Entertainment
60 briefs · reviewed, positive, calm dispatches.
Shanno Khurana at 98: A life where music stays the closest companion
At 98, legendary singer Shanno Khurana continues her daily riyaz, treating music not as a trophy to be won but as a lifelong journey. Her steady practice and quiet discipline underline how creativity can keep growing at every age.
New documentary traces writer Zacharia’s journey from Kottayam to today
An eponymous documentary on celebrated writer Zacharia revisits his life and literary path, tracing his journey from a village in Kottayam to the present day. The film offers a reflective, accessible window into his personal experiences and creative evolution.
K. Saveshan’s ‘Prithvi’ brings the human–earth bond to the dance stage
Dancer K. Saveshan’s work ‘Prithvi’ opened Natyarangam’s annual Bharatham festival, themed on Pancha Bhootham. With a calm, reflective approach, the performance spotlights how classical dance can nurture ecological awareness and cultural continuity.
Bala Devi Chandrasekhar brings the Pandharpur pilgrimage alive through dance
U.S.-based dancer Bala Devi Chandrasekhar presented ‘Mauli: A Timeless Tradition’ at Kalakshetra, Chennai, recreating the spirit of the pilgrimage to Pandharpur. The thematic work offered a culturally rooted, thoughtful performance celebrating devotion, community and living traditions.
Liminal brings seven Karnataka artists to the MKF Museum of Art
Liminal, a new showcase at the MKF Museum of Art, brings together works by seven artists from Karnataka. The exhibition foregrounds experimentation and thoughtful practice, offering visitors a calm space to engage with contemporary art and local creative voices.
Shweta Prachande explores water’s many moods in Bharatanatyam work ‘Apah’
At Natyarangam’s Pancha Bhootha Bharatham festival in Chennai, Bharatanatyam artiste Shweta Prachande presented ‘Apah’, an imaginative work themed on water. The unusual concept offered a fresh lens on movement, rhythm and emotion within a classical framework.
Shanno Khurana at 98: A lifetime of riyaz and renewed musical curiosity
At 98, legendary singer Shanno Khurana continues her daily riyaz, treating music as a lifelong companion rather than a milestone. Her steady discipline and quiet curiosity offer a heartening reminder that artistic growth can remain a daily practice.
Upendra’s next film ‘Next Level’ announced, Aradhana Ram joins as female lead
Actor Upendra’s next project has been titled ‘Next Level’, with Aradhana Ram confirmed as the female lead. Directed by Aravind Kaushik, the Kannada-Telugu film is being positioned as a blend of Upendra’s signature style and a contemporary touch.
Sunday quiz celebrates timeless design icons and the stories behind them
A relaxed Sunday quiz invites readers to recognise celebrated design icons and revisit the people who shaped everyday aesthetics. It is a light, learning-first format that makes design history approachable, encouraging curiosity across generations.
Sunday quiz spotlights design icons and the stories behind everyday objects
A new Sunday quiz invites readers to recognise celebrated design icons and the designers behind them. Light, engaging and quietly educational, it turns a relaxed weekend moment into a chance to appreciate creativity that shapes daily life.
Sunday quiz brings design icons to life with a calm, creative challenge
A new Sunday quiz invites readers to test their knowledge of design icons in a light, engaging way. It’s a gentle reminder that good design shapes everyday life—through objects, graphics and spaces we often notice only when they work well.
Sunday design quiz celebrates icons who shaped everyday beauty
A new Sunday quiz spotlights globally admired design icons and the ideas behind their work. It is a light, uplifting way to test your knowledge, learn key names in design history, and enjoy a calm, culture-rich weekend break.
Sunday design quiz invites readers to name iconic creators and their classics
A new Sunday quiz spotlights celebrated design icons and the everyday objects they shaped. It’s a light, family-friendly way to revisit design history, sharpen visual memory, and appreciate the creativity behind familiar chairs, logos and products.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu set to headline Celebrity Masterchef Tamil
Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu is set to headline Celebrity Masterchef Tamil, a new food-led entertainment show bringing together familiar faces from Tamil cinema and television. The series will stream on Sony VIZHA and Sony LIV, celebrating cooking and camaraderie.
Sony Pictures Networks India launches Tamil entertainment channel Sony VIZHA
Sony Pictures Networks India has unveiled Sony VIZHA, a new Tamil entertainment channel. The network says the offering will bring premium programming shaped by Tamil culture, emotions, language and everyday lived realities, aiming to deepen regional viewing choices.
‘Wild Kashmir’ brings Dachigam National Park to life in a new documentary
Premiering on August 15 on Animal Planet, ‘Wild Kashmir’ offers an immersive look at Dachigam National Park. Backed by Untamed Planet’s Malaika Vaz and Nitye Sood, the documentary spotlights Kashmir’s natural richness with a calm, observational lens.
