BENGALURU, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | VOL: 11 � NO: 47 2 BENGALURU, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | VOL: 11 � NO: 47 Genelia D’Souza and Riteish Deshmukh on making reels, their pandemic project and what the future holds | P8 Catch us online @ indulgexpress.com Editor: G S Vasu Indulge Editor: Edison Thomas Editorial: Rashmi Rajagopal, Anagha M, Ayesha Tabassum Design Editor: Nitin Tuse; Designers: B Guruswamy, S Chengalvarayan, B Arunkumar Photo Editor: Shiba Prasad Sahu *** 4 things to do To advertise, contact: J Vijay — � : 9742400220, e-mail: jvijay@newindianexpress.com; For subscription, contact: Harish — � : 9886143555, e-mail: harish@newindianexpress.com Registered & Corporate Office: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited, Express Gardens, 29, Second Main Road, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai – 600058, ): 044 23457601-07 DISCLAIMER The New Indian Express group publishes the advertisements in this supplement in good faith, but does not hold itself responsible for the representations or claims made for the products and services, in respect of which readers are advised to make their own assessment. pick of the week GET IN TOUCH Send your queries and feedback to: The Editor, Indulge, 29, II Main Road, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai-600058 or e-mail: indulge@newindianexpress. com; Ph: 23457642 Farm fresh Feast on organic and homemade dishes at Food Fest @ One Field Farmers’ Market. The stalls at the event will serve everything from burgers, hotdogs and grills to kebabs, soups and cookies. You can also dig into some Indian delicacies such as biryani, pakodas, and appams and stew. Entry free. October 2, 10 am. At Bileshivale. Details: 8884445756 Under the sun German DJ HOSH gets behind the deck at XU for the Sunburn Solaris gig this weekend. The DJ has a unique mix of house, dub, minimal and classical musical influences. HOSH will also be joined by Indian electronic act Ankytrixx. `999 upwards. October 1, 5 pm. At Leela Palace Bengaluru, Old Airport Road. Details: 25211234 THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | BENGALURU Talking shop Crafts Council of Karnataka is back with the popular artisans’ exhibition, Vastrabharana. Expect over 50 stalls, including ajrakh-printed saris, jamdani weaves, indigo-dyed fabrics, and textiles from award-winning weavers, apart from jewellery, footwear and home decor. Entry free. Until October 4. At Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Kumarakrupa Road. Details: 22261816 Garden party Amlaan Baag hosts a digital gardening workshop that’s perfect for those who are new to gardening. The expert, who has a popular YouTube channel, will teach you about the different varieties of soil, watering techniques and how to pick the right pot for your plant. `450. October 2, 4 pm. Details: On Zoom True colours CRY (Child Rights and You) in partnership with online platform thecurators.art hosts a charity art exhibition and sale titled Happy Childhoods on the theme of childhood. Over 40 artists, including names such as Gunjan Shrivastava, Akshita Gandhi, Nishant Dange and Afza Tamkant, have displayed their works on the website. Until October 7. Details: thecurators.art Fear factor Vocalist and composer Shilpa Ananth’s music is described as avant-pop — a vibrant mix of Indian melodies, jazz, R&B and funk. Her latest single, Fear, is an inspiring story of a woman as she overcomes her anxiety and regrets. The song has been released by the platform Maajja. Available on online streaming platforms Spiral out The Circle Community’s workshop will teach participants how to make floral mandalas. Titled Folk Mandala, the digital event will guide you on how to make the colourful, detailed geometric patterns. The art form also helps in mindfulness. Entry free. October 1, 5 pm. Details: On Zoom 5 designer/showcase THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | BENGALURU fashion 6 MAKING THE CUT FDCI X LFW’s GenNext winners, Twinkle Hanspal and Deepit Chugh, talk about their journey and what to expect THE FASHION DESIGN Council of India and Lakme Fashion Week coming together to host a joint fashion week earlier this year was an important moment in India’s fashion history. Now, they are set to stage the Winter/Festive showcase and as per usual, announced the winners of ‘GenNext’ — their talent discovery program. The 32nd batch, comprising just two designers — Twinkle Hanspal and Deepit Chugh — was shortlisted by a panel including names like Tarun Tahiliani, former fashion editor, Priya Tanna, and Head of RISE Fashion and Lifestyle, Jaspreet Chandok. We caught up with the two designers to find out more about their labels, design philosophy and aesthetic. — Rashmi Rajagopal rashmirajagopal@newindianexpress.com @rushmeee T ell us a little bit about your background. I have always had a keen visual eye and curiosity for design. I grad- uated from NIFT, New Delhi in 2015 and then worked with veteran designers like Ritu Kumar and A n a m i k a K h a n n a . Transforming my talent into craft, I embarked on a career in design with my range of ‘elevated essentials.’ The gar- ments are an extension of my own wardrobe which was built on my thirst for finding wear- able statement pieces. What is the design philoso- phy of your brand? It boasts a minimal- yet-statement aes- thetic tied together with elevated essen- tials derived from I n d i a n c l a s s i c s . Wearability and ver- satility are at the core of the brand. They are redefined to fit the sartorial needs of a modern, indepen- dent woman. In an industry that is extremely competitive, how will your label stand out? Inclusivity is a fair- ly new concept in its entirety in fashion but our approach towards it has always been impartial. Our clothing is made for one and all without compro- mising on our design lan- guage. This is what sets us apart. What is your take on sustainable fashion? The brand is not trend- d r i v e n , h e n c e w e ’ r e promoting sustainability by creating timeless pieces that will last you a lifetime. Tell us a little bit about your latest collection. The roots of the collection I am presenting at the joint FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week lie in celebrating clas- sic Indian silhouettes with a c o n t e m p o r a r y t w i s t . Luxurious silks and breath- able cottons together weave a timeless story. Statement inserts with dabka , fabric- cording and linestitch form a beautiful amalgamation of precision and craftsman- s h i p. T h e i d e a w a s t o showcase a very accessible a p p r o a c h t o f a s h i o n through wearable state- mentessentials. TWINKLE HANSPAL T ell us a little bit about yourself. I am a bit of drifter – born in Ahmedabad, did my schooling from Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata and finally graduated in 2011 from NIFT, New Delhi. Following my graduation, I had the opportunity to work with the likes of Triburg (a buying agency), Raymonds and Aditya Birla group. My first memory of designer clothing was when I was 10 years old and my cousin (Yukta Mookhey) was crowned Miss World 1999. I guess seeing the beautiful blue gown designed by Hemant Trivedi was something that stayed with me. Tell us about the aesthetic of your brand. Line Outline, my label, is a range of ready-to-wear clothing with a fluid narrative that blends clean tailored looks with sporty minimalism. The brand works closely with local craftsmen and tailors, and explores the lines between form and function driven by an experimental yet wearable approach. The aesthetic is carefully created using a range of interesting fabrics and construc- tion techniques. What is your approach to sustainable fashion? Sustainable fashion as the world sees it is mostly to do with fabrics and materials. I, on the other hand, feel that sustainability should also include business practices. During the first lockdown, we realised a large number of local tailors and craftsmen were completely out of work and had to shut down their businesses. This gave me the idea to work with these tailors in order to maintain a healthy number of orders and I also trained them to improve the quality of their finishing. This was helpful as they did not have to shut shop completely . This to me is one way of being sustainable. In addition, we have also intro- duced recycled cotton hang tags, and labels made from recycled plastic bottles. What can one expect from your latest collection? The collection is called Chapter 2 - Idyll The brand takes its visual inspiration from coloured brutalist architec- ture for this collection which uses soft cottons, cotton blends, Bemberg silks and twill fabrics. It has minimalistic hand embroi- dery like cording, pitta work and zardosi which help elevate the products. There is also a focus on colour blocking and patter n play What are the most unique pieces from the collection ? I think the printed black Bemberg silk shirt set is one of my most favourite looks of the season. The fabric is very fluid and feels really nice to touch. The abstract print also adds a fun street vibe to it. The minimalistic panelled bandhgalas are aninterestingupdate to modern Indian attire. The cuts are classic, with cut and sew detailing. The embroidered blazer in navy is also a must have. It is a double-breasted style without lapels and features a modern take on zardosi embroidery and cording. DEEPIT CHUGH in conversation 7 10 cover story celeb/interview PARTNERS IN L in conversation 8 Genelia and Riteish Genelia D’Souza and Riteish D their vega OLLYWOOD’S MOST ADORED couple, Genelia D’Souza and Riteish Deshmukh, first met on the sets of their debut movie Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. After the success of their first film, both stars worked in many other popular movies. Genelia went o n t o b e c o m e o n e o f t h e t o p actresses in the South Indian film indus- tries with her hit movies like Boys , Satyam , Happy and Bommarillu . She got back to Bollywood with