What you didn’t know about beauty queen-turned-Hollywood star Priyanka Chopra

To say that Priyanka Chopra has her fingers in many pies would be an understatement indeed. The 39-year-old has been, in turns, a beauty queen, a Bollywood actress, a singer, a Hollywood star, an author, an activist, a producer, and latterly, a mother. Indeed, versatility seems to be second-nature to the talented thespian, who was born and raised in India but also educated in the US. And it’s this quality – in addition to her looks and smarts – that has seen her thrive through a seemingly endless series of career changes that would have most feeling daunted. Here, we explore some of the trials and triumphs of this trailblazing modern woman.

Racial Discord
Chopra was born on 18 July 1982 in the Indian city of Jamshedpur to army physician parents. Through the family’s various postings, she spent her childhood in an assortment of locations including Delhi, Ladakh, Chandigarh, Pune, Ambala and Lucknow. As a teenager, she moved to Massachusetts and then Iowa to live with her aunt, and as an outsider, she was the target of bullying by her peers. “I was a teenager who did not even know how to wear heels, but I learnt… I didn’t know how to fit in,” she recalls. “Also, I faced some racial issues. Some students called me ‘browny’, they also pointed fingers at me for being Indian, but I survived.”

Engineering Dreams
Young Priyanka originally aspired to study aeronautical engineering and work for NASA. However, when her mother signed her up for the Miss India beauty pageant in 2000, her life was forever changed. After clinching the crown at that particular event, the Quantico and The Matrix Resurrections star would go on to win several other competitions, including the prestigious Miss World accolade that same year. Speaking of her thwarted ambitions, she muses, “I’ve been in the public since I was 17 years old and it’s really all I’ve known. Being crowned Miss India and then Miss World, suddenly I went on from [hopefully] becoming an aeronautical engineer [to a] carefree teenager to standing on a world stage, where I have to have a point of view on probably the most important world events.”

Bollywood Bread & Butter
Hot on the heels of her newfound fame, Chopra was offered the opportunity to segue into an acting career within Bollywood – the world’s largest producer of films. Within a handful of years, she had catapulted herself to the forefront of the industry, becoming one of the country’s most successful actresses and selling billions of cinema tickets annually. Simultaneously, she kicked off her singing career, lending her vocal talents to several songs in the movies she starred in.

Hollywood High Life
Right at the peak of her career, Chopra’s manager suggested she return to the United States to pursue her musical career on an international scale. Recalling that decision, she says, “I wasn’t looking to do work in America. I was at this amazing point in my career. I was doing critically acclaimed work and winning awards. So I kind of laughed at the idea.”
Ultimately, though, she took the chance, signed with Universal Music Group, and became the first Bollywood star to be represented by Los Angeles-based Creative Artists Agency. Several singles – including collaborations with such noted musicians as Pitbull and will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas fame – followed. “It was just magical,” she reminisces. “Those three, four years just went by. I was being serenaded by this rock-and-roll lifestyle.”

People’s Person
In yet another transition, the Bollywood actress-turned-singer hit a major milestone when she nabbed the lead role of Alex Parrish in the spy thriller TV series Quantico in 2015. Speaking of her personal connection to the character, she says, “Quantico for me was a really big win. Not just because of being the first time an Indian or South Asian actor was the lead of a network show, but, more than that, because I was not put in the box, like the show wasn’t My Big Fat Indian Wedding.” Her acting chops were praised by critics and the public alike; she was the first South Asian actor to win a People’s Choice Award, and went on to appear in a smattering of movies after the series wrapped in 2018.

Meet Cute
The story of Chopra’s relationship with singer Nick Jonas is now the stuff of legends. Having initially slid into her Twitter DMs (direct messages) back in 2016, boy met girl in person a year later at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. “He swept me off my feet,” she shares in her 2021 memoir, Unfinished. “Once we started dating, it felt like I was being carried by a gigantic, unstoppable wave.” After a high-profile romance spanning a proposal after just two months and marriage within the year, they tied the knot at two super-sumptuous wedding ceremonies in India at the end of 2018. Despite some raised eyebrows over their age difference – Chopra is 10 years her husband’s senior – and suspicions that the relationship was all for show, the pair still seem very much in love, and recently welcomed their first child via surrogacy.

The Good Fight
From beauty queen to Bollywood actress to Hollywood star and social media influencer, Chopra’s CV is already impressive, but in 2015 she expanded her horizons even further by starting her own production company, the Mumbai-based Purple Pebble Pictures. Galvanised by the struggles she faced in the entertainment industry, her impetus for starting this venture – which she runs alongside her mother, Madhu – was to create a platform to foster local talent and showcase the South Asian narrative from a more authentic point of view.

“I think collectively each one of us can push Hollywood, and push the powers that be, and be demanding and not just polite about it. I’ve been polite for a very long time. Now it’s time to say, ‘I’m sorry, that doesn’t work,’ and to fight for your characters,” she explains. “As a producer, I’m so grateful that I get the opportunity to do that, to be able to make stories and look for stories that normalise different cultures of the world.”

Clearly her passion has reaped big rewards. Last year’s production, The White Tiger – a film adaptation (in which Chopra also starred) of the eponymous Aravind Adiga novel that explores the imbalances of India’s caste system – was an Oscar contender for Best Adapted Screenplay.

(Text: Tenzing Thondup)

Six must-read books you won’t want to put down this summer

A good book has a way of transporting you and your senses into world entirely unique to your own. This summer, Gafencu has picked up a fresh selection of new reads that will do just that. From academy award winning actress Viola Davis’s inspiring memoir to highly acclaimed author Emily Mandel’s recent dystopian novel, and a riveting tell-all on the British royal family, These are the books you won’t want to put down once you’ve started. Whether you’re whiling away a rainy day, packing your essentials for a day out by the pool or at the beach, or need a companion to keep you occupied on a long haul flight, these are the 2022 must-reads that will have you turning from cover to cover before the season ends.

Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis (Memoir)

An intimate, raw account of how a little girl named Viola became one of the most respected Hollywood actresses today. The path to success is one that is tough but through the award-winning actresses’ telling, it is one that builds strength and self-love. The moving memoir is one of the most anticipated books this year and has already topped best sellers’ lists within a month of its release in April.

The Palace Papers by Tina Brown (Non-fiction)

A peek into the lives of Queen Elizabeth II and her household after the death of Princess Diana, from her majesty’s tightening grip to the desertion of Harry and Meghan from the royal family, this is a riveting inside story of the British royal family that you won’t be able to put down. From the best selling author of The Diana Chronicles, journalist Tina Brown tells all.

The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose (Mystery)

Canadian author Nita Prose makes her debut with this quirky murder-mystery and has already landed Best Sellers’ lists. A page-turning thriller that will satisfy readers on multiple levels; from plot to setting to the intelligent oddball protagonist, Molly. Prose’s brilliant writing centers around the quirky Molly, a maid at a fancy urban hotel who has trouble picking up on social cues, and delicately touches on the importance of human connection.

Also Read: Eight books every entrepreneur must read

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (Sci-Fi)

Be captivated by the imaginative dystopian world created by number one bestselling author of The Glass Hotel and internationally acclaimed Station Eleven Emily St. John Mandel. The narrative begins in the year 1912 and jumps to present day and then to 200 years into the future. Absorbed in Mandel’s brilliant storytelling, readers will be steered into exploring the complexities of life’s cruel inevitability, loss, and meaning. The novel, has won the Arthur C Clarke award and has been widely praised as the new pandemic novel to pick up this summer.

Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (Self-development)

American researcher, author and motivational speaker Brene Brown puts out yet another composition of her decades of research in understanding emotions and how our experiences define what it means to be human. Providing readers an “atlas” that maps out the necessary skills, language and actionable framework to build meaningful connections, better understand ourselves, our choices, and ultimately build, rebuild ourselves and what makes us us. Recently, the book has also been made into a five-part HBO Max docuseries.

Half Baked Harvest by Tieghan Gerard (Cookbook)

If there is one thing that the pandemic has granted us, it is more time at home, and more time in the kitchen. Here to fuel readers’ new-found culinary passion, famed food blogger and now cookbook author Tieghan Gerard publishes another collection of recipes to her Half baked Harvest series. Offering comforting yet balanced, healthy meals for the whole family. The book also features a bevy of plant-forward versions of much-loved favourites for the meatless eaters.

Also Read: Seven must-read books about Hong Kong

What’s On? Things to do this May in Hong Kong

As the Hong Kong begins to return to a sense of semi-normalcy, and public venues open their doors to visitors once again, prompting a sigh of relief from Hongkongers in time for Art Month. From the highly anticipated Art Basel to the annual Le French May and much, much more, see our round up of exciting happenings for the month of May.

Art Basel
27-29 May

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu art basel — Photo courtesy of Art Basel

Although the city’s biggest art fair arrives two months later than usual due to Covid-19 social distancing and flight restrictions, it has nonetheless pulled out all the stops to present an astonishingly diverse showcase of modern and contemporary works from established and emerging artists around the world. Get ready to browse the collections of some 130 participating galleries and institutions across Asia and beyond, as well as visit online viewing rooms catering to exhibitors unable to attend the fair in person.

Price: From HK$150
Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
For more information: artbasel.com/hong-kong

Art Central
26-29 May

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu art central — Photo courtesy of Art Central

In this art-filled month, the seventh edition of Art Central will run alongside its larger cousin, Art Basel Hong Kong. This year’s dynamic showing will encompass more than 40 innovative galleries among other content, such as Gok Dou Live presented by Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Within an expanded programme, the latter includes talks, artist interviews and new initiatives designed to excite a public starved of in-person, real-time art appreciation.

Price: From HK$150
Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
For more information: artcentralhongkong.com

Le French May
Until Jun

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu le french may — Photo courtesy of Le French May

One of the largest cultural and art festival in Asia, the annual celebration that is Le French May returns in time for Art Month to offer the city a month and more of French-inspired heritage. Featuring emerging Hong Kong-based visual and dramatic artists, theatrical performers, dancers and filmmakers, the festival will showcase the cultural synergies that connect Hong Kong to France through more than 100 programmes. From musical shows and performance arts to exhibitions and culinary offerings, prepare to be artfully fed and enlightened by this highly anticipated event.

Location: Various Locations
For more information: frenchmay.com

Instead of an Afterwards
Until 14 May

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu instead of an afterwards — Photo courtesy of PMQ

Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong asks art lovers to ponder about the concept of time and timeliness through the works of five South Korean artists. The exhibition, curated by Choe Nowk, reframes what it means to be present. Featuring art by Jaekyung Jung, Daniel Schine Lee, Hyejoo Jun, Suyon Huh and Rong Bao, Instead of an Afterwards seeks to draw out a deeper meaning than what meets the eye, prompting us to reconsider what we view as important.

Price: Free entry
Location: Korean Cultural Center, PMQ, Central
For more information: pmq.org.hk

Looking East: St Ives Artists and Buddhism
Until 31 May

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu looking east st ives artists buddhism — Photo courtesy of 3812 Gallery

Central-based 3812 Gallery turns its spotlight on the St Ives school with an exhibition on how Eastern influences, particularly Buddhist philosophy, influenced post-war British artists in the southwestern Cornish town. Works by famed ceramicist Bernard Leach and Buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki feature among a multimedia display spanning stoneware, oil painting and collage that illustrates the spirituality underlying Western art in that era.

Price: Free entry
Location: 3812 Gallery, 26/F, Wyndham Place, Wyndham Street, Central
For more information: 3812gallery.com

Also Read: Places to visit to see vibrant street art in Hong Kong

Recovery, Resilience, Resurgence
Until 6 Jun

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu recovery resilience resurgence — Photo courtesy of Asia Society

Asia Society invites the public to rediscover the compelling history of Hong Kong through beautifully captured photographs that illustrate 30 years of heritage, change and development. From the post-war period into the ’50s, ’60s and the onset of the ’70s, the lenses of the late acclaimed photographers Hedda Morrison, Lee Fook Chee and Brian Brake each reveal a distinctive take on the rise of this modern Asian city.

