Latest news with #Delhi-style
Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Radhika Madan says she fought for her role in Angrezi Medium, shot with ‘nakli Irrfan Khan': ‘It was the year of star kids, Homi Adajania was irritated'
Angrezi Medium marked the final on-screen appearance of the legendary actor Irrfan Khan. For actress Radhika Madan, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share the screen with him—one she didn't stumble upon by chance, but rather, fought for it. In her latest vlog, filmmaker Farah Khan paid a visit to Radhika's home, where the two bonded over a Delhi-style breakfast of aloo puri and buttermilk. Between laughs and ladles, Farah asked Radhika how she landed a role in Angrezi Medium and the answer left her surprised. 'I had signed my first film and had three months before it began,' Radhika recalled. 'I didn't know how to kill time, so I started giving auditions just for fun, thinking, 'Who's going to cast me anyway?'' When it came to Angrezi Medium, she revealed, 'They had already locked someone else. But I went, fought, and irritated them, saying, 'Please take my audition!'' Initially hesitant, director Homi Adajania was told by his team that Radhika didn't fit the role. 'They told me, 'Ma'am, we're looking for a 17-year-old.' But I insisted. I was adamant. It irritated Homi and he finally said, 'Fine, take her audition.'' Radhika shared this was the year of star kids and she didn't think she will land the role. ALSO READ | Ronth: Bleak Malayalam gem burns Bollywood at the stake with its harrowing and haunting final 20 minutes At this, Farah jokingly asked, 'So was there a star kid cast before you?' To which Radhika replied with a shrug, 'I don't know.' Farah laughed and quipped, 'People keep saying star kids don't let outsiders work… but actually, Radhika is the real culprit. She stole a star kid's role.' Radhika burst into laughter and said, 'Honestly, I just wanted to show off to my friends that I auditioned for the film.' She went through six rounds of auditions, including one with a 'nakli' Irrfan Khan. Farah interrupted with a mischievous grin, 'Are you sure that wasn't Babil?', prompting even more laughter from Radhika. But getting the part wasn't the end of her efforts. 'They asked me to lose 12 kilos, and I did,' she said. 'Most people don't know that I had gained weight earlier for Pataakha and other roles. This is my real weight.' Radhika also opened up about how she accidentally entered the world of acting. 'I was approached through Facebook to audition in Delhi. It was at a shady location, and I thought it was a scam. I even took my friends along, ready to beat someone up. But it turned out to be legit. Three days later, I got a call. I did a look test, and on the fifth day, I was shooting my first TV show.'
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
How Chennai-based start-up Roll Baby Roll is catching on with the latest global food trends
The Roll Baby Roll story started on the streets of Chennai back in 2018 when the Hallyu wave was yet to submerge the country and gochujang still sounded like an onomatopoeic Tamil word akin to 'jinguchan'. Now, boxes of this savoury, sweet and spicy red chilli paste are stocked up in Roll Baby Roll's central kitchen as they are embracing new food trends that have taken over the world. With the opening of its 15th store in Perambur as of May, Gandharv Dhingra, co-founder and CEO of the enterprise, says that he has been consistently surprised by Chennai. The brand has been co-founded by Nikesh Lamba. While he initially thought that the brand would cater to crowds looking to have a snack or a late night bite, a pivot has been observed. More people in the 17-35 age group, who tend to order from the restaurant, prefer eating these rolls as meals as they tend to have an element of protein, some vegetables and a healthy wrap option. 'When I began my career at ITC in Chennai, I ended up managing several restaurants and a night club. A roll was my go-to. Now, others in the same category are doing the same. They do want a variety though,' he says. It is why we have launched two new flavours of kaati rolls, their mainstay, as well as a number of other options including gluten-free no-oil wraps, shawarmas and kebab rolls. Each roll takes about five months from conceptualisation to reach the menu board at their canary-yellow walled stores that are a maximum of 400 sq. ft. 'Recipes take a couple of months to draw up and many more months to test and taste. Only after extensive trials with comments from friends and family, do we bring out a new flavour. Currently, we have a menu with over 70 rolls,' he says. As part of their new launch, the Korean chicken roll offers bite-sized deep fried chicken pieces doused in a medley of yin and yang flavours that often define the gochujang experience. Their new Delhi-style kebab rolls wrapped in a roomali encasing, could do with softer fillings or more sauce to ensure a satisfying meal. The shawarma paneer roll with hummus, mayonnaise and the occasional pickled onion is a treat to eat, especially since the pita is soft. The kung pao paneer is heavy on the coriander and could do without the interruption of soggy peanuts. The Roll Baby Roll experience is designed for a quick bite on the go. The brand will hence only be remembered by the taste each element of the roll offers — the crunch of the onion, the texture of the meat or paneer, and the sauces on the kaati roll. Gandharv is keen on ensuring that each element shines. 'We hope to open 800 stores country-wide,' he says.
