Chef Vikas Khanna gifts Mysore Sandal soap to Anne Hathaway, House of Mysore Sandal celebrates Karnataka’s 'pride'

Along with the Mysore Sandal soap, Vikas Khanna also gifted Anne Hathaway handcrafted marble box from Agra and the book Kiss in Kashmir.

Updated on: Jan 3, 2025, 11:13:50 IST

By Anagha Deshpande

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In a poignant celebration of Indian heritage and personal memories, renowned chef Vikas Khanna presented Hollywood star Anne Hathaway with the iconic Mysore Sandalwood Soap at his famed New York restaurant, Bungalow.

Mysore Sandal’s team expressed their honor in being part of this meaningful gesture. (X/Vikas Khanna)

The gift was more than just a token of admiration. It symbolized emotional connection to his late sister, Radha, whose love for Hathaway’s films provided comfort during her battle with illness. Along with the soap, Khanna gifted a handcrafted marble box from Agra and the book Kiss in Kashmir.

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The gift was not just a token of appreciation but also a tribute to a cherished memory for Khanna. In an emotional Instagram post, the celebrated chef shared that he had once watched The Devil Wears Prada and Sex and the City countless times with his late sister, Radha, while she was in the hospital. Radha was a huge fan of Anne Hathaway, and her laughter during those moments was the greatest source of comfort for Khanna during a challenging time.

Khanna reflected on the emotional journey of deleting the films from his computer after his sister’s passing, as the memories were too painful. However, when Anne Hathaway visited his restaurant, Bungalow, the memories flooded back, and Khanna felt immense joy in serving her. To commemorate the moment, he shared a touching photo of his sister, photoshopped next to Hathaway, as if she were present.

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House of Mysore Sandal responds

Mysore Sandal’s team expressed their honor in being part of this meaningful gesture, recognizing it as a celebration of Karnataka's pride on a global stage.

“This moment celebrates the timeless legacy of Karnataka’s pride on a global stage. Mysore Sandal Soap continues to connect hearts worldwide with its unmatched purity & fragrance, embodying the rich heritage of Karnataka”, House of Mysore Sandal wrote on X.

The Mysore Sandal Soap, known for its unmatched purity and fragrance, has long been a symbol of Karnataka’s rich heritage. The soap has built a global reputation and continues to connect people worldwide.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anagha Deshpande
Anagha Deshpande is Deputy Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times. She is currently part of the news team. Before moving into this role, she worked with the Bengaluru desk, where she extensively covered civic issues, Karnataka politics, infrastructure, and urban governance. Over the past seven years, Anagha has worked across multiple facets of digital journalism, including reporting, editing, and video production. She briefly stepped away from journalism, only to realize that the newsroom is where she has the most fun. Her interests lie in tracking national and state politics, particularly South Indian politics, as well as social issues and public policy. She has previously worked with Deccan Herald, Mid-day, The Federal, and ThePrint, and has lived and worked in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. When she isn't chasing stories, Anagha enjoys long aimless walks, reading, hiking, discovering new teas, and, by her own admission, overthinking almost everything.Read More

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