On the morning of December 19, 2006, a leading national daily ran a headline that was far removed from sportsmanship: “Man or woman?” The dig was aimed directly at Tamil Nadu athlete Santhi Soundarajan, who had just been stripped of her silver medal in the 800 metres race at the 2006 Doha Asian Games after a sex test deemed her ‘not womanly enough’. In 2014, it was Olympian Dutee Chand who faced a similar wrath leading up to the Commonwealth Games. As the saga unfolded, Mumbai-based theatremaker Sapan Saran had an ear to the ground. This weekend, she brings the story to stage with Ottam. The cast performs a scene from the play. PICS COURTESY/BENOY ROY “I read about Dutee Chand’s fight for justice in 2015. Over the next five years, I researched on the various themes and strands present in the play and finished writing the script in 2019. The play was meant to open in 2020, but the pandemic brought things to a halt,” she recalls. Having opened at Prithvi Festival last year, it returns to the city after a stopover at the recently concluded Serendipity Arts Festival, Goa. Santhi Soundarajan (sixth from right, standing) and Sapan Saran (fifth from right, standing) at a training session in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. PIC COURTESY/SAPAN SARAN On stage this weekend, Mumbaikars will meet Akai Amaran, the fictional protagonist — a composite of all the women, including Soundarajan and Chand, who dealt with the trauma of the controversial sex test regulations. Amaran is a Paraiyar girl from rural Tamil Nadu, who battles caste and class barriers to become one of India’s leading track and field athletes. Her arduously created world collapses when she is asked to undertake a gender test. The play features a cast from diverse socio-economic backgrounds There’s a world of difference between ‘following’ a sport, and being a cog in the sporting system in India, Saran confirms. “I wanted to experience more, and felt the urge to meet athletes and spend time with them; not only to listen to their life-stories but also their impulses, aspirations, desires and the nuanced emotions that are only visible through immersion,” she says. Eventually, the theatremaker was able to meet Dutee Chand in Hyderabad and Santhi Soundarajan in Tamil Nadu. “In fact, the choreographer Maithily Bhupatkar and I even spent a couple of days in Chennai to train with Santhi Soundarajan,” she reveals. Sapan Saran The theatremaker describes her central character as someone who is “unaware of the intersectional complexity of her own existence.” The cast and crew of Ottam, however, had to understand all the worlds that live inside Akai. “The first month of rehearsals was orientation month. There were conversations, readings, workshops and masterclasses including a talk by senior sports journalist Sharda Ugra, and a folk training workshop by Chennai based Parai player and educator Adalaarasu,” she reveals. Closer to home, Mumbai-based athletics coach Cyril D’Souza helped the cast soak in the spirit with track and beach training sessions. We’re glad to hear that the play does not unfold from the gaze of an outsider, albeit a well-read, socially conscious one. Saran puts together a young cast that brings with it a diverse range of lived experiences as they come not only from various schools of theatre, but are also from different socio-economic backgrounds. It might as well be an open secret by now that Indian audiences love to lap up a spirited, underdog story about women in sport — think Chak De India (2007), or the Priyanka Chopra starrer Mary Kom (2014). What happens when you decide to include the reality of caste in it, we ask Saran. For the uninitiated, in 2018, Santhi Soundarajan filed a complaint against a colleague at the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) for harassing her over her caste. “I don’t think any conversation on women empowerment is possible without talking about caste in India. That said, I don’t see myself as an activist. I’m a theatremaker. My job is to ask questions, provoke and stimulate. Art looks at these minor shifts as radical moments. This cannot happen by ensuring comfort for an audience. I hope Ottam leads to discomfort,” she signs off. ON January 3 and 4; 7 pmAT Rangshila Theatre, Harminder Singh Road, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.com ENTRY Rs 400
03 January,2026 10:57 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThe evolution of Mumbai often leaves its residents confused about the nature of the city. Yet, each rock displaced and each building constructed is part of a process built over time. This process, in fact, dates back to thousands and even millions of years, explain Local Gyan co-founders Rajesh Krishnan and Sonam Ambe. The duo will team up with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) tomorrow to host Land Clues, an interactive workshop introducing children to the natural and geological history of the city’s formation using tactile means. “Through centralisation and standardisation of education, children only learn concepts through books. We firmly believe that lessons should be experiential,” shares Ambe. To that end, they have previously hosted a workshop on waterways in the city at the museum. “Often times adults, let alone children, can