Maxim - September 2016 IN

150
SEPTEMBER 2016
MODEL
BHAICHUNG
BHUTIA TAKEOVER
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INDIA VOLUME 11 ISSUE 8
AASTHA, AISHWARYA, ARLETTE, JANTEE AND RAJASHREE

SEPTEMBER 2016
Features
64
Model
Citizens
Five hot girls tell
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women. Listen up!
81 88 94 98 102 112
“I MAKE BEER FOR MAIL ORDER THE RUGGED THE AMAZING BHAICHUNG 24 HOURS TO LIVE
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photograph by J AT I N K A M PA N I
6 SEPTEMBER 2016 MAXIMINDIA.IN
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JATIN KAMPANI SAM LAL
The ace photographer is Our music columnist, Sam,
one of the rare few who is a living proof of the theory
have been able to transform that failed musicians end up
a passion into a career. as critics. Starting his
From being a shutterbug as musical voyage as the lead
a child to one of India’s most vocalist and rhythm guitar
sought-after photographers, player of the rock band,
Jatin’s body of work includes MADHURI Impact, he won a few
portraits of distinguished BANERJEE college competitions and
individuals such as Rajmata Madhuri Banerjee is a lost many more, which led to AMIT SHARMA
Gayatri Devi, Amitabh bestselling author with five the birth of The Rock Street Amit is a Delhi based
Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, books to her credit. Her Journal. He was also the photographer, working
and Shah Rukh Khan. Along debut novel, Losing My Editor-In-Chief of Blender. mainly in the field of lifestyle,
with some other enthusiasts, Virginity And Other Dumb advertising and travel
he recently donned the Ideas sold over 40,000 photography. His clients
mantle of promoting copies. She is also a include all the major
photography as an art successful Bollywood film publications in the country
form in India. writer and men’s activist. and many national and
She understands men from international brands. Also,
the bottom of her heart. shooting street life and
portraits has been his
passion for nearly two
decades now.
DHWANI
This Delhi-based stylist,
is known for her
DONALD unconventional approach
SIMROCK to elegance, using a mix of
Donald is a celebrity make- colours, textures and cuts.
up artist who has worked Inspired by Salvador Dali,
with Kim Kardashian, Lady she likes to play with familiar
Gaga, Britney Spears, Paris PRIYAM wardrobe essentials and
Hilton, Eva Mendes, Lindsay CHATURVEDI remix them with unexpected
Lohan, Avril Lavigne, Cindy Priyam is a marketeer by additions, giving a
Crawford, Kate Upton, profession and wordsmith completely new dimension MANIK KAKRA
Nicki Minaj, and Madonna by choice. She’s a self- to the regular palette. Manik has spent most of his
among others. His wide certified shopaholic who time reporting on financial
artistic range and cutting loves everything Bollywood matters. He is your
edge insight have led to and enjoys a hearty laugh! quintessential finance guy,
collaboration with many of Priyam is currently based who is also into gadgets.
the industry’s top directors out of Bengaluru. Really into gadgets. If there
and photographers alike. is a new device, he needs
to try it.

A MAN’S WORLD
THE
MATHEMATICIAN
WHO BEAT
THE DEALER
A conversation with Ed Thorp, the man
who revolutionised card counting.
by BEN MEZRICH

MAXIMINDIA.IN SEPTEMBER 2016 15
high roller
Edward O. Thorp is a mathematics look at roulette—but sat down at a blackjack

professor, hedge fund manager, and the table and played for 40 minutes. I had a
author of the best-selling book Beat the strategy card I’d made, and people were
Dealer, which mathematically proves that laughing at me. I started making plays on a
the house advantage in blackjack can be hand that everyone thought was crazy, but I
beaten by card counting. Thorp wrote his was following a strategy. I drew a seven-
book when casinos began pressuring him off card 21. And people thought this magic card
the floor after many remunerative forays. had helped me win.
I went back to UCLA, studied blackjack
As a highly trained mathematician and a little more, and immediately realised that
scientist, what caused you to gravitate to- this game was likely beatable, because as
wards casinos and specifically blackjack? the cards were dealt, the quantities shifted
When I was in high school, I was interested around, sometimes in erratic ways that
in science. I had my own lab and delivered would have a huge influence on the odds.
newspapers to make money to pay for
equipment. This was during World War II What did you do with your system once
and right after, when money was always you first developed it? Did you hit Vegas
scarce. One thing I was interested in was and win millions?
physics. One night, I was at a teacher’s Actually, I presented the discovery at a
house, and the teacher had just come meeting of the American Mathematical
back from Vegas and was complaining that Society. At first, they were going to reject it,
nobody could beat those guys. I thought because they knew cranks present gambling
about it, and at first I started focusing on systems all the time. Luckily, someone
roulette. I realised you could probably beat who knew me was on the committee and
roulette by predicting the motion of the ball told them to listen to me, and I got to give
around the wheel. I tried to explain how to my talk. There was a flood of interest and
my teacher. nationwide publicity; the place turned into
Years went by, and in the ’50s, when a crowded room full of rich gamblers and
I was getting my masters in theoretical ordinary mathematicians. One of these
physics, I kept hearing people say you rich gamblers wanted to back me. I wasn’t
couldn’t beat the casinos. Again, looking going to do it, but casinos were ridiculing
at roulette, I believed you could make a me, saying blackjack was unbeatable and
machine that could predict the spin and that “we send cabs for people like you.” So I
beat the game. I got a accepted the bankroll of two
movie camera and a wealthy guys—they wanted to
wheel and began filming bring $100,000, which would
spins. I used the informa- be $1 million today. I said,
tion to start designing “Let’s bring 10K”—in case I
a machine that could lost. I told them, “If we play
beat roulette. 20 hours, I can double your
After that, when I was 10K.” We played 40 hours—20
at UCLA, I was teaching were just practice—and we
after getting my Ph.D., made $11,000 on top of the
and I had a year of in- $10,000, and I was satis-
structorship before going fied. I cashed my part of the
to MIT. During that Christ- winnings at the MIT cafeteria
mas vacation, someone and bought my lunch with a
told me about a way to $100 bill.
play blackjack almost
even with the house. Did you continue playing
You’d still lose, but you blackjack after that?
wouldn’t lose much. I fig- Yes, but I was eventually
ured I’d risk a few dollars. Beat the Dealer, Thorp’s banned. I got more and more
I went to Vegas—really to landmark 1962 book. heat. They’d start cheating to
photographs by S A M CO M E N
high roller
beat me and shuffling up, and eventually

they kicked me out of some casinos. So I
wrote a book. I figured, you don’t want me
to play? I’ll send some other people—a lot
of other people.
Do you think there’s an ethical differ-

ence between using a machine, like the
one you designed to beat roulette, and
card counting?
When I built a wearable machine to beat
roulette, we tested it out and turned dimes
into piles of dimes pretty quickly. At that
time, those machines were not in the
purview of the casinos; there was no law
against them, no rules. Then people built
more machines to beat roulette and even
blackjack. In 1985, Nevada passed an emer-
gency bill in record time to outlaw these
devices. Any device the player brings in is
now illegal. You can get a year in jail and a
$10,000 fine. Even the little strategy cards
in my book are technically illegal. I don’t
have a clue whether that law is fair or not. If
I were running a casino, I’m sure I would be
upset if guys were coming in with machines.
What about the Phil Ivey story and

schemes that seek advantages through
flawed games or mistakes that the
casinos make?
If the casino is using defective cards,
that’s their problem. Their job is to fix
it. You can’t expect to tell a player not to
use his eyes, or not to play with whatever
advantages the casino is presenting.
Are the casinos still beatable today?

I know they are. They’re definitely beatable.
I have friends who do it, multiple ways.
Card counting and shuffle tracking. If the
casinos use automatic shufflers, you can’t
shuffle track—but then the casinos have to
pay a toll to rent the shufflers. They have to
decide. Do they pay the toll for automatic
shufflers, or do they lose money every now
and then to people who know what they
are doing?
Do you still go to Vegas today? Do you

still play?
I go to Vegas. Blackjack is boring to me now.
The stakes are too small. It’s a lot of work to
make a small amount of money.

work
The Office: Redux

Traversing the office is as fraught with dangers—okay, irritants—as any social gathering.
Here’s the kind of guys you need to watch out for, and how you can beat them.
(Caution: Hypocrisy will get you far!)
by HEE-JIN CHA
THE GUY WHO DOMINATES THE GUY WHO NEVER STOPS FOR THE GUY WHO NEVER SHOWS
THE OFFICE PARTY A SNACK/THE GUY WHO’S UP TO WORK
This is a regular occurrence—the ALWAYS SNACKING To be honest, the office is not for
party begins well, but then this guy Both these types are dangerous. someone who has resigned to being
makes things awkward. Maybe a The idiot who eats alone ends up a hermit. Living in a society means
sexist remark that makes you want causing hunger all around, almost you have to play a role—miniscule
to knock him on his ass; or a making you want to bite him. The for you—but it also means that
nudge-nudge-wink-wink that other guy? Get your damn nose out some people will have more
thwarts any chances of hooking up of your work, will you? We’re “important” roles. It’s like a cruel
with a colleague. Still, he knows hungry. Deal with either of them Murphy’s Law and it can be very
how—and when—to use the with, “We’re taking a break.” It exhausting. Especially if this guy is
corporate credit card so you can’t normally works because they’d be in your team. You must necessarily
really do without him either. So, too embarrassed to disagree. But go through the business reporting
before he turns a nice party into a there is a third guy: The guy who process to highlight that you have
hellish boot-camp, let him get the insists everyone share their food, met your target, or to simply place
party favours and then let him and the guy who insists on sharing. a request to allow moisturiser in
handle the booze, while insisting he Politeness won’t allow you to say the bathroom to facilitate
consumes quite a bit of it. He passes no, so the best thing is to feign masturbation. When you need a
out, you draw a dick on his flatulence. Added bonus: More back-up, this guy is never there.
forehead, we all win. Better still, room around you in the office. When there’s overtime to be done,
tell him you dig his office style and he’s the magician who vanishes.
insist he have a “statement” piece, Keep him in place by chaining him
maybe like a fluorescent head band. to his chair, or getting the parking
In the absence of that, he’s bound guy to change his spot. One way or
to tighten his tie on his head. another, he’s staying back. Will he
Laughs guaranteed! work? Doubtful.

work
THE GUY WHO THINKS HE THE GUY WHO’S A BRAND THE GUY WHO’S CONSTANTLY
KNOWS EVERYTHING AMBASSADOR FOR B.O. FALLING IN AND OUT OF LOVE
Okay, to be fair, he may know a lot. Humans smell. No surprises there. Not only does this bozo miss work
To be fairer, everything he knows is But there are guys who shouldn’t and is a general let-down, but he
exaggerated, pompously shared smell like that—like centuries of makes you work harder. (Apologies
and he is, generally, a gigantic sweat has magically accumulated if you are this guy!) Special
piss-off. His “secrets” and his on their armpits as a reward for modifiers or “Let’s get to work!”
“scoops” are rarely worth the 37 never having seen the shower. But, never seem to fly, and forcing your
minutes each they cost, and they seriously, this guy’s a hard-core authority or seniority doesn’t either.
are exaggerated exactly 1.5 times— nuisance. If he smokes, heaven help He’s also the guy who will most
too much to warrant for you. Feet, mouth and even the likely call you a “workaholic”
convenience and reliability. The merciless attack of a wide variety of because you do some work. In times
guy’s dramatic uptake of alcohol-ingestion patterns. This guy of more workload—which is most of
information may be good, but his is dangerous because he’ll leave you the time anyway—be ruthless and
manner of passing it on to in self-doubt. He’ll have you sniffing strike Cupid a blow. Tell him the girl
colleagues isn’t. So, embrace your yourself to see if that isn’t you, or he’s pining for is already seeing
shallow self and broaden your will make people turn around to someone, and likes ambitious men.
network with his help. He has check in an elevator, should you If he doesn’t take the bait, get
people’s ear, even if most want to have the misfortune to be stuck with serious and initiate a dastardly
wash their’s out as soon as he’s him. You have two options: Straight reporting system. Every single day.
done. Just stay reasonably close to up rude—use perfumes, air Still nothing? Tell him you think he’s
him, but don’t take everything he fresheners, air circulation devices or going to die alone. Shock therapy,
says too seriously. If he’s your boss, other deodorising paraphernalia. you see!
nod along. Or, take the stealth approach and
give him detoxing teas and herbs.
It’s a long shot, but you have to try...
for the sake of your innocent nose.
illustrations by SU-JIN JEON

music
“I may be dead,
but I’d still
get the girl,
daddy-o!”
Purple
Jazz
Axis
Not that it was ever going to be
possible, but had Jimi Hendrix lived,
he would have been a ripe 74 this year.
And probably casting some shade on
a jazz bar in New Orleans.
by SAM LAL
HAD HE SURVIVED DINNER—RUMOURED TO perspective when he says, “When I first Marshall Hendrix who, 46 years after his
be nine tablets of Vesparax, a sleeping pill started to play guitar—this was before death on September 18, 1970, remains one
that allegedly knocks you out faster than a Hendrix—there was a chord known as the of the biggest innovators in the six-string
light—the man described by Freddie Mercury ‘Hold It’ chord, an E sharp 9. It was based idiom. “There can be no doubting the fact
as the “epitome of a rock star” would have on a break tune that came from an older that Jimi’s influence is eternal,” opines Gavin
plans. Instead, Jimi Hendrix exited planet generation, a Bill Doggett song from the Pacheco of the Gurgaon-based rock n’ roll
Earth on the back of an asphyxia verdict, ’50s. And then Hendrix started to play this outfit, The Limited Experience. “But with
leaving behind three studio albums which, chord and it became known as the Jimi Hendrix, it was always a little more than
between them, completely reinvented the Hendrix Chord. You can hear it on ‘Purple just the guitar playing. He was known for
possibilities of the electric guitar. Haze.’ So the ‘Hold It’ chord became the Jimi his geo-political statements, his bluesy
There seems very little point Hendrix Chord in 1968. Now, that’s a big experimentations and the way he presented
revisiting Jimi’s credentials as a genuinely influence right there.” his music live.”
revolutionary creative tour de force. The Running out of adjectives is always a very Anyone who owns a copy of the
very remarkable John Scofield puts it in real risk when examining the legacy of James Woodstock VHS would know what Gavin is

music
Jimi
Loves
Jazz
These are Hendrix’s

most swinging songs.
Loop now!
‘Third Stone From

The Sun’
Are You Experienced?
‘Manic Depression’
Are You Experienced?
‘If 6 Was 9’
Axis: Bold As Love
‘Wait Until
Tomorrow’
Axis: Bold as Love
‘Rainy Day
Dream Away’
Electric Ladyland
getting at. There is a feral intensity to the member of the infamous Club 27, he producer-composer and noted Miles Davis
musicianship, which peaked with the would have been swinging, scatting and scholar Bob Belden. “If you listen to
feedback drenched version of the Star channelling his inner jazz cat. “His soloing ‘Inamorata’, from Live/Evil, that’s the
Spangled Banner that many guitar historians was definitely in the jazz tradition,” says bassline to ‘Fire’. Or ‘Mademoiselle Mabry’
rank as the best live performance, ever. Al Di Meola, certainly one of the most from Filles de Kilimanjaro is derived from
That is the reason why it is a little influential jazz guitar players of all time. Jimi’s ‘The Wind Cries Mary.’ ‘What I Say’
gobsmacking to realise that there is a school “A lot of members of the jazz community from Live/Evil is basically ‘Message to Love’
of thought which believes that Hendrix was picked up on it. Not everyone, of course— from Band of Gypsys, and so on. Miles had
a true-blue jazz aficionado at heart. “He there’s a lot of players from the old school Michael Henderson play those kind of bass
definitely was a bluesman,” states Faridkot who couldn’t stand to listen to Hendrix. lines, and he had Jack DeJohnette play like
guitarist Rajarshi Sanyal, who had adopted But of my generation, almost everyone Buddy Miles because that’s what he wanted
the handle Raj Hendrix not so long ago. will admit that Jimi was a leader.” to hear. He had Jimi Hendrix in mind.”
“There are definitely big dollops of the It certainly would have been a That is probably the reason why it is
blues in Jimi’s style.” compelling sight. A smoky jazz club humongously frustrating that barbiturates
Agreed. But jazz? Do we really see a anywhere in the world with a man in a brought about an end to bebop à la Hendrix.
Weather Report here? Amazingly, we beaded poncho and an array of bewildering Had he not been snacking on them so
actually do. The iconic Jaco Pastorius of the effects pedals in front of him, wailing about liberally—18 times the normally prescribed
everlasting Weather Report breaks it down. the ‘red house over yonder.’ But then again, limit for an adult—Hendrix would have been
“All I gotta say is… ‘Third Stone From The that is exactly what Hendrix was doing all hardwiring jazz into a new genre. “Had he
Sun,’” he states, referring to Hendrix’s jazz those years ago. Sceptics would do well to lived,” says Randy Brecker. “I think Jimi
leanings even during his most hell-raising lend an ear to the 6/8 time signature on would have played and recorded under
days as a rock revolutionary. “Anyone who “Manic Depression” or the sprawling jam on different settings, including some very
doesn’t know about that by now, they “Rainy Day Dream Away.” It’s jazz. Pure and jazz-influenced situations such as his
shoulda checked out Jimi a lot earlier.” simple. In the best tradition of the genre. collaboration with Gil Evans, which was
There is enough musical evidence to “Jimi’s music, particularly the basslines, on the drawing boards right at the time
suggest that if Hendrix was not becoming a directly influenced Miles Davis,” says he died.” And wouldn’t that be awesome?

drinks
LEMON AGAVE ‘TOMMY’S’ MARGARITA
AND Preparation:
35 seconds
Variations:
Try substituting
SPICE
regular salt with
Glass Type: new, widely available
Old-fashioned/Rocks f lavoured salts like
lava salt, habanero,
Ingredients: or chardonnay
Get involved with this oak smoked for a
45 ml tequila unique and different
tequila cocktail. 30 ml fresh lime juice taste experience.
15 ml agave nectar
Or even try making
Method: your own citrus salt,
sure to impress, by
Shake/strain all grating zest of lemon/
ingredients with lime/grapefruit and
ice, serve over mix with regular
ice-filled glass. rock salt.
Garnish:
Lime wedges,
rock salt rim

gaming
MTX MOTOTRAX, 2004

MOTOCROSS MADNESS 2, 2000 The MTX Mototrax is a highly underrated game. Released in 2004,
In 2000, the Motocross Madness 2 was God sent. We had just hit puberty and with the most outstanding feature of the game was its career mode. The
our voice cracking and unwanted hair here and there, we spent most of our time mode allowed you to switch teams and move through different game
indoors playing this legendary game. Much ahead of its time, the Motocross types as you earn more bucks and sponsorship. It also allowed you to
Madness 2 featured over 40 tracks, six types of racing, over 50,000 3D objects receive mails from other pro-riders, sponsors and so on.
and unbelievable customisation. Players could create their own terrains using
photoshop as well as customise clothes and bikes.
GOING
OFF-ROAD
Our dreams of getting dirty off the beaten paths is
a reality—well, in the virtual world anyway. We just
spent 72 hours playing the latest motocross game, MXGP 2, 2016
MXGP 2. Yep, it’s addictive. While you order Since you know we’ve never managed to get dirty riding a superbike on a
yours, here’s a throwback to the off-roading video muddy track in reality, but we’re certain that reality would be pretty close to
games that have ruled in the last two decades. the MXGP 2. Released earlier this year, the game is a fairytale with superb
control, which its predecessor lacked big time. The jumps and flips are spot on
with some angle-adjustments mid-air. The only game to have Motocross World
Championship backing, it is loaded with almost accurate track designs.
Before we get back to playing, don’t forget to customise your bike.
MX VS. ATV REFLEX, 2010

