Maxim India - March 2018

MARCH 2018

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The All-In Issue

DRINK LIKE A LONDONER

SLEEP BETTER THAN EVER EAT YOURSELF TO FITNESS

Femme Fatale

VAANI KAPOOR

& The Art Of Living In The Moment

Challenge The Extreme

ACROSS SEAS WITH A 45-KG LOG

Tasty Tech

INNOVATIONS FOR TOMORROW... NOW

The Big Squeezy ELEVATE YOUR SEX LIFE

# MakeHerSmile INDIA VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3

THE BIG PICTURE

“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”

SOC R AT ES Philosopher

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Vaani Kapoor

Like you’ve never seen her before.

56 THE FATHERHOOD CHRONICLES

Whether you’re a dad, about to become one or just the good uncle, here are priceless ideas from moms.

60 EXTREME EXPEDITION

Ross Edgley knows a thing or two about challenges—and now about lugging a log across seas.

66 TECH FOR THE MASSES

Will the world be run by machines earlier than we fear? And, really, there’s little to fear.

70 MASTER THE TERRAIN

Land Rover has changed the face of the SUV, and is now changing its own face with the Velar.

78 TRAVEL FOR RESPITE

These handpicked destinations are exactly what your soul needs.

84 THE SUPERMODEL IN WAITING

Lana Zakocela is well on her way to model immortality.

M2 SPRING INTO STYLE

Diljit Dosanjh can do pretty much anything, including giving us unforgettable style ideas.

Photographed by PRASAD NAIK 2

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MORE THAN MARTINI

SOLDIER BOY SAYS

The secret to great drinking is a good nose.

Train yourself to MMA-fit with a gruelling workout.

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LESS IS MORE

BEACH BUNNY

How Joe Swanberg went from indie to mainstream.

We hit the waves with mega-babe Tawny Jordan.

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THE WATCHFUL HEAR-LIST

WHAT WOMEN WANT

Television now has some killer soundtracks.

In bed. Enough said!

18 EMPEROR’S NEW PYJAMAS...

... are no pyjamas at all.

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30 THE ART OF BLENDING IN

Aneeth Arora of Péro decodes dressing up without any rules.

ONE KETOSIS, PLEASE!

Eat what you need, with the flavours you deserve.

10 POSH COCKTAILS

Here’s how to drink like a Londoner, at home.

70 GOES ANYWHERE

Decoding the legacy of the world’s most recognised SUV.

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BESPOKE CARBON

BEAT THE MOUNTAIN

Noble crafts sportscars that are subtly sexy but don’t skimp on speed.

These super products are a mountaineer’s best mates (and then some!).

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BLAZING YELLOW

GROOMED BY TECH

Meet the motorcycle that feels like a supercar.

Formulations that seek to amplify nature.

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ECLEC-TECH

ALL-DAY STYLE

Gadgets that look good while delivering the goods.

We found the staples for the urban man who works to play.

40 THE TRENDS WE DIG

If you’re like us, you don’t like fads. So, we distilled what you may need from this season’s runways.

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Copyright © 2018 Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd., 378-379, Second Floor, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurugram – 122015, Haryana. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. Published by Xavier Colaco from Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd., 378-379, Second Floor, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurugram – 122015, Haryana. Printed at Kala Jyothi Process Pvt ltd, S.No.185, Kondapur village, Serilingampally municipality, Ranga Reddy district, Hyderabad - 500 133. MAXIM does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited publication material. All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only. Opinions expressed in the articles are of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or publishers. While the editors do their utmost to verify information published they do not accept responsibility for its absolute accuracy. Unsolicited material is sent at the owner’s risk and the publisher accepts no liability for loss or damage. Materials in this publication may not be reproduced, whether in part or in whole, without the consent of Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd. Copyright © 2018 Maxim Inc. The name “MAXIM” and the MAXIM logo are registered trademarks of Maxim Media Inc., and used under license by Exposure Media Marketing Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. The United States edition of Maxim is published monthly by MAXIM Inc., 268 W. 44th Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY, 10036. For international publishing or licensing inquiries: [email protected].

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CONTRIBUTORS

PRASAD NAIK

A student of the J J School of Applied Arts in Mumbai, Prasad Naik took to photography as soon as he graduated in 1996. A strong passion for his work, eye for detail and flair for capturing people has landed him coveted assignments with some of the finest fashion magazines and lifestyle brands today.

GEETIKA SASAN BHANDARI

A lifestyle editor and journalist for almost two decades, Geetika is currently on a sabbatical from full-time work. She lives in Lagos, and spends her time trying to discover the domestic goddess within. She occasionally writes and edits.

ANWITA + ARUN

The wife-husband duo works across a range of disciplines including photography, illustration and design. Anwita is a textile design major, and Arun worked for a decade in the textile sector before taking up photography. When not on the road learning and documenting traditional crafts, you will find them in Noida, poring over books, etchings and heirlooms.

NIKITA JAISINGHANI

Nikita has always had an interest in styling and has worked with Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra and Akshay Kumar. Her styling is based on quirky accessories and she enjoys playing with textures and patterns.

MUNEESH TARSEM

After his Master’s in film-making from New York, Muneesh returned to India and has been working in the field for the past 10 years. He feels that a camera can “take” a photograph, but only a photographer can capture the moment. He lives in Delhi with his wife and two kids, and often collaborates with his brother, Gireesh, an interiors and still-life photographer.

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TANMOY MUKHERJEE

KRISHNA MUKHI

Krishna has been a fashion stylist for nine years. She pursued a post-graduation at the London College of Fashion and went on to work as a fashion editor. With a flair for creative direction, she splits her time between commercial projects and her own digital magazine—currentmoodmag.com.

After retiring from international cricket even before making his domestic debut, Tanmoy rededicated his life to writing about the sport. When not watching a live fixture, he continues to sit in front of his laptop, maniacally going through films and TV shows, while secretly planning the next road trip to the mountains on his faithful motorcycle.

WE LOVE WOMEN. We want them to feel safe. We want them to grow. We want them to do what they damn well would like. We want to see them happy. And the first step is making her smile.

With our #MakeHerSmile campaign, we want to take little steps and show our women we need them, cherish them and, well, can’t live without them. Because it is all about the little things you can do to make her smile. With this campaign, we pledge money from magazine sales, generous patrons and our beloved readers. Through 2017, we hope to collect as much as we can and support others who are doing excellent work in women’s welfare. Kalki Koechlin, Sapna Bhavnani, Anushka Manchanda, Richa Chadha, Taapsee Pannu, Lisa Ray, Amy Jackson and Pooja Hegde help us take this amazing idea forward.

#MakeHerSmile It’s time to

You know she does that for you!

This is a non-profit initiative from MAXIM and its publishers. For more, visit www.makehersmile.org

A Social Initiative By

Supported by I N D I A’ S F I R S T T R A V E L M A G A Z I N E

I N D I A’ S N o .1 PA R E N T I N G M A G A Z I N E

HOW TO DRINK LIKE A LONDONER

Sabre your own Champagne bottle, craft your own gin, and shake your own martini in this great imbibing city. Text by JAKE EMEN

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tepping out from your black cab, you arrive at The Milestone Hotel, a posh property at the southwestern edge of Hyde Park, and check into one of its staggering two-level master suites. Inside, a loaded DIY gin-and-tonic station has been prepared for your arrival, and you go ahead and customise a quick welcome refreshment. Then you clean up and don your finest blazer before heading for a sabrage demo—that is, how to be a total badass and slice off the cork of your Champagne bottle with a sword. Welcome to London. Sign up for the Milestone’s The Art of Sabrage experience and you can pick which bottle of bubbles you’d like—though Champagne works best because of the thickness of the bottle—and either let one of the pros handle the job for you or take matters into your own hands. You may as well get in on the fun yourself.

The sword, thankfully, should not be sharp; nor do you need to worry about the most forceful blow. The bubbles take care of most of the work for you, as Champagne bottles have “the pressure of a London bus tyre,” according to the Milestone’s sommelier, David Nunes. A solid strike up the neck will get the job done, lopping off the cork and part of the bottle with it, and in moments like this, it’s best to remember Napoleon’s belief that in victory one deserves Champagne, and that in defeat, one needs it. In either case, if you’re still thirsty you can retire to the hotel’s Stables Bar, decked out with the classic accoutrements of an old-school London members’ club: dark green and wooden accents, and trays of delicious snacks accompanying each round of evening drinks. “The bar is like an extension of your house,” says senior bartender Angelo Lo Greco. Make yourself MAXIMINDIA.IN

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DRINK

at home, then, and enjoy one of the latest offerings from a creative range of cocktails combining big flavours with whimsical presentations. “Have you ever seen fire on ice?” Lo Greco asks—and no, he’s not wondering about your Game of Thrones viewing patterns—before pouring flaming green chartreuse and rosemary into a stirring glass with rosemary-infused gin and Carpano Antica Formula vermouth for the Dear Rosemary cocktail. Continue your hands-on imbibing adventures at The Distillery in Notting Hill. Portobello Road Gin launched the four-floor space at the end of 2016, incorporating two bars, a fully functional distillery in the basement, and on the top floor, three comfortable guest rooms. Even if you don’t nab one of the rooms, you should still attend a course at The Ginstitute. Here you’ll learn about the history of gin while sipping on four cocktails, all before crafting your own unique batch by sampling dozens of single botanical distillates and blending together your favourites. You’ll get two bottles of gin to take home—one from Portobello, one of your own—and even better, they keep your signature recipe on file, so you can always give them a call and place an order for some more. Still, sometimes you want the hard work to be done for you, and here’s where one of London’s very best gifts to the world comes into play: the martini trolley. Visit Dukes Bar at the Dukes London hotel and witness a masterclass in martini wizardry from legendary barman Alessandro Palazzi. “A martini is not a hard drink to make; it is execution, temperature, and ingredients,” Palazzi says. Easy for him to say, but watch the master in action and you’d be hard-pressed to ever witness a repeat performance. “I learned from my peers, and now it’s my turn to pass it on,” he says, reflecting on his 45-year career. “I was born a bartender; I’ll die a bartender.” Dukes Bar is famous as the location 12

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where James Bond author Ian Fleming came up with Bond’s famous “shaken not stirred” credo, much to the chagrin of many cocktail enthusiasts who insist that the method is incorrect. Palazzi doesn’t shake or stir his martinis; he freehand pours ingredients into a frozen glass and hands it over as is, tailoring every martini to the guest’s specific tastes. Dukes isn’t the only martini trolley game in town, either, so hop on over to the Connaught Bar at The Connaught hotel. “We try to take the fine dining concept and offer it as fine drinking,” says Ago Perrone, the bar’s director of mixology. “We turn a story into a liquid experience.”

It would be easy to order any number of elaborate and inventive cocktails from the menu, but let’s face it: You’re here for the Connaught Martini. Key to their take is a lineup of five house-made bitters, offering a choice of cardamom, lavender, ginseng and bergamot, vanilla, or coriander seed. Once the trolley is rolled out, pick your favourite and watch in awe as your martini is poured high as if raining down from the heavens. Beyond sensational drinks and service, the bar offers prime people watching of the beautiful and stylish, Londoners and jetsetters alike. But don’t worry—with martini in hand, you’ll fit right in.

SCREEN

MAKING IT LOOK EASY

No director has done more with less than Joe Swanberg. Now, with 18 films under his belt and an acclaimed Netflix show, the 36-year-old Chicagoan is finally finding a mainstream following. Text by ADAM DOSTER

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fter 15 years of working from home or in coffee shops or on spare couches, the filmmaker Joe Swanberg finally rented an office. It’s comfortable, but nothing extravagant: a signless concrete storefront on the North Side of Chicago next to a Central Asian restaurant. There’s a studio apartment upstairs with a kitchenette and built-in shelves. “All these books were in my house as of a week ago, driving my wife bonkers,” he says, folding spare towels. “Just that alone is worth the rental price.” Swanberg, 36, had spent August and September in Los Angeles finishing postproduction on Easy, his Chicago-set Netflix anthology series, the second season of which debuted in December. In truth, he’s still getting the place set up. (It took him three tries to figure out how the ceiling fan worked.) That the office feels to Swanberg more like “a bonus” than a necessity isn’t remotely surprising: Few directors working today have done more with less. During his first years in the entertainment business, Swanberg was so tenacious, and churned out so much material, he says people had a hard time keeping up. He’s made an astounding 18 feature films so far; the first, Kissing on the Mouth (2005), he shot for a few thousand dollars and sold to a now-defunct DVD distributor. (The New York Times once called Swanberg’s films “flagrantly noncommercial”; he’s not sure his parents have even seen everything he’s put out.) Easy feels like a modest departure. The show, a collection of loosely connected vignettes about Chicagoans and their middle-class concerns (namely, romance and money), is noticeably more polished and accessible than some of his early stuff, without losing the emotional intimacy or specificity. Stories seem to pour out of him— about love and sex and ambition and responsibility, often drawn from his own life or the lives of those close to him. His movies are largely improvised, acutely observed, and impressively naturalistic. Indie darlings of the ’80s and ’90s—the Coen brothers, 14

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Jim Jarmusch, and Kevin Smith—were inspirations, as were foreign filmmakers he met as a part-time employee of the Chicago International Film Festival in 2003 and 2004. To a guy who’d only picked up a 16-mm camera a few years earlier, they “demystified the experience,” Swanberg remembers, proving that “if you commit your life to poverty and the craft of film, you can survive.” In the ensuing years, Swanberg has carved out an unusual degree of professional autonomy. Aside from college, he’s never left Chicago, living with his wife (fellow filmmaker Kris Swanberg) and their two children, rolling meagre profits directly into future ventures and covering the rest with funds he raises via Forager Films, the production company he cofounded. Hannah Takes the Stairs, in 2007, lifted Swanberg’s profile and launched the career of Greta Gerwig. (With a budget of $60,000, he says he felt like he was making Ben-Hur.) Five years later, he finally hired a Hollywood agent, who helped him find financing for Drinking Buddies, starring Olivia Wilde and Jake Johnson, a scruffy romantic comedy and his first mainstreamish success. From there, and without major studio interference, he’s hustled his way into some unexpected clout, attracting legitimate stars (Anna Kendrick, Orlando Bloom) and solidifying a fruitful partnership with Netflix, which distributed his latest feature (the well received Win It All) and his first foray into television with Easy. Swanberg finds actors who are “relatively comfortable playing themselves” and who let life play out on camera. That sensibility is on full display in the incisive Easy. Swanberg’s pitch to the streaming giant was simple: “What if it was just my movies, but they were 30 minutes instead of an hour and a half, and what if some of these characters knew each other, so there were these little incidental bits, like it was all happening in real Chicago?” The sexual connotation of the title felt appropriate. So did the feeling it evoked, of mature and capable people working through the messy problems of adulthood.

