Interracial Romance and the Indian Mindset

I recently watched a thoughtful discussion by Zarna Garg on interracial romance, featuring her own family. Based in the US, their candid conversation offers a refreshing glimpse into how Indian-American families are navigating such topics. It was heartening to see everyone, parents and kids, engage so openly. In many Indian households, these conversations either happen too late or not at all, often wrapped in hesitation or silence. But here was a family talking honestly about dating, identity, and interracial relationships. A big shoutout to them for their openness and clarity. It’s these dialogues that make a real difference.

Watch the video below:

Thoughts

I’ve spent most of my life abroad before choosing to return to India. Yet even while living overseas, I always knew my relationships would be with Indian men. Perhaps it’s because I studied in an Indian school and mostly socialized within the Indian community, even outside the country. I look Indian, dress Indian, and speak with an Indian accent. So it was natural to feel more comfortable with Indian men.

However, in today’s globalized world, with increasing interracial mingling, millennials like me must come to terms with the fact that more non-Indians are likely to become part of our families. Someone recently remarked how the world is blending in such a way that you can no longer easily tell someone’s ethnicity. Even appearances are getting “globalized.” It was an eye-opener. I’ve come to realize this holds especially true in the Indian context. Today’s new-generation kids often no longer look or sound traditionally Indian, especially the kids in Indian metros. Their accents, fashion, and even body language reflect a more global identity.

A few months ago, a relative married a Spanish man, the first white partner in our family. Surprisingly, everyone, including the older generation, was welcoming. No drama. No resistance. That in itself feels like progress. Our extended family no longer fusses over caste or religion in love marriages. Marrying someone from a “lower caste” has become normal (though I personally reject terms like “lower” and “upper” caste, which are inherently divisive). Only a few super-senior relatives seem to hold on to rigid views, but even that seems to be fading.

I wonder if this shift is due to the older generation’s growing access to YouTube and social media. Many now watch global discussions on love, identity, and acceptance. One moment really stood out: a senior aunt watched Kaathal, a Malayalam film about same-sex love, and casually remarked, “Being gay or lesbian is fine. It’s not a disease.” That kind of acceptance would’ve been unthinkable even a decade ago. But it’s happening now, and that matters.

More recently, one of my nieces fell in love with a white guy. It’s a bit more delicate because it hits closer to home. While I’m happy she found someone, I can’t help but feel a bit anxious. Our cultures are worlds apart, and it’s not just the couple that has to adjust, but the families too. At this age, do I or her parents have the patience? I’m unsure. On second thought, it doesn’t concern me or her family, as the relationship is hers to navigate. Still, as Zarna Garg wisely said in her family discussion, any relationship can thrive if the core values align: education, family, career, loyalty, and health. Everything else is secondary and can be worked around.

One comment from Zarna’s husband lingered with me. He mentioned that their eldest daughter has only dated white men, and he took it personally. He had read somewhere that girls whose fathers aren’t ideal husbands are more likely to do this. That struck a chord. My niece also has a pattern of dating white men, and to be honest, her father isn’t exactly the perfect partner either. Could there be a subconscious link? I wouldn’t dare bring it up now, especially since she lives abroad, but maybe someday in person.

There’s so much our generation is still figuring out. As millennials in our 40s, we stand between tradition and transition. We want to be open-minded and inclusive, but also grounded. At times, it worries us to see the younger generation drifting away from tradition. There’s a quiet fear: will our culture someday fade into oblivion? But these are changing times, and change demands a degree of acceptance. We may not always agree, but we must learn to adapt. I also see a growing trend among young parents today: trying too hard to be politically correct, often avoiding difficult conversations just to stay in their children’s good books. This might be a measure to ensure they don’t repeat their parents’ mistakes of being too restrictive. But experience teaches us that hard truths, spoken with love, are just as necessary today as it was yesterday.

Some of the advice I dismissed in my 20s now makes perfect sense. You only begin to understand your parents once you reach their age. That’s how life unfolds. You gain clarity with time. Until then, all we can do is trust, adapt, and hope it all works out in the end.

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Photo by Bhavitya Indora

Comedy Movie Review: Prince and Family

I think it’s safe to say I’m seriously craving a good comedy film. The genre seems to be fading in Indian cinema. I’m not enjoying that shift one bit. Remember the Andaz Apna Apna era? Pure classic. Even Malayalam cinema had its fair share of timeless comedies that still hold up today. That comedy void is exactly what led me to subscribe to Zee5, just to watch the Malayalam film Prince and Family.

To be honest, I’ve become quite disconnected from new movie releases. Life in your 40s tends to be more news-oriented and less in touch with the entertainment world. And to make it worse, the kind of feel-good content I enjoy seems to be rare these days. I was brought up in the era of Yash Chopra and Karan Johar movies. So it’s natural that I miss the soft aesthetics of good ol’ Bollywood romance and the comedy movies of Malayalee actors like Mohanlal and Sreenivasan.

