Tawalicious with Leena Jumani

Click on the pic to view slideshow Call her Khemi of Bandini, Mala of Kairi, Paridhi of Punar Vivah or just Leena Jumani and you are sure to recognise her as the pretty young television actor who has graduated to the big screen and seen in Sajid Khan’s remake of hit film Himmatwala. Leena stays in Malad (Mumbai) and I arrange for a restaurant called Mumbai Tawa in the same suburb. She is fond of Indian cuisine and what better option than stand-alone restaurant Mumbai Tawa that serves masaledar tawa delicacies in a Bollywood ambience. Gramophone records dangle from ceiling, Bollywood posters adorn the walls. Leena breezes in sporting casuals of sea green noodle-strap top on yellow shorts. As we settle to order food, the Sindhi girl informs she is a vegetarian. The sizzling live tawa dishes see us calling for a Kebab Platter of soft perfectly marinated paneer, hara bara and mushroom; it seems Leena loves potato dishes, so Chatpata Aloo from Sigdi ke Nazrane makes it way to our table. The actor relished the piquant and tangy marinade of the potatoes. It was just fresh lime soda for her on the beverage front. She has dabbled in share broking but with her busy schedule, acting takes precedence. She is not new to the big screen and has even done a lip-lock scene with Mohit Raina in Ganga ki Dheej on television. After acting in Gujarati films, this Ahmedabad girl can easily adapt to Bollywood’s diktats. “I play Ajay Devgn’s sister opposite Adhyayan Suman in Himmatwala,” she says about the role essayed by Swaroop Sampat in the original version. Of course, she considers an honor to share screen space with greats like Ajay Devgn, Zarina Wahab, Mahesh Manjrekar and the top heroine from the south – Tamannah. Speaking on her experience of making a foray into Bollywood, she elaborates, “All of them were very nice to me and never for a moment made me feel like a newcomer. I got a lot of encouragement when they treated me like that.” Does that translate as ‘Bye’ to television? “No. I am still open to doing serials and even reality shows. I have already participated in Pakistan’s Fear Factor,” she says. Her pet pastime is driving and whenever she gets the time, she goes for a long drive with her family. “I just returned from Shirdi yesterday,” she informs. After Mix Veg Kathi Rolls, we decided to end our starters’ session and proceed to the mains. We are recommended to try the BBQ Sizzler which comprises of Shammi Kebab, Paneer and Mushroom in bbq sauce. Tawa Subzi Bahar in flavorsome red gravy, canary-colored Tadke wali dal and crisp, layered Churchura parathas do the trick of sating our appetite. By now the owners of Mumbai Tawa, Amit and Sneha of Snehdeep Hospitality Services join us and ask for our feedback on the food – it’s a Thumbs Up from us! But not before digging into the sinful dessert of Sizzling Brownies with hot chocolate sauce and ice cream. By now Chef accompanies us and Leena likes the food at Mumbai Tawa so much that she finds out if they have home delivery service and is also given a take-away menu for her reference. Now that we have seen her in Himmatwala, we wish her many more innings to come in Bollywood!