is a new word I learnt – not that it did me any good) didn’t show any signs of new life. And if you don’t know what culms are… well I am not surprised... I mean, after all, you didn’t know about my rainforest!

The only experiment which doesn’t look like a wash out is the batch that I trimmed of all leaves and planted in the pot. Who knows what marvellous signs of life are sprouting underneath the soil?

I am loathe to give up on any of them because of my experience with the pasalakkeerai.

You see, I got these seeds from a friend and when I showed it to my gardener he said there was no way I would get any plants from them. He was of the opinion that they only grew from cuttings. And of course, me being me, didn’t listen to him. I planted the seeds anyway and religiously watered them. I didn’t see any sign of life for 2 months. And then suddenly after two months, I see two little saplings peek out. (I THINK they are pasalakkeerai, if they are not, I refuse to take anyone else’s word for that either!!)

Imagine my delight in proving the gardener wrong.

And this is exactly why I refuse to give up on the bamboos. Like pasalakkeerai like bamboos maybe. Who knows?

So, every day I inspect the three experiments and water them periodically with a kind of excited anticipation. Every day, I turn away without finding signs of life. But that doesn’t deter me or disappoint me. I am not giving up. Until I know for sure, why take someone else’s word for it?

Connect with Anu Hasan. Send in your suggestions and feedback at www.facebook.com/anuhasan.india or mail her at [email protected]

I COULDN’T BELIEVE THAT HE COULD

BE RIGHT. YES, HE IS A GARDENER AND HE KNOWS HIS JOB… SO WHAT? SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GET AN ANSWER TO A QUESTION TOO QUICKLY YOU TEND TO SUSPECT ITS VERACITY. WELL AT LEAST I DO.


BEAUTY | Grooming

here's to

Xnfeet!healthyhappy& y

your complete guide to treating your feet right!


T hey move us through the world, help us stand our ground, and

yet we often tend to them last when it comes to self-care. So essentially, if your feet fall behind, so do you. Developing good foot health is just as important as maintaining good skin. You need to develop routines, treat them to soaks, and avoid a few unhealthy habits and more. But you can do all this while at home.

Cracked feet can be a result of dehydration, improper diet, and wearing the wrong kind of footwear. Not only are they embarrassing to show but can also be very painful. Keep

your feet hydrated can help prevent this and keep your feet soft and smooth.

Olive oil is a great moisturizer, especially

for dry skin. Apply more concentration at your

pressure points (heels).Take a few drops of the oil in your palms and massage in circular

motion in your feet. You can let this sit for an hour before washing off or you can also leave the oil on

the skin overnight.

In case you have cracks you can dip cotton in olive

oil and apply it in your affected areas. Wear socks if you are worried about oil

stains, the socks also let your skin absorb the oil.

Honey has excellent healing properties. It

completely removes any dryness from your feet.

Add a small cup of raw honey to a bowl of warm

water and let your feet soak in everyday for around

10 to 15 minutes.

The lactic acid that is present in milk helps heal and hydrate dry patches

in your feet.

Take 3-4 cups of lukewarm milk and to this add 2

tablespoons of honey, 1 spoon of vanilla extract, and

2 spoons of baking soda. Soak your feet in this for 5 minutes. Use baking soda to scrub the dead skin in

your feet and let it sit for an additional 5 minutes. Pat dry

and moisturize.Developing a daily cleaning regime will help protect your skin from drying, peeling off, and also prevent the accumulation of dead skin. You can also do this thrice a week if not daily. Add a bit of salt to lukewarm water and soak your feet in it for 5-7 minutes. After that pat your feet dry and apply a good moisturizer.

DAILY CLEANING REGIME

TRY THESE NATURAL MOISTURIZERS

OLIVE OIL HONEY MILK

Prepare a

soak with

just a cup of

milk to soak

your feet in!

FOR

CRAC

KE

D FEET

FOR

DRY

SKI

N

FOR

NO

RM

AL TO DRY SKIN


A TREAT TO YOUR TIRED FEET!

Begin by shaping your nails using the nail file. Then, buff them with a good

quality buffer.

Add a squirt of body wash in warm water for soaking.

This will soften up the skin around your nails, freeing

any remains from filing.

Use nippers to remove dead skin, built-up cuticle, or

excess nail that hangs on after

filing. Paint your nails with a colour

of your choice.

Now using your orangewood stick, and gently press

back your cuticles, running the edge of the stick along the sides of your nail. This will help to free the skin that grows from

your feet onto the base of your nail.

Make sure to run it under your nails as well, for an overall clean feel and look.

Orangewood is soft and

will not scratch your nail

bed unlike metal pushers,

that can cause damage in

the long run.

Nail nippersA bowl for soaking

Nail fileNail buffer

Orangewood stickBasecoat

Nail polish colour of your choice

Topcoat

INGREDIENTS

HOW TO1.

2. 4.

3.

NO TIME TO SPARE? ALL YOU NEED IS 15 MINUTES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Take 1/2 cup mouthwash (any mouthwash will do), 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup water. Mix them together in a shallow container. Soak your feet while you pick up on your favourite book or watch a TV show. Soak for 15 minutes and if required go a little longer. After the soak, wipe your feet with a towel to remove any loose skin.


BEAUTY | Vanity Case

Line ‘Em UpLatest pearl of wisdom: beauty is in and on the eye of the beholder. Go ahead then, draw those alluring strokes and let the world take notice of your every glance.

BEAUTY | Vanity Case

Try the Swoosh!

Here are some looks to help you find your way!

There but not there look for the video calls

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MALAVIKAMOHANAN

SPOTLIGHT


MALAVIKAMOHANAN

A STEADY CAREER GRAPH, REFRESHING TALENT, AND A LOT OF EXCITING SCRIPTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO, SHE IS GETTING HER WAY INTO THE TOP RANKS. HER CHARISMA AND HER NATURALLY PEPPY ATTITUDE MAKE HER A UNIQUE ACTOR AND AN EVEN BETTER PERSON. IN CONVERSATION WITH RADHIKA RAMESH, MALAVIKA MOHANAN TALKS ABOUT LIFE, MOVIES AND A BRIGHT FUTURE.

PHOTOGRAPHY VAISHNAV PRAVEENMAKEUP NITI GOENKA | HAIR MIKE DESIR | STYLED BY MANISHA MELWANI

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any such stage performances but I was curious about theatre. I attended a couple of workshops and the interest grew. While I was still unsure if I would pursue it as a career, I received an offer for my first film, mid-college. At that point, I was adventurous and I just wanted to try this experience,” she confesses.

Malavika debuted into the film industry with the Malayalam movie Pattam Pole which starred Dulquer Salmaan in the lead. “The team of this film taught me a lot about performance. My first team will continue to remain my family forever,” she reminisces.

Knocked Down But Not Knocked Out

Malavika recalls the first time she told her family about signing on for her first film with Dulquer Salmaan and their response. “It was truly a standout moment for me. My family was proud and greatly excited for me. Even so, I learned that nobody and nothing can prepare for life’s curveballs,” she says on an emotional note. “I cannot put into words how

Malavika’s enthusiasm as a child has certainly followed her into her acting

career. A Malayali at heart, Malavika was born and brought up in Mumbai, experiencing the best of both worlds. All set for a powerful journey ahead, she lets on her thoughts about… well, a lot!

A Chipper ChildhoodMalavika’s parents, originally from

Payyanur, moved to Mumbai so that her father K.U. Mohanan could pursue his passion – cinematography. “I was brought up in a proper Malayali household and observe all Malayali customs. I grew up watching a lot of Malayalam movies as well. However, having friends from different cultural backgrounds and languages, I can easily adapt to a diverse range of settings,” reveals Malavika.

“I am extremely close to my parents and my younger brother. I know it is normal for an Indian to live with their parents, but, even if it were otherwise, I would still choose to live with my folks,” she says. And at school? “I would participate in practically all activities from quizzes to sports. I have always been very creatively engaged since then,” she adds.

