I did say my trip here was full of happy coincidences and a lot of serendipity. One totally unexpected coincidence was discovering my old friend from way back in 2007 is my host Arnab’ sibling.

I met Gaurav Bose when he was a student at the Film Institute in Pune and we had a long association where he always showed up with his friends for auditions. He was always so very nice and super helpful, adding so much value to my casting tapes, with his friends.

It was really good to catch up as we lost touch long ago, and see how life turned out for both of us. He no longer acts, but honestly, he should. He is so talented. And I stopped being a Casting Director. However, Gaurav and I had hours of conversation about film, movies, common friends and our beloved Life of Pi, the Ang Lee film we both coincidentally ( that word again) worked on, unaware of the other.

Gaurav is now running the most beautiful boutique hotel, Shubham, in the middle of White Town, Pondicherry. I fell in love with all the eclectic art at this very elegant three storey town house with its French Tamil decor. Definitely on my list of places to stay, and have a house party by capturing the castle and its inviting pool, with the shimmery tiles glinting at the bottom, beckoning you to plunge in.

The boutique homestay has a wonderful kitchen with large windows and the staff are ladies who cook and clean in their saris, big smiles and neatly oiled hair in place. They make a traditional breakfast and the hotel serves some truly yummy local jams.

This little oasis of tranquility is smack bang in the centre of the French quatier and really conveniently located.

Shubham is very private, and lovingly curated by its owners, decorated in the lovely minimal lines – maximal decor- fusiony style that I rather love: bare, beautiful stone work and burnished floor tile, elegantly lined woodwork, all balanced with scrumptious art and romantic, old world charm.

Gaurav gallantly takes me out for a lovely lunch at the nearby La Villa where we catch up even more. He reminds me of days past and how much work I have done in my film Avatar. I encourage him not to give up on his calling as an actor. I hope he doesn’t, he is far too talented to dismiss it. The struggle is real, but now more than ever, there is so much diversity in film that good actors do find good roles, and aren’t subject to the star system.

We lunch al fresco, out under the tree at La villa, and I enjoy my continental fish and potatoes. I love fish and potatoes.

Gaurav then drives me around on his Enfield, showing me the Promenade and finally he takes me to his favourite cafe Ole for coffee and dessert. More conversation follows.

Eventually, Gaurav drops me back to the Crab, on his powerful motorcycle and I am delighted to be racing down the crowded streets, sun on my face and wind in my hair.

Au revoir, Gaurav! See you again soon.