The food business always flourishes!

This is for all the foodies, who love chat and Indian snacks, Bombay Chat House at Penderghast Road.
With an extensive menu from Ragda chat to Alu toast to Raj Kachori, it’s an evening Adda.
The star however is the spicy, delicious Pav Bhaji served hot and fresh.
With the easy ambience and half the price of nearby Dadu’s, this is a place for everyone!
Timings: 5 PM – 9 PM
Location: Near Sind Bank, Sindhi Colony
Must eat: Masala Pav Bhaji

Retreat.

Tired of the malls and theatres, here’s a great spot to chill out at.
This is the little known, Lotus Pond bang in the centre of Jubilee hills, but mostly a well kept secret!
Initially a tank from the Qutb Shahi times, it deteriorated into a garbage dump, and was restored in the early 2000’s with a lot of interest being shown by the residents of the locality and the co-operation of the MCH.
Now a carefully preserved eco-system, with minimal human interference, it’s not only immensely beautiful but also sustainable.

With about a Kilometre long walking and jogging track, the area is serene, almost like the woods we read about.
The main track has convenient seating zones with postcard views and comfortable benches.
Though the lotuses are seen only during few months a year, you might be surprised with what other flowers or fishes you might come across at the vantage points.

A by lane from the jogging track leads you to a sharp incline that goes deeper into the trees and rocks and higher away from the pond.
For those who like the exercise, there are roughly hewn stone paths that need a little clambering!
Although for those who want a little more activity, can try tracking out the unused rough paths around the circumference.
In ten minutes, the only sound is those of the insects and birds, and it’s like the city never existed!
From birds to beetles, butterflies to blooms, there are various harmless creatures here that will not mind you staring at them.
If what you are looking for is a park to walk or a place to relax, or to enjoy nature and contemplate, this is just the one.

MANGO

Starting from Spain to rest of the world, with a name and a collection that is always in, they have finally opened the store at GVK One.
Easy to walk around displays, in black and white, the place is bright and smart, without being too overbearing.
The collection sporting only western wear meant for the urban woman is in sync.
A brand that some may think is overpriced, but is known for its great quality.
After all the wait and anticipation, their first collection here, meant for winter, mainly in gray, black and white, is a little disappointing.
While the casual wear is limited, starting from Rs.750, with single styled T-shirts and pencil jeans, the party wear has some interesting designs.

From full suits to individual pieces with Chinese collars, the work wear is flexible and meant for higher executives.
With the use of flannel, sequin and some beautiful satin, their evening wear is exquisite.
The deep winter overcoat in white, signature Mango and a Prussian blue woolen dress are classy and chic.
The simple yet stylish silhouettes speak elegance and grace, and can turn even the girl next door into a diva!
The accessories display, though visually unappealing, has a couple of red throw all bags and a work wear bag that stand out.
Shoes and other accessories don’t catch your attention and really aren’t that great either.

On the whole: A party stop and nothing more.

Check out: The range of sweaters in solid colours and the glitzy sleeve coat in Black and silver!
Price Range: Rs. 750- Rs. 20,000
Timings: 10am - 9pm

Rocketing Ranbir!

Producer: Aditya Chopra
Director: Shimit Amin
Screenplay: Jaideep Sahni
Music: Salim-Suleiman
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Shazahn Padamsee, Gauhar Khan.

Ranbir Kapoor’s 3rd movie this year, and people definitely want more of him!
Very different from his lover boy image, the sardar look carried out to perfection adds to his overall appeal.

As the tagline suggests, Ranbir plays a salesman, an average student through school and college, albeit an honest and upright one.
At work however, with his marketing skills, he makes a great impact.
Wrenches in the works arise and the second half is all about how he sorts them out.
Sounds familiar? Well! The treatment is extremely different and is refreshing.
What could have been the predictable love story, instead, focuses on the protagonist’s character and career.
Amidst corruption and grease, he remains an idealist to the end, and while things get a little crazy in the middle, he handles them with his inane goodness.
Though long and slow paced, parts of the movie are brilliant, and the cast is in equal measures well chosen.
Heroines, if they can be termed that in this context, Shazahn Padamsee is charming and sweet, although it’s only a few scenes, and Gauhar Khan proves that she can act given the right director.
A movie that deglamourizes office politics and corporate lies, and still retains it sense of humour, this has the signature of the Chak De makers all over it.
A must watch!

