jk rowling Archives

Is it Time to Say “Avada Kedavra” to the Ailing Harry Potter Franchise?

Today marks 22 years since Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone introduced us to The Boy Who Lived. There was a time when I couldn’t get enough of Hogwarts and its magical folk. But now I think the Potterverse is exploited beyond imagination and it’s time to say goodbye.

Kahini Iyer July 29, 2016

Pop Culture

What JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts Can Learn From Our Ichhadhari Naagins

As Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald releases, we finally see the much-hyped Nagini – and she is underwhelming. Should just have asked us, JK Rowling, we’re the experts in poorly CGI’d shape-shifting snakes.

Kahini Iyer July 28, 2016

POV

“Baad Mein Zaroorat Padegi!” Why Are Indians Such Obsessive Hoarders?

The great Indian store room has everything — all the things you can think of and millions you can’t even imagine — waiting to be summoned some day. We never need 99.9 per cent of the things. In my house, we still have the galla that my grandfather started his business with more than 50 years ago and a kadhai, the size of a bathtub.

Sonali Kokra July 21, 2016

Pop Culture

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Review: Why Grindelwald is a Lot Like Today’s Politicians

Gellert Grindelwald’s tactics of demonising muggles, as a convenient “other”, can be seen in the divisive politics of the US, much of Europe, Brazil, and even in our India. Like a steadily growing number of our world leaders, Grindelwald understands the politics of fear, fake news, and populism.

Kahini Iyer June 12, 2016

Pop Culture

I’d Be a Homophobe Had It Not Been For Harry

Potter fan fiction opened a chamber of secrets for me. It helped me make my way through the complex corridors of sexuality and appreciate individual freedom.

Utkarsh Srivastava April 17, 2016

Pop Culture

Fantastic Beasts and How to Screw with Muggles

Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them is an exercise in how art and advertising screw with emotions, and an example of how we fall for it every time.

Parthshri Arora April 1, 2016