Sunday quiz invites readers to spot timeless design icons
A gentle Sunday quiz offers a refreshing way to revisit iconic designers and the objects, logos and styles that shaped modern visual culture. It’s a light, feel-good invitation to learn, guess and appreciate design’s everyday impact.
IGNCA film honours 150 years of Vande Mataram through India’s classical dances
A new video by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) marks 150 years of Vande Mataram by bringing together India’s classical dance traditions, offering a graceful, inclusive tribute to the country’s shared cultural imagination.
Kerala fans revive Baashha with a heartfelt return to analogue cinema
A Kerala Facebook collective brought Rajinikanth’s Baashha back to the big screen in a tribute to the pre-digital movie-going era. Beyond fandom, the event spotlighted film reels, projection craft and the theatre jobs that helped build India’s cinema culture.
Marathi Zee5 widens its slate with new originals, renewals and AI-led titles
Marathi Zee5 has announced an expanded content slate featuring new originals, returning favourites and AI-led titles. Comedy-drama ‘Hey Kay Navin?’ is set to come back for season 2, alongside fresh additions such as ‘Kon Yashwant Pansare?’ and ‘112’.
Independence Day 2026: A photographer’s five-year bicycle journey across India
Marking Independence Day 2026, a photographer’s 21,000-km bicycle journey across 28 states and 180+ villages offers a gentle, people-first portrait of India—built on everyday routines, spontaneous conversations, and the quiet confidence of communities on the move.
‘Pallaburusu’ review: A moving drama on family bonds and ageing
Director Uday Chauhan’s ‘Pallaburusu’ is a dramatic yet engaging look at familial bonding and the quiet loneliness that can come with ageing. Anchored by Sudhakar Reddy and Muralidhar Goud, it adds gentle social commentary without losing emotional focus.
‘Desh Ek Raag 3’ unites gurus and sishyas to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram
‘Desh Ek Raag 3’ brings together multiple generations of Hindustani musicians, pairing gurus with their sishyas to commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’. The concert offers a calm, collaborative celebration of nationhood through classical music.
Alessandro Bonato set for orchestral debut with Symphony Orchestra of India
Italian conductor Alessandro Bonato will make his orchestral debut in India, leading the Symphony Orchestra of India as part of the National Centre for the Performing Arts’ Autumn Season 2026. The engagement highlights Mumbai’s growing pull on global classical talent.
Kerala designer Arun Gokul on why a good book cover is also a work of art
Kerala-based artist Arun Gokul, known for designing covers for popular Malayalam bestsellers, says a thoughtfully crafted book cover deserves to be seen as art. His work highlights how design can strengthen storytelling and widen readers’ curiosity.
Delhi’s digital art show highlights technology as a fresh canvas for expression
An ongoing NewArtX exhibition in Delhi spotlights digital tools as an expanded medium for creativity. With a calm, exploratory approach, the show suggests technology can add new possibilities to art-making—without replacing the artist’s intent or craft.
Delhi’s NewArtX show explores digital art as a fresh language of expression
An ongoing digital art exhibition in Delhi, presented by NewArtX, spotlights how technology can widen the artist’s toolkit. The show positions screens, software and interactive formats as collaborators—helping creators experiment, communicate and connect with audiences in new ways.
Kamakshi Bhaskarla: From medicine to Telugu cinema, finding her voice in ‘Agadha’
Actor Kamakshi Bhaskarla reflects on her shift from medical studies in China to theatre and Telugu films, sharing how training, curiosity and careful role choices helped her build confidence and seek characters that stretch her craft, including in ‘Agadha’.
Rajesh Hebbar’s rock covers strike a chord with a new generation
Malayalam actor Rajesh Hebbar is gaining fresh attention online as his rock cover performances go viral on Instagram. Once a frontman of a Palakkad rock band, he is now helping younger listeners discover classic rock through energetic, accessible renditions.
Delhi digital art show spotlights technology as a fresh medium of expression
An ongoing Delhi exhibition presented by NewArtX offers a thoughtful look at how digital tools can expand artistic language. Rather than replacing traditional practice, the show positions technology as a complementary medium for experimentation, storytelling and contemporary visual culture.
Ashok Selvan and Preity Mukhundhan to lead ‘Anbil Avan’; title teaser released
Tamil cinema has a new project to watch as Ashok Selvan and Preity Mukhundhan headline ‘Anbil Avan’. A title teaser has been unveiled, with R Kaarthikeyan directing and a story written by acclaimed writer-director Vignesh Raja.
