There is a scene embedded somewhere in the origin story of Nukkad Naatak that the film never shows you, but which explains everything about it. It is Diwali 2022. Tanmaya Shekhar, IIT Kanpur economics graduate, HBO production veteran, Brooklyn-based filmmaker, has returned home to visit his family in Jharkhand. His mother takes him to the basti on the edge of the IIT campus, where she has been quietly teaching children for over a year. Something shifts in him.

That moment where two Indias stand together, but their stories are complete opposite of each other became the beating heart of Nukkad Naatak. The film releases today February 27, 2026, on 100 screens across India. It is the most unlikely theatrical debut of the year: no bankable stars, no studio backing, no industry godfather. Just a film that refused to stop existing.

The Dream Team Behind It All

The man who walked away from from a stable life, Tanmaya Shekhar. He had exactly the kind of life that most of us would dream, IIT, a job in New York, well settled, right? Not quite. He came back to India during COVID and saw the story of two Indias. He decided to tell that story.

And then there was the woman who made the dream real, Molshri, the lead actor, co-producer and co-founder of Kayaantaran Studios. A DU alumna with roots in street theatre at Prithvi and the NCPA, she came aboard as both the film’s backbone. Her performance earned a Best Actress award at a London film festival.

The Making

Funding came from roughly 30 people, family, college seniors, strangers, who believed in a film with first-time actors and a debutant director. The shoot happened on the IIT (ISM) Dhanbad campus, where Tanmaya’s father teaches. The 15-person crew stayed at the Shekhar family home, where Tanmaya’s mother and grandmother ran the catering.

After completion, Tanmaya and Molshri spent six to seven months hitting every wall the industry has. Production houses didn’t respond. OTT platforms heard the names of unknown actors and went quiet. Messages were left on read. Over 1,000 independent films are made in India every year; more than 90% never reach an audience.

So they took the film directly to the people. They loaded into a caravan and drove from Mumbai to Kolkata over five weeks, through 12 cities, performing actual nukkad naataks in public spaces at every stop. Then there was Imtiaz Ali. After being turned away by security multiple times, they caught him in a 10-second window at his office entrance, handed him a letter, said a few words. Ali watched the film, made a promotional video with the duo, and personally called OTT platforms and theatre chains on their behalf. The film also won the Special Jury Award at the 30th Kolkata International Film Festival.

Nukkad Naatak

The story follows two college friends who are opposites in personality. Molshri is a bold, daring activist while Shivang is more introspective and reserved. The two of them embark on countless adventures, until one impulsive act leads to their expulsion. The movie is set against the backdrop of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and its neighbouring localities. In a turn of events, the two friends are given a second chance based on a condition. They must enroll five children from nearby impoverished neighborhoods in school.

The two friends are faced with the truth most people don’t see in their lifetime. The stark contrast of living conditions, priorities and freedom. They must find a way to communicate to these communities the importance of their vision, the importance of education. Due to circumstances, these families are forced to focus on income rather than education. Their livelihood is only possible if their children are sources of financial support. So what do Molshri and Shivang do? Speak a language the locals can empathize with.

The Language of Street Plays

Nukkad Naatak is a dramatic street theater play. In their powerful performances the leading characters question inequality and promote education in urban and rural schools alike. Rather than appearing in the official platforms, they perform in the cities in casual dress, pasting placards on poles and pillars. If they need props, they fashion them from everyday articles. With rhythmic claps, strong voices and direct audience engagement, they dare to tread the line between performing art and everyday life.

Performers gain the confidence of bystanders by creating enough tension through their chants. Then they shift their focus to the bystanders themselves. This allows for an energetic, attractive and focused chaotic environment. All performances can create urgency and reality. The film also portrays street theatre as an artistic medium; therefore, it is accessible and part of the community. The film illustrates how performances can inspire collective action and drive awareness through performance art.

A Story India Needs to See

The film carries two themes – the education gap between India’s elite institutions and the communities that shadow them and LGBTQ identity in conservative environments. These are not treated as issues to be resolved but as realities to be lived by characters who are young, searching and painfully aware that good intentions alone don’t bridge worlds.

