Wal or?

9 Indian films and series to watch in September 2021

I MUMBAI

DIARIES 26/11

1 (Amazon Prime Video)

I Originallyexpected toreleasein March 2021,this I I seriespaystributetothedoctors, nurses, and I other medicalstaffwhowereoncall duringthe I 26Novemberterrorattacksin Mumbai, working I I againsttheclockto saveshundreds oflives. It I stars KonkanaSenSharma,TinaDesai (ofSense8 I fame), Mohit Raina, andShreya Dhanwantharyand I I created and directed byNikkhilAdvani, alongwith I Nikhil Gonsalves(directorofNetflix'sHasmukh). I MumbaiDiaries26/11debutson 9September.

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As iftofollow in his brother'sfootsteps after Vicky I Donor,Aparshakti Khurana's latestfilmtakeson anothertabootopic:contraception. Directed bySatram I Ramani, Helmet isabouta botched robberywhere I the stolen boxes, expectedto containelectronics, are instead packed with condoms. With peopleshyto I openlytalk aboutthem, let alone buythem, whatcan I the robbersdo withtheirnew stash? Helmetbeganstreamingon3September.

I CRIME STORIES: INDIA

I DETECTIVES (Netflix)

I Joining Netflix'sslewoftruecrime isthis I docuseriesabouttheBengalurupolice. Providing a glimpse intothelife ofa policeofficerin India I and howpoliceinvestigations areconducted in the I country,theseriesshowcasesfour major crimes, 1 includinga baby's kidnapping, a missingchild, and a murder.

I Thedocuseriesbeginsstreamingon22September.

MAESTRO (Dlsney+Hotstar)

Aremake of Andhadhun (2018) aboutapiano player pretendingto bevisually impaired who inadvertently becomesa witnessin a murder, Telegu film Maestro hopestotake on a slightly different approachto the award-winning blackcomedy.ItstarsNithin, Tamannaah and Nabha Nateshand is directed by Merlapaka Gandhi.

Maestroreleaseson17September.

KOTA FACTORY (Netflix)

Kota isanIndiancityknown for itscoaching centresthattrain studentsfor competitive entrance exams.Comedy drama Kota Factory provides ahumorous, honestlook atthe student lifestylein Kota, outside of thetypicalcritique oftheIndian education system(think 3 Idiots or Laakhon Mein Ek). It'salsothefirstblack-andwhite webseriesin India, shotin colour andthen graded intomonochrome. After its original release onYoutubeand massivesuccess,theseriesnow movesovertostreaminggiantNetflix. Season2ofKofaFactorybeginsstreamingon 24September.

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ANHAKI KAHANIYAN (Netflix)

Fromtheproductionhousesthatbroughtyou anthologies like LustStories and Bombay Talkies comes Anhaki Kahaniyan. Thethreelovestoriesare directed byfilmmakersAshwinyIyerTiwari (Barei/ly Ki Barfi), AbhishekChaubey (Dedhlshqiya, Udta Punjab), andSaketChaudhary (Hindi Medium) and promise to shareunexpected, untold love stories.Need we say more?

Theanthologyseriesdebutson23September.

I BHOOT POLICE (Disney+Hotstar)

I Boasting of bignameslikeSaifAli Khan, Arjun Kapoor, YamiGautam,Jacqueline Fernandezand Jaaved

I Jaaferi, Bhoot Police isa horror comedyabouta gang I ofghosthunters. It'sdirected by Pavan Kirpalani, whosepreviousworkincludesRaginiMMS (2011) 1 and Phobia (2016). Bhoot Police comesonthetails of I Bollywood's latest fascination with horror (like Laxmii I and Ghost Stories), hopefullythisfares betterthanits predecessors.

I Thefilm Isallsettoreleaseon 17September.

I INTRUSION (Netflix)

I In thisglobaloffering, Freida Pinto and Logan Marshall­

I Green(knownfor hisrolesin 24, Prometheus, and Spider-Man: Homecoming) play a couple left I traumatized by a homeinvasion. Leftwith nochoice I butto killtheski-mask wearingintruder,they find themselveswithmorequestionsthan answerswhenan 1 investigation ensues - cantheyeventrusteachother?

I Thiscrimethrillerreleaseson22September.

BREAK POINT (ZeeS)

Inthe '90s,tennis legendsLeander Paesand Mahesh Bhupathiwereconsidered amongthemostfeared doubles pairs. They playedtogetherfrom 1994to 2006 and reunited from 2008to 2011.Inthis 7-partseries, award-winning filmmakerduoAshwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwariprovide anhonestlookatthe friendship, ambition and hard workthatmarkedthe duo's career, includingtheverypublicfalloutthatleftmany speculatingontheir off-courtlives.Accordingtoits makers, Break Point is a bittersweetstory of friendship and success. Theseriesdoesnothaveaconfirmed releasedateyet although itisexpectedtoreleaselaterthismonth.

