“Mere Pas Paa Hai!”

“Atchoo!”
“Bless you”, says the Owl, circling down to hop on my balcony. He potters around the pots and pokes at the bald stems and falling leaves.
“Don’t you have any manners?” I squeak, burying my nose in a handful of tissues and clearing my nose.
“Now, what?” he asks warily.
“I’m down with a chill. I’m down with severe [...]

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The Importance of Being Wicked

The problem with contemporary Bollywood fare is its dedication to goodness. It’s a popular formula that serves up treacle and tripe to box office crescendo.
“Feel good cinema” has more loyalists in India than followers to the Vatican. Bollywood offers substance so subsumed in style that it loses its spirit; prettiness that leaves no scope for [...]

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Poda! Podi!!

I land in Chennai in a disturbed state of mind. The flight’s inordinate delay and lousy food have added to my foul mood upon arrival.
“What di, when did you arrive?” he calls aloud among the khaki crowd around the taxi-stand.
“The Owl!? Acting as an extra in a Simbu flick or what?” I ask.
He guffaws. “Podi [...]

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Inviting them Candle-People to Vote

Dusk is rapidly falling and its shadows are lit up by candles.
There’s a congregation on the street;of men in jeans and sneakers and women in elegant mulmuls; and also young adult in tees and shorts and even pre teens in their singlets and capris. They’ve gathered for a candle-march.
I hover around the back.
I feel [...]

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