Alia Bhatt says she is a big Shah Rukh Khan fan ahead of Dear Zindagi
Actor Alia Bhatt has spoken warmly about working with Shah Rukh Khan in Dear Zindagi, calling herself a huge fan. Their on-screen pairing, she says, brought an encouraging mix of ease, learning and creative energy to the set.
Vignesh Ishwar weaves a cohesive tribute at Chennai’s Music Academy
At The Music Academy, Chennai, vocalist Vignesh Ishwar shaped a warm tribute concert to Kalyani Menon with an expansive Mukhari, sensitive accompaniment and a thoughtfully curated repertoire—offering listeners a cohesive musical narrative rooted in classic Carnatic values.
Kerala’s MBS Youth Choir keeps Independence Day spirit alive through harmony
In Thiruvananthapuram, the 38-year-old MBS Youth Choir—formed in memory of musician MB Sreenivasan—marks Independence Day with choral renditions of patriotic songs in multiple Indian languages, offering a calm, community-led way to celebrate the nation.
Vir Das completes shoot for ‘Baara Number’, his second directorial
Comedian-actor Vir Das has wrapped filming for ‘Baara Number’, his second outing as director. The film features an ensemble cast including Sheeba Chaddha, Suhail Nayyar, Arunoday Singh, Ahsaas Channa and Atul Kulkarni, signalling a performance-led entertainer.
Vignesh Ishwar’s tribute concert weaves a cohesive Carnatic narrative
At The Music Academy, Chennai, vocalist Vignesh Ishwar offered a thoughtfully curated tribute to Kalyani Menon, anchored by an expansive Mukhari and sensitive accompaniment. The concert highlighted careful planning, continuity of mood, and a respectful artistic focus.
Chennai singer Susha finds self-care and memory in her album ‘Love Language’
Chennai-based composer-singer and visual artist Susha has released her first full-length independent album, ‘Love Language’. Built through collaborations with friends, the project reflects a gentle journey through memory, creativity and everyday self-care.
N. Guruprasad unveils ONE G, a wooden makeover of the clay ghatam
Carnatic percussionist N. Guruprasad has introduced ONE G (One Ghatam), a wooden reimagining of the traditional clay ghatam. Patented with support from Vignesh Ishwar and the Sumanasa Foundation, it is set to launch on 19 August in Chennai.
Masters in Madras: Apparao Galleries brings modern and contemporary greats to Chennai
Apparao Galleries’ “Masters in Madras” in Chennai gathers celebrated modern and contemporary artists under one roof, offering visitors a rare chance to engage with landmark works and the evolving visual language of Indian art in a calm, accessible setting.
N. Guruprasad reimagines the ghatam with a new wooden instrument
Carnatic percussionist N. Guruprasad has introduced ONE G (One Ghatam), a wooden take on the traditional clay ghatam. Backed by support from Vignesh Ishwar and the Sumanasa Foundation, it is set to launch on 19 August at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Chennai.
‘Prem Keetanu’ brings Veer Pahariya and Aparshakti Khurana together for a comedy-drama
Veer Pahariya and Aparshakti Khurana are set to lead the upcoming comedy-drama ‘Prem Keetanu’, directed by Apoorv Singh Karki. The film also features Aafiya Sayed, Rakesh Bedi and Nikhil Vijay in pivotal roles, promising an engaging ensemble watch.
Western Ghats’ elephant whisperers and cinema’s quiet heroes
With The Elephant Whisperers earning a nomination at the 95th Academy Awards, attention has returned to the Western Ghats and its real-life caretakers. The region’s films and documentaries continue to celebrate unsung heroes through gentle, human stories rooted in nature and community.
Kashi Damru explores Indian music’s spiritual pulse through rhythm
At Bengaluru’s Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Kashi Damru offered a thoughtful rhythm-led journey through India’s sacred soundscape. Led by Jagadeesh Kurthkoti and presented by kanjira artiste Guruprasanna, the 10-member ensemble blended chants, shlokas, konnakol and intricate patterns.
N. Guruprasad’s ONE G brings a wooden makeover to the ghatam
Carnatic percussionist N. Guruprasad has introduced ONE G (One Ghatam), a wooden take on the traditional clay ghatam. Patented with support from Vignesh Ishwar and the Sumanasa Foundation, it is set for launch on 19 August in Chennai.
‘Baththa’ first look: Vijay Sethupathi reunites with Balaji Tharaneetharan
Actor Vijay Sethupathi is set to collaborate again with filmmaker Balaji Tharaneetharan on the upcoming film ‘Baththa’. The makers have released the first look, and the project features Lijomol Jose as the female lead with music by Sai Abhyankkar.
‘G.D.N’ review: Madhavan elevates a worthy biopic that feels a bit hurried
‘G.D.N’ anchors its ambitious biopic of inventor GD Naidu in R Madhavan’s committed performance. The film highlights an important chapter of Indian ingenuity, even if its brisk pacing leaves some emotional beats and context wanting more space.
