Do you know what Chandler Bing does for a living? If the answer is yes, and you think you can do better than Rachel and Monica did in a quiz in Season 4 episode 12, head to this Friends-themed meet-up in Bandra West. Conducted by quiz organising company Ace of Pubs, who recently hosted similar events themed around the Game of Thrones and The Office, the aim is to take you on a trip down memory lane with some fun games.

"The questions will be around iconic moments from the show and we'll have 10 to 15 teams of three to eight people. Just sign up with your friends online," says Hardik Jain from the gaming company. While you'll get something from the menu on the house for each right answer, including their special line of craft beer, they also have movie tickets and Friends merchandise up for grabs.

ON March 26, 8 pm
AT Effingut, Ganga Jamna Sangam Building, Linking Road, Bandra West 
CALL 71179491
LOG ON TO https://bit.ly/2UaR7aS
FREE

Two decades ago, drinking wine was restricted to snooty pseudo-intellectuals who turned the experience into flavour profiles of tannins and acids, melons and mango, and grape varieties that we could barely pronounce.

We now sip in times when the pourer, who once intimidated us with technical terms, explains the story of the vineyard, the grape and body with passion in layman’s terms.

When we stepped into 266 Wine and Bar Room, we were quickly reminded of the Kala Ghoda Wine Bar that recently opened in the much-loved backroom of Kala Ghoda Café. The space is done up in hues of light blue and grey, with light fixtures adding a warm, amber glow from low-wattage tungsten bulbs. We settle into blue sofas, preferring the comfort to the high stools that may turn tricky after a few glasses.

266 Charcuterie and Cheese Board

The 266 Charcuterie and Cheese Board (Rs 675) is an indulgence with brie, camembert, cheddar, strawberries, walnuts, olives and chicken and pork cold cuts. Between nibbles and sips, we realise this is a space we’d love to hang out at for conversations or even some alone time.

The platter beautifully compliments the wines. The thirstier one among us has signed up for an old world red wine flight (Rs 1,800) that takes her from an Italian pinot noir by Folonari, which is crisp and medium-bodied, to a full-bodied French syrah by Domaine Gayda, a Spanish Monastrell and finally, a fresh Italian Umani Ronchi of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Of the lot, the syrah’s peppery, fruity notes get the highest applause.

World maps should have been taught according to wine regions of the world, we think, as we enjoy the joyride through this mini trip across some of the world’s finest wine counties. On the other hand, we sip a honeyed South African Chenin blanc by Tall Horse (Rs 850) which is tart-y, fruity and light on the palate.

Tomato stew with prawns and Malabari paratha

The food at this wine bar draws our attention too. We take a risk and order the tomato stew with prawns (Rs 575) that comes with a side of flaky, buttery Malabari paratha (Rs 60). It’s a great example of wine pairing with Indian food. The broth is sweet, tangy and cuts the acidity of the wine. With the cheese board now reduced to crumbs of brie and cheddar, we settle for a dark chocolate and olive oil mousse (Rs 425) that gives our spirited sojourn a bittersweet (pun not intended) end.

AT 266 Wine and Bar Room, next to Shopper’s Stop, Linking Road, Bandra West
TIME 4 pm to 12 am
CALL 8879101350

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266 Wine and Bar Room didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals

Why would anyone name their café and juice bar after Thanos? Our company for the evening questions, diving into telling us more about the Marvel Comics supervillain.

This powerful villain who has stood up to many heroes belonging to the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Four, and X-Men series, greets us in a larger-than-life sculpture. We spot a child pick up Thor's axe to pose for a picture.

The 20-seater is packing on a Sunday evening, and we are game to wait it out, stepping up onto the comfortable grey stools as we tune into more of Thanos' exploits.

When the automatic glass doors open into the spaceship-like interiors, the Bollywood buff in us jokes that it reminds us of Shakal's den sans the sharks. The space is done up in grey, with a burst of pop in orange chairs; Captain America stares back at us from the wall outside the washroom, and there's a galaxy drawn on the walls and larger table tops. Our table top for two holds up a fist. The space décor is exciting, and we order a veg burger (Rs 229), chicken salami and egg sandwich (Rs 349) and khow suey (Rs 299). The menu, interestingly also has dedicated keto, all-day breakfast and waffle sections, which we skip for another day.

Veg cheese burger

The burger comes with a fat aloo patty marinated with herbs, and a crusty coat the crunch of which we can hear with every bite. The side of potato wedges are fresh from the fryer and the coleslaw is creamy with slender strands of salad. Their salami sandwich is homestyle, as is the filling. For a change, we like the simple treatment that gives us what we asked for — a juicy salami strip and well-done eggs.

Orange and celery juice

The khow suey tastes more like a pasta-based dish, and we have no qualms about being snooty about the fact that no one does a Burmese khow suey better than Joss by restaurateur Farrokh Khambata. This one comes in a bowl held by red claws, and sides of fried basil, fried cashew nuts and full peanuts which we prefer chopped, but no garlic shreds. The noodles are overcooked and the curry needs more depth; overall, the dish fails to come together. To wash all this down, we've picked a healthy orange and celery juice (Rs 269) that comes wearing a fruit slice hat on the rim.

House of Thanos is charming for its offbeat ambience, and a comfort menu that makes room for your keto and other diet demands. Still thinking about the name, we conclude: That's the thing about comics fanatics, right? You never know whose side you are on.

AT House of Thanos, 7/8, Rizvi Mahal Building, Near Bhabha Hospital, Waterfield Road, Linking Road, Bandra West
TIME 9 am to midnight
CALL 8879362686

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House of Thanos didn't know we were there. The Guide reviews anonymously and pays for meals

Here's an awareness session that seems like the best fit for those of you who are spontaneous shoppers, ever-keen to go on sprees. Donate your old jeans to Dwij that has partnered with a co-working space in the city and see your discarded clothes turn into functional and spunky bags, mats and jewellery.

Founded a year ago with the sole aim of taking care of textile waste, they work with all kinds of fabric that's beyond use. "This workshop will focus on denim, because it's sturdy and discarded frequently when styles change, and not because of wear and tear," says Soumya Kalluri, founder of Dwij.

The products are made at the workshop in Bhandup

After the denim is washed, it will be taken to the workshop where it will be customised according to the 10 to 15 templates they have. Their trained team of six workers, including two women from MHADA colony in Kanjurmarg, bring the product together, instead of it being used to clean up industrial waste and then burnt or buried.

Soumya Kalluri

"There is so much textile waste, along with labour abuse. The fashion industry is glamorous, so people tend to look only at the pretty side, not what happens behind the scene. With this talk, we hope to spread awareness about how we are indirectly polluting the environment because until everyone around knows what the problem is, they can't be part of the solution. We want people to think about why they are buying a product the next time they step out to shop," explains Kalluri, a resident of Vikhroli. They will also be giving tips on how you
can make simple products using clothes you want to get rid of at home.

ON April 2, 11 am to 3 pm
AT 603 The Co-Working Space, 603 Makhija Arcade, 35th Road, Bandra West.
CALL 9920207026
LOG ON TO eventbrite.com
FREE

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Chunky Panday held a house party at his Bandra residence, and it was attended by his close family and friends. But Malaika Arora-Arjun Kapoor walking in together has already taken the internet by storm. The duo was clicked entering the party in the same car, and they were seen shying away from the camera when clicked by the paparazzi. 

Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora/picture courtesy: Yogen Shah

Arjun and Malaika were spotted twinning, and the duo shared the same colour of love, blue. While Arjun Kapoor was seen wearing a blue t-shirt, paired with blue denim, Malaika too looked pretty in a blue outfit. 

