In India, courses are not separated: a thali is a large platter (often steel) filled with small bowls (katori) that are tasted together. Rice and breads form the base; around them orbit a dal (lentils), a meat or vegetable stew, yogurt, a tangy pickle, and a sweet. In Mumbai, Abhishek Bachchan's city, this family meal coexists with intense street food culture and strictly supervised athletic diets for actors.

Garam masala — a blend of "hot spices" (cardamom, clove, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, pepper) toasted and ground at home — perfumes almost everything, while ghee (clarified butter) binds and enriches. In Mumbai, pav bhaji masala, an iconic urban street-food blend, is also added.