Latest stories

India’s Parallel Cinema Remains Unmatched

Govind Nihalani’s ‘Party’ was among a slate of films that used realism to challenge political power. Where are such movies now?

In Urvashi Vaid’s World, All Were Welcome

The Indian American LGBTQ activist fought for equality for all, and made queer South Asians feel seen, heard, and loved.

How an Unusual Calendar Became a Symbol of Indian Culture

Fifty years since its inception, Kalnirnay has become an essential household tool and a point of connection for the diaspora.

Northeastern Actors are Finally Getting Their Shot at Bollywood Stardom

Streaming platforms have led to more regional cinema, diverse storytelling, and long-awaited opportunities for northeastern actors. Will mainstream Hindi cinema follow?

Dismantling the Brown “Glow-Up”

The concept of getting hotter with age — also known as “glowing up” — isn’t new, but South Asian TikTok influencers question what this trend really celebrates.

Subhas Chandra Bose: A Legacy of Contradictions

The Bengali leader who fought for India’s independence admired both Nazi Germany and Soviet Communism. Some have tried to erase his story; others have co-opted him.

Revisiting ‘Fauji,’ the Genesis of King Khan

Thirty years since Shah Rukh Khan’s silver screen debut, we reexamine the dreadful show with a star-making performance.

Met Gala 2022: New South Asian Looks, Familiar Problems

Celebrities including Simone Ashley, Riz Ahmed, Mindy Kaling, and Prabal Gurung walked the red carpet. But industry insiders say that the annual fundraiser isn’t as glamorous as it might seem.

Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: 2022

This May, a roundup of 15 stories that celebrate South Asian American life, love, culture, and history.

Kevin G. Was Ahead of His Time

‘Mean Girls’ used the mathlete and badass M.C. for comedic relief, but ultimately he gets the last laugh.

A Guide to Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis — And What Comes Next

For the first time since its 1948 independence, Sri Lanka has defaulted on its debts as it plunges deeper into an economic and constitutional crisis.

Meera Syal Refuses to Be Disappointed

The star of 'Goodness Gracious Me' and 'The Kumars at No. 42' brought audiences unapologetic portrayals of South Asian womanhood — and she's just getting started.

Irani Bakes Spread Through India. Now, They’re Disappearing.

As Parsi cafés shutter, Irani bakes that have become teatime staples — from mawa cake to nankhatai — are at risk of vanishing, too.

‘Beast’ Proves the Theatrical Timepass is Alive and Well

The hit Tamil-language film with superstar Vijay shows that Indian movies don’t need to be good to be a great time and succeed at the box office.

The “Tacky NRI Fashion” Debate is About More Than Style

Allegations that diaspora Indians wear “tacky” Indian fashion sparked internet fury on Instagram account Diet Sabya. But the root of the debate isn’t about fashion at all.

Parminder Nagra Should Have Been a Superstar

'Bend It Like Beckham' turned Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Meyers into overnight celebrities. Why didn’t it do the same for its British Indian stars?

‘Roar’ Uses Outrageous Plots to Highlight Outrageous Truths

In Apple TV+’s new series, Meera Syal of ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ brings laugh-out-loud comedy to thought-provoking satire as the “woman who returned her husband.”

How 'RRR' and 'Baahubali' Raised the Bar for the Indian Blockbuster

Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has achieved the Hollywood blockbuster effect — using large budgets for even larger box office payoffs — by turning Indian folklore and the freedom struggle into must-see epics.

The Queer Legacy of ‘Bend It Like Beckham’

The film bent the rules so that others could break them. We examine its impact 20 years later.

How Aditi Shah Built a Following By Teaching People to Be Still

Peloton’s only South Asian instructor is bringing yoga and meditation to the digital space while honoring their roots. And now, she’s Puma’s latest ambassador.