hardly name five rivers in Mumbai. The increased digitisation has added to an inward-looking generation,” she says. Children study a globe with Ambe Krishnan points out that the solution lies in approaching education differently. “To connect these things, you weave a thread through a narrative story. Now, when we try to explain these ideas, we use hands-on activities and tools with relevance to nearby things we see. We ask them to think, and arrive at the answer themselves. In the process, they learn and hear new perspectives. They learn to question each other,” he says. The workshop tomorrow will centre on the geological formation of the seven islands that originally formed Mumbai. The museum also offers another context to the workshop with the Mumbai Gallery. Thomasina Dsouza, education associate, CSMVS, informs, “Since we had a Mumbai gallery, the first workshop was on waterways, and the different water bodies throughout the city of Mumba. Now we are learning about the formation of the city through tectonic plates, volcanoes, and the geography of the city. It helps children to understand the city better.” Participants recreate layers of the Earth’s surface including the core, mantle, and the crust using different types of coloured clay Easier said than done, since such concepts can prove quite complex for adults even. That’s where tactile, interactive activities come in. “We use a lot of clay-related activities. For instance, using the moulding of clay, we can explain to children how tectonic plates are formed, or even help them understand the formation of Gilbert Hill,” Ambe says. Krishnan adds that the interactive sessions also touch upon contextual local questions such as the different sands and rocky texture on the city’s beaches. “Throughout our lives, we learn things in school. But we never truly learn about what it is to be used for. If all those things are linked to the context of your life, they become relevant,” he concludes. ON January 4, 11 am AT Children’s Museum Ampitheatre, CSMVS, Fort. AGE GROUP 6 to 12 years E-MAIL events@csmvs.in ENTRY Museum tickets applicable
03 January,2026 10:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarWhat is your excuse for putting off learning a new skill? Asha Shetty, a Mumbai-based artist, decided to start well into her 40s. There was no plan for a gallery wall or a solo exhibition then. The empty nest syndrome after her children moved out of the house for education, while husband’s work kept him busy, left her searching for something to fill the hours. “Art was something I enjoyed since childhood, and what started as curiosity slowly turned into a daily practice — one shaped by quick YouTube tutorials, trial-and-error, and to recreate art,” mentions Shetty. Initially when Shetty started her artistic journey, the paintings were simple, it was usually on paper with the help of acrylic colours, only after she graduated in 2024 is when she decided to deep dive into her art and focus on other materials and textures as well. “I’ve always loved painting ever since I was young, I remember disliking other subjects and focusing only on art. As mentioned above, after my children went away, it was the loneliness that brought out the artist in me,” says Shetty. Convergence of Energy, 2025 More than fine art The SoBo-resident shared, “My first subject was something I had a personal affection for. Ten years ago, on Ganesh Chaturthi, I picked up a set of small 12 x 12-inch canvases and painted eight Ganesh figures. That is when my journey truly began.” To her surprise, the customers who bought her paintings loved the way she had painted the emotive eyes of Lord Ganesh. The positive response to these works encouraged her to continue on the path. Commissioned works followed — often around devotional themes or recreations based on reference images — and group exhibitions soon after. A quite crossing, where form rests and stillness opens, 2025 But creating art on your own was not quite enough. In 2016, Shetty enrolled in certificate courses at Sir JJ School of Arts to hone her skills over the course of three years. She was in her 50s then, but surprisingly that did not deter her spirit. “During this course, we were taught multiple things — painting, landscape, and portrait studies.” Her graduation in 2018 meant that she qualified for a solo exhibition at one of Mumbai’s most revered art spaces — The Jehangir Art Gallery. During the post COVID-19 era, she dabbled in various art courses including, a Diploma in Painting and Drawing and a Post-graduate certificate in Indian Aesthetics from Jnanapravaha Mumbai. A view of the paintings on display This impending solo has also been a catalyst of her ideas as well. Over the last two years, Shetty’s work has undergone a noticeable shift. “I had to be very serious, particularly in terms of originality,” she said. The devotional figurative works gave way to experimentation across mediums — ink, textured surfaces, abstraction, and layered compositions. Art, form, and silence Her first solo exhibition, Between Form and Silence, reflects this transition. The exhibition brings together contemplative figures, abstract structures, ink works, yantra-inspired compositions, and textured panels with subtle three-dimensional effects. Asha Shetty “In this exhibition, the figures appear as presences rather than portraits, existing alongside abstract structures, geometry, and elements drawn from nature and rituals,” says Shetty. All this comes together to create a subtle dialogue between the personal and the universal. Shetty concluded by saying, “Art, for me, is a sacred journey with abundant exploration and expression. My true inspiration is nature, ancient wisdom, and the mysteries of the cosmos.” TILL January 4; 11 am onwards AT Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Fort.ENTRY FREE