Price: Free entry
Location: Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty
For more information: asiasociety.org/hong-kong

Spinning East Asia Series II: A Net (Dis)entangled
Until 7 Aug

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu spinning east asia series II a net (dis)entagled — Photo courtesy of The Mills

Non-profit art institution Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (Chat) presents an exhibition held both virtually and in situ at former textiles factory The Mills. Underscoring the diversity of East Asian history and culture, contemporary works by 16 prominent artists and groups from across the region will be showcased. The affair joins the likes of guided tours, online discussion forums, talks and performances on Chat’s illuminating Spring Programme 2022.

Price: Free entry
Location: 3/F, The Mills, Tsuen Wan
For more information: mill6chat.org

Bonart Terrarium Workshops
Ongoing

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu bonart terrarium workshop — Photo courtesy of Bon-Art HK

You don’t have to step outdoors to exercise your green thumb. Explore the extent to which plant life can elevate your home at one of Bonart’s terrarium workshops. The botanical concept store in Tai Kwun combines art and nature in a variety of two-hour sessions in which participants can learn how to build a miniature eco-system, while also picking up some practical gardening skills and tips to better care for home greenery. Participants can take home their terrariums to admire afterwards.

Price: From HK$380
Location: Shop 03-204A, Tai Kwun, Central
For more information: bonart-hk.com

Online Singing Bowl: A Self-Healing Journey with Anita Cheung
Ongoing

What’s On Things to do this May in Hong Kong gafencu iliving hong kong anita cheung singing bowl — Photo courtesy of iLiving Hong Kong

Keen to relieve stress in the comfort and safety of your own living room? Join award-winning transformative healer Anita Cheung in a soothing sound bath to relax, heal and tap into a deeper connection with the mind. Discover your inner self, find your balance, and gain a new level of wisdom through this 60-minute virtual sound-healing journey. Cheung’s ongoing sessions offer a different experience to devotees each time.

Price: HK$128 (pay what you want)
Location: Online access
For more information: ilivingacademy.com

Also Read: Unique attractions to see and do in Hong Kong

All about BTS’ J-Hope and the K-pop star’s mega success

In 13 June 2013, a 19-year-old named Jung Ho-seuk made his debut with a new K-pop boy band that would soon smash records and set hearts racing around the world. His prowess in dance, which he had practised since the tender age of six, saw him become the third idol trainee signed by Big Hit Entertainment to become a member of BTS. At that time, few would have guessed that this callow youth would shine as part of a global pop culture movement.

Fast forward to today, and not only has BTS become the most successful, best-selling South Korean musical act in history.

The singing-and-dancing septet has hit countless other international milestones, including becoming the first Asian and non-English-speaking group to be named ‘Global Recording Artist of the Year’ by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry; the non-profit organisation representing the interests of the recording industry across the globe, which recently reconfirmed their 2020 accolade to BTS for a second year. Dubbed the ‘Princes of Pop’, the band has garnered numerous music accolades in South Korea, and in the West.

Such is the popularity and success of J-Hope (Jung’s stage name) and his cohorts that they’re estimated to pull in a staggering US$5 billion a year.

To put that into perspective, that’s roughly half a percent of South Korea’s overall GDP. In recognition of their efforts, in another historic first, BTS became the youngest-ever recipients of the country’s Order of Cultural Merit.

Although all members of BTS have reaped serious rewards for their years of hard work, J-Hope has been tapped as the highest earner according to a variety of media outlets. Here, we delve into the circumstances of his rapid rise, famous family members and other lesser-known facts about the mega talented dancer, rapper and singer.

Also Read: Hallyu to the World: The rise and rise of Korean Culture

Sibling Success
Jung was born on 18 February 1994 in Gwangju, South Korea’s sixth-largest metropolitan city. Few details are available about his parents – some claim his father is a teacher of literature, while other sources identify him as a businessman.

There is, however, rather more known about his elder sister, Jung Da-won, who also uses the name Jung Ji-woo. She’s so much more than just the sister of a K-pop idol, though. An entrepreneur at heart, she runs several businesses – fashion company AJ Look, e-commerce platform Mejiwoo as well as eyewear brand Fun the Metal. The social-media whizz also boasts millions of followers on both Instagram and YouTube, and latterly signed an exclusive contract with another South Korean entertainment company, Cube Entertainment. Clearly, the Jung siblings have more than their fair share of natural talent.

Big Hitter
J-Hope is renowned as a skilled dancer, rapper and singer. However, during his schooldays, he had another, more athletic aptitude: tennis. “It’s funny how I started playing… my teacher asked, ‘Who wants to play tennis?’ and I was just stretching with both of my arms up high at that moment and she thought I wanted to join tennis,” recalls Jung with a laugh. Despite this accidental and somewhat inauspicious start, the tennis starlet would go on to win third place at a national tournament.

Stepping Up
Bitten by the dancing bug as a young child, J-Hope began taking lessons at Gwangju Music Academy, whose famous alumni include fellow idols Seungri of Big Bang and 2NE1’s Minzy. He then went on to accrue several prestigious dance laurels including the top prize at a 2008 national competition.

With these experiences under his belt, he joined underground dance team Neuron before auditioning for JYP Entertainment in 2009. While the 15-year-old didn’t make the cut there, he was quickly able to turn things around and continue pursuing his dream. His sense of rhythm was applauded at Big Hit Entertainment, which signed him up later that year, leading to his spot in BTS.

Also Read: Awkwafina: The unexpected Hollywood star we didn’t know we need

Lyrical Low
J-Hope is admired by the ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. of Youth, or BTS’s legion of global die-hard fans) as the ever-chipper member of the group. However, that’s not to say that he hasn’t faced his own uncertainties when it comes to his music. “I’m someone who got into music from dance. [So] I still need direction when it comes to music,” he shares.

Recalling a recent painful slump in his songwriting abilities, he says: “I met a lot of producers and showed them my music and got feedback, then fell into a dilemma. I realised that I had chosen a difficult musical direction and it shook me up mentally. I wanted to resolve it quickly, but it wasn’t coming out the way I wanted, so I felt ashamed and wondered, ‘Is this my limit?’ I’m only gradually overcoming this struggle.”

