Good evening! its yet another Sunday evening and as I prep for the week coming up listening to CHORI CHORI vinyl to unwind from the chaotic week i've had, I want to share a short note for someone who I got to know yesterday, not personally but thru TV.
Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi from the Film Chori Chori is such a classy number on a sunday night, just perfect to end the week and dive into a new one, with positive vibe. Raj Saab's films have always given us some classic music. Off course his films are nothing but a masterpiece, full of emotion, love, hope, energy, positivity and the list goes endless. Similarly Raj Saab was full of all these emotions... Well I remember while being a child when I saw parts of Mera Naam Joker and the song Jeena Yaha Marna Yaha, almost bought tears to me even as a kid, the emotion was so strong that it connected instantly within the child I was. I must have been probably 7 years old when Raj Saab passed away, I remember mentioning to my friend, "I wanted to see him once in person." It was practically impossible for a child like me to even wish to see someone like Raj Kapoor in person but there was something about Raj Saab which had that connect in me even at that age. Me writing about Raj Saab is like "सूर्याला दिवा दाखवणे"as they say in Marathi. I am too ordinary a person to write about the legend. But that also does not mean I am going to write about any ordinary person.
Well I was watching a new show on NETFLIX yesterday - DINING WITH THE KAPOORS. I was quite hooked to it since it was about Raj Saab and the KAPOOR Family. It's indeed a classic of a show to watch, yes it has to be classic since it's about Raj Saab! And also because it's about celebrating his life with some amazing delicious food. Families coming closer and getting together is such a lovely thought in itself! It reminded me about our family since even I grew up in a similar joint and a huge family. I've made sure I have been connected with everyone in some way or the other even if there are any minor setbacks here and there within the family. Also I am grateful to my uncles who have had the Camera since the 80's and captured all the moments in the form of photographs. I made sure I got all the Old Albums from our old house to my house and kept them safely. This exact similar moment from the show caught my attention of this gentleman Mr. Armaan Jain, the grandson of Raj Saab. Yes This note is about Mr. Armaan Jain.
There is a point in the show where you get a glimpse of all the collectibles of Raj Saab are treasured and labeled with love and care, by none other than Mr. Armaan Jain. I was beyond delighted how he secured all of Raj Saabs belongings and preserved them with love. I was surprised when I got to know he never met Raj Saab, but I am sure he must have heard all the lovely stories about him. And well it's Armaan who has been hosting this dinner and cooking himself, at first I thought It's a show so it must be scripted, why will he cook, but later I found out this gentleman comes from a background of culinary expertise besides the director that he is. And yes he was cooking and sweating it out. Oh and the way he plated the food was top notch. I mean even if he has done this for producing a show, but look at the thought, he has made it so immersive, you just can't NOT notice his efforts.
The core thought of getting the family together and making it happen takes a huge amount of planning and efforts. Only a person who values his family and the heritage can think of creating something like this. From what I have seen and known of him, he is someone who likes to travel back in time with food. You must see he still has the old recipes, handwritten with exact ingredients... I'm sure when he must be crafting them, the flavor from the old recipe book must be traveling in some magical form and making them even special, more flavorful and more authentic. Only someone like Armaan can manage to weave this sort of a flavorful magic. Not Just the food, the thought of the seating arrangements made, its just fantastic!!! He has given thought and attention to detail in every possible aspect. Keeping Raj Saabs legacy alive with the grand dinner parties is something Armaan has pulled off effortlessly with grace!
The way he has weaved food, family and films so perfectly, If Raj Saab were here today, would have been so proud of him!!!
While I watched the show, halfway through the show I hopped onto instagram, followed Armaan and messaged him in excitement about what I felt. And to my surprise, I got a reply from him in the most humble and grounded manner. Honestly I never expected him to reply me. But I was surprised to see his sweet reply that now makes me his fan! And hell yes I am going to order from his cloud kitchen soon. I am sure thats where i'll get the nostalgic flavor which has been passed down thru several generations.
Dear Armaan, you are truly a gem of a person!!! I have hardly known you with the show, but I think I know what you would be like as a person. Thank you for giving us Dining With the Kapoors!
Bon Appetite!
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