A Tiara for Sukirti at Meluha The Fern

Check the slideshow above To quote my guest’s fave author, Eckhart Tolle from his spiritual enlightenment book The Power of Now, “The past has no power over the present moment and thence don’t ponder over things that preceded for only misery shall follow by doing so…” which also happens to be the young and petite actor Sukirti Kandpal’s motto! Sophisticated, stylish and effusive is how I would like to describe Simran of Kaisa Yeh Ishq Hai on Life OK, when she alights from her brand new Volkswagen, on our dining out at an equally elegant and trendy restaurant Tiara all-day dining of ecotel (environment friendly) Hotel Meluha The Fern located at Hiranandani Gardens in Powai. Glamorous in a short white lace overlaying vintage dress, black stilettos and a smart red Louis Vuitton dangling from her svelte fingers, Sukirti struck me as the quintessential youngster of the times – confident, suave, affable yet smart enough to segregate her personal life from the professional. I am given to understand later in the course of our conversation, that she can be very sweet and friendly but she switches on and off within moments and doesn’t care for if rubbed the wrong way. Not one to endure inane queries from the media, this Scorpio is ‘on the face’ while answering them. Appreciating the spaciousness and contemporary interiors of Tiara, we occupy a table towards a blue-green abstract painted wall facing the well-stocked iridescent bar. The restaurant is fairly teeming with family crowd as the buffet here is very popular. The circular dessert counter takes centre stage and tempts us with its variety of pastries, chocolates and Indian mithais. FnB Manager Ramesh Gupta greeted us and after calling for starters Hara Bhara Kebab and Paneer Tikkas on the table with fresh fruit juice and fruit punch, I explore this lissome lass. She loves spending time at home when she is free; playing with her pets (she has three doggie pets including a Chihuahua and a Labrador); the brand-conscious girl also enjoys retail therapy and of course meets up with her boyfriend for a tete-a-tete! Skipping soups and salads, we head straight to the main course and fill our plates with Paneer Methi Chaman, Tawa Subzi, Dhingri Mutter in spicy red gravy, a bowl of dal and Tandoori Rotis. There are more tempting dishes from European and Oriental cuisines on the buffet like mutton do pyaza, chicken chasseur, chicken in green garlic, mix veg in garlic sauce, ginger capsicum noodle but we prefer to go veg. A cleanliness freak, Sukirti says she must have everything around her in order and can’t stand disarray. She likes to read but nothing that will affect her mood, “I don’t like to read books which make me delve into and feel depressed over other people’s problems. Something light and funny to keep you in a cheerful mood is what I will go for or the spiritual kind.” No rice for the health-conscious Sukirti, so it is the sweet note that we embark on and she finds Chocolate Éclairs Pastry simply irresistible from among Strawberry Mousse, Apple Moist Cake, Pannacota, Tiramisu, Gulab Jamuns and Bengali sweets. Talking about her Rajasthani get-up on Kaisa Yeh Ishq Hai, I aver she looks great in western outfits. After a hearty dinner at Tiara, we bid each other adieu hoping to see Sukirti in yet another avatar on the screen. Rapid fire Qs with Sukirti Kandpal A Reality show you would like to be a part of… Comedy Nights with Kapil. Success to you is… Michael Jackson. First thing you observe in a man… His manners.. how he treats a lady. Your man should possess? Patience, style and genuineness. Single or dating? Dating someone not from this industry. Your pet peeve (s)… Manipulation and gossiping . Your idea of fun…. Hanging out at home. Your fave hangout place with friends… Geoffrey’s. Your beauty secret… I don’t ponder over rubbish. Fitness mantra…. Home food and yoga. Your fave Bollywood actor… Irrfan Khan. You envy… Kristen Stewart.. (because of Robert Pattinson). One thing that nobody knows about you… I am self-obsessed with my solo pictures. (narcissist, should I say!) 5 years down the line… Definitely married, but not sure if I will be working.