No white wo,nen wereharmedin the ,nakingofthispiece. However, the charactersarenotfictional. Theyareliving, breathing, interruptingyou,fightingfor LIBERATION, gaslightingyouaboutyour concerns, andcryingabout theiroppression. Wehearyouand weloveyou.

ranticallyglaringat the lurid co1nputer sct·een, Surry HillsDelta Babeputsthe finishingtouches on her 'Race and Environment' unit essay. Nibblingonthe lastchunkofabanh mi from Marrickville Pork Roll, herphone lock screen (Dua Lipa'sbutt) lightsup. A notification appears.

It's fro1n NewtownAlt Girl.

"Brunchafterthe protest?? VY hungry."

"Ooooyes! What ru wearing?"

"My patriarchy stompingdocs,hehe."

"Literally STEPON ME, rad-lefty marxistbabe, invented fashion!"

"I knowwe've onlyn1et once, butlove u! 1-Iehe."

SurryHills Delta Babe (SOB) and NewtownAlt Girl (NAG) are postDelta-variant-lockdown bestieswho met volunteering ata Covid-19 RSPCAAnimal Shelter. Con1n1unitycare,besties!

It's a scorching morning atTown Hall. Peoplepouroutofthetrain station and gatheraround thefountain. Itis the day ofthe 'Make hibiscusfreeforourchais' protest.

Atthe topofthe escalator, NAGwaits for SOB. They bothknew,fromtheirfirst fatedmeeting, that theywere destined to be friends. Ofcourse, theirrelationship runs deeperthan n1erefriendship.Theirs is afarmoreprofound connection borne oftheir fathers' careers in real estate and a shared love ofrecreational amphetamines. Theywouldn'thave itanyotherway.

Ah, there she is. Theygreeteach other with a hugas theygigglein theirshrill, Aperol Spritz-infusedvoices, "Remember thatAudreLordeFacebookposttalking about the beautyoffemale friendship? So true!! Ugh,qween."

The protest begins.Chantsringthrough the square. SOBjoins the crowd and the firein hereyes follows. Inawe, NAG watches her, 1narvelUngat how their matchingleopard satinskirtsareagroundbreakingmetaphorforhowtheyhave torunfrom thehuntingshacklesofthe patriarchywhichdeprivesanimal lovers oftheirplant-based hibiscusmerchandise. God,she'ssogood, NAGmuses.

Meanwhile, SOB peersoverat Bondi Alpha Darling (BAD) whois takingfilm photosofthe protest. She isan absolute vision-in herwhite, mid-calftaj 1nahal linendress fromTreeofLife anda fuzzy Depop buckethat. Her stacked Eastern Flairringsgleamin the ]ate-Spring sun. Hertotebag,emblazonedwitha

Toni Morrison quotefromabookshe has definitely read, looks to be digging uncomfortablyinto hershoulder. Fuck, that's afirefit,SOB mumblestoherself.

Next to BAD is Sylvia, the first-year babewhojust moved from Pakistan. She iswearinga chikankari skirtwith a cutewhite tee, bangerjhumkas, and an absolutebewildermentat the words BAD isspurring, asshepleads the protestors for1noredonations for theirhibiscuslove movement.

"Whata politicallyfiredupbabe BAD is, supporting POC sisters everyday," SOB and NAGtellthemselves.

"Hellooooogorgeous,yousexy activist," SOB serenades BAD in a long, ugly and high-pitched voice. "Was at Bondi lastweekand thoughtofyou,qween."

"Aw, that'ssosweetofyou," replies BAD. "Sorry I missedyourcall,just been sobusycryingabout the hiked pricesof hibiscus milk, you know. So itwasjustmy poodle and I creatingflyers."

"Aww,you poorbaby. Keen to hangout in Newtownand totes shake a legat the Marly," NAGavoids Sylvia'sgaze as she handsout BAD's flyers to the Millers Point Lorna Janewearingbabeswho stopped by at the protest after theirmorningrun.

"Thanks, babe. Loveyourwork. OMG also, n1eetShabana, mynewbestie! She just 1noved here-weare ina SouthAsian Studiesunit, such afeisty babe," BAD proclaims.

"Um,hi. It'sactuaJlySylvia,bytheway.

I don't know many people here but I was keen to come to this protest."

"OMG,I'msosorry,sweetheart. Ijustlove Muslimnan1es,but Iamjustgoingthrough somuch,youknow," BAD responds.

"Anyway, Sabna, so like, where are you from in Pakistan exactly?" asks SOB.

