Runa Mukherjee, Author at Arré

“Paani Chala Gaya”: Why India Will Never Have its The Shape of Water

Would the creature from The Shape of Water, who needs to stay hydrated all the time, fall in love in India, staring at its own version of the water crisis? He might be an anti-hero instead, avenging the loss of his habitat from the worst of us.

Runa Mukherjee June 7, 2016

Parenting

What Does It Take To Be a “Super-Dad”? The Barest Minimum

Men have had it easy literally everywhere, from jobs to a simple task like walking down a street. It comes as no surprise that even parenting is easier for them. What’s worse is that the little that they do in raising the child is seen as a great feat by society.

Runa Mukherjee May 11, 2016

Pop Culture

Why Glenn Close’s The Wife Feels Tailormade for Indian Wives

No matter how educated or urbane we get, women are still asked in interviews whether they plan to get married or start a family soon. Our roles in our homes are considered our duty, not an achievement. And like Joann from The Wife, we’re mandated to serve our husbands, not our dreams.

Runa Mukherjee May 10, 2016

Pop Culture

What’s Not to Love about Olivia Colman, the Queen of Everydayness?

The wondrous bit about Oscar-winner Olivia Colman is that she fits in as easily as an everyday person as she does as a royal. She is an unlikely hero, who has, through her performances, turned the non-glamorous parts of humanity, the usual disgruntlement of our existences, into art.

Runa Mukherjee May 8, 2016

Pop Culture

What American Sitcoms Taught India About Homosexuality

It was through American TV that many of us Indians got our first exposure to regular gay characters. With no real-life examples to know or understand from, watching amazing queer characters on screen like Jack McFarland from Will & Grace helped shape the idea of how similar they really were to me.

Runa Mukherjee April 26, 2016

Culture

My Favourite Part of Durga Puja? Remembering the Pujos of My Childhood

Growing up, Durga Pujo was all about garnering a shot of freedom, of carefree behaviour, every single year. But adulting compromises the novelty of Pujo. Now, as an adult, reminiscing about the Pujo of my childhood is possibly my favourite Pujo activity.

Runa Mukherjee April 10, 2016

Pop Culture

It’s All Predictable in The Upside Down! Did Stranger Things Really Need Season 3?

The very elements – smart kids with a scientific bent of mind, a mysterious girl with psychokinetic and telepathic abilities, a monster who is difficult to defeat, and adults who carry immense emotional baggage – that made Stranger Things a phenomenon, are the things that are making it go from good to predictable every year. Truth is, it ain’t getting any stranger than this.

Runa Mukherjee April 10, 2016

Pop Culture

Move Over, Narcos: Mexico. Pablo Escobar Will Always Remain Our Favourite Drug Lord

Narcos’ Pablo Escobar remains my favourite drug lord. The small-time trafficker was a genial, portly guy next door who was as committed to his business as he was to his family. No wonder that his undying love for his family endeared him to Indian audiences like me.

Runa Mukherjee April 9, 2016

Pop Culture

Give Benedict Cumberbatch an Oscar Already

Over the last decade, Benedict Cumberbatch has casually put together a body of work that puts him into a rare category of actors who straddle heroism, genius and vulnerability with equal command. If he wins an Oscar for The Power of the Dog, it’ll only be confirmation of his now established stature.

Runa Mukherjee April 4, 2016

Coronavirus

A Coronavirus Survivor’s Tale: How Covid-19 Attacks Your Life, Not Just Your Body

Sumiti Singh, a young entrepreneur, was among the first few confirmed Covid-19 positive cases in Ahmedabad. She is also the first to have returned home to a loud cheer from her friends and neighbours – and wants everyone to know that even if they are diagnosed with the infection, they should stay calm.

Runa Mukherjee March 23, 2016