Current Affairs, My Way: Iran War, Monalisa’s Marriage, and the Kavya Maran Debate

Representational Image for Iran War, Monalisa Bhosle Interfaith Marriage, Kavya Maran Abrar Ahmed Controversy

So I’m thinking of making this a regular feature on the blog. I usually have slightly contrarian takes on most news stories anyway, so putting them together in a quick post feels like a good idea. Think of this as a simple roundup where I share my thoughts on a few current issues making headlines.

Here’s today’s quick take.

Iran–US/Israel War

The ongoing Iran–US–Israel conflict is dominating global news. From what I am seeing online, most Muslims and leftists appear to be supporting Iran in this war. The primary reason is Iran’s long-standing pro-Palestine position and its support for Palestinian causes and groups.

However, in my opinion, Iran is equally in the wrong for dragging Gulf countries into this conflict.

Iranian officials have said they are only targeting US bases in the region. But the reality seems very different. Civilian infrastructure is being hit, and innocent people have lost their lives. That cannot be justified.

At this point, it is important to acknowledge responsibility on both sides. The US and Israel are certainly to blame for starting the conflict, hitting a girl’s school, and causing massive damage and loss of civilian lives. At the same time, Iran also bears responsibility for expanding the war into countries in the GCC.

Several Gulf countries had already assured Iran that their land would not be used to attack Iran. Yet they are now facing retaliation simply because US bases exist on their soil.

Personally, this issue also feels close to home because I have relatives living in the GCC. It is extremely unsettling to see those countries becoming targets when they are not directly part of the conflict.

At the same time, expecting these countries to suddenly remove US military bases is not practical. Those bases exist largely as a security arrangement, especially considering long-standing tensions with Iran.

Instead of taking sides in this Iran–Israel–US conflict, the best outcome would simply be for all parties involved to step back and find a way to de-escalate the situation before it gets worse.

Monalisa’s Interfaith Marriage in Kerala

Another story that caught attention recently is the marriage of Monalisa Bhosle, the viral Kumbh Mela girl, who married her Muslim partner in Kerala.

On the surface, this is good news. Two people who liked each other decided to get married. Interfaith marriages should not automatically be seen negatively.

At the same time, it is natural to feel a little concerned about the girl’s situation. From what we know publicly, she did not receive much formal education and appears quite naive. The relationship reportedly developed online, and the couple had known each other for only around six months, when the girl was still a minor, before deciding to get married. The guy, as per reports, is 7-8 years older than her. That combination can make anyone a bit worried, regardless of religion.

Kerala already has a controversial reputation in some circles. Because of that, it felt unnecessary for state government officials to publicly participate in what was essentially a private wedding ceremony.

If, unfortunately, the marriage faces problems in the future (I hope not), the same incident could easily be used to criticize Kerala again.

A more mature approach by Kerala’s state government would have been to stay away from the public spotlight while offering quiet support if needed. Not every personal decision needs to be turned into a political or symbolic event.

Kavya Maran and Abrar Ahmed

The next topic is from the cricket world.

Kavya Maran’s decision to include Pakistani cricketer Abrar Ahmed in her Hundred League team, Sunrisers Leeds, has sparked debate among fans. Given the current political climate between India and Pakistan, reactions were bound to be strong.

But there is another angle to this story that people are not discussing enough.

In February 2026, reports suggested that league members were warned of strict action if there was any discrimination against Pakistani players.

So one possible explanation is that Kavya Maran was simply trying to follow league rules.

Other team owners may have quietly avoided selecting Pakistani players, but technically that could still be seen as discrimination if the league had issued such warnings.

I can somewhat relate to this situation on a psychological level. Many of us have experienced moments where we strictly follow rules, while others casually ignore them and face no consequences.

To be clear, this is not meant as a justification for selecting a Pakistani player. As an Indian, I stand with my country. But it may explain the thinking behind the decision.

Sometimes people are simply trying to stay within the rules, even when others around them are not.

That’s my quick roundup for now.

Tu Juliet Jatt Di is The Lighthearted Hindi Romcom We’ve Been Missing

With dark and heavy content flooding streaming platforms these days, my old soul keeps craving simple old school romance. I still enjoy serious shows, no doubt about that, but when the real world already feels intense, I prefer feel-good stories when I sit down to unwind. The type of content that I grew up watching.