the the popular rom-com Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na . Meanwhile, Riteish consolidated his position in the Hindi film industry with movies such as Dhamaal , Apna Sapna Money Money , the Housefull franchise and Ek Villain In 2012, the duo surprised their fans when they made their relationship official and got married. Since then Genelia and Riteish Deshmukh have been among the most popu- lar couples of Bollywood. From being active on social media, making entertaining reels to even being paparazzi favourites along with their children, the duo is giving major c o u p l e g o a l s. T h e y a re re a l ly b i g o n Instagram and post some quirky and fun reels that have a huge following. We get can- did with the star couple as we speak to them about reels, real life and what the future holds for them. Excerpts: We love your reels. Which one of you is hooked to the format? RD: I think that would be me. I really enjoy the format. It started with Tik Tok and then we moved on to the reels. I have realised that this is the kind of communication that I enjoy with my fans. I would prefer posting a reel over a picture, they are fun. I forced Genelia to do a few with me and now she makes her own reels and I participate in them sometimes. You both began your career about two decades ago with Tujhe Meri Kasam and have been together since then. What according to you is the key to a successful relationship? RD: When we were friends or dating for 10 years, it felt like marriage and now that we are married for 10 years, the freshness of dating still exists in our relationship, and that is something that we truly enjoy. It is always an ever-evolving process of trying to find new things. It is like a house. You have to clean it regularly for it to look spick and span. If you don’t clean, the dust will settle and it will look dirty. So, in relationships that span decades, you have to keep evolving and finding new things that excite you. What have you learnt from each other over the years? GD: I wasn’t really into art but Riteish loves art. And, over the years, our holidays have become about visiting museums and spending time there, looking at art. It wasn’t something on my to-do list ever but I think with him, I have started enjoying a lot of art. I also see my kids very involved in art. At times, they express their emo- tions through art, which I think is a beauti- ful medium. Besides art, he also made me start working out. I was blessed all along B cover story 11 THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | BENGALURU and never felt the need to work out but once pregnancy sets in, you start getting com- fortable and become negligent towards your body, because kids and house matter more... But Riteish insisted that I go out there and work out to feel better and I think that really helped me, because that one hour is my hour and I think that’s a healthy lifestyle. How has having kids shaped your relationship? GD: Our children’s childhood is very differ- ent from ours, we didn’t have i-Pads or phones, it was all about going out and play. Unfortunately, our kids don’t have the same and therefore we go out on a lot for treks because we want to show them how amaz- ing nature is, that it is an important part of our being, and it also made us change our lifestyle. RD: One thing that I have learnt from my boys is to live in the moment. We are so busy planning for the future that we forget today but they are only interested in the present moment. They are like ‘ Baba , what are we doing now?’ They make us live for now. During the lockdown, whenever we had two to three days to ourselves, we would pack our bags and go somewhere nearby, spend that time in nature and come back. Riteish, take us through your daddy duties and how good are you at them? RD: We are talking on a day where I have already goofed up all my daddy duties so... (laughs) . But yes, I am attempting to fulfill my daddy duties but these online schools are very tough, especially for the age group that my kids belong to — Ryaan is six and a half and Rahyl is five. But, Genelia has really aced it. However, when it comes to art and crafts, I shift in because it is something that I contribute to, otherwise, it is mostly her... GD: Actually Riteish is mostly never around to do these things but he never says no, which is a good thing. Thankfully, he and I have been partners in parenting, and I can’t imagine it otherwise because the person you trust the most with your kids after your- self is your partner and if that person says I can’t do it then your whole world crashes. He has done everything, from changing diapers to cleaning them up, and as much as I do the majority of it, he never backs down. What made you guys turn vegetarian and how has the journey been? RD: It was a mannat of sorts to give up on something that we really cherish. Besides, there was this perpetual guilt for what we were doing to our environment and ani- mals. GD: My reasons were the same as Riteish. I have always had a