Malaika Arora just came back from her beachy vacations, and it is said that the actress was celebrating her bachelorette with the girl gang. In fact, Arjun Kapoor also accompanied the lady love to the Maldives. 

Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora are said to tie the knot soon. Though the details are yet to be out, the couple is not going to exchange the vows on April 19. Malaika-Arjun-marriage has been the talk of the town ever since they were spotted walking hand-in-hand at the Milan airport, where they were out to celebrate Malaika's 45th birthday overseas. 

In a media interaction, Arjun Kapoor, neither confirming nor denying, said - "One can pick how much information to share in the public domain".

Arjun was quoted saying, "It's your choice how much you put out there or yourself and your availability. Today, you have a lot of control over how much you want people to know about your life. Speculation and gossip is a part of it. I am not the first actor or the last. Our entire tribe is immune to it... because it is the nature of the business."

Also Read: Malaika Arora shares her piece of mind on Instagram; see photo

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It is easy to feel like a tourist in your own city. We know we feel that way when we reach Ranwar village on Bandra's Chapel Road — because we're wandering around staring at house numbers, until we finally find number 43. The space is called Cohostel — a hostel for backpackers that's around six months old.

The managers Ashu and Shekhar welcome us in, through a passage where doors on either side are named after Bandra's villages — Malla, Waroda, Ranwar, Boran, Pali, and others. "Our visitors are always curious when they observe the name plate, and ask us about Bandra's history. Some of the villages aren't even seen anymore but we thought it was important to at least put it out there," Ashu tells us. But there's a space beyond the standard dorm rooms, too. A rooftop area that plays host to comedy gigs by new collectives such as The Squibhouse Comedy that will host one called Knocktale Night tonight.

Managers Ashu (extreme left) and Shekhar (extreme right) interact with tourists

"Other venues tend to be more professional so they charge for the entry, equipment, etc. Our events are complimentary for the guests and for outsiders, we have a small cover fee for pizza and soft drinks. The comedians are also from small groups and we give an opportunity to anyone who wants to showcase their talents. It's an intimate setting," he says, while a backpacker from Iceland enters the room to check out.
Prashant Nihalani, who helms the hostel with his father and partner, tells us that the idea was to create a social space with cheap accommodation. "The rooftop setting is so fluid that when we host a movie screening, we just move the chairs by the kitchen to create a theatre setting. We wanted this to feel like home and not intimidate anyone as even travellers want to make friends." In addition to stand-up and screenings, the venue will continue to host storytelling and poetry performances.

The doors of each room are named after Bandra's villages — Malla, Pali and Boran among others. Pics/Atul Kamble

For comedians like Prasad Mathkar, who will perform tonight along with nine others, the hostel provides a diverse audience that you wouldn't get to meet at other mainstream venues. "It is fun to perform for an international audience. You have to try to get where they are from and tailor your set accordingly. This is the fourth time that I'm performing here and the audience has always been very receptive because they treat this like their own homes," he shares.

Prasad Mathkar

For Rs 800 a night, visitors get stay and breakfast, but they are free to order what they like or cook in the kitchen on the rooftop. Books and magazines are also stacked in a shelf and the managers, who have moved to the city from Varanasi, interact with guests as if they've known them for a long time — and that's perhaps what it means to be home away from home.

ON Tonight, 7.30 pm to 10 pm
AT Cohostel, 43, Chapel Road, Ranwar village, Bandra West.
CALL 9856564545
LOG ON TO www.eventshigh.com
Cost Rs 200

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iVOOMi on Thursday launched its first health band, 'FitMe', in India at Rs 1,999. The fitness band sports a 90mAh battery, scratch-proof display heart rate monitor, sleep monitor, running mode, vibration reminder, pedometer, GPS and other features, the Chinese electronics company said in a statement

"The 'FitMe' health band is sleek, smart, dust-proof and water resistant and features a display of 128x32 pixels resolution that makes it crystal clear from all viewing angles," said iVOOMi India CEO Ashwin Bhandari.

With "IP67," the watch remains water-resistant for 30 minutes, has auto-sync for "Smart Me OS 2.0" and is capable of OTA (Over the Air Software) updates.

"FitMe" is chargeable without a USB cable; the display can be directly connected to any USB port to charge the device. The health band on available on Flipkart and 

Available on Flipkart, the health band comes with a six-month warranty.

(Edited by mid-day online desk, with inputs from IANS)

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A nine-months pregnant woman was turned away from hospitals in Bandra for not having the COVID-19 reports with her. According to her family, 24-year-old Misbah Shaikh was experiencing cramps on Sunday night after which they visited the Holy Family Hospital where she had registered for delivery. The family members alleged that they were made to wait at the hospital for six hours while requesting to admit her, but the staff did not budge, The Times of India reported.

Shaikh said that she had already paid the hospital the deposit for her delivery and was in touch with a gynaecologist for the past four months. She also alleged that the hospital did not tell her to do the test during their previous visits. The family visited the hospital at 9 am on Monday after Shaikh felt cramps, but the staff did not allow them to enter the hospital without the COVID-19 test report. While Shaikh waited in the car and her family in the hospital, at 3 pm, a doctor at the emergency section agreed to see her and prescribed her a COVID-19 test.

The family then went to Bhabha Hospital to get the test done but the staff there asked her to get admitted, which they did not agree upon. "The cramps have reduced but haven't gone. My due date for delivery is close," Shaikh was quoted as saying by the newspaper. The family then took an appointment at a lab Andheri to take the test on Tuesday.

As the newspaper was not able to contact the authorities at the Holy Family Hospital, a staffer at the gynaecology ward was quoted as saying that pregnant women nearing their delivery due date are asked to get admitted here two days in prior. "We carry out a Covid-19 test and if she comes negative, we go ahead with the delivery. If the woman is positive, we refer her to another hospital. We also ask one attendant accompanying the woman to take the test," the staffer was quoted as saying.

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A Bandra court on Tuesday granted bail to Vinay Dubey, accused of inciting migrants to assemble outside Bandra railway station on April 14 in violation of lockdown norms. Dubey was granted bail on a cash surety of Rs 15,000 by metropolitan magistrate JY Ghule, his lawyer Deepak Mishra said.

On April 14, the last day of the first phase of the lockdown, several hundred migrants had assembled on the west side of Bandra railway station, demanding trains take them to their native places, just hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an extension of the lockdown till May 3.

Police claimed Dubey's video and Facebook post incited the migrants, as he was heard stating that the government must run trains by April 18 for migrant labourers, or he would start a rally to get them home.

Dubey was charged under sections 117, 153 A, 188, 269, 270 and 505 (2) of Indian Penal Code on charges of promoting enmity among different groups, abetting the commission of an offence by members of the public, and for negligence that could spread infections, disease etc. He was also charged under the Epidemic Diseases Act.

Advocate blames police
Advocate Mishra claimed the police was wrong in charging Dubey. "Dubey had said in the video that an agitation would start on April 18. However, migrants gathered on April 14 itself. So how can my client be blamed for that?" he said. He also told court that the migrants had been able to gather despite the lockdown because of the failure of the police and state.

Rs 15k
Cash surety against which he was granted bail

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Since the lockdown began, nearly 750 people staying in around 125 shanties at Bandra Bandstand, have spent every night sleeping on or near the rocks outside their houses until the tide comes in, forcing them to crowd back inside. On an average, there are eight members in a shanty at Ganesh Nagar, along the seashore.

