Must Read
Books to add to your To-Be-Read this month.
Music Against the Night
When two extraordinary musicians come together one would only expect to be swept off their feet by their craft and inspired by the hard work behind it. Yiyun Li presents the life of a couple brought together by music from across continents. Out on 13th October, this historical novel is an exploration of the cultivation and exploitation of artistic talent through the themes of migration and politics.
Hollywood, Ending
Kai Laramie and Juniper Castillo have always wanted to get cast in the buzzy biopic Andy Warhol Never Gets Old. Now the movie is blowing up and so are their lives. John Green opens the door to the behind-the-scenes of a Hollywood love story from Kai’s and Juniper’s very first day on set, juxtaposing their story with Andy’s life.
Peck & Peck
There are two sides to every story. Batter Gray is reminded of this repeatedly. He wants something different than the usual job options, something that bores most people: Poetry. When he gets hired by the most secretive and prestigious poetry journal in New York City, his life turns upside down and poetry becomes the key to his survival. Releasing on 13th October, Bonnie Garmus invites you to explore dualities of truth vs lies and rejection and acceptance as Batter finds his way.
Must Watch
On-screen recommendations for this month.
War Season 1
A headline-grabbing divorce between tech titan Morgan Henderson and international film star Carla Duval brings two law firms to battle. Too ambitious to lose, the firms stop at nothing to secure a win. Resulting in a spiral of blurred lines of professional and personal lives of those involved. Starring Sienna Miller and Dominic West, this legal drama airs on HBO starting 1st October.
Marriage Cops
Directed by Shashwati Talukdar and Cheryl Hess, Marriage Cops is an intimate observational documentary. It unfolds justice as Officer Sandhya and her all-women team mediate troubled marriages in Northern India. Going to be screened by MAMI on 21st October, this multi-award-winning documentary captures the raw emotional intensity of confrontations as well as the camaraderie among the officers as they navigate each case.
Bokshi
A seventeen-year-old Anahita confides in her history teacher Shalini after her mother’s brutal disappearance. However, an unconventional school excursion to a mysterious prehistoric site reveals the truth of Anahita’s cursed lineage. Directed by Bhargav Saikia, Bokshi is getting a theatrical release on 9th October.
Must Listen
Albums to set the tune for the month.
Frequency of Love
Following her Grammy-winning 2023 debut, Victoria Monét’s sophomore album Frequency of Love is set to release this October. Packed with 22 tracks, it features pre-released singles like ‘Let Me’ and ‘Reach Out.’ The album delves into various forms of love like intimacy, self-love and human connection.
She’s the Best
A stylistic departure from his previous music, Troye Sivan launches his 4th album, She’s the Best as a heartfelt love letter to womanhood. He celebrates resilient female figures, trans women and drag queens. Sivan anchors this with themes of quiet inner isolation, loneliness of post-show hotel rooms and the adrenaline of touring.
I Think I Spoke Too Soon
I Think I Spoke Too Soon, set to release on 16th October, is an exploration of personal revelation and the realisation of how much one’s identity changes as they grow. Songs like ‘One Song Away From Crying’ highlight the hidden vulnerability which Rachel Chinouriri focuses on throughout the album.
L: Victoria Money R: Troye Sivan
Must Attend
Festivals and exhibits to look out for.
Hornbill Festival Delhi Edition - Ticket to Hornbill
Running through 16th and 17th October at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, the Hornbill festival is celebrated as the autumn festival or the ‘Colours of Nagaland.’ This event acts as a preview for the main celebration in the Northeast with the aim of sharing tribal heritage. It offers a chance to enjoy traditional Naga music, local food and handmade crafts.
Life is in Many Days
Life is in Many Days showcases 77 photographs and stories from Afghanistan, India, Ireland, Russia and the United States. Running until 25th October at Museo Camera, Gurugram, this exhibition marks the Indian debut of the award-winning Irish documentary photographer Seamus Murphy. It is grounded in humour and the daily lives of ordinary people living through history and conflict.
Dosticha Dukaan
Dosticha Dukaan is a Marathi musical that follows 6 friends who reunite in a small town for a wedding. The narrative centres on the theme of nostalgia, friendship and personal growth as the characters navigate their careers and relationships through songs and storytelling. Catch this vibrant blend of theatre and poetry at NMACC, Mumbai on 18th October.
Must Eat Live Drink
Exciting, innovative places to dine at.
San San, Delhi
Located on Golf Course Road, Gurgaon, San San - Elevated Asian is a modern restaurant with a fresh take on Asian cuisine. The menu offers creative twists on classic favourites like smashed chicken open gyoza, Vietnamese asparagus sushi and truffle chilli corn ribs. With a moody interior with hyper-minimalist design and tactile textures, it invites visitors to dine in a chic atmosphere.
The Powder Room, Mumbai
The Powder Room in Bandra is a dinner and cocktail club featuring a menu designed by Chef Sahil Singh. The menu offers a wide selection of dishes like tapas, flammkuchen, robata, pasta, crudos and plancha. This bar brings to its visitors a blend of Asian and Mediterranean flavours with Afro-jazz music, craft cocktails and art-led interiors.
The Back Room, Chandigarh
Founded by Saanya and Akshay Verma, The Back Room is India’s first pour-only cocktail bar. The venue’s futuristic retro interior, designed by French architect Jean-Louis Deniot, combines metallic accents and moody lighting to create a space that feels both nostalgic and otherworldly. Patrons can pair their drinks with a unique, umami-focused global tapas menu.
Words Platform Desk
Date 1.10.2026
L: Back Room R: San San