dog, and all my life, I felt a sense of guilt because, on one hand, I love one animal and on another hand, I am eat- ing another animal. So, I was a guilty non- vegetarian but it was very tough then to give up on the food as back then I used to consider vegetarian food to be just about potatoes and paneer . But, in the process, I ended up becoming a happy vegetarian and then a happier vegan. In fact, a large part of our new venture came from our kids because after we retur ned from America, Ryaan came to me and said, “We have a dog, how can we eat meat?” He said it so innocently, but it got us really thinking. So tell us about this pandemic project? Who came up with the name Imagine Meats? RD: After a year or so, I had started missing meat. We were in America for a while in between and there we happened to discover good plant-based meat options but they were limited to burger patties and for some- one like me who has an Indian palate, it couldn’t satiate my cravings. But, we got some of those patties home and Genelia decided to mince them and make kheema out of it and when I had it, I was like ‘wow, I am having mutton kheema ’. I could sense a happy feeling, which I had really missed. And, it was then that we thought why can’t we do it back in India and replace our kebabs, tikkas and kheemas with plant- based options. And while we were working on it, we were thinking on the lines of ‘imag- ine that it is a chicken’, ‘imagine that it is mutton’, so I thought why not call it Imagine Meats. How long did it take to get the texture and taste right? What was your biggest revelation during this journey? GD: There are a lot of combinations and it wasn’t as easy as taking a pea protein and soy and mixing it together. One of the reve- lations was that there are so many products in this space and every day we learnt and we are still learning how different products feel and taste closer to meat. And, the big- gest was understanding of how our meat is grown and not born. RD: It took us two years to get where we are today. But, let me admit that there have been many times that we have gone wrong with it. At times, we would send the stuff back to Berlin, saying this is not how we want it to be and send them kebabs from here (to help them understand better). Kudos to Genelia because she is the one who decided to pursue a course in nutrition when we started this company to understand plant-based nutri- tion better and then she started working with chefs to get the recipes that we have. Genelia, you took a break of sorts after marriage and came back under the spotlight just two years ago at Lakme Fashion Week Autumn-Winter 2019 when you walked the ramp for Saroj Jalan. Was taking a break a conscious decision? GD: I look at my life in phases. Before mar- riage, I was working for about 360 days a year, we were literally in a long-distance relationship and it worked. But, when we got married, I wanted to have that kind of time with Riteish. And, when we had kids, I wanted to give that part of me to the kids as well. And I am glad that I took that call because I saw so many little things, which aren’t a part of any pregnancy book, which are just your observations and they are miraculous. But once they were able to com- municate, I decided to do some work here and there because I love my work and this industry. I have done good work and I want to do some more. Does it mean we are likely to see you soon on the big screen? What is it that would interest you? GD: It doesn’t matter if I do something this year or next or the year after, but I am ready. I have been a part of so many industries but not Marathi. I would love to do a Marathi film, hopefully sometime soon. Riteish, you have been working on the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj trilogy. Take us through that and your other projects. RD: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is a very important film for us, which got a bit pushed because of Covid-19 but we are happy that we could spend that time developing it. Nagraj Manjule (director of Sairat) and his team are working really hard to get it right. Since it is a trilogy, we have to write the story arc for three parts and start develop- ing the first. We are hoping to make some announcements early next year. We are developing some exciting stuff in Marathi. If everything materialises then we will see Genelia doing a Marathi film very soon. Currently, I have Netflix ’s Plan A Plan B with Tamannaah Bhatia, I have fin- ished Kakuda for RSVP , which stars Sonakshi Sinha and there are a few projects that I have ag reed to do, they will be announced closer to filming. 