‘G.D.N’ review: Madhavan anchors an inspiring biopic that feels a bit rushed
‘G.D.N’ is an ambitious biopic that benefits greatly from R. Madhavan’s committed performance as inventor GD Naidu. The film’s intent is admirable and timely, even if the storytelling moves too quickly to fully land its emotional beats.
Sā Biennale brings regenerative land art to Ladakh — and invites you to trek
The inaugural Sā Biennale in Ladakh turns mountains and villages into open-air galleries, blending contemporary art with ecology and local community life. Visitors are encouraged to travel slowly—often on foot—discovering artworks across stunning high-altitude landscapes.
Natyarangam’s Bharatham festival in Chennai explores Pancha Bhootham
Natyarangam’s annual Bharatham dance festival returns to Chennai with a Pancha Bhootham theme, bringing five dancers and five musicians together. Scheduled from August 14 to 18 at Narada Gana Sabha, it invites audiences to experience the five elements through movement and music.
Madras Day 2026: Chennai’s quiet imprint on five contemporary artists
On Madras Day 2026, five contemporary artists look back at the Chennai that shaped their practice—its art schools and cultural institutions, and also its everyday scenes from theatres and streets to Kasimedu’s waterfront. Their work turns memory into fresh, living language.
Bahar Dutt’s ‘Shared Spaces’ underlines that humans are part of nature
Bahar Dutt’s six-part documentary series ‘Shared Spaces’, released on Animal Planet and filmed by Emmy-nominated wildlife filmmaker Vijay Bedi, turns the spotlight on human-impacted wild spaces—inviting viewers to see coexistence, care, and everyday choices as part of conservation.
‘Tall Tales & Short Stories’ offers a heartfelt literary journey through the Nilgiris
A new collection, ‘Tall Tales & Short Stories’, brings together essays, stories and poems inspired by the Nilgiris. Rooted in memory and lived experience, it reads like a warm tribute to the Blue Mountains and the people who feel at home there.
‘Vishwanath and Sons’ trailer hints at a warm, unusual romance led by Suriya
Venky Atluri’s upcoming ‘Vishwanath and Sons’, featuring Suriya and Mamitha Baiju, is positioned as a family entertainer that brings love and parenthood to the forefront. The trailer suggests an unusual romance anchored in everyday emotions.
‘Maadhu’ Balaji brings Crazy Mohan’s comedy closer with ‘Chamber of Humour’
Actor ‘Maadhu’ Balaji is expanding the reach of late playwright Crazy Mohan’s much-loved Tamil comedies through a new, intimate format called ‘Chamber of Humour’, helping theatre connect with fresh audiences beyond traditional large auditoriums.
Beyond the voice: Naveen Sajju steps into acting with ‘Lo Naveena’
Kannada singer Naveen Sajju, remembered for his playback debut in ‘Lucia’, is widening his creative canvas by venturing into acting with ‘Lo Naveena’. In recent reflections, he speaks about balancing music and performance while staying rooted in his cultural beginnings.
Banyan Tree’s Barkha Ritu returns to Bengaluru this Independence Day
Banyan Tree’s Barkha Ritu, a monsoon-themed music festival, is set to return to Bengaluru this Independence Day. The event promises an evocative seasonal soundscape, offering the city a calm, celebratory way to welcome the rains through live music.
National Handloom Day: Dancers bring India’s weaves to centre stage
From Bharatanatyam to contemporary dance, performers are increasingly choosing handloom textiles for costumes—celebrating sustainability and artisan skill. Inspired by photographer Briana Blasko’s ‘Dance of the Weaves’, this growing movement shows how drape and movement can keep heritage alive.
Mollywood’s Onam line-up: A high-stakes, hopeful festival season for cinema
Kerala’s Onam window is once again shaping up as a decisive moment for Malayalam cinema, with multiple big releases aiming to bring families back to theatres. The season will also test the box-office pull of leading stars across varied genres.
Raw Mango teams up with A-KAL for ‘Handloom Y’All’, a rap rooted in craft
Designer Sanjay Garg’s Raw Mango has released ‘Handloom Y’All’, a rap collaboration with A-KAL (tennis player Adil Kalyanpur). The track spotlights handloom traditions in a contemporary format, inviting younger audiences to engage with India’s textile heritage.
National Handloom Day: Odisha’s Bonda women keep the Ringa weave alive
On National Handloom Day, attention turns to Odisha’s Bonda community, where women continue to handweave the distinctive Ringa cloth. The tradition remains a marker of identity, craft pride and intergenerational learning, offering scope for respectful cultural recognition.