The Early ‘Dais’Malavika admits that although she

was an active kid, she never really dabbled in theatre or drama. “I never tried my hand at performing arts when I was a child. I would shy away from

THESE TROLLS ATTACK WOMEN SPECIFICALLY, AN ISSUE THAT MANY HAVE SPOKEN OUT ABOUT. I WAS BODY-SHAMED AFTER THE RELEASE OF MY FIRST FILM AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY TAKEN ABACK.


@pa

pado

ntpr

each

bysh

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broken I was when the film did not fare successfully. To add insult to injury, the trolls online had a field day at my expense. These trolls attack women specifically, an issue that many have spoken out about. I was body-shamed after the release of my first film and I was absolutely taken aback.” While the film did not perform well commercially, Malavika had caught the critics’ attention in a positive way.

The Rise Is RealShe indeed did expand her

horizons with her next recognised film titled Beyond The Clouds starring Bollywood actor Ishan Khattar and directed by the legendary, Academy-Award winning Iranian film director Majid Majidi. “Honestly, I have no idea how I landed this film. I remember receiving a call from one of the casting directors. The director was leaning towards a fresh face and I ended up getting the project,” says a smiling Malavika.

A Grand Entry Into Tamil Cinema

Malavika Mohanan entered into the Tamil film industry with the superhit film Petta which starred Superstar Rajinikanth, Simran, Trisha, Nawazzudin Siddique, Sasikumar, and Megha Akash

THE FIRST TIME I MET RAJINI SIR WAS A DAY BEFORE MY SHOOT BEGAN. IT WAS JUST UNREAL FOR ME TO EVEN BE IN THE SAME ROOM AS HIM AND LEARN FROM HIM.”


among many others. The film directed by Karthik Subbaraj, had Malavika play a pivotal role in it. “I had received a call from Karthik’s team a year before Petta, for a Dhanush film. However, I was not reached back for the same and instead, after a year I received a call for The Superstar’s film and I was almost certain this wouldn’t pan out either for me (laughs). But what do you know, they asked me to fly down to Chennai and do a photoshoot for them in the Madurai-Saree look. Finally, I was onboard!” says a gleeful Malavika. “I need to connect with the role in order for me to select a script. I love doing an out-and-out commercial film but my role must add some value to the story. I knew I was not playing the lead in Petta but I wanted my role to make a difference which it did. Of course, acting with Superstar Rajinikanth was something on my bucket list and I got to tick it off,” she declares proudly.

A Lady Crush?One of the many celeb-

congratulations that came to Malavika on her performance in Petta, was from Keerthy Suresh. “Keerthy’s Mahanati was out and it was massive. We were all crushing over her stellar performance in the film and she was so sweet to contact me and congratulate me for my performance. Ever since, we have been very good friends,” says Malavika.

The First, Dreamlike Meeting With The Superstar

Watching Malavika explain what it was like to work with an iconic star like Rajinikanth is eye-opening: “Me being a part of Petta is so instrumental to who I am today as a person. The first time

I met Rajini sir was a day before my shoot began. My mother and I were really excited to meet him, basically just to be able to say hello to him. For the two to three minutes that we met him, he was so endearing, warm and welcoming. It was just unreal for me to even be in the same room as him and learn from him.”

Eventually they had scenes together but Malavika would keep a distance from the actor. “I was so new and I didn’t want him to think I would only be fan-girling over him. But he was nothing like that. He would come and talk to me and eventually made me feel very comfortable,” she says.

Malavika had a monologue in Tamil to prepare. Even with no knowledge of the language, she managed to learn the monologue. “The day came when I had to shoot for the monologue and to everyone’s utmost surprise I did it in one take. From far away I hear this clap and it’s coming from the man himself. I knew that day I had earned his respect for me. He urged me to begin Kriya Yoga and I still continue to do that. Rajini sir is far more than a superstar, he is a brilliant human being,” affirms Malavika.

Another Legendary Co-StarAfter Petta, Malavika just knew

what she wanted – a brilliant, larger-than-life commercial film where she was the lead. This wish was granted in the film Master starring Thalapathy Vijay and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. “The team from Master gave me a call and Lokesh quickly narrated the script to me; we had little time. I had watched Kaidhi and I really loved the film so I knew that his stories would be terrific. And of course, what better way to start as a lead in Tamil than with Vijay sir himself! Not only that, this was a whole dream team featuring Vijay Sethupathi sir and Anirudh so I did not even think twice before agreeing

THE CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH HIM, the spiritual knowledge I have gained from him, I cannot begin to narrate the amount of experiences I have collected from a man so knowledgeable.


is beautiful and dark is not - is what people here intentionally or unintentionally follow. As a public figure, I believe that it is imperative that I speak up about this colourism that takes place in India. It is crucial that we all stand up for it,” she states.

#keepingitsensational!She has some of the most

exceptional social media handles. And she is aware that her secret to this is clichéd. “I know, I know, but being yourself is the best way at it. I mean, if you start being fake on your social media how long do you think you could keep up the act? Honestly, I am very lazy to do that (laughs). Apart from that, I have a terrific team who knows what’s best for me and I am eternally grateful to them for helping me reflect myself on social media or in reality,” reveals the actress.

Always a home-hugger This lockdown might have gotten

the better out of us but to Malavika, staying at home is just the best. “I know a lot of people are frustrated to be at home by now but honestly, I feel extremely comfortable. Earlier, when I got back from finishing a film or was yet to sign another film, I would stay at home all by myself and relax. Right now, I fully appreciate the value of being at home, so I’m making the most of this time,” she says.

The HereafterTwo great films in Tamil with

two icons, Malavika sure is giving her peers steady competition. And she is nowhere close to done. “I am very clear about my path. Five years from now, I see myself doing some spectacular films with some memorable roles that will remain in my heart forever.” Here’s to all that and more, Malavika!

to do the film,” states Malavika. “I think Master is the most fun

film I have worked on. The team was so young that it felt like a college project but of course, it was creatively engaging and afforded me a lot of experiences.”

About Ilaya Thala-buddyWe are yet to watch the sizzling

chemistry of Malavika and Vijay on-screen. From lovely Instagram pictures with the actor himself to a heart-warming message on his birthday, the fans enjoy the dynamic these two share. “He is just such a pleasant person to talk to; always makes sure to keep those around him in good spirits,” she says.

Bollywood Anytime Soon?It has been reported that

Malavika has been roped in for Excel Entertainment’s next, starring Siddhanth Chaturvedi in the lead. However, Malavika is in no hurry to confirm this news. “I am doing some interesting projects in Hindi. Once the impact of the pandemic slows down and life slowly returns to normalcy, announcements will be made soon,” she says.

Finding Strength Amidst Gender Inequality And RacismA recent caricature surfaced, of the team from Master; the men can be seen lounging in quarantine, while the only woman in the room (presumably Malavika) stands over a cooking pot in a corner. Not about to take this lying down, Malavika was quick to let the world know her exact thoughts on this sexist representation. However, she had to take down her retort when the narrative turned on the film itself. “Honestly, it was a very general opinion about inequality and it had absolutely nothing to do with the

I THINK MASTER IS THE MOST FUN FILM I HAVE WORKED ON. THE TEAM WAS SO YOUNG THAT IT FELT LIKE A COLLEGE PROJECT BUT OF COURSE, IT WAS CREATIVELY ENGAGING AND AFFORDED ME A LOT OF EXPERIENCES.

film. It was somehow made to appear that way and began to spew hate. I really did not want anything from my side to affect the film. That is why I had to take my comments down from social media. Otherwise, I stand by my opinion and I always do,” clarifies Malavika.

After that, she was seen addressing another issue that has been a worldwide bother – racism. “People say that racism exists only abroad, it’s not true and I wanted to bring that to light. In India, racism is directly proportionate to colourism. Fair


It's a HomemadeRevival

HOME | Décor

ADORN

YOUR WALLSHow about some embroidery

hoop wall art? Wall art you can make without any artistic ability

whatsoever. No, seriously! Just pick a fabric pattern you

like, place and tighten. It’s that easy!

What better way to add a personal touch than to have pieces that you create with your very own hands adorn your home.