Richard Linklater’s Boyhood is a reference point; rather than compressing 12 years of one family’s life into less than three hours of footage, Swanberg wants to tell disparate stories about a diverse group of Chicagoans as they grow older and the world changes around them, in real time. Swanberg’s ideal version of Easy “is one where we’re always Netflix’s cheapest show, and we’re always being left alone over here to do our weird little Chicago thing.” (It would also run for “50 years.”) In the meantime, he’s writing a script with Johnson, a simpatico collaborator, and starting to imagine how his specific skill set could transfer onto bigger stages. If streaming services are intent on

disrupting independent cinema’s traditional distribution model, taking movies out of the art house and moving them onto viewers’ television sets, nobody is better positioned to capitalise on the coming revolution, aesthetically or ideologically. Downstairs, Swanberg pulls from a cardboard box a framed stained-glass panel, deep blue and ornate, with ‘easy’ written in the centre. Chicago’s oldest glass company custom-designed it; for one Season 2 episode, Swanberg shot the glass as his title card, an expense his younger self could never afford, let alone justify. “Isn’t that awesome?” he says, stepping back to eye the handiwork. “Usually my shit just goes into storage.” MAXIMINDIA.IN

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ENTERTAINMENT

WATCH WITH YOUR EARS

Audiophiles, pay close attention... because these critically-acclaimed shows have taken over screens and playlists across the globe. Text by SHREYA KALRA

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here’s nothing like compelling plotlines and fantastic soundtracks to keep viewers hooked, and these television hits did just that. If you haven’t shazam-ed your way through an episode yet, we’ve got you covered with the best tracks of the best shows on air right now.

BIG LITTLE LIES With a star-studded cast that could sell the show simply with its credits sequence, this Jean Marc Vallee-directed, Reese Witherspoon-produced HBO hit has us by the horns with its equal parts drama and mystery recipe, and an underlying theme that is so poignant to the meaning of female empowerment in today’s world. If “Cold Little Heart” by Michael Kiwanuka as the title track wasn't the best musical find, then I don’t know what is. Maybe Zoe Kravitz covering “Don’t” by Presley? You decide. THE HANDMAID’S TALE If dystopian television piques your interest, then find this Bruce Miller-produced book adaptation series and get right to it. The state of Gilead uses its women for sexual servitude and the protagonist Offred (played by Elisabeth Moss) and many others are held captive as handmaids. Hard-hitting and thought-provoking, The Handmaid’s Tale also scores a big 10 as far as the contrasting ’80s pop and contemporary soundtrack goes. Tracks like Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” and Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me” set the perfect base. WESTWORLD This HBO series that takes us right into the future—set in an amusement park run by robots—is a real thriller. Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris play their parts to perfection. The icing on this excellent project is the background score, along with befitting tracks from Radiohead and 16

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Amy Winehouse woven smartly into the lascivious narrative of the park and its android hosts. THIS IS US Chances are, that you or someone in your friends’ circle already watches this one and cannot stop talking about how this family drama, created by Dan Fogelman, is heartwarming and relatable. Going through the ups and downs and the familial love shared between Jack and Rebecca Pearson and their three kids, This Is Us takes you on an all-encompassing musical journey ranging from Sufjan Stevens’ “Death with Dignity” to Alexi Murdoch’s “Someday Soon.” MASTER OF NONE If there’s one thing I can vouch for, it would be that a TV show produced by comedian Aziz Ansari, starring himself playing a 30-year-old actor in New York, would be incredibly funny and relatable. There is comedy, drama and some Ansari, and music that makes Master of None a memorable trip down memory lane to the ’80s and ’90s. “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” by Soft Cell and the use of David Bowie’s “A New Career In A New Town” has us careening towards the show. MR. ROBOT One wouldn’t imagine that an intense sci-fi crime thriller like Mr. Robot would cinch a spot for its music as much as for its plot on this list. But it does. Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson moonlights as a hacking vigilante for, well, Mr. Robot played by Christian Slater. The music of Mr. Robot is brazen and catches your attention every time. We can’t get over the use of Phil Collins’ “Take Me Home” and the Pixies’ “Where is My Mind?” Eclectic, no doubt. THE LEFTOVERS HBO ventured into an abyss of drama,

RIVERDALE This small town-esque, mystery-bubblingunder-the-surface take on Archie and friends in Riverdale has literally everyone we know hooked. While it’s a little weird to see Jughead and Betty hooking up (or Jughead and anyone hooking up) but the TV version of Riverdale’s band is far from weird, and excites us with music from M83, Imagine Dragons, Harry Styles and originals by Blake Neely.

paranoia and thrill when Tom Perrotta decided to produce The Leftovers based on his bestselling book. Justin Theroux plays Kevin Garvey, a police officer who is amongst the few left in the town of Mapleton after a global phenomenon wipes out millions of people. You can’t help but get sucked into the mysteries of The Guilty Remnant, the cult that rises after The Sudden Departure. Max Richter ensured that the last season gave us the most memorable musical moments including The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” and, of course, the theme song, “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Me Now” by David Pomeranz (originally from Perfect Strangers).

13 REASONS WHY Defining it as a high-school drama might be an incorrect categorisation of this show because director Brian Yorkey brought out the gut-wrenching details that make it a must-watch for everybody. Katherine Langford plays Hannah Baker who is the protagonist, a high-schooler who commits suicide leaving behind a suicide note in the form of 13 tapes. The tale is told through her friend (Dylan Minenette as Clay Jensen) who finds her tapes. The music of the show mirrors its pulse. From Elliott Smith’s rendition of “Thirteen” to Lord Huron’s “The Night We Met,” each track stirs a little something; happy, sad, dark, and emotional. TWIN PEAKS: THE RETURN Kyle MacLachlan as FBI special agent Dale Cooper always makes us come back for more—whether with the original Twin Peaks in the ’90s or now, with The Return. A crime drama with a twist of the surreal, Twin Peaks sucks you in with its multiple stories of murders, mysteries and some phantasmagoric visuals, all in the fictitious town of Twin Peaks. David Lynch creates a musical masterpiece in its own right, with strokes of brilliance like Chromatics’ “Shadow” and Nine Inch Nails’ “She’s Gone Away.” MAXIMINDIA.IN

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LIFESTYLE

SLEEPING IN THE BUFF

Who knew that snoozing nude was so good for you? Text by ZEYNEP YENISEY

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f you’re looking to make some healthy lifestyle changes this year, you’re in luck, because I know exactly where you should start: By taking your clothes off and sleeping naked. Study after study proves that stripping down and spending your nights au naturale is not only fantastic for your sex life, but it’s also really good for you, because it offers a lot of surprising health benefits that you totally wouldn’t expect.

body to heal and promotes physical well-being by lowering cortisol levels, regulating blood pressure, boosting your immune system, reducing pain, and reducing anxiety. And on top of all of that, oxytocin also helps you fall asleep and stay asleep, because it’s a powerful calming agent that makes you feel serene, tranquil, and incredibly happy. YOU’LL GET BETTER QUALITY SLEEP For you to physically be able to fall asleep, your body need to cool down roughly 17.5 degrees Celsius, and it needs to stay that way to stay asleep. Obviously, wearing clothes makes you retain heat, which is not the best thing when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep. “If anything prevents that decline in temperature, the brain will wake itself up to see what’s going on, meaning you’ll struggle to get to sleep or you’ll have disturbed sleep,” reads a research paper on sleep regulation.

IT’S HEALTHIER FOR YOUR MANHOOD When you sleep in boxer briefs or pyjamas that hug your balls and keep them near and dear to your body, they heat up close to body temperature—somewhere around 97 to 98 degrees. And in case you didn’t know, your scrotum hangs outside of your body because it needs to stay a few degrees cooler than the rest of you, or else it’s damaging to your sperm health. Researchers from the National Institute of Child Health and Development and Stanford University found that men who wore breezy boxers during the day and slept in the buff at night had a 25 percent lower rate of damaged DNA in their sperm, relative to dudes who wore tighty-whities (or other restricting underwear) 24/7.

contact from being naked in bed with another person gives you a nice rush of oxytocin, which induces feelings of intimacy, bonding, and sexuality. So go ahead and strip down. You won’t regret it.

YOUR LOVE LIFE WILL GET A BOOST According to a large survey, ditching your pyjamas might give your love life the boost it needs, because it was found that 57 percent of people who sleep in the nude are very happy in their relationships, relative to 48 percent who prefer to sleep fully clothed. And that’s probably because the folks who sleep naked have more sex than everyone else. I mean, duh... Plus, skin-on-skin

IT CAN MAKE YOU HEALTHIER OVERALL Speaking of oxytocin, that same boost of the hormone that comes from getting naked in bed with your lady friend also offers amazing physical health benefits in addition to the mental and emotional ones. Produced in the hypothalamus and then released through the pituitary gland, oxytocin, a.k.a. the “love hormone,” prompts the

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YOU’LL BE IN BETTER SHAPE Did you know that keeping your body cool and comfortable at night can help keep you healthier, and in better shape? A study published in the scientific journal Diabetes found that sleeping in a cool bedroom and keeping your body temperature relatively low activates brown fat in adults, which is a type of “good” fat that generates heat, burns calories, and keeps us warm and comfortable. Pair that with the benefits of going to bed commando, and you’ll be the epitome of health. Well, kind of. With that said, go ahead and take it off. Take it all off.

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NUTRITION

RIDING THE KETOSIS WAVE

Does anyone know what people are actually saying when they turn down sugary, carbohydrate goodness by saying, “I’m on keto” or “I’ve reached ketosis?” Text by TASHA PIENAAR

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robably not. Nowadays, there are so many dieting trends making their rounds that it is almost impossible to be up to speed with all of them. This particular diet, though, should start to evoke some memories because most people’s mothers were on this diet—they just had a different name for it then. “Atkins” was the name of the game a few years back, but now people are starting to call it by what it is, instead of the name of one of the doctors who initially advocated this type of diet. Ketosis. Basically, the ketogenic diet is a low-carb but high-fat diet that has been proven to cause weight loss and it also provides numerous health benefits such as maintaining blood sugar levels, for one. The idea behind it is to eat fat and lose fat. Seems simple and straightforward, right? Not exactly. As with most diets, there is a science behind Ketosis, too. The human body is such a complex machine that it would be naïve to think that you don’t need some sort of added thought and attention when deciding exactly what you should be fuelling it with. The ketogenic diet involves adapting your body to stop burning carbs as a fuel source, rather using fat instead, and this is achieved once you bring your carb levels down to about 50 grams per day or lower. Once you have achieved this, then you are “ketogenic” or “in ketosis”. The carbs that you do consume will not be a main source of your macronutrients

but rather come from foods such as vegetables, which contain a small amount of carbs anyway. The toughest part of this diet is the first two weeks but once your body starts adapting it will get easier. An added bonus is that this diet lands up suppressing your appetite so you don’t eat as much as you would have normally. Other than the obvious benefits of losing fat, from a medical perspective, ketogenic diets may even have benefits against diabetes, cancer, epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. The downside to ketosis is that there are no “off days”. You cannot cheat because then it will set you right back to the starting point. There are many high-fat treats that you can tuck into when you feel yourself having a weak moment but the absolute no-no is falling prey to carbohydrates. High intensity athletes will struggle with this diet initially because carbs tend to be the best source of fuel for their type of activity as it provides an energy burst quickly. You will know when you have reached ketosis when you experience what is commonly known as “keto-flu”. Headaches, brain-fogginess and fatigue are symptoms you will experience. Keeping yourself hydrated will help you get over this faster. Add some salt into your water because you will be losing a lot of electrolytes. Doesn’t sound like much fun but once you pass this stage the results will speak for themselves.

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FITNESS

SOLDIER ON LIKE SOLDIER BOY

This workout is one that MMA star Garreth McLellan particularly hates, but it’s one he swears by. Photographed by ANTON GEYSER

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etting inside the cage is the easy part, or so many professional fighters will tell you. What gets you there and 100 per cent ready for your opponent is the part that sucks, the strength and conditioning. This is a truly brutal series of taxing exercises that’s likely to seem endless if you’ve never done it before. The circuit includes 50 reps of 10 different exercises, all done as quickly as possible. Do 50 box jumps with a 60-centimetre box, 50 jumping pull-ups, 50 kettlebell swings, 50 walking-lunge steps, 50 knees-to-elbows, 50

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reps of push presses with 20 kilograms, 50 back extensions, 50 wall balls using a 9-kilogram ball, 50 burpees (dropping all the way to the floor), 50 double-unders. This workout does a good job conveying the basics, and the madness; it’s a full-body workout that includes cardio. The sheer number of exercises can be hard to fathom, so it’s best to just pace yourself and focus on the task at hand, not on how much more there is to do. Of course, you can also modify this and do less, but that negates the whole breeding of an alpha that we’re aiming for.

THE ULTIMATE KETTLEBELL WORKOUT If your fitness goals include burning fat and building muscle, then this workout is for you. Perform the workout using one kettlebell at a track, park, or anywhere with a safe, open surface. 200-metre run (or indoor rower can be subbed) 20-kettlebell push presses (10 on each side) 200-metre run (or indoor rower can be subbed) 20 kettlebell swings 200-metre run (or indoor rower can be subbed) 20 squat thrusts 200-metre run (or indoor rower can be subbed) 20 one-arm rows (10 on each side) 200-metre run (or indoor rower can be subbed) 20 walking lunges 200-metre run (or indoor rower can be subbed) 20 half burpees

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MAXIM GIRL

TAWNY JORDAN

This stunner has been modelling since 2011 but ever since landing a gig as a ring girl for the Floyd Mayweather vs Connor McGregor fight last year, Tawny has been one to watch. Time for you to get to know her a little better... Photographed by GIO RHIVERS

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Hey Tawny, tell us a bit about your Maxim shoot? We shot this in Atlantis, Spain, and it was absolutely incredible and so beautiful. It’s a moment in my career that I want to tell my children about someday. Gio is such a talented photographer and we came eye-toeye on this vision.

“If I saw a man, and he was #husbandgoals, then I would say that is super-attractive.”

What do you think about when shooting a feature like this? I just get in the zone. When the sun was setting it was starting to get chilly, especially in the water, but we are all troopers and pushed through it. I always enjoy creating even if it means being cold for a moment or two. Any funny anecdotes you can share from the day? When we were finishing up our last set, while I was on the rocks in a bikini, there was a man in the water that looked like he was doing the “dead-man’s float”—it’s what people do when they are tired in the water and can’t swim anymore. Some of the guys on set ran to his rescue and it turned out he was swimming naked! It was all caught on a drone by someone on set and it even made the news. I will never forget it— and I’m glad he was okay! Phew! So, when do you feel sexy? I feel sexy when I’m sun kissed, so that my freckles stand out. How would you describe yourself in five words? Funny, loving, sweet, optimistic and curious. How do you relax? Mostly when I’m listening to music—it just takes me to another place. I also really love yoga and when I’m in a class I just tend to forget about all my worries and focus on me. What is your “claim to fame?” To be honest with you, I feel like it was an accumulation of things. Ever since I was 19 and modelling, I made sure I pushed harder and harder every year to get to where I am now. It all began when I was a freelance model, then I was discovered by my model manager who signed me with several agencies, then I shot for a popular lingerie company called Pink Lipstick, became a ring girl for boxing on TV and was featured in Sports Illustrated and even worked with Playboy. These are just some pivotal moments in my career. 26

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What’s it like having over 700,000 followers on Instagram? It’s pretty rad people follow and look up to me. I love when they recognise me when I’m out and about—I love seeing my fans. Would you ever date one of your social media followers? A couple times I have. One person was a comedian on a TV show and the other was an actor—they were nice but just not for me and that’s all I’ll say. Sometimes you just have to go through the wrong ones to get to the right one. What’s the first thing you notice about a guy? His energy—it’s like one in a million if I lock

eyes with a guy. If I saw a man, and he was #husbandgoals, then I would say that is super-attractive. How does a man best impress and win you over? Be an overall gentleman, sexy, ambitious, adventurous and open to growing with me. What would be an immediate turn-off? Being a fuck boy. Lastly, where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to still be doing what I love, having my own business and hosting a TV show. I also hope to have a beautiful house with a sexy husband who loves to travel and grow with me.