9 through how they keep their romance fresh, parenthood, journey and their shared love for Instagram reels. By Heena Khandelwal Rapid fire: Who among you? ■ Is the first to end a fight? Riteish ■ Cracks better jokes? Riteish ■ Plans better vacations? Genelia ■ Takes longer to dress? Riteish because he has no other work but to dress ■ Is more romantic? Genelia ■ Is more patient? Riteish ■ Is more thoughtful? Genelia ■ Is more organised? Of course, Genelia ■ Remembers important dates? Genelia. She specifically remembers all those dates that I want to forget. ■ Makes better reels? Both of us Alia Bhatt Alia Bhatt has now become an entrepreneur as she launched a startup called Ed-a- mamma. It provides sustainable clothes at a price ranging from `350 for children in the age group of two to 14 years. Ed-a-mamma claims to have naturally sourced and sus- tainable apparel for children. Alia launched the ecommerce website in April 2021. Malaika Arora Reality show host and actress Malaika Arora recently launched her own delivery-only restaurant N.U.D.E (Nutritious. Undisguised. Delicious. Eats ) Bowls that serves delicious healthy food with the goodness of flavours. The actress conceptualised the venture to provide customers with nutritious, healthy meals in bowls without compromising on taste and indulgence. Priyanka Chopra Jonas From opening New York restaurant Sona to launching haircare brand Anomaly, PeeCee has proven her entrepreneurial skills. Sona became fully operational in June this year in New York. On January 31, PeeCee also introduced her sustainable haircare brand, Anomaly. From liquid and dry shampoo to deep-conditioning masks and conditioners, the haircare brand offers vegan and cruelty-free products. Sunny Leone Actress Sunny Leone launched her own fash- ion brand ‚ ‘Infamous by StarStruck, Lingerie by Sunny Leone’ in Mumbai last year during the pandemic. Sunny’s fashion brand fea- tures mainly innerwear, loungewear and accessories for its initial launch. The One Night Stand actor is also a proud owner of a beauty brand Star-Struck that features make-up and beauty products. Chicken nuggets from Imagine Meats Pandemic projects Here are some of the other celebs from tinseltown who founded their own start-ups during the pandemic THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | BENGALURU 10 music/dance/drama culture LET THE BEAT DROP Goa-based Nathan Mendes joins the Gully Gang Entertainment label with his new EP, Way Too Messy D IVINE, THE POSTER boy of Indian rap, started the music label Gully Gang Entertainment to support and nurture local talent. The latest name to join their roster i s G o a - b a s e d r ap p e r N at h a n Mendes, better known by his stage name, Tsumyoki. With his latest EP, Way Too Messy , the young musician is aiming high and wants to make a mark on the inter- national scene. Breaking stereotypes “There is a stereotype that all Goans do is drink and par ty. People assume that we aren’t hard working and I don’t like that,” the artiste tells us, adding, “Once, when I told someone I was Goan, they said, ‘Your life must be a vaca- tion.’ I aim to break this stereo- type.” Nathan wants to represent the coastal state everywhere he goes and wants to do so by working hard and letting his music do the talking. “I come from a broken family and my mother has been a huge source of inspiration in my profes- sional journey because of how she overcame so many hurdles that life threw at her. My music is a form of therapy where I channel all my emotions,” the 20-year-old artiste tells us. He names musicians such as Juice WRLD, Eminem, Post Malone, Ski Mask The Slump God and Michael Jackson as his inspirations. On the right track His five track EP is in collaboration with fellow rapper Kidd Mange. It kicks off with the title track Way Too Messy , a beat-heavy song that is tailor-made for the dance floor or ‘mosh pit.’ All Black Trap Trap 2 veers more towards trap, and both the rappers showcase their lyrical skills in this number. The third is a fun track titled Pao Wala The song has a regional twist as it is peppered with local slang and Hindi verses. With the fourth and penultimate No Games , the rap- per presents his take on the sub- ject of street smartness. And the EP closes with Commentz , a hard- hitting number about ‘cancel cul- ture.’ Nathan adds, “Me describ- ing the EP doesn’t do the project justice. When you play it, you’ll find that each of the five tracks have their own unique flavours and as an EP, it’s a whole meal.” Up next, Nathan is looking for- ward to performing live again. “I absolutely can’t wait to get on stage and start performing for my fans. I have a lot of music that I would love to play for them,” he concludes. Available on online streaming platforms — Anagha M anagha@newindianexpress. com @anaghzzz Nathan Mendes aka Tsumyoki The album art in conversation NO TOUCHING, HUGGING or sit- ting close to each other — these were among the first rules that were spelt out when the pandemic struck. Then the first lockdown was announced in India on the evening of March 24, 2020. All these covid protocols and the abrupt announcement of the lockdown triggered an idea in Anuja Ghosalkar’s mind. The documentary theatre practi- tioner and artiste was thinking about all those people who were isolated and staying away from their loved ones. With this thought, Anuja start- ed The Lonely Hearts Club , a series of