With dual stick (analog) controls, MX vs. ATV Reflex gave
players unprecedented control. The game allowed users to race MX SIMULATOR, 2008
motocross and supercross bikes or ATVs. And, who can forget the The MX Simulator felt so real as you leaned into turns or went full throttle. The clutch and
real-time terrain deformation that allowed players to carve into shift too felt almost real along with wheelies, whips, slides and more. With real tracks and
earth creating pretty much a new track for your competitors. user generated content, the game actually felt like riding a bike. With new stuff available
Ha ha.. that was evil! easily, the game remains one of our favourites till date.

intelligence
SWEET
DREAMS
ARE
S PA N K I N G
A BDSM-style dream that
involves being spanked can
mean three things: You’ve
MADE
done something bad and want
to be punished, you want to be
dominated, or you just like kinky
S&M sex. If you’re the one doing the
spanking, it might be because bae did
OF
something you found unsavoury, and
you want to address. Or again,
maybe you just like kinky S&M
sex. You would know.
THESE
M OTO R C YC L E S
Whether you’re dreaming of
riding a Harley off into the sunset,
or dreaming of just sitting on it doing
nothing, motorcycles in dream-land
What your sex dreams really mean one thing—you want to break
some relationship rules and do
say about your love life. something crazy. Maybe you just
by ZEYNEP YENISEY need to go nuts and hook up with a
random or two. Hell, have sex on top
of a motorcycle while you’re at it, since
it’s what inspired you in the first place.
We’ve come a long way since the days
GREEN
of Freud somehow connecting all our
This is the most wholesome dream
dreams to the Oedipus complex. But you can have, because seeing green
even if a pipe is just a pipe, our in your dream indicates happiness
dreams still have lots to say about our and gratification with your love life.
sex lives and relationships. Kelly Sullivan Hot new flame in your life? Green
Walden, author of The Love, Sex and smoothies in your dream. Finally
dumped your toxic girlfriend?
Relationship Dream Dictionary, tells us the
Dreaming about Shrek. Just really
meanings of some of the very common things happy for reasons unknown?
we dream about every night, and one thing is for Broccoli everywhere.
certain—all dreams lead to sex. We’ve chosen and
paraphrased some of our favourites for you here. H E AT
Sweet dreams, people... Dreaming of heat or warmth is all
about sexual energy, love, and
passion. Maybe you have a lover
who makes you feel all warm and
cosy inside, or maybe they just make
you en fuego in your pants. Either
way, when you’re hot for someone,
you feel it in your dreams.
MONEY MUD F O R E P L AY
Having a shitload of cold, hard cash If you’re in some sort of messy You know how foreplay is all about
in your dream means you’re feeling relationship, you might dream getting warmed up, taking your
powerful and worthy of having an of mud, because mud is messy. time, and enjoying your lover’s
amazing love life. Dreaming that Just like your relationship. body? And you know how most
you’re poor might mean the exact Symbolically speaking, you people half-arse foreplay? If you
opposite—that you feel worthless, might want to wash that dirt away have a dream about foreplay,
crappy, and not deserving of girlfriend by resolving the issues in your love you’re one of those half-arsers.
grandeur. Does this mean money life, particularly by working on Take your dream as a message
equals love and happiness? Possibly. your communication skills, since from your subconscious telling
Or maybe it’s just literal and you’re mud can symbolise a void in you to slooow dooown and
actually poor. that department. do sexy time the right way.

waterworld
THE
SUBMERGENCE
Gents, meet Carlos Coste, the fish man who has broken many
records under the sea without oxygen. He knows a thing or two
about how to survive fatal accidents.
by AARON MARTÍNEZ

CARLOS COSTE IS IN CONSTANT TRAINING; way to the right side of his brain. In that
he is currently practising for the next free moment, Carlos almost lost his life.
diving challenge—a sports test where the “There were previous logistical
ability to be in the deep sea with free lungs complications to locate the mooring point.
is measured. In his last test, last July he I remember when I got out of the water I
descended 126 m at a speed of 1.6 m per had a growing sense of vertigo, weakness
second. At that distance, the volume of his and malaise. The rescue team took me to
body was compressed to 14 times the shore as fast as they could.”
compared to the surface. After the accident, he was hospitalised
A day ahead of the dive, Carlos for weeks in Germany, undergoing
visualises every step in his mind. “I make hyperbaric chamber sessions and
my own mental movie and watch it neurologic physiotherapy. “During the
constantly, and I programme myself to recuperation period, I stayed motivated to
succeed. To that, I add background music get well soon. I didn’t dwell on the negative
for stimulation,” he explains. side and the possible consequences; I
When the moment comes he slides focused on getting better.”
down, inspired by his passion and guided Five weeks later, he and his wife,
by experience. It’s not easy: He must have Gabriela, returned to Venezuela, where he
a privileged lung capacity, a lot of continued with rehabilitation. Against all
concentration and coordinate a lot of odds, in less than a year he started to train
techniques and sequences. For example, kind of rebellion and I was really good at for free diving in the pool and went back to
he uses two or three alarms synchronised it. I was progressing all the time and that competing internationally. In Slovenia, he
in his diving computer. “Timing is key. I motivated me.” But to learn everything set the South American record in the world
have to have control of every part of my that is related to discipline was championship of pool free diving and
day, before and after the dive.” A couple complicated, because the theory and bagged third spot in the depth world
of seconds that are not calculated could practice were limited in diffusion. “In championship in Egypt.
finish everything. those first years (1997-2000), I didn’t have
access to advanced information for training. TEACHER AND MOTIVATOR After 2003, Carlos
BORN WITH CURIOSITY ABOUT NATURE AND There was very little information on the began to give motivational talks and started
CHALLENGES Today he has 11 worldwide Internet and books and the techniques on a new path as an instructor. Ten years
records, due to the spirit that he has shown were like a secret. So I started to develop later, he founded the Deepsea Freediving
since he was a small boy, curious and a my own training and techniques. I did School in Bonaire, Caribe Holandes,
rebel. He liked to explore nature, fire, underwater fishing, as it was done in free where he trains youngsters. He also gives
besides playing sports and had diving and also it allowed me to pay my personalised coaching for every level—
unconventional hobbies such as hiking, bills by selling fish.” from beginners to instructors and to
astronomy and body boarding. However, professional athletes. Carlos wants to
he had a major attraction for the sea. He BOTTOMLESS DIVING In 2006, after breaking continue developing his school and make
confesses, “I did have a clue about free many records—becoming the first human it one of the best training centres in the
diving as a sport, but I was attracted to the being to break the 100 m barrier with one world. He also wants to keep competing
world of diving and exploring it.” At 21, he breath and no assistance—he planned to and set new records but “not as extreme,”
started to practise free diving in the reach 200 m. Carlos was getting ready for he confesses.
Central University of Venezuela. “A the dive in Egypt but days before, while The aptly named “fish man” from
schoolmate was taking the introductory training for the official test and just a the famous T.V. series Superhumanos
course and he invited me to participate in metre away from breaking the worldwide Latinoamérica on History channel, Carlos
the training, I remained engaged and record, he suffered a cerebrovascular gas continues to surprise the world from the
immersed.” From the beginning, “it was a embolism due to a bubble that found its depths of the sea.

game point
FULL COURT PRESS

Serena Williams is chasing Grand Slam history at age 34. And she just might catch
it at this U.S. Open.
by BILL SAPORITO
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU’RE WATCHING SERENA WILLIAMS PLAY SO Selling her clothing line on HSN, stepping out with Drake, doing
ridiculously well that you just want to turn away. Not from her, but charitable work, being a social activist, becoming an artist and
from the spectacle of Serena dismantling another hopelessly basking in the admiration of everyone from Martha Stewart and
overmatched professional in the early rounds of a tournament. Sheryl Sandberg to J.K. Rowling and President and Mrs. Obama.
There’s nothing malevolent about her performance; she’s always At 34, she has two more opportunities this year in her quest to
graceful in victory, but there’s no off switch to her athleticism. catch Steffi Graf’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.
When Serena plays, Serena really wants to win. “Everyone who She’s come close already, losing in the finals of the Australian
knows me knows that I love to win, especially on the big stages,” Open to Angelique Kerber and in the French to rising Spanish star
she said after her 44-minute, first-round squashing of Magdalena Garbiñe Muguruza—a player very much in her mold. When
Rybarikova at this year’s French Open. “Mugu” lobbed over her for the winning point, Serena applauded
How badly does Serena Williams want to win? Badder than you and then vowed to press on. “In Australia, Ann Kerber made 16
do, even if you’re ranked 77th and desperate, and also badder errors in three sets, so what do you do in that situation?” Serena
than the other top-ranked women she finished off to win 21 Grand said after the French final. “And today Garbiñe played unbeliev-
Slam tournaments over her 20-year career. Serena’s quest for able. The only thing I can do is keep trying.”
more of them has not been diminished by a life in full celebrity: And she will. The best player in the world—the best ever,

according to the legendary Chris Evert—will stop being No. 1 or the same pay as men, it was Serena who stepped in for the
whenever she decides to, as Martina Navratilova has put it. In put-away shot, calling the statement a disservice to “every woman
winning those 21 Slams, plus four Olympic gold medals, Serena on this planet who has ever tried to stand up for what they
has bested some of the game’s greats: Navratilova, Martina Hingis, believed in.” Moore resigned soon after.
Lindsay Davenport, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova There’s a bit of mythology attached to Serena Williams, that
and Serena’s celebrated sister, Venus. She’s also become the she became a champion despite coming from a disadvantaged
world’s top-earning female athlete, collecting $29 million in prizes background. The reality is that Serena had hardworking parents
and endorsements in the last year alone. who were singularly dedicated to giving her and her four sisters
Although she grew up in California, it’s almost fitting that every possible advantage they could. There was never any
Williams was born in Michigan. She has always exhibited what question in Richard Williams’ mind that his daughters were going
you might call Detroit muscle on the court, a to be tennis champions. In her autobiogra-
powerful motor wrapped in a stylish racing phy, On the Line, Serena described how her
body. She has the best serve in the history of father came to this conclusion even before
women’s tennis, clocked at close to 130 SHE HAS THE she was born. Watching the French Open in
mph. But she’s not a straight-line smasher. BEST SERVE IN 1978, he was astounded to learn that a top
Like any agile racecar, she’s adept in the player would earn $40,000 that week. He
corners. Her strength allows her to lash her THE HISTORY OF saw no reason why his girls couldn’t play on
two-handed backhand from angles that that level.
don’t seem possible, her trademark grunt
WOMEN’S TENNIS, The journey from child prodigy to world
signifying the end of the point. Yet her game CLOCKED AT CLOSE superstar would not be seamless for a
in the past five or six years has gotten much young black woman in what was a
more sophisticated, and her net play, TO 130 MPH. BUT decidedly white sport—especially one as
courtesy of years of playing doubles with strong as Serena. “Let’s face it,” said Mary
Venus, is fine-tuned.
SHE’S NOT A Joe Fernandez in a post-Wimbledon
Behind the brilliant shot-making and the STRAIGHT-LINE interview in 2014, “you have seen some
thunderous serve, though, is a dimension tough crowds throughout the world.”
that isn’t as obvious to casual fans. A tennis SMASHER. LIKE ANY Perhaps the worst was in Indian Wells,
court in a Grand Slam final is the loneliest AGILE RACECAR, California, where Serena was subjected to
place on earth. There is no coach to talk to; abuse from the crowd in 2001 after Venus
your mistakes are witnessed by millions. It SHE’S ADEPT IN withdrew from the semifinal with an injury,
becomes a mind game, one that so many depriving fans of the Williams vs. Williams
players lose at the critical moments. As big
THE CORNERS. matchup they had anticipated. In the final,
as her serve is, Serena’s mental strength is Serena was booed, and her father called the
even stronger. “Perhaps the steeliest, most N word. She was still a teenager. “It was a
competitive and focused mind in tennis horrible feeling to have to live through,” she
since Billie Jean King and Chris Evert,” says Mark Benerofe, a says in the new Epix documentary Serena. “I remember driving
former Women’s Tennis Association board member who has home and just crying the whole way. Meanwhile, I’m holding the
worked with her. winner’s trophy.”
She is the biggest of the big-point players, renowned for finding She vowed never to return to that tournament. But in the
a way to win. She showed that in the 2015 French Open. Exhaust- intervening years, she visited Africa, where she had established
ed, coughing and wracked by flu and a high temperature, she schools (emphasising equality for girls), and met with former
basically willed herself into the finals. Down a set in the semis, she South African president Nelson Mandela, jailed for 27 years by
pulled out a gutsy, three-set victory over Timea Bacsinszky. Then racist apartheid authorities. Mandela’s remarkable capacity to
she went the distance in the finals, too, beating Lucie Safarova in forgive his oppressors helped change her mind. “I’ve grown as a
three. “That’s probably going to be something that always sticks tennis player and more importantly, as a human being,” she
out in my mind, like, Wow, out of all titles, that was crazy that I explained in an essay announcing her return to the Indian Wells
was able to win this one,” she recalled this year. tournament this year.
That drive and competitiveness has led to some fiery moments That growth was evident at the French Open this summer.
on the court, but as she has matured, her sense of humour has During the post-match awards ceremony, she spoke in French, a
also become much more apparent. Last year, at a match in language she made a point of learning. (After winning in Rome
Australia, she cracked up the crowd by ordering a double espresso earlier this year, she addressed the crowd in Italian, demonstrat-
during a changeover. “I’m so jet-lagged,” she told the chair ing some Roger Federer–like language chops.) Later, she viewed
umpire, trying to suppress her own laughter. “Is that permitted?” her loss in the finals at Roland Garros as yet another educational
It was, and she rallied to win. She likes to blow off steam with trips opportunity. “It’s definitely something I want to dissect and see,
to karaoke clubs. Let’s just say her karaoke game isn’t quite as what can I learn from that and what can I do to get better from it?
good as her tennis game. That’s the only way to keep improving,” she said. The prospect of
As a longtime admirer of women’s tennis pioneers such as Serena Williams improving after a decade of dominating the tour
King, Serena has also accepted the responsibility of a leadership is not something her opponents should look forward to. Because
role on the tour. She’s been an advocate for getting better pay and now she wants that 22nd title even more. “I’ve had critics say I will
health care benefits for lower-ranked women as well as demand- never win another Grand Slam when I was only at number seven,”
ing equal tournament money with the men. Earlier this year, she said in a speech accepting Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of
when Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore the Year Award last year. “And now, here I stand today with 21
suggested that female tennis players didn’t deserve equal billing Grand Slam titles—and I’m still going.”

THE STYLISH MAN
POCKET
JOY
The Great American Flask will not
only keep your brew safe but it can
also be passed down to your kin.
Hold your whisky with style
with this hand-crafted Great
American Flask from Jacob
Bromwell. Touted to be as old
as Bourbon, the flask is crafted
from 100 percent pure copper.
Each flask comes with a birch
wood stopper and can hold
up to 275 ml of your favourite
brew. It can be kept easily out
of sight (for legal purposes)
in the inner pockets of your
blazer, jacket or car. The flask
can be handed down from one
generation to another much
like its content. Drink anyone?
` 13,500, jacobbromwell.com

sunglasses
SHADY
BUSINESS
From airport-hopping
to 17 holes at the golf
course, these new
season sunnies will
have you covered.
FROM TOP:
Marc Jacobs, Garrett Leight California Optical, Tom Ford, Gucci, woven tray by Bottega Veneta
photograph by M A R K P L AT T
dressed to kill
AGENT
P R OV O C A T E U R
From black tie to black ops, tactical travel
necessities for the discerning professional.
7 8 9
3

11
10
12 13
14
18
19
20
17
16 15
1. Knives by Böker 2. Business card wallet by Louis Vuitton 3. Gloves by Dents 4. Flashlight by Surefire 5. Bow ties by Tom Ford 6. Sunglasses by Cartier
7–9. Watches (from left) by, Franck Muller, Armin Strom and Hublot 10. Passport cover by Louis Vuitton 11. Rings by David Yurman 12. Cigar cutter by
Colibri 13. Lighter by S.T.Dupont for Leica 14. Vintage pistol by Colt 15. Broadheads by Rage Broadheads 16. Tactical pens by Gerber 17. Cologne by
Valentino 18. Collar stays by Thomas Pink 19. Vintage camera by Minox 20. Cuff links by David Yurman
All products courtesy of the brands.

closet
STARRING SUITS
Three-piece complexities or two-button dinner jackets, these
essentials will have you channelling iconic men on celluloid.
GREAT Stay cool in

shades of
Brooks Brothers Selected Homme
WHITE ivory, alabaster,

and cream.
Shoes (From Left): Alden X J.Crew, Tom Ford, Wrogn
Jack & Jones
16 Stitches Park Avenue
Missoni Pocket squares, both Tom Ford Brooks Brothers
Tommy Bahama Loro Piana Bonobos Hardy Amies

Brunello Cucinelli Brunello Cucinelli Selected Homme La Martina La Martina
OPEN
SEASON
Suited for
any weather.
Shoes (From Left): Salvatore Ferragamo,

