What a let-down that our wait for Irrfan Khan’s return was limited to one day of screen time. Angrezi Medium’s trailer left us chorusing ye dil maange more, especially when Khan appealed to his audience to wait for him. And we waited for him, in anticipation of his unique brand of seamless spontaneity. Like a new gourmet dish from a masterchef, a new bouquet from a designer perfumier, a new painting from a well-known atelier. Do all these expectations make Khan sound like a well-rehearsed actor performing to a preconceived notion of perfection?
Khan’s impact is far from such textbook definitions of acting. When we see him on screen, we don’t realise where acting begins and living-the-character ends. There is such beguiling ease in his presence, nothing contrived or worked hard at. If he follows method acting, you don’t see the nuts, bolts and rivets of the craft. He is just Champak, the doting small-time mithai wala who will do anything for his daughter; Raj Batra, relocating from an assured status in Chandni Chowk to snooty south Delhi, again for his little daughter, in Hindi Medium. In the process, he redefines fatherhood that radiates undemanding, unconditional love for a daughter. Whether by design or accident, both films make the father-daughter bond central, defying patriarchy that puts a premium on the son.
Khan brings such affection and humour that is often selfdeprecating, and sheer likeability (even when he is conning the slum dwellers that he is one of them) that you understand and love him because of his flaws. not in spite of them. Khan’s relationship with cousin-cum-rival Deepak Dobriyal rescues Angrezi Medium from some of its embarrassing glitches. Dobriyal is perfect as the comic-comrade-in-arm who is a rascal out to cheat, but has the propensity to spill the truth when drunk. Which he is, every evening, in the company of Champak and another friend. The duo’s misadventures when they reach Heathrow and are separated from Champak’s daughter, who alone can speak English, strain our credulity — even if they do make you laugh at the moment.
It’s the kind of laughter that makes you immediately question your response. There is just an element of the plausibility of such things happening to Indians whose understanding of English is imperfect, to put it mildly, but the exaggeration kills it. A good idea that doesn’t have the elasticity to be stretched out so far. What saves Angrezi Medium is Champak’s love for his daughter Tarika (Radhika Madan) even when misunderstandings and her newfound sense of independence causes a temporary breach. Khan is so reliable and relatable that he makes many implausible situations probable. It is his Midas touch that makes the film unmissable.
Yes, the plot is too busy and too many characters sap away the charm that breathes out of every scene set in Udaipur. It is a non-touristy Udaipur of winding narrow streets, lined with mithai shops, where tourists wander in to sample authentic ambience. The story moves at a steady pace, with spurts of necessary drama to thrust it forward.
Consider buying a composite ticket (Indian/foreigner/foreign student ₹50/300/150), which gives you entry to Amber Fort, Central Museum, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Narhargarh, and is valid for two days from time of purchase.
Old City (Pink City)
The Old City (known as the Pink City by some) is partially encircled by a crenellated wall punctuated at intervals by grand gateways. The major gates are Chandpol (pol means ‘gate’), Ajmeri Gate and Sanganeri Gate. Avenues divide the Old City into neat rectangles, each specialising in certain crafts, as ordained in the ancient Hindu texts Shilpa-Shastra. The main bazaars in the Old City include Johari Bazaar, Tripolia Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Chandpol Bazaar.
