Every fortnight, famous Mumbaikars bond over lunch. In the second edition of Lunchbox, Suprita Mitter listens in on director and dance guru Remo D'Souza and protege Salman Yusuff Khan's mutual love for bikes, cooking and a bond that goes beyond sets
Remo D’Souza and Salman Yusuff Khan bond over food, cooking and bikes at Jamjar Diner, Versova. PIC/RANE ASHISH
"You came on your bike, didn't you? I should have brought mine too," suggests director-choreographer Remo D'Souza as he greets his protege:, choreographer and actor Salman Yusuff Khan at Jamjar Diner in Versova. Warm sunlight casts a natural glow, and adds a comfortable vibe to proceedings at the eatery. "You should have," agrees Salman. There is a lot more than bikes and dance that the two share in common. "I imitate his street-style of dressing, and his shoe fetish," admits Salman as they settle into to a comfy corner in the quirky chic restaurant.
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Avid travellers (bikers) and occasional cooks, the duo first met in 2008, on the sets of a dance-based reality television show where Remo mentored Salman who ended up winning the competition.
"When I came to Mumbai, I had no family or friends. It meant so much that I found someone I could call at the end of a tough day. I've been stuck on the road, and he has come to my rescue," recalls Salman. Remo had launched him as an actor in Any Body Can Dance (ABCD; 2013) and will cast him in the lead role in his upcoming dance flick, for which pre-production is underway. It's well past noon and food is certainly on their minds.
Salman: I'm hungry. What time did you have breakfast?"
Remo: (Sheepishly) I just woke up. I slept late yesterday. Is it okay if I have breakfast now?"
When we assure him that the cafe serves breakfast till 4 pm, he orders a Ham and Cheese Benny (Benedict) with poached eggs, bacon bits and queso, a portion of the Melted Butter and Honey Pancakes and black coffee.
Remo: (explaining why he woke up late) I watch movies at night. I have to see a good movie every day. So, at times, I go through a couple of terrible ones before I get to a good one.
Salman: He watches films of every genre in every language.
By now Salman is browsing through the menu, and mouths the word "healthy." He picks a Protein Power Smoothie with dark chocolate, protein, banana and yogurt and, a Chimichurri Grilled Chicken with four-herb chimichurri, potato mash and glazed veggies. He also suggests that we order a Quinoa Breakfast Burrito Bowl with scrambled eggs, beans, pico de gallo, salsa, Monterey Jack and grilled chicken.
Salman: I've had it before, it's great. I've asked my wife to try it too.
(He nudges us to order one for ourselves as well.)
(Food arrives…)
Salman: (Gazing at the Grilled Chicken) I eat healthy. I binge post a release or a show. I love biryani made by my mom and wife. I can eat it for breakfast. Can you think of anyone who does that? I'm not touching the mashed potatoes (pointing to the serving that arrived as an accompaniment with the chicken).
Remo: You experiment with your food too, right? I play safe. I love these pancakes. They are lethal. I eat eggs for breakfast every day. I'm not too fond of the runny ones though (pointing at the Benedict).
Salman: I hate boiled eggs. I have to eat it while working out but I hate it.
Suprita: Who among you cooks?
(Both raise their hands)
Remo: I cook everything…dal chawal, sabzi, chicken.
Salman: I have eaten his Dal Chawal. I loved it. Ma'am (Remo's wife) cooks well too. I've been told that I can make a good biryani.
Remo: You haven't cooked for me!
Salman: Yes, I just realised that. I want to. even though we get food on sets so often, we forget to eat because we are engrossed with work. I loved the seafood nights we had at your home, with crabs, prawns, lobsters and fish.
Remo: I love seafood. My dabba usually has chicken, mutton or fish.
Suprita: What is your take on the current dance scenario in the country?
Remo: When I made ABCD it was inspired by a group of dancers who went to the World Dance Championship. Last year, the team that went over, finished eighth. Things are getting better. We have the potential and the money. We need enough people to have the faith and experiment. We can do travelling dance shows and musicals. We have started with the Kingdom Of Dreams in Delhi. I saw the excellent Cirque Du Soleil productions in Vegas; its production scales were phenomenal. We have the talent to do it here too.
Salman: If I approached a production house to make a film where the leads were blue in colour, and talked to nature, I would be thrown out. James Cameron's Avatar did get made, right? We need to have a lot more faith. However, things are better now, thanks to television shows. When I started, dance was looked down upon as a profession. I hail from a middle-class Muslim family who didn't approve of it. Now, a professional dancer's calendar is packed throughout the year.
(Dessert arrives) It's the Flower Pot Surprise that includes a brownie, marshmallows, nuts and ice cream in oreo soil.
Remo: This pot is a dessert?
Salman: (excitedly) I can't eat this. It's so pretty. Come on, let's take a selfie. I've never eaten mud before. Oreo mud. May I take this home?
Remo: (Taking a bite of it) This tastes good.
Suprita: What challenge would you like to give each other ?
Salman: I'd like to see Remo Sir in the Bigg Boss house. He's so calm. I want to see how many people get killed.
Remo: Salman will survive. And win too. My challenge for him is to eat this (pointing to the pancakes) and still be able to sport six packs.
Salman: I don't have that kind of talent!
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