The Los Angeles independent remounting of Rajiv Joseph‘s Guards at the Taj (the last one was in 2015 at the Geffen Playhouse) is a strikingly well done and hauntingly relevant production that also utilizes fantastic genderbent casting and an endearing post finale that credits all crew involved, a practice that is rarely ever seen in theatre.
Continue reading “A Los Angeles Theatre Review: ‘Guards at the Taj’”
Imagine being a wealthy and privileged Pakistani American kid who lives off their father’s money and with no care in the world. Then, all of a sudden, your father passes away, leaving you to fend for yourself because you learn about the actual business behind your father’s empire – drugs and money laundering.
Continue reading “‘Deli Boys’ Stars and Creative Team on Feeling Free to Play With Tropes”
From the mind (and, sort of, life) of Vijal Patel, the executive producer behind Black-ish, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh follows the Pradeep family — father Mahesh (Naveen Andrews), mother Sudha (Sindhu Vee) and their three kids: Bhanu (Sahana Srinivasan), Kamal (Arjun Sriram), and Vinod (Ashwin Sakthivel) — and their life after moving to America from India.
Continue reading “Meet the Pradeeps of Prime Video’s ‘The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh’”
We speak with the costume designer of of We Are Lady Parts and frequent collaborator with Nida Manzoor, PC Williams!
Continue reading “PC Williams on Costume Designing ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Season 2”
We speak once again with the brilliant creator of We Are Lady Parts, Nida Manzoor!
Continue reading “Nida Manzoor on ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Season 2 and the Role of the Artist”
At long last (though not quite so long if you’re used to British TV), We Are Lady Parts, Nida Manzoor’s bold and riveting show of a punk rock Muslim women band, named “Lady Parts” has returned to Peacock and Channel 4 in the UK.
Continue reading “‘We Are Lady Parts’ Season 2 Masterfully Displays the Life of the Artist”
Nida Manzoor’s We Are Lady Parts debuts its Season 2 trailer, with the season releasing May 30.
Continue reading “‘We Are Lady Parts’ Season 2 Trailer Shows the Band in Their Villain Era”
Nida Manzoor’s masterpiece of a show starring Muslim women of color makes its long-awaited return. Three years after its debut, We Are Lady Parts will return for a second season on Peacock on May 30.
Continue reading “‘We Are Lady Parts’ Returns to Peacock in May for Season 2”
On this Christmas day, we continue our ongoing spotlight series on some rather amazing SWANASA (South West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia) actors that you should know, whether they are well known or not. What they have in common is that not only are they are all terrific artists but wonderful human beings that have come to our attention recently in their art and advocacy. Here are the eight you should definitely keep an eye on!
Continue reading “Spotlight on Spectacular SWANASA Stars, Part 4”
We are now on the third part of our ongoing spotlight series on some rather amazing SWANASA (South West Asia, North Africa, and South Asia) actors that you should know, whether they are well known or not. What they have in common is that not only are they are all terrific artists but wonderful human beings that have come to my attention recently in their art and advocacy. Here are the eight that you should know:
Continue reading “Spotlight on Spectacular SWANASA Stars, Part 3”
Shekhar Kapur is an acclaimed Indian filmmaker whose credits range from directing The Bandit Queen to the Elizabeth films starring Cate Blanchett. He is now finally directing a rom-com, What’s Love Got to Do With It, starring Shazad Latif, Lily James, Shabana Azmi, Jeff Mirza, Asim Chaudry, Emma Thompson, and more in a heartwarming funny time that highlights Pakistani and Muslim culture in a refreshing way for western audiences.
Continue reading “Shekhar Kapur on Directing ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’”
In anticipation of What’s Love Got to Do With It releasing in the US this weekend, we spoke with one of the stars, Shazad Latif, on his role as Kaz in the film.
Continue reading “Shazad Latif on the Nuanced Relatability of ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’”
We interview THE Emma Thompson, one of the stars of What’s Love Got to Do With It, premiering in the US May 5!
Continue reading “Emma Thompson on the Cross-Cultural Connections in ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’”
In anticipation of Nida Manzoor’s thrilling masterpiece Polite Society, premiering this weekend, we speak with the writer/director herself about her career and the messages she aims to convey with her debut feature film.
Continue reading “Nida Manzoor on ‘Polite Society’ and Breaking Barriers for South Asian and Muslim Women”
In anticipation of Nida Manzoor’s thrilling masterpiece Polite Society premiering in theaters, we spoke with stars of the film Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya on taking the lead roles of the Khan sisters.
Continue reading “Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya on Leading Nida Manzoor’s ‘Polite Society’”
We interview Aliza Vellani on her role as Rani Singh in Netflix and Warner Bros.’ Sweet Tooth, based on the graphic novel series from DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, returning for Season 2 on April 27!
Continue reading “Aliza Vellani on the Impact of ‘Sweet Tooth’”
The Pakistani-British Khan sisters, Ria (Priya Kansara) and Lena (Ritu Arya) have dreams that deviate from what their community and family expect from them, namely to work in STEM and marry well to guarantee socioeconomic security. But Ria and Lena have dreams to work in the arts, whether that be stunt choreography for Ria or painting for Lena.
Continue reading “‘Polite Society’ is an Action-Packed and Poignant Masterpiece”
The first trailer for writer-director’s Nida Manzoor’s Polite Society has just dropped, and the Focus Features Film hits theaters April 28, 2023!
Continue reading “Watch the First Trailer for Nida Manzoor’s Desi Martial Arts Epic ‘Polite Society’”
We discuss episodes 3-4 of the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, joined by cosplayer Isa and Maznah of Den of Geek!
Continue reading “The Middle Geeks Episode 41: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episodes 5-6 and Season Review”
Ms. Marvel has a new comic series out! In the five-issue Beyond the Limit, Kamala must deal with unexpected multiverse shenanigans as she visits her cousin Razia in Chicago. Writing her in this series is author Samira Ahmed, who is the first Desi Muslim to write Ms. Marvel!
Continue reading “Samira Ahmed Talks about Writing ‘Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit’”
After four years since the last time she stopped by, Janina Gavankar returns to the NOC to catch up on the last few years. She and I discuss the projects she’s completed in that time, including the new film starring Riz Ahmed, Encounter, now available to stream on Prime Video.
Continue reading “Janina Gavankar Talks About Her New Film, ‘Encounter’”
The rip-roaring show of a Muslim women punk rock band is coming back to our screens and our hearts.
Continue reading “Peacock’s ‘We Are Lady Parts’ Renewed for a Second Season”
Ted Lasso has taken our pop culture by storm. From its trademark humor to the soccer (AKA football) matches, to the great performances, and an often stunning exploration of mental health (at least for most of its main cast), it’s a show that inspires through showcasing the difficulties that the members of Richmond Football Club endure, and how they ultimately uplift each other through it all.
Continue reading “How ‘Ted Lasso’ Failed Nate as a Character”