Life & Style

In 2021, I watched the comedian Varun Grover perform in New Delhi. As per usual, he had the audience in the palm of his hand. About 10 minutes in, Grover said (in Hindi), “Please understand the chronology. First, I tell the joke, then you laugh and finally, I go to jail.” The laughter was muted, not because people didn’t understand it, but because they understood it a little too well.

Varun Grover

The tension in the room was because back then, the comedian Munawar Faruqui’s legal troubles were hogging the headlines. Across January and February, he ended up spending over a month in jail for allegedly making offensive jokes about Hindu deities, a charge for which not a shred of evidence was ever produced.

Munawar Faruqui

Four years down the line it’s more of the same with Indian comedy. At the time of writing this column, Kunal Kamra had just been slapped with the second, third and fourth FIRs against him this week, after the comedian’s allegedly derogatory comments about Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, cabinet minister Nirmala Sitharaman, et al. The comments happened in the context of Kamra’s 45-minute stand-up special Naya Bharat on YouTube, which has received over 11 million views since it was released on March 23. Kamra’s Mumbai studio was also vandalised last week by supporters of Shinde’s faction of the Shiv Sena.

Kunal Kamra

Persecuting comedians

In India, comedy is still a fair way away from being a vehicle for social change. And one of the main reasons is that successive Indian governments — both at the state and central levels — have been trigger-happy when it comes to persecuting comedians. A decade ago, in 2015, All India Bakchod (AIB) uploaded a video where they, in conjunction with Bollywood celebrities such as Karan Johar, ‘roasted’ the actors Arjun Kapoor and Ranveer Singh.

The entire political ecosystem cried obscenity and multiple FIRs were filed against the comedians. AIB finally removed the video from their YouTube page. Since then, through the late 2010s and early 2020s, comedians such as Sanjay Rajoura have faced legal action on the flimsiest of charges. Like in 2016, when the actor and comedian Kiku Sharda was arrested after he did an impression of the religious leader and convicted rapist Gurmeet Ram Rahim, on the TV show Comedy Nights With Kapil.

Sanjay Rajoura

After Vir Das performed his Two Indias set at Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Centre in 2021, he faced a total of seven police complaints against him in various parts of the country — in Delhi, the complainant was a vice-president of the ruling Bharatiya Janta Party (named, sadly, Aditya Jha). Das also faced lawsuits for “objectionable material” after his Netflix TV series Hasmukh, about a small-town comedian who becomes a serial killer. Kamra himself has a previous contempt case against him in the Supreme Court, running since 2020.

Vir Das

Most recently, of course, comedian Samay Raina and podcaster Ranbeer Allahabadia (aka BeerBiceps) were the subjects of an FIR filed after allegedly objectionable jokes made during Raina’s paywalled YouTube series India’s Got Latent.

Personally, I see this largely as a cultural issue where the standards are very different for India vs. the rest of the world. We are an obedience-based culture focused on the needs of the collective, not a dissent-based culture where individual rights are paramount. And because of this, I don’t see individual outlier comedians affecting vital conversations in India anytime soon — the kind of conversations that lead to real change.

Samay Raina

System designed to reward compliance

Recently, I was watching the former English cricketer Steve Harmison answer a question about cultural differences between Asian and non-Asian cricketers. He replied that it was very tough for young players to be mavericks and rule-breakers in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh et al because they come through a system designed to reward compliance and punish dissent.

In my view, Harmison had hit upon something crucial to the discourse, and his point can be extrapolated to the comedic sphere as well. Why would a young, up-and-coming Indian stand-up comedian try to critique, say, caste and religion-based discrimination, or the gender wage gap, or any one of the zillion other problems in our society? If anything, they would be incentivised to swing to the other extreme, to cater to the bigotries and insecurities of the majority.