Indian independent cinema has always existed. What has rarely existed and what is still heartbreakingly rare is that even in 2026 the system is willing to let it reach the people it was made for. Nukkad Naatak has now, through sheer will, created its own path to 100 screens. Films like Masaan, Udaan and Girls Will Be Girls have shown that meaningful Indian cinema can find its audience, but only when that audience chooses to show up. Nukkad Naatak is asking for the same chance.

It releases today, February 27, 2026. Tickets are available on BookMyShow. The filmmakers are not asking you to love it before you watch it. They are simply asking for a chance.

Introduction:

Amrita Pritam was a poet, novelist and essayist. At the age of 11, her mother passed away, leaving her with a sense of isolation. After the loss, she grew up under her father’s intellectual influence and delved into poetry as an escape. She channeled her pain into her poetry guided by her father’s lessons in rhyme and meter. Amrita Pritam revealed in her autobiography that her mother’s death diverted her faith towards her writing. Her writing became her safe haven and provided an outlet for her grief. This period of her life transformed her writing from a childhood hobby to a therapeutic necessity.

Amrita Pritam’s work expressed deep emotions with themes of loss, isolation and resilience. Initially, under her father’s influence, her writing style was more affectionate and optimistic. Overtime, this style advanced into more emotionally dense and bold topics. She wrote about embracing independence, questioning faith, society and the patriarchy. She provided a voice to hard-hitting topics of war and famine. Her writing works show the journey of a young woman maturing to discover the reality of the world and navigating it head on. Her early nudge into adulthood following her mother’s passing, gave rise to a feminist lens conveyed through her writing.

Amrita Pritam’s Life:

Amrita Pritam was born as Amrita Kaur on the 31^st of August, 1919 to a Sikh family. She was the only child of her parents. Her father was the poet-scholar, Kartar Singh Hitkari, who sparked her interest in poetry from the age of eight. At the age of eleven, her writing transformed into a more serious and grief driven form of expression. This lead to her first collection Amrit Lehran at the age of thirteen.

During the 1947 Partition, she shifted to Delhi and became an editor for the All India Radio. During this time, she broadcasted progressive Punjabi works promoting social awareness and change. She also provided a mentor to aspiring writers during her time in Delhi. She authored over 100 works, including Sunehade and Kagaz Te Canvas. In 1956, she became the first woman to receive the Sahitya Akademi Award for Punjabi literature. She also received the Jnanpith Award in 1982, becoming the first Punjabi writer to be honored. She earned the Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement.

Life and Art Philosophy:

Amrita Pritam’s writing promoted human compassion, feminism and individual rebellion. The author opposed patriarchal constraints and called for women to have equal partnerships. In Pinjar, Amrita Pritam portrayed the suffering of women and acknowledged their worth. She thought that love remained a universal and transformative power.
Through poetry, the author hoped to promote social change and heal divisions. Fame was not as important to her as moral courage and inner honesty. The suffering of Partition affected her voice and strengthened her resolve. The influence of Sufi philosophy reinforced her belief in freedom and empathy. Her writings fought against oppression and advanced human knowledge.

Literary work Dissection:

• Pinjar (1950):

 Rashid abducts Puro, a Hindu bride, and makes her take on the   identity of Hamida during pre-Partition tensions. Her story, which was adapted into a film, reveals how women are caught in vicious cycles of communal violence and patriarchal revenge.

• Sunehade (1955):

Amrita Pritam explores love, longing and societal injustices in depth in this poignant poetry collection. Her sentiments of hope amid disaster characterise her progressive voice.

• Waris Shah Nu, Ajj Aakhaan (1947):

In order to lament the bloodshed and suffering of Partition, Amrita Pritam quotes Sufi poet Waris Shah in her poem. The elegy turns the collective suffering of Punjab into a timeless call for humanity and compassion.

• Kagaz Te Canvas (1981):

Amrita Pritam blends poetry and prose to explore art’s role in a modern, alienated world. She contrasts fleeting words with lasting images to reflect mature insight shaped by lived joy and sorrow. Through restrained intensity and social critique, she gives voice to the struggles of the “era-human,” a vision that earned her the Jnanpith Award.