Flying Solo
In 2018, five years after his BTS breakthrough, J-Hope debuted his first solo mixtape, Hope World. While he’s not the first of the group to step out on his own – the band’s two other rappers, RM and Suga, released their albums in 2015 and 2016 respectively – Jung’s effort is, perhaps, the most successful.

Self-described as ‘my calling card to the world’, Hope World peaked at number 38 on the US Billboard 200 and made the charts in nine other countries around the world. His next solo outing (Chicken Noodle Soup, a single in collaboration with US songstress Becky G) in 2019 would go on to break even more records, and raised his profile as the first BTS member to chart as a Billboard Hot 100 solo artist.

Despite the success he has found outside the band’s purview, Jung is adamant that BTS will remain his priority. “The team always comes first, so I focused on our projects as BTS and tried to make time [to work on my own stuff] in hotel rooms, on the airplane, whenever I could find a few minutes,” he explains.

Hope for Others
As with many of his bandmates, J-Hope is a strong proponent of giving back to society. Over the years, he’s personally donated hundreds of millions of Korean won to various causes. He has championed an array of worthy initiatives – from supporting visually and hearing-impaired children and youngsters suffering from violence in Tanzania to boosting the welfare of minors impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic – it’s clear that the star’s ability to bring literal J-Hope (joy and hope) is not just limited to the musical sphere.

(Text: Tenzing Thoundup)

Also Read: Soul Searching: Exploring the countless sights of South Korea’s capital city

What’s On? Things to do this April in Hong Kong

Hongkongers can sigh a breath of relief as the city sees its fifth covid-19 wave dwindle, prompting the government to ease social distancing restrictions in phases. Although limitations on social gathering and the closure of fitness centers, as well as other leisure and entertainment venues remain, at least for two more weeks until 20 April, if you’re wondering how best to fill your social calendar, while staying safe at home, we have rounded up a list of online events worth bookmarking for weekends ahead. From online orchestra performances, yoga at home, virtual galleries and more…

50th Hong Kong Arts Festival (Until 25 April)

Online events to look out for in April gafencu hk arts festival — Photo courtesy of HK Arts Festival

After two months of extraordinary musicals, opera, theatre and dance performances, art enthusiasts who haven’t yet had their fill of the city’s biggest and most high-profile cultural gig can catch the festival’s final few weeks either in-person (social-distancing regulations permitting) or online. Local and international talents; traditional and contemporary styles; a glimpse of pioneering projects in the world of arts and technology – there is still much to see and experience.

When: Until 25 April
Price: HK$100
For more information: hk.artsfestival.org

HK Phil Online Concerts

Online events to look out for in April gafencu hkphil — Photo courtesy of HKPhil

Classical music enthusiasts need not be disappointed by a quiet month ahead for Hong Kong’s cultural scene. Concerts and other group activities might be marred by the current social restrictions, but trust the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for turning to online events to keep the passion of music alive and delighting enthusiasts with a beautiful array of music works. To calm your soul amid the current chaos, revisit several much-loved live performances virtually, and bask in the inspiring tunes performed by the many local and international talents who have graced the city’s concert halls.

When: Ongoing
Price: Free access
For more information: hkphil.org

Virtually@HKMoA

Museums across the city may be closed for the time being, but that doesn’t mean art appreciation stops. Art is all around us, especially with the internet pulling up practically anything we could wish for to provide visual stimulation and contemplation. Why not click your way to the Hong Kong Museum of Art website to enjoy a slew of virtual exhibitions online? Browse to your hearts content through the many art sessions with complementary audio guides, multimedia programmes and stories of vibrant museum collections.

When: Ongoing
Price: Free access
For more information: hk.art.museum

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Masterclasses

Online events to look out for in April gafencu wine dine — Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Wine & Dine

With so many events in the city being cancelled, Hongkongers are craving for some optimistic news. And what better way to lift the spirits than an excuse to drink a glass (or five!) of Bordeaux? Originally launched in 2020 to compensate for the scaled-down Wine & Dine Festival, this series of online masterclasses, wine-tasting lessons and cocktail workshops hosted by food and wine experts is now a permanent fixture to dip into when your appetite for gourmet gratification becomes overwhelming.

When: Ongoing
Price: Free access
For more information: discoverhongkong.com

XYZ On-Air

Though fitness centres and yoga studios remain shut to curtail the ‘fifth wave’, nothing stops the city’s avid fitness enthusiasts from staying on track and squeezing in their workouts. Hong Kong boutique spinning studio XYZ opens its virtual doors to live classes – anyone who has the will and determination is free to join. Exercise whenever and wherever you want – whether you’re itching for an intense spinning session or ready to flow through the chaturanga.

When: Until 20 April
Price: Free access
For more information: onair.youarexyz.com

New Moon: Healing Breathwork & Sound Journey

Online events to look out for in April gafencu Breathwork iliving — Photo courtesy of iLiving

In need of a stress reliever or exercise to realign the body and mind? Take a deep breath – literally – with Anita Cheung of Hong Kong wellness centre iLiving. This 90-minute online healing session introduces participants to the benefits of breathwork, from conscious breathing practice through somatic awareness and the use of singing bowls to restore energy. Some qigong exercises are also included.

When: Ongoing
Price: From HK$111
For more information: ilivingacademy.com

The Making of ‘The ChristMice Cracker’

Online events to look out for in April gafencu tai kwun — Photo courtesy of Tai Kwun

Inspired by iconic Christmas ballet The Nutcracker, Hong Kong dance troupe TS Crew created The ChristMice Crackerlast December, an exhilarating show featuring acrobatics, beat-boxing, unicycles, stilts, fire-breathing and much more. For a glimpse of how the production came to play, Central heritage and arts complex Tai Kwun presents The Making of ‘The ChristMice Cracker’, a video replay of the thrilling street performance that infuses a family favourite with a truly local flair.

