In this issue

Tracking the undercurrents of change beyond the world of cinema led us specifically to the food and fashion industries, literature, and the arena of mental health. For our November-December issue, we picked five other people, along with our cover star Neena Gupta, who have made huge strides in refocusing the lens through which their chosen professions are typically viewed. This issue is packed with people and stories that will encourage you to reflect anew. We felt a frisson of excitement putting it all together; it’s time for a fresh and recalibrated outlook, and Verve is ready to lead the way.

Neena Gupta

It’s the coming of age of an unconventional artiste, whose life has been laced with passion, scandal and heartbreak. As she stuns audiences with her latest release Badhaai Ho, she takes Megha Shah through the defining moments of her life

9 mins

My Friend, Neena

She has danced with her on stage, performed with her in plays and shared many of her life-changing moments, both professional and personal. And now, as her compatriot continues to earn accolades for a game-changing role in a record-smashing film, author and editor Sathya Saran rewinds to some of her friend’s most meaningful turning points

5 mins

Aditi Dugar

The maverick restaurateur reflects to Shirin Mehta about curating menus, foraging for ingredients, seasonality, sustainability and zero waste. All at that restaurant, Masque.

10 mins

Nikhil D. And Smita Lasrado

The flip side of beauty is not necessarily ugly. The duo — cofounders of model agency Feat. Artists — tells Rushmika Banerjee about giving a voice to the brewing subculture of individuals who believe that looking good is more than skin-deep, even in the fashion industry

6 mins

Divya Dureja

She ties together multiple bodies of work as a poet, curator, DJ and psychologist. Shreya Ila Anasuya meets one of the smart, savvy and sensitive new faces of mental health and LGBTQIA+ rights in India

6 mins

Amruta Patil

Her works hold the reader captive with their sinewy, multilayered storylines. The country’s first female graphic novelist constructs and deconstructs narratives with a view to tell stories that are progressive, socially relevant and epic in scale, finds Ranjabati Das

9 mins

Through Their Looking Glass

Anshika Khullar, the 24-year-old England-based illustrator, talks to Verve about the process of creating an inclusive imagery of the LGBTQIA+ community and pushing for adequate representation for South Asian queer groups on a global scale

3 mins

A Matter Of Perspective

Madhu Jain reminisces about the books that she grew up with and discovers that the passage of time sometimes changes their understanding and impact….

3 mins

#Metoo India: The Road Ahead

A special feature exploring some of the ongoing conversations around the movement in India.

4 mins

It Takes Two

Dancing might be poetry in motion, but there’s a science to it. Pole dancer Aarifa Bhinderwala’s agile spins and inversions defy gravity, and Odissi dancer Ranjana Dave elevates simple physics to keep her lower body firmly grounded while her torso is fluid and snake-like. Sadaf Shaikh spends an afternoon watching how the two women’s mutual intuition for movement results in a beautiful crossing over of forms and synchronicity

9 mins

Read all stories from Verve

Verve Magazine Description:

Going towards its 26th year now, Verve has been at the vanguard of the lifestyle industry in India since its inception. Being India's first fashion and luxury monthly and targeted as the spirit of today’s woman, it celebrates the interests of the multifaceted contemporary global Indian, including fashion,beauty and style, glamour, arts and culture, travel and wellness. The editor and publisher, Anuradha Mahindra, has received top billing in Avenue Asia's list of Indians involved in the media.

More than just a magazine that reports and interprets, Verve is a catalyst for conversations around contemporary Indian culture in the world, and these conversations take place between the pages of the magazine, on the internet as well as through several Verve-organized offline event initiatives:

Verve is a magazine about the international Indian woman who rubs shoulders with the world with confidence and élan. She belongs to a high-income group and is well aware of the latest trends and styles, be it in fashion, the arts, cuisine or world events. Verve appeals to the intelligent, urbane, educated and affluent woman. She would be 25 years of age and above. She is likely to be an independent entrepreneur or a corporate professional or a socialite. She is well-travelled, fashion conscious and appreciates luxury with a side to her that is culturally sensitive with aesthetic sensibilities. Overall a multi-faceted, stylish and glamorous woman. All in all, the Verve reader looks upon the magazine as an invaluable lifestyle resource for the best in contemporary urban Indian living.