ThursdayGo back in time Travel to Paris in the era of World War 1, with the romantic comedy film, Ninotchka (1939), starring Greta Garbo, a star of Hollywood’s silent and early golden eras. TIME 6.30 pm AT Regal Cinema, Colaba. LOG ON TO @filmheritagefoundation FridaySpace for music A moment from a previous session. PICS COURTESY/Abbey Road Institute Mumbai Sound engineer Mujeeb Dadarkar will host a session on creating a home studio set-up for a professional recording environment. TIME 5 pm to 8 pmAT Abbey Road Institute, Multilink House, Khar West. LOG ON TO @abbeyroadinstmumb (to register) SaturdayLearn on the move Attendees during a previous walk in Borivli. PIC COURTESY/@walkingprojectindia Check out this community walk, offering insights on urban design and pedestrian infrastructure.Time 9 am meeting point Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Log on to@walkingprojectindiaEntry Rs 400 Woes and amusement A moment from the play. PIC COURTESY/@beestarke Catch a rendition of Henrik Ibsen’s dramatic play about marriage, Hedda Gabler. TIME 4 pm and 8 pmAT Rangshila Theatre, Aram Nagar Part 1, Versova. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 499 SundayHoli sweet treats PIC COURTESY/Parsi Dairy Farm Take on the Maharaja Lassi Challenge if you can. Those who finish the rich, creamy drink in 60 seconds have the chance to win a festive gift hamper. Also enjoy celebratory activities and other indulgent snacks for Holi.TIME 8 am to 12 amAT Parsi Dairy Farm outlets across Mumbai (Marine Lines, Borivli, and Ghatkopar). COST Rs 540 (one glass of Lassi) All things Pokemon PIC COURTESY/@Pokemon on X This Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) meet-up, will allow seasoned fans to showcase their binder and trade cards, while beginners can start fresh with a few common cards. TIME 2 pm to 5 pmAT Cat Café Studio, Harminder Singh Road, Versova. REGISTER @uhtend (message)
26 February,2026 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshIf you have never tried your hand at sketching live figures, now might be a good time to begin. Cultural centre, 3 Art House will host a relaxed afternoon art session this weekend, under this month’s theme, ‘A Day in Life’. Sketches based on postures. Pics courtesy/3 Art House Saili Sohoni, who moderates creative sessions at the community space, walks us through what participating artists can expect, “This session focuses on observing and sketching everyday moments that often go unnoticed in our daily routines. The poses are inspired by simple, relatable actions by a live model — either me or another individual from our team — whom participants will have to study over the duration of the session, which is two hours.” The aim is to help artists better understand aspects of human anatomy, from body proportions to posture, balance, and movement, while also training the eye to capture subtle gestures and expressions and put them to paper. Saili Sohoni Artists of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners, are welcome to join. Attendees should practise the art of slowing down, noticing the beauty of ordinary, even mundane real-life moments, from a bowed head to the furrow of a brow, and translating them into a visual story. “The sketching essentially focuses more on observation, and the expression of it in creative practice, rather than on creating finished artworks,” Sohoni signs off. ON February 28; 2 pm to 4 pmAT 3 Art House, Mohini Heights, Govind Dham, Khar West. LOG ON TO @3arthouse (to register) ENTRY Rs 302 (per person)
26 February,2026 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshNot many cities are as lucky as ours, where you can spot UNESCO-listed architectural sites in quick succession. Here, Gothic spires, domes and arcades are not far-away relics but part of the everyday commute. Bombay Gothic builds on that aspect, transforming the city’s landmark structures into contemporary home decor and household objects. Founded by conservation architect Kruti Garg in 2021, the brand aims to encourage Mumbaikars to speak about the heritage of the city. Kruti Garg Between 2008 and 2018, Garg curated heritage walks at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, designing over 14 routes, alongside presenting the brand at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival last year. “It was always about building awareness, while engaging people with the history, the heritage, and why these buildings reflect the story of the city,” she explains. The Starry Night flask This exact philosophy gradually evolved into a design practice. “How do you make people connect with these buildings in ways other than just viewing them?” Garg notes. “If you’re carrying a flask with the Rajabai Clock Tower on it, it becomes a point of discussion. You’re learning something as you talk about