The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni brings alive the remarkable story of Rani Jindan Kaur, the last queen of Punjab. The novel portrays her courage, political intelligence, patriotism, and struggles as a mother and ruler. Through her first-person narrative, it gives a powerful feminist perspective on history, colonialism, resistance, and sacrifice.
Flesh by David Szalay is a minimalist, thought-provoking novel that follows Istvan’s journey through love, war, wealth, loss, and isolation. Through fragmented storytelling and emotional restraint, it explores fate, masculinity, social mobility, and existential meaning, inviting readers to interpret the silences between events as much as the story itself.
Musafir Café is a heartfelt exploration of love, self-discovery, and the journeys that shape us. Set against the charm of Mussoorie, the series follows three intertwined lives, celebrating companionship, intentional living, and the beauty of unfinished stories, while reminding us that life’s greatest journeys rarely offer perfect closure.
Preethi Warrier’s review of War 2 calls it a tedious, predictable spectacle drowning in fake glamour, overblown VFX, and shallow patriotism disguised as jingoism. She critiques Bollywood’s obsession with hyper-stylized “patriotic action” films that objectify women, glorify excess, and ignore realism, urging filmmakers to portray genuine struggle and substance instead.
In 2024, the writer aimed to read 50 books, favoring lengthy novels over short stories. Among her top reads were The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, A House Without Windows by Nadia Hashimi, and When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. These compelling stories explore resilience, friendship, and life’s profound challenges.
2024 marked the rise of Malayalam cinema, with films like Bramayugam and Manjummel Boys showcasing innovative storytelling and technical brilliance. These films, along with others such as Ullozhukku and Kishkindha Kaandam, have captivated audiences with their compelling narratives, emotional depth, and exceptional performances, making Malayalam cinema a must-watch for all.
It’s indeed unfortunate, that matters of substantial social relevance like illegal sex determination and foeticide have been handled so irresponsibly. The movie had ample scope of being carved into a masterpiece, but sadly, it’s reduced to a mere caricature.
