In the midst of election season when Bollywood is all too willing to play along with the ruling party’s narrative, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Mere Pyaare Prime Minister just adds to that noise: a film that is so much about its expired message that it forgets to have a believable story.

The Surf Excel Holi ad seems innocent enough, but somehow the idea that two children of different faiths could be cordial in a fictional setting triggered a very vocal section of social media. The only safe option is a 30-second PSA explaining the benefits of participating in Holi on our souls narrated by Amitabh Bachchan.

When the rise of the machines becomes a reality, AIs like A.I.SHA will be coming for every Sharmaji ka beta – the doctor, engineer, IT professional. And the creative, who was always told that he would never amount to anything in life, will have the last laugh.

Even after Amit Shah announced the number of Balakot air strike casualties on live TV, some people have been asking for proof, a source in the government said. “So now we have asked the RBI to come up with an exact figure, the way they did with demonetisation.”

What makes The Favourite delightful and devastating is how director Yorgos Lanthimos subverts the expectations from men and women to bring to life a comedic masterpiece. So often, cinematic descriptions of royalty overlook the relationship royal women share with power.

The reality of a war between India and Pakistan is not a pretty one. But social media provides a perfectly safe platform for a generation of smartphone-wielding jingoists to thump their chests, call for the destruction of the enemy, and signal their patriotism, while being at a safe distance from the actual frontline.

Teasing some big reveals to come, the trailer of A.I.SHA Season 3 promises an escalation of the show’s conflicts around cybercrime and the battle between man and machine.

Kia’s eccentric new teasers, featuring a tiger, an astronaut, and a car, are more like an elaborate riddle than your everyday vroom-vroom ads of fast cars. What does it all mean? Read on for our highly scientific, expert opinions.

The Centre’s apathy is the biggest enabler of yesterday’s SC verdict that ordered for forced evictions of over 1 million forest-dwelling households. The verdict is perhaps the cruelest blow on undermining the Forest Rights Act, that concerns itself with conserving the rights of the marginalised communities.

In the wake of the Pulwama attack, the distinction between sympathising with terrorists and hoping that peace will prevail has become increasingly blurry for those infected with a taste for vengeful retribution. At this point, someone could advocate a nuclear war and they’d receive a warmer reception than a person calling for peace.

The fact that in the wake of the Pulwama attack, the media chooses to amplify the voices shouting the loudest and most reactionary statements, like Kangana Ranaut, is regrettable. But at least we know that there is another, more tolerant way, as we saw with Sania Mirza.

Like hieroglyphics and cave drawings, the popularity of the emoji is a testament to how much we love to speak in cute little pictures. But like every language, even emoji needs an update – let’s start with the Pride heart emoji.

Former UP chief minister Mayawati was directed by the SC to refund the public exchequer for constructing statues of herself and her party’s symbol across parks in the state. Will she resort to the massive cash garlands she received back in the day or auction her many branded handbags?

The only transport agency that Indians can rely on is the ISRO. Citizens in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore have petitioned the organisation to launch passenger satellites to take commuters on high-traffic routes like Churchgate-Borivali.

Virat Kohli might seem invincible, but there is one thing he fears more than James Anderson’s bowling – it is Karan Johar’s Koffee couch.

After a year in Antigua, PNB scamster Mehul Choksi has given up his Indian passport. According to local reports, he has also invited his fellow bank chors Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya over to form a Mahagathbandhan against the Indian state.

From the broad strokes that Why Cheat India paints, there’s no doubt that the film barely makes an effort to possess some intelligence. According to its understanding of education, all rich students have no brains, and all smart students are poor.

There’s no way any woman on earth would respond well to the boorish, juvenile guys in most men’s grooming ads. So why do shampoo commercials and shaving cream ads insist on shoving the trope of the tiresome manchild down our throats?

Everyone knows about the senior actor who forces young actresses to sleep with him. And about the casting director, who refuses to record any woman struggler’s audition unless she takes her top off. But will Bollywood back #MeToo and finally talk about its real villains?

Self-described actor Fardeen Khan is carrying out a morcha for out-of-work thespians. Khan and his supporters are demanding 10 per cent quota in supporting roles such as Hero Ka Sidekick, and Best Friend Who Can’t Act.

