Their couldn?t have been a more apt name than Cozy Nooks for the Mukherjee residence. And its residents, Amit Mukherjee, superintendent of Tinplate Hospital, Sumita Mukherjee, professor at Jamshedpur Women?s College, and daughter Ishika Mukherjee complete the picture of a ?perfectly happy family?. Savvy Soumya in conversation with the trio.

To be or not to be

Sending Ishika to Sri Chaitanya Girls? Residential School in Vishakhapattam was not the easiest decision for Amit and Sumita. ?We debated over the issue for months, before deciding to go ahead with it,? said Sumita.

?In Jamshedpur, she was either chatting with her friends over the phone or watching television. So, we decided to send her to a residential school in Vizag, where her only preoccupation will be studies,? explained Amit. Ishika, who is back home for summer holiday, grimaces. ?It is not a school. It?s Tihar jail. I am a grown-up, but mama and papa still treat me like a kid,? she scowls.

Foodies all the way

The topic shifts to food and the Mukherjees are united in their view that good food is soul food. Be it dum aloo and kachori or lip-smacking mutton biryani and raita the Mukherjees love them all. But Continental food tops their gourmet list. Once in a week, the Mukherjees make it a point to eat Continental food at their favourite hangout, Beldih Club. Amit is also a die-had fan of the food served at dhabas. ?The dhabas on the highways serve some amazing food. I?m are not talking of 10th Milestone and the likes of that...it?s the khatiya dhabas that I am talking of, where you can relax on charpoys and have chicken butter masala and chappati.?

On a musical note

If food tickles there taste buds, music soothes their senses. ?Ishika swear by remixes, which I loathe. I listen to songs of yesteryear,? says Amit, who has tried in vain to arouse his daughter?s interest in Rabindra sangeet.

?Some of the remixes are really good. But the videos could leave the oldies squirming in their seats,? giggles in Ishika. Though Sumita likes to hear the remixed songs, but she too feels the video are too vulgar.

Celluloid magic

When it comes to movies, Amit is all for English films and desi art flicks. Sumita is more into the stuff churned out by the Bollywood stables. ?I like watching Yash Chopra and Karan Johar movies. Recently, I saw Baghban, which was an overwhelming experience," she said. Ishika, however, is not finicky about what she watches. ?Movies are great time-pass. So, I can watch anything,? she smiles.

Teeing off in style

Golf is another common interest that Amit shares with his daughter, who has represented the state in national badminton championships. ?She was doing quite well, but we asked her to concentrate on studies,? says Sumita. Ishika, however, does not grudge her parents for the decision. ?I am focussing on studies. Later, I will play golf. I think it?s an interesting game,? she said.

?That will be wonderful. I will always be there to help you out with the game,? said Amit as he gave his clubs the last-minute polish, before packing them for the golf championship in Calcutta.

Ishika smiles and on a more sombre note said: I tease my parents that they have become old and are not in touch with the demands of the modern generation, but deep in my heart I know they are my best friends.?

Sumita wipes a tear from the corner of her eyes and hugs her daughter. Anil too joins her and giving Ishika a tight hug. All?s well that ends well.