As the clock strikes midnight and fireworks light up the sky, the world will come together to welcome the new year as people move from 2025 to 2026 with hope, excitement, and renewed energy. The new year is a gentle reminder that no matter how challenging or joyful the past months have been, life always gives us another chance to begin again. It is not just about changing dates on the calendar, but about embracing new dreams, learning from the past, and moving forward with positivity. The new year is the perfect time to express gratitude to our loved ones and share warm wishes that strengthen bonds with family and friends. Sharing New Year wishes, messages, status updates, and images has become a beautiful tradition that helps us stay connected with our family and friends, even across distances. A simple message can brighten someone’s day, while heartfelt words can strengthen bonds and spread positivity; these words help spread joy and optimism as we welcome 2026. While there are many of you who are already good at it, here are some wishes for you to share with your loved ones. Happy New Year 2026 wishes May 2026 bring happiness, good health, and success to you and your family. Happy New Year!Wishing you 12 months of peace, 52 weeks of joy, and 365 days of smiles in 2026.May the New Year open doors to new opportunities and brighter days ahead. Happy New Year 2026 messages for family Dear family, thank you for being my strength and support. May 2026 bless us with togetherness, love, and endless happiness.As we welcome 2026, I wish our home is filled with warmth, laughter, and good memories all year long.May this New Year bring prosperity, harmony, and good health to every member of our family. Happy New Year 2026 messages for friends Cheers to friendship, laughter, and unforgettable moments in 2026. Happy New Year, my friend!May our bond grow stronger and our days brighter in the year ahead. Wishing you a fantastic 2026.Thank you for making life more beautiful. Let’s create more memories in the New Year. Happy New Year 2026 status and captions New year, new hopes, new dreams. Welcome 2026!Turning the page to a brand-new chapter. Happy New Year 2026 Let go of the past and embrace the future. Cheers to 2026!
01 January,2026 04:17 PM IST | Mumbai (Maharashtra) | mid-day online correspondentThe Stranger Things Season 5 finale finally released this morning, and it is definitely nothing like many predicted. It only gets better because the episode has some really iconic songs that celebrated 1980s music. Among quiet a few, the episode also used songs by Prince in an exhilarating series, that has been known to revive classics including Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’. Here are the some of the most iconic songs by Prince and others that feature in the final Stranger Things Season 5 episode: When The Doves Cry While the Duffer Brothers have celebrated many hits before, they chose to depict the mighty wormhole collapsing with ‘When The Doves Cry’, a song from Prince and the Revolution’s 1984 album ‘Purple Rain’ that simply took off, especially after ‘Sh-Boom’ by The Chords. It was not only the lead single in the album but also appeared at No 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for five weeks. It was not only a top selling single in the same year but also went on to get a platinum certification. Purple Rain Without a doubt, the episode also featured the title track ‘Purple Rain’ from the same album, taking many viewers back to the 1980s. It was also the soundtrack album by a film of the same name released in the same year. The song also appeared on number one of the Billboard 200 for 27 weeks. The album is also regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, and defined Prince’s peak. It was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010. Other songs The other songs in the episode not only include ‘Sh-Boom’ by The Chords but also other hits like 'Landslide' by Fleetwood Mac, 'Here Comes Your Man' by Pixies, 'The Trooper' by Iron Maiden, 'Sweet Jane' by Cowboy Junkies and 'Heroes' by David Bowie. Interestingly, even though ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)’ doesn’t feature in the finale, it is one song that has appeared most in this series, definitely owing to its popularity, and Max’s screen time and role in the series.