it.” Monochromatically Gothic Rooted in the defining feature of Gothic architecture, the Lancet Line collection distils Mumbai’s grand buildings into monochromatic compositions. Garg notes, “Lancet primarily means a pointed arched window, and it’s a very strong and prominent feature across Gothic buildings.” Rather than presenting sweeping panoramas, this series focuses on architectural details such as the symmetry, repetition and proportion. This collection of whisky glasses invites viewers to observe more closely the structural elements that shape the city’s Gothic identity.COST Rs 2999 (Set of two) The city meets Van Gogh The Starry Night collection reimagines Mumbai’s heritage precincts beneath a starlit sky. While the name nods to Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Gargclarifies that it is not a stylistic imitation. “The colour palette may feel similar, but it’s about visualising Bombay in a different time.” Each time someone looks at this flask, Garg hopes they will ask themselves, “How would Bombay look on a clear night?”COST Rs 1349LOG ON TO shop.bombaygothic.com; @bombay_gothic The Guide’s other fave picks 1 Mumbai in the air: This scented candle evokes the city through notes of bergamot, patchouli and florals, with hints of musk, capturing its essence poetically. The name of the candle Bom‘bahia’ conveys the meaning ‘The Good Bay,’ effortlessly.COST Rs 2250 2 Cards on my mind: Elevate your card games with this distinctive set of Victorian Gothic playing cards. Each card features an iconic example of Bombay architecture. COST Rs 750 3 Your bag, your story: Carry this tote and it is certain that it will spark conversation. This Kala Ghoda bag is designed to hold your belongings while narrating a story with the illustration.COST Rs 1299
26 February,2026 09:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareFrom the old baobabs giving way to concretised roads, to the green parks slowly vanishing, the city is a living reminder that citizens need to awaken. A visit to the Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery down in Nariman Point might serve as visual motivation. The ongoing exhibition, Atlas of the Wild: In Photography and the Living Traditions of India, at the gallery uses the visual aesthetic of works on nature by indigenous communities from across the world, paired with award-winning photography of natural life. Prakritik Jeevan by Japani Shyam, 2016 “It takes very little intelligence to say that nature is both aesthetic and essential for our survival,” observes Paul Abraham, founder, Sarmaya Arts Foundation. The curation, Abraham adds, is an attempt to showcase the tradition of observing nature among communities, and researchers through the years. “The paintings, for instance, are a spectrum of works across community lines where nature is venerated. Bada Dev by Ram Singh Urveti, 2019. The work depicts the Gond myth of Bada Dev, a deity who resides within the Saja tree. The tree is worshipped, and protected from being cut down In their depictions, it is mysterious, about survival, and livelihood,” he shares. For instance, the Gond community believes in the deity Bada Dev who resides in the Saja tree, a precious source of water during times of drought. “Through years of trial-and-error culminating in a ritualistic practice, the community has now learned that these trees have to be protected and conserved,” he explains. Tough Love by Rumna Mukherjee depicts a clash between a male and female leopard in the Jhalana-Amagarh Conservation Reserve, Rajasthan. Mukherjee won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award in 2025 for this work. Pics Courtesy/Sanctuary Asia Foundation This knowledge of observation is mirrored in the more modern photographs from the award-winning collection of the Sanctuary Asia Foundation. The works ‘record rare natural history moments, capturing conservation issues and proof of climate change,” writes its founder Bittu Sahgal. A Flight of Life and Death by Adam Taylor. Runner-up at the Sanctuary Wildlife Photography Award 2025, it captures a Changeable Hawk-Eagle at Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand carrying off a prey The veteran shares, “We have become record keepers of rare natural history moments, events that researchers have spent years in the field to study, and of the increasing human-wildlife interactions when forest animals are forced to adapt to urban environments. We also document minuscule insects, which discerning nature lovers bring to the notice of the larger public,” he shares. Like Dr Seuss’s Lorax, the works at the exhibition seem to say, ‘I speak for the trees/for the trees have no voice’. Paul Abraham and Bittu Sahgal TILL February 28; 11 am to 7 pm AT Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Ground Floor, Bajaj Bhavan, Nariman Point.