Can you imagine being a comedian who regularly performs in corporate events in India? Half the people hiring you want nothing else but jokes about their wives’ cooking, or jokes about how feminism “has gone too far”, or jokes about how you can’t catcall women anymore because of “woke culture”. The other half of your clientele consists of people who don’t actually want you to joke about anything at all. They want the comedic equivalent of white noise, words so anodyne and inoffensive that they kind of blend in with the ambience, like elevator music. 

Which isn’t to say that actual change cannot be triggered by comedians. In America, basically the entire legal framework for mass-media censorship happened because of one legal case: FCC (Federal Communications Commission) vs. Pacifica Foundation, 1978, ending in a landmark 5-4 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld the right of the federal government to regulate content over the broadcast airwaves. The case itself only happened because of comedian George Carlin’s Seven dirty words monologue, wherein he listed certain swear words that could not be uttered on TV or radio, regardless of context.

Carlin was riffing off his predecessor Lenny Bruce’s monologue in 1966, where Bruce reeled off the words he had been arrested for in the past. A conservative activist filed the case against Radio Pacifica for airing the Carlin segment, which eventually brought about this outstanding ruling, rich in both legal and public policy arguments. 

You may or may not agree with the U.S. Supreme Court’s judgment, but you cannot deny the rigour and the intellectual heft of the exercise. I would urge Indian comedians and politicians to read not only the judgment, but the arguments that preceded it. These are conversations we should be having right now, when the Internet has forever changed how the public consumes information and opinions.

Alas, we would rather file FIRs and vandalise studios than actually do the reading and construct informed arguments.

The writer and journalist is working on his first book of non-fiction.

With a net worth of more than $107.8 billion, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is one of the richest people in the world today. However, Gates– who is also known for his philanthropic works and as an author– believes that wealth and success are something that should be earned by people instead of being inherited. And so, he wants his children to made a career of their own instead of inheriting his wealth or being overshadowed by his success.
For the unversed, Bill Gates has three children with his ex-wife Melinda French, namely– Jennifer Gates Nassar, Rory Gates, and Phoebe Gates.
Sharing his views on not being in favour of distributing his wealth among his children, Bill Gates told Raj Shamani in an interview, “Well, I think everybody gets to decide on that. In my case, my kids got a great upbringing, education, but less than 1% of the total wealth because I decided it wouldn’t be a favour to them. It’s not a dynasty. I’m not asking them to run Microsoft. I want to give them a chance to have their own earnings and success, be significant and not overshadowed by the incredible luck and good fortune I had.”
Elaborating his views, Gates furthers said, “Different families see that differently. I think the people who’ve made fortunes from technology are less dynastic and so they’ll even take their capital and give a lot of that away. You can have the view of giving away your capital or just giving away your earnings. And, of course, I love all philanthropy, but the tech sector is probably the most aggressive about giving most of it away.”
Bill Gates’ business empire
Gates co-founded Microsoft, which made $212 billion in revenue in 2023. His investments extend beyond tech, including stakes in Canadian National Railway, Deere, and Republic Services.
Bill Gates and Melinda French: Life after divorce

Credit: X/@BillGates

Bill Gates and Melinda French were married for roughly three decades and have three children together. Once considered as one of the most respectable billionaire couple in the world, Bill Gates and Melinda French’s divorce announcement in May 2021 came as a shock to many.
Both Gates and French have now spoken about their divorce. In a recent interview, Gates told The Times, “The divorce thing was miserable for me and Melinda for at least two years,” calling it his “biggest regret.” Meanwhile, French described her divorce in her upcoming memoir as dreams of “a beautiful house collapsing” around her in late 2019.
Since then, both Gates and French have moved on in their personal lives; they are both dating other people now. While Bill Gates is dating philanthropist Paula Hurd, Melinda French is with entrepreneur Philip Vaughn.

Social media is losing its mind over the Ghibli aesthetic! If you have scrolled through Instagram lately, you have probably seen dreamy, AI-generated Ghibli-style pictures taking over. From celebrities to your college bestie, everyone is turning their selfies into animated perfection, complete with whimsical backgrounds and soft, glowing details. It is giving Miyazaki, it is giving nostalgia, it is giving main character energy!

