Karina Pandya

In a world full of noise, Gulzar’s words feel like a quiet conversation with the soul. Many writers impress you with poetic lines, but then there are a few who reach into your soul without even trying too hard. Gulzar belongs to the latter. Not just an Urdu poet, he is also a lyricist, author, screenwriter, and film director—all in one. A recipient of five National Film Awards, he has also been honoured with India’s highest literary award, the Jnanpith. Gulzar understands the space between feelings—the unsaid, the incomplete, the almost forgotten.  His writing is simple, yet deeply profound, lingering long after you’ve read or heard it. “Tujhse naaraz nahi zindagi, hairaan hoon main…” ( I’m not upset with life… just a little bewildered by it. ) Such a simple line, yet it carries immense depth. There is no anger, no dramatic sorrow—just a quiet confusion about life. Gulzar doesn’t tell you what to feel; he gently reminds you of what you already do. His words reflect human emotions, ...

  Everyone’s talking about the future or the past, but where are they? They don’t even exist.   Time is usually spoken about as a time that we visit, but it actually feels like an illusion. We refer to the past as looking back, or moving forward to refer to the future as if these destinations have been chalked out on our paths. Language has a funny way of giving direction to how we think and feel. But they are not even places that we can visit or even things that we can touch. They are simply constructs of our mind, anticipation or reminiscence.  So, where are we really standing in time? Here and now.    The past, for its collection of all its emotional weight, is all about tracing footsteps. It is nothing but a memory existing – a photograph in the drawer or a sentence on paper. They no longer have any existence in the present universe, yet we refer to them so much. Memories – they feel so vivid long after they were once actively existing. It is only a rec...

  In a city like Mumbai—the capital of fashion and Bollywood, where beauty, style, and lifestyle are constantly evolving—finding a salon that offers more than just a haircut is rare.   Florian Hurel Hair Couture & Spa   is not your everyday salon. It is a luxury destination where you can experience a range of services—from bespoke haircuts and treatments to Korean scalp therapies, skin treatments, indulgent spa rituals, and nail care. Founded by celebrity hairstylist   Florian Hurel , the brand reflects his philosophy:   “Hair is not just grooming—it’s fashion, identity, and self-expression.”   With years of experience in Bollywood and international fashion, Hurel brings global styling standards to India, creating a space that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. I was gifted a voucher by my family for my 40th birthday, and having never heard of some of these treatments before, I was naturally curious. It made me realise how much there still is to ex...

“Aur Ek Din Ek Din Aur Ho...” (Just one more day… let there be one more day.)  A remake of the 2016 Thai film   One Day , it is surprising to see so many negative reviews for this heartfelt romantic drama. Directed by Sunil Pandey and produced by Mansoor Khan, Aamir Khan, and Aparna Purohit,   Ek Din   is a slightly slow-paced film that requires patience and emotional investment. The story follows Meera Ranganathan ( Sai Pallavi , in her Hindi debut) and Dinesh “Dino” Shrivastava ( Junaid Khan ), centering on a shy young man who struggles to confess his feelings. There are emotional complexities too—particularly Meera’s involvement with Nakul Bhasin ( Kunal Kapoor ), a man still tied to his past. Shot beautifully in Japan, especially in Sapporo, the film uses its snowy landscapes to enhance its emotional depth, while parts were also filmed in Mumbai’s Film City. After a tragic accident, Meera develops a condition that prevents her from forming new memories beyond a s...

    Walking tours are increasingly becoming popular across the world as they are immersive ways to explore different areas of the city. They are affordable, accessible and offer in-depth historical, cultural and culinary insights.     Unlike other tours, they allow tourists to feel the city’s atmosphere, explore narrow alleys and interact with the environment. They are often led by locals or passionate experts who provide in-depth and offbeat knowledge that typical guides miss.    Some of these tours are specialised and cater to  culinary, historical, architectural, and even slum tours that offer a "real" look at a city. They are eco-friendly, offer slow tourism and a real look at a city. These tours have become especially popular among individuals who seek outdoor, active travel experiences, not only tourists but also residents who are increasingly trying to rediscover their own cities.    Some of the popular walking tour companies incl...

