She is a Content Creator on Instagram: jump_into_my_kitchen

A Chef Creator on the Gronda app: Lynn Daniella Hoffmann

Q.) Which cuisine do you prepare?

Chef Lynn: My food is renowned for being “fusion cuisine,” since it is a synthesis of several cultures as a result of my travels and passion for trying out new recipes and culinary styles.

Q.) When you were 18 years old, what motivated you to write a cookbook?

Chef Lynn: I used to work in a big office and bring my own prepared meals, which many of my coworkers found impressive due to their appearance. My first cookbook, “Recipes for my Friends,” was inspired by that.

Q.) Describe the cuisines of Portugal and Hungary.

Chef Lynn: I grew up learning about Hungarian cuisine from my late mother, which is a blend of sophisticated and hearty dishes from the plains that have been inspired by many other civilizations over the ages. Deep, rich tastes made with charcuterie, game meats, and their renowned “paprika.” Amazing sweets that reflected both their personal and the Austrian empire. Portuguese food has been greatly influenced by many different cultures, and as a maritime nation, it is rich in fish and seafood dishes. Prepared simply (mainly on a grill) to retain the sea’s flavours. Amazing agriculture and hearty meals are the hallmarks of inland Portugal. Their “Black Pork,” which is akin to the Spanish “Porco Iberico,” is particularly well-known.

Q.) What makes your meal unique?

Chef Lynn: My food is “fusion” and innovative since I blend other cultural cuisines into it and I don’t often make the same meals twice. Since of this, my creations are always surprising and full of new flavours! Because I have experience with sculpture in my early years, my plating design is entirely original and “sculptural.”

Q.) It’s amazing how colourful your food looks. For what reason, exactly?

Chef Lynn: Being an artist (painter, sculptor, designer, photographer), I have a strong visual sense. A platter ought to have appealing hues, textures, flavours, and aromas.

Q.) What was the proudest moment of your culinary career?

Chef Lynn: I had two really proud experiences. The first was a few years ago, when I opened “Saveurs du Jour,” a private house restaurant (Flavours of the Day). It quickly gained a lot of success, and I had a great time entertaining visitors, wowing them with my food, and getting to know amazing people. My rise to fame on Instagram with my brand “Jump Into My Kitchen” was, and continues to be, my second source of pride. I am often asked for guidance, coaching, and instruction by other chefs. I founded a worldwide chef club two years ago with the goal of inspiring people and bringing together chefs from all around the world for enjoyable, non-competitive cooking challenges.

Q.) What motivates you to cook?

Chef Lynn: I am motivated primarily by my inner drive to encourage people, whether they be professional or home chefs, kids or young adults, etc., to cook and be creative.

Q.) Which cuisine, Canadian, Hungarian, or Portuguese, do you find most interesting and why?

Chef Lynn: Actually, none of those: Asian food is what I find most fascinating and heavily influences my cooking. Asian food has so many different aspects and customs.

Q.) Any suggestions for aspiring chefs?

Chef Lynn: Definitely! Be creative. Experiment with flavours and textures. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Ask many questions and reach out to other Chefs. Without a doubt, my mantra is “Don’t be afraid to break the culinary rules”.

By: Rida Khan (Aviation Author)

Instagram A/c: aviationauthor.ridakhan

Recipes courtesy of Jump Into My Kitchen®
Asian inspired Torched Salmon and Spicy Salmon Tartare
Serves 2
Ingredients
600g Salmon filet – IMPORTANT: it must have beenpreviously frozen for at least 7
days.
2 Tbsp Hoisin sauce
2 Tbsp Lime Ponzu (or 2 Tbsp Low sodium Soy sauce & the juice of 1 fresh lime)
1 Tbsp Toasted sesame seeds
2 Spring onions, finely chopped
2-3 Tsp Hot chilli sauce (or more if you like it very spicy)
4 Sheets Phyllo pastry
Canola oil for brushing the pastry
Baby Bok Choy leaves or lettuce leaves for garnish
Special Equipment
2 x 12 cm Ring mold, or baking cup
Baking tray
Pastry brush
Parchment paper; Blow torch