About the writer:Having a formal education in Architecture and being a professional in the field for over 7 years, Lakshmi Sandilya's inclination towards home décor and keen eye for design and detail was natural. She was always moving places since her childhood, staying in various rented homes, as a result of which a consciousness towards budgeted interior décor automatically came. She believes each person’s definition of a warm and cosy home is different and adding one’s personal touch is very important.

While we are all trying to spend

as much time at home as possible during the pandemic, it is inevitable for some of us to feel a restlessness and dissatisfaction of some sort with all the new found time. There is also a constant need of staying productive and doing constructive work while we are stuck at homes. Hence, amateur interior design has turned into one of quarantine’s most popular (and obvious) hobbies to channel this energy. Let’s call it Pandecorating!!

Here are some easy DIY home décor projects I took up during the lockdown to keep myself busy and my home bright and happy.

I GLUED SOME WALLPAPER ON TO SOME OLD PLATES and had my very own wall plates ready. I hung them in a cascading pattern on a wall. You can use command hooks or tack-it to hang these plates onto a wall so that they can be easily removed. You can also decoupage your plates, maybe paint them too. There are many ways to do this. I am sure there is a blank wall in your home that’s crying for attention.

You can use command hooks or tack-it to hang these plates onto a wall so that they can be easily removed.


I TURNED AN OLD WOODEN CHOPPING BOARD into a decorative wall hanging for my kitchen. It adds a lot of quirk to my kitchen. You can paint the board or decoupage it if painting is just not your cup of tea.

WITH MOST OF US GETTING CONSCIOUS OF OUR USAGE OF PLASTICS and other non – biodegradable packaging materials isn’t it a good idea to upcycle all the containers that our food comes in? Some food containers make perfect planters. Real living plants are an excellent way to keep things green in your space. You can ask your friends or family members for clippings or cuttings of their own plants to grow your own plants affordably and use a variety of different containers as pots. Try using bowls, pans, and even old coffee pots as planters. I used some ice-cream containers to make my hanging planters.

Just imagine how great it'll feel when guests ask where your home décor is from.

When you’re used to seeing the same thing

day after day, year after year, it’s highly likely you’re going to hate spending time in that room. So, if you’re feeling like your same old decor just isn’t doing it for you, it might be time to change things up. Although it is not the best time to flock the stores for non-essential items, there is a plethora of options both online and in stores to buy home décor and it can be overwhelming. Skip the overpriced décor and craft your own accent pieces to give your home a more personal feel. Plus, just imagine how great it'll feel when guests ask where your home décor is from.

MAKE YOUR OWN PICTURE FRAMES from unused pieces of cardboard. I have been obsessing over

everything jute twine lately and made my own picture frames with jute twine wrapped all over

and they look lovely. How about jute twine

wrapped on glass bottles that a very old school

DIY but always works.

UPCYCLE A WALL HANGING with old bangles and a piece of fabric. You can also frame a piece of fabric in an old unused frame. I took a vibrant piece of cloth and framed it in a bright coloured frame. This adds a perfect pop of colour to my décor.


ALL OF US ALSO HAVE OLD PIECES OF FURNITURE OR DÉCOR which was a hand-me-down from our grandparents or parents which has a lot of emotion attached to it but we shy away from putting it up on display as they often wear out and lose their charm over time. How about repainting them in a bright colour? I had an old broken Ukulele which was always tucked away in a cupboard as I couldn’t get myself to part with it. I painted it aqua and voila!!

MAKE A ONE-OF-A-KIND LAMPSHADE USING WASHI TAPE. You can mix and match fun, bright colours or use one colour depending on your preference. Create whatever pattern you like, too! Think of it as a cool way to spend your time, money and energy with items you have on hand. You’ll know you have something unique because you designed it and what’s cooler than that?

BOTTLES OF WINE are brought out to celebrate, unwind and dine lavishly. But the party doesn’t have to stop when the bottle is empty. There are plenty of ways to reuse wine bottles and craft them into handy tools or stylish decor. Just pop some fairy lights into an empty bottle and keep them by your bedside or hang by the window and you have your very own personalized piece of décor.

You’ll know you have a unique item because you designed it and, really, what’s cooler than that?

Doing up your home from scratch doesn't mean spending

a lot of money to turn it into a photo-worthy spread from the glossy pages of Architectural Digest either. Which is why I often encourage the idea of ‘shopping from within your home.’ There are scores of projects that you can DIY right at home in less time than it takes to watch your favourite Netflix show. Imagine rummaging through the back of your wardrobe for that dress you haven’t worn in a few years and reworking it into a décor piece!


LIFESTYLE

Have you managed to kill every plant that has crossed your path? Have no fear. These low-

maintenance plants are just the answer.

There's no denying that plants are an indispensible home decor tool and for good reason too. Not only can they add to the aesthetic quotient but greens are proven to purify the air by filtering out everyday pollutants, calm anxiety, reduce stress levels and help refocus your energy (and maybe learn a thing or two about adulting). But let's be practical - not all of us are blessed with green thumbs. Here is a list of greens that are nearly impossible to kill and thrive amidst neglect and forgetfulness.

13 Hard-To-Kill Plants For Black Thumbs

WHICH ONE IS FOR ME?

Requires indirect sunlight.Water once a week or when the soil feels dry.Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Pothos, Monstera Deliciosa,Bird's Nest Fern, ZZ Plant,Rubber Tree.

Requires indirect sunlight.Water occasionally, don't allow soil to get dry.Areca Palm, Spider Plant,Dracaena

Needs sufficient sunlight.Water when the soil feels dry.Aloe Vera, Jade Plant, Cactus

PLANTS? WHAT'S THAT?

LET'S GIVE 'EM A TRY

I DON'T MIND A LITTLE COMMITMENT


HOME | Smart Buys

FOR A BETTER, HEALTHIER YOU

13 KitchenEssentials

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Why give up on fries when you can give up the oil?

Excellent for low

fat cooking.Just grill and serve!

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1. Ferro Cast-Iron oval casserole 4.4 L by Wonderchef ₹ 3299; 2. Chef delite chopper by Borosil ₹ 2190; 3. Sabateir Trompette 5 piece knife block set by Wonderchef ₹ 6819; 4. Vardagen measuring cup set of 5 by Ikea ₹ 399; 5. Viva collection airfryer by Philips ₹ 14995; 6. Hemmaback loaf and

roasting tin by Ikea ₹ 399 ₹ 599; 7. Gemak colander in white by Ikea ₹ 799; 8. Pronto ultra hand blender by Morphy Richards ₹ 1,750; 9. 1.25 L electric kettle by KitchenAid ₹ 8500; 10. Rosemary stainless steel grater by Home Centre ₹ 399; 11. Cast iron square grill by

Le Creuset ₹ 8500; 12. Cold-Press slow juicer by Wonderchef ₹ 12999; 13. Oxo Good Grips hand-held spiralizer by AmazonIndia ₹ 3814

Project Diet Control becomes super easy when you pick up these one-time investments and save yourself all those restaurant-delivery

bills. From healthy bakes to detox smoothies, your own kitchen can

now supply them all.


FOOD | On Your Platter

A Fresh Batch Altogether.

FEATURING 3 YOUNG CHEFS & THEIR BAKES


ChuckyBakes is a small baking adventure that Aarcha started recently. Baking is her favorite passion and she describes it as her stress buster since childhood. Aarcha proudly admits that she loves everything about it from all the whisking to decorating her final outcome and creating new recipes.

Chucky Bakes by Aarcha

Meet three young lads with ladles from

Chennai. They specialize in brownies, Tarts, cakes and cookies. They are Young and ready to whip up some of the simplest and exotic desserts that you can try at home over a weekend.


PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES WITH NUTELLA FROSTINGI love this combination of the two and trust me you’ll love it too.