Harrys Of London, Ermenegildo Zegna
Ralph Lauren
ren
en
Jack & Jones

Jone
Belts (From Left): Paul Smith, Brunello Cucinelli Lacoste Bhane Post Fold

grooming
BUDGET ESSENTIALS
No need to fork out a fortune to look good.
Check out these awesome buys from around the
globe that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
by SHONAGH WALKER
1
Weleda Arnica Sports Shower Gel,
`925, amazon.in
Speaking of heavy lifting, if you’ve
been exercising heaps or just
6
have aching muscles, use this anti-
inflammatory and uplifting shower gel
in place of soap. You’ll love it, and so
will your weary muscles.
1
2
Anthony Mint & White Tea
Lip Balm, `800, sephora.com
This all-natural lip balm will keep your
pucker soft and smooth. With SPF 25,
it’s great for guys who work outdoors.
3
Bossman Beard Comb with Handle, 5
`1,050, and beard Comb, `1,000,
bossmanbrand.com
Do we really need to explain why you
need these? Facial hair is great, but
not when it’s a tangled, skanky mess.
4
Cella Shave Cream, `800,
gentsac.com.au
For when you decide it’s time to nix the
facial hair, this little beauty foams up
to a creamy lather, without drying out 3
your skin. It also helps to prevent razor
burn, ingrown hairs and bumps.
5
Marvis Toothpaste, `700,
amazon.com
These days, cleaning your teeth with a
natural product is the only way to go. 4
This selection includes great flavours:
Aquatic Mint, Amarelli Liquorice
Mint, Ginger Mint, Classic Strong
Mint, Cinnamon Mint and so on.
7
6
Proraso Shave Foam, `800,
Proraso Aftershave Lotion, `1,400, 2
Proraso Shaving Cream Nourish,
Proraso Eucalyptus Soap Bowl, `700,
Proraso Shaving Cream Tube Shea
Butter, `850, and Proraso Shaving
Cream Tube Shea Butter, `850 , 7
The Aromatherapy Co Therapy 8
The Aromatherapy Co Therapy 9
Batiste Coloured Dry Shampoo
proraso.com Man Shaving Cream, `1,050 Man Natural Soap Bar, `900, in Dark & Deep brown or Medium
This Italian shaving range will ensure thearomatherapycompany.co.nz thearomatherapycompany.co.nz Brunette, `700, amazon.in
the smoothest and sexiest shave Housed in a sleek silver tube, this This contains 100% natural essential We love this for two reasons —it
around. Each product is packed with 100% natural cream contains oils of sandalwood and cypress, which means we can go an extra day or
natural vegetable extracts, is free lemon, chamomile and rosemary to will not only soften your skin as the two without washing our hair and
from artificial colours and has been moisturise, soothe and protect your soap washes away grimes, but it smells because it’s tinted, it covers any
dermatologically tested. skin while you’re shaving. pretty good, too! thinning spots!
photograph by LU K E S H A D D O C K
m a x i m m ag a z i n e i s u b s c r i p t i o n
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W H AT M E N WA N T

HAMMER
DOWN
Enter the world of
speed, power and hhot
Honda
babes with the Hon
CBR 650F—a vers versatile
appeal
machine that will ap
to your wild side.
by ABHILASHA SIHAG
With the CBR 650F, Honda

has pretty much got everything
spot on. One of the most
anticipated bikes, CBR 650F
boasts of the hallmark
648.72-cc inline four-cylinder
engine, digital metre console,
double petal disc brakes and
ABS and the mono-shock
suspension. Putting out 85.28
horsepower at 11,000 rpm
and 62.9 Nm at 8,000 rpm of
torque, the CBR 650F takes
under four seconds to go from
0 to 100 kmph. Whether you
are speeding in excess of 190
kmph or riding on patchy roads
across the country, the bike is
always in its element. Entering
the middleweight sports
touring segment, Honda has
given the CBR 650F the look
and feel of a sports motorcycle.
Its faired design ensures
minimum air drag while also
looking absolutely stylish. Plus,
the single headlight cluster
with integrated LED pilot lights
and large windscreen give it
an aggressive face. Overall,
the CBR 650F is a stunner
that comes with a price tag in
excess of 7 lakhs.
MAXIMINDIA.IN SEPTEMBER 20
2016 43
supercar
AMERICAN
BEAUTY
THE NEW FORD GT IS A FEARSOME $400,000 SUPERCAR.
by DAN CARNEY

All three generations of the Ford GT, from 1965, 2005,
and 2017, in red, white, and blue, respectively.

supercar
“WE COMPROMISED ON A LOT

OF THINGS IN THE CAR,” SAYS
SVENSSON. “PERFORMANCE
WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.”
Ford design director Chris Svensson gets a gleam in his eye when
talking about his prized 1964 Mustang 2+2 fastback. It’s been
retrofitted to better-than-new condition, with some tweaks for
added power, but its mission remains comfortable cruising.
Though he is from England, Svensson has a great appreciation
for Ford’s heritage and will happily discuss how that ’64 Mustang
evolved into the 1965 Mustang GT and the Shelby GT350.
As head of the design team for the new Ford GT supercar,
he could easily have become mired in the history of the original
Ford GT40 and the 2005–06 Ford GT tribute car.
Dave Pericak, Ford’s performance director, was emphatic
that the new GT’s purpose was to race to win this summer’s Le
Mans 24 Hours for the 50th anniversary of Ford’s resounding
1-2-3 victory over Ferrari in 1966. Because of that, the GT’s styling
was developed in a wind tunnel, with on-track performance
paramount over appearance.
“It would have been so easy to turn this into a science project
that transforms into something that looks like no Ford ever,”
Svensson notes. The goal was to incorporate cues from that
original, ’60s-vintage GT40 without slavishly duplicating it.
“We wanted the car to have a recognisable Ford GT flavour FROM TOP
about it,” he explains. “There were some design elements that The air-extracting nostrils in the hood are another reference to the
design of the original GT40, though the overall style of the new GT is
resonated, and we tried to modernise them and bring them into
utterly contemporary.
the new car. They still resonate, and you still see them, but it is
Designer Chris Svensson’s favourite view of the GT shows the wrap of the
very subtle.” windshield into the side windows, creating the effect of a helmet visor.
The 2005–06 Ford GT “perhaps over-delivered” on the The GT’s circular LED taillights evoke the round lights of the first GT40
nostalgia, Svensson suggests, providing a template of what without degrading the car’s critical aerodynamic performance.
he didn’t want to do this time. Rather than copying earlier
cars, Svensson’s team incorporated details such as the heat
extractor hood nostrils, and a wraparound
windshield that blends into the side A flying buttress connects the roof to the
windows to create the impression of a
helmet visor.
i Ford GT rear fender, creating the appearance of a
roof pillar for a wide cabin, but that buttress
The twin-turbocharged EcoBoost
At the same time, many aspects of the V-6 engine makes “more than 600” is spaced far from the cockpit, creating a
design were dictated by the wind tunnel, horsepower, though the final, official number channel between them that flows air to the GT’s
where reducing drag and increasing is likely to be much higher. moveable rear wing.
The paddle-shifted, dual-clutch
downforce were absolutely critical for the transmission contributes to faster gear
The new GT has modern LED taillights, but
future racing version of the GT. changes on the street and on the track. they are circular, providing a visual reference
“We compromised on a lot of things A carbon-fibre chassis is stronger and to the 1965 original without any performance
lighter than steel or aluminium, providing the
in the car,” says Svensson. “Performance penalty. “It is like a spaceship from the future,
foundation needed for racing.
was not one of them.” Passenger comfort, Aluminium subframes are bolted to the but those key elements really hearken back,”
though, is another story. “It might not carbon centre section. The front structure Svensson says.
have the best interior space,” he says. “It is provides energy management during a “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I
crash, while the rear one is more tolerant of
tight, I’ll admit.” the high engine-bay temperatures. absolutely love working on this project. For
The passenger cabin is extremely Racing-style pushrod suspension me and the team, it was a dream come true.” If
narrow, reducing the frontal area that permits adjustments to ride height to suit Svensson wants a more comfortable ride, he’s
various tracks and racing conditions.
contributes to speed-killing aerodynamic The 20-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sport already got his ’64 Mustang.
drag. From the outside, it doesn’t look Cup 2 tyres are effectively street-legal
noticeably different from other cars or racing rubber. For more pictures and video log on to
earlier Ford GTs. maximindia.in

tune in
HIGH
FIDELITY
Gents, meet the most expensive audio system
stem in thee
world, the Enigma Veyron EV-1.
The Enigma Veyron EV-1 audio system,

from the Netherlands-based firm Kharma,
is the holy-grail of music systems. This top-
of-the-line audio system features newly
engineered Kharma Omega F drivers (F
standing for Foucault currents, which are
the latest innovation in the acoustic world)
and have the largest diamond cone surface
ever. With its cabinets constructed from
Bulletwood panels, the Veyron EV-1 is so
beautiful that it will overwhelm you. Sound
quality? Beyond imagination as no iron is
used in the magnet motor-system in
drivers and is packed with four 11-inch
woofers, two seven-inch mid-bass drivers,
four two-inch diamond mid-range drivers
and four one-inch diamond tweeters. Of
course, everything this good has a price. In
this case €650,000... only!
THE SOUND
PERI YAZH MAYAN ASOR
The ancestor of TRUMPETS Asor finds its mention
modern-day veena, Yazh The long Mayan in the Bible. But no
OF MUSIC was widely used in Tamil

music. This harp-like
instrument had many
trumpets were used to
announce the arrival of
the king. Shaped like the
one is certain what this
ten-stringed instrument
looks like. Die-hard
WITH THE ADVENT OF TECHNOLOGY, MUSICAL varieties depending on modern didgeridoo, the musicologists would be
INSTRUMENTS HAVE EVOLVED DRASTICALLY. WE TAKE A the number of strings Mayan trumpets could interested to know that
LOOK AT SOME OF THE OLDEST INSTRUMENTS, WHICH it had. The Peri Yazh be made from wood, Asor finds its mention
ARE PRETTY MUCH EXTINCT NOW. WE APOLOGISE FOR had 21 strings and is not clay or gourd with large only thrice in the Bible.
NO PICS… DID WE MENTION THEY ARE EXTINCT? found in India anymore. bells at the end.

man’s corner
HUAWEI
HONOR 5C
The Huawei Honor 5C
is a fantastic value-for-
money smartphone.
It’s not only extremely
goodlooking but also
IN
a solid performer. Its
5.2-in screen boasts
of 1080x1920 pixel
resolution while the
13-megapixel camera
ensures you take
near-perfect pictures.
What’s more, with the
Honor 5C you’ll never
complain about the
battery running out of
juice as it is packed with
the 3000 mAh battery.
The tech without which your `10,999
space isn’t really your space.
by MANIK KAKRA
JABRA ECLIPSE
Jabra’s Eclipse model with
features like “say answer”
to pick a call, or external
noise cancellation, shows
why it is one of the known
names when it comes to
Bluetooth headsets. The
three LEDs on the back
will keep you posted on
the juice left in the player.
Plug off this stylish looking
headset from its dock and
it will automatically
connect to your
preconfigured smartphone
or tablet. `7,900

LG E6 OLED
Your TV is the biggest screen in your den, so you might as well go big.
LG’s latest E6 OLED is a beautiful and slim TV that shows stunning
images with high contrast and sharpness. Whatever is your need—
streaming videos, browsing images, or you just caught hold of some
ultra HD content (porn?) this TV can handle it all without a glitch. With
Harman Kardon speakers, sound experience is surreal. `6,20,000
AUDIO TECHNICA M50XMG

For a good quality audio experience in your den, put on the
Audio Technica M50xMG. These cans are high on
performance as well as comfort. The pair has 45 mm dynamic
drivers and come with punchier bass than before along with
the same all around superb sound quality associated with the
M50. The pleather ear cups swivel 90 degrees are sturdy,
scoring high on the portability factor. `10,200
XIAOMI MI ASUS RT-AC51U

POWER BANK Smart devices won’t be
How often do you find so “smart” until they are
your phone, tablet or connected to a data hub.
Bluetooth headset going Investing in a good router
out of power right when is important these days
you’re in the middle of as it can make or break
something important. This things. The ASUS
is where Xiaomi’s 20,000 RT-AC51U boasts of the
mAh powerbank comes in. 802.11 ac protocol and
This big brick of ABS has 2.4 GHz+ 5 GHz
plastic sports two USB bands for less signal
ports so you can charge breakage. Don’t forget
more than one device to set a decent password
at a time. It meets high to avoid your neighbour
standards to ensure your from downloading porn
precious gadgets don’t at your expense. `3,100
go kaput. `2,199

PROMOTION
These days, most people would like

to incorporate geomancy (Vaastu or
Feng Shui) in their homes. What is
your opinion?
There is a large population of the Indian
real estate market that believes in
Vaastu and other similar things. They
consider it while buying and building
homes. We completely respect that. At
the same time, we feel that they should
not let this dictate their decision in
buying homes. Our strategy to cater
to the Vaastu believers is to create a
“The First Step To

product par excellence, that, in some
sense, is overpowering. We want our
buildings to reach a standard where
the Vaastu is not a primary or deciding
A Better Lifestyle factor for buying a home. We want

buyers to look beyond their beliefs and
give equal weightage to the location
Is A Better Home.”
of the property, connectivity, social
infrastructure within the vicinity,
future returns on the investment and
the builder’s reputation. Despite our
Girish Shah, Director, The Wadhwa Group, is an efforts, this tends to be a sensitive and
subjective topic that actually depends
expert on the real estate market. He discusses on each individual.
a wide range of subjects, including the best time
to buy a home, the importance of design and The What would you say is the single most
important element buyers need to
Wadhwa Group’s commitment to customer delight. consider while buying a residence?
Here at Wadhwa, we give serious
importance to good standing.
What is the primary focus when it to services and maintenance. Nothing Therefore, we believe that the
comes to designing buildings for The is created just for the show and every reputation of builders is the single
Wadhwa Group? element is conceived for a purpose. most important thing buyers should
Our company is driven to delivering consider before putting their money on
quality products. We believe in The Group’s buildings are known for a project. It is a long-term investment
developing a state-of-the-art building their design-centric approach. How that produces returns. It is important
where people enjoy spending their do you initiate this philosophy? to research on your developer, analyse
time. Factors that contribute to this We would say our designs are “client his history and scrutinise his goodwill.
include an aesthetic appeal, green centric.” Design just follows what we Simply because whilst putting forth a
space, good lighting provisions, want our clients to experience. Right sizable sum of your money, you want
attractive interiors, etc. The design is from the very first sketch, we seek to to put it in reliable hands. You will
of utmost importance to us. We would ensure that our design will do justice to be constantly interacting with your
not compromise on design because, the people. developer throughout the project and,
at the end of the day, no one would hence, it is important to trust them. You
want to buy a flat in an unappealing Your travels have taken you all over should be confident that your builder
building, regardless of how upscale the the world. What kind of architecture will deliver quality, that you will not
location may be. We have joined hands do you personally prefer? face legal issues, that he will handover
with a leading company to ensure Architecture across countries and possession on the date stated, etc.
that we deliver projects that buyers cultures to my mind has its own beauty
will look forward to. Our main focus and identity, and appeal. After all, A lot of people tend to pick up homes
while designing a building is always beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I when the rates are down, as they are
the people who will be staying in that personally though get goosebumps these days. What would be your advice
building. For us, customer experience when I look at buildings and monuments in this scenario?
is something which matters the most. in Italy, Greece and Prague. They seem Mumbai is a city bustling with activity
Our design philosophy revolves around to have a surreal ability to transport and bursting with people. Being the
“light–height–air.” Design is our passion one back to the time those monuments financial capital of India, tons of people
and we believe in creating something actually were teeming with inhabitants. flock to Mumbai every day in search
where generations will bless us. The Vatican, if I have to name a singular of job opportunities. As a result of
Our designs are practical and user- piece of architecture, was emotionally people migrating here, there is always
friendly. There is a lot of focus given overwhelming for me. a demand for homes. Prices of homes
don’t tend to fall much. Even if you In terms of buyer preferences, how do and commercial space is enormous,
buy homes at regular rates, you have you see the market evolving over the given Mumbai’s large population. We
not lost much. Buying a home from next few years? are proud of the futuristic commercial
a reputed builder is always a good Buyer preferences are shifting more buildings in Mumbai’s official space
investment. It adds to your asset value. towards luxury homes with an increase that our team has built. These green
in the overall purchasing power. The building structures are promoters
You have been closely involved with economy is growing steadily, and along of sustainable living and modern
the real estate market for many years. with that people can afford better technology with intelligent elevators,
What do you think differentiates The lifestyles. The first step to a better automated parking, etc. Where better
Wadhwa Group from other builders in lifestyle is a better home. The demand to promote avant-garde living than in
the region? for projects with recreational facilities, Mumbai, India’s fastest-moving city.
The Wadhwa Group is an advocate of lawns, pools, gymnasiums, convenience
customer delight. Customer delight stores, etc. has skyrocketed. Investing As an investor, what would be your
is different from just customer in these projects also shows promising buying mantra? A lot of people tend to
satisfaction in the sense that we want returns, as a result of which builders overthink property investments.
our buyers to enjoy their experience are constructing these projects. Don’t wait. The real estate market,
in a Wadhwa property, not just be especially in Mumbai, will always be
satisfied by it. We give great emphasis The Wadhwa Group is one of the booming. The demand never dies down,
to keeping our buyers happy and most famous real estate companies hence, one shouldn’t prolong and delay
comfortable. Everything from the in Mumbai and western Maharashtra. hoping prices will fall. At the end of the
design to maintenance is directed Are there some plans to expand to day, they may fall but only marginally.
towards pleasing our buyers. This other markets? Investing in property is never a bad idea
belief is our core strength and drives Mumbai and nearby markets are our because, in Mumbai, the value of your
us to build state-of-the-art buildings. focus area. The demand for residential home, in all probability, will appreciate.
MAN WITH A PLAN
THE
AMATEUR’S
GUIDE TO
GETTING
RIPPED
No gym? No problem. Use these
five regimes and simple moves to
get the blood flowing, blast away
fat and ready yourself for major
muscle. Yes, it is possible!
by HARSIMRAN SHERGILL
THREE-WAY PUSH-UPS
STEP 1 CLOSE HANDS STEP 2 NEUTRAL HANDS STEP 3 KNEELING PUSH-UPS

Perform as many push-ups with your hands together When your form starts to unravel, space your hands If you’ve got the stones, immediately repeat
as you can manage. This exercise will hit your entire about shoulder width apart. You’ll find you can both but on your knees. Alligator-man, you’re
triceps. The floor will likely hit your entire face. blast a few more reps—to the extreme! Tears are so damn naughty!
Suck it up! not cool, man.