Unable to stay together in their small dwellings, they have been forced to spend time near or on the rocks by the sea, till the tide rises, in an attempt at social distancing. The people have been residing in the area since 1986 and have Aadhaar, ration and PAN cards etc. They have been getting SMS alerts to pay their electricity bills. They want the government to give them concessions regarding electricity, and many of the migrants there want to go back home to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, etc.

Until the tide comes in

The secretary of Ganesh Nagar Rahiwasi Sangh, Jeetendra Pareva said, "There was no space crunch in these houses as the working members would be out for most of the day. But due to the lockdown, the dwellings are overcrowded. Now a few members sleep inside the house and others come out to sleep on the rocks. We do this at night and in the afternoon. We change our sleeping locations as per the high tide. The water reaches right upto our door steps during high tide. We have learnt to sleep according to it," said Pareva.

Residents say only the men sleep outside on or near the rocks. Pics/Sameer Markande

Most of the residents are people who work as gardeners, drivers, maids, etc in the nearby bungalows of film stars. However, they claim neither the film stars nor the government have come forward to help them till date.

The locals also claim they have to defecate in the open as there is no public toilet facility in the area except for one meant for tourists, which is air-conditioned, and charges R10.

"It becomes tough for us to answer nature's call during the rainy season, as the rocks become slippery and many people lose their balance and get hurt. Fortunately none of us have fallen into the sea and drowned. Many political leaders have promised us toilets but nothing has been done. Who will pay R10 to use an AC toilet when we don't have ACs even at home?" asked Pareva.

Chose safety over money

The residents claimed that they have stopped working due to the lockdown, but their employees in the bungalows have been trying their best to lure them back. "These people have been offering us huge sums of money to resume work. A few of us were tempted as the offers were lucrative. But we had a meeting. But we conducted a meeting with all the residents and dissuaded everybody from going anywhere during the lockdown," said Ganga Bhagwat Singh, the president of Ganesh Nagar Rahiwasi Sangh.

The residents of hutments at Bandstand are forced to spend nights sleeping near or on the rocks until the tide comes in, to avoid overcrowding in their tiny houses

"Thankfully there is not a single case of COVID-19 in this slum. If someone goes out to work and gets infected, we could all get infected. So everyone got convinced and rejected the offers. We are also not allowing any outsider to enter our dwellings," added Singh.

Most of the occupants of these overcrowded dwellings are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, and said they want to go to their homes in Patna, Allahabad, Jaunpur, etc.

Jobless with no money

Another reason they spend time on the rocks, is that they don't have television. "After the lockdown, the validity of cable connections expired in nearly 90 per cent houses in this slum. So the youngsters are forced to come out in the open for better network for their smart phones."

"We requested the service provider to resume the service but he said it will be possible after online payment. So we are helpless regarding this as well. Also, most of us are jobless so how can we pay for cable TV?" Pareva added. So far they haven't had a problem with food. Residents claimed former MLA Baba Siddiqui and Corporator Asif Zakaria have been giving them rations and packed food. Special arrangement for food has also been made by the duo for those observing roza in the holy month of Ramadan.

With the government allowing travel between states, the migrants in the shanties are hopeful of going back home.

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Dear Diana,
Of late, my husband has been hooked to his cell phone. His conversations are long and he always steps away to talk. I have even tried to eavesdrop, but he talks so softly that I cannot fathom anything. It is clear that he is looking at something more than just conversations with the caller. I feel he is attracted to another woman from the way he is all smiles after the conversation ends. My husband behaves as if nothing is amiss. A few days ago, we went to a party. Suddenly, he disappeared for an hour. He sent me a message saying that he had to attend an urgent call. On the way back home, I questioned him. He told me not to read too much into the calls. I don't know what to do. If I keep asking my husband, it will surely create problems between us. How do I know who the caller is?
— Roshni

Dear Roshni,
You need to know with whom he is indulging in such long conversations. Do not waste any further time in telling your hubby what is on your mind. More importantly, he needs to tell you the truth. He is hiding things from you which is strange. This is making you speculate. It could be a work related call and things could be hectic on his office front, but he needs to tell you. Or it could be someone else. You feel there is another woman in his life. Your hubby may have fallen for someone, but he should realise that he is married. Sooner or later, things could take an ugly turn if he gets more and more involved with these calls. He is ruining things by being secretive. It is time he spills the beans and told you what is going on. If you need help, speak to someone else from the family or a close pal.

Dear Diana,
I have been married for the last three years. Things were going fine till my husband met one of his old school pals. This friend is not married and has sworn to remain a bachelor all his life. He had relocated to Singapore, but is now back in Mumbai. My hubby has been spending a lot of time with him. In the process, he is also getting influenced a great deal by him. As his friend is single, I feel he is always checking out any women who comes his way. His friend can get away, but not my husband. I find his behaviour disgusting. Sometimes they make things so obvious that I feel they deserve to be pulled up and taken to task. Often, I accompany them on outings and when my husband gangs up with his pal, he goes berserk. I have told him to stop going overboard, but he says it is harmless fun. My hubby was not like this before. How do I tell him to stop checking out any woman who crosses his path?
— Trishala

Dear Trishala,
It is clear that your husband is greatly influenced by his pal. He may have reconnected with him after a gap, but that is no excuse for him to do exactly what he says. The pal is single, but your husband is not. Moreover, it will spell trouble for them if they go berserk, some woman might go and complain about them which may lead to big trouble for them. You need to calmly explain to your husband that his behaviour is not done and that it will lead to problems for him. He cannot go by what his pal is saying. This pal has a roving eye and your hubby is doing exactly what he says. It is time he stopped being dictated by what his pal says. He might think that you are trying to take him away from your pal, but you need to be tactful. He can be friends with him, but he need not go overboard when he sees any woman

Dear Diana,
I have been married for eight years. We are a middle-class family. We have a daughter who is six years old. Life is tough, but we are managing. Things were fine till about four months ago, when my husband started behaving strange. He would come home late night almost every day. Even though he has weekends off, he would say he has work and not return till late night. This has been going on for a while and my husband is not saying what is going on. Last week, around 2.30 am he suddenly got up from sleep. He woke me up to say that he was feeling hungry. He said he felt like eating a cheese sandwich. I quickly rushed to make him a sandwich. But by the time I returned, he was getting ready to leave. He said he was going to Pune for a meeting. He told me to pack the sandwich along with tea in a flask. He left and did not return for three days. Whenever I would call on his cell phone, he would say he is busy. He is back home, but refuses to say for what he travelled to Pune. I think something is amiss. What should I do?
— Sagarica

Dear Sagarica,
It is rather strange that your hubby is hiding things from you. He needs to tell you what is going on. It is clear that something is troubling him. It could be on the workfront, but there is no reason to be evasive. He does not care for you even though you are worried sick. Your husband seems to be the least concerned about you. He knows that what he is doing is wrong, yet he continues with his strange behaviour. He cannot just disappear and then appear in your life. It is his duty to tell you his whereabouts. There is no point jumping to conclusions and falling prey to idle talk. There could be a genuine reason that is causing havoc in his life. Tell him that you need to know the truth and may be he needs help.

