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When it comes to glamour and a dash of gourmet drama, Mouni Roy knows how to serve it up — both on screen and on a platter. From keeping the audiences entertained as Sati in Devon Ke Dev... Mahadev to slaying serpentine roles in Ekkta Kapoor's Naagin, Mouni has mastered reinvention. But in 2023, she decided to trade her scripts for spices and her camera lights for café lamps — stepping into the hospitality world with her vibrant restaurant chain, Badmaash. And let’s just say, it’s as stylish and spirited as the woman herself. Her first Badmaash opened its doors in Bengaluru’s bustling Sarjapur area, followed by another in Mumbai’s Andheri — and since then, it’s been multiplying faster than fans lining up for selfies. Today, Mouni co-owns over six restaurants across India, each one reflecting her trademark flair for drama and detail. One of them even sells Jhalmuri — yes, that humble street snack — for Rs 395. Now that’s what you call turning everyday nostalgia into edible luxury. A Jungle of Joy and Jazz Step into Badmaash and you might momentarily forget you’re in a city at all. The interiors are straight out of an urban rainforest fantasy — think lush hanging plants, jungle-green walls, and ochre yellow highlights that make every corner Instagram-worthy. It’s wild, it’s whimsical, and it’s refreshingly different from the cookie-cutter cafés crowding cityscapes. Among all its outlets, the Kolkata branch is one that gets special attention for balancing the chaos of a metro city with a serene, leafy ambience. It’s where the earthy tones meet urban indulgence — very Mouni, if you think about it. The Menu: A Mischievous Mix of Classics and Quirks At Badmaash, the menu is as sassy as its name. Whether you’re a staunch vegetarian or a die-hard carnivore, there’s something to make your taste buds dance. Prices range from Rs 300 to Rs 800 — because, as Mouni might say, a little indulgence never hurt anyone. Expect staples like Masala Peanut, Masala Papad, Crispy Corn, and Sev Puri (Rs 295 each), and for those who love something hearty, Kanda Bhajiya (Rs 355) hits the spot. Seafood fans, rejoice — prawn-based dishes make their presence felt at around Rs 795, each one plated with panache. Bread lovers aren’t left out either — choose between Tandoori Roti (Rs 105), Butter Naan (Rs 115), and Amritsari Kulcha (Rs 145). And if dessert is your happy ending, Shahi Tukda and Gulab Jamun (Rs 410 each) offer that warm, fuzzy feeling — literally sugar-coated comfort. The Star of the Show: Avocado Bhel and Mounilicious Magic Now, brace yourself for a twist — Badmaash’s much-talked-about Avocado Bhel (Rs 395). Yes, you read that right. Mouni took India’s beloved bhel puri and gave it a global glow-up. “I love avocado and I love jhalmuri, so we came up with Avocado Bhel,” Mouni told IndianRetailer.com. It’s crisp, tangy, and unapologetically inventive — much like her career trajectory. Then there’s Mounilicious, the house favourite drink priced at Rs 695. A refreshing concoction of gin, cucumber, kiwi, lemon, elderflower, and sparkling water — it’s a liquid embodiment of Mouni herself: elegant, fresh, and slightly unpredictable. “I don’t like sweets or desserts,” she confessed, “so they came up with a drink called Mounilicious — it’s yummy but not sweet.” Something for Everyone — Even the Jains Mouni’s attention to detail shows in Badmaash’s inclusive approach to food. The menu has Jain-friendly options like Tomato Tulsi Shorba and Palak Nariyal Ka Shorba (Rs 315 each). Both dishes strike that rare balance between simple and sophisticated — proof that good food doesn’t need to be complicated. A Passion Project Fueled by Partnership The spark behind Badmaash didn’t ignite overnight. Mouni credits her husband Suraj Nambiar and his best friends for steering her toward the restaurant business. Together, they joined hands with VRO Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based F&B giant that manages over 27 outlets across India and Dubai. “Whenever I travelled, I would always sit at a café with my book, a coffee, and a croissant. That ritual made me imagine owning a café of my own,” Mouni once said. “It didn’t work out back then, but thanks to my husband and his best friends at VRO, I got the opportunity to own a restaurant — and I jumped at it.” Why Indian Food, Always For someone who has dined across continents, Mouni’s palate remains proudly desi. “I love Indian food. Whenever I travel for work, I look for Indian restaurants everywhere. It resonated with me. I truly believe that we don’t have as many good Indian restaurants, especially in Bengaluru and Mumbai,” she shared. Badmaash, then, is her ode to the comfort, chaos, and charisma of Indian cuisine — with a dollop of glamour for garnish. The Businesswoman Behind the Star In an interview with Zero1 Clips by Zerodha, Mouni pulled back the curtain on her income sources — proving she’s as sharp in business as she is on the red carpet. “I get about 40% of my income from social media. Movies pay me about 20%. Whatever I earn from my other businesses, like restaurants, we put back into them so we can grow manifold in five years. About 40% of my income also comes from endorsements — sometimes they pay more than movies,” she revealed. Fun Fact: The name Badmaash wasn’t chosen lightly. It embodies the spirit of fun, mischief, and freedom — three words Mouni says define her approach to life and food. A Slice of Stardom on a Plate At Badmaash, food isn’t just about taste — it’s about theatre. It’s where you can order Masala Peanuts for Rs 300, sip a Mounilicious, and still feel like you’re part of something bigger — a cultural mash-up where tradition meets modern flair. So, the next time you spot that Rs 395 Jhalmuri on the menu, don’t roll your eyes. Think of it as the price you pay for stepping into Mouni Roy’s world — one where a TV queen turned restaurateur is serving a story with every plate.