Instructions
Heat the oven to 220c
Line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut the 4 sheets of phyllo pastry into 2 equal squares and brush each sheet lightly with canola
oil, placing each sheet on top of the other. Press each of the set of four phyllo squares into each
ring mold with the edges hanging out and gently form a cup.
Place them on the baking tray and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden. Keep an
eye on them as they will burn quickly. Remove the tray from the oven and let the phyllo cups
cool whilst you prepare the salmon.
Tartare: Cut the salmon filet into 4 equal portions. Set two aside, leaving the skin on.
Take the remaining 2 and remove the skin. Using a sharp knife, dice the salmon flesh and place
in a medium small bowl. Add the hoisin, ponzu (or soy sauce and lime juice), sesame seeds,
spring onions and chilli sauce. Combine well and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
Torched Salmon: Take the 2 portions of salmon with its skin on and place on a plate. With the
blow torch on medium flame, torch the skin until it’s evenly browned (or even black for more
flavour). The gently torch the flesh side until it’s cooked to your desire.
Cut the filets into equal squares of approximately 2-3 cm each.
Assembly
Unmold the phyllo cups onto 2 appetizer plates. Line the cups with bok choy leaves or lettuce
leaves. Place equal portions of the torched salmon into each cup and then spoon in equal
portions of the tartare alongside the torched salmon and serve immediately.

Portuguese-Hungarian Octopus

Serves 2
Ingredients
2 Octopus tentacles, separated
Water for boiling
5 Tbsp Olive oil
2 Large shallot
¼ Cup dry white wine
1 Tbsp Hungarian sweet paprika
6-8 Baby new potatoes, washed
8 Slices of spicy Portuguese “choriço” OR Spicy Hungarian dry sausage ¼ inch thick
4 Dried bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
2 Whole garlic bulbs

Instructions
Prepare the octopus: Fill a medium-large saucepan with water up to half way and bring to a
boil on high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and gently add each octopus
tentacle holding the thick end. The thin end will start to curl as it is immersed into the boiling
water. Repeat with the second tentacle. Allow it to simmer for 30-45 minutes or until tender.
Remove from heat and set aside.
Prepare roast potatoes and Choriço; Roasted Garlic bulbs
While the octopus is cooking, heat the oven to 450F.
Add the potatoes (skin on) and the choriço slices to a medium roasting pan and drizzle with 1
Tbsp, olive oil. Sprinkle generously with fine sea salt. Roast, turning once or twice, until the
potatoes and choriço are crispy. (About 35-40 minutes)
At the same time, slice the top of each garlic bulb so that all the cloves are exposed.
Wrap them loosely in foil with the corners facing the top and leave a small opening to allow
steam to escape. Roast the garlic bulbs alongside the roasting pan.
Prepare the sauce
Peel and slice the shallots 1/8 inch thick and add to a medium skillet.
Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil and sauté the shallots on medium high, stirring, until slightly golden.
Add the paprika and combine well with the shallots, then add the white wine and the bay
leaves. Allow it to simmer whilst stirring, until the white wine has reduced by 1/3. Remove from
heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. (This preparation should take about 15 minutes).
Sauté the Octopus
Remove the octopus tentacles and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
In a medium skillet bring the remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil to sizzling point on high, then reduce
heat to medium and add the 2 tentacles. Sauté the tentacles, turning from time to time, until
the edges are golden and remove from heat. (About 10 minutes)
Remove the potatoes and garlic from the oven.
Assembly
Take 2 dinner plates and place one tentacle on each.
Spoon half the sauce over each tentacle, then add the roasted potatoes and choriço.
Unwrap the roasted garlic bulbs, sprinkle with a little bit of fine sea salt and place each bulb alongside each tentacle. Serve immediately.

Mrs India UK aims to encourage empowered women to be spokespeople and provides multi-dimensional opportunities to married women in various fields. It ensures learning, development, building confidence and strengthening the bond between diversified cultures of Indians abroad.

Mrs India UK offers extensive training and development to represent British Indians/Asians nationally and internationally in top beauty pageants Mrs Universe, Mrs Earth, Mrs International & Mrs UK World. Emphasising to redefine the myth of beauty by recognising beauty along with talent, knowledge and skills of these multi-talented women, Mrs India UK continues to do so to benefit today’s women. The organisation has strived hard to break down the barriers normally associated with entering conventional beauty contests. The competition is open to all women aged from 21 to 50 and this marks an important and refreshing step forward in the beauty pageant industry and emphasises the contest’s key purpose of celebrating the spirit of beauty in all women.

