Masala man!
Chef Ranveer Brar, a famous name among food-lovers, enjoys quite a fan-following of his own. A restaurateur, author and MasterChef judge, he has never been shy of the camera ever. Host of the popular shows — Thank God Its Fryday, The Great Indian Rasoi and Himalayas the Offbeat Adventure, Chef Brar is taking slow and sure steps in the acting arena as well.
After a positive response to his role in Baai, Modern Love Mumbai, Brar takes on a meaty role in Hansal Mehta-directorial The Buckingham Murders. A murder mystery, it has Kareena Kapoor Khan at the helm; she is a leading lady as well as the producer of the film. We ask Brar what made him say yes to the role. “It’s very difficult to say no to Hansal sir. He is a director par excellence. Doing Modern Love Mumbai with him was a learning curve for me. It sure made me a better chef, a better person. This film was the privilege that I didn’t want to let go off.”
Acting is something I am taking very seriously. Honestly, it’s making me a better chef and better person; that’s why I keep at it!
Brar plays a character named Daljeet Kohli, whose son is murdered in the film. He shares, “The story is set in England and my character comes from Punjab, so I have spoken more Punjabi than Hindi in the film.” Not at the liberty to divulge much since it’s a thriller, Brar speaks highly of his co-star Kareena Kapoor Khan and the director. “One of the wonderful things about Hansal sir is that he understands you as a person and your character, and patiently takes one along the journey. He puts both the real and reel persona in sync in a way only he can.”
Acting with Kareena Kapoor Khan came with its own set of riders. Brar was told to prepare well and not waste a star’s time. “It’s her 68th or 69th film. To come with that experience, she is a master class in acting herself. At the same time, she is so genuine. She has so much ease and grace about her, which is so amazing.”
Acting aside, Brar is an author too — Come into My Kitchen, Pickled and Modern Molecular Cuisine are some of his books. “We have established our own publishing house called Insktain Publishing Pvt Ltd. A Journey Through India is our third publication.” Books, films and shows aside, Brar remains a core family person at heart. His videos with son Ishan on social media — cooking and dancing together — are fun to watch and heart-warming. Does Ishan share the same passion for cooking? “Right now, he is in that stage where his passion changes every day.” As a father, all Brar wants is for his child to find his calling and pursue it. “It’s all right if he doesn’t follow cooking, these are any which way big boots for him to fill.”
Brar’s wife Pallavi is a chef too, and in his words — ‘way better chef than I am’. Who cooks at home, we wonder? “She does, I chip in as and when. And we have a fantastic household, which has learnt all the tricks of the trade.”
Brar’s Punjab connection stays strong; he is much at ease in Punjabi. “We grew up speaking Punjabi at home; even with Ishan we only speak in Punjabi. Punjab is where our roots are — we visit twice a year,” says Brar, who loves to photograph and write poetry in his free time.
Back to the film, looking at Friday release, Brar admits that he is nervous. “I am uncomfortable but right sort of uncomfortable it is! In Modern Love, I played a chef so that was still relatable. This one is a complex character that I have tried and so, yes, I am looking forward to the response.” He implores, “The Buckingham Murders is an intriguing watch, made with much love; give us as much love too.” The film releases this Friday.
My favourites
Cook My beeji, grandmother
Book Modernist Cuisine
Film The Buckingham Murders
Dish Khichdi
MasterChef judge Vikas Khanna