The Citizenship Bill proposes to allow “persecuted minorities” from neighbouring countries to seek citizenship in the country. It’s ironic to see the BJP project itself as a champion for minorities in other countries, when it can be argued that they’ve failed at creating a safe haven for those already residing within our borders.

The Gully Boy trailer is firm indication that Ranveer Singh is Bollywood’s finest A-lister. Two of last year’s biggest hits, Padmaavat and Simmba, benefited from Singh’s natural exuberance – yet, he disappears completely in the Gully Boy trailer, letting the character enrich him.

How many people can claim to have slapped Sachin Tendulkar? The greatest coaches do not simply train champions, but raise gentlemen that also showcase good character and discipline in their personal lives, and Ramakant Achrekar was no different.

The new year is the perfect time to be hopeful. What do the stars foretell? Will your parents take you to this year’s Kumbh Mela to lose you on purpose? Will you end up puking on Anil Ambani’s shoes during the Mumbai Marathon, and be dragged to court in a multi-crore suit?

Sacred Games single-handedly ended the drought of smartly written and performed shows of Indian origin, on the internet. It was that unicorn that treated the small screen with the same level of ambition and respect usually reserved for the silver one.

The revelation that “the woke” didn’t shy away from being predators behind closed doors and mobile screens was the catalyst for India’s #MeToo movement. Here are extracts from some of our best essays on the subject.

Let’s hope 2019 is not as toxic as 2018. Let it be full of Big Dick Energy and not Twitter wars where people brand each other Urban Naxals. You got to be living under a rock, if are not getting my drift… just throwing in a few words the year threw at us.

In India, it’s hard to tell the difference between a faux pas and an actual planned statement of idiocy. Still, in 2018, we witnessed the brief nomination of BS Yeddyurappa as Karnataka chief minister, and still haven’t figured out Hanuman’s caste.

We wept after watching Hima Das on the podium after her historic win, had our hearts swell with pride on witnessing the selflessness of Kerala’s fishermen, and were left seething over the #MeToo testimonies. 2018 has been an emotional rollercoaster. Here are the images that will stay with you long after the year is over.

Following a series of progressive judgments, the Supreme Court has gone from being the Johnny Lever of institutions -- cult following, some people laugh -- to the Ryan Reynolds of institutions -- everyone wants to kiss them on the mouth.

Volunteers who turned 13 women away from the Sabarimala shrine felicitated by union minister with garlands. “This is the real dignity of labour,” minister says.

Our prime minister has delivered more speeches since coming to power than Amitabh Bachchan does at the end of Mohabbatein. Some have been insightful, others hilarious, but on more than one occasion, he’s made us go, “Wah Modiji Wah”.

T-Pain allegedly plagiarised Arijit Singh’s “Tum Hi Ho” and then lashed out at “brown Twitter” after the internet outrage. Only if the rapper knew that India has the second-largest internet population in the world. Mr T-Pain, you weren’t throwing shade at some geeks sitting on the sole computer in a hamlet.

Around the Isha Ambani-Anand Piramal wedding, a number of comparisons did the rounds, questioning the Ambanis’ “gross” display of wealth in a poor country. But how come “middle-class” people like us don’t feel the same guilt we expect the Ambanis to naturally feel?

Nita Ambani has shimmied her way to the front of the celeb mom line, just like she edged to the foreground of the Ambani-Piramal engagement photos. Even in the veritable galaxy of stars that thronged the shaadi, Mama Ambani shone brighter than the rest.

Guess what we just found out? Fizz Day is on December 8. It’s the day when you could show your fizz to the world by styling some unique looks. We jumped on the bandwagon. Why don’t you?

After Yogi Adityanath suggested that he’d rename Hyderabad to Bhagyanagar, geography students across the nation carried out protests outside classrooms. “Android se zyada geography textbook update ho rahe hai,” complained Sharma ji ka beta.

Barely a week before the Telangana Assembly Elections, Chandramukhi Mavvula, the first and only transwoman contesting elections in the state has gone missing. Over 24 hours after her disappearance, the state government has still been unable to answer #WhereIsChandramukhi.