Katha Movie Review

Director: Srinivas
Producer: Gangaraju Gunnam
Music Director: SK Balachandran
Cast: Genelia, Arun, Prakash Raj, Raghubabu

Katha, the newest thriller in Tollywood, does thrill without that many frills!
A tamed down Genelia with newcomer, Arun, who clearly can act given the right impetus, the movie is set in Araku, and the stills and shots are beautiful.
The story begins with this young school teacher who moves to a small town for supposed solitude, and then gets mixed up with this new director and his team.
After a few warming up and other character introductory scenes, the girl’s traumatic past resurfaces to haunt her.
Clever use of medical terms like hallucination, psychosis, auto phobia etc., keeps the audience wondering.
The probable twists are laid out and we reach for the popcorn, anticipating, winning our bets.
Post interval, everyone is forced to eat their words, as the pace finally picks up and the katha gets murkier.
The last twenty minutes, are filled with a song, which we forget the moment it’s over, a stunt, finally making it a Telugu movie and the climax, which is by far the best in this!

For a Telugu thriller, it’s a good watch, though dreadfully slow in most places.
And if the songs had been avoided, the movie might actually have been better!
On the whole: Not a weekend must watch.

BRAND POWER FOR KIDS!!

If you thought brands and shopping were meant only for adults, think again, Children now have their very own range of stores and designers to choose from.
This is one market where the transformation has been phenomenal.
A look at the four companies, those were foremost in bringing this change about.

Lilliput
A multi city retail chain that pays equal attention to detail across 200 stores in India, Egypt and Singapore, Lilliput has come a long way in a span of 2 1/2 years.
Retailing in malls and in their own flagship stores, the best part about them is the variety they offer in casual wear and the superb quality for the age group of 3-12 years.
A brand that has its own set of in-house designers, for the Indian market, they deal with garments, accessories and shoes. Be it funky socks or jazzy belts or pretty necklaces, they are a delight to children who are as discerning as their parents.

Location: City Center Mall, Secunderabad, Tirumulgherry, Himayathnagar, Begumpet, Banjara Hills.

Price Range: Rs 699 – Rs 1499
Timings: 10 Am to 8 Pm
Must Buy: Grown up footwear, sandals for boys and heels for girls.

Catmoss
A brand that believes in being fun and whacky, Catmoss retails and has independent stores which house clothes for the 0-14 year age group.
Bright and smart, they epitomize the spirit of kids.
What’s more they manage to give even the sedate ethnic wear a new twist, be it the fish cuts and shararas for girls.
With a tagline that reads, FUN CLOTHING FOR KIDZ they take the job of setting trends very seriously!

Locations: Shoppers Stop, Hyderabad Central, Somajiguda, Ameerpet, Himayathnagar, Banjara Hills.

Price Range: Rs 495 – Rs 1100
Timings: 10 Am to 8 Pm
Must Buy: Sun glasses and slip-ons; literally cool accessories to match that ultra chic dress!

Dayals’
Located in Abids, a shop that has housed garments for children over 45 years, they are a company that takes pride in the customer satisfaction they provide.
Housing most Indian brands like Ocean, Betty, Era that speak for themselves, Dayals, offer garments for the age group of 0-15 for both casual and ethnic wear.
A store that’s been around from the days when readymade was a luxury that one couldn’t afford, they also stock infant supplies and take up alteration and the rare repairs.
Location: Abids, opposite Meena Bazaar.

Price Range: Rs. 100 to Rs. 1000 for Casuals, Rs. 800 to Rs. 4000
Timings: 10 Am to 9 Pm
Must Buy: Truly traditional ethnic wear.


Reebok for Juniors

Catch ‘em young and you have a market base for the next gen!
A global force to reckon with, Reebok, has made shopping for children a ton easier, from school shoes to light shoes for running and sportswear, encouraging sportsmanship for budding champs.
With names like Sweets, Pulse, Votron and Edge, they have a line of apparel for the age group of 4-14.
Also the Cartoon network range featuring Benton, Power Puff girls, Dexter makes this concept store a huge hit with children and adults secretly jealous!

Locations: Banjara Hills, Madhapur, Secunderabad.