Swimwear TJ SWIM.

Hair & Make-up by DAISY OCASIO Produced by PARADISE CHALLENGE Shot on Location at ATLANTIS, IBIZA, SPAIN

RELATIONSHIPS

THE THINGS WOMEN LOVE MOST ABOUT SEX There’s a tonne of research that went into this one. Trust us. Text by DANIELLE BACHER

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en love sex. Period. What about women? Well, we asked. What follows isn’t really a how-to. It’s more of a woman’s why-yes.

MAKING OUT Kissing, frenching, snogging, sucking face— the prime mover of the sex world. It can make or break the chances of things going further. Nothing is a bigger turnoff than kissing someone who is haphazard, sloppily drunk, or who is blind to body language. Strike a balance with the tongue: No tongue at all feels like junior high, too much tongue feels like tenth grade. What’s the right amount? If you have to ask…. Oh, and please close your eyes. NIBBLING Want to get your woman wet and ready? Start up top. Sucking and (lightly, for most) biting the neck and ear feels incredible, as long as you don’t linger too long. You want your lady to look like she’s been with a master lover, not an extra from True Blood. THE LOOK IN HIS EYE WHEN HE IS READY TO THROW DOWN, RIGHT THEN AND THERE Brutally hot. Some women complain about a guy who is horny all the time, but trust me when I tell you that the opposite is way worse. No one likes a meek lover. And eye contact during the act is always a good idea. UNDRESSING SLOWLY When a woman is aroused, she’s confident about the way she looks, and confidence is an attractive trait in a partner. When we’re secure enough to undress piece by teasing piece, the hot factor increases exponentially. THE RULE OF THE NIPPLE Women have tits, and we like you to play with them, suck on them and maybe even tease them with your teeth. Our nipples are also often very sensitive, as are the areolae. No twisting, please—unless we ask for it.

FOREPLAY. LOTS OF FOREPLAY We put as much emphasis on the appetiser as we do on the entrée. Let us luxuriate in physical attention all over our bodies, and we’ll lavish that attention back (that’s right, you really gotta give it away to get it). So, get exploring. WORSHIP OF THE CLIT Yes, please. A very large number of women do not get vaginal orgasms, no matter how rocking their men are, nor how hard they work. So a man who enthusiastically and expertly manipulates the clitoris will achieve the best of results. And for the men out there who can’t find it: Google Maps. SEEING YOUR DUDE GET AROUSED We know that most men can get hard sitting on their asses doing nothing, but knowing that you caused that response in him is one of the more exhilarating and sexy feelings a woman can experience. BEING NAKED WITH YOUR DUDE As scary as this can be (for some people), there’s something highly erotic about simply being unclothed and vulnerable. PENETRATION An entirely personal sensation: a man is inside you, and you feel close to him. Nothing feels better than this. Ever. SWEAT No girl wants some random at the gym to sweat all over her, no matter how cute he may be. But to see, feel, and even taste a man’s sweat as he gets worked up in bed can be sublime. WHISPERING Loud, graphic sex talk can be fun, but impassioned whispers in your ear as he takes you really push women over the edge. Just make sure you don’t say something that ruins the mood, like, “You really look like your mom right now.”

WHEN A MAN IS TOO INTO IT TO EVEN TALK This is just as good. If all he can manage are some serious grunts and moans, we know we’re doing the job. WHEN A MAN MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE A SEX GODDESS It’s super-hot when a man tells you that you know exactly what to do to get him off. Everyone wants to be great in bed. And we’re more than happy to return the favour. A HARD, FAST QUICKIE Remember when we said “foreplay?” Well, every once in a while, we can do without if it means we get an athletic, intense roll in the sack. Especially if we’re super-stressed out. BEING ON TOP A woman feels empowered being able to ride a man. She dictates the rhythm and motion, and this allows her some control during sex, which can be very sexy. THE ORGASM When this happens (and yes, men, it should be your goal for both of you to get there), it truly is explosive for us. You truly lose yourself for a moment, and the heat and abandon is just right. As for the men’s side of the deal, we women love your fluid. Messy? Yes. Not the best flavour? Oftentimes, no. But for sheer animalistic lust, having a man shoot in or on you is pretty glorious. As long as you are committed or taking precautions, of course. AFTERGLOW Is there a more deeply satisfying feeling in the world than post-coital bliss? Just lying with (or even on) your partner in a sweaty, exhausted, gorgeous mangle of limbs. Also, the coming back down to earth and attendant flood of thoughts and emotions. And, perhaps most important, feeling the connection of sharing something so intimate with someone worth it. MAXIMINDIA.IN

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SPOTLIGHT

What is your vision for prêt menswear in the country? It’s not found its identity yet. We’re still trying to figure out what it is. We’re still trying to ape the West. I think the more basic it is, the better it is because it’s all about finding your style which has not really happened here. Your label focuses on meticulously handcrafted fashion. What’s your take on fast fashion? There’s so much fashion waste because of fast fashion. We are strong supporters of slow fashion in the sense that even though we do two seasons, we encourage upcycling older seasons’ pieces for people so that they don’t discard their old clothes. Fast fashion is only adding to the clutter. True. How can men bring a sense of fun to their wardrobe? Actually, Péro menswear is very simple with an attention to details. It’s not very over-the-top. There will be handmade buttons, different coloured button holes, a playful selvedge on the jacket, or a motif embroidered somewhere on the shirt. On its own there’s a bit of subtle quirkiness about it. And I think that’s it. There’s nothing more that needs to be added to it. So Ranveer Singh’s flamboyant style doesn’t work for you? No, we are not over-the-top. It’s more for a person who is sensitive to what he is wearing and wears it for comfort because it makes him feel special. We weave our own fabrics and pay a lot of attention to making it comfortable.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Aneeth Arora, the boss lady at designer label Péro, talks about why it’s so important to fit in, in order to stand out. Text by MEHER BAJWA

That’s great. And how do you want a Péro man to feel wearing your clothes? So basically for us it’s not about standing out in a crowd. It’s about how somebody reacts to clothing when they take a closer look at it. Fashion is mostly looked at as something that helps you find your identity, or make a mark or stand out from the rest. Here it is about gelling in with the crowd but when you’re interacting with somebody one-on-one, they’ll definitely notice that you’re wearing something special because of the minute details which can only be visible from a closer distance. Up close and personal it is. Does your approach differ when designing menswear compared to womenswear? Yes. Womenswear gives us a lot of liberty

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if we were to have embroideries, florals or beads etc. On the contrary, we restrict ourselves a lot when we’re working on menswear. The basic sensibility of Péro is to make feel-good textiles. You will not see a lot of drapes in menswear. We work on basic silhouettes and take it to the next level by doing special fabrics and adding details. What are the basic style commandments everyone should keep in mind while dressing up? Even if the pieces are simple, layering makes it very interesting. People should try and learn the art of layering clothes. When you layer there are choices of different textures, fabrics—you could wear checks with stripes. Instead of embellishing your clothing, just work with layering it—a shirt on top of a shirt in two different fabrics. So I think that is what adds something extra to it. What do you like to see men wear? I like men in white shirts and jeans. As basic as that. As long as the shirt is well-tailored. Basically anything that makes the man feel comfortable because that reflects on his face and in his movement. Do you feel there’s a significant interest for young designers at the moment in the industry? Definitely. Because they have a fresher perspective, and this is a new decade of designers and it’s all about experimenting now. I like the fact that young designers are looking at Indian textiles and that is why the focus has shifted on them rather than designers doing traditional trousseau or ornamental clothing. How has your own work evolved since you began your label? There’s a lot of change that has come in the kind of styles we do and how we interpret bodies because now we see clothes on people’s bodies and we know what’s working. It has made us more confident in terms of what textiles to use and how to use them. In terms of evolution, I don’t think it’s us in isolation, it’s also the people who are working with us. We work with a set of craftspeople and, with time, they are evolving and their techniques are becoming better—as they challenge themselves to create new things with the same skillset. What’s your fashion resolution for the year? I think it’s always comfort comes first. MAXIMINDIA.IN

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AUTO FOCUS

EXPERIENCE NECESSARY Noble Automotive’s latest hand-built supercar is not for Sunday drivers. Text by KEITH GORDON

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AUTO FOCUS

IF THE COMPUTING POWER OF AN iPhone is enough to send a man to the moon, the multiple computers on modern supercars might be able to solve the conundrums of quantum physics. These cars’ systems are constantly monitored and analysed, allowing them to adjust for maximum performance and enhanced stability. But more important: That technology is what allows us nonprofessional drivers to get behind the wheel (at least those of us with the means). Noble Automotive will have none of that. If you want to drive their hand-built M600, you’ll need not only the ` 1.8 crore it costs, but the skills to keep the 650 horsepower thunderbolt on the road and out of the ditch. Noble has forgone the typical driver assists; you won’t find stability control or even anti-lock braking. Only traction control has been included, but even this has been tweaked to give drivers more freedom to push the car and themselves. To turn off traction control, the M600 has fittingly borrowed the bomb-release toggle from a Tornado fighter jet. Power can also be adjusted, from 450 horsepower in “road mode” to 550 horsepower in “track mode,” all the way to a full 650 34

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horsepower in “race mode.” Turn off the already unobtrusive traction control and you’ll really have the chance to prove your driving abilities. The 650 horsepower pins you to the carbon-fibre seat as the M600 accelerates to 100 kmph in a mere three seconds and to 200 kmph in 8.9, topping out at around 360 kmph. The car features Alcon brakes and a mid-engine chassis composed of steel that features a double-wishbone suspension for each wheel. With an aluminium and steel space frame and carbon-fibre body panels, the M600 weighs just 1,197 kg. The vehicle comes in four versions: The standard M600 Coupe is made of painted carbon-fibre; the CarbonSport version (` 2.1 crore) features exposed carbon-fibre bodywork; and the Speedster model is a roadster complete with targa top, available in both Coupe and CarbonSport versions. Each car is bespoke (fewer than 20 workers build each vehicle), with buyers invited to participate in the entire process, from exterior and interior design and option selection all the way through production, during which customers are welcome to visit the factory and watch their M600 being made.

dukeindia.com

in

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MOTO

THE STING IN THE TAIL Ex-Ferrari engineers have developed a motorcycle that goes 240 kmph at half the weight of competitors. Text by DAN CARNEY

MARANELLO, ITALY, IS FAMOUS AS Ferrari’s hometown, but some of that company’s alumni are aiming to put the city on the map for two-wheeled machines. Their new company, VINS, is building the most technically advanced motorcycles in the world, applying Formula One know-how to two-wheeled racers. The key to the VINS Duecinquanta (Italian for “250”) is light weight, the pursuit of which starts with the bike’s engine. Two-stroke engines are lighter and more compact than the four-stroke engine in your car. That is why they have traditionally been used to power tools like chain saws that demand high power in a manageably lightweight form. Two-strokes dominated motorcycle racing for decades because of the powerto-weight advantage, but fell out of favour

because of their pollution. VINS has applied modern direct fuel injection technology to clean up the exhaust emissions, which could make street-legal two-strokes a possibility again. The light-weight philosophy extends to the Duecinquanta’s carbon-fibre frame and suspension, too. The front suspension is an unorthodox double-wishbone design, more like car suspension than traditional motorcycle telescopic forks. Yamaha has notably used this design on some bikes, but it has never really caught on. The rear suspension is innovative as well, with linkage squeezing the shock and spring assembly from both directions at the same time, so it can provide the same range of suspension travel from a unit that is half the normal length. The bike’s slightly top-heavy styling

isn’t “styling,” it is the result of the Duecinquanta’s frame bracing for the front suspension and of its uniquely compact high-mounted radiator. The engine uses a combination of air and water cooling, so the radiator, which is normally a source of aerodynamic drag, is smaller, which contributes to higher straight line speed. The resulting numbers are astonishing. Curb weight for the competition version of the bike is a scant 85 kg and the street version weighs only 95 kg. The track edition is rated at 80 horsepower, but there is no official power rating yet for the street bike. By comparison, the carbon-fibre BMW HP4 weighs 198 kg, which explains how the Duecinquanta can rocket to its 150 mph top speed. For now, VINS has set European pricing at about `29,00,000 for the street bike and `36,00,000 for the track model.

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GADGETS

THIS KIT’S GOT FLASH

4.

Call us shallow but we’ve got a point—the ideal gadget is one that is as good-looking as it is functional. Splurge now. Text by VAIBHAV SHARMA

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10.

1. DENON HEOS Never has multi-room wireless audio been so stylish. The king of the Heos range packs in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, five class-D amplifiers and more into a chassis that just screams objet d’art. denon.com 2. NANOLEAF RHYTHM The funky LED panels for your home have received a new upgrade—the Rhythm sound module that turns your music into trippy visualisations, or as Nanoleaf calls it, a “sensory adventure personalised for you.” in.nanoleaf.me 3. JBL BOOMBOX Looks like someone said “think portable nuclear weapon” to the designers and then left them alone as they designed it. The 24-hr 38

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playback, IPX7 water-resistance, and a 4-inch woofer means its bite’s as mean as its bark. In.jbl.com 4. HONOR 9 LITE Breathtakingly gorgeous and yet, affordable. Android Oreo, an 18:9, 2160x1080 display, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, all wrapped up in a slim, mirror-finish metal body—it’s enough to make us drool. hihonor.com/in 5. FUJI X-E3 We’ll have this in the silver-and-black retro finish, please! It’s got vintage charm but its innards are all modern silicon: Fuji’s APS-C 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor and X-Processor Pro image processor. fujifilm.in

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6. SAMSUNG FRAME TVs don’t have to be plain-Jane gadgets. They can also be The Frame, Samsung’s new, slim-and-smart TV that doubles up as a digital art display. Yes, Samsung’s achieved the impossible—they made TVs sexy! samsung.com/in 7. DJI MAVIC AIR Brimming with geeky features—a folding design, a 4K camera, a 3-axis gimbal, environment sensing, and more, and yet it comes off less as a gadget and more as a luxury doodad for your home theatre. dji.com 8. BOSE SOUNDSPORT FREE Gym freaks (yes, even those who spend more time on picking the

right ensemble than on the actual workout), these are the ultimate earbuds for you—compact, comfy and stylish. boseindia.com 9. BENQ CINEPRO SERIES W11000H Amp up your home theatre with this THX-certified, reference-grade 4K projector. Sweetening the deal is a classic-and-understated design that guarantees it’ll turn heads even when switched off. benq.co.in 10. DELL XPS 13 Winner of the innovation gong at CES, this svelte laptop packs in eighth-gen Intel processors, a stunning InfinityEdge display, and a gorgeous aluminium body. The ultimate office accessory? Yes! dell.co.in MAXIMINDIA.IN

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KNOW-HOW

TRENDSETTER Another season of fashion weeks equals new designers and fresh-off-the-runway trends. Take your pick.

