Japan's biryani man on Ram Charan: 'I didn't really know him'

Chef Takamasa Osawa, known for his biryani prowess, cooked for Ram Charan and his family at their Hyderabad home. In an exclusive conversation with India Today Digital, the Michelin-recognised chef shared his experience and how he was unaware of his stardom.Japanese Chef Takamasa Osawa, known for his specialisation in biryani, once cooked for Ram Charan (Photo: (L) Ram Charan/Instagram, (R) Takamasa Osawa)The aroma of a good biryani is enough of an appetiser, even when the fragrance comes from a distance. And on one fine day in January, that aroma found its way into superstar Ram Charan's home. Courtesy: Japan's biryani man, Chef Takamasa Osawa, or as he is better known, "Biriyani Osawa."The Japanese chef is famous for chasing biryani for over 15 years now to perfection. Biriyani Osawa's 10-seat Tokyo restaurant, has also earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand, recognising its quality food at accessible prices.In an exclusive conversation with India Today Digital, Chef Osawa opened up about his "unforgettable experience" of cooking for the superstar and his family, right in Hyderabad, the city he holds in such high regard for its biryani. Interestingly, when the invitation first came, Osawa wasn't even aware of the actor's stardom."I didn't really know him at first..."Dressed in his usual black chef's coat, Osawa cooked a special meal for the actor and his family in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. Soon after, visuals from the day went viral as Ram Charan praised his biryani for getting the balance just right — "flavourful, fragrant and not overloaded with gravy." For the chef himself, cooking in Hyderabad this January was a moment of immense pride, not to mention cooking for Ram Charan was like icing on the cake. It was also special because he was getting to cook in the city he had long associated with biryani.When we asked about his experience and how well he knew the actor prior to their meet-up, he shared that he was not aware of him as much. "Honestly, I didn't really know him at first. I looked him up, watched RRR, and understood: this is a global star." Emphasising his experience, he added, "Think about what that means — being given the chance to serve biryani in Hyderabad, the city of biryani, is already unbelievable. On top of that, I had the privilege of serving my biryani to Mr. Chiranjeevi, Ram's father and one of India's most respected actors — and to Ram Charan himself: born and raised in Hyderabad, and a man who loves biryani."Imagine the pressure of getting the food right when your diner is a serious biryani lover!While they were introduced via mutual friends, the chef wanted to keep further details private. However, he was in every bit in awe of the experience and spoke highly of the Peddi actor. "He is an unbelievable gentleman. He cleared my finished plate himself!"Beyond the biryani-making moments, BTS shared by multiple fan accounts offered a peek into Ram Charan’s more private, off-duty world — from candid interactions with his pets, including a dog and a bird, to quiet glimpses of the fish pond at his home.Osawa is known to have travelled across India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in his quest to learn what makes the perfect biryani, and Hyderabad holds an important place for him. There’s a good chance this Japanese chef knows more about Indian-style biryani than most of us ever will.Meanwhile, stay tuned for more from our conversation with the chef, including the story behind that flight he nearly missed because he was savouring a biryani!- EndsPublished By: Jigyasa SahayPublished On: Aug 26, 2026 15:35 IST