#ThisWeekOnArré: Dear Modiji, today my manager told me, “PM 18 ghante kaam karte hain aur tu 8 baje nikal raha hai! Half day kis khushi mein?” Have mercy on someone who hasn’t seen the sun set in six months and has had every leave rejected in the past year.

Recently, 19-month-old Hiba was hit by a pellet in Kashmir’s Shopian district and doctors fear she might lose sight in one eye. Often used to quell protests, pellet guns have led to more than 6,000 injuries since they were introduced in the state in 2010. Isn’t it time we agreed that they are lethal?

The Aam Aadmi Party has announced an inter-collegiate competition in Delhi to design an innovative two-in-one mask that can protect Arvind Kejriwal from pollution as well as chilli, ink, and egg attacks.

Like any other “low-key Konkani wedding”, DeepVeer’s wedding involved guests taking a boat and climbing up a hill in custom Sabyasachi while innumerable patrolling boats kept paparazzi at bay. The clincher, the couple’s no-picture rule.

Dressed in his best gender-bending, haute-couture-meets-chappri attire, Ranveer Singh will enter his bachelor party dancing to the acoustic version of “Tune Maari Entriyan.” This is the last time he will be thrusting his pelvis in public without being penalised with a night on the couch.

We are under attack. Almost every minute a bomb goes off. From the window I can see children with guns and soldiers running around yelling code words at each other, “Happy Diwali! Happy Diwali!”

What terrors lurk in the month ahead? We scry the heavens to bring you a catalogue of misfortunes, from a busking Anu Malik to family feuds.

Congratulations to Nick Jonas, who was recently anointed the white brother-in-law India has always wanted. Now for the important questions: What’ll he wear at the mehendi? Will he dance to “Lal Dupatta”?

We visit Delhi after SC's judgement that banned the sale of crackers and imposed a two hour time limit on bursting green crackers. Even the idea of clean air has sent everyone’s brain into toxic shock.

As a freedom fighter and one-time power player, ND Tiwari’s legacy would be memorable enough by itself. Unfortunately, back-to-back scandals at the denouement of his political career have also ensured a more salacious version of Tiwari’s life will live on in public memory.

Almost 14 years ago, writer-director-producer, Karan Johar did the unthinkable: He brought our favourite Bollywood stars from the big screen, straight into our living rooms. Rarely have our stars been as relatable as they have been on Koffee With Karan.

In an exclusive interview from the temple’s entrance, former union minister MJ Akbar tells us he is upset about having to resign. He hoped to beat Harvey Weinstein’s record one day.

A year into the #MeToo movement, we’re going to give credit where it’s actually due, and acknowledge the real kickstarters of the campaign: The men who made sexual harassment possible in the first place.

Hidayatullah National Law University students have been up in arms, protesting rampant sexual harassment on campus. This could have been a story about the strength of young women fighting the embedded structures of educational institutions. But it seems in danger of becoming a reminder of the impunity of men in powerful positions.

What is common to all the 12 Zodiac signs this month? It’s a good time to lock yourself up in the house and hide under the bed.

If you want to know whether an adultery law is archaic AF, checking to see if it grants women any agency, or just regards them as their husbands’ property is a good place to start. Which is exactly what the Supreme Court did.

The Supreme Court verdict on Aadhaar is thicker than the last Harry Potter book, looks like a football score, and reads like the fine print of a mutual funds ad on TV. But what does it really mean for you and me? And what should cows who have Aadhaar do with their cards?

Nitin Sandesara, the absconding director of Sterling Biotech, reportedly opened over 300 shell companies to launder over ₹5,000 crore. Shell companies are to money launderers what #wanderlust is to travel bloggers and Undertaker is to WWE – indispensable.

With Jio spreading across the country faster than plague in Ancient Rome, there is no excuse for anyone to not watch the India-Pakistan Asia Cup game. Those who show no interest in the match should be immediately likened to Navjot Singh Sidhu, India’s newest “Pakistani puppet”.

On a scale of spending your days monitoring transactions to saving the world, how Jack Ryan are you? Take our quiz to find out.