Considering my disconnect, I actually discovered Prince and Family through Instagram Reels. It was the viral dance entry of Chinju Rani that caught my eye and motivated me to subscribe to Zee5.

What’s It About?

Prince and Family tells the story of Prince Chakkalakkal, a well-known fashion designer in his 40s working in Kerala. He carries the weight of his entire family, including his two unemployed brothers and their families, on his shoulders. Despite his success, Prince remains unmarried, struggling to find the right partner.

Enter Chinju Rani. A hyper-energetic woman in her 20s and a popular social media influencer. Their match is arranged through an online matrimonial site.

Chinju Rani lives for the ‘likes.’ Every decision she makes is filtered through the lens of her followers. So much so that on her wedding night, she’s busy editing and posting her wedding video, while her husband waits and eventually falls asleep.

Can two people from such different worlds build a happy marriage? That’s the heart of Prince and Family.

Thoughts

I enjoyed Prince and Family overall. It had a promising comic tone at the start. I only wish they had stuck with that all the way through. While I understand the film’s intention, that is to highlight the dangers of living through social media at the cost of real-life connections, the shift to a more serious tone felt a bit abrupt. Honestly, the world of influencers offers plenty of material for comedy, and the film could have explored that further in a subtle manner without losing its message.

Some of the emotional scenes felt exaggerated. But not to the point of losing interest. The film kept its entertainment quotient intact throughout.

Dileep’s character is particularly interesting. He’s choosy about marriage proposals, with one preference that seems to be clearly dominant over all others even though it’s not explicitly stated: he wants a young, unmarried, attractive woman. Despite being in his 40s, this mindset makes him dismiss proposals from women his own age with a certain disdain. It’s old-school thinking, but it mirrors real-life attitudes in India that still persist. This is why we see 50-year-old Indian male actors romancing 20-year-olds on-screen, while actresses of the same age group play their mothers.

The real star of the movie, though, is Raniya Raanaa. Some might say she’s overacting, but I think she nails the hyper energy of a social media influencer who lives for the camera. Her performance is full of life, and she handles emotional scenes with ease. Siddique and Bindu Panicker are excellent in their supporting roles as well.

All in all, Prince and Family is worth a watch. Just don’t expect too much logic or nuance. It’s streaming now on Zee5.

Thriller Series Review: Kerala Crime Files

If you haven’t yet watched Kerala Crime Files on JioHotstar, I would recommend doing it now. It’s a Malayalam-language Indian crime series set in Kerala, and it delivers on every front: gripping treatment that matches international standards, solid performances, and fresh storylines. I binged both seasons back-to-back over the weekend and thoroughly enjoyed them.

What’s It About?

Season 1 of Kerala Crime Files revolves around the murder of a sex worker found in a dingy lodge. The police, initially indifferent due to the victim’s profession, treat it as just another case. In one telling scene, a woman asks her police officer husband, “So there’s discrimination in cases too?” What begins as apathy turns into an ego-driven pursuit. The officers are frustrated by their inability to crack the case quickly. Though the victim is a sex worker and the case is treated casually at first, their bruised egos and the complicated nature of the case push them to dig deeper.

The heart and soul of Kerala Crime Files Season 2 are the dogs. They are present from the very first frame to the last. Set in a quiet town in Kerala, the story begins with a police officer going missing. As the investigation unfolds, the plot thickens with unexpected twists. What sets this season apart is its demand for viewer engagement. You need to connect the dots yourself. There’s no spoon feeding. I’ll admit, I had to rely on Reddit to fully piece things together, since I usually go into passive mode while watching fiction. The performances are exceptional, especially Indrans and Harisree Ashokan. Known for comedy, they prove their mettle in intense, dramatic roles too.

Kerala Crime Files is streaming on JioHotstar. Both seasons have just 6 short episodes, each around 20–30 minutes. You can easily finish them in one sitting. In a time when attention spans are shrinking and many shows drag episodes beyond an hour, this crisp format is a welcome change. I hope to see more dramas adopting this format.

Hindi Movie Review: Aap Jaisa Koi

A socially awkward 42-year-old Sanskrit professor from Jamshedpur meets a free-spirited 32-year-old Bengali French teacher through an arranged marriage setup. He’s orthodox, she’s liberal. This description may feel like the movie is based on a war of languages (keeping up with the trend). But it’s not. At its core, Aap Jaisa Koi delves into the multifaceted nature of relationships. It brings a fresh and nuanced take on modern love, tradition, and society’s double standards.