Studio Ghibli films inspired Instagram captions for your posts | Credit: X

This viral trend has officially brought the legendary Japanese animation studio, Studio Ghibli, into the Instagram era. Founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki, the studio is famous for its iconic movies like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Howl’s Moving Castle. The signature Ghibli look—painterly skies, cosy cottages, and a touch of magic—makes every picture feel like a scene from an animated fantasy. And let’s be honest, who would not want their life to look like a movie directed by Miyazaki himself?

Studio Ghibli films inspired Instagram captions for your posts | Credit: X

Now, if you are hopping on this trend and about to post your very own AI Ghibli-inspired masterpiece, hold up! You need a caption that truly captures the magic. Do not just drop a picture—drop a moment, drop a story, drop a quote that hits deep. Lucky for you, we have got the perfect lines from some of the most legendary Studio Ghibli films to make your post chef’s kiss.

Satsuki Kusakabe once called her day weird, mysterious, and spectacular—just like this trend!

Sheeta believed the world could not survive without love, and let’s be real, neither can your Instagram feed!

Zeniba reminded us that meeting someone stays in our hearts forever, just like how this Ghibli aesthetic is reuniting us with our childhood dreams.

Sophie Hatter knew a heart is a heavy burden, but so is deciding on the perfect caption for this AI masterpiece!

Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service once said you should enjoy little detours, and maybe this trend is the detour we all needed to escape reality for a while.

Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke taught us that some things are worth fighting for—like getting that perfect Ghibli-inspired Instagram post.

The Baron from The Cat Returns once said believing in yourself means having nothing to fear, so post that AI-generated picture with confidence!

Studio Ghibli films inspired Instagram captions for your posts | Credit: X

So, whether you are fully embracing the Ghibli aesthetic or just casually scrolling through this trend, these captions will bring the magic. Because if your Instagram post is going to look like a Miyazaki masterpiece, your words should feel like one too!

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.

New emojis rolled out by Apple (Image: Jordan Hart/BI)

Apple very smartly rolled out its new trending emojis in its latest update– IOS 18.4. With every new IOS update Apple brings in something extraordinary. Beyond its vast emoji library, Apple lets its users experiment with different–unique features that are proven to be useful to its users.

Apple’s new emojis

As part of Apple’s iOS 18.4 update, iPhone users will have access to eight new emoji. The latest update included eight fresh emojis, that are just what people might need these years. The emojis include:
A harp, a fingerprint, shovel, tree bark, Radish, a sark flag, face with bags under eyes and a purple splatter.
One emoji that stands out from the rest is that of the tired face, with droopy eyes and no smile and it is assumed to be the most relatable emoji of all time.
People Of Social Media are thanking Apple developers for this new update. From casual texting to meme culture, this tiny emoji will dominate the whole online conversations in the year of 2025.
These emojis have been highly anticipated since last September. Apple is focusing on growing more personalised digital communication including fight cloud and an orca whale, expected to be released later this year.
The way we communicate digitally is going to change the online conversation system for generations and is getting more dynamic. So, which of these emojis will find its way into your most-used list?
Apple will make their devices attract more customers, with its latest release of Iphone 16. Apple’s Genmoji feature–Powered by AI, allows users to create their own custom emojis, based on the descriptions that they provide, further personalizing and enhancing the user experience.
iPhone users are thanking Apple developers for this new update. From casual texting to meme culture, these new emojis will dominate the whole online conversations in the year of 2025.
Apple’s latest emoji shows its unwavering spirit to enhance its user experience. Small contributions can make a major impact on online communication. With the popular “exhausted face” emoji, it is evident that users resonate with new releases, making conversations more evolved.