Actionable for Aspiring Writers:

• Write with bravery.
  Aspiring authors are taught to speak openly and honestly by Amrita Pritam. She openly challenged patriarchy and social injustice through fearless writing. She offered women a powerful, independent voice and tackled taboo topics. Question silence, question unfair norms and use your words to advocate for equality.

• Let Your Voice Be Guided by Love
  In her poetry, Amrita Pritam addressed love as a universal, transforming power. She employed compassion to mend societal wounds with pieces such as Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu. Consider love to be a strong, all-encompassing energy. Write in a way that displays compassion across boundaries, bridges gaps and unites people.

• Transform suffering into meaning.
  She turned the agony of Partition into a potent literary work. Amrita Pritam depicted hardship in Pinjar while upholding resiliency and dignity. Use social realities and personal challenges as a source of inspiration. Convert injustice, strife or pain into meaningful expression that speaks to others.

•  Prioritise the truth over fame.
  Amrita Pritam put her emotional honesty ahead of flimsy praise. Instead of aiming for popular acceptance, her writing sought inner truth. Avoid pursuing fame. Instead, pay attention to emotional truth and genuineness. Instead of aiming for praise, let your work feed your spirit.

Conclusion

For aspiring writers, her life sends a clear message: write anyway. Write when you doubt yourself, when society tells you to stay silent. Write when the topic feels too heavy. Growth does not come from comfort; it comes from confronting reality with sincerity. She teaches us that literature is not created to impress, but to connect. If we choose honesty over applause, empathy over approval and meaning over popularity, our words too can outlive us.

Every year, Valentine’s Day arrives with the same well-known symbols. Our screens are flooded with romantic captions, candlelit dinners, heart-shaped boxes and red roses. For many, it becomes more about anticipation than emotion. It makes love into something that needs to be packaged, posted and demonstrated.
However, love was never intended to be categorised into just one type. For this reason, Valentine’s Day needs to be redefined. The day must once more feel human. It should respect love as a uniting, healing and strengthening force.

Valentine’s Day: Love through Action

Valentine’s Day seems to be a worldwide celebration of romance these days. The majority of people view it as a day to honour partners with presents, dates and public displays of affection. Social media transforms love into a visual event, restaurants fill up and flower prices rise. It serves as a yearly benchmark for effort and gratitude for couples. Some people truly take pleasure in the excitement and tradition surrounding it. Others feel pressured to demonstrate love in a particular manner.

Nowadays, spending and planning take up most people’s days. Surprise gestures, chocolates and roses frequently take the place of more meaningful emotional connections. Additionally, Valentine’s Day may feel lonely to some. It is still well-liked, though, because it provides an opportunity to show care.

The Crux of Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day was meant to honour love as a deliberate choice, not a seasonal performance. It originally symbolised devotion that stood firm against fear, rules and hardship. The earliest stories of Saint Valentine highlight courage, compassion and quiet loyalty. He supported human connection when society treated it as a threat. He valued commitment over comfort and sincerity over spectacle. The day also carried the spirit of protection and service. It celebrated bonds built through trust, sacrifice and emotional responsibility.

People once viewed love as something sacred and steady. They believed love required patience, endurance and moral strength. At its core, the day represented devotion with intention. It stood for love that stays when excitement fades and honoured love that chooses loyalty in silence. It respected love that remains gentle during conflict. Valentine’s Day was meant to celebrate the heart’s courage. It reminded people that true love proves itself through consistency, not performance.

Let’s Redefine Valentine’s Day

In order to reinvent Valentine’s Day, the emphasis needs to shift back to sincerity, passion and intention. Love should no longer be thought of as a romantic concept. Rather it should include friendships that endure time, distance and miscommunications. Family ties formed with tenderness, tolerance and forgiveness. As well as the devotion of pets and the unconditional comfort they provide.

The ones that silently support us should be honoured on this day. A small gesture of appreciation might have greater impact than a large spectacle. A considerate check-in can serve as a reminder that one is not alone. Our partners, parents, siblings, mentors and our chosen family should be acknowledged.