03 January,2026 10:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareCome Friday, and every friend group sits around and ponders on their weekend plans. For Srushti Bukane, a doctor-turned-party host, the idea was quite simple. Bukane’s cosy one bedroom house, now known as The Boardgame Tavern situated in Borivli, transforms into something far more than your typical weekend hangout for friends. “Movies, dinners, comedy shows and escape rooms felt repetitive, expensive and got over far too quickly. You’re done in a few hours, and then you’re left wondering what’s next — unless you keep spending,” Bukane explains. A view of the game, The Castles of Burgundy What began as casual sessions of Catan, Azul and Splendor almost three years ago soon turned into a ritual of hosting friends almost every weekend. As her love for both — games and hosting — grew, so did the circle around the table. What was an initial games night for her friends circle, transformed into a community of people who loved board games. Along the way, some friends suggested opening the experience to others who were looking for something other than the usual partying or bar-hopping. Thus, The Boardgame Tavern was born at the house, in the living room. Elements of Scythe, a historical board game Tavern by the evening Unlike commercial gaming cafés, the space is quite literally Bukane’s home nestled in IC Colony. The intention is immediate and deliberate: Guests are meant to feel at ease. There’s no formal vetting system, no complicated rules. Bukane emphasises that choosing to visit a space that centres on learning, vulnerability, and genuine interaction is more than enough. Kindness and respect are the only prerequisites. Tokens from Dungeons and Dragons “All guests are welcomed with freshly baked signature cookies and generous refills of coffee or cold brew. Before any dice are rolled or cards are shuffled, the group takes part in an ice-breaker led by the Game Master,” says Bukane. After everyone has settled down and gotten comfortable, each person is asked to introduce themselves and share one outrageous or memorable story which makes people open up and root for one another, and awkwardness dissolves. By the time games like Azul or Century: Spice Road hit the table, the group already feels connected. Gateway to games The Great Wall The range of games at the Tavern is deliberately vast. Pretty much having something for everyone. A resident board game expert and Game Master, explains that there is no ‘single best’ game — only the right one for each player. “Social deduction fans gravitate towards Blood on the Clocktower, where players lie, deceive and deduce in a battle between good and evil. Those craving immersive storytelling are particularly drawn to Dungeons & Dragons, where no two sessions are the same and imagination sets the limits,” confirmed Bukane. A top view of the board game Scythe For strategy lovers, longer, more complex titles like Brass: Birmingham, Great Western Trail, Puerto Rico, Teotihuacan, The Great Wall and Dwellings of Eldervale offer some sort of tactical depth. For someone who is completely new, beginner-friendly games like Catan and Azul are also available. The philosophy focuses on flow of the game, rather than rules. The players are briefed on the reasons for their actions before introducing them to game mechanics, ensuring the experience never feels intimidating. For Bukane, the magic lies in the reactions — especially during a session of Dungeons & Dragons, when players see the hand-painted miniatures and custom-built, in-house 3D-printed worlds for the first time. Bukane concludes by saying, “The Tavern now boasts a collection of over 70 games, but the true success lies beyond the table. Guests who once arrived as strangers now travel together, celebrate birthdays and festivals, and show up for one another in difficult moments. At The Boardgame Tavern, games may bring people together—but it’s the community that keeps them coming back. On Every weekend; 3 pm onwards at Holy Cross Road 1, IC Colony, Borivli.Log on to @boardgametavernEntry Rs 499 onwards
