Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

PIX: Nana Patekar cooks fish on Malamaal Weekly 2 sets

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 13:07 IST
Nana Patekar
Nana Patekar put his culinary skills to test on the sets of his new film, Malamaal Weekly 2.

The crew took a break from the shoot to watch the actor make a traditional fish dish, straight out of his mother's recipe book.

Directed by Priyadarshan, the comedy sequel also stars Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav, Shreyas Talpade, Asrani and Shakti Kapoor.

Click Next to see Nana's style of cooking.

PIX: Nana Patekar cooks fish on Malamaal Weekly 2 sets

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 13:07 IST
The fish
Nana first ensured that the fish was fresh out of the lake, on the banks of which the film shoot is on.
 
A special mud kiln was made.
 
The fish was then marinated in his mother's traditional masala comprising of ocer 42 ingredients, and was then wrapped up in leaves and tied to keep the masala in place.
 
Nana then covered the fish with wet mud so that the fish would have two layers.

PIX: Nana Patekar cooks fish on Malamaal Weekly 2 sets

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 13:07 IST
Nana Patekar makes the mud kiln
Nana then placed the fish in the kiln, and used wood, leaves and dry grass as fuel.

"It takes over four hours for the fish to get perfectly cooked," Nana explains.
 
The wait is well worth it, as the "fish tastes heavenly," he adds.

The crew, meanwhile, were ready with their plates and bowls half an hour into the cooking process, ready to dig in.

PIX: Nana Patekar cooks fish on Malamaal Weekly 2 sets

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 13:07 IST
Nana Patekar sets the kiln
Unlike Nana's usual persona on screen, in real life, he is very jovial and easygoing.
 
Even in Malamaal Weekly 2, his character hardly speaks a word and is very stone-faced.
 

PIX: Nana Patekar cooks fish on Malamaal Weekly 2 sets

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 13:07 IST
Nana Patekar cooks fish
Nana Patekar was not part of the first Malamaal Weekly film. In fact, this is the first time Nana is working with Priyadarshan in a film.
 
"Priyan and I had planned so many films but it feels so good when one film happens. More than anything else, I love to act and leave the rest to my director. That is what happens with Priyan," Nana says.

PIX: Nana Patekar cooks fish on Malamaal Weekly 2 sets

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 13:07 IST
Nana Patekar checks the fish
It is probably this confidence in the director that enabled Nana to take the load off his mind, and keep the unit in high spirits with his culinary skills.

PIX: Nana Patekar cooks fish on Malamaal Weekly 2 sets

Last updated on: March 9, 2012 13:07 IST
Time to eat!
It was finally time to tuck in, and thats exactly what everyone did.
 
Looks like the fish turned out to be excellent!