Reeling Tales

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 today's world, the desire for perfect beauty knows no boundaries -- cutting across geographies, classes, and professions. While for a few, cosmetic procedures are a desperate attempt to escape the harsh grip of poverty and restore basic health, for many, it's a pursuit of fame, glamour, and validation in a world obsessed with perfection.  But whether born of necessity or vanity, surgery always carries a risk -- and sometimes, especially when it is free of cost, the price paid is irreversible. From the death of influencers under the knife to the loss of eyesight among the poor at free medical camps, these reeling tales reveal a darker truth which is often painful and gives only repentance. Take the case of 31-year-old singer and social media influencer Ana Bárbara Buhr Buldrini who hailed from Mozambique, East Africa, has died of cardiac arrest hours allegedly after she underwent a botched up plastic surgery in Turkey. Buldrini had gone to Istanbul from Mozambique with her h...

While the #MeToo movement and casting couch revelations once gave voice to countless women silenced by fear and exploitation, a disturbing new trend,  which will reel our head, is beginning to emerge -- one where the very tools of justice are allegedly being weaponized for personal gain by those who have been oppressed so far.  In recent headlines, two startling cases bring to fore this darker twist where an Instagram influencer accused of honey trapping Gujarat-based businessman Kirti Patel has been arrested by the police, while journalist Shazia Nisar allegedly attempted to extort ₹65 crore from the CEO of Bharat24 by threatening him with a false rape case.  What is honey trapping and how Kirti Patel used it ? Honey trapping is a tool where someone often using charm or romance tricks another person. The victim gets into a situation which can later be used to trap or blackmail the victims. In such cases, a person is falsely made to believe they are in a romantic rel...

The story of love affair of a mother-in-law and son-in-law from Aligarh is still fresh and now a contrasting but equally disturbing case has emerged from Rampur. In a  shocking incident that has shattered family ties leaving the locals stunned, a 55-year-old man married his own son's fiancée in a village in Rampur district of Uttar Pradesh. The couple had been missing for eight days and when they returned, it was all chaos in the family. The matter was later taken to the village council following which the couple was banished from the village. The Girl is Only 18 Years Old The story began six months ago when a man from the Bhot police station area arranged his son's engagement with an 18-year-old girl from a nearby village. After the engagement, the father of the would be groom started visiting the girl's house frequently -- sometimes under the pretext of maintaining family relations, and at other times citing wedding preparations. Took Daughter-in-law to Delhi on the Prete...

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...

The same Wajahat Khan, who himself spewed venom against other religions, is the one whose complaint led the Kolkata Police to arrest Sharmistha Panoli from Gurugram in a hate speech case. Now, look at the approach of the Kolkata Police — if the alleged offender is a Hindu girl, and that too a student, the police can travel all the way from Bengal to Haryana to arrest her. But when it comes to Wajahat Khan, who is in Bengal itself, reports are now emerging that Wajahat is missing — meaning, the man has vanished from Kolkata city, and the police have no clue.  Perhaps this is because the man who filed complaints against others is himself facing serious allegations and has absconded, as there are complaints filed against him from three different places — Delhi, West Bengal, and Assam. In fact, Himanta Biswa Sarma himself has said that a complaint was filed against Wajahat in Guwahati, and Mr. Sarma will request the West Bengal Police to assist in his arrest. However, when a team of As...

Recently, ANI has issued a copyright strike on YouTuber Mohak Mangal’s video and has allegedly demanded ₹45 lakh, threatening to have his channel deleted if the amount is not paid. The reason? In a few videos, Mohak Mangal had used a few seconds of ANI’s video clips. Mohak Mangal claims this is outright ''extortion'' and bullying''. Beyond the legal technicalities, couldn't a major media house like ANI simply take the revenue generated from Mohak Mangal’s video or ask him to delete the portions that used ANI footage and let him go with a warning? What does ANI gain by getting an entire channel of a small YouTuber deleted and hitting someone’s livelihood so harshly? Is this really fair?                                   

Here’s a shocking story for you — straight from Mexico. A 23-year-old TikTok influencer named Valeria Márquez, who had over 200,000 followers and also ran her own salon, was tragically murdered on camera — and the internet watched in horror. It all began when Valeria reportedly received a message saying someone had come by to drop off an expensive gift for her. During one of her livestreams, she heard a knock at the door and stepped out briefly. Moments later, she returned holding a gift, which she showed to the camera. But suddenly, she appeared visibly disturbed and muted her mic. Within seconds, two gunshots were heard, and Valeria collapsed in her chair — all while still live on camera. Who killed Valeria and why remains a mystery. The only thing clearly captured is her final moment on camera. This incident serves as a grim reminder — especially for women influencers — not to let strangers get too close in the pursuit of views, likes, or digital fame. Some gifts can turn deadly. ...

