Baat Ban Gayi with Amrita at Busaba

Check the slideshow above Her face has launched several products (starting with Ponds’ Fairness Cream and Whirlpool appliances), hosted hi-end social events, set the ramp on fire, done TV serials (Yash Raj’s Mahi Vay on Sony TV, Shobha Somnath Ki on Zee TV) and sizzled on screen with Salman Khan in Ready, acted in Rajshri’s Love U Kalakaar, a cookery show and is presently busy promoting her latest film Baat Ban Gayi opposite Gulshan Grover. It’s none other than the effervescent and cheerful Amrita Raichand I am talking about, who joined me for lunch at the Pan Asian restaurant Busaba in Colaba. “This is one of my fave places,” gushed the South Mumbai resident, who looked svelte in a crimson blouse on a blue floral skirt, when I greeted her and from then on it was a fun-filled afternoon exchanging notes on our pet peeves and not-so-yet-ambitious goals. Our table in the private section of Busaba (means flower in Thai) with huge glass windows presented a bright and open view of the outside. Executive Chef and MD of Busaba, Nikhil Chib, recommended us to try specialties from his kitchen – Corn Cream Waterchestnut exuding basil, lemon, chilli and garlic flavors had crusty exterior with a chewy filling, tangy Crispy Potato Wedges, Tempura Sushi (deep fried asparagus in the sushi centre lends a delectable crunchiness) and Tibetan Momos with different fillings of vegetables, chicken, pork and prawn (Amrita loved them) to the accompaniment of sips from Peach Iced Tea and Mango Rapture (a delightful concoction of mango juice, mint, khus and vanilla icecream). “I love food but now I am a little careful,” says the much-married and mother of 5-year-old. I observe that her hugely popular gastronomic show Mummy ka Magic on Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s Food Food channel must be a blessing to young mothers coping with fussy kids who find ghar ka khana repulsive. And the charming cook (as she likes to be known rather than a Chef) says, “I prepare the same fare high on nutrition and health but make the presentation appealing by topping the dishes with some colorful sprinkles, tasty gems so that kids don’t find them lackluster but are tempted to eat them. I have a 5-year old son Agastya, so I know how it is to keep them sated as well as healthy.” Amrita’s enthusiastic style and vibrant presentation on her show has made it a chart topper on the culinary scale. By now we are on the main course and while the vivacious actor went with Kaukswe Burmese consisting of prawn curry with noodles and condiments I explored Korean mixed rice with an amusing name of Bibimbap and a visual treat with different seasoned veggies arranged in mounds on top of sticky rice. We were delighted to know that Kauakswe and Tibetan Momos are Chef Nikhil’s specialties as their recipes have been passed down from his grandmother. Striking a perfect balance between family life and career of which she reveals, “I am not over ambitious yet wish to do something. I come from and now belong to a cultured family background; I know where to draw the line when it comes to acting in films. I love being in the arc lights, so why not enjoy when the going is good,” feels the versatile lady. Amrita skips the finale of gorging on desserts as she has a mannat to keep, but suggests I try Busaba’s yummy Chocolate Fondant - a sinful dessert of callebaut chocolate, candied ginger served with vanilla icecream and English cream coffee on the sides. I also tried the exotic Pavlova, which I had tasted in New Zealand before, made of soft almond meringue topped with fresh cream and fresh fruits. Throwing light on her latest Bollywood venture, Baat Ban Gayi, she says belongs to the genre of humor with two actors playing double roles and the entire mix-up a la The Comedy of Errors. She is excited about the movie and is all set to travel to various cities across the country for its promotions. I wish her film a huge success and hope to see more of her on the silver screen as she rushes to take her son for his appointment with an ace tennis coach! Rapid Fire Qs with Amrita: Modelling or television? Both! (diplomatic). Serials or films? Both (very diplomatic) A reality show you would like to be a part of… Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa. Your fave Hindi film actor… Ranbir Kapoor. Success to you is… Merryl Streep. The perfume you use.. Chloe. First thing you observe in a man… His eyes. What attracts you most in a man? His eyes. Appealing qualities in your husband Rahul … His simplicity and honesty. Your pet peeve… Liars. Your idea of fun…. Hanging out with close friends. One thing that nobody knows about you… I am a die-hard romantic. 5 years down the line… Hope I have reached a few notches higher.