Dear Diana,
I have been married for two years. My husband is proving to be a good-for-nothing. He joined a gym recently, but barely went for a week. He is a couch potato and does not help me with household chores. As a result, he is gaining weight and suffering from diabetes. He also switches jobs every few months due to which we are always low on funds. In the first year of marriage, he was okay, but now he has become a pain. He cribs about everything. I work as a teacher and give tuitions to supplement the income. I don’t think anyone can change him. He is simply atrocious and always finds faults in others. His family, who is based in Goa, have also given up on him. I feel like leaving him, but then at times he is loving and caring making me wonder if I am doing the right thing. I am confused and do not know what to do? Should I give him an ultimatum?
— Mohini

Illustration/Uday Mohite

Dear Mohini,
You are living with a man who has scant respect for you. If he cared for you, he would not behave in such an atrocious manner. This man certainly needs to be shaken up. He seems to be living in his own world and feels that he can get away with everything. You need to give him an ultimatum. If he does not change — or at least show signs of changing, there is no point sticking around. He may be sweet and caring, but that is only for a while. He has made life a living hell for you. You need to walk out on him. For a while, go stay with a friend or your folks. Hopefully, common sense will prevail and he will shape up. If he does not, you are happier and better without him.

(Clockwise from left) Bheja Hara Masala, Nalli Nihari, Paya Soup, Tandoori Roti, Dal Chawal Palidu, Pizza Naan and Bohri Biryani (centre)

The Hill Road's din is drowned out by soothing Middle Eastern music as we step into The Tha'l Co, tucked in a residential building off the bustling street. We soak in the pale blue and stone grey décor, with charming latticework, candle-lit tables and abstract art adorning the walls, half expecting a performance of belly dancers. Instead, two staffers bring out a massive, 33-inch Bohri thaal, laden with nine types of starters, four pickles and two salad options.

Pineapple Halwa, Kesar Pista Sancha Ice Cream, Amba Roti, Paan and Mukhwaas

Owner Avinash Bhatia gets the reaction he's hoping for - our gaping mouths. "Bohri food has always been close to my heart, as I grew up with friends from the community. I sourced traditional recipes from them," says the Sindhi businessman, who hails from a family of property developers. He also has experience of running the family-owned Club 9 at Pali Hill, which replaced Hungry Bunny, a cosy café that his father had launched back in 1990s.

A community call
The Tha'l Co offers à la carte and set menus, the latter in the form of thaals for a solo diner and even a family. They also take catering orders. "The family thaal feeds seven guests. It includes mains and desserts too," he says as he ushers us to a low-seating table with seat cushions. It represents the community's traditional dining set-up where a family sits on the floor around a common thaal. However, we opt for the table-and-chair set up, considering we're in for the long haul.

(Clockwise from left) Bheja Hara Masala, Nalli Nihari, Paya Soup, Tandoori Roti, Dal Chawal Palidu, Pizza Naan and Bohri Biryani (centre)

After the traditional passing of salt and a bite of sodhanu (rice and sugar to start the meal), we dig into Dhungareli Tangdi, wrapped in foil and cooked in coals. The dish stars fall-off-the-bone chicken legs cooked in creamy gravy with a distinct crumbly cheese texture that teases our palate.

Then, we move on to fried-till-crisp Chicken Kheema Samosas and Chicken Shahi Roll, where crumb-fried barrels burst with meaty, cheesy flavours. They're washed down with refreshing, watermelon-flavoured Bir Soda, as integral to the community as Pallonji's is to Parsis.

For veggies too
The vegetarian options include Soya Chaaps, where the mock meat is slathered with a makhani-like gravy. We also enjoy the salads - Kokam Bateta, featuring well-cooked potatoes hidden under a thick, tangy-spicy coating, and Kachumber laced with silken, mashed brinjal.

The highlights are the melt-in-the-mouth minced lamb Galawati and the skewered Seekh Kebabs, where the soft and juicy mutton packs in robust, spicy flavours.

Dance to DCP
The mains include Nalli Nihari, Bheja Hara Masala, Bohri Biryani and the vegetarian DCP aka Dal Chawal Palidu. The Nihari wins us over with its soft and succulent lamb cooked in a well-spiced stock with a hint of fennel seeds that we relish with fluffy Pizza Naan. The Bheja Hara Masala scores for its creamy coriander-based gravy, whose flavours are soaked in by goat meat.

The dum-cooked Bohri Biryani, with succulent chunks of mutton and potatoes, turns out to be a lighter version of its north Indian sibling. It's long rice grains are laced with the right amount of whole spices and slight tang from the curd. A smoking-hot piece of coal on a bed of mildly flavoured rice and lentils takes the modest DCP to the next level. The flavour lingers in our mouth long after we've tucked into the comforting dish with Palidu, a drumstick stew tempered with cumin and thickened with Bengal gram flour.

By the time we reach the desserts - the rich Pineapple Halwa and creamy Sancha (hand-churned) ice cream in kesar pista flavour - we feel too stuffed to move, realising the true meaning of food coma.

Opens: Next week, 12 pm to 3.30 pm; 7.30 pm to 11.30 pm
At: Pooja Society, Chinchpokli Road, Bandra West
Call: 8956988888
Cost: `786 (single thaal), `986 (per person for family thaal)

Thali Sweet accompanied by kadio bodio

For Bandra resident Sophia Netto, the month of September meant eight days of festivities, courtesy the iconic Bandra Fair that the suburb hosts annually. Held in four lanes that dot Bandra's Mount Mary Basilica neighbourhood, it celebrates the birthday month of Mother Mary. "You could spend an entire day at the fair. There would be pageants like September King and Queen, games and cane product stalls that everyone would throng to, and all-night long jam sessions by Catholic bands at Mount Carmel's September Garden with an entry fee of `1. We would binge on potato chops, candy floss and kadio bodio, a deep-fried sweet stick of refined flour dipped in sugar. Even black chana would be heaped at stalls," recollects 54-year-old Netto, who offers black chana and kadio bodio as complimentary treats at BKC's SodaBottleOpenerWala as part of the outlet's ongoing festival, Bandra Feast, which recreates the fair experience.

East Indian Pork Sorpotel

In collaboration with chef de cuisine Danesh Vakshoor, Netto has created a special menu comprising East Indian and Goan delicacies. The menu features Mutton Potato Chops (Rs 195), where fried-till-golden breadcrumb crusted mashed potato shell is stuffed with minced meat, and Vegetarian or Chicken Lonvas (Rs 295), cooked with the famous East Indian bottle masala and thick coconut milk. It also stars East Indian Pork Sorpotel (Rs 295) and East Indian Vindaloo (Rs 295) where the pork is marinated overnight and slow-cooked. "Most homes in Bandra would be open to guests till midnight, who would arrive from different parts of the city and beyond to seek blessings at the basilica. I remember my mother making kilos of sorpotel and vindaloo. I've used her traditional recipes for the menu," she adds. End the meal with Thali Sweet (Rs 175), a festival speciality made with coconut semolina and eggs.

Sophia Netto

The restaurant has also been dressed up with ribbons and balloons that are a throwback to the helium balloons, which were a common sight at the fair. The line-up also includes a retro jam session with in-house DJ Farhan and saxophonist Amar Sukhi on Thursday night, and breakfast housie on Sunday. The idea, says Netto, is to revive the fair's charm. "Unfortunately, it has now turned into an extension of the Hill Road hawking zone," she rues.

Truffle and Edamame Dumplings

This city is no stranger to modern Cantonese cuisine, thanks to international brands like Yauatcha and Hakkasan having landed at our doorstep several years ago. And the fact that they're going strong is proof that Mumbai's elite loves the grub.

Enter House of Mandarin, a soon-to-launch fine-dine that aims to quell our dumpling cravings. A project by Rachel Goenka, this is a far cry from the European fare and dainty baked goods we have been treated to from her brands, The Sassy Spoon and The Sassy Teaspoon.

