Curd Rice, Mutton Masala, Roast Potatoes, Garlic Naan

 A Twist of Tastes and Tales

Food and movies- two things that ruled my heart in equal measure. And yet, they didn’t always get along. You see, my love for food was passionate and deep, while my love for movies was chaotic and loud. The two clashed like a bowl of curd rice sitting next to a plate of spicy roast potatoes- one soothing, the other fiery.

It had been a while since I indulged in my food photography. Returning to Instagram after a break, I found myself overwhelmed with all the recipes swirling in my head. Where to begin? Curd rice with roast potatoes? Yes, perfect comfort food! As winter approached, shorter days meant longer cozy evenings, the kind best spent with a plateful of warm, familiar flavors and a good movie.

So, I planned it all- cooked the curd rice to perfection, roasted the potatoes until crisp, and set up the perfect movie night. Do Patti was on my watchlist, and I was all set to immerse myself in Kajol's latest mystery. My husband, ever the patient man, had already sighed at least five times as I fussed over the plating for some last-minute food photography.

"Can we eat now?" he asked, eyeing the steaming bowl I was still clicking from every angle.

"Just one more shot," I said, adjusting the light.

An hour later, we were finally seated, the movie rolling. But just as the opening credits ended, I found myself narrating my own behind-the-scenes version of The Great Food Photography Comeback.

"Do you think Kajol’s character will have a dark past?" I mused.

No answer.

"Maybe she has a secret twin?"

Silence.

"I mean, imagine a Do Patti where….”

"Can you let the actual movie play?" My husband shot me a look that could curdle my curd rice.

           

I tried to focus. I really did. But then Manjulika’s comeback in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 popped into my mind, and I gasped. "Oh my God, I can’t wait to watch Ami Je Tomar in theaters again!"

"Pause," my husband said, rubbing his temples. "I’m going to make some chai before you spoil the entire plot of Do Patti by rewriting it in your head."

I laughed, realizing I was that person- the one who stretches a two-hour movie into a four-hour discussion. Food, films, and fun- an eternal love triangle.

As he walked into the kitchen, I smiled and took another bite of the curd rice. "This was totally worth the wait," I said to myself.

From behind the kitchen counter, my husband smirked, stirring his chai. "If you say so. But next time, let’s just watch the movie first."

A fair deal, I suppose. But only after I get the perfect shot of my chai. 😜