Lin Laishram on life with Randeep Hooda, their love for food, and her Manipuri kitchen: ‘He's usually on a strict diet'
With each new chapter, Laishram moves one step closer to her dreams, the most recent being the launch of Mumbai 's first cloud kitchen specialising in Manipuri cuisine, called Akhoi.
In this exclusive interview with indianexpress.com, she opened up about married life with Randeep Hooda, their shared love of food, her journey as a woman in the world of entrepreneurship, and her newest venture. Read the edited excerpts below:
Q. A model, an actor, and also an entrepreneur—how has your journey been?
Lin Laishram: You missed one—an archer! I've truly enjoyed every stage of my life. Those were conscious choices I made, and though I didn't have a support system, I always lived life on my terms. I've been deeply in love with all my pursuits and have given them my whole heart. I feel lucky to be doing what I want and fulfilling my dreams one step at a time.
Q. If you had to pick one of the three roles — and being a wife — which would it be, and why?
Lin Laishram: That's a tough one because I genuinely love all the roles I play. But if I had to choose, I'd pick acting. There's something about being in front of the camera that makes me feel whole. I also love discussing my work with my husband—he's my sounding board, and I appreciate that I can talk to him about any role without feeling judged.
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A post shared by Akhoi Mumbai (@akhoimumbai)
Q. You recently added another feather to your entrepreneurial cap with the launch of Akhoi, a cloud kitchen serving Manipuri cuisine. Tell us about the idea and its execution.
Lin Laishram: I've been living in Bombay for nearly two decades now, and in all that time, I couldn't find a single Manipuri restaurant. I missed home food so much that I started cooking myself and inviting friends over. They loved it, which gave me the courage. After much hesitation, I took the plunge and started Akhoi. It's been a labour of love, and the next dream is to open a physical outlet soon.
Q. The venture is currently limited to Mumbai. Is there a high demand for regional Manipuri cuisine in the state compared to Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Pune, or Chandigarh?
Lin Laishram: That was actually one of my biggest concerns—there isn't a large Manipuri population in Mumbai. That's why I opted for a cloud kitchen format, to test the waters. But surprisingly, the response has been encouraging. We're learning that our food is resonating with a lot of people here, even beyond the community.
Q. Your venture is touted to serve 'authentic' Manipuri cuisine. Take us through the menu and how frequently you source raw materials. Is it a challenge?
Lin Laishram: Creating the menu — to curate something that stays true to Manipuri roots yet is approachable for Mumbai's palate — was challenging. With the help of my dear friend and chef, Nikesh, we selected the most popular and loved dishes. We've also included some pan Asian street food with a slight twist of Manipuri.
Sourcing ingredients is definitely a challenge. We use preservation techniques like freezing and drying, and we've adapted by incorporating local vegetables available in Mumbai into traditional Manipuri recipes.
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A post shared by Randeep Hooda (@randeephooda)
Q. Since we're talking about food, what do mealtimes look like in the Laishram-Hooda household? Do you both stick to meal plans and weigh your food?
Lin Laishram: I love cooking when I'm inspired and have the time. Randeep really enjoys home-cooked meals, so it works well for us. But he's usually on a strict diet. His food is very balanced and measured. Mine depends on my mood.
Q. You both come from different backgrounds. Was there a food connection that helped you bond?
Lin Laishram: Absolutely! Our cheat days are where we truly bond. That's our common ground. Otherwise, we have very different food habits, which makes things fun and interesting.
Q. Your social media feed proves your love for experimenting with style. What does fashion mean to you?
Lin Laishram: For me, fashion isn't about trends anymore, it's about conscious, sustainable choices. The fast fashion cycle is overwhelming, and I'm trying to be more mindful of what I wear. Comfort plays a huge role, too. It's important for me to feel like myself in whatever I'm wearing.
I feel lucky to be doing what I want and fulfilling my dreams one step at a time, the actor-model said. (Photo: PR handout)
Q. How challenging is it to be a woman in the restaurant industry or business in general? Have you had to push your way through?
Lin Laishram: I'm not from the culinary world, and I had almost no idea about how the system works. But when you're driven by love for your culture, your food you don't see challenges the same way. They just become part of the journey. And honestly, this is just the beginning for me.
Q. Describe life after marriage — and your relationship with Randeep. What's the secret to a healthy bond?
Lin Laishram: Life after marriage has been good. We share a lot of common interests, but we also respect each other's individuality. We live very different professional lives, and I think that's healthy. Like any relationship, marriage needs attention, time, responsibility and a bit of fun. That's what keeps the wheel turning.
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