Debamita Chakraborty’s debut novel Lifescape mirrors the truths and travails blanketing a rural area of Gujarat. Governed by customs, traditions, and patriarchal norms, the inhabitants of Moti Chirai are also at the mercy of nature which is not always benevolent. Can the community overcome the obstacles that make their path a rugged one? Unfolding the story of Lifescape Misfortune comes in waves. A storm mercilessly … Continue reading Lifescape: A Story of Emancipation and Female Empowerment

I would say it’s a rather uncanny coincidence. Mukti Bhawan is a film that I had wanted to write about for a long time. Just as I had gathered my thoughts and was close to penning the piece, I heard about the sad demise of actor Lalit Behl, who essayed the role of patriarch Dayanand Kumar in the film. The veteran actor-filmmaker passed away due … Continue reading Mukti Bhawan Celebrates The Parental Bond With Delicate Sensitivity

It was close to my birthday. Holding a present untidily wrapped with tape all over, my little one came up to me. It was his favorite red toy truck that he wanted to give Mommy. My heart instantly melted on seeing those pure, undiluted feelings. Now 20 years later, I am still recounting the incident. It’s all because mothers are touched by the simplest and … Continue reading Silliness and Smiles, Sugar and Spice: A Mother’s Day Tribute

My typing of “pepper chicken” in the Google search engine yielded millions of results. This was well expected, owing to the popularity of the dish across varied cuisines. But is this delicacy always so relished and welcomed? What if it was served, in the chilling dark of night, to a woman terrified out of her wits?  Ratan Sil Sarma’s Pepper Chicken addresses this issue head-on … Continue reading The Spices And Flavors That Make The Thriller Pepper Chicken

Most of us perform a ritual as the year comes to a close. We look back in retrospect at the bygone days and gaze forward in anticipation of what the future holds for us. The year 2020 held us all in a threatening grip. If we were to analyze 2020 and assess it, we could say that it has been an extremely tumultuous year. Considering … Continue reading A Toast To Hope for 2021

She rides on her flying tiger Sahas and is an emblem of courage. The gospel of love, fairness, and acceptance is what she seeks to preach. She is none other than Priya, India’s first female comic book superhero. Something new and refreshing now emerges from this comic book series. An international array of actors featuring Vidya Balan, Mrunal Thakur, Sairah Kabir, and Rosanna Arquette have … Continue reading Superhero Priya Is On A Mission to Combat COVID-19

A cup of spiced tea, savory snacks, and a sweet, short film are indeed a refreshing combo to spend an afternoon with. Produced under the banner of Kadambari Creations (KC Digital Films Initiative), the Assamese film Arranged was released on YouTube on October 16. It was indeed a pleasant experience for me to watch the film. The story of Arranged Jayanta and Jurima are a … Continue reading Was The Marriage Arranged Or Destined? A Heartwarming Short Film

I did not make a  conscious decision. It was just coincidental that I happened to watch Nirvana Inn, with its well-designed spooky aspects, on Halloween Day.  The film was a part of the screenings at the Indian Film Festival of Cincinnati. Premiered in the Busan International Film Festival of 2019, Nirvana Inn clearly deviates from the norms that generally govern movies in the thriller genre. … Continue reading The Past Usurps The Present In The Film Nirvana Inn

Fall is my most favorite season of the year. I love seeing the leaves of trees change colors, and the pleasantly mild temperatures encourage me to take long walks. As we celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of November, we reflect on our blessings in life. This year, it has become all the more important to be grateful for all that we have, with the world … Continue reading Being Thankful And Keeping My Sunny Side Up

When Shyamala Gopalan first set her feet on American soil and was clearing her immigration formalities, she did not know what the future would bring.  She was totally unaware that she was going to give to that nation a daughter who would create history close to six decades later. It was a moment of joy when Joe Biden selected Kamala Harris to be his running … Continue reading As the USA Gets Ready to Accept Kamala Harris