Movies
Miraj Cinemas presents Mango Food Festival across 20 cities in India
Mumbai: Get ready for a tantalising culinary experience as India’s third-largest multiplex chain, Miraj Cinemas brings to you the much-awaited Mango Food Festival across 20 cities in India. This month-long festival celebrates the vibrant flavours of the king of fruits, the mighty mango, in a variety of delectable Food & Beverages available exclusively at Miraj Cinemas’ food courts. From the moment you step into our theatres, you will be transported into a world of mouthwatering delights, carefully crafted to satisfy your cravings and leave you longing for more. Indulge in a symphony of flavours as we present an array of specially curated mango-infused culinary creations. Prepare for a taste experience that will delight your palate like never before.
Miraj Entertainment Ltd COO Bhuvnesh Mendiratta, believes cinemas have become more than mere theatres solely for movie-watching. “It has transcended traditional boundaries. In the past, theatres mainly offered popcorn and coke at food corners, attracting viewers seeking a quick snack. However, times are changing dramatically. Nowadays, cinemas feature live stations and buffet menus and even venture into the realm of culinary experimentation akin to restaurants or five-star hotels.”
He added, “India holds the esteemed title of being the world’s culinary capital. With its rich diversity of delectable delicacies, people’s interest in culinary exploration is piqued. The array of options available on our platter exponentially multiplies the potential for food testing. In this spirit, we proudly present the Mango Festival, as we aim to provide our esteemed patrons with a compelling reason to indulge beyond cinema. Our festival endeavours to delight and entice discerning taste buds, offering an exquisite experience that transcends the traditional movie-watching outing. And this is just the beginning. We have many more such food outings planned for the coming time.”
Building upon Mendiratta’s vision, Miraj Cinemas’ Food & Beverages VP Lalit Bajaj, sheds light on the exciting annual food calendar. “At Miraj Cinemas, we take pride in curating an extraordinary menu lineup that ignites our patrons’ anticipation. In our continuous pursuit of creating a memorable experience, we are thrilled to introduce the Mango Festival as one of our flagship initiatives. Our talented chefs have crafted this extravaganza, ensuring the perfect balance of textures and flavours. This mango mania promises to elevate the culinary journey of our esteemed guests and generate a surge in business. The overwhelming response from our patrons reinforces our belief that this festival will leave them craving for more.”
And Miraj will maintain the momentum by introducing further curated menus. Bajaj said that with International Burger Day just around the corner on 28 May and French Fries Day on 13 July, the national cinema exhibition chain has an array of captivating events lined up. “Throughout the financial year 2023-2024, we have thoughtfully selected 14 days to celebrate an exceptional food fiesta. Miraj Cinemas remains committed to providing not only exceptional entertainment but also a captivating gastronomic experience.”
Here are just a few highlights from our exquisite Mango Food Fest menu:
1. Crunchy Nachos With Mango Salsa: Imagine the satisfying crunch of golden nacho chips, perfectly complemented by the freshness of ripe mangoes. Each bite is a burst of flavour, as the savoury notes of the nachos meld effortlessly with the vibrant tanginess of the mango salsa. Experience this perfect blend that will keep you coming back for more.
2. Mango Tangy Roll: Whether you’re a mango enthusiast or a food lover seeking a unique and unforgettable snack, our Mango Tangy Roll is a must-try delicacy. Unleash your taste buds with our Mango Tangy Roll, a delightful fusion of flavours wrapped in a soft tortilla featuring succulent mango chunks with a tangy twist.
3. Mango Sandwich: Bite into the goodness of our Mango Sandwich, a refreshing combination of juicy mango slices, crisp lettuce, and a zesty spread, all nestled between two slices of freshly baked bread.
4. Mango Popcorn Shake: Get ready for a popcorn revolution! Our Mango Popcorn Shake combines the creaminess of mango with the crunch of caramelized popcorn, creating a unique and unforgettable beverage experience.
5. Seasonal Mango Smoothie: Indulge in the lusciousness of our Seasonal Mango Smoothie, made from ripe and juicy mangoes blended to perfection, offering a refreshing and revitalizing taste.