When: Until 30 April
Price: Free access
For more information: taikwun.hk

TELEPORT – Digital Art Gallery

Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind interactive visual experience at the multimedia exhibition space TELEPORT. Although technically not an online event as you’d have to physically be present to experience loosing yourself within this vast 5,000sq.ft exhibition space, its multiple virtual galleries, where art, science and technology intersect, is one that’s not to be missed. Featuring a multitude of mesmerising, futuristic works by award-winning new media artists, and offers a unique cinematique adventure projected with 360° hyper-real sound. The immersive experience transports you to the future without ever having to leave the city at all.

When: Ongoing
Price: From HK$288
For more information: weteleport.com

Disclaimer: While Gafencu tries to keep up to date with the latest restrictions, the situation in the city is rapidly changing – contact the establishments to make sure you get the latest information of opening hours and services before venturing out. Follow all government directives when you’re out and about.

Awkwafina: The unexpected Hollywood star we didn’t know we need

To say that 2018 was a seminal year for Awkwafina would be putting things mildly. Having only been known in certain comedy and music circles until then, she suddenly found herself in the limelight with not one, but two breakthrough movies – Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians. Since then, she’s gone on to become a household name as an actor, creating her own TV show, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, and starring in several blockbusters. Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, in which she voiced Sisu, were among the quartet of movies she headlined last year.

Indeed, the talented 33-year-old is the very definition of a multi-hyphenate. Actor, comedian, rapper, writer – it seems that everything the New York City native touches turns to gold. But while her life may seem like a fairy tale today, it has been anything but easy…

Grandmotherly Love

Nora Lum – to give the actress her birth name – was born on 2 June 1988 in New York as the sole child of Wally, a Chinese-American, and Tia, a South Korean painter. Tragically, her mum passed away when she was just four, leaving her father and his parents to raise her. If the story sounds familiar, that’s because it closely mirrors the life of her eponymous character in Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, the hit TV series she created for Comedy Central.

Like her fictional role, Nora spent her formative years in the New York borough, and was particularly close to her paternal grandmother. An early role model, the latter signed her up for singing lessons as a child without her father ever knowing. Speaking of this close relationship, the star explains: “My grandmother is everything to me. She taught me that Asian women are strong. They’re not meek orchard-dwelling figures.”

Losing Home

Awkwafina in ‘Awkwafina is Nora from Queens’

Her grandparents ran a Chinese restaurant in the Flushing area of Queens, but when it began to fail, they had to file for bankruptcy, losing the business as well as their home. At this point, the entire family was forced to move into a tiny apartment, with Lum sharing the sole bedroom with her grandparents until she turned 12. Recalling these troubled times, she notes: “I remember staying up with my grandma at night and asking her, ‘What is the only thing you wish for that you could have right now?’ And she said, ‘To pay the bills.’”

Troubled Teen

akwafina shang chi — Athe premiere of Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings

Having been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD) as well as depression during her teens, Nora was anything but an A-plus pupil. Despite being accepted into the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School – an institution famed for churning out musical talents and thespians such as Al Pacino, Jennifer Aniston and Timothée Chalamet – she was, in her estimation, “a bad kid”. She says she would often skip class to drink or smoke with friends, and would always get caught. Thankfully, she managed to scrape together a C-minus average, eventually graduating and – after learning Mandarin in Beijing – making it to the University of Albany.

Also Read: First Asian superhero in a Marvel movie: Simu Liu as ‘Shang-Chi’

Alter Ego

akwafina Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy category — Awkwafina wins the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy category at the Golden Globes

Lum fell in love with music at an early age, learning to play the trumpet when she was in the fifth grade and training in both the jazz and classical traditions. However, it was rap that truly captivated her imagination. She began rapping when she was 13, often recording her own tunes into a boombox mixtape recorder, and three years later picked out her own stage name – Awkwafina.

It wasn’t until Nora was in college, however, that she would fully embrace Awkwafina as her alter ego. Having to temper and filter herself to fit the mould of a ‘proper’ university student, she used that outlandish persona to release the repressed side of her personality. “She’s the girl who’s high on sleepover energy, running around and dunking ice cream cones in her eyes,” shares Lum. “College was like prison reform where I learned to be quiet and more passive – so when Awkwafina comes out on stage, she’s that crazy high-school kid that doesn’t really care about anything. It’s an extra burst of confidence that Nora doesn’t have. There is a duality.”

Bad Rap

akwafina ocean's 8 — Awkwafina with co-stars Sarah Paulson, Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, and Cate Blanchett in Ocean’s 8

Awkwafina may have been rapping and producing her own songs since her teenage years, but her first big break came in 2012 when My Vag became a viral hit on her YouTube channel. Her song’s success – it garnered over three million views – galvanised her into a frenzy of songwriting, and she followed it with the 12-track Yellow Ranger album in 2014, then In Fina We Trust in 2018. She was featured in the rap documentary Bad Rap, an exposé on four Asian-American hip-hop artists, which debuted at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.

Awkward Feelings

Akwafina nora lum crazy rich asians — Dolled up for the premiere of Crazy Rich Asians

Having long struggled with depression and her overall mental health, Awkwafina was not shielded from feelings of inadequacy and anxiety when she found fame. Indeed, she points to the summer of that seminal year – 2018 – as being particularly challenging. When Netflix film Dude, Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians were released in a rapid five-month span, the sudden attention and scrutiny caused her to feel displaced.

“That summer, it was a lot of people being like, ‘Just enjoy, dude, just have fun, live in the moment,’” she recalls. “All this stuff started to come up. I wondered at a certain point, when everything in my life was amazing, why I felt so low and with no sense of identity.” Thankfully, she’s now adjusted to her celebrity status.

Farewell Arrival

Not only has she successfully overcome stereotypes and mental health issues, she’s even made acting history. With her 2020 Golden Globe triumph, she became the first-ever performer of Asian descent to win in the Best Actress category (for her poignant portrayal of Billi in The Farewell).

So what’s next for Lum and her wildly successful alter ego? Well, next month sees the barrier-breaking talent lend her voice to animated film The Bad Guys as Ms Tarantula and then to the part of Scuttle the seagull in the 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.

