A.R. Rahman today is focused on leaving his mark on the global stage

Chief selector: It raised many eyebrows when the BJP appointed Union Home Minister Amit Shah as the observer for Haryana’s chief minister selection. Traditionally, this responsibility has been assigned to other leaders. Shah had announced Nayab Singh Saini as the chief ministerial candidate on June 29—a risky move considering anti-incumbency. Many believed Saini could be a scapegoat in the event of a loss. But, Shah’s presence would now ensure that Saini resumes office with full authority | Illustrations by Jairaj T.G.

Healthy reflection: The iconic Nehru Park in Lutyens Delhi is a convergence point for the who’s who in the national capital when they want to begin their day with a walk or a run. Predictably enough, an entourage follows them. It grows for politicians in power or on the way to power and diminishes just as quickly when they lose elections. Ahead of the Haryana assembly polls, the entourage of the Congress’s chief minister face Bhupinder Singh Hooda swelled as many tried to ‘keep pace with the change’. But after the results, when Hooda returned for some fresh air, the entourage had reduced by half. Time for some healthy reflection?

Bovine blessings: According to Uttar Pradesh’s minister of state for sugarcane development, Sanjay Singh Gangwar, the mere touch of a cow can heal hypertension and lying in a cowshed is a sure-fire cure for cancer. Gangwar made his remarks during the inauguration of a cow shelter in his constituency, Pilibhit. He also said that communal amity would be boosted if people of all religions celebrated birthdays and anniversaries in cowsheds. The final tip: prepare sweets only with cow’s milk, which is akin to nectar.

Animal charm: Beauty does not necessarily mean only good looks. It can also be a measure of your dedication to animal welfare. Or so would say the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who have adjudged Jacqueline Fernandez and Riteish Deshmukh as India’s ‘Most Beautiful Vegetarian Celebrities’of 2024. “PETA India is delighted to honour them for showing the world that kindness to animals is the most beautiful quality of all,”said Sachin Bangera, the PETA India vice-president of celebrity and public relations. It sure is reassuring to know that there are some who are upturning the notion that animals exist to serve man. Perhaps, sometimes, we can serve them, too | AFP, PTI

Feminist manifesto: Feminism has always been fierce, powerful and strong, but it took Booker long-listed and Orange Prize-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie to make it fun. She is the feminist that feminism was always waiting for. She finds classic feminist texts “boring”, loves girly outfits and read scores of Mills & Boon books as a kid. Being a feminist, she implied in her viral 2013 TED talk, does not mean being un-feminine. And now, after more than a decade, Adichie is coming out with a new book—Dream Count—about “four women and their loves, longings and desires”. The book will be out next March. If anyone is an authority on the subject of women, it is Adichie. After all, not every woman has the gumption to call out Hillary Clinton for beginning her Twitter bio with “wife, mom, grandma”. Bill Clinton’s bio certainly does not begin with the word “husband”. And it is not to every woman that Clinton replies, “When you put it like that, I’m going to change it.” | Getty Images

Diwali treats: It is going to be an epic battle between ghosts and cops this Diwali. The recently-released trailer of the horror-comedy Bhool Bhulaiya 3, which became the most watched Hindi film trailer in 24 hours with over 155 million views across all platforms, might indicate that the ghosts have an edge. The trailer is quite “spooktacular”, with its manic laughter, menacing shadows and a magnetic Kartik Aaryan. However, Singham Again, releasing on the same day (November 1), is going to be no push-over. Starring Ajay Devgn as Inspector Bajirao Singham, this is the fifth instalment in the cop universe. “It cannot be overlooked, ”trade analyst Taran Adarsh said. “It also has a huge star cast and is directed by Rohit Shetty. And most importantly, it has the Ramayan factor. Ramayan and Diwali could be huge. ”With the ghosts haunting and the cops chasing, it’s going to be a fun Diwali | AFP

Mr Darcy, again: It seems television just cannot let Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy live in peace. After the 1995 BBC adaptation and the 2005 film starring Keira Knightley, Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice is once again being revived by Netflix for a new series starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Elizabeth. It is reportedly being scripted by Dolly Alderton, the writer behind the hit show Everything I Know About Love. Pride & Prejudice had even got a Bollywood makeover in 2004, in the form of Bride and Prejudice, the romantic comedy directed by Gurinder Chadha and starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. So what is it about the story that gives it its timeless appeal? A spunky heroine? The charming bygone era of whist, whiskey and Regency balls? Our vote goes for the drool-worthiness of Mr Darcy. As Austen herself might have said, “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in search of a movie.” | Getty Images