Italian rhapsody at Stax with Payal Rohatgi and Sangram Singh

Click on the pic to view slideshow They are as different as chalk and cheese. She has been a Miss India pageant participant, a model, acted in films, is fluent in English whilst he is an international wrestler counted in the top ten ranking with several gold medals and awards to his credit, Brand Ambassador of Int’l Human Rights Organisation and is all geared up to conduct a workshop for a noble cause on fitness and self-defense. I am talking about Bollywood actor Payal Rohatgi and wrestler Sangram Singh. And yes, even as the actor is stylish and hep, her live-in partner prefers desi khana, leads a simple lifestyle and accompanies her everywhere lending moral support. There are some similarities too as the catalyst for becoming a couple is the reality show they participated in. For instance, Sangram has won the Mr.Haryana title, taken part in the reality shows 100% De Dana Dan, Sachch ka Saamna, Guinness World Records on Colors, Big Toss on India TV and Survivor India. Payal participated in Raaz Pichle Janam ka, Zor Ka Jhatka, Bigg Boss besides Survivor India where they met and fell in love. This time it is this couple I invited for dinner to the classy Italian restaurant STAX at 5 star deluxe luxury Hotel Hyatt Regency in Sahar where guest Chef Massimiliano Pauletto was busy tossing up mouth-watering flavors from Val Padana valley of North Italy. The cuisine of this region is rich and heavy on meat and cheese what with Cremona’s world renowned cheese poised to tempt the palate. We started with fresh pineapple juice and watermelon juices. Sangram is a vegetarian (a North Indian, a wrestler and a veggie???), “Nature has so much to offer for our good health. Aloe vera, amla, nature’s bounty is endless why kill and eat,” opined Sangram. So, we settle for a vegetarian fare. “Ideally Sangram prefers Indian food with lots of ghee,” said Payal who is health conscious and rightly so as her profession demands it. “Sangram is a seedha-saadha guy who starts his day with amla juice and ends it with verses from Hanuman Chaalisa,” revealed Payal about her live-in partner. While Payal loves to romp around attending events, she is an active member of NGOs in Mumbai and also the Brand ambassador of International Human Rights Organisation. The approach to STAX is an attractive glass flooring walkway and after being seated in a cozy semi-circular loungy space, here’s a sneak peek into the delicious menu - onion soup cipollata , Buffalo cheese fondue, castelmagno cheese risotto, smoked duck breast, roasted trout filet, wild mushrooms ragout, roasted fennel, dill and garlic vinaigrette and not to mention Gianduiotto Hazelnut and Chocolate log. We called for the soup and a pizza. Sangram loved the soup but the health-conscious Payal hesitated to go beyond it. I was glad to know Payal’s strained relationship with her father has thawed out and her family is in a happy space now. She is busy with a Punjabi film, is open to doing TV shows and serials and looks forward to more work and a continuing lovely relationship with Sangram. Sangram rues the fact that we in India cannot see beyond cricket and do not recognize or encourage any other sport. He wishes to become so big that he can help put other sports too prominently on the map of our country. Who is the fighter between the two? “Payal,” said Sangram pointing to the Scorpio. Who says sorry first? It’s a unanimous answer, Sangram! When is the D Day (for wedding)? Has Sangram not proposed yet? Sangram replied, “I will propose the day I become sufficient enough to afford anything that Payal wishes to have.” Goes without saying he is working hard towards achieving his goal. As I could guess from the loving gaze they shared. They came across as an honest couple and even kissed (albeit on the cheeks) and fed the gorgeous dessert of Tiramisu to each other. After that wonderful dinner, our celebrity guest asked Italian Chef Pauletto if he misses his hometown to which he stated, “Even though I‘ve been away from home for so long, every time I prepare something special the flavours transport me back to my kitchen where I first experienced the magic of cooking. I am looking forward to bringing my home with me to every city I cook in.” By far, this was the most fulfilling interview I have had in this column where the celebs did not tell me things off record or request me to not ask any.