Author

Shahul Hameed

RAHMAN, MUSIC AND DESTINY
I was completely stunned. I couldn’t say a word—I was overwhelmed, excited, nervous… everything at once. But within minutes, he made me feel completely at ease. That’s the thing about his aura—it’s calm, welcoming. He makes sure you’re comfortable. We often hear the phrase “light...
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FRESH FACE, FIERCE VISION
It’s a story we’ve heard before, outsiders finding it tough to carve a niche in the Indian film industry. Yet, every once in a while, someone breaks through the barriers, wins hearts, and earns a place on the silver screen. One such rising star is...
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THE RETURN OF RESHMI MENON
There’s a trending meme template that goes, “They vanished like they never existed.” It’s often used for cinema artists who disappeared from the spotlight after a promising start. And it feels like a perfect fit for the gorgeously talented Reshmi Menon. Entering Tamil cinema as...
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STEPHEN CURRY SIZZLES AS NEW-LOOK DUBS HIT THE COURT
The Bay Area crew, quiet through much of the offseason, flipped the script just hours before media day with four bold moves. Jonathan Kuminga, whose future at Golden State seemed uncertain, inked a two-year extension. Veteran big Al Horford joined the fold to add size...
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BAD GIRL – TAMIL CINEMA UNLOCKS A BOLD NEW GAZE
A coming-of-age drama about a not-so-grounded female protagonist, played by Anjali Sivaraman. That’s the A-story. But the B-story cuts deeper — it’s about the generational patriarchy that Tamil cinema has glorified for decades through a male gaze. Bad Girl dares to flip that lens. The...
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DETONATED, NOT DEFEATED
On a bright, sunny afternoon in Chennai, I stood outside a studio’s green room, nervously going over my notes. Just then, someone walked out with unmistakable confidence and presence—it was Dr. Malvika Iyer, a person with disability and an unstoppable force of inspiration. Once a...
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BLOODLINES OF A COMPOSER
We’ve seen countless Ilaiyaraaja fans over the decades, but composer C. Sathya lives and breathes the maestro’s music. For him, Ilaiyaraaja isn’t just an inspiration — he’s in his blood. From playing the Isaignani’s timeless melodies on a harmonium in school, earning rousing applause, to...
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STAGE, SCREEN, SCRIPT
“I saw Deepika Padukone perform. She’s incredibly expressive with her eyes…” says Saras Menon on the journey to carve out her own space. Heart full of passion, beaming with positivity, a live wire—Saras Menon is hungry to win it all. It’s easy to box her...
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THE MANY FACES OF AN ACTOR
After delivering a chilling performance as the menacing nomad Shettani in Jigarthanda DoubleX, Vidhyashankar Neelamegham — better known as Vidhu — stormed the big scream with yet another fierce portrayal, this time as the ruthless Michael Mirasu in Retro. With his towering presence, piercing gaze,...
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SUPERBOYS OF MALEGOAN: A RARE GEM
In recent times, it’s rare to come across a truly satisfying film — at least in India. For Tamil cinema fans, this year has been a string of disappointments. Except for a few standouts like Tourist Family, Paranthu Po, and 3BHK, the Kodambakkam dream factory...
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