After making her mark on Indian television with hits like Mahadev and Naagin, Mouni Roy has successfully stepped into the restaurant business. Partnering with VRO Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., she launched Badmaash in 2023, a bold, contemporary Indian restaurant now open in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Known for its vibrant interiors and elevated Indian street food, Badmaash has earned attention not just for its design but also for its premium pricing, where dishes like Jhalmuri cost Rs 395 and Masala Peanuts Rs 300.
Distinctive style and menu
The restaurant’s interiors carry a jungle-inspired look, filled with lush greenery, earthy tones, and warm lighting that create a cozy yet upscale feel. The Mumbai Andheri outlet is the most popular, often drawing crowds for its photogenic décor and inventive plating.
The menu spans Indian classics and modern twists, priced mostly between Rs 300 and Rs 800. Signature items include Avocado Bhel (Rs 395), Shahi Tukda and Gulab Jamun (Rs 410 each), and a variety of soups and chaats. The restaurant also features a custom cocktail, Mounilicious (Rs 695), a gin-based drink with cucumber, kiwi, lemon, and elderflower, crafted to suit Mouni’s taste for light, non-sweet drinks.
From TV sets to restaurant tables
Mouni credits her husband, Suraj Nambiar, and his VRO partners for introducing her to the hospitality world. She said her dream of owning a café grew from her love for quiet travel moments spent reading over coffee. “Thanks to my husband and his best friends at VRO, I got the opportunity to own a restaurant , and I jumped at it,” she said.
Her inspiration for Badmaash comes from her love of Indian cuisine. “Whenever I travel, I look for good Indian restaurants. We don’t have enough in cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai, so I wanted to change that,” she added.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai’s Juhu
Cricketer Virat Kohli’s One8 Commune continues to make waves for its food and iconic setting, Kishore Kumar’s former bungalow, Gouri Kunj. The restaurant retains the old-world charm of the bungalow but adds a glass-roofed dining space that fills the interiors with natural light.
The menu, curated around Kohli’s vegetarian lifestyle, features dishes like tofu steak, mushroom dumplings with truffle oil, and superfood salad, under a section called “Virat’s Favourites.” Prices remain upscale, with items like steamed rice at Rs 318, fries at Rs 348, and mascarpone cheesecake at Rs 748. The pet-friendly restaurant even serves meals for pets, priced between Rs 518 and Rs 818.
Both Badmaash and One8 Commune show how India’s new wave of celebrity-led dining spaces are blending personality, style, and premium experiences to reshape the country’s restaurant landscape.
