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When Maggi meets Italian taste buds: Wife's comfort food gets SHOCKING review from husband. Watch viral video

When Maggi meets Italian taste buds: Wife's comfort food gets SHOCKING review from husband. Watch viral video

Time of Indiaa day ago

A viral Instagram video shared by UK-based couple Surbhi and Dario shows an Italian man's first reaction to tasting India's beloved instant noodles, Maggi. In the clip, Dario is visibly confused after taking a bite, describing the texture as 'smashable' and lacking flavor, and stating, 'Pasta doesn't melt… here you don't taste.' The humorous moment sparked a wave of reactions online, with many defending Maggi as an emotional staple in Indian households while others laughed at the cultural clash.
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A video featuring a cultural food experiment has gone viral on Instagram, drawing millions of views and a wave of commentary from around the world. The clip, shared by UK-based couple Surbhi and Dario on their Instagram page 'Paneer and Parmigiano,' documents the moment Dario, who is Italian, tastes Maggi noodles for the first time. Known as a beloved instant snack across India, Maggi is often viewed as a nostalgic comfort food . However, Dario's reaction to the dish has triggered widespread amusement and debate on social media.The video begins with Surbhi serving Dario a plate of homemade Maggi. The overlay reads, 'POV – You served Maggi to an Italian man.' Dario takes a cautious bite and pauses, visibly puzzled. His confusion quickly becomes the central highlight of the video.After his first taste, Dario looks up and asks, 'What is this?' Surbhi replies, 'It's like spaghetti,' trying to draw a cultural comparison. However, Dario appears unconvinced. He remarks, 'I don't know how to describe what I have in my mouth. It's like something smashable and without consistency. Some spicy flavour. It's not textured, it's just melting in my mouth. Pasta doesn't melt. Pasta, you bite, you chew, you feel it, you taste. Here you don't taste.' The video closes with the humorous text overlay: 'Rated: -1/10 for emotional damage.'In the caption, Surbhi candidly admits, 'Not every cultural exchange is a success story, I guess. I made Mr. P try Maggi for the first time, fully expecting him to fall in love with it (because hello, childhood comfort food!!). But nope… it did not pass the Italian taste control check.'The video quickly gained momentum, crossing over six million views. Social media users poured into the comments, offering reactions that ranged from laughter to defensiveness. One user remarked, 'Ha ha ha. No one outside India can understand this emotion called Maggi,' while another said, 'He just offended every single Indian.' A different viewer noted, 'Maggi is an emotion.'Some defended Dario's reaction, attributing it to cultural differences. 'Don't try this in India publicly,' joked one commenter. Another said, 'You're not supposed to offer Maggi to an Italian. They are very specific about cooking, especially Italian foods.' Others questioned the comparison itself, asking, 'Why on earth is he comparing instant noodles with pasta or spaghetti???'While many viewers found the moment hilarious, others used it to reflect on broader cultural differences in food preferences. The contrast between India's instant noodle staple and Italy's deeply-rooted pasta traditions sparked a lively discussion. Some pointed out that comparing the two was unfair given their completely different textures, ingredients, and culinary contexts.

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Ageing is beautiful; it means you are living. ' Time to grow up: Sandiip Sikcand 's blunt take Actor and creative director Sandiip Sikcand doesn't mince words. 'It's ridiculous to see men in their 60s dancing with heroines old enough to be their daughters. Even audiences recognize the disconnect — that's why these films live on hype and Instagram reels but flop at the box office.' He urges Bollywood to mature. 'The same old stories, senior actors refusing to age, and talented women not getting the right roles — this all needs to change fast. More than stars or projects, Bollywood now needs stories and actors.' Sikcand points to global examples of progress. 'In the West, women do their best work after 30. Even the South gives actors fabulous platforms — their finest work often comes when they act their age.' Power imbalances in casting: Rajesh Tailang weighs in Actor Rajesh Tailang highlights the deeper problem. 'Bollywood's romantic pairings aren't just about chemistry — they mirror the industry's power imbalance. The more powerful the male star, the less expectation there is for him to play age-appropriate roles.' He shares a personal example: 'Meanwhile, I'm cast as the father of actresses who are paired opposite heroes 3–4 years older than me.' Ego and culture: Karan Razdan's perspective Writer and actor Karan Razdan traces the issue to deep-seated beliefs. 'There's an old Indian saying — a man never gets old. And I think the industry takes that literally. Whether it's Mumbai, Chennai, or elsewhere, the hero's ego still needs validation through a younger heroine.' Signs of progress: Karan Singh Chhabra on shifting dynamics Actor Karan Singh Chhabra notes that change is visible, especially on streaming platforms. 'If you look at recent web series, Bhumi Pednekar — who is older than Ishaan Khatter — is romantically involved with him, and the story requires that.' He's hopeful about the direction things are heading. 'Young actress, older actor, older actress, younger actor, same-age pairings — everything's being explored now. Times are changing, and the audience is evolving.' Beyond Bollywood: Mozez Singh on societal bias Director Mozez Singh expands the lens. 'This entire concept is ageist and misogynistic — and it must change. Unfortunately, it's not just films. In real life too, an older woman with a younger man is still seen as odd. But the reverse is normal.' He reminds us that cinema is a mirror. 'The problem is bigger than Bollywood. Films reflect society — and that's where the real work must begin.' Conclusion: Time for a new love story The age-gap romance trope in Indian cinema isn't just a casting quirk. It's a reflection of deeper societal norms that favour male stardom and female youth. But voices across the industry — from actors to directors and writers — are now challenging the status quo. The appetite for real, nuanced, and inclusive love stories is growing. And slowly, but surely, the script is beginning to flip. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .

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