DINING with the Stars.......SUMEET RAGHAVAN....
I have always admired Sumeet Raghavan for his serious sense of humour on television – remember the dead pan kind of humour in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. For hours on end I can watch him get pissed over the viewers’ demand for Savita Bhabhi in Jay Hind, the entertaining Late Night Show on Colors channel or sing along with him in Star Ya Rockstar. I called him up and fixed our lunch date at Peninsula Restaurant of Hotel Peninsula The Grand at Saki Naka.
After arriving early, downing an Igano and interacting with affable Prashant Joshi, the GM of the hotel, it suddenly struck me to check my mobile and lo! There was this message from Sumeet which said ‘I have reached’. After looking out for him from one entrance to another, I found him seated quietly in the lounge. We welcomde him and took him up to the restaurant. He has become visibly thin from the last time I met him. And he agreed, “I hit the gym regularly and have a trainer jo mujhe kutte ki tarah daudata hai.” But the hotel staff in connivance with me is determined to deflate his slimming efforts.
One after another the appetizers began to appear and the fun began. We were impressed with the delectable Chinese Bhel in Noodle basket; Sumeet made light of Naram Dil Kebab and when he saw Masala Roomali Pappad – a big crisp roomali roti topped with onion, chillies and chopped coriander, the funnyman held it aloft saying he has won the Wimbledon trophy. We were served signature drink Peninsula Colada in whole pineapple. When Sumeet was amidst mouthfuls of Murgh Reshmi Kebab, Nizami Kebab and Tandoori Fish, I made a strange request asking the Rockstar to sing for us.
After sweetly obliging us with his guru Suresh Wadkar’s song Tumse milke aisa laga tumse milke… Sumeet recounted, “I am reminded of my days as a small boy when my mother used to make me sing in front of guests to our house. Today when I think of it, I feel so stupid.” Now was it my turn to feel rather stupid for asking this gifted actor and fine singer to exhibit his talent. I wished to converse with him in Tamil (my mother tongue and his father tongue – dad is Tamilian and mom is Kannadiga) but sadly he could only understand and spoke ‘konjum konjum’ (little, little). But he pulled my leg for my road sense or rather lack of it and had me in splits.
Busy with Marathi theatre, Sumeet has taken a break from the small screen dedicating time with his children, especially his son who is gearing up to appear for the Board exams. Although we were almost full with the scrumptious starters we embarked on the main course sojourn. Cheese Naan and Reshmi Paratha were appreciated by the actor and along with Murgh Rara Masala, Subzi Dobara and Kadai Jhinga it made for a sumptuous lunch. Then came Jeera Rice and Dal Makhani, and we were bursting at our seams. Prashant Joshi insisted that we indulge our sweet tooth with Madhur Milan, a baked Peninsula specialty with layers of different mithais – rabri, boondi, gulab jamun and it was heavenly!
After these sinful indulgences, we took a tour of the property – Caressa Spa and Presidential Suite. Then it was time to bid adieu to a hilarious afternoon spent in the company of Sumeet who drove away in his Merc for another meeting where he said, “I am going to doze off after this heavy meal.” I said I had a lovely time filled with excellent food, laughter and brilliant company!
SOME WONDERFUL PICS
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