You must remember the iconic moment from Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah where Masterji doesn’t punish the children, but instead punishes himself to teach them a lesson — standing in the rain to send a message. Something very similar was recently done by a headmaster in Andhra Pradesh. The headmaster said that despite several reminders, students were consistently failing to complete their homework, which was affecting their academic progress. Deeply concerned, the teacher decided to deliver a powerful message in a different way. During a school assembly, in front of all the students, the headmaster held his ears and did sit-ups as a form of self-punishment — in an attempt to convey the seriousness of the matter and inspire the students to take responsibility. What do you think — will this effort by the headmaster have a lasting impact on the students?                                       ...

Once in Parliament, Jaya Bachchan had famously said, “Jis thali mein khate hai usi mein ched karte hain”. After the recent Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the way Pakistani artists have come out in support of their country, it seems that this line fits them perfectly. Following Operation Sindoor, comments from actors like Fawad Khan, Hania Aamir, and Mahira Khan clearly show that they are the ones who "Jis thali mein khate hai usi mein ched karte hain”. They want to earn money from India, yet express loyalty and affection toward Pakistan. However, one thing must be said in favor of these Pakistani artists — unlike many Bollywood stars who often maintain silence during such situations, at least these Pakistani celebrities openly stand with their country. And this time, apart from a cryptic post about numbers, even Amitabh Bachchan's silence is telling. It seems Jaya Ji should once again repeat her “Jis thali mein khate hai usi mein ched karte hain” dialogue — not ...

Preity Zinta, who started her career with the film Soldier, has made a name not just in movies but also in business. Recently, during an "Ask Me Anything" session, she was visibly upset by a fan’s question. A fan asked her, "Are you planning to join the BJP in the near future?" Her response came off as curt. She said, "Just because I visit the Kumbh Mela or temples doesn’t mean I should be associated with any political party.'' ''I’ve lived abroad for some time, and I simply enjoy staying connected to my roots. Please don’t link my religious beliefs with politics. I want to teach my children about Indian culture and am raising them as Hindus," she added. However, she later apologized for the harsh tone of her words.                             

“I won’t treat them — I’ll kill them.”  This shocking statement came from an Australian nurse during an online video chat with an Israeli influencer. At first, the nurse commented, “Your eyes are beautiful,” but moments later, she added, “What’s the point? In the end, you’re going to die anyway, because you people kill Palestinians.” The influencer tried to explain that he was simply defending his country. But when he asked, “What if an Israeli or Jewish person came to your hospital for treatment?” the nurse abruptly interrupted and said, “I would kill him. I wouldn’t treat him.” She then made a spitting gesture toward the camera.                            The situation escalated further when another nurse present on the same call added, “I’ve already sent many people to hell.” As soon as this video went viral on social media, public outrage exploded. In response, the hospital administration immediately suspende...

Recently, comedian Kunal Kamra mocked Eknath Shinde, after which some individuals vandalized his office. Following this incident, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sanjay Raut, and Uddhav Thackeray came out in support of Kamra’s right to satire. However, there was a time when parts of Kangana Ranaut’s house were demolished by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray. At that time, Kunal Kamra himself had supported the demolition. What is most interesting is that after the demolition of her house, Kangana had predicted the downfall of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government — and that prediction eventually came true.                                                     

The time and place might be different, but the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir and the 2023 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians reflect the same brutality with which the attacks took place. In 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a sudden and ruthless attack on innocent Israeli people who were simply enjoying their weekend break. Many were killed and hundreds of lives were lost in the blink of an eye . The people who were enjoying hardly had an idea that a horrific ambush was going happen. In a similar manner, the recent attack in Pahalgam targeted unarmed and unsuspecting Hindu tourists and it resulted in the tragic loss of may innocent lives. This incident not only brings extreme pain to Indians and people across the globe, but also exposes the same terrorist mindset which is  instilling fear by deliberately targeting civilians. In response to the attack on its citizens , the Israeli government launched a strong and decisive military action  which was aimed at ...