‘I love the simplicity of Richard Bach’s language’
Read
Neelam Kumar, Author of Myra
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach Bach has taken the example of a seagull and shown how difficult it is to fly solo in life. I love the simplicity of the language and the stark visual imagery.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
The book is a simple and inspirational tale about a boy’s search for hidden treasure. He goes through many adventures and eventually discovers that the treasure was in front of him all along. This is the true essence of life.
Many Lives, Many Masters by Dr Brian Weiss
It talks about regression into the past. Another concept he discusses is about relationships of our lifetime. He says that all those people were there with us in our past lives too.
Our Favourite Indian Stories by Khushwant Singh and Neelam Kumar
This book is a collection of 40 stories from 17 regions of India translated and made accessible to English readers. The pages of this book throb with everything that is primal — fear, angst, joy, love, lust and longing.
The Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra by Daisaku Ikeda
I’ve based my life on this principle, which is also Buddha’s highest philosophy — that we can change our karma regardless of our age, gender and social situation if we uncover the Buddha nature that each one of us possesses.
—Pooja Maheshwary
‘Prasoon Joshi’s brilliant lyrics truly touch the heart’
Listen
Tochi Raina, Singer
Maa (Taare Zameen Par)
Sung by Shankar Mahadevan, this song portrays the feelings of the attachment a little child has towards his mother. Having lost my mother, I can relate to the pain and anguish expressed in it. Prasoon Joshi’s brilliant lyrics truly touch the heart.
Naina thag lenge (Omkara)
It is a song about expressing something through your eyes rather than words. What the song is trying to say is that the eyes can be pretty cunning and deceptive with what they say.
Lagi tum se man ki lagan (Paap)
The song expresses the strong feelings of love that one wandering heart has for another. It presents emotional attachment and blind faith.
Chain se humko kabhi jeene nahi diya (Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye)
I have been listening to this song since I was a child. It is about a person who likes to be isolated, but whose privacy is always infringed upon. It appeals to me since I enjoy solitude.
O pardesi (Dev.D)
This was my second Bollywood song. It is very close to me since it brought me recognition. My hard work of the past 20 years was realised with it. It also has brilliant compositions by Amit Trivedi.
—Pooja Maheshwary
‘I’m a very deli/cafe kind of person’
Eat
AD Singh, MD, Olive Bar and Kitchen Soam (Chowpatty)
This is my wife’s favourite restaurant, after my own of course, I hasten to add. We both love it for its delicious regional food, the hygienic street food and warm service.
Swati Snacks (Tardeo)
This restaurant is in the same headspace as Soam. The food is very good, but the long lines are a big deterrent. I particularly enjoy the pankhi, falafel and chaat here. My wife had a couple of her birthday parties here too, which is hilarious, because the entire bill barely tops a thousand.
Indigo Deli (Colaba)
I’m a very deli/café kind of person and this very New York-style deli is one of my favourites for its feel and food. The sandwiches in particular are very good.
Breach Candy Club (Breach Candy)
I spend a lot of time here. The food is more comfort fare, but the setting is unbeatable.
Soul Fry (Bandra)
I love this place for its delicious coastal food and cosy feel. My particular favourites are the Prawn Loncha and the clams. The karaoke nights are also really popular.
—Shweta Mehta
‘I’m a very deli/cafe kind of person’
Eat
AD Singh, MD, Olive Bar and Kitchen Soam (Chowpatty)
This is my wife’s favourite restaurant, after my own of course, I hasten to add. We both love it for its delicious regional food, the hygienic street food and warm service.
Swati Snacks (Tardeo)
This restaurant is in the same headspace as Soam. The food is very good, but the long lines are a big deterrent. I particularly enjoy the pankhi, falafel and chaat here. My wife had a couple of her birthday parties here too, which is hilarious, because the entire bill barely tops a thousand.
Indigo Deli (Colaba)
I’m a very deli/café kind of person and this very New York-style deli is one of my favourites for its feel and food. The sandwiches in particular are very good.
Breach Candy Club (Breach Candy)
I spend a lot of time here. The food is more comfort fare, but the setting is unbeatable.
Soul Fry (Bandra)
I love this place for its delicious coastal food and cosy feel. My particular favourites are the Prawn Loncha and the clams. The karaoke nights are also really popular.
—Shweta Mehta
‘I am a major Mithun Chakraborty fan’
Watch
Aarya Babbar, Actor
Andaaz Apna Apna (1994)
I feel it’s the best Indian comedy of the ’90s. If you ever feel down, this is a good remedy to bring a smile to your face. It’s not a complex story by any means, but yet manages to hold one’s attention from the beginning to the end.
Godfather (1972)
A classic movie based on a beautiful novel. It’s the best book to have been made into a film. Anyone who wishes to be in the film industry must watch it. It’s popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made.
Harold And Kumar Go To White Castle (2004)
It’s a crazy comedy that shows no matter how stupid your goal may be, you should never give up. This is what I have learnt from this film. I love it very much.
Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984)
I am a major Mithun Chakraborty fan and this is one of my favourite films. The best part is that it pairs Amrish Puri and Mithun for the first time. I like Mithun’s confidence in this film.
Octopussy (1983)
This was the first James Bond film I watched. I was nine years old then, and have watched it 40 to 50 times since then. I became a huge fan of Bond and loved the film’s posters and novels. It is very close to my heart.
—Shweta Mehta