KICK-START YOUR HEART TWO-WAY PULL-UPS
STEP 1 JOG
If prescribed walking
makes you feel like an old
man who needs to extract
his dentures at night, try a
jog instead of a stroll.
Running on the sidewalk
can pulverise legs in
disuse, so it makes sense
to start on grass or gravel.
When you begin
wheezing, take a cab
home and cry yourself to
sleep. Or man up and go
again the next day.
CLOSE-CURL GRIP
Perform as many curl-grip pull-ups
STEP 2 CLIMB as you can with your hands close together.
Too lazy to be motivated This isolates your biceps. Feel the bulge!
for outdoor activity? Or (Wrong bulge, buddy.)
too many people who’ll
point and laugh? Make
like Rocky and jog up the NEUTRAL OVERHAND GRIP
stairs of your office When you can’t do any more clean reps, immediately
building or apartment for continue doing pull-ups with an overhand grip. This
20 minutes at a stretch. will recruit help from your back and forearms. And
Going down can be tough from the other patrons of the gym who see that
on knees and shins, so you’re stroking out on the floor.
walk (or even better, hop
on the damn escalator).
What’s fit? TWO-WAY PUSH-UPS
STEP 3 RIDE
Have delicate ankles?
Brush the cobwebs off
your bicycle (you know
you have one
somewhere!) and cruise Lie in a push-up position, but with your forearms
on flat, even terrain flat on the ground. Pressing through your palms,
at a pace you can sustain forcefully—that’s forcefully like an 18th-century man
for 30 minutes. Riding telling his wife to stay behind the curtain, mate—thrust
a bike will get your one arm straight at a time. Smoothly lower back to
blood flowing without the start position and repeat. You’re done! By which
the impact of jogging we mean unconscious! If you can actually pound out
or walking. Resist the urge two sets of 8-10 reps, you can safely say you deserve
to pull off a wheelie. to be an alcoholic.
DUST OFF YOUR MUSCLES
STEP 1 PRONE BRIDGE STEP 2 MODIFIED PUSH-UP STEP 3 ALTERNATING SUPERMAN

You’re only as strong as the humping muscles in your A steady diet of modified push-ups will prep your To prep yourself for classic burners like deadlifts, lie
abs and lower back. To shore up, get on your elbows increasingly feminine self for the dreaded bench face down on your stomach, raise your right arm and
and toes, hold yourself “prone” for about 10 seconds press—the endgame for fitness freaks. Lower for two left leg, hold for several seconds, lower, and repeat
a shot, then lower yourself back down. Aching back? counts, raise for two counts, and repeat (best do this on the other side. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a beached
Sing along, loudly. one in private). whale! (We’re prepping you for insult now.)
illustrations by MITRARUN HALDER

tough
Jeremy Powers in
action during the Elite
Men’s race of the UCI
Cyclocross World
Cup in England.
CYCLING’S
CRUCIBLE
It’s messy, it’s dangerous, and it’s the fastest-growing
sport on two wheels. Can you survive cyclocross?
by PAUL KIX
ON THE SUNDAY AFTERNOON WHEN HE attempt to re-establish not so much a good riders who follow. It’s absurdly competitive,
should be resting, Jeremy Powers instead pace as just forward movement. No one has routinely ending in photo finishes. As
takes the road to the left, and soon his bike reached Powers’ level in the cycling world, Richard Fries, who announces many events,
hums over the gently sloped lane, the let alone his highly unusual subspecialty, once said, “Cyclocross starts as a road race
stunning but foreboding forests of Western without answering a question he often but ends as a boxing match.” No wonder the
Massachusetts crowding the path and poses to those who ask his advice: “How sport is going more mainstream with each
humidity curdling the air, until he sees the much do you want to suffer?” updated race result.
pavement rise before him, rise and curve At 32, Powers is the best American rider It might sound like an outgrowth of the X
and rise again, epically, endlessly. His in cyclocross, a sport that is as demanding Games and masochistic fitness trends like
pedalling slows and then nearly stops—so as it is deranged, and the fastest-growing CrossFit and Tough Mudder, but cyclocross
steep is the incline—and now he’s up off the discipline in biking. At the highest level, it is is more than 100 years old. A French army
saddle and pumping, the bike swaying a one-hour race around a course studded soldier named Daniel Gousseau is credited
wildly with each downward stroke. He has with obstacles: Cyclists fly around gravel, with inventing it as a winter sport designed
already, this morning, done the lunges and down grassy hills, over man-made to keep road cyclists in shape by bombing
box steps and side crunches that he hates, roadblocks (forcing riders to run, bikes through grassy fields and over tree stumps.
movements that strengthen his comically slung over their shoulders), and up steep By 1902, Gousseau had organised a national
slim core but will leave him with a soreness staircases (where they sprint some more). championship—one year before the Tour de
that lasts a few days. He has also already It’s exhausting but incredibly fun, and France launched. The Tour’s 1910 winner,
gone on an eight-km run. And yet the because it’s in an enclosed space— Octave Lapize, said he won because of his
notorious King’s Highway—the kind of often a public park—very fan-friendly. off-season cyclocross schedule. From there,
relatively empty but challenging path that Cyclocross is a fall-and-winter affair, so a the sport flourished in Europe.
abounds in this region, which is why he course on a cyclocross weekend is loamy By the 1960s, it had migrated to the U.S.
chose to live here—seems uniquely and damp for the amateur races and It remained the oddity of the domestic
torturous today, each push of the legs an becomes a gnarly, muddy fuck-all for the pro cycling world for the next 20 years—Fries

Clockwise from left: Belgian Wout Van
Aert runs during the Grand Prix of
Wallonia cyclocross race; Dutchman
Mathieu Van Der Poel falls at the
Wallonia GP; cyclocross at Bucharest,
Romania in January 1900.
“CYCLOCROSS
STARTS AS A
ROAD RACE
BUT ENDS AS
called the 1995 national definitely making a athletes. He runs a non-profit, the JAM
championships in Leicester, A BOXING big push in North Fund, which develops young riders and
Massachusetts, from planks of
wood atop a jungle gym—but
MATCH,” SAYS America,” said Brian
Cookson, president of the
often pays their way. The riders also bike
alongside Powers, grunting up King’s
boomed in the late 1990s,
fuelled by Internet chat
LONGTIME sport’s world governing
body, Union Cycliste
Highway, too. He also funds and staffs a
website, Behind the Barriers TV, that for the
rooms and video. In 2008, ANNOUNCER Internationale, when past four seasons has streamed races and
Lance Armstrong raced in the Vegas was announced. produced highlights and reality shows from
Clif Bar CrossVegas event, RICHARD FRIES. Jeremy Powers has the world of cyclocross. Many nights after a
and attendance spiked to won three of the past four race, Powers has fallen asleep on a couch
around 5,000. A year later, U.S. cyclocross national while the video staff splices clips for the
the race was bigger than even championships and is the site. The demands are so huge that he’s
Armstrong, with 12,000 attendees. USA top-ranked American rider in the world. not sure if he can continue to be involved,
Cycling, the sport’s domestic governing These days he splits his schedule between but the site’s future depends on him.
body, says the number of cyclocross events the European World Cup and a premier “ ‘How will I be remembered?’ is my driving
has more than doubled, from 237 in 2005 to stateside series. As he watches the philosophy,” he says.
516 in 2013, while the number of riders has popularity of ’cross grow, he sees competi- He has so many goals, foremost among
nearly quadrupled over the same period— tion stiffen, which is one reason he’s chosen them to make the podium at a World Cup,
from 31,828 to 123,454. The sport’s premier to bike up King’s Highway on a Sunday. a rare feat for an American. So he keeps
series, the World Cup, a heretofore But there is another reason: Powers at it up King’s Highway, the peak in sight
European event, opened its 2015 season last wants his sport to pop so badly that he’s but the road turning to gravel now, the
September in Las Vegas. It’s the first time a reinvesting his own earnings—he’s not final punishment. He cracks a slight smile.
World Cup competition was staged on U.S. clearing a million a year, but he and his wife At the peak, for a very brief second,
soil. “Our leading cyclocross series is live comfortably—into growing its stable of he can actually rest.

sex
WHICH DRINK IS YOUR RUM & COKE

A young man who chooses a rum and coke is
GIRLFRIEND?
probably a college student or has recently started
working. This man doesn’t really want to settle down
right now. He enjoys the company of women. They
excite him and he wants to meet as many women
as he can. He has a lot of love to give but he doesn’t
want any commitment right now. If an older man
Men love women. Fact. Men love alcohol. chooses rum and coke he probably misses his old
days of being impulsive with his male gang of friends.
Definitely, fact. Is there a co-relation between He has reached a certain stature in his life, probably
your choice of drink and your dating surrounded by many riches. But the woman he
preference? Maxim investigates. prefers to be with will be his equal, as passionate,
grounded and wise.
by MADHURI BANERJEE
HOW TO GET A RUM WOMAN
She has a gang of friends from college who will
scrutinise you. The best way to get to her is through
these women by being charming and most helpful.
Drop them home, be chivalrous and you’ll find a
way into a rum woman’s heart.
GIN
A man who likes gin is someone who wants a
commitment even if he is young. A man who chooses
gin will probably pick a woman like the drink as well—
sophisticated, extremely intelligent, well read and
enjoys a stable home life.
HOW TO FIND A GIN GIRL

She’s your neighbour’s daughter, your aunt’s friend’s
niece, the woman in your office who is always soft
spoken and yet intelligent. Ask her what she thinks
about marriage sites and you’ll know what to do.
CHILLED WINE
If you are a wine drinker, chances are you have an
intellectual girlfriend or partner. Most wine drinkers
are slightly older, have a certain secure bank balance
and understand that they don’t need many women
in their lives to feel fulfilled. Like a good, fine wine
the women these men will choose will be mature,
sensible and still worldly wise. A wine drinker likes the
finer aspects of life, a bit of glamour and just the right
amount of brands and bling. So his woman will also
be someone he can show off. This will most often be a
good looking couple.
HOW TO GET A WINE LADY

Talk about your favourite drink, how wine in Australia
is different from Napa. This shows you have travelled
to both places to try it out and like travelling. Speak
to her about her work. Be interested in what she
does and what her dreams are and how you’d like to
help her take a break from them by showing her the
vineyards of the world!

BEER COCKTAIL
If you are a man who prefers beer, you are grounded, sensible and not too A man who likes different kind of cocktails is a bit
fussy. You might be dating a woman who’s like the drink as well. Women of a bragger. He will laugh loudly, crack great jokes
who are like beer are easy going, laid back, will swear with the guys and and try to impress people. He’ll probably order a
play video games. They are also readily available to go camping, trekking, dirty martini because he thinks he’s a twisted version
biking, hiking or to the movies whenever you’re free. They’re not too of James Bond. Or he might have a Long Island
bothered with their attire but like appreciation. They’re chilled out! Both Ice Tea because he knows he can find any woman
the beer and the woman. You can rely on them as great friends. Like beer, easily. A man who picks a margarita is going to ghost
they are bubbly. As you need a large glass to consume beer, women the woman later. The woman he will most often
like this also fill a large space in your life. But one needs to drink several choose will enjoy his jokes and not want a long term
glasses of beer to be drunk. Similarly, even though you will spend large commitment. She has to be fun and downright hot
quantities of time with this woman you might feel something is missing in for him.
your relationship. But for a fun time, it’s beer!
HOW TO GET A COCKTAIL GAL
HOW TO TURN ON A BEER GIRL You’ve got to be fit with an amazing body to get a
Chances are she loves sports or something which is outdoorsy. cocktail kind of gal. She judges people and she likes
Chat with her about what sports you or she plays and ask her out to be flattered. Compliment her looks, her smile and
on a bike ride or for a trek. Keep it cool. Compliment her smile. maybe even how she has changed your perspective to
Share another lager! life with the conversation you’re having.
MOCKTAIL
WHISKY ON THE ROCKS Ok, so you don’t drink but you do love a great
If your choice of drink is whisky, you’re most likely mocktail. Piña Colada might just be your favourite.
to be meeting women who are like whisky—slightly A man who picks a mocktail is afraid to show his true
evolved, have a great sense of humour and may colours. He’s insecure and doesn’t know what people
“challenge” you. You also like an independent will think of him. But he’s smart and loves a woman
woman who has a mind of her own. But like your who can help him get out of his shyness. He doesn’t
favourite whisky, you desire comfort and familiarity. have any great moves so he’ll always pick a woman
You want the woman to understand you even if you who understands him completely. A bit of a geek,
are a man of few words. You are masculine and may this man might know his area of expertise really well
have some authority at work and probably be in but isn’t worldly wise. He’ll need a woman who can
some powerful position. You will choose a woman show him that!
like you choose whisky—smooth and sensuous. Andd
a woman who is like whisky will enjoy sex as much ucch HOW TO GET A MOCKTAIL MAMA
ou
as you do. She’ll give out the signals but it’s up to you Tell her a secret you’ve never told anyone else.
to take the bait. Something like how you’re really scared of spiders
and wish you could be manly enough not to be.
HOW TO GET A WHISKEY WOMAN If she finds you endearing enough to have a
Take her for a comedy show, a movie premier ier or to conversation, talk to her about her fears. True
a fancy restaurant that will have delicious food.d. She conversations turn this woman on.
likes fine things in life. Talk about books, art or her
favourite city in the world. Also never take her to a
seedy hotel. She prefers five star sheets, honey!
TEQUILA SHOTS
A man who likes tequila shots likes to have fun in
life. He might be very talented in singing, dancing
VODKA or something that is not really his profession but is
The man who chooses a vodka drink will have an a hidden talent. And the woman he chooses will
interesting past. He is most likely to have wild stories. appreciate him for this talent and encourage him at
A vodka man will have a girlfriend who may be it. This man likes to party. He is probably a man of few
opposite to him. Like the smooth vodka drink, she words but has a wicked sense of humour. The woman
will be stable without a wild past. She can mingle with in his life is also like a tequila shot. Happy, passionate,
anyone even though she loves spending time just with quick tempered and yet leaves quite an impression.
her man. A man who likes vodka on the rocks enjoys
being in charge, is extremely professional with his HOW TO TURN ON A TEQUILA SHOT
work and dedicated to the woman but one who enjoys Take her dancing. She has great rhythm and enjoys
vodka with a mixer cares about his appearance, is music. Groove to a beat to get closer and closer.
interested in fashion, art, music and is opinionated.
HOW TO GET A VODKA CHICK *In the above descriptions the woman isn’t the one who is
She is crazy. She likes exercising and eating, reading choosing the drink. A woman who enjoys a particular alcohol
might choose a man differently. This article is only about the
and lazing around. She cares about how she looks but
man, his choice of alcohol and what his drink says about the
the next minute she doesn’t bother about her fashion woman in his life.
sense. You have to give her space and attention in just *Research taken from bartenders, internet and massively
the right dose so she’s yours forever. observing men on dates.

food and more
COME SUMMER OR WINTER—OR

THOSE UNDECIDED MONTHS IN
THE MIDDLE—LEMONGRASS HAS
A BEWITCHING FLAVOUR THAT
CAN BOOST YOUR PLATE AND
YOUR GLASS. NO, YOU CAN’T
REALLY SMOKE IT. OR CAN YOU?

WHEN YOU FIRST HEAR “LEMONGRASS,” YOU’RE TRANSPORTED TO PLACES THAT ARE
WARM OR LUSH. ITS CITRUSY FLAVOUR WORKS WITH ALL KINDS OF VEGGIES, MEAT
AND SEAFOOD, BUT IT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A FLAVOURING MASTERPIECE. IT
HAS MEDICINAL PROPERTIES THAT COME TO THE FORE IN EACH OF THESE FOUR
RENDITIONS (VODKA MAY DULL THOSE, HOWEVER), APART FROM BEING A
DISINFECTANT AND A PRESERVATIVE. PLUS, IT SMELLS FANTASTIC. ACE THIS FULL
COURSE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGES, WHICH TAKE LESS THAN 17 MINUTES TO MAKE.
FLAUNT YOUR SKILLS, AND DON’T CALL US IN THE MORNING.
LEMONGRASS-INFUSED TEA LEMONGRASS SOUP WITH LEMONGRASS MILKSHAKE LEMONGRASS COCKTAIL

Rise above the regular green tea CHILLIES & COCONUT WITH GUAVA WITH VODKA & TEA
with a few stalks of lemongrass. Add a touch of summer to the Great for the morning or once This smashing beverage will give
Added benefit: Less sniffles. grey and oncoming winter. you get back from work. you visions of the beach and Kim
Added benefit: Reduced stress. Added benefit: Boost of pep. Kardashian West in a gold bikini.
Get These Added benefit: Worry-less high.
4 lemongrass stalks Get These Get These
1 tsp green tea 1 lemongrass stalk, finely chopped 2 lemongrass stalks Get These
1 litre water 1 small onion, sliced 250 ml milk 3 lemongrass stalks
Honey 1 cup mushrooms, sliced 2 ripe guavas, skinned 4 parts tea
½ cup carrot, julienned or cubed 2 tbsp Greek yogurt 1 part simple syrup
Make It ½ cup spring onion greens, 2 scoops vanilla ice-cream 1 dash lime juice
1. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. finely chopped 3 slices of ginger
2. Clean lemongrass stalks and 1 cup coconut milk Make It
discard the green upper parts. Use 4 cups water 1. Smash lemongrass until its aromas Make It
only the tender and the whitest 2 green chillies, slit and juices are released. Boil half the 1. Muddle the lemongrass,
portions. Chop these coarsely. ½ inch ginger, sliced milk and add crushed lemongrass. ginger, lime juice and simple
3. Add tea leaves and chopped 1 tbsp coriander, chopped Let milk cool to room temperature, syrup in a mixing glass.
lemongrass to the water, and boil Lemon wedges then remove lemongrass. 2. Fill with ice cubes.
for five minutes. Salt 2. In a blender, add infused milk, 3. Stir and strain into a glass
4. Reduce heat and let it simmer guavas, yogurt, ice-cream and filled with ice cubes.
for an additional five minutes. Make It remaining milk; blend. 4. Add tea.
5. Stir in honey and pour into a mug. 1. In a pan, add lemongrass, onions, 3. Pour into a tall glass. Add some 5. Garnish with lemongrass
coconut milk, water, chillies and ice if you prefer (we do!). and ginger. If you’re feeling
ginger. Bring to a boil, lower flame particularly adventurous, add
and simmer for 12 minutes. a sliced fresh red chilli for a
2. Strain this stock. blast of flame.
3. Return the stock to the pan and
add mushrooms, carrots, spring
onion greens and salt. Bring to a boil,
then lower flame and let it simmer for
five minutes. Garnish with coriander
and lemon wedges.

