Factual
Living Foodz biz head Nair: ‘Utsav – Thalis of India’ celebrates regional cuisine
MUMBAI: Get into the festive spirit and celebrate Indian food, it’s history, culture and diverse flavours this October with Chef Kunal Kapur on ‘Utsav: Thalis of India’. The show will take viewers on a journey across 18 cities and offer a peek into India’s rich culinary heritage.
Chef Kunal explores each region and unravels fascinating anecdotes about its people, the regional delicacies, local ingredients, cooking and food-serving techniques. He visits the homes of the locals, temples and marketplaces to discover the vibrant culture and thalis of each city.
The show emphasises on how a thali is a beautiful amalgamation of a region, its people, traditions, cultures and flavours and is a beautiful reflection of the diversity in our country. In fact, one of our earliest food memories is bonding with our family over a delectable thali.
Chef Kunal says, “During the course of the shoot, I have had the fortune of experiencing some of the most wonderful food legacies and traditions passed on through generations from cities across the country.”
On the season finale, Chef Kunal prepares a Grand Thali based on his travel to the different regions of the country, which will be an amalgamation of the unique delicacies found across the country.
Living Foodz business head Amit Nair said, “Food is a great conversation starter and bonds people from various communities instantly. ‘Utsav- Thalis of India’ brings out ‘Unity in Diversity’ in the real sense of the term and celebrates regional Indian cuisine.”
The programme, which got under way on 16 October on Living Foodz, appears every Monday and Tuesday, at 8 pm. The repeat telecast is held every Monday and Tuesday at 11 am, 230 pm and 1030 pm.
MUMBAI: India’s most famous hot seat is about to welcome an unlikely first-timer. For the first time on Hindi general entertainment television, industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla will appear on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the iconic quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
The special episode marks a rare meeting point of boardroom heft and prime-time television, bringing one of India’s most influential business leaders face to face with the country’s most enduring screen legend. It is a crossover that blends intellect, leadership and popular culture, all under KBC’s familiar spotlight.
Birla’s appearance dovetails neatly with the show’s current theme, Jahaan Akal Hai, Wahan Akad Hai, which celebrates the confidence that comes from clarity of thought and knowledge. His presence lends weight to the idea that sharp thinking and conviction are as vital in life as they are in the quiz chair.
In a thoughtful conversation with Bachchan, Birla shared an upbeat view of India’s economic journey, pointing to the nation’s rapid growth and the scale of opportunity opening up across industries and communities. He spoke of momentum, ambition and a future shaped by enterprise and ideas.
The episode is not all serious talk. In lighter moments, Birla confessed his long-standing admiration for Bachchan, calling him his favourite actor and admitting to a touch of nervousness at answering questions in front of the Shahenshah himself. The candour adds a human touch to a man more often seen in headlines than on television sets.
The special episode airs on Monday, 29 December at 9.00 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