crowd-sourced audio narrations on Instagram on the theme of erotica. Nearly a year and a half later, the artiste presents a play titled The Lonely Hearts Club Show . This vir- tual play that will be staged on Zoom , is a compilation of nine personal stories from the series. “I started the Instagram handle where I invited people to send erotic poetry, diary entries, published work, or anything that they had written, in order to counter our loneliness because so many of us were far away from our lovers. It (the audio narrations) ran for 40 nights and received a lot of love. Then, when the lockdown ended, I continued running it once a month. Now we are presenting it as a virtual play ,” explains Anuja. While lots of people contributed to the club, eventually, nine of them participated in a writing workshop facilitated by Anuja and Zui Kumar Reddy. These participants then wrote the play, and will also be per- forming it. Bala Raghavan, Bhavana Rajendran, Manjima Bhattacharjya, Moakshaa, Nidhi Mariam Jacob, Oishorjyo, Rency Philip, Sophie R, Savu Yalgaar and Tushar Madhav are the nine performers. “We explore the idea of Zoom and voyeurism, and perform the written works. But the onus is also on the audience to pon- der their roles as people who are watching. Voyeurism is a larger framework — we are questioning the medium of looking through the cam- era the entire day ,” says Anuja. One of the performers talks about being stuck in a Covid ward and dis- covering self-pleasure. She was newly-married and was separated from her husband who was in anoth- er ward. Another performer talks about what kind of food turns her and her partner on and her language of love through food. It’s stories such as these that will be explored during this interactive show that allows the audience to participate in discus- sions as well. Anuja concludes saying, “We are not offending any- one. It’s just a playful show and we want the audience to acknowledge the bravery and vulnerability of the performers.” Entry free. October 1, 8 pm — Ayesha Tabassum ayeshatabassum@newindianex- press.com @aishatax PEEPING TOM This virtual play explores topics of voyeurism, erotica and self-love during the pandemic showcase A scene from the rehearsal Anuja Ghosalkar food & drink THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | BENGALURU wine/restaurant 11 FINDING FLAVOUR F OR THOSE WHO frequent Cunningham Road and the area around it, the hunt for a decent coffee shop could prove to be challeng- ing. There are a handful of options and some good ones have shut down owing to the lockdowns and curfews. However, coffee lovers in the neighbourhood will be happy to note that there’s a new cafe in town. Called Soros Flavor Coffee, this cafe focuses on unique flavours and sin- gle origin blends made from custom- roasted beans. An interesting approach when the rest of the city is moving towards the fourth wave of coffee. We headed there on a busy week- day evening, even as heavy rain lashed this part of the city . While we complained about the weather, we realised that a hot cup of coffee was just what we needed, and there was plenty of that on the cards. So we held our tongue and decided to enjoy the tasting. The menu offers flavours such as Super Almond, Tennessee Whiskey, Five Candies and Plum Cake with cappuccino or latte as the base. We were informed that all the flavoured syrups are made specifically for Soros and flown in from Switzerland. While we skipped Plum Cake, we sampled the other three. Our favourite was the Tennessee Whiskey, which paired seamlessly with the coffee notes. The almond flavour was a bit pronounced in the Super Almond coffee, so it’s strictly only for those who can handle the distinct aroma and taste of the nut. Five Candies was also a miss for us, as the fruity and sugary flavour of the candy didn’t seem to work with the latte. Some of the other drinks we tried were the Mango Blue Pea Tea — a blend of mango, blue pea tea and milk and Dark & Stormy — cold brew with condensed milk. We enjoyed the sub- tle mango flavour in the former and the balance of coffee and sweetened condensed milk in the latter. Their food menu comprises sand- wiches, flapjacks, open-faced toasts and tortilla wraps. Our recommen- dations include the Blueberry Pancakes, which were light and fluffy , Cream Cheese and Blueberry Toast (tart blueberry compote offset with the creamy richness of cheese on thin slices of bread), Croque Monsieur (French classic with chicken ham, cheese, becha- mel sauce, cheddar cheese and Dijon mustard) and Smoked Chicken Egg & Cheese Sandwich first look C a p p u c c i n o Mango Blue Pea Tea Dark and Stormy Sandwich from the menu The cafe Soros reimagines cappuccinos and lattes with infusions such as Plum Cake and Tennessee Whiskey (smoky chicken, two-egg omelette and cheddar cheese). The unique and off-beat flavour infusions are surely a must-try , but even if the novelty wears off, their fuss-free cappuccinos and lattes are impressive and just what you would expect from a friendly