26 February,2026 09:16 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarNets Before Nuptials Not quite the rehearsal we were expecting! With his wedding only a week away, Arjun Tendulkar (left) gets some net time in, with none other than dad Sachin (far right) providing the world’s most elite sideline supervision at Bandra’s MIG Cricket Club on Wednesday Next-Gen notes Ananya Wadkar Proof that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree came earlier this month, courtesy of Ananya Wadkar. Padma and Suresh Wadkar’s amiable elder daughter made her debut as a playback singer with Vaada Hai from Shahid Kapoor-starrer O’Romeo — and we took note. What could have passed as an inconsequential act actually set the stage for Ananya’s dream debut with a Vishal Bhardwaj film. Two years ago, she dropped a single titled Baarish, which mum Padma happened to share with Bhardwaj. We hear the filmmaker was so moved by it, he asked Ananya to submit some scratch tracks. Then, in December last year, one recording was followed by another, and last month, the final track for the film took shape. There’s no doubt Ananya has a bright future ahead of her, but let’s look to the past for a moment. If you dig deep enough, you’ll discover she was credited as a playback singer almost two decades ago too — for Mera Jahan from Taare Zameen Par. “One can hardly consider that a debut,” she says with a smile, “My voice has transformed. I was a different person.” Given that Ananya hadn’t even hit double digits then — aged about eight — that seems fair. Elegant, Exclusive, and under wraps Saaniya Chandok and Arjun Tendulkar Quiet luxury is the theme of the season, and it doesn’t stop with bag brands. Privacy is the new currency of style. If you need an example, here are several. Acclaimed artist Satish Gujral’s grandson, Armaan, married sweetheart Mehr in an intimate Anand Karaj ceremony in the capital this week. From Kalyani Saha Chawla to Priya Sachdev Kapur and Pinky Reddy, famous friends flocked in to bless Feroze and Mohit Gujral’s gorgeous son on his big day. While wishes were welcome, paps were not — so we hear precious little about these nuptials. Next up was the wedding of Janhavee Joshi to Satchit, son to Anita and Harsha Bhogle. Their well-attended reception at the Taj Lands End last night was another ultra-private affair. And then, of course, are the upcoming nuptials of Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok. We know invitations were hand-delivered to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, but beyond that, details are sketchy. In an era where cameras follow every move, these celebrations prove that discretion is the ultimate extravagance. From cordoned-off venues to no-mobile ceremonies and curated guest lists, it’s all par for the course in celebrity circles. From Tarmac to Tome Sanjay Manjrekar The most mundane events sometimes spark the most interesting conversations. And so it was that Sanjay Manjrekar found himself stuck on a plane for longer than necessary earlier this week, waiting to disembark on arrival in aamchi Mumbai. “Typed this as we sit forever inside the aircraft after landing in Mumbai, waiting for the step ladder. Might as well write a book now,” the former India batter wrote on X. Almost immediately, he received a response from Tim Crow, who is currently working on the biography of South Africa cricket legend Clive Rice. “I would very much like to chat with you about your memories of him on the historic first SA tour of India,” came Crow’s appeal. Rice played against Manjrekar when he led the Rainbow Nation on a three-match ODI series tour to India in 1991. Whether Manjrekar contributes to Crow’s book remains to be seen, but the book idea itself is a brilliant one. Our in-house cricket nut suggests a tome on the several commentators Sanjay has worked with since he started commentating regularly in 1999. A potential cricketing chronicle birthed during delayed disembarkation. Sometimes all it takes is a grounded flight to set new stories airborne. Bad Romance Some stories are so shocking, they seem to land straight in cold storage. It has taken a few years for this tale to thaw out, yet it remains too raw to name names. A still-stunning former actor finds herself single at the moment — something we find hard to stomach. Asking around, we discover she was tormented so terribly by her last lover that she hasn’t bounced back yet. “He tried to sell her house out from under her. The list is long. It was awful,” we’re told. It seems unbelievable, given the illustrious image of the gent in question. He is literally a national treasure — and, one imagines, loaded too. “Who knows where his money went? Now he’s just famous, without funds.” The mind boggles.
