every time I travel through India, I’m reminded of how ancient, layered and endlessly mysterious this place is. You can spend your whole life exploring it and still feel like you’ve only brushed the surface - another landscape that feels sacred, another moment that makes you feel both small and deeply connected. It reminds me that I’ll never unravel all of it…but I feel unbelievably lucky for the pieces I do get to witness 🐅🧚🏽♂️
For as long as I’ve known, food has been both the ultimate source of joy and also my Achilles heel. Something amazing happens — I celebrate with a good meal. I’m having the worst day of life — I indulgeeeeee in some carby goodness (pizza and pasta, ILY). I find this dopamine reward cycle to be both fascinating and completely rude, especially when I’m trying to kick the habit. Over the years, I’ve definitely adapted with better coping mechanisms to manage my emotions. But truth be told, there is a bit of this indulgence that will never leave me. And I’m perfectly okay with that. In case anyone else is on this train, just letting you know, I’m with you 🍕🍝🍩🍷
📸 by my dearest and fellow NYC to Mumbai shuffler @saunakspace
Flew halfway across the world for the fever dream that was Newfest, for the premiere of Zari. Shot in my current home, India, and screening for the first time in my favorite home, NYC? Yes, please. I cannot explain the euphoria of sitting with this supremely talented and passionate team, watching our film play for the first time amongst a live audience. Definitely one for the core memory vault. Sending all the vibes to team Zari, as they head off to Austin Film Festival next 🧜🏽♀️
15 beautiful humans came together in such synchronicity for a serotonin infused weekend to celebrate my birthday this year. Some didn’t know others well before the trip and had zero prefacing on what to expect. The vibrations could not have been higher, with the whole weekend feeling like it was perfectly scripted by life itself. It was a testament to the magic that happens when you choose to be fully present to the moment. Let this year be about that - simply being present and trusting that we are, in fact, always exactly where we need to be 🦋
Some key players missing 💫
This one’s for friendship. Our mirrors, our safe spaces, our chosen family. Weathering the storms and witnessing seasons of growth. Sending us 15 minute voicenotes that we respond to, eventually.
Our first time working together was nearly a decade ago, as photographer and muse. Years later, here we are - this time on the same side of the lens, having effortlessly shifted from creative counterparts to the type of friends who show up without expectation, and instead with pure acceptance and understanding. Okay that’s a lie. Only expectation is: must always look cute 🖤
Shout out to @swapnil.junare for immaculately capturing the vibes
#newyork #brooklyn #friendship
currently working on a theatre show, sitting in the skin of my character and having many moments of self reflection. once in a while, i urge you to turn inward and truly listen to the whisper of your own heart. it is in this quiet space that we find the courage to confront our doubts, fears and insecurities. recognize that questioning where we are in life is not a sign of weakness, but rather our innate curiosity and desire for meaning. and though the path may not always be clear, it is through pushing forward and embracing uncertain moments that we uncover the extraordinary possibilities that lie within us. we let go of the need for immediate answers and instead, surrender ourselves to the enigmatic nature of life's journey. so here is me, eyes closed. surrendering. 🙏🏽
📷: @lala_photuwale
The Good Girl Gone Bad?
Societal pressure to be seen as the “good girl” can be so limiting and damaging to self growth. It often leads to inauthenticity, difficulty setting boundaries, self doubt, and anxiety. What if we just encouraged the idea of being? Dropping the adjective of good or bad. Because what is good and what is bad anyways? Let’s celebrate our girls for making choices, whatever they may be, so we can raise empowered and self assured women. So we can build a community devoid of judgment and celebrate individuality instead.
- The Girl
📷: @saunakspace
Home
I often find myself questioning what this means or where this is.
Is it where my elders first spoke my mother tongue? Where I was born, raised and tasted the flavors of youth? Where the feeling of crisp winter air engraved itself into my skin? Or where I lived some of my most formative years and learned the truest things about myself. In the chaos of those city streets, where the lights stayed on past dawn. Or is it where I am realizing my dreams? Where the music and the dance remind me of my childhood.
What if home is in all of these. Or none of them at all. Is home really a physical space? After all, through the flux, the only constant, is me.
Perhaps, I am my own sanctuary, my own refuge, my own safe space.
Perhaps, home is me.
📷: @yash_kamat
🥻: @samikshashetty_
🏠: @aasthasharma & @karanbirlamba
