Raazi: A Deshbhakti Film that Shows the Ugly Side of Patriotism
Posted inBollywood

Raazi: A Deshbhakti Film that Shows the Ugly Side of Patriotism

For a film that has clouds of nationalism overpowering every frame, the implication that patriotism is a choice – one that the protagonists are not even offered – is a brave one to make. Yet it seamlessly fits in. For Meghna Gulzar has ensured Raazi isn’t a patriotic film. Instead, it’s a film about the aftermath of patriotism.
Why I Hated Being Sindhi
Posted inPeople

Why I Hated Being Sindhi

I’ve come to understand that my Sindhi identity is deeper than the bling and the money and the kadhi chawal. Its roots are about being rootless, about restarting life from zero.
Person of the Week: Shahid Afridi
Posted inSports

Person of the Week: Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi is famous for two things – faking retirement and always doing the unexpected. For uniting past and present players of Team India on Twitter, he is a natural choice for Person of the Week.
Pulwama Attack: When Did Peace Become Such a Loaded, Dirty Word?
Posted inPOV

Pulwama Attack: When Did Peace Become Such a Loaded, Dirty Word?

In the wake of the Pulwama attack, the distinction between sympathising with terrorists and hoping that peace will prevail has become increasingly blurry for those infected with a taste for vengeful retribution. At this point, someone could advocate a nuclear war and they’d receive a warmer reception than a person calling for peace.
The Tug-of-War of Modern Values in Mira Sethi’s Are You Enjoying?
Posted inBooks

The Tug-of-War of Modern Values in Mira Sethi’s Are You Enjoying?

Mira Sethi’s new book Are You Enjoying? explores contemporary Pakistan; a country that is culturally not so different from India. In this collection of short stories, Sethi describes how religious identity and national pride are in a state of constant war with modern-day values. As this book sheds light on different identities, some without happy endings, it’s one that young readers across the sub-continent will relate to.
Has the India-Pakistan Cricket Rivalry Lost its Mojo?
Posted inSports

Has the India-Pakistan Cricket Rivalry Lost its Mojo?

Like India’s foreign policy, an India-Pakistan cricket match was full of ups and downs. But that was back in the ’90s and to say things have changed would be an understatement. These days when India faces Pakistan, you often don’t even hear of the game until you have Cricinfo bookmarked.