Some people eat to live. Some live to eat. And then there’s Anjali Anand, an actor whose entire life story can be told through the flavours she’s loved, the aromas she’s chased, and the plates she’s polished off with joy. For her, food isn’t a side character. It’s the star of the show. “Food is the hero in my life,” Anjali says, laughing. “Always has been.” Contrary to the popular image of the film folk eating frugally, the actress says that some of the best food she has eaten has been on the film sets. She herself can’t cook but swears by her mom’s cooking. Being a Punjabi, one would expect her to like parathas, lassi and makkhan but she says chicken curry and rice are her comfort staples. She’s got a salad named after her and her mom cooks a curry named after the famous wrestler, The Undertaker. Here the artistes takes you on a delicious food journey…
Food, Glorious Food
Since childhood, food has been the main character in the story of my life. Even now in our family, nearly every conversation starts and ends with food. It’s just how we are. My sister Neha, my mom and I, we’re always talking about food. Even when someone’s coming home or we’re heading out, it’s never “How was the place?” It’s always, “How was the food?”
My Food Philosophy
A Chicken Curry Carnival
Childhood Feasts and Undertaker Chicken
Nani’s Chicken and Other Comforts
Mom’s not a fan of cooking. But when she does cook, it’s memorable. We have a cook now, as mom’s getting older but she still keeps an eye on everything. If the cook makes Undertaker Chicken, I know instantly mom didn’t make it. There’s something special about her version. And then there’s Nani’s Chicken. It’s a quick pressure cooker special from mom’s side of the family. Onions, tomatoes, chicken, spices, all thrown in with water. It’s simple, rustic and possibly the best chicken curry I’ve ever had. Mom’s chhole is also unbeatable. And bread rolls usually made with potatoes… but mom makes a chicken version just for me. Total love. Though we’re Punjabi, oddly enough, we’re not into parathas and makkhan. Chicken always wins.
Samosa Pavs and Canteen Scrambles
College Cravings
On Sets: food, friends and shami kebabs
Food on the set is a whole other story. During Raat Jawaan Hai, our producer Vicky Vijay made sure we had a delicious new dish daily. The best shami kebabs I’ve ever had came from his home. We all, Sumit Vyas, Barun Sobti, Priya Bapat and I, shared food. Those lunches were such fun. On Dabba Cartel, we’d have snacks together in the evenings. Shabanaji (Azmi) and I would plan what to have, sometimes her man Friday, Ravi dada would whip up bread poha or other goodies. During Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Ranveer (Singh) and I told Jaya Bachchanji that we were craving mutton. The next day, she brought the most divine mutton I’ve ever tasted. The set was teeming with foodies, Karan Johar too, although he was on a diet back then.
Biryani and Thai obsession
Kashmir: A Culinary Paradise
Over the past few years, I’ve fallen in love with Kashmiri food. Nothing beats a proper Wazwan feast, 22 to 25 dishes, all rich and flavourful. Tabakh Maaz, Aab Gosht, Mirch Salan, Meatballs with spinach… all unforgettable. The kebabs near Dal Lake, with seven-eight kinds of chutneys… Absolutely divine. People go to Kashmir for sightseeing but for yours truly it’s pure food haven.
Mumbai’s Favourite Haunts
The Anjali Salad saga
Aroma Means Happiness
The smell of good food is unbeatable. My downstairs neighbour cooks mutton or chicken every weekend and the aroma is so amazing, I once texted my sister from the car park just to tell her. My idea of heaven is a kitchen smelling of good food.
Cooking? Not Really My Thing
I can cook but I’d rather not. Thai food is easy and I enjoy making it. But Indian cooking? Too many tomatoes to cut. Mom’s the queen of our kitchen. Me and Neha don’t even step in unless absolutely necessary. Once, when mom wasn’t around, I marinated chicken and made it myself. My friends couldn’t believe it. “You’re cooking?” they asked. “Only because mom’s not home.” I replied. She never believed it, of course!
Also Read: Exclusive: Anjali Anand on her breakout role in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and more