We encourage you to choose a Valentine’s Day that feels real, not rehearsed. Celebrate the people and bonds that hold you together every day. Honour friends, family and even pets with time, gratitude, and presence. Let love be wide, honest and shared in every form.

Christmas in an Anglo-Indian home in India does not have a quiet process of arrival, but rather a loud announcement of arrival! The Christmas season comes with wrapped-in spices, soaked-in-rum, and baked-in-memories. The kitchens of many Anglo-Indians become warm and fragrant theaters during this festive season where grandmothers keep hand-written family recipes, where cousins can argue about how to stir the pot, and where the entire community enjoys the sounds of Christmas carols being played, the clinking of glasses, and the delicious smells of Christmas being cooked. Most Anglo-Indian Christmas recipes are more than just food; they are heirlooms! So come on into that Christmas kitchen and taste the taste of Anglo-Indians during Christmas!

Rum-Soaked Dry Fruit Plum Cake (The Crown Jewel)

The Anglo-Indian plum cake originated in Britain but was adapted by the richness and warmth of India to be even richer, darker, and alcoholic. This cake has a weighty feel, moistness and spice to it, which gives an additional nostalgic effect with every bite.

The method of preparation (its very essence):

To prepare for Christmas, months earlier, you will soak your chopped dried fruit (such as currants, raisins, and cherries) and nuts (like cashews) in brandy or rum. On baking day you will first caramelize your sugar until it has become dark and smouldering and then cream together your butter and brown sugars; next you will add your eggs and fold them into your batter; finally, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, pepper or ginger (depending on preference) is mixed into your batter. Your batter will be baked at a low oven temperature for several hours and rested afterward because the longer the cake has aged, the better it will taste.

Why this cake is special: Each slice represents good fortune, remembrance of things past and the happiness that accompanies herbal-based baked goods.

Ribbon Cake (A Slice of Childhood)

Originated during Colonial times as a festive alternative to the more traditional tea cakes of the day.

Fun and lighthearted. The retro style of the cake gives it an air of charm.

Ribbon cake is created with two different types of batters, either vanilla or chocolate, that are combined together in such a way that when the cake is cut, soft ribbons appear. The cake can be topped with either a shiny glaze, or a sprinkling of sugar.

It is noteworthy that ribbon cake is frequently among the first cakes that children assist in making because of its high level of adaptability, simplicity, and significant nostalgic value.

Coconut Rice 

Coconut Rice serves the purpose of providing a soft, simple meal option between the main courses served at a traditional Anglo-Indian Sunday lunch while combining ingredients from both South Indian and British-French cooking.

The overall fragrance and degree of comfort afforded by this particular dish is soft and gentle while still providing a feeling of support and grounding.

The primary method for preparing coconut rice is to simmer short grain (ordinary) rice alongside freshly grated coconut, coconut milk, whole spices, and then finish by adding splashes of mustard, curry leaves and green chilis. The rice has a comforting, lighthearted quality.

Devil Chutney (Sweet, Sour & Spicy Chaos)

Origin – An Indian style chutney with an Anglo theme; mixing contemporary British sauces with the spicy heat of Indian cuisine.

The Vibe – An irresistible heat that has the ability to draw you in to danger (but in a good way).

How it’s made – The base ingredients are dates or raisins blended with vinegar, sugar, ginger, garlic, and red chilies. Some families also include apples or tomatoes; however, this will give you a shiny, sticky chutney that clings to roast meats.

Why It Matters – No family Christmas feast can be considered complete without this chutney. It provides an air of confidence around the dining table.

Homemade Christmas Wine (The House Secret)

Origin – Passed down through families, predominantly within the Anglo-Indians of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The Vibe – Rustic, Fruity, Festive!

How it’s made – Grape Juice, Pineapple Juice, Ginger, Spices, and Sugar to be mixed with Yeast, then left to ferment in large ceramic jars for weeks before Christmas. Each family will have different recipes with very specific measurements that are kept secret.

Why It Matters – This isn’t just another bottle of wine; it’s a family tradition and a chance to celebrate your family legacy with pride.

