OCTOBER 09, 2019 60 A Times of India publication

LET’S GET
KITSCHY
AMP UP YOUR THE HOTTEST
STYLE GAME THIS NEW PAIR
FESTIVE SEASON HRITHIK ROSHAN
Red alert & VAANI KAPOOR
Relationship
flags to watch LABOUR
out for OF LUXE
Beauty ingredients
that spell opulence
Pause & Play
DENYING ORGASMS
CAN HEIGHTEN
PLEASURE

Shopping
special
ATEMPTING HAUL
FOR EVERYNEED
AND BUDGET
EDITOR’S
LETTER
What’s been your worst shopping experience?
Was it the time you paid extra for something you didn’t even want, was it when the online
product turned out to be tragically different from what you had picked and clicked on, or was
it when the payment and product were fine but it didn’t work for you eventually and has been
shoved to the back of the wardrobe?
I’ve been gypped so many times that all three instances above are applicable in my case.
But my worst shopping experience has been none of these. It’s been the one time I had an epic
interaction with a salesperson at a brick-and-mortar set-up. The ensemble I had tried on was
perfect, made for me; the price, though a bit
MY B END-O T TO steep, was right for the brand and value, and yeah,
BRANDS THAT YO R since it was in my favourite colour (read: black)
PROD T AND PRI E MAY there would be no post-purchase disappointment.
BE PERFE T B T THE FEET- Yet, I walked out of the store, wrote a long e-mail
to the brand on my poor customer experience,
N- T EET ME A N and never returned to the outlet.
TA M TANT. The disinterested salesperson at first couldn’t
find the size I was looking for and turned me away; the size miraculously appeared when I asked
her colleague who dug it out and handed it over to me. By then the disinterest had gone into
being prickly and petulant, and the salesperson started throwing some serious attitude. I have
always believed that aggression in temper is due to lack of confidence, so I overcompensated by
being nice to her. Bad move, because now we were at the trial stage. On trying on the dress,
I realised I needed a few tweaks in length, and the salesperson-from-hell figured that she didn’t
have a measuring tape and left me hanging in the trial room for a good 15 minutes. It should say
a lot about my patience that I emerged from the trial room and still asked for her, only to be told
that she had left for her lunch break! I can’t even...
So as a shopping pro (you can call me that for sure), my big send-out to brands is that your
product and price may be perfect but the feet-on-street messaging is just as important. It boils
down to customer experience—treat her right.
Our big story is about treating you right and giving you options to shop based on your mood.
Splurge, spend, or save—we have choices lined up in a row. Take your pick!

Tanya Chaitanya
@tanyachaitanya
@tanyachaitanya27
 ON THE COVER
MODEL: HRITHIK ROSHAN AND VAANI KAPOOR;
PHOTOGRAPH: ABHAY SINGH;
HAIR (HRITHIK): HAKIM AALIM; MAKEUP: VIJAY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Deepak Lamba
PALANDE; HAIR AND MAKEUP (VAANI): SUBBU;
EDITOR Tanya Chaitanya STYLIST: PRACHITI PARAKH; STYLING INTERNS:
KAUSHIKI RANE AND DIYA DOSHI
ASSOCIATE EDITOR (DIGITAL) Sneha Mahale SENIOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MEETESH TANEJA;
CLOTHING: ON HRITHIK: JERSEY KNIT T-SHIRT,
PRODUCTION EDITORS Shraddha Kamdar, Charlene Flanagan TUNA LONDON; DOTTED BLAZER, TISA STUDIO;
DENIMS, ROSHAN’S OWN; ON VAANI: SHIMMER
ASSISTANT EDITOR Aishwarya Sati
DRESS, ESHA SETHI THIRANI
FEATURES EDITOR Nikshubha Garg OCTOBER 09, 2019 60 A Times of India publication

SENIOR BEAUTY WRITER Sanjana Salunkhe

JUNIOR BEAUTY WRITER Eden Noronha
LET’S GET
ASSISTANT FASHION EDITOR Prachiti Parakh KITSCHY
AMP UP YOUR THE HOTTEST
STYLE GAME THIS NEW PAIR
FESTIVE SEASON HRITHIK ROSHAN
SENIOR STYLE WRITER Shruti Shukla & VAANI KAPOOR
Red alert
Relationship
FASHION WRITER Shruti Shende flags to watch LABOUR
out for OF LUXE
Beauty ingredients
ACTIVATIONS COORDINATOR AND STYLIST Swathi Mohandas that spell opulence
Pause & Play
DENYING ORGASMS
CAN HEIGHTEN
PLEASURE

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Primrose DSouza

SENIOR REGIONAL EDITORS Shopping
NEW DELHI Anindita Ghosh
CHENNAI Neeti Jaychander
special
ATEMPTING HAUL
FOR EVERYNEED
AND BUDGET
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 VOLUME 60 NUMBER 19

FASHION
26 Front row
EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE
Simple Indian cuts with details
spell poise and charm

27 Jewellery
JEWEL TRAIL
Contemporay pieces that
draw inspiration from
traditional designs

7 28 Accessories
WRAP IT UP
26
Festive
The big story Trendy belt
spirit

bags to add to
your collection

29 Watch
FESTIVE GOLD
A glamorous wrist
watch in keeping
with the spirit of
the season

Hotlist
TRENDING
Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle Femina’s round-up of the latest
news, views and buzz in fashion
shoppi g ideas for every budget
32 Face-to-face
CELEBRATION TIME
Popular ethnic wear warriors tell us
what’s trending this year

34 Unstoppable at any height

HEIGHT OF STYLE
Statement footwear for women of
any stature

ALL ABOUT YOU 21 Love

18 Passion
PLEASURE, DENIED!
The concept of orgasm denial
and extended foreplay to
boost your sex life
YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!
Tell-tale signs on your first
date that he's not for you
23 Life
WHO IS YOUR

21
Game of
BOLLYWOOD SOUL
SISTER?
love Take our quiz to find
out who your celebrity
twin is

24 Celeb cheat sheet

SELFIE QUEEN
Take cue from these
celebrities to amp up your
36
Dress to
social media game impress
 71 Interview
58
Take
CROONING GLORY
Get to know the new kid on the
two block, Dhvani Bhanushali

72 Interview
CALL OF THE WILD
In conversation with Latika Nath,
wildlife conservationist

LIVING
76 Food
A TASTE OF THE HILLS
Bring home a slice of Uttarakhand
with these recipes

79 Quick bites
COLD COMFORT
This trio of soups will keep you cool
in the post-monsoon heat

80 The buzzmakers
AMRITA PURI A DIFFERENT
PERSPECTIVE
The actor gets candid about her
journey in films, and foray into web

36 Fashion Feature 52 Beauty blast

THE KITSCH QUOTIENT LUXE FACTOR
Grab the spotlight with these Extravagant beauty
experimental ensembles ingredients for gorgeous skin

BEAUTY
48 Trial-a-trend REALITY
and hair
76
Dig in
CORAL CALLING 58 Cover interview
Flaunt a fresh Parisian look THE HOTTEST PAIR
that’s fit for the festivities Hrithik Roshan and Vaani IN EVERY ISSUE
Kapoor tell us about their 02 EDITOR’S LETTER
49 Hair spotlight upcoming film, and their lives
03 TOMBSTONE
WAVE RAVE off-screen
Style your mane with 06 FEMINA.IN + INBOX – WE HEAR YOU!
a dazzling retro hairdo, 70 What it takes to be 51 BEAUTY MANDATE – Q&A
this season WHEELS OF HOPE
A para-athlete, an GET FEMINA RIGHT AT HOME
50 Beauty entrepreneur and an
z To subscribe, SMS FESUB to 58888
HOT RIGHT NOW advocate for disability,
All that’s fresh and fun on Devika Malik chats with us on z To subscribe online, visit
the beauty shelf life and hardships mags.timesgroup.com/femina.html

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HOW TO STYLE
DANGLERS
Take inspiration from celebs.
BEAUTY GIFTS FOR
THE FESTIVE SEASON
Are you festive-ready?
EASY DINNER
RECIPE
Mushroom soup.
TOP SIX BEACHES
OF INDIA
Everything you need to know.
We asked our followers on
Twitter their go-to ethnic
wear for the festive season.
Here’s what they had to say:
The Season Lady
@SaisonFemme A traditional
sari is definitely my safe haven
for all festivities.
Surendra Kaul @kaulsk3
I prefer something that’s
comfortable and easy to carry
for the festive season.
Mehak Gulati
@mehakgulati10 A cotton
lehenga that’s light and
comfortable to wear is perfect
for the festive season. I also
like to accessorise my outfit
with traditional jewellery.
Amyra Kapoor
@Amyrakapoor1 Nothing
works best like a lightweight
and soft hued sari; it makes
your movement easy and
looks elegant, to say the least.
Mahima Shah
@MahimaS02405401 A kurti
with a pair of palazzos feels
comfortable and looks uber-
chic at the same time.
All views belong to the authors and Femina
has reproduced them verbatim.
twitter.com/FeminaIndia
WE HEAR YOU! Write to us at femina@wwm.co.in
The article in the
August 24, 2019 issue,
BI The Way (All About
You, Passion) about gay
and threesome sex was
shocking and new to
me. Whereas, Me Before
You (All About You,
Love) on how to break
out of a codependent
relationship was helpful
and informative. Thanks
for teaching me about
life through other people’s stories.
Congratulations, Femina and keep
coming up with inspiring articles.
Devyani Rathore, Mumbai
The article, Let’s Talk About Sex
(Reality, Opener) on Niyati Sharma
aiming to spread awareness about
sexual health among young adults was
a great read. Educating youngsters and
above all parents, about how sexually
active today’s youth is, was a refreshing
idea. Thank you for publishing
Sharma’s story and inspiring me. I wish
everyone at Femina all the luck for its
anniversary issue in October.
Paromita Basu, New Delhi
The quality of your magazine is only
improving with time. Reading the story
Unbox Yourself (The Big Story) sent
chills down my spine. However, I am
relieved to know that today’s young
girls and boys are bold enough to
make their own life choices. Be it their
WIN!
AN EXCITING GIFT
FROM LAVIE
These five letters will win this
trendy satchel by Lavie. Carry it with
a pair of palazzos and a tube top, to
turn heads.
education, career, or
life partner, they make
their own decisions.
Also, the article Sense
and Sensibility (Reality,
Cover Girl) with
Sara Ali Khan was
immensely engrossing.
Sonali Mendonca,
Bangalore
Every page of the
August 24, 2019 edition
of Femina had so much to share and
update its readers with. Actor Sara Ali
Khan on the cover was like
a breath of fresh air. Her interview was
a great read too. Recently, I’m seeing
a lot of young stars on your covers
and it’s a great change. You highlight
different aspects of a woman’s life
really well. I appreciate all members
of the Femina team for doing
a commendable job.
Mahima Roy, Kolkata
From fashion and beauty to travel and
celebrity news, Femina covers it all. The
August 24, 2019 issue is special in more
ways than one. I loved all the articles,
but Break Free (All About You, Celeb
cheat sheet) touched my heart. Thank
you for making me more positive
in life. I admire Femina’s editorial team
for all the effort. Thank you.
Sanskriti Sachin Singh, Mohali
THE BIG STORY

RIGHT
The lights will soon be up, adding a spark of brightness
the already cheerful environment that the festive seas
brings with it each year. At such a time, how can we not
pon the urge to indulge in all things new? Whether it
spruce up your living space, amp up your look, or g
ved one, there’s much you can put your money o
opping Speci l brin o the be t o tion in dif
udgets, so ock
THE BIG STORY

FASHION SELECTS

ROYAL
STATE
Peach floral embroidered
Splurge
BUDGET
lehenga coupled with a `1 LAKH
plunging neckline spells
elegance and glamour. Go
in for minimal accessories,
strappy sandals (or delicate
juttis), and let your outfit
do the talking
ARPITA MEHTA
 BOLD MOVE
If you’re someone who doesn’t like to play by the rules
of fashion, this could be the outfit you’re looking for. A
bralette layered with a comfortable jacket, teamed with
Arabian pants, is sure to make heads turn. Complete
the look with a stylish pair of juttis.

GLOBAL DESI
Spend
BUDGET
`50,000 Save
BUDGET
`10,000

COMFORT
ZONE
An A-line printed kurta complemented with
a skirt is all you need to enjoy festivities
RAJDEEP RANAWAT

without compromising on comfort. Accessorise

with statement earrings to redefine simplicity
with a dash of drama. Add a pair of block heels
or wedges, and you’re good to go.
 THE BIG STORY

BEAUTY PICKS

YOUR HIGHNESS
Bring in the festivities with a beauty look that is fit for a queen, says Eden Noronha
Why should lavish be synonymous with royalty? Invest in high-end haircare,
skincare, and makeup for a magnificent avatar as you gear up to celebrate.
Aditi Rao Hydari embodies all things regal, with an enviable mane and glowing
skin. Achieve her look using the following products.