26 February,2026 09:15 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatMain character energy Who needs a premiere when you have a packed house? Sanya Malhotra ditches the red carpet for a sea of students at the Under25 Summit At Campus on Tuesday. Dropping by the VJTI campus, the Dangal actor kept it real — reflecting on her days as a student and matching the Matunga energy frame-for-frame. Split wide open One would think coming out of the closet isn’t such a big deal anymore, but when the man in question is a business tycoon, the city leans in to listen. Boardrooms are abuzz with the news that has long been secret. It might have passed under the radar for even longer, we hear, had it not been for a revealing real estate purchase by the tycoon’s formidable wife. After many years of marriage — and kids to boot — the couple have parted ways. Will a divorce follow? We don’t know. But a separation is certainly in the works. Insta-love for an icon A birthday post on social media is affection with an audience. On Tuesday, Tina Ambani served up a full-on tribute to Kokilaben via her official Instagram account — one that was as heartfelt as it was headline-worthy. Kokilaben and Tina Ambani. Pic/Instagram “To a woman of substance, an inspiration to the family, a guiding light, a rock of support and strength, the most remarkable person in our lives,” she wrote, signing off with, “Happy birthday Mummy. Health, happiness and all our love.” Two years ago, the Ambani family matriarch turned 90 with a massive celebration at Sea Wind — a pink-themed soirée no less — followed by a faith-steeped sojourn to Nathdwara, Rajasthan, to seek blessings at the Shrinathji temple. This year, the celebrations were quieter, but no less meaningful. Grand spectacle made way for intimate moments, proving that when it comes to Kokilaben, the reverence is constant — whether whispered in private or posted for the world to see. B-Town’s big moves The Year of the Fire Horse — known in the Chinese zodiac for its rare, intense, and transformative energy — is seeing several film faces galloping into new homes. Kriti Sanon, who currently rents a prodigious pad in Bandra, has purchased a duplex in the neighbourhood, and is poised to take possession later this year. Also ensuring a Pali Hill post code is Homebound hunk Ishaan Khatter, who registered his property purchase deed earlier this month (as mid-day has already reported). Tara Sutaria Now comes the turn of Tara Sutaria. She took social media by storm on Monday — showcasing her “first home” with a series of stunning images. Tables dressed with tuberoses did not go unnoticed, and neither did the grand piano that Tara actually plays herself (quite skilfully, we hear). Nothing is better breakup-recovery than a new pad to pour your passion into, and Tara appears to have done just that. A fresh canvas, primed for precious new memories. No PR for the Posh While Rashmika Mandanna’s wedding to Vijay Deverakonda has Udaipur agog at the moment, another milestone celebration in the state went by without a melee. That’s just how the upper echelons of society prefer their private events: dramatic, but discreet. Industrialists, old money, and a posse of policy makers made their way to Bikaner for Archana and Harsh Mariwala’s fiftieth wedding anniversary celebrations recently. Harsh Mariwala The Marico magnate hosted a two-day gala for over 100 guests, with the likes of Mala Goenka and Minakshi Bajaj in attendance, and live performances from an assortment of entertainers including Sushant Divgikar (aka Rani KoHEnur). Mariwala’s sisters — Mallika Amin, Pallavi Jaikishan, and Priti Shah — attended too, flying in from as far as Los Angeles to mark the occasion. And though the event was extremely hush-hush, we hear from several sources that it was elegant, authentic, and effortlessly stylish. All fun, no flaunt.
25 February,2026 11:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatThe excitement of returning to your old hobby of music, or picking up a new instrument can be a life saver on tiring weekends. If only it were not accompanied by the soul-crushing fear of being terrible in front of other people in class. One way to salvage your pride lies in the shortcut of music apps like Tonestro. Learners can choose from lessons by a trained tutor. Pics COURTESY/TONESTRO Simple, effective teaching methods and interactive audio-visual interface make this one a pick for beginners. The subscription model also offers you a chance to learn detailed course material, read sheet music, and songs. We picked up the flute, although it hardly sounds like one. There is hope still. Log on to: Tonestro Flute on Play Store
