A Bong bred in Rajasthan attending a Gujju food fest? Yes, with this diverse thought in mind, I invited Shritama Mukherjee to the lavish food fest at the chic 180 Degrees all-day dining of Grand Sarovar Premiere in Goregoan. The place is done up with matkis, rangolis and flowers lending it a very festive look filled with gaiety and fun. As we all know, Gujjus are famous as foodies so I along with my guest Shritama Mukherjee were game for it as friendly FnB Manager Agnel showed us around. This proud-to-be-a-Bong, whose name means ‘beauty’, true to her beautiful self (“all Bengalis are pretty, they are very creative and intelligent”) has had her upbringing in Rajasthan. The journey from Kota (Rajasthan) to Mumbai for this classical singer started with her participation in reality show Antaakshari after which, “I started making my own contacts. In one year I was doing up and down from Rajasthan just to give a few auditions.” Meeting with success, she settled in the city for more. We headed towards starters counter for Gujju farsans like Kachori Chaat, Khandvi and Patra…. In fact, the petite actor had not tasted khandvi before and loved it. The health-conscious actor avoided heavy and fried food but indulged in paneer based dishes. This young girl has a few innings on television with Dekha Hai Khwaab on Sony TV, Best Friends Forever on Channel V, Do Dil Ek Jaan on Life OK and is poised with Ye Jawani Tara Ri Ri on Channel V. Ask her what’s so special about her role and she says, “ My look is very different. It’s a very unique character called Kimaya. There is this guy Chikoo in the show who is shown as a very dumb personality and my character is very supportive and sweet towards him. She makes Chikoo very confident.” On this confident note we replenish our plates with tender Bhindi Sambharaya, Paneer Shimla Mirch, Vagharelo Baath with juicy Tamatar Rassmissa and the ubiquitous Gujarathi Kadhi. Will she do typical saas-bahu roles on GEC channels? “I look forward to doing love stories but not wear saris and heavy jewellery.” Though she is single get to know her views on love when she says, “Love is something which is very beautiful feeling and it just happens to anyone. Everyone should experience the feeling of love at least once in the life.” Sreedevi and Hrithik Roshan are her favourite silver screen actors and as for her, she has done lead roles in all the four south language films. Shritama admits to three things she would like to change about herself, “I am very confused in doing things. I need to have control on my mind. I get bothered by gossip and it disturbs me a lot. I really want to remove this thing from my mind. I am very impatient. I need to work on my patience.” Will having sweets work on her change of persona? Irresistible mithais like Mohanthal, Laddoo, Mawa Barfi, Son Papdi, Rice Kheer, Balushahi and Ras Malai cast a tempting glance at us from the dessert station. Where do you see yourself five years from now? “Doing movies or as a great singer. One of my friends is a tarot reader who told me six years down the line I will be singer.” I take leave of her on such a positive conversation and Shritama I wish you success in whatever is your forte! Rapid Fire Qs with Shritama Foodie...Fave cuisine.....dessert…. I'm a biggggg Foodie... I like Mexican and continental but then I can't stop myself from hogging when it comes to Indian... It's ultimate. Junk food.. A Bigggggggg 'no'... Not even when I'm dying of hunger!!! If not an actor..... A singer . Shopoholic….. Uh bet!! I love to shop apparels and accessories. Single or dating? Very much single. Fitness regime… I dance every day. Beauty secret… I lead a disciplined life...Take proper sleep, eat good, drink juices and you are all set to make the world fall head over heels for you. Stressbusters Music... Especially rock music and trance. Your dream destination... Maldives. You are paranoid about… Cleanliness. I can't stand people who are untidy and sloppy!!! Hygiene is a must for me. Pet peeve… (a quality you hate in a person) 'Fakeness' is something that turns me off and pisses me to the core... Why can't people just be!!! Idea of fun… Selected friends, going for a vacation and if that's too much, then might be just sitting at home, chilling and dancing over loud music!! Your strength … My mom. Your weakness.... My mom. One thing that nobody knows about you… I'm a learned classical singer and I had once participated in Close Up Antakshari when I was a kid...