Articles

The Case for Arranged Marriage

An arranged marriage is thoughtful curation more than a blind choice. People with similar customs, tradition, and upbringing are likely to make fewer compromises, fight lesser, and be happier. Truth is, marriages are not made in heaven, they are made in convenience.

Ramjaane July 17, 2016

Gender

“It’s Not Me, It’s You”: How to Identify Gaslighters and Fight the Manipulation

There was a time I’d walk away from an altercation feeling confused, foolish, and chastised. On occasion, I’ve even been grateful that the man in question was being such a good sport about the embarrassing “misunderstanding”. Not anymore. I refuse to be gaslighted.

Sonali Kokra July 17, 2016

POV

Humbly Submitted for Your Esteemed Perusal

High-flown language may have developed as a means of officialdom to isolate itself from common folk but thanks to our feudal hangover, we continue to embrace it in our daily lives.

Rudy Singh July 17, 2016

Bollywood

Looking for a Sushil, Sanskari, Non-Toxic Bollywood Hero

Hindi cinema hasn’t completely disregarded the need for healthy male leads. Toxic protagonists are still seen as rule breakers – as underdogs who can win against the system and evoke sympathy. But a handful of films, like Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, October, and even Muqaddar Ka Sikandar have tried to change that.

Sayantan Mondal July 17, 2016

Gender

#Throwback 2018: What We Thought of the #MeToo Movement

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.

Arré Bench July 16, 2016

Pop Culture

“Comfort Watching” Old Shows During the Pandemic is Chicken Soup for the Weary Soul

During this pandemic, I have discovered comfort watching – old shows that bring my soul succour. There’s a looming dread and emotional fatigue that has set in over the last year. Discovering new movies and shows feels cumbersome, when all we crave is to feel like we have a semblance of control over our own lives.

Poulomi Das July 16, 2016

People

What Were You Doing at 16? Ayesha Aziz Became India’s Youngest Pilot at That Age

Sixteen-year-old Ayesha Aziz became the youngest student pilot in India in 2011. Aziz graduated in aviation from the Bombay Flying Club in 2016, and the following year, at 21, she bagged her commercial pilot’s license. Since then, she has also trained at NASA.

Arré Bench July 16, 2016

Bollywood

No Fathers in Kashmir Review: A Necessary Film that Poses Questions that Can’t Be Ignored

Ashvin Kumar’s No Fathers in Kashmir, is a tender portrait of first love in the time of the Kashmir crisis. It’s a riveting narrative that feels novel, given that most of Hindi cinema’s love stories set in Kashmir remain completely unaffected by the state’s chaotic past and present.

Poulomi Das July 16, 2016

Modern Family

My Runaway Mother

After my parents parted ways, my mother moved to Spain. The world around me erupted in the sound of an angry sizzle. How could she abandon a teenage daughter?

Tia Basu July 16, 2016

Pop Culture

Welcome to Bollywood, Janhvi and Ishaan. Here’s What’s in Store for You

Dear Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khattar, this is the first day of the rest of your famous lives. Here’s how it unfolds.

Dushyant Shekhawat July 16, 2016