METHODFor the Cupcakes1. Preheat oven time 180°C.2. In a bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar for a few minutes until creamy. 3. Add the eggs one by one and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes and add the vanilla essence. 4. Add the peanut butter and beat. Make sure the mixture is light and fluffy.5. In a separate bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt. 6. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture on low speed while adding the 1/2

Make sure you mix this well. 3. Add the heavy cream (start with 2 tablespoons and add a little more if you need to), add the vanilla extract and salt and continue mixing on medium-high speed for 2 minutes or until everything is well combined, scrape down the sides of the bowl after beating. 4. In a small bowl melt the chopped chocolate, Nutella and add the cocoa powder as well. Add some butter to melt easier and form a better consistency. 5. Add this mixture to the frosting and beat for a minute until combined well. 6. Refrigerate for a few minutes before icing the cupcakes.

PREP TIME 25 minutes YIELD 12 standard size cupcakes or 24-30 mini cupcakes

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla essence

Pinch of salt

INGREDIENTSFor the Cupcakes1 1/3 cups (185 grams /6.5

ounces) All-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/4 teaspoon salt1/2 cup (1 stick/115 grams)

butter, softened1 cup (200 grams)

granulated sugar2 large eggs , room

temperature1 teaspoon pure vanilla

extract1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk1 cup Peanut butter (add

more if you love peanut butter like me)

For the Frosting1 cup Nutella ( Add more if

you’re a Nutella fan like me)

3 tablespoons of chocolate sauce or semi sweet chocolate chopped

3 cups of sugar (granulated)2-3 tablespoons of fresh

cream or heavy cream1 cup butter ( cold,chopped)

cup of milk simultaneously. Do not over mix.7. Divide the batter evenly and bake for about 20-25 minutes and 8-10 if they’re mini cupcakes. 8. After you remove allow the cupcakes to sit on the rack for about 10 minutes and cool the cupcakes before you add the frosting.

For the Frosting1. In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.2. Add in the granulated sugar and mix on low speed at first, then increase to medium speed and continue mixing for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture starts to come together.


GOOEY CHEWY CHOCOLATE BROWNIES These rich and gooey brownies make me drool every time I make them, it’s such a chocoholic dessert and it’s so worth the calories.

INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup unsalted butter110 gms semi-sweet

chocolate bar, coarsely chopped

2 cups granulated sugar*3 large eggs, at room

temperature2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract1 cup unsweetened natural

or dutch-process cocoa powder*

1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt1/2 cup chocolate chips

(optional)

METHOD1. Preheat oven to 350°F/177°C, grease a 9x13 inch tray with butter and set aside. 2. In a heat proof bowl, combine the butter and 55 gms of chopped chocolate and melt till it forms a smooth texture. 3. Whisk in the sugar until completely combined.

PREP TIME 10 minutes

4. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla. The batter will be a light brown shade. 5. Add the cocoa powder, flour, salt, remaining 55 gms of chopped chocolate and the chocolate chips (if

needed). 6. The batter will be thick but that’s good; spread the batter evenly and bake for about 30 minutes and check if it’s cooked with a toothpick.

7. I normally keep my brownies in for about 32-35 minutes but if you like it extremely gooey keep it only for 30. 8. Cut after cooled and enjoy!!


CINNAMON CARAMEL APPLE CAKEWho doesn’t love a slice of cinnamon caramel apple cake on cold winter nights?! Sounds soothing right! So let’s get into the recipe

INGREDIENTS For the Cake¾ cup {170 grams} softened

butter½ cup {100 grams} sugar3 eggs

stage the caramel mixture will bubble up rapidly.) 6. Pour some caramel in your baking pan and arrange two-three layers of thinly sliced apples to the bottom of the pan7. Add the remaining caramel to your batter and mix8. Pour the batter into your cake pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until the toothpick comes out neat and clean.9. Take it out and let it cool down a little. Serve a slice of warm cinnamon caramel apple cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! Heaven on earth!

Smrithi Sridhar is an 18 year old self-taught baker and food blogger who loves to channel her energy and emotions into cooking. Currently pursuing Baking and Pastry Arts at Lavonne Academy she aims to open her own little café very soon. Follow her @_smithss_ in Instagram for the love of all things yum and simple.

1 teaspoon vanilla½ cup {123 grams} milk1½ cup {192 grams} All

purpose flour/ Maida1 teaspoon baking powder1 pinch salt1 tablespoon cinnamon 3-4 peeled apples

For the Caramel½ cup sugar {100 grams}5-6 tablespoon butter¼ cup milk {84 grams}

sugar until they’re nice and pale3. Now add in your eggs all at the same time along with your milk and stir it until the mixture is fully incorporated then add in your vanilla and mix well4. Sift in your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt)and mix well. Do not over mix.5. For the caramel in a pan add the sugar and keep stirring it until it melts and turn into amber colour, once the colour is changed turn off the heat and add in your butter and pour your milk and stir it well mix well (be really careful because at this

METHOD1. Pre-heat your oven for 180°C and line your cake pan with butter paper or coat them with butter and flour2. Cream your butter and

Smrithi Sridhar


CHOCOLATE TART WITH CARAMELIZED BANANASWho doesn’t love chocolate? This Chocolate tart with caramelized bananas is indulgent and is the perfect dessert on a Sunday afternoon. Oh and this is eggless!

INGREDIENTS For the Tart ShellsFor perfect tarts you need perfect tart shells! This tart shell is flaky and buttery and achieved without eggs!

½ cup butter, softened {113 grams}

2] ¼ cup castor sugar3] 1¼ cup all-purpose flour

{maida}

For the Chocolate GanacheFor the ganache I recommend using dark chocolates as they are bitter sweet, not too bitter and not too sweet which makes this dessert a light one. However if you are not a fan of dark chocolate you can always use milk chocolate or a mixture of both milk and dark chocolate. 1 cup 70% dark cooking

chocolate ½ cup fresh cream

For the Caramelized Bananas1 Banana¼ cup sugar4-5 tablespoon butter

METHODFor the Tarts1. To make the base of the tart, in a bowl, cream butter and sugar.2. Mix in flour and beat until the dough begins to come together.3. Knead the dough. Wrap it with plastic wrap and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes or until the dough is firm.4. Roll out the dough and line the tart pan with the rolled out dough. Chill in the freezer for another 15 minutes. Pre-heat the oven

to 190°C.5. Prick the dough with a fork and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown6. To make the filling, cook the cream in a saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the cream to a boil. Immediately pour the on cream on the roughly chopped chocolate. Mix until the chocolate melts and the ganache is smooth and lump free.7. Fill the ganache into cooled tart shell.

For the Caramelized Bananas1. Cook the granulated sugar in a saucepan set over medium heat until it is a light amber colour. Turn off the heat and immediately add the butter and mix well. Add your sliced bananas to your caramel and let it sit there for 40-50 seconds and take them out carefully with a fork; the caramel will harden at this point.2. Now arrange the caramelized bananas on your tart and enjoy!


NUTS FOR TROPHYGorgeous eggless cookie cups filled with homemade almond butter and topped with choco chips. A true trophy in every way!

INGREDIENTS For the Cookie Cups1 cup maida 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/4 white sugar

METHODFor the Cookie Cups 1. Take some butter at room temperature and to it add the brown sugar & white sugar and whisk it together for 2-3 mins 2. To this add milk, vanilla essence and white vinegar and bring it all together. 3. Now for the dry ingredients - mix together

the maida, baking soda and salt. 4. Now add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly and knead it into a dough. 5. Once your dough is done let it rest for a while. 6. Preheat the oven at 150 degree celsius 7. Place the dough balls on your cupcake tray, bake for 10 mins at 150 degree celsius. 8. Let it cool ( trust me this is the most important part! I have burnt fingertips to show for my impatience )9. Once it cools down, make a trough in the baked cookie cup to fill the almond butter, depth is according to the amount of filling you require.

For the Almond Butter10. Roast the almonds on medium flame for about 5 mins. 11. Let it cool and start to grind them. 12. Keep grinding them until you get a pasty consistency. (I know it might take some time to see that consistency but just keep going and you will get there) 13. Now add the vanilla essence, cinnamon powder and honey. 14. Blend the mixture for a minute. 15. Add some vegetable oil to smoothen out the butter. And store in room temperature.16. Once you are done with the almond butter, add a spoonful of the butter to the cookie cups and garnish with some Nutella & choco chips for added flavour! 17. Indulge.

