Sadaf Ahsan

Kalpana Chawla, First Indian American Woman in Space

On the 20th anniversary of the Columbia space shuttle disaster, we revisit the legacy of the unlikely astronaut, who has inspired generations.

Why South Asians Love Jane Austen

Family, marriage, and class collisions. The British writer’s novels seem like the perfect subcontinental literary canon. But not for the reasons you might think.

Jemima Khan’s So-Called ‘Love Letter’ to Pakistan

While married to Imran Khan, the British socialite was reviled and beloved. With a new film about her time in her adopted country, where does she stand today?

The Mindy Kaling Effect

The release of ‘Velma’ has reignited discussions about how the actor, writer, and producer portrays South Asian characters on screen. But what does the backlash say about us?

Not All South Asians Like it Hot

How eating spicy food became so intertwined with South Asian identity, and why it’s time to retire the stereotype.

Noor Inayat Khan, Unlikely War Hero

Officers believed she was physically and temperamentally unsuited to be a spy. Instead, the British Indian princess outlasted her peers and was a groundbreaking agent of resistance.

Why Many South Asian Muslims Celebrate Christmas

What some call “haram” is a way for others to incorporate traditions that center family and giving.

2022’s Biggest Moments for South Asians Globally

The year, wrapped.

How the West Reduced ‘The Kama Sutra’ to Sex

The ancient Indian manuscript has long been a guide to love — and life.

In Defense of Doodh Soda

Despite Pepi’s viral ad, mixing milk and coke is nothing new. In fact, the combination has a long history in South Asia.

Cece from ‘New Girl’ Was Never Just a Sidekick

Celebrating over 10 years of one of the first Brown women who got to be hot, smart, funny — and a lead.

Why Many South Asians Never Learn to Swim

South Asians account for a significant number of drowning deaths. So why aren’t more of us learning to swim?

‘Welcome to Chippendales’: Where the American Dream Becomes a Nightmare

The true-crime series cleverly leans into the typical immigrant tropes before taking a dark turn.

How FTX’s Ramnik Arora and Nishad Singh Joined SBF's Inner Circle

And how they disappeared after the crypto stock exchange’s collapse.

‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ Season 2 Isn’t Revolutionary, But It Is A Riot

The Mindy Kaling sitcom won’t shock you — the delightful foursome are still making questionable decisions — but still makes for a laugh-out-loud watch.

The Magical Weight Loss Drug No One is Talking About

In June 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide, one of the first drugs specifically designed for weight loss. For some, it’s been a godsend. But is it also promoting fatphobia?

‘Bombay Dreams’ Was Supposed to Open Doors for South Asian Musicals

But it will be nearly 20 years before audiences will see others, such as ‘Life of Pi’ and ‘Come Fall in Love,’ grace Broadway — the biggest theater industry in the English-speaking world.

The Tragic Love of Princess Diana and Hasnat Khan

How the “people’s princess” and a British Pakistani doctor met, fell in love, and fell apart just weeks before her final days.

Justice for M. Night Shyamalan

The Oscar-nominated horror director is one of the most consistently bankable filmmakers. So how did he become a punchline?

How ‘DDLJ’ Went From Screen to Stage

The cast and crew break down what it means to change beloved elements of Aditya Chopra’s 1995 Bollywood blockbuster — but still keep its spirit alive.

‘Shantaram’ Is Yet Another White Savior Story

The TV adaptation of the controversial 2003 novel offers a new format but the same exoticization of India.

The Spicy Texts Between Elon Musk and Parag Agrawal

Ahead of the Twitter vs. Musk trial, recently released text messages between the billionaire and current Twitter CEO reveal drama and chaos.

‘House of the Dragon’ Director Geeta Vasant Patel Breaks Down Episode 8

The “Lord of Tides” director discusses her favorite scenes, how she got the gig, and what’s next for the epic fantasy series.

The Battle for the Bill

“I’ve seen people pull credit cards out of each other’s hands, yell at each other while our server is standing there, and then go home quietly. There’s no shame.”

How ‘Joyland’ Got Made and Found Love

The Pakistani movie questioning gender norms and family expectations took six years to make. Now, it’s taking the festival circuit by storm.

What Happened to Zayn?

