review

Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is a timeless masterpiece about the passage of time

The passage of time can be cruel, but there is so much beauty in the little moments shared with each other as you live. Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End encapsulates and explores this very idea – and it does so masterfully.

Video Games / Silent Hill 2 remake: A love letter to an already perfect game

Silent Hill 2 is a fruitful amalgamation of powerful, atmospheric storytelling and entertaining puzzles and riddles.

Uzumaki: A faithful but flawed adaptation of Junji Ito’s classic manga

After years of anticipation, the long-awaited anime adaptation of Junji Ito's Uzumaki has finally arrived. While it largely adheres to the unsettling source material, it unfortunately carries some notable flaws.

Pachinko Season 2: Mostly lacklustre, sometimes effective

The story resonated with audiences, from this part of Asia in particular, because the resilience and struggle of first-generation settlers portrayed in the series are things most of us can relate to as they are reflected in most of our parents or grandparents.

ESSAY / Manufacturing praise

Sometime ago, a writer reached out to me with a request. His debut novel was being published later in the year and he was wondering if I would be open to reviewing it. I was aware of the book, having read it when it was still only a draft. The author was not someone I only knew, either, but a mentor who had supported my writing in many ways, even through monetary means. Refusing him, then, felt tantamount to betrayal. But I had to in the end, and though he understood, I still came out of the exchange feeling guilty of being unhelpful or, worse, ungrateful.

Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department is still a confusing mess

Revisiting this album months after its release, I take away even less than when I initially listened to it front to back.

All India Rank: A refreshing take on the IIT dream

All India Rank is the story of Vivek, a seventeen-year-old boy from Lucknow, leaving for Kota to prepare for the IIT entrance exam and fulfil his father’s dream.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, an action-packed monster flick

Godzilla x Kong closely follows the connection of Jia, an orphaned girl of the Iwi tribe who was adopted by Dr. Andrews, a linguist working for Monarch, with Kong. In addition, even though Godzilla takes the spotlight of the title, the movie was partly carried by the depth of character that was portrayed within Kong.

July 25, 2022
July 25, 2022

A guide to kalai ruti of Chapai Nawabganj: Recipe, accompaniments, and where to eat

If you are going to Chapai Nawabganj, you must try out kalai ruti. That's what everyone said when I was planning a trip there. And so, I did, and I didn't regret it. The question of regret comes from the premise that kalai ruti is, after all, a ruti. I mean, how magically delicious can ruti be? My expectations were not that high. With that almost arrogant low expectation, I tried out this Chapai Nawabganj specialty, but it left me pleasantly surprised.

June 14, 2022
June 14, 2022

High Tea Splendour at The Mumbai Express!

High tea parties have always looked fun and fascinating from the outside; I have been longing to experience one as such for ages. This is where ‘Mumbai Express’ came to my rescue, with not just any ordinary ‘high tea’ delicacy, but a full-fledged three course snack meal with a unique twist — ‘The Deshi High Tea!’

June 8, 2022
June 8, 2022

“Sundarer Taane Mongol Shotru”: Not just a passion project

Over the turn of pages, readers will realise how the Sundarbans have become a muse for the author from being just a mere passion project of documenting the lives of the region’s people.

May 29, 2022
May 29, 2022

What’s extraordinary about the ordinary?

In Pathak’s book we see instances of how the distinctive ordinary tendencies of everyday life are dipping and are capitalised under different industrial markets.

May 26, 2022
May 26, 2022

Book Lovers: A relief in the barren wasteland of rom-coms

Book Lovers treads a fine line between subversion and indulgence of the tropes of small-town romance and enemies-to-lovers.

May 9, 2022
May 9, 2022

Did Pett Kata Shaw reinvent the Bangladeshi horror genre?

The genre has been woefully under-explored, until now.

April 7, 2022
April 7, 2022

The Hive: The new restaurant sensation in town

The term food court has become synonymous with the food culture in Dhaka City. From open places to closed corridors, many have tried and very few have succeeded to survive. With the ever-growing fascination and demands of the young city dwellers, restauranteurs are always on their toes to keep their patrons engaged with their hospitality, quirky marketing strategy and succulent food!

December 23, 2021
December 23, 2021

The best places in Dhaka for Christmas delicacies

The essence of Christmas in all of its delicious sweets is celebrated by many cafes, restaurants, and hotels in Dhaka.

November 14, 2021
November 14, 2021

The best lassi in Dhaka

There are lots of eateries and restaurants in Dhaka that serve delectable lassi, and within these are some places that one must visit. Thus, we set on a hunt down town for the best lassi available!

October 5, 2021
October 5, 2021

A taste of Hello Dhaka

Occupying a space that is big enough for a typical family-style restaurant in Dhaka, this diner is located in the midst of crowded inlets going into commercial spaces and convenience stores, a true hive of activity in the heart of Gulshan 1.