02 January,2026 09:48 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareFor a year that saw comedy clubs undergo involuntary interior renovations, comedians making cameos in courtrooms, and more than one big-ticket stand-up act being cancelled on social media, comedian Kajol Srinivasan wrapped it up fairly quietly. “I stayed home and drank hot soup,” she lets us in on her enviable New Year’s Eve plans. Rest assured, she’s gearing to lock horns and cook up a storm this year, starting with an all-woman line up titled Unhinged Ladies in Khar tomorrow. Conceptualised by fellow comedian Jeeya Sethi, the weekly series will be an effort by women and for women who have ‘unhinged’ thoughts to put out in the world. The weekend performance will see Sethi and Srinivasan share the stage with Aditi Mittal, and 24-year-old upcoming artiste Niharika Joshi. Niharika Joshi. PIC COURTESY/@niharikaa.joshii Is the title wordplay on the popular dating app Hinge? Not entirely, reveals Sethi. “My set will include bits on my dating life, and how it’s getting increasingly difficult to date every year,” she laughs. It’ll lead up to the release of her new comedy special titled Will You Marry Me? which she reveals is ironically all about not getting married. For Srinivasan, who has amassed trollers and haters by the dozen over a decade of writing under the handle @LOLRakshak on X (formerly Twitter), it is a year of comebacks. “2025 brought with it a lot of downtime on the professional front. In the new year, I’m writing and testing new material on stage. I’m going to be bolder and louder, and bring uncomfortable conversations with some digs on toxic patriarchy to the stage,” she says. You’ll see much more of her online too. After experimenting with short form content, Srinivasan will now turn to every comedian-content creator’s rite of passage, a daily schedule of posting Instagram reels. Jeeya Sethi. PIC COURTESY/FACEBOOK She’ll have enough support from the sisterhood, Sethi reckons. “2025 was an amazing year for female comedians. There’s more of us right now than ever before, and we’re building an ecosystem where we push each other up. When I started stand-up comedy in 2013, there were barely four female artistes in the industry. Today, you could lose count of the impeccable acts coming out of the scene every month,” she reveals. Aditi Mittal. PIC COURTESY/ADITI MITTAL While audiences warm up to all-woman line-ups, comedy clubs, the duo believes, will play a vital role in dictating how 2026 looks for female comedians. “It’s a collective effort that cannot fall on the shoulders of only the artistes,” Sethi shares. Here’s to more doors opening for the Unhinged Ladies this year. ON January 3; 6 pmAT Khar Comedy Club, Platinum Avenue, Linking Road, Khar West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 499
02 January,2026 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleThanekars will be witness to a musical extravaganza as the Bansuri Festival returns for its annual performance. Led by flautist and maestro Vivek Sonar, the performances in the two-day festival include Krishna Priya, a thematic Kathak performance by Aditi Bhagwat and Sonar, followed by a vocal recital by Meeta Pandit. The highlight will be a musical showcase by 100 flautists across all age groups. While Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia will conclude the proceedings on the first day with a rare performance, the second day will witness Shubha Mudgal and Aneesh Pradhan add the finishing touches. Poet and writer Javed Akhtar is to be awarded the Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia Award. ON January 3 and 4; 6.30 pm AT Dr Kashinath Ghanekar Auditorium, near Hiranandani Meadows, Thane West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comEntry Rs 300 onwards
02 January,2026 09:26 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamAll-star nightComing in: January 31 Grammy-nominated American drummer Billy Kilson will bring January to a close with his signature groove and swing on the Mumbai stage. Keep up with his tempo as the drummer joins the talented duo of Grammy-winning pianist, composer, arranger and producer Geoffrey Keezer and American jazz double bassist Essiet Okon on his Mumbai debut at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA). Beyond the cityComing in: January Housed within a historic chapel in the hills of Khandala, Abbey 301 will turn into a versatile hub dedicated to both performing and visual arts. Founded by duo Krish and Kamini Kotak, it will host live music and theatre shows, as well as artist residencies. Goethe goes to Malabar HillExpected in: Mid-2026 Goethe-Institut, Mumbai is currently located inside CSMVS in Fort After a prolonged search since 2022, the Goethe Institut will move out of Kala Ghoda, to Malabar Hill. “We had been on the lookout for a new place that would fit our needs. Unfortunately, we could not find one in Kala Ghoda. The new place will bring together the library and education centre in one building. Its vast open space and high ceilings also allow us to host a new gallery, a key part of the Institut’s programming,” director Bjorn Ketels revealed. Art of healingComing in: May The festival will spotlight art forms like clowning. PIC COURTESY/TMAHF The city will receive a healing touch in 2026 with The Mumbai Arts and Health Festival (TMAHF) that kicks off in Bandra and Andheri. With clowning artistes, medical experts, as well as visual creators, expect therapy wrapped in laughter for Mumbaikars. Laugh with LouisComing in: March LOUIS CK. PIC COURTESY/LOUIS CK Think you can take a joke? Watch Emmy and Grammy Award-winning comedian Louis CK bring his unmistakable brand of dark, dry-wit humour to Mumbai for the first time. After the success of his specials Sorry and Sincerely, the comedian will premiere his solo show Ridiculous at Shanmukhananda Hall, Sion. Ticket to historyComing in: March A