A baker by passion and a doctor by profession, the love for baking has been constant in her life, but this quarantine helped Ramya spread the love! And thus 8 Ounces was born, aiming to bring to homes the kind of cookies that are not just consumed, but cherished, coupled with an immense attention to detail, so as to create an experience, right from the minute a Cookie Tin is received.

1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla essence 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 tsp vinegar

For the Almond ButterI cup of almonds 1 tsp vanilla essence 1/2 tbsp cinnamon powder 1 tbsp honey

8 Ounces by Ramya Rajaram


TWO OF A KIND Eggless chocolate cookie dough topped with a generous helping of choco chunks and baked to perfection to present the Double attack of chocolate that we definitely cannot resist.

INGREDIENTS 1 cup maida 1/4cup brown sugar 1/4 white sugar 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup cocoa powder 1/4 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla essence 1/4 tbsp salt 1/4 tbsp baking soda 1 tbsp corn starch Chocolate chunks – nothing

less than half a cup.

METHOD1. Soften the butter and to it add the brown sugar & white sugar and whisk it together for 2-3 mins 2. To this add milk, vanilla essence and bring it all together. 3. In another bowl mix the dry ingredients - sift together the maida, baking soda, corn starch, salt and to this mixture add the cocoa powder. 4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two portions and knead it into a dough by adding melted

butter at regular intervals. 5. Now drop in those choco chunks and mix them together. 6. Once your dough is done let it rest for a while. 7. Preheat the oven at 150°C.8. Place the dough balls on your cookie tray after lining it with butter paper & bake for 10 mins at 150°C .9. Let it cool, and enjoy the warm cookies to experience heaven.


KITCHEN CORNER | Diet

EggscellentEGGS - THE SUPERFOOD!

Poached, devilled, hard-boiled or fried - eggs are universally loved and the perfect energisers at breakfast. Get to know more about their forms, sources, and ways to make them yummy as well as wholesome!


Eggscellent! That’s what eggs are! Eggs are a superfood. They are a low-calorie

source of protein, plus contain good fats, vitamins and immune-boosting minerals such as zinc and selenium. The yolks contain most of the key nutrients — iron, calcium, phosphorus, carotenoids, vitamins A, D, E, K and B, as well as omega 3 essential fatty acids. Eggs also contain antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin important for eye health, and choline, which helps supports the brain and nervous system. No wonder eggs look sunny. So please do eat the whole egg, unless you have medical issues

and your doctor/nutritionist has advised against eating the yolks.

Eggs are the cheapest easiest way to get high quality protein into your body. One medium size egg contains around 6-7g of protein, and based on current guidelines, you can safely eat 2 eggs a day for breakfast or any meal. Those who work out intensively, would need more protein, of course.

These days we see advertisements for all kinds of eggs – white eggs, brown eggs, free-range, cage-free, organic and even eggs from happy hens! I have to confess that while for decades I have eaten whatever eggs were easily available in my local store, I’m a recent convert to free-range eggs and the main reason is for the taste. They are often smaller in size but they taste real and delicious. And the big bonus is that in nutrition terms they are better too, though there are varied opinions online, based on which group is publishing the study. But the excellent nutrition in regular eggs still stands and I use regular eggs for all my baked goods.

WHAT EGGS TO EAT?ARE ALL EGGS EQUAL?

About the writer:Sharmila Ribeiro is an agricultural economist and mother of 3 ever-hungry boys. She is the author of an award-winning family cookbook– Everyday Love – A Mother’s Guide to Healthy Cooking for Kids.

THE YOLKS CONTAIN MOST OF THE KEY NUTRIENTS — IRON, CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS, CAROTENOIDS, VITAMINS A, D, E, K AND B, AS WELL AS OMEGA 3 ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS.

Here’s what I have learned about the differences between free-range eggs and caged (hate what this means for the hens) or regular, factory farmed, store-bought eggs.

Cage-free eggs are produced by

hens that are free to roam in the confined

area of a shed.

Free-range eggs are from hens that roost in sheds but are free to roam in

pastures/farms.

I also learned that brown eggs are produced by a different breed of hens and the colour comes from pigments the hens produce. So, if you have easy access to free-range eggs and can afford the higher prices, they seem to be superior in taste and nutrition and therefore good for you.


I discovered these on a food cart outside the Museum Theatre in Chennai and was immediately inspired to create my own take on it, reminiscent of a delicious egg puff. You need 1 boiled egg, 2 slices of bread, 1 slice of cheese, 1 tablespoon chilli garlic chutney or coriander chutney or ½ chopped onion sautéed with salt and red chilli powder.

Boiled Egg and Chilli Cheese ToastOn a slice of buttered bread, spread the chutney or onion mix. Place the boiled egg, chopped into 4 pieces, and season with a little salt and pepper. Cover with the cheese slice and the other slice of buttered bread. After brushing the outer sides with oil/butter, toast or grill until golden brown. It makes a great breakfast, any-time snack or school lunch.

A report by the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, USA, lays out the health and taste differences between free-range and factory-farmed eggs for the benefit of the consumer, using scientifically supported nutrition facts. This is what the report states about free-range eggs versus caged/regular eggs:

They have 30% less cholesterol.They have less saturated fat (25% less).They have three-fourths more Vitamin A, three times more Vitamin E and seven times more beta-carotene.They have twice the amount of Omega-3 essential fatty acids.They have significantly more Vitamin D and more B vitamins.Most free-range eggs contain a lower proportion of antibiotics than generally used for livestock, organic eggs are antibiotic free.

NUTRITION PROFILEFREE-RANGE VS REGULAR EGGS

They have a deeper yellow or orange yolk, indicative of a higher proportion of antioxidants. The improved taste is affected by many factors (breed, feed etc.) and is most probably due to a better diet.

YOUR HEALTH FIX


Follow her blog at www.sharmilacooksforkids.com

These egg muffins are an omelette or frittata made easy. They are delicious and you can make many variations and combinations. Make them for breakfast, lunch, a light dinner or an after-school snack. You can also make them ahead of time and store them for a couple of days in the fridge or freezer too.

For 6 muffin cups (double the recipe for 12 muffins)

Basil, coriander, parsley, dried herbs, pizza seasoning, green chillies, jalapenos, chilli flakes, peri-peri seasoning

For topping6 tablespoon grated cheese (1 tablespoon per muffin cup) such as cheddar, mozzarella, salted paneer, feta etc.

METHOD1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. 2. Beat the eggs well, season with salt and pepper and mix in the onion.3. Grease each muffin pan and pour equal portions of the base egg mixture into the 6 cups. Do not fill. They

Protein Powered Egg and Veggie Muffins For filling/add-ins (per muffin cup) - 2 tablespoons of a combination of (2-3 at max) of the followingSautéed mushrooms, finely choppedSteamed broccoli, choppedSpinach, washed, dried and finely choppedOlives, choppedRed/yellow/green capsicums, finely choppedTomato, deseeded and finely choppedSundried tomato, choppedNon-veg options: Bacon bits, cooked shredded chicken, chopped ham, sausages etc.

To Garnish - Fresh or dried herbs/seasoning

INGREDIENTS For Base mixture 6 eggs1 medium onion, chopped fine Salt and pepper to taste

should be half full.4. Add in the veggie or non-veg topping of your choice into each muffin cup. 5. Stir or sprinkle in the herbs or seasonings into each muffin cup.6. Garnish each muffin with a tablespoon of grated cheese. 7. Bake in the oven or microwave for 10-15 minutes or until cooked and golden brown. 8. Serve fresh or store for a couple of days in the fridge or freezer. NOTE: If you don’t have an oven, you can slow cook this on the stove top like a frittata or omelette. Slice and serve.


PEOPLE | Rendezvous

An Indo-Canadian actor, plus-size model, body positive activist and influencer, tattoo artist and more, Mallika Angela Chaudhuri came to Chennai in hopes to make it into the big screens, but in the process has done so much more. She sits down with Sruthi Ravinder for a conversation on body

positivity, self-love and breaking society’s skewed perception of the perfect body.