We visit one afternoon to scope out the new restaurant, standing at the same spot in Bandra where an outpost of The Sassy Spoon used to be. The interiors have been transformed — dark wooden accents, lamps, and Chinese murals adorn the elegantly designed space. We settle down at a table and begin our eastward journey.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Raise your glass
The cocktails deserve special mention. Created by mixologist Pranav Mody, each is a subtle nod to the Orient without becoming a cliché. The Crouching Tiger (Rs 399), made with a lychee green tea-infused vodka with a dash of cranberry juice, is for those who like their drinks fruity but not cloyingly so. The signature cocktail, the vodka-based Mandarin (Rs 399), is fruit-forward and bursts with flavours of citrus and aromatic basil. The tall glass filled with this chilled drink momentarily transports us to a beach deck on a sunny island.

Our favourite, however, is the Mandarin Mocha (Rs 339), which has a whisky base and comes with a dose of espresso and vanilla, topped with orange zest. This is a drink we could count on for that much-needed shot of caffeine.

Mandarin Mocha

Duck tales
The menu isn't trying to impress anyone by being out-of-the-box or innovative. Instead, what you get is pure comfort food, dishes that are flavourful in their simplicity.

Being a Chinese restaurant, you can expect a wide selection of dim sum here. The Truffle and Edamame Dumplings (Rs 440), which have become a regular feature at Chinese fine-dines, are sheer perfection — the film-like wrapping breaks open to reveal an edamame filling that feels like velvet and has a lovely umame flavour owing to the truffle oil. The Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun (Rs 540), served steaming hot, also wins our vote. Two glossy, translucent rolls hold juicy prawns and a layer of crunchy tempura batter.

Crispy Prawn Cheung Fun

A drizzle of soy sauce gives the dish a flavourful punch.

If you're visiting with the intention of shelling out the big bucks, don't skip the Aromatic Crispy Duck (Rs 1,150 for quarter, Rs 2,150 for half). Deep fried duck thighs are shredded and served with pancakes, a rich plum sauce and batons of cucumber and scallion. There is a method to eating this dish — place a light-as-air pancake on your plate, spread a dollop of plum sauce, place a spoonful or two of the shredded meat on it, throw in some greens, roll it up and tuck in.

Steamed Whole Pomfret with Ginger and Scallion

Pots of delight
Among the mains, you can't miss the soy-drenched Steamed Whole Pomfret with Ginger and Scallion (Rs 2,200). The seasoning on this dish is on the milder side, so if you're looking for something with a punch, this is not it. You can, instead, opt for the Sweet and Sour Chicken or the Sanpei Chicken Claypot (Rs 540 each), and pair either with a portion of the Spicy Vegetable Fried Rice with Taro (Rs 390).

The interiors are peppered with Chinese murals. Pics/Bipin Kokate

We can never have too much of the fare from the Far East, and if you're anything like us, you know where to look if dumplings are on your mind.

Amid the nationwide lockdown due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the country, Bollywood celebrities have been flaunting their culinary skills on social media. Actor Pulkit Samrat treated his actress-girlfriend Kriti Kharbanda to some prawns.

Kriti took to Instagram, where she shared a photograph of the prawn curry made by Pulkit and she captioned it: "And then, death by amaze food happened! @pulkitamrat showing off his cooking skills."

 

 

 

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@pulkitsamrat ❤️

A post shared by Kriti Kharbanda (@kriti.kharbanda) onApr 24, 2020 at 3:03am PDT

Recently, Kriti shared a post where she could be seen enjoying a champi (oil massage on the head) by her boyfriend Pulkit Samrat. She also jokingly claimed that her new motto in life is to make Pulkit give her a champi!

 

 

 

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First I made him look like Champak, then made him give me a champi! 😋😋😋 @pulkitsamrat heya! Thanks ya! 😛😘 #quarantinememories #yelocozyolo (this is officially my new motto in life)

A post shared by Kriti Kharbanda (@kriti.kharbanda) onApr 14, 2020 at 10:28pm PDT

Meanwhile Pulkit took to Instagram and posted a black and white picture of himself along with his dog -- a husky.

"Ek Dooje Ke Liye (for each other)" he captioned the image.

On the work front, Kriti and Pulkit were together seen in Anees Bazmee's comedy caper "Pagalpanti. Kriti will next be seen in "Taish". Pulkit will next be seen in "Haathi Mere Saathi and "Taish".

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Late actor Irrfan Khan's wife Sutapa Sikdar took to social media to pen a healtfelt message for the actor, who passed away on Wednesday. She updated her Facebook display picture with an adorable picture of herself hugging Irrfan and captioned: "I have not lost I have gained in every which way...."

Reacting to the post, several users paid condolences to her and her sons, Babil and Ayan. "You are strong. Love," a user commented. Another user wrote: "Super salute to you."

Sutapa and Irrfan met each other during their college days at National School of Drama, Delhi where they fell in love with each other and later tied the knot in 1995.

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Some love stories can never end. And that's the kind of love story that Neetu Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor shared with each other and the world. The veteran actor passed away on April 30, after battling cancer for two years, leaving behind wife Neetu, son Ranbir and daughter Riddhima.

Today, actress Neetu Kapoor shared an emotional post on Instagram remembering her husband. She wrote, "End of our story," and shared a photo of Rishi Kapoor posing with a glass of whiskey.

 

 

 

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End of our story ❤️❤️

A post shared by neetu Kapoor. Fightingfyt (@neetu54) onMay 1, 2020 at 11:20pm PDT

Anupam Kher, commenting on her post, rightly said, "Some stories never end." Raveena Tandon, who worked with Rishi Kapoor in the 1995 movie, Saajan Ki Baahon Mein, wrote: "Eternal and forever." Sonu Sood said, "It's a story that inspired many stories on this planet mam. Some stories never end, in fact, they will remain in our hearts forever. Rishi sir will always be a guiding angel."

Richa Chadha shared, "It is but a comma, not a full stop. He's right there, beside you, regaling you with stories, making you laugh, getting annoyed, finding the best restaurant... he lives through you and beside you. Don't lose heart. You are united in eternity. Big big hug."

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh have worked together in movies like Kabhi Kabhie, Khel Khel Mein, Amar Akbar Anthony and Zehreela Insaan, among others. Their sizzling on-screen chemistry transformed into off-screen romance, and the couple tied the knot on January 22, 1980.

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It is not just Bollywood celebrities, but many people who are extremely concerned and panicking for the grooming woes. It was Mira Rajput, Shahid Kapoor's wife who was worried about her eyebrows. In fact, she also posted a funny picture of her face, which highlighted the on-fleek brows.

 

 

 

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So far the eyebrows are behaving 🤨

A post shared by Mira Rajput Kapoor (@mira.kapoor) onApr 4, 2020 at 10:44am PDT

With going to the salon for a quick fix no longer an option, now Kriti Kharbanda's biggest dilemma is how to shape her brows. "Baaki sab toh theek hai, par in eyebrows ka kya karein?" she wrote on Insta and referred to the bushy look as 'COVID brows'. Earlier, Sonam K Ahuja, too, had expressed concerns about her brows being a 'complete mess'. If you don't want to DIY, let big, thick brows be the latest must-have.

Well, it seems like grooming is a grave issue than anything else right now.

On the professional front, Kriti Kharbanda was last seen in Pagalpanti, and now, the actress is all set to woo the audience with her next film releases Vaan and Taish. Speaking about her personal life, Kriti is currently dating Pulkit Samrat, her Pagalpanti co-star.

