MUST READ
Highly-anticipated books of the month:
Heart Lamp
Longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2025, Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq offers a poignant exploration of women’s lives in Muslim communities in southern India. Written originally in Kannada, the stories delve into the complexities of family and social dynamics, shaped by Mushtaq's background as a journalist and lawyer who has long championed women’s rights and fought against caste and religious discrimination. With a blend of wit, emotional depth, and sharp observation, Mushtaq brings to life a diverse cast of characters—vibrant children, fearless grandmothers, comical maulvis, and steadfast mothers—showcasing her exceptional storytelling.
Audition
In Audition, Katie Kitamura crafts a taut and captivating exploration of identity, relationships, and the roles we play in life. Set over a lunch between an accomplished actress and a young, enigmatic man, the novel unfolds through two competing narratives that challenge our understanding of love, intimacy, and the performances we give to those closest to us.
Volcano: The Collected Poems Of Eunice De Souza
A literary critic, novelist, and poet for over four decades, Eunice De Souza is one of India's most celebrated poets in English. Her acclaimed work delves into themes of self, relationships, love, loss, and family, particularly exploring the dynamics between lovers and parents and children. Volcano, a collector’s edition, showcases her best-known poems. With a critical introduction, this intimate collection highlights De Souza’s poetic brilliance, making it a must-have for collectors.
The Tiger's Share
Tara, a successful lawyer in Delhi, embodies everything her younger brother is not: driven, self-sufficient, and flourishing. When their cherished father retires, he calls them for a meeting, but his announcement has the potential to shatter the family dynamic. Meanwhile, Lila, Tara’s close friend, seems to have it all—a thriving career, a beautiful home, and a perfect family. However, when Lila’s father passes away unexpectedly, her brother quickly claims what he believes is rightfully his. Together, Tara and Lila must confront the challenge of their ambition in a society dominated by patriarchy in Delhi. Set against the backdrop of ecological decline and political unrest, The Tiger’s Share is both a family saga and a state-of-the-nation novel, offering a fresh perspective in contemporary Indian fiction.
The Half Known Life In Search of Paradise
Pico Iyer embarks on a profound exploration of the elusive concept of paradise, a place where life's burdens and struggles fade away. While many dream of this utopia, each person holds their own vision of where it might be found. For some, it’s a destination only reachable after death, while others believe it exists in the present, just waiting to be discovered. Traveling from Iran to North Korea, the Himalayas with the Dalai Lama to the haunting temples of Japan, Iyer weaves together decades of global exploration to challenge conventional ideas of paradise. He delves into questions about religion, the transformation of seemingly perfect places into conflict zones, and whether paradise is an afterlife fantasy or a state we can experience here and now.
MUST WATCH
Highly-anticipated movies and shows releasing soon:
Government Cheese
Government Cheese is a surreal family comedy set in 1969 San Fernando Valley, following the quirky Chambers family chasing impossible dreams. When Hampton Chambers is released from prison, his long-anticipated reunion with his wife, Astoria, and sons, Einstein and Harrison, takes an unexpected turn as their unconventional family dynamic is thrown into chaos.
Black Mirror - Season 7
A new season of Black Mirror is arriving sooner than expected. Netflix has confirmed that Season 7 of Charlie Brooker's anthology series, exploring the dark side of technology, will be released in April 2025. The season will feature six brand-new episodes, including a sequel to a fan-favorite from Season 4. Themes like artificial intelligence, video games, and body augmentation—issues that are increasingly relevant today—will take center stage.
The Last of Us - Season 2
HBO's Emmy-winning doomsday drama The Last of Us returns with a seven-episode Season 2, premiering on JioHotstar in mid-April. Set five years after Season 1, Joel and Ellie find themselves at odds in an even more dangerous and unpredictable world. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey reprise their iconic roles, joined by new cast members who will introduce fresh storylines. With intense drama, high stakes, and emotional depth, this season promises a gripping continuation of the acclaimed series, filled with powerful storytelling and shocking moments.
A Real Pain
A Real Pain is a film written, directed by, and starring Jesse Eisenberg, with Kieran Culkin co-starring. It follows two estranged cousins, David and Benji, as they travel to Poland to visit Jewish historical sites after the passing of their Holocaust-survivor grandmother. The film delves into themes of grief, trauma, and family dynamics, while also confronting the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust. This season, the film has garnered multiple award victories. It's coming our on JioHotstar this month.
