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I saw Nosferatu last week and since my algorithm found out (which was instantly), all the content ever made about the film has been directed to my feed. Now, the official reviews are definitely opinionated but the one thing thats common among the haters and the lovers is that Count Orlok is a stud. The story always intended to be a twisted romance and a metaphor for desire but the turn it has taken when it comes to a rotting vampire; a corpse being the king of women's hearts is truly spectacular.
On one hand I see men's support groups, podcasts and seminars about how women have been abandoning them as a whole; how their standards have become unrealistic and nothing is good enough for them. On the other there are all these thirst trap edits of Orlok in all his gruesome glory gathering comments that feel too R-rated to share here. So which is it? Are we impossible to please or do we so desperate that we'd covet a literal monster over men?
I think it depends on which side of the algorithm you stand on. I, for instance get a lot of "men are the enemy" reels on the regular. My male friends get the opposite; epic women fails, so to speak. As a way to undo this, I've been reading a lot of male authors and watching films on soft-boys that I adore. And my days have become less invidious. The thing about attention as a currency is that it appeals to our lower nature that gives in easily to hate, mistrust, and cynicism. Content should be thought-provoking, not leading.
Which is definitely not happening on Instagram because it goes against their business model. But there's one place you can always look up to for art and culture that makes you think but doesn't tell you what to think. And that is our culture bulletin. We're here every week. This is what we have for you this week:
The Homegrown Festival 2025
After a year-long hiatus, we're bringing back a festival that has consistently captured the heart, minds and soul of the zeitgeist through its many iterations. This February, the Homegrown Festival is officially back: bigger and better than ever before. At the intersection of music, art, design, fashion, film, street culture, food & beverages, exhibitions, conversations, workshops, and more, the festival will span over two days at Richardson and Cruddas in Byculla.
'Sabar Bonda' By Rohan Parashuram Kanawade
This Marathi film made history as the first of its kind to premiere at Sundance 2025, also standing as South Asia’s sole entry in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Set in a rural Maharashtrian village, it follows Anand, a city-dweller returning home for his father’s 10-day mourning rituals, only to rekindle a connection with his childhood friend Balya. The film is a queer romance that explores the themes of grief, identity and sexuality.
Watch it here.
Peter Cat Recording Co At The Homegrown Festival
This February, Peter Cat Recording Co. is making a much-anticipated comeback to the Indian festival circuit with their first festival show in two years at The Homegrown Festival. It’s a big moment — not just for the band but for independent Indian music as a whole. While many bands fade out before they hit their stride, PCRC has done the opposite — growing, evolving, and proving that an Indian indie act can hold its own on the world stage. Fresh off a massive 77-date international tour, they return to the audience that first believed in them, bringing a sound that’s deeper, richer, and more confident than ever.
Read about them here.
The Portrait Of A Nation By Henri Cartier-Bresson
In 1947, Henri Cartier-Bresson arrived in newly independent India to document its transformation, but his journey took a historic turn. A day after capturing one of Mahatma Gandhi’s final portraits, he found himself photographing the aftermath of his assassination. His images of a mourning nation, Gandhi’s funeral, and the unrest following Partition became one of the most powerful visual records of modern India, defining iconic photojournalism.
Go through the photos here.
Arkivum: Ramathra, Rajasthan By rkivecity
New Delhi-based design house rkivecity gives discarded textiles a second life, in their latest collection. Known for reinventing post-consumer fabrics, they use old materials to craft contemporary Indian-inspired silhouettes, bridging past, present, and future. Shot in Ramathra, Rajasthan, a region dedicated to conservation, the collection embraces the ethos of preserving while evolving. Fittingly, it ditches traditional models for street-cast locals, grounding the designs in real, lived experiences.
Go through the collection here.
The Bottle Masala Of Mumbai's East Indian Community
Discover Mumbai’s bottle masala — a secret spice mix of the East Indian community. Packed with up to 60 spices, every family has its own twist, blending everything from Kashmiri chillies to rare finds like dagad phool. Made in the sweltering pre-monsoon heat, it’s a labour of love, with families and 'masalawaalis' coming together to sun-dry, roast, and pound the spices by hand.
Read about it here.
Nimish Kotwal & Santanu Hazarika At The Homegrown Festival
The Homegrown Festival is bringing some seriously bold art this year. Multidisciplinary artist Santanu Hazarika is showcasing never-before-seen charcoal and acrylic works, using the raw, smudged nature of charcoal to reflect life’s impermanence and fragility. Meanwhile, acclaimed production designer Nimish Kotwal is unveiling, 'SINNER' — a massive, thought-provoking installation that challenges us to confront power, greed, and our role in shaping the future.
Follow Homegrown here for more updates.
