Going 'Mad Over Donuts' with Anushka Sen

Check the slideshow above This week I bring you my interactions with a child artist whom I felt should be treated to something that every kid loves and at a child-friendly environs, not in a formal dining restaurant. I zeroed in on all-time favorite of every age group – Mad Over Donuts, that ‘love at first bite’ place, which has gained immense popularity in almost all of its outlets from Breach Candy and Colaba in South Mumbai, Lower Parel and Shivaji Park in central, Thane and Vashi to Bandra till Goregoan and Malad with many in-between. Picking M.O.D in Reclamation, Bandra, I waited for the little actor who was on her way with her parents, after pack up from 8pm shoot schedule in a remote western suburb. The place is nice and bright with a display of colorful gems, rainbow sprinkles, cream swirls, blueberry compote and many interesting toppings on chocolate-.coated donuts seducing us from its glass showcase. Giving in to temptations, I call for Choco Bomb filled with luscious milk chocolate ganache and dipped in dark chocolate. Anushka gained popularity with her portrayal of child Goddess Parvati in Devon Ke Dev – Mahadev on Life OK and is now busy playing Mehar, the friend of Balveer on SAB TV, constantly harassed by Bhayankar Pari. The adorable little girl was thrilled to be visiting Singaporean chain of doughnut specialties M.O.D as she exclaimed, “I have been to their factory and even tried my hand at making a doughnut!” And as a regular customer of this joint, she straightaway ordered their sell-out donut Double Trouble without even looking at the menu. Manager Vijay Gupta suggested we also try their new offerings – donut cupcakes and bite-sized donuts in different yummy toppings. As a student of Shiamak Davar’s dance academy, the cute child was spotted by director Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra for a video album and there has been no looking back for Anushka. “After we finished shooting the music video, Rakesh Uncle lifted me up from among all the other child participants and that was my biggest compliment. I never miss his movies,” gushes the little girl. Then Rajshri Productions’ Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli on Zee TV followed. The standard six student is good in studies as well – she is equally at ease with Maths as she is comfortable doing Comedy Circus. She is sure about getting it right on her first take itself – confident! Just like M.O.D’s specials like Black & Bavarian filled with creamy vanilla custard, dipped in dark chocolate; or Cookie Crush of dark chocolate stars on a donut topped with an Oreo cream icing, loved by cookie freaks. Anushka loves to anchor as she quips, “I have anchored Kids’ Carpet Award. I participate in dance competitions and sometimes I am also the Chief Guest in my school functions,” smiles the student of Ryan International School in Kandivili. Does she not miss the normal life of a child – playing with friends her age, “Not at all,” she clarifies, adding further, “We are more than a dozen children in Balveer and we get to play cricket, badminton during our breaks. In fact we celebrate all the festivals; latest being Holi. Also I get to celebrate my birthday twice – once on the sets and again outside.” In public places like malls, when she is recognized how does it feel? “I feel very excited, but not proud or egotistic,” says the pampered yet rooted only child to her parents. Her room is full of toys, for instance, like any child her age she has Barbie dolls, Barbie house, Tom & Jerry and Pooh toys to play with. She is also a curious foodie – “During holidays, I watch my Mom cooking and ask her about the ingredients.” We now tried savoury donuts like Mama Miai in which a spray of Italian herbs and sautéed garlic on loads of cheese and Pi’Dazzled with cheese and napoletana sauce dusted with chilli flakes and herbs made for a perfect pizza-like taste on the palate. As for beverages, they have hot and cold of which I went with Hazelnut Latte and Iced Mocha – both equally slurpy while being an actor who has to take care of her voice box, Anushka avoided any cold drinks. Adult aspirations include becoming an engineer but she also wants to be a Bollywood actor and admits to adoring Deepika Padukone. Anushka’s foodie indulgences are homemade dishes, pizza among junk and of course who can beat a true-blue Bong at relishing fish delicacies! Looking forward to take off on her summer vacations to her nana-naani’s place in Jamshedpur, perky Anushka is all excited. After posing like a veteran for pictures with the Mad Over Donuts staff who served us with gusto, we take leave and I wish the cutesy girl a very bright future!