Also Read: Jess Unstopabble: Here’s what you didn’t know about actress Jessica Chastain

(Text: Tenzing Thondup)

Stuck in self-isolation? Here’s the best of Netflix!

Aside from managing symptoms (knock on the wood if you’re negative!) and hoarding on food and medicine, everyone we know is bored and looking for something to do. The crisis is not abating, grab some popcorn, slip into your jammies and bookmark this post for great content to stream on Netflix while you’re hauled up inside…

Inventing Anna

Shonda Rhimes has done it yet again! Creating another widely successful TV series that will have you hooked from beginning to end. Loosely based on the true story of con woman Anna Sorokin, known as Anna Delvey, a Russian-German socialite who posed as a German heiress with a bottomless cashflow and quickly made herself known within New York’s high society. In 2017, at the age of 26, she made headlines for single handedly defrauding major financial institutions, banks and hotels in New York and was sentenced to four years to 12 years in prison.

Love is Blind (Season 2)

binge worth neflix shows to watch in march 2022 love is blind — (Photo: Netflix)

Singles across the US have once again gathered to participate in this dating experiment, hosted by pop star Nick Lachey and wife Venessa Lachey, all for the sake of finding true love. The show invites 15 men and 15 women to participate in a blind-date within “the pods” for 10 days, getting to know each other without ever having seen one another. Ultimately, the participants will choose to propose to or leave without their soulmate. Throughout the 25 episodes, the walls of these people (figuratively) come down as they learn to build emotional connections with one another. Already trending on every social media platform, viewers might just find themselves emotionally invested in these relationship as much as the participants are. Perhaps finding a favourite couple to root for (or hate).

Bridgerton (Season 2)

Another one from Shondaland, the long-anticipated second season of Netflix’s second most successful show, Bridgerton, finally arrives with more drama, more extravegant balls and, of course, steamy romance. Based on the book series, and set in 1813 Regency London, the second installment follows the love-hate affair of Daphne’s eldest brother, Anthony – the elusive bachelor is to marry, and headstrong Kate sharma, the elder sister of whom he is to be bethroed. Scandelous indeed.

Pieces of Her (Season 1)

binge worth neflix shows to watch in march 2022 pieces of her — (Photo: Netflix)

Based on the 2018 novel of the same name, and from the Producers of Big Little Lies and The Undoing, Pieces of Her is a thrilling suspense action genre that will have you gripped to the edge of your seats. Starring Toni Collete and Bella Heathcote, the series follows Andy as she uncovers the truth about her mother following a shocking chain of events triggered by a random act of violence. Not everything is as it seems.

Forecasting Love & Weather (Season 1)

binge worth neflix shows to watch in march 2022 forcasting love and weather — (Photo: Netflix)

Among the many promising shows slated for this year, the South Korean office-theme romantic comedy Forecasting Love & Weather is likely among the top worth bookmarking. Who would have thought Korea’s national weather service would serve as the catalyst of a romance between two coworkers. The story revolves the relationship of reserved Jin Ha-Kyung (played by South Korea’s rom-com Queen Park Min-young) and free-spirited Lee Shi-woo (played Sweet Home’s Song Kang). It would seem that falling inlove in the workplace is just as challenging as predicting the weather. New episodes every Sunday.

Lies and Deceit (Season 1)

binge worth neflix shows to watch in march 2022 lies and deceit mentiras — (Photo: Netflix)

A Spanish remake of the British series Liar, Lies and Deceit (Mentiras) is a psychological thriller that will have tensions on high and your interests piqued throughout the six-episode mini-series. Newly single Laura goes on a date with widower Javier but wakes up to find that something horrible had happened. Unlike most shows in which the facts are revealed towards the end, this show lays it bare early on. But just as you think you know who’s guilty, each character takes their turn in pleading innocence and manipulating the truth – making viewers second guess their judgement and perhaps the person next to them the entire season through.

Queer Eye: Germany (Season 1)

binge worth neflix shows to watch in march 2022 queer eye germany — (Photo: Netflix)

A spin-off series to Netflix’s Queer Eye, fans of the reality show will meet a brand new Fab 5 in this German edition. Joining Ayan, Aljosha, Leni, David and Jan-Henrik as they transform the lives of men and women, one makeover at a time. Making their way across across the country and into the homes, and the lives of their lucky participants, we get a close up into the inspiring power of love, positivity and self-care. Picking up a styling tip or two is just the bonus.

The Last Kingdom (Season 5)

Possibly one of the best historical drama to have streamed on Netflix, The Last Kingdom is set during the Danes’ invasion of England. In the first four seasons of the show, we watched Uhtred, the young successor of Saxon earldom, who was captured and adopted by the Danes lead an army to avenge the death of his adoptive father then leading an army to fight for his rightful place as the lord of his birth home Bebbanburg. As a truce between the Saxons and Danes are established towards the closing of season 4, Brida, Uhtred’s rival and former lover, come face to face once again ending with Brida’s vow to be Uhtred’s undoing. In this final season, several years have passed and though Brida is rumored to be dead, Uhtred believes otherwise. If you haven’t seen the first four seaosons, now will be a good time to catch up before closigng the book on this hugely successful show.

What’s On? Things to do this March in Hong Kong

With an influx of distressing Covid updates 24*7, never have we ever so desperately needed a break from reality… If you’re in the same boat and tired of idling at home, bookmark our handy list of things to do about town – from supporting your neighbourhood F&B to enjoying the diverse cultural scene of Hong Kong, or double masking and going to socially-distanced virtual events, – our curated a list has something for every taste. Scroll on…

Hong Kong Arts Festival 2022
When: Until 31 Mar

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hong kong arts festival — (Photo: HK Art Festival)

The 50th Hong Kong Arts Festival returns once more with a wide array of music, opera, drama and dance performances, both traditional and contemporary. As the city’s biggest and most high-profile cultural event, its 50th iteration pulls out all the stops to showcase local talent, as well as feature pioneering projects in arts and technology.

