Shekhar Kapur on Directing ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’

May 6, 2023 Swara Salih

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.

Interview, Movies

Shazad Latif on the Nuanced Relatability of ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’

May 5, 2023May 5, 2023 Swara Salih

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.

Movies, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 53: ‘Polite Society’ Review with Roxana Hadadi

May 2, 2023May 2, 2023 Swara Salih

We welcome Rocky back on the podcast to review Nida Manzoor’s Desi martial arts-comedy-epic, Polite Society! We also discuss the harrowing news out of Sudan, a new African animation anthology that includes Egypt and Egyptian creators, give our recommendations for the week, and much more!

Interview, Movies2 Comments

Emma Thompson on the Cross-Cultural Connections in ‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’

May 1, 2023May 1, 2023 Swara Salih

We interview THE Emma Thompson, one of the stars of What’s Love Got to Do With It, premiering in the US May 5!

Interview, Movies

Nida Manzoor on ‘Polite Society’ and Breaking Barriers for South Asian and Muslim Women

April 28, 2023April 28, 2023 Swara Salih

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.

Interview, Movies

Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya on Leading Nida Manzoor’s ‘Polite Society’

April 27, 2023April 27, 2023 Swara Salih

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.

Movies, Reviews19 Comments

‘Polite Society’ is an Action-Packed and Poignant Masterpiece

April 20, 2023May 1, 2023 Swara Salih

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.

Movies, Trailers

Watch the First Trailer for Nida Manzoor’s Desi Martial Arts Epic ‘Polite Society’

January 19, 2023 Swara Salih

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!

Marvel, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 41: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episodes 5-6 and Season Review

July 15, 2022July 18, 2022 Swara Salih

We discuss episodes 3-4 of the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, joined by cosplayer Isa and Maznah of Den of Geek!

Marvel, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 39: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episodes 1-2 Review

June 15, 2022June 15, 2022 Swara Salih

We discuss episodes 1-2 of the new MCU Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, starring Iman Vellani!

Ms. Marvel is here! We discuss the first two episodes of the series, discussing how wonderful Iman Vellani is in the main role, how well the series does at portraying Kamala and her family and friends, how well it does on portraying Islam, the change to her powers, and where it can do better in certain fronts.

Interview, Marvel

‘Ms. Marvel’ Creators on Bringing Kamala Khan’s World to the MCU

June 7, 2022June 6, 2022 Swara Salih

Ms. Marvel is nearly here! How does one go about translating this beloved character and her story to life? We got to speak with head writer Bisha K. Ali and co-creator Sana Amanat on how they went about doing just that for Kamala’s entry into the MCU.

Interview, Marvel

The ‘Ms. Marvel’ Supporting Cast on Bringing Kamala Khan’s Friends and Family to Life

June 6, 2022June 6, 2022 Swara Salih

As Ms. Marvel approaches our Disney+ screens very soon, we got to sit down with the actors playing Kamala Khan’s family (Saagar Shaikh, Zenobia Shroff, and Mohan Kapur) and friends (Rish Shah, Yasmeen Fletcher, and Matt Lintz) on how they helped bring Kamala’s world to life in the newest MCU series!

Interview, Marvel

Iman Vellani on Playing Kamala Khan, aka ‘Ms. Marvel’

June 5, 2022June 5, 2022 Swara Salih

Ms. Marvel is nearly here! The beloved Pakistani American Muslim character millions already love is making her debut to the MCU with her own series this Wednesday, June 8! And we got to speak with her newcomer star Iman Vellani, Kamala Khan herself!

Marvel, Streaming1 Comment

The First ‘Ms. Marvel’ Trailer is Here

March 15, 2022March 15, 2022 Swara Salih

Ms. Marvel is finally coming to the MCU! And we finally have a trailer! In it, we get to see Kamala Khan as a regular Pakistani American Muslim teen girl fantasize about Captain Marvel and the Avengers, drawing fanart, and dealing with the ins and outs of American high school as a brown girl.

Comics, Interview, Marvel

Samira Ahmed Talks about Writing ‘Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit’

December 27, 2021December 29, 2021 Swara Salih

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!