Reeling Tales

The Marathi language row in Maharashtra has reignited political tensions, communal anxieties, and regional identity issues — all against the backdrop of the upcoming BMC elections and a sensitive linguistic landscape. The row started after a shocking incident in Bhayander, Thane, where a food stall owner was beaten by activists allegedly linked to the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for not speaking in Marathi. A video of the attack went viral, showing the accused, wearing MNS scarves, confronted the vendor and slapped him after he responded in Hindi. The FIR, registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, mentioned ''unidentified persons'', and despite the viral video, the accused were released on bail within hours since the charges were non-cognizable. MNS workers have also been putting pressure on businesses and banks to use Marathi in signage and transactions. The controversy escalated further when Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former MP R...

From bustling newsrooms to conflict zones, women in journalism are increasingly becoming targets of harassment, intimidation and violence, and ironically they are victims not for falsifying stories or flouting ethics, but simply because they are honestly doing their jobs. Their gender often makes them more vulnerable as these journos are often exposed to a specific kind of threat that male counterparts rarely face.  The recent incidents ordeal of women journalists from India, Pakistan, and across the world reveal that these attacks are not isolated events but part of a disturbing global pattern where female journalists are silenced, violated, or terrorized and so sometimes they are either forced to retreat or bear the brunt being completely mum. Take for example the cases in India where female journalists continue to face disturbing threats and violence. In a very disturbing case ,a woman journalist in Delhi accused an Uber driver of sexual harassment. According to her complaint, t...

In a rare moment of cross-border corroboration, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan and Pakistani minister Maryam Aurangzeb have found themselves telling the same story -- almost at the same time eight years later. Just weeks after, Aamir  Khan shared on 'Aap Ki Adalat' show that he refused to release Dangal in Pakistan due to demands raised by Pakistan to remove certain parts of the movie which showed the Indian flag and singing of the national anthem. Pakistan the then Federal Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has now publicly admitted that banning the film during her tenure as Pakistan’s Information Minister was a mistake and even when she hadn’t seen the film at the time. Maryam Aurangzeb, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and current minister in Punjab, confessed that banning Dangal as Federal Information Minister in 2017 was one of her biggest regrets. ''Yes, if there is one regret that I have when I was the Federal Information Minister, i...

Despite ongoing tensions between the two nations, Diljit Dosanjh’s upcoming Punjabi film 'Sardaar Ji 3' is set to release in Pakistan on June 27. What shocks the fans across India is the presence of Pakistani actress Hania Aamir and and several other Pakistani actors, including Nasir Chinyoti, Daniel Khawar, and Saleem Albela. This decision, coming in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April that killed 26 civilians, has triggered a wave of online outrage, with Indian fans calling the move “shameful” and “disrespectful.” Film Banned in India, But Running Across the Border Screenshots of theatre listings from Pakistani cities like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Sialkot have gone viral on social media, confirming the full-fledged theatrical run of 'Sardaar Ji 3' across the border. But, when Indian viewers tried to access the trailer on YouTube they met with the message that 'This video is not available in your country'. Industry Bodies and...

Around the world, drama in politics have long been considered as a tool for political gain. Whether it's a dramatic walkout, an angry thump on the desk, or tearing up a document in full public view, political leaders have often turn to these symbolic acts to make their stance clear. These moments frequently dominate headlines, drawing public attention not only to the legislation in question but also to the emotion and urgency behind the protest. Tearing a bill, in particular, has become a powerful gesture which is visually disruptive, emotionally charged, and hard to ignore. From New Zealand’s Parliament to the campaign stages of India, this form of dissent has found its way into political arena and parties vie it a better option to gain attention. While some see it as mere drama, others view it as necessary too and consider it as extremely rewarding. Episodes -- from Māori MPs breaking into a haka before the bill's debate, to Arvind Kejriwal shredding farm laws in Delhi's ...

"You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours" — this old saying perfectly captures the relationship between Pakistan's elected governments and its powerful military establishment. In a country where democratic institutions struggle for autonomy, and the military always dominates, mutual back-scratching isn’t just common -- it is the need of the hour. A perfect example is the recent elevation of General Asim Munir to the rare rank of Field Marshal. Constitutionally, such a move required cabinet approval and so it was granted. Critics argue that this was not just a ceremonial gesture but part of a larger unwritten deal. By approving Munir’s promotion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif showed its loyalty and in return, the military maintained its grip on security matters without overtly undermining the civilian order and presenting to the world a facade of thriving democracy. Why was Munir Elevated? Following the May 2025 India–Pakistan war, Munir was elevated (of course, outwardly ...

In a world increasingly shaped by smartphones and online fame, the stories of two young women -- one from Punjab, India, and another from Quetta, Pakistan -- serve as a haunting reminder that patriarchal violence not recognize any boundaries. Though these two cases are separated by borders, the two incidents are united by the reason why these two people were killed. Both the cases expose the dark side of cultures where a woman’s freedom is still seen as a danger to family pride. Punjab's ‘Kaur Bhabhi’: Fame Turned Fatal Komal Kaur, who came to be known as “Kaur Bhabhi” on social media, was a popular figure in the reels world of Instagram and TikTok. A mother of two, draped in vibrant dupattas and often using folk music, she showed the confident and bold image of a modern Punjabi woman. Her followers were increasing rapidly. But behind all the glamorized videos was a very fragile domestic set-up. Komal had reportedly left her in-laws' house and moved back to her parental home af...

The name Sonam Raghuvanshi may already be familiar to you — a woman now etched into headlines for a chilling murder conspiracy. But what you're about to read will reel your head far beyond the crime itself. Because it’s not just the murder that shocks — it’s how it unfolded. The betrayal. The trap. The final moments of a man who thought he was on a peaceful trek with his wife... but was actually walking into his own death, led by the hand he once held in love. Close your eyes for a moment and picture it — the quiet, fog-laced hills of Meghalaya, a narrow trail, and a couple walking together. Sonam, a few steps behind. Raja, ahead, chatting with three men who had recently joined them, posing as friendly fellow travelers. The setting felt serene — almost cinematic.                             It is said that truth is stranger than fiction — and few betrayals in recent memory have embodied this more chillingly than the S...

Read the reeling tales of two individuals from two very different corners of India — stories that will reel your head with their irony, intensity, and insight. One is a young woman who rose to stardom through her smartphone screen; the other, a humble auto driver who built a mini-empire from a footpath. Their lives are different in geography, gender, or goals — yet they are deeply connected by a single, powerful force: fame. One was a woman who found fame through her smartphone and social media. The other was a humble auto driver in Mumbai who built a small business empire on the pavement. One was from Punjab, the other from Maharashtra. One was male, the other female. Their goals were different. But what connected them was a deep desire for respect and identity. In today’s world, fame can empower you. It can lift you from an ordinary life into the spotlight. But the same fame can also expose you to unseen dangers. What seems like a ladder to success can become a path filled with risks...