Srila Chatterjee
Srila Chatterjee
After running Highlight Films and Blue Frog – with husband, Mahesh Mathai – and being Festival Director for Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Srila now pours herself into her own Baro Market & 47-A Design Gallery
Text & Photographs: Farzana Contractor
Location: Eau Bar, The Oberoi, Mumbai
How do you like being here, at Eau Bar?
It’s a perfect choice, drinks are as important as food for me. And this setting by the sea is so relaxing.
What does Srila drink, when in the mood?
In the daytime, Campari, it suits the Bombay weather. Love a good Negroni, hits the right spot! Also love gins – always on the rocks, I like to taste the alcohol. I am quite discerning, and don’t like taking away from the flavour of things.
And what’s your poison in the evenings?
Any good spirit, but neat. In cold countries, whisky. Find it too uncomfortable to drink that in Bombay. I also like mezcal on ice. This drink has become a fad now, but I have been drinking it for 25 years. Those days it came in jerry cans and now it’s there in pretty bottles, expensive as hell!
What about wine?
They don’t turn me on. Can’t bear the whites. A red, maybe sometimes... rosé, is okay on occasions. Basically I don’t like the pretensions attached to wine-drinking.
Anything else on the subject?
Well, beer is a thirst-quencher for me. Just one chilled glass, no more. And I have to have a sandwich when I drink a beer. Yes, and when I travel I will always try the local drink. Like I am just back from Turkey, had raki there, enjoyed it a great deal.
I believe the COVID phase treated you kindly…
Oh yes, Mahesh, my husband and I, were locked down together, with our cook, thankfully. A fantastic Nepalese chap, who ran away to Kathmandu as soon as the lockdown was lifted. I did insist on dressing up for dinner everyday, so we don’t become lazy! Have to admit we drank a lot in those days. Glad I don’t have any personality disorder, I would have turned alcoholic, if not!
You are a hardcore Bengali, can’t take Bengal out of you.
Oh yes, I have lived in Bombay longer than I have in Calcutta, but my heart does beat for all things Bengal! I grew up there, was educated there. It’s such a cosmopolitan society. I love the atmosphere there, the lifestyle; its art, craft, people and food.
Hmmm… Bengali food
I love the cuisine of my childhood, the most. I did not know then, I was too young and stupid, but the food we were eating, cooked by the best of cooks, was phenomenal. We children were not allowed on the ‘adult’ table, we had another, the ‘kids’ table. But I graduated! Raju, our cook, could make anything! Including Anglo-Indian food, ohhhh the pantaras he made! And the lemon meringue…
So foodie that you are, apart from Bengali, what else do you like?
Look, food is an intrinsic part of me. It goes beyond nourishment. I can even say I am a greedy glut, wanting to eat and drink everything! I love beef, buff meat included, which is actually tastier. Love the beef from Japan, not just the Wagyu, even ordinary meat, which melts in your mouth! I love raw foods, so sashimi, carpaccio, are great. Also chaats and salads!
Do you hate eating anything? Have any allergies?
Yes, I am allergic to diets and dieticians! All this jargon of being vegan, eating gluten-free, etc, gets to me. My dining table seats 12 people. The best compliment I have received from someone is, “I don’t know of anyone who has 12 good friends. And who eat everything!” Seriously, my friends eat everything, without any kind of fuss. It’s so nice. P.S. I don’t eat game birds.
What about travel?
I dream about going everywhere! Love Sri Lanka and Mexico. A recent trip to Uzbekistan was bedazzling, such exotica; its history, people, craft...
You go with the flow, do your own thing. You have an island somewhere in Kerala...
Yes, its off Allepey. Tiny island with a tinier house, just 50 mts. away from shore. Used to go there often many years ago. With our dogs, in the sky kennels! We would hire cooks from the village and eat the most amazing local food.
Coming to your work, 25 years as producer, making legendary ad films and what not. You have now changed tack, tell me more.
Highlight Films, Mahesh’s firm which I joined eons ago, even before we were married, has been my mainstay. After that came Highlight Living, since I had always been interested in interiors. Then came Baro Market and now 47-A: Design Gallery at Khotachiwadi. It’s my passion to work with people from all over the country in the world of art and craft. Trying to make sure all such essential things don’t fade away into oblivion.