Mumbai Diary: Wednesday Dossier

Like father, like son
IN the mid-1980s, Sandeep Patil surprised his friends when he told them he has acquired a plane. Knowing Patil's penchant for leg-pulling, they only believed him when they saw it on the terrace of Madhumilan building at Shivaji Park.

Sandeep Patil

The 30-feet wingspan ‘Quell Commander' had some gadgets that could make sounds of a plane. Regulars to the former Test player turned chief selector's dwelling were amused by the flying machine which of course did not fly. Later, Patil converted it into a bar which was probably more amusing to guests. One day, while Patil was coaching in Kenya, the plane had a fall which forced him to dispose it off.

Former cricketer Sandeep Patil's son Chirag with his ‘toy' at his farmhouse in Chowk

Former journalist Sanjay Karhade remembers sitting in the plane and participating in edit meetings with editor Patil in attendance for Ekach Shatkar magazine.

Patil's love for novelty has rubbed off on his actor-producer son Chirag, who fell in love with a make-believe plane lying at a film location and transported it to the family farmhouse in Chowk. So when Chirag is not playing around his five dogs, Lucky, Sasha, Boss, Zara and Bob in Chowk, he is in and around his yellow plane.

When Terence got them framed!

The top 20 contestants of a popular dance reality show were in for a pleasant surprise when ace choreographer Terence Lewis took them for a show of the musical, Beauty and the Beast this week.

Walk the East Indian way
While heritage walks and food trails are now common on city tour itinerary, here's some good news for culture enthusiasts.

The East Indian Museum at Manori. Pic/Sameer Markande

Mobai Gaothan Panchayat (MGP), the voice of the East Indian community has announced a first-of-its-kind East Indian Tours to the nearby Dharavi island. Covering Uttan, Gorai, Manori, Dongri and Culvem (the villages form part of the island in the western suburbs) the four-hour tour gives you a glimpse into the history, architecture, lifestyle and cuisine of the community, said to be the original inhabitants of Bombay.

Conducted by licensed tour guide, Mogan Rodrigues from Uttan, it also features a visit to the East Indian museum in Manori. A tour to Vasai fort, which provides valuable insights into the life here during the Portuguese rule, is also on the cards. We like.

Dhanak gets booked
Children's films in India are finally getting their due. And adding to this positive sign, Duckbill Books, one of India's rapidly growing publishing houses, announced yesterday that they will be publishing, what they claim is India's first children's movie novelisation.

Book cover of Dhanak

Nagesh Kukunoor's film has been making waves internationally, and now, Anushka Ravishankar, the award-winning children's author, is ready with a delightful novelisation.

Nagesh Kukunoor and Anushka Ravishankar

The book will hit stands on June 10 while the movie is set for an India release on June 17. Watch this space for more on the collaboration.

Fancy foam in your thali?
After their much-hyped opening, Chemistry 101 by Chef Stephen Gomes will launch India's first ever Molecular Thali today. The news also marks the opening of the restaurant's all-day dining service.

The Molecular Thali

About this lab inspired move, Gomes said, "Vapours, molecules, science, gastrophysics etc are food techniques that I want everyone to experience. Lunch time, especially in business districts, is for those on the move.

This doesn't mean that one can't have a yummy treat. By introducing India's first ever Molecular Thali, we are bringing molecular food science to the people. So, if 45 minutes is all you have, this is a great option for you at a beautifully fulfilling price!"

With Kung Fu Egg Parathas, Caviar Rice, Prawns Palak with Lemon Foam and Pista Rabri mousse among a host of heady options in the thali, we'd like to see how this gastronomic experiment tastes.

Shilpa's Dubai diet
Shilpa Shetty Kundra's title on eating the Indian way created ripples when it released.

She and Luke Coutinho (in blue) launched the book in Dubai under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan (centre), UAE's Cabinet Member & Minister of Culture & Knowledge Development.