Author: Karina Pandya

In the bustling city corners where ambition meets attitude, you’ll find Ritvik Jain—sharp, composed, and unmistakably charismatic. At just 21, Ritvik has already mastered the art of making an impression without saying a word. His spiky, neatly trimmed hair is always in place, like he knew the camera might catch him mid-thought. Beneath thick, expressive eyebrows are intense, dark eyes that seem to weigh every word before it’s even spoken. And those cheekbones? Razor-sharp. Like his focus! But here’s the curveball: Just when you think he’s all edge and enigma, a pair of deep dimples show up—unexpected and disarming. Even in…

Mahi is 5’3″ in height, but don’t be fooled. Her presence stretches beyond those inches, especially when she’s passionately arguing about the Oxford comma like it’s a matter of national policy! At 21, Mahi already speaks like she’s edited a thousand stories and lived through half of them. Her ponytail is always tied up with a brightly coloured scrunchie. It isn’t just a hairstyle -it’s her identity. You’ll see it bounce as she walks or swivels as she turns mid-rant about inconsistent formatting. Her fingers fly over the keyboard like they’re racing against time because they usually are! Mahi has two…

  Being invited to serve as a jury member at Outsiders Film Festival 2 was both an honour and a deeply enriching experience. This unique festival has carved a space for itself by spotlighting bold new voices in short films—stories that are often overlooked, yet urgently need to be told.    Over the day, we watched an incredible spectrum of films—ranging from hard-hitting documentaries like The Dirty Sky to experimental fiction and socially charged narratives. Each screening reinforced the power of storytelling and the crucial role that platforms like Outsiders play in amplifying unheard perspectives.   What makes this festival truly special is its unwavering commitment…

On May 13th, 2017, something unforgettable unfolded beneath the arches of Mumbai’s historic David Sassoon Library. As twilight dipped into the open courtyard, the air crackled with anticipation, creativity, and raw, unfiltered emotion. That evening, I hosted my very first event under the banner of my poetry start-up Limits Make Things Too Small—an idea born from the belief that expression knows no bounds. This wasn’t just any event. It was a coming together of voices from across the city—a mosaic of poetry, spoken word, and storytelling. With 20 powerful performances lined up, each artist took the stage carrying a piece of…

    Dig – they must! At dawn’s first yawn A time when silence is holy – their drills are on!   Wow – a patch of road has just been laid – But oh no! it’s torn down again by BMC’s brigade!   Tar gets laid down in midnight haste -melted again – oh what a waste!   Bulldozers, mechanised machines then two more Mumbai dances on a cratered floor!   Every step is a gamble on these city’s streets Can we even walk without falling 5 feet deep?   What is BMC getting done? Is this for development…

Time is running out. At least, this is what the protestors who gathered at a public meeting at Real Party Hall at Colaba Arthur Bunder Road at 4 PM on Saturday, April 5th, 2025, believe. The skyline of Colaba was built over time – stone by stone and voice by voice. It is this very same skyline which is at threat owing to the danger of the construction of the newly proposed passenger jetty being constructed near Radio Club which will affect the flow of traffic, especially near the Radio Club stretch and the iconic view of the Gateway of India. To…

In 2016, although I had written extensively, I had never actually performed open-mic poetry. Writing had always been my primary form of expression, with speaking coming second. So, when I decided to take the stage for my first performance at The Habitat in Khar, I was nervous, especially doing it alone. I wanted to build my confidence, and this seemed like the only way to do it. Coincidentally, 2016 was also the year The Habitat was founded. It became the place where I made my debut as an artist. The Habitat quickly became a safe space where I forged friendships…

Mini was a cat who had seen it all. A sleek and graceful calico with a taste of elegance, she had a regal air about her and always carried herself with quiet dignity. She had a spark of adventure and a touch of mystery, all with a lot of sass. She just couldn’t believe it as she stretched on the cosy rug in her apartment – in the sunlit living room; she was turning 39 today, a dream only few cats had! However, she refused to spend this birthday alone. She had three wonderful friends – Bunty, Babli and…

Directed by: O.P. Srivastava Produced by Usha Srivastava of Reelismfilms Delving into a critical issue mankind faces – space debris and its impact on Earth – The Dirty Sky is a documentary that recently had a screening on February 25th, 2025, at the Little Theatre, NCPA, organised by The Cinema Collective. Offering a visually appealing and compelling, well-researched narrative, the documentary sheds light on the threats posed by the accumulation of defunct satellites, space junk, and other fragments orbiting the Earth. All of these pose risks to future space missions and life on Earth. Documenting past collisions, near misses, and rising…

  In the bustling city of New York, there were four extraordinary feline friends – Bunty, Babli, Mini and Prince Goldie who shared a cosy apartment with their human, Maya. All four of these cats possessed unique talents – quite unlike one another. While Bunty had a knack for balancing on the narrowest ledges, Babli could leap to very impressive heights. On the other hand, Mini had mastered intricate paw movements and Prince Goldie had an uncanny sense of tapping his paws in sync with whichever song was played. One night, as Maya was watching America’s Got Talent and the…