Price: HK$100
For more information: hk.artsfestival.org

XYZ On-Air
When: Until 20 April

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_xyz on air — (Photo: XYZ)

Although fitness centers and yoga studios may have shut their doors for now, boutique spinning studio XYZ is opening its virtual doors to the city’s many fitness enthusiasts with an On-Air programme to make sure viewers at home stay safe and healthy. Exercise whenever and wherever by tuning into the studio’s live classes.

Price: Free
For more information: onair.youarexyz.com

Chamber Music Series: Tai Kwun Beethoven Meets Mozart
When: Until 15 Mar

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_chamber-music-series-hkphil — (Photo: HKPhil)

The combination of piano and wind comes gracefully alive in this comparatively rare piano and wind quintet. Fittingly appropriate for this repertoire, the programme expresses Mozart’s fascination with the clarinet as well as his profound influence on Beethoven.

For more information: hkphil.org

HKMoA Online
When: Throughout 2022

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hkmoa online — (Photo: HKMoA)

Enjoy art at home through a slew of virtual exhibition presented by the Hong Kong Art Museum. Browse the varied exhibitions and showcases online with complementary audio guides, multi-media programs and exciting stories of vibrant museum collections.

Price: Free
For more information: hk.art.museum

Aqua mark-making
When: Throughout 2022 (5 days booking in advance)

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_pmq_513 paint shop_Aqua_mark_making — (Photo: 513 Paint Shop)

As part of the PMQ’s Creative Workshop Series, 513 Paint Shop, a boutique paint shop that’s all about bringing brilliant colours and environmentally safe paints to the home, presents an online painting workshop to welcome fellow art enthusiasts to scribble, splash, doodle, and dot. Enjoy the process and bring your emotive imaginations to canvas.

Price: HK$380 (Materials included)
For more information: pmq.org.hk

Wine and Dine Online Masterclass
When: Throughout 2022

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hong kong wine and dine online — (Photo: HK Wine & Dine)

The thousands of the city’s epicureans are in for a treat with Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival’s permanent online masterclasses programmes. Satisfying the curiousities of the city’s gourmands with a conveniently accessible virtual courses that hosted by food and wine experts; from on-air wine tastings to the art of pairing food and wine to a special hojicha cocktail workshop.

Price: Free
For more information: discoverhongkong.com

Museum-inspired Jewellery Shopping
When: March onwards

In a global first, the iconic Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) museum in London and the city’s reputed jewellers Chow Sang Sang have collaborated to create an innovate shopping adventure for patrons at K11 MUSEA. Anyone with an appreciation for history, culture, precious craftsmanship and jewellery art will love the unique and immersive experience the grand store offers – expect artistic genius to be sprinkled throughout the space, a fine selection of merchandise from the V&A museum in a harmonious old-world, British vibe whilst you select the fine pieces of high-end jewellery.

For more information: chowsangsang.com

Hong Kong Cine Fan Online
When: Until 31 Mar

Virtual Events to tune into_gafencu_hkcinefan — (Photo: HKIFF)

The many Hong Kong movie buffs were delivered unfortunate news that the 12-day HKIFF event, initially scheduled between 31 March and 11 April, had been postponed. Nonetheless, HKIFF have — in place of physical screenings — will continue to screening movies online for film enthusiasts to while away the impending lockdown and possible quarantine days.

For more information: online.hkiff.com.hk

EduVirtues Workshop: Yoga and Mindfulness for the Family

When: 27 Mar

Stay active at home with the family through EduVirtues Workshop: Yoga and Mindfulness for the family, presented by K11 Musea. Spend a joyful Sunday at home bonding with your little tots and introduce the family to different stretches and yoga poses inspired by nature, and open the platform for young minds to learn about expressing gratitude, respect, mindfulness, teamwork and communication.

Price: HK$750 (each pair of yogis — parent and child — will receive a complimentary lightweight non-slip grip kids yoga mat (valued at HK$630)
For more information: k11musea.com

Robert Pattinson – From child actor to Hollywood heavyweight

Robert Pattinson has been around for a while. Perhaps you discovered him in the 2005 fourth cinematic instalment of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter anthology as budding wizard Cedric Diggory. Maybe you swooned over his portrayal of brooding vampire Edward Cullen in the Twilight series (2008-2013). Or perhaps you latterly stumbled over him in the most recent film adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s unfinished horror novel The Lighthouse alongside Willem Dafoe.

Whatever your first exposure to the talented British thespian, chances are – barring role reprisals – you’ll never see the like from him again. Such is the chameleonic, ever-changing face of Robert Pattinson in a wide range of genres. And it is precisely this ability to switch mindsets and mannerisms with apparent ease that has won him such favour in Tinseltown and beyond.

Although the 35-year-old has gracefully transitioned from child actor to teen heartthrob to full-fledged leading man, given his slender frame and almost feminine features, few could have guessed that he would replace Ben Affleck as the Caped Crusader in the upcoming The Batman film, beating out such other Hollywood heavy-hitters as Nicholas Hoult and Armie Hammer. Yet, the soon-to-air movie has already garnered much anticipation from DC Comics fans and is intended as the opening salvo in a new Batman trilogy. To celebrate Pattinson’s coup in landing the role, we delve into some of the lesser-known facts about the latest Dark Knight…

Schoolboy Porn

Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson – to give the actor his full name – was born in London on 13 May 1986 as the youngest of three children. His mother, Clare, was a booker at a modelling agency, and his father, Richard, a vintage car dealer. The family was wealthy enough to send their only son to the prestigious Tower House School, an independent prep school whose alumni include fellow thespian Tom Hardy, comedian Jack Whitehall and journalist Louis Theroux.
Pattinson was soon expelled, however, for a rather shocking misdemeanour; he was caught stealing pornographic magazines and then selling them to his schoolmates. “I used to go in [to the shop] and take, like, one or two, and then put them in my bag. I was in my school uniform when I was doing it, and it was kind of risky,” he recalls sheepishly. “At the end, I got so cocky that I would take the entire rack.” Naughty, naughty.

