CATEGORIES

She swapped to conquer

India's Oscar entry, Laapataa Ladies, is a crowd favourite too. But for Sneha Desai, the film's writer, the buzzisa surprise anda chance to branch out and break free

It's getting under my skin

Serums, acids, Vit C, active ingredients, granactive retinoids. How come beauty is so confusing now? And what on Earth is ear makeup?

A cut below the rest

No matter how much we try, these 10 on-screen hairstyles just won't grow onus

Let's stop kidding ourselves

Women who don't want kids are blamed for all the world's problems. Why be childish about being childless?

Steady-made comfort

Mercedes's EQS SUV 580 is refined and unexpectedly tranquil. Driving down Hyderabad's Ring Road never felt better

Hot, but falling out of flavour

Sriracha was the hottest sauce in town, until it wasn't. The popularity of the condiment is waning due to its sketchy origins and changing taste profile

Pouring their hearts out

So, you come here often? As India heads to the bar to unwind, top mixologists open up about life on the job. Drunken confessions, date-night drama, slaps, tears, scams, spilled secrets. Sip slowly, it's a wild cocktail

Ghosts in the machine

A new way to cope with grief: Get AI to turn a dead person into an avatar. Can our digital footprint really comfort the ones we left behind?

When push comes to shove

Are you a pushover or merely willing to accommodate a loved one? Flip the script, draw the boundaries, and say yes to saying no

I'm back. Did you myth me?

Gods, demons, war, curses, prophecies. Don't hate on shows that twist Greek myths. The retelling is all part of the plan

Ships, seas and stories

Artist Sumakshi Singh's large-scale installations tell tales of maritime journeys and adventures, connecting the human to the larger cosmos

Some books are a closed chapter

Bestselling authors don't always churn out page-turners. And life's too short to endure books that are average at best

No rest for the chopsticks

Indian diners are levelling up from panAsian mash-ups. Japanese ramen, Korean buns, Malaysian curries, authentic nasi goreng. We're finally getting the real deal

Spilling the beans

Avocado chutney in Dubai. Kashmiri duck tacos in the US. Coorgi pork ribs in Spain. How did Indian restaurants abroad get so cool? See how chefs are making tiny but crucial adjustments to please new palates and keep desis coming back for more

The boundaries of fandom

So, your favourite writer/singer/comic is amonster? Here's how to separate the art from the artist and not get trapped when a hero topples

Who's falling for big love?

Celebrity couples appear to be in sync. But PDA is hardlya sign of eternal love. Here's why every cute moment shouldn't become part of your own couplegoals

This week, we're...

Princess Mahra Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai had enough of her husband’s philandering. She divorced him in July via Instagram.

Staying well within range

Driving from Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar in an XC40 Recharge at night means going against the odds but it's not dangerous

Forget demure, forget mindful

Women are expected to dress their age. But why should arbitrary numbers dictate anyone's choices? Wear what you want, when you want

Bubbling under, boiling over

The year's best food yet, from Bandra to Seoul, from old names and new, from starters to afters

The new spin doctors

Come for the hooping, stay for fire poi, dapostar, leviwand and more. India's newest subculture blends art and athletics, meditation and showmanship, public and private. And it looks great on the 'gram

Shall we put a label on this?

What is high fructose corn syrup? Is red dye good? Dieticians and nutritionists break down the confusing stuff we see on food labels

Pho heaven's sake, explore!

There's more to Vietnam than the Golden Bridge or Ha Long Bay. Discover limestone cliffs, rice terraces, and local foods that haven't made it to the 'gram

No. Wait. She did what?

These mean girls are self-centred, bratty, and can make your life hell. But they stole the show. Read on, loser. And tell us how it wasssss

Are you seeing spots too?

Jyoti Bhatt's serigraphs use traditional symbols in modern ways, creating art that is slyly clever and full of little stories

Leave us to our own devices

Instead of banning gadgets, restaurants should ban people that are actually disturbing the peace

Siam Siam, but different

The reason Indians feel instantly at home in Thailand is because their mix of Hindu and Buddhist traditions so closely mirrors our own, creating a comfort zone abroad

30 things to know before you turn 30 The LOVE EDIT

Simmer or sizzle? Forever or for the moment? Escape or endure? Break up or make up? 30 tips, thoughts, tidbits for those who can't help falling in love

The high score in your ear

Homegrown video games are adding a local musical touch to match the play. Sitar riffs, chants, choruses - it's a new level of immersion

Turned down, turned sour

Stalking, sarcasm, squabbles about money. Who'll teach the dating crowd about handling rejection better?