Mrs India UK 2020 Finals took place in London following strict government covid guidelines.

Kanchan Jawale winner of Mrs India UK universe 2021 went onto represent the UK as Mrs India UK Universe 2021 in Seoul, South Korea which took place in 2022.

Radhika Murthy, Mrs United Kingdom international 2021 went on to represent United Kingdom as Mrs United Kingdom international in Kingsport Tennessee USA, which again took place in 2022.

Kanchan and Radhika took time out from their busy schedule to talk to our journalists. (pls see attached press questions)

Both winners went on to comment ‘That representing the UK titles abroad proved to be a very positive experience, which has opened major doors for them’.

Director of Mrs India UK 2020, Rose Marok 2019 crown holder of Mrs India UK classic from the West Midlands went on to represent the United Kingdom as Mrs United Kingdom International 2019 in West Virginia USA. Rose also holds the directorship (licence) for various international pageants. She went on to comment ‘The entire journey of Mrs India UK has been an exceptional journey for me both as a winner and a director my journey has been so positive and opened so many doors, I would like to encourage other women out there. Women empowerment comes to my mind and more and more women should support each other. I am hoping this will be a platform to encourage this’. Taking Mrs India as a brand to the next level has been an exciting journey for me and my team an congratulate both Kanchan and Radhika for representing the UK.

• Please describe yourself as a person

I am Kanchan Jawale, MRs India UK 2020, 2 RUP.

Winner of Gold Title – Best National Costume, Silver Title – Style Icon

A Dreamer, Explorer, Fashionista, Avid Fitness Enthusiast, and a corporate professional, living in London for the past 10 years.

I am a multifaceted individual who is constantly evolving and believes in having a good work life balance.

Working in three financial hubs of the world NY, London and Mumbai has enhanced my knowledge, thought process, and has changed my perspective of looking at life.

In 2019, I was honoured to be invited by Her Majesty to attend the Royal Tea Party in the Buckingham palace based on my hard work and performance.

• What was your education?

I have done my Bachelor of Engineering from Mumbai, India

I am certified Business Intelligence professional.

I have done my ILM Level 5 – Leadership and Management program in London, UK.

• Where did you study?

I studied in Mumbai, India.

I did my ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management program in London, UK.

• Your career path, why did you go into this career path.

I had the drive and passion for Business Intelligence and a natural inclination towards Finance/insurance markets. Due to my perseverance and hard work, I was fortunate to get opportunities which blended my Business intelligence skills in the Finance and insurance domain.

I am a corporate professional working for one of the most prestigious firms in London, UK. I am ambitious, planned and a result orientated professional. Through continued hard work, passion, advocacy, and strong leadership skills, I have built a successful career in the Finance industry.

• Please give you full name and age

Kanchan Jawale, Age: 40 years

1)Why did you join this pageant?

There comes a time in your life when you want to go and follow your dreams. I felt I was lost somewhere, busy with my career, job and family responsibilities. Also, I always like to challenge myself to do something different as it helps you to learn so much about yourself.

Luckily, I came across Mrs India UK pageant. I thought, what better than participating in the Mrs India UK Pageant! In this era of women empowerment, I thought I was ready to take that bold step, put my right foot and embrace my dreams.

It reminds me of what Paulo Coelho wrote in the book “The Alchemist”, “When you want something, the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”.

2)What was the feeling when you won the Mrs India UK crown?

After winning the Mrs India Crown I was excited and was looking forwarded for doing some interesting work.

3) Family support is especially important, how, and what kind of support have you received from your family?

I have an excellent support from my husband and daughter in everything I do. I think it is because we realise “Having it all” means “Sharing it all”. We like to schedule our priorities instead of prioritising our schedules and working as a team investing in spending quality time together.

4) Working full time, what was the reaction of your work colleagues when you won the UK title

My work colleagues were excited and proud about my achievement. I think they always knew I had the aspiration, the drive, and the will to achieve something like this.

2)How do you see yourself fifteen years from now?

AND

15)And finally where and how are you going to use and take this experience moving forward?

