A scrumptious meet with Navi Bhangu at the House of Asia

My guest for the evening is the resolute, stubborn, indomitable (on the small screen) and popular as a romantic novel hero - Navi Bangu, who was seen as Agam in Life OK’s Amrit Manthan. We met for dinner at the newly opened House of Asia at Hotel Mirador, in the corporate hub of Chakala, Andheri. The restaurant designed by TID international of Singapore and Bangkok puts forth signature dishes like the Tom Yum Goong, Thai Crispy Chicken with Basil, Steamed Chicken Rice in Lotus Leaf along with some great buffet and brunch deals. The aroma of dishes from various oriental countries (China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, Singapore, Vietnam and India) assailed our olfactory nerves as I looked forward to digging into lip smacking Stir Fry Veggies, Butter Garlic Noodles, Kiongs Chilli Cauliflower and more. Affable Manager Krisha Rao guided us to our seats as I noticed Navi looked smart in a biege jacket over a brown shirt and narrow trousers. We unanimously decided to try out dishes from the buffet with sizzling live counters but this guy from Haryana told me he preferred north Indian dishes. Fortunately, House of Asia does have Indian specialties like Reshmi Murg Tikka, Murg Shikampuri Kebab for starters and Gosht Raiwala, Machli Dum Biryani, Chettinad Chicken curry on its elaborate buffet menu. But my sigh of relief encountered another blast from the actor when he revealed he does not consume non-veg on Thursdays. And I thought only heroines in saas-bahu serials observed fasts!!! In the meanwhile we got our conversation going and I discovered Navi’s father is based out of London, though Navi himself is a dharti puttar having his roots firmly in his hometown in the north. Navi’s career began with music videos in Punjabi as he added, “Producer Rajan Shahi approached me after he saw one of those videos. I have been lucky to get a lead in my first project.” Presently, his hands are full with two film offers – a Punjabi movie and hold your breath – a Tamil film! Who would imagine a staunch Haryanvi mouthing Tamil dialogues and dancing around trees in a veshti (lungi)? Navi loves to travel long distance by trains but a bad experience in his initial stages has made him abandon train journeys. “I was going to Punjab by train and it was a night journey. When I woke up in the morning, my luggage was stolen,” laments the actor who prefers flying since. After a recce of the dishes from the spread, we start with Bhendi Rajasthani and Sunehri Paneer Tikka, followed by the main course of Lachcha Parathas with Bagare Baingan and Paneer Anari… no unlike Agam, Navi was not averse to eggplant dish. For a delicious ending, I suggest Dudhi Halwa which Navi instantly decline saying, “I don’t like it. Dudhi se tho subzi banti hai.” So, it is Rajbhog and Almond Gelato for Navi, after which we take leave of each other with plenty of wishes for the success of his films and career. RAPID FIRE Qs: You have a family business in the UK, do you go there often? I have not been there even once. My father and brother handle the business. What is common between Agam and Navi? Like Agam, I love my mother very much. Are you single or dating? I am very much single. Not ready to mingle as career is my priority now. Your fave actor? Ajay Devgn. In fact, I you noticed, Agam too had a lot of depth in his character. A rumour you heard about yourself in the recent past? That I am haughty and did not get along with my co-stars in Amrit Manthan. Why do you think is the show coming to an end? Because Agam is no more…. He was one of the main characters around whom the story evolved. Are you open to reality shows? Very much. Any show in particular? Jhalak Dikhhlla Jaa as I love dancing. And Bigg Boss to find out my own reactions given the circumstances in the house. Your stress buster? I work out. A disadvantage of working in daily shows…. It is very hectic… once I was so sick, I was almost hospitalized. Yet the production house would pick me up, shoot their important scenes and drop me back. Can you cook? I have a cook here but yes, I can make aloo parathas and a few subzis. You miss… My mother and my hometown...sometimes I just long to be there.