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Anurag Kashyap has been working more in the South films since last year. His perfect tuning with Vijay Sethupathi in the film Maharaja won him praises from the audience and critics alike. In a recent interview, Anurag Kashyap shared how Maharaja helped him to arrange his daughter’s wedding fund. He credited co-star Vijay Sethupathi for helping him to get the film.

Recalling his meeting with Vijay Sethupathi, Anurag Kashyap told The Huddle by The Hindu, “After Imaikka Nodigal, I turned down a lot of South films. Offers kept coming every other day. Then, during post-production for Kennedy, I kept bumping into Vijay Sethupathi at my neighbour’s place. He told me there’s this amazing script they’ve been trying to get to me. I initially said no. But he helped me find something in Kennedy, so I gave him a ‘Thank You’ card in the film.”

Anurag also shared he confessed to Vijay Sethupathi that he was unable to arrange money for his daughter Aaliyah’s wedding. “I told him, ‘I need to get my daughter married next year, and I don’t think I can afford it.’ Vijay said, ‘We’ll help you.’ And that’s how Maharaja happened,” Anurag Kashyap revealed how he came on board for the film. 

Anurag’s daughter, Aaliyah Kashyap married longtime boyfriend Shane Gregoire, in December 2024 in Mumbai. The couple’s wedding reception was attended by Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipala, Abhishek Bachchan, his nephew Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bobby Deol.

Speaking of Maharaja, it became one of the highest grossing Tamil films of last year, minting Rs 190 crore worldwide. 

In India, we do not wait for a fruit to ripen before we dig in — we like our food raw, green and full of flavours. From raw mango pickles that tingle your taste buds to crispy raw banana chips that make the perfect chai-time snack, our love for unripe produce knows no bounds. Green papaya? Perfect for curry. Tender jackfruit? A veg biryani star. Even flowers like the kumro phool (pumpkin blossom) find their way into our frying pans as delicious pakoras.

Now, a video capturing this very sentiment is making waves on Instagram. Shared by the page @guru_laila, the reel features a foreign couple who have now made India their home — and clearly, they have picked up on some of our quirkiest culinary habits. “In India, there is no such a thing as something is too green to eat,” the man says in the video. He goes on to list everything from green mangoes and bananas to jackfruit and even pumpkin flowers, all of which are relished before they have had a chance to ripen. “When it is a flower, you can make pakora. When it is raw, cook it in a sabji. When it is ripe, eat it as it is. That’s so amazing. Is there something else unusual you eat?” read the text attached to the video.

A user wrote, “Soo true…You are here now, there is a lot to see and learn.”

Another added, “As an Indian, I didn’t realise that I eat so many things raw. I have been doing it routinely without even realising it.”

“Yup!! Most of the greens are edible. We cook them and eat them. Some are eaten in raw form,” read a comment.

A person said, “Yes, we are very good at making something out of anything.”

A desi foodie wrote, “Nothing goes waste in India, next video should be on how yesterday’s food is recycled, roti into fried roti, yesterday’s rice into fried rice with tamarind and lemon, yesterday’s dal into dal tadka and so on.”

Every year on 17th May, World Hypertension Day raises awareness about a silent, deadly threat that affects millions globally: high blood pressure. In India, where food is as much about emotion as it is about nutrition, the role of sodium in our daily meals is under increasing scrutiny. As we observe World Hypertension Day 2025, it’s time to shine a light on how sodium subtly but steadily makes its way into our diets- and what we can do to manage it.

What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high. Over time, this excess pressure can damage your blood vessels and vital organs, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. Often called the “silent killer,” hypertension usually presents no symptoms until significant damage has already been done.

Why Is Excessive Sodium Bad for Health?

One of the key dietary factors linked to hypertension is excessive sodium intake. Sodium, primarily consumed through salt, plays a vital role in fluid balance and nerve function. However, too much of it causes the body to retain water, increasing blood volume and, consequently, blood pressure.

