Pantua: A nostalgic bite of Bengal's festive sweet culture
Pantua isn't just dessert—it's a nostalgic part of Bengali celebrations, served during pujo, weddings, and festivals, cherished for its richness and history.
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Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Parineeta' producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls Vidya Balan's audition; reveals her frustrated reaction questioning his authority: 'Who does he think he is?'
Vidya Balan's Bollywood journey began with 'Parineeta,' after a tough audition process, as shared by producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. She learned of her casting during a concert. Dia Mirza praised the film's impact, while Vidya revealed early career challenges, including pressure for cosmetic surgery. 'Parineeta' is a 1960s romantic drama. Vidya Balan 's Bollywood journey began with the film 'Parineeta,' a cinematic adaptation of a Bengali story by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. To mark the movie's 20th anniversary, the cast and crew gathered for a special screening. During the event, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed details about Vidya's tough audition process, sharing a story about her frustrating yet ultimately successful journey to land the lead role. Read on to learn more about Vidya Balan's journey on landing the lead in this cult classic film. Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls Vidya's fiery audition moment During the special screening, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed that many top actresses wanted the lead role in 'Parineeta,' but director Pradeep Sarkar insisted on an unknown actress from Chembur. After about 20 auditions, Chopra asked for one final test. He said that before the final screen test, he could see a frustrated Vidya silently "abusing" him and questioning his demands. However, her final performance was so brilliant that he immediately told Sarkar to cast her. Vidhu Vinod Chopra said, 'A lot of top heroines wanted to do Parineeta. But Pradeep Sarkar said there's a new girl from Chembur. So I said, 'Test this girl from Chembur.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I don't usually meet actors during screen tests. Vidya had gone through a lot of tests. Then I told Pradeep, 'Let's do one final test.' Before the test, she abused me, I could see her saying, 'Who does he think he is?' By then, she had done 20–25 tests. But then she gave such a brilliant final test, it was unbelievable. I told Pradeep, call her immediately.' Vidya Balan's emotional moment on learning about the role The actress shared a memorable moment from when she learned she had been cast in the film during an Enrique Iglesias concert. She was with Chopra's assistant when Pradeep Sarkar called, but she asked to call back since she was in the middle of the show. However, Chopra wanted to speak to her immediately. Vidya recalled, ''Teri zindagi badalne waali hai, bahar nikal (Your life is about to change, come outside).' I was like, 'What are you going to tell me, that I didn't get the part again?' I didn't think otherwise for a second, because I had gone through so many tests. But he said, 'Come out.' So I came out and he told me on the phone, 'You're my Parineeta.' And I started crying right there. It was a crazy moment.' Dia Mirza reflects on Parineeta's impact on her career Dia Mirza, who also played a key role in 'Parineeta', was present at the event and spoke about how the film was a significant milestone in her career. She said, 'Parineeta was a remarkable experience because up until then I never felt respected as an artist. And it was actually my first working experience where I felt respected. It's a very rich experience because I think what Dada did, of course, he was a meticulous planner and he had an extraordinary vision, and he would rehearse us to death, but his love for every character, his love for the story, his attention to detail made the experience so rich and so wonderful. And you know, Vidhu Vinod Chopra is the only producer I have worked with who has given me a bonus, not once, but twice. I always say that in an industry that really struggles to give women their place of respect, it is just so incredible to work with two men who gave us nothing but that, every step of the way. And I'm so grateful that 20 years later, I'm getting this opportunity to share this with all of you. And that bonus came to every crew member.' Vidya Balan opens up about early challenges Although Vidya Balan has always expressed her thanks to Vidhu Vinod Chopra for giving her a break, she recently opened up about some difficulties she faced early in her career, including being pressured to undergo cosmetic surgery. About 'Parineeta' 'Parineeta' is a musical romance drama film directed by Pradeep Sarkar, set in 1960s Calcutta and follows the complex relationship between Lalita, essayed by Vidya Balan and Shekhar, played by Saif Ali Khan , who are childhood friends. Their unspoken love is tested by societal expectations, class divides, and the arrival of a wealthy outsider, Girish, played by Sanjay Dutt. "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls Vidya Balan giving him gaalis during Parineeta auditions: ‘Who does he think he is?'