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Text by MEHER BAJWA

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1. TONAL DRESSING Menswear is going for the full-kit look right now. We’re talking matching colours like blues, greys and navys, and a good place to start would be with colours already in your closet—stress-free. Seen: Falguni & Shane Peacock.

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2. BOXY SHOULDERS Harking back to the ’80s with oversized coats and broad shoulders á la Don Johnson in Miami Vice. Seen: Rajesh Pratap Singh. 3. HAREM PANTS Giving MC Hammer a run for his money this season, the flared-to-fit bottoms have made a stylish comeback. Seen: Rajesh Pratap Singh.

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7 4. PRINT FRENZY Quirk-approved separates and psychedelic digital prints get a fresh lease of life—join the party, we dare you. Seen: BOBO Calcutta by Ayushman Mitra. 5. MOODY BLACKS Military and utility inspiration in occasion wear makes for an interesting combo. Look for pockets

with a slouchier shape for a more modern feel. Seen: Shantanu & Nikhil. 6. SHINE ON The festive season need no longer be restricted to boring hues and fabrics. Experiment with textiles that shimmer for a low-key statement. Seen: Gaurang Shah.

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7. 90-DEGREE STRIPES The vertical stripe has fast become menswear’s official new go-to pattern. It’s on shirts, bombers and pyjamas! Stick to the straight and narrow kind, or experiment with double vertical stripes. Seen: Fragments Collection by Crow. MAXIMINDIA.IN

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ADVENTURE

FREESTYLE 3.

Black Diamonds don’t stand a chance against these mountaineering essentials.

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1. Boots with crampons ARC’TERYX. 2. RXO camera SONY. 3. Bamboo ski helmet BOGNER. 4. Snowboard GENTEMSTICK. 5. Glacier sunglasses GORSUCH. 6. Avalanche backpack ORTOVOX. 7. Ice tools BLACK DIAMOND. 8. Crampons BLACK DIAMOND. 9. Nuke suit AZTECH. 10. Watch TAG HEUER. 11. Avalanche receiver MAMMUT. 4 43

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GROOMING 5.

RENEW YOU

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Technology and biology combine to create these ecologically friendly skin-care products. 3. 1.

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1. Empire Daily Cleansing Beard Wash SHEPHERD. 2. Super Moisture Gel CLARINS MEN. 3. Antiaging Revitaliser SISLEY PARIS. 4. Marula Botanical Enzyme Polish AFRICAN BOTANICS. 5. Infinite Resurfacing Mask AFRICAN BOTANICS. 6. Cade Shaving Oil L’OCCITANE. 7. Cleansing Cream PHILOSOPHY. 8. Gotukola Facial Serum JUST HERBS. 9. Active Serum IS CLINICAL. 10. Shaving Cream SUSANNE KAUFMANN. 44

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STYLE

DAY TO NIGHT STYLE

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The classic essentials to take you from the desk to date night in a jiff.

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1. Parfum Intense JIMMY CHOO MAN. 2. Fountain pen MONT BLANC. 3. Eyeglasses RAY-BAN. 4. Suit ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA. 5. Tie TURNBULL & ASSER. 6. Belt SALVATORE FERRAGAMO. 7. Aftershave balm TRUEFITT & HILL. 8. MOD laptop case THIS IS GROUND.

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COVERGIRL

VAANI KAPOOR THE FEMME FATALE HAS HAD OUR HEARTS RACING AT MAX BEATS PER MINUTE. NOW WE FIND OUT WHAT THE SEXY STAR IS REALLY LIKE, AFTER HOURS. Text by MEHER BAJWA Photographed by PRASAD NAIK

FACING PAGE Bra WACOAL. Boy shorts JOCKEY. Sheer trench PURPLE PAISLEY. Welcome back to Maxim! Feels like I’m back home. Right where I belong. The shoot was absolute fun! In fact, I got the best team to work with. We couldn’t agree more. What keeps you busy these days? I’m not shooting for a film right now but there are events that I keep doing. And I am also reading scripts. I know it sounds clichéd, but we’re finalising a few and zeroing in, during the coming months. What’s a typical relaxed day like in the life of Vaani Kapoor? I’m a very boring person. I don’t have too much to do in life. I do Netflix a lot, and watch stuff on Amazon Prime sometimes. What kind of shows? Everything that’s entertaining. I don’t have a genre that I follow, but I love The Crown, Game Of Thrones, This Is Us, and I just watched The End of The F**king World. What else is good? What about Big Little Lies? We love that show. Yes! And they’re coming out with Season Two now? Yes, with Meryl Streep! It’s going to be amazing. Fabulous cast. I love Shailene Woodley, Reese Witherspoon, everybody really. Rounding back to you claiming you’re a boring person, which we don’t believe… Trust me! I live with two cats. That doesn’t make you a stereotypical “cat lady!” But that’s all I fear. (laughs) What are your cats called? Koko and Kiki. Cute, do they have their own Insta page? Well, then, I’d have to handle their account and I can’t even handle mine right now! 48

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What’s the strangest thing that’s ever happened to you on social media? You know, I think social media in general is a very strange beast. Sadly, people thrive on negativity instead of positivity. Everybody wants to be on it, is on it, and then has issues with it and complains about it as well. It’s like a vicious circle. Are you really a loner? Hands down I’m a loner. I love my own company. I’m happy with my laptop, TV and maybe a little activity on the phone. I can watch movies back to back. I really want to watch The Post by Steven Spielberg, with Meryl Streep. What would we find you doing if you thought no one was watching? I’m a couch potato, so you’d probably find me vegetating. Even if I know someone’s watching, it’ll remain the same. It doesn’t really make a difference. You’ve got great taste in music—our crew can attest. Did you guys like it? I love hip-hop and pop. Yeah, your playlist really set the tone. Does music play an important part in your life? It is inspiring. It does help put me in a certain zone and mood. Are you spontaneous, or are you one of those planners? I’m very logical and realistic as a person. It’s strange because there are decisions that I have to make which I’m very indecisive about, small decisions—like what to wear or what food to order. But when it comes to major decisions in life, I’m very clear. I’m very clear about things that I believe in and things that I want. That’s a pretty good balance. Speaking of what to eat, we see you’re a fan of The Big Chill in Delhi and good food in general. Oh yeah, I was out with my manager and I was showing her Delhi—Khan Market and

OPENING SPREAD Bra HUNKEMOLLER. Pants SIDDHARTHA TYTLER.

all these cool places. I love food. I can’t even differentiate to say which is better than the other. I love all cuisines. What’s changed since you first started working in the movies? In terms of acting, I feel more confident. But then there are days when I still feel like I can’t act for shit. There are bad days where I’m like ‘How am I going to pull this off?’ But I feel a lot more evolved in terms of the characters that I’ve played. They’ve influenced me in ways and have helped me discover new sides to myself. So that’s amazing. When you’re living in a role, it makes you believe that there are possibilities for you to be someone in ways that you’ve not been in the past. You’re originally a Delhi girl. What was growing up in the Capital like? I’ve had a very different kind of childhood in Delhi itself. We had a big piece of land where we stayed with dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, a horse and monkeys as pets. My friends would tease me about living in a zoo! As a kid, I was embarrassed and I wanted to live in a “proper” society. Now that I’m all grown up, I think it made my childhood so much more special. That makes you a fellow animal lover— great! Having spent time in Delhi and now in Mumbai, what do you prefer? I mean, I was born and brought up in Delhi and, yes, it will always be special for me, but I’m very comfortable in Bombay. I have to say you have a lot more freedom, and it’s safer for girls. Also, the perceptions and the ideology of people are very different. In Delhi, you’re really into

THIS PAGE Bra and panties HUNKEMOLLER. Pants SIDDHARTHA TYTLER.

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your family, girls tend to get married at an early age and I get the feeling there’s little hope for careers and ambitions. There’s not as much support from the family, as compared to Bombay. Your thoughts on the freedom of choice for women in India today? There’s a lot more left for actual progression. There’s so much that we have to achieve. Of course, you cannot deny the fact that developments are happening and things are improving, and people are out there bringing about awareness. Society is people like you and me, and if we don’t bring about change in our own lives, families and homes, then the world won’t change. It’s got to start from us.

Maxim truly believes in that philosophy. From studying tourism and hospitality, to starring in YRF movies, how did it all happen? I was a model in Delhi and I had no plans of moving to Bombay with the hope of becoming an actor one day—I did not have any plans to struggle. It just so happened that my destiny brought me to Shanoo Sharma, who auditioned me for the first time in Bombay, and I happened to get the role. Do you believe in luck, then? Yes, and also sending the right energy into the universe and believing in what you really want. That’s your truth of life and that’s what reality turns out to be.

Sort of like the mantra of The Secret? I do like that book a lot. Yes, it’s about manifesting what you want. Do you think you’re lucky in love? I would have to say I have been very lucky to meet the right people in my life, and I have not had a bad incident or bad relationship ever. That is pretty lucky! What do you look for in a relationship? There are no plans or set rules. I feel it’s about compatibility and connection—those are a must. You can’t just say, “Oh my God, he’s so good-looking,” and forget the rest. Everything matters to me. One thing I wouldn’t appreciate in my man would be if he’s very complacent in life. I would want him to have some sort of ambition, it could be for anything. Have passion and be compassionate. What kind of men get your attention? Someone who doesn’t try too hard will get my attention. You’ll end up looking creepy when you’re trying too hard to be someone you’re not. I like someone who’s comfortable in his own skin and confident about his personality. Is it difficult to meet new people? Unfortunately, I don’t meet guys and it’s really sad. I only meet actors on set. My space is just me and my two cats, and my friends whom I’m in touch with on the phone. My world is very small and, in a way, I like to keep it very selective. But I do also realise I need to expand my social circle so I can meet more people. I’m very bad at making friends. But when I make them, I’m this hardcore loyalist. When you finally head out for that date, what would you like to do? You’ve got to be able to do mundane stuff and still have fun. That’s the test of a good date. What’s the one thing a guy should never do in the bedroom? I just hope it’s not one of those cases where he doesn’t do anything! (laughs) That’s even worse. So, don’t not do anything? Yeah, exactly.

THIS PAGE Bra ANN SUMMERS. Bodysuit HUNKEMOLLER. Sheer gown SHEHLA KHAN. FACING PAGE Dress PURPLE PAISLEY. Bra TRIUMPH. Panties WACOAL.

Styling by KRISHNA MUKHI Assisted by VIRKEN RAINA Make-up by ANIL CHINNAPPA Hair by SANGEETA HEGDE

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ADVICE

If you’re a dad, going to become one or just going for the title of Best Uncle, here are some fail-proof tips, directly from moms. Text by GEETIKA SASAN BHANDARI Illustrations by GITUMONI TALUKDAR

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LET’S FACE IT: BECOMING A FATHER GIVES EVERY GUY THE JITTERS, WHETHER HE ADMITS IT OR NOT. AND, WHILE IT MAY BE ONE OF THE BEST FEELINGS IN THE WORLD, THE RIGOURS OF EVERYDAY PARENTING CAN BE TOUGH. ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE SINGLE. WE GET IT. AND THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE TO HELP. HANDLING THE KIDS BY YOURSELF, ALL THE TIME OR JUST SOME OF THE TIME, CAN GET OVERWHELMING. AND SOMETIMES, UNSOLICITED ADVICE FROM STRANGERS CAN BE JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED. IT’S OBJECTIVE, AND THAT’S WHY IT WORKS. IF YOU’RE NOT A DAD YET, IT’S STILL A GOOD IDEA TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO, AND HOW YOU CAN ACE IT.

BE THE CHILD & THE ADULT “For a toddler or a small kid, I think all you need is to relate to them, so bring out the child in yourself and be in your element; that’s what kids remember, that they played with their dads like no tomorrow. For teenagers, you need to be that support system or a wall they can lean on—a rock solid wall to help them stand up when they fall.” Mausumi Barooah, Sydney “Apart from following the holy grail of having them well fed, rested, and clean, avoid the convenience of screen time. Keep screen time for emergencies and when you have no other option (read office con call), get them to join you for errands, give them tasks, and you’d be surprised how simple chores like putting on a washing machine can turn into a fun activity. You are already their Hero... you just have to live up to it. And all they really want is your time and attention.” Vanita Singh Fernandes, Mumbai “Pay special attention to diet and nutrition; ensure sleep hygiene and regular exercise. I feel respect for your body and discipline takes care of your mental health, energising your brain and regulating your mood. It’s absolutely essential for everyone, more so for teenagers!” Simran Garewal, Chandigarh

GET INVOLVED “Be truly involved in a child’s life. You should create opportunities to do things together, especially when it’s a girl as I feel dads find it easier to bond with boys.” Shikha Singh*, Kolkata “Be hands-on. Do stuff together. Listen to music, take a badminton class. Connect in a way that gives you an opportunity to explore the child’s personality—her tastes, likes, preferences. And, of course, talk. A lot. And listen even more.” Prachi Guron, Bengaluru “Make sure your child reads a lot. Inculcate the habit of reading every night at bedtime, on weekends, while travelling, and especially on holidays. Encourage your child to read storybooks, comics, classics, junior version newspapers, and the whole gamut of printed media. It is the best gift you can give your child.” Gitikka Ganju Dhar, Mumbai

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“Your child curled up in your lap with a book being shared can often ease out the most difficult day, for both the child and you.” Natasha Sharma, Mumbai

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF “Dads should have a life outside the school run, play dates, and homework. There is no guilt in having a date. Single parenthood is especially demanding and to discharge this responsibility, you need to be in the best of spirits. So have a bit of fun. You will come back refreshed and infused with new energy.” Anjoo Mohun, Kolkata “Creating a balance between your own life as an adult and a parent can be difficult, but it’s possible. Schedule some kid-free time for yourself from time to time. It can get very overwhelming to fulfil your daily duties at home, work, and cater to your child’s needs. So, when you are happy and relaxed you can keep your kids happy and cater to their needs.” Mayuri Singh, Pune “Choose one activity that you love the most and do it irrespective of anything else happening around you. Single parents especially need to be happy with themselves before they can give happiness to their children.” Aprajita Singh, Connecticut, USA “If you’re seeing the child only partially, ensure you maintain a connection at all times, even when the child is not with you, because it’s very easy to lose touch in this busy world. Use regular channels and social media, if the child has an account.” Aesha Ahsan, Siliguri