"Oh, I am from Pashtunistan, the northern part borderingAfghanistan."

"OMG that's, like, beautiful. Isn'tthat where Malala isfrom? Sopowerful. ohn1y god, she made meafeminist! Didyouguys, like, hangoutor something?" asks NAG.

"Um, notreally. 1 actually spentmostof mytime in Islamabad."

"OMG,you should totallycome to our fishjustice meetings. We could do with someWoCindigenous regional international student perspective, you know," BAD proposes.

"Ohandyourcityhas the name 'islam' in it!!! lnshallah!!l Hehel" SDB adds.

Asilence falls amongst thegirls, impenetrable by the din ofthe protest.

"Anyway, babes, seeyouall soon! NAG and I are offtotry son1e matcha lemon carob milkshakes withcoconutelixirfro1n thatplace in Paddington. Sick!"

Sylvia'sphoneringsasthecrowdwanes. It'stheKombuchaVitaeticketgroupfor <studentpublication> - amessagefromSOB:

"Babes! Sylvia, itwas nice to meetyou today! Lovedyourindie spiritwith that outfit,weshould totes talkover avegan lassi atthat place in Enmore. Would love tohaveyou because we want to bring yourmarginalised Muslimidentityto the forefront. Let usknow, sweetie. Always hereforyou, bestie. Mwah."

Firstpublished in HoniSoit. Reproduced herewithpermission.

September 2021 BY MINAL KHONA

MinaI Khona has been readingtarotcardsfor the lasttwodecades. She uses herintuition and connectwiththecards mostlyto helppeople.

I

The card plucked forAriesthis month standsforVirgo sothefiery April-born mayshow unusual reticence and caution. You could also meetafinicky perfectionist like a Virgo. Bad newscould come your waysuch as the death ofsomeone you know ortheseparation ofa couple closeto you.Atwork, you might wanttochange direction orlookfor a new businessto start. Livingwith acceptanceofwhat is, will make challenges easiertoface.

You could have unforeseen hurdles this month on all fronts. Ifsingle, you mightget involved with someone possiblyyoungerthan you. People all around will be helpful - atwork and at home. Anyshifts awayfrom work - a hobbyora webinarto improveskills will be productive. A personal situation can bevexingas it leavesyoufeelingtrapped. Money issues will get resolved. Something you had given up on will work outin yourfavour.

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Acesstandfor new beginnings I and swordsforwinter. You can expecta change in fortune bythe end I oftheyear. Singlescould expecta new I intenseloveaffair.A visitfrom someone I could changeyour plans regardingyour future. A marriage could gothrough I a rocky phase. Family membersare I all under pressurewhich addstoyour I problems. Moneycould bedelayed. Butrestassured,tensions will reduce I andyou will soon be in a betterframe 1 ofmind.

I All thatconsumed yourenergyand I attention is now on the back burner and you will lookforsomethingnew. I Ifsingleyou could be lookingfora new I love. Ifinvolved,you are not happy I with your current partner. Relaxation, spiritual pursuits and a revival of I somethingfrom your pastwill bringyou I joy. Investments giveyou rich dividends. 1 Health improvesandyoucould also starta new business. Keep a positive I mindsetand indulge in some retail 1 therapy.

Family, domestic issuesand yourhome keepyou busythis month. Infact,they leaveyou with notimeforlove.Yourhealth isgood butafamilymemberorapet will needtoseeadoctor.Therewill be asteadyinflowandoutflowoffinances mostlytied inwith dailyexpenses.You havedivineprotection, however,sothere won'tbeanyblocks. Ifanarrangement doesn'tsuityou,youwillcancelit altogether - whetherinyourpersonalor professional life.

You could be introspectingabouta

I situation orrelationship; even spiritual I matterscould keepyou occupied. If I single, yoursearchfora meaningful relationship continues. Unforeseen I problemsathomewill besurmounted I easily.Atwork, a longstandingproblem gets resolved. You needtoslowdownor I you could becomesick. Debts mayneed a I confrontationtogetwhatis owedtoyou. I An unpleasantsituation will end whenyou decidetowalkawayfrom itin allways.

I

Sevensindicatethe needforsolitude and introspection. Libranswillwantto I analysecurrentsituationsand prioritise.

I Work is hectic; watch outforoffice politics.Letgoofyourneedforperfection I as itadds undue pressure. Finances I are in orderand moneyowedtoyou will come.Achesand painscould add toyour I woes. Eventually,thingswill workoutin I yourfavour.Take everythingonestepat I atimeand letgoofproblemsyoucan't solve rightaway. I

I

Adifficult monthasyou avoid a I confrontation, pineforan ex orface I I hurdles intravel plans. Someoneyou I I know may need medical assistanceor I meetwith an accident.Argumentsatwork I cause unnecessarytension. Finances I I remain upbeatand you mayeven spend I I some moneyon a spiritual pursuit. I Ifmarried, you could expectboutsof I unhappiness. What is not rightforyou will I I havetobeletgo and you will no longer I wantto bearound unethical people.