A scene from the play
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Mumbai-based Akvarious Productions returns this weekend with External Affairs, a play that explores Gen Z relationship dynamics through humour. Directed by Adhaar Khurana and written by Bobby Nagra, the production is backed by Akarsh Khurana and Saatvika Kantamneni.

The team describes the play as “a comedy of confusion, fashionable anxiety, technology, transactional relationships, wokeness — and all the dilemmas plaguing the current generation. There is a reason they got the very last alphabet.”

Similar concept

Adhaar Khurana
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The plot follows Arjun, a talented yet struggling young man nursing a heartbreak, who crosses paths with the successful and self-assured Insia. Their chance encounter leads to an unexpected relationship — until their respective exes resurface, setting the stage for a twist.

External Affairs features an interactive format with four actors — Abhinav Sharma, Garima Yajnik, Prajakta Koli and Taaruk Raina. Two actors engage directly with the audience, while the other two slip into multiple characters. Though the storyline is new, the concept echoes Internal Affairs, an earlier Akvarious production from 2017. Its format, which breaks the fourth wall, has proven a hit across cities, with over 100 shows staged.

A scene from the play
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Director Adhaar Khurana promises a playful yet thought-provoking evening. “It starts off like any other relationship but then moves through different phases. The audience sees how external factors, exes, friends, even parents, affect how people respond to love and conflict.” The play also touches on mental health, inclusivity, and modern anxieties, all laced with humour.

Since its premiere in August 2024, External Affairs has travelled to Delhi, Nagpur and Bhopal. “It’s quite crazy,” says Adhaar. “We have managed 42 shows in seven months, and it’s been amazing.”

Different viewing experience

The play offers a 360-degree viewing experience, with the audience seated around the performance space. The team also tailors the production to each venue, making subtle adjustments along the way. “We even tweak a few jokes and references depending on the city,” says Adhaar, promising a few surprises for Hyderabad audiences.

External Affairs is being staged at Rangbhoomi Spaces, Serilingampally on April 5

Imagine coming back home after a long, and tiring day and being greeted by sloppy kisses from your beloved pet dog. While many pet parents and dog lovers would like this, a doctor has warned against this in a video posted on social media, which has now gone viral. Why? Well, in the viral video, the doctor reveals that letting a dog lick your face can expose you to Capnocytophaga, a bacteria and in some cases its infection can even be life-threatening. In rare cases, it can cause sepsis, flesh-eating disease, and even the need for amputations.
“Did you know that a dog’s lick can introduce harmful bacteria into your body?… It’s rare, but it can lead to life-threatening infections,” The Gut Doc says in an Instagram video.
While it might sound extreme to some people, this has truly happened to Marie Turner, a pet parent who lost her limbs after being infected by her dog. In 2019, Marie from Ohio came home from vacation and was greeted with love and licks from her dog. She had a tiny cut on her hand—just enough for Capnocytophaga to enter her system. Days later, she developed a serious infection that spread rapidly, forcing doctors to amputate her arms and legs to save her life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also backs this up, noting that while most people are unaffected, Capnocytophaga can cause serious complications when it enters the bloodstream through bites, scratches, or saliva touching broken skin.

People who are at higher risk
For healthy individuals, the chances of getting sick from dog saliva are low. But, some people face a higher risk, including those with: diabetes, liver disease, cancer or those undergoing chemotherapy, a weakened immune system, or no spleen or alcohol dependency.

Signs of a Capnocytophaga infection
If bacteria from a dog’s saliva enters your body, you might experience some of the following symptoms:
– Blisters, redness, or swelling near the contact area
– Fever, vomiting, or stomach pain
– Muscle aches, headaches, or confusion
– In severe cases, infections that lead to organ failure or even amputation
How to stay safe
Here are some precautions one can take, as per doctors:
– Avoid letting dogs lick your face or any open cuts
– Wash your hands and any licked areas with soap and water
– If you notice any unusual symptoms after a dog lick, seek medical help
Remember, while your furry friend’s love is priceless, it’s always better to stay safe and take precautions. The next time, instead of letting them give you sloppy kisses, maybe a belly rub might be a safer way to show affection!