THINK OUT OF THE PARENTING BOX “You should step out of your comfort zone and push yourself to face situations you’d shy away from. Educate and empower yourself in matters you’d otherwise leave to the mom. Forge new friendships (with other moms) and increase your knowledge.” Divya Mehta, Ahmedabad “Surround yourself with friends and family, and create a circle of a few people who can help and make your kids feel loved and fulfilled—grandparents, relatives, friends.” Diviya Gill, Gurugram

“You have to be calm, patient, and take charge of a whole lot of things so don’t be shy of taking support from family or friends—it will be a boon to have them around.” Jyoti Narang Watchmaker, Dubai

SET BEHAVIOUR GOALS… FOR YOURSELF “Dads should cultivate the patience to hear out the child. If they keep losing their cool because they don’t know how to deal with the situation, eventually the child loses confidence and stops confiding.” Mamta Sharma, Gurugram “Think, and react, and empathise with the child like a mother, so the child doesn’t miss having one. You must learn when to tap the bottom and when to tap the shoulder. That is a balance which is sometimes hard to strike. You have to be strong and resilient like a man and yet be compassionate, understanding, and forgiving like a woman.” Shomita Banerji, Gurugram “If you are divorced, always speak of your ex respectfully, no matter how much you hate her. It’s a cue your children will pick up and this will allow you to always be a part of your kid’s life, when she or he is not with you. They will also learn that one can disagree with someone, not even like them, and yet respect them.” Aneesha Wadhwa, New Delhi “Don’t equate love with overcompensating in a bid to overcome guilt. When love becomes pampering and indulgence without balance, it becomes harmful for the child.” Deepa Mehta, Dehradun “Be mindful that being a single parent is not the ideal situation and jointly arrive at a solution with the mother to ensure the kids are spared as much grief as possible and can grow up to be confident individuals. Never allow a situation where you are putting the other parent down, whatever the reason, as that is very painful for a child.” Monika Bhattacharyya, Mumbai “Don’t get manipulated by the child who says she or he is stuck between the parents. Empower the child but avoid the trap of giving in too easily to everything.” Samia Hasan, Lucknow “An amazing relationship is not one in which the child always does what the adult says. Unconditional love means learning to take a ‘no’ from the child. That means the child has the opportunity to make choices within the family, and if you accept that choice, then it’s a different level of acceptance.” Kavneet Chadha, Bengaluru

“Bed time routine or school pick-up. I think these are crucial points in a child’s life where they share their most important feelings, incidents or troubles with you. As a working parent it’s difficult to be around all the time, so choose a time when you can be there 100 percent and that hour is as good as spending the whole day with the child. Quality over quantity.” Avneet Thind-Gosal, UK

LET THEM TALK “Answer all your child’s questions as honestly as possible (keeping the age in mind), as the dynamics keep changing and questions keep coming up. The child needs all the help and support. Be open.” Mansi Bawa, Ludhiana “Don’t be afraid to show your feelings. Your child/children may be going through a lot and it’s important to acknowledge their grief and let them express it. It’s important to listen to what they say and also to what is unsaid.” Smriti Jha, London “Be honest with your child because there will be more questions for you than most dads have to face, if you’re a single dad. Patiently answer them, as it will help the child from Day 1 to adapt to situations without the mom, rather than living in a make-believe world.” Gunrasan Kohli, Dehradun “Ensure the kids continue to have some female role models (family or non-family) in their lives.” Sapna Khajuria, Gurugram “Don’t try to be both Mum and Dad; it’s hard to be both parents. Just being a good dad is good enough.” Ragini Singh, New Delhi “Kids learn by example. Set the right one.” Anuja Rustagi Nigam, Gurugram While you’ll probably figure out the challenges and the hiccups over time, one message that these strong women and super moms—and some are single mums themselves—have is this: Squeeze out time for yourself. No one can be a caring, loving parent if they are neglecting their own happiness. Find something you love and get going. Join a whisky club, play a round of golf, train for a marathon, do a guys’ road trip. But do it without any guilt.

*NAMES CHANGED ON REQUEST

“Be there for your kids, whenever they really need you. Even if they don’t ask.” Arti Rajgarhia, New Delhi

REVISIT YOUR TIMETABLE “Spend your time judiciously with the child, where it matters. Like reading them a story to bed, being the first one they see when they wake up. These little things make them feel emotionally secure and provide them a comfortable setting to share their daily anecdotes.” Sunali Singh, Kolkata

GOLDEN WORDS Read, Imbibe, Practise. Repeat. This advice works for all single dads with kids of all ages.

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EXTREME

THE MAN WITH THE LOG A 15,000 CALORIE DIET. A 45-KG TREE TRUNK. A 100-KM SHARK-INFESTED WATER SWIM. AND ONE MAN’S GRIT TO OVERCOME IT ALL. Text by GREG STUART Photographs by HARVEY GIBSON

“WE HAD — A PLAN — GOING INTO — EACH SWIM, — FROM FOODS, — EATING TIMES, — TO HYDRATION — STRATEGIES.” — 62

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rom climbing a rope the height of Mount Everest to running a marathon while pulling a MINI, or running 30 marathons in 30 days, Ross Edgley is no stranger to the extreme. But the 32-year-old’s latest challenge is one he himself has billed his toughest yet—swimming over 100 kilometres in waters populated by jellyfish, sharks and large, spirit-assaulting waves between the Caribbean Islands of Martinique and St Lucia... while pulling a 45-kg log. And Edgley, one of the world’s most hardcore athletes and a leading British fitness and nutrition expert, admits to having to raise the bar with each successive adventure. “About a year ago, I did a triathlon carrying a tree on the island of Nevis to raise awareness of its eco-friendly project to become the first carbon-neutral island by 2020,” he explains. “I called it the world’s first Tree-athlon! People seemed to like it.”

So, he set out on a similar venture across the English Channel only for red tape to get in his way. Told he needed to be registered as a vessel to carry a tree, his response was “How do I become one?” to which they put the phone down. The Caribbean red tape was easier to tackle, and the idea was born. Edgley likes to joke that he is the first Strongman swimmer, but the reality was that a sports scientist told him he could not be less well-suited to the rigours of distance swimming. “I had a body scan and was told I had none of the physical attributes to be a swimmer,” he says. “I’m built like a Hobbit with short arms, I’m carrying 13 kg more muscle so I’m less buoyant and I even have a dense skull.” He was advised to lose as much muscle as possible but, with his own background in sports science, avoided such advice in order to keep his strength to lug the tree trunk along with him. And he had to develop a training regime that involved being pushed to his physical and mental limits by the Royal Marines. As Edgley puts it: “I wasn’t

trying to be a shark or a dolphin but to swim slow and pull something heavy for a long time. I’m more like a whale!” That also meant he had to reinvent his diet. Twenty-three-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Phelps famously had a 12,000-calorie-a-day diet, but Edgley had to trump that with 15,000 calories on a given day of heavy training. It included eating heavily before and during his marathon swims to keep up his strength. He likened it to “Christmas dinner when you’ve eaten so much you’re on the sofa and can’t move. Now imagine that with a tree across you in the Caribbean Sea.” For him, the eating day would begin with a bowl of porridge with nut butter and protein mixed in, although he was buying 25-kg bags of oats at a time. And at his local pool, he would line up food such as bananas, fruit, rice pudding, homemade energy bars, coconut water, fruit loaf and chocolate at the end of the pool to eat every kilometre during his endurance training. “When people asked what was good to eat, I’d say high calorie, some carbs, a little fat and something that you can eat in seven seconds.” That’s the time it takes between waves hitting you in the Caribbean. “That’s weird, but the reality of it.” So, he would set up food-piping bags filled with anything from rice pudding to curry and bite off seven seconds worth of food at a time. Throughout the training and the actual challenge—which is now literally the Strongman Swimming Project—Edgley learnt more about himself and about what it means to be fit. So, we thought we’d ask him a few questions... Strongman Swimming must have been tricky to train for—what was the background prep? Based on research from the Journal of Sports Medicine, the drag of the log and lack of swimming efficiency meant this was almost an entirely different sport to swimming. I was burning more calories, moving slower and would sometimes have to use my feet to just check where the log was. All of this

meant that the only way to get good at swimming with a tree was to actually swim with a tree! Obviously, I couldn’t just take a tree to my local pool, so instead I went to Keswick in the Lake District, where I’d swim for hours with my friends rowing alongside me, feeding me chocolate, flapjacks and sweets whenever I needed them. People from Keswick were so supportive, and by the end of the summer, some of the locals didn’t even bat an eyelid when they saw me walking down to Derwent Water with a tree on my shoulder! It’s also worth noting that I had to eat a lot—Strongman Swimming was really just an eating competition with a little bit of swimming to fuel the insane hours needed to become good at it! Why did you choose to do it in the Caribbean specifically? Two main reasons. The first is because that was the birthplace of Strongman Swimming, when I completed an Olympic

Distance triathlon carrying a 45-kg tree on the island of Nevis in November 2016, to raise awareness for their eco-friendly projects and mission to become the world’s first completely carbon-neutral island by 2020. So, it only felt right to take the sport back to where it all began. But it was also logistics, since I did originally speak to the Coastguards about crossing the English Channel, but was told that, because I was carrying a tree, I was neither a swimmer nor a “registered vessel.” But thanks to the heroes at The Body Holiday, a lot of the paperwork and red tape was sorted, so I swum the Caribbean Channel instead—as a registered vessel! How did the attempt go compared to how you’d envisaged it beforehand? I knew it would be tough, but even the captain of the boat who’d been sailing those waters for 20 years said he hadn’t seen fiveor six-ft waves like that for a while—possibly because we were just feeling the effects of the insane hurricanes that hit the Caribbean MAXIMINDIA.IN

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“I THINK IF YOU — CAN KEEP THE — MIND OCCUPIED — THROUGH — THIS TYPE — OF MOVING — MEDITATION, — IT’S AMAZING — HOW FAR — YOU CAN GO — WITHOUT — REALISING IT!” — 64

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a few months earlier. But also the currents were so unpredictable. That said, there were so many things I never envisioned that I was so grateful and privileged to witness, from the dolphins swimming with me to the flying fish jumping over the log, to the shooting stars flying overhead during the night shift of the swim. Just incredible. How tough was the challenge, both mentally and physically? Obviously swimming over 100 km with a 45-kg tree is hard, and just being in the saltwater for 32 hours gave me “salt mouth,” meaning my throat began to close up. My face also took a battering, since during the attempt we were swimming into the waves, meaning I got punched in the face by a wave, repeatedly, for 19 hours and over 61 km! At first it didn’t hurt, but after a while it took away the first layer of skin on my face just below the goggles through this constant, mild abrasion—it was like salty sandpaper! But I was so well trained, having prepped all year for this; the body felt great and I didn’t actually mind the sensory deprivation either when swimming at night and not being able to see or hear anything. I just let my mind wander and would start to daydream, often swimming a kilometre and not even realising it. I think if you can keep the mind occupied through this type of “moving meditation,” it’s amazing how far you can go without realising it! How did you fuel yourself before and during the attempt? On an inhuman amount of food! I honestly think many unofficial records were set across the Caribbean that day. We had a plan going into each swim, from foods, eating times, to hydration strategies. But all of that goes out the window when your tongue is swollen from saltwater, you’re sleep deprived and you’re swimming so

hard into the current to battle your way out. All I could do was eat intuitively, asking myself what I could eat to move another kilometre. The support boat were amazing and would get equally as creative; at one point, I fuelled 10 km on jelly baby pancakes alone because my tastebuds were just so confused from all the salt. We even made giant-sized energels from food bags, since normal energels weren’t enough. How long did it take you to recover? As soon as my face healed, and my tastebuds and I were cooperating again, I was ready to go. I had trained so hard for this, my body felt fine and I’ve since

COURTESY OF RED BULL CONTENT P OOL

returned home only to find 200 km swim weeks are easy without waves, tides, currents and a tree! Where would you rank this in terms of the crazy challenges you’ve attempted? At the time I created this concept, I thought it was pretty crazy. I always want to challenge conventional sports science and see what the human body is truly capable of, and so swimming 40 km with a 45-kg tree seemed like a monumental challenge. But the weird thing was, I ended up swimming over 100 km with that tree—which means the original 40 km was probably not crazy enough! Now, looking

ahead, I’ve had to rethink just what my body is truly capable of and, as a result, I’m going to set out to not only break some long-standing swimming world records—but smash them!

O

f course, it was a challenge for the books. In all, Edgley swam a total of 102 kilometres in the challenge in 31 hours and 24 minutes over two separate swims, one of 61 km and a second of 41 km. At one point, he swam solidly for three hours without getting anywhere—so strong was the current he was facing. When he was told about it, “my reply was some pretty colourful language.”

