Runjhun Noopur, Author at Arré

Washing a Laptop and Other Gems on Indian TV: What Are Our Daily Soap Writers Smoking?

In a clip from an Indian soap that recently went viral, a couple is seen having a lovers’ tiff. Nothing unusual here other than the fact that they were fighting while falling off the cliff. Because when you are the top-rated TV show, who cares for physics?

Runjhun Noopur June 5, 2016

Pop Culture

Growing Up in the ’90s Would Have Been No Fun Without Asha Bhosle

I remember discovering several RD Burman melodies only because Asha Bhosle had remixed and repackaged them, creating versions that were trendier and in sync with the times. Burman Da hardly needed extra boost, but sometimes, nostalgia and quality aren’t enough to attract a new generation.

Runjhun Noopur June 3, 2016

Gender

Strictly for Women: What It Takes for Wives & Mothers to Just Have Some Fun On Their Own

I have been on enough all-girls vacation trips to know that planning is a science, negotiation is a skill, and a sacrificial bargain is a must. Not causing minor inconvenience to the people at home (and at work) is a priority. And everyone seems to be in on this game of reminding women of the price of our freedom and fun.

Runjhun Noopur May 23, 2016

Bollywood

Manmohan Desai Was a Bollywood Institution Who Belonged to The Masses

Manmohan Desai would have turned 83 on February 26. The director and producer, who made an entire country laugh out loud catered to the lowest common denominator without prejudice or judgment. Desai was an institution who chose to belong to the masses.

Runjhun Noopur May 22, 2016

Bollywood

There is More To Juhi Chawla Beyond Her Giggles

Throughout her career, Juhi Chawla has consistently played women who are funny and boisterous. The typical “giggly girl” stencil set by Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, was a weapon that Juhi Chawla wielded with perfection. But Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga is final proof that she is no ordinary actor.

Runjhun Noopur May 19, 2016

Pop Culture

Avengers: Endgame and the Evolution of the Indian Fan

Along with the Avengers, the fandom has assembled. And today, as they finally find out what took place after the Infinity War, their true strength is revealed.

Runjhun Noopur May 15, 2016

Bollywood

Andaz Apna Apna: An Ode To Stupidity and Taking Ourselves Less Seriously

We love Andaz Apna Apna for the same reason we enjoy a good prank. Sometimes and in small doses, being a fool can be exhilarating. Andaz Apna Apna is what life would look like if we stopped taking ourselves so damned seriously all the time and embraced our inner idiot.

Runjhun Noopur April 30, 2016

Bollywood

How Shabana Azmi’s Masoom Mimes the Conflict between Motherhood & Womanhood

Masoom is an ode to motherhood that does not rely on lazy tropes and bland generalisation. It is a story that elevates the idea of motherhood beyond biological compulsions. It reminds us that the greatest gift we can give our mothers is to allow them their humanity.

Runjhun Noopur April 29, 2016

Bollywood

Mogambo, General Dong, Thakral: Why Amrish Puri is the Bollywood Villain You Couldn’t Hate

Despite being one of the most influential villains of our cinematic history, Amrish Puri never really needed the theatrics to make his roles work. On his death anniversary, a tribute to the actor who became the shorthand for a Bollywood villain in our collective conscience.

Runjhun Noopur April 25, 2016

POV

This Liberal’s Heart Beats For Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Atal Bihari Vajpayee kept humour and poetry and all those softer emotions that keep our politics humane, alive – all the emotions that have so thoroughly vanished from our public life. His tenure is a reminder that political ideology notwithstanding, there is a world of difference between being a statesman and playing one.

Runjhun Noopur April 24, 2016