Before @fcompanionsouth I didn't do many interviews. I was (and am) scared. But Manikandan was honest, kind and giving. Was an absolute pleasure talking to him and listening to others talk about him. This story just wrote itself. Please read. And send feedback, ok?

Official statement from the Film Critics Guild on the targeted attacks and harassment faced by film critics and journalists this week. The Guild strongly condemns this behaviour and stands in solidarity with our colleagues.

Year-end thread: Day 9 As part of the death cleaning activity, we also cancelled all OTT mid-year. Apart from Prime, Netflix and Hotstar, I was also paying for Zee5, Sony Liv, BBC (on Prime), Discovery+ (on Prime), Aha Video, Sun NXT and Mubi, cancelled all en masse (sorry to

Is it time to resume regular programming yet?

It's the job of a film critic to be open to be seduced by a film. But a <good> critic sees through the ruse of sexy needle-drops, convincing performances and emotional manipulation. Especially when employed for nefarious purposes. An alluring film is not always a 'good' film.

Year-end thread: Day 8 Speaking of films — and the cesspool that’s criticism today — the only film I watched in the theatre this year was Thug Life. Yep, one film a year for someone who did two films a week on average for nearly a decade. Hmmm. I was surprised by how numb I was

To push someone like Anupama Chopra to withdraw a review is the absolute pits! Threatening and harassing everyone who disagrees with something as fleeting as a film is such a disgrace. What next? Mannu lorry will accidentally run over their cars and bikes? It’s shameful what

Year-end thread: Day 7 (Sorry catching up from the weekend) Speaking of sewing, I found myself a fantastic tailor (designer?) in my neighbourhood! IYKYK how much of an achievement this is. The latest from her. A sari turned into this! I am so so excited for custom stuff I’ll

Year-end thread: Day 6 I learned to sew. Earlier this year, I bought myself a sewing machine. I legit thought it'd be one of those things I'd buy and not do anything with. Turns out, that wasn't the case. I made a lot of things. Mostly little things — cloth coaster to absorb

The verdict surprised no one. And now, predictably, he’ll reach for every trick in the book to recast himself as the wounded party. But history will remember her—for her courage, her endurance, and her refusal to be silenced.

If you are rich, have enough business deals and control money, lands etc of the who's who, you can hire someone to rape a woman you don't like - and get acquitted. Easy.

With the @BlrLitFest at Freedom Park (formerly central jail), this venue has housed both prose and cons.

Year-end thread: Day 5 ❤️

Year-end thread: Day 5 ❤️

Year-end thread: Day 4 I was such a home-body this year. I barely went out while in the city. Worse, I travelled only twice — one-day trips to Delhi (on business) and Kochi (for a wedding). Both times, I couldn’t wait to be back. For the first time in a long time, I was

Year-end thread: Day 3 I once had the fear of becoming a crazy cat lady in old age. Old age came. Fear came true. And then some. State of the family in 2025.

Year-end thread: Day 3 I once had the fear of becoming a crazy cat lady in old age. Old age came. Fear came true. And then some. State of the family in 2025.

2025 was a year without bylines — you'd understand how much of a shake up it can be for someone who identifies as a writer. So, imagine my surprise seeing my name in TNIE today — based on a research paper I wrote over a decade ago (I did speak to the journalist for this piece).

<The customary year-end thread> 2025 has been unlike any of the 36 years I’ve lived before. It’s a year of many many failures. It has changed who I am at home, work, with family, friends and acquaintances. I didn’t expect this (or want it). However, in retrospect, I’d have it

Once upon a time I was a film critic and a pretty good essayist.

We are #hiring for a social resource in Bengaluru. If you’re a pro shitposter/small creator, this one’s for you -