neigh- bourhood cafe. `600++ for two. At Cunningham Road — Rashmi Rajagopal rashmirajagopal@newindianex- press.com @rushmeee THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | BENGALURU on-screen/showtime New series: Break Point Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were two names that were synonymous with Indian tennis. As men’s doubles partners, the duo has won multiple Grand Slams and Davis Cup ties. The two clearly made a great team, but their constant difference saw them splitting up, reuniting and splitting up again. In this docuseries, filmmakers Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari trace their career and eventual fall out through interviews with the players themselves, their contemporaries, sports writers and friends. October 1. On Zee5 New season: Younger The creator of shows such as Sex and the City and 90210, Darren Star, is the man behind this comedy-drama. Liza Miller is a 40-year old divorcee who fakes her age to get a job in the publishing industry. The seventh and final season kicks off as Liza’s lover Charles proposes to her. But it’s going to be a rocky road of heartbreak for Liza, even as she tries to navigate her career. From October 4. Weeknights, 10 pm. On Comedy Central Premiere: Shiddat This romantic drama features Sunny Kaushal and Radhika Madan in lead roles. The narrative follows Kartika and Jaggi who meet in Paris. Though Kartika is engaged to someone else, Jaggi pursues her and suggests they have a fling before they get married to different people. However, things don’t go as planned. October 1. On Disney+ Hotstar Premiere: Black Christmas This is filmmaker Sophia Takal’s take on the 1974 classic of the same name. The narrative follows a group of girls at Hawthorne College. As Christmas is just around the corner, Riley and her sorority sisters are decorating the halls for a party before students leave for the festive break when a mysterious stalker attacks them. Instead of becoming hapless victims, the girls decide to fight the murderer and solve the mystery. October 3, 9 pm. On Sony PIX Premiere: The Guilty Crime-thriller, The Guilty, starring Jake Gyllenhaal , is based on a 2018 Danish film of the same name. A 911 operator gets a call from a woman who has apparently been kidnapped. Following her cues, it’s now up to him to trace the call and rescue her. The movie also stars Riley Keough, Paul Dano, and Ethan Hawke. October 1. On Netflix Premiere: Maid Based on Stephanie Land’s best-selling memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother’s Will to Survive , this mini-series revolves around Alex, a single mother, who is trying to make ends meet by working as a maid. She daydreams about living a life of luxury and leisure while working hard cleaning mansions and depending on assistance programs like S.N.A.P. The show stars Margaret Qualley as Alex. October 1. On Netflix New season: Young Sheldon This spin-off of The Big Bang Theory follows the early days of the sitcom’s lead character, Sheldon Cooper. The fourth season begins as the boy genius has graduated from school and is ready to start college life. The season delves a little deeper into the character’s family and their relationships with each other. From October 4. Weeknights, 9 pm. On Comedy Central Premiere: Diana: The Musical Diana: The Musical, which was performed only a few times on Broadway before the pan- demic forced theatres to shut down, will be available on Netflix. The live recording tells the story of Lady Diana Spencer, right from her engagement to Prince Charles, to her life under the strict rules by the royal family and how she deals with her unsuccess- ful marriage. October 1. On Netflix 12 telewatch celeb/interview THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021 | BENGALURU out of the box 13 N XT TRIPLE CROWN C h a m p i o n Jo h n ny Gargano and his wife Candice LeRae, former N X T Wo m e n’s Ta g champion, are counted as one of the most popular couples in WWE. The duo also formed the group, The Way, in 2020, and Johnny led them to quite a few victories. The most recent news of Candice’s preg- nancy has once again put the couple in the spotlight, and the duo has been sharing regular updates with fans. Though they are touted as a power couple, and despite them being regulars on the NXT roster, there’s still a lot to achieve for both champs. Johnny has had a chall- enging run, and with his future in WWE still uncertain (his contract ends in December), it may get tougher, but he isn’t giving up. In this exclusive interview, he talks about his journey so far, his rela- tionship with Candice and what’s next for both of them. Excerpts: When were you introduced to WWE? The first time I started watching wrestling was at a time when I was also majorly into superhe- roes like the Power Rangers and Ninja Turtles. My next door neighbour Eddie, who was also my best friend, was an avid wrestling fan. I did not watch wrestling at all. He introduced me to it. When he first put on the television to show me, I