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Brews and beverages shine at Pandhal Coffee & Brew in Thiruvananthapuram

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Brews and beverages shine at Pandhal Coffee & Brew in Thiruvananthapuram


Pandhal Coffee & Brews in Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Against the backdrop of overlapping coffee fragrances, blended with a sound track of grinding, whistles of steam and keyboards clicking, barista Afeef is calmly preparing a slow brew coffee called V60 tableside at Pandhal Coffee & Brews at Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram.

Cakes, pastries and other sweets inside the illuminated glass shelf overlook as Afeef wets a folded filter paper, placed inside a funnel. Coincidentally, it is the angle at which the filter paper is folded and kept that gives the coffee its name.

This contraption is then placed atop a glass coffee pot, set on a weighing scale for accuracy.

Hot water being poured into the ground coffee while preparing the V60

Hot water being poured into the ground coffee while preparing the V60
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“Four things are important while making a V60— temperature of the water, grain size, pour timing and the ratio between ground coffee and hot water,” Afeef says, putting 18 grams of medium coarse ground coffee from medium dark roasted Arabica beans on the filter paper. He slowly pours around 40 ml of water, 85 degrees Celsius hot, on the ground coffee and waits for a few seconds. This is called the blooming period as the coffee releases carbon dioxide making it more flavourful. Water is poured three or four times at regular intervals leaving around 270 ml of coffee in the pot, before being served.

V60 coffee being made

V60 coffee being made
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

It is important to rinse your palette with hot water before you taste this manually brewed beverage that is ideally consumed without any sugar. The rising steam carries an earthy fragrance, which disappears almost instantly. The first sip of the V60 has a mellow bitter taste that does not overstay its welcome on your palette, as a hint of sweetness slowly comes through. A sip of water and the sweet note sings sweeter, leaving your palette clean. Even if you are not a “coffee lover”, the V60 is worth a try at ₹200.

The menu at Pandhal Coffee & Brew also features other slow brews such as French press, American drip and a 24-hour milk brew, all exclusively available at this outlet. This lone branch in the State capital is the Kochi-based brand’s sole outlet focusing on coffee and beverages. “We wanted to do something beyond cafes and cake shops, which brought us to this concept,” says the branch’s assistant manager Giby Varghese.

Their menu also has plant-based and non-plant-based shakes, exclusive to the branch. These include salted caramel, cheesecake, banana foster (available in both options) and blue spirulina and pineapple, with rates starting from ₹250.

The Blue spirulina and pineapple shake is a plant-based shake containing spirulina, a type of blue-green algae, rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and antioxidants. It also has pineapple, coconut milk and coconut puree, which act as a base for the beverage. Served on a glass rimmed with sugar crystals and a pineapple wedge, the drink is not a typical milkshake. It comes off as a cross between a slushie and a smoothie. The blue spirulina used in powdered form does not add any flavour to the food, allowing tropical fruits like pineapple and coconut to shine. The shake is refreshing and can even be a meal on its own.

Blue spirulina and pineapple shake from Pandhal Coffee & Brew

Blue spirulina and pineapple shake from Pandhal Coffee & Brew
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Their signature brews also include South Indian filter coffee, cinnamon latte, hazelnut latte, and salted pistachio latte, starting from ₹120, and are available with dairy substitutes like coconut milk and oats milk.

South Indian filter coffee from Pandhal Coffee & Brew

South Indian filter coffee from Pandhal Coffee & Brew
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“One of our most popular coffees recently is the South Indian filter coffee made with coconut milk,” says Giby. The filter coffee is served in the typical metal filter coffee tumbler set and has a thinner consistency compared to its classic version. However, the coffee is stronger and does not need any additional sweetener. It has 20 ml of decoction and 100 ml of coconut milk, resulting in an unfamiliar, yet welcome fragrance from the hot beverage.

A fudge tart with a caramel filling containing peanuts and raisins and a buttery, biscuity, flaky crust can be a good combination with the beverages.



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Babil Khan calls idea of starring in Irrfan Khan’s biopic ‘scary’: ‘He lived that darkness, I am just talking about it’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India

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Babil Khan calls idea of starring in Irrfan Khan’s biopic ‘scary’: ‘He lived that darkness, I am just talking about it’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India


Babil Khan, son of the late legendary actor Irrfan Khan, has often used his platform to share heartfelt reflections and memories of his father. The young actor, who is currently garnering praise for his performance in the cyber-thriller Logout, recently addressed the idea of portraying his father in a potential biopic.
In an interview with WION, Babil admitted that while it would be an honour, the idea of stepping into his father’s shoes feels overwhelming at this point in his life.
“I would actually and it would be an honour, but the thought is too scary for me right now. My dada was someone who lived that darkness I was talking about. He actually lived that life. I am just talking about them at the age of 26. He dedicated his entire life to these ideas,” Babil said.
“This is why he could play all these characters without ever ageing on screen. You could never say how old he was. He could be a hundred years old or 20 years old. He never needed VFX. Hence, he could play a serial killer and a hopeless romantic with such ease.”
The Qala actor recently reflected on accusations that he has used his father’s legacy to boost his own career. Speaking with The Lallantop, Babil responded to such criticism, saying, “If that were true, I wouldn’t be going to auditions today. I was simply sharing the love because everyone showed us so much love and support.”

