Author: Sweetlena Mandal

From Washington to Mumbai: Vir Das is Still Saying the Unsayable If laughter is the best medicine, then Vir Das has basically become Big Pharma, except instead of shady side effects, he leaves you with sore cheeks, a bruised ego, and an uncomfortable realization about the society you live in. He is the comedian who can roast politics, patriarchy, and your WhatsApp uncle’s conspiracy theories in the same breath, and still have you begging for more. (Image courtesy: cdn) And if you have been anywhere near the internet lately, you know he is back in the headlines. Again! But let’s…

The Rich List 2025: Top 5 Richest Bollywood Actors and Their Wild Fortunes They tell you that Bollywood is glitz, glamour, and gold; and there’s nowhere it is more literally the case than when you consider the bank balances of its most successful stars. From red carpet arrivals to blockbusters that mint crores, the stars bring box-office gold; sometimes their net worth even is gold. So buckle up, because today we are diving headfirst into the top richest Bollywood actors, SRK (yes, the King), Juhi Chawla, Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and a few special mentions that will make…

Top parenting coaches helping Indian families build emotionally strong and confident children. Parenting is a contact sport. There are no uniforms, no timeouts, and no referees. One moment you are interpreting toddler tantrums; the next, you are managing the emotional battlefield of adolescence. From “eat your broccoli” to “why can’t you speak to me anymore,” most parents wind up juggling guilt, fatigue, and a fervent prayer that they are not completely ruining everything. This is where parenting coaches come into the picture. The individuals who have dedicated their life’s work to cracking this code and assisting parents in remembering not…

When Max Amini Lands in India, Expect Chaos (and Comedy) Imagine that you are walking into the theatre, lights dim, a hush falls over the crowd, and then the man you have followed on social media, watched on YouTube and heard about from friends, takes the stage. That man is Max Amini, and yes, he’s coming to India. If you are a fan of clever punch-lines, cultural mash-ups and a comedian who bridges Iran, America and everywhere in between, you will want to mark these dates in bold on your calendar. (Image courtesy: ticketm) The Tour’s India Stop-Over According to…

Ten Days. Sixteen Tribes. One Epic Beat, Hornbill Festival Unplugged There is a December magic that sweeps over Nagaland’s hills, louder than Christmas carols, brighter than fairy lights, and more uninhibited than any winter party you have been to. It starts with a beat. A drumbeat that thunders across the green valleys, summoning adventurers, storytellers, musicians, and dreamers. And before you even realize it, you know the Hornbill Festival has begun. (Image courtesy: Scroll) Hosted every December at Kisama village in Kohima, Hornbill is not a festival but an introduction of Nagaland to the world of who and what exactly…

A Smile Beyond Time: The Day Bollywood’s Beloved Comedian Said Goodbye There are goodbyes that are the end of an era; quiet, subtle, and yet so heavily weighty. The passing away of Govardhan Asrani, at the age of 84, is one such day. Bollywood bid farewell to one of its finest actors on October 20, 2025, in the night, a few hours after he had shared his Diwali wishes on Instagram. His last message was full of light, laughter, and festive cheer. It’s kind of poetry; the man who stored millions of smiles in his purse waving goodbye with a…

A Symphony in Flame: How Candlelight Concerts Are Changing India’s Nights You know that sense of when the lights go down, the hum of chatter disappears, and a solitary note pierces the blackness like a heartbeat? That’s the magic of a Candlelight Concert, where music doesn’t just play, it breathes. (Image courtesy: thgim) Imagine this: a hall filled with a thousand flickering candles, their glow tracing every face with gold. A pianist begins to play the opening bars of Kun Faya Kun, and suddenly, silence turns sacred. You are no longer in a hotel ballroom or an auditorium; you are…

Zombies on Okhla Streets? Welcome to India’s First Halloween Parade! Gather ’round, ghosties and ghouls, and lend an ear (or whatever appendage you bring with you), because this Halloween, Delhi is going to be haunted in style. In India for the first time, a Halloween parade is sweeping over the capital, threatening to blend chills, thrills, and more candy than your pillowcase can contain. Diwali lights, step aside, October is receiving a brand-new star. (Image courtesy: lifestyleasia) The Venue: HorrorCon 2025: A Spook-Haunted Playground Set your calendars: October 25–26, 2025, the NSIC Exhibition Ground, Gate 6, Okhla, Delhi. That’s where…

From Mumbai to Jaipur: The Most Exciting Diwali Events & Experiences of 2025 Oh, Diwali! The festival that lights up India, both literally and emotionally! From the faint glow of diyas in small towns to the elaborately gargantuan light shows in the belly of metropolises, Diwali is easily the most anticipated festival of the year. Yes, there is candy, firecrackers, and consumerism added to the mix, but at its heart, Diwali is about lovely family, thanks, and memories that will outlast the smoldering candles. In India, rituals change, but in all of them is laughter; the family laughter, the friendly…

13 Inspiring Motivational Speakers from Kerala Changing How We See Life In a state where monsoons compose verses on palm leaves and backwaters murmur their soft rhythm, creativity is native, it’s in the blood. Kerala has created a unique type of thinker and dreamer for centuries, men and women who talk little of change but do it, period. From classrooms to auditoriums, from magic tricks to marathon routes, the state has given birth to voices that move your heart, ignite your mind, and whisper in your ear, “You can.” They are not the typical “five steps to success” motivational speakers.…