ticket from the collection. PIC COURTESY/MAP.ORG After its run in Bengaluru, the Ticket, Tika, Chhaap exhibition will make its way to the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in March. Curated by Nathaniel Gaskell and Shrey Maurya, the collection of photographs, paintings, and printed ephemera that offer a window into the Colonial tradition of the textile ticket. A gift to rememberComing in: Mid-2026 Sandhya Gokhale In November 2025, playwright Sandhya Gokhale opted to create a play, Silhouettes, to celebrate the 75th birthday of actor Amol Palekar. The work, a moving triptych on feminism, catharsis, and personal triumph, will make its way to the stage this year. To be or not to be?Coming in: January 17, 18 Writer-director Vinay Kumar inverses the view of the Bard’s most famous work by outlining Hamlet’s toxic masculinity in A Woman Or Not To Be by the Pondicherry-based Adishakti Theatre Group at Prithvi Theatre. Nimmy Joseph’s young princess Hamlet and her conundrum of revenge exposes the patriarchal trap. Say it out loudComing in: February Swanand Kirkire. PIC COURTESY/SWANAND KIRKIRE The art of spoken word storytelling and poetry returns with Spoken Fest, Asia’s largest spoken word festival. It features the talents of lyricist Swanand Kirkire, actor Sheeba Chadha, poet Waseem Barelvi, and writer Shantanu Anand, among other artistes. Artistic migrationComing in: January-February A work by Mithu Sen. Pic Courtesy/Artist, Chemould Prescott Road Mithu Sen will open a new exhibition of mixed-media works about the ability to see clearly, What Do Birds Dream At Dusk?, at the Chemould Prescott Road.
01 January,2026 12:44 PM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamWalk like a Girl: A MemoirPrabal Gurung (HarperCollins) This is sensitive storytelling about a queer boy who grew up in Nepal and India, and came to New York to pursue his dreams in fashion. Gurung bares his soul in this tell-all that tracks his inspirational, meteoric rise, dressing American icons like Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.Expected: TBA Aamchi Mumbai Gulzar, translator: Rakhshanda Jalil (HarperCollins India) With 30 short stories and 70 poems in a bilingual edition, the legendary poet, lyricist, and filmmaker pays a fitting tribute to Mumbai. Since the 1950s, when he first arrived in the city, he has written about the struggles and hopes of the city-dwellers in his films and poems with profundity. Expected: February Love Sex India: The Agents of Ishq AnthologyEdited by Paromita Vohra (Westland Books) The anthology consists of real-life stories about the experiences of love and sex while living in India. Powerful, intimate, and honest, the stories range from cheeky first-date tales to those about heartbreaks, tender friendships, exploitation, queerness, and thrilling kinks.Expected: January Biting Off More Than I Can Chew Rahul Akerkar (HarperCollins) One of Mumbai and India’s most celebrated and inspirational chef-restaurateurs opens the melting pot of his life’s adventures in this ambitious memoir. It’s an insightful story about India’s food and drink landscape as much as it’s Akerkar’s bold, uninhibited life in and outside the kitchen.Expected: TBA First Person Rituparno Ghosh, translator: Arunava Sinha (Simon & Schuster India) One of the earliest openly queer filmmakers in India, Ghosh introduced nuanced ideas of freedom of choice and identity in his films. He wrote a weekly Sunday column for the Bengali magazine Robbar. An English translation of his memoir, comprising the column pieces, will be out in 2026. Expected: October Light and Thread Han Kang, translated by Maya West, e. yaewon, and Paige Aniyah Morris (Penguin) Since her 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature win, this is Kang’s first title. The collection includes her Nobel Lecture, where she expresses reliving moments of wonder. In the essays, poems, diary notes, and photographs, she traces the connections between her exterior and interior worlds further.Expected: March Absolute Jafar Sarnath Banerjee (HarperCollins) An Indo-Pakistan romance that withstands years of toxic nationalism, only to emerge in a third region, Europe, this is easily one of Banerjee’s most personal works that is rich in detail, humanity, wit and imagination. Expected: January Abandoning a Cat Haruki Murakami (Penguin) The master storyteller is back with this meditation on memory, where he recalls his equation with his father, and the arrival of a cat into the scenario. He also delves into the reasons behind the distance between father and son, in classic Murakami styleExpected: September Kishori Amonkar Shailaja Khanna (Westland Books/ekada) An Indian classical vocalist of the Jaipur Gharana, Amonkar was most revered for her khayals, alongside her performances of thumris and bhajans. Music critic Khanna has put together the legendary singer’s first ever biography, introducing readers to her quiet magnetism and her unique way of thinking about art and life. Expected: Third/Last quarter The Longevity CodePullela Gopichand and Sophia Pathai (Penguin) An evidence-based reframe of how we think about aging, performance, and resilience that blends cutting-edge science with elite coaching wisdom to deliver a personal, practical, and transformative guide