There were magical moments of being accompanied by one dolphin for five km to flying fish soaring above the log he carried, to a time when he feared he was being chased by a shark or being stung in the face by jellyfish. And with such rigours to face on a marathon swim, it’s understandable he calls it his hardest undertaking. “I think this was the toughest because when I finally broke the height of Everest. I knew if I kept awake and the body kept moving, I’d finish that,” he says. “The same with the marathons. But even with the best intentions in the world, Mother Nature might have other ideas.” MAXIMINDIA.IN

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TECHNOLOGY

The Year Of The

Robots, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality and Cryptocurrency are all here, and are here to stay for good. Text by TANMOY MOOKHERJEE Illustrations by ANWITA + ARUN

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hinese zodiac classifies 2018 as the Year of the Dog, and the world of technology seems to have taken it quite literally. At the CES 2018—which remains the biggest technology exhibition in the world—Japanese electronics giant Sony chose to unveil its robotic dog Aibo, who is as close to the real deal as we have ever seen before. It plays “fetch,” develops a personality over time, and has facial recognition, all without it wanting to soil your rug or tear your slippers. The year, it seems, has begun with a throwback to the sky-navigating The Jetsons and their steel pooch. As the year 2017 wound to a close, there was renewed fear over technology taking over our lives as debates on privacy and cyber security raged on, while Artificial Intelligence seeped further into our daily routines through smart home devices. Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Internet of

Things (IoT) have been around, but this year will bolster their presence further into our lives. The wheel of life has turned another rotation with generous science fiction references from the past or simpler times, as we like to call it. Technology makes life simpler, and while the developed world orders its essentials through Amazon Alexa while warming up to the latest electric car offering from Tesla, countries like India rejoice at the ever expanding universe of high-speed data and access to transparent information. Augmented Reality has made it possible to sit anywhere and watch a creation come alive: imagine being inside a home that you want built, or how that sofa will fit in the living room. Robots, on the other hand, have taken over the Mercedes-Benz factory at Rastatt in Germany, and are producing the entire assembly line of A-Class cars on their own. Whether fiction borrows from real life or life imitates art—in this MAXIMINDIA.IN

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case sci-fi literature—is debatable, but writers’ imaginations have always found a way into reality some years down the line. Jules Verne had started freaking people out with stories of man going to the moon more than a hundred years before it actually happened, way back in 1865. Netflix hit Black Mirror’s grim take on life in the near future is way too mainstream in comparison to Verne’s prophecy 153 years ago. Science fiction has this unique ability to blow minds collectively, the barriers of age, gender, language or nationality notwithstanding. I was merely a teenager when I came across Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series, where the prolific Russia-born American writer’s wits were at their peak, looking at life in the 12th millennium. Going by his incredible hit rate with the sheer number of predictions that have already come true, one wouldn’t be surprised if his theories check out in the far future as well. Visiting the World’s Fair of 1964, Asimov wrote in the New York Times, glancing through the exhibit put up by General Electric that he “enjoyed it hugely and only regretted that they had not carried the scenes into the future. What will life be like, say, in 2014 AD, 50 years from now?” If at all, he may have been off with his predictions by a few years, for most of them had already been in use four years ago. Take, for instance, his prophecy of kitchens being filled with units that’d prepare “automeals” like instant coffee, or his musing after visiting the IBM exhibit. While we discuss the inevitable arrival of robotics in 2018, Asimov noticed the absence of robots half a century ago, but could sense it by having a look at the computers, which could only translate one language into another back then. “If machines are that smart today, what may not be in the works 50 years hence? It will be such computers, much miniaturised, that will serve as the brains of robots,” he wrote. We have been surrounded by such “miniaturised” computers for quite sometime now, in the form of mobile phones and the recent onslaught of wearable devices. The AI system that gives credence to these wearables takes it into the realm of robotics itself, but what he wrote next would make the hair on the back of your necks stand on end. “In fact, the IBM building at the 2014 World’s Fair may have, as one of its prime exhibits, a robot housemaid—large, clumsy, slowmoving but capable of general picking-up, arranging, cleaning and manipulation of various appliances. It will undoubtedly amuse the fairgoers to scatter debris over the floor in order to see the robot lumberingly remove it and classify it into ‘throw away’ and ‘set aside.’” iRobot’s Roomba and Baava are designed to do just that, with the company’s name being another reference to an Asimov book, without what would be considered fat shaming a machine. Asimov seems to have predicted a majority of modern developments in that report. From the mundane bus lane in city highways to counter the rising global population to wireless charging and 3D television, and technology to detailing how a spaceship ought to have reached the surface of Mars by 2014, he is just one of several writers who seem to have shaped the future that we are witnessing. 68

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In Philip K. Dick’s The Minority Report, which later spawned the Tom Cruise-starring movie, he details the advancement of touchscreen technology and heads-up displays, and even targeted advertising, which have become the norm on social media. Arthur C. Clarke wrote about video calling in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, all the way back in 1968. In Edward Bellamy’s 1888 utopia Looking Backward, the protagonist falls asleep in 1887 and wakes up in 2000 to find out that cards are used as money. Plastic money was already in use 18 years ago, but the recent surge of Cryptocurrency is where modern finance is heading, with the value of Bitcoin shooting through the roof and other players scampering to roll out their own versions. It is not the actual currency but the mind-boggling tech behind it that stands out. While people around the world grapple with the thought of no part of their lives being “safe” in the age of cyber theft and security, blockchain—the marvel behind keeping all your data encrypted and, therefore, secure—works tirelessly behind the scenes. While essentially a decentralised form or recording every digital transaction without the dangers of being hacked into, technology companies are working towards creating customised blockchains for their customers. Not only revolutionising the way financial transactions take place in the future by stringing together data that cannot be tampered with, blockchain technology stands to benefit a number of other industries vital to human welfare, including healthcare and nanotechnology. By making the system more transparent, blockchain stands to weed out counterfeiting of drugs at the supply chain as the entire flow of transactions can be traced back to its origin, while also stopping billed and unperformed treatments altogether. Ever wondered about the astronomical charges one has to incur at a hospital without knowing about any of it? The underlying technology behind blockchain has so far appeared to be completely contrary

to the usual negative image most financial institutions have carried. And, while people closer home worry about their private information being leaked during a task as massive as linking all your private information to a central system, blockchains stand to empower the end-consumer as banks alone cannot deal with multiple transactions once Internet of Things becomes the norm. While the cream of science fiction authors seem to have lagged behind the blockchain phenomenon (can’t fault them for it), newer writers have caught up with it, although Bitcoin was first introduced as a Cryptocurrency back in 2009. While AI-infused bots continue to make inroads into becoming a member of the average household, the ever-expanding global population—coupled with the dangers of severely depleting oil reserves— has set the need for alternative fuel options to power transportation. Tesla set the benchmark by introducing a range of stylish electric vehicles, but there is still a long way to go in deciding whether electricity will power the automobile of the future. And as Uber tries to prepare a fleet of flying cars to sort out city traffic, Asimov pats himself on the back once again. As mobile wallets became the primary choice of transaction amongst city dwellers, the habits of the urban populations continue to evolve, one of the biggest setbacks for traditional media and movie studios. The barrage of video-on-demand services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar or Sony Liv, coupled with a slew of web content, has brought the love of television back, which could also signal the end for cinema halls. And, yet, in Asimov’s concluding lines were the essence in the pursuit of technological advancement: “One thought that occurs to me is that men will continue to withdraw from nature in order to create an environment that will suit them better.” While the world continues to come closer through the internet, video calling, cellphones and the social network, we continue to build systems that keep us rooted to our respective homes, even as robots take over our jobs. MAXIMINDIA.IN

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ABOVE Known as the Spectre Defender, this vehicle is one of 10 made for the James Bond film Spectre and one of the lucky few to have survived the shoot. The vehicle is a double cab and features a snorkel that allows it to wade through deep water. OPPOSITE Queen Elizabeth II has been a longtime Land Rover owner and driver (and even mechanic).

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THE MAKING OF A

LEGEND

Land Rover was born from a driftwood sketch on a Welsh beach seven decades ago, manifested via British ingenuity, and built into a dominant global brand. Much has changed along the way—and even more has stayed the same. Text by NICOLAS STECHER

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s with anything in life, context is everything. To understand the genesis of Land Rover, one first must survey the smouldering landscape of its birthplace in Great Britain. It was 1947, just a few years removed from the devastation of WWII. The nation lay in rubble, infrastructure destroyed, factories barely powering back up under heavy limitations on materials, energy, and capital. This is the setting where, on an overcast beach in Wales, brothers Maurice and Spencer Wilks found themselves discussing their next move. As board members of one of the largest automakers in the land, the Rover Car Company, there was little room for error. Rover was then known for building sprawling luxury cars, for which there was now zero demand. Maurice grabbed a piece of driftwood, bent over the golden sand, and sketched the outline of a Jeep-like vehicle. “This,” he said, looking up at his brother as he roughly outlined the small truck. “This is what we’re going to build.” That this sandy image looked a lot like a Jeep was no

coincidence. While labouring on and clearing his Anglesey farm, Maurice had fallen in love with a surplus military Willys, his doeverything beast of choice. Taking inventory of the countless obstacles that his company— and the nation at large—would have to overcome to slog their way out of the war-torn decade, Maurice’s idea was a wise one. “The country just came out of a massive war; it was victorious, yet the entire area was on its knees. The industry was down, there were massive issues overall, and literally no running economy,” says director of Jaguar Land Rover Classic Tim Hannig. “And so they said, ‘Look, we need to try to do something that can be a tool to help get this country back on its feet—or let’s say its wheels,’” Hannig says. “A go-anywhere, do-anything vehicle. And that was its sole purpose; it was nothing but to get around in it and be as flexible and versatile as possible.” Compounding complications was the asphyxiating rationing of raw materials. The war industry had swooped up most available steel, making the metal rare and prohibitively expensive. Yet,

Evolving into an expedition to push Land Rover off-road vehicles—and the men brave enough to drive them—to their limits, the Camel Trophy brought these rugged vehicles to some of the harshest locations on earth, such as Papua New Guinea and the Amazon.

Ends Of The Earth As the chariot of choice for traversing the fading British colonial empire, Land Rover had established its off-roading foundations early on. But the brand set itself apart with a series of expeditions that immediately separated it from all pretenders. In 1954, Land Rover participated in the Oxford and Cambridge Trans-Africa Expedition, in which two teams of university students raced 86-inch Land Rover Series I station wagons across 40,000 km of Africa, from Egypt to Cape Town and back. The following year, the Oxford and Cambridge Far Eastern Expedition travelled from London to Singapore, an absolutely brutal, never-before-done campaign that defined Land Rover’s abilities to plumb well beyond the edges of civilisation. Harnessing this pedigree, Rover returned for the British Trans-Americas Expedition in 1971 and 1972 to prove the off-road integrity of its nascent Range Rover model. The punishing

voyage traversed 29,000 km from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, crossing harrowing terrain including the roadless Darién Gap, previously thought to be impenetrable. Led by the British military, the team bridged the Panama and Colombia border and later crossed the finish line in Chile. In 1980, the most famous Rover-centric expedition, the Camel Trophy, was born. It soon earned the title “the Olympics of off-roading.” Developed to demonstrate the surreal capability of off-road vehicles, every year the Camel Trophy aimed to conquer the Earth’s most remote corners. In 1981, several

teams crawled their way through 1,600 km of Sumatran jungles. Then eight teams crossed Papua New Guinea. The topography the Camel Trophy attempted to negotiate was so challenging it famously forced teams to work together to survive, fording dangerous rivers and penetrating uncharted rain forests. Expeditions through Zaire, Borneo, Australia, Madagascar, Siberia, and Sulawesi followed. It is here, under the crucible of the planet’s most trying terrain, that Land Rover matured from sturdy off-road machine into the unrivalled icon that it is today.

In front of the Packington Estate, the and-whites—mud-splattered and overcoming aluminium, widely used in the suddenly vanished Range Rover Sport (left) and the Range unbreachable obstacles—that was no object airplane industry—was in surplus. So the Wilks Rover (right) flank the 1948 Land Rover of design. Or rather, it was an object of pure brothers designed this four-wheel-drive prototype Series I Amsterdam Motor Show vehicle, one of the first Land Rovers and an design, of an almost Bauhausian obedience to around what was available, using steel only where inspiration for its successors, including function over form. Make it capable to an ideal, absolutely necessary (e.g., chassis, bulkhead, and the current model lineup. use as many bin parts as you can, and make it as engine), and incorporating only the simplest light affordable as possible. alloy body panels to circumvent expensive presses. For the first years of the Land Rover’s To optimise the vehicle for export, and to jumpstart existence, every few weeks tweaks were British industry, the mandate was to use as many made. Created in just 12 months, its design, Rover parts as possible, especially expensive R&D construction, and production all evolved on components like the gearbox and 1.6-litre fourthe fly. So a Land Rover built in April could be significantly different cylinder engine. They even shaved pennies with the paint, a hue than one built in August. “There was no luxury behind it; there was dubbed Grasmere Green, reputed to have been salvaged from no performance behind it,” notes Hannig. “It was purely and only surplus aeronautics. about capability.” So, the Wilkses built a rough prototype with central steering, The Land Rover’s capability was so pure and pervasive (52 both to save money, by not having to develop both left- and righthorsepower, 10 kmpl, 100 kmph top speed) that word of this feisty hand drive models, and to appeal to tractor-acclimated farmers. British four-wheeler spread like a postwar meme. During that era, Development was accelerated beyond comprehension: From that England was still profoundly connected to its commonwealth, so first beach sketch, the vehicle was designed, engineered, tested, exports to Australia, New Zealand, India, and throughout Africa and produced in one calendar year. It debuted in April 1948 at the exploded; within a year they were exporting to nearly 70 nations. Amsterdam Motor Show. The initial 48 preproduction vehicles were This is where the Land Rover mythos was made, rolling over the a landmark. What came next not even Maurice could have dreamed in the vast Serengeti in search of big game; clawing its way through uncharted jungles chased by locals; breaching golden Saharan happiest moments pulling stumps on his Welsh farm. “It hit like dunes; whisking Winston Churchill or Queen Elizabeth or Ernest lightning, with a demand they had never anticipated,” Hannig says. “They just could not make them fast enough.” Hemingway to the edge of the empire. It is said that for one third And so the Land Rover was born. The boxy, crude, 8-bit stamped of the world’s population, the Land Rover was the first mechanised metal creature you’ve fallen in love with through grainy blackvehicle they ever saw. MAXIMINDIA.IN

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Special Utility Vehicular Expertise

The Holland & Holland edition, a collaboration between Land Rover and the firearm brand, featured a leather-trimmed, aluminium gun locker located in the trunk—ideal for storing a pair of shotguns or rifles. The limited-edition Range Rover’s door handles have intricately carved designs, including the Holland & Holland logo and signature acanthus scroll.

Roll around the palm-studded boulevards of Los Angeles in the apex Range Rover model, the SVAutobiography, and you’ll enjoy an intoxicating degree of luxury —one usually reserved for the TMZ-baiting crowd. Developed by Jaguar Land Rover’s esteemed Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) unit, the interior is the apotheosis of luxury for an SUV (e.g., foldout aluminium tray tables, champagne cooler, sliding panoramic roof, electric sunblinds, etc.), powered by a growling 550- or 557-horsepower supercharged V-8. While unwanted attention is minimised thanks to subtle exterior badging and famously reserved British styling, first-class attention from valets is still all but guaranteed. But because enough is never enough in the rarefied world of ultra-luxe, the SVO team develops even further considered vehicles for those seeking, well, more. One such opus, the exclusive Holland & Holland edition, elevates bespoke attention to the next level. The collaboration with the venerated British gunmaker is finished in Holland & Holland’s signature green custom paint formulation, and features an interior swathed in deep espresso and tan leather, the buttery hide covering acres of cabin including the dashboard, doors, and transmission tunnel. French walnut-veneer trim accents the interior and comes from a single piece of wood, much like the stocks on a pair of oil-rubbed Holland & Holland rifles or shotguns. To further advance the brand messaging, the Holland & Holland logo can be found carved into the console, intricately engraved onto pull handles along with an acanthus scroll design, embroidered on seats, and on door and tailgate badges. There are deployable walnut tables in the reclining Executive Class seats in the back, as well as a 29-speaker Meridian Audio stereo and mood lighting. The most singular element of the Holland & Holland Range Rover edition, however, is the aluminium rifle and shotgun cabinet tucked in the trunk. The leather-trimmed locker is lined in matching espresso Alcantara, and is custom-built to neatly store a pair of firearms for weekend trips into the misty countryside. Harris Tweed hunting jackets are not included!