25 February,2026 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarConnoisseurs of traditional food in Mumbai will enjoy exploring the culinary stories tucked away in Bohri Mohalla. Travel platform, No Footprints Mumbai will host a Kebab and Curry walk in this South Mumbai neighbourhood, which has created a niche amongst foodies for its non-vegetarian street fare. Mango Malai and Dudhi Halwa “The starting point for any food walk in the area has always been the sweet shop, Shabbir’s Tawakkal Sweets,” Eesha Singh, co-founder of the platform, tells us. “We head there specifically to eat Dudhi Halwa made with bottle gourd. It is always interesting to see participants’ faces, when we tell them what the dish is made of. We will also try the Mango Malai there.” The highlights of the walk range from kebabs and Biryani, to Bara Handi. The Bohri tradition, as we learn from the platform, concentrates on a mix of savoury and sweet delicacies; participants can expect snippets of the gastronomic history of the Dawoodi Bohra community, and their rise in Mumbai (then Bombay). A moment at Shabbir’s Tawakkal Sweets, from a previous walk. Pics courtesy/No Footprints Mumbai Lastly, stops for dessert during the walk, from colourful sweets to hand-churned ice cream, will satisfy those with a sweet tooth. ON February 28; 7.30 pm MEETING POINT Shabbir’s Tawakkal Sweets, Bohri Mohalla, Bhendi Bazaar. LOG ON TO nfpexplore.com (to book) ENTRY Rs 1199
25 February,2026 10:03 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshAs the month of March draws closer, most Mumbaikars prepare themselves for clouds of gulal, the chaos of water balloon fights and oiling your body before going to play Holi. But at Worli Koliwada, the build-up to the festival is slightly different. This Holi, Photowalks Mumbai and The Roamers Club will lead a curated Holi walk into the fishing village to witness the Koli community’s observance of Holika Dahan. For the Kolis, widely regarded as Mumbai’s original inhabitants — this ritual ranks second only to Narali Purnima in significance, and centres not on colour but on fire. A celebration of Shimga. Representation pic/istock Curator of the walk, Shantanu Dey, is clear about the distinction. “This is actually not the traditional colour Holi; this has got more to do with Holika Dahan — the burning of the tree. It is similar in timing to the colour Holi, but the ritual itself predates it.” At the centre of the ceremony is what the community calls the ‘Shimga’ — the tree and its branches that are assembled collectively a day or two in advance. “The entire ritual of putting branches of trees together, placing them in a stack — they refer to it as the Shimga,” explains Dey. By evening, the structure stands ready, and after sunset it is ceremonially set alight. Children dress up for the festivities Women play a significant role in the proceedings. The women carry clay pots filled with ritual offerings; they circle the fire before placing the contents into the blaze. The items are symbolic rather than ornamental. “It’s not jewellery or any decorative object,” reiterates Dey. “These are offerings like grains, coconuts and other elements that signify prayer, protection and prosperity as the whole aspect is about devotion. This is also followed by people praying to the sea god for better fish, and for the protection of their boats.” There is no strict timetable per se, but the ceremony typically begins after sunset, once the community has dressed up and gathered together. After the ceremony and the rituals comes the entertainment, where the community buzzes with quintessential Koli music, with songs like Papletwali, Amche Darashi Hay Shimga, and Holi Cha San, among many others, as the community comes together to dance with the DJ and ensure the celebration is high-energy and full of fun. On March 1; 6 pm onwardsLog on to @photowalksmumbai or @the_roamersclubCall 9082624292Entry Rs 799 onwards
25 February,2026 09:59 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareWe first met chef Mujeeb ur Rehman in 2015, when he was in Mumbai to host a Rampuri food festival, one of the lesser-known of Muslim cuisines. Rahman’s forefathers have served as khansamas since the 17th century. He trained under his grandfather to pick up the culinary art of Nawabi cooking. This time, he has spread out a Wazwan and Pandit cuisine menu at Saffron, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu. In the forefront are two Kashmiri chefs from his team, Abdul Hameed War and Nasir Hussain. Both brothers hail from Baramulla, near Srinagar. Nadru ki Yakhni “When we take the cuisine to any other city out of Kashmir, people complain the curries are too thin [in consistency]. Even in Mumbai, people prefer Aloo Dum in a thick gravy,” he says. They have carried along saffron and Malwa flowers for natural colouring, and the Wadi masala made of urad dal and spices from Kashmir. Yogurt-based curries extensively feature in the cuisine, and the trick, War suggests, is to add cashew paste: “This ensures holding the gravy together, allowing it to be cooked for a longer time.” Gustaba Rehman, who studied engineering on his father’s insistence, focused on Muslim cuisine of Kashmir, North West Frontier, Delhi-Awadh, Nidampur, Murshidabad and Hyderabad since the last 30 years, and has fully dedicated his time to research, and spread awareness