Exclusive: ‘My office was opposite Gaiety Galaxy, every Thursday I'd buy tickets for the family,' Karan Tacker

Karan Tacker/PR image

Special Ops star Karan Tacker recalls memories of growing up in Mumbai, from working opposite Gaiety Galaxy and booking film tickets every Thursday, to picnics at Juhu beach. Read on to find out more.

Vada Pav or Pav Bhaji?

Tough pick, but Pav Bhaji! Just the experience of parking your car and eating fresh garma garam Pav Bhaji on the dicky, with butter fried pavs and kata hua kande aur nimbu is an unmatchable flavour!

Rickshaw or Kaali Peeli?

Rickshaw. It's just too convenient to hop in hop out , it goes into tighter lanes, of which Mumbai has plenty!

Juhu beach or Bandra Bandstand?

Juhu beach! I have too many memories from my childhood. When we didn't have much as a family, my parents used to prepare a picnic for me and my sister. My mom used to make rajma chawal and we took a few bedsheets from home. On Sundays, we used to go lay it out and just chill and eat that on the beach while watching sunsets.

Gateway of India or Marine Drive?

Marine Drive! The Queen's necklace is just gorgeous at nights. Something about that road late at night has a sense of expanse but mystery, and too many memories of going to Regal cinema at night to watch English films.

Local train or BEST bus?

I've travelled by both, my college was in town. I used to take a bus to Andheri station, take a train to Mahalaxmi, and then take another bus to college.

Tapri ki chai or Sol Kadhi?

Mumbai ki baarish aur tapri ki chai is an experience!

Favourite place in Mumbai?

Of late, Worli sea link, the skyline is just gorgeous from there!

Favourite restaurant in the city?

Tough one! Mumbai has too many great eateries. I love Rue de Leban for Lebanese. Americans for the cocktails, Bastian for the food and the interiors, Soho House for the tropical vibe, Copper Chimney in Worli for old school Mughlai and Yauachta for Chinese.

The Mumbai lingo you use the most?

Chala gheun taka! But I have a great switch the minute I speak to someone who is Mumbaiya and instantly blend in!

What do you love most about the city?

Mumbai is home! It gave me my footing in every way. It's not my janam bhoomi, but is my karam bhoomi. The energy, the chaos, the spirit and drive, Mumbai just has it all!

Watching a play at Prithvi theatre or watching a movie at Gaiety Galaxy?

I am a film buff and single screens se mera purana naata hai! My office was right opposite Gaiety Galaxy, so every Thursday my father sent me to buy tickets for the family. Just the communal experience of watching a film is unmatchable.

Mumbai during rains or Mumbai during winter?

I love the rains but not getting wet. I also love winters, and Mumbai gets a very short spell, so all my jackets are out! Just dressing up and going to rooftop places is too much fun.

The school and college you attended in Mumbai?

I studied in an all-boys school called Arya Vidya mandir, those were the fondest most innocent days of my life. I graduated In BMS from UPG in Juhu.

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