This Week In Culture  L: Late Checkout R: Drawn
#HGEXPLORE

This Week In Culture: Khruangbin x Arooj Aftab, Homegrown Claymation, & More

Disha Bijolia

Anurag Kashyap just said out loud what we’ve all been feeling: "I am numb and envious and jealous that someone can go and make that," the director shared on an Instagram post after binge-watching Adolescence. His frustration stem from the fact that the prime focus of digital streaming services in India is only gathering as many subscriptions as they can from the 1.4 billion people. And he is right.

It’s not just Netflix. India has become the go-to place for people looking to bank on views, whether it’s content creators milking Indian culture for clicks or YouTubers reacting to literally anything desi. You’ve seen them — white influencers tasting pani puri for the first time, or even learning regional languages as a fun little 'strategy', knowing it’ll send their engagement through the roof. Even our own entertainment industry plays the game, churning out big-budget nonsense that caters to the lowest common denominator while anything remotely of substance gets ignored or diluted until it’s palatable for the masses. I recently learned of Indian OTT platforms taking liberties with editing movies and TV shows to make them 'suitable' for our audience. So now, there is a good chance that soon we won't even even see a body of work the way the creators intended.

The only way to protect your integrity as a consumer is to take matters into your own hands. Seek out trusted sources, curate your own watchlist, and refuse to let algorithms decide what’s worth your time. In a landscape where numbers trump nuance and mediocrity is the default setting, being intentional about what you consume is the only way to cut through the noise. And for our part, we’ll try our best not to disappoint you.

Here’s what we have for you this week:

EXHIBITION

Saffronart's 25th Anniversary

One of India’s most iconic auction houses, Saffronart, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in style! On April 2, 2025, a special live auction in Mumbai will showcase rare and important works by legends like Tyeb Mehta, Amrita Sher-Gil, and F.N. Souza. But that’s not all; art lovers can also bid online from April 2 to 3. Whether you’re a collector or just an admirer of fine art, this milestone event is set to be a major moment for the Indian art scene!

Find out more about Saffronart here.

FOOD & DRINKS

Late Checkout In Lower Parel, Mumbai

Housed in a restored textile mill, Late Checkout blends industrial chic cocktail bar and restaurant for some late-night indulgence. This Chrome Asia Hospitality venture serves up bold global flavours like avocado tempura, kombu-aged tartare, and matcha tiramisu, alongside nori-infused gin, sous-vide cocktails, and 16-hour drip coffee negronis. With Chef Amit Dhoundiyal curating the menu and Prithvi Agarwal crafting the drinks, this spot is all about savouring the night.

Follow them here.

MUSIC

Khruangbin's Remix Of 'Raat Ki Rani' By Arooj Aftab

Arooj Aftab's single, 'Raat ki Rani', from her album, 'Night Reign', gets a makeover by Khruangbin. The track was already lush and atmospheric, influenced by Brazilian maracatu rhythms and classic house beats. But in Khruangbin’s hands, it takes on a whole new life — deep, hypnotic, and impossibly smooth. Their dub-funk sensibilities add a heady groove, while Aftab’s re-recorded vocals drift like a dream over the reworked arrangement

Listen to it here.

FILM

Adolescence By Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne

Adolescence, is a gripping four-episode British miniseries, which is easily one of the best shows of the year. Written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, it unravels the aftermath of a 13-year-old boy accused of murder, exploring the impact on his family, school, and psychologist. Each episode is a one-shot, single-take masterpiece, the signature style of director Philip Barantini, making the experience intensely immersive and heartbreakingly intimate.

Watch it here.

WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES

Pause: A Photography Workshop At Cuckoo Forest School Chennai

Designed as a three-day residential retreat this April, the photography workshop is about self-reflection, resilience, and creative growth. For artists and photographers navigating unconventional paths, self-doubt and external validation can weigh heavy. This workshop offers a space to pause, reconnect, and nurture kindness towards oneself. Through mindful practices and discussions, participants will explore how to strengthen their artistic vision while facing life’s uncertainties.

Register here.

ART & DESIGN

'This Is TMI' By Subarna Dash & Vidushi Gupta

'This is TMI' feels like a late-night chat with friends — unfiltered, hilarious, and real. This animated documentary turns the everyday experience of having boobs into a candid, boozy, and brutally honest conversation. From bras vs. no bras to society’s obsession with controlling women’s bodies, it unpacks body image, femininity, autonomy, sexuality, and desirability with humor and heart. The film uses mixed media for its storytelling, and incorporates animation, claymation, and photography.

Watch it here.

FASHION 

'Summer Reverie' By Drawn

Drawn’s new collection is all about bold prints, breezy silhouettes, and sun-drenched hues that feel like a summer daydream. Think flowing maxis, relaxed kaftans, and effortless co-ords in vibrant corals, seafoam blues, and citrus tones. Through its eclectic pieces, the brand champions comfort, re-wearing, and the power of styling. True to their artistic roots, they’ve collaborated with Maria Murphy and Meredith Walker, bringing dreamy landscapes and folk-inspired patterns to life.

Browse the collection here.

PRODUCT DROP

Stripe Collection By The Burlap People

The Burlap People’s Stripe Collection is a love letter to Kolkata, inspired by the iconic 'baajar bag' found in every Bengali home. With bold, colorful stripes, it brings back memories of morning markets, tram rides, and adda sessions. Now reimagined in 100% biodegradable jute, each bag is handcrafted and hand screen-printed with the help of one of India’s oldest screen-printing units. It’s a simple, functional piece that carries both heritage and everyday utility.

Get it here.

SPACES

Kara Hotel In Fort Kochi

Kara is an 8-room contemporary hotel in Fort Kochi, steeped in history. Once a Portuguese mint, later home to the Dutch East India Company, and eventually a British bungalow, its walls have seen centuries unfold. Its wooded interiors, tiled roofs, and open-air bathrooms reflect local architecture, while its art hotel identity comes alive with displayed works by modern masters and contemporary Kerala artists. For a deeper dive into the arts, the hotel even houses its own contemporary gallery.

Go through their website here.

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