Life is but a play of chance in the game of choice.

I think I will always work towards upping my game in empowering women. I never think of life in a set frame. I will continue to raise my voice to make the position of women better in this world. Help them in finding their right place, dignity, and identify their values.

I would like to create a social impact and motivate women suffering from Post-Partum Depression, raise awareness for women’s menstrual hygiene and continue educating young girls, provide career guidance and help them identify their talent so that they can take right decision in moulding their career.

3)Who is the most influential person in your life?

One man’s mission to improve to women’s lives.

My most influential person in life is Arunachalam Muruganantham, inventor of a low-cost sanitary pad-making machine. He is credited for innovating grassroots mechanisms for generating awareness about traditional unhygienic practices around menstruation in rural India. He identified the biological condition encountered by women acted on it. He also created means to earn livelihood for poor women via his machinery which was simple to operate.

4) Let’s assume you won 1 million Jackpot, what would you do with it?

I don’t believe in free money. Though hypothetically if I won 1 million pounds, I’d try to make some positive impact in the world. I see a meaningful purpose in my life. I want to use my public speaking skills to create a social impact. I would like to get connected with the right people, perhaps I might invest time in an interesting project, NGO, something that would have a big impact in our country, or at least in the city.

5)If you had to live your life all over again, what part of your life would you change?

OR

6)If you were given the chance to live again, what would it be?

OR

7)If you were given the chance to change something from the past, what would it be?

It is difficult to befriend your present If you are still quarrelling with your past.

I don’t think I would want to change anything from my past. I think I had great learnings and beautiful experiences throughout my life. Every opportunity be it small or big has made be a better person and has made me stronger than before.

8)If God should grant you one wish, what would it be?

I think if God grants me one wish, I will want to create a rule in the country that would give power to the young girls and women who suffer from physical abuse. I will want to pass a law and order that will give enough power to these young girls and women to fight against these evil people.

9) What can be your greatest contribution to the community?

My greatest contribution to the community will be to use my public speaking skills to create a social impact by positive communication.

I would like to motivate women suffering from Post-Partum Depression, physical abuse, raise awareness for women’s menstrual hygiene and continue educating young girls, provide career guidance and help them identify their talent so that they can take right decision in moulding their career.

10)What will be your contribution to mitigating global warming?

I think, I believe that the contribution starts in our day to day activity. I feel if each one of us do few positive changes daily we can easily save our planet and reduce the carbon footprint. To mitigate the global warming, I would raise awareness to help tackle the climate change, reduce carbon footprints and emphasis on planting more trees.

11)How would you describe your own personality?

I am ambitious, hardworking and result orientated professional with strong leadership skills.

Optimism is my steady source of motivation that drives me to do my best. I am constantly evolving and like to regularly set goals and challenge myself to succeed.

I am known for my glamorous, flamboyant & bold dressing.

12)What is your philosophy or value that you hold dearest in life?

I feel Authenticity, Hard work, Optimism and Discipline leads you to your destination.

13)If you will be winning the international crown, what will be the very first thing you will do?

“Happiness cannot be travelled to owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.”

Express gratitude.

When my dream becomes a reality holding the beautiful crown, first thing I will Thank God for the honour and thank everyone who supported me, who believed in me and helped me throughout my journey.

14)What would be your advice for anyone who would like to enter Mrs India UK?

I would say, if you feel you are lost somewhere and need to find the identity of your own, boost your confidence and If you have a vision to bring change and help people around you this is the right platform for you to enter.

Radhika Murthy Jakkula

38 years

1)Why did you join this pageant?

I want to join this pageant to learn important life skills which will boost my self-confidence. I want to discover the new ME by pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Also, the memories I make, the people I meet and the experiences I get throughout this journey are something which are priceless and I will cherish for rest of my life. Most importantly, it is a great platform to be a voice to educate and influence people.

2)What was the feeling when you found out that you will be representing United Kingdom at internationals.

I was overwhelmed. I felt it was a privilege to participate in such a biggest and oldest Pageant competing with women from various regions. It is indeed a proud moment to be a face of my nation.

3) Family support is especially important, how and what kind of support have you received from your family

My family were overwhelmed. Coming from a very conservative family from India, I wasn’t sure initially if everyone would support me but I was excited to see how everyone passed their wishes and encouraged me to participate in this Pageant.