On the other hand, Sonam Kapoor was last seen in The Zoya Factor, opposite Dulquer Salmaan. Before that, the actress was a part of LGBTQIA film, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, also starring Anil Kapoor, Regina Cassandra and Rajkummar Rao.

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Sumeet Vyas and Ekta Kaul are all set to embrace parenthood. The duo is enjoying this time as much as they can and keep sharing their happy moments with their fans on their social media handles. Owing to the countrywide lockdown imposed due to coronavirus, the couple recently hosted a virtual godbharai.

Ekta took to her Instagram page to share pictures of her godbharai. She looked lovely in a printed, maroon maxi dress, while Sumeet kept it casual with cargo shorts and a quirky, navy blue t-shirt. Ekta was seen flaunting her baby bump. She captioned the picture as "Just like that." Take a look at the picture here:

 

 

 

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Just like that!

A post shared by Ekta Rajinder Kaul (@ektakaul11) onMay 8, 2020 at 11:25am PDT

Ekta also took to Facebook to share a glimpse from her godbharai. Here's what she shared:

Last month, Ekta had shared the news of her pregnancy with an adorable and witty caption! In the picture, we could see Sumeet planting a kiss on Ekta's cheeks.

 

 

 

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Proudly announcing our new project together. 👶🏻👶🏻 Introducing Jr. KaulVyas (soon) Created, Directed and Produced by US.... @sumeetvyas and I 🙏🏻🙏🏻

A post shared by Ekta Rajinder Kaul (@ektakaul11) onApr 4, 2020 at 10:19pm PDT

Sumeet Vyas and Ekta Kaul tied the knot in a traditional ceremony in Jammu on September 18, 2018. Sumeet was earlier married to theatre actor Shivani Tanksale. They divorced in 2017.

Talking about his love story, Sumeet Vyas in an earlier interview had said, "We actually met six years ago when we were shooting for a pilot of a television show which never took off. I met her again on a show I was hosting, where she was a contestant. We kept in touch. I discovered the art of conversation with her. We don't discuss common people we know or criticise projects that aren't good enough. She became the home I could come back to and disconnect from work. I love that we both are desi. It was a moment of sheer astonishment when she said she likes me too. That's love, it requires no logic and no reason."

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Representational Image

We have been married for 10 years, and while most people say time depletes sexual chemistry in a couple, ours has been an active and healthy sex life. Perhaps, because early on we decided that we'd try out new things. This includes making sex a part of our daily lives and trying different positions.

Both, my husband and I are 34 years old. He runs a business; I am into design. We belong to conservative Marwari families, but what happens in the confines of our home is our business.

It was last year that my husband discussed a website: Adult Friend Finder. I think he discovered it while watching porn. He told me: "This is what people are doing these days". 'This' was couples performing live sex acts in front of an online audience. My husband wanted us to give it a shot. I was obviously apprehensive. It felt weird that someone would be watching our intimate moments. But, he insisted. He said since we were husband and wife, it would be fine. If anything, it would add excitement to our lovemaking. Within a month I agreed to give it a shot.

Going online was simple enough. On the site, my husband created a profile. All he was asked was his age. No other details needed. Not even an email ID or my age. Once this is done, you can add friends to your list. Friends here doesn't mean real-life friends, but other handles from the site that you allow to watch you as audience. It's quite like Facebook with one difference - this is a sex site.

We logged in and created our own handle. We had two options - either we could go live publicly [anyone who logs in to the site can watch] or invite our friends on the site to watch. Once you are done [performing the act], the live video disappears from the site. Since ours was a private handle, people would have to request us to allow them to watch us. It was our prerogative who got the permission.

I was clear that I didn't want any Indians watching. Neither did I want to watch any Indians. And even though I hid my face by only shooting at certain angles, I was more comfortable with people who showed their faces in the videos - I only allowed those people who went live themselves to see our videos. So, most of those who watched us were white men and women - single or couples. There are obviously more men online but women are aplenty too.

When we went live, I made sure that there was nothing visible of my home or of our personalities in the frame. So, the corners we picked to shoot from were always blank corners in the house. The webcam was also angled such that our faces could not be seen, and the lighting was slightly low. We watched a few videos and we made ours follow the same pattern.

Not everybody has sex during these videos, some just indulge in foreplay. So, we would start by sitting on the couch, talking and having wine. Sometimes, we would just indulge in foreplay with our clothes on. That's it. Sometimes, the clothes came off and we had intercourse. But, never did our faces show. That was my major concern.

During our first video, we just made out while watching a movie. It wasn't an awkward experience. If anything, I was really happy after the first time, because I got positive reactions from everyone who watched the video.

My initial apprehension melted soon, and I found myself having fun. People comment as you go about having sex and most comments were about how hot, sexy and beautiful I was. The exotic, Indian thing really attracts the white. I couldn't believe some of the comments - one of them said I was the sexiest woman he had seen. It served as validation.

My husband also enjoyed the attention I got. Unlike other Indian men, who tell you to button up and don't like it if another man looks at you, my husband was happy with all the attention I was getting. And, along with me, him. He would tell me, "They all want you, but I have you." At any time that we'd go alive, around 1,000 people would be watching. We used to go online once a week.

Soon, however, the charm started to wear off, especially when comments like "Do you want to share your wife?" started coming in. I would spend all day remembering what had been said. Disgust crept in; that I had allowed so many eyes on me. I told my husband that I didn't want to do this anymore. He was irritated.

There were arguments because he was keen we continue. After seven months, I decided there was no way I was going back to doing this. He kept resisting it, but then accepted my decision.

Now we don't fight over this anymore, and still have an active sex life.

I'd say that if people are inspired to do this, they should do it sensibly. We were married so we weren't afraid blackmail or lewd comments. But if you aren't, you should watch out; you could fall into a trap. There are many people who message obscene comments and it's not easy to ignore them.

Also, do not see it as a long-term hobby. Do it for a bit if you like, and get out, or you can get addicted. Use it to get the spark back into your sex life, but don't overdo it.

(As told to Aastha Atray Banan)

Former cricketer Andrew Flintoff gives a thumbs up to monitoring calories in bed, but his wife, Rachael, isn’t pleased with this. Pic/AFP

If you thought mobile phones are a rude intrusion in your bedroom, the fitness band might be the latest addition to the list. Former English cricketer Andrew Flintoff recently revealed (or 'overshared', according to British tabloids) that he wears a digital fitness tracker band in the sack. He added that it helped him meet his calorie burn target for the day and also egged him to go harder in bed to satisfy his wife. His revelations raked in much ridicule and shock from female social media users. Adding to the buzz on social media, his wife Rachael admitted that she wasn't a fan of the idea.

Also read - Revealed: The 'Sexy Secrets' of modern Indians

Ameeta Sanghavi Shah

How much is good?
Mind, life and relationship therapist Ameeta Sanghavi Shah feels that balance is the key to a relationship's success. When the goal (here, fitness) becomes bigger than everything else, it signifies that something larger is at play. Shah credits this obsession to the individualistic lives couples live today, away from their relatives and family. "We seek growth and better results. While that is good, we lose the security of the known while coping with a world of crazy change. We become anxious even as we strive to be positive. When we can't control the demands of ensuring certainty and meeting our own need for being perfect, we begin to control the things we think we can. This is where compulsive behaviour steps in. It gives us the illusion of control over the bigger picture," explains Shah.

