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Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
EXCLUSIVE! Kal Penn Would 'Love to Do a Rocky Aur Rani'; Reveals How Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah Improved His Hindi
Kal Penn; Photos by Prathamesh Bandekar Kal Penn , known for his roles in House and the Harold & Kumar series, was recently in Mumbai in the first week of April. 'I was hosting a gala this time, but I stayed on for a few days for meetings, see some family, and because I love Mumbai so much. So as much as I can stay, I always like to,' he says. For an exclusive shoot with Bombay Times, Penn takes a stroll along the iconic Juhu beach, eats Pani Puri and even relishes a nariyal pani. "I will have to warn my mum that the pani puri was just for the pictures," he quips. During his stroll, he shares his ambitions to deepen his connection with the Indian entertainment industry - which comprises of securing local representation and pursuing OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) status. Read the excerpts as followed... ' I would love to do a Bollywood film' Mumbai isn't a new city for Penn; in fact, it's a place where he's spent his summer vacations as a kid, zipping between Dadar and Juhu. This familiarity might explain why he's particularly impressed by the city's latest infrastructure - the coastal road bridge, which has slashed travel time between the suburbs and South Bombay. "The coastal road is actually amazing. The fact that you can get to South Bombay that much quicker is amazing. I live in New York, so I'm no stranger to congestion, traffic, construction, et cetera. But every time I come here, I feel like there's more and more infrastructure that has been built,' he shares. He adds, "I just always love coming and working in Mumbai. With so many of the OTT shows and there's just so much diversity of content here and I'd love to come back to work. I would love to do a huge Bollywood film or an OTT show." Kal Penn; Photos by Prathamesh Bandekar ' I have not been offered a Hindi film yet' Penn doesn't mince his words stating that he wants to do a Hindi film. And his choices are as quintessential as it can be for an NRI. ' Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani ,' he states when asked what kind of Hindi film he would like to work in. 'I don't think I've been offered a Hindi film yet. So, I feel this is an amazing time to explore that,' he adds. ' TMKOC and Saath Nibhaana Saathiya helped me with my Hindi' 121245070 As Penn talks about Hindi cinema, it is important to mention, how during his last visit to India in November last year, the actor visited the sets of popular Hindi TV show, Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah . Penn is self admittedly a fan of the show. 'So, I'm fluent in Gujarati and English. But I had to learn Hindi because I didn't grow up speaking (Hindi). And one of the ways I think a lot of people learn a language is through movies and TV. So, the two shows that I watched a lot to better my Hindi were both very watchable, very meme heavy, you can't scroll insta without seeing memes from either their show. They are Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah and Saath Nibhaana Saathiya .' ' Back in the day, South Asian community wasn't huge in the West' The West has seen an influx of multiple South Asian actors including Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra Jonas entering the industry. Penn who could easily be one of the early ones to make a striking impact in the Hollywood entertainment industry feels great about. 'Back in the day when I was starting out my career, it wasn't a huge community, but there were talented, trained Indian American actors who had gone to theater school, film school. And when I would audition for projects in the late 90s, early 2000s – even if they were specifically Indian American or specifically Indian characters – there were still white actors who would audition for those roles, and they would just put makeup on them if they got the job. So, it just makes me happy, how far we have come,' he shares. Talking further, "Art is constantly in flux and updating. There are these super talented producers and content creators, whether it's Mindy (Kaling, creator) or Priyanka (Chopra Jonas, actor) and all the stuff that they're doing. You have people like me wanting to come and sell shows here and work here (in India). Lines and categories are blurred, both from the sake of content creators and also for audiences because I think they're able to enjoy projects that weren't offered to us 10 or 15 years ago.' Kal Penn; Photos by Prathamesh Bandekar ' If an audience sensibility has changed, I would want to update that to make sure an audience laughs' Penn, who also does stand-up comedy wishes to explore that in India. However, with the ongoing censorship over standup comedy in the country, Penn isn't dithered. 'As an American actor and a comic, I just need to be mindful of my views. Somethings might be different back at home or last year, but it may be different now because laws and the sensibilities are different. Back at home, I always get this question, 'Are you upset that you could never make a movie like Harold and Kumar today? You could never make the jokes you made 20 years ago?' I always found them strange because why would I want to make the jokes I made 20 years ago? I've made those jokes. That's a barometer of comedy that's changed. If an audience sensibility has changed, I would want to update that to make sure an audience laughs. It is different there. As an American, my view is if I don't like something that someone's saying, and that happens often because comedy and art are always subjective, I personally, don't get worked up over it. I would just change the channel because I'm confident in my viewing habits. I would defend somebody's right to say whatever they want to say, whether I agree with it or not. That's the vibrancy of what we offer as artists. Comedy is subjective," he explains, and adds, "I'm mindful of wanting to learn the lay of the land and learn what are the benchmarks? What are the parameters? What's allowed, what's not allowed? I had a couple standup comedy friends here, who explained to me that technically, I cannot use cuss words on stage. That's not something that I would have known, as an American ' If my presence makes somebody feel less invisible, more empowered, that is wonderful' Penn's partner Josh (his last name is not in the public domain yet) didn't accompany the actor on his trip to the country. 'He wanted to come. He's part of a friend's wedding. So couldn't make it.' Penn came out earlier in 2021 and admits 'people have been very kind' to his coming out. 'Everybody figures themselves out at different times. There's no timeline for it. There are some people who figure themselves out at seven, and for other people, I have heard stories and interacted with people who in their 70s have figured themselves out. I don't live in a vacuum. I am very well aware of how and why representation matters. If my presence makes somebody feel less invisible, more empowered, that is wonderful. I didn't necessarily have that.' Ask him if there is going to be a wedding, and Penn quickly quips, 'Did my mom tell you to ask that? We've been engaged for seven years. So, we need to get it together.' Ask Kal if there is going to be a fourth part of Harold and Kumar : 'I would love to make a fourth movie. We had three movies. Thanks to all the fans. We would all love to make a fourth one. There's nothing on the books right now. We are trying to figure. I love that character so much. He's cooler than I will ever be in real life. I'd love to do it."
