Articles

Why Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar Made Me Stop Glorifying the “Tortured Artist” Trope

The perception of a tortured artist is so glorified that it has become perversely aspirational. There is something highly alluring about the idea of deep sorrow and depression acting as a springboard for great pieces of art. The artists know it, and so does the market. But is this greatness worth it if you become an accomplice in your own exploitation?

Runjhun Noopur July 15, 2016

Love and Sex

Why I Choose to Be a Reluctant Monogamist in An Age of Right Swipes

Monogamy today has become as outdated as hair scrunchies and tamagotchis. After all, how are you supposed to experience all that life has to offer if you’re stuck with one person? Yet, I find it difficult to commit myself to not committing.

Kahini Iyer July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Shape of Water and Our Fascination with Monster Romance

Greek mythology is full of lusty satyrs and centaurs that sleep with goddesses. Hokusai's “The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife” is considered an early progenitor of tentacle porn. And The Shape of Water is a story, lush with adult desires, about outsiders. Why are we so fascinated by beasts and monsters?

Karanjeet Kaur July 15, 2016

Gender

What’s Wrong with Being a “High Maintenance” Woman?

My annual budget for haircuts runs comfortably into five digits. I own an ungodly amount of silver jewellery, bags, and indigo dresses. I suppose I am what society calls “high maintenance”. But I promise you, no man was hurt in the making of this film.

Sonali Kokra July 15, 2016

POV

The Agent Provocateurs of War

Media jingoists have concluded that the Uri attack calls for a tit-for-tat response. Pakistan has to be taught a lesson. There must be retribution. And it must be nuclear.

Parthshri Arora July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Would Satyajit Ray Be Branded an Anti-National if Pather Panchali Released Today?

Satyajit Ray’s films, starting with Pather Panchali, gave utterance to the suffering that the other, invisible India was going through. In an era of spin doctoring, of twisting statistics and data and rewriting history to fit the narrative of New India, Pather Panchali is exactly the kind of story we would want to distance ourselves from.

Chandrima Pal July 15, 2016

POV

The Curse of The No 1

This Indian squad, comprising young and hungry players, has achieved something even legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and MS Dhoni couldn’t: Beating the fearsome Aussies in straight games.

Dushyant Shekhawat July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Big Little Lies Season 2: Come for Meryl Streep, Stay for Her Scream

At one point in the opening episode of the second season of Big Little Lies, Meryl Streep’s Mary Louise nonchalantly makes an admission, “I’m a wanter myself..” After witnessing her terrifying turn in these 44 minutes, I’m a wanter too. I want more Meryl Streep.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Bollywood

What Shyam Benegal’s Hari-Bhari Gets Right About Women’s Right To Their Bodies

While films like Padman and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha have ended up looking like glorified public service cinema with a male saviour complex, Shyam Benegal’s Hari-Bhari is a fine example of building a compelling story about women’s autonomy.

Pragyan Mohanty July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Revisiting F.R.I.E.N.D.S: The One Where We Defend the Sitcom

Even as the sitcom makes a comeback, F.R.I.E.N.D.S is the subject of our generation's biggest polarising pop-culture debates. The criticism of the sitcom accuses it of being sexist, unfunny, and even bland. But I often wonder if using a 2020s lens to critique a TV show that is not from this time, a valid critique of it.

Priyanka Aidasani July 15, 2016