Roast Chicken  (The Centrepiece)

Source: This is a British roast enhanced with Indian spices.

This dish has a festive flair and is vibrant and full of flavour.

Preparation: The meat is marinated in vinegar, garlic, ginger, whole spices and dry chillies before being roasted until it develops a crisp crust and juicy interior. The dish will typically be served alongside potato, bread and devil chutney.

Significance: On Christmas Day, family and friends will gather to eat the same Christmas Roast we had growing up and celebrate together!

Brownies, Marzipan & Little Extras

Many homes add chocolate brownies, homemade marzipan shaped into fruits, or coconut toffees wrapped in butter paper and ofcourse the star of the show : homemade delectable crunchy kulkuls , rose cookies and diamond cuts . These are the “just because” treats made with love, eaten with laughter.

Why Anglo-Indian Christmas Food Feels So Special

The Anglo-Indian food is a celebration of the community from which it comes. It has layers that represent the different countries that contribute to it (British, Indian, and local). Anglo-Indian food is festive and rich but lacks the heaviness of traditional English foods, and is created with a generous spirit.

Within an Anglo-Indian home, Christmas time would not be complete without cutting the cake, dining on wine, sharing coconut rice, and, as is common, always hearing another request for “just one more slice.”

In conclusion, it is not only eaten but also recalls many memories.

A Nutty Beginning: The Origins of Peanut Butter

Peanut butter might seem like a staple of the modern pantry, but it has a history that stretches several centuries. Well before peanut butter ever donned its creamy spread persona on grocery store shelves, ancient South American cultures-the Inca civilization and the Aztec civilization among them-were grinding roasted peanuts into a soft paste, occasionally with cocoa mixed in. These early forms of peanut spreads were the ancestors of what we now call peanut butter.

The first modern patent on peanut paste was much later in 1884, with Canadian chemist Marcellus Gilmore Edson describing the milling of roasted peanuts into a smooth, spreadable consistency. His version sometimes included sugar to firm up the texture. A decade later, in 1895, American doctor John Harvey Kellogg made his nut butter from boiled nuts. Kellogg developed it as a high-protein, easy-to-consume food for patients in his sanitarium, particularly those who had problems chewing.

Many people believe that George Washington Carver invented peanut butter, but in reality, his contribution was in researching hundreds of uses for peanuts and promoting its cultivation. For by this time, peanut butter itself already existed.

The popularity of peanut butter as a commercial product took hold when a businessman named George A. Bayle Jr. marketed the nutty spread as a snack in the 1890s. However, after gaining fame at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where visitors were fascinated by this new nutty spread, it reached its big break in the 1920s, when the chemist Joseph L. Rosefield developed a process to prevent separation in peanut butter. This allowed it to become creamy, stable on the shelf, and perfect for mass production. Soon, brands like Peter Pan, Skippy, and later Jif would make peanut butter a household staple.

With its ease, nutrition, affordability, and versatility, the world by mid-twentieth century had learned to love peanut butter. Whether spread on bread, folded into desserts, or used in savory dishes, peanut butter earned its global reputation as a comfort food.

Why Peanut Butter Became So Popular

Despite its ancient roots, peanut butter only really caught on when manufacturers worked out how to stabilize it. When people realized they could store it for months without the oil separating, it became a take-anywhere food. The high protein content made it popular with vegetarians, children, and athletes alike. It’s inexpensive, extremely filling, and adaptable. You can use it in sandwiches, smoothies, curries, baked goods, and sauces. And, of course, the most important thing: it tastes amazing.

India’s Own Nutty Legacy: Groundnut-Based Chutneys and Spreads

In most Western countries, butter or nut butters are everyday staples, their diets being heavy on bread. Spreads naturally become a part of their meals. In India, however, our cuisine is centered around chapatis, rice, bhakris, dosas and an enormous variety of condiments. Instead of butter, we reach for ghee, fresh chutneys, spiced pickles, podis, gravies and dry powders.

Even though peanut butter has become popular here in recent years, India has always had its own delicious tradition of groundnut-based chutneys and spreads.