4) working full time, what was the reaction of your work colleagues when you won the UK title

My colleagues and friends were very surprised initially. They were indeed proud and excited about it. They have supported me in all ways and are inspired with my achievement and are wishing for my success in the journey ahead.

5)How do you see yourself fifteen years from now?

My vision is to spend more time for the society. I have learned how to take new responsibilities as a wife and mother and I am now ready to take up new responsibilities to serve the society. I want to be a successful mental counsellor and at the same time live a happy married life.

6)Who is the most influential person in your life?

My mother is the most influential, motivational and creative person in my life. I always try to be like my mother. The patience, kindness, nurturing, forgiving nature are something which I always want to learn from her. The advices which she gave me and the life lessons she taught me, made me into a person who I am now.

7) Let’s assume you won 1 million Jackpot, what would you do with it?

I would be overwhelmed! I would definitely not quit my job and I will continue doing what I am doing. However, I will firstly use some of the money on a World Tour, which always has been my dream. Eventually I will use the rest of the money to make a difference in the society in whatever way possible. I would reach out to the charities which I am working with and use it for a good cause.

8)If you had to live your life all over again, what part of your life would you change?

Life is all about learning from mistakes and make sure you don’t repeat them. So if there is a chance to live life all over again, I will do Masters which I couldn’t. Although it didn’t impact me where I am today, I might experience and learn more things which would benefit me more today.

9)If you were given the chance to live again, what would it be?

I would still be ME as a woman. I enjoy being a woman, fulfilling my dreams, nurturing my family and doing things which I want to. I take pride in whatever I do and whatever I am.

10)If you were given the chance to change something from the past, what would it be?

If I were given a chance and had an opportunity to change something, that would be stopping Kargil war. This happened in 1999 whilst I was in India and was the most scariest thing I have even experienced. It was heart-breaking to see many soldiers loosing lives and common people dying of threat and hunger. This shook the whole nation. No one wants this to happen ever again.

11)If God should grant you one wish, what would it be?

I would ask him to completely eradicate this pandemic and also any other future pandemics. Many people have died, have died in worse conditions which is heart-breaking and no one deserves this.

12) What can be your greatest contribution to the community?

I want to stand by people who need another person to talk to. I want to help those who are facing depression and mental health issues. This is very common from a poor to rich, healthiest to sick, most successful to least successful person. Many people around us are victims of depression and want to help those in need.

13)What will be your contribution to mitigating global warming?

Most important is educate people about green revolution. I would use Social Media and seminars to voice this out. According to me, most important one is to eradicate de-forestation which is contributing majorly to global warming and promote planting trees as much as possible. I will also promote using electric vehicles, travelling in public transport, stop using plastics, develop eco-friendly habits and the list is endless.

14)How would you describe your own personality?

I am fun and easy-going person. I am an extrovert and very optimistic person who believe in positivity. I am adventurous and I enjoy taking up new challenges and doing something differently. I believe in myself and I take every failure as a learning step

15)What is your philosophy or value that you hold dearest in life?

Be Positive in everything you do.

There could be many hurdles and blockers coming in the way way. The more we believe in ourselves, the more successful we will be. Positivity and self-confidence are key for success.

16)If you will be winning the international crown, what will be the very first thing you will do?

If I win the crown, I would firstly thank my family who have encouraged me to participate in this and my team who has given me this opportunity.

17)What would be your advice for anyone who would like to enter pageants?

Just be Yourself. Believe in yourself and you can make it.

18)And finally where and how are you going to use and take this experience moving forward?

The experience I get in this journey will definitely change the way I see myself going forward. I will take the learnings to my friends and family around myself and educate them.

 I qualified as a lawyer in 2002, and thereafter, I’ve been practising in Indian courts. I came to the UK in 2004 and qualified as a solicitor. After working here for two years, I resumed my practice in India. Over time I gained some clients in England, so I have been able to work across both jurisdictions. 

2) You have gone to court to defend clients with a variety of legal issues, is there a specific legal concern or agenda that you want to back up the most? 

