Bengali Shob janta genjiwalaTranslation: The vest seller who knows everything. The person who sells vests but can also solve geopolitics, heartbreak, climate change, and your tax returns without being asked. The ultimate unsolicited expert. Usage: Don’t ask him anything; he is a complete shob janta genjiwala, the moment he sits down for tea he will begin a Nobel Prize-level analysis. Meghna Roy Choudhury, theatremaker Sindhi Jehenji boli naahin, tehenji goli naahinTranslation: One who has no language of their own has no identity. Usage: Person A: My child is five now, but we haven’t taught him our mother tongue yet. Person B: Jehenji boli naahin, tehenji goli naahin. Rakshita Manglani, artist and host Parsi-Gujarati Mai maseena poplaTranslation: The poplas (tittle-tattle or gossip) of the mother and the aunt. Usage: My brother started some Mai maseena popla when he met his friend after ages. Zervaan Bunshah, actor Goan-Konkani Maiche kazarTranslation: Literally ‘mother’s wedding’. Used as an exclamation when a situation does not go as planned or descends into disorder. Usage: Person A: Why aren’t you here yet? Person B: I’m on my way; they’ve dug up the road outside my building again. Person A: Maiche kazar! Jewel Rodrigues, pickle entrepreneur Marathi NattapattaTranslation: The little ritual of adorning yourself and dressing up, for a special occasion. Usage: Oh look at her, stepping out with all that nattapatta on. Urjita Wani, stand-up comedian Malayalam Enthino vendi thilakunna sambharTranslation: Like sambar boiling for no reason. It describes someone who is unnecessarily enthusiastic, overreacting, or worked up without a clear reason. Usage: He rushed to buy a gym membership on New Year. You won’t see him anywhere near it in a week. It’s just enthino vendi thilakunna sambhar. Anna Tony, CA article Haryanvi Lath gad di bhaiTranslation: Planting a staff firmly. It signifies a job done exceptionally well, or a mighty show of dominance. Usage: Did you watch India’s win against Pakistan in the World Cup yesterday? Lath gad di bhai! Ranjit Dahiya, artist
21 February,2026 10:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleAnimela returns to Mumbai as India’s first international celebration of animation, VFX, gaming, and comics. The edition presents screenings, premieres, artist talks and behind-the-scenes sessions, alongside a gaming arena, international VR showcase and comics-led experiences. It also introduces India’s first Transmedia Stage, a dedicated platform for immersive storytelling across narratives, focusing exclusively on sound and interactive mediums. Festival director Nina Sabnani emphasises, “The creative landscape of the country is constantly evolving, with new talent and new ways of thinking about animation, gaming and immersive media. The festival’s timing helps support the innovation while giving visibility to the voices that will shape the next decade in this field.” The Guide's top picks A frame from the movie The Last Blossom; (right) A still from the trailer of the film, Little Amelie. Pics Courtesy/Youtube Animated movie screeningsA special screening accompanied by discussions of global animated films such as The Last Blossom from Japan, Dandelions Odyssey and Little Amelie from France, alongside conversations exploring these works.ON February 22TIME 11 am to 7 pm Children experience Location Based Virtual Reality LBVR Experience (Location-Based Virtual Reality)A debut immersive VR installation in India featuring cinematic experiences inspired by Titanic and a Colosseum-themed narrative, allowing audiences to physically step into the realistic feeling in the movies respectively. ON Today (February 21)TIME 11 am to 8 pm Cyril-Vincent Michaud Innovation and TransmediaOut-of-the-box holistic presentation for children will demonstrate how immersive media functions, with emphasis on sound and narrative techniques. The presentation and talk will be led by Cyril-Vincent Michaud, and the session will introduce young participants to storytelling across books, videos and images.ON Today (February 21)TIME 1 pm onwards (slots may vary) Gond artwork by Venkat Shyam. Pics courtesy/Animela Jharokha presentationA unique show featuring Gond folk artwork and a VR presentation based on The Dancing Forest by Nina Sabnani and Venkat Shyam, bringing Gond traditions to life through immersive storytelling inspired by Adivasi heritage.ON February 21 and 22TIME 11 am to 6 pm ON TILL February 22; 11 am to 8 pm AT Whistling Woods International, Film City, Goregaon. LOG ON TO @animelaindia ENTRY Rs 1200 onwards (festival entry fees) Voice your talent As part of the International MIFA Campus (IMC), emerging animators will get a chance to present their projects before a panel of industry professionals. The selected winner will get an opportunity to develop their film at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival, with festival director Mickael Marin in attendance.