01 January,2026 02:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Tamil Nadu government has granted permission for the first Jallikattu event of 2026 to be held on January 3 at Thatchankurichi village in Pudukkottai district, officially marking the beginning of the state’s annual bull-taming season. The approval was issued through a government gazette by the Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare Department. The event has been permitted under the provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, as amended by the Tamil Nadu Amendment Act, 2017. According to the notification, the Jallikattu must be conducted strictly in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed by the state government and the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services. The district administration has been instructed to enforce all safety norms related to crowd management, public safety, and animal welfare, with special attention to disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanisms. The order also reiterates that applications for conducting Jallikattu and similar traditional events must be submitted only through the designated online portal. Manual applications will not be entertained, a measure aimed at ensuring transparency and effective monitoring of compliance. Thatchankurichi holds a unique place in Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu tradition, as it customarily hosts the first event of every season. Pudukkottai district, where the village is located, is also known for having the highest number of vaadivaasals -- designated entry points for bulls -- in the state. Official data from previous years underline the scale of the event. In 2025, around 600 bulls and nearly 350 tamers took part, attracting more than 4,500 spectators. That year, injuries were reported to 10 bull owners, six tamers, four spectators and one bull. In 2024, the event witnessed the participation of over 700 bulls, with 22 people sustaining injuries. Meanwhile, organisers of the Vinerpu Matha Jallikattu committee have begun preparatory work for the upcoming event. Officials said priority is being given to strengthening safety measures, crowd regulation and coordination among departments to ensure the smooth and incident-free conduct of the traditional sport. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
01 January,2026 09:54 AM IST | Chennai | IANSFrom K-Pop sensations and sports figures to Bollywood trivia and true crime podcasts, Indians were very curious about diverse topics throughout 2025 as always but this year was different in so many different ways. Amazon shared its report about what Alexa customers in India requested the most in English, Hindi, and Hinglish. Here are the top trends that stood out: K-Pop artists BTS, Jennie, and Blackpink were among the top musicians, Indians asked general information about, alongside other global names like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Michael Jackson. Lata Mangeshkar, Shankar Mahadevan, and Kishore Kumar were among the most asked-about Indian artists. Indian households as customers requested a wide range of music, from trending Korean pop and Bollywood songs to classics from Kishore Kumar. Viral K-Pop track APT (ROSÉ and Bruno Mars) was among the songs requested most via Alexa and Amazon Music, alongside Shaky (Sanju Rathod & G-SPXRK), Sapphire (Ed Sheeran), Saiyaara (from "Saiyaara"), Sahiba (Aditya Rikhari), and Golden (HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast). Arijit Singh, Pritam, Shreya Ghoshal, Bruno Mars, ROSÉ, and legendary icons like Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar were among the artists whose songs were most requested via Alexa and Amazon Music. Indians also tuned into podcasts from Amazon Music, requesting for shows across spirituality, true crime, fiction, education, business, and society & culture. The most requested podcasts by Alexa customers include: The Horror Show by Khooni Monday, The Desi Crime Podcast, Finshots Daily, The Ranveer Show, Raj Shamani’s Figuring Out, The Stories of Mahabharata and The Sadhguru Podcast - Of Mystics and Mistakes. People were keen to gather trivia about famous actors, actresses, sports figures, and business leaders. Questions about net worth, spouses, and height were popular for personalities like Virat Kohli, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Salman Khan. They turned to Alexa to know: “Alexa, what is Virat Kohli’s net worth?” and “Alexa, who is Diljit Dosanjh married to?”, "Alexa, Amitabh Bachchan ki height batao" and "Alexa, Salman Khan ki wife kaun hai?". Business leaders Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Jeff Bezos were among the most asked about net worth-related queries. General knowledge-related questions that were most asked included questions on political leaders, such as “Alexa, who is the Prime Minister of India?”, “Alexa, Dilli ki Chief Minister kaun hai?", and “Alexa, who is the President of the United States?”, along with trivia about geography and population.
