The stars of ‘Cocktail 2’, which released recently, found themselves in hot water recently after a promotional visit to Pune. Kriti Sanon, Rashmika Mandanna and Shahid Kapoor were called out by netizens for not eating the city’s beloved Vada Pav and Misal Pav.
On their way back to Mumbai, with the paparazzi in tow, the cast made a pit stop at a famous eatery where these Maharashtrian staples have been bestsellers for decades. Their PR team perhaps saw the perfect photo opportunity. But once there, Bollywood’s otherwise bold and beautiful grew hesitant.
Not in front of the cameras, they said. It would be too messy. Instead, they posed with the Vada Pav and Misal Pav as though they were fans seeking selfies, pretended to take bites and pretended to chew. Nobody was fooled. Pune’s netizens exploded.
The actors did not know what they were missing. Mumbai foodies are known to make weekend road trips to Pune solely to binge on Vada Pav and Misal Pav, especially during the rains. I do not know where the ‘Cocktail 2’ team halted, but I would wager it was at that famous stopover on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway that you can spot from a mile away simply by the number of cars and buses parked outside.
Vada Pav and Misal Pav are the go-to snacks of the common man and are intrinsically woven into Pune’s identity, much as subs and burgers are to New York City. They are widely available across Mumbai too, but friends swear that the yummiest versions are to be found in Pune. I wouldn’t know. I travel to Pune by train and miss these roadside eateries altogether. But the photographs friends send leave me in little doubt about their claims.
I would have thought Vada Pav should taste the same everywhere. It is, after all, just a patty of mashed potato mixed with onion, green chilli and coriander, dipped in chickpea batter and plunged into bubbling oil. The steaming-hot Vada is then slipped into a Pav, slathered with green chutney and served with a spicy garlic powder and a wedge of lime.
Perhaps the Pune eatery adds a secret spice that brings traffic screeching to a halt outside. Its Misal Pav is just as irresistible: a fiery curry of mixed bean sprouts topped with onions, tomatoes, crunchy farsan, lemon juice, poha and coriander leaves, best eaten hot with the humble Pav. I may or may not see ‘Cocktail 2’. But once this monsoon, I fully intend to drive to Pune for the Vada Pav and Misal Pav.
Photo by Yogen Shah
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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