21 February,2026 10:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareInstead of attending a gig, step into the spotlight at a pop-up choir. Here, participants get the opportunity to showcase their vocal skills. The session by Vagabond Experiences will kick off with a few introductions to break the ice, followed by vocal warm-ups with a conductor; this is especially enjoyable for those seeking to find a platform to finally sing somewhere that isn’t the shower or bedroom. Eventually, participants will assemble and learn to sing together in harmony and rhythm, almost like a family choir. “The group is taught multiple parts and harmonies. Most of them have never sung in harmony before, which makes it very exciting. We end with some run-throughs of the song and souvenirs to take back,” shares Shannon Fernandes, co-founder of Vagabond Experiences. However, the songs included will only be revealed during the event, as the aim is on the experience of group singing. Shannon Fernandes The core idea is to make the experience of group singing more accessible and less intimidating to the public. “I want them to experience the joy of singing with strangers, without inhibitions or insecurities,” Fernandes signs off. On February 22; 9.30 am to 1.30 pm At Vagabond Experiences, Bori Colony, Marol, Andheri East. Log on to urbanaut.app Entry Rs 1103 onwards
21 February,2026 10:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshCouples can swap the predictable dinner dates this weekend, for a curated session, titled, The Power Couple Roadmap. The workshop, guided by psychologist Disha Manchekar, is designed for partners aiming to shift away from the daily grind and align their goals for 2026. “It is open to all types of couples, whether heterosexual or part of the LGBTQiA+ community, married or not,” explains Manchekar, founder of mental health service platform, Innate Mind. Describing her session as an amalgamation of psychotherapy and artwork, she tells us, “It’s similar to couples’ art workshops I’ve conducted earlier. A moment from a couples’ art session. Pic courtesy/Innate mind There are three aspects to it. I will help couples determine their mutual values, and find common ground to connect; this will be done through guided prompts to spark conversation about matters from finance to travelling. Secondly, participants will be provided with welcome goodies, since I intend the experience to resemble a date, and art supplies. The third aspect is making the vision board; it will be slow, and couples will get their private space without interference. It’s about exploring each other’s priorities and moving past mental blocks.” After a round of refreshments, attendees can take their vision kit home. Disha Manchekar The psychologist mentions that directing attention towards something alerts the brain to look out for things enabling you to achieve that goal. “It’s a wonderful system in the human brain: the Reticular Activating System (RAS), which filters out information to focus on what’s important,” she reveals. “Such an activity clears the outlook for many couples, helps them understand each other better, and improves their bond through common goal-setting,” she signs off. On February 22; 4.30 pm onwardsAt HourShop.in, IC Colony, Borivli West. Log on to innatemind.org (to book) Entry Rs 2999 onwards
20 February,2026 09:52 AM IST | Mumbai | Trisha GhoshLeave The Door Open by Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak and Silk SonicA must-listen for aficionados of Classic Soul and R&B, laced with hints of Memphis’ Jazz sound rooms, the Grammy-winning track will get you in a groove The Fate of Ophelia by Taylor SwiftWilliam Shakespeare’s tragic heroine, Ophelia, weaved into an ironically cheery melody ’90s Vibe by Reemboo and Kidshot When rappers from Arunachal Pradesh and Powai’s slums link up, you get this hard-hitting tune that can drown out Mumbai’s chaos If You Can’t Give Me Love by Suzi QuatroThe perfect self-affirmation song to keep you going through the post-Valentine blues Teach Me How to Dougie by Cali Swag DistrictThis meme song makes us want to get up and dance
20 February,2026 09:47 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamWho is Larry? >> Age and breed: 19-year-old domestic shorthair >> Official designation: Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street Larry meets US President Barack Obama in 2011 >> How he got the job: Adopted from the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2011 by then Prime Minister David Cameron to battle a rodent problem. Rose to media darling status for keeping the press entertained by photo-bombing high-profile events. >> Prime Ministers during his tenure: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer (current) Career highlights >> Received a gift from the White House during Barack Obama’s 2011 visit. Former UK PM Cameron later revealed Larry generally dislikes men, but loved Obama. >> Guarded the famous black door ahead of Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s wartime UK visit in 2025. >> Staged a sit-in under The Beast, the armoured vehicle of US President Donald Trump, during his 2019 visit. Cat-fluencers speak Keen to pole-vault your pet into social media fame? Meet Mumbai-based couple Hitesh and Manisha Sharma, who are parents to cat-fluencer Plowy (1.1 lakh followers on Instagram). Adopted at 57 days old, Plowy is now seven. The Sharmas share their learnings: Plowy in a Marathi Mulgi look. PICS COURTESY/MANISHA SHARMA >> Focus on aspects that you and your pet have already aced. Your strong point could be something as simple as wellness tips. Don’t fake it; the audience can tell. >> Engage regularly with your audience via stories, posts, videos, and lives. They will start connecting with you and your pet will become a part of their life. >> Pick up trending topics related to your content, like cat hair fall, cat vaccination once a week. Hitesh and Manisha Sharma with Plowy >> Find your pet’s personality. Plowy loves dressing up and traveling. Our audience is very clear about what kind of content they will get to see on our page. >> Do not force your pet into doing something they don’t feel like. Sometimes, a 30-second video can take three days to shoot. >> Give your pets their full quota of beauty sleep, and get blood work done routinely. >> Know when to stop and take a step back. Not all pets are camera-friendly. Catch me if you can Nala, @nala_cat, 4.4 million followers: Guinness World Record holder for being the most followed cat on Instagram. Coby, @cobythecat, 1.7 million followers: Striking blue-eyed feline model with a massive fashion following. Suki, @sukiicat, 1.6 million followers: Travelling Bengal cat famous for her trips to mountains, lakes, and forests. Lil Bub, @iamlilbub, 2.4 million followers: Special-needs cat who won hearts online with her unique tongue-out smile.
20 February,2026 09:42 AM IST | Mumbai | Devashish KambleIf you are someone who has promised yourself that you will focus on your health and achieve a summer body, this event might just give you that extra push. Peak Wellness: Sunrise to Noon is a wellness-led event designed to bring multiple fitness experiences together under one roof. The day will begin at 7 am, featuring activities that allow your body to have fun, and also provide the exercise it needs. This includes a community run by Jivitesh, a spinning session, and a Mat Pilates class led by Zainab from Yasmin Karachiwala Body Image, alongside several other activities such as dancing, pickle-based games and ice baths. Rachita Singh (inset), a representative of the organisers, reiterates, “This marks the second edition of Peak Wellness as an independent in-house fitness collaboration, and the whole point is to start a wellness routine and host activities where all types of people will come together and attend these events according to their preference.” ON February 22; 7 am onwardsAT One8 Commune, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu. CALL 8108411818ENTRY Rs 799 onwards
20 February,2026 09:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Rumani GabhareTimeless beauty Can any ode to beauties from a bygone era fail to feature the still-flawless Dimple? This week the Bobby belle is Mira Kapoor’s chosen icon. “She moves through the world with an effortless India ‘moderne’ aura — a rare blend of old-world movie-star charisma and contemporary cool. There is an energy about her that is magnetic. She mixes shawls with her pop colour glasses and bags, and brings a chic, understated confidence to everything she does. And her hair… I’m obsessed.” Fiery drama, bottled! Lalit K Modi I’ve had several requests this past week from those in my circle (celebrated couturiers included) to turn up the heat on this page. Always one to oblige, here’s a fiery story — though the flames may be more literal than scandalous. Having faced so much heat over the years, it seems self-proclaimed “fugitive” Lalit Modi still has an appetite for more. Friends tell us you’ll often find a plastic pouch packed with fresh green chillies in Lalit’s pocket, especially when he’s heading out to eat. Apparently, the IPL founder is so obsessed with his piquant passion that he’s birthing a brand based on it. Of course, every empire needs its accomplice, and for this venture, Lalit has lined up Lorenzo Fasola Bologna — the dashing heir of Castello Monte Vibiano in Umbria, Italy. Already associated with some of the world’s best-loved boutique wines and olive oil, Lorenzo will now produce a selection of special chilli oils for the mercurial Mr Modi. With preorders for LK Chilli apparently pouring in, it seems Lalit can conjure up condiments as deftly as drama. Scene-stealers in the stalls Ashutosh Gowariker and Farah Khan Imagine rushing to catch a regular evening film screening and somehow stumbling into a constellation of stars — half the night sky casually queuing for popcorn beside us. This was exactly