City Palace
(Indian/foreigner incl camera ₹75/300, video camera ₹200, audio guide ₹80, human guide from ₹300, Chandra Mahal tour ₹2500; h9.30am-5pm) A complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings, the impressive City Palace is right in the centre of the Old City. The outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but within it the palace has been enlarged and adapted over the centuries. Despite the gradual development, the whole is a striking blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The price of admission also gets you in to Jaigarh Fort (the fort above Amber Fort, 10km from town), a deal that is valid for two days.¨
Mubarak Mahal
Entering through Virendra Pol, you’ll see the Mubarak Mahal (Welcome Palace), built in the late 19th century for Maharaja Madho Singh II as a reception centre for visiting dignitaries. Its multi-arched, colonnaded construction was cooked up in an Islamic, Rajput and European stylistic stew by the architect Sir Swinton Jacob. It now forms part of the Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum, containing a collection of royal costumes and superb shawls, including Kashmiri pashmina (wool shawls). One remarkable exhibit is Sawai Madho Singh I’s capacious clothing. It’s said he was a cuddly 2m tall, 1.2m wide and 250kg.¨
Diwan-i-Khas (Sarvatobhadra)
Set between the Armoury and the Diwan-iAm art gallery is an open courtyard known in Sanskrit as Sarvatobhadra. At its centre is a pink-and-white, marble-paved gallery that was used as the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), where the maharajas would consult their ministers. Here you can see two enormous silver vessels, 1.6m tall and reputedly the largest silver objects in the world; Maharaja Madho Singh II, as a devout Hindu, used these vessels to take holy Ganges water to England.¨
Diwan-i-Am
Within the lavish Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) is an art gallery. Exhibits include a copy of the entire Bhagavad Gita handwritten in tiny script, and miniature copies of other holy Hindu scriptures, which were small enough to be easily hidden in the event that Mughal zealot Aurangzeb tried to destroy the sacred texts.¨
The Armoury
The Anand Mahal Sileg Khana – the Maharani’s Palace – houses the Armoury, which has one of the best collections of weapons in the country. Many of the ceremonial weapons are elegantly engraved and inlaid, belying their grisly purpose.¨
Pitam Niwas Chowk & Chandra Mahal
Located towards the palace’s inner courtyard is Pitam Niwas Chowk, with four glorious gates that represent the seasons. The Peacock Gate depicts autumn, with zigzagging patterns and peacock motifs – around the doorway are five beautiful repeated peacock bas reliefs in all their feathered glory. Beyond this chowk (square) is the private palace, the Chandra Mahal, which is still the residence of the descendants of the royal family and where you can take a 45-minute guided tour (₹2500) of select areas.
Jantar Mantar HISTORIC SITE
(Indian/foreigner ₹40/200, audio guide ₹150, human guide ₹200; h9am-4.30pm) Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, an observatory begun by Jai Singh in 1728 that resembles a collection of bizarre sculptures. The name is derived from the Sanskrit yanta mantr, meaning ‘instrument of calculation’, and in 2010 it was added to India’s list of Unesco World Heritage Sites. Jai Singh liked astronomy even more than he liked war and town planning. Before constructing the observatory he sent scholars abroad to study foreign constructs. He built five observatories in total, and this is the largest and best preserved (it was restored in 1901). Others are in Delhi, Varanasi and Ujjain. No traces of the fifth, the Mathura observatory, remain
Producers/DJs, Rusha and Blizza in association with Alfa Records, are all set to revolutionise the music arena with Indie yet contemporary “Mudra”. Groove to enthralling beats with an upbeat EP with six tracks, each diving deep into Indian roots bringing out the true ethnic spirit of Indian folk music with future sounds calling it as “BODY MUSIC.” The EP‘Mudra’ endeavours to relate with dance troops and enthusiasts across the globe.
While it draws inspiration from the traditional forms of Indian dance, the EP particularly pays homage to folk music and envisions that through this EP they can breathe life in the modern era. The music has slight influences from trap and hip-hop, perfectly blending edginess with calming symphonies.
Working together for years, Rusha and Blizza, although ruling their professional lives on one side; have always managed to keep their passion for music alive through their creations. Their efforts and their love for music were recognized on Soundcloud in 2015 with their early releases which topped worldwide trap charts in the dance and music communities. This enabled them to create their own niche in the market of sound. Conceptualised over a year, the duo has been working on the EP and the composition to ensure the right mix, although not really specific to a particular genre, it could be closely recognised to hip hop and trap music bringing to the audience and dancers a delightful blend of both. Speaking of the work and the EP Launch, Sarthak Kush, founder of Alfa Music quotes, “I have been very close to the duo and love their work personally as they have a variety in their sound. Aman and Paurush both love to experiment with their music and every new track has a different vibe”.