Assam and Nagaland are facing a deluge. As we saw in Kerala, the aftermath of the disaster will involve repairing broken lives, and warding off waterborne illnesses and epidemics. That’s why we’ll only get by with a little help from our friends.

Yesterday, Sudha Bhardwaj, Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Gautam Navlakha and Vernon Gonsalves were arrested in relation to the Bhima-Koregaon violence. All of them were charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. But what exactly does this law entail?

On a scale of Max from Josh to Vivek from Hum Saath Saath Hai, which Bollywood Bhai are you? Take our quiz to find out!

The floods in Kerala, considered the worst in a century, have claimed over 324 lives and displaced over three lakh people. Once Kerala survives this, it’s evident that God’s own country will have to be rebuilt from scratch. And they'll need our help.

The Bangladesh protests have made it clear that student protestors around the world are making their voices heard. Younger folks tend to have a romantic idealism about the world, and in Stephen Kinzer’s words, “It is never wise to discourage youthful idealism.”

Tamil Nadu likes its politics packaged in a performance. But DMK patriarch Karunanidhi’s demise, nearly two years after his rival Jayalalithaa’s, has forced the people to confront a new reality. We’ve just witnessed the end of one of the last great rivalries of Indian politics – and what an action-packed potboiler it has been.

Thanks to Mehul Choksi, Nirav Modi, and Fugitive Businessmen Inc., our beloved desi game of chor-police has gone global. Once the teams are formed, it is important to establish the rules. Can you hide under the car? Can you climb on trees? Can you flee the country that you owe ₹11,300 crores to?

True Friendship Is Like Cuckoo Ka Jadoo -- Only A Few Get To Experience It.

Apple is all set to announce its new iPhone and as an Apple Bhakt, I could not be prouder. I have already booked my spot on the footpath for release day and broken the fixed deposit that I had reserved for my house. Bring it on Tim Cook, I am ready!

After a UK court asked Indian agencies to provide proof that our jails are not as gross as Mallya’s lawyers claim they are, work has begun on creating a top-notch detention facility. Sources say that it is equal parts medieval castle and Playboy Mansion.

Year after year, every Bollywood award function has had two constants: Aamir Khan’s absence and Rekha’s smiling kanjeevaram-clad presence. That changed at the IIFA Awards this year.

Tigmanshu Dhulia's Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster 3 forgets to be a political thriller and instead becomes a needless celebration of Sanjay Dutt. The result is an almost-dead franchise with an equally disinterested villain.

The verdict in the Sabarimala hearing is a reminder that Indian religious institutions need to finally end their deep-seated prejudice toward women devotees. Which is why, the Sabarimala judgment isn’t a win – it’s only the start.

Priyanka Chopra has a habit of showing up at the unlikeliest of places: She is at all Ambani weddings, on Instagram, on Page 3, and even in ads of media brands she does not endorse. It’s like you can’t turn a corner before running into Piggy Chops – just like a Mumbai pothole.

In the time that you spend adding a pair of sneakers to your Amazon cart, Jeff Bezos gets richer by $2,30,000. That is the rough estimate of how much money he makes every minute.

Before World Cup withdrawals hit you as unsuspectingly as the VAR penalty hit the Croatians last night, here’s a list of moments that will have you reminiscing, howling, and laughing your ass off in equal measure. Emmanuel Macron’s dab, Maradona’s drama or Japan’s thank you note, which is your favourite moment of the World Cup?

The online sale is an annual event now, just like the Mumbai Marathon, your marriage anniversary, or the Champions League final. We remember the date, we remember the time, and we know which deals we have to act on.

Last night, Croatia scripted history with a compelling semi-final win over England, becoming a World Cup finalist for the first time and proving that their undying resilience and impossible persistence could make them the Ultimate Underdog of this World Cup.

The catchphrase, “It’s coming home,” recently became annoying as fuck, after it turned into a meme that Indians are repeating unironically. This is the World Cup we’re talking about guys, not the Kohinoor.

It’s truly a man’s World Cup. In Russia, women reporters have been harassed, Burger King has put out a derogatory ad. Will sexism be given a red card already?