the scene at Jio World Drive’s Maison PVR the night O’ Romeo released. Luscious lead actress Triptii Dimri had invited a handful of her nearest and dearest to watch the romantic action thriller, but the glamour didn’t stop with her guest list. There were two other famous faces in the audience who appeared to enjoy the film, and they weren’t present on Dimri’s invitation. Dying to know who we spotted? Filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker and Farah Khan — without her trusty sidekick Dilip. I wonder what director Vishal Bhardwaj would make of that. Winning hearts and headlines Basil Joseph An awards function had cinema stalwarts out en masse on Wednesday. From Karan Johar and Kareena Kapoor to Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, and Anil Kapoor, a veritable bouquet of Bollywood’s finest filled a banquet hall at a plush midtown hotel on the night. Amazingly then, in this ocean of A-listers, it was a pint-sized actor-director from down South who stole the show. Take a bow Basil Joseph — now the talk of the town for his authentic, soul-stirring award acceptance speech. “He was so refreshingly real,” we are told, “that you couldn’t help but love him. Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor and Anil Kapoor All evening people kept telling him, ‘You look so good,’ and he would reply with, ‘You look good too.’ Then a lissom lady said, ‘I love you,’ and pat came his response, ‘I love you too.’ It took him a moment to realise that was the wrong reply, so he bashfully retracted. It was adorable.” Taking selfies on stage and leaving his glamourous audience in splits, Basil walked away with more than an award — he won hearts. So much so that the entire Saiyaara crew gave Joseph a standing ovation. Casting director Shanoo Sharma, making a rare appearance with the Yash Raj Films team, cheered too. Amongst the industry’s most influential gatekeepers, it’s a significant coup that she stood. Suddenly, more doors look poised to open.
20 February,2026 09:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatMumbai, someone said, will never be completed. Even now, the city is constantly being rebuilt, reshaped, and reimagined. One look at the works on the display of DAG’s upcoming exhibition, Bombay Framed: People, Memory, Metropolis, and you realise this phenomenon is neither new nor recent. A prelude to the second edition of the travelling festival, The City As a Museum, Mumbai (it will open on March 7), the exhibition taps into works across the mediums of artworks, archival photographs, and memories to trace the journey of the metropolis from its early days as a coastal hamlet. The showcase also grows from a series of smaller capsule exhibitions hosted by DAG over the years. Flora Fountain, Bombay, Baburao Sadwelkar (1928-2000), 1951 Author Dr Gyan Prakash (inset) calls it, “a visual archive of Mumbai.” “They register the city’s history through the imaginative medium of art, and underscore the ways in which artistic practices are integral to the making and experience of urban space,” he explains. The city is not just something the artists represent visually, but also their medium. “It becomes a way of thinking. In depicting it, they are also reimagining it,” Prakash says. Bombay from Malabar Hill By Night, unidentified artist, c 1950 These observations will also be part of the book, Bombay Framed that will be available for readers at the gallery. With essays from Pheroza Godrej on the City as Canvas, Rachel Dwyer on Cinema and the City, Preeti Chopra on the Colonial Urban Form, and Mustansir Dalvi on Bombay, Open City, among others, the work also taps into the multiple dimensions of the metropolis. At Chowpatty Beach, MV Dhurandhar (1867-1944), c 1934 Ashish Anand, CEO, DAG, adds, “Over the years, our exhibitions in Mumbai have sought to foreground the city’s rich culture of collaboration, networks and associations that have shaped its distinctive identity. Bombay Framed, along with the latest edition of our travelling arts festival, The City as a Museum, continues this engagement.” Untitled, Abalal Rahiman (1860-1931), 1921 The fact that the artworks also span mediums, genres, and styles, only makes obvious the thread running through it all. From MV Dhurandhar’s visuals of the crowds at Chowpatty to Henri Cartier Bresson’s photographs of the age, they evoke the familiar idealism of struggle, and optimism for a future. The volume editor sees it differently. (From left) Nutan, Raj Kapoor and Nargis, Dev Anand, JH Thakker (1923-2003), silver gelatin prints on paper, 1950-60s. Pics Courtesy/DAG “To me, what is most striking is their engagement with the city. It is embedded in them. Mumbai is a hard place to live in, and to represent, and engage with it visually, requires a creative imagination,” Prakash sums up. Zara hatke, zara bach ke, yeh hai Bambai meri jaan, as the iconic song goes. FROM February 22 to April 11; 11 am to 7 pmAT DAG, The Taj Mahal Palace, Apollo Bunder.