to living stronger, longer, and with more clarity and purpose.Expected: TBA We, The People of IndiaTM Krishna (Westland Books) Carnatic singer and author TM Krishna will release his third book to open his account for 2026. “The book looks at the formative symbols of our secular Republic in an aesthetic, historic, and contemporary context,” Krishna revealed. Expected: January Also check out >> The Godrej Story by Anand Kumar (Westland)>> Of Least Concern by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra (Westland)>> Not Quite Family by Khaled Mohamed (HarperCollins)>> Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif (Penguin)>> The Steps by Sylvester Stallone (Hachette)>> Wahid Shaikh vs The State by Wahid Shaikh with Amrit BLS (Roli) Children’s corner >> Unlocking the Animal World by Ingrid Newkirk (HarperCollins)>> Magnificent Murals - Buddhist Art of Ajanta by Ashwin Prabhu (Tulika)>> Death Comes to Matheran by Shabnam Minwala (HarperCollins)>> Under Pressure: Freddie Mercury by Shyamala S (Niyogi Books)
01 January,2026 12:34 PM IST | Mumbai | Fiona Fernandez | Nandini VarmaFrom the coastComing in: January Siciliana, the latest offering from Speciality Restaurants Limited, opens at Palladium, and celebrates the Italian art of slow living. Here, meals linger, conversation flows, and dining feels joyful and unhurried. Inspired by Sicily’s coastal soul, the restaurant had a soft launch in December 2025 and brings together honest flavours, rustic warmth, and a spirit of generous hospitality. The menu stays true to classic Italian techniques of slow simmering, light sautéing, and the liberal use of olive oil and fresh herbs, allowing quality ingredients and simple preparations to shine in comforting, flavour-forward dishes. Serving nostalgiaComing in: January 6 Roxanne’s-Bar & All Day Diner by Peninsula Redpine Hotel in Andheri East promises a retro nostalgia-themed bar and diner. It brings together the comfort of a classic diner with the energy of a contemporary cocktail bar. The space blends Art Deco accents and familiar warmth with a global, immigrant-inspired menu that draws from Modern American, Asian and Continental influences, including a dedicated robata-grilled selection. Truly AsiaComing in: January After eight years of building Gong in Pune, bringing it to Bandra feels personal for Avik Chatterjee (inset), executive director, Innovation and New Formats, Speciality Restaurants Limited. “Gong has grown into one of the city’s most loved contemporary Asian restaurants, and Mumbai — especially Bandra — has always been the natural next chapter. The restaurant is inspired by Tokyo’s high-octane dining and nightlife culture, and we’re excited to reinterpret that energy for Mumbai. Alongside Gong, we’re also introducing a small, distinctive cocktail bar focused on creative drinks and tapas — designed as a space to unwind, linger, and enjoy the night,” he reveals. Melbourne to Mumbai, via ItalyComing in: January Inspired by Melbourne’s iconic Lygon Street and its culture of Italian cafés and trattorias, the team behind The Berliner Bar and Bombay Brioche brings that same relaxed, refined energy to Bandra. Lygon Street will focus on slowing down, sharing well-crafted food, and connecting over good wine. The menu features fresh, artisanal pasta made daily, a thoughtfully curated wine and cheese selection with single-serve platters, and comforting signatures, such as pistachio affogato. Chef-founder Sneha Upadhyay shares, “Lygon Street was where I first felt at home in Melbourne, and where my love for food and café culture began. This is our tribute to that warmth and spirit — reimagined in our own way, with classic Italian flavours and desserts that echo an old-world, 1980s charm.” Japanese bowls and moreComing in: January First-time restaurateurs and friends Raunak Moolchandani and Digvijay Pawar will open Nōdo, a modern Japanese restaurant in Andheri West. It is built around comfort, not complexity — bringing everyday Japanese food to the forefront. The spotlight is on satisfying bowls and familiar flavours. Brewery in the hillsComing in: 2026 There’s yet another reason to drive down to Lonavala. Wild Waters Microbrewery & Kitchen, one of biggest microbrewery restaurants in Asia will open at Mumbaikars’ preferred hill station. It offers global cuisine led by chef Shantanu Gupte, and brought in by Formax Hospitality LLP. We hear it seats 2000 people in a 40,000 square-feet space! Classy Italian affairComing in: January end-early February Born from a shared dream and brought to life by chef Harshita Bhatia (below left), founder-executive chef, and Ankita Bhatia, founder-experience curator (below right), Adelina will be located in Bandra, and is where food can become an expression of feeling, where every detail is shaped by warmth. A passion project defined by perseverance, creativity, and a deep-rooted love for hospitality, it invites guests to slow down, savour, and truly connect. Coffee and community Coming in: January Source Coffee & Commune, a Mumbai-based café and community-led space, by JSM Group, will head to Thane. The space will focus on specialty coffee and curated all-day food. It is designed to encourage slow living and mindful experiences — offering patrons a place to work, unwind, and connect.
