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”
It Lives Inside, written and directed by Bishal Dutta, follows the life of young Samidha (Megan Suri) an Indian American Hindu teenager attempting to fit in her all-American high school. But when her childhood best friend Tamira (Mohana Krishnan) begins acting strangely, Samidha finders herself at the center of a supernatural horror tale, rooted in her own culture. With the help of her family and friends, including her teacher Joyce (Betty Gabriel), she battles the supernatural threat while learning more about herself and her culture in the process.
Continue reading “Bishal Dutta and Betty Gabriel on the Making of ‘It Lives Inside’”
Move over Marvel Studios! There’s a new juggernaut taking over Hall H this year! For the longest time Vyjayanthi Movies has teased a mysterious new film that they’ve codenamed “Project K.” And today, they shattered con-goer expectations by revealing all details about the film: now known as the upcoming sci-fi epic — Kalki 2898!
Continue reading “SDCC 2023: ‘Kalki 2898’ aka ‘Project K’ Lights Up Hall H”
Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, typically the main event for the annual show, is looking to be like a lighter affair this year. With several major studios dropping out due to the current WGA strike and a potential SAG-AFTRA strike, big budget movies aren’t getting a lot of representation at the convention this year. But in some ways, that opens up the door for international films to really shine! And such is the case with the upcoming Indian blockbuster, Project K.
Continue reading “‘Project-K’ Headed to Hall H at SDCC 2023”
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 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’”
With Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny coming out soon, The Middle Geeks discuss the franchise’s long and torrid history of Orientalism and racism.
Continue reading “The Middle Geeks Episode 51: Indiana Jones and The Nexus of Orientalism”
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’”
Brahmāstra: Part One — Shiva is set to break records as one of India’s most expensive and most spectacular films this summer. Written and directed by Ayan Mukerji, Brahmāstra tells the story of Shiva, an orphan with pyrokinetic powers who discovers he’s an ‘astra’ — a weapon of powerful energy. The film — which is set to be a trilogy — draws inspiration from Hindu mythology.
Continue reading “The Stars of ‘Brahmāstra’ and Their Impact on Indian Culture”
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’”
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”
As the NOC Kid Reporter, I got to chat with director Manjari Makijany about Disney’s upcoming film, Spin. It stars Avantika as Rhea, an Indian American teen whose life of coding and working at her family’s restaurant is turned upside down when she discovers her passion for creating DJ mixes that blend her South Asian culture and the world around her. And, she’s a natural. She just needs to figure it out if she could fit it in her busy schedule.
Continue reading “Director Manjari Makijany on How Important ‘Spin’ is for Little Indian Girls Everywhere”
So a friend of mine wrote me a message on Facebook that went a little like this:
Question: how the heck do you get through to someone that thinks natives need to just get over it?
Answer: Shake them? I never advocate shaking people, but maybe something is loose in there. Tell them to take a Native American Studies Course (it ain’t cheap, but it’s worth it).
But if I’m being honest, lately, when this comes up — and isn’t it telling that it comes up often enough that I can begin with “lately” instead of “well the last time, a long time ago, man I can barely remember that time?” — I like to tell them about The Walking Dead.
Continue reading “Why I Teach ‘The Walking Dead’ in My Native Studies Classes”