HAIR MAKE-UP
FOREO LUNA 2
Dafni Rose Gold Limited Cleansing And
Edition Ceramic Hair Anti-Aging Device
Straightening Brush `23,000
`15,999 M.A.C Jeremy
Scott Eye
Shadow X 29:
Lo-Fi `13,500

Moroccanoil
Treatment
`3,150

GIVENCHY
Anti Ageing
Face Serum
`31,275

Davines
, HOUSE

Nounou Hair
Mask `2,500

Guerlain Lingerie
de Peau Cushion
`7,100

OUAI
Texturizing
Splurge SHISEIDO Bio
Performance Glow
Hair Spray Revival Cream `8,500
`2,700 BUDGET
`1 LAKH
 MANE CHOICE
Flaunt some bigger and better
curls this festive season, says
Sanjana Salunkhe

If you are not a fan of makeup, amp up your hair game instead,
to make a statement. How about ditching standard straight
tresses, and opting for curls? Taapsee Pannu shows us how they
can do the trick to uplift a look. The style is minimal, gorgeous
and is super-easy to do. Here, we give you a lowdown on
products you need to achieve the look— all under `50,000.

Innisfree
Camellia
Essential Hair
Oil Serum `860

Aveda
Rosemary
Mint Purify
Shampoo
`350 Dyson
Airwrap
Styler
`40,900

Spend Herbal
Essences Bio:
BUDGET Renew Argan
Oil of Morocco
`50,000 Yves Rocher Botanical H C Volume
Conditioner
`650
Texturizing Styling Spray 150ml `790

GLOW
GALORE!
L'Oréal Paris
Brow Artist
Xpert `725

Give monotone makeup a festive twist with

a strong dose of shimmer, says Shruti Shukla
Brimful of definition and dazzle, Manushi Chhillar’s look
features soft shades that help bring out the best out of your
natural skin tone. No matter the outfit, the hues are bound
to blend effortlessly. Team the look with loose waves or Maybelline
New York The
wear your hair in a classic updo. Here’s how you can perfect Blushed Nudes
your makeup with a mélan e of essentials under `10,000 Palette `905

Estee Lauder
Pure Color Love
Lipstick `1950

Save
BUDGET
iko Milano Volume
wiss Beauty
rofessional `10,000
usher `249
?)æ2-8-3234 3%8
Lakmé Absolute Mascara `850
Argan Oil Serum
Foundation `750
THE BIG STORY
DÉCOR MUST-HAVES

EN CASA
Jazz up your pad with unique ideas and solutions for every budget.
Anindita Ghosh lists a few options
With the festive season
around the corner, it's time to
redecorate your house to kick
off the celebrations! Give your
abode a cheerful makeover by
incorporating a few key
changes to the décor. One can
opt for soft decoration items
such as furniture, curios, wall
art, quirky artefacts, lamps
etc. since these are easily
available in different price
ranges to suit everyone's
pockets. Don’t stress if you
are working within a budget
since it is possible to make
significant improvements
within your means. According
to Khushi Todi, interior
designer and founder, Cane
Boutique, “One of the best
and easiest ways to spruce up
3
your space is by redoing the
walls. You can paint them
brighter or clad them with
printed wall paper to add
some drama. Other options
4 include adding indoor plants,
changing accessories, using
loose furnishings like cushions
and rugs.” Todi says you don't
need to buy much stuff to
make a statement. If you are
creative then DIY projects can
work wonders, too. “DIY is the
most affordable way to
1
revamp your living space.
Painting your old furniture
pieces in pastel shades,
2 hanging hand-painted plates,
creating a collage of family
pictures and upcycling old
stuff lying around the house
are some interesting ways
of doing it,” Todi adds.
PHOTOGRAPH: CANE BOUTIQUE

rge
lu ETH
Sp G
D K
1.Metal chairs `18,000 2.Asian chest `12,000 3.Painting by G Jagdish `80,000 4.Lotus candle stand `14,000 BU1 LA
`
THE BIG STORY

TOUCH
2

OF 5

CLASS
PHOTOGRAPH: THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

Opt for statement pieces for an

eclectic yet elegant decor
3
1.Wall painting `18,550 2.Decorative
mirror `23,480 3.Olive pouffe `4,599
4.Ceramic vase small `4,799 5.Cow
decor piece `4,299

Spend
BUDGET
4 `50,000

QUIRK
3

5 FACTOR
Choose a mix of funky and
brightly-coloured rugs, cushion
covers, and wall art for that
colour pop
Save
PHOTOGRAPH: CHUMBAK

BUDGET 1. Colour Block Floor Rug `1,795

`10,000 2. Regal Elephant Tassel Cushion Cover
`995 3. Color Block Striped Pom Pom Throw
Pink `2,995 4. Cycle Wall Art `1995
5. Origami Bird Tealight Holder `695

1
THE BIG STORY

Diamond
Constellation
Flower Brooch
over `1 lakh

Gaurav
Gupta Fine
Occasions
Jewellery
Kaleidoscope
Earrings
Price on
MSI P65 request
Creator
`1.6 lakh

GIFTING IDEAS

PRESENT TENSE
Picking the perfect gift shouldn’t sap your energy. Aishwarya Sati guides you
through the process, keeping different budgets in mind
You are browsing a retail website, and even before that shortlisted item reaches the cart, you find
yourself distracted by another tempting option. What’s more, neither is it on your list nor does it fit in
with how much you are willing to shell out. Sounds familiar? Welcome to the world of online shopping
where one is spoilt for choice. We simplify the dilemma this festive season by bringing you gift options
in different budgets, so there’s something for everyone.

Philips Ambilight
TV `1.39 lakh

Varda Goenka
Fine Jewels by
Diagold Ring
`1.75 lakh

Panerai
Radiomir Pink
Strap Watch
Price on
request

Splurge
BUDGK ET
`1 L A H
THE BIG STORY
Michael Kors
sunglasses
`15,000 WoodenStreet
wall-mounted
study table
`16,000

BUDGETED
BOUNTY Choose a funky gadget,
a unique neckpiece, or even
an eclectic curio to make
your loved ones feel special

Fab India
Matinee Silver
Necklace
Spend WK Life ST900
Twisty
`29,990
12-Seater BUDGET Pro Home Stereo
Bluetooth Speaker
bench
`34,999 `50,000 `45,000

PACKAGED The Body Shop

Cactus Blossom

DEAL
Hamper
`4,075

With an increased focus on sustainable living,

healthy hampers and DIY kits are
flying off the shelves

Save
69*ç)? 3
BUDGET Box `1,400

`10,000
Foodhall Voyager Italy MyPerfume Oud Collection `9,000
Hamper `4,400
AMERICAN WOMEN AGED 18 TO 94, BY DR DEBBY HERBENICK, PROFESSOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY.
SOURCE: WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES WITH GENITAL TOUCHING, SEXUAL PLEASURE, AND ORGASM, A SURVEY OF 1,055

WHAT MAKES
WOMEN ORGASM?
33.6% 30.6% 5% 18.4% 12.4%
of women prefer side- prefer feel vaginal of women
PHOTOGRAPH: 123RF

need to-side avoiding penetration prefer other

clitoral movements the clitoris is enough to modes of
stimulation on the vulva all together satisfy them stimulation
ALL ABOUT YOU passion

PLEASURE, DENIED!
You may resort to erotica to spice things up between the sheets, but the concept
of orgasm denial is far more exciting than chains, whips, blindfolds, and 50 shades
of kink, says Charlene Flanagan

I
was on the brink of
orgasm!” she exclaimed,
almost flushed when
reliving events from the
night before. “Everything
about it was incredible. We
met, grabbed a few drinks,
there was undeniable
chemistry, so we took things
back to his place.” The
conversation between
girlfriends was getting juicy.
“I loved that he wanted to get
kinky. He tied me up and
blindfolded me; I had no idea
what to expect,” she
continued. The whole
experience sounded
exhilarating and it was
difficult to wait for the story
to reach its inevitable climax.
“You would think he’d let me
peak,” she went on, “but he
repeatedly took me to the
edge, and stopped just
before I could orgasm. By the
end of it, I begged him to let
me finish!”
Sounds like something
straight out of one of the
50 Shades books, but a quick
Google search reveals that
this form of play, orgasm
EROTIC SEXUAL denial, isn’t limited to Bondage
and Sadomasochism (BDSM)
DENIAL—SEXUAL alone. So what exactly is
PRACTICE OR SEX orgasm denial? The technical
PLAYINWHICH term states that it is erotic
APERSON IS KEPT sexual denial—sexual practice
INAHEIGHTENED or sex play in which a person
is kept in a heightened state
STATE OFAROUSAL of arousal for an extended
FOR AN EXTENDED period of time, without
PERIOD OF reaching climax. Simply put,
TIME,WITHOUT it’s the practice of prolonged
REACHING CLIMAX. teasing and stimulating to
ensure the big O turns into
an “oh wow!”
 Priti Kedar*, 36, media
professional, says, “I came to
know about it during
a discussion with friends.
The next time my ex and
I were fooling around, I told
him of it, and he was on
board. It was tough in that
moment, since I craved for
a release after almost
peaking, but I wanted to try
it. We let a few minutes pass
before he started stimulating
me again, and I finally
reached orgasm. It was
heightened in a way I can't
really explain.”
Dr Mehak Nagpal, a Delhi-
based sexologist, elucidates.
“When you take stimulation
to the edge and back, it gives
your whole body time to
become fully aroused, and
the focus is then on the
sensations and pleasure you
are able to experience, rather
than on the orgasm. By the
time you finally climax, it can
be quite intense.” It is as they
say…good things come to
those who wait.
Pause and play
While there’s an undeniable
kink factor attached to
delayed gratification, it pays
to know how this sexual play
can help improve your overall
intimate experience. For
starters, it allows couples to
engage in power play and live
out a certain fantasy or
fetish; it enables couples to
enjoy sex for longer than
WHEN YOU TAKE
STIMULATION TO
THE EDGE AND
BACK, IT GIVES
YOUR WHOLE
BODY TIME TO
BECOME FULLY
AROUSED.
usual; it has a direct effect
on the desire to enjoy the
stages of arousal before
orgasm, and the want to
make orgasms more intense.
Dr Nagpal elaborates, “It can
have multiple benefits for
both partners. Several young
men experience anxiety
around ejaculatory timing;
they tend to last for an
average of five minutes.
Using the orgasm denial
technique can help them
gain control of their
ejaculation, and in turn, help
satisfy their partners better.”
Here are some ways you
can use the orgasm denial
technique to take your sex-
capades to whole new
heights of pleasure:
Role play: In this
scenario, you and your
partner can take on the roles
of master and slave, leaving
the control of one’s orgasm
entirely upon the other. This
is power play with a whole lot
Orgasm denial can help
control release, and make
orgasms more intense
of gratification, eventually.
Jessica D’Cunha*, a 24-year-
old banking professional
from Mumbai believes that
role play has led to some of
her most satisfying sexual
experiences. “I enjoy
dressing up and acting out
certain scenarios where my
partner is always in control
of my arousal and pleasure.
He gets a thrill from making
me plead, and when he
ultimately commands me to
climax, it is big and intense,”
she says. “I considered this
merely role play, but it’s nice
to know there’s more to it.”
Going solo: Sometimes,
exploring your body and
indulging in some self-
pleasure is a great way to
know exactly what you’re
looking for in a sexual
partner. In fact, the longer
you go without release, the
more intense the experience.
Says Kedar, “Post my
breakup, I didn’t want to lose
out on the intensity of this
type of orgasm so I do,
on occasion, resort to this
while masturbating. The
process and timing are not
too different from sex with
a partner. Usually, I stimulate
my clitoris with my fingers,
and just when I know I will
orgasm, I pull away and
wait a while. Eventually,
I finish myself off with
a vibrator. The orgasm has
always been powerful.”
Over the edge: Edging is
the act of building a person’s
pleasure by curbing arousal
just before climax, and
waiting a few minutes before
resuming stimulation. This
can be done for as little or as
long as a couple decides.
Orgasm denial, on the other
hand, while often mistaken
ALL ABOUT YOU passion
for edging, has a subtle
difference. It is used to
deprive a person of pleasure,
leaving them in a constant
state of want and arousal,
a practice used in BDSM.
“I was intrigued by the
concept of bondage and
edging after reading erotic
novels,” says Niharika Singh*,
33, a Delhi-based
commercial artist. “I don’t
know what it was, but I knew
I had to try it. When
I presented this idea to my
husband, he was eager to
experiment. We started
small by just tying each
other up, but we eventually
found our groove.”
Toys R Us: This form
of play can work well if
enhanced by sex toys,
particularly when the
partner in charge can render
their subject powerless. The
added kink of restraints
makes using toys like
vibrators, clamps, and other
devices, a lot more exciting.
“After the role-play
scenarios, my partner and
I wanted to spice things up,
so he suggested restraints
and toys. Since I’m always in
character, I just agreed with
what my ‘master’ wanted,
and every romp has been
a thrill,” admits D’Cunha.
Rise and fall
There is pleasure in
withholding orgasm; it’s all
about learning how to play
with erotic energy—that
heightened arousal, the
anticipation and waiting,
hunger and yearning, getting
close only to be teased some
more, and then finally being
allowed to let go. However,
as potentially exciting as this
may be, a prolonged state
You can experiment with this form
of play alone or with a partner
may get tedious and
frustrating for the partner
who is denied carnal release.
Singh elaborates, “While
delayed gratification was
exciting, over time, my
husband got a bigger thrill
from watching me plead
for a release. The whole
experience started to
make me miss plain old
vanilla sex.”
Dr Sagar Mundada,
a Mumbai-based consultant
psychiatrist and sexologist
says, “Over time, it is
observed that what once
started as a mutually-
pleasurable act tends to
become overbearing for the
non-dominant partner and
they completely lose
interest. And when engaged
in without mutual consent, it
can lead to a feeling of being
used. This may also lead to
the person developing
a subconscious resentment
for the activity.”
However, there is a way
INDULGE IN SELF-
PLEASURING
PRACTICE SESSIONS
TO BEGIN WITH.
THIS WILL HELP YOU
DISCOVER WHAT
WORKS FOR YOU.
INVOLVING YOUR
PARTNER IN THESE
SESSIONS CAN TAKE
PLACE AS EARLY OR
AS ACTIVELY AS
YOU PREFER.
around the frustration. First,
be open and honest with
your partner. Next, establish
some ground rules before
engaging in orgasm denial.
Keep things light and fun—
set a time limit, certain
playful conditions, and use
a code word when it gets too
much to handle. Dr Nagpal
explains, “Indulge in self-
pleasuring practice sessions
to begin with. This will help
you discover what works for
you. Involving your partner
in these sessions can take
place as early or as actively
as you prefer. Watching porn,
however, can provide
overstimulation to the brain,
and since it is external, most
people will find it hard to be
in control of their response.”
The finish line
If you’re delaying
gratification to better
control your own orgasm, or
you’re trying to make the
whole experience more
intense for you and
your partner, the concept
of teasing and pleasing is
a must-try—there’s plenty
of fun to be had. Besides,
experimenting is absolutely
*NAME CHANGED ON REQUEST
PHOTOGRAPHS: 123RF.COM
essential for a healthy and
vibrant sex life. With the
right partner, or toy, the
end result will be nothing
short of explosive.
ALL ABOUT YOU love