01 January,2026 09:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Phorum Pandya | Nasrin Modak SiddiqiLooking back in time, running definitely adds quality to life and it is truly never too late to start,” says Kaushik Panchal, founder of Runners Academy. At the age of 54, with more than 22 years of distance running behind him, Panchal speaks from experience, both as a runner and as a coach. As they age, people experience a sudden shift in the pace of life. Fatigue and stress become a part of their daily routine. Ruby Kanchgar leads the group in stretching exercises At the age of 33, Panchal was hit by the realisation that this was not a practical way to go about life. It was also compounded by the fact that he suffered from perpetual back ache, accompanied with issues of obesity and severe acidity. That is when, the businessman decided to change, one step at a time, no pun intended. Founded in 2015, Runners Academy in Borivli, now trains runners across five centres in Mumbai, many of them over 40 and senior citizens. The discipline of endurance Panchal insists, “Consistency in training is the most important aspect.” New runners at the academy train four to five days a week for two to three months, allowing endurance and strength to build gradually. The training plans are customised — considering factors such as age, fitness levels, previous injuries, and more importantly, the profession of the individuals. The group performs hip rotation exercises to ensure better mobility Sunday long runs form the core of the group’s marathon preparation. The community often changes locations to break routine and maintain motivation. “Warm-ups are treated as the holy grail, these include a head-to-toe warm up, giving your body a wake-up call,” reveals Panchal. Pre-run drills help avoid sudden jerks during the run The running coach insists on dynamic movements before each run, including foot gymnastics and running ABC drills. The latter are a set of fundamental running exercises — A-Skips, B-Skips/bounding, and C-Skips/butt kicks — designed to improve running form, efficiency, coordination, and speed by focusing on high knees, powerful leg drives, and quick foot turnover, making runners faster and reducing injury risk. These are paired with a slow jog or walk to ease the body into motion. Injury is avoidable Addressing the inevitable question, Panchal highlights, “Injuries are often the result of avoidable mistakes. Common problems such as stress fractures, plantar fasciitis (a common cause of heel pain, resulting from irritation and inflammation), and knee pain usually come from worn-out shoes, running on hard surfaces, skipping warm-ups, or increasing mileage too quickly. Lack of strength training and vitamin deficiencies also play a role.” His solution is simple: Structured training, gradual progression, and fewer back-to-back races. Runners at the Autism Awareness Marathon at Kandivli East in 2019 Strength training, yoga, and cross-training are built into the academy’s weekly schedules. “Running should never be an everyday activity, as you need the same amount of days to recover,” says Panchal. Three to four running days are balanced with strength work and flexibility training. Community is central to the academy. “Group training helps runners to stay motivated during plateaus and missed sessions. We travel together for races across India, including events such as the Pondicherry and Ladakh marathons.” A group of runners participate in a yoga session before warm-up A regular with the group, Dr Harshita Satam Ingole, 39, shares, “Running marathons was not something I thought I would enjoy. Regular long-distance training has improved my cardiovascular capacity and overall muscular resilience. The Sunday endurance run is something I especially look forward to.” Nutrition, hydration, and mindset Contrary to popular perception, Panchal suggests managing nutrition is easy. “It is equally important to focus on pre and post-run nutrition. For pre-running, keep it simple. Fruits like bananas, oranges, dates, and dry fruits, nothing too heavy. After a run, it is essential to have a protein-rich meal, within two hours.” This includes hydration, too. Drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes a day before the run will do wonders. Kaushik Panchal After long runs, runners are advised to walk to bring their heart rate down gradually and stretch. A quick nap and an ice-cold shower also help, as does foam rolling. Panchal concludes by saying, “With the right training regimen, and consistent discipline, running almost feels like a high. It becomes a habit you love.” At L-101, Dattapada Road, Food Corporation of India Warehouse, Borivli East. Log on to@runners_academy Call 9821026416 Do’s and Don’ts Do’s1. Consult a physician before taking up running2. Do your warm-ups. Spend 10-15 minutes before every run.3. Start slowly with walk-jog Don’ts1. Do not run everyday2. Do not skip sleep and recovery3. Don’t skip 3:1 ratio (3 portions of protein and one of carbohydrates pre and post-meal respectively)