20 February,2026 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Shriram IyengarTiger in training Some people go to Juhu Beach for the pav bhaji. Tiger Shroff goes to remind gravity that its services are no longer required. Here he is with his trainer on Wednesday, keeping his 2026 fitness goals on a literal upward trajectory The hustle and the hills Siddhant Chaturvedi Gone are the days of simple trailer drops and press junkets — marketing a movie now demands everything but the kitchen sink. The promotional whirlwind can be particularly gruelling for a film’s stars, as Mrunal Thakur and Siddhant Chaturvedi may well have discovered with their latest release. One moment they’re spotted at a café in Mumbai, the next they’re greeting fans in Lucknow — all of it wedged between television appearances and glossy magazine shoots. One might expect some R&R to be mandatory after all the hullabaloo, but that, it seems, is out of the question. Siddhant, we hear, is scheduled to start prep for his V Shantaram biopic within the next few days. And while he is laser-focused on the task at hand, his mind occasionally wanders to the hills. Shillong is his destination of choice, where the music, culture and weather offer equal attraction. Friends tell us a bike tour tops his to-do list, with local food, indie gigs and street-side shopping also pencilled into the plan. It’s ironic that the Gully Boy star dreams of lush green hills while living by the beach in Mumbai — but perhaps it is exactly for that reason. Because, unlike the hills, the waves are already at his doorstep. Distance does matter Emmanuel Macron Two days in Mumbai and Emmanuel Macron has us floored. You’d think it would be the French President’s sharp suits stealing the show but, in fact, his athleisure game has everyone talking. Running down Marine Drive with skeletal security and significant style, Macron made his mark on Tuesday — before meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also remarked on this now-viral morning run. Milind Soman “You know everything,” Macron told Modi in jest, eliciting a good giggle from yours truly. Of course, Mumbai’s original marathon heartthrob is Milind Soman, and his response to Macron’s run was just as noteworthy as Modi’s. Fairly unmoved by the fact that the Parisian President had hit the streets like a regular Mumbaikar, Milind asked us: “What distance did he run?” Because let’s be real — that’s all a proper runner cares about. Watch this space With most folks not just accepting freebies but actively seeking handouts, it’s heartwarming to hear of someone who is swimming against the tide. While the analogy fits, the sport in the spotlight is cricket, and the story we’re hearing is about a high-powered panel associated with the game. It seems each member of this panel received an expensive watch as a ‘gift’ last week, but one beneficiary bowed out — saying thanks but no thanks to a timepiece that cost a tidy sum. The news has been blowing up insider WhatsApp group chats ever since. Meanwhile, we’re just glad that some people still know the importance of playing down the right line. Advocacy meets AI Soha Ali Khan Talk about hitting the ground running. Only days after being officially introduced as a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Advocate for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India, Soha Ali Khan took to the stage at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on February 16, to discuss the dark side of AI. Asking for the urgent adoption of ethical, gender-responsive artificial intelligence to make digital spaces safer and more empowering for women and girls, the actor, author and activist highlighted the need for safety-by-design, privacy, and accountability in an increasingly unsafe online environment. While Soha’s agenda is to advance awareness and action around reproductive health, gender equality, and youth empowerment, issues like deep fakes and online harassment sit at the confluence of her many roles. After all, celebrities are hit the hardest. Just ask Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, who are already entangled in a lawsuit, battling alleged AI-generated deepfake videos on YouTube. Clearly, it’s time to illuminate the dark underbelly of AI — and Soha already has her spotlight trained.
19 February,2026 04:46 PM IST | Mumbai | Sonali Velinker KamatJourney to the top Take a trek to Mount Kalsubai. You can visit the Kalsubai temple, and enjoy breathtaking views.ON February 20; 10:45 pm onwardsMEETING POINT Kasara Railway Station LOG ON TO trekhievers.comENTRY Rs 699 Serene stroll Sagar Upvan Garden. Pic courtesy/Wildnest Mumbai An escape doesn’t have to involve going out of town. Take a walk around Sagar Upvan Garden organised by platform Wildnest Mumbai. Learn about flora and fauna as well.ON February 21; 8 am AT Sagar Upvan Garden, Cuffe Parade. LOG ON TO urbanaut.app ENTRY Rs 550 onwards Treasure hunt in Bandra Sign up for a nocturnal treasure hunt around Bandra by the platform DaBombaes, learning about hidden gems of the area along the way.ON February 20; 9.30 pm onwardsAT Bandra West (exact location revealed post registration) LOG ON TO urbanaut.app ENTRY Rs 1600 onwards
19 February,2026 09:57 AM IST | Mumbai | The Guide TeamADVERTISEMENT