YOU’VE BEEN
WARNED!
Watch out for these tell-tale signs on your first date to save yourself
from the hassle of nursing a broken heart. Says Anindita Ghosh

W
ouldn’t it be wonderful
if you could predict
within the few
first dates if your
relationship is going to be for keeps?
While the equation between partners
is dynamic and changes over time,
experts say that one can figure out
during the first few meetings whether
there is a future.
“I encourage people looking
for romance to think more with
their heads than their hearts. It’s
advisable to make a list of what you
expect from your date. Only when
you have a blueprint, will you
know what to look for,” says
Aparna Samuel Balasundaram,
a psychotherapist, life coach,
and author.
Regardless of whether you’ve
got a guy’s must-have qualities all
chalked out or are still bumbling from
relationship to relationship looking
for the ‘one’, watching out for these
red flags will help you stay away from
unsavoury characters and save you
from heartbreak later.
IF HE SPENDS opinions, belittling your achievements,
talking over you, being rude to the staff
HE’S MOST OF THE TIME at the restaurant, says a lot about his
DISRESPECTFUL
TALKING ABOUT character. According to Dr Seth, “If
he does not give you his full attention
If a man disrespects you on the first HIMSELF THAN TRYING on the first date, then his priorities are
date, there’s little chance that he’s going
to treat you well when you are together.
TO GET TO KNOW YOU, elsewhere. If he spends most of the
time talking about himself than trying
“You can look past things like splitting THEN HE IS CLEARLY to get to know you, then he is
the bill, age gap, political differences,
or a lack of shared interests. However,
A NARCISSIST a narcissist. Also, pay attention to how
he handles himself when something
if a man doesn’t stick to his word, has goes wrong. If he is eager to blame
questionable morals and situational Dr Amoolya Seth, consultant someone else, then there’s a good
ethics, then you would do well to steer psychiatrist, Columbia Asia Hospital. chance that you will end up being the
clear of a second date,” advises Actions like disregarding your scapegoat in the relationship,” he adds.
ALL ABOUT YOU love

PAYS NO HEED
TO YOUR SAFETY
Dr Seth says that if the guy you are
with disregards your safety on the first
date, then he’s clearly not aware of his
responsibilities, and does not inspire
trust and safety. In such cases, you
need to end it right there, if possible.
It doesn’t get clearer than this!
“I met Rahul through a dating app
and he seemed like a nice guy. However,
on the first date, he shocked me by
suggesting that I take an Uber back
home alone, at 1 am! I was appalled
at his disregard for my safety.
I, immediately, called a friend to bail
me out and told Rahul in no uncertain
terms that this was the last time
that we would be meeting,” says
Delhi-based brand executive
Sanchita Sinha, 26.

HAS ANGER
ISSUES
If you suspect from his behaviour that
the guy has anger management issues,
it may be wise to not pursue it at all.
Experts believe, such people tend to
be violent and abusive, and it won’t be
long before it is directed at you. “Does
he grit his teeth while talking to people
when angry? Does he have road rage?
Does he swear a lot when upset? Is he
usually looking to pick a fight?” asks
Balasundaram. Watch out for these
signs as they may hint at a possibility
of future violence. Passive aggressive
threats are warning signs as well.
DOESN’T
CARE FOR YOUR
CONSENT
Dealing with a guy’s unwelcome
Notice his behaviour
on the first date
WATCH OUT FOR THESE
SIGNS AS THEY
MAY HINT AT
A POSSIBILITY OF
FUTURE VIOLENCE
a few drinks, however, he suddenly
started coming on too strong. First, I was
put off when he tried to forcibly kiss me
on the dance floor, but the final
straw came when he tried to grope
me between my legs. I managed to
push him away and went home,”
she narrates.
Dr Rachna Khanna Singh, Head
DISPLAYS TOXIC
MASCULINITY
It is a fact that a sizeable population
of Indian men suffer from a deep-
seated patriarchal mindset that rears
its head at the slightest provocation.
Right from mansplaining to trying to
have the last word in a conversation,
while constantly interrupting your
chain of thought indicates a sense of
entitlement and male privilege.
And while you may be taken in by
the fake feminism and the ‘protective’
concern at first, it won’t be long
before his toxic masculinity gets to
you. “If he orders drinks or dinner
without asking your preferences, it
*NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED ON REQUEST

advances can be a struggle but what
is more worrying is the complete
disregard for your consent.
When Riddhi Seth*, 29, marketing
professional met Ranjai* on a popular
dating app, they hit it off rather well.
“He was an attractive guy and I was
excited to meet him. However, after
of Department, Holistic Medicine &
Psychology Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon,
says, “Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to
find couples having sex on the first date,
and it’s okay when it is consensual.
If a guy coerces you to cave in to
having sex against your wishes, walk
away immediately.”
means he’s assuming he knows what’s
good for you. In some cases, it can be
overenthusiasm, but most of the times,
it’s plain garden-variety sexism. Also, if
he uses derogatory language for an ex,
it reflects his feelings about women in
general, and that’s a definite red flag,”
warns Dr Seth.
ALL ABOUT YOU life
BOLLYWOOD SOUL SISTER?
Finding the on-screen embodiment of your personality is just
a few easy questions away. Anuja Premika walks you through it
I
f you’ve ever watched
a movie and felt like
parts of your life
flashed before your
eyes, you know what it’s
like to find the soul sister
you never had in a fictional
character. Take this quiz
to find out who your
Bollywood twin is.
. What would you say is
your best quality?
a) My confidence. I could sell
water to a drowning man.
Mostly As
You’re Geet from
Jab We Met! You
are probably your
own favourite person. You’re
fun, lovable, optimistic, and
will do anything to cheer the
people around you up. Once in
a while, take off your rose-
tinted glasses and see people
for what they are.
b) My spontaneity. Now you see
me, now you don’t.
c) I’m goal-oriented. I know
what I want, and I won't budge.
. You just found out you
have to work the weekend.
You…?
a) Convince my boss that
I need to leave as my pet is sick.
Or is that what I said last time?
b) Just don’t show up. My
weekends are mine, come
what may.
c) Get some extra work done.
Mostly Bs
If you updated
your bucket list
after watching
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,
you’re Laila! You’re a true-blue
adventure-junkie who is
constantly high on life. Your
ability to live in the moment is
admirable, but it doesn’t hurt
to lay out a plan ever so often.
I was going to prep for this big
meeting from home anyway.
. What is your take on
love and romance?
a) I’m a hopeless romantic.
b) Learn to love yourself first,
everything else will follow.
c) If it’s meant to be, love will
find a way.
. Pick your ideal
vacation spot.
a) It hardly matters, as long
as I’m with the right people.
Mostly Cs
You watched Naina
in Yeh Jawaani Hai
Deewani and went
“same”, because being an
introverted achiever who felt
the need for release is basically
your life. You’re loyal and know
the right thing to do and say.
But have a little fun by dialling
up the crazy from time to time.
b) Anywhere I can bike to,
or jump off a cliff.
c) Big city holiday, but with
culture and history to soak in.
. Movie night! What’s your
go-to genre to watch?
a) Bollywood is my jam. Gotta
get my dose of drama.
b) Action. Adventure. It’s all
about that adrenaline rush.
c) Romance and dramas, for
the win.
. You just inherited
a million dollars! What do you
do with the money?
a) Buy everything I’ve ever
wanted since I was little.
b) Spend all of it on travel.
There’s so much to see!
c) Work on a retirement plan
so I can pace my spending.
. What would you like to tell
your younger self?
a) Don’t be too starry-eyed
to see the truth. Reality checks
are important.
b) You only regret the chances
you don’t take.
c) You don’t always have to fit
into someone’s idea of perfect.
. A big project that you were
working on just fell apart. What
do you do?
a) Wallow in self-pity for a while
before picking myself up.
b) Move on to the next task.
No rest for the wicked!
c) I already have a Plan B, C,
and D in place.
. How easy do you find it
to make new friends in an
unfamiliar situation?
a) It’s a cakewalk. I can talk
PHOTOGRAPH: SHUTTERSTOCK
to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
b) Once I find something
in common with someone,
we’re golden.
c) That’s a toughie. It takes me
a while to open up to people.
ALL ABOUT YOU celeb cheat sheet

PEEK-A-BOO
Vacations make for the best photo-ops,
and globetrotter Priyanka Chopra sure
knows how to make the most of them.
Case in point, PC puts these poolside
palms to good use by harnessing nature’s
play on light and shadow. It’s an easy trick
to tone down the unflattering afternoon
sun. You can recreate the effect using
window blinds, or even a lace fabric, if
you’re in the mood for drama. In fact, PC
seems to love the sun-kissed selfie. Her
secret weapon? Sunglasses. Brave the sun
and add some oomph to your look, all with
one chic staple.
Selfie
queen
Anything but
camera shy,
it’s no surprise that
Bollywood provides the best
hacks to get the perfect selfie.
Anuja Premika takes notes
PICTURE PUR-FECT
Maybe you want to let the Insta-verse see
your undying love for your furry friend. Or
maybe the camera isn’t being kind to you
and you need something to up the cuteness
quotient. Even though Jacqueline Fernandez
doesn’t need the latter, she loves to feature
her cuddle buddy Yoda on her feed. And can
you blame her? Pets make for great selfie
companions, and will probably put a smile
on your followers’ faces too. Win-win!

BLING THING
Sure, selfies can be restricting, in that
you’re mostly only clicking a portrait. But
that’s no reason to leave out the highlights
of your look. For the maximalist at soul,
take inspiration from Bipasha Basu Singh
Grover, who never misses an opportunity
to flaunt statement accessories in her
selfies. While bracelets and rings may
be the easiest to work into the frame,
statement earrings and neckpieces
can steal the show too, if you work the
right angle.

MIRROR, MIRROR MANE ATTRACTION

If your tresses are your best feature,
Let’s not forget the roots of the selfie
you don’t need much else to transform
revolution, before front cameras took
your selfie from ordinary to Bollywood
over the scene. At least Sonakshi Sinha
glam. Skip the makeup and the
hasn’t. The humble mirror selfie is still the
jewellery à la bare-faced beauty Aditi
single greatest way to get your entire
Rao Hydari, and let your hair do all the
OOTD in one frame, sans a photographer.
PHOTOGRAPHS: INSTAGRAM

talking. The next time you feel a breeze,

If you rushed out the door in the morning
whip your camera out and pose away. If
and didn’t get a chance to click your look,
your hair turns into an instant mess at
the elevator is your redemption. Softly
the slightest wind, an easy hack is to
lit and almost always equipped with
angle yourself so that the breeze
a mirror, the elevator selfie is another one
frames your hair around your face.
of Sonakshi’s favourites.
 Pearl
embroidered
bag, price
on request,
Jimmy Choo

Drop earrings,
price on request,
Resa Fine

ASHWINI REDDY
Jewellery
RABANI AND RAKHA

Witth the festive seas

son
right round the corner,

SUNEET VERMA
it’s time to up the
sparkle quotient
URA
NAMRATA JOSHIPU

SHEHLAA
AIKEYAH
AXTREE.COM
AXTREE COM
TOGRAPHS: DANIELE OBERRAUCH/

Mirror
embroidered
suit, `12,800
Drop earrings,
Surendri
price on request,
PHOTOGRAPHS:

Strappy by Yogesh
Soni Sapphire
sandals, price Chaudhari
on request,
Charles & Keith
FASHION front row
Sari set, price
on request, Pink
Peacock Couture

EFFORTLESS
Simple Indian cuts with details
spell poise and charm

Glass pearl
chandbalis,
`7,0
000,
Embroidered Chandrakaamal
kurta set,
`18,500,
Devnaagri
RABANI AND RAKHA

Enamel ring,
`3,300, Anita
Dongre
Gold neckpiece, price Embroidered clutch,
on request, TBZ price on request,
Jade accessories

Strappy heels, Beaded bracelet,

`2,890, Zara `1,200, Zariin
FASHION jewellery

JEWEL 3

TRAIL
These contemporay pieces
draw inspiration from
traditional designs to suit the
festive mood

1. Earrings crafted in 18k gold, price on request, Tanya Rastogi for

Lala Jugal Kishore Jewellers 2. Gold and diamond ring, price on
request, Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen 3. Nine karat gold ring, price
on request, Sarah & Sebastian 4. Howlite bangles, `4,260, Bourbon
and Boweties 5. Crystal collar neckpiece, `5,175, BaubleBar
6. Elaina Bracelet, `4,564, Kendra Scott 7. Earrings crafted in 18k gold,
price on request, Buccellati
FASHION accessories

Studded belt
bag, `4,999,
Sole Society

Embossed
belt, `1,399,
B-Low The

WRAP
Belt

IT UP
Add a festive and trendy belt bag to your
collection for an edgy look. We bring you
our top picks

Crossbody belt
Patterned belt bag, bag, `790, Zara
`1,299, H&M

Mickey Mouse
belt bag,
`3,429, Petunia
Pickle Bottom
@Nordstrom.com

Quilted belt bag,

`5,179, Steve Festival belt bag,
Madden `5,712, Sweaty
Betty
FASHION watch

Festive gold
Four twinkling diamonds and eight crystal indexes adorn a mother-of-pearl dial
on this sleek Swiss-made watch

Coupole Classic
Lightweight and hypoallergenic, this high-tech watch from Rado will up your glam quotient this festive season
without compromising on comfort.
Price on request
FASHION hotlist

EMBRACE BACKSTREET
ROYALTY
Redefining elegance, GIRLS
Designed with a streetwear aesthetic
designer Ridhi Mehra’s
pre-fall collection in mind, Hello Kitty® x Levi’s® collection
Basra—inspired features a range of tees, tops, hoodies,
by the beauty of Basra and denims loaded with motifs of popular
pearls—breathes life Japanese character Hello Kitty. Key pieces
into opulent fabrics for women include the baggy overalls,
and textures with oversized dad truckers, and hoodies.
detailed dori work, Time to look edgy yet cute.
french knots, and PRICE: On request
sequins. The demi- AVAILABLE AT: Levi’s.com
couture collection
in floral and geometric
patterns feature belted
anarkalis, jacket and
pre-pleated saris,
peplum-lehengas,
and more, in soft
hues of ivory,
champagne beige,
and crepe pink.
PRICE: On request
AVAILABLE AT:
RidhiMehra.com

LAUNCHES

Trending
Femina’s round-up of the latest news, views, and buzz in fashion
WE LOVE

FASHION WITH
A CAUSE
Reinventing the classic street-style
Cali kicks, Puma, in association with
designer Masaba Gupta, has created
a limited range of shoes—50 pieces—that
are designed to be distinctive. Based on
the concepts of anti-anxiety and identity
in the shades of neon, the kitschy
What do you do when
footwear embodies the thoughts of an your flight is delayed and
anxious mind, and encourages individuals
to break free.
you have to while away
PRICE: `6,999 some time? Shop! Keeping
AVAILABLE AT: PUMA.com FEELING FESTIVE such stranded customers
Bigger is better, some say, and jadau
jewellery designer Falguni Mehta agrees. in mind, designer Shruti
In sync with the festive vibe, the designer Sancheti recently launched
launched an emerald collection
comprising neckpieces and earrings
her store at the Delhi
perfect for the occasion. airport. It offers
PRICE: On request a variety of indo-fusion
AVAILABLE AT: Jadau Jewellery by
Falguni Mehta, Mumbai (By garments and accessories
appointment only) to choose from.
FASHION hotlist
OLD AND NEW
Love ethnic pieces with a contemporary touch? Prevasu is offering an artistic blend
of traditional aesthetics with modern silhouettes under its line, Sheer Bliss. With
occasion- and bridal-wear available in subtle as well as bold shades, you will be spoilt
for choice.
PRICE: `30,000 onwards
AVAILABLE AT: Prevasu store, Delhi
WALK ON
One of the most
exciting alliances of this
festive season, you ask?
Fizzy Goblet and Payal
Singhal. The contemporary
jutti brand came out with
a limited edition of pieces
for men, women, and girls
in fresh and quirky designs.
IN THE SHADE The range available in soft
Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?
Eyewear brand Opium stood up and how! hues with delicate
Its latest collection—The Real Slim
Shady—comprising sunglasses in round
embellishments, stitch
and cat-eye frames with classic and work, and nature-inspired
animal prints are sleek and come prints, will give you multiple
in different colours and sizes.
PRICE: `2,250 onwards
options to figure what
AVAILABLE AT: Opiumeyewear.com suits your style.
PRICE: `1,600 onwards
AVAILABLE AT: Palladium mall, Mumbai
GO GREEN
With an aim to combine design with
conscious living, the label Refash
is collaborating with brands and events
that promote upcycling. With labels
such as I was a Sari, Inai, and We are
Labeless working with it, the brand
offers upcycled garments, jewellery,
bags, shoes, and stationery products
from either post-consumer or post-
industrial waste.
PRICE: `500 onwards
AVAILABLE AT: Refash.in
WINTER IS
COMING
Say hello to a fall-winter
capsule collection that
marries drama and class.
FabAlley’s line—Free
Fallin—epitomises
versatility with pieces that
are minimal yet bold. The
capsule includes maxis,
midis, off-shoulder tops,
lacy dresses, and
jumpsuits, in breathtaking
colours. Think soothing
ice-cream shades,
delicious wines,
understated greys, and
vibrant mustards. Be
it casual-chic or ultra-
glam, let your mood decide
your style this winter.
PRICE: `1,200 onwards
AVAILABLE AT:
Faballey.com
FASHION face-to-face

CELEBRATION
TIME
Contemplating what to wear this festive season?
Fret not! Shruti Shende speaks to ethnic wear warriors
popular on social media on what’s trending this year

ukla
Rashmi Sh
—
llishments
es, and heavy embe nd this
brocad
JAYPORE lassic styles—jewel tones, d colour-blocking will be in ccessories.
dema
n the c dients, an ses, and a
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trends like
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rneath. Ou e
slips unde business h
ry s e ttin g,”says the
pora
in a contem m.
fo llow e rs on Instagra
229 k

lightweight and easy to carry—

Sujata and Taniya
Bisw
was
SUTAA
“With ##SareeTwitter making the
rounds, this once conservative
garmen nt is trending everywhere
today; jumping on the
banddwagon, we are offering
three types of saris that will be
perfect for the festive season.
First,, muls with small pleats
fromm our ruffles collection—
is ideal for a small occasion
or a family gathering. Second,
hand embroidered blouses that
can be teamed with plain saris,
are ideal for a pooja or an office
event. Third, fluid shimmer saris
made with fibres extruded from
birch and eucalyptus wood,
make for sustainable options
and can be styled with a jacket,
belt, or a crop top,” says one of the
founders of the brand that boasts
119k followers on Instagram.
FASHION face-to-face

tlani
Vinay Cha
SOCH son is all a
bout saris
ve sea
“This festi d and solid
lw a r suits in mute
and sa Since
m e ta llic sheen.
hues, w ith a rise, our
m a tc h in g is on the
mixing and ts as single
e r straight pan
line w ill off ’re also
a s p a rt of sets. We
pieces an d roidery
g to n e -o n -tone emb
n
incorporati and festive
. The
la s sy
that loo k s c ill feature
o lo u rs o f our line w
dominant
c , and
a c h , m in t green, lilac
pe
shades of the chief e
xecutive
y ,” s a y s
pastel g re 16.2k
e b ra nd that boasts
officer of th m.
n Instagra
followers o

Vishal and
Vikash Pacheriwa
RAISIN
“Flared dresses, capes, and gowns
in bold and bright prints are
trending this festive season.
Currently, we are focusing on
minimal embroidery.
Also, asymmetrical hemlines,
infused pleats, and layered dresses
are attracting the customers, and
we’re incorporating these trends
to make for an avant-garde range,”
says one of the co-founders of the
brand that boasts 12.6k followers
on Instagram.
FASHION unstoppable at any height

ACKERMANN
Height of
STYLE
No matter the occasion, footwear

Booties,
`10,999,
Steve Madden

Embellished
pumps, `6,499,
Rosso Brunello
SHORT

Block heels,
`5,999,
Rosso Brunello

Kitten heels, STYLE TIP

`7,531, Complement your Block heels,
1901 `16,499,
cocktail dress
Melissa
with a pair of
pointed
nted booties Pointed
booties,
`9,999,
Steve
Madden

Cutwalk booties,
price on request,
Fendi

STALKY
A DETACHER

Lace-up
stilettos, `2,999,
Barely There

Strappy
heels,
`7,999,
Aldo
FASHION unstoppable at any height

A V ROBERTSON
Eden sandals,
`38,911,
Lace short Cult Gaia
dress,
`2,799,
Vero Moda

LEAN

Pumps, `9,990,
Heel & Buckle
London
Flats,
`9,499,
Melissa

Cutwalk
boots, price
on request,
Fendi
Kitten heels, STYLE TIP
`2,890, Don a flowy dress
Zara
with kitten
h l for
heels f a sleleek
Rhinestone
brunch look booties,
`12,999,
Steve Madden

Jasmin
sandals,
`37,856,
Cult Gaia

TALL
Ballerinas,
`6,990,
Heel & Buckle
London
ACNE

Mules,
`33,184,
Wandler

Tina sandals,
`24,395,
Cult Gaia
FASHION feature

BEDAZZLED
Pick an A-line skirt and team it with
a cape for an out-of-the-ordinary look
this festive season.

Blue beaded blouse and skirt, price

on request, Papa Don’t Preach;
printed cape, `14,500,
Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna;
multicoloured stone choker, price on
request, gold earring, price on request,
both Anaqa Jewels; suede pumps,
`9,990, Heel & Buckle
 THE
KITSCH
QUOTIENT
Take a break from mundane festive fashion, and grab the
spotlight with these experimental looks. Prachiti Parakh
shows you how. Photographs by Vinay Javkar
FASHION feature

DANCING DIVA
Swap your typical choli for
a dress, and when the time
is right, ditch the lehenga
to dance the night away without
compromising on comfort.

Black mini dress with

a belt, `4,990, Zara; printed
lehenga, price on request,
Sukriti and Aakriti; baroque
chain maangtikka, `3,155,
Amrapali Jewels; tassel earrings,
price on request, layered
neckpiece, price on request,
both Anaqa jewels
 BOLD MOVE
For that destination sangeet,
pair a sheer skirt over your
bikini bottoms with
a sequined bikini-choli for
a funky look.

Long shirt, `3,499 , Only;

sheer skirt, price on request,
Vero Moda; mirrored blouse,
price on request,
Sukriti and Aakriti; silver
earrings, `4,500, metal
choker, `5,000, both
Eurumme; shimmer heels,
`7,110, Steve Madden
FASHION feature

COLOUR POP
Opt for a colourful piece and
accessorise it with a belt bag
for extra oomph.

Embroidered jacket, `26,500,

Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna;
mermaid skirt, price on request,
embellishmed belt, `15,000,
both Papa Don’t Preach;
peacock earrings, `11,650,
Amrapali Jewels; metal bangle,
`4,500 , Valliyan by Nitya Arora;
coloured ring, `1,850,
Madiha Jaipur
 SPRING IS HERE
Pick a floral blouse for the next
wedding brunch and opt for
larger-than-life hoops for
a dramatic effect.

Floral crop top, `2,790, Zara;

printed lehenga, `28,500,
Ridhi Mehra; large hoops,
`7,500, Papa Don’t Preach;
marine neckpiece, `15,534,
Amrapali Jewels
FASHION feature

DESI GRUNGE
Tired of styling your lehenga
in the usual manner?
Throw on a classic
leather jacket to break
the monotony.

Leather jacket, `3,999,

Only; silk lehenga, price
on request, Warp And
Weft; maang tikka, `5,477,
JJ Valaya for Confluence
by Swarovski; mirrored
earrings, `3,800,
Neophilia; metal handcuff,
price on request, Eurumme;
suede pumps, `1,900, Intoto
GLITTER GODDESS
Get high on bling and pair a shiny
dress with a mirror-work lehenga
for the evening revelry.

Shimmer dress, `2,790, Zara;

embroidered lehenga, price on
request, Abu Jani Sandeep
Khosla; large hoops, `7,500,
Valliyan by Nitya Arora; silver
bracelet, `2,000, Eurumme
FASHION feature

FLOUNCE CRAFT
Team up your choli with
a pair of high-waisted jeans
and a ruffled shrug to bring out
the statement maker in you.

Voluminous jacket, `35,000,

leather bralette, `20,720, gold
belt bag, `9,500, all Papa Don’t
Preach; corduroy bell bottoms,
`2,299, Only; gold drop earrings,
`6,500, Valliyan by Nitya Arora
FASHION feature

BOHEMIAN
BABE
Feeling the boho vibe?
A chiffon lehenga with boots
and quirky jewellery
is just what you need.
Extra points for a broad belt
across the waist.

Printed lehenga set, price

on request, Ridhi Mehra;
tassel earrings, `1,700,
Hyperbole Accessories;
chain neckpiece, `3,400.
Madiha Jaipur; leather
belt, price on request, Only;
leather boots. `13,999,
Charles & Keith
(ANIMA CREATIVES); HAIR AND MAKEUP: PRIYANKA CHOURASIA; STYLING INTERNS:
KAUSHIKI RANE, SAACHI SUVARNA, JUEELEE CHAVAN, ADVITA NAVANEETH
LOCATION: DRAGONFLY EXPERIENCE; MODEL: VARSHA C
HEAVY METAL
Rock silver pigments and add
sparkle to your peepers to make
a striking bold style statement.
PHOTOGRAPHS: VINAY JAVKAR

Experiment with eyeliners,

eyeshadows, mascaras and
highlighters in the shiny hue for
a dash of panache.
 BEAUTY trial-a-trend

Lakmé 9to5
Weightless
Mousse
Foundation
Coral FabIndia

CALLING
Plum
Passion
Lip Butter

Make place for a sunset palette in your beauty

bag for this fresh Parisian look that’s
fit for the festivities, says Shruti Shukla
Nivea
Face Wash
Milk
Delights

sunscreen for sun protection.

Sephora
Collection Face Opt for a hydrating foundation
Shimmering to get a nourished glow. Use
Powder
a concealer to cover dark spots
and blemishes.

Clinque
High Impact
2 Work a soft contour on your
cheeks and the jawline.
Dab some blush on the apples,
Waterproof
Mascara moving towards the temples.
The look Use a highlighter to accentuate
FLORAL
FLAIR EXFOLIATE
YOUR LIPS
Wear it to WITH A SCRUB
A BRUNCH FOR A PLUMP-
LOOKING
POUT.
your cheekbones, bridge

G et ready to glow as the fresh

sunny hues greet the season
of the nose, forehead, chin,
and Cupid’s bow.

Wet n Wild MegaGlo

from the runway of Paris Fashion
Week Fall/Winter 19-20. Leonard
Paris’s floral take on the makeup is
Contouring Palette
both creative and coy, and rethinks
Maybelline New York French elegance with a whole new
3 For your lids, pick a sunset
orange eyeshadow that
offers a matte finish. Extend its
application on the crease and
smudge it on the lower lash line
PHOTOGRAPH:LEONARD PARIS /IMAXTREE.COM

Lemonade Craze Eye fervour. With bright bold eyes to amp up the drama. Highlight
Shadow Palette
PixiGlow and a natural flush, it reflects the the inner corners with a metallic
Cake happy, playful, and warm vibe yellow hue. Blend with the
of autumn. help of a brush. Finish with
lengthening mascara.
GET THE LOOK

1 Follow your cleansing-toning-

moisturising ritual to lock in the
moisture. Layer with a water-based
4 Team the bright eyes with
neutral lips. Use tinted
lip butter for a naturally
flushed look.
BEAUTY hair spotlight

WAVE Jacqueline
Fernandez

RAVE
This dazzling, almost retro
(but not quite!) take on soft waves
brings fun and festivities in unison,
says Shruti Shukla
Check out the trendiest way to wear
polished waves for the celebrations that
lay ahead. Exuberant, albeit graceful,
this hairstyle revamps the ’60s charm
of a side part with romantic waves,
perfected with a puff. Jacqueline
Fernandez raises the quirk quotient by
gX`i`e^k_`jcffbn`k_XÕ`ikpZfiXc[i\jj
]\Xkli`e^]i\\il]Õ\j%

IF YOU LOVE THIS

HAIRSTYLE AS MUCH
AS WE DO, TAKE NOTE
Wella

P
rep your tresses with a gentle cleanse.
EIMI Shine
Indulge in a hair wrap for intense
Stay Essential System
hydration. Simply wear the mask like Finishing Spray Professional Luxe
a shower cap, and help the nourishing oils Oil Reconstructive
spread evenly across your hair by way of ElixirHair
Conditioner
kneading, leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Let your hair dry fully before you move onto ikoo Infusions
the next step. Thermal
Treatment
Spritz a heat-protectant spray to the Hair Wrap
lengths. Opt for a large-barrel curling iron to
create loose curls. Apply a high-shine serum
for a glossy finish and run your fingers
through your hair for an effortless wavy
texture. Turn up the drama with a deep side
part for an extra voluminous sweep. Separate
a section at the
top of your head
and comb it to get USE A SHINY
rid of any knots. HAIR SLIDE TO
Leave a chunky
strand at the
ACCESSORISE
front. Roll the YOUR The Dyson
Airwrap
latter half of the LUSTROUS Styler
front section to MANE.
get a grip, then
push it slightly so
it puffs up; secure with pins to keep it intact.
Now take the loose hair at the front and twist
Kiehl's Olive
it upwards into a wave, and secure the look
Fruit Oil
with a bobby pin. Set the style with Nourishing
a texturising hairspray. Shampoo
BEAUTY

GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN
Give your skin an extra boost of radiance with
Blue Heaven Primer, a multipurpose
lightweight soft gel that contains silicones and
vitamins to soften, soothe, and mattify your
skin. This primer not only enables makeup to
glide on smoothly providing you with
a flawless base, but also acts as a shield to
protect the skin from high mineral-based
makeup products. It hides the age lines and

HOT
makes the skin feel velvety.
Price: `300
Available at:
blueheavencosmetics.in

RIGHT TOUCH

NOW
All that’s fresh and fun
on the beauty shelf
MOISTURE MANIA
The latest entrant to L'Oréal Professionnel’s
expert haircare portfolio is the Serie Expert
Nutrifier range. These glycerol- and coconut
oil-infused products work to combat rough
hair, leaving it soft with a lingering fragrance
of fresh jasmine. It effectively moisturises
the hair and offers a weightless bounce. The
expert home care range includes a gentle
cleansing shampoo, a creamy hair mask
and a never-seen-before ‘Dryness-Defence
Balm’ or simply called the ‘DD Balm’.
Price: 575 onwards
Available at: Leading salons
SEDUCTION
GODDESS
The perfect aphrodisiac for a special
night, Boss The Scent Private Accord
by Hugo Boss is a captivating
fragrance that features notes of
sweet mandarin and osmanthus
flower with base notes of cocoa
absolute and sensual roasted tonka.
Price: `5,400 onwards
Available at: Parcos and select
department stores
OF MAGIC
Suitable for every skin
type, the Glow Collection
from Pixi is an assortment
of skincare products that
not only exfoliate and
nourish, but also give
radiant and glowing skin.
The range includes the
Glow Tonic, Glow Cleansing Gel, Glow
Mud Cleanser, Glow Tonic Serum,
Glow Overnight Serum, Phenomenal
Gel, On the Glow, and Glow Tonic
To-Go Pads. Pixi’s innovative
formulations infused with beneficial
ingredients, are cruelty-free,
sophisticated, and science-based
skin treats.
Price: `1,070 onwards
Available at: Sephora India
SLEEPING
BEAUTY
Kérastase launches the first ever
beauty sleep serum for hair. The
Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum
with iris root extract and a blend of
five vitamins nourishes and
hydrates your hair over a period of
eight hours, reversing daytime loss
of nutrients while sealing cuticles
with a satiny finish. Massaging one
to three pumps into the lengths
and ends every night before going
to bed, will give you shiny tangle-
free hair in the morning.
Price: `2,050
Available at: Kérastase salons
BEAUTY mandate
MAKEUP
I have a wheatish
complexion and
want to try out the
ombré lips trend.
Please advise.
- Melissa Fernandes, Mangalore
Ombré lip colours are
a mix of two or more
shades that complement
each other giving lipstick
application a new
dimension. Stick to matte
shades; red and orange,
red and fuschia, or red
and maroon will work
well for your complexion.
Warm tones (over cool
ones) are bound to
further enhance your
complexion and features.
KAPIL
BHALLA
Renowned celebrity
makeup artiste
of Skinfiniti Aesthetic Skin
YOU ASK
The one-stop panel for all your skin, makeup, and hair questions
Send in your queries to femina@wwm.co.in
SKIN
What steps I can
take to reverse
the damage to
my skin caused
by smoking?
- Samira Shetty, Mumbai
The most significant
effect is premature
ageing. You need an
antioxidants-rich diet
to help scavenge free
radicals. Establish
a good skin care regime.
Use sunscreen followed
by a serum containing
peptides, ferulic acid,
vitamin C, vitamin E, and
retinoid-based creams. If
you’re in your twenties,
chemical peels will help.
Dr JAISHREE
SHARAD
Celebrity cosmetic Celebrity hairstylist and founder
dermatologist and CEO and creative director of Savio
& LASER Clinic, Mumbai
HAIR
My hair is greying
prematurely.
What could be
the reason and how
can I stop it?
- Karishma Bhatia, Delhi
Excessive stress and
an inadequate intake of
essential vitamins, minerals,
and other nutrients can
cause premature greying.
Moreover, premature
greying is a hereditary
condition, which means,
if your parents greyed
early, it’s likely you will too.
Meditate, exercise, and
ensure a nutrient-rich diet
to reduce chances
of greying.
SAVIO
JOHN PEREIRA
John Pereira Salon
BEAUTY blast

LUXE
A glamorous lifestyle replete with exotic food and
travel destinations, flaunting designer fashion labels,
and zipping around in luxury cars, is what many
desire. So, why should one stop at just that? The beauty
industry, too, has taken on luxe ingredients sourced from
far-flung corners of the world, which are not only ritzy but
also offer miraculous benefits. Those with a penchant for
grandeur will love the idea of beauty regimes infused with
precious metals, rare minerals, and gourmet elements.

FACTOR
Discover the world’s most extravagant beauty ingredients for gorgeous skin and hair, says Eden Noronha
 I t's popularly worn
as jewellery, but if
GOLD Cleopatra's beauty is
anything to go by, this
LEAF precious metal also
makes for a valuable
skincare ingredient.
History states that the Egyptian beauty used
gold in her nocturnal ritual for radiant skin.
The uses of gold in medicine and skincare
can be traced back to ancient Egyptian,
Roman, and Chinese alchemy. Today, gold
leaf is used in many facials and in cosmetics.
So, lend your skin the Midas touch by adding
this luxe ingredient to your beauty regime.

THE USES OF GOLD IN MEDICINE AND

SKINCARE CAN BE TRACED BACK TO
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN, ROMAN,
AND CHINESE ALCHEMY.
BENEFITS
Prevents premature ageing
Gold stimulates the cells and nerves in
the body, which in turn improves blood
circulation. This helps hydrate the skin and
reduces dryness, wrinkles, and improves skin
elasticity. It is also known to decrease collagen
loss with age.
Evens out skin tone
Known to reduce melanin production, gold
helps in reducing dark spots, blemishes, and
any other pigmentation, making the skin
even-toned.
DIY GOLD SERUM
What you need:
z Sweet almond oil (4 tablespoons)
z Orange essential oil (7 drops)
z Gold leaf (½ sheet)
z Dropper bottle
Method:
z Fill the dropper bottle with four
tablespoons of sweet almond oil.
z Add seven drops of orange essential
oil to the bottle.
z Add half a sheet of gold leaf to the oils.
z Close the bottle and let it sit for two days.

Protects against free radicals Directions

An antioxidant with anti-inflammatory
properties, this metal helps keep your skin
safe from free radicals that disrupt its health.
Gold can calm acne, reduce redness, and also
protect from sun damage.
Use this glow serum as a daily moisturiser
after cleansing and toning your skin.
It will moisturise your skin, give you
a luminous glow, and offer a good dose
of essential vitamin C.
BEAUTY blast

BENEFITS
Reduces signs of ageing
Selenium, potassium, and omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids, make caviar an amazing
anti-ageing skincare ingredient. It is known to
boost collagen production, blur fine lines, and
protect against UVA and UVB rays.

Adds gloss to hair

The moisturising properties of this ingredient
will improve the texture and strength of the
hair strands. The UV protective properties
ensure lustrous locks and combat sun damage.

Improves skin glow

Caviar extracts makes the skin supple and
add an enviable glow. The omega-3 and
omega-6 fatty acids in the roe are the essential
components that enable this.

DIY NOURISHING
HAIR MASK
What you need:
z Organic coconut oil (2 tablespoons)
z Honey (2 tablespoons)
z Caviar (1 ounce)

Method:
z Melt two tablespoons of organic coconut
oil in a bowl.
z Add two tablespoons of honey and mix well.
z Crush one ounce of caviar and add it to this
mixture. Stir well.

Directions:
A sumptuous
delicacy CAVIAR Apply this mixture to the scalp and hair
associated with the
POSSESSES GREAT lengths immediately after shampooing and
CAVIAR rich and famous,
caviar is made by NUTRITIONAL
drying your hair. Let the mask sit for 30
minutes. Rinse with cold water to reveal shiny
preserving eggs of
the sturgeon fish in VALUE AND IS and moisturised tresses.

salt. While there are

inexpensive variants of caviar available in the
A GOOD SOURCE
market, which are derived from other species OF PROTEIN BUT
of fish such as salmon, trout, and carp, these
exclusive eggs could go as high as `7 lakh for
ITS BENEFITS ARE
a kilogram. Caviar possesses great nutritional NOT JUST LIMITED
TO DIET.
value and is a good source of protein, but its
benefits are not just limited to diet. Cosmetic
companies have recognised the beauty benefits
of this high-end food item and have begun
using extracts in their formulations. Read on
to know why this wonder ingredient is worth
splurging on.
 K nown to be the
world’s most
expensive spice,
It also soothes and heals the skin, making
it a good choice for acne-prone and
sensitive skin.
SAFFRON saffron is obtained
from the dried DIY TONER
stigmas of autumn What you need:
flowers ‘crocus z Rosewater (100 ml)
sativus linnaeus’. Each strand is selectively z Saffron (6 strands)
handpicked and goes through an intensive z Spray bottle
drying process. It can take almost 75,000
saffron blossoms to yield a single pound of the Method:
spice. The quality of saffron is measured by z Pour 100 ml of rosewater
its colour; the darker the red, the higher the into the spray bottle.
value. This spice has been used for medicinal z Add the strands of saffron to the bottle.
purposes since centuries. India’s purest saffron z Let it soak.
grows in Kashmir. While this spice is used in
foods, perfumes, and to treat various health Usage:
conditions, few know of its advantages for skin Spritz this toner on your face after cleansing
and hair. and let it dry naturally. You can also use it
before you sleep as an overnight treatment.
BENEFITS
Cures acne
Saffron has antibacterial qualities, which
are effective in treating acne and scars. It
also works as an exfoliator which helps clear
the skin of deep-rooted impurities and dead
cells, improving its health.

Prevents hair loss

The antioxidants in saffron help prevent hair
loss and promote growth. This ingredient
works to repair weak hair follicles by
strengthening them with essential
nourishment while keeping the scalp clear
of bacteria.

Minimises pores
Ideal for all skin types, saffron has toning
properties and reduces pore size, without
drying the skin and causing an imbalance.

THE QUALITY OF
SAFFRON IS MEASURED
BY ITS COLOUR;
THE DARKER THE RED, THE
HIGHER THE VALUE.
BEAUTY blast

which imparts a different kind of

luminescence. This special compound
promotes collagen production, thereby
plumping the skin. Similar to the effects
of keratin, conchiolin hydrates
the skin cells, speeds up cell
metabolism, increases blood
circulation, and helps repair
damaged cells.

Calms troubled
skin
Pearl powder
features powerful
anti-inflammatory
and brightening
properties. It
can effectively
treat pimples, cysts,
boils, acne, and eliminate
blemishes, dark spots, and scars
with regular use. It also slows down the
ageing process and protects the skin from
free radicals.

Exfoliates skin without

causing irritation

T he lustrous
beads are more
PEARL POWDER The finely milled pearl powder is grainy
enough to gently exfoliate the skin without
PEARL than just pretty FEATURES causing redness. It can easily replace

POWERFUL ANTI-
little jewellery microdermabrasion treatments and creams
POWDER components. When that are slightly harsh on the skin.
finely milled to attain
a powder consistency,
INFLAMMATORY DIY REVIVING FACE MASK
these pearls make for an invaluable ingredient AND BRIGHTENING What you need:
that can take your beauty game to the next
level. For centuries, pearl powder has been PROPERTIES. z Argan oil (2 teaspoons)
z Pearl powder (1 ½ teaspoon)
used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine as it z Mixing bowl
contains over 30 traces of minerals, calcium,
copper, iron, magnesium, amino acids, Method:
selenium, and silica, all of which are beneficial z Pour two teaspoons of
for the mind, immune system, hormones, and argan oil into a small mixing bowl.
skin. While this powder can be ingested for z Add one-and-a-half teaspoons of pearl
your overall health, take a look at why it is powder to the bowl.
great for topical skincare usage. z Mix both ingredients well to form a paste.

BENEFITS Directions:
Plumps up the skin Apply this paste to your face and let it sit for
Apart from its rich nutritional about 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
value, pearl also contains This mask will instantly revitalise dry and dull
a unique protein, conchiolin, skin eaving it with a glow.
 Born to lead
Doctor-sarpanch Shahnaaz Khan believes in leading by example. She talks to Nikita Sawant
about how she’s bringing about change in education and sanitation in a tiny village of Rajasthan

I
t was her drive to
help people that
made Shahnaaz Khan
study hard to become
a doctor. Since receiving
her MBBS degree from
Teerthanker Mahavir
University, Moradabad,
Khan has been interning
at the Civil Hospital in
Gurgaon. But she didn’t
stop at that. She went on to
also become the youngest,
most educated sarpanch
of Garhazan village in
the Bharatpur district
of Rajasthan. “The residents of my village had my evenings are free for
Before becoming
a sarpanch, her life
'32æ()2')-21=-()303+=%2(*%-8, any managerial problems
as sarpanch.” Khan spends
included a lot of buckling that I would execute my ideas.” her weekends in her village,
down and studying for says Khan of being elected are illiteracy and poverty. and the rest of the week in
the exams she had to as sarpanch. It is common for children, Gurgaon for her internship.
take for medical school. One of the first actions especially girls, to only be She is, however, always
When the opportunity to Khan took as sarpanch educated till class 8 or 10. on call, whether it’s an
enter politics and do good was to ensure the proper Khan elaborates, “I hope emergency at the hospital
for her hometown came administration of hygiene to be an example that they or an urgent matter in
knocking, she decided to within her jurisdiction. For can follow. The fight for her jurisdiction.
give it a go. While politics this, she sought permission empowerment is long and Being a sarpanch has
runs in the family, with her from the government to arduous, but it’s a fight been a learning experience
mother, father, and both construct toilets in every I am extremely passionate for Khan. The people who
her grandfathers being house. “Sanitation is about.” As far as poverty earlier opposed her have
prominent political figures essential, and although it is concerned, Khan has come around, because they
in Garhazan, she held her may seem basic to many, it helped create hundreds have realised that when she
own. “Surprisingly, has made a big difference of jobs throughout her says she cares, she means
I had a lot of support. in the quality of life of the jurisdiction in construction. it. “I plan to continue the
The residents of my village people in my village. Also, The Gurgaon-based work I have been doing,
had confidence in my as a doctor, I focussed doctor has, so far, managed both as a sarpanch and
ideology and faith that on health issues. I set up to balance both her worlds a doctor. Earlier, it was
I would execute my ideas. various health camps which without tipping the scales difficult to adjust, but I like
That being said, I also people could visit to avail on either side. She says, to think I hit the ground
faced those who believed good healthcare for free,” “A regular day in my life running, and have focussed
I was too inexperienced for says the 24-year-old. revolves around me going on important issues. It has
the job; some even believed Among other issues to my internship at the been extremely rewarding,”
that I didn’t care enough,” plaguing Khan’s jurisdiction Civil Hospital, after which she concludes with a smile.
REALITY cover interview
 The
HOTTEST
ONE IS A FORCE TO RECKON WITH, THE
OTHER, STEADILY ESTABLISHING HERSELF
IN THE FILM WORLD. TOGETHER, THEY ARE ON HRITHIK ROSHAN: CREW NECK T-SHIRT, `32,000, MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

ON VAANI KAPOOR: STRIPED DRESS, PRICE ON REQUEST, BHAAVYA BHATNAGAR

AT THE COLLECTIVE; DENIM JACKET, `14,999, EST. 1978 BY CALVIN KLEIN JEANS
GEARING UP TO SET THE SCREEN ABLAZE!
HRITHIK ROSHAN AND VAANI KAPOOR TALK TO
NIKSHUBHA GARG ABOUT THEIR UPCOMING
FILM, WAR, THEIR INDIVIDUAL JOURNEYS
IN THE INDUSTRY, AND LIVES OFF-SCREEN.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ABHAY SINGH
REALITY cover interview

Yours
sincerely
CREW NECK T-SHIRT, `32,000, MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN AT THE COLLECTIVE; DENIM JACKET, `14,999,
EST. 1978 BY CALVIN KLEIN JEANS; DENIMS, ROSHAN’S OWN; SNEAKERS, `10,999, STEVE MADDEN

HRITHIK ROSHAN HAD SENT HEARTS

FLUTTERING WITH HIS DEBUT FILM, KAHO NAA
PYAAR HAI… CUT TO 2019, HE CONTINUES TO
RULE THE ROOST. THE ACTOR GETS CANDID ON
FACING CONTROVERSIES HEAD ON, HIS SONS,
EX-WIFE SUSSANNE KHAN, AND HIS
UPCOMING FILM, WAR
REALITY cover interview
KNIT T-SHIRT, PRICE ON REQUEST, HERMES; PATTERNED
JACKET, `64,990, DIESEL; DENIMS, ROSHAN’S OWN

“NONE OF MY FAILURES HAVE DISAPPOINTED ME, YET.

IN FACT, EVERY TIME A FILM FAILS, IT EMPOWERS ME
BECAUSE MY INSTINCTS ARE PROVEN RIGHT.”

romance his ladylove to soft tunes, and show
off his enviable dance moves, but what is
Hrithik Roshan—the human being, like?
Having spent close to 20 years in the movie
business, he admits to being the “most resilient
man in the universe”, and, at the same time,
“has a naïve belief in magic”; probably why he
comes out stronger post each adversity. Over
to the star.
You have been part of action films
before. Why does War stand out?
If it’s taken me five years to come back with
an action film (his last release was Bang Bang,
2014), it means that something special about
the film caught my eye. I love action as a genre,
and was looking for something on the lines of
Dhoom 2 and Bang Bang; but couldn’t find an
intelligent script. Finally, I did with War.
Tell us about working with Tiger Shroff.
He idolises you.
I am equally inspired by Tiger; one can learn
a lot just by watching him. In fact, I had told
Siddharth Anand (director, War) and Aditya
Chopra that I would be open to doing the film
only if Tiger is cast opposite me. I knew
I would have to be at my best to be able to stand
next to him; nothing less than that would do.
Super 30 is a box office success. Is the
definition of a hero changing?
Personally, no. I have been part of films like
Fiza (in which I played Karisma Kapoor’s
brother), Guzaarish, and Kaabil, and I essayed
a hero in the projects. There is no one kind that
needs to be applauded. But yes, according to
our social environment and our understanding
of the Hindi cinematic hero, the definition
has evolved for the better. Now, we are more
accepting of our grey shades, and the ideal is
an aspiration.
What was going on in your mind when
your tweaked complexion in Super 30
became a topic of discussion? Did you
think the grouse was justified or do you
think social media was overreacting?
If the accusation is that I have darkened myself
to play a poor man, it means they (netizens)
don’t believe a dark-skinned individual can be
rich. Also, I am portraying a character who sells
papad in 45 °C; if I am expected to look like
what I did in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,
I wouldn’t have been spared even then. What
should be judged is the heart of the character,
the emotional impact it makes, and the honesty
that the film and actors bring forth; not the
way people look, dress, or the colour of
their skin.
The film was marred by another
controversy much before it hit
theatres—allegations of sexual
harassment against Vikas Bahl. How
did you, as a team, sail through?
By doing the right thing—I took a stand,
released a statement saying the film will be
stalled until the law takes its course. It was
a difficult decision since I was responsible for
hundreds of others who were involved in the
project, but to me, dignity, ethics, and morality
are more important.
Do such instances affect
a team’s morale?
Of course! I was in complete shock. I had
given my heart to the project, and it was
heartbreaking for me to not know its future.
From Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai… to Super 30,
and now War, how have you evolved as
an actor and a human being?
As an actor, I am finally experiencing the true
joy of acting, and have been able to find the
composure and calm before the camera. As
a human being, every day is a change.
In an industry that’s so competitive, do
you never feel threatened by the fact
REALITY cover interview
“IF YOU HAVE FAITH IN YOUR TRUTH,
AND ARE PATIENT ENOUGH, YOU WILL NEVER DESIRE TO
SHOUT IT OUT FROM ROOFTOPS.”
that you are not seen onscreen as often
as your fans would like?
It doesn’t matter as long as you do quality work.
My time goes into my work, which may take
longer than other people’s projects, but that’s
who I am, and it’s my joy.
What keeps your spirits up when your
films miss the mark?
None of my failures have disappointed me, yet.
In fact, every time a film fails, it empowers me
because my instincts are proven right. Not one
film of mine which I thought was great has failed,
and not one I thought wasn’t up to the mark, has
worked. The day I think a film is great, and it
doesn’t do well, I will be scared and confused.
How difficult is it to keep a cool head
when your personal life is discussed
on national television?
I don’t watch too much television;
I concentrate on growing on an everyday basis.
What other people are stopping to discuss is
holding them back from personal growth. I feel
sympathetic towards such individuals. In fact,
I have believed in magic since I was young. For
me, there is more to life than what meets the
eye, and I have an infallible belief that what
you are as a human being will manifest in the
world. Once you believe that, you wouldn’t be
fearful or have doubts or insecurities. What
I am will be seen through my work, actions
or words.
Don’t you think giving your side of
the story is important to put
speculations to rest?
My favourite word is resilience, and
I consider myself to be the most resilient
man in the universe; it’s difficult to ruffle my
feathers. If you have faith in your truth and are
patient enough, you will never desire to shout
it out from rooftops.
You play perfect father to Hrehaan and
Hridhaan. How is it like when the three
of you are together?
I enjoy being with my boys, and we love our
time together. I am all guns blazing when
I am with them.
Do they follow your work religiously?
I have taught them to have opinions. When they
appreciate my work, I know they mean it, because
when they don’t, they are vocal about it too.
I respect that.
No matter the controversy, Sussanne
Khan never fails to stand by you and
your family. How do you both manage to
maintain such great understanding?
That comes from two individuals who are
wise, and have immense respect for each
other (smiles). It is sad that it is not as common
as it should be. For two people who have
separated, to find friendship and companionship
shouldn’t be rare.
You are known as the Greek God of
Bollywood and compared to superheroes,
but what’s the real
Hrithik like?
When the real Hrithik Roshan lands in Greece,
no one recognises him. What people say is
a lie; I am no Greek God.
Tell us one unknown aspect
about Hrithik.
My vacations involve a lot of hard work. I don’t
think anyone would want to holiday with me
because my day starts at 7 am, and ends at
10 pm. There is not a second to rest and relax.
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ON VAANI: SHIMMER DRESS, PRICE ON REQUEST, ESHA SETHI THIRANI
Your father, Rakesh Roshan, has been
an inspiration for many with the way he
PRICE ON REQUEST, TISA STUDIO; DENIMS, ROSHAN’S OWN
dealt with the deadly C. Both you and him
chose to make well-wishers an integral
part of the journey. Why?
It helps to include the world, and not be afraid
of your shortcomings and insecurities. Hiding
ailments makes the healing process more difficult.
It is easier to include the world in your pain and
struggle, as well as in your joy. Plus, I was inspired
by the courage my father showcased (on the day of
the surgery, he was in the gym, working out);
I thought I must share it.
PAISLEY CROP TOP, `4,400, PAISLEY SKIRT, `4,000, BOTH FOREVER NEW; GOLD PLATED EARRINGS, `3,000,
ANAQA JEWELS; LINK NECKLACE, PRICE ON REQUEST, ALDO ACCESSORIES; HEELS, KAPOOR’S OWN
REALITY cover interview
Unrushed
a d
unf z CLARITY OF THOUGHT IS PROBABLY THE
FIRST QUALITY THAT STRIKES YOU ABOUT
VAANI KAPOOR. SHE TAKES US THROUGH
HER JOURNEY IN FILMS, AND HER LIFE
BEHIND THE CAMERA

good things come to those who wait.
ni Kapoor, this seems to be working,
ut steadily. The actor, who made her
od debut with Shuddh Desi Romance,
n went on to feature in Befikre, is
up for War alongside Hrithik Roshan
er Shroff. Despite featuring in a limited
of films, she knows the path she wants
, and admirably, isn’t perturbed by the
fast-paced nature of the movie business.
In an interview you had said that you
grew up in a farmhouse. Tell us about
the time.
My father ran an NGO, a lush,green space
across acres of land in New Delhi’s Gujranwala
Town. My sister and I grew up with a host of
animals such as dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits
and ducks. Till about 14 years, that was our life.
Whenever friends came home, we offered them
a mini zoo tour (laughs).
Why did a girl who loved her life back
home turn to Mumbai?
Destiny had its plans. Even as a kid when
I would think about career options, nothing
apart from acting would click me. I was
fortunate enough to meet Shanoo Sharma
(casting director, Yash Raj Films), get a chance
to audition, and eventually be associated with
the production house.
Did you sense hostility when you first
came to the glamour industry or were
you accepted with open arms?
I am still trying to make it on my own, to get
good projects, and that’s all that I expect from the
industry. It will be amazing if I find some friends
along the way, but I am not looking for a family.
Fans have only seen you in Shuddh
Desi Romance and Befikre in the six
years that you have been part of
Bollywood. Why?
It’s not that I don’t want to be part of a number
of films, but I cannot compromise on quality.
If a project doesn’t excite me, I wouldn’t sign
it for the heck of it.
REALITY cover interview

“PEOPLE TODAY
ARE FEEDING ON
NEGATIVITY, AND
MULTIPLYING IT;
FOCUSING ON THAT
MEANS HARMING
YOURSELF.”

TOP, `8,900, SKIRT, `8, 800, BOTH SAMEER MADAN; HEELS, KAPOOR’S OWN;
With ample break between each project,
is it difficult to stay motivated?
If you know the reason behind a particular
decision, you will not feel insecure or pressurise
yourself. There will be no room for unhappiness
because you have chosen that
for yourself.

During the time when you weren’t

shooting, were you ever nervous that your
fan following might reduce considering
there are so many new names in the
movie business?
If you are talented, you will end up attracting like-
minded people, who understand and respect you.
They will offer a part because you are good, and
not because of your popularity on social media.
That’s irrelevant.

How do you deal with haters on

social media?
People today are feeding on negativity, and
multiplying it; focusing on that means harming
yourself, and ruining your peace of mind. You
have to build an internal system to keep that in
check. It’s a conscious decision. intimidated at the thought of sharing
screen space with two of the fittest actors
It isn’t easy, though. in Bollywood?

PRICE ON REQUEST, ALDO ACCESSORIES; HAIR (HRITHIK): HAKIM AALIM, MAKEUP: VIJAY PALANDE; HAIR AND MAKEUP (VAANI): SUBBU; STYLIST:
Of course, not. But then, how do you stop it? You I trained hard for the project, which included

have to understand that the person being mean to
you comes from a lack of positivity and love in his/
her life. It’s not about you. It’s about them. You get
to decide who you are, you know yourself better.
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working out and dance rehearsals. Considering
the other actors gave their 100 per cent;
I couldn’t lag behind, and do a bad job.
The festive season is in full swing. What’s

From the current lot, whose career graph
do you admire?
Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Varun Dhawan and
Ayushmann Khurrana.
What is Vaani Kapoor like off screen?
I am chilled out (laughs). I like watching Netflix,
and eating good food. I have a few close friends,
and we connect every day on the phone. I also
spend time with my cats. I lead
a normal life.
What should we expect from your
character in War?
I can confidently say that I have a great part. You
will see a different side of my personality;
I loved playing it.
From the trailer of War, it’s evident that
you worked hard on your body. Were you
PRACHITI PARAKH; LOCATION: NOVOTEL, JUHU, MUMBAI; STYLING INTERNS: KAUSHIKI RANE AND DIYA DOSHI
your idea of a celebration?
I celebrate with family and friends. My parents are
enthusiastic when it comes to festivals, and ensure
I give festivities as much importance today as I did
when I was a kid. There are times when we can’t
be together, but we make sure we are in touch,
and promptly wish each other.
Do you go all out with the celebrations or
keep it simple?
Sometimes we feel like going all out, dressing up,
and celebrating with a lot of people. But,
on some occasions, it’s just me, my parents,
and cousins.
Have things changed ever since you
became an actor?
Nothing has changed. I look forward to festivals;
it’s a sense of happiness all around, and they uplift
your mood.
REALITY interview

WHEELS
of
HOPE A para-athlete, an entrepreneur,
and an advocate for disability,
Devika Malik is the young leader the nation
deserves, finds Charlene Flanagan

T
wenty-eight-year-old Devika Malik
has always worked hard for what
she wanted, no matter if the odds
were in her favour or not. Born
premature with acute neonatal
jaundice to paraolympian Padma Shri Deepa
Malik and Kargil veteran Colonel Bikram Singh,
Malik’s development was slower than normal.
Tragedy struck yet again when, as a toddler who
had only just begun walking, she wandered into
the street and was hit by a motorcycle, owing to
which she grew up with the left side of her body
paralysed—hemiplegia.
“As a child who was differently-abled,
I was constantly mocked and ridiculed in
school. I remember crying to my mother
about it and she would pacify me, saying that
she could come to my school and speak to
my teachers and classmates. But it wouldn't
help in the long run since we changed schools
every two years. Mum explained that my safest
option was to explain my medical condition to
my classmates.”
As Malik grew, so did her confidence.
Over time, she realised that laughing with the
perpetrators ensured smooth sailing. “When
I fell, instead of being conscious, I would laugh
it off. Hemiplegia affects the nervous system so
I struggled to keeping pace with the class. I just
accepted these challenges and moved forward.”
Malik’s experiences while growing up
encouraged her to start Wheeling Happiness
Foundation in 2014—an organisation that
advocates for better access to opportunities
for people living with physical and mental
disabilities. It supports and enables them,
provides access to sports equipment, and helps
them overcome other challenges, including
emotional, social, and financial problems. “Most
people tend to assume someone isn’t capable
of accomplishing certain tasks because of their
physical or mental dispositions. A change in
society’s outlook, mindset, and attitude towards
persons with disabilities is imperative,” she says.
The biggest campaign Malik and the
foundation has put into motion is their
collaboration with the government, housing
societies, and other private facilities to make
roads and spaces inclusive and accessible for
people with disabilities. In 2016, Rights of
Persons with Disabilities Act was ratified and
replaced the Persons with Disabilities (Equal
Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full
Participation) Act of 1995, to reflect the Indian
contextual realities of disability, as well as
the United Nations Convention on Rights of
Persons with Disabilities. “What we need now
is successful implementation. I believe it should
first start at an individual level—in our homes.
Make sure you are willing to extend help when
required, after all, we’re no different than the
rest of you, just differently-abled,” she signs off.
REALITY interview

CROONING GLORY
New kid on the block, Dhvani
Bhanushali, is a storehouse of
talent, and has found her feet
as a singer with some power-
packed performances to her
credit, finds Aishwarya Sati

A
t 21, Dhvani Bhanushali
has already carved
a niche for herself
in the music industry.
She shot to fame last
year with Dilbar from
Satyameva Jayate. The track became the
first Hindi song to secure a spot on the
Billboard YouTube Music Charts. This
was followed by solos, Leja Re and Main
Teri Hoon, which went on to become
chartbusters. Incidentally, pursuing
music as a career happened by chance
for her. “I was 17 when I met Himesh
Reshammiya, and performed a couple
of numbers at his studio. I was always
interested in music, but never thought
I was good enough; he encouraged
me to train seriously. I paid heed,
and at 19, got my first break with
Ishtehaar (Welcome to New York).
It was a dream come true to sing
with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan,” exclaims
the singer.
Bhanushali is currently learning
both, Indian and Western classical
music, but does not want to limit herself
to playback and desires to dabble in the
indie music space as well.
While her success story seems rather
smooth, Bhanushali says it’s not been
easy. “If you enjoy working towards your
goals, it’s bound to get you somewhere.
I took things in my stride, learned
whatever I had to, and am still in the
process of becoming an accomplished
singer,” says the artiste. She reveals that
her musical influences include Taylor
Swift, Beyonce, Ariana Grande, Shreya
Ghoshal and Lata Mangeshkar, but she
keeps her ears open to all genres. This,
helps her get the emotions and punches
“I rarely read right during playback. “Since I don’t get
comments on my to see any clips, I have to imagine the
song through the director’s vision, and
social media. picture myself in the actor’s situation,”
People can be she says.
mean, but you So, which number has been the
most challenging? “I try to overlook
can’t please the difficulty levels of a song, and bank
everybody.” on my instincts before any recording.
However, Laila from Notebook was the
toughest. It’s about a woman declaring
her love; certain intricacies in the
composition took time to perfect,”
she says. Her wishlist includes a
collaboration with AR Rahman, Salim
and Sulaiman Merchant, and singers
Jonita Gandhi and Arijit Singh.
One would assume this millennial
must be tracking the online space
religiously; after all, that’s where she
found fame, but Bhanushali chooses not
to get swayed. “I rarely read comments
on my social media. People can be mean,
but you can’t please everybody. However,
constructive criticism is welcome. I just
want to focus on my work, and learn and
improve to maximise my potential,” she
signs off.
REALITY interview