through food festivals and pop-ups. Currently, he is developing the vegetarian cuisine of Murshidabad. “The region was developed by Nawabs who hired Marwaris and Jains from Rajasthan and Gujarat to take care of their financial systems. “Their food dates back to 300 years,” he shares. (From left to right) Chef Nasir Hussain, chef Abdul Hameed, and chef Rehman at Saffron, Juhu. Pics/Atul Kamble The menu at the city five-star serves Wazwan dishes as well as Kashmiri Pandit cuisine, which includes Jheenga Kashmiri, Nadru Yakhni and Dum Aloo. From the à la carte menu we try the Gustaba. It has a delicate, watery gravy with mutton meat balls, and the Tabak Maaz, which is fried mutton ribs. Rehman recommends we try it with a fresh walnut and radish chutney. The Jheenga is delish. Typically, not featured in Kashmiri cuisine, Rehman explains the importance of adaptability. “A limitation of the cuisine is its focus on red meat, especially goat or lamb. So, we attempt to incorporate local seafood and meats with a Kashmiri spice rub.” A standout dish is the humble Kashmiri-style Rajma Chawal. It’s prepared using wadi masala that is stored as a sun-dried cake to give it the punch. “The addition of badi elaichi, along with soonth (dry ginger powder), saunf (fennel), laung (clove) and dal chini (cinnamon) is the secret,” Rehman reveals, before heading back to the kitchen. AT Saffron, JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu TILL February 28 TIME 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm (Saturday and Sunday); 7 pm to 11.30 pm CALL 9004616506 (for reservations)
25 February,2026 09:46 AM IST | Mumbai | Phorum PandyaFor years now, the suburban Mumbaikar has squeezed into trains bound for CSMT, Churchgate, Andheri or Bandra, to catch gig nights and show openings. It would seem like culture has finally boarded a train in the opposite direction to meet us in the middle: Malad. Organiser and writer Amitosh Nagpal recalls a discovery at a much-spoken-about festival that recently concluded in BKC. “I found out that many of the artistes and audiences were actually residents of Madh, Malad, Goregaon and beyond. It’s quite ironic that they don’t have a festival closer to home,” he says. Visitors at the Malad venue during a previous cultural event Nagpal’s group Mandali Talkies, with the Koshala Literature Festival, will host the five-day showcase at Artisan Coterie. Helmed by art director Ravi Srivastava, who has worked on award-winning films like Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire, the multi-venue art space is spread across one acre of land. Talk about perks of hosting a gathering in the suburbs, the space can accommodate 1000 festival-goers, we learn. While acclaimed artistes from across genres have joined the effort to push culture northwards, Nagpal admits the audience response looks uncertain. We hope our fellow Mumbaikars from the other side of the city can return the favour this weekend. ON February 25 to March 1; 10.30 am to 11 pmAT Artisan Coterie, Chikuwadi, Malad West. LOG ON TO in.bookmyshow.comENTRY Rs 99 (one-day entry pass); Rs 449 (five-day entry pass) The Guide's top picks Classic on screen Guru Dutt as struggling poet Vijay in Pyaasa. PIC COURTESY/Ultra Movies on Youtube No art festival begins without an ode to a guru. Catch Pyaasa (1957), Guru Dutt’s landmark film on the life on an artiste. ON February 25; 10.30 amAT Studio HallENTRY Rs 99 onwards Just for laughs If you’re lucky, you can bump into Varun Grover on a suburban local train. Don’t trust the odds, catch him live at the festival, with his new special, Love, Death, & Ketchup.ON February 28; 3 pmAT Studio HallENTRY Rs 1199 For the books Stop by the book fair at the venue to catch up with authors. Writer and spoken word artiste Yahya Bootwala (below) will share insights on the opening day. ON February 25; 6 pm to 7 pm AT Book Fair ENTRY Included in entry fees Story time Danish Husain performs Qissebaazi. PIC COURTESY/Danish Husain If you’ve never watched a dastangoi before, tick it off your bucket list with veteran theatremaker Danish Husain’s presentation, Qissebaazi.ON March 1; 6 pm AT Main StageENTRY Rs 460 Word’s out If poetry is music to your ears, sit down for an evening of harmonies featuring Sweta Padda, Prabhjot Kaur, and Nidhi Astana, among others. ON February 26; 4 pmAT Main StageENTRY Revealed on enquiry Shakespeare of suburbia What if the Bard was born with the modest dreams of a Mumbaikar? Mandali Talkies’s Middle Class Dream of a Summer Night takes a satirical take on the popular literary work, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.ON February 27; 4 pmAT Studio HallENTRY Rs 460 Mushaira in Malad Irshad means ‘proceed’. Muqarrar means ‘once more’. Get your mushaira etiquette right before witnessing stalwarts like Waseem Barelvi, Azhar Iqbal, and Shakeel Azmi bring the curtains down on the festival. ON March 1; 7.45 pmAT Main StageENTRY Rs 999 onwards
25 February,2026 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleADVERTISEMENT
