Celebrating the city’s profound love for biryani and cinema, Shiraz Golden Restaurant has announced the launch of The Biryani Man 2026. This unique culinary competition is held in association with the upcoming film, The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra, featuring actors Anirban Chakrabarti, Suhotra Mukhopadhyay, Somak Ghosh, Raima Sen, Kamaleswar Mukherjee, Ambarish Bhattacharya, Subrat Dutta, and Shataf Figar.

​The competition invites the city’s biggest biryani enthusiasts to compete for the prestigious Biryani Man 2026 crown. Registration opens on July 1, 2026, and concludes on July 21, 2026. Participants can register by submitting forms at any Shiraz outlet, scanning QR codes on promotional materials, or applying via the restaurant’s website.

​From all entries, 25 finalists will be selected through a lucky draw, which will be streamed on the official Shiraz Facebook page on July 22, 2026. The grand finale is scheduled for July 25, 2026, at Hotel Siamton Inn Shiraz.

​The showdown will last 45 minutes. To qualify for the tally, participants must consume a minimum of two full plates of biryani; failure to do so results in disqualification. The contestant who consumes the highest number of plates within the timeframe will be crowned The Biryani Man 2026. The winner receives the crown and a Lifetime Free Biryani Card, entitling them to one plate of signature Mutton Biryani at any Shiraz outlet, once a week, for life. Additionally, all participants will receive a three-year Shiraz Loyalty Card and a complimentary plant.

​The event is open to Indian citizens aged 18 to 60 who are free from serious medical conditions. Participants must submit a health declaration and consent form, as safety remains a priority. Partnering with Mediview Nursing Home, the event will feature an on-site medical team, a doctor, and an ambulance.

​“We want to celebrate that love in a fun and engaging way while bringing together the city’s biggest biryani lovers. By combining Kolkata’s passion for biryani with the excitement surrounding the Eken Babu franchise, the collaboration aims to create a memorable cultural and culinary celebration,” said Mr. Ishtiaque Ahmad, Partner at Shiraz Golden Restaurant.

All the best to the participants.

Priyanka Dutta