31 December,2025 08:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe year of 2025 was full of big and unpredictable moments. It featured a multitude of events that sparked long conversations, with each new event often overshadowing the previous one. It was also a year when Indian culture continued to be exported to the world. Instagram’s 2025 Year-in-Review presents an all-encompassing view of the people and moments that shaped culture this year on Instagram. Cricket’s Instagram takeoverCricket reaffirmed its status as the central pillar of Indian pop culture, dominating both Instagram conversations and national sentiment. Some key moments included India’s Champions Trophy win, which sparked a wave of patriotic celebration; RCB’s chant “Ee Sala Cup Namdu” becoming a viral meme as fans finally saw their team triumph; Virat Kohli’s emotional retirement from Test cricket and the most recent victory by the Indian women’s cricket team at the World Cup. Kolhapuris to Coachella: Cultural crossoverIndian culture continued to be exported to the world—this time with Hanumankind performing at Coachella, actors Shah Rukh Khan, Kiara Advani and music artist Diljit Dosanjh attending the Met Gala, luxury brands embracing the Indian Kolhapuri chappal, and tracks by artists like A.R. Rahman was used to helm international runways. The reverse was also true, with Indians actively participating in global trends and fandoms—whether it was Ed Sheeran’s India tour, the Nicki Minaj pose, Taylor Swift’s engagement, or Cristiano Ronaldo’s engagement—all of which created huge excitement on Instagram. Nostalgia and aesthetics shaping your feedNostalgia continues to be a prominent cultural trend, carrying over from last year into this one. Fandoms are still growing around movies like Wake Up Sid, characters such as Bunny from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and songs like “Nadaan Parinde” and “Shehar Mein” from the movie Rockstar. The lo-fi digi-cam aesthetic has become massively prevalent in carousels and reels, embraced by both Gen Z and young adults alike. People who kept Instagram buzzingLike every year, there were individuals who captured Instagram’s imagination. This included the girl who resembled Mona Lisa at the Mahakumbh, the boy, Ayush, who mispronounced “croissant” as “Prashant”, Sonali, the mehendi artist from Kohlapur who recreated Rihanna’s wedding make up look, and Sudhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station in 40 years. There were also people whom Instagram couldn’t get enough of, such as Samay Raina. In fact, conversations about him and the show India’s Got Latent persisted throughout the year. Micro-moments that kept us scrollingLastly, there were the everyday moments that kept our daily lives interesting. These were the viral trends that sparked conversations, shares, reposts, or a bundle of memes. Highlights included the viral ‘langdi’ hook step by actor Veer Pahariya, the debate about the 90-hour work week, snippets from Shark Tank India 4, the viral moment from the Coldplay concert that drew a million eyeballs, the trend of ‘fake wedding’ parties, the fascination with Labubus, the glowing turmeric trend, actor Parineeti Chopra’s “meri body main sensations” dialogue from the movie Hasee Toh Phasee, the “Vishal Mega Mart” meme, and the popularity of 5120×1080 ultra-wide thin reels.
31 December,2025 07:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIndia Jazz Project (IJP) is a new music festival is set to debut in February 2026 in India across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru from February 6 to 8. The brainchild of Foreword (Overture × The Soul Company), the first edition will be headlined by Grammy-winning desert blues legends, Tinariwen, marking their much-awaited return to the country. The India Jazz Project is envisioned as a cultural platform where global artistry meets India’s evolving creative landscape, bringing together jazz, blues, soul and contemporary world sounds. Each city will feature Tinariwen alongside some of India’s most accomplished jazz and blues musicians, creating a stage where international and Indian talent come together to celebrate music. The India Jazz Project is the first flagship IP from Foreword, a collaboration between live music and cultural programmer Overture and Indian F&B curators, The Soul Company. According to the press release to the media, IJP aims to create a world where what happens on stage is elevated by what happens around it, from design-led spaces to curated bar programmes, culinary experiences and immersive cultural storytelling. Co-founder Arpan Peter says, “India has a rich and often overlooked history in jazz and blues, and the India Jazz Project is our effort to bring that legacy into a global conversation. With IJP, we want to create a platform where world-class artists find a home in India, and where Indian audiences gain access to the finest international talent alongside our own exceptional jazz and blues musicians. Our aim is to build a long-term cultural movement that places India firmly on the global map for genre-defining experiences.” Co-founder Somanna PM adds, “India has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets in the world for premium food and beverage experiences, and it’s time our cultural platforms reflected that evolution. With the India Jazz Project, we want to build a movement where the country’s culinary and hospitality prowess stands shoulder to shoulder with the sophistication of jazz and blues. This is an opportunity to showcase the best of India, on stage, at the bar, and in the way we collectively experience culture.” Icons of desert blues and one of the most influential global acts of the past two decades, Tinariwen bring their hypnotic Saharan soundscapes back to India after years of anticipation. Born from the desert camps of the Tuareg rebellion, their music carries the poetry of exile, freedom, and resilience - woven through swirling guitar lines, meditative rhythms, and haunting call-and-response vocals that have captivated audiences worldwide. Winners of the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, the band have shaped modern world music and inspired generations of artists across rock, blues, and folk. Their collaborations span global heavyweights including Carlos Santana, Thom Yorke, The Black Keys, Mark Lanegan, and Warren Ellis. Renowned for their transcendent live performances - equal parts spiritual, immersive, and electrifying - Tinariwen’s return at the India Jazz Project marks a rare opportunity to experience the soul of the Sahara on an Indian stage.The tickets for the festival will be available on District by Zomato.