Queen Size! Living Life


curvy, Mallika knew this was wrong and had to change. She decided to go on a crusade against body shaming. Along with celebrity photographer G Venkat Ram, Mallika started the “Love Everybody” Campaign.

“In my mind, I just didn’t understand. Who’s choosing the faces that go up there? Why did they need to turn into a particular body size? Why do I have to look down on myself and think “I’m not good enough”. Not that I shouldn’t lose weight, why is it anybody’s business, is my point.”

Post the campaign she relatively has still given up on her dreams of becoming an actor. “It was a weird phase of life, opportunity where I have broken up with my fiancé, I lived with 10 dogs and had all the time in my hands. That’s when I decided to start a tattoo studio.” Mallika then trained to become a tattoo artist and started her own studio in Pallavakam ECR, Laughing Budda Tattoos.

Making her Mark“I got an opportunity to be in the

Mallika grew up in her own little world where there were no such things as societal norms and

guidelines. To her all looked the same and she wasn’t constantly looking for approval from the society or hearing the phrase ‘what would others think’. “I didn’t have to be looking at my parents or the society for approval. My parents and grandparents are very liberal anyways. My grandmother was one of the first feminists of India, a Sociology Feminism Professor in BHU – Banaras Hindu University.”

Mallika grew up wanting to become an actor and that’s what she pursued. “I’ve been an actress since I was in high school. I’ve been on stage; I’ve been with HBO Productions in Canada previously. I wanted to get into the film. In Canada, I was only getting roles as the dead girl in CSI or the Latina housemaid because I’m brown.”

She decided to move to India in hopes of better opportunity. She moved to Chennai because she had a strong emotional connect to the city as her late sister used to live there. “I came to Chennai with a couple of opportunities and it turned out that those opportunities are not tasteful. I don’t want to do anything that is bad or something that I can’t endorse – I wouldn’t do it.”

With time she slowly realised that a lot of these opportunities were shot down because of her body size. “I was plus-sized, always have been. I was never a skinny girl. I would keep getting shot down by some of these directors, GROs because they would want me to lose weight. Then slowly I started sort of giving up on the whole idea of getting into the films.”

Why change yourself when you can change the world!

After facing discrimination for being

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When she told me about this amazing tattoo she had done on herself, I was intrigued. We decided to do a shoot. Whether it is fashion or advertising we usually choose models between a certain parameter. But this was not going to be a conventional shoot with a typical model, it’s beyond and with a strong message. I started thinking about how to present her most beautifully, capture the peacock in all its glory, and at the same time send out the message of body positivity. I worked on it for one to two weeks, got some sketches and references done. We sat and discussed it with the team and started shooting. A picture has to communicate the right message. We should put it across in a way that is respected, and that people understand what one is trying to tell. I’m happy with how this picture has reached people and how they reacted to it,” says Venkat Ram recalling the experience.

A Start to my Beginning! It was then Mallika got her final

break-through offer. A web series by ace director Venkat Prabhu, featuring Kajal Agarwal. “I got this web series with Venkat Prabhu and Kajal Agarwal on Hotstar, can you imagine? It’s done but because of corona, we’re just waiting for the last edit but the episodes are coming out on Hotstar. The whole shooting experience was so beautiful and so much fun.”

“I really believe in the law of attraction and the power in the word and thoughts. I want people to accept this me for who I truly am. And I think that was a transition point like from here on, say tomorrow, I want to get into a fit body or whatever, right? Say that happens. In my head, I’m just really happy I put this out first. I’ve put it out to say that this is also okay. This body I am super proud of, as much as I am going to be proud of the next body I have, and the 50-year-old body I will have,” she ends.

Goa tattoo festival to be a canvas for an artist called Gauri Shankar Mistry, who said he wanted to do this peacock. So, I reach the festival and then Gauri puts the stencil on me and it goes from my feet all the way up to my neck!”

After 60 hours, a few faints, a lot of pain and almost giving up later, Mallika had a beautiful art spiralled across her body from her legs to her neck. “There were times where I’d faint, it was painful. The canvas is as

important as the artists during these conventions”. She says “The tattoo really cinched that whole experience because it became something like - a part of ME. I embraced this whole new part of myself, I loved and embraced my body more.”

She once again collaborated with the prominent photographer to capture this beauty on film. “I had worked with Mallika earlier on a calendar, which centered on positive body image.

In my mind, I just didn’t understand. Who’s choosing the faces that go up there? Why did they need to turn into a particular body size?


Once the shoot was done we were a little worried to put it across social media. I didn’t want any backlash or harsh comments that can scar. But fortunately, we got such lovely, accepting, and positive responses.

The aim of the shoot was to bring art on skin into the limelight and focus on the piece of work that she now wears for the rest of her life as well as to embrace the regular female body as an art form. The peacock is designed in the kalamkari style and is resting spirally across Mallika's body, it was the single largest piece done at the Goa festival 2019, which is one of the most popular conventions in India and took 60+ hours to complete.

THE CANVAS & THE ART!

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Groundbreaking

CandidacyMeet the woman of the hour, Kamala

Harris and her Chennai-connect! By Sruthi Ravinder


This year saw the rise of sheroes be it Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, closer home – Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Kerala state Shailaja Teacher and now in the mix is Kamala Harris. American Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden this August announced that Kamala Harris will be his running mate (vice-president nominee) for US Election 2020. This is the first time in history that marks the nomination of an Asian-American woman to be selected as the vice-presidential nominee of a major party.

Kamala Devi Harris is an American lawyer and politician serving as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017. A member

of the Democratic Party, Harris is the second African American woman and the first Indian American to serve in the United States Senate.

She is the daughter of an Indian mother from Chennai, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, a cancer researcher who passed away in 2009, and Jamaican father, Donald Harris, who teaches at Stanford University.

The Democratic vice-presidential is said to have laid her foundation in power and politics from her mother’s side of the family, which broke stereotypes in India and promoted equality for women. Her earliest memory of her childhood is walking in the Besant Nagar Beach of Chennai with her grandfather.

“I remember the stories that they would tell and the passion with which they spoke about the importance of democracy,” said Ms. Harris in her 2018 speech to an Indian-American group. “As I reflect on those moments in my life that have had the most impact on who I am today — I wasn’t conscious of it at the time — but it was those walks on the beach with my grandfather in Besant Nagar that had a profound impact on who I am today.”

Taking to Twitter

shortly after the announcement, Harris said she was “honored” to join Biden as nominee for vice president, and would “do what it takes to make him our Commander-in-Chief.” This was welcomed by many Indian-American citizens as they believe it is the beginning of a positive change.

“This is a historical, transformational, and proud moment for all women. All women of color, all Black women, and all South Asian women. Congratulations @kamalaharris on becoming the first Black woman and FIRST PERSON of Indian descent to compete on a major U.S. party’s presidential ticket. #representationmatters,” wrote Priyanka Chopra in her social media.

It’s been a good year for women in politics across the world. With the emergence and familiarisation of the word soft power, women have succeeded in proving that they are natural leaders. It is today a proven fact that women-led nations are doing better with the pandemic.

5 THINGS TO KNOWABOUT KAMALA

DEVI HARRISKamala Harris grew up in Oakland. She

graduated from Howard University

and also holds a law degree from the UC, Hastings College of

the Law

Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born

in Chennai and immigrated to the US to attend a doctoral

program at University of California, Berkeley

2003She became the

district attorney of San Francisco.

2011She was elected as Attorney General for California, the first

woman and the first black American and Asian American to hold this position.

2017Harris was sworn in as a United States

Senator from California, only the

second African-American woman and

first South Asian-American senator in

history.

Though Kamala grew in America as a ‘Black-American’ she made periodic trips to Chennai both before and after her mother’s death in 2009.

Kamal’s grandfather P V Gopalan is an Indian civil servant who had later served as an adviser to the Government of Zambia, and settled down in Besant Nagar in Chennai after retirement.

THE CHENNAI CONNECT


Tuning into TelevisionThis lockdown has not been easy on several businesses including the television industry. In conversation with Radhika Ramesh, renowned anchor Dhivyadharshini talks about her passion for anchoring, her journey through the television industry and how the industry is faring in the current situation.

