Mythological Narratives, Scientific Imaginations
From Kalki 2898 AD, Brahmastra, and beyond, Indian cinema has become oversaturated with sci-fi films that focus on motifs from religion and mythology, fixating on technical effects rather than innovative ideas and storytelling. By Marnina (Avirup)
DRY DAY: A Tale of Political and Personal Prohibitions
Using alcohol as a vessel, Saurabh Shulka’s comic drama Dry Day focuses on the relationship between capital and elections, the role of women in decision-making realm, and the overlap between the personal and political spheres of life. By Marnina (Avirup)
GOLDFISH: An Intimate Exploration of Family, Dementia, and Dysfunction
Observed from a lens of progressing dementia, Goldfish (2023) is a complex story of a mother and daughter’s emotional conflict, of diaspora and community, of music and joy. By Neera Kashyap
An Age of Unreason: The Kashmir Files and The War on Information
Vivek Agnihotri’s controversial film The Kashmir Files is more drama than documentary, an awkward retelling of recent history that propagates more than it educates. By Dhani Muniz
Ramya Pothuri, Peter Wohlleben, and Pagglait - What's The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 8: We’re listening to Ramya Pothuri; reading Peter Wohlleben and Viet Thanh Nguyen; and watching Pagglait. Featuring Ady Manral, Shaista Vaishnav, and Harshita Murarka. Hosted by Karan Madhok.
Namit Arora, Project Mishram, and OK Computer - What's The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 7: We’re reading Namit Arora and Suketu Mehta; listening to Project Mishram; and watching the Hotstar series OK Computer. Featuring Shaista Vaishnav, Anurag Tagat, and Prateek Santram. Hosted by Karan Madhok.
Punk on Toast, Lori Gottlieb, and Deshdrohi - What's The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 6: We’re listening to Punk on Toast; reading Lori Gottlieb and Franz Kafka; and watching India’s best worst film, Deshdrohi. Featuring Ady Manral, Shaista Vaishnav, and Prateek Santram. Hosted by Karan Madhok.
Abdon Mech, AK VS AK, and Annie Zaidi - What's The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 5: We’re listening to Abdon Mech; watching AK vs AK and Indian meta-cinema, and reading Annie Zaidi and Yaa Gyasi. Featuring Ady Manral, Urmi Bhattacheryya, and Shaista Vaishnav. Hosted by Karan Madhok.
Welcome Home, When Chai Met Toast, and Aravind Adiga - What's The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 4: We’re watching Welcome Home and Indian horror; listening to When Chai Met Toast; reading Aravind Adiga and Balli Kaur Jaswal. Featuring Prateek Santram, Ady Manral, and Shaista Vaishnav. Hosted by Karan Madhok.
Pradeep Damodaran, Lifafa, and Cargo - What's The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 3: We’re reading Pradeep Damodaran and Delia Owens; listening to Lifafa; watching Cargo. Featuring Shaista Vaishnav, Ady Manral, and Prateek Santram. Hosted by Karan Madhok.
Divine, Samit Basu, and Scam 1992 - What’s The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 2: We’re listening to Divine; watching Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story; reading Samit Basu and DBC Pierre. Featuring Ady Manral, Shaista Vaishnav, and Jamie Alter. Hosted by Karan Madhok
Khwaab, Nisha Susan, and Mirzapur - What’s The Chakkar?
What’s The Chakkar? Episode 1: We’re listening to Khwaab; watching Mirzapur and Raat Akeli Hai; reading Nisha Susan, Tara Westover, Isabel Wilkerson, and Frank Herbert. Featuring Ady Manral, Kanika Jain, and Prateek Santram. Hosted by Karan Madhok