I’ve often wondered why our romantic cinema sticks to the same old formulas when dynamics within relationships and individuals involved are far more complex. Our movie industry usually focuses on the stereotypical boy-meets-girl story, where the characters fall in love, and then external forces play the villain. There are no other angles to the story. In real life, the friction often lies within the relationship itself – compatibility issues, cultural/morality issues, and more. Such issues are often subtle at first but end up being harder to fix. They aren’t dramatic but quietly playing in the background and are dismissed as unimportant. But each day, it chips away at a part of your soul. Some deal with it openly, whereas others act ignorant to maintain harmony in the household.

There are a lot of relationship angles left unexplored in Indian cinema. Someday, I’d love to see a romantic story about two divorcees giving love a second chance. That dynamic carries a quiet vulnerability: the fear of repeating past pain, the hesitation of stepping into something that once broke you. It’s raw, real, and deeply human. However, just like how society stigmatizes divorcees, I think our Indian cinema stigmatizes them too. India is not a country devoid of divorcees, yet they are rarely shown in cinema.

Unlike many Indian films, K-dramas explore these internal dynamics with depth and nuance. That’s why Aap Jaisa Koi felt refreshing. It brings a romance that’s familiar in setting but different in treatment. It spends extra time focusing on emotions and character development. The dialogues are so warm and real, they might just bring tears to your eyes. A few lines had that effect on me. Not because they were sad, but because they were crafted with such thoughtfulness. It felt like poetry. If you’re a non-Indian reader who enjoys K-dramas for their focus on emotions, give this one a shot. I think you’ll genuinely enjoy it.

Aside from the crackling chemistry, the movie has some dreamy music. Mila Tujhe is my favourite of the lot. In a romantic drama, music plays a crucial role. It should be tender, laced with hope, longing, and desire, not melancholy, to heighten emotions and pull you in completely. That’s exactly what the Aap Jaisa Koi soundtrack does. The couple’s chemistry draws you in, and the music wraps around it, making the experience all the more immersive.

Fatima Sana Shaikh is an actress I’d love to see more of. Whether she’s playing a traditional hijabi in Modern Love: Mumbai or a fiery Bengali in Aap Jaisa Koi, she brings authenticity to every role. There’s so much untapped potential in her, and it’s time filmmakers gave her the space she truly deserves. Her character in Aap Jaisa Koi is a feminist, yet deeply rooted in tradition. She looks ethereal in beautiful, traditional sarees. In Bollywood, modern women are often stereotyped as party-goers in Western clothes, but this film takes a different route. It reminds us that modernity is a mindset, not a dress code. You can be progressive and still stay connected to your culture. Meanwhile, many who dress trendy are found to be regressive in their thoughts. Clothes are not a true indicator of someone’s personality. To know a person, you need to know their thoughts.

Madhavan, as always, does full justice to a role that’s equal parts comical and endearing. His comic timing is spot on, and he effortlessly switches expressions, reminding us once again of his natural screen presence.

Aap Jaisa Koi is a feel-good romance that stays with you. I enjoyed it. The movie is streaming on Netflix.

Korean Drama Spotlight: Family By Choice

A good romantic comedy or family drama is hard to come by these days. Sometimes, I feel we really need more light-hearted stories on screen. Something to make us laugh and unwind. What I watch often influences my mood. I’m sure I’m not the only one. If it’s a tense or serious film or YouTube video, I tend to become irritable or withdrawn. But when I watch a well-made romcom, I feel lighter, more cheerful, and life suddenly seems brighter. So why don’t we see more of this feel-good content anymore? In that sense, Family By Choice stands out. It’s exactly the kind of uplifting drama we need right now.

What’s It About?

Family By Choice tells the story of three individuals, a girl and two boys, brought together by unexpected circumstances to live under one roof. The girl’s father takes the boys in and raises them as his own. Over time, they develop a strong bond that transcends blood. It’s a touching reminder that love isn’t always defined by family ties. Sometimes, those closest to you feel distant, while strangers become your true support. This is the heart of Family By Choice.

Thoughts

Family By Choice is everything I look for in a feel-good series. It’s not perfect, but it struck a chord with me. The bond between the three main characters is simply adorable. What stood out most was how each of them retained their core personality traits even as they grew up. One boy remains the quiet, poker-faced introvert. The other continues to mask his pain behind a cheerful smile. The girl stays fiery, hyper, and full of energy. That kind of character consistency is rare in dramas and movies. Usually, we see drastic changes as the characters grow up, which is understandable, since life tends to shape our personalities. However, here, it was refreshing to see their core traits remain unchanged.

All three characters are incredibly funny and share great on-screen chemistry. I especially liked how the female lead is written. She’s strong yet not over-the-top, modern yet grounded, a layered character you rarely encounter on-screen. Jung Chae-yeon is absolutely adorable. This was my first time watching her in a drama, and I was genuinely impressed by her performance. Hwang In-Youp and Bae Hyun-Sung are brilliant too. They bring charm and depth to their roles. Special mention to the child actors. They were brilliant.