Vidya Balan made a remarkable debut in Hindi cinema with Parineeta, an adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1914 Bengali novella of the same name. Directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar and produced by veteran filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the movie marked the beginning of Vidya's Bollywood journey. As Parineeta completed two decades, the cast and crew came together for a special screening to commemorate the milestone. Speaking at the event, Vidhu opened up about how Vidya was cast in the film. He recalled the rigorous audition process she underwent, which left her visibly frustrated. Vidhu Vinod Chopra said, 'A lot of top heroines wanted to do Parineeta. But Pradeep Sarkar said there's a new girl from Chembur. So I said, 'Test this girl from Chembur.' I don't usually meet actors during screen tests. Vidya had gone through a lot of tests. Then I told Pradeep, 'Let's do one final test.' Before the test, she abused me, I could see her saying, 'Who does he think he is?' By then, she had done 20–25 tests. But then she gave such a brilliant final test, it was unbelievable. I told Pradeep, call her immediately.' Vidya Balan, who was also present at the event, recalled the exact moment she found out she had landed the role, in the middle of an Enrique Iglesias concert. 'I was at the Enrique concert and I was with Mr. Chopra's assistant. So Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) called him, and I told him, 'Dada, I'm in the middle of the concert, I'll call you back.' But he said, 'No, Mr. Chopra wants to speak to you.' So I said, 'Yeah, I'll call you after the concert.' So then Mr. Chopra said, 'Teri zindagi badalne waali hai, bahar nikal (Your life is about to change, come outside).' I was like, 'What are you going to tell me, that I didn't get the part again?' I didn't think otherwise for a second, because I had gone through so many tests. But he said, 'Come out.' So I came out and he told me on the phone, 'You're my Parineeta.' And I started crying right there. It was a crazy moment.' Also Read | Rekha says she 'found a daughter in Vidya Balan', Parineeta was the first film she ever auditioned for: 'Vidhu Vinod Chopra said you are out if you don't audition' Also in attendance at the event was Dia Mirza, who played an important role in Parineeta. She reflected on how Parineeta marked a turning point in her own career: 'Parineeta was a remarkable experience because up until then I never felt respected as an artiste. And it was actually my first working experience where I felt respected. It's a very rich experience because I think what Dada did, of course, he was a meticulous planner and he had an extraordinary vision, and he would rehearse us to death, but his love for every character, his love for the story, his attention to detail made the experience so rich and so wonderful. And you know, Vidhu Vinod Chopra is the only producer I have worked with who has given me a bonus, not once, but twice. I always say that in an industry that really struggles to give women their place of respect, it is just so incredible to work with two men who gave us nothing but that, every step of the way. And I'm so grateful that 20 years later, I'm getting this opportunity to share this with all of you. And that bonus came to every crew member.' While Vidya Balan has often expressed gratitude to Vidhu Vinod Chopra for launching her, she also recently spoke about the challenges she faced in the early days, including being asked to consider cosmetic surgery. In a past interview, she revealed that Vidhu had once suggested she undergo plastic surgery for her nose. She eventually turned to director Pradeep Sarkar for support during that time.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor reveals secret behind his fitness at 61: Know what he does after bingeing on chole bhature
When you think of Indian culinary skills, one name that instantly captures our mind is Chef Sanjeev Kapoor! From teaching us the art of cooking on Khana Khazana, one of the very first recipe shows to be aired on television to launching restaurants across the globe, he has been a household name for decades. From noting down his lip-smacking recipes in our diaries to try making them and messing up with our kitchens, we have grown up watching him grow. But here's a fun fact you may not know: Despite his global fame and access to every gourmet dish imaginable, Chef Sanjeev's all-time favourite food is Chole Bhature! Chef Sanjeev Kapoor on staying fit in sixties While most of us shy away from the deep-fried, carb-loaded dishes to stay healthy, Chef Sanjeev has a different mantra for fitness. So, what's his secret to staying fit in his 60s? In an interview to HT Lifestyle on the sidelines of a Wonderchef store launch event, Chef Sanjeev says, "My secret to staying fit and healthy in my 60s is not to restrict or give up on eating what I like. In fact, I believe in eating everything and anything my heart lures for.' Food is more than just calories: Sanjeev Kapoor For Chef Sanjeev, food holds a special place. "For me, food is about more than calories, it's about memories, emotions, and the joy of sharing.' He believes that no dish should ever be labelled as the 'villain.' Instead, it's the way you balance indulgence with discipline that matters. His fitness mantra at 61 At an age where many struggle with health issues, Chef Sanjeev continues to radiate energy. Here are some of his secrets to staying fit: Mindful eating, not restriction 'I don't believe in giving up on my favourite dishes. Instead, I practice portion control. I believe that instead of stuffing your stomach, you should eat in moderation. A small platter would suffice and satiate your taste buds without any guilt. The key is to savour, not stuff, " he adds Eating fresh, seasonal and local food He insists on eating fresh and seasonal food. 'Fresh and seasonal fruits are richer in nutrients, taste better, and are much easier to digest,' he says. Another aspect he feels should be taken care of is to try local food. 'In fact, while in New Delhi, I couldn't resist eating Chole Bhature, Gol Gappe, and Bengali sweets before coming to the event," he adds. Smart indulgence For Sanjeev Kapoor, fitness is not about saying no to foods, but about knowing when to eat and how much to eat. 'If I eat Chole Bhature for lunch, I'll balance it out with a light dinner, like soup or grilled vegetables," he shares. Staying active beyond gym Unlike fitness enthusiasts who spend hours in gyms, Chef Sanjeev believes in staying naturally active. 'I believe in long walks, kitchen movements, travelling, and engaging with people to keep my energy levels high, ' he says, while flaunting his phone's active health data. Good quality sleep Despite his hectic and busy schedule, Chef Sanjeev believes in good quality sleep. Chef Sanjeev says, 'A peaceful and comforting sleep is not only good for your mental health, but also keep you physically fit and active.' Meditation and yoga works: Meditation is great to calm the body and mind, which is why he advises people to meditate. 'A peaceful mind would help you stay active-both physically and mentally,' he concludes. In today's world, where fad diets and 30-day fitness challenges are everywhere, Sanjeev Kapoor's approach feels refreshing. Even at 61, Chef Sanjeev Kapoor is a living proof that age is just a number when you nurture your body with care, joy, and balance. So, the next time you're craving that plate of fried Momos or Chole bhature, don't guilt-trip yourself. Rather, take a limited portion, enjoy every bite, and stay active. Similar articles for you: How to find the perfect makeup base for your skin? Here is our guide for your help How to apply eyeliner like a pro: Master the art of perfect eyelining; Our tricks and tips Complete lip care guide: Tips for pigmentation, cracked lips, and healthy skin tone Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