Mithun Chakraborty’s son Mimoh, who is getting married this weekend, has been accused of rape by a Bhojpuri actress. But like in the case of other Bollywood sexual offenders, he will most likely go scot-free with celebrities coming out in support.

It’s impossible to feel uninterrupted joy for Belgium without feeling devastated for Japan. That’s the power of good football — no number of penalty shootouts can even get close to that feeling.

If you believe in astrology, read no further. These dark and gloomy horrorscopes shall strike fear into your heart.

Can Messi crack the impenetrable French defence? Will Ronaldo continue to carry Portugal on his shoulders? Who will Luis Suarez bite next? Find out the answers to your most pressing World Cup questions in our preview.

Put Baby Taimur back in the crib, the “hottest woman on the planet”, Priyanka Chopra, has a wedding to attend.

The morbid visual of a huge metal object plummeting from the sky commands a grim fascination. From the hair-raising footage of a plane crashing into a bridge in Taiwan to a miraculous river landing in New York, here’s what happens when planes and cities cross paths.

According to Reuters, India is at the very top of the global table when it comes to violence against women. Even Pakistan is considered safer than us. What does this mean for our Indian identity, which so often revolves around besting our legendary foe?

“Like God, we have to let things run their course before we can intervene,” said a civic body official after Monday’s downpour in Mumbai.

If you love cheese as much as we do, you're going to fall head over heels for this purposely cheesy grilled cheese sandwich.

Moses plays for Nigeria, Jesus for Brazil, and for the coming month, Russia will be the Bethlehem of the world. Football’s the religion to follow, where prayer chants are easy, you can pick your own Gods, there are no compulsory rituals, and most of all, you don’t get lynched for nothing.

The fitness challenge is no joke. This video is. #HumFitTohIndiaFit #FitnessChallenge #ModiFitnessChallenge

The alliance between long-time rivals Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati looks like the start of a modern-day “friends with benefits” relationship. Will this political rendezvous survive or end in heartbreak?

Today, a news story is judged not by its accuracy, but by how viral it is and how it can be used to manipulate popular opinion, just like the doctored images which implied that Pranab Mukherjee did the RSS salute.

Facebook is back in the news, this time for giving at least 60 device makers “deep access” to data of users and their friends, without obtaining their explicit consent. At this point it would make more sense for Facebook to release a list of companies they haven’t shared data with.

A recent episode of Quantico has irked Indians because it dared to imply Hindus are terrorists. Except that, their anger rests less with the show and more with Priyanka Chopra, for not representing India.

Here’s a reason to cheer on a gloomy day: Our Maternal Mortality Rate has dropped by 22 per cent. That means nearly 1,000 fewer women die because of pregnancy-related complications in the country each month.

Sharmistha Mukherjee, Congress leader and daughter of former President Pranab Mukherjee, isn’t too happy about her father addressing an RSS event, despite being critical of them in the past. As it turns out, it’s also not the first time she’s disagreed with him.

No first day first show for Rajinikanth fans in Karnataka. Upset over the superstar’s comments on the Cauvery dispute, pro-Kannada activists have called for a ban on Kaala. Distributors decided to play it safe and not release the film in theatres.

The politically promiscuous BJP is sending the strapping Amit Shah over to Uddhav Thackeray’s house – presumably with a boombox playing Marathi street songs on loop – to win the Sena back. He could do with these tips.

Addressing the issue of the wage gap between men and women isn’t as simple as redistributing candy. Sometimes, change can begin with a conversation, and this week an Arré Siren panel featuring actress Aahana Kumra and photographer Karen Dias, kickstarted the discussion.

Cleaning up after Mumbai's massive population is no easy task, but for sanitation worker, Harishchandra Dhivar, writing helps him deal with the stench. On World Environment Day, meet the BMC garbage collector who has written over 200 poems.

As Global Temperatures Continue To Rise, The Intensifying Heat Will Cause A Mass Worldwide Extinction By 2080. Who Will Save Humanity From The Price Of Its Own Progress? It's Past The Time To Be Alarmed -- Now Is The Time To Take Action. #WorldEnvironmentDay