Diwali dhamaka with Shweta Gulati at Saffron Spice

Check the slideshow above Festivity is in the air with week-long celebrations of Diwali and everyone is in a mood of rejoicing, performing pujas, visiting relatives, friends and binging. This is the best season to dress up and go out. That’s exactly what I indulged in by meeting the lead actor of SAB TV’s culinary cum daily soap Jo Biwi se Kare Pyaar… (JBsKP) gorgeous Shweta Gulati for a lavish dinner at the hi-end restaurant Saffron Spice in Powai that serves Indian and Oriental dishes. Everything today is about food and more food because during Diwali you just shop and eat; decorate the house and eat; prepare goodies and eat; visit friends and eat. Shweta comes straight from dishing up an exotic preparation for her show after changing into a striking black chiffon sari with floral collage and simple but elegant jewellery….. “I don’t like wearing heavy jewellery. I simply marvel at how the actors of daily soaps deck up every day in all those fineries and heavy saris,” she wonders aloud. With starters of Aloo ki Nazakat (charcoal grilled stuffed potatoes) and a veg Kebab platter of babycorn, cauliflower, paneer and potatoes marinated in fiery red spices went well with my glass of lytchee-based punch White Cloud and Mango Bloom. After the courteous Manager Bhupendra Sawant suggested some signature dishes like Cashew Paneer Curry, Chana Peshawari, we discover Shweta is really fond of Goan fish curry with rice. Shweta loved the sliced pomfret preparation in coconut milk and spices ( I can have this curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, she salivates, allegorically of course), Goan style while I relished cashews cooked with cottage cheese in rich gravy and Chana Peshawari of chick peas marrying paneer in tangy gravy with hot and plump Aloo Parathas. More on her fiction-cum-food-based show Jo Biwi se Kare Pyaar… woh Prestige se kaise karein inkaar, the stylish actor shoots, “Of late, I have been getting involved with a lot of food related TV episodes. I am also doing a filler chat show with a dietician for Food Food Channel. For Jo Biwi se…a lot of actual cooking is involved and though I can cook, I am accident prone. I often end up scalding or burning my hand or cutting my nails while chopping veggies.” A total foodie, she is not fussy as long it tastes good but her preferences lie in junk food like pav bhaji, chaats – pani puris, dahi batata puris, bhel and is a huge fan of Mexican cuisine. At Saffron Spice, we went with Indian fare of Pulao, Aloo Dum Kashmiri and Dal Tadka – all the items were truly tasty and flavorsome. We noticed the portions were generous too and the service impeccable. As for Diwali, lack of time has made her forego shopping, as she puts it, “This year, I will just shop for mithais and do Puja with my three babies.” Lest you mistake her to be an unwed mom, it is obvious she loves them immensely as the petite actor shares, “I have three doggie pets… (a cocker spaniel –Phoebe, a black Labrador –Messi and a puppy lab Rossi) they are my best friends. Every day when I do puja they come and sit beside me, even during Diwali Lakshmi puja which takes about half an hour, they sit quietly and I put tikka on their foreheads.” As for the secret of her svelte figure, Shweta says, “I don’t watch my diet at all. Just eat everything including cheese and butter but in moderation. Working out? Not much …only a bit of stretching exercises.” Lucky you! Besides making a good mutton curry, Shweta is a huge Nigella Lawson fan and follows her to the T while baking cakes. Though, it is another matter that the actor’s cakes do not turn consistently good. Celebrating Diwali means indulging in unlimited mithais, irrespective of calorie counting. So, when we were presented with an array of sweets like Malai Kulfis, creamy Gajar ka Halwa, Gulab Jamuns richly garnished with almond slivers and Butterscotch ice cream, we simply couldn’t resist. After gorging on a sumptuous meal, I took leave of Shweta wishing her a very bright future! Here’s Wishing All my Readers A VERY PROSPEROUS, HAPPY & SAFE DIWALI!!! Rapid Fire Q’s with Shweta Gulati: Fave cuisine: Mexican and Indian junk food. The dishes you relished at Saffron Spice: Fish Curry, Chicken starter and Gulab Jamuns. A junk food and a sweet dish you can’t resist: Paani Puri and Chocolate mud cake with chocolate sauce and ice cream. A dish you are an expert at cooking: Mutton curry. The way to a woman’s heart is…. Definitely not through the stomach where I am concerned…he should be an animal lover. Diwali means… Happiness…I just love the festival and feel happy during the festive season. What’s new this Diwali? My new baby - Labrador Rossi. Are you a shopaholic? Do you shop only at hi-end stores or… I am a compulsive buyer. It could be anything I take a liking to - Zara, Mango and streets also. As for shoes I don't get my size (too small feet) at any store...so it is China or Bangkok. Are you as naughty as your surname? Yes I am… on the sets I am always cracking jokes, going yakkity yak. A reality show you would love to do… I love hosting shows….or participant in any dance show. Bigg Boss? (she has been approached) Never.... I am too private a person to be in Bigg Boss house. Single or dating? Right now single. A habit you wish to kick… Sipping on colas… Thumbs Up is my fave..just can’t do without it. A die-hard habit… I have a sensitive skin, so I keep cleaning my hands and feet constantly. Your fitness secret… Eat everything but in moderation. You don’t leave home without… Cards, cellphone and car keys. Your stress buster… My babies (canine pets). You are paranoid about… Losing one of my babies (since dogs’ longevity is much shorter than us).