As many as 150 varietals were available from the factory during that decade, including ambulances, pickups, armoured cars and lightweight versions built for airdropped delivery. Maybe 50 were built with welding stations installed to work on trains and remote repairs, as were 340 fire engines, fully equipped with pumps, hoses, and flashing red beacons. One delivered to Norway in 1953 was only recently retired. Thanks to an entrepreneurial Scottish company that configured Land Rovers with tank-like treads to better negotiate the sodden soil, the Cuthbertson edition was born.

gear. By 1959, the 250,000th Land Rover rolled off the assembly line, and by April 1966, sales had doubled to a half million. “It actually started off as a tool. And I think this is important to understand: The undisputable emotional connection that people have with Land Rover is not necessarily because the car is so special mechanically or technically, but it is because of what memories they have with the car,” says Hannig. “The Land Rover is the car that people learned to drive in on their farms, that rescued them from lions in water holes, that actually brought the help when they were in trouble and rescued them out of the snow. It’s the Land Rover that did it. So this emotional love affair people have with Land Rover is all about what you can do through one. The car is a pretty rough tool, and it always was a pretty rough tool.” Hannig pauses for a moment, before adding: “All that changed with the Range Rover; that is a different animal.”

Enter The Series II As utilitarian as the Land Rover was, it soon became apparent the company would have to build a newer model with a diesel option, which was the preferred fuel on farms. The Series I was also rough around the edges and even rougher on riders. “I do not want to discredit anything that was ever done by the The Dawn Of The Luxury SUV company, but it wasn’t the smoothest of all rides,” Hannig admits with a tinge of guilt, as if mentioning any Rover deficiency were After decades of relative global dominance, Land Rover knew it was time to make its next sketch in the sand, and the company’s some sort of British sacrilege. “So they needed to sort all the issues inner circle set out to develop a more civilised utility vehicle. they accumulated with it and create an upgraded version.” Under the leadership of Gordon Bashford and In 1958, the Series II debuted, retroactively Charles Spencer “Spen” King, Land Rover dubbing its predecessor the Series I. The standard began experimenting with a more comfortable, wheelbase increased from 80 inches to 88. A car-like vehicle that still offered the same bigger rear window, non-scratch glass, and off-road capability. A decade earlier, Bashford rounded quarter rear windows were added for Land Rover created a special Defender had experimented with one that used Rover’s better visibility, as were such luxuries as exterior for Sir Paul Smith, a fan and life-long station wagon as its base, but that experiment door handles and locks. It was made easier to owner. It featured bespoke hand-finished halted in 1958. In 1966, it began anew. drive, thanks to a new synchromesh gearbox that artwork inside, and a unique set of 27 Regardless of Land Rover’s worldwide eliminated the need to double clutch into second colours for the exterior.

ABOVE

McGovern embodied the philosophy by success, in the US, Jeep was king. And as the 1960s The Range Rover Velar fits between the reducing the Range Rover’s aesthetics to only wore on, other proto-SUVs, like the International entry-level Evoque and the Range Rover Sport in the brand’s current lineup, the most necessary elements. Harvester Scout, Ford Bronco and Chevy Blazer, positioning the company as a strong Unnecessary lines were deleted, extraneous were also making noise. And, presumably, doing contender for superiority in the luxury bells and whistles removed; the Velar is Range so for far less money than the British product. So SUV category that features competitors like BMW’s X5 and Porsche’s Macan. Rover distilled into its purest form. “Everything under the code name Velar (derived from the Latin is left bare, carved from the solid; it’s more for “to veil” or “to cover”), Bashford, King, and OPPOSITE about taking what you’ve got and honing them company built 26 prototypes, camouflaged at the The Spectre Defender was built by the SVO, then sent to specialist tuning to precision,” says McGovern of the Velar, and time to hide them not only from nosy pedestrians company Bowler, which boosted the more holistically of Range Rover’s reductionist but also dubious Rover board members. power and suspension and fit massive mandate. And one can expect that as each Finally, in June of 1970, Land Rover unveiled 37-inch tyres. model evolves into its next generation, this the Range Rover. Bearing an unrivalled suspension modernisation will work its way across the of long-travel coil springs, permanent four-wheel Range Rover landscape. Might the already drive with a vacuum-operated centre differential, gorgeous Evoque be next? a 3.5-litre V-8, and safety technology such as disc But don’t get it twisted: The Velar is not brakes and seat belts, the Range Rover—much like a precious objet d’art. “My job as the sort of its Land Rover predecessor—revolutionised the spiritual leader of the brand is not just about where I’m taking automotive landscape. For the first time, a truly capable off-road the brand visually. When it comes to design, it isn’t just about the vehicle boasted car-like handling and manners. appearance; it’s about the way it functions, it’s about the versatility, The simple, clean-line design of the Range Rover was so it’s about the way you use the vehicle. Design and engineering are revolutionary that it garnered awards and was displayed at the at one,” McGovern argues. As McGovern is aware, design may be Louvre as a totem of superb design. When the Range Rover was the most salient factor in Range Rover’s newest, shiniest model, but finally introduced to the US in March 1987, it offered real luxuries— it is hardly the most important one. Those who know what defines novel in a truck—like power seats, a leather-swathed interior, wood a Land Rover—well, they know. They look at any Range Rover and trim and a premium stereo. The age of the luxury SUV was born. see right past the sumptuous leather and walnut comforts, the intricately knurled aluminium switchgear, high-tech gadgetry, and Addition By Subtraction other indulgences, and see instead a tool of great utility. One that Now with its latest clean-sheet model, Range Rover segues into was engineered not with luxury as its sole motivation but rather a new phase in its design paradigm. With the Velar—named in an undying directive to be the most useful, dutifully capable, and homage to those first veiled prototypes—the goal of Land Rover’s unstoppable off-road vehicle on the planet. chief design officer, Gerry McGovern, was to modernise the brand’s And while it’s unlikely most will ever know about Maurice Wilks DNA, in the truest sense of the word. In the vein of modernism, and his sketch on that soggy Welsh sand, they most definitely will which transformed the visual language of architecture, furniture feel his mandate. design, fine art, fashion, music, and more in the mid-20th century, MAXIMINDIA.IN

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TRAVEL

Reclaim Your Peace These authentic destinations are better than you can imagine, closer than you think and offer a break from urbanity. Text by ANITA RAO KASHI

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The lush greens and simple life of Gushaini in Himachal.

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A foggy, morning view of the mountains from Morni.

hether you know it or not, you’re probably in a state of sensory overload—the smell of the city, the cacophony of cellphones and traffic, the sight of your boss’ face. What you probably need is misty mornings, crisp breezes and hot tea. Thankfully, India’s vastness and topographical diversity mean that there’s something for every kind of soul. Here are a few places, picked from all corners of the country, where you can get away for a few days.

MAWLYNNONG Meghalaya In Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, amidst the lush green valleys, is the little village of Mawlynnong, about 80 km south of the capital, Shillong. Staying in the village, walking around the narrow lanes and soaking up the ambience of the bamboo houses on stilts framed by lovely hills in the background is surreal. Mawlynnong takes cleanliness very seriously, and you’ll see bamboo baskets to collect waste spread throughout the village—the locals take it upon themselves to collectively follow the rules. Go outside the village and look at the living root bridges, a heritage of Meghalaya. Made of intertwined rubber plant roots and branches, these are bridges made by the locals and are a natural means to cross streams and rivulets that flow through the entire region. There are also plenty of trekking paths, waterfalls and postcard-worthy sunsets. GUSHAINI Himachal Pradesh The Kullu district is a picturesque region with towering, snowcovered Himalayan peaks, green meadows, blue skies and crisp air. 80 MARCH 2018

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It is precisely for these reasons that the area is very popular with tourists, but it is heartening that there are still pockets in the region that are less explored and ideal for a quiet getaway. One such place is the little village of Gushaini, an enchanting place set against the dramatic backdrop of the Himalaya and in the valley through which the Tirthan river flows. It is idyllic, surrounded by many small waterfalls, hidden temples and vistas made for exploration. The valley is also a great place for long walks between plantations and farmland. For avid anglers, the Tirthan, a tributary of the Beas, as well as other streams, are ideal for trout fishing; trekkers will revel in the paths that provide scenes of immense natural beauty. There are also plenty of activities, including rafting and rock climbing. Also worth visiting is the Himalayan National Park, known for its avian biodiversity and 30 species of mammals.

MORNI Haryana With dew still fresh on the grass, gentle ripples on the water surface which mildly distort the reflection of surrounding hills in the early morning sun and the welcome cacophony of bird calls, Morni, located in the middle of the Shivalik ranges in Haryana, is a great wake-up-at-dawn place. At over 3,600 feet, it is probably the only hill station in Haryana, and is a beautiful location with diverse flora and wildlife, though the presence of pine trees may initially strike you as odd. A breathtaking drive and the remains of an ancient fort complement the treks and mountaineering you can launch into. There are also two interconnected lakes, called Tikkar Taal, ideal for picnics. For history buffs, the excavated remains of a 12th century temple on the shore of the lake may be of interest.

The famous Root Bridge at Mawlynnong in Meghalaya.

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COURTALLAM Tamil Nadu Driving into Courtallam (known locally as Kuttrallam) can be a bit of a surreal experience. At first, it looks like any little town in the middle of the Western Ghats, but as soon as you arrive in the town, it is evident that this is a unique place. In the centre of town is a massive waterfall called the Main Falls, which cascades for over 150 feet over giant rocks and boulders. It is among nearly a dozen waterfalls that are hidden in the hills around Courtallam, though only five are accessible to the public. To the west, approached by a narrow, winding road is Five Falls, so named because the water splits into five branches, and rushes through thick forests populated by hordes of monkeys and the occasional Malabar giant squirrel. About eight kilometres to the northeast is Old Falls, surrounded by lush green vegetation, coconut groves and blue-green hills rising into the sky. The waterfalls tumble over a sheer rock face from 200 feet but are not voluminous. In comparison, the remaining two, Tiger Falls and Small Falls, are of less intensity and visual impact. If all the water gets a bit overwhelming, head to the Horticulture Park near Five Falls.

A tiny village on the road north of Mokokchung in Nagaland.

The Old Falls in Kuttrallam in Tamil Nadu.

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ZIRO Arunachal Pradesh This little village in the lower ranges of the Himalaya in Arunachal Pradesh emerged from obscurity when it became the venue for the popular music festival. But Ziro has much more—located in a picturesque valley, it is literally hidden and its charm is in its culture and living heritage. Early every morning, one can witness both women and men of the local Apatani tribe leave for their farms in the valley and hilly slopes, to practise a unique agriculture system, called wet rice cultivation in which no farm animals, machines or modern methods are used. And, yet, they manage to use every inch of arable land. It is a pleasure to see the terraced rice fields surrounded by bamboo groves and framed by hills and meadows. There are many places to visit nearby, such as the Pange river and Manii Polyang, a group of interesting hillocks. For some vigorous yet noise-free activity, trek to Talley valley. MOKOKCHUNG Nagaland About six hours’ drive north of the capital, Kohima, Mokokchung is seemingly far away from urbanity. Located entirely on a hill, it is the stronghold of the fiercely martial Ao Naga tribe. The eponymous Mokokchung district is home to a cluster of scattered villages with such musical sounding, if not tongue-twisting, names as Chuchuyimlang and Mopungchuket, each with its own set of mythical stories and legends. Walking around the little town or one of the remote villages in the area, it is quickly evident that the log drum is an integral part of its heritage—almost every village has one or more and they are beaten during festivals or to summon meetings; they were used to alert the village about attacks and rouse villagers to battle but are now ceremonial. Also front and centre in the villages is the morung, a large bamboo structure where young boys were required to live, eat and sleep in dormitories till marriage. There’s plenty to do in Mokokchung town itself, not limited to long walks or climbing the watchtower for fabulous panoramic views of the valleys beyond.

The rolling hillsides of Munnar in Kerala.

Nakki Lake at Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

MOUNT ABU Rajasthan Rajasthan is known mostly for its desert landscapes. But in the midst of such topography is Mount Abu, literally an oasis. Located almost on the state’s border with Gujarat, it is a massive plateau rising almost 4,000 feet from the plains, with the highest point towering past 5,650 feet. It is bound to surprise the first-time visitor with its abundance of rivers, streams, lakes and waterfalls, as well as thick forests. It is also heartening that Mount Abu is scenic through the year but is especially beautiful after the monsoon, when everything is lush and green, and mist adds an element of drama. The most popular thing to do here is to lay back and recoup. Mount Abu is also home to ancient Jain temples and the 14th-century Achalgarh Fort with Nakki Lake in the middle, which is quite an eyeful. MUNNAR Kerala In the middle of the hills of East Kerala is Munnar, amidst rolling hillsides interspersed with carpets of emerald green tea plantations. At every turn, the landscape is so arresting that the montage can get a bit overwhelming. The best way to get the most of Munnar is to take long walks. For a change of pace, head to Echo Point, about 15 kilometres from Munnar, a beautiful lake surrounded by hills where even the slightest sound is an echo. Visit Top Station, about 35 kilometres from Munnar, for sweeping vistas of valleys hidden by clouds and mist, which dramatically lift and cosset everything.

Rice fields in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh.

If you are looking for more, there’s Devikulam lake, a lovely body of water where Sita is believed to have taken a dip; or the remote Kolukkumalai, the highest tea plantation in the country accessible only by an SUV (but which makes for a superb trek). Munnar is ideal because it lets you set your own pace.