CALL OF THE WILD

Latika Nath has spent over 25 years working for tiger conservation in the country.
She speaks to Hemchhaya De about breaking into what was hitherto a male
bastion and what ails conservation efforts in India

L
atika Nath, who is said to be the
first woman wildlife biologist in
India to work on tigers, says she
lives “multiple lives”. She works
in extreme temperatures and
braves tough terrains across the
globe to work on her wildlife projects. While
she has spent over 25 years working for tiger
conservation, she is also a passionate traveller
and diver, and has been photographing tigers,
leopards, lions, snow leopards, and other
members of the cat family over the past few
years. When she is out in the field, she works for
16 to 18 hours a day, lugging around equipment
weighing close to 30 kg. She says she will soon
be spending time at the North and South Pole,
studying the impact of climate change. Come
June, she will be going to Patagonia, Chile,
where one can walk with pumas on foot and
photograph them. “The only big cat I haven’t
seen so far is the puma,” says Nath, who has
done her DPhil on Tiger Conservation and
Management from the University of Oxford.
Excerpts from a candid chat with ‘The Tiger
Princess’, which is actually the title of
a National Geographic TV documentary on
her life and work:

What are the earliest memories of your

interaction with wildlife?
My grandparents lived in Kashmir. So, for three
to four months every year, we used to visit
Srinagar. They had one of the largest farms in
the Valley. Life at the farm was extraordinary
and much of that helped me become what
I am today. My grandmother was involved
in women’s rights and crewel needlework in
Kashmir. She was working with cultural activists

“LIFE AT THE FARM WAS

EXTRAORDINARY AND
MUCH OF THAT HELPED ME
BECOME WHAT I AM TODAY.”
and revivalists such as Pupul Jayakar. She was
a close friend of former prime minister Indira
Gandhi who used to wear Kashmiri phirans
made only by her. My grandmother had
a profound influence on my life. I was only
three weeks old when my father took me on
my very first fishing trip. When I was a little
girl, we made many trips to Dachigam National
Park in Kashmir. In fact, when I was an infant,
I was put in a basket and carried to the park
(laughs). Later, my father was in Ballabhgarh,
setting up a primary health centre network
for Haryana. We were living in a village. I saw
elephants, hedgehogs, monkeys, and other
animals. During the winter holidays, we went
camping on the edge of Jim Corbett National
Park. Interactions with wildlife were part and
parcel of my childhood. By the age of seven,
I was more or less clear on what my calling in
life would be.
Choosing to study environmental
science must have been an oddity in
those days.
I was born and raised at AIIMS. Almost
everybody I knew was studying either medicine,
engineering, or law. And here I was declaring
that I wanted to study environmental science
and become an ecologist. At that time, I wanted
to focus on snow leopards and Himalayan black
bears. But I couldn’t go back to Kashmir to study
them because the insurgency had begun. It was
then that I was told that I could concentrate on
tigers. So, here was this really pampered and
protected girl from Delhi who told her mother
that she would be leaving the comfort of her
home and driving through Chambal in Madhya
Pradesh to study the big cats for six months!
While I was in Bandhavgarh, even to get to
a phone, I had to drive for 35 km. So, it was quite
a big step for my family and me.
Were you the only woman in Madhya
Pradesh researching tigers?
The beauty of Latika’s Wildlife photographer and conservationist
images is often Belinda Wright was also there. She was working
paradoxical; her nomadic,
itinerant lens travels not
on a different project, and was camped at Kanha
just through places, but National Park at that time. But, as a wildlife
also the imagination researcher, I was the only woman.
Has gender been an issue in your
career?
Gender has definitely been an issue. Even today,
most conservationists are men. Even though
people are showing an interest in the subject, it’s
difficult to explain to parents in India that your
daughter is keen on becoming a conservationist
and willing to live in the jungle for inordinate
stretches of time. Even then, I’d say that it’s 200
per cent easier for women to join this field these
days than what it was about 30 years ago. Yet,
it’s tough for people to believe that a woman in
“BY THE AGE conservation can also be interested in fashion,
OF SEVEN, couture, parties, and other finer things in life,
and manage to do everything in the same breath.
I WAS MORE They don’t understand that a woman can wear
OR LESS a chiffon sari and go dining with the Queen of
England, and then come back, wear
CLEAR ON a khakee, and sit in a mahout’s house on the
WHAT MY floor, cook a roti, and eat it with an equal
CALLING IN amount of happiness.
LIFE So, how did this mindset affect your
WOULD BE.” career?
People have hounded me for this—the fact that
REALITY interview
Latika has spent over 25 years working at
the grassroots level for tiger conservation
I have been doing so many things across the
spectrum—for years. Also, due to the fact that
I wasn’t scared of asking questions. So, I have had
guides who have told me, “I am a Rajput man
and my words are actually set in stone.” And my
retort was, “I am a scientist, I am genderless,
and I am questioning what you have said.” The
result: I was questioned by such gentlemen for
almost two decades, denied jobs, and stopped
from joining specialised organisations. All this,
because I had the gumption to stand up to and
question their authority. At the end, it all made
me leave for Oxford, which was an equal-
opportunity place of study and work. Oxford
taught me how to engage in good scientific work
and produce my best.
What is the biggest challenge that
wildlife conversation is facing in
India today?
India has been on the fast track as far as
development is concerned. But this development
has been structured and implemented without
taking long-term environmental impacts into
account. For instance, if a highway is being
built from the north to the south, it needs to
cut across a forest. I accept that, and agree that
it needs to be done. But are such development
projects being executed in an appropriate
manner? What India doesn’t have is wisdom
in our political leadership. The issue is not
about development against conservation. In
fact, conservation should be part and parcel of
all developmental projects. That’s the kind of
awarenes
wareness we need today.
Do we need to create more
wildlife habitats? How do we
stop ttragedies such as the
killing
g of tigress Avani?
If we ccan effectively control what we
have aat the moment, we will be in
a greaat place. Rather than creating
new habitats, we should focus on
consserving what we already have.
Oncce what exists is in a good, stable,
andd protected state, then you can
talkk of expansion. For now, let’s just
talkk of stopping further erosion of
existing habitats, and it will lead to
m
more immediate results.
you think Indian wildlife laws need
h
more teeth?
We have some of the best wildlife laws in the
“RATHER world. We just need to fast track legal decision-
THAN making. We need to educate our field workers
CREATING on the laws, and on gathering evidence correctly.
We need to assure our forest department and
NEW wildlife officials that higher authorities have
HABITATS, their backs when they take a stance against
WESHOULD poaching or a conservation conflict. When
FOCUSON a case goes to court, it stays there for years.
That breaks morale. When you have caught
CONSERVING a poacher killing an elephant or a tiger, you
WHATWE want to put that person in jail immediately.
ALREADY
Why wait for 10 or 15 years? We need special
courts that deal with only such cases and can
HAVE.” fast track justice. We need specially trained
wildlife wing within the government as well.
 BEE GOOD!
It might be an overreaction,
but there is a buzz around biologists
talking about colony collapse
disorder. The world’s bee population
is being threatened by pesticides,
climate change, and pathogens,
and, consequently, many food
watchers believe honey is now
an endangered commodity.
If you love honey, the time to use
it, and use it well is now!

Honey Dip
Ingredients
1 cup honey
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup cream cheese,
at room temperature
½ tsp cinnamon powder

Method
Mix all the ingredients
in a medium-sized bowl
until well blended.
Remove to a serving
bowl and chill for a day.
Serve with sweet
biscuits and
cut fruit dippers.
PHOTOGRAPH: VICTORIA SHIBUT/ 123RF
LIVING food

ATASTE
OFTHEHILLS
Bring home a slice of Uttarakhand with these recipes from
Chef Chetan Rana, Executive Chef at The Roseate Ganges, Rishikesh

KUMAONI
BADA

150 g split white Salt, to taste

urad dal
20 g sesame seeds
5 g green chillies,
chopped 500 ml oil
2 g asafoetida

Calo
counrie
445 t:
(per scalories
ervin
g)

SERVES: 2 > PREP TIME: 10 minutes + two hours soaking time > COOKING TIME: 10
0 minutes
i t

1. Soak the split white urad dal for at least two hours. Strain and grind to a rough paste.
2. Add the green chillies, asafoetida, and salt. Shape into badas,
flat with a hole in the centre, like medu vadas.
3. Roll gently in the sesame seeds to coat.
4. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium-high flame, and deep fry the badas.
Remove, drain on kitchen paper towels, and serve hot.

TIP: WET YOUR HANDS A LITTLE BEFORE FORMING THE BADAS.

 PAHADI RAITA

100 g cucumber, 150 g yoghurt

grated
Salt, to taste
5 g mustard 1 tsp coriander
seeds leaves, chopped
5 g green chillies, ½ cup
chopped pomegranate
seeds
2 g turmeric
powder

Calo
counrie
102 t:
(per scalories
ervin
g)
SERVES: 2 > PREP TIME: 20 minutes
1. Squeeze the grated cucumber to remove the excess water.
Set aside.
2. Grind the mustard seeds into a paste with a mortar and pestle,
add the green chillies and turmeric, and grind again.
3. Add this paste, the cucumber, and salt to the yoghurt.
4. Garnish with the coriander leaves and pomegranate seeds.
5. Chill until ready to serve.

TIP: CHILL THE RAITA OVERNIGHT FOR BETTER FLAVOUR.

LIVING food

BHATT KI CHURKANI

15 ml mustard oil ½ tsp jakhiya

100 g black 10 g chopped
soya bean garlic
1 litre water Salt, to taste
1 tsp coriander 20 g rice flour
powder
2 tbsp chopped
½ tsp red chilli coriander, to
powder garnish
½ tsp turmeric 3 fried
powder red chillies,
to garnish

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE ROSEATE GANGES CALORIE COUNTS ARE APPROXIMATE

Calo
counrie
250 t:
(per scalories
ervin
g)
SERVES: 2 > PREP TIME: 20 minutes > COOKING TIME: 45 minutes

1. Heat 5 ml of oil in an iron wok over a medium-high flame. Add the soya beans and roast until brown. Set aside.
2. Bring the water to a boil. Add the coriander, red chilli, and turmeric powders. Add the soya beans and boil till they are cooked through.
3. Heat the remaining oil in a large pan. Add the jakhiya and garlic and fry well.
4. Add the rice flour and mix well.
5. Add the cooked black soya bean and salt, and mix well.
6. Garnish with chopped coriander and fried red chillies and serve.

TIP: FOR MORE FLAVOUR, TEMPER WITH THE MUNSIYARI JAMBO HERB.
LIVING quick bites

Zucchini soup
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
coarsely
800 g zucchini, cubed
3 cups vegetable stock
3 tbsp cream
Salt and pepper, to taste

METHOD
Heat the oil in a pan over
a medium flame. Add the
onions, and cook for five
minutes until softened.
Add the zucchini, and cook
until it sizzles. Add the stock,
bring to a boil, and simmer
for 10 minutes until
the zucchini is tender.
Blend the soup in small
batches.
Rewarm in the pan, season to
taste, and whisk in the cream.
Chill for an hour before
serving.

COLD COMFORT
As the temperature rises after the rains, this trio of soups will keep you cool

Cherry tomato
soup
INGREDIENTS
5 cups cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp olive oil
½ cup onion, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 cloves garlic, minced

METHOD
Oven roast the cherry
tomatoes for 15 minutes.
Heat the oil in a pan over
a medium flame. Add the
onion, oregano, and salt,
and pepper. Cook for four Watermelon
minutes. Add the garlic,
soup
USED FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY

and cook for another minute.

Set aside to cool for a few
minutes. INGREDIENTS
Blend together the cherry 4 cups watermelon cubes
tomatoes, cooked onions, (seeded)
and basil until smooth. 2 tbsp lemon juice
Chill for an hour and 1 tbsp mint, chopped
serve cold. 1 tbsp honey
PHOTOGRAPHS: 123RF

METHOD
Blend all the ingredients
together.
Chill for two hours and
serve cold.