31 December,2025 02:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLike every year, people are getting ready to celebrate New Year's Eve, and this year is going to be no different. With all of us online all the time, the Google Doodle for the countdown to 2026 has also appeared and is colourful as always. While the classic logo remains, the colour is celebratory gold, but not without the classic balloons and we can party poppers. If you click on the logo, it takes you to the homepage but not without a small surprise. If you are used to the theatrics, then don't forget to pop the horn on the right side. You will not only get the party poppers but also the horn that blows loudly to remind you that it's only a few hours till the new year, which is marked every year according to the Gregorian calendar. As far as Google's tradition goes, they have created over 5,000 doodles in almost three decades. The very first Google Doodle that was launched was an "out of office" message when company founders Larry and Sergey went on a vacation, launched on August 30 in 1998 for the Burning Man Festival. The Google Doodles have been getting more creative over the years, and even interactive, making many people take time out of their hectic schedule to spend them with them.
31 December,2025 02:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSunburn Festival moved to Mumbai from Goa after 18 years, and saw the likes of David Guetta, Sara Landry, Above & Beyond and Axwell perform here among other Indian and international artists earlier this month from December 19 to 21, but there was more to it. With the growing number of music festivals, many music fans are now travelling not only around the world but also within India. Electronic music fans in India According to Sunburn Festival 2025 data, this edition witnessed strong interest from audiences beyond Mumbai, with close to 40 per cent fans traveling from outside Mumbai alone, with leading contribution from cities such as Pune, Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata, followed by a remarkable rise in audiences from Tier-2 and emerging cultural centres including Indore, Goa, Nagpur, Vadodara and Nashik, further signalling how deep and wide music fans in India are willing to travel to witness some of the world's biggest artists. The move to Mumbai marked more than a change in venue; it signifies a surge in cultural travel, city-wide economic energy and a shared desire for collective celebration. Over the years, the popular electronic music festival has expanded from being a hub for electronic music lovers into something far larger, and the move to the Maximum City has come at a time when many international artists performed here in 2025 including Coldplay, Cigarettes After Sex, Green Day, Shawn Mendes, Guns N' Roses and even Enrique Iglesias and Travis Scott among others including Guetta, and Landry, who performed here for the first time. For 18 years, Sunburn Festival has been known to be the pioneer of large-scale electronic music culture in India and the Mumbai edition saw fans come from all over the country, indicating that more people are willing to travel for music, and with a lot lined up in 2026, this year is only the start of the music concert boom. Music in 2026 The next year is going to see many different international musicians but Indian fans are most excited for Linkin Park, who will be visiting not only Mumbai to perform at Lollapalooza India 2026 but also play a standalone show in Bengaluru before that. In the same week, fans will also witness John Mayer live, as he performs for the first time in the country.
31 December,2025 12:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThis holiday season isn’t just about twinkling lights and gingerbread cookies, it’s also the perfect excuse to escape into stories that make the season feel bigger, warmer, and occasionally a little darker. Even though is technically over, the festive season continues till New Year's Eve through early January. Whether it is unravelling a Christmas mystery or laughing along with a holiday classic, the right audiobook or film can turn quiet evenings into memorable moments. This list brings together a mix of festive suspense, cozy tales and cinematic cheer, stories that make you feel the magic of holidays in unexpected ways. Here’s your guide to seasonal viewing and listening that goes beyond the typical Christmas fare, from sweet family moments to cunning whodunits. Listen Mistletoe Murders 4In Mistletoe Murders 4, you will be enveloped in the cozy charm of a Christmas-themed murder mystery, taking place in snow-covered rural towns and steeped in suspense. As Emily Lane (Cobie Smulders) returns to her Christmas-themed shop Under the Mistletoe in Fletcher’s Grove, she finds herself caught up in another web of intrigue involving her ex-boyfriend, his new girlfriend, and a newcomer from Emily’s own past. With so many events happening around her, Emily begins to wonder whether somebody is deliberately targeting her while bodies turn up and secrets unravel. Mistletoe Murders 4 is the ideal addition to a holiday tradition of hot cocoa by the fireplace. This installment mixes festive warmth with twists that keep you guessing, perfect for the year end. A Christmas Carol A Christmas Carol, narrated by Hugh Grant, follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy old moneylender who despises generosity and Christmas cheer on a cold Christmas Eve in Victorian London. The ghost of Scrooge’s late companion Jacob Marley visits him after he rejects charity, his good-hearted nephew Fred, and his modest clerk Bob Cratchit. The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come take Scrooge on a haunting journey through his own life and the