Members of Overactors Hyd play a match at MSK Ground in Hyderabad
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A 20-over cricket match is underway under the floodlights at MSK Ground in Shankarpally, about 40 kms from Hyderabad. A group of professionals from various fields arrive with bats, stumps, and a hard tennis ball. The Overactors Hyd, playing against another team of cricket enthusiasts, cheer with cries of “Eeuuuu!”, “Fireeee!”, and “Puli!” (Tiger, in Telugu) to boost their teammates’ morale and performance.

Carving a niche

Sandeep Tadi and Yash Puri. Shot On OnePlus #FramesofIndia
| Photo Credit:
Neeraja Murthy

The drama peaks with playful one-liners, their favourite being a loud “Abbabbabbabba!” whenever the hard tennis ball sails past the boundary. While the teams shake hands post-match, the highlight is the mutual praise exchanged by players on both sides. Among the many cricket formats embraced by enthusiasts across Hyderabad, Overactors Hyd stands out — its members largely hail from the creative community, carving a niche in the city’s cricketing landscape.

Love for cricket

Theatre professionals Sandeep Tadi and Jay Jha co-founded Overactors Hyd (@overactorshyd on Instagram) in 2021 as a space for artistes to rekindle their love for cricket. “We have all loved the game but had to shift focus over time for different reasons. This group gave us a way to reconnect with that passion,” says Sandeep, a fast bowler-turned-medium-pacer after a shoulder injury.

What began as a theatre circle initiative soon expanded to include writers, choreographers, sound engineers, filmmakers, photographers and musicians. “There’s a great camaraderie. It feels like catching up with friends on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning for a good game of cricket,” adds Sandeep, who also co-founded city-based theatre group Storyboard Productions.

From the creative side

Members of Overactors Hyd play a match at MSK Ground in Hyderabad  
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The group played consistently for two years before regrouping after a break in 2023. While it began as a space for creatives, it now welcomes individuals from various fields. Alongside stand-up comedian Vivek Muralidharan, actors Mayank Parakh, Yash Puri, Srinivas Reddy, and theatre professionals Jonas David and Surabhi Santosh, the team also includes students from Annapurna College of Film and Media.

Known for their fearless batting, Pavan Karthik, Yash Puri, Sandeep Varma, and Kamalesh Edida are described by captain Sandeep Tadi as players who take on any bowler with confidence. Sandeep selects his playing 11 based on availability. The group now boasts 74 members, has played 81 matches, and uses the CricHeroes app to track scores live.

Theatre artiste and director Jay Jha believes that the stage is not the only space where artistes shine. “We bring stories to life on stage, but on the cricket field, we script a different kind of drama — one of teamwork, passion, and pure joy,” he says.

To stay fit

All set for the match
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Actor Yash Puri enjoys the chance to be outdoors and squeeze in his love for cricket. “Shoot schedules can run up to 12–14 hours. While I’m focused on staying in that headspace, cricket helps me unwind,” he says. Though the late matches sometimes disrupt his night routine, he still plays regularly — it keeps him active and fit.

What sets the group apart is its strong sense of support. It is not just sharp fielding or impressive bowling that earns applause; the team stands by each other even in defeat. “There are days I lose my wicket early, but my teammates are quick to lift my spirits,” Yash adds.

As for the name, Sandeep shares with a laugh, “Sometimes, theatre actors are said to overact on stage. Since many of us come from theatre, we thought why not own it? That’s how we became Overactors Hyd.”

The sound of OM is basically three syllables AUM, which when pronounced together, result in a deep vibration inside your vocal chords, and your body at large. When you take a deep breath in and start with the ‘AUM’ or ‘OM’ chant, an energy spreads through your body, and you experience a tingling sensation through your hands, head, face, and even in your fingers. As your mind focuses on the OM, a sense of inner harmony consumes you.