travel
THE
NEXT
LEVEL
Into The Mystic

IN THE LAND WHERE TIME STOOD STILL, OUR MAN IN HAVANA
DISCOVERS THE HYPNOTIC ALLURE OF THE NEW CUBA.
by JOSH EELLS

THE FORBIDDEN TROPICAL WONDERLAND THAT IS CUBA
has never been easier to visit. The recent thaw in relations between
this country and the U.S. has made transit easier and several U.S.
airlines, including American and JetBlue, now offer hassle-free
charter flights direct from the U.S.—including practically hourly from
Miami—while companies like Cuba Travel Network can book expedited
VIP entry. All you need is a tourist visa and qualification in one of
12 pre-approved travel categories (including the helpfully vague
“professional research,” wink, wink) and you’ll be sipping Cuba
libres to the sound of thumping salsa in no time.
The only catch is that Cuba’s tourist infrastructure hasn’t quite
caught up with the demand. For now, this is still a place you go for
the experience, not the extravagance. During high season (November
through March), hotels are often booked months ahead, and the same
is true of car rentals, so advance planning is crucial. Bring plenty of
cash—even more than you think you’ll need—because credit cards
may not work and there’s no way to get more paper currency. It also
doesn’t hurt to brush up on a little español. And while you won’t have
cell-phone service and the Wi-Fi is practically non-existent, the digital
detachment is all part of the experience—combined with the
17th-century architecture, ’30s-era Hemingway mystique, and those
famous 1950s American cars, Cuba feels like a trip not just back in
time but to a place outside of time itself. Wander down picturesquely
crumbled streets, fall into conversations with kind and curious locals,
and get swept up in the thrall of the country’s seductive rhythm. You
can post it all on Instagram when you get back.
Havana
Bypass the German tourists in the Old City and head west to the
younger, hipper Vedado neighbourhood, where an Afro-Cuban rock
star named X Alfonso has taken over an old cooking-oil plant and
converted it into La Fabrica de Arte Cubano, or the Cuban Art Factory,
a cavernous gallery and nightclub that hosts some of Havana’s sexiest
dance parties. Next door is El Cocinero, one of the city’s best private
restaurants (they’re called paladares), with a delicious version of the
national shredded-beef dish called ropa vieja; also try La Guarida,
tucked away at the top of a winding staircase and made famous by
Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate), the only Cuban film ever
nominated for an Oscar. The nearby Hotel Nacional, a pre-revolution
Art Deco classic that’s hosted everyone from Churchill to Capone, has
seen better days, but a mojito on the patio while the waves crash over
the dramatic Malecón seawall is still magic, especially at sunset. For
maximum comfort, invest in a stay at the Hotel Saratoga, where Jay Z
and Beyoncé stayed when they visited in 2013.
Viñales
An easy day trip from Havana, the spectacular Viñales Valley is a
UNESCO World Heritage site—supposedly Fidel’s favourite place in
Cuba—and home to gorgeously dramatic rock formations and miles
of lush tobacco farms. (Odds are good that the cigar you’ll puff after
dinner started life here.) Explore the valley on horseback with a
guided trip through the mogotes, the distinctive limestone hills that
dot the prehistoric-looking landscape, then climb to the bubble-gum-
pink Hotel Los Jazmines, an idyllic respite with stunning valley views.
Or, for a fully authentic experience, try one of the town’s dozens of
casas particulares—private houses with delicious home-cooked meals
and conversations with real Cubans.
Trinidad
Four hours from Havana lies this fantastically preserved colonial
town, where horse-drawn carriages clop along cobblestone streets
and vibrant colours burst from every block. Here, your best bet is to
photographs by ANDREW MOORE

travel
get outdoors: The Topes de Collantes Park, half an hour outside town, oldest in Cuba. Long cut off from the rest of the country by
has several spectacular day hikes, including to the Salto del Caburni, mountains, and for centuries reachable only by boat, Baracoa
a 210-foot waterfall, or you can sunbathe on Playa Ancón, possibly developed its own distinct cuisine and style, both of which still thrive
the most beautiful beach on the whole island. Recharge with dinner today. Stay at the Hotel El Castillo, built on the ruins of an 18th-
at La Redacción, in a mid-1800s building that was once home to the century fort on a hill in the middle of town, with a pool that features
newspaper El Liberal, which serves European-influenced fare 180-degree views of the Bahía de Miel (Bay of Honey) and El Yunque,
including fresh fish and organic local meats and vegetables. the anvil-shaped mountain that dominates the horizon. And for
Afterward, catch a cab to Disco Ayala, an underground nightclub on dinner, try one of the many seafood-centric paladares, like La Terraza,
the edge of town—it’s literally in a cave—where young cubanos dance where you can take in the warm sea breeze on the namesake terrace
to reggaeton that echoes off the stone walls late into the night. and top things off with cucurucho, a tasty coconut-and-honey pudding
(a regional specialty)—all while plotting how you can make it back.
Santiago De Cuba
A sign over the highway leading into Cuba’s bustling second city
reads: The Capital of the Caribbean and the Cradle of Son. Son, the
Afro-Cuban musical fusion from which both salsa and timba derive,
typifies what Santiago is all about: Maraca-shaking, bongo-thwoping,
hip-swivelling music. The hometown of Buena Vista Social Club’s
Compay Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer, this is the place to dance, or
even just watch. Mainstay venues include the Casa de la Trova and the
Patio de los Dos Abuelos, but the city really comes alive in July, when
the rhythms of Carnaval take over and dancers and percussionists
flood the streets. Rest your feet at the Hotel Casa Granda, a Graham
Greene–approved colonial landmark on the corner of Parque
Céspedes, the town’s leafy main square.
Baracoa
At the easternmost end of the island, the farthest from Havana both
geographically and culturally, lies this 500-year-old port town, the
FROM TOP
The Bacunayagua
bridge, connecting
Matanzas and
Mayabeque; Casa
de Cristal in Viñales

CLOCKWISE
FROM TOP LEFT
Saleta, Matanzas;
El Apartamento del
Doctor Triolet,
Matanzas; Havana’s
El Malecón sea drive

AFTER TAKING YOUR BREATH AWAY
ON RAMPS AND IN ADS, THESE
STUNNING LADIES HAVE TAKEN
THEIR SEXIEST TURN YET. AT THE
SAME TIME, THEY DO THEIR BIT BY
TELLING YOU A FEW THINGS YOU
DON’T KNOW ABOUT WOMEN.
BECAUSE, WELL, YOU REALLY
NEED TO KNOW. OVER TO
AASTHA, AISHWARYA, ARLETTE,
JANTEE AND RAJASHREE.
WE’RE ALL EYES… ERR, EARS!
by PRIYAM CHATURVEDI
photographs by J AT I N K A M PA N I
THIS PAGE
(On Arlette) bra and
panties by Marks &
Spencer; (On Aastha)
bandeau by The Source;
(On Aishwarya) bodysuit
by Marks & Spencer;
(On Jantee) backless one-
piece by Farah Sanjana;
(On Rajashree) bra and
panties by Marks &
Spencer
MAXIMINDIA.IN september 2016 65

Women are complex, or so we’ve heard.
There’s also billions of pages worth of
analysis and writing devoted to figuring
them out, most of which we’ve not read.
(First, because it amounts to pointless
debate and, second, well, it’s plain
boring.) Women are anything but boring,
so we figured we’d do a little digging of
our own, assisted by super-hot models
Aastha Pokharel, Aishwarya Sushmita,
Arlette Evita Grao, Jantee Hazarika and SHe getS eRectIoNS, too!
Rajashree Singha. We love women, and “The vagina has a series of accordion-like folds called rugae that,
they help give us more reasons. Not that we during arousal, allows the vagina to increase in length to roughly
needed them, though, but we all know that the same size as the penis,” says Irwin Goldstein, MD and Director
any help is welcome. of Sexual Medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego. “It’s harder
to see, but her body is responding to arousal similarly to your
SHe SpeNDS About 287 DAYS DecIDINg erection, although it might take her longer than it takes you.
WHAt to WeAR! When you become hard, it’s because your corpus cavernosa—the
Yup, that’s right! According to a recent twin tubes of erectile tissue in your penis—are engorged with
study, based on an adult lifetime from the blood. The clitoris also has a pair of corpus cavernosa inside it,
age of 16 to 60, women spend almost a which means she, too, gets erect when she’s aroused. An erect
year of their life just picking and choosing clitoris will swell, become more sensitive, and increase in size.
outfits. (And we’re not even counting the The inside of her vagina will also expand as blood flow increases.”
endless hours spent in stores and malls Enough said, and if you’re like us, you should be Googling
planning to buy those clothes!) Here are “corpus cavernosa.”
the details—on an average, women spend
16 minutes on weekdays, 14 minutes on SHe’D love You to ASk foR DIRectIoNS
weekend mornings, and a staggering 20 No, that doesn’t mean checking whether to go left or right at the
minutes picking options to dress up on signal! (Though that might also make her happy!) This is about
a weekend night. All the waiting-while- asking for her preferences and choices between the sheets. “Just
they-get-dressed phenomenon suddenly as many women are faking orgasm today as 20 or 30 years ago,”
gets put into perspective, right? That’s says sex therapist Dr. Ian Kerner. Talk to her about what she
not all. The study also found that, on an would like more or less of. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions
average, women will try on two outfits in like “How does this feel?” or “Do you want something different?”
the morning before they pick the one for Though we suggest you don’t pop questions in the middle of sex,
the day. and keep the chatter for later. Sex isn’t a one-way street. And it’s
no fun if your partner isn’t enjoying it.
SoMetIMeS, pIck-up lINeS WoRk
We’ve been confused—to use or not to use! SHe loveS vARIetY
Well, we found a study conducted at the Thinking it worked the first three times, so it’ll will work the
University of Edinburgh in Scotland, on the next three times as well is untrue, says Sari Cooper, a clinical sex
use of pick-up lines on over 200 women. therapist based in New York. Not to mention myopic and stupid.
The results? Intelligent and funny lines Women, just like you, love newness in bed. What works for her or
worked well on most women, while the turns her on depends on a host of reasons such as her mood and,
sexually-loaded innuendo chatter left them far more important, where she is in her monthly cycle. “Perhaps
completely put off. Take note—no more her nipples are more sensitive or her genitals are less tingly,”
“I can carry a dozen donuts without even Cooper adds. Pay attention to your partner, advises psychologist
using my hands,” kinda business. If you Lonnie Barbach, PhD. “Try different things and see how she
really want to sweep a woman off her feet, responds. When you find something that works, linger on it.
try a genuine compliment (“You really do Women often complain that men move on to the next thing just
know your martinis, this restaurant makes as they really start to enjoy an activity.”
the best in town.”); make her laugh (“If you
were a pirate and I was a tree, I’d let you SHe WANtS You to kNoW: “If I ASk foR ADvIce, gIve It!”
shiver me timbers.”); or put together your “The fact that I’m asking you for a suggestion or to make a choice
own custom line for the situation (“Did for me is proof enough that your opinion matters,” says Ameeta,
you know this restaurant was an old mine a realty expert. “‘Whatever you feel’, ‘fine’ or ‘both’ are never
shaft?”); it’ll be difficult, but memorable. acceptable answers!”
66 september 2016 MAXIMINDIA.IN

#MakeHerSmile
“Silence
SpeakS a lot.
When women are
silent, we’re
probably
speaking a
million words
inside. know that
and zip it!”
AISHWARYA
She’s spent her early
years in Darbhanga and
Jaipur, and the lissom lass
is very selective about her
friends. She tends to pick
up on positive vibes, and
likes people who are
simple and sorted.
THIS PAGE
Leather jacket by
The Source; panties
by Amanté

#MakeHerSmile
“Men should
know that no
matter if I’m
looking beautiful
or like a dog,
I aM tHere.
recognise that
and always
appreciate that!”
ARLETTE
The Mumbai-born and
bred Goan says a major
part of her heritage is
cuisine. And the fact that
she’s a beach bum. “It’s
when I’m one with myself,
where I find tranquillity
and solidarity.”
THIS PAGE
Monokini by
The Source
OPPOSITE PAGE
(On Aishwarya)
push-up bra by
Marks & Spencer

#MakeHerSmile
“Men need to
realise that
honesty is the
best thing—come
clean. Don’t beat
around the bush,
just go ahead and
tell me what
you’re feeling!”
AASTHA
The Kathmandu-born
model loves the
collaborative part of
modelling. She likes men
who take care of
themselves and “are a
little domesticated.”
THIS SPREAD
(On Aastha) briefs
by Amanté; heels from
Steve Madden
(On Rajashree)
Lace-up one-piece
by The Source
#MakeHerSmile
“Men should
educate
themselves about
our periods. You
have no idea how
much it hurts
and it’s not the
same as getting
hit in the balls!
Just stop
comparing it.”
rAJAshree
Proud of her North-
Eastern background and
good friends with Jantee
(in the background), she
loves romance. She’d like
THIS PAGE
a man to find out
(On Rajashree)
something special about
lace-up one-piece
her and surprise her. by The Source

she thINks your self-obsessIoN stINks!
It’s okay to talk about things you’re great at, and show off about
your great gym routine or how you nailed the presentation
at work. But if you’re the only thing you can talk about, then
she’s bound to have a problem. “It’s okay to love yourself, but
if your entire life revolves only around you, then I’m really not
interested!” says Divya Singh, a software engineer. “Women like eveN If she DoesN’t reMeMber, she’ll
men who take a genuine interest in them, not the ones who only preteND thAt she Does
believe in blowing their own trumpet.” Not literally, of course. “Sometimes I don’t remember what you did
Don’t try that, you’ll hurt your back. three weeks ago that triggered our fight, but I
will pretend that I do and ensure you feel sorry
WhAt she NotIces About you... fIrst about it,” admits Maya, 24, a make-up artist.
According to a survey, your eyes and smile are the first things a
woman notices. The survey found only one who noticed a man’s she coNsIDers It cheAtINg WheN…
abs at first sight. Our Covergirls seem to agree. “When a man As soon as you’re doing something that you wish
walks into a room, the first thing I notice about him is the way he’s she wouldn’t find out—whether its a phone call,
dressed and his smile. A well-dressed man with a genuine smile is a dinner or a kiss—you’ve crossed the line.
a win-win situation.” If you can make them smile, they’re already
half-impressed. “I may play hard to get, but he’s certainly got my shoppINg cArDs MAke greAt gIfts
attention.” What’s off-limits? “BO. No woman can deal with it.” She knows you can’t tell the difference between
a cold-shoulder and an off-shoulder, and she’d
WhAt her frIeNDs thINk of you, MAtters like you to leave the decision making to her.
It’s important for women that her friends approve of and like the Can’t think of what gift to give her? Simple. Pick
man in her life. They may not admit it up front, but it’s important up a gift card instead.
for them. Her friends know her well, and they can always gauge if
she can be with the man or not. she loves to be pAMpereD
No matter how independent your woman is, she
she belIeves MoNey Is Not (reAlly) the DecIDINg fActor will never say no to pampering.
While it’ll be difficult if you do nothing for a living and want to
fend off her earnings, most women do not factor in monetary sAyINg “relAX” WoN’t MAke her cAlM
packages while choosing a man. “As long as you’re an independent DoWN DurINg A fIght
man and not a leach, who makes more money doesn’t really Ever heard of the adage “adding fuel to fire?”
matter,” says Priya Dhawan, 32, graphic designer. Well, using this term is one of them.
she Also stAlks! she kNoWs WheN you’re lyINg

Not in a crazy, psycho way, but women admit that they like to Not from Day One, but if you’ve been dating for
keep a casual tab on their exes through social media. “I don’t have a bit, a woman can tell if you’re making shit up
feelings for my ex, but I’d just like to know what’s going on in his or if you’re being honest. Maxim tip: Spare the
life, and, more importantly, who’s his current love interest,” says trouble and be honest up front.
Aditi Garg, a 28-year commerce brand manager from Bengaluru.
she prefers the breAk-up to cheAtINg
she AlWAys WANts to be better DresseD While both of them will hurt, knowing that
No matter how much women lust after well-dressed and perfectly- you chose someone over her when you were
groomed men, secretly they want to be the better turned out together does far more damage.
partner. “I’d be a tiny bit upset if my boyfriend gets all the
attention at the party and no one even looks at me,” they say. she Is obsesseD WIth shoes
You know that feeling of pride when we discuss
she’s DIffereNt! and show off our porn stack? It’s the same with
Just because your ex loved long stem red roses, balloons and rom- women and shoes. #Respect
coms, doesn’t mean all women in the world do. Every woman has
her own taste. Get to know her and explore what works for her. she WANts you to keep her upDAteD
“Don’t have a set template for womankind. Take her shopping, gift Not like a minute-by-minute schedule, but
her a puppy… no way! Dating is not a PPT format!” says Mallika women appreciate it if they know what’s going
Tripathy, 29, assistant art director at a design agency in Mumbai. on in their man’s life, in general. “It makes me
feel like I’m a part of his life,” they say.
Why she MAy cheAt
Biological anthropologist Helen Fisher, author of Why Him? Why she eXpects you to cAll her
Her? and Why We Love, says, “Women are more interested in “While I don’t mind making the first move,
supplementing their marriage or jumping ship than men are— showing that you’re interested and want to
for men, it is a secondary strategy as opposed to an alternate.” take things ahead is a big plus,” says Mohita, a
Women only cheat when they’re not happy with their primary marketing pro. “It doesn’t mean you act creepy
relationship, as opposed to men, who might cheat on impulse even and call me all the time, but I expect you to call
when they are absolutely happy in their relationships. me just to catch up.”

MAXIM MODEL TAKEOVER
“We’re as strong as men, and we

love it when you give us space to
fight our own battles. Also,
know that we love your
support and respect
you for it.”
THIS PAGE
(On Jantee)
control briefs and
lace bra by
Marks & Spencer

THIS PAGE
Backless one-piece
by Farah Sanjana
#MakeHerSmile
“Men should
know most
women
subconsciously
look for their
dads in them. Be
understanding
and support us
without judging
us. At least try!”
JANTEE
The Guwahati-born
was a fashion design
major before she became
a model, and is inspired
by Tyra Banks. She says
women work hard to
make relationships work,
and men should
do the same.

#MakeHerSmile
“The fact that I’m

asking you for a
suggestion or to make
a choice for me is
proof enough that
your opinion
matters.”

AASTHA PokHArEL (ToABH MANAGEMENT), AISHwAryA SuSHMITA (INEGA MoDEL MANAGEMENT), ArLETTE EvITA GrAo, JANTEE HAzArIkA AND rAJASHrEE SINGHA (TFM INDIA)
THIS PAGE
Lingerie by
Marks & Spencer
styling
santu misra
make-up
DonalD simrock
at tFm (inDia)
Hair
maitei at
tFm (inDia)
proDuction
gravity grace

BeerLiving I MAKE
FOR A
Wish you could say that, don’t you? Well these gutsy dudes actually do.

MAXIM MADE FRIENDS WITH
A GROUP OF TALENTED
GENTS WHO JUST HAPPEN
TO OWN AND RUN FOUR OF
INDIA’S MOST POPULAR
CRAFT BREWERIES. THESE
GUYS ARE PROOF THAT
START-UPS AREN’T JUST AN
IT SECTOR THING—THEY
CAN BE FUN, PROFITABLE
AND DELIGHTFULLY BOOZY.
by MEHER BAJWA
Ketan SS Gohel, Anand Morwani and Ansh Seth of the

Brewbot Eatery & Pub Brewery in Mumbai started off with
a dream “to save the city from mediocre beer.” And it’s safe to
say, they pulled it off. Brewbot is one of Mumbai’s most popular
craft breweries right now. “Having lived and studied in Europe,
we had the opportunity to explore some of the world’s best beer
destinations and, furthermore, through travel, we were exposed
to various styles and brewing philosophies around Europe
and America. To put it simply, it is our commitment to, and
everlasting love for, craft beers that have brought us as far as
we are today. We wanted to provide an affordable, delicious
and uncompromised product.”
Arvind Raju of The Biere Club, Bengaluru’s first craft
brewery, calls Bengaluru the “pub capital” of the country and
also one of the toughest markets in terms of competition. “For us,
the dream started when my sister and I travelled and familiarised
ourselves with the concept of brewing your own beer. We opened
HOW IT ALL STARTED The Biere Club with a purpose to serve patrons of any age (with
These guys travelled the world, drank hundreds of litres of fantastic the exception of alcohol) and to let Bengaluru know what it is to
beer and then put in years of hardwork to learn the trade. drink freshly brewed beers. As a local myself, I love my mug of
chilled beer.”
“My wife introduced me to my first craft beer brewery while we Gregory Kroitzsh started The Barking Deer in Mumbai
were studying at Purdue. I was amazed that beer was so much for selfish reasons, he says. “Since I was a craft beer enthusiast
more than just yellow fizzy stuff we used to get in India back then,” and a home brewer in the States, I thought I could brew some
says Shailendra “Shailly” Bist, co-founder and head brewer at good homebrew here in India. If the business didn’t work at least
Independence Brewing Company, one of Pune’s leading I’d be drinking great beer! But beyond that, I did believe it was a
breweries. “After moving to L.A. in 2004, I joined a homebrew great business idea. When I decided to turn my back on a banking
club and that’s where the real appreciation and love for craft beers career, starting a microbrewery was the only thing that I could
started. Being a mechanical engineer, the DIY component of home imagine myself doing. Back in the late ’80s, when the craft beer
brewing really appealed to me. The home brewing culture movement was just starting in the U.S., my father toyed with the
propelled me to learn more, brew more and from a hobby it idea of starting a microbrewery in my home state of Vermont. He
became a passion. While working a full-time job, I interned part decided against it because there was already another brewery in
time in two local breweries and also completed my BJCP our small state of five lakh people. Fast forward 30 years later and
certification. By 2008, microbrewery licensing was opening up in there are now 30 thriving microbreweries in the state producing
India so I started planning for setting up one myself. Luckily, I was some of the finest beers in the world. How was he to know that
introduced to my partner and co-founder, Avanish Vellanki, around craft beer would boom to be a $20 billion industry with nearly
that time and here we are today. In a nut shell, I just love the 4,500 breweries across the country? When I saw this opportunity
history, art, science and the overall culture around craft beers.” in Mumbai, I swore that I would not make the same mistake.”
photographs by KURUSH UMRIGAR & DIP TI DESAI

THE BARKING DEER
Where: MUMBAI
Who: Gregory Kroitzsh
Try: The Flying Pig Belgian
Wit, the Bark IPA and the
Bombay Blonde.

