The Dependable Mr. Khurrana

After a career resurrection of sorts in 2017, Ayushmann Khurrana knocked it out of the park last year, delivering two smashing performances (Andhadhun, Badhaai Ho) in films that won over critics and the box office. From the ‘common man’ representative to becoming one of the poster boys of quality — and commercially viable — cinema, Khurrana has proved that he has enough acting muscle to shoulder solo projects. This year, he has a number of releases, making him possibly the busiest actor in the industry. He’s bringing in the new age of Bollywood — intelligent, socially conscious and dedicated to the medium.

The Making Of Virat Kohli

At the age of 30, Virat Kohli is already one of the all-time great batsmen, terrorising bowlers and shattering batting records in every format of the game, in every corner of the cricketing world. Every behemoth started somewhere, though, and for Kohli, his beginnings were in the rough-and-tumble of Delhi’s age-grade and domestic cricket circuits. Even as a 10-year old at his first cricket coaching camp, his special talent was recognised by coaches and experienced players alike. In this excerpt from their book Virat: The Making Of A Champion, journalists Neeraj Jha and Vidhanshu Kumar illustrate the young Kohli’s immense potential.

The Men Who Are Gay For Pay

Young male models and struggling actors — who are straight — are willing to go ‘gay-for-pay’ on various LGBT dating and hookup apps in the country. While prostitution has always been a hush-hush affair on these apps, for the last two years, it has become a rather prominent feature. This might be because of a dearth of paid gigs and sky-high living costs in big cities, but is it also a marker for a paradigm shift in sexuality and sexual behaviour?

Kia Set For India Debut

The Korean car manufacturer will launch its India-specific compact SUV named Kia Seltos next month.

The Well ‘Connected' SUV

The new Hyundai Venue is more than just another compact SUV. Blue Link, its standout feature, allows a host of key functions — including engine start, location tracking, speed, tyre pressure, remote lock, engine immobilization — to be monitored and controlled from a smartphone app.

Guru Randhawa- The King Of Clubs

Bollywood music can be best described as “Zumba-ready” these days. While the last two decades saw a wave of original music, timeless melodies and rich lyrics, today’s OSTs are for quick ear munching. Music is consumed at pubs, during drives and at the gym – and Guru Randhawa is both an example of and exception to this pop culture behaviour. He’s everywhere, and it is (aslmost) impossible to hate him.

A (big) Small Car

Volvo’s XC40 is its smallest SUV, but it certainly doesn’t act like it.

Have You Tasted Blood?

The question’s quite literal. In Scandinavian countries, South America, Asia and even India, blood has been an exciting — and delicious — ingredient for a variety of dishes.

The Legendary Rivalry Revisited

They were the two greatest sitar players of the post-independence generation and lifelong adversaries. Vilayat Khan and Ravi Shankar were contemporaries who played together on stage only once, in 1952, when the former stole the show. Journalist and author Namita Devidayal explores this unique rivalry in The Sixth String of Vilayat Khan (Westland Publications), her brilliant new biography of the mercurial Hindustani classical musician, from which this piece is excerpted.

The Actor's Actor

Pick the most acclaimed and talked about films of the last three years, and chances are that Pankaj Tripathi has been in them. He’s become every director’s go-to guy for natural and effortless performances – and the audience loves him too. BY

Is There Redemption For The #MeTooIndia Accused?

I have had a huge amount of difficulty finishing this piece. I’ve written and rewritten this three to four times, deleting the entire thing a few times as well. I don’t think it has been because I have nothing to say; I have a lot to say, but I genuinely do not know how to say it without sounding insincere...

Bradley Cooper On Being A Better Actor Now

Bradley Cooper on deal breakers, his admiration for Robert De Niro, the biggest change in his career, becoming a director and working with Lady Gaga in his latest movie a star is born.

The Interview

In the last seven years, as a director and producer in the Hindi film industry, Rai has had a very successful run, directing films like Tanu Weds Manu and Raanjhanaa and producing Newton, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and Mukkabaaz, among others. With his new release, the Shah Rukh Khanstarrer Zero, he has directed the biggest film of his career.

Chronicler Of Lives On Mumbai Locals

Mumbai’s local trains take on new meaning in the Instagram photographs of Anushree Fadnavis.

Child-free And Happy

Embracing the child-free life isn’t just a millennial fad. It is a growing trend amongst couples of all ages. Here’s a peek into the lives of seven couples who are breaking the shackles of convention.

The Politics Of Going Down

While intercourse definitely is a circus by itself, how men and women behave during oral sex is a different ball game altogether.

Keto Goes Mainstream

The ketogenic — or ‘keto’ — diet, is one that is low in carbohydrates, high in fat and adequate in protein. While it was originally developed as a way to help children with epilepsy, the meteoric rise in its popularity this year has led to a surge in keto-friendly products and restaurant menus, WhatsApp support groups, and more. Shweta Mehta Sen decodes the fad.

Chunky Vazirani

A former designer at some of the world’s leading automotive companies, Vazirani has built the Shul, a concept car that he says is ‘India’s first hypercar.’ 

Family Rocket

India’s only high-performance station wagon, the Audi RS6 Avant Performance teams up mind-boggling numbers with reallife practicality. 

Changing Lanes

Maruti Suzuki puts a brand new 1.5-litre engine in the latest Ciaz, and that’s not it. 

Play By Ear

Nathalie Pichard, a veteran in the fragrance industry, has worked with leading brands to develop and market their perfumes. On a visit to India, she spoke to us about what goes into the making of a new fragrance, and about her agency, Top Notes.

Why Ms Dhoni!

Bharat Sundaresan is among the sharpest minds writing on cricket today. In this excerpt from his new book The Dhoni Touch (Penguin Random House India), he delves into the time when the wicketkeeper-batsman became the face of Chennai Super Kings over Virender Sehwag, once former National Selector VB Chandrasekhar convinced team owner N Srinivasan of his potential. The latter would admittedly go on to veto against Dhoni's axeing as India captain in 2013.

10 Best Wellness Centres In India

With today’s frenetic pace of life, getaways that offer more than just a plush suite and great room service are increasingly in demand. 

The Adventurous Side Of OMAN

Luxury hospitality brands and tour companies are working with Oman’s natural wonders to curate custom-made holidays for the well-heeled adventure traveller.

Rajkummar Rao Through The Lens Of His Favourite Movies

Rajkummar Rao makes for a fascinating case study. In the last few years, he has been one of the driving forces behind making intelligent cinema accessible to audiences. He has helped in busting the myth that the Indian audience only consumes masala potboilers just because a Salman Khan rakes in the moolah. Stree and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga showed off his ability to be a “Bollywood” leading man, a romantic hero and someone who made song-and-dance feel refreshing. With hits, fans and a can-he-ever-deliver-a bad-performance tag, Rao is the present, and possibly, the future of Hindi cinema.

Bata's 2019 Fashion Weekend

At a gala event in Prague, the storied brand showed off its latest innovations and collections.

The Eco Warrior

The all-new Toyota Camry Hybrid makes a great case for itself as a luxury car that’s also easy on the environment.

The XUV Factor

The new Mahindra XUV300 is an impressive car, and it deserves all the support it can get to make it a success.