Picking order

Get your list of what to read, listen, eat and watch from the proven experts in the field...

‘It’s a great story of the Joad family and their trials’

ReadRuzbeh K Mowdawala, Author, JoyI am currently reading Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. He found inspiration to pen this book from a painting. It depicts that there is destruction all around and an angel has only one string remaining on its harp. But she still wants to create music with that one string — it’s called the audacity to hope.

Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckSet during the great depression, it’s a colourful drama that unfolds in front of you. This novel is a great story of the Joad family and their trials. Biblical in the expression ‘Grapes of Wrath’, this novel also pits the rich against the poor through its pages.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand I love its architect protagonist Howard Roark. He chooses to stay true to his natural spirit and independent nature rather than give in to external pressures.

The Good Earth by Pearl S BuckThe canvas is Chinese, large, colourful and enthralling. From a poor farmer, Wang Lung becomes a rich man who loses himself, and then repents to return to his humble beginnings.

Coma by Robin CookYoung intern Susan Wheeler has the determination to find the truth behind these sudden Coma patients in hospital. Why? Where do they go? What is done to them? What she discovers is gruesome. This summarises the intriguing novel.

- Manali Shah

‘GNR’s the reason I picked a guitar and formed a band’

ListenAditya Mehta, Vocalist, Exhumation

I am currently hooked on to Skyforger by Amorphis. Their 2009 album is something I keep going back to. The beautiful songwriting is what makes this album what it is. Probably the most gorgeous music I’ve heard.Use Your Illusion 1 &2 (Guns N’ Roses) These guys were a really bad influence on me. I discovered them way back, when I was in school. They are the reason I took to smoking, drinking, picked up a guitar and decided to form a band.The Black Album (Metallica) Another pick from back when I was still a teen. It’s been a long while since, but this band and this album continue to turn ordinary kids into extraordinary people even today. To my mind, this is probably the greatest heavy metal record ever made.

Roja (AR Rahman)Even though he went on to compose greater melodies, nothing that I’ve heard from the man so far can top the magic Roja creates. This album is, in a word, surreal. Rahman’s first, but also his best.

Man-made Machine (Z-Machine) Delightful trance music to tune into when you wake up in the morning. From start to finish, the album doesn’t falter. Every track is a gem. It’s a must-listen for anyone even slightly into trance.

—Prayag Arora-Desai

‘Punjab Grill’s raan was to die for’

EatKushal Punjabi, Co-owner, Ye Ol’ Watering Hole

I went to Punjab Grill on my birthday recently and the food, although extremely rich in its ingredients, was delicious. The raan was to die for and that’s more than enough to fill up your tummy.

Wasabi, The Taj Mahal Palace (Colaba)They serve my favourite cuisine — Japanese. I love teriyaki sushi and sashimi. It’s a good ride for me from Andheri to town to build an appetite. The Japanese bread and sake (rice wine) are delicious too.

Thai Pavilion, Taj President (Cuffe Parade)This place is one of my favourites because of the cuisine and ambience. Their traditional Thai green and red curries are mouth-watering and have just the right spice. It’s like being in Thailand and eating the local delicacies.

Out of the Blue (Bandra)This is the most comfortable and chilled-out restaurant with a choice of an open-air sit out or an inside bar area. They serve some delicious steaks and sizzlers, along with a varied choice of continental and mixed cuisine delicacies.

Aurus (Juhu)I love sitting by the sea and Aurus reminds me of being in Goa. The continental food is delicious; especially the hot garlic sea bass. The bar has some exquisite cocktails. On certain nights, the place spins great music, turning it into a mini nightclub.

—Manali Shah

‘ Bheja Fry still cracks me up everytime I watch it’

WatchSagar Ballary, Director

I happened to see Dum Maaro Dum recently and quite liked it. Mostly, because the film has been made with a lot of guts, with more attention being given to the story than the stars it casts. The actors have lent prominence to their roles. The movie was made with honesty, which I liked a lot.

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) I love the way this movie represents two worlds— one real and the other unreal. Also, the way these two parallel worlds are connected throughout, the movie is amazing. The music is notably very good.

Cinema Paradiso (1988) This film revolves around the theme of nostalgia, which is depicted brilliantly in it. The love story depicted in the movie was amazing. The whole concept of hope, wherein the boy stands outside a girl’s window for 99 nights is dealt with very well.

Half Ticket (1962) This is one of my favourite Bollywood movie, as it picturised one of the most endearing song sequences between Vijay, played by Ashok Kumar, and Raja Babu, played by Pran, featuring the song Aake seedhi lagi dil....

Bheja Fry (2007) I’m not saying it because of it being my movie. But Bheja Fry is a movie that still cracks me up whenever I see it, especially the interaction between Bharat Bhushan, played by Vinay Pathak, and Asif, played by Ranvir Shorey, is very funny.

—Meher Manda