Harnaam Kaur is her beard—dark, glossy, and framed by a vivid turban and perfectly-exaggerated winged liner. But that’s not the most striking thing about this 29-year-old model, anti-bullying activist, and motivational speaker. No, what makes Harnaam truly extraordinary is her most compelling asset—a lion-heart, eating inside the body of a compassionate, sensitive woman. Harnaam, a British woman of Indian descent, hit puberty at the age of 10, and was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) at 12, which caused her to develop thick facial hair. PCOS is a fairly common condition, a hormonal imbalance that causes weight gain, excessive hair growth, and irregular periods. Harnaam waxed and shaved and bleached her hair several times a week, to a point where her skin would turn painfully raw, but the hair continued to spread. The schoolyard bullies taunted her, calling her “shemale” and “beast” and “sheman”; “they kicked me with footballs and stabbed me with pens”. Harnaam began skipping school and refused to go out, for fear of herself. Until Harnaam decided she was done. She would not allow her haters to win…and she would accept her body—and beard—just the way it was. As Harnaam shares her story with me, over a Skype call, I want to reach out and hug her. Not just because of the bullying and shaming and violence and death threats she has had to endure (the death threats continue, by the way)…but because she chose to rise above the ridicule and scorn, and has emerged as a passionate disrupter of mainstream beauty standards. With every photograph Harnaam posts on social media, of herself living her best life—and looking amazing—she inches us a little forward, towards true diversity and body positivity. In a superficial world that venerates ‘perfection’, Harnaam challenges our perceptions and reminds us that uniqueness is to be celebrated. Harnaam tells me she wants more women to learn about her arduous—but inspiring—journey towards self-love, so they can pluck out some courage for themselves from the supply that she has. This is her mission. And this is her story…
People will Always have opinions
Nandini Bhalla: Growing up, what was your idea of beauty?
Harnaam Kaur: “I don’t think I knew what it meant to be beautiful, but I knew that I was…not beautiful. When you grow up hearing things like, ‘Oh, she’s such a fat kid’, or ‘moti’ (fat), or ‘kaddu’ (pumpkin)… it can leave a deep impact on a young mind. I don’t think people understand how their words affect a person. Even if those things are said in a loving way, you know? So for me, being fat was always an issue. And then some parts of my body were darker than others, so I was also told to use fairness creams…like, you have to be white to be ‘right’. Now I embrace my body. But back then, my friends were all blonde and thin, with blue eyes and beautiful skin. And to see them being more popular than I was, it sent my brain a message that the way I looked was not acceptable. It’s hard because kids learn at a very young age that their body should look a certain way. And it’s heartbreaking. One of the things I love about my job is that I am able to go to schools and portray a diverse image of what a body should or could or possibly might look like. That we are all different.”
NB: What happened when you decided to keep the beard…how did people around you react?
HK: “My family was worried about how the world would react towards me. They were worried that I may not be able to live my life happily and would have to face difficulties. And I did face many difficulties. I understand when children are unintentionally mean, it’s because they’re inquisitive and come from a place of innocence. But adults—they are the worst! The abuse that I get from adults, even am having to pay for being in the public eye. Someone who is South Asian, a Punjabi, a woman who’s gay and has a beard, wears a turban, and has tattoos and piercings… You know, I am everything people don’t want me to be. It’s the price I have to pay.”
NB: So many women struggle to find the courage to fight back and accept themselves in the face of bullying and trauma. How did you find your strength?
HK: “You have no idea what it took to get “I have to get used today, has taken me a very long time to get used to. It’s funny that I’m having to say this to you…but the truth is that I have to get used to the abuse. Because this is my life, you know, and this is what I have to endure day in and day out. And it’s horrid, but that’s the price I here, and it still does! It’s not like you wake up one morning and say, ‘Right, I feel brave now!’. I keep telling people that I am suicidal like 80% of the year. The other 20% of the time, I’m barely surviving. It is a daily battle. And I don’t think bullies understand the impact their actions can have on someone’s abuse.” mental health. It’s horrible that they don’t care for another person’s well-being. For me, my courage came from just me wanting to be me…like, I can’t be anyone else. I can’t be you, you can’t be me. And once I realised that it’s all about finding yourself, that gave me the freedom to be like, ‘Well, this is me now’. People can either understand that and join me on this journey, and we can all lift each other up, or they can hate from the sidelines. And if that’s the way that they want to be, I can’t help them.
I’ve got a large number of followers from India, and I feel things are harder there because there’s still a lot of progress to be made. Young girls in India are constantly tormented for the way they look, and there’s a lot of stigma surrounding dark skin. So many young women approach me about PCOS, you know, and they tell me how their family taunts them. It’s difficult! But I think the first thing you need to do is figure yourself out, and understand who you really are. Once you do that, other people will realise that as well. That first step towards being kinder and more understanding towards yourself is the hardest step that anyone can take. But it is liberating.”