Babil Khan Drops ‘Khan’ Surname

Babil also recalled the profound shift in his life following Irrfan Khan’s passing in 2020. He vividly remembered the day his father’s body was transported from the hospital to the funeral. Despite the pandemic, throngs of grieving fans lined the streets, undeterred by the risk of infection, just to bid farewell to the beloved star.

That moment, Babil said, made him realise how deeply his father was loved by millions. It inspired him to share his grief, memories, and journey with the public, not for fame, but as a tribute to a man who meant so much to so many.





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Masaba Gupta reveals Neena Gupta’s reaction to her ‘Khumaari’ performance in Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan’s ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India

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Masaba Gupta reveals Neena Gupta’s reaction to her ‘Khumaari’ performance in Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan’s ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India


Masaba Gupta has captured attention once more, this time showcasing her captivating performance on screen rather than her fashion sense. She features in the song ‘Khumaari’ from ‘Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story’ of Jallianwala Bagh, a sultry cabaret-style piece set in the 1920s, with music composed by Kavita Seth and Kanishk Seth.
How Masaba Landed the Role
During an interview with SCREEN, Masaba opened up about how she was offered the role, her preparation process, and her willingness to take on similar performances in the future. She revealed that the opportunity came just a week before her wedding in 2023. “Panchami Ghauri, the casting director, called me around that time, and I immediately agreed,” Masaba said. “I’ve been passionate about dance my entire life and have always wanted to do something like this.” She also mentioned that the film’s period setting combined with her love for dance made the offer impossible to resist.
Preparation and Inspiration
She acknowledged the invaluable support of choreographer Vijay Ganguly, her mentor from her Shiamak Davar training days, who helped her refine the routine in less than three days. She mentioned that she envisioned a subtle interpretation inspired by Catherine Zeta-Jones’s style while preparing for the performance.
Neena Gupta’s Reaction
Masaba revealed that her mother, veteran actress Neena Gupta, was genuinely surprised by her dance performance. She expressed amazement at how and when Masaba managed to prepare for it. Despite the shock, Neena was very happy, as she had always believed that Masaba would pursue dancing.
About Kesari Chapter 2
‘Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh’ is a 2025 historical courtroom drama starring Akshay Kumar as Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, who fights British colonial injustice after the 1919 massacre. The film highlights truth, resistance, and justice, featuring a powerful cast and a vintage 1920s setting.





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Akshay Kumar admits criticism hurts sometimes amid Jaya Bachchan’s remarks about Toilet: Ek Prem Katha: ‘People have said, ‘Kuch alag karo’’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India

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Akshay Kumar admits criticism hurts sometimes amid Jaya Bachchan’s remarks about Toilet: Ek Prem Katha: ‘People have said, ‘Kuch alag karo’’ | Hindi Movie News – The Times of India


Akshay Kumar, who is currently riding high on the success of Kesari: Chapter 2, recently opened up about the influence of his socially driven films, how he processes criticism, and what truly scares him in life.
Recalling the societal changes his films have triggered, the actor shared in an interview with Zee Music Company, “I have felt this a lot of times. After watching Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, people started taking toilets seriously and invested in building it at home. Even after Padman, people started talking about periods openly at home.”
He emphasized how the conversations around menstruation became more open within families. “Daughters were able to talk about periods, their pain, and buying sanitary pads with their fathers freely. I also made OMG 2 based on sex education. I talked about how important it is. Jab log inn kahaniyan se relate karte hain and get impressed, it feels gratifying to me as an actor,” Akshay added.
While the superstar values the audience’s love, he admitted that criticism doesn’t always go unnoticed. “Audience hi maalik hai because they pay for the whole thing. When they clap for me, then it’s a motivation and when they criticise, I get to learn as well,” he explained, adding that genuine feedback pushes him to grow.
The actor further stated that audience demand has influenced his choice of films over the years. “It has happened several times when people have said, ‘Kuch alag karo’. So, I tried doing different movies as well. Criticism hurts sometimes, but if it comes from the heart, then it only makes you better.”
His remarks come at a time when veteran actress Jaya Bachchan recently raised concerns about the kind of content being produced in Indian cinema today. She had expressed her disapproval of the film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, particularly criticizing its title. She questioned, “Abhi aap naam bhi dekhiye toh main aisi picturein kabhi na dekhu. Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, yeh koi naam hai? Yeh koi title hai?” She further labeled the film as a “flop,” despite its commercial success and critical acclaim.

Akshay Kumar & Twinkle Khanna Grace Kesari Chapter 2 Screening

On a personal note, Akshay also revealed a fear that goes beyond stunts and action. “Besides falling from a helicopter, my biggest fear is that when I wake up one day and there are no messages. Uss din mujhe lagega ki meri baari khatam hogayi. I am not needed now,” he said.

He concluded with a strong statement about his work ethic, “I think this is the reason why I don’t want to stop. I want to keep on working. It is a small life. I don’t want to rest and make my life smaller. I want it to be bigger. Main tab araam karunga jab iss duniya mein nahi rahunga. In simple words, I’ll keep on working till they have to shoot me down.”





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