  Gradually I shifted to a special retrieve and started working as an anti-money laundering lawyer as India has a special department there known as the enforcement directorate. I had already handled significant cases to do with the issue, and so it developed into my area of interest. Now, with nearly a decade of experience working in the subject, I travel a lot and handle such cases, and ones to do with the prosecution, attachment, freezing orders, investigation, etc.  

3) You recently won a case in India and proved one of your clients as innocent of money laundering. Why do you think the topic is such a significant issue of concern for Indian authorities? 

  Indian authorities are very much interested in prosecuting money launderers. Their keenness to catching such criminals leads them to believe they’re punishing those who are high and mighty with vast chunks of money. The example of me winning my case is a rare one, as an Indian court would usually confirm that for the duration of a criminal trial, the individual in question will face charges of anti-money laundering, and all of their assets will be frozen. When I defended my client, they announced that he did not commit any crime, so there was no question of laundering any proceeds thereof. When the court ruled him as innocent, it was a very rare achievement indeed.  

4) Why do you think cases such as the one mentioned above have such a low success rate, i.e. only around ten in 1150 Complaints?  

 It’s is extremely hard to win such cases. When I was acting as a public prosecutor and panel counsel and then a defence lawyer, I hadn’t seen representatives addressing the issue required in the matter by the court. It’s because this particular field of Law requires experience up to the appellate stage, of minimum five different laws and then the predicate offence part as well. So, a lot of clients need someone who can handle the case with the required expertise and experience.  

5) What measures do you think businesses in both India and abroad can take to defend themselves from such wrongful accusations? 

  One major factor I have come across is compliance issues. Small and minuscule dealings may come back to haunt business owners as part of some significant enquiry. Businesses which may not streamline their transactions, definitely suffer at some point in time. Money laundering enquiries are not easy to face. In Indian courts, you are guilty until proven innocent, and when people are unable to sort out their finances, they are convicted. All of their documents should be legally compliant, and they should be consulting someone who has experience in the field.  

6) Can you tell us a bit more about your campaigns for financial transparency and revising outdated legislations in India? 

  The reason I call this Law outdated is that it’s an executive dictate. It is passed in a manner by the Houses of Parliament which involves no amendments or debates. It is passed as a money bill and always included in a finance act. The concept of money laundering has been evolved to the interception of monies originating in crimes such as drugs dealing, trafficking, and terrorism, etc. However, at the implementation level, 95% of business cases get stuck for not being able to explain some dealings in the right manner. Every year, international reviews or mutual evaluations are being done, but the nature of cases is never examined. The purpose of the Law is lost unless it is restored by revising this outdated legislation; nothing can be done to help.  

7) Can you tell us about your business in London, and your plans to work more in the UK? 

  I do already have a business in London. I frequently come here, and I have a team working for me. I usually come over to give consultations to my clients who invite me down for services related to their cases being pursued in India. I hope to continue giving my clients expert advice and the best services I can.   

By Manisha Bhanot 

Varun, you’re being called the next Salman Khan and now you are doing a remake of his film. Do you agree with this comparison? Varun: No, I think it’s very unfair to him, to compare me to him. I am trying to be myself and Judwaa 2 was a great opportunity. I am playing a double role for the first time in my life. Honestly, I couldn’t have done it if my father (David Dhawan) and Sajid Nadiadwala and many other great people weren’t on my side. Playing a double is difficult for any actor and from my point of view I am going to put my head down and try to create two characters
that are entertaining and the people care for them. ‘Raja’ and ‘Prem’ are going to be two fresh characters and hopefully, we will live up to the original Judwaa.

Varun, will you have scenes with Salman in this film? Varun: I hope so. I haven’t ever shared a screen with him. I’ll tell you a very interesting incident.
One day before the shooting Salman Bhai sent a carton filled with various pairs of jeans to my house for Raja’s character. He said that these pairs will fit well with the character of Raja and I am trying to use those pairs in the film.

Which character do you prefer, Raja or Prem? Varun:  Both. I am playing both
so I love both the characters.

David sir has made a lot of films in the past 25 years, mostly with Govinda and Salman. Which is your favourite film of him? Varun: My favourite film of
him is ‘Swarg’. I really like that film, the story, and the emotions. Everyone knows him for comedy but I think he treats emotional scenes very well and keeps it very real. Judwaa 2 also has emotions in the script and that will be really interesting. Wherever I go I keep meeting a lot of twins and it’s amazing to see their bond and that’s exactly what I wanted to gather from real life and put it into the film in an entertaining way.

