In the comfort of her nest

DIPIKA KAKAR, TELEVISION ACTOR

I’ve been in the television industry for a few years now and the last time that I had a weekend off was about two years ago. Working for a daily soap opera does not give you the luxury to pack your bags and plan a much-needed vacation.

However, I am lucky enough to have a day off during the week which I consider as my weekend. Depending on how the shoot for the week goes, my day off can be any day. I usually like to sit at home, unwind and sometimes do absolutely nothing at all.

But cooking is something I love to do. I like experimenting with flavours and creating something delicious makes me very happy. I prepare everything from savouries to sweets. I specially love baking cakes.

I think I fell in love with cooking as both my parents are excellent cooks. They always churn out something new and delicious all the time. Whenever I cook, I call my friends over. Family dinners are also a part of the weekend activities.

When we hangout, we catch up on each other’s lives. We watch movies, play games and basically just be ourselves. Since I live in Mumbai, we also head to Marine Drive and go back to our childhood days. There will always be a ‘cycle-wala’ with chai and snacks for us to satiate our childhood cravings. I love that no matter how much our lives have changed, this small factor has remained the same. Since I am the only girl in the gang, I love to get pampered by everyone (laughs).

I love going on long drives with my fiance Shoaib Ibrahim. Though I enjoy driving, when he is usually with me, I prefer to let him take the wheel. Since we live in the same building, it’s easier for us to make quick plans and do something that we enjoy.

Cuddle, my pet dog, is one of my major stressbusters at home. He is very moody and not too much of a socialite but he has been in my life for three years and I have gotten used to his tantrums. Nevertheless, he knows when I need him and he rushes over to provide comfort. I usually take him to the shooting location with me. He has enough people to take care of him when I am busy, including feeding him! He comes along with Shoaib and me when we go on our drives too.

Though I would love to plan a vacation and unwind, my work schedule doesn’t let me do so. The last memorable holiday I had was when I went to Missouri a couple of years back. Hopefully, I will get some time soon to plan a vacation.

With all the crazy things I do, my ‘alone time’ calls for reading and writing Hindi poems. I am currently reading ‘All About You’ by Joanna Mazurkiewicz. I also enjoy reading Khaled Hosseini’s books. ‘The Kite Runner’ is one of my all-time favourites. As for my poem writing goes, I write about something that I see on a daily basis and what inspires me. It’s a great way to spend my free time.

My idea of a perfect weekend would be to go on long drives to a quiet place and enjoy the serene beauty. I am not a fan of going to crowded and loud places — that’s probably why I prefer to stay at home on my weekends. But if there is good food available, I might consider it. Nevertheless, I think what makes a perfect weekend is how you spend it. I have my own ways of enjoying it and I am happy to do so with my loved ones.

(As told to Anila Kurian)