Shengdana Chi Chutney, Maharashtra

This is a dry version of peanut chutney, made by roasting groundnuts and then blending them with garlic, red chilli, and salt. The texture remains coarse, almost like powder, which makes it perfect for bhakri, rotis, or even as a flavorful sprinkle on meals.

Wet Groundnut Chutney with Dosa, South India

Freshly prepared groundnut chutneys are a breakfast must-have across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. These creamy chutneys are blended together with peanuts, chillies, spices, and sometimes coconut. They go beautifully with dosas, idlis, and vadas.

But the peanut story in India does not end here. Many states have their own local groundnut-based accompaniments. Here are some more regional treasures:

More Regional Indian Groundnut Spreads Worth Celebrating

Palli Pachadi from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

This classic chutney made from roasted peanuts combined with garlic, red chillies, tamarind and salt has a creamy texture and bold, slightly tangy flavour. People enjoy it with dosa, idli, pesarattu and upma.

Dry Chutney of Peanut and Garlic from Maharashtra

This version is made by grinding the peanuts with fried garlic and red chilli powder. Slightly oily, it is intensely aromatic and infuses bhakri or rotis with heat and crunch.

Peanut and Mint Fresh Chutney

A more modern favorite savored all over India, this combination of roasted ground nuts, mint leaves, coriander, green chilies, and lemon forms a refreshing dip for pakoras, parathas, and snacks.

Dry Peanut Podi for Chapatis and Rice

This is a powdered chutney made by mixing roasted peanuts with chilli, cumin, and salt. Many people use it as a quick flavour enhancer for chapatis or hot rice with ghee. Some even prepare it during fasting days when they need high energy accompaniments.

Mirchi ka Salan, Telangana and Hyderabad

The star of the dish, though technically a gravy, is a paste made with peanuts, dry coconut, tamarind and spices. Rich and nutty, this curry accompanies Hyderabadi biryani and festive meals.

Peanut and Yogurt Chutney

A lighter, cooling variant made by blending roasted peanuts with curd, garlic, chillies and a little lemon. Goes great with rice or dosa when you want something tangy and smooth.

Put together, these regional variants reveal how entrenched the peanut is in everyday foods across India. While peanut butter abroad can be sweet or neutral and is predominantly used as a versatile spread, India’s groundnut condiments are savoury, spicy, tangy, full of flavour.

Fun Peanut Butter and Peanut-Based Recipes to Try at Home

Peanut Butter Dosa Dip

Mix peanut butter with warm water or coconut milk. Add salt, jaggery, green chilli and lime. Use as a creamy dosa dip.

Peanut Butter Sandwich with an Indian Twist

Spread peanut butter on whole wheat bread, add sliced mango or banana, and sprinkle chaat masala. Toast for a warm, fusion snack.

Spicy Peanut Spread for Rotis

Blend together peanut butter with coriander, onion, garlic, chillies and salt. Spread on rotis or use as a dip for snack items.

Peanut Butter Paratha Stuffing

Mix peanut butter with chopped coriander, onion, green chilli, and optional cheese. Stuff it into dough and make flavourful parathas.

Sweet Peanut Butter Ladoo

Mix peanut butter with powdered jaggery and a little amount of roasted semolina or crushed gram. Make small ladoos to serve instantly.

Andhra Style Palli Pachadi

Roast the peanuts and then blend them with garlic, red chilies, tamarind, and salt. Season with mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Why Peanut Butter Lover Month Matters

 It’s not just a quirky food holiday, but also a celebration of a food that travelled from ancient civilisations, coming to global shelves and finally to Indian kitchens. It gives us a chance to explore the nutty goodness that we already enjoy in so many forms, from chutneys to curries. 

For us  Indians, this is also a reminder that, as delicious as peanut butter may be, our own groundnut chutneys have been adding richness, heat and comfort to our meals for generations. By marrying these traditions and playing with new recipes, we create flavours that are both familiar and exciting. So grab a spoon, a slice of bread, a bhakri or a dosa. Today is the perfect day to celebrate the humble peanut in all its creamy, crunchy, spicy and savory glory.