A RISING TREND no going back,” says Gregory. According to Shailly, “Craft
Why have craft breweries become such a profitable and popular breweries offer patrons, quality, variety and a ‘drink from the
brand of business in India in the last five years? source’ experience. A few breweries like ours also invest time
and effort into educating the patrons and,
“It’s a matter of great taste, quality and hence, they feel more connected to the
value. Indian beer drinkers are getting product. Beer drinkers are just excited to
more sophisticated and they’d grown tired have better options than the standard
THE BIERE CLUB
of the same old industrial beer. When you yellow fizzy lagers you get in bottles.” The
Where: BENGALURU
taste something that is simply better, better guys at Brewbot say, “A majority of the
Who: Arvind Raju
for you and at a reasonable price, there is people in India have only had lagers and
Try: The Belgian Strong
part of the majority (a good part) are now
Ale, the signature Mango
bored of the single style of beer available!
Ale and the Cucumber
People are more informed about the
Coriander Lager.
ingredients and chemicals (yes,
chemicals!) used by commercial/industrial
breweries. But most of all, people just
want a better product.”
Arvind says it has to do with the legal
hassles being cut down as well. “To define
the success of breweries, there are two
angles of tallying its success. One would
be the success it has had with customers.
And the other being the procurement of
licenses and the excise regulations that
seem to be relaxed at the moment.”
YOU’VE GOT TO GET

YOURSELF A USP
Why should beer drinkers return to your joint?
Be consistent like the team at Brewbot

Eatery & Pub Brewery: “Our beers
comprise of three pillars—care, patience
and consistency. We source and use the
highest quality of ingredients, allow our
beer to mature to its best potential, which
in turn gives our beer consistency…
basically we don’t fu*k around.”
Get funky with branding like The
Barking Deer: “The Barking Deer is an
animal living in the mountain forests of
India and, when I learned about it, I
thought it was the perfect mascot for
our fun-loving and wacky approach to
brewing beer. A deer that barks like
a dog.”
Give ‘em something new everytime
like the menu at The Biere Club: “We are
always looking for exciting flavours and
out-of-the-box combinations to offer to
our customers. We constantly rotate our
beers; that is to say, we’ll never brew
consecutive batches of the same beer;
there will always be a change on the
menu when you visit us.”
KNOW YOUR PRODUCT

You should be able to identify and critique your
own beer with or without a blindfold on.
“I religiously drink my own beer and I am

ruthless about critiquing it. If I find any
defect, I force my brewers to dump the
whole batch. Each one of our beers must
not only be brewed to style but also be
clean tasting and delicious,” explains
Gregory of The Barking Deer.
“Part of owning a brewery is to see
that the brews being produced are to the
customers’ liking and this allows us as a
team to brainstorm and come up with
more ideas on how to make our brews
better every time,” shares Arvind.
“We have at least 7-8 styles of beer on
taps at all times. We try our best to launch
THE
at least one new beer every month—of
INDEPENDENCE
course, I have tried all, multiple times
actually. Consider that a part of quality
BREW COMPANY
Where: PUNE
control,” jokes Shailly. are scrubbing, cleaning and sanitising. If
Who: Shailendra Bist
there is a defect in the beer, it probably
Try: The Bitter Truth, Four
came from poor sanitation practices.
Grain Saison and a stout
THE BREWING PROCESS named Ixcacao.
The folks at Independence Brewing
Is it a series of calculated steps or a mad Company believe beer brewing is more
experiment everytime? precise than some might think. “I’d say
it’s 20% art and 80% science. We first start
Arvind says it’s an intuitive process. “You can with the intent of what we want to
do all the small scale trials you want but you brew—flavour, aroma, body and mouth
never know how the beer will change as you scale up. You can feel, etc,” explains Shailly. “Then we plan the recipe—which malts,
do some basic calculations but it is imperative that you trust hops and spices to use and how much? Then comes the process:
your gut.” Water chemistry, mash schedule, hop additions, spice additions,
Gregory describes brewers as “25% engineer, 25% poet and boil time, fermentation time and temperature.”
50% sanitation worker. Brewers are rare breeds. They need to be Team Brewbot thinks a bit of both. “Brewing, as an
creative to experiment and blend flavours, but also need to be experience, can be different with each style or product you
meticulous and precise to perfectly follow recipes, ingredients make. It’s not a mad experiment but we do, at times, get crazy
and temperatures. What most people don’t know is how much with the things we use, but ultimately the goal is always the
cleaning is involved in brewing. More than half the time, brewers same, to produce beer of the highest quality and consistency.”

BREWBOT EATERY &
PUB BREWERY
Where: MUMBAI
Who: Ketan SS Gohel, Ansh
Seth and Anand Morwani
Try: The Skywalker, the
Floating Head and the
MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC? Botwork Orange.
There’s a debate about the pros and cons of using an automated
machine process to brew batches versus following a more traditional
manual “hand made” system.
According to Shailly, “Automation in the brewing process should

be just enough to make the brewer’s life manageable. There is a
lot of elbow grease that goes into brewing. Also, in many ways, it
keeps the brewer connected to the beer being brewed. We have
an in-house software, which we use to manage recipes and
calculate critical parameters like bitterness, ABV, colour, etc. This
way we can be consistent from batch to batch.”
Gregory reveals that the beer brewing process at The Barking IF IT WERE LEGAL TO BREW BEER
Deer is highly manual and they like it that way. “We feel that we AT HOME...
are in greater control of our small batches that we do. It allows us Here’s what you should do first.
to experiment with styles and flavours and not get too worried
about making mistakes.” “Learn the basics, brew at least 10 good classic styles first and
“Unlike a home-brew set-up, the brewing at Brewbot is slightly then go crazy and experiment all you want. Also, support local
complex. We have installed a semi-automated system to maintain craft beer,” advises Shailly.
perfect temperatures, pressures and quality of our beers. Even Ketan says you need to be radical and not hold back. “Brewing
then, without our personal involvement (heart, soul and should be about the fun and love that you put into the process
everything else) the beers would not be the same,” says Ketan. that finally reflects in the glass of beer. Experiment with different
Arvind explains that the process at The Biere Club is semi- ingredients and styles, you might just stumble upon a great
automatic. “We get enough exercise, but not like how it used to product, and, as many of us know, some of the greatest things in
be in the old times.” the world are discovered by accident!”

CELEBRATING SPEED, SKILL AND
DAREDEVILRY OF INDIA’S BEST
E rnest Hemingway once
famously said, “There are
only three sports: bullfighting,
EDITION in the presence of
Vinay Pant, AVP Marketing,
Maruti Suzuki India Limited,
Bhaichung Bhutia and Gaurav Gill
mountain climbing and motor Shashank Shekhar Mishra,

racing; all the rest are merely Representative, Singapore
games.” Celebrating the words Grand Prix, Yuemin Li,
of the legendary writer, SPORTS Representative, Singapore
ILLUSTRATED INDIA launched Tourism Board, and Rish
its MOTORSPORTS SPECIAL Saini, Co-CEO, Underdoggs
COLLECTOR’S EDITION at a Sports Bar. Gill, India’s only
high-octane event in Delhi. Asia Pacific Rally champion,
India’s famous football icon, gave interesting insights into
Bhaichung Bhutia, and country's the world of rallying at the
top rally driver, elite level, while Bhutia
Gaurav Gill launched highlighted the importance
the SPECIAL COLLECTOR’S of Motorsports in india.
(L-R) Shashank Shekhar Mishra, Bhaichung Bhutia, Yuemin Li and Gaurav Gill
Vivek Pareek, Sr. Publisher SI India,

introduces the special initiative- Ace rallyist Sandeep Sharma receives the first copy of
Bhaichung Bhutia and Vinay Pant SI Motorsports Issue SI Motorsports Special Issue from Vinay Pant
Lt. Col. Brown with the Airborne Battalion of the Salvadoran Army, carrying a custom-built sniper rifle, in 1984.

Former U.S. soldier Lieutenant Colonel Robert K. Brown and
his magazine, Soldier of Fortune, have advocated the right to guns
and sell-swords for years. He’s not giving up yet.
by LUKAS I. ALPERT
AFTER MISSING HIS 23RD STRAIGHT shots. “Hey, Bob, you’re the only trustee being around loud, high-powered
shot, Lieutenant Colonel Robert K. Brown who hasn’t hit it yet,” one of his pals jokes. weaponry. But he is not a man to be messed
is ready to call it a day. “Any other comments, gentlemen?” with. By his count, he has seen action in
“Fuck me—I’ve had enough,” the Brown says. more than a dozen conflicts around the
founder of Soldier of Fortune magazine “You want polite ones?” world and been shot at more times than he
growls as he puts his brand-new Ruger “Just keep it to yourself, then.” can remember. With a pistol strapped to his
Precision Rifle down on the table. “I At 83 years of age, the colonel seems belt whose custom grip is emblazoned with
definitely didn’t win any prizes today.” like a feisty grandfather at first, wearing a U.S. flag and a bald eagle, Brown
Brown has been aiming for a 6-by-10-foot Ambervision glasses, temporary braces on continues to work full-time from his home
painted metal silhouette of a white buffalo both knees, white socks pulled halfway up in Boulder, Colorado, publishing the
1,123 yards away—a distance greater than the his calves, and hearing aids from years of magazine that celebrated its 40th
length of 11 football fields—but keeps circling
around the target as the wind shifts.
As he adjusts the brim of his red-and- The magazine has had a very successful run, especially with its specials and its December 1982 issue
black Soldier of Fortune baseball cap
forward on his bald head and gets to his
feet, he turns to the motley crew of about a
dozen old Army buddies, ex-CIA spooks,
magazine contributors, and a few fans who
have joined him for a weekend of shooting
at the Whittington Centre, a United States
National Rifle Association–owned gun range
in northern New Mexico where Brown
serves as a trustee.
“Anyone else want to try this?”
One by one, members of the group take
turns aiming at the white buffalo, almost all
of them hitting the target in the first few
lead photograph by P H I L L I P G O N Z A L E S
anniversary in 2015. “Boulder is 25 square
miles of hippy-dippy bullshit surrounded by
reality. I come down here to cleanse my
soul,” Brown tells me, the words coming out
of his mouth in bursts like machine-gun fire.
“You know what they say about the golden
years? It’s bullshit.”
Dubbed “the Journal of Professional
Adventurers,” Soldier of Fortune has, since
1975, chronicled a shifting, no-holds-barred
world of black ops and mercenaries fighting
Communism and terrorism. Its reporters
have operated unlike most, carrying guns
along with their pens and cameras, writing
first-person accounts from battlefields
around the world in what Brown likes to
call “hard-core participatory journalism.”
“We would create the story, gin up a lot
of action, and then write about it for the
glistening pages of our bad-boy magazine,”
is how he described it in his 2013 memoir, I
Am Soldier of Fortune: Dancing with Devils.
In many cases, its writers really were
mercenaries, and six Soldier of Fortune
correspondents have been killed in action
over the years, in places like Angola,
Nicaragua, Burma (now Myanmar), and
Ads from Soldier of Fortune circa the 1980s Sierra Leone (where legend has it that the
ran the gamut from an armed-pinup poster remains of reporter Robert C. MacKenzie
and weapons to mercenary classifieds and
were eaten by rebel fighters).
calls to fight in Afghanistan.
The small weekend gathering at
Whittington has effectively replaced the
annual Soldier of Fortune conventions
Brown held for two decades that used to
draw hundreds of camouflage-clad war
buffs to the desert for displays of military
firepower, weapons, tactical training, and
apparently quite a lot of drinking. Brown
says the showcase demanded more
manpower than his downsized magazine
for 40 years, brown has could staff, so he pulled the plug a few years
back in favour of just spending time with his
served as an inspirational close friends.

Several members of his entourage have
travelled hundreds, even thousands of miles
figure for a particular brand to join the colonel for the weekend. Some
he has known since his days in Special
of misfits, whether they Forces in Vietnam, and others he has met
on a variety of battlefields along the way.
were fighting for a cause or “The vast majority of the people I have
been close to have had some involvement,
a price or just seeking a bit in one way or another, with the magazine.
Some of them have been with me in the
of adventure in various hot shit, others I know because they have
written for us, and then there are guys I’ve
spots around the world. met in fighting for gun rights,” he says.
“They are an eclectic group.”
While many of them have also known
each other for years, the linchpin of the

get-together is undeniably the colonel— inspirational figure for a particular brand of
often referred to as RKB or Maximus by misfits, whether they were fighting for a
friends. His colourful and unabashed cause or a price or just seeking a bit of
personality commands attention and tends adventure in various hot spots around the
to bring out a mixture of awe, respect, and world. But as time passed and the world
genuine affection among the gang of pretty changed, the colonel is the first to admit
gruff guys. that the magazine’s hard-charging ethos
Perhaps the oldest pal in the group is may not have the same impact today.
Robert Bernard, the Army medic who saved “Vietnam veterans have gotten older
Brown’s life back in 1969 when he was and settled down. Some have died. The
seriously wounded in a mortar attack in the Rambo era—whatever that amorphous
central highlands of Vietnam. Known as phase was—is no longer. Who knows what it
“Bac si” to his friends (which means was, but there was something there. Of
“doctor” in Vietnamese), the soft-spoken course, the Cold War is over and granted we
Bernard still keeps a close eye on the have the War on Terrorism, but it is not the
colonel’s health. same thing,” he says. “We never would be
“He hasn’t always taken the best care of able to do now what we were able to do
himself, so somebody has to look after back then.”
him,” the 77-year-old doctor tells this writer. In its early years, Soldier of Fortune
“He was the kind of guy you wanted as your regularly ran full-page recruitment ads for
CO in Vietnam—he really stuck his neck out Brown (right, on horse) in Soldier of Fortune, with the mercenaries willing to fight with the white
team of vets who trained the Contras’ special ops unit.
for the people he was in charge of—and he is supremacist government of Rhodesia
the kind of guy you want to have as your against Communist-backed black guerrillas.
friend in life. Never a dull moment with That led some members of the U.S.
him.” It was for guys like Bernard and his Congress to call for the magazine to be
generation that Brown initially created investigated for possibly violating the
Soldier of Fortune. When he launched the Neutrality Act (the magazine was ultimately
magazine, he had hoped to give something publishers as readers increasingly move cleared of any wrongdoing).
to the Vietnam vets who were coming home online, plus the question of how to keep a Editorially, the magazine focused heavily
and finding themselves spat at and being magazine relevant that was born in the days on war stories and first-person dispatches,
called baby killers by antiwar peaceniks. of the Cold War and is geared largely towards with correspondents jetting off to fight in
“A lot of Vietnam veterans felt they men who have long been collecting social and write about wars in the far corners of
weren’t given their due, so I wanted to security, have begun to weigh on Brown. the globe. Issues in the 1970s featured
promote the concept of giving them “Obviously we are nowhere near where regular reports on the situation in places
recognition. We said our blood was just as we were during our heyday in the 1980s, like Rhodesia and Angola. As the 1980s
red as anyone who fought in WWI or WWII but we bring in a little coin and cover costs,” rolled around, the focus moved to Central
or Korea, but that wasn’t the case in society he says. Still, Brown now finds himself America’s bloody wars and the fight
at the time,” Brown says. having to do much more of the work, as he between the Mujahideen and the Soviet
Later, the readership expanded to is down to just an associate, two part-time army in Afghanistan. In the 1990s, the focus
include a broader swath of military buffs, editors, and a contract art director from a became increasingly domestic, with an
hard-core cold warriors, and young men peak of about 50 employees in the early onslaught of pro–Second Amendment
who’d later join the armed forces inspired 1980s. That has made it hard for him to get articles critical of the Clinton administration
by the blood-and-guts tales of patriotic out into the world and do what he loves to and its gun control efforts. The next decade,
derring-do they had read in its pages. do most—fight. the magazine turned to tales from the War
“It was reading Soldier of Fortune as a “You know, I just don’t have the time. on Terror and on efforts to control
teenager that inspired me to join the Army. We used to have a lot of people running the America’s borders.
There are a lot of guys who will tell you place. It’s hard to do all this with just a few While it is unflinchingly pro-military, the
that,” says Jerry Kraus, a 50-year-old people and still have the time to get out magazine is also deeply suspicious of
insurance agent and Soldier of Fortune field there. I may try to go to Ukraine or government overreach, which has also
editor from Colorado who has become the Kurdistan soon. I still have good contacts in made it popular among anti-government
colonel’s right-hand man of sorts and drove both places,” he says. types (Oklahoma City bomber Timothy
down with him for the weekend. Despite the fundamental role Soldier of McVeigh was a subscriber).
Brown says one of his most cherished Fortune has played in his life (“it’s as much The magazine continues to focus on
mementos is a signed copy of Chris Kyle’s an extension of me as Playboy is for the guy similar themes, but battlefield articles are
American Sniper, in which the famous who walks around in his pyjamas all the now less often written by the ragtag group
marksman (who was killed in 2013) thanks time”), Brown says he has been negotiating of fighter-journalists that set the magazine
Brown in the dedication for inspiring him to to either bring in younger partners or even apart years ago. The June 2015 issue had a
join the military. sell the magazine altogether. long feature story on South African
But the troubles faced by print For 40 years, Brown has served as an mercenaries (“mercs” in Soldier of Fortune

