Articles

How Badrinath Ki Dulhania Tries (And Fails) To Be DDLJ

Badrinath Ki Dulhania struggles to recreate DDLJ, riding on the Varun-Alia chemistry. But it’s impossible to doff your hat to a classic with a hero with a major character flaw.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Cyber

An Obituary for Sex

This is the end, beautiful friend. Regular sex is going out of fashion – and the future is full of teledildonics and Westworld-esque sex robots, designed to give you perfect pleasure.

Himanshu Sharma July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Boogie Woogie, Takeshi’s Castle, and “Mumbhai”: How Jaaved Jaaferi Shaped the Childhood of ’90s Kids

Much before gully boys were spitting “buntai” and “boht hard” into a mic, there was one man who was rapping about Mumbai and its streets. His name is Jaaved Jaaferi. The man, who turns 56 today, influenced ’90s kids with his music, moves, and inimitable commentary. Remember Takeshi’s Castle?

Damian D'souza July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Why is Arjun Reddy Getting a Bollywood Remake?

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy – arguably the most polarising Telugu film in recent times – is not without its problems. It has managed to sustain the attention and outrage of audiences across the country. Even in 2019, people just can’t seem to stop talking about Arjun Reddy. And that’s why we have Kabir Singh releasing tomorrow.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Features

How Rajkummar Rao Became Too Good for Bollywood

For a long time Rajkummar Rao, who neither came from a filmy family nor had the luxury of a lavish Dharma debut, was nobody’s idea of a hero. Yet in the decade that he has spent in Bollywood, he has redefined what it means to be a hero in his own terms.

Ananya N July 15, 2016

Sports

Why I Went from #WengerOut to #WengerIn My Heart

A few months ago, after a series of consecutive Arsenal losses, I hesitantly shifted to the #WengerOut side. After all the club was bigger than the manager, right? But as I heard about his decision to step down, I felt a vacuum. I realised, for me, Arsene and Arsenal, had become one.

Karan Mujoo July 15, 2016

Love and Sex

Confessions of a Half-Boyfriend

The “friend-zone” is really just a communication error. Not all “half-boyfriends” are sneaky assholes who are nice to women only to get into their pants.

Parthshri Arora July 15, 2016

POV

Those ’90s Things: When the Seat Under the Fan Was Reserved for the Family’s Most Important Member

Back in the ’90s, the 10x10 room in the chawl was our kingdom, the place right near the fan, was the throne. Naturally the family’s most important member, usually the patriarch, had the luxury of placing himself right under the fan. Exceptions were made only when we children had our exams.

Damian D'souza July 15, 2016

Culture

Raksha Bandhan in Co-Ed Schools: An Enforced Ritual for Involuntary Bro-Zoning

Raksha Bandhan remains a painful memory for many of us because of the involuntary “bro zoning” that went on in co-ed schools. Teachers would ensure that girls tied rakhis on the wrists of their male classmates, rendering any other relationship between them illicit.

Jackie Thakkar July 15, 2016

Gender

Too Small, Too Bouncy, Or Sagging: Can Women Ever Stop Worrying About Their Breasts?

When my breasts first arrived, I didn’t quite know how to handle the sudden puberty-induced baggage. As they grew ambitiously in high school into the 36D terrain, I developed a hunch to make them less conspicuous. I thought I’d stop worrying about them in my 30s, but now we are fighting gravity together.

Sangeetha Bhaskaran July 15, 2016