Get your list of what to read, listen, eat and watch from the proven experts in the field
‘Catch 22 is the greatest satirical novel’
Read: Pratik Basu, author, The Arty Farty Party
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller This is the greatest satirical novel to have come out in the last 50 years. It turned the conventional narrative structure on its head, describing the same event from different points of view.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee This is a humane morality tale about race and racial prejudice, which, in the character of Atticus Finch, created a moral hero of legendary proportions. It was such a tough act to follow, no wonder Lee never published another novel.
The Quest For Karla by John Le Carré This omnibus includes three novels — Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, The Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley’s People. In substance, they are spy stories; in style, literary classics.
The Code Of The Woosters by PG Wodehouse The true test of a novel is whether it transcends time and whether the characters become part of the lexicon. Jeeves and Bertie Wooster have made contributions to English fiction probably second only to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
The Sign Of Four by Arthur Conan Doyle The character of Sherlock Holmes has outlasted every other. I love this one probably because of the India connection, villains, multiple murders, lost treasures, Watson’s love interest and the humanising of the infallible detective by introducing us to his cocaine addiction.
– Manali Shah‘Rubber Soul gave The Beatles soul’
Listen: Aazin Printer, lead singer, Something Relevant
Morning View by Incubus Brandon Boyd and guitarist Mike Einziger were at their creative best in this album. They wrote probably one of the most popular songs of our time ‘Wish you were here…’. Everyone in the Indian music scene then wanted to imitate the band’s unique sound.
Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine I first heard the edits of ‘Bombtrack…’ and ‘Take the power back…’ in the film Natural Born Killers, and later at IRock where now-defunct rock-band AFS had the whole crowd killing it to ‘Killing in the name of…’.
Mad Season by Matchbox Twenty It’s my favourite album. When I need to get inspired, I go back to it. I love how the last song ‘You won’t be mine…’ goes into this endless silence. ‘Rest stop…’ inspired me to start writing my first feature length script.
Rubber Soul by The Beatles This album gave The Beatles ‘soul’. Psychedelic lyrics and new production innovations, moving beyond romantic girl-boy subjects, to satire on sexism and more sophisticated, emotionally complex hullabaloo.
21 by Adele I could listen to her all day. Deep down, I always wished I was this big black mama belting it out. Then we’ve had Amy Winehouse, Florence and the Machine and now Adele; I want the next top billing amongst these heavy weights.
- Nikhil Hemrajani‘Salt Water Cafe has the trappings of an elegant, casual diner’
Eat: Kishore DF, Owner, The Big Nasty
Soul Fry (Bandra)
It’s a quintessential Bandra hangout with loads of warmth and great food. My favourite dishes here are the prawn lonche and surmai fry.
Salt Water Café (Bandra) I loved the seared chicken legs here. This place has got all the trappings of an international, casual and elegant diner. The ambience is fabulous.
Royal China (Fort) This place offers a straightforward and no-frills-attached Chinese dining experience. It’s a superb restaurant to have lunch on a lazy Saturday afternoon. I would recommend their beef in black bean sauce with egg fried rice.
Kakori House (Bandra) I have no idea where it is located, but they deliver, and boy, do they make good food! In my humble opinion, they will give restaurants like Dum Pukht and Peshawari a run for their money. My favourite dishes are galoti kebab and chicken achari kebab.
Bagel House (Bandra) The classic ‘chill’ place of Bandra. It has great energy and is the ideal place for late morning informal meetings. No suits allowed. One must try the cream cheese bagel and cappuccino here.
- Shweta Mehta
Salt Water Café (Bandra) I loved the seared chicken legs here. This place has got all the trappings of an international, casual and elegant diner. The ambience is fabulous.
Royal China (Fort) This place offers a straightforward and no-frills-attached Chinese dining experience. It’s a superb restaurant to have lunch on a lazy Saturday afternoon. I would recommend their beef in black bean sauce with egg fried rice.
Kakori House (Bandra) I have no idea where it is located, but they deliver, and boy, do they make good food! In my humble opinion, they will give restaurants like Dum Pukht and Peshawari a run for their money. My favourite dishes are galoti kebab and chicken achari kebab.
Bagel House (Bandra) The classic ‘chill’ place of Bandra. It has great energy and is the ideal place for late morning informal meetings. No suits allowed. One must try the cream cheese bagel and cappuccino here.
- Shweta Mehta
‘Shree 420 is so good, so moving and so sad’
Watch: Megha Burman, actor
Cinema Paradiso (1988) This classic has been written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. It is a coming of age story of a child and his love for cinema, the deep bond he strikes with the theatre’s projectionist. I first watched it as a film student and even today when I do, the film is fresh.
Street Car Named Desire (1951) Tennesse Williams and Marlon Brando can’t go wrong. I had first read the play written by Williams. Marlon Brando’s performance is powerful and moving. I have a framed poster of the film in my room. It’s also my favourite play by Tennesse.
China Town (1974) Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and Roman Polanski working together has to lead to something outrageously brilliant. It’s all about murder and suspense.
Sholay (1975) Need I say more?
Shree 420 (1955) This is so good, so moving and so sad. It’s one of my favourites because of Raj Kapoor and Nargis. The whole imagery of the handsome Raj Kapoor wearing torn Japanese shoes… combined with that song ‘Mera joota hai japani…’ is one of the favourite sequences in the film.
- Priyanka Jain