Celebrating the first Ramzan with our baby girl Amaira is a special feeling, says Ali Reza

If prayers, piety, charity and fasting mark the holy month of Ramzan, so does bonding over good food while making lasting memories. And that’s why we believe Ramzan is incomplete without iftar — those traditional affairs where friends and family gather to break their fast with dates, fruits, sherbets and traditional delicacies like biryani and haleem. And, while the customs remain same, every home has its own unique iftar tradition. For the next fortnight, Hyderabad Times will offer you a glimpse of unique iftar traditions in Hyderabadi homes. Hear it from actor Ali Reza, who is very proud of his ‘healthy iftar spread’ that he hopes will inculcate healthy eating habits in his 6-month-old baby girl, AmairaRamzan is always a special time of the year. There is a sense of togetherness as we fast together, offer our prayers and dine together. It’s a great time to reflect, bond and make memories together. Ramzan is always best spent with family and loved ones. Given the nature of my work, I’d usually be on the sets working during this period and wouldn’t get the opportunity to spend much time with my family. This year, however, is going to be special since it’s my baby girl Amaira’s first Ramzan, and I’ve taken time off from sets till the end of the month. After many years, I get to spend Ramzan at home, and I’d like to make the most of this precious time that I will be spending with my wife and child.‘Ramzan during the lockdown prepared Masuma and me for parenthood’The last two years, Ramzan was unlike any other we’ve experienced. We were all in lockdown, with nowhere to go. So, Masuma and I would stay up all night to prepare for the day with sehri, offer namaaz and then go to sleep. Looking back now, this actually prepared us for parenthood in a way, because when there is a baby in the house, your sleep schedule will go for a toss. Our schedules are no longer the same ever since Amaira entered our lives, and our chaotic lockdown Ramzan has helped us deal with erratic schedules, and managing our time better. ‘We’re opting for a healthy sehri and iftar spread this year’Since our marriage, Masuma and I would either spend Ramzan here in Hyderabad or in Mumbai, her hometown. Traditionally, we always have a huge spread at home for breaking our fast. Our iftar spread usually consists of delicious but greasy cutlets, rolls, creamy dahi vade, spicy mirchi bajji, tangy aloo chaat, spring rolls, chicken samosa and piping hot haleem. Ever since I’ve become an actor, I’ve been trying to watch what I eat. This Ramzan, the focus is on healthy foods for both sehri and iftar. In fact, Masuma is also joining me in this attempt to stay fit and healthy We’ve cut out all the fried items from our menu, along with rice and gluten. So this year, instead of cutlets, bhajjis and samosas, we’re going to indulge in yummy omelette made with ghee, cheese, sausages or mutton liver for sehri. And as chai lovers would vouch, ‘ek chai mil gaya to pura dil chal gaya’. We also ensure we make time in the day to hit the gym. For iftar, we have a hearty and healthy meal consisting of grilled vegetables and protein. As new parents, we make dishes that are easy and can be made in the least amount of time.‘My best memories of iftaar celebrations were at our family’s Irani Hotel’Before I became an actor, I would always break my fast for iftar at Café Ramser, my family’s Irani café in Secunderabad. The Café shut down in 2019 but it’s the place where I have the fondest memories of iftar celebrations. The place would be bustling with people and my friends and I would go there to have haleem, paya, chicken 65 or scoop up some chicken curry with soft tandoori or rumali rotis made specially for us by chefs. After namaaz, we would head to the stalls selling pakode or dahi vade. Once we had our fill, heading to the Old City and chatting up till early hours of the morning would be the norm. Then it would be time to go home again for sehri with comforting khichdi paired with creamy khatta and spicy kebabs. Those were the days! ‘I want Amaira to experience the true essence of Ramzan’My baby is too little right now, she’s only six months old. But it feels great to spend our first Ramzan together. When she grows up, I want her to experience everything that we did during this month — love, laughter, food, devotion and togetherness. I hope this is going to be the start of many more wonderful Ramzans together.