Click on the slideshow above Cool breeze, celestial showers and sprightly Kishwer Merchantt for company for lunch at The Resort, one of the most romantic and stunning locations near Madh-Marve which I was looking forward to. The actor looked nice and colorful from head to toe – a short dress in floral print, a huge floral patchwork on her bright pink handbag and acrylic flowers on her gladiators – just the right ensemble to brighten up the moody, overcast skies. As we exchanged pleasantries, we took a walk on the manicured verdant lawn, adjoining the swimming pool of the plush property, before venturing to satiate our rumbling tummies. I have known the actor for a long time now and when I compliment on having maintained her slim figure, she lets me into her secret formula, “I hate working out and just can’t stick to a diet. It’s just plenty of water and green tea I guess which keeps me fit.” Upper Deck is the elevated lounge bar ensconced between the restaurant High Tide and Baywatch café at The Resort. It serves some exotic cocktails, mocktails besides single malts, domestic and international spirits. The food is multi-cuisine which includes North Indian, Gujarathi, Continental and Chinese. Is Kishwer a foodie? For her slim figure belies her bon vivant leanings. “Seriously, I don’t diet and eat whatever I feel like. I love Chinese cuisine,” she says before Chef K R Mehta can present her with some oriental fare. We start with the scrumptious sweet-sour Khimchi salad. We found the flavorsome and refreshing Manchow soup had what it takes to keep us balmy in the wet and windy weather. We savoured Veg Manchurian Balls that tasted zesty. After cameos in Amrit Manthan and Savitri on Life OK, Kishwer is now busy with Paritosh Painter’s play Speak No, See No, Hear No, Do No Evil as she confers, “I love to do plays…the instant audience reaction is encouraging and the best part is I get to travel to places as we are performing it in different cities and even abroad.” Travelling is her passion and when it comes to mixing business with pleasure, who doesn’t like it! As a young girl who was never academically inclined, Kishwer took part in a beauty contest, did ads and acting was the next step in the league. “Now, I would like to do films what with the new genre which offers ample scope for character artistes,” states the young lady. As for television watching, she is an avid fan of international shows like Two & a Half Men the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural, The Big Bang Theory, Charlie’s Angels.…you name it and she has watched it. On the home turf, it is Bade Achhe… and sometimes Parvarrish, but definitely not the rona-dhona daily soaps. By now, it was the turn of the main course. We went with Indian this time…Paneer Makhanwala but I noticed Kishwer skipped rotis and rice, and she tells me dieting is a no-no! For a sweet finale, it was creamy Tiramisu, desi Jalebis and fresh fruits. As she takes leave of me (because I had checked into The Resort for the weekend), she answers one of my Rapid Fire Qs now, “I envy you…. for getting to spend the weekend in this gorgeous property. What fun…. I really envy you now!” RAPID FIRE Qs: Your fave Hindi serial? I don’t watch as such other than Bade Achhe Lagte Hain. One reality show you would like to be a part of... Bigg Boss. If not an actor? Was never interested in academics..so always an actor. The first thing you notice in a man? If he is socially inclined…friendly and a people’s person. One quality your man should possess…. Humour. What attracts you most in a man… His eyes. We know you are dating Suyash… does he possess all these qualities? Yes, he does. Success to you is… Amitabh Bachchan Pet peeve….. I detest liars. You envy... None. The secret of maintaining your figure.. Believe me…Nothing! If you insist, it could be lots of water intake. Your idea of fun… Travelling… with friends. One thing nobody knows about you… I am very short tempered…Grrrrr