IGATPURI Maharashtra For Indians having grown up on a hefty dose of Bollywood movies, Igatpuri will look very familiar. Located amidst the backdrop of tall Sahyadri peaks, Igatpuri is surrounded by beautiful green grasslands, many of which also have ruined forts. In between, there’s thick greenery and little streams and rivulets. Predictably, it is the location for many movie shoots. Despite being located on a busy railway line, Igatpuri is often ignored by tourists, which makes it ideal for a quiet getaway. The most spectacular trek is to the Tringalwadi Fort, or you could head to Arthur Lake, which is nice for a picnic as well. Igatpuri is also home to Vipassana and is a good place for those seeking intense meditation sessions. More hardcore adventure seekers will find rock climbing and rappelling options. If you don’t have the time to head out, close your windows, play some smooth jazz and pour yourself a drink. If you have plants, just water them and gaze away. It’s as good as any place on earth. MAXIMINDIA.IN

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All In The

Eyes

After a breakthrough year, expect to see model and up-and-coming actress Lana Zakocela’s transfixing gaze everywhere. Text by SARAH HORNE GROSE Photographed by GILLES BENSIMON

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mega yacht in the Mediterranean is a long way from the small town in Latvia where Lana Zakocela was born. But that’s just where the 5'8" beauty found herself last spring, shooting the campaign for Antonio Banderas Fragrances’ perfume Queen of Seduction. Zakocela, who arrived in England by bus when she was just 16, has been working in Europe, the US, and beyond ever since, modelling for the likes of Australian Cosmopolitan, revealing her impossibly toned physique in moody editorials for French magazines including Madame Figaro, and now, dodging sea snakes in St. Barts for her sultry cover with Maxim. But something clicked when she stepped in front of the camera with Banderas for the video and print campaign. “Antonio and I worked together for four days,” she says. “At the time, I had a boyfriend, and he didn’t want me to be an actress because they have quite crazy lives. But Antonio said, ‘You have to do this. It doesn’t matter about your accent.’ ” So these days, the brunette is pursuing her dream, and stays up late in her Battery Park apartment reading Shakespeare for her classes at New York’s Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. She knows, of course, that the path from model to actress has been heavily worn. “My teachers, they hate models,” she laughs. For now, she has fully committed to her studies there, only booking shoots in nearby locations like the Caribbean on two days of the workweek. It’s been a whirlwind year for Zakocela, both personally and professionally. Last fall, she split with the aforementioned “boyfriend,” diplomat and entrepreneur Justin Etzin, just over a year after the pair were married in a lavish, four-day celebration in Florence (they were serenaded by Craig David, and a troupe of Cirque du Soleil–calibre acrobats performed). After the breakup, says Zakocela, “I decided for three months to disappear from the New York scene. I went to Paris. You find out who is truly your friend. Everyone is texting ‘Let’s have dinner,’

‘Let’s have lunch.’ Those people wouldn’t even care if something happens to me. I have to really stop and evaluate everything.” She’s taken to painting and is learning to play the piano. And lest you imagine that she’d love to be typecast as a bombshell, Zakocela insists she’s serious about the craft of acting. “I don’t want to do this without getting into theatre first, because everyone is going to be like, ‘She’s got it so easy.’ ” She cites Charlize Theron, who has transformed her appearance for several films, as a role model. “I wouldn’t be afraid to do anything to truly live the character. I really respect that.” In fact, Zakocela’s life has not been easy, she says. She was raised by her grandmother, who died when Lana was only 13, leaving her in the care of her uncle. She says her childhood was a struggle. “Most actors have broken pasts…People don’t want to hear that; they want to hear you have a nice, fancy life. They don’t want to hear what you went through. But I have expressive eyes—I think you can see there is more to me.” Until she lands a role that challenges her, she will continue to model. She’s not afraid to push boundaries, but says that for many years, “I didn’t want to do all the super sexy stuff. I always felt, not shy, but it’s a funny thing to put on high heels and underwear for a magazine. You can do that in a bedroom with your man.” If she’s going to be provocative, she prefers that there be some mystery left. “[Magazines today] make it so open. They leave no space for imagination. I’m more European. I’ll shoot underwear, but it’s sophisticated.” Now single, she says her ideal man is “very well-educated, very sensitive. A man who wants to take on the world. To work hard, to create something, to evolve. I don’t just mean a career; it’s deeper than that. I want the type of man who can make me better. And not just be like, ‘Oh, there’s another blonde model, let me go for that.’ I have to make sure the person appreciates me for who I am and understands where I am coming from.” Beauty, after all, is a curious thing. “I don’t even know what beauty is. It’s all about mathematical balance. I feel I am very lucky and I really appreciate it. I think, ‘Why me?’ ”

“I have expressive eyes—I think you can see there is more to me.”

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THIS PAGE Crystal and leather necklace REGINA DABDAB. Gold chains with pendants CHROME HEARTS. PREVIOUS PAGE Sequined swimsuit NEW LOOK.

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THIS PAGE Embroidered mousseline dress JOHN GALLIANO. Gold knit dress MELISSA ODABASH. Pink-gold and diamond mini hoop earrings STONE PARIS. Gold chain CHROME HEARTS.

THIS PAGE Embroidered mousseline dress JOHN GALLIANO FACING PAGE Cotton scarf HERMÈS

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THIS PAGE Gold body chain CHROME HEARTS. FACING PAGE Mini hoop earrings TALITHA. Necklace STONE PARIS. Snake bracelet GAS BIJOUX. Top MES DEMOISELLES. Shorts PEPE JEANS.

Styling by CAROLINE CHRISTIANSSON Make-up by LESLIE LOPEZ Hair by PUJOL JONATHAN

HOT NEWS

MUMBAI WEEKENDER

Head to the Waterstones Hotel for a luxe experience. Soak up some sun in the heart of Mumbai at Waterstones Hotel, a property under the umbrella of Mars Hospitality. A befitting paradise, the hotel has a day full of varied experiences waiting for you. Let the Olympic-sized swimming pool lure you for a swim or give in to the finest pleasures of the world as you sink into a leather chair with a book of your choice from Old English Library. After a long day’s activities at the Waterstones Club, enjoy a coffee at The Upper Lobby Lounge or a drink at the handsome hotel bar, On the Rocks. From plush interiors complete with luxe amenities, to soaking tubs and stunning views and lawns, each of their theme-based rooms are well planned. Sometimes, all an ever-busy corporate traveller really needs apart from a crisp suit and laptop is a power-packed breakfast to start the day. Waterstones Hotel’s large breakfast spread and amenities are tailor-made perfectly for the suit-and-tie variety. For the discerning business traveller, the property also plays home to businessmen from across the globe. A sun-lit lobby that provides a workspace with newspapers and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves stuffed with books, an excellent in-house restaurant, and a small gym area for those who don’t want to lose fitness while they’re away from home, the Waterstones Hotel is a recommendation indeed.

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CREDITS CONTENTS p. 4: Cocktail, courtesy of The Connaught Bar. Car, courtesy of Land Rover. HOW TO DRINK LIKE A LONDONER pp. 10-11: Image courtesy of The Connaught Bar. p. 12: Bar Interior, The Milestone Stables Bar. Cocktails, images courtesy of The Connaught Bar. MAKING IT LOOK EASY p. 16: Ian Gavan/Getty Images. SLEEPING IN THE BUFF p. 20: Pelikh Alexey/ Shutterstock.com. TAWNY JORDAN pp. 26-29: TJ SWIM tjswim.com. PULL YOUR WEIGHT p. 30: Photographee.eu/ Shutterstock.com. THE AMERICAN EVERYMAN p. 27: Alberto E. Rodriguez/ Getty Images. IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS p. 32: Portrait, Sachin Soni. EXPERIENCE NECESSARY pp. 34-36: Images courtesy of Noble Automotive. THE STING IN THE TAIL pp. 38-39: Images courtesy of VINS. THIS KIT’S GOT FLASH pp. 40-41: Images courtesy of the respective brands. TRENDSETTER pp. 42-43: Images courtesy of Lakme Fashion Week. FREESTYLE p. 44: ARC’TERYX arcteryx.com. SONY sony.co.in. BOGNER bogner.com. GENTEMSTICK gentemstick.com. GORSUCH gorsuch.com. ORTOVOX ortovox. com. BLACK DIAMOND blackdiamondequipment.com. AZTECH aztechmountain.com. TAG HEUER tagheuer.com. MAMMUT mammut.com. HAWAII 2.0 p. 45: DON PAPA donpaparum.com. VUARNET vuarnet.com. DETROIT ATHLETIC CO. detroitathletic.com. LEVI’S levis.in. SAINT LAURENT ysl.com. RIFFE speargun.com. CHRONOSPORT chronosportwatch.com. BODY GLOVE bodyglove.com. LEGACY

MOTORS legacymotorsllc.com. SPERRY sperry.com. DAY TO NIGHT STYLE p. 46: JIMMY CHOO MAN row.jimmychoo.com. MONT BLANC montblanc.com. RAY-BAN ray-ban.com. ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA zegna.us. TURNBULL & ASSER turnbullandasser.com. SALVATORE FERRAGAMO ferragamo.com. TRUEFITT & HILL truefittandhill.in. THIS IS GROUND thisisground.com.

A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN pp. 98-105: THE ARVIND STORE thearvindstore.com. VICTORINOX victorinox.com THOMAS PINK thomaspink.com. PELLE SANTINO thedapperman.in. HACKETT LONDON hackett.com. GUCCI gucci.com. CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN christianlouboutin.com.

RENEW YOU p. 49: SHEPHERD shepherdformen.com. CLARINS int.clarins.com. SISLEY PARIS sisley-paris.com. AFRICAN BOTANICS africanbotanics.com. L’OCCITANE in.loccitane.com. PHILOSOPHY philosophy.com. JUST HERBS justherbs.in. IS CLINICAL isclinical.com. SUSANNE KAUFMANN susannekaufmann.com. VAANI KAPOOR pp. 48-57: WACOAL wacoallingerie.com. JOCKEY jockeyindia.com. PURPLE PAISLEY thepurplepaisleyboutique.com HUNKEMÖLLER hunkemoller.com. SIDDHARTHA TYTLER instagram.com/sidtytler. ANN SUMMERS annsummersstore.co.uk. TRIUMPH triumph.com. THE MAKING OF A LEGEND pp. 72-79: Images courtesy of Land Rover. Vintage image of Queen Elizabeth with Lan Rover, PA Images/Getty Images. RECLAIM YOUR PEACE p. 82: Morni, Neham/ Shutterstock.com. p. 83: Mawlynnong Root Bridge, Nikhil Waila/Shutterstock.com. p. 85: Munnar, Dipansh Dutta/ Shutterstock.com. Nakki Lake, Shivram/Shutterstock.com. Rice Fields, Papiya Banerjee/ Shutterstock.com. ALL IN THE EYES pp. 86-95: REGINA DABDAB reginadabdab.com. CHROME HEARTS chromehearts.com. NEW LOOK newlook.com. JOHN GALLIANO johngalliano.com. MELISSA ODABASH odabash.com. STONE PARIS stoneparis.com. HERMES hermes.com. TALITHA talithacollection.com. GAS BIJOUX gasbijoux.com. MES DEMOISELLES mesdemoisellesparis.com. PEPE JEANS pepejeans.com.

FORM IV (See Rule 8)

Statement of ownership and other details of the magazine Maxim India 1. PLACE OF PUBLICATION: Delhi 2. PERIODICITY: Monthly 3. PRINTER : Xavier Collaco

Nationality: Portugese Address: 803, Angel Paradise, J. B. Mata Road, Amboli, Andheri West, Mumbai—400058 4.PUBLISHER’S NAME: Xavier Collaco Nationality: Portugese Address: 803, Angel Paradise, J. B. Mata Road, Amboli, Andheri West, Mumbai—400058 5.EDITOR’S NAME: Vivek Pareek Nationality: Indian Address: Plot No. 378-379, Udyog Vihar Ph. IV, Gurgaon—122016, Haryana

6. Names and addresses of individuals who own the magazine and partners or shareholders holding more than one per cent of the total capital: M/s Hubert Burda Media India Private Limited, B-1, LGF, Geetanjali Enclave,New Delhi—110017 I, Xavier Collaco, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Sd / Xavier Collaco

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STYLE

A League Of His Own

DILJIT DOSANJH IS A MAN ON A MISSION. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE MULTI-FACETED STAR WHO’S PUSHING THE BOUNDS OF HOMEGROWN MUSIC AND STYLE. Text by MEHER BAJWA Photographs by MUNEESH TARSEM

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Walking to set with a close-knit entourage and a warm, unassuming smile, Dosanjhanwala immediately takes control of the fashion room, bringing out custom-made collars, straight from the costume department of BBC’s hit show Peaky Blinders (no kidding!), and a shoe collection that would rival and probably beat Imelda Marcos’ (for the unacquainted, she’s the former First Lady of The Philippines and infamous proud owner of over a thousand pairs of footwear). He means business. It’s little surprise that he regularly receives the latest designer digs from international houses of fashion around the world before anyone else in India—a fact that comes up during our pre-shoot chat as he tells us about his latest acquistions with genuine passion. If that isn’t proof of his newly-acquired status as a trendsetter, what is? Humming along to the tunes of Frank Sinatra and Miles Davis (a musical intervention he seemed to appreciate), he talks about his affinity to streetwear as opposed to being suited up on a regular basis. “I’m enjoying the shoot today because the collection you guys have got together is great, and I like suits for formal occasions. I’m actually more comfortable in loose clothing that lets me breathe. I do follow a number of stylish men but I feel there’s no one else like me. I wear a turban and my fashion decisions are based on what would look good on me. I’m open to trying all kinds of styles at least once.” Currently a big fan of the French design collective, Vetements, Dosanjh never followed the street style movement when it initially blew up, but realised over time that his personal style was in the same space. “You can give it any name you like, but at the end of the day, it’s about what you like wearing and what you feel good in,” he explains. Insider info: he’s maxed out his credit cards shopping on several occasions and says, “my most expensive and extensive fashion shopping binges have been at Gucci.” Here’s a small town guy with big dreams and a strong drive to perform, who loves and knows his fashion inside out. But that wasn’t always the case. Talking about developing a sense of individuality when it comes to his personal style, he confesses:

“Coming from Punjab, I wasn’t really into brands or high-end fashion. It was quite basic and we weren’t into showing off. We were never taught to and that isn’t my background either. But because I’m in the business that I’m in, I’ve had to make that effort and I’ve learned a lot over time. I try to keep things as simple as possible and I usually style myself.” One of the busiest stars in the entertainment business right now, the “High End” crooner is constantly on the move, flight-hopping several days a week for appearances, film schedules and brand endorsements. A mini rundown of his weekly schedule has us in a tizzy. What’s the secret to all this ener�y? “I drink a lot of milk,” he laughs. “I like working. A lot. I’ll burn out if I get bored or work forcefully, and luckily that isn’t the case right now. I’m very happy making music and movies for the moment. Investing in production and direction will have to wait.” Speaking of work, Dosanjh has a slew of muchanticipated projects releasing over the next few months starting with Sajjan Singh Rangroot this month, hockey biopic Soorma with Taapsee Pannu and, Arjun Patiala with Kriti Sanon later this year. With a digital following that is as crazy as it is expansive (clocking in at over 13 million at the time of printing), one can constantly spot youngsters copping Dosanjh’s signature style when it comes to music and fashion; he truly is a star of the masses, especially among young Punjabis, globally. It’s refreshing to know our man of style manages his own social media accounts and responds to messages and comments personally. “My fans are like my family. They are very important and we are connected every single day via pictures and video messages. It’s not just when I have a song or film to promote, but more of an organic ongoing relationship.” His latest album, Con.Fi.Den.Tial, featuring an ode to his forever crush Kylie Jenner called “High End,” has become an instant chart topper in India, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. His music covers a wide range of genres while focusing on the increasingly popular pop and street R&B segments. Making the Punjabi music scene a culturally cool phenomenon once again, it seems Dosanjh is hellbent on international superstardom and he’s well on his way up that slippery slope, one slider at a time. MAXIMINDIA.IN

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THIS PAGE Bespoke pinstripe suit and custom shirt THE ARVIND STORE. Watch ROLEX. Pocket square THOMAS PINK. Shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN. ON THE COVER Bespoke jacket, shirt, and pants by THE ARVIND STORE. Sliders GUCCI.

Styling by NIKITA JAISINGHANI Shot on location at WESTIN MUMBAI GARDEN CITY MAXIMINDIA.IN

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Diljit jt D h Dosanjh Let e There he e d Be Sound Killer ll Tracks ks For Everyy Secondd Father F Figured? d? Sterling Advice From Moms F M s l m Reclaim Y Peace P e Your h Out The h Shut World o d Here ee l For Style h The Stylish ff Yourr Shuffle G I 10 Game In