Damian D'souza, Author at Arré

A Tweet Can Burn Your Career to a Crisp. Ask Chef Atul Kochhar

When Atul Kochhar was fired as the head chef of JW Marriott, Dubai, it became apparent that an insensitive tweet can indeed end your career. It’s a fascinating case for a country like India where hate speeches are sold by the dozen.

Damian D'souza July 29, 2016

POV

Daaru Aur Danga: When Your Family is the Drunk Catholic Stereotype

The jolly Catholic drunk is a fun stereotype, a trope for your entertainment, the life of the party. What you almost never see is the hangover, the accompanying headache of which is shared by the entire family. I grew up in one such family.

Damian D'souza July 29, 2016

Vice

From Chai-Paani to Scotch: The Evolution of the Bribe

Bribery V 2.0 has come to town. Paying 100 bucks in cash is passé, babus now say, “Paytm karo.”

Damian D'souza July 29, 2016

Love and Sex

How Fat People Fuck

The answer to the question you welterweight normies have always wanted to ask about the coital lives of us chubsters. We’re comfy AF, and we come with snacks.

Damian D'souza July 25, 2016

Bollywood

“Trigger Dabaya… Aur Khel Khallas!” 20 Years Ago, Vaastav Truly Mainstreamed Gangster Lingo

Years later, Munnabhai MBBS and most recently, Gully Boy, did what Vaastav set the trend for two decades ago – give Bollywood dialogues a coloquial veneer. Phrases like “pachaas tola” and words like “ghoda” remain a snapshot of what Mumbai is really like beyond the Queen’s Necklace and plush skyscrapers.

Damian D'souza July 22, 2016

People

The Seat Mafia of Mumbai Locals

There’s no way in hell you can do anything about the Cosa Nostra of the train. Or can you? It takes nearly a lynching for Arré to find out.

Damian D'souza July 22, 2016

Pop Culture

Avengers: Infinity War Ek Dhokha Hai

Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel’s biggest and bravest film, vehemently insists that you feel the full brunt of grief, anger, and disbelief like never before. In doing so, it also serves as a fine example of grief porn.

Damian D'souza July 19, 2016

Culture

The Last Jedi is 2017 in a Nutshell

Star Wars isn’t about aliens fighting each other with fluorescent tube lights and spaceships blowing each other up. There’s nuance behind all that CGI, and themes that ensure The Last Jedi is a fine example of art imitating life.

Damian D'souza July 16, 2016

Pop Culture

Boogie Woogie, Takeshi’s Castle, and “Mumbhai”: How Jaaved Jaaferi Shaped the Childhood of ’90s Kids

Much before gully boys were spitting “buntai” and “boht hard” into a mic, there was one man who was rapping about Mumbai and its streets. His name is Jaaved Jaaferi. The man, who turns 56 today, influenced ’90s kids with his music, moves, and inimitable commentary. Remember Takeshi’s Castle?

Damian D'souza July 15, 2016

POV

Those ’90s Things: When the Seat Under the Fan Was Reserved for the Family’s Most Important Member

Back in the ’90s, the 10x10 room in the chawl was our kingdom, the place right near the fan, was the throne. Naturally the family’s most important member, usually the patriarch, had the luxury of placing himself right under the fan. Exceptions were made only when we children had our exams.

Damian D'souza July 15, 2016