Price Range: Rs 699 – Rs 1499
Timings: 10 Am to 8 Pm
Must Buy: Sneakers and Trainers, Fancy Sportswear

SHOPPING PARADOX! OLD OR NEW?!

Bangles, Bazaars and Bargains! ....*

If you thought Lad Bazaar was the only place for Bangles in Hyderabad, here’s some news!
A walk near the shaded timber market in Goshamahal, Nampally, reveals an entire street tinkling and scintillating with wholesale Bangle stores.

Having been around for more than 40 years, this street has silently grown from 10 small shops to 50 family run businesses.
Though the fashion trends have changed and evolved to minimalistic styles, bangles are always in and the market demand has increased three fold according to some.

Selling not only the regular glass and lac bangles but a whole gamut of plastic, metal and studded bangles along with the new age kangans, these stores are mindboggling in terms of variety.
Though, primarily wholesale, they welcome retailers with the same discounted prices which are a steal!
From toddlers to adults, they have the entire range covered and during festivals the crowds are enormous, says one shopkeeper.

Available from Rs. 10 a dozen to almost Rs.100 for a pair, they are a must buy for anyone remotely interested in the ornament!
Bangles are sometimes sourced all the way from Faridabad, and the special one with Kundan and Moti work are done in workshops nearby.
To add to this, they now sell new types of Bangle stands and Jewellery boxes which make for unique gifting ideas.

Don’t miss: Stone studded and multi coloured plastic bangles priced for Rs.35 a dozen.
Timing: 9am to 8pm.
Best time to visit: Weekdays other than Friday, 1pm to 5pm.
Nearest Parking: Near Exhibition Grounds.


*A Blurb for Pills!

Magical Minds

In a world where even hobbies for children are focused around developing a career, Magical Minds is a world apart. Located in Banjara hills, the centre is all about learning to create and enjoying it.
From a Reading Club and Storytelling to Craft workshops and Carpentry and even baking, this is a place for everything creative.
With a 2000 odd, specially picked out book collection, children here love to read.
Here competitiveness is all about who has more fun doing what they do and both parents and children seem to love it.

Ms. Pavni the woman with the vision, always wanted to do something on her own and essentially for children.
Quitting a top shot accounting job to be with her children, she moved back to Hyderabad a few months ago only to find that there was a serious dearth of things to do for them after school.
The only thing existent were sports or a lone drawing class and people who didn’t have the herd mentality had nothing else to do.

The idea of having her own centre slowly began to form, and after quite some mismatches, she met Ms. Manju Shroff, a teacher with years of experience and a Ph.D in Sociology, and then it was Magic!
With her expertise and patience aboard, they now even help children with focusing problems like dyslexia through Remedial Classes.
Together they now even hold sessions that are about basic values, like Punctuality, Behaviour in public spaces and Etiquette.

Another delightful exercise here is the parent toddler sessions which helps young busy couples take time off to enjoy their new parenthood and the apple of their eyes!
A relatively new concept, but one that is getting more and more necessary for Hyderabadis, family time and bonding with their toddler, learning and teaching simultaneously, with interesting themes every week, this is definitely a big hit.
And with the flexible 2-3 week programs, not only can they schedule as per their choice, but also slowly wheel off their toddlers, getting them prepared for school.

Under their umbrella, they definitely have space for everything that contributes to the holistic development of a child.

Age Group: 3-14
Programs: Cozy Corner, 2to Tango and Creative Corner
Sunday Afternoons: Sloka recitation, Spoken and written English, Creative writing
Workshops this month: Soft toy making from Dec 25, Carpentry, Ink and Mosaic Painting

At Kamal Watch Company, it’s always the Time to celebrate!

A watch store that’s literally stood the test of changing time, Kamal Watch Company, is celebrating 40 years this month.

They cater to every customer, from students to executives, boast a variety of brands from our very own HMT, Titan to Citizen, Seiko and specialize in Global names like Rado, Armani, Movado, Cartier etc. Work wear or luxury statements; one can find it all here. The best part however is the Customer centric attention to detail, the categorized displays and the workshop that’s a part of every showroom.
A company that pioneered and adapted to the tastes and choices of an evolving city, and stand way ahead of others in their league, then and now.

Price Range: Rs. 495 to 1.5 Lakh and above!
Timings: 10 Am to 10 Pm.
Locations: Abids, MG Road, Banjara Hills, Dilsukhnagar and Vishakapatnam.