Mumbai Diary: Tuesday Tales

Chalo Chandigarh
Now there is a rainbow over Chandigarh. In a first ever, Kashish Forward, an arm of the Mumbai Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) film festival, Kashish, is taking its films to the Panjab (Panjab with the "a") University.

A scene from the movie I'dentity

Today, the Panjab University will host a film festival on gender and sexuality along with a discussion organised by the Center for Human Rights & Duties, Panjab University in collaboration with Kashish Mumbai International Queer Film Festival (MIQFF).

It is supported by Chandigarh based NGO Saksham Trust. The festival will screen award-winning Indian and international short films and documentaries related to youth and LGBT. This Chandigarh screening is part of the 12 screenings across India held by Kashish Forward, a travelling campus LGBT film festival in India.

Some of the Indian films to be screened are ‘Tell Me A Story', ‘A Love Such As This' about acceptance by a mother of her gay son, ‘Because…' about pride march, and ‘I'dentity' about transgender issues.

‘I'dentity' stars Gazal Dhaliwal from Patiala, an out transgender writer and activist. As the Kashish caravan trundles to second tier cities, it is touching hearts and changing minds.

More of Dishoom in London
While Mumbai loves its Irani cafes, it seems London too has fallen head over heels for these iconic retro-style eating joints. We hear that the popular UK-based eatery, Dishoom - that won the top spot in a survey of 100 best eating out places in United Kingdom early this year - is set for an October launch on Kingly Street.

The interiors of Dishoom at one of their branches in the UK

Dishoom Carnaby will be the chain's fourth outlet after Shoreditch (founded in 2010), Covent Garden and King's Cross. Paying homage to the 1960s Bombay and its Irani café culture, the 7,000 square feet space (it has a permit room too) will serve grills, biryanis, salad plates, rolls and curries. Not to forget their signature dish, Dishoom Daru-walla Carl Brown (winner of the Young British Foodies' drinks category in 2014).

What's more, the co-founders, Kavi and Shamil Thakrar (they call themselves Dishoom Babus), along with designer Macaulay Sinclair have explored landmark 1960s buildings in the city to recreate the tone of mid-century Bombay. Watch this space for more on this cafe.

Chill, Sania
Attitude comes naturally if you are an achiever. And if you happen to be the World No 1 women's doubles tennis player, it is obvious.

On Sunday, Sania Mirza, who was conferred with an honorary life membership of the 82-year-old Cricket Club of India, appeared to show her attitude at the wrong place.

During the conference, she was asked a few questions by the media. As per the norm, the electronic media first went to take her bytes after the conference, which she welcomed albeit unwillingly.

Later, when print media persons approached her for a routine Q & A, she surprised all by saying, "Why did you not ask questions during the press conference? Were you chilling then? Now I am answering questions so ask what you want to," said the 28-year-old Hyderabadi. Pic/AFP-PTI

Aerial goodbyes
When marketing ideas run dry, festivals are one's best bet. Buy gold this Akshaya Tritiya, buy a car this Diwali, win diamonds this Raksha Bandhan, and in this case, get a helicopter ride starting at Juhu Chowpatty this Ganesh visarjan day.

A file photograph of Ganpati immersion at Girgaum Chowpatty. Pic/Shadab Khan

Among the many promotional mails for the festival, we received one a kitchen appliance brand that offers customers a chance to win a helicopter ride for your family, by just giving a missed call on a number. Interested women (the mail specifies ‘women only') can call on 9595614614.