When Indian cinema cooks with love — Salman Khan, Prabhas, Mahesh Manjrekar: The foodie side of stars that wins hearts

In the glittering world of cinema, where every scene is rehearsed and every emotion scripted, there exists a lesser-known yet deeply human tradition that speaks volumes about an actor’s heart—feeding people with love.

While film stars often express themselves through their roles, some let their warmth and generosity shine offscreen—by cooking, sharing, and treating their co-stars and crew to memorable meals. It’s not just about being a foodie; it’s about bonding, gratitude, and creating a home-like feeling on set. Here's a delicious look at how some of India's biggest stars express their love and humility through food.

Salman Khan: Biryani, Brotherhood, and Big-Heartedness

When you talk about food and stars, Salman Khan’s name tops the list.

A die-hard biryani lover—especially Hyderabadi mutton biryani—Salman doesn’t just enjoy eating it, he loves sharing it. Whether it's biryani made by his mother or one cooked on set, he ensures the entire crew gets a taste. During the shooting of ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, he famously hosted biryani feasts for the entire team.

Even during the lockdown, Salman shared a video of himself cooking biryani, delighting fans with his culinary side. His home biryanis are so iconic that receiving one has become a badge of honour in B-town!

Nana Patekar: Feeding the Soul and the Set

Nana Patekar brings his earthy charm not just to his performances but also to his kitchen.

In an interview, he revealed that he often cooked for over 200 crew members during shoots. "Haathon se khana banake khilane ka maza hi kuch aur hai,” he said in an exclusive conversation with ETimes. For Nana, food is a way of bonding. He believes that when you feed someone with your own hands, the walls break, and the connection becomes real.

It’s this sincerity that makes him so beloved both on and off screen.

Mahesh Manjrekar: 'Peethi Bhaat' and a Philosophy of Generosity

Filmmaker and actor Mahesh Manjrekar is another star known for treating his guests like family. Actor Siddharth Jadhav fondly recalls, “I’ve never gone to his house and returned without being fed.”

During one visit, Mahesh served him peethi bhaat, a Maharashtrian dish filled with comfort and nostalgia. "He is a man with a golden heart. He is amazing." It runs in the family—Manjrekar’s wife Medha and his late mother both excel in their culinary skills. The filmmaker often says, “A person’s richness should be measured by the number of slippers outside their house.

” It’s this philosophy that keeps his home and sets full of food, friends, and warmth.

Prabhas: South India’s Soft-Spoken Feastmaster

Prabhas, often called ‘Darling’ by fans and friends alike, has a reputation for not just being a star but a host par excellence. When shooting with legends like Amitabh Bachchan for ‘Project K’, Prabhas would send home-cooked Andhra meals in quantities large enough to feed an army. Big B himself wrote on social media, “Prabhas’s generosity is beyond measure.” From Deepika Padukone to Saif Ali Khan, Suriya, Disha Patani, and the ‘Saaho’ team—everyone has experienced Prabhas’s food-filled affection.

His humility and love for food are what truly make him a pan-Indian superstar with a heart of gold.

Mithun Chakraborty: Bengali Delights on the Set of ‘Guru’

Mithun Chakraborty is not just a legend on screen, but a soulful giver behind it. During the shoot of ‘Guru’ (2007), Mithun da cooked an elaborate Bengali meal for the entire unit. recalled Abhishek Bachchan in one of the interviews during the film promotions. It wasn’t a one-time event—it was an experience the team still cherishes. The actor's gesture showed that food, when made with love, becomes more than a meal—it becomes a memory.

Farah Khan: MasterChef Energy On and Off Screen

Farah Khan, the queen of choreography and comedy, is also Bollywood’s unofficial biryani queen. While shooting for Celebrity MasterChef, she surprised the crew with her homemade mutton biryani, proving that her talents go beyond direction and dance. Abhijeet Sawant, a fellow contestant, posted a video of Farah serving biryani from a massive vessel, captioning it: “When the REAL MasterChef steps in!” Known for her humour and heart, Farah’s food always comes with a side of affection.

More Than a Meal – A Gesture of Humanity

In an industry often painted with egos and spotlights, these stars remind us of the simpler joys—like feeding someone a hot meal. Whether it’s Mithun da’s Bengali feast, Farah Khan’s biryani, or Nana’s mass-cooked meals, these actors show that food isn’t just sustenance—it’s a language of love, respect, and community. Behind the glamour, they carry forward an Indian tradition as old as time: “Atithi Devo Bhava”—the guest is God.

And in their kitchens, on their sets, and in their hearts, this philosophy simmers gently, one delicious serving at a time.