Though we often talk about a parent’s unconditional love, the series explores the painful reality that not every parent needs to be the same. Some can be emotionally toxic and too consumed by their own needs to truly see their children. In such cases, it raises an important question. Should a child continue the relationship for the sake of duty, or is creating distance necessary for mental well-being? The series handles this theme with great sensitivity.

Family By Choice is streaming on Viki. The series has 16 episodes, with each episode lasting roughly an hour.

Godless Yet Hindu: How Hinduism Welcomes Every Kind of Belief

For a major part of my life, I considered Hinduism just a religion. But as you grow older, you enter a stage when you wish to know more. That’s when I realized Hinduism is more than a religion. It’s a broad philosophical framework that accepts a wide range of beliefs, including atheism.

Did you know Hindus can believe in multiple gods or a single god if they wish, but they are also free not to believe in any god if they wish not to? Non-believers are still considered Hindu. They are not ostracized or excluded from the community. This openness is reflected in ancient Hindu schools of thought, such as the Carvaka and Samkhya schools. These schools, although lesser known, even among Hindus, are testaments to Hindu philosophy’s pluralistic nature.

Carvaka: The Atheist School of Hinduism

Carvaka is an ancient Indian philosophy that openly rejects belief in God, the soul, karma, reincarnation, and life after death.

The core idea of Carvaka is that only tangible things, such as those we can see, touch, or directly experience, are real. The rest is fluff. Its thinkers believe that Gods and heavens are man-made concepts designed to control people.

The main focus of the Carvaka school is to live a happy life in the present, without tying your actions to living a good afterlife, because there’s none. The Carvaka philosophy endorses materialism, which is good news for those who are all about living the good life.

In short, Carvaka says, “Enjoy your life here and now, because that’s all there is.”

Samkhya: A Spiritual but God-Free Philosophy

Samkhya is a Hindu school of philosophy that is spiritual but does not rely on the concept of a creator god. Its core idea is that the universe consists of two things: Purusha (pure consciousness) and Prakriti (nature). The goal is to free yourself from suffering by understanding that your true self is not your body or mind, but pure awareness.

Samkhya does not completely deny the existence of God, but rather states that belief in God is not necessary for achieving spiritual liberation. You must have seen this philosophy being practiced through methods such as Yoga.

Personal Beliefs & Their Acceptance in Hinduism

I’m not religious. However, I’m not an atheist either. I’m someone who ardently believes we are all praying to the same universal energy, just under different names, with different rules.

If there’s only one true religion, how does one explain miracles occurring in every faith?

I have had my prayers answered when I was a traditional Hindu believer, praying to Goddess Durga. My prayers were also answered when I prayed to the universe. This has shaped my impression that God is universal, one divine energy known by many names. Each path may look different, but they all lead to the same source. The only thing that matters when you pray is the depth of your emotions.

Hinduism accommodates thoughts like mine. I’m not judged or ostracized for holding such views. The religion does not demand that I conform to rigid principles. Instead, it allows space to question and for my beliefs to evolve. This openness and freedom are what make Hinduism deeply meaningful to me. I can still call myself a Hindu, even without being traditionally religious.

This openness in Hinduism extends beyond individual beliefs to matters like gender and sexuality. Ancient texts and temple sculptures across India depict a spectrum of gender identities, showing that Hinduism has historically acknowledged and embraced LGBTQ individuals. Few traditional religions offer this level of acceptance. That is what makes Hinduism not just a religion, but an inclusive way of life.

A Message to Hindu Youth: Your Religion Is More Open Than You Think

Despite its pluralistic, “modern” nature, many Hindu youth today feel that Hinduism isn’t “cool” enough. Perhaps because its rich philosophy is rarely taught during childhood. Outside India, Hinduism isn’t widely practiced or represented on global platforms, and the Western media often reduces it to stereotypes. There is also a lot of misinformation spread about Hinduism by people who know very little about the religion.

What many don’t realize is that Hinduism is one of the most liberal and inclusive systems of thought in the world. It is secular in spirit, embracing all forms of belief, including atheism. Hindus are free to question religious leaders and traditions without fear of punishment, reflecting the openness and reformative spirit that lies at the core of their faith. This is why you see many Hindus questioning even our religious leaders.

Conclusion

While some Hindu hardliners insist on rigid practices, such views do not represent the true essence of Hinduism. There is no single rulebook. Instead, there are diverse schools of thought that uphold intellectual freedom and individual choice. That is something to be proud of. I hope Hindus remember this when they encounter misrepresentation, hate, and misinformation about our religion and culture online or offline. Rather than accepting distorted narratives, we should take pride in the fact that Hinduism offers space for everyone: believers, skeptics, and reformers alike.

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Photo by Sujit Hirapara