Spin’s Manjari Makijany shares how Indian culture celebrates through food and music

As her Disney Channel debut, Spin, premieres, celebrated director Manjari Makijany gives a glimpse into the Indian culture that will have families hungry to discover more. While the Disney Channel movie follows Rhea as she explores her deeply rooted connection to music, the sounds are just one part of the seasoning of this Disney original movie. In some ways, the family’s Indian restaurant and the food on the table is just as integral as the beats playing in the background.

Recently, FoodSided had the opportunity to special with Makijany about her film and the importance of music and food in the Indian culture. Specifically she said, that people come together through celebrations. And “there’s no celebration without food and music.”

As seen in the movie, that concept is intertwined. From those special Sunday dinners to the sounds in the kitchen itself, each element builds on each other. Just like a great dish, when taken in totality, it is the most memorable experience.

Although Rhea is the hero of the movie, the family restaurant, the Spirit of India, is a character itself. In some ways, it is the character that brings everyone together. At times taxing, sometimes uplifting, and even occasionally combative, Spin is not complete without the restaurant and its Indian food.

Makijany said, that it was intentional to make the restaurant “contemporary and making it sort of this beautiful welcoming warm place.” Just like the family “take pride” in crafting that inviting restaurant, Makijany wanted to include authentic aspects.

While it is heard often in the movie, mild butter chicken, that spice level is integral to Indian cuisine. For example, Makijany appreciates that those “subtleties were important to create in the film.” As she said, “what happens when you go to an Indian restaurant, the first thing, after you order, they’ll tell you what, how spicy do you want, it? Is it going to be medium? Is it going to be mild or is it going to be spicy?” Creating that authentic palette connection was vital.

One of the memorable scenes in Spin is when Rhea’s dad and her teacher enjoy an Indian pastry. Although her teacher loves doughnuts, Rhea’s dad is convinced that his India dessert is far superior. After a taste, everyone is in agreement which sweet treat is best.

Makijany wanted to include this Indian treat because it is a classic one. Jalebi is maida flour that has been fried and soaked in a sweet syrup. From the spirals to the syrup, it is classic treat that is a staple in Indian cuisine.

Even though some viewers might not have tasted that sweet treat before, they can appreciate the connection. Every culture has an iconic food that instantly brings joy. More importantly, when that food is shared with another, it opens a conversation to embracing each other’s culture.

While there are many Indian dishes in Spin, Makijany hopes that the movie invites people to have a conversation about food and culture. Whether it is trying an Indian dish for the first time or talking as a family about food traditions, the table is a welcoming place.

And, if you are interested in trying a special Indian recipe, Makijany shared her favorite recipe. Here’s how to make her version of Biryani.

Manjari Makijany shares her Biryani recipe

Ingredients:

• Meat on bones, 1kg / 2.2lbs Small portions
• Rice Basmati, 3 1/2 cups / 750gms, Washed & soaked
• Tomatoes, 2-3 medium / 200gms, Thin round slices
• Potatoes, 2 medium / 250gms, Peeled & Quartered
• Plain Yogurt, 1/2 cup / 100gms, Whipped
• Onions, 2 medium / 175gms, Finely sliced
• Garlic Paste, 2 tablespoons
• Ginger Paste, 2 tablespoons
• Small Green Chillies, 10-20 Whole
• Cilantro, 1 cup chopped
• Mint Leaves, 1 cup / chopped
• Cooking Oil, 1 cup / 175ml
• Shan Sindhi Biryani Mix 1 packet, Mix in 1/2 cup water

Directions:

• Fry onions in hot oil until light golden. Add chicken and garlic paste. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes on high heat.
• Add 3 tbsp. of a Biryani Mix Powder or make your own Biryani mix by adding these spices whole or finely powdered (1 bay leaf, 2 star anise, 3 green cardamoms, 1 tsp. pepper, 1 stick cinnamon, 5 cloves, 1 tbsp. coriander seeds, 2 tbsp. cumin powder, 1 tsp. nutmeg powder)
• Then add potatoes, yogurt, ginger paste and stir fry for 5 minutes.
• Add water (Beef/Lamb 4 cups, Chicken 2 cups). Cover and cook on low heat until meat is tender.
• When cooked there should be about two cups of gravy left so that the rice can be fully cooked in that. If there’s more gravy, run it on high heat till 2 cups are left.
• Place sliced tomatoes, green chilies, fresh cilantro and mint leaves over the meat. Do not mix meat and green masala. Cover and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Do not stir.
• Separately: Boil rice until 3/4 cooked. Remove and drain thoroughly. Then spread cooked rice evenly over the meat. Do not mix rice and meat.
• Cover and cook on low heat until rice is tender (5-1O minutes). Mix well before serving with Raita (yogurt) and Kachumber salad (finely chopped cucumbers, onions and tomatoes with salt and lemon)

Spin is a Disney Channel original movie. The movie tells the story of Rhea, an Indian-American teen who balances her family life, school, responsibilities and friendships while discovering her passion for music.