Click on the pic to view slideshow When I called up reality show winner and Hindi film actor Sandeep Sachdev to dine with me at Shikara in Navi Mumbai, he was skeptic about coming all the way from his Malad residence. Nevertheless, he consented to our interview over dinner at this unique thematic restaurant which had Kashmiri houseboats in water flanked by formal seating and baithaks on its sides. He came straight from the gym as it was visible from his appearance and after being welcomed with a bouquet by Ashok Mehra, the MD of Hotel Highway View to which Shikara belongs, we opted for one of the open-air shikaras. Soon the captain took our orders and Sandeep being a Punjabi, was comfortable with Mr.Mehra as they got to conversing in their mother tongue. He showed us his picture before losing weight and we could not recognize this 6’2” handsome hunk at all. “I was an obese banker till Biggest Loser came along,” he muses. Talking about reality shows, two of which he has been a part of, he said, “I owe it to reality shows and Biggest Loser where I won after losing 50kgs of weight, helped me gain confidence that let to me get into acting.” And what did he do with the prize money? “I had to change my wardrobe since my old clothes wouldn’t fit me. I went to New Zealand on a long holiday and blew up the money on shopping.” NZ...my fave holiday destination too! The fitness consultant and motivational speaker has a softer side to him – it was around that time when Tsunami hit India and Sandeep donated all his now-oversized clothes to the ill-fated victims. He was on cloud nine participating in Khatron ke Khiladi as he got to share screen space with Akshay Kumar. One thing led to another and Sandeep debuted in Bollywood with Chalo Pichchur Banate Hain and then landed a role in Sudhir Mishra’s Inkaar. As Sandeep went with Heineken Pint Beer, lip-smacking starters like Salt & Pepper Prawns, Pomfret Amritsari and Tandoori Rawas Tikka made their entry which the actor enjoyed to the hilt. Assorted Kebab Platter was interesting too with Tandoori King Prawns, Hara Bara, Paneer Tikkas all marinated and grilled to perfection. Coming back to Inkaar, he revealed he was not aware opposite whom he was to shoot. “I reached the sets on the appointed day and when I learnt I was to play Chitrangadha’s fiance, I was baffled.” He was all praise for director Sudhir Mishra who is amazing to work with. Sandeep wishes to work with Salman Khan and Karan Johar among others. Few know he has already worked down south as he played a part in the blockbuster Thuppaki and loves working in south films for their discipline and punctuality. For main course, we had Murgh Dhaniwal Korma and Dum Aloo Kashmir with Garlic Naan. Being a Punju, Sandeep relished every bit of the North indian cuisine served. When steamed rice and Dal Tadka were brought in, he expressed concern over his diet going haywire that day. But Kashmiri dessert of Kone Phirin similar to Phirni and Malai Kulfi Rabdi & Falooda were simply irresistible though I had to insist on Sandeep to finish them. The best ending to this veritable feast was washing down with a cup of Kesar Kahwa Kashmiri that had a soothing effect on our heavy dinner. A live performance by ghazal singers and a few flapping geese at the water fountain enhanced our eating out experience. Later Sandeep smsed me saying he felt at home dining with us and already missed the creamy Kulfi-Falooda. You are most welcome to visit Shikara anytime, Sandeep!