PEOPLE | Rendezvous


ndian television anchor Dhivyadharshini fondly known as DD by her Tamil fans is loved by all especially for her lively expressiveness and charisma. Unlike many businesses, the television industry may have taken as hard a hit, being one of the only sources of entertainment in a time like this. However, with regards to shooting new episodes and live daily shows, it has been quite a challenge what with having to maintain highest sanitization standards, social distancing and wearing masks. DD spills some beans on what’s happening in the tele-field.

The audience favouriteDhivyadharshini made her initial debut as an actress with the film Nala Dhamayandhi the Kamal Haasan production. Eventually she was seen in a couple of Tamil serials as well. Her stellar performances kickstarted her career as a host in Vijay Television. In the year 2014, DD had her own talk show titled Koffee with DD. This gifted anchor has been unstoppable ever since. “I am always grateful to people for all the love I have received. Whether I do shows or not, I still receive a lot of love and that is what truly keeps me going,” says the anchor. DD has been anchoring for the past 22 years and this has been her one true love. But ever since there has been a lockdown, things have changed.

On a safer setThe lockdown has not been easy on the economy and every industry is struggling to pick up. “The entire world is going through this not just the different industries. So right now, it is

not an individual’s problem anymore. Together when an entire population is hoping and praying desperately, good is bound to happen and I always believe in that sort of powerful energy. I know things are not great right now but I believe in the fact that you are not strong until being strong is the only option left. Despite the consequences, we have to lift our heads up and work harder than ever to float,” states a strong and confident DD. DD says that several shows are taking stringent precautions in order to prioritize safety. “But more than a particular crew taking precautions, every individual must be cautious for their health and that of others, that’s crucial,” says DD. The lockdown has now been relaxed and shooting has had to go on with restricted crew members. However, certain shows were shot even before that with much less crew members. The passionate anchor says, “Not a day goes by when I desperately want to just begin shooting. We even shot an episode or two of Enkitta Modhadhe

I AM ALWAYS GRATEFUL TO PEOPLE FOR ALL THE LOVE I HAVE RECEIVED. I DO SHOWS, I DON’T, I STILL RECEIVE A LOT OF LOVE AND THAT IS WHAT TRULY KEEPS ME GOING.

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but then it just couldn’t resume. Now all we have to do is be patient and wait.”

Coping with the lockdownAlthough DD has been receiving all her fan love with or without shooting, she says that she dearly misses her shooting days. “Work is my addiction so being deprived of that, drained me mentally and emotionally. I do miss my shoot days terribly and can’t wait to get back on sets. However, considering what other people are undergoing as lesser privileged… I know this is nothing,” DD states. But how did the actress-turned-anchor get accustomed to sitting at home as a mandatory measure? “It was mentally very chaotic. The uncertainty was very taxing I must say, but when the instructions were briefed from time to time, I found it best follow it word for word and just simply adhere to it.”

The future of TelevisionChange is the only constant in this world and like any other, a lot will change in this field as well. Dhivyadharshini

believes that change is the best way to evolve and become better, assuring that from just mere scripts and songs to reality shows, the tele-arena has seen a massive growth. “TV will adapt itself to the new norms and from

that, new ideologies are bound to take shape which is always good. The show will go on, it won’t stop for anything. Like Ulaganayagan Kamal sir always says, the entertainment industry will slowly contain itself into

smaller screens which it already is drastically. Everyone will adapt to these new changes and television will see another successful run after this pandemic, beginning a new era,” concludes DD.

WORK IS MY ADDICTION AND NO MATTER WHAT I HAD TO WORK. I HAVE TO DO SOME WORK, ANY FOR THAT MATTER. BUT NOT BEING ABLE WORK DRAINED ME MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

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PEOPLE | Rendezvous

Law Enforcement Paragon

Back in 2017, when the entire media flashed headlines about the special treatment being given to Sasikala in the Bengaluru

Central Prison, the name of a woman cop caught the spotlight for having been fearless enough to expose these discrepancies. That fearless cop was none other than D Roopa Moudgil, the then DIG (Prisons) who is currently serving as the first woman Home Secretary of Karnataka!

In the making“I grew up in a small mofussil town

called Davangere in Karnataka and both my parents worked so I grew up knowing I would be a working woman. My younger sister Rohini and I were raised in a rather liberal upbringing,” reflects Roopa. She was just in class 3 when her father told her she must grow up to be an IAS or IPS officer and explained the potential of these services. She naturally took to NCC and representing her state as the best cadet in the Republic Day parade in New Delhi made her realise that her calling was in the khaki uniform. “Immediately after the parade we had an interactive session with Dr Kiran Bedi at the garrison parade grounds and it was so inspiring to meet her and listen to her that I decided that I surely wanted to join the police service,” recalls Roopa.

Standing for truthIn her first posting, she was given

Most of my postings have been demanding but I have never been afraid of doing my duty for fear

of being punished or just because I am a woman.

Karnataka’s first woman home secretary, Roopa D Moudgil is a real lionheart. By Shivani Arora


the task of executing a non bailable warrant against the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Ms Uma Bharti in relation to a court case in Hubbali. “Most of my postings have been demanding but I have never been afraid of doing my duty for fear of being punished or just because I am a woman. Whether it was arresting an ex-minister for abetment of violence including burning buses or recalling 216 excess armed men kept unauthorizedly by 81 politicians or withdrawing SUV’s maintained by an ex-Chief Minister of Karnataka even after he was no longer in power.

Baring open lawlessnessHer 17 working day tenure in the

Bengaluru Central prison and what she exposed at that time drew so much media attention to her. “I was posted as DIG (Prisons) and I reported there on 23rd June 2017. Within the first few days I began receiving complaints of drug peddling and medical officers being assaulted in the prison but when I asked for the report I did not receive anything for almost 10 days and I

decided to make a surprise visit to see things for myself. I was shocked with all that I saw and decided it was my duty to report all of it,” says Roopa.

She saw special privileges being given to Sasikala in prison. Although an ordinary prisoner she was given 5 rooms along with a full corridor, special food was being cooked for her and she was not in prison clothes which was usually a white saree. Sasikala was also meeting visitors in a special room which had revolving chairs, a table and no CCTV camera. It was also reported that a huge sum of money, about 2 crores, was exchanged to give her these privileges. Roopa did her duty of reporting but a defamation case was slapped on her by her senior and she was immediately transferred out.

The balancing act“These times were very difficult as

I was juggling between answering colleagues to answering the media who had so many questions based on all versions they were hearing. It was my husband Munish Moudgil who not just stood by me but also guided me on how I should handle the whole situation,” says Roopa. Her husband Munish Moudgil, a graduate of IIT Mumbai, now IAS officer is currently heading the Covid War Room in Bengaluru. They have two children Anagha and Roshil.

Always thriving in gruelling schedules

Roopa was serving as the IG (Railways) when the Coronavirus struck and the lockdown happened. Her husband dove headfirst into managing the Covid War Room and spent weekends away at work while Roopa managed work and home together effectively.

When the Chief Secretary formed teams to check on hospitals treating Covid patients, Roopa went with her team comprising of IAS officers Harsh Gupta and Ashok Gowda to three hospitals and found that the hospitals were over charging patients. The hospitals were immediately ordered to refund patients and 22 patients got a refund of around 24 lakhs.

Resilient in any role She is now posted as the first woman

Home Secretary of Karnataka. Roopa has been transferred almost 42 times but in every posting she has proved to be the best. “As officers, we are given so much security. Why should we be afraid or be bound by the chains of these politicians? When we break free from the chains of these politicians and serve to uphold the law, we become a force to reckon with. We are drawing salaries from the ex-chequer and are here to serve the common man and that’s why I believe in always keeping my office open and being accessible,” states a fearless Roopa!

When we break free from the chains of these politicians and serve to

uphold the law, we become a force to reckon with.


