Comedy Archives

Why Delhi Belly is the Most Accurate Representation of India’s Millennials

In a sea of formulaic youth-oriented films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Wake Up Sid that sugar-coated the lives of the youth, Delhi Belly stood out for how rooted it felt to reality. In real life, bachelors don’t live, they survive. And Delhi Belly accurately represented it.

Nihal Bambulkar July 28, 2016

Pop Culture

What’s Better Than F.R.I.E.N.D.S? A Show About Nothing

If you watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S now, you realise that what passed for humour in 2000, doesn’t always elicit a laugh in 2021. However, the exploits of Seinfeld and Co hold up amazingly well even today.

Dushyant Shekhawat July 26, 2016

POV

No Laughing Matter: Why is the Indian Comedy Scene So Morose?

Why does the laughter seem to be dying in the comedy scene in the metros? Are stand-up comedians not as funny as they once used to be? Are audiences weary of supporting a scene that seems to be getting more toxic by the week? Or is there a problem of plenty?

Jackie Thakkar July 22, 2016

Pop Culture

Afsos Review: Gulshan Devaiah Kills It in this Crackling Tragicomedy About a Man Desperate to Die

It’s rare to make a comedy that is informed by its wickedness. Even rare to set it in a homegrown universe that pokes fun at the double standards of middle-class anxieties – death, religion, millennial indecisiveness, and existentialism – in a way which is immediately recognisable. Afsos manages to do both.

Poulomi Das July 22, 2016

Bollywood

20 Years of Hello Brother: The Embarrassing Yet Enduring Legacy of the “Pungi”

In 2019, twisting your homies’ nipples in public is a flagbearer of inappropriate behaviour. But in the hallways of my school back in 2001, a time when we boys lacked foresight and sensitivity, “pungis” were all about brotherhood.

Jackie Thakkar June 28, 2016

Bollywood

25 Years of Baazigar: Friendzoning, Power of Attorney and Other Life Lessons

Baazigar introduced us to a new weapon of mass destruction, the power of attorney. And Shah Rukh Khan’s Ajay Sharma taught us that if your contact lens game is on point, you can conquer the world.

Jackie Thakkar June 18, 2016

Pop Culture

A “Yay, Whoopie!” For the Great Indian Middle Class

Growing up in Allahabad, my family had a lot in common with Monisha Sarabhai. But we’re definitely in the same league as Maya Sarabhai now.

Utkarsh Srivastava June 16, 2016

Pop Culture

Phone Bhoot Review: Screwball Horror Comedy That’s Unashamed of Being Silly

Phone Bhoot is silly, awkward and committed to nonsense to the extent that you don’t mind taking partaking in its idea of fun.

Pradeep Menon June 14, 2016

Pop Culture

Why Brooklyn Nine-Nine Would’ve Been Better Off Without Season 6

Despite what audiences demand, I believe it’s better to leave people wanting more than to die serving horrible seasons in the coming years. This is exactly why I fear that, with most conflicts resolved, Brooklyn Nine-Nine might return with a horrible Season 6.

Nihal Bambulkar June 9, 2016

Pop Culture

The Teacher of the Year Award Goes to Social Media

2017 has proved that social media is a great teacher; one that gave us some pretty hard-hitting lessons.

Arré Bench May 29, 2016