NB: What can each one of us do to love ourselves a little more? HK: “See, I don’t like saying ‘love yourself’ anymore. I feel the term has been commercialised, and a lot of people are using it as a marketing ploy to make money. But I keep telling people that the most important thing to do is be kind. Because
self-love is a journey, and it’s unfair for me to say to someone, ‘Just love yourself and your life will be fine!’. How can someone who has gone through over 10 years of abuse, someone who has hated themselves every single day, suddenly wake up one day and say that they’re going to love
“The number of death threats I receive is disgusting”
themselves because Harnaam asked them to? There’s no such thing. It’s a journey. And I think that starts with kindness—you have to wake up and be kinder to yourself, whether you’re going through depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem. Do simple things like waking up and taking a shower, you know… Spend time with yourself, do things that make you smile, meet your friends and surround yourself with positive people. And once you take those steps, yeah, you might say to yourself one day: ‘You know what, I actually love who I am now!’. It’s because you’ve gone on that journey to find who you are, and created a safe space for yourself with amazing people who are going to uplift you. You know who you are, you know what you are passionate about, and that’s how you will end up loving your life, and ultimately loving yourself.
But it’s something that you have to do over and over again. And we need to be able to change our inner voice as well, because our minds are so powerful… I think sometimes, people forget that. If you’re able to override the negative thoughts that other people have put in your head through their opinions, you’ll slowly be able to change your mindset and, eventually, who you are.
Like, someone called me fat, so I believed I was fat, right? Someone called me ugly, so I believed I was ugly. I saw a photograph of someone on Instagram and I thought, that’s who I need to be like. The human mind is very powerful. It absorbs information, so we need to surround ourselves with things that will actually benefit us and add value to our lives. If that means blocking someone or moving away from toxic people and family and friends, do it because your mental health and mental well-being is more important.”
NB: You mentioned that you still receive hurtful comments and death threats from online bullies… HK: “I absolutely hate the toxicity we see on the Internet! If there’s one reason I want the Internet to shut down, it’s because of online bullying. The number of death threats I receive, the amount of hate and bullying I have to face, especially from our own South Asian community, is disgusting. And, you know, the bigger the Internet becomes, the more people think it’s okay to make fake profiles to troll people, especially those in the public eye. I’m able to deal with it because I’m 29 right now (I’ll be 30 soon), and I have dealt with this my entire life. And I am able to deal with it now because I am confident. But there are young girls who are not so confident, and having to read horrible things about yourself online can have a detrimental effect on you. I just wish that social media platforms were stricter when it comes to online bullying…”
NB: I know that you love experimenting with make-up. What is in your make-up bag, and what is your go-to look? HK: “I have so much make-up and I truly enjoy experimenting with it. It’s not about changing who I am, it’s about accentuating my features…I think that’s a very powerful thing. My go-to look is nude lids with a little bit of shimmer, and bold, black liner—sometimes, I’ll use a blue or purple liner, too, as I like a nice wing. I like to accentuate my eyes so people’s focus is on my eyes. Because it’s a bit weird when I’m talking to someone and all they’re talking to is my beard! I’m just like, ‘My eyes are up here!’. And also, when you go out wearing a red lipstick, you feel empowered…you feel like a boss! But I prioritise skincare over make-up. Once you have a good base, your make-up will sit on your face a lot better, a lot more nicely. So I like to look after my skin a lot more than wearing make-up.”
NB: Finally, how does it feel to be able to help women feel more empowered and fight back against archaic beauty standards? HK: “Knowing that I am helping someone, even if it is just one person, is the biggest joy for me. The biggest happiness for me! And that’s why I’m able to travel wherever I want to and talk to young people. Because I want to help young people, regardless of who they are, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or colour. I just want to be able to help. And it brings me so much comfort when mothers approach me saying, ‘You know, my daughter was looking at your pictures and she thinks you’re beautiful’. And you know, ‘Are you the princess in The Greatest Showman?’ If you’ve seen that film, there’s a bearded lady in it. (Fun fact: the bearded lady in The Greatest Showman was based on me!) I will keep fighting. I will keep fighting for people who don’t have any fighting spirit left in them, and I will keep speaking for people who don’t know how to use their voice. And I will keep helping people that need help. There’s so much pain in the world right now, and we need people to bring about change. So that’s my driving force. That’s my biggest inspiration in life… actually going out there and helping people and adding value to their lives. That’s what I want to do.”
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