Magical Debut

robert-pattinson-the-batman (8) — Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

The not-so-sweet 17-year-old had just three acting credits to his name when he landed the coveted role of Hufflepuff boy-wizard in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was undoubtedly a coup for the budding actor, and arguably the role that put him on the map. Interestingly, due to delays in the filming schedule, he had to decide between accepting the part or attending university. “It went so far over schedule, I couldn’t go. It was supposed to be four months, but it ended up being 10 or 11,” he says. “I was 17 and I was the only person who wasn’t in school. I’d just hang about.”

First Cut is the Deepest

robert-pattinson-the-batman (4) — Robert Pattinson in Twilight

While Goblet of Fire is his first movie credit, the first part he landed was in an earlier film – 2004’s Vanity Fair. He acted alongside the star of the historical drama, Reese Witherspoon, playing her teenage son. Ultimately, though, his scenes vanished from the final cut of the movie – a decision he remained unaware of until attending its screening.

It was a huge shock for the young Pattinson, but it ultimately worked in his favour when he auditioned for the Harry Potter franchise. He recalls: “The casting director, Mary Selway, felt so guilty that no one had informed me that she basically gave me the first run at the part in Harry Potter, so I was quite glad I got cut in the end.”

Red Carpet Slip Up

In what may be the ultimate case of misjudgment, the Twilight star attempted to sneak quietly into the 2007 premiere of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in Los Angeles, even though he only appeared in a single flashback scene. His efforts to slip in unnoticed backfired as he was immediately swarmed by Cedric Diggory fans, and was soon ushered onto the red carpet with other members of the cast.

This embarrassing situation was exacerbated by Pattinson’s dishevelled appearance. “I’d just been walking through Hollywood and it was a long walk and it was boiling hot,” he later explained. “I’d been eating pizzas and drinking beer for the whole summer and I looked disgusting.” His agent was furious because he ‘looked like an unbelievable mess’ in photos taken by the press. “My agent still sends them to this day… I was just pouring with sweat, you can just see [from] the photos. I look horrendous…”

Sick for the Part

It’s not uncommon for actors to embrace a variety of pre-shooting rituals in order to make their portrayal truer to life. However, Pattinson is known for taking this to the extreme. To enter the dark emotional state needed to film The Lighthouse in 2019, he has admitted to spinning in circles and putting stones in his shoes to throw himself off-kilter so his performance in the psychological drama would seem disjointed. He even forced himself to throw up before critical scenes. When asked about the technique’s effectiveness, he answered: “I think everyone feels very emotional when they’re throwing up, and it’s quite a nice little trick to get there.”

Clamouring for the Cape

robert-pattinson-the-batman (7) — Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne in The Batman (2022)

It’s no secret that Pattinson has a penchant for quirky roles and often eschews parts in more ‘mass-market’ productions in favour of smaller, indie films. So, many would be surprised to hear that he’d toyed with becoming the Caped Crusader even prior to being cast in the upcoming Batman reboot. “I’d had Batman on my mind for a while… [though] it’s such an absurd thing to say,” he shared recently. “I sort of had an idea to do it, and I’d been prodding Matt [Reeves, the film’s director]. He didn’t accept any prods, so I kept asking to meet him.”
Clearly his persistence paid off, and Pattinson was the one chosen to don the cape. Judge for yourself if he does the role justice when The Batman hits the silver screen on 4 March.

Oscars 2022: Asian films gunning for glory

The nominations for the 94th Academy Awards which take place on 27 March have landed. While the triumph of “The Power of the Dog” is confirmed with 12 nods, as this year’s race gears up it’s gratifying to see Asian talent emerge on the global scale. Gafencu shines a spotlight on the Asian films and projects which are touted to be sensational at the Oscars…

Drive My Car, Japan

A still from Japanese movie, Drive My Car

The meditative drama, based on celebrated writer Haruki Murakami’s short story, scored multiple nominations – best film, best director, best adapted screenplay and best international feature film. 43-year-old director Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s moving drama, Drive My Car’s solid nominations haul was beautifully reminiscent of the historic 2020 Oscars run of Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite, the film landed six nominations, ultimately winning four awards.

Starring Japanese leading actor Hidetoshi Nishijima as Yusuke Kafuku, a stage actor and director coping with the fateful death of this wife, he travels to Hiroshima to direct a performance of Anton Chekov’s Uncle Vanya. The movie is a powerful tale of conversations and revelations between the young, female chauffeur and Nishijima. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last summer and has been winning accolades ever since

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, Bhutan

A still from Bhutanese film, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom

A film from Bhutan has made it to Oscar nominations for the first time in 23 years. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom was sent as Bhutan’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards as well, but was later disqualified. This is the second time. The 109-minute-long film which tells the life of a disillusioned school teacher, Ugyen, touches upon the basic human quality of seeking where you belong, seeking happiness, and seeking home. The storyline follows Ugyen in the remote town of Lunana in northern Bhutan during the final year of his training where he adapts to the rough life in a cold, high altitude place with little or no amenities. Ugyen keeps the company of a yak and a song that echoes through the mountains.

The drama has won several international accolades at festivals – Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film and the Best of the Fest at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival, Lessinia d’Oro Award for Best Film at the 26th Festival della Lessinia in Italy, the Guiria Microcosmo del carcere di Verona Award and a special mention in the Log to Green Award, Prix du Public in the Festival international du film de Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Sherab Dorji was awarded the Best Actor award for his role of Ugyen Dorji.

Also Read: 10 most anticipated Chinese films in 2022

Writing With Fire, India

The only Indian film to earn a nomination at the 94th Academy Awards, Writing With Fire, the love child of filmmakers Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh, has been nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category alongside Ascension, Attica, Flee and Summer of the Soul (Or When the Revolution Could not be Televised).

The film shines the light on a rural newspaper Khabar Lahariya, run by marginalised Dalit women, and follows it transition from print to digital in recent years. The film tracks Meera and her fellow journalists as they get abreast with new technology whilst questioning the role of patriarchy, the overarching incompetence of the police force, and reporting stories about victims of caste and gender violence. It has already made waves at several international festivals including the Sundance Film Festival.

Also Read: Squid Games is sensational – Five reasons it’s so popular!