I have never seen 'Adolescence.' The hype wave, award-sweeping, and BTS videos of the continuous shots weren't enough for me to sit through the visceral dread the idea of a radicalised, young incel fills me with. I come from the pick-me-tomboy-to-angry-feminist pipeline who wakes up every day learning, against her will, yet another thing patriarchy took from her. On many days, it's the potential futures she could have had with the men she loved, if they weren't, underneath all the affection, wired to resent her.
So although it has been hard to navigate my feelings towards men, I have found a little shelter built at the mercy of my guy friends who see me as a person, and Phoebe Bridgers' new single 'Lost Boys' who "never grow up, never get old, ...never spend their lunch money." On the track, Phoebe is an elf godmother who guides boys led astray and left alienated by patriarchy; the 'Peter Pans' of the world; and knights them with her magical de-misogynizing light ray to live happily ever after, in harmony with women. I actually wanted to be her in my 20s — still got PTSD from that ambitious mission.
Phoebe, however, did manage to the touch the buried love and tenderness I have for the 'lost boys' in my life. Many of them I shared my childhood, friendships, time, music and drugs with, only for them to fall into the red-pilled pit and become 'the enemy'. It has been truly devastating — I lost my bros. I miss them, I want to free them, and I hope Phoebe's light ray smacks them in the face.
Honey Trehan's Satluj uses the story of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra to revisit one of Punjab's darkest chapters, following his investigation into thousands of alleged illegal cremations and his subsequent disappearance in 1995. This piece looks at the film alongside its long censorship battle, arguing that its questions about state violence, enforced disappearances, and democratic accountability remain painfully relevant today. It also reflects on the film's removal from streaming shortly after release and how its continued community screenings across Punjab have kept the conversation alive.
Read it here.
After a three-year break, Delhi indie rock band Purple Cassette has returned with Waiting On Nothing, a new single that captures the messy, restless energy of a Delhi summer. Built around fuzzy guitars, raw production, and lyrics about growing older, the track leans into the band's signature indie-sleaze sound while reflecting on late nights, changing friendships, and the uncertainty that comes with adulthood. Paired with analog-inspired visuals, the release marks a confident new chapter for the band.
Listen to it here.
Indian electronic duo Anhad + Tanner created the original soundtrack for Manish Malhotra's historic Fall/Winter 2026 debut at Paris Haute Couture Week. Composed for the designer's MAA collection, the music blended Indian classical and folk influences with electronic production across four movements — Cocoon, Bond, Becoming, and Abundance — mirroring the runway's tribute to maternal love. Their work became an integral part of the presentation, shaping the emotional journey of Malhotra's first official show on the Paris Haute Couture Week calendar.
Armaan Bansal's multidisciplinary design studio ANDA_BA's latest collection, Borrowed Faces, explores the role of masks, charms, and ritual objects across South Asian folk traditions. Drawing from ceremonial practices, handcrafted amulets, and performative identities, the collection transforms these references into wearable pieces that carry stories of protection, transformation, and community while staying rooted in contemporary design.
Watch the campaign film here.
From immersive installations to ambitious group shows, several new contemporary art exhibitions across Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata are bringing together some of the country's most exciting artists this season. Homegrown's roundup highlights five exhibitions that span painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia practices, offering visitors fresh ways to engage with questions of identity, ecology, urban life, and material experimentation.
Check them out here.
Chef Tori MacDonald's new Bengaluru pop-up, Night Shift, introduces Canadian comfort food through an approachable neighbourhood dining experience. The menu brings together familiar favourites like poutine, sandwiches, and hearty late-night plates while drawing from MacDonald's culinary background and local ingredients, creating a casual space built around generous portions and relaxed hospitality.
Read more about it here.
Homegrown is bringing together MC Couper and Raj Viepsa for a special live showcase at The Humming Tree in Bengaluru. The event celebrates two artists pushing independent Indian hip-hop in distinct directions, with MC Couper's socially rooted lyricism meeting Raj Viepsa's energetic performances for an evening centred on original music and the city's growing live music community.
Get your tickets here.
If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:
Sonam Wangchuk And The Legacy Of Hunger Strikes In India
'Desi Me Dating' Captures The Chaos & Confusion Of Modern South Asian Romance
Inside Mister Singh's India: Where Punjab's Family Recipes Found A Home In Glasgow