lives of others, showing him moments of joy, regret, hardship, and the possible dark fate that awaits him and those he cares about, especially, Cratchit’s ailing son Tiny Tim. By the end of these ghostly visits, Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning transformed: generous, joyful, and determined to spread kindness and goodwill far beyond what he ever imagined. Twelve Slays of ChristmasIt is a warm, snow-dusted mystery leaning fully into the charm of the holidays. Holly White returns to her family’s Christmas Tree Farm after a painful breakup, seeking tranquility, solace and possibly too many holiday cookies. But upon her arrival, she quickly finds herself involved in a murder while attending her hometown’s annual Reindeer Games event. As Holly stumbles into amateur sleuthing, the small town of Mistletoe, Maine, wraps the story in twinkly lights, cocoa-sweet moments and a mysterious ambience. The audiobook has the right amount of humour, festivities, and suspense to keep your attention through all the chapters. The Christmas Party The story follows Sasha, who reluctantly accepts an invitation from her old friend Gabby to spend Christmas at Gabby’s remote lake house, primarily because she has not spoken to Gabby and the rest of their friend group since a horrible tragedy took place twelve years ago. That night, Sasha and her five university friends were together when Gabby’s little sister Seffie disappeared without a trace, with the memory haunting them ever since. Snowed in by a storm with the group cut off from the outside world, tensions flare, old secrets resurface and Sasha is forced to confront a past she’s tried to forget. What begins as a festive reunion turns into a chilling psychological thriller as the truth about the fateful Christmas long ago slowly unravels. Service: Amazon Watch Merry Christmas Merry Christmas follows Maria (Katrina Kaif) and Albert (Vijay Sethupathi), two strangers who meet on Christmas Eve in the 1980s in Mumbai. The duo develop an unexpected connection that turns complicated as the night unfolds. When a dead corpse is found, what starts off as a peaceful, coincidental encounter quickly turns into a tense web of secrets and danger. As layers of the duo’s past emerges, the chemistry between them deepens, blurring the lines between suspicion and trust. The film keeps you wondering about their motivations and what will happen next with its twists, emotional beats and suspenseful noir elements. If you’re a fan of mystery thrillers, this film is a must-watch that combines psychological thrills with subdued interpersonal drama. Platform: Netflix Anjaana Anjaani Anjaana Anjaani follows Akash (Ranbir Kapoor) and Kiara (Priyanka Chopra), two troubled strangers who happen to cross paths on a bridge just as they are about to take their own lives. After a series of failed attempts, they strike a pact to live life to the fullest for 20 days before New Year’s Eve, embarking on a chaotic, emotional journey across cities and into each other’s worlds. Along the way, the pair tackle their personal struggles and unexpected moments that strengthen their bond. What begins as a pact born out of despair slowly turns into a story of laughter, reflection and the possibility of love and fresh beginnings. Home Alone Home Alone follows eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), who accidentally gets left behind when his entire family departs for their Christmas holiday in Paris. At first thrilled by his newfound freedom in the empty house, Kevin soon discovers that two incompetent thieves, Harry (Joe Pesci) and Marv (Daniel Stern), are planning to break in. Determined to protect his home, Kevin rigs the place with ingenious homemade traps to make any potential burglar's visit an amusing catastrophe. Meanwhile, Kevin’s mother (Catherine O’Hara), desperately tries to get back to him before Christmas Day, adding heart to the chaos. This classic festive comedy is filled with laughter, clever antics and holiday spirit. Platform: Amazon Prime Video With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration As Meghan, Duchess of Sussex hosts friends and special guests for Christmas cooking, crafts and cozy holiday traditions, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration takes viewers inside her holiday world. Tennis player Naomi Osaka, chef Tom Colicchio, hospitality specialist Will Guidara, and longtime friends Kelly McKee Zajfen and Lindsay Jill Roth join Meghan throughout the special to bake, decorate and share personal holiday anecdotes. In one warm kitchen moment, Meghan even shares a laugh with Prince Harry while preparing a family gumbo recipe. The show blends sentimental customs like making wreaths, painting holiday mugs and celebrating togetherness with relaxed conversations. It’s a soft, heartfelt Christmas watch that makes you want to spend more time with loved ones. Platform: Netflix
