Given how the pandemic’s second wave has devastated India, the BCCI’s decision to postpone the IPL should’ve been made much earlier. Cricket, in the time of crisis and tragedy, had felt plain wrong. By Jamie Alter

The diversity of Hindi-language web series over the calendar year was truly remarkable, featuring shows that thrilled, entertained, and pushed forward Indian storytelling more than ever before. From Paatal Lok to Aarya, and Scam 1992 to Panchaayat and beyond, Jamie Alter picks ten of the very best.

The true rags-to-riches tale of a stockbroker, Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story is a gripping chronicle of the corrupting power of ambition, as well as an astute commentary on an archaic financial system that both boosted and crippled India’s economy - by Jamie Alter.

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam’s iconic voice and plethora of soundtracks marked the multilingual singer as one of the most essential artists of his time. Jamie Alter recalls the impact of the crossover artist in the Hindi film industry.

There is a clear disconnect between Indian sports and films about Indian sports. We love inspiring cinematic stories about sports in India—often ignoring the sports themselves. Jamie Alter analyses this dichotomy.

There are few things that India loves more than cricket and cinema. And yet, the cultural connection between our favourite pastimes have rarely resulted in quality cricket films. Jamie Alter lists some of the best and worst of Bollywood on the willow.

Irrfan Khan was both subtle and mesmerising, performing with words and with his eyes, embodying characters we would never forget. Jamie Alter analyses the five crucial roles that helped define the art of the acting legend.

Short story by Jamie Alter: ‘His eyes were ever sadder than the lady on the train. Yet there was some resemblance between the two, a similar pain that both of their eyes had been accustomed to.’

Short story by Jamie Alter: ‘Suddenly, from just ahead of the lamppost in front of the hawa-ghar, appeared the frame of an elderly man. Mr Rathore could swear that nothing had been there just seconds ago.’

Short story by Jamie Alter: ‘It was an exciting thought, at once devious and thrilling. In his thirty-nine years in the postal service, Bisht had not once opened someone else’s mail. But suddenly, the notion of taking this mysterious package home made him tingle.’

True Stories of excellence – Jamie Alter reviews She Dared: Women in Indian Sports by Abhishek Dubey and Sanjeeb Mukherjea

Dwarkanath Pundir wished to smile again. - An original short story by Jamie Alter