NDTV
25-04-2025
- Health
- NDTV
This Summer, Watermelon Pani Puri Should Be Your Favourite Desi Indulgence
Pani puri is one of those snacks that instantly makes us drool, doesn't it? Also known as golgappa and puchka, this street food is loved for its blend of tangy and spicy flavours. Just one bite of it is enough to make our taste buds dance with joy. While regular pani puri is timeless, have you ever thought of adding watermelon to it? Yes, you read that right. Now we know this may sound quite odd at first, but trust us, it's a version that you've truly been missing out on. It's sweet, refreshing, and will surely have you gulping down more pani puris than you intended to. The recipe for this delicious pani puri was shared by MasterChef Gurkirat Singh on his Instagram page. Also Read: Pani Puri Fans, Explore 5 Different Pani Flavours For A Refreshing Twist Why You Should Try Watermelon Pani Puri Pani puri is typically served with tamarind (imli) or mint (pudina) water, lending it a tangy and spicy flavour. This watermelon pani puri gives the classic snack an interesting makeover, as it's on the sweeter side. While watermelon remains the star ingredient, the water also includes chaat masala, lemon juice, and mint, giving it a hint of tanginess. This pani puri won't just be a treat to your eyes but also to your taste buds - you surely won't regret trying it! Is Watermelon Pani Puri A Healthy Option? Watermelon pani puri is not just tasty, but also quite healthy. Watermelon is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, giving the snack a nutritious upgrade. Moreover, watermelon also supports hydration, making it a perfect summer treat. However, make sure to practice exercise control or there's always a chance of consuming extra calories. How To Make Watermelon Pani Puri | Pani Puri Recipe The process of making watermelon pani puri at home is pretty simple. Start by adding freshly cut watermelon to a blender to form a smooth paste. Once done, strain the mixture into a large bowl. To this, add a squeeze of lemon juice, fresh mint leaves, black salt and chaat masala. Now, air fry the golgappas at 180 degrees for about 5-6 minutes. Meanwhile, add ice cubes and Sprite to the watermelon water. Mix well. Poke a hole in the centre of the golgappa, fill it with boiled aloo and the prepared watermelon water. Your watermelon pani puri is now ready to be savoured - enjoy! Watch the complete recipe video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by MasterChef Gurkirat Singh (@masterchef_gurkirat) What Are Some Other Pani Puri Flavours To Try? Apart from watermelon pani puri, there are several other exciting pani puri flavours you can try. Some options to consider include garlic pani puri, mango pani puri, khatta meetha pani puri, and jamun pani puri. Not just the water, you can also experiment with other ingredients and add-ins of your choice, including boiled potato, chana or sprouts. Also Read: Are you craving watermelon pani puri too now? We bet you are! Don't delay - try making this delicious recipe at home today and enjoy summer the right way.
Listly
27-02-2025
- Listly
The Taste of India - The Best Dishes to Try Out in Singapore
Pani Puri, the delectable bite-sized crispy puris, offers a perfect fusion of sweet, sour, and spicy flavours. Each delicate, crunchy shell is filled with a savoury mix of boiled potatoes and chickpeas, topped with tangy tamarind and refreshing mint water. Traditionally, Pani Puri is enjoyed by popping the entire puri in your mouth at once, creating a flavorful explosion that's a true culinary carnival. Luckily, most of these dishes can be found in Little India, which is quite near most places to stay in Singapore, such as the Value Hotel Nice.