The World Health Organization recommends no more than 5 grams of salt per day (about 2,000 mg of sodium), but many Indians consume far more often without even realising it. This excess sodium intake, sustained over time, contributes not only to hypertension but also to increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and osteoporosis.

How Sodium Sneaks Into Everyday Indian Meals

We spoke with Dr. Anuja Agarwala, a former dietitian at AIIMS and vice president of the Indian Dietetic Association, who shared her insights on the stealthy presence of sodium in our daily diets.

“For many people, reducing sodium intake simply means using less salt while cooking. But that alone isn’t enough,” says Dr. Agarwala. “Restaurant meals and packaged foods often contain surprisingly high levels of sodium, and it’s easy to overlook the extra salt we habitually add while eating.”

From savoury snacks like bhujia and namkeen to seemingly innocent pickles and papads, sodium is omnipresent. Processed foods such as bread, biscuits, sauces, and ready-to-eat mixes can carry hefty sodium loads. Even our beloved street foods and festive dishes are often sodium-heavy, thanks to seasonings, preservatives, and garnishes.

A recent post about a Swiggy agent balancing his work and taking care of his young kid went viral. After people offered to financially support his efforts, he politely refused.

A Swiggy delivery partner, Pankaj, went viral for his resilience.

He delivered food with his toddler daughter, Tun Tun, on his bike.

He declined financial help, stating he is capable of caring for his daughter.

A few days ago, the story of a Swiggy delivery partner with a toddler went viral on social media. Gurugram-based CEO Mayank Agarwal took to LinkedIn to share a detailed post about his interaction with the food delivery agent named Pankaj. The latter came to deliver an order with his two-year-old daughter on his bike. Mayank questioned him about the same, and Pankaj’s subsequent revelations received a lot of interest online. More recently, the LinkedIn user has shared an update, and Pankaj has again won many hearts online because of his attitude.

More About The Viral Story

When Mayank Agarwal asked Pankaj why his daughter (whose name is Tun Tun) was with him during deliveries, he explained that he had no other option but to bring her along. Pankaj was the only one who could take care of her as his older son was attending evening classes, and his wife had died during childbirth.

Mayank wrote, “He even shared that some customers have told him, ‘Sit at home if you can’t manage – having a toddler is your problem.” This makes me wonder, where are we going as a society? But he had no complaints – only a quiet smile. This moment reminded me how much we take for granted-and how many silently carry extraordinary burdens every day. To Mr. Pankaj and little Tun Tun-your strength is truly inspiring.”

In a world full of exciting spirits like gin, tequila, vodka, rum and more, whisky has crafted a special place in India and is here to stay.

On World Whisky Day today, we are celebrating the most loved alcoholic beverage in India. A glass of whisky is much more than just a drink. It’s a symbol of status, legacy, culture, connection, and good times. In fact, many Indians are introduced to alcohol through whisky. I personally grew up watching my dad, uncle and grandfather sipping whisky with soda and water on Sundays, sharing jokes and snacks with a drink or two, and feeling absolutely delighted like it was the highlight of their entire week. The whisky bottle would be kept safe like a prized possession, treated with utmost care, and always promised a great evening. I believe this is true for many Indian households. 

But have you ever wondered why do we love whisky so much? This World Whisky Day, NDTV caught up with experts from the Indian beverage industry to find out why Indians are so loyal to whisky, and perhaps will always be.

How Whisky Came To India And Never Meant To Leave

“Scotch whisky still dominates the Indian market and it has to do with the fact that it was one of the first entrants as a spirit that came into India,” says Minakshi Singh, CEO, Co-Founder at Sidecar, Cocktails and Dreams Speakeasy, Cafe Lungta, Bhumi Farms, The Brook, India Bartender Week.

Explaining whisky’s huge connection with India, Minakshi adds, “The British introduced Scotch whisky to India, and it was one of the first International spirits to be brought here. It became a symbol of status, success, good taste, discernment, and since then, it has stood by those pillars. Even today, our shelf is dominated by 60-65 per cent of whisky and the remaining are other spirits and liquors and wine and beer.”

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