CINEMA CHRONICLESYour monthly dose of Hollywood, Bollywood and South Cinema

BIGG BOSS SEASON 4 TO BEGIN SHORTLY, PROMO RELEASED

Vijay Television took to Twitter at 8pm today to release the official promo of Bigg Boss Season 4. The video begins with our favorite host Kamal Hasaan asking if everyone is doing fine. He goes on to explain how a small virus has disrupted everyone and has proven that our world is nothing but a small village. “Everything is connected” he says. “If one of us decides to not go to work a hundred people who depend on that one person also lose jobs.” He further adds that it is because of this that while we take precaution we have to get going in life. The most speculated list of contestants are Ramya Pandian, Athulya Ravi, Vidyulekha Raman, Kiran Rathod, Pugazh and ‘Cook With

Comali’ fame Shivangi. However, there is no official update about their confirmation to be a part of the show. The technical team is also considering the virtual appearance of Kamal from his own place when interacting with the contestants. Due to the the current corona virus pandemic a new set of rules are aligned. Social distancing is to be maintained by all technical staff and the internal team. The contestants who are selected will have to undergo COVID 19 tests and will be quarantined for two weeks and then after another test only will be allowed inside the sets. Social distancing will be the norm not only for the technical crew inside the set but also for the contestants and those who violate may be expelled from the show.

THE PLOT OF MOHANLAL’S DHRISHYAM 2 HAS BEEN REVEALED

It was few months ago when actor Mohanlal confirmed Dhrishyam 2, it was easily the most anticipated after the first one turned out to be a massive blockbuster hit. In fact, the story was adapted in Tamil and Hindi and those turned out to be equally larger hits as well. While most were wondering what the sequel could probably contain, the base of the narrative has been revealed. The film’s director Jeethu Joseph revealed that the movie’s plot will revolve around how the family is coping post the trauma. He mentions that it will be a family drama and will not have any intriguing crimes. The cast and crew of the film will also remain the same. The film’s leads Meena and Mohanlal are said to go on a 14-day quarantine before beginning the shooting of their first schedule.


VIJAY SETHUPATHI AND TAAPSEE PANNU TO DO A FILM TOGETHER

LEGENDARY SINGER SP BALASUBRAHMANYAM CONTINUES TO BATTLE WITH COVID

While fans eagerly wait to watch Vijay Sethupathi in an antagonist role in Master, new media reports have surfaced saying that the Naanum Rowdy Dhaan actor will be seen alongside Taapsee Pannu in the upcoming comedy drama directed by Deepak Sundararajan. Taapsee has been taking mainstream movies that cast her as the lead including this film which will have her play the

What started off as mild symptoms for SPB has now put him on life support wherein his son SP Charan has been providing regular updates on his health. From mass prayer meets to sweet notes, social media is doing everything it can to revive the singer from his grim state. Amidst several speculations that stated that the singer has been tested negative. Charan cleared the air stating that although his father is stable, he is still on live support requesting the fans to only go by his daily updates. The latest update is that SPB is now able to communicate efficiently with the doctors through writing and although he continues to be on life support, the singer’s health is slowly but surely getting better.

ACTRESS GENELIA DESHMUKH TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID

It was only a couple of days ago when actress Genelia confirmed that she was diagnosed with COVID three weeks ago. Taking to social media, Genelia got emotional as she battled the loneliness along with the disease. “Hi, I was tested covid positive three weeks ago. I was asymptomatic for last 21 days. With god’s grace I tested covid negative today. As much as I count my blessings that my battle with

this disease has been much easier but at the same time, I must admit that these last 21 days in isolation have been the most challenging for me to deal with. No amount of FaceTime & digital immersion can kill the evil of loneliness. I am happy to be back with my family and loved ones. Surround yourselves with love… that’s true strength and it’s all one needs. Test early, eat healthy, stay fit -the only way to fight this monster,” stated Genelia.

lead role while Vijay Sethupathi will be seen sporting a pivotal role. The film is going to be produced by Jana Gana Mana’s producers Fashion Studios. The makers of the film are planning on starting the shoot in September in Jaipur. The film was actually scheduled to start shooting earlier but due to lockdown they are planning to shoot it at one go.


ANUSHKA SHARMA AND VIRAT KOHLI ANNOUNCE PREGNANCY

Titled Bhoot-Police, the film will be a comedy-horror starring Arjun Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan in the lead. Confirming the news, the film’s director Pavan stated in an interview, “We are excited to bring this spooky adventure- comedy and really happy to have Saif and Arjun join the team as they are a perfect fit for this crazy entertainer. Both of them will

Actor Abhishek Bachchan was the last to be tested negative for the Corona Virus in his family after Aishwarya Rai, Aaradhya and Amitabh Bachchan. The actor has now completely recovered and is all set to get back to work. Earlier on Instagram, the actor posted a picture of a brand-new haircut which he is getting done for a role. “Before and after! Time to get back to work,” he wrote on his social media platform. Abhishek Bachchan’s last web-series Breathe: Into the Shadows was a huge hit. The actor now has his kitty full with films including Ludo directed by Anurag Basu. The movie stars Rajkumar Rao, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanya Malhotra among others. Abhishek also has an untitled next alongside actress Ileana D’Cruz.

In a beautiful Instagram picture, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma and Indian cricket Captain Virat Kohli confirmed that the couple is expecting their first child. Taking to social media, Anushka wrote, “And then, we were three! Arriving Jan 2021.” Much before Anushka, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan announced in a press release that the couple is expecting their second child after Taimur Ali Khan. Virat’s colleague and all-rounder Hardik Pandya also had his first child, a boy, with wife Natasa.

be seen in very different avatars and will bring their trademark humour to the script.” A source also revealed, “Arjun and Saif play a pair of ghosthunters in the film. The makers have been working towards getting the right ensemble on board for a while now. The film, produced by Ramesh Taurani and Akshai Puri, will roll by the year-end.”

SAIF ALI KHAN AND ARJUN KAPOOR GET TOGETHER FOR A COMEDY-HORROR FILM

ABHISHEK BACHCHAN GETS BACK TO WORK


Music sensation Katy Perry has always been quite open about her personal life on social media. From her romance with actor Orlando Bloom to her pregnancy pictures, she has shared them all with her fans. In a recent, Katy Perry has confirmed the news that the Roar singer has given birth to a baby girl on August 26th. Naming her Daisy Dove Bloom, Katy shared a beautiful picture confirming the news. However, what really struck fans was their considerate nature during such trying times. “We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter. But we know we are the lucky ones and not everyone can have a birthing as peaceful as ours. Communities around the world are still experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers and every eleven seconds a pregnant woman or newborn dies, mostly

Among the shocking, early losses of the year was Marvel actor Chadwick Boseman who died of Colon Cancer. Aged 43, the actor has done several spectacular roles including the role of King T’Chella in Black Panther and Wakanda in the Marvel series, Black American icons like James Brown and Jackie Robinson to name a few. His death sent across shock waves worldwide. Boseman passed away at his Los Angeles home alongside his wife and family after battling with cancer for three years. His determination to fight and get better has created awareness about colon cancer. “A true fighter, Chadwick persevered through it all, and brought you many of the films you have come to love so much,” his family said. “From Marshall to Da 5 Bloods, August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and several more – all were filmed during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy. It was the honour of his career to bring King T’Challa to life in Black Panther,” read the family’s press statement.

from preventable causes. Since COVID-19 many more newborn lives are at risk because of the increased lack of access to water, soap, vaccines and medicines that prevent diseases. As parents to a newborn, this breaks our hearts, as we empathize with struggling parents now more than ever.As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, we know UNICEF is there, on the ground, doing whatever it takes to make sure every expecting mother has access to a trained health worker and access to quality healthcare. In celebration of the heart we know our daughter already has, we have set up a donation page to celebrate DDB’s arrival. By supporting them, you are supporting a safe start to life and reimagining a healthier world for every child. We hope you can bloom with generosity,” stated Katy and Orlando via UNICEF.

KATY PERRY GIVES BIRTH TO A BABY GIRL

ACTOR CHADWICK BOSEMAN PASSES AWAY

Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan’s Onam celebrations pictures go viral!

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we’re 13! · more if you love peanut butter like me) for the frosting 1 cup nutella ( add more if...

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