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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Rude Food by Vir Sanghvi: No bitter memories
Chocolate is the smell of my childhood. I would wake up every morning to chocolate aromas wafting up to the top of Mumbai's Cumballa Hill where I lived. On Peddar Road, at the bottom of the hill, in a not-very-large white building, was the Cadbury factory, and the aromas it exuded defined much of my growing up. (It cannot be a coincidence that vanilla is still one of my favourite smells.) Indian chocolate brands such as Manam use beans grown on Indian soil. As I grew older, the factory moved to the suburbs and the white building became the office. But they kept the bungalow next to it, where the managing director lived. In my early years as a journalist, I was once sent to interview the British MD of Cadbury in that bungalow. He was kind enough to take an inexperienced journalist seriously and explained that one of the biggest challenges in his job was keeping the prices of such popular Cadbury brands as Fruit & Nut low because Cadbury imported chocolate, and global prices were volatile. But because he did not want to disappoint the many children who loved 'Cads', as the chocolate bar was nicknamed, the company had evolved two strategies. The first was to create bars that used less of the expensive chocolate: The 5 Star was one example. This was a familiar strategy already employed in many foreign countries: 5 Star was probably inspired by the Mars Bar. Forty years ago, Cadbury was trying to persuade Indian farmers to grow the cocoa bean. (ADOBE STOCK) The second strategy involved a higher degree of difficulty. Cadbury was trying to persuade Indian farmers to grow the cocoa bean so it was less dependent on imported chocolate. The problem, he said, was that the Indian bean just didn't taste right when you turned it into chocolate. Experts from Cadbury UK had worked with local farmers, he said, and had managed to get around that problem. He thought that Cadbury would eventually be able to depend on Indian farmers for a substantial proportion of its chocolate needs. This was forty or so years ago, so there was nothing unusual about chatting to a Brit who lived in a lovely bungalow in the shadow of Cumballa Hill, about Indian farmers. And because the gobbledygook had yet to be invented, he did not use such expressions as farm-to-table or bean-to-bar or talk about Cadbury's commitment to Indian farmers or about localisation and carbon miles. He was a practical man, and his focus was on keeping the prices of his chocolates low enough for children to be able to enjoy them. I did not know enough then to discuss the decision to grow the cocoa bean in India from a historical perspective. Most food historians regard the story of chocolate as a prime example of imperialism in action. The cocoa bean was brought to Europe by Spanish invaders, who found it in South America. And the chocolate we buy today is a European/American creation. In 1847, JS Fry, an English company, invented the chocolate bar. In 1868, Cadbury invented the chocolate box. In 1879, Nestlé invented milk chocolate. In 1900, America saw the first Hershey bar, with its distinctive spoilt-milk taste. The Mars bar appeared in England in 1932. In African countries, governments force farmers to sell cocoa beans at half the global price. (ADOBE STOCK) All of these advances were based on a South American cocoa bean. Europe did not grow chocolate. So the big Western companies got the profits, while the poor South American farmers were paid a pittance. As the demand for chocolate went up, cocoa plantations were developed in Africa and in other colonies by European powers. All of the cocoa was exported to the factories of the West. That trend has continued. When you hear of the great chocolatiers of Belgium, rarely is the source of the bean mentioned. Switzerland, a country that grows no cocoa, has a global reputation for chocolate. Valrhona, a name that chefs revere, is a French company that buys its chocolate from the Third World. Nutella comes from Italy, where no cocoa grows. So, the Cadbury initiative to help farmers cultivate the cocoa bean in India was intriguing. They were not growing it for export. They were cultivating it for Indians. I thought back to my conversation with the MD of Cadbury because of two recent developments. When Manam opened a store-restaurant in Delhi, people queued up on weekends. The first is the rise in global prices of the cocoa bean. It has tripled over the last two years and hovers at around $10,000 a tonne. In many African countries, the governments compulsorily purchase beans from farmers at half the global price. This has led to a boom in cocoa smuggling, the creation of chocolate mafias and a rise in crime. It is another of colonialism's unhappy legacies. The second development that struck me was the frenzy that accompanied the opening of the large Manam Chocolate store-restaurant in Delhi. On any weekend, there are queues of people trying to get in. This is unusual because Manam, launched only in 2021, was not a brand that anyone in Delhi knew well. Nor is there any precedent for a chocolate place becoming such a rage. The connection between Manam and my chat with the Cadbury MD decades ago is the bean. While Manam does import some beans, its real claim to fame is that it mostly uses Indian cocoa beans. As Chaitanya Muppala, the 34-year-old founder of the brand, told me, they work with 150 farmers, who cultivate the bean across 3,000 acres. Chaitanya's father ran a medium-sized mithai business in Hyderabad; when he took it over, he embarked on