30 December,2025 04:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTrends, by their very nature, spread with the intensity of a wildfire. They capture our collective imagination, dominate our social feeds, and dictate our lifestyles—until, just as suddenly, they burn out. As we close the chapter on 2025, the dust is finally settling on a year defined by viral aesthetic dominance and high-octane fads. From neon-drenched burgers to sterile, lab-like living rooms, the pressure to live a life curated for the lens has reached a breaking point. A growing number of people are inclining towards leaving behind the restrictive, the superficial, and the performative. Whether it’s reclaiming the soul of local travel or ditching the rigid rules of the ‘clean girl’ look, the shift toward 2026 is clear: we are trading manufactured perfection for authentic reality. Culinary: When aesthetics eclipse appetiteFor Vedant Newatia, founder and head chef at Atelier V and Masala Code, the most frustrating trend is the ‘rave-ification’ of basic daily rituals. He is particularly skeptical of the rise of morning and coffee raves. "I do not understand why a simple routine has turned into a pre-breakfast party. Coffee is meant to ease you into the day, not throw you into flashing lights before you are fully awake. The manufactured ‘club energy’ has even bled into professional environments, with kitchen raves featuring DJs behind the line. This feels unnecessary, a kitchen already possesses a natural rhythm that loud music and strobe lights only serve to disrupt,” says the chef. Beyond the atmosphere, he targets ingredient-led fads like Matcha and Boba tea. While visually striking, Newatia argues, “Their popularity is inflated rather than being grounded by flavour profiles or a ritual that would sustain itself." Most critically, he hopes to see the end of ‘Instagram-first’ recipes. “Dishes like fried chicken burgers dripping in neon sauces that look dramatic on camera but collapse the moment you think about taste. For classically trained chefs, the focus remains on technique and balance, not just the money shot for a reel,” he concludes. Beauty: Breaking the "clean girl" rulebookIn the beauty world, influencer Honey Sheth is ready to reclaim the fun in makeup by ditching the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic. What began as a refreshing pivot toward minimal, skin-first beauty has, according to Sheth, devolved into a rigid and judgmental rulebook. "At some point, makeup stopped feeling fun and started feeling restrictive. The pressure to look effortlessly perfect with glossy skin and neutral tones created an environment where colour felt too much and drama felt outdated. Clean girl beauty quietly told people that doing more was unnecessary, even wrong. Expression took a backseat to looking polished and acceptable," she explains. Sheth argues that makeup is a form of rebellion, confidence, and emotion—not a uniform. “Artists like Sofia Sinot and pop culture icons like Zara Larsson are the vanguard of a new movement: one where bold eyes, graphic liners, and unconventional colour stories allow for personal freedom,” she notes. Her hope for the future? “Barely-there skin and bold pops of colour can finally coexist without the shadow of a trend telling us which one is correct." Wellness: Moving beyond the "quick fix"Dr Rohan Goyal, founder and regenerative medicine specialist at Nuvana, is advocating for an end to the ‘one-size-fits-all’ obsession. As wellness became a buzzword in 2025, it unfortunately became synonymous with shortcuts: viral detox teas, extreme 7-day cleanses, and generic supplements. "The reality is far more unachievable—and often counterproductive. These trends, driven by viral before-and-after transformations, ignore individual physiology,” Goyal warns. He notes that the human body does not respond uniformly to the same treatment, “Something marketed as wellness may end up creating stress or dependency on products rather than building long-term vitality." The expert points out that common issues like fatigue or inflammation are rarely isolated, and they are often symptoms of deeper metabolic or hormonal imbalances. “Treating them with a generic cleanse delays effective management,” he cautions. As we move forward, Goyal hopes wellness shifts toward informed, personalised, and integrative treatments that allow the body to truly regenerate and restore over time. Travel: Reclaiming local identityTravel blogger Divyakshi Gupta is on a mission to end the comparison trap. She tells us how irksome the pervasive trend of introducing Indian destinations as ‘the [foreign place] of India’. She elaborates, "I see reels introducing Khajjiar as the 'Mini Switzerland of India' or Coorg as the 'Scotland of India’. This trend has even led to local names being silenced. In the Tirthan Valley, natural pools known locally as Kulhi Katandi are being rebranded by tourists and creators as ‘Mini Thailand.’” Gupta urges a shift in perspective, "Each Indian place has a unique, distinct identity and that identity should be respected. Content creators should stop using these foreign comparisons as clickbait and instead create awareness of the rich, local cultures that make these destinations stand out on their own merits. If we don’t own these places as our own, who will?" Interior Design: The death of the clinical homeRohan Jain, director at RJ Projects, is ready to see the end of ultra-minimal homes that feel more like laboratories than living rooms. “While minimalism offers a sense of calm, the extreme version—characterised by limited colours, a lack of texture, and hard finishes—often feels distant and impersonal. When a home begins to resemble a show apartment rather than a lived-in space, it becomes difficult to truly relax. This is particularly true in the Indian context, where homes are vibrant hubs for multi-generational families and constant hosting. Ultra-minimalism forces residents to constantly edit themselves, leaving no room for the books, artwork, and memories that people naturally collect,” Jain observes. His vision for 2026 is ‘Human Minimalism’. He believes that clean layouts should be supported by thoughtful materials and personal elements. "Good design isn’t about removing everything, it’s about making choices that support the people who live there,” he concludes. The common thread across these industries is a desire for substance over surface. As these experts suggest, the most sustainable trend for the coming year isn't a specific colour or a new superfood—it’s the freedom to be authentic, personal, and grounded in reality.