Deanne Panday, celebrity fitness expert

Celebrity fitness expert, Deanne Panday seconds Shah's opinion. "Fitness is a journey, not a destination. If anything is used temporarily for motivation, or to help you get on track and not as an obsession, it can be positive. In this technology-driven world, the chances of dependency on gadgets are strong. But self-motivation is what works in the long run. Your body is a bio computer and if you listen, it will give you signs on what to do. You don't need a gadget for it," says Panday.

Also read: How does Mumbai play between the sheets?

A healthy inside
Panday adds that athletes need motivation as their career depends on fitness, but for a layman with a sound medical history, a holistic fitness pattern designed for their body will work. "I have seen a lot of people in Mumbai obsess about aesthetics and being skinny. But internal health is the key to a healthy life. Learn where to draw the line and keep your partner happy and healthy too," she adds.

The larger picture is what matters in the long run. Shah suggests that one should not convert everything in life into a training ground to measure, prove and build your strength. A relationship is not a game of numbers but a continuous experience that contributes to wellness. It comes from connecting to the self; machines and gadgets need to be put aside. "The language of compulsion of 'I have to' and 'should' must change to one of choice: of being aware and present - 'I wish to' or 'prefer to'. So, while you opt for monitoring gadgets, also spend time being mindful, meditating and connecting with your loved ones," Shah reminds.

You may also like - Photos: Top 10 things you should avoid while having sex

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday called up Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and expressed concern over the gathering of a large number of people in Mumbai's Bandra area in defiance of the ongoing lockdown, officials said.

Shah stressed that such events weaken India's fight against coronavirus and the administration needs to stay vigilant to avoid such incidents. "The home minister spoke to the Maharashtra chief minister and expressed concern over the large gathering of people in Mumbai's Bandra area," a home ministry official said. Shah also offered his full support to the Maharashtra government in dealing with the situation, the official said.

About 1,000 migrant workers who earn daily wages gathered in Mumbai's Bandra area on Tuesday demanding transport arrangements for them to go back to their native places, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the coronavirus-enforced lockdown till May 3.

A police official said the migrants were dispersed two hours later and have been assured that they will be provided accommodation and food till the lockdown lasts. In viral videos, police personnel was seen using mild cane-charge to disperse the migrants, who had gathered near the Bandra railway station in suburban Mumbai.

Daily wage workers have been rendered jobless ever since the lockdown was announced late last month to stem the spread of COVID-19, making their lives a constant struggle.

It is a true story of a Dacoit named "Shakuntala" of Bihar district Madhubani. It is a true tale of bravery, suffering, hatred, love, violence, power & injustice against women in rural India. The main attraction about this film is that the narrative of this Woman Warrior Shakuntala will be essayed by the original Dacoit Shakuntala herself through her eyes and in her own voice in the movie "Bandit Shakuntala". She was born in a very small village of Bihar in India to the lowest caste. Enduring cruel poverty, Shakuntala survived the humiliation of being poor and helpless. But she decided to study hard for making her life better. During which she was kidnapped and raped by a rich powerful man of the same village when she was just 12 years old. After which she tried to get Justice with her family which they failed to receive. Shakuntala was made to suffer a series of terrifying ordeals as a result of pleading for justice against the man who raped her. She was forcefully married to a old man by her uncle. Shakuntala ran away. Later her uncle also killed her father brutally for a little piece of land. The uncle also helped the rich man to rape Shakuntala once again on the day of "Holi". After that she was horrifyingly ganged raped by 30 man. She was kept in jungle for 10 days without clothes in which these men raped her again and again just because she asked for justice. One day a man called "Nadeem" saved her. This guy who belonged to a Bandit group. He took her along. He taught her everything to become a Bandit. Shakuntala became BANDIT SHAKUNTALA. She delivered justice to all low-caste women and rape victims and stole from the rich to give to the poor, before negotiating her surrender on her own terms. A khaki uniform-and-bandana clad avenger of outrages by high caste against low, and by men against women and for loosing all her loved ones. Throughout her years of imprisonment without trial, Shakuntala remained a beacon of hope for the poor . She had over 33 cases on her but none of them were proved due to lack of evidence and that's how she was released out of jail. Then she started with a new journey, the journey of a social worker. Now to serve the society not through the barrels of a gun but through peace, love & retribution.

2 years ago, on this day, Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja tied the knot, after dating each other for 2 years.  That Sonam was dating a 'London based businessman', surfaced on the internet for the longest time, but the duo remained tight-lipped about their relationship until it was time to make it official. Sonam and Anand had a traditional, Punjabi wedding in Mumbai, and of course, a star-studded one.

She took to Instagram to write the sweetest anniversary wish for the husband, and also shared with us the first photo they clicked together, 4 years back. Her caption tells us how she was impressed with Anand from their very first meet and found him 'unbelievably cool and sexy'. "Your compassion, kindness, generosity and smarts are incredibly attractive but so is your moodiness and your annoying perfectionism. Thank you for being my partner and standing besides me for these 4 years. They have been my most fulfilling. Happy happy anniversary husband. I’m soo thrilled I get to keep you for the rest of my life," Sonam wrote.

 

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Our first picture together.. 4 years ago today I met a vegan who could do complicated yoga positions and speak about retail and business with the same ease. I found him unbelievably cool and sexy., he still makes my heart race and grounds me at the same time. Nothing compares to you @anandahuja , your compassion, kindness, generosity and smarts are incredibly attractive but so is your moodiness and your annoying perfectionism. Thank you for being my partner and standing besides me for these 4 years. They have been my most fulfilling. Happy happy anniversary husband. I’m soo thrilled I get to keep you for the rest of my life. I love you the most and I know you love me the best and the most. That I promise you is the greatest gift I’ve ever received. ❤️ #everydayphenomenal

A post shared by Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamkapoor) on May 7, 2020 at 7:58pm PDT

Sister Rhea Kapoor also wished the couple on their anniversary, on Instagram. She shared a video consisting of some of their adorable moments, and wrote, "Happy anniversary family, I hope every tomorrow is the best day of your lives".

 

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Happy anniversary family, I hope every tomorrow is the best day of your lives. @sonamkapoor @anandahuja love you!

A post shared by Rhea Kapoor (@rheakapoor) on May 7, 2020 at 8:41pm PDT

Sonam and Anand are presently at the latter's Delhi house since they returned from London and quarantined themselves. Quite sue they're celebrating the day in their own way in the company of each other!

Kriti Kharbanda, needless to say, is one of the fittest actresses of Bollywood. She has always been a fitness enthusiast and tries different forms of workout to keep it interesting. Her recent Instagram post has left us all wondering if there’s anything that she cannot do with perfection. The video has really motivated us to think of new ways to start working out.

She posted the video with the caption, “Throwback to my favourite form of workout! Definitely regret not installing a pole at home. Adding this to my to-do list post the lockdown! What’s on your list !? What do u really miss doing!?”

Watch the video, right here.

 

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A post shared by Kriti Kharbanda (@kriti.kharbanda) on May 7, 2020 at 7:44am PDT

On the work front, Kriti Kharbanda will next be seen in Bulbul Marriage Hall with beau Pulkit Samrat, produced by Salman Khan.

Also Read: Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda to star in Salman Khan’s next production venture

Bollywood actors Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda have been dating each other for quite some time now. However, they made their relationship public only during the promotions of their film Pagalpanti last year. During the lockdown period, the two have been living together and getting to know each other better. In an exclusive conversation with Bollywood Hungama, Kriti talks about Pulkit and his qualities that make her feel proud to be his girlfriend. 

