Must Read
Exciting, upcoming releases to add to your shelf this month.
The Cost of a Promised Afterlife
The Cost of a Promised Afterlife is a gripping memoir of survival and defiance from Priyamvada Mehra, who spent two decades trapped in the religious cult of Rampal, a self-proclaimed godman in Haryana. At just nine years old, through her parents, she was drawn into a world where faith became a cage and control was absolute. This is a deeply intersectional critique of two treacherous worlds she stumbled between: one inside the ashram, rife with thought reform and medical negligence, and the other outside, laden with patriarchy, caste and class.
The Only City
Financial capital, cradle of Bollywood, home to India’s largest slum—Bombay is a megalopolis with many associations. The Only City is a collection of eighteen new pieces of short fiction that captures the pulse of this always-morphing urban centre. Edited by Anindita Ghose, featuring some of the best names in Indian fiction—both emerging and established—this extraordinary anthology frames the city through a range of vantage points.
Intemperance
In this follow-up to the critically-acclaimed The Laughter—winner of the Washington State Book Award— Sonora Jha writes of a middle-aged woman who starts a firestorm when she holds a contest, based on an ancient Indian ritual, in which men must compete to win her affections. As her whole plan spirals into a spectacle, the woman embarks on a journey to decide what feat her suitor must perform to be worthy of her wrinkling hand.
Must Watch
Movies and TV shows to look out for.
The Smashing Machine
Starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, this is the story of legendary mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr. This biographical sports drama, directed by Benny Safdie, explores Kerr’s rise to fame, his battles inside the ring, and the personal struggles with addiction and identity that defined his life beyond it. The film had its premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, and will be in theatres 3rd October.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere
Starring Jeremy Allen White, this biographical musical drama tells the story of Bruce Springsteen during the making of his 1982 album Nebraska. Written and directed by Scott Cooper, and based on Warren Zanes’s book, the film explores a young Springsteen on the verge of superstardom struggling to reconcile his past, personal demons, and the pressures of success through a raw, intimate acoustic record crafted in his New Jersey bedroom.
Nobody Wants This: Season 2
The rom-com returns October 23, 2025 on Netflix. Kristen Bell’s Joanne and Adam Brody’s Rabbi Noah try to merge their lives, beliefs, and families while facing fresh conflicts and new characters in a relationship no longer just about falling in love, but staying in love.
Must Listen
Tunes to get your groove on.
Oblivion
Alice Phoebe Lou’s sixth album Oblivion is set to release on October 24th via Nettwerk Music Group. The album is a personal archive of unreleased music that she has been working on since her debut album, Shelter. She also released the single, Pretender, along with the announcement. The sounds of the album seem to be oriented towards self-reflection, softness and independence.
Everybody Scream
Everybody Scream is English indie rock band Florence and the Machine’s long awaited sixth studio album, which will be released on October 31st. This is their first studio album since 2022, Dance Fever, and will include 12 songs. The title song, Everybody Scream is evocative, commanding and cinematic.
The Human Era Is Over
Pop artist Zoya’s concept album The Human Era is Over is ready to release on October 10th. The album is a personal awakening; dealing with themes of identity and the self in the wake of the chaos of modern life. It is also a representation of how art and love are the most important parts of human expression, and exist regardless of digital burnout and disillusionment.
Must Attend
Events, concerts and festivals to keep you occupied.
Jazz Weekender
Having firmly established itself as a highlight of Delhi’s cultural calendar for the past few years, Jazz Weekender returns to the Capital for its fourth edition from October 11-12, 2025 at the iconic 1AQ in Mehrauli, New Delhi. Artists performing include Allysha Joy, Sera Kalo, Dhanji, Derek and The Cats and so much more.
Dharamshala International Film Festival
Films return to the mountains on October 30th, as part of the Dharamshala International Film Festival. Held at McLeodganj, Dharamshala, at the Tibetan Children’s Village, DIFF presents independent cinema with a stage to flourish, and be seen. Notable mentions in this year’s line up include Sundance-winning Sabar Bonda, Kneecap and Alaav.
KNMA Music Festival: Voices of Diversity
The KNMA Festival returns to Sunder Nursery, this time with a focus on music, from October 9 to 12, 2025. Titled ‘Voices of Diversity’, the four-day festival celebrates the vast and varied sonic landscape of India. This year’s edition is curated by renowned musician and writer, T.M. Krishna, whose thought-provoking practice continues to shape conversations on art, identity, and the ethics of listening. Performing artists include Wild Wild Women, Parvaaz and The Anirudh Varma Collective, amongst others.
Date 30-09-2025