a massively successful expansion, opening many new outlets and branches. He was not a chocolate nerd to begin with, but saw that the chocolate market was growing at 12 to 13 per cent in India and got into it. Ruby Islam is head chef at Manam Chocolate. They have 350 products across 50 categories. His big insight was that the Indian cocoa bean, introduced originally by Cadbury, could yield world-class chocolate. He worked closely with farmers on the soil, seed genetics and cultivation. He helped introduce better drying techniques (the laborious business of turning the raw bean into chocolate is often the key to flavour) and was involved with the process long before the raw material reached the Manam 'karkhanas', as he calls them. He was also willing to take big bets. Manam has over 350 products across 50 categories, and the size of its range sometimes seems overwhelming. Its large Delhi restaurant-shop resembles something Willy Wonka would dream up, and many of the hundreds of people who throng there each day come out of sheer wonder not just out of love of chocolate. Chaitanya now has successful restaurant-shops in Hyderabad and Delhi. I imagine Mumbai and Bangalore will be next. Everyone who has tried his chocolate only has good things to say, and his PR operation is superb and formidable. While he obviously does not see Manam as an industrial operation, most of which are based on poor-quality raw material, he doesn't see it as an artisanal operation either. He makes craft chocolate, he says. And what is craft chocolate? It's chocolate that is all about the bean and its flavours. A hugely successful chocolate company based on the Indian bean? Who would have thought we would get to this stage when Cadbury first planted beans in India? It's an amazing achievement, not just because the chocolate is so good, but because it reverses colonial history. This is Indian chocolate, Chaitanya says, made for Indians, by Indians from Indian beans. From HT Brunch, August 09, 2025 Follow us on
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Nithiin and director Vikram Kumar reunite after a decade; duo to team up for high-stakes sports drama– Read more
Actor and director are coming together after more than a decade, this time, for a new sports drama. The Telugu actor is all set to play the lead role in director 's big-budget sports film. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The two, who had last worked together in the 2012 hit film 'Ishq', are now, coming back with a fresh and challenging story that's already creating buzz in the film industry. About the upcoming film According to the reports of India Today, the upcoming film will be filled with emotions and intense performances. The movie will feature Nithiin in a never-seen-before role, something physically demanding and emotionally deep. Though the makers haven't revealed which sport the movie is based on, it is expected to involve a lot of physical training and advanced technology. Nithiin has been in talks with Vikram for a while and is reportedly excited about taking on this unique role in this gritty drama that will see him in a new light after his work on romantic, fantasy and sci-fi films. However, according to reports, unlike his other films, this one will not be a quick 60-day schedule. For Vikram Kumar, who is known for his unique storytelling in films like '24', 'Manam', and 'Hello', this will be his first film in the sports genre. He is reportedly treating this project more like a powerful emotional journey where the sport is just one part of a bigger story about struggle, identity, and redemption. The script of the film has gone through several changes to strike the right balance between the sports angle and the emotional depth that Vikram is known for. If things go as planned, the film will begin shooting in late 2025, after Nithiin finishes his current projects. The makers are planning a pan-India release by mid-2026. An official announcement is expected soon.
India Today
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Nithiin-Vikram Kumar's sports drama to begin in late 2025? Here's what we know
Telugu star Nithiin is all set to reunite with filmmaker Vikram K Kumar after more than a decade, this time for a high-stakes sports drama that's already sparking industry chatter, both for its scale and the genre shift it marks for the pair last collaborated on the 2012 hit 'Ishq', a film often credited with reviving Nithiin's career after a string of box office setbacks. Over a decade later, they're aiming to recreate that magic - but with a completely new insiders familiar with the development describe the film as a big-ticket sports drama with a strong emotional undercurrent. 'The idea is to put Nithiin in a space that audiences haven't seen him in before. It's physically demanding, but also deeply character-driven,' a source close to the production told India Today. Nithiin, who has reportedly been in discussions with Vikram for months, is said to be enthusiastic about the role. While not much is known about the plot or the sport in focus, the source added, "The prep is long. There's physical training involved, some tech-heavy elements, and a lot of groundwork. This isn't a quick 60-day schedule. He's done love, he's done fantasy, even sci-fi. This time, he wanted to ground his film. It's gritty. It's messy. And it's something he's never done before.'For Vikram Kumar, best known for genre-defying films like '24', 'Manam', and 'Hello', the sports genre is uncharted territory. 'He's approaching this like a full-blown drama where sport becomes the backdrop for a larger story about grit, redemption, and identity,' said the pre-production is underway, insiders reveal that the script has undergone several changes to balance the physicality of sport with the emotional texture that audiences expect from a Vikram Kumar all goes according to plan, the film is likely to go on floors in late 2025, after Nithiin wraps up his ongoing commitments. The team is tight-lipped about details, but the makers are eyeing a pan-India release, reflecting growing confidence in the project's scale. "The aim is to release by mid 2026," said the source. An official announcement is expected.- Ends