Talking about living together during the lockdown, Kriti said, “It is so lovely. I have seen both of us grow through this quarantine. We have caught up on a lot of television, a lot of series we missed out on. We have been cooking, we have been working on ourselves. I think we have been working on how to make ourselves better humans. Suddenly the reality of life has stricken us and we are both extremely emotional people. I think that is the only flaw that both of us have that we are extremely emotional.”

“I have learnt a lot about him this quarantine and I can tell that and not just saying because he is my boyfriend but I have immense respect for him and it comes from my heart and my mind and I have never met a more caring and giving person. This is an opinion that can never change because you cannot pretend these things. I have seen him over the years even when I have worked with him, even when we were just friends even after we started dating. He is a lovely human being and is really caring about the people around him,” she added. 

Talking about the change in Pulkit’s personality over the years, “I think acceptance is the key. I think it is only easy to change if you accept that there are certain places you need to work on yourselves and you're willing to make that difference to yourself. So I think self-love is very very important where you give yourself the benefit of doubt and you say, ‘You know what, I can do better than that’. So, I think that is something he has realised and I am very very proud that I am his girlfriend.” 

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Pulkit Samrat and Kriti Kharbanda are living together amid lockdown, the actor reveals whether marriage is on the cards

India tennis ace Sania Mirza celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary along with husband and veteran Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik on April 12, 2020. It was an auspicious day as it was also Easter

Sania Mirza took to social media site Instagram to share a few pictures with her husband Shoaib Malik from their big day back in 2010. She also wished him a "Happy Anniversary".

Sania Mirza also showed her fans a glimpse of her humorous side as she made a tongue-in-cheek statement in her post comparing the two contrasting photos by saying "Expectations vs reality". Sania Mirza wrote: Happy Anniversary @realshoaibmalik. A decade of being married looks like this!! Expectation vs reality. Swipe right for reality." Take a look at the post below. 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

Happy Anniversary @realshoaibmalik 😌ðŸ¤Â— A decade of being married looks like this!! Expectation vs reality 😅😂 Swipe right for reality âž¡ï¸Â

A post shared by Sania Mirza (@mirzasaniar) onApr 12, 2020 at 3:55am PDT

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik tied the knot in April 2010 in Hyderabad in a grand manner. Sania Mirza gave birth to a baby boy named Izhaan in October 2018. After giving birth to her child in October 2018, Sania Mirza returned to the court in January 2020.

She clinched the women's doubles title at Hobart International, pairing up with Nadiia Kichenok, in her comeback competition.

Sania recently shared a photo of her son with a tennis racquet in hand, looking confused. "I am pretty sure he's thinking what the fuss is all about? #IzhaanMirzaMalik," Sania said in her Twitter post.

Sania last played at the Qatar Open in February. She has helped raise Rs 1.25 crore in one week which will help close to 1 lakh people in need during the 21-day lockdown to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Inputs from IANS

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Some of the band members saw snow for the first time in Gulmarg

It's rare for a young band, new on the scene, to get the traction that the Mumbai-based Aankh Micholi has got in the last year. Formed in 2015 at the True School of Music, the alternative folk fusion has been performing all over the city and country in 2018, gathering praise for their soulful music, which they describe as "a marriage between powerful lyrics and compelling storytelling". Recently, the five members - Osho Jain, 23, Bharat Chandore, 20, Pankaj Pathe, 26, Akshay Dabhadkar, 21, and Hansel Dias, 23 - performed at Winterfell Café in Srinagar, which is known for musical performances.

The band also used a sled as a percussion instrument

"We had heard about the café and we just took a chance and called them, and said, 'would you like to host us?', and they couldn't have been happier. They also told us that we were the first non-Kashmiri band to have played in the Valley. The band, Parvaz, had performed before us, but all its members are Kashmiri," Jain tells us. We asked the band why they think the Valley should be our next travel destination and this is what they had to say.

And sang a few songs, which they shared on Facebook

'The people are amazing'
We literally haven't met better people ever before. Firstly, at the café, which takes its inspiration from the Game of Thrones, a crowd of over 50 turned up, which is great for that area. This café has a lot of things happening all the time - open mics, storytelling, all performance-based art. The music that we were playing was very different from the kind of music they are exposed to, which is basically Kashmiri folk music. This was very new to them, but they just loved it, and responded with such gusto. People are just nice everywhere you go, and help is at hand whenever you need it.

A select few airlines offer direct flights from Mumbai to Srinagar, or you can fly to Delhi and take a connecting flight

As soon as we landed, we just dumped our bags at our hotel, and headed to the Dal Lake. We then sat in the shikaras, and started playing our guitars and singing our original songs. We were entertaining people, and they were loving it. After a while, people joined us in the singing. It was one of our most overwhelming moments.

The snow is magical
On the second day we were there, we headed to Gulmarg. It wasn't supposed to snow that day, and hasn't snowed for the last 20 days. But, as soon as we got there, it started snowing, and even the locals were surprised. Some of us had never seen snow before. We were on the slopes and we were sledding. We also used the sled as a percussion instrument, and sang a few songs as we did a Facebook live from the slopes.

Binge on Kashmiri Noon chai
Since most of were vegetarian, food was a bit of an issue. But, we all fell in love with the kahwa. That sweet, sweet tea, really hit the spot in the cold. We also sampled the Kashmiri noon chai, also called sheer chai, gulabi chai, which is a traditional tea made with salt, milk and baking soda. It's very different to taste, and it would be right to say that it's an acquired taste. But we loved it.

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BANDHAN BANK LTD share price has plunged 5% and is presently trading at Rs 262.

Meanwhile, the BSE BANKEX Index is at 22,880 (up 0.1%).

Among the top losers in the BSE BANKEX Index today are BANDHAN BANK LTD (down 5.0%) and RBL BANK LTD (down 8.1%).

ICICI BANK (up 2.0%) and KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK (up 1.4%) are among the top gainers today.

Over the last one year, BANDHAN BANK LTD has moved down from Rs 590 to Rs 262, registering a loss of Rs 328 (down 55.5%)..

The BSE BANKEX has moved down from 32,704 to 22,880, loss of 9,824 points (down 30.0%) during the last 12 months.

What About the Benchmark Indices?

The BSE Sensex is at 32,089 (up 0.7%). The top gainers among the BSE Sensex stocks today are HUL (up 4.0%). The most traded stocks in the BSE Sensex are ICICI BANK and RELIANCE IND..

In the meantime, NSE Nifty is at 9,383 (up 0.8%). DR. REDDYS LAB (up 4.3%) and HUL (up 4.3%) are among the top gainers in NSE Nifty.

Over the last 12 months, the BSE Sensex has moved down from 38,277 to 32,089, registering a loss of 6,188 points (down 17.24%).

BANDHAN BANK LTD Financial Update...

BANDHAN BANK LTD net profit stood at Rs 7 billion for the quarter ended December 2019, compared to a profit of Rs 3 billion a year ago. Operating income rose 64.7% to Rs 27.2 billion during the period as against Rs 16.5 billion in October-December 2018.

For the year ended March 2019, BANDHAN BANK LTD reported 45.0% increase in net profit to Rs 19.5 billion compared to net profit of Rs 13.5 billion during FY18.

Revenue of the company grew 38.4% to Rs 66 billion during FY19.

The current Price to earnings ratio of BANDHAN BANK LTD, based on rolling 12 month earnings, stands at 9.3x.

This article (BANDHAN BANK LTD Plunges by 5%; BSE BANKEX Index Up 0.1%) is authored by Equitymaster.

Equitymaster is a leading 'independent' equity research initiative focused on providing well-researched and unbiased opinions on stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive, chronic disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the central nervous system, resulting in multiple

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