Widow's Shadow
Suman Adhikary's Widow's Shadow hits theaters, telling a compelling story about two women from different social backgrounds brought together by their shared struggles with oppression and discrimination. The film delves into the profound effects of caste-based violence, the hardships faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and the resilience of the human spirit.
MUST LISTEN
Music albums to tune into:
SABLE, fABLE
Bon Iver’s fABLE is a vibrant follow-up to the somber SABLE, evolving from isolation to love, clarity, and growth. With lush, radiant pop, the album captures Vernon’s raw, honest emotions through intimate moments of love and desire, like on tracks ‘Everything Is Peaceful Love’ and 'Walk Home.’ fABLE explores the healing power of new love while acknowledging the shadows that linger from past struggles. The album is a journey of personal growth and commitment, releasing on April 11, 2025.
I Don't Know How but They Found Me!
Sharp-witted singer-songwriter Jensen McRae has announced her sophomore album, I Don't Know How but They Found Me! Will be out on April 25, led by the single Praying for Your Downfall. Following her Are You Happy Now? and Who Hurt You? EP, the album was recorded in North Carolina with Brad Cook and features contributions from Nathan Stocker, Matthew McCaughan, and her brother Holden McRae.
PISCES
James Arthur will release his highly anticipated sixth studio album, PISCES, on April 21, 2025, taking fans on a deeply personal musical journey. Following the emotional exploration of vulnerability and mental health in his single ADHD, PISCES introduces a more experimental sound. Departing from his signature raspy ballads, the album features softer, atmospheric tracks. Arthur explains that he wanted to approach this project with a gentler vocal delivery and create dreamy, atmospheric sounds unlike anything he's done before.
Who Believes in Angels?
Elton John and Brandi Carlile are teaming up for a new album, Who Believes in Angels?, set to drop on April 4. The album, crafted with John's longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin and producer Andrew Watt, features a blend of songs led by both Elton and Brandi. Taupin and Carlile contribute lyrics to the tracks, with Andrew Watt playing a pivotal role as producer and co-writer.
Nobody Lives Here
Renowned Seattle artist and producer SYML is gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated third studio album, Nobody Lives Here, on April 4 through Fin. Recordings and Nettwerk. This album marks a new level of clarity and depth in SYML’s songwriting, delving into the transient nature of life’s contradictions. Entirely written, recorded, and produced by SYML (Brian Fennell), Nobody Lives Here promises to be a cinematic, emotionally charged exploration of themes like loss, self-reflection, and human connection.
MUST ATTEND
Events that you should attend:
Screening of Sulemaani Keeda
The first session of KNMA's Cine Paradiso Talk Series, features Sulemani Keeda, a film by Amit V Masurkar. The screening will be followed by a conversation with the director and Eshan Sharma, founder of Karwan Heritage. Sulemani Keeda follows Dulal, a brooding intellectual, and his hustler friend Mainak as they chase their dream of writing a Bollywood film. Their journey tests their friendship, love, and the opportunity of a big break.
ARTIFICIAL
ARTIFICIAL is a collective showcase exploring the philosophical and psychological impact of our digital existence. The event includes a primer on interactive art tools and techniques, interactive installations like The Window by Alap Parikh and Drunk Poet by Akshat Nauriyal, and performances like HYPERREAL by Ayahi and Digital Existentialism by YESNOMAYBE. Happening at G5A Mumbai on April 5.
Music in the Haveli ft. Goya
Music in the Haveli revives havelis as cultural hubs, blending local and global sounds to inspire community and creativity. With immersive performances and culinary journeys in heritage spaces, it offers a unique sensory experience bridging past, present, and future. Goya, the artistic alias of Abhishek Sekhri, is a New Delhi-based music producer known for his experimental, ambient electronic soundscapes. Goya has performed at festivals such as Magnetic Fields and the India Art Fair. He will perform at Kathika Museum and Cultural Centre on April 12.
SHADOWed
Theatre enthusiasts are in for a compelling experience this April as SHADOWed, a powerful and thought-provoking courtroom drama, takes the stage in the capital. Produced by Samar Sarila and Vidushi Mehra, SHADOWed will be staged on April 19, 20, 26, and 27 at Alliance Française, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. SHADOWed is set to challenge perceptions and spark conversations.
Sapan Verma: Lower Back Pain
Comedian Sapan Verma turned 35, became a father and got high in Amsterdam, all within a year, but not particularly in that order. He is cruising through life with mental burnout, a needless sense of superiority over Gen-Z and of course, chronic lower back pain. Come watch him have a meltdown onstage and feel better about your own life. Attend his show in Gurgaon and Mumbai this April
