Articles

Dear Army Brats, Who Made You the Authority on National Security?

In the last one month, since the Pulwama attack, among those doubling up as defence experts are smug army brats. Their fathers served in the forces, but these skilled piggy-backers have never left behind big city comforts. The odiousness of army brats is tiresome in peacetime, but insufferable when the real threat of conflict lurks in the air.

Sonali Kokra March 11, 2016

POV

Chai Pe Charcha: In Defence of Gossip

Like rolling a first-class joint in under a minute, artful gossip can bring pleasure during conversations in a way few things can. Unfortunately, its inaccurate depictions in popular culture has forced us to equate the art of gossiping with the art of homewrecking.

Shipra Hattangadi March 11, 2016

POV

People, Learn to Take a Friggin’ Compliment

I respond to compliments the way the Indian cricket fan responds to Virat Kohli’s poor performance – by showing zero chill. My first instinct is to assume that the person giving the compliment is either taking the piss out of me or wants a huge-ass favour.

Jackie Thakkar March 11, 2016

Bollywood

Section 375 Review: A Smug and Ignorant “Not All Men” Proclamation

Section 375 is a sneaky, smug, and ignorant proclamation of "Not All Men" that comes at the expense of the Me Too movement. It doesn't just argue that the system is corrupted to a point where justice is a foregone conclusion. But that women seek revenge by filing false rape charges and the system enables them.

Poulomi Das March 11, 2016

POV

Nanha Munna Rahi Hoon: What I Miss Most About School Independence Day Functions

We might have complained endlessly about school Independence Day celebrations back then. But it was the only phase in our lives where we truly understood what it meant to be a patriot, without the layers of nationalism and political stances that colour that notion as adults.

Nihal Bambulkar March 11, 2016

Features

Do We Need Wallets in the Age of Smartphones?

It took just one day of me leaving my wallet at home to realise how unimportant it was. With the smartphone’s infinite capacity to get things done and the rise of the cashless economy, will wallets soon join the MP3 player and the torch as yet another item slain by the mobile phone?

Hardik Rajgor March 11, 2016

Pop Culture

Why TED Talks India Nayi Soch is TV’s Most Intellectual Offering

TED Talks could be India’s first step toward creating television that isn’t peddling brain-dead and rehearsed ideas. It has the ability to change the general discourse at the tapri from the #Virushka secret wedding to water conservation.

#VALUE! March 11, 2016

Pop Culture

Ford v Ferrari Review: An Exquisite Racing Drama that Doesn’t Skimp on the Bruises

In Ford v Ferrari, the rivalry indicated in the title is merely a footnote. Instead James Mangold is more interested in locating the bruises that propel men to declare war and mistake it for glory. The result is a thrilling racing drama that ruminates on the line separating ego from pride.

Poulomi Das March 11, 2016

DisArré

Exclusive: Interview with Brother Dave

Outgoing and heartbroken Brit PM pours his heart out to W&B, on Brexit, that bugger BoJo, and more.

Weedward and March 10, 2016

Pop Culture

Captain Marvel Review: A Reminder of Why We Fell in Love with the Avengers

Captain Marvel takes us back to the humble beginnings of the MCU, before we come to its operatic end. It’s a welcome palate-cleanser before the guaranteed plunge into the overstuffed chaos that Avengers: Endgame, releasing next month, will be.

Kahini Iyer March 10, 2016