21 April,2011 10:52 AM IST | | Urmimala Banerjee
"Now, we even have a controversy around pani puri!" says actor Divya Dutta, shocked that Mumbai's favourite snack has become masala news. A pani puri fan herself, this talented lady needs no convincing to pop a pani puri into her mouth. CS took Divya Dutta to Juhu Chowpatty and discovered that the recent issue has hardly affected her appetite:
Who: Divya Dutta
What: Talking about her love for pani puri
Where: At Juhu Chowpatty
Pani puri re
I simply love pani puri. Though they taste yummier in summers, I eat them throughout the year. The chilled water feels heavenly in this hot weather. Whatever the controversy surrounding the pani puri vendors in the city, nothing can spoil my appetite for it. At the most, I might become a bit more careful. I feel that pani puri walas and chaat vendors add a distinct flavour to a city. After all, cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are all known for their street food.
Chaat pat snack
When it comes to pani puri, Juhu Chowpatty is my favourite haunt. I don't visit any particular stall, but like to try out new places every time. Kailash Parbat and Elco Market, Bandra also have delicious pani puri to offer. Then, there's also this guy who comes to my home when I hold chaat parties. He makes mouth-watering pani puri. At home, my mother makes pani puri when there's a family get-together or whenever my brother (who also loves the snack) and I are in the mood for it. In Delhi, I devour the golgappas at Bengali Market near Connaught Place. I also enjoyed the original puchkas of Kolkata when I was on a trip to Shantiniketan.
The spice of life
Pani puri eating competitions are quite common at home. Sadly, I can eat only a plate at a time. But my brother and male friends are specialists at these competitions. My brother fell ill recently after a competition with me (laughs). Even when I am shooting and sight a pani puri vendor somewhere, I tell the spot boys to get him stationed outside my van. As a school girl in Ludhiana, I used to eat pani puri pretty often on my way home from school. But I would always get caught by my mom as I used to spill the water on my shirt or top. That hasn't changed, I still dirty my shirt. Actor Boman Irani is also a pani puri fan. We were once enjoyed a long chaat session. I like my pani puri spicy with a hint of sweetness. I have tried the Vodka shot in my puri but hated it. The original is always the best.