According to you how different are the love stories now from the ones back in 60’s and 70’s and which is your favourite love story? Varun: I feel love is love. We might be in a generation of technology where everything is moving so fast but you need to look into a girl’s eyes and tell her face to face. Only then she’ll know you love her when she sees it in your eyes. That’s what I believe in. That’s the love I believe in. I don’t think you should send a Whatsapp the message saying ‘I love you’.

Varun, you will be compared to a huge star. Anxiety? Varun: I am not thinking about it. You all keep reminding me about it, thank you.(laughs) Obviously, there is pressure but it’s a good thing that there are expectations. I would’ve been in trouble if there were no expectations. I want people to expect and say, ‘if his film is coming then there is going to be entertainment’. As an actor when I do a film I do it for the audience.
I want to entertain the audience and I only have that thought in my heart. I am not thinking about the rewards I am going to receive by doing films. Hopefully, people will
like ‘Raja’ and ‘Prem’ and they’ll like Judwaa 2.

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Varun: I celebrate it with a girl (laughs). This time I was promoting ‘Badrinath ki Dulhania’. All-time favourite love story film.
Varun: I love ‘Titanic’. It’s something I saw as a kid.

Varun, you are loved by the children as well as the youth and Judwaa (Twins) as a franchise is very popular amongst youth and the film escalated Salman Khan’s fan base in the youth. So how excited are you to take this franchise forward and are you expecting your fan following to increase after the release? Varun: Honestly, when the original Judwaa was released, I was a child. I would love watching Salman Bhai in the songs, the dance with Rambha and Karishma Ma’am. I enjoyed the entire package of the film; it’s one of the films of him (David) I watched as a kid. I remember some of the best times I’ve had with my family or with my cousins, with my friends, I’ve gone to the theatre. I used to go to the ‘Chandan Theatre’ and the balcony tickets were sold at RS. 80 and a beverage for R. 10 and I would go with samosa’s (snacks) and I would watch films and be like, ‘this is the world I want to be in. I want to go into that world and those films would transport me there’. So that’s the idea with Judwaa 2.

An interview with Ashley Chander

Why did you choose medicine to study?

When I was at college, I had a passion for science – but I didn’t want to go into something that was purely science based (I also did English at A Level too). I love talking and interacting with people – I like helping people, as cliché as that may sound (laughs). From this, medicine just seemed like a no-brainer to me. It couples my love of science and anatomy with being sociable. I love the fact that it’s dynamic and doesn’t restrict my options. Unlike a career that would send me down a direct path, medicine offers many branches I can explore – in a way I’m keeping my options open.

What do you think some of the challenges will be when you enter into the profession?

Well, first of all there’s getting there (laughs) I need to pass the next four years, which is proving to be a challenge, but nothing you want comes easy. Finding placements and finding your feet will be quite difficult – it must be challenging finding the confidence to work by yourself independently without being watched by your professors – all the responsibility has now passed to you.
What political party do you feel will benefit the NHS the most?

(Laughs) I don’t think I should answer that! I think I’ll leave the politics until after I graduate – what do you think about it?

I don’t think it should be UKIP.

Why is that?

We’ve swapped roles! (Laughs) Let’s get back on track.
Agreed (laughs).

What do you think will be the most rewarding part about being a doctor?

This is a tricky question. The typical answer would be to help save lives, but that’s far too generic for me. The most rewarding part about the job would be when the time comes in my medical career when I know confidently what I am doing without doubting myself.

There is a lot of stereotyping when it comes to Asians and medicine. As a young Asian male, do you feel as if you were pressured into the profession?

My parents didn’t want me study medicine, which is atypical amongst the Asian community. The reason for it is because they thought it would be a very difficult job and that I didn’t need the stress. I followed my own instinct and pursued it because I wanted to, and they supported me through all of my choices, but I definitely did not feel any pressure from them whatsoever.

Favourite car?

Nissan GTR

Favourite food?

Curry! I know that sounds very stereotypical. It’s either chicken curry or chicken and chips, although I have become a big fan of dessert of late. I’m a fan of the hot and cold combinations like apple pie and ice cream.