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Though work keepsyou busy,youwant tofocusonyourlove lifeandfinding happiness. Youseekthe kind of peace thatcomesfrom spiritual growth and simple living. Atwork, you getachanceto promoteyourskills. Businesswill improve in a bigwayfortheself-employed. Discord with family memberscouldtake place. Be honestin yourinteractionswith othersto release unnecessarytension.

A new business idea willgetthesupport and positivereactionyou are hopingfor.

I You will payattention to selfI improvementatworkand are hoping I forsomegood news. Ifsingle, ensure any new person you meetisnotalready I married. Asudden meetingwill leadto

I Thepractical Feb-born maybehaveinan I even more balanced mannerduetothe I appearanceofthecardforLibra. Conflicts ontheoutsideandwthin,changing I habitsand legal matterskeepyou busy.

I veryunusual loveaffairisalsoontheanvil. I Anold relationshipcouldseearenewal.

I financial gains. You are empowered at work which makesyoufeel good. An

I estranged lovercould trytowinyou back. I

I Eathigh energy healthyfoods. Profits at I

I andyouwillsortoutyourpersonal life. Staydetachedforthetruthtoemerge.

I Lettinggoofthepastinarelationship brings peace. Workis mundaneandcould causesomeanxiety.A mild infection needsmedicalattention. Lonelinessends I business willgoup. Achanceto make more moneywill alsocomeyourway. Be I thorough in allyouractions.

I Erraticfoodorsleep patternscanlead I to health problems,butifyou havebeen I I unwell,youwill recover. Financeswillslowly I improve.Whateveryouarestrugglingwith, I I itwon'tbeeasybutperseveretosucceed. I

I Trustthehigherpowersandyourself to have betterrelationshipsallaround.

SEPTEMBER 2021 37 I I

To be or not to ice lms�a-�on Iii

DEARAUNTYJI

IamlookingforwardtogoingtoIndia in Decembertogetmarriedtomybest friendRavi.Weare bothstudyingherein Sydney Ihavenotyetmetmyfutureinlaws buttheyhavemetmyfamily,and everyonehasagreedtothewedding ButAuntyji Ioverheardmybestfriend talkingonthephonetoanotherfriend andIamabitworriedthatwhatthey saymaybetrue.soI'mhopingforyour advice Mybestfriendsaidthatshe thinksthatmyfuturein-lawswillgeta majorsurprisewhentheymeetmein personbecauseIdon'tlookthesameas mylnstagrampictures Allmyfutureinlawsseemylnstragramphotosandyes, lnstagrammakeseveryonelookgood. ButAuntyji.whatifmyfriendisrightand theydon'tlikewhattheysee HowdoI fixthissituation-Iamveryconcerned Canyoupleasetellmehowtosolvethis problem?

AUNTYJISAYS

Arrekalmouhi. youbroughtthisupon yourself.Sillynirlajjanamjali. Howhave younotwastedtimeontheinterwebs lookingatreality-versus-lnstagram photos?Haveyounotmetanyofthese kultas wholooklikeanAlfonsomango onlnstagramandturnouttobesukdi huiimliinreallife?Thisisathingand I'msurprisedanarcissistlikeyouisso unawareofthisculturephenomenon. Butyouhavecaughtmeinabenevolent mood.andIamtryingtobeabetter person duringthislockdown.

Sohere's myadvice.Startingnow. foreveryfivepicturesofyourselfthat youpostonthegram,makesureoneis realisticandhasnofilterapplied.Nothing -justyournormal.self-absorbed narcissisticvisage.Ofcourse,trytolook good,youdon'twantthemtorejectyou beforetheshaadi.

Then,overthenextfewweeks,start increasingtherealisticpicturesand reducinganywithfilterssothatslowly, youonlypostrealisticpictures.Of course.ifyouwantedtotakethisawhole newlevelintheoppositedirection, threeweeksbeforeyouflyout.only postunattractivepicturesofyourselflookingbelowaverage.Bythistime,the in-lawswillhavehopefullygrowntolike yourpersonality,assumingyouhaveone.

Then,whenyouturnupforthe wedding,everyonewillbesurprised thatyoulooknothinglikeyouruglygirl photosandarenotbad lookingatall. Thereyougo.problemsolved-andat theweddingeveryonewillagreethatyou areabeautifulbride.Winwinforall.nah?