I have stepped away from Pakistani dramas and films on YouTube because I didn’t want my views or money indirectly going anywhere near causes I don’t support. The disrespectful remarks on India after Pahalgam from their celebrities didn’t help either. The mental distance I felt afterwards was enough for me to stop endorsing their entertainment. Everyone is free to choose what they watch though. I chose to stop out of personal preference. People say politics and art/sports/religion should not be mixed, but in reality, they often overlap.

There’s definitely a void now that I’ve stopped watching Pakistani dramas, so I’ve been hunting for lighthearted Indian content instead that would lift my mood. And I’m happy I found it in the new romcom series Tu Juliet Jatt Di.

I cannot believe this is Jasmeet Kaur’s first project. She performs like a seasoned professional and is already more competent than many Hindi industry actresses who’ve been around for years. Syed Raza is impressive.

The chemistry between Syed Raza and Jasmeet Kaur is electric. I haven’t seen such crackling romance on screen in a long time. Most modern romances feel too serious. Think of movies like Saiyaara and Aashiqui 2, where the mood stays melancholic instead of happy or dreamy. There’s definitely an audience for that kind of storytelling, but I usually prefer something lighter and a little more positive.

We don’t get that fun vibe in Hindi movies anymore, the kind we once loved in Salaam Namaste, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kal Ho Naa Ho, or, if we are to talk about something comparatively newer, then Wake Up Sid. Stories where silence and lingering eye contact made an impression, where romance was a slow-burn and intense, yet positive. When you watch stories like these, your mood shifts almost instantly. You walk away feeling lighter and a little happier than before. You feel like you yourself are in love, the feeling of butterflies in your stomach. That’s missing nowadays, isn’t it?

Critics and serious cinema lovers have been pushing the industry to take up more logical, serious, and believable stories that have put romcom fans like me in a fix. That’s why Tu Juliet Jatt Di feels refreshing. It’s playful, flirty, and full of swoonworthy moments. Sure, there are emotional scenes and melodramatic scenes, which may not feel like reality, but they don’t drag the mood down. Also, the heroine refuses to wallow. She’s bold, sharp, and unafraid to call out nonsense. Syed Raza as Nawab adds the right amount of mischief, something that’s missing in many love stories today.

Tu Juliet Jatt Di is loud, lively, chaotic, just like the old times. It’s not here to spread a social message or make you think. It’s here to offer pure entertainment that isn’t enveloped in hopelessness, violence, and despair. And what can be more entertaining than love?

If you enjoy Korean dramas or Pakistani romantic shows, you will, in full certainty, like this new Hindi series too.

Tu Juliet Jatt Di is currently streaming on Colors TV and Jio Hotstar.

Personal Takeaways from American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden

I’ve watched many documentaries on Bin Laden, but what sets American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden on Netflix apart is that the U.S. intelligence officers themselves are narrating the incident. It shows a side of intelligence officers we rarely see or acknowledge: one that’s vulnerable, emotional, and capable of error, just like any of us.

The fact that they faced extreme guilt after 9/11, plus humiliation from those who expected them to have superhero capabilities, shows us that intelligence work is a thankless job. You’re not remembered for the hundred attacks you prevented, but for the one you didn’t.

We tend to view intelligence agencies as all-knowing, supreme beings capable of preventing every threat. But they are made up of people just like you and me – flawed, prone to mistakes, and constantly learning how to address loopholes.

Almost every terrorist attack in the world has been labelled an “intelligence failure.” In most cases, including Mumbai’s 26/11, intelligence agencies had some idea that an attack was likely. But without knowing exactly when, where, or how, they couldn’t act decisively. Acting on vague information risks wasting resources and creating false alarms.

We owe our intelligence officers greater respect and appreciation, not just criticism.

Another key takeaway was the deep distrust the U.S. had toward Pakistan. They chose not to inform Pakistani authorities about the Osama bin Laden raid, fearing it would be sabotaged. This seems to negate Pakistan’s constant claims of being a victim of terrorism rather than a supporter of it. After the raid, the Pakistan army tried to shoot down the U.S. Navy SEALs’ helicopter. If they are actively involved in the fight against terrorists, why resist when others take them down for you?

One U.S. intelligence officer mentioned that Al Qaeda had regular contact with Pakistani nuclear scientists. It makes you think of Pakistan’s constant nuclear blackmail. Are they using it against the U.S. as well by implying that if Pakistan collapses or goes bankrupt, its nuclear arsenal could fall into the wrong hands (such as the terror groups that want to take down America)? Is this how they get their IMF loans approved? Perhaps this fear is why the U.S. continues to be soft on Pakistan, even though it sheltered the prime suspect in the 9/11 attacks. We will never know.