The Rowling dilemma: A trailer, a boycott and a rush to decide Harry Potter’s fate Subscriber Only

From J.K. Rowling’s controversy to nostalgia-fuelled backlash, the new Harry Potter is being judged before it begins

Raghav Chadha cracked the ‘social media neta’ code. Why did the janta reward it? Subscriber Only

A young politician who understands the internet is not a problem. The real question is why that understanding is enough to convince us.

‘I liked Dhurandhar, but…’ is how India is watching films now Subscriber Only

Dhurandhar The Revenge debate grows as viewers question propaganda, creative liberty, and storytelling, with many saying “I liked it, but…” in their reactions.

Project Hail Mary gave us Rocky — an alien who didn’t try to fix us Subscriber Only

Ryan Gosling’s hesitant hero and an unlikely alien friendship tap into something rare: the human need to be accepted without conditions.

The end of Bollywood’s shared moment Subscriber Only

In an age of algorithms, infinite feeds and global content, no single film - not even a blockbuster - can hold India’s attention the way it once did.

We overlook Violet Bridgerton. Until we can desire her Subscriber Only

In Bridgerton, Violet has always been the emotional centre — but we only start noticing her when the gaze shifts from motherhood to desirability.

In ‘Dhurandhar’ country, can ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ be heard? Subscriber Only

From the first few frames of the movie, it was clear to me that ‘Dhurandhar’ was made to inflame.

On Eid, visibility is no longer neutral Subscriber Only

Eid celebrations in India highlight how religious identity, visibility, and public space intersect, shaping belonging, scrutiny, and continuity in contemporary society.

Supreme Court’s menstrual leave remarks aren’t the problem. Hiring bias is Subscriber Only

Supreme Court menstrual leave remarks highlight concerns over hiring bias and workplace inequality, raising deeper questions about how women’s realities are treated in employment decisions.

Stop asking why we care about the Oscars Subscriber Only

Why the Oscars still matter beyond Hollywood. From global cinema recognition to India’s growing wins, here’s what keeps the Academy Awards relevant.

Gen Z is nostalgic for a childhood it never had Subscriber Only

From poems and essays to YouTube comment sections, young people raised on smartphones are mourning the simple offline childhood their parents once took for granted.

The true crimeification of the Epstein Files: When a scandal feels like a Netflix thriller Subscriber Only

The Jeffrey Epstein case is full of unanswered questions. Yet the way the internet processes the scandal often feels less like a demand for justice and more like the unfolding of a narrative.

Karan Aujla pulled the crowds. India’s concert culture couldn’t keep up Subscriber Only

From barricade rushes in Delhi to heat chaos in Mumbai, Karan Aujla’s shows exposed a deeper issue: India can host global artists, but struggles to manage global-sized crowds.

How the ‘strong woman’ narrative fails Indian women Subscriber Only

This Women’s Day, it would be apt to remember that strength is not always visible - and it certainly does not look the same for every woman.

The algorithm knows what you’ll like. Do you? Subscriber Only

From Spotify Wrapped to viral film clips, algorithms shape what we watch, hear and debate online. But are we discovering culture or simply being guided to it?

Aneet Padda proves why Bollywood needs more first-generation dreams Subscriber Only

Aneet Padda’s Vogue speech reignites Bollywood nepotism debate, highlighting outsider struggles, privilege gaps and why first-generation dreamers still matter in Hindi cinema.

Baby Punch had an orangutan toy. We have chatbots. Subscriber Only

Baby macaque Punch’s attachment to an orangutan toy revives questions about self-soothing, attachment theory, and why adults now turn to AI for emotional comfort.

India’s queer quotient: Would we celebrate Sam Altman if he were Samir from Surat? Subscriber Only

From global tech leaders to athletes and royals, why does acceptance feel easier when queerness comes wrapped in power, distance, or fame?

Meet the father-daughter bands fuelling Gen Z’s love for classic rock Subscriber Only

Parent-child bands in the alternative music scene are proving that the taste for classic rock is not skipping generations.

Forget grass, touch paper: How smartphones rewired our hands Subscriber Only

As our devices increasingly replace our hands, a transference of responsibility, Gen Z is turning to hobbies that require crafting, sewing, weaving, drawing and writing as an antidote.

Weekly episodes or binge-watching: How digital fatigue changed viewing habits Subscriber Only

Binge-watching isn't dead yet, but staggered releases offer a much needed breather and a space to reflect, participate in conversation and revert to a familiar ritual.

What the ‘nihilist penguin’ tells us about modern exhaustion Subscriber Only

A lone penguin wandering off has the internet introspecting: what if we could just walk away?

‘Jo desh ke kaam na aaye…’: What Rang De Basanti still asks from its audience Subscriber Only

Rang De Basanti at 20: The movie does not argue that everyone must protest, rebel or even become a martyr, but it dismantles the illusion that opting out is a permanent choice.

Would your friend fight Vecna for you? What Stranger Things reminds us about friendship Subscriber Only

Stranger Things captures a pre-algorithmic intimacy, one not optimised for performance or documentation. It reminds us that friendship is about actually showing up.

Why 2026 is obsessed with 2016: Inside Gen Z’s ‘retromania’ Subscriber Only

Nostalgia has long influenced pop cultural trends, birthing an economy of its own, with brands that make a comeback, stars that turn Gen Z favourites, or TV show franchises that find a second wind.