Going vegan with Gulfam Khan at Carafe

Check the slideshow above I have met several lead actors casually over dinner to discover and unearth, sometimes only for my knowledge, facts unknown to outside world. But here I met an actor who is known more for ‘The Madam’ (read Raseelibai in Betiyaan on Zee TV) kind of roles whereas she has done comedy and serious characters and is much more than an actor too. “That’s not a flattering sobriquet,” bemoans my guest and versatile actor Gulfam Khan who, I discover as the evening wears off, is multifaceted. She has taught fashion designing (Rohit Verma was her student), done theatre, written scripts, is a well-versed painter (her house is tastefully done-up and displays her paintings too), is an avid collector of artifacts. There is one more – she has scripted Comedy Circus which means she has the comic streak in her but it goes unrecognized and people only remember her as Raseelibai and it is time she had a change of image feels Gulfam who has turned down two offers which required her to essay similar characters. On a 22-day strict vegan diet program when I met her, Gulfam refrained from having anything dairy based. Restaurant Manager Terence bombarded our plates with such mouth-watering starters like Naram Dil Kebab, Bruschetta and cheesy Sandwich. It was a pity Gulfam had to skip them but she decided to pile on scrumptious Chinese Bhel, Tandoori Bharwan Dhingri and Subz Seekh Kebab. She appreciated Kiwi Margarita, especially the salt-rimmed presentation of the drink. Quizzed about Mr. Perfect from Bollywood with whom she was seen in many scenes, she talks about the Talaash experience, “Aamir Khan is the best co-actor who works for the betterment of a scene. Reema Kagti is very brainy. I thoroughly enjoyed working in the movie.“ Few know that she has filmy antecedents, for instance, yesteryear vamp Veena of Pakeezah fame is her aunt, well-known music composer duo Saajid and Waajid are her cousins. “Waajid and I get along like a house on fire,” she enthuses. Marching towards the buffet counters for the main course – we dug into fresh greens for salad with tangy dressing. Gulfam called for hot rotis without butter to the accompaniment of side-dishes like spicy Mirchi ka Salan, creamy Methi Mutter curry and flavorsome Subz Kheema Masala followed by Pulao and Dal Tadka. Throughout Gulfam refrained from eating non-vegan dish but she made a small gaffe during the sweet finale - after meticulously avoiding pastries, truffle, mousse, rabdi she filled her plate with Mung Dal Halwa and enjoyed it to the hilt. Much later did she realise that any halwa contains clarified butter (ghee) which is a milk product. Anyways, Gulfam letting yourself go just for a day would not have upset your vegan diet plan so much.... Her recently released movie Lakshmi, Nagesh Kukunoor’s much acclaimed social awareness film on human trafficking, has garnered rave reviews from renowned social commentators. The talented actor is also performing in street plays in different suburbs of Mumbai, to create awareness of human trafficking which is rampant. She says, “We wish to spread this public message of ‘daughters have to speak up and not be hushed up’.” The most amusing things I found about Gulfam was that she was born with a tooth and 3 grey hair, started speaking when she was just 6 months old... and guess what the first word she uttered was - no not Amma but an underworld Don’s name!! No wonder then Gulfam that you are having to play slum queen roles so often! After constantly viewing her in baddie roles she will soon be seen with Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani and Aditi in Manish Jha directed Legend of Michael Mishra where, “I play late yesteryear actress Manorama-type, loud and boisterous character with a funny twist,” she quips. Initially yours truly was also under this impression that she is just another character actor – but now I can confidently say I know one of the most and multi-talented TV actors and a very good human being – that makes for a friend for life! Rapid Fire Qs with Gulfam Khan Foodie….. Fave cuisine…. junk food…. Sweet Yes! Indian ... bhelpuri..... love all sweets. Can you cook? Yes...all fish dishes and bake teatime cakes. Reality shows... I will be an interesting character in Bigg Boss. TV or films? Both. Success to you is... Meryl Streep. Dream destination... To see the whole world.... I am a hill person. Pet peeve… Back-biting and hypocrisy. If not an actor? Painter. A role you would have loved to enact… Iron Lady by Meryl Streep. Fitness mantra… My 22 day vegan diet. Dishes you relished today... Chinese Bhel, Kiwi Martini, Mushrooms and Jalapenos. Something no one knows about you… Quite a few interesting things like I was born with a tooth, had three grey hair at birth and started speaking when I was just six months... (hey Gulfam that’s really amusing!)