6. Infused Aam Panna: Quench your thirst with our traditional Infused Aam Panna, a cooling summer beverage infused with the tanginess of raw mangoes and a hint of aromatic spices.
Get ready for a mouthwatering adventure as Miraj Cinemas brings to you the Mango Food Festival! Indulge in the season’s finest flavours at our select theatres across 20 cities and 35 locations in India for a month. With 181 screens at 57 multiplexes at 42 cities in 15 states, Miraj Cinemas is India’s fastest-growing multiplex chain, providing unmatched entertainment and culinary experiences. We’re constantly evolving with technology and expanding to over 300 screens by FY24, so keep a lookout for us coming to a city near you. Don’t miss out on this delectable journey!
Hollywood
Did the ballet and opera controversy cost Timothée Chalamet his Oscar?
The actor’s ‘dying art forms’ comments may have danced away his Oscar chances.
LOS ANGELES: Last night, the 98th Academy Awards delivered a performance that wasn’t in the script, as Michael B. Jordan clinched the Best Actor statue, leaving Timothée Chalamet’s widely predicted win to pirouette away into the night. While Chalamet was long considered the frontrunner for his starring turn in Marty Supreme, many are whispering that a singular, ill-timed performance, not on screen but on the campaign trail, may have rewritten the finale.
For months, the narrative surrounding the race had a singular star, Chalamet, the critics’ darling and the bookies’ bet. However, the closing numbers saw a dramatic plot twist. Chalamet found himself upstaged not just by his fellow nominees but by the ghost of public opinion, following remarks he made during a Variety and CNN actor-on-actor conversation in February.
What started as a breezy discussion turned distinctly frosty when Chalamet, the conversation’s designated trendsetter, took aim at some classical institutions. “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera, where no one is interested anymore,” he said, before branding them “dying art forms.”
The backlash was swift and, unfortunately for Chalamet’s campaign, star-studded. For the film industry, an establishment that often fancies itself as the glamorous custodian of the high arts, the actor’s comments didn’t just strike a bum note. They sounded like a discordant symphony. Academy heavyweights, including Jamie Lee Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg and Steven Spielberg, publicly voiced their disapproval. Spielberg himself countered that the “cinematic experience” and classical performance are bound by a similar dedication to audience engagement, effectively suggesting that Chalamet’s view was perhaps a bit too modern for its own good.
The conversation quickly became a media maelstrom. In a masterstroke of high-culture clapback, renowned ballerina Misty Copeland didn’t just issue a statement. The Academy even choreographed a surprise performance by her for the ceremony itself, a powerful, wordless rebuttal that many saw as a direct riposte to Chalamet’s dismissive claims. Even regional arts institutions joined the choreography. The Seattle Opera offered a cheeky “TIMOTHEE” discount, granting a 14 percent markdown to prove that people do, in fact, care.
Did this cultural counterpoint truly cost Chalamet his win? While some industry insiders argue that Michael B. Jordan’s complex dual performance in Sinners, a performance that also swept the SAG Awards, had simply built up too much momentum, the timing of Chalamet’s comments was undeniably poor. Coming as final Oscar voting began, they arguably soured his narrative and made a vote for him feel, to some, like a vote against artistic unity.
Even the ceremony itself wasn’t finished with the narrative. Host Conan O’Brien, whose sharp tongue is a celebrated feature of these galas, didn’t miss a beat. “Security is extremely tight tonight,” O’Brien jibed during his opening monologue, glancing toward the front row. “I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities. They’re just mad you left out jazz!”
The laughter that followed was pointed, a final public curtain call for a controversy that Chalamet likely wished had closed weeks ago. Whether it was a case of genuine peer disapproval, a sudden surge in support for Jordan’s powerhouse performance, or simply a case of poor footwork on the campaign stage, the ballet and opera debacle has now cemented its place in Oscar history. Chalamet’s experience serves as a clear memo to future contenders. Even when you are the headline act, a solo performance can still fall flat if you forget to play to the entire house.