Facebook and the website. We had a lot of he notes. The magazine regularly advertised
bad experiences with people helping us try big-ticket rewards to anyone willing to turn
to build the website, and all of them turned over proof that the Vietnamese had used
out to either be inferior or incompetent,” he chemical weapons or to Nicaraguan rebels
says and adds, “We have been growing or pilots ready to hand over an intact
online. On Facebook, we now have more Soviet-built helicopter.
than 850,000 likes.” It also helped raise money for the
Licensing has also proved lucrative over Mujahideen fighters that years later
the years, with the magazine’s name being morphed into the Taliban and helped give
used for a successful video-game series, a rise to Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda.
short-lived television show, and a number of Brown has said that based on the
military-themed novels. Perhaps the information he had at the time, he felt he
clearest change has been the advertising. had made the right decision.
At the beginning, Soldier of Fortune But even if the magazine no longer has
featured scores of classified listings for the cultural reach it once did, Brown’s
itinerant guns-for-hire. Ads like “Ex-Marine friends worry about the colonel no longer
seeks employment as mercenary, full-time being involved.
or job contract. Prefer South or Central “The magazine is Bob, and Bob is the
America but all offers considered” were magazine. It would never be the same
commonplace. In the 1980s and early ’90s, without him,” says Gordon Hutchinson, a
the magazine spent years battling several firearms instructor and author from Baton
multimillion-dollar lawsuits brought by Rouge, Louisiana, who has known the
Brown’s memoir offered a unique insight into the world families of people targetted or killed by hit colonel for a decade. “We would never be
of the merc, but received a lot of criticism men who had been hired through its pages. the same without him. We can’t have that.”
All were either settled or had their huge After a long day of shooting long-range
jury awards overturned on appeal. rifles, shotguns, semiautomatic weapons,
“They really tried the magazine, not the and a Civil War–era, muzzle-loaded sniper
cases. Two guys meet through the rifle called “the heavy,” the colonel suggests
magazine, they have a friendly relationship the group drive 30 miles to Cimarron, New
lingo) who were going to Nigeria to fight the for six months, they don’t talk about Mexico, to have dinner at the 144-year-old
radical Islamist fighters of Boko Haram, but anything illegal. But then, six months later, St. James Hotel. Steeped in Wild West
the piece was reprinted from a website that they agree to commit this horrendous history, the hotel was once a regular
publishes academic articles. A first-person crime. Well, if they meet in a bar and six stop-off point for outlaws like Jesse James
account of embedding with Kurdish months later they say, ‘Let’s rob a bank,’ and lawman Wyatt Earp.
Peshmerga fighters battling ISIS in Iraq was should the bartender be held liable? It was To those who don’t know him well, it’s
similarly reprinted from a conservative total crap,” he says. easy to assume Brown is a posturing
political website. Regardless, the magazine stopped taking octogenarian who never outgrew an
At its height, the magazine sold around those kinds of ads in 1985. But its classifieds adolescent obsession with big toys that go
150,000 copies on newsstands each month continued to offer everything from boom. But as he holds court at the dining
(the biggest seller, at 182,000 copies, was throwing stars and nunchuks to posters of table, he reveals a more subtly charismatic
the June 1985 issue, whose cover featured a G. Gordon Liddy holding an Uzi. Ads now side, flirting innocently with the waitress
shot of a shirtless Sylvester Stallone firing tend to be more like what one might expect and hostess and commanding the attention
an M60 machine gun from the film Rambo: in any gun magazine, marketing handguns, of all those gathered around.
First Blood Part II ). Sales have varied widely rifles, hunting apparel, and gun accessories. “Bob is one of those guys who, when he
over the years, usually seeing spikes when In the early 1980s, the magazine regularly walks into a room, everyone kind of turns
the U.S. got into a war. Brown says it was topped 110 pages. By the mid-2000s, it had around. He’ll doff his cap to a lady. He’s
always difficult to have an accurate sense of dropped to 82. In recent years, the number almost European in his courtliness and
how many people read the magazine, has dwindled to 64. “This has never been manners, like a real officer and a
because a single copy might get passed just a moneymaking venture for me,” Brown gentleman,” Hutchinson says. “You don’t
around within an entire platoon. He says. “If it had been, I would have made a meet a ton of people like that.”
declines to discuss the current circulation, lot more.” Brown is deeply conservative but says he
and the magazine isn’t independently Over the years, the colonel routinely generally doesn’t like talking politics,
audited. He acknowledges being sank his largesse back into financing although when the topic of Republican
“technologically illiterate” but says he has whatever mission the magazine had front-runner Donald Trump comes up, he is
been getting help improving Soldier of embarked on. He says he personally spent quick to voice his opinion.
Fortune’s antiquated website and presence more than $300,000 backing efforts to hunt “Trump is a fucking nightmare, and I
on social media. for POWs he and many of his readers think it’ll be terrible if he slips in. He will
“My lady friend is the one who has the believed had been left behind after the just hand it to [Hillary] Clinton. That would
better knowledge of what goes on, on Vietnam War. “And that was 30 years ago,” give me a fucking stroke.” In the 1990s, the

magazine poured tons of ink into
criticising Bill Clinton, featuring a regular “the magazine is bob, and
column called “Slick Willie Watch.”
At one point in the evening, the colonel
pulls me aside to make sure I see the bullet
bob is the magazine. it
holes that pock the tin ceiling of the historic
restaurant’s saloon, the indelible marks of
would never be the same
more than a few drunken—or not—Old West
gun fights. without him.”
“Hard to find that kind of living history,”
he says. “I don’t really drink anymore.
Believe me, I’ve done enough drinking for a
lifetime as it is.” Still, the colonel has made
a point of leaving his sidearm in the car.
Brown tells me he has been married and
has kids from whom he is estranged, but of directors for three decades, then departs Churchill also pointed to the fact that many
that he doesn’t want to talk about them. for a business meeting. “You boys are on of the magazine’s writers had long been
“I’m just not going there.” your own. Have fun shooting.” suspected of having ties with the intelligence
When the colonel goes to pay his tab he Brown says he came up with the idea for community. Brown has two words for
discovers that it, along with the dinner bills the magazine while travelling in Rhodesia Churchill’s theory: “Utter bullshit.”
of several of the old-timers in the group, has (now Zimbabwe) when it was under What’s not bullshit is that the necessity
already been paid by Bruce Roberts, a fan of white-government rule and was enlisting for highly trained but underemployed
the magazine from North Dakota. A security mercenaries to fight Communist-backed soldiers to advertise their wares or
guard for a gas facility with an uncanny guerrilla forces. otherwise beat the bushes to find gigs has
resemblance to the country musician He was told several of the fighters were declined in recent years as the process has
Charlie Daniels, Roberts had never met the headed to Oman after their tours to put become more corporatised. Governments
iconic colonel before this weekend but hit it down an insurrection. Out of curiosity, and companies working in troubled parts of
off with him when they corresponded over Brown wrote to Oman’s ministry of defence, the world can now simply turn to big
the purchase of a military history book from which actually sent him a contract. Rather private-security firms, like the company
his collection. than sign up, Brown took out ads in gun once known as Blackwater, which have
“It’s just an honour to be around him. magazines: “Want to be a mercenary in the rosters of such men at the ready.
He’s really a legend. I read the magazine Middle East? Send $5.” In return, he’d send Additionally, following the collapse of
going back to when I was a teenager, and I the contract. the Soviet Union, the market got flooded by
feel like I know all these guys. It’s amazing “I got scores of replies,” Brown says. scores of well-trained fighters with little to
to meet them,” he says. “Newsweek spotted this and did an article do. That, coupled with the magazine’s aging
After the party breaks up, Brown comes on my ad, and it just went through the roof. readership, has resulted in an audience that
back to my car to retrieve his gun, as he I was getting replies from people in is perhaps more armchair quarterback than
plans to ride back with someone else. As he Bangladesh, Greece: ‘I was in the army in active combatant.
walks off, Brown puts his arm around the Turkey for five years; I want to be a Brown has increasingly focused his
shoulders of Harry Claflin, a longtime pal mercenary.’ I realised I was onto energy in recent years on the struggle over
who spent many years in the 1980s training something.” With the money, Soldier of gun rights, and the magazine has sometimes
government troops in El Salvador in their Fortune was born. resembled more of an NRA soapbox than a
war against Communist rebels. “Thanks, But it’s guys such as Claflin, who worked pure military review. Yet he still tells friends
buddy, for coming out for a good time— with the likes of Oliver North in helping that he has plenty of fight left in him.
there won’t be many more of these. You fight against Communism in Central “When I last saw the colonel, he told
know, life’s a bitch and then you die.” America, that have given rise to theories me, ‘You know, I think I still have one more
The next morning, Brown tries to get that the magazine’s origins might have been good war in me,’ ” Hutchinson recalls. “I just
everyone together for a group photo before less organic. In a 1984 article in Covert looked at him and said, ‘Bob, are you crazy?
shooting a round of trap. Action Information Bulletin, leftist firebrand You’ve been in every skirmish, large and
“It’s like fucking herding cats!” he yells writer Ward Churchill argued that Soldier of small—including some really stupid ones—
as the group mills about. Fortune was actually an elaborate CIA front going back to Korea. Why don’t you give it a
Once everyone lines up with their geared towards organising private soldiers rest?’ But honestly, I think the day he gives
shotguns, Brown suggests they hold up a to fight the U.S.’s battles in the period after it up is the day he dies.”
shell in their free hand in a way that makes the Vietnam War, when committing As the weekend festivities wrap up and
it look like they’re flipping the bird to the American troops abroad was politically everyone is preparing for the long trip
camera. “That’s right. The Wild Bunch rides problematic. Churchill noted that for years home, Brown tells me that no matter what
again,” he says, referring to the classic 1969 before the magazine launched, Brown happens, he isn’t worried.
Western that is his favourite film. regularly found himself in the middle of “You’ll always stay relevant as long as
Brown, who has sat on the NRA’s board situations where the CIA played a role. you can shoot a gun.”

your mind
OVER MO

Five states, 1,800 km, roaring engines, super new friends.
The drive to Leh tests you and your machine. It’s as much
about character as stamina.
UNTAINS
by GITUMONI TALUKDAR
photographs by PAWA N S H A R M A
Let’s be honest: A trip to Leh is on while Vinod Nookala from Mahindra gave
everyone’s Bucket List. Thanks to the us a crash course in off-roading, taking
plethora of travelogues, rider diaries, ad us through water-crossing at the Bhaga
films and movies, this beautiful place with river. Despite the decent flow and knee-
its surreal landscape and hairpin bends deep water, his instructions and directives
is a magnet for adventure-seekers. For allowed us to pass without major drops.
people like me, who spend every day in I was a bit nervous, but the Scorpio and
the city surrounded by people and more other SUVs made little work of it.
people, the Mahindra Monastery Escape The next morning, we drove to Tso
2016 offered a chance to immerse myself in Moriri—a 313 km drive through crumbly
isolation—albeit with a bunch of like-minded roads. I’ve driven on treacherous mountain
folk. The “expedition,” as we’ve begun to dirt tracks before, but for the first two hours
call it, wasn’t exciting just because of the of the drive, I was on the edge of my seat.
place but also it offered me a chance to test The road cut through mountains and left
my endurance. Plus, it’s not every day when little room for error, but a regular clutch-
your boss lets you take two weeks off for a and-brake rhythm eventually took us to
“work” holiday. Darcha, our first stopover at 11,020 ft.
The Escape began in Delhi and took From there, the drive got tougher as the
us through five states over 14 days, finally steep ascent to Baralacha La at 16,500 ft
culminating in Srinagar before returning once again tested the vehicle and us. The
to the capital. We were to test Mahindra’s pass has always been a tricky one, with
range of SUVs—the Scorpio, the Thar and heavy snowfall during the winter. The road
the XUV 500 while putting them through isn’t in the best condition, but it offered
their paces in some pretty extreme a challenge that I came to relish. The last
conditions and terrains. few kilometres were even steeper, but we’d
The carmaker’s new generation Scorpio, gotten into the flow of the mountains and
powered by the mHawk 4 cylinder 2179-cc began to enjoy the hairpins and inclines. I
engine, was our first chariot. The route longed for a couple of beers when I wasn’t
from Delhi to Manali was fairly simple, but at the wheel, but I was assured that they
it got tougher as we moved from Manali to would do more harm than good!
Jispa—steep bends, oncoming traffic, lower After some deft manoeuvring and expert what the mind and body needed.
temperatures. One’s driving and digestive guidance from the pilot team, we were After Tso Moriri, our next stop was
skills were tested as we made our way to finally on the 40-km stretch of the More Pangong Tso, about 210 km away. The
Jispa via the Rohtang Pass (at 13,060 ft). Plains. I had switched to the XUV 500, Escape was planned to allow us to
For the first 15 km (almost till Keylong), the which allowed us a fair degree of comfort experience diverse terrains, and Pangong
roads were nonexistent. Rain and snow are even as the road got tougher. Without was no exception. Unquestionably an exotic
constant in this region throughout the year. exaggeration, this is one of the most drive that scales up the scenery quotient,
The roads have patches of slush and require beautiful drives in the world. It is wallpaper- it is still very challenging—the road slowly
serious manoeuvring. You could feel the perfect, and Tso Moriri is everything one deteriorates after Loma and is almost
engine work harder, but it was up to the can imagine. Thankfully, the Mahindra invisible by the end of it. As the tarmac
task. Plus, the Scorpio’s ground clearance team had planned a free day in Tso Moriri, disappears, tracks are the way forward
ensured we didn’t really need to worry and which gave us a chance to sit by the lake with stacks of stones all along as guides.
that we could keep the momentum. and marvel at the incredible quiet. We were On some turns, I was instructed to engage
As we reached Jispa, fatigue began to set there, alone. Not a whisper apart from a 4-High for increased traction, ensuring I
in. So we broke for the night, and were put “Wow!” now and again. For two hours, in didn’t get stuck in a wheel-spin, throwing
up at a pretty lodge that faced the Bhaga silence, we observed the changing colours rocks around on other vehicles. Again, you
river. At 10,500 ft, we spent another day of the water and the mountains in the almost had to “feel” your vehicle, which is
in Jispa to acclimatise to the high altitude, backdrop. It was therapeutic, and exactly something I had cultivated along the way.

It is hard to not be
affected by a trip
to Leh. Apart from
the sheer physical
demands, it seems
to transform you
from the inside.
We reached Pangong at 5 pm, our tents trip—at 2 pm, we started our downward I loved these few days, but it was soon
pitched barely 100 metres from the iconic journey. The drive was intense, but we time to embark on the return journey to
Pangong lake. I’ve been to some exceptional had grown accustomed to consistent Srinagar. As we drove out of Leh, I was
places in the North East, but this was a braking and changing of gears. Leh was struck by the twisted landscape and the
sight like no other. The crisp air was like a little different from what I’d imagined, way it slowly changed into lush green forest.
a lullaby to the senses, and I slept even as but stunning nonetheless. Through the This was not an easy drive either, but the
I gazed at the stars. Honestly, one didn’t stone and dust, it offered you a mirror to SUV combed through the track and road
need beer-every-night to enjoy the a time when the Earth was barren, and with ease.
ambience. It seemed unnecessary, and humans hadn’t yet begun to soil her. Over I have to say that it is hard to not be
that’s saying something. the next three days, we interacted with the affected by a trip to Leh. Apart from the
Soon enough, it was time for the last locals, bought “thank you” present for the sheer physical demands of the place—from
leg of our journey: The drive from Pangong boss—which was the least pleasant part of traversing dangerous turns to dealing
to Leh. Since landslides are common on the journey—and marvelled at how much with Acute Mountain Sickness—it seems to
this route, we paced ourselves. But, even we, and the Mahindra SUVs, had endured. transform you. I feel calmer, I seem to have
with all the planning, we were stuck in The next morning, we drove to the local developed patience for traffic and, in the
a landslide traffic jam that set us back monastery and visited the cafés. There was office, I have photo from the Escape. Just
by two hours. After crossing Chang La introspection, there was joy and there was me, the mountains and a moment of peace.
pass at 17,688 ft—the highest point on the some amount of mischief as well. On most days, that’s about all I need.

THE
SINGULAR
BEZOS
IN THE FACE
OF CONSTANT
SCEPTICISM, AMAZON
FOUNDER JEFF BEZOS
PATIENTLY AND
PERSISTENTLY STUCK
TO HIS PLAN—AND
CREATED A $280
BILLION EMPIRE.
by BILL SAPORITO

THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES THAT INVENT THE FUTURE DON’T called Alexa, Echo has put Amazon on a first-name basis with Apple
always get to play in it. Thomas Edison’s reward for creating the in terms of innovation.
lightbulb, the phonograph and the electric grid was to get crushed In 2006, Bezos similarly confused investors when he launched
by financier J.P. Morgan. Robert Sarnoff ’s RCA Corp. made the first a cloud-based business out of Amazon Web Services (AWS) to
colour TV sets, controlled the broadcast networks and dictated host servers for outside companies. He was leveraging Amazon’s
programming, dominating devices and content way before Steve vast expertise in network operations, which had grown around
Jobs even dreamed about doing it. RCA folded in 1986. its sales and logistics support. “We’re very comfortable being
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is well aware of this history. misunderstood,” he said at the time. “We’ve had lots of practice.”
“Amazon will be disrupted one day. I don’t worry about it, because AWS is now a highly profitable $7.8 billion business that most of
I know it’s inevitable,” he told 60 Minutes. “Companies come and Amazon’s retail customers aren’t even aware of. Its clients include
go, and the companies that are the shiniest and the most important two highly secretive organisations, the CIA and Apple. And if you
of any era—you wait a few decades and they’re gone.” think about it, AWS was never that much of a stretch. All physical
Yet, when you look at the company Bezos continues to build, things are data at some level; Amazon has the skill to be able to
you see a guy erecting a forest of fences for competitors to climb move bytes or boxes with equal dexterity. Recently, the company
before they can even get close to him. In 1996, Amazon.com was began leasing cargo jets to start its own airfreight shipping and
one of the Web’s alpha disrupters, an online bookstore with the logistics operation. Instead of handing off merchandise to other
outrageous goal of making every book ever published available companies, it’s wading deeper into the delivery stream. If you are
in a minute—even if, in the early days, it was just Bezos, his wife, FedEx or UPS, your comfort level just plunged 50 percent.
MacKenzie, and a few brainiac buddies filling orders in a Seattle By constantly reinventing the world’s biggest online seller, and
garage. “Twenty years ago, I was driving the packages to the post making huge bets on a long-term vision—which often means missing
office myself and hoping we might one day afford a forklift,” he said quarterly earnings estimates—Bezos drives Wall Street analysts
while announcing Amazon’s 2015 results. “This year, we pass $100 up the wall. But he couldn’t care less. “Companies that don’t
billion in annual sales and serve 300 million customers.” continue to experiment, companies that don’t embrace failure,
Officially, Amazon’s stated ambition is to be “Earth’s most they eventually get in the desperate position where the only thing
customer-centric company,” but Bezos may have actually created they can do is make a Hail Mary bet at the end of their corporate
Earth’s most eccentric company—eccentric being a label he might existence,” he told the audience at a recent conference. Amazon’s
not resist for himself, given that his personality is bounded by an ability to survive has been questioned regularly, especially after
unrelenting drive and signature car-horn laugh. You might call the dot-com bust of 2000 (Amazon.bomb and Amazon.toast were
Amazon the first e-conglomerate. When he started Amazon.com, two of the more sarcastic tags), but Bezos always believed in the
Bezos’ motto was “get big fast,” and he worked furiously to claim plan. He knew the Internet wouldn’t fail—only the companies that
the high ground of Internet retailing before anyone else got there. didn’t nail their strategies would. Amazon’s sales grew from $15.7
He first expanded Amazon horizontally, adding music and movies, million in 1996 to $1.64 billion by 2000. Then, in the aftermath of
then electronics and even toys. To augment Amazon’s own product the 2000 tech bubble, its stock price sank from about $113 to $5.50
assortment, he eventually added third-party vendors, who now a share. But its sheer size provided the necessary cover. Recently,
account for 40 percent of its $107 billion in sales. The company has Amazon traded for about $550, making Bezos’ shares worth some
since gone vertical, manufacturing its own products, from digital $50 billion.
content created by Amazon Studios—movies and programming—to That kind of wealth allows Bezos to channel his inner Buzz
mundane stuff like baby wipes and apparel. You can now buy Lightyear, like fellow billionaires Richard Branson and Elon Musk.
detergent, paper towels and nearly 100 other items with the push His Blue Origin space company is building engines for Boeing
of a Dash Button, a small wireless household fob that instantly and Lockheed Martin’s Atlas rocket while developing a suborbital
places your reorder. Today the company is delivering groceries in ship that, by deploying reusable rockets, we’ll all be able to ride
some markets, too, threatening yet another giant industry. on. “I want to see millions of people living and working in space.
But Amazon is first and foremost a technology company, a giant I think it’s important but I also just love it. I love change. I love
computational engine created by an unabashed computer geek. technology,” he said. And if he wants to read about Blue Origin’s
Bezos applied that engine in directions that didn’t seem to make exploits, he can always check the Washington Post, which he
sense at first. The company’s ventures into consumer hardware— bought in 2013 for $250 million.
Kindle, Fire TV stick, Fire tablet, Fire phone and, most recently, Some kids come from broken homes; Bezos grew up in one that
Echo—were met with scepticism, some of it well earned. Amazon is was wonderfully repaired. His mother, Jackie Gise, was 17 when he
big enough, though—and Bezos has balls enough—to keep tinkering was born; he never knew his biological father until reporter Brad
until the company gets it right. “I’ve made billions of dollars of Stone tracked him down for his 2013 book The Everything Store.
failures at Amazon.com,” he has said, defiantly. Echo, launched The man Jeff Bezos calls Dad, Miguel “Mike” Bezos, was an Exxon
last year, isn’t one of them. A wireless speaker that becomes a petroleum engineer who married his mom and adopted Jeff as
wondrous Internet search device through a voice-activated assistant his own. Jeff spent his summers at the Cotulla, Texas, ranch of his