31 December,2025 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareAt one point during the anti-CAA NRC protests in Mumbai’s Nagpada in 2020, uniformed policemen stopped Dhammarakshit Randive and his cultural collective Yalgaar Sanskrutik Manch (YSM) in their tracks. ‘No dafs (handheld drums) allowed’, was the diktat. “That day, we thumped beats on our own bodies, some of us tried to mimic the beats with our mouths [beatboxing]. The protest songs never stopped,” he recalls. Six years from this tryst, the group will recreate the atmosphere at a Lower Parel venue for Mumbaikars willing to lend an ear. A moment from a previous edition of Amhi Kon. PICS COURTESY/AKLESH SUTAR, YSM Amhi Kon, a showcase of protest poetry, socially aware hip-hop, and folk traditions will pan the spotlight onto pressing matters — deforestation, caste-based violence, class divide, tribal rights. Led by city-based collective Swadesi Movement, recognised for spearheading the cause of deforestation and tribal displacement in Aarey Forest through their song The Warli Revolt in 2019, the showcase is a “bridge between the urban Mumbaikar and the voices of people who have a different culture and lived experiences to share,” says rapper Aklesh Sutar of Swadesi Movement. Loud and clear On stage this weekend will be members of Swadesi Movement, YSM, and Tappori’s Paradise, a collective of rappers, b-boys, graffiti artists, and DJs from across the city. Attendees can also expect to hear two unreleased tracks from Swadesi’s repertoire: Luxury, a reminder for Mumbaikars that the most prized luxury is the green cover that is slowly diminishing; and Waqt, a reflection on the relentless march of time. A b-boying act from hip-hop crew Tappori’s Paradise. PIC COURTESY/Gaurav Trivedi, @TAPPORIsPARADISE on Instagram The YSM troupe will present the folk tradition of Ambedkarite jalsa shahiri, a celebration of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s teachings through the popular folk music of Maharashtra. We’re told that the group is now experimenting to include the electric guitar and give the folk tradition a rock twist. “Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was clear in his belief that social and cultural reform will precede economic and political reform. Our songs also draw inspiration from the poems of late Namdeo Dhasal, who led the Dalit Panther movement from the chawls of this city,” Randive reveals. Personal, political, and poignant Namdeo Dhasal. PIC COURTESY/NAMDEO DHASAL FOUNDATION (right) Narendra Dabholkar. PIC COURTESY/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Keeping the fire of cultural revolt burning is equally personal for the activist. Growing up in Satara district, Randive crossed paths with Devdatta Dabholkar, who would go on to introduce the young activist to his brother, and late social activist and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. “I worked closely with rationalists like the Dabholkars and Govind Pansare, who was killed in 2015. The truth that the Indian Constitution is paramount is ingrained deep in my mind. Wherever the Constitution is under threat, we [YSM] will be ready to voice its dissent,” he says. Aklesh Sutar Will there be takers for these strong words at the Lower Parel venue that is known for its eclectic gigs and late-night parties that trickle into the wee hours? “It might make some Mumbaikars uncomfortable; the great part is, that’s exactly what we want. Then again, you can’t really blame the Mumbaikar — after an unforgiving workday and long commutes, he wants something easy on the senses. Perhaps that is why Mumbai loves to let loose and dance,” he says. With the dafs in hand this time, we’re sure they’ll make you dance alright. ON January 4; 9 pm AT antiSocial, Mathuradas Mill Compound, Lower Parel. LOG ON TO skillboxes.comENTRY Rs 499
31 December,2025 09:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