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bigg Boss Telugu 9: When and where to watch the Nagarjuna-hosted reality show online
Bigg Boss Telugu 9 is one of the most eagerly awaited reality shows of the year. It has created a buzz as, going by the earlier installments, it will be synonymous with wild twists and heated showdowns between the contestants. According to OTTplay, a website, Bigg Boss Telugu 9 will premiere on JioHotstar on September 7. Bigg Boss Telugu 9 host: Nagarjuna set to return Bigg Boss Telugu 9 will be hosted by Nagarjuna. The Manam star has been the face of the show since the third season. Jr NTR hosted the first season, which premiered in 2017, and received rave reviews for his work. He, however, did not return for the second season because of his packed schedule and was replaced by Nani. Nagarjuna took over from the third season and has been synonymous with the brand since. He is known for his charming one-liners and his chemistry with the participants. Bigg Boss Telugu Season 9: Show to feature commoners a celebrities Bigg Boss Telugu 9, unlike the previous ones, will feature commoners in the house. This is set to add a new dimension to the drama associated with the Telugu adaptation of Big Brother. The commoners will be joined by celebrities. According to reports, Raj Tharun and Sumanth Ashwin. Will be participating in the show this time. They are likely to be joined by Rohit. The yesteryear star is best known for his work in Sixteen. The grapevine also suggests that Anil, Harika Eknath, Sai Kiran and Deb Johnny too have have approached.
Khaleej Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Omani developer launches Dh175 million Manam Pearl in Dubai's Al Furjan
Manam, a trusted name in Oman's real estate sector with over 50 successful residential and commercial projects delivered, has officially launched 'Manam Pearl', a new Dh175 million residential development in Al Furjan, one of Dubai's most rapidly growing and well-connected neighborhoods. Manam Pearl marks the developers second major venture in Dubai after the successful completion of the Dh40 million Manam Prime project in Dubai South. The project received widespread appreciation for its on-time delivery, practical layouts, and attention to quality. With a further Dh225 million project planned in Al Jaddaf, Manam is building a strong and steady footprint in the UAE, backed by its longstanding legacy in the GCC. 'We've always believed that a home is not just a product, it's a promise,' said Shabbir Boriyawala, founder of Manam. 'In Oman, we built that promise through integrity and quality. In Dubai, we bring the same mindset backed by experience, shaped by family, and committed to excellence.' The configuration overview Manam Pearl is a striking 17-storey residential tower in Al Furjan, developed with a total project value of Dh175 million. The development comprises 77 thoughtfully designed apartments, offering a balanced mix of unit types to suit diverse lifestyle needs including 22 one-bedroom units, 44 two-bedroom units, and 11 spacious three-bedroom units. Each apartment reflects the brand's signature focus on smart layouts, livable design, and long-term value for both residents and investors. Located in Al Furjan, a district celebrated for its strategic metro connectivity, community vibe, and proximity to Expo City and DWC Airport, Manam Pearl is poised to meet the demands of both homebuyers and investors. Amenities include a rooftop terrace, open-air cinema, BBQ stations, gym, sauna, lounge areas, and a jacuzzi among others, all designed to offer not just living spaces, but lifestyle experiences. In recent years, Al Furjan has shown impressive real estate appreciation with capital growth of 30% - 35%and rental yields ranging between 6% to 8%. The project's location next to the metro line and strong infrastructure make it highly attractive to working professionals, especially from the aviation and logistics sectors. Investors will also benefit from Manam's strong partnership ecosystem and Nakheel's overarching infrastructure support in the community. What sets Manam apart in Dubai's competitive real estate landscape is its foundational leadership - a family-led team deeply involved in every stage of development. At the helm is Shabbir Boriyawala, the founder and a seasoned civil engineer with over 30 years of experience, who brings a steadfast commitment to structural integrity and timely project delivery. His son, Murtaza Boriyawala, serves as the Managing Director, infusing each project with future-forward strategy and a keen understanding of the evolving UAE market. Completing the trio is Khadeeja Bhanpurawala, the lead architect and creative force behind Manam's distinctive design language, who thoughtfully blends functionality with elegance and emotional resonance in every blueprint. Together, the Boriyawala family ensures that every Manam project reflects not just professional expertise, but personal pride and accountability. This hands-on approach reflects the family's commitment to quality and community.