Tucked away in the bustling lanes of Charni Road,   Tewari Brothers   stands as a beloved destination for Indian sweets and savoury delights. Nestled amidst heritage buildings and vibrant local markets, and located close to the iconic   Girgaum Chowpatty , this sweet shop captures the essence of old-world Mumbai charm. I visited this outlet yesterday, just before heading to watch the iconic play   Sitan Banbas , and it felt like stepping into a slice of the city’s culinary history. Originating as a humble family-run business, Tewari Brothers has been serving traditional Indian sweets and delicacies for decades. Known for its commitment to freshness and authenticity, the shop offers a wide range of mithai and classic North Indian snacks, all prepared in a pure vegetarian setting. Some of its standout offerings include the indulgent paneer jalebi, the tangy and flavourful khatta kachori, the rich motichoor ladoo, and the soft, syrupy rasgulla—each item reflecting time-...

  Known as India’s only surviving opera house, the Royal Opera House itself made the evening feel special even before the play began. On 2nd May 2026, I had the opportunity to watch Ank Theatre Group’s   Sita Banbas , based on Agha Hashar Kashmiri’s 1928 retelling of the   Uttar Ramayan . Watching a live performance in such a historic venue made the experience even more memorable. From the very beginning, I felt drawn into the world of the play. The atmosphere, combined with the anticipation of the audience, made it easy to get completely absorbed in the story. What I found most interesting was how the play focused on Sita’s life after her exile, showing her not just as a mythological figure but as a strong individual dealing with injustice and difficult choices. This made the story feel more relatable and meaningful to me. The performances really stood out. The actor playing Sita portrayed her emotions with subtlety and depth, making her pain and strength feel very real....

What truly shapes a child’s future—academic success or emotional well-being? While many believe that education is primarily about gaining knowledge from textbooks, it is, in reality, much more than that. Education plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s overall personality, influencing their values, behaviour, and life skills. Understanding this broader purpose of education requires an understanding of child psychology, which helps explain how children grow and develop. Every child is unique and is influenced by different environmental factors. These differences affect how children learn, behave, and express themselves. Some children grasp concepts quickly, while others may need more time and support. Similarly, some children express their emotions openly, while others tend to be more reserved. Recognising these individual differences is essential for creating an effective and supportive learning environment. While academic achievement is important, a child’s emotional well-being is ...

 When  The Big Bang Theory  first aired in 2007, the world looked very different. Life felt simpler—there were no AI assistants woven into everyday routines, no TikTok shaping trends overnight, and remote work wasn’t the norm. Fast forward to 2026, and technology has completely transformed how we live, work, and connect. Back then, comics and gaming were considered niche interests; today, they are a global mainstream culture. Social media would add an entirely new layer to the show, making it faster, smarter, and far more digital—though its core essence would remain unchanged. The real question is: would modern technology bring the gang closer together, or push them further apart? It’s easy to imagine Howard Wolowitz as a tech influencer with a popular YouTube channel, while Penny might thrive as a lifestyle content creator. Sheldon Cooper, on the other hand, would likely avoid social media altogether—or perhaps use it only to correct strangers on...

Exploring themes of sacrifice, friendship, resilience, and hope,   Project Hail Mary   delivers a visually engaging and emotionally grounded science fiction experience. Directed by   Phil Lord   and   Christopher Miller ,   and based on the novel by  Andy Weir ,   the film blends high-stakes science with heartfelt storytelling. Ryan Gosling   gives a compelling performance as Ryland Grace, an astronaut who wakes up alone on an interstellar spacecraft with no memory, only to discover he must save Earth from a mysterious sun-consuming organism known as Astrophage. His journey is both intellectually challenging and emotionally resonant, especially as the story unfolds through a mix of present-day tension and flashbacks. The film was shot in the United Kingdom.    Puppeteer James Ortiz voiced Rocky.  Rocky was built and designed by the legendary Neal Scanian  and his creature shop and is performed by puppeteerin...

Kunal Jhawar is an English and Hindi open mic poet who has been inspiring audiences for over a decade. He is also India’s only poet to have been featured in the IPL and on Hotstar. An engineer by profession, Kunal brings immense passion to his poetry.   A voice that has been described as 'thought-provoking' and 'unexpectedly intimate', Kunal Jhawar is well known for the heartfelt poetry that he writes.  He is also the founder of kalArt – a platform for poetry and storytelling. His poems carry a lot of emotional storytelling.  Some of his best poems include One Sided Friendship, Kuch Aisi Hai Mohabbat, Aakhri Mulaqaat, Ek Sheher, Bas Tumhe Dekhta Rahoon, Yun Hota To Kya Hota,    Woh Tera Muskurana ,  A Love Poem ,  Yun Hota To Kya Hota , and  Kuch Aisi Hai Mohabbat  and Sach. He is well known amongst the poetry circuit in Mumbai.  Karina Pandya gets candid with Kunal Q1)  You’ve built a strong identity as both a poet and a ...

Two decades after   The Devil Wears Prada   first hit screens, the sequel brings back   Meryl Streep ,   Anne Hathaway ,   Emily Blunt , and   Stanley Tucci , with   Justin Theroux   and   Kenneth Branagh   joining the cast. Filmed largely across   Manhattan   and   Milan —with additional portions shot in   Newark —the film premiered on April 20 in New York. I managed to catch an early screening on April 30, 2026, in Mumbai, and it felt like stepping back into something familiar, yet completely evolved. Andy Sachs returns to   Runway , now navigating a media landscape that looks nothing like it once did. Miranda Priestly is still at the helm, but the stakes have shifted. The magazine is no longer just about fashion—it’s about survival. With print struggling and advertising revenues collapsing,   Runway   is forced to confront its fading relevance in a digital-first world. In a twist that feels both iron...

Why some friendships feel easy—but don’t actually feel safe The Friendship That Feels Right… But Isn’t You know that friend you can laugh with for hours—but hesitate to open up to? The one who feels easy to be around, but not safe to be yourself with? A friendship can feel easy and still not be safe. It can be familiar and still not be healthy. It can feel like home, yet quietly remind you that this is not where you’re meant to stay. As humans, we are wired for connection. We don’t just seek relationships—we seek belonging. And in that search, we often choose familiar closeness over uncertain honesty. The Comfort Trap We all seek comfort from one another—and this is where the trap lies. Comfort looks like laughing at the same jokes, sharing history, and slipping into patterns that feel effortless. It feels good. It feels easy. But what we often overlook is something deeper: Are we actually safe here? How often do we feel unheard, disappointed, or subtly drained? How often do we avoid c...

    We live in a world designed to capture our attention. Notifications, endless scrolling, and constant noise compete for our focus every moment. Our minds stay busy—searching for meaning, building justifications, and trying to make sense of why things are the way they are. Opportunities will arrive, but they rarely feel big enough to be called great. Often, they show up disguised as interruptions; a message you almost send but don’t… an idea you tell yourself you’ll remember, but never do. These opportunities appear quietly. They offer chances to shift your attention toward something new—but do we notice them? Moments of hesitation, curiosity, or even silliness often have a purpose: to nudge us toward awareness. Life is always teaching us something, whether we choose to pay attention or not. Maybe it’s a message you ignore, an idea you decide not to explore, or a thought you keep looping over until your mind grows tired. Each moment presents a choice—to engage or to dismiss....

Every year, May 3rd arrives quietly, without announcement, yet the message it carries is powerful: no matter where you are in life, you can always begin again. Celebrated as Soka Gakkai Day—and also as Soka Gakkai Mother’s Day—this day symbolises a renewed commitment to world peace, human revolution, and the worldwide propagation of Buddhism. This day is more than a commemoration; it represents a living spirit of renewal, courage, and an ongoing journey of human revolution—an inner transformation that leads to lasting peace and happiness. As the year gathers momentum, this message feels especially relevant. Life is moving quickly, and change is happening all around us in rapid and dynamic ways. But what happens when we feel stuck, discouraged, or unsure of our next step? May 3rd reminds us that every day—every moment—is an opportunity to reset and begin anew. As championed by   Daisaku Ikeda , the concept of human revolution teaches us that transformation doesn’t require perfect co...