Mimi and Soham don chef hats to rustle up some Japanese cuisine for t2 at The Wall. Picture: Anindya Shankar Ray

What is Bangali Babu English Mem (produced by Shree Venkatesh Films) all about?

Mimi: It is a romcom. I play Ria, a fashion designer. She is educated, has big dreams and wants to pursue her ambitions.

Soham: I play Madhusudan. He is a Bengali at heart. He wants to settle in Canada by getting married to a firang girl. He is not so good in English. He has a good sense of humour. He can con anybody who tries to act smart. Throughout the film, Ria and Madhu fight with each other. They even call each other Ganga Phoring (Mimi) and Hanuman (Soham)!

Their chemistry is like Tom and Jerry?

Mimi: Absolutely.

Soham: The characters are in contrast. N.K. Salil (scriptwriter) wrote it well. I hope people love the film.

Mimi, are you the English mem?

Mimi: No…actually whether I play an English mem or not is a completely different aspect. In the film, there is another firang girl. After watching the film, people can judge it.

Soham: But I play the Bangali babu. That’s for sure!

Did you shoot abroad?

Soham: We have shot in Singapore and Italy.

Can both of you cook?

Mimi: Soham had to cook a lot in the film!

Soham: Honestly, I can cook Maggi and toast bread very well! I have never tried cooking. In the film, everything was ready so I just had to stir it! Most of the kitchen scenes were shot in Calcutta and Chennai. While shooting, we tasted some.

Mimi: I can make gajar ka halwa, pav bhaji, stuffed egg, cheese omelette and noodles. I’ve never had to cook at home but I love to eat. I don’t like eating food cooked by me. When friends come over, I say I will make the paneer pakora and I know that it won’t be up to the mark and I won’t like it myself. But my friends say ‘thik achhe’.

Soham: I love eating. I can eat everything except coriander leaves. I love biryani and Chinese food. I am also fond of aloo posto, mocha, potoler dorma, lau chingri, kochur saag, ilish maachh.

What do you cook the best?

Soham: I have made Maggi for my wife, Tanaya. But she cooks very well. Recently, she made palak chicken. We all loved it!

Mimi: While watching Desperate Housewives, I wanted to make pancakes and the entire house smelt of eggs. My dad ate and said he will open a restaurant for me and he will be the only customer! I keep on trying. I made pizza which people liked.

Did both of you bond over food?

Mimi: Absolutely. Singapore offered a huge variety of food. The hotel served a lot of yummy delights. We were spoilt for choice. And in Italy, we shot a song so we were on a strict diet. I had to survive on cucumber and curd! The day we finished our schedule in Italy, I sat with a big Margherita pizza and finished it alone! That’s why I have no regrets! (Smiles)

Soham: I was also on a diet. I was suffering from dehydration so I had to stop eating in Italy.

What would you cook to impress Team t2?

Mimi: Chicken Manchurian and noodles!

Soham: Golda chingri because I am Bangali babu. (Laughs)

What are your favourite food places in Calcutta?

Mimi: Mainland China. I never order from the menu because I mess up. I eat mixed rice noodles and ask them to serve what is best in chicken and fish. When it comes to desserts, I go to ITC Sonar to have a big platter consisting of brownie, mango, vanilla and chocolate scoops with wafers. I often go to Flame & Grill with the family.

Soham: I love the baked fish at Mythh. I often drop in at The Bridge, The Park. I like the pan-fried noodles at Mainland China and Machaan’s (Mani Square) ambience.

And for street food? Mimi: When I was in college, we used to go to Hamro Momo. But I was never too fond of street food. But I swear by the phuchka at Vivekananda Park.

Soham: Lake Gardens phuchka and papri chaat are wow. I eat Annapurna’s chicken cutlet and momo from Orchid.

Ratnalekha Mazumdar

What do you want Mimi and Soham to cook for you? Tell t2@abp.in