was like I’d ratherwatch PowerRangers But the moment I saw Shawn Michaels on screen, I was like, ‘man, this is amazing,’ he had men flying all over the ring, and it felt like I was watching superheroes who were brought to life. It was every- thing I ever wanted, it had all the characters and it had all the athleti- cism. It was basically all that I want- ed to do. That’s when I felt I needed to be a part of this. Tell us about working with your hero, Shawn Michaels. I have known Shawn for about four years, working with him in NXT. I always try to remind myself that I was that chubby little kid who dressed like Shawn Michaels, and now as a 33-year-old grown man, who is moderately in shape, I dress like Shawn. It is a dream come true for me to work with him, and I sent my pictures with him to my mom. She had actually made the ‘Shawn’ dress for me when I was eight years old and I wanted her to see the pic- tures where I am dressed like my hero and posing with him. People keep bringing up your long drawn out feud with Tommaso Ciampa. So will there be a revival of DIY (tag team com- prising Johnny and Tommaso)? Whenever Tommaso and I are in the same company, there’s always this question about whether we will get back together or will fight one another. I believe we will always be tied together. I think you have cer- tain people like Triple H and Shawn Michaels who are destined to feud or be together forever. Tommaso and I are in a similar league. I appreciate the fact that people care so much about DIY. They want to see us do something together. Right now he is doing his own thing with Timothy Tatcher. I am doing my own thing with Austin, Candice (LeRae) and Indi (Hartwell). Whenever we cross paths again, there’s probably a good chance it may happen because of our history What goes on in your mind before you enter the ring? There’s so much riding on you, and fans are expecting something spectacular every time. I try to stay even. I have a lot of big match experiences like the TakeOver matches. Every match is a step to get me to where I want to be. Everything I do, I do it for a reason. So, I know what I am capable of and I am confident of it. I try not to get too hyped up. I need to control my breathing, I need to con- trol my heart rate because if I don’t, that’s when things go really bad. If you see me just before I go through the curtain, and when I return through the curtain, I am pretty much the same. This is what I take pride in. What have you learnt from your journey so far? Don’t take no for an answer. I believe I am living proof that if you have a dream, you can make it hap- pen. If you want to do something, you can manifest it. The story has been told to death — the fact that I was told that I would never be in NXT — and the career I have had so far shows that one ‘no’ is not the end of the story . You can write your story and make it happen. Which have been your most memorable moments so far? My TakeOver match with Andrade (Almas) was my first TakeOver match. I showed people that I could do it. My TakeOver matches against Tommaso (in New Orleans) and Adam Cole (in New York), and the NXT Championships — these have been my proudest moments. Also to sit back and watch Candice and Indi win the NXT Tag Team Titles was a favourite moment. You and your wife Candice LeRae lead the The Way group. You are the power couple. How are you both off camera, in your personal life? We do everything together. We are never off, we keep thinking about wrestling 24X7. We both have simi- lar backgrounds and had the same dream while growing up. Now we are finally living our dream togeth- er. Sometimes we try to turn our minds off from wrestling, and watch TV , or go for a walk in the park, and do what normal couples do. What goes into your training? Is there a diet and workout regimen you stick to? My nutritionist is Austin Current, I have worked with him ever since TakeOver: Brooklyn 4 , which was more than three years ago. We have a home gym. Candice and I workout there, and Austin plans my work- outs. I follow the ‘If It Fits Your Macros (IIFYM)’ diet plan — this includes carbs, fats and proteins, and I eat all of these depending on how active I am on a particular day . This plan has worked really well for me. We read that you are a Marvel fan. Who are your favourite heroes? There are so many amazing heroes, but my favourite is Spider-Man. Tell us about your Star Wars obsessions. I love Mandalorians. Boba Fett is one of my favourites. But I also love Anakin Skywalker’s descent into Darth Vader. I like this story arc as well. Candice and I even named our dog Pawdme, it’s a Star Wars pun on Padme. I also love The Clone Wars But yes, Boba Fett is my most favou- rite! We are all just big nerds! WWE NXT, Wednesdays, 5.30 am. On Sony Ten channels — Ayesha Tabassum ayeshatabassum@ newindianexpress.com @aishatax in conversation Johnny Gargano NXT Triple Crown Champion Johnny Gargano talks about his journey with WWE, his relationship with Candice LeRae and why he is here to stay