doting grandparents, where he split his time doing chores, dabbling the ambition in detail. Bezos was again unmoved, not to mention
in inventions and reading science fiction books borrowed from the unbelieving. “Anyone working in a company that really is like the
local library, which would feed his space fantasies. one described in the NYT would be crazy to stay,” he responded in
Bezos showed an early and enthusiastic aptitude for maths and a memo. “I know I would leave such a company.” There has been
computers, and by the time he got to Princeton in 1982, computer no exodus.
science was already exploding. After graduating with the highest Bezos looks at the world as a series of problems that have to
honours in computer science and electrical engineering, he headed be solved, and sees Amazon as a problem-solving machine. With
to Wall Street, which then as now was clamouring for quants who Prime, launched in 2005, the problem was speed. It was not an
could conjure black-box trading algorithms. It was while working instant hit, but in 2011 the growth curve began to steepen, rapidly.
at D.E. Shaw, a top-drawer hedge fund, that he happened upon There are now an estimated 54 million Prime customers in the U.S.
a figure that would change his life: 2,300 percent. That was the alone, an audience of fans predisposed to buy whatever Amazon
growth rate of the Internet in 1994. “Things just don’t grow that has to offer. “What’s the real story underneath Prime?” he asked.
fast, with the exception of petri dishes,” he would explain later. “A “Patience, persistence and attention to the smallest of details.”
nontrivial baseline growing at 2,300 percent a year is clearly going The same was true of hardware. Kindle was dismissed as
to be everywhere tomorrow, and so the question was: What kind “Kindling” by the tech crowd, something that would be turned into
of business plan would make sense in the context of that growth?” roadkill by the iPad. Bezos dryly noted that the No. 1 app on the
That’s a future billionaire talking, all right. iPad was Angry Birds. Hemingway had little to fear, he promised,
He looked at 20 different businesses before deciding that books and Amazon would eventually turn Kindle into the ultimate reading
offered the most opportunity and the least resistance, given that tool. “With hardware, it’s the same thing. You have to be patient,
publishing and bookstores were still operating in 19th-century you have to work at it, and you have to obsess over the smallest of
mode. Although independent bookstores would later have bitter details,” he reminded the audience at a product unveiling.
words about being disrupted by Amazon, Bezos wasn’t moved. In June 2014, persistence and patience would get another test.
“Complaining isn’t a strategy,” he said. After all, in 1994, he left a Amazon spent four years creating the Fire HDX phone that Bezos
job that would undoubtedly have brought him financial security, probably thought would be an iPhone challenger. The phone
quitting in June knowing that he would forgo his annual bonus. He featured Dynamic Perspective—a 3D effect—enabled by four tiny
went home to Texas and ultimately borrowed $300,000 from his cameras that follow your head. That technology required collecting
parents to help start the company that would eventually be called millions of images of heads from around the world and teaching
Amazon. (It almost started life named Cadabra.) MacKenzie drove a the cameras to recognise the nearly infinite variety of them. “If
borrowed pickup towards Seattle while Jeff wrote out the business you want to solve a really tough machine-learning problem, you
plan. He told his parents that the odds of failing were 70 percent— know what you need? Lots of data. Tons and tons of data. In this
fairly generous, he admitted, given the record of most startups— case, images, in order to train your algorithms,” he said at the
but he wanted to let them know in advance so that he’d still be introduction. Data was in Amazon’s wheelhouse, and what it
welcomed at Thanksgiving if everything went to hell. excelled at.
Bezos based part of his decision, and many future bets at The Fire phone was a flop. Launched at $199, it was discounted
Amazon, on what he calls his regret minimisation framework. to 99 cents within months, and in articles in magazines like Fast
“Very few people probably name it ‘regret minimisation Company, the media again wondered if Bezos had lost the plot. Just
framework,’ because most people are healthier than that,” he joked. what was he selling? Or as Business Insider’s Henry Blodget asked
The RMF works like this: When you’re 80 years old, you don’t want him, “What the hell happened?” Bezos didn’t flinch. If you don’t
to look back and be depressed or disappointed about all those make big bets, you don’t make big gains. And very few of Amazon’s
opportunities you let slide because you were afraid of failing. successes were hits out of the box. Just give it time, Bezos said.
Although Amazon, like Microsoft, is headquartered in Seattle, “We’ve had a lot of things we’ve had to iterate on at Amazon. With
the business Bezos chose demanded a different kind of culture than the phone, I just ask you to stay tuned.”
the Silicon Valley software outfits that could command lush profit With Echo, the company has a flat-out hit. And the prospect
margins and offer unlimited worker benefits. As a reseller trying of Amazon developing a drone delivery force—you know that the
to undercut brick-and-mortar stores, Amazon needed a Walmart spaceman is absolutely serious about it—is too cool not to happen.
mentality. Frugality and cost containment informed every decision, At the same time, Amazon is up to its old self. After announcing
and Bezos drove everyone he hired to work harder. Externally, its fourth quarter earnings, the company once again disappointed
Amazon strove to remove any friction—price, logistics, delivery Wall Street and the stock was hammered, falling some 16 percent
time—that got in the way of providing the ultimate customer to $550—a paper loss of billions for Bezos. This despite Amazon
service. Internally, friction became a force for productivity; increasing sales by 22 percent and earning $482 million in profit for
employees are encouraged to be absolutely frank with each other. the quarter. The Street, as always, expects more from Amazon and
That pressure and critical environment isn’t for everybody, and its founder. And in many ways, so does Jeff Bezos. You won’t have
a New York Times story last year laid bare the starkness behind to wait long.

The Blue Origin New
Shepard reusable rocket
on the landing pad in west
Texas following a successful
launch and landing in 2015

India’s most famous
football player,
Bhaichung Bhutia,
also has a keen fashion
sense. He takes us
under his wings to
teach us a trick or two.
by GITUMONI TALUKDAR
photographs by A M I T S H A R M A
THIS SP
THI
TH SPREAD
PREAD
PRE A
Whit
Wh
Whihiittee cot
cootton
ton
o shshirt
irtt
byy Mr.
M Bu Butto
ttonn
tto
` 11,5
,5
599; ststrip
riped
rip ed
Neehru jac
Neh jacket
ackket
e by
Nouught
Nou
Nought
ghttone ` 11, 11,999
999

THESE PAGES
Linen shirt and waistcoat by
Vikram Bajaj `4,300 and
`10,000; collar pin by
Dhruv Vaish `2,000;
denims by Jack & Jones
`2,995; leather jacket by
Hugo Boss `1,05,000;
THIS PAGE
sunglasses Bhaichung’s own
Blazer, trouser, and polo
T-shirt by Emporio Armani

“I NEED TO BE COMFORTABLE IN WHAT I’M WEARING.”

Okay, you kicked our asses on the field.
How does it feel to turn into a model?
I don’t necessarily consider myself a guy
who tries too hard to be stylish, but I do
keep myself updated with the latest fashion
trends. I like to dress for the occasion, and
I prefer to be understated.
How would you define your personal style?

My personal style is all about comfort. I
need to be comfortable in what I’m
wearing and I choose clothes that make me
feel confident, while putting me at ease.
Being a successful sportsman, what are the

things a player needs to keep in mind when
it comes to style?
Hair, hair, hair.
What are the three must-have items in your

wardrobe, apart from your boots?
Definitely running shoes, denims and
a white shirt.
Who’s the one person you definitely

consider a style icon?
It has to be David Beckham. He is spot-on
with his style. Even in a simple tee, he
looks great.
What about red carpet events?

I really can’t say much about fashion or
what to wear, because I try to ensure
I am appropriately dressed. But I think it
comes from where you are—be the best at
whatever you do and you will automatically
stand out. That’s as true for fashion as it is
for life.
What can a man do for his lady to keep her

smiling? We’re big on #MakeHerSmile, as
you already know.
Praise her! That tells her how much you
appreciate her and all the things she does
THIS PAGE for you. And compliment her.
Cotton T-shirt by Mr. Button
`1,499; printed suit by Hugo Among your mates from the football
Boss `1,00,000; pocket square
fraternity, who do you think are stylish?
by Vikram Bajaj `800; buckled
I think Sandesh Jhingan and Renedy Singh
loafers by Sartojiva `14,999
are pretty stylish. They always seems to be
very well-turned out.

WILL AUTOMATICALLY STANDOUT.”
“BE THE BEST AT WHATEVER FIELD YOU DO AND YOU
THIS PAGE
‘B’ motif sweatshirt, shoes
and tuxedo suit by
Manish Bansal `6,500,
`6,500 and `15,000;
eagle brooch by
Dhruv Vaish, `1,000
THIS PAGE
Cotton shirt by Dhruv
Vaish `3,995; cardigan
by Jack & Jones `1,999;
striped suit by Canali
(p.o.r.); aviator lapel pin
by Sartojiva `500; tan
loafers by Rosso
Brunello `9,999
STYLING
D H WA N I
HAIR & MAKE-UP
AIEN OZUKUM &
NEERAJ
S H OT O N
LO C AT I O N AT
LE MÉRIDIEN,
G U RGAO N

THIS PAGE
Cutaway collar shirt and
blazer by Noughtone
`3,600 and `15,000;
melange trousers by
Vikram Bajaj `9,000;
pocket square by Jack &
Jones `995; leather belt
and duffle bag by
Da Milano `2,499 and
`14,999; tassel loafers by
Rosso Brunello `7,499

Valentino, valentino.com/ Delhi; Ralph Lauren, Source, Near Vintage
in; Thomas Pink, Shop ralphlauren.com; Paul Pearl, 29th Road, Pali
No. F-22, The Palladium, Smith, Shop No. 212, DLF Village, Bandra West,
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Lower Parel, Mumbai; Mandela Road, New Shop No. A9, Byramji
Minox, minox.com Delhi; Lacoste, Shop No. Town, Nagpur; Amanté,
pp. 38-39 Image of 25-27, Metropoliton amantelingerie.com
Leonardo DiCaprio Mall, M. G. Road, pp. 98-101 Patrick
courtesy of Warner Bros. Gurgaon; Bhane, Shop Fallon/Bloomberg
Pictures and Roadshow No. 135, Meharchand via Getty Images;
Entertainment; Image of Market, New Delhi; Post Blue Origin/Alamy
Johnny Depp courtesy of Fold, postfold.com Stock Photo
FilmDistrict; Selected p. 40 Weleda, pp. 102-109 Manish
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Brooks Brothers, Shop anthony.com; Bossman, Floor, Shahpur Jat, New
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L.B.S. Marg, Mumbai; thearomatherapycompany. Mall, Rajdanga, Kolkata;
16Stitches, 16stitches. co.nz; Batiste, Hugo Boss Shop No.
com; Park Avenue, Shop batistehair.com 224, First Floor, DLF
No. F-51, Phoenix pp. 42-43 Courtesy Emporio Mall, Nelson
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Dreamstime.com Mandela Road, Main Road, Chennai; pp. 44-46 Courtesy Delhi; Dhruv Vaish,
pp. 24-26 Cyrus New Delhi Missoni, Shop No. 231, of Ford C-1/A, Green Park
Andrews/Michael Ochs pp. 36-37 Böker, boker. DLF Emporio, Nelson p. 47 Courtesy Extension, Main
Archives/Getty Images; de/us/; Louis Vuitton, Mandela Road, New of Kharma Aurobindo Marg, New
Petra Niemeier - K & K/ Shop No. 24, UB City, Delhi; Tommy Bahama, pp. 48-49 Courtesy of Delhi; Noughtone, 5K/1,
Redferns Vittal Mallya Road, tommybahama.com; Loro respective brands Dada Jungi House,
pp. 32-33 Paul Crock/ Bengaluru; Dents, dents. Piana, loropiana.com; pp. 54-55 Michal Shahpur Jat, New Delhi;
AFP/Getty Images co.uk; Surefire, surefire. Bonobos, bonobos.com; Cizek/AFP/Getty Image; Da Milano, Shop No.
p. 34 Courtesy of Jacob com; Cartier, Shop No. Hardy Amies, Keystone-France/ B-05, CG Square, Alpha
Bromwell 103, Ground Floor, DLF hardyamies.com; Gamma-Keystone via One, City Centre,
p. 35 Marc Jacobs, Emporio Mall, Nelson Brunello Cucinelli, Getty Images; Bryn Navrangpura,
marcjacobs.com; Garrett Mandela Road, New brunellocucinelli.com; La Lennon/Getty Images; Ahmedabad; Rosso
Leight California Optical, Delhi; Franck Muller, Martina, lamartina.com; David Stockman/AFP/ Brunello, Shop No. 39-B,
garrettleight.com; Tom franckmuller.com; Armin Salvatore Ferragamo, Getty Images Khan Market, New Delhi;
Ford, Shop No. 125, DLF Strom, arminstrom.com/ Shop No. 121, DLF pp. 58-59 Pingphuket/ Canali, Shop No. 223,
Emporio Mall, Nelson en/; Hublot, hublot.com; Emporio, Nelson Dreamstime.com First Floor, DLF Emporio
Mandela Road, New David Yurman, Mandela Road, New pp. 60-63 Buena Vista Mall, Nelson Mandela
Delhi; Gucci, Shop No. davidyurman.com; Delhi; Harrys of London, Images/Getty Images Road, New Delhi;
105, DLF Emporio Mall, Colibri, colibri.com; harrysoflondon.com; pp. 64-80 Marks & Sartojiva, Shop No. 253,
Nelson Mandela Road, S.T.Dupont, st-dupont. Ermenegildo Zegna, Spencer, Shop No. First Floor, Shahpur Jat,
New Delhi; Bottega com; Colt, colt.com; Shop No. 135, DLF SG-092, Commerical New Delhi
Veneta, Shop No. 111 A, Rage Broadheads, Emporio, Nelson Complex, DLF Galleria
Ground Floor, DLF ragebroadheads.com; Mandela Road, New Road, Gurgaon; The
photograph by A M I T S H A R M A
Madras Bridal
Fashion Show
Showcasing the latest trends in strong motifs. The audience was
bridal wear, the Madras Bridal surprised by Sidney Sladen's
Fashion Show was a hit among collection Vicious Bride, and
socialites and the glamorous spellbound by the royal themed
attendees. Some of the collection of Noushija. Shravan
best-known designers in the Kumar's intricate weaves gave
country participated in the the perfect closing note to the
event. Rehana Basheer, the two-day event that was
couture designer from Chennai, organised by Shan and Dene.
showcased her collection The audience gave a big thumbs
Pakeezah, while Rinku Sobti's up to the gorgeous clothes and
Essenza collection displayed could be heard oohing and
Varanasi's intricate fabric with aahing every now and then.
NIKHIL
THAMPI
The ace designer, who’s been
dressing up the who’s who of
Bollywood, sets the stage for his
last act.
How do you want to go?

I would want to die overdosing on food!
Most likely, truffles or pani puri.
Do you have any deathbed confessions?

Please do not scan through my phone as
they have some scandalous visuals of
my dancing and singing. Definitely not
for the fainthearted.
Where would you prefer to be, Heaven

or Hell? Why?
I have always loved to break the rules, so I would perform my last act on an One thing you’d like to change about
let’s make some noise in Heaven. international runway and then bid adieu. your life, it’d be…
I wish my life had days that had 48 hours.
What’s the first thing you’d like to do in What’s the wildest thing you ever did
the afterlife? while you were alive? Who would you spend your last day on
Scare my friends, for sure. It would be so You really don’t want to know that. And I Earth with?
cool to see my friends shit in their pants. better not say, for all I know, my father Undoubtedly my dogs!
would be reading this one.
Which movies are playing on repeat in What is your biggest regret?
your version of Heaven? Has there been any incident when you I regret discontinuing my dancing and
I would say, American Pie—who would not thought it was going to be your last day? playing basketball.
want to get naughty with the angels. So many of them. A few minutes before my
show starts at the Fashion Weeks is when I What’s the one thing you’d like to take
Name one thing you’re glad you’ll never feel like I’m going to have a cardiac arrest. with you into the great beyond?
have to do again on Earth. I would like to take my wisdom and my
I will never have to worry about going to the What do you think people will be saying sunglasses. It’s too sunny up there. (Laughs)
gym and eat as much as I want. And, oh over your casket?
yeah, cut nails. It’s such a waste of time. He came, he lived, he conquered—he was What would be your last meal on Earth?
one fine man! (In British accent!) And I’m Truffle pasta or pani puri!
Where would you like to perform your sure, some of my very close friends would
last act and why? come and tell me the things they will be Your last words on Earth would be?
I want to die doing what I love the most. So stealing from my closet. Beware, I am coming soon…

Maxim - September 2016 IN

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FIT IN 30 JEFF BEZOS

INDIA VOLUME 11 ISSUE 8

AASTHA, AISHWARYA, ARLETTE, JANTEE AND RAJASHREE

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