Despite being the first One Direction member to go solo and release a popular debut album, the pop star has fallen off the charts and out of the spotlight.

Jameela Jamil Has Entered Her Villain Era

The ‘She-Hulk’ star opened up about the freedom of playing a supervillain and dealing with haters in real life.

‘Come Fall in Love’ Review: Fun, But No ‘DDLJ’

The upbeat musical is entertaining but will leave fans of the 1995 Bollywood classic sorely disappointed.

‘Gilmore Girls’ and Its Unlikely South Asian Fanbase

The intergenerational television series had some real “log kya kahenge?” vibes.

Why More South Asians Are Rejecting Marriage

Though South Asians are among the most likely to be married, singles are increasingly ditching age-old expectations and rewriting what relationships and commitment can look like.

Young the Giant is Changing the Face of Indie Rock

With album ‘American Bollywood,’ frontman Sameer Gadhia fuses Indian and American music, adding a new sound — and story — to a predominantly white space.

Why the ‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 3 Finale Hit So Hard

We talked series co-creator Lang Fisher and star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan about Devi’s dilemma and the decision few viewers saw coming.

The Endless Frustration of South Asian Hair Loss

For a culture that has long revered long, thick hair, community members are finding that traditional hair care rituals and advice are falling short.

The Fight to Teach Partition in the West

Despite significant South Asian populations, U.S., U.K., and Canadian schools rarely teach students about one of the largest and deadliest mass migrations in history.

Stick With ‘Never Have I Ever’ Season 3

While the new season initially feels formulaic, the show ultimately evolves into something more profound.

Falling in Love with Suraj Sharma in ‘Wedding Season’

A decade after his debut in Ang Lee’s ‘Life of Pi,’ the actor is back in lead roles and says he’s found his “happy place.”

Pallavi Sharda on Why ‘Wedding Season’ Feels So “Rare”

“When I read the script, my eyes kind of popped out of their sockets.”

The South Asians of OnlyFans

Thousands of South Asian creators have found sexual and economic empowerment on the X-rated platform — yet their work is shrouded in shame.

The Evolution of South Asian Tattoos

How henna and Sanskrit tattoos became “trendy,” and the South Asian artists reclaiming them.

Sania Khan’s Murder Spotlights Domestic Violence in South Asian Homes

The death of the Pakistani American at the hands of her abusive ex-husband has sparked dialogue about the stigmas of divorce and domestic violence in the community.

How ‘Ms. Marvel’ Put Partition on Screen

We spoke to the team behind the show’s episode on Partition — a historical event seminal to South Asians, yet rarely depicted in Hollywood.

Crying Along With ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’

How the beloved 2011 Bollywood movie turned a bachelor party into a sensitive portrayal of masculinity.

Emmys 2022: Notable South Asian Nominees

More than a dozen shows featuring South Asians — from ‘Ted Lasso’ to ‘Queer Eye’ to ‘Station Eleven’ – earned Emmy nods for excellence in television.

Is South Asian Bridal Makeup Too Expensive?

TikTok has been aflutter with brides sharing what they believe to be “the biggest scam” in the wedding industry.

The Return of the Unibrow

A growing movement of young South Asians is rebelling against Western beauty standards by regrowing and reclaiming their unibrows.

Freida Pinto Wants to Change Who is “Allowed” to Fall in Love On Screen

The ‘Mr. Malcolm’s List’ actor chats about Black and Brown love, what’s on her relationship checklist, and how Hollywood has diversified since ‘Slumdog.’

Dismantling the Brown “Glow-Up”

The concept of getting hotter with age — also known as “glowing up” — isn’t new, but South Asian TikTok influencers question what this trend really celebrates.

How ‘The Dropout’ Recasts Sunny Balwani as the Angry Brown Man

The new Hulu series generously gives founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes a back story while only villainizing her counterpart, who faces similar charges of fraud.

Are Love is Blind’s Deepti and Shake a Classic Case of Internalized Racism?

The reality show’s Indian couple has lit up the internet after professing to previously dating only blond(e)s, their attraction fizzling days after their engagement.

Bilal Baig's ‘Sort Of’ is a Love Letter to Brown, Queer, and Trans People

The queer, transfeminine playwright and performer is challenging the status quo with their latest CBC and HBO Max series — and not without a little bit of fear.