30 December,2025 03:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalMumbai's neighbouring city is set to witness another chapter of fandom as Pune Comic Con returns for an action-packed annual pop-culture celebration on March 21 and 22 in 2026, at Yash Lawns, Bibvewadi Road. The 13th edition of Comic Con India in Pune, promises an exciting geeky weekend dedicated to all things from the world of pop-culture fandom. Fans will get two days of pure celebration to indulge in comics, anime, gaming, cosplay, and exclusive experiences. Widely known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune has always been a hub for youth-led festivals, university events, and creative communities apart from its neighbour Mumbai. The Pune Comic Con aims to amplify this spirit by offering fans not just a convention, but where self-expression through cosplay, art, gaming, and fandom takes centre stage. Driven by a massive college-going population and young professionals, Pune’s fandom ecosystem is known to be vibrant, and this year is going to be equally exciting for comic book fans. Speaking about the return of Pune Comic Con, Akshat Rathee, co-founder and managing director, NODWIN Gaming, said, “Pune’s creative identity has always been shaped by its colleges, book culture, and spaces like Appa Balwant Chowk that celebrate ideas and storytelling. Today, that same spirit shows up in cosplay groups, anime fans, and gaming communities across the city.” Shefali Johnson, CEO, Comic Con India, further added, “Pune has a very open and participative creative culture. You see it at college fests, independent art spaces, theatre groups, and even in gaming cafés across areas like Baner and Viman Nagar, where communities form organically. People here enjoy discovering new things, sharing what they love, and showing up for each other. We hope Maharashtra’s rich cultural legacy inspires cosplayers to bring Marathi culture and local stories to life in their own unique way.” Over the years, Comic Con India has grown into one of India’s most iconic and beloved pop-culture conventions for comic book fans and beyond. It has had interactive fan zones, exclusive franchise showcases, creator interactions, cosplay showcases, live performances, and gaming arenas, all designed to let fans step directly into the worlds they love. The previous edition of Comic Con saw immersive fan experiences from Crunchyroll’s One Piece special booth, Universal Studios’ 'Jurassic World Rebirth', and DreamWorks’ 'How To Train Your Dragon'. The NODWIN Gaming Arena featured thrilling experiences from PlayStation, Lenovo, Intel, EliteHubs, Corsair, Logitech, and Klip VR, along with the exclusive Chandrayaan VR experience, which gave fans a one-of-a-kind virtual journey into space. Beyond fandom showcases, Comic Con also saw live entertainment take centre stage with appearances and performances by stand-up comedians like Rohan Joshi, Ravi Gupta, Sahil Shah, Azeem Banatwalla, and Rahul Subramanian, adding to the festival-like atmosphere. At Pune Comic Con, fans can expect to meet Indian comic book creators and publishers including Savio Mascarenhas of Amar Chitra Katha, cartoonist Faisal Mohammed, creator of the popular strip Garbage Bin, the graphic novel brand Indusverse founded by Arunabh Kumar along with Alok Sharma and Saumin Patel, Indian comic publisher Bullseye Press led by Ravi Raj Ahuja, among several other creative and artistic minds from the comic community. Tickets for Pune Comic Con 2026 are now live, and exclusively available on the District app by Zomato.
30 December,2025 01:42 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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