
The anti-woke can be as woke as the woke
But being anti-woke has also emerged as a new form of intelligence-signalling. There are people who can now make a living (read: dinner party conversations and columns) by woke-hunting. This is especially evident whenever traditional depictions in pop culture are stitched to PC culture. Like, say, Disney's depiction of a Black actress as The Little Mermaid in the eponymous 2023 film. 'This is the limit!' scream the anti-wokemeisters. I recently watched Armando Iannucci's The Personal History of David Copperfield, a cinematic adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1850 novel. True, meeting the Victorian hero-narrator and finding him being played by Dev Patel was unexpected, especially for us honed on our Occidentalism via Dickens, Enid Blyton, James Bond, Jeeves, and Britannia biscuit diet. But after the initial 'What the Dickens!' surprise of a Brown Copperfield - and other non-White-as-the-cliffs-of-Dover actors - the film proceeds wonderfully with its modernist wit, charm, and freshness. No shred of DEI-ness creeps in to provide any diversity message on the sly beyond the obviously visual. In fact, very subtly, it brings a new layer of depicting how universal Dickens' Victorian characters are to this day, in any society. When I saw Peter Brook's cinematic version of his and Jean-Claude Carriere's 1985 stage play, Mahabharata, in Kolkata in 1989, the terms 'DEI' and 'woke' would have sounded Jesuit Latin and wrong English, respectively. Almost all the characters were played by (non-Hindu) non-Indians, with only Malika Sarabhai as Draupadi. Senegalese-French actor Mamadou Dioume's performance as Bhima left me with goosebumps all over my nominally Hindu, Bengali brown skin. Brook's superb treatment, part-Shakespeare, part-Kurosawa, was far-removed from the opulent kitschof BR Chopra's immensely more popular 1988-1990 TV series on Doordarshan. It gave out no smoke of woke. Instead, it was 'just' a powerful reinterpretation, the 'visual' deviation from standard ethnic depiction adding to its universal power. A new stage production of Ramayana has been making waves in Karachi this month. Directed by Yogeshwar Karera and produced by Rana Kazmi of Mauj Theatre Group, it's incidental that barring the director and two actors who are (Pakistani) Hindu, all other members of the production team are (Pakistani) Muslim. What holds the Karachi Ramayana's appeal is its interpretation not of a religious epic done with a secular mission, but of a human classic staged for thoughtful entertainment. A particular kind of anti-woke brigade rails out against any form of deviation from the original 'purity' of Western-White-gendered tropes - 'Black James Bond!' 'Woman Hamlet!' 'Chinese woman Dr Watson!' Which is as dogmatic as shouting one's head off about Alauddin Khilji being depicted as a 'depraved Muslim' in a Bollywood movie. And as silly as removing golliwogs from Enid Blyton's Noddy books, or changing language deemed offensive from Roald Dahl's children's books. While the public may never take to a Chinese Superman - after all, immigrants from Planet Krypton have to be White as created by Jerry Siegel (Praise Be Upon Him) - a wok Clark Kent needn't be woke. In the head of a clever writer-director, it could be what Shakespeare in his play, Vishal Bhardwaj in Maqbool, and, more recently, Anirban Bhattacharya in Mandaar, superbly did to Holinshed's Macbeth. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Leadership shakeups cloud Ola Electric's revival attempts
Can Indian IT's 'pyramid' survive the GenAI shake-up?
How Safexpress bootstrapped its way to build India's largest PTL Express business
As deposit ground slips under PSU banks' feet, they chase the wealthy
Zee promoters have a new challenge to navigate. And it's not about funding or Sebi probe.
These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 27% return in 1 year, according to analysts
Stock Radar: SRF hits record highs in July 2025! Time to book profits or buy the recent dip?
F&O Radar| Deploy Bull Call Spread in Nifty to gain from overall bullish trend in market
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Katy Perry-Justin Trudeau spotted together a month after her breakup with Orlando Bloom. Why did they split?
American pop star Katy Perry was spotted dining with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , reported TMZ. In a now viral video shared by the outlet on X, the 'Roar' hitmaker can be seen with the Canadian leader at the Le Violon in Montreal. An eyewitness shared with TMZ that Perry and Trudeau enjoyed several dishes at the venue, including lobster, but skipped the cocktails. A communications consultant for the restaurant Le Violon confirmed Tuesday that the former prime minister and the singer spent about two hours at the fine-dining spot Monday evening, photos of which went viral sparking rumours of romance. ALSO READ: Justin Trudeau may have a new romance brewing: Ex-Canadian PM's love life in spotlight after Sophie Gregoire separation The pair noshed on a chef's menu featuring a range of appetizers including tuna, beef tartare, lobster and asparagus, with lamb as their main course. Perry recently split from longtime partner Orlando Bloom and is on tour with stops including Ottawa on Tuesday, Montreal on Wednesday, Quebec City on Friday, and two dates in Toronto next week. Why did Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom split? Earlier this month, Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom announced they have broken up after seven years of relationship. According to US media reports, the pair 'have been shifting their relationship over the past many months to focus on co-parenting' and would continue to be seen in public with their daughter. The statement, attributed to representatives for both stars, said their priority would be raising their daughter with 'love, stability, and mutual respect.' Live Events The statement came a week after reports of the couple's breakup swirled ahead of the wedding of billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, which Bloom attended alone. Perry has been on a world tour. ALSO READ: New Covid variant symptoms seen in US amid surge in summer wave: Check symptoms and states at the highest risk Perry, 40, and Bloom, 48, have been romantically linked since 2016. The pair split in 2017 but rekindled shortly thereafter, getting engaged on Valentine's Day in 2019. They also welcomed a daughter in 2020 named Daisy Dove Bloom. A source close to them told Us Weekly, 'Katy and Orlando have split but are amicable. The breakup was 'a long time coming. [Things] have been tense for months,' the source said, adding, '[They] have been living apart since Katy has been on tour.' A second source explained distance contributed to their issues: 'Katy has been very busy working, and they are apart often. That has caused tension.' The insider noted that despite their years-long engagement, they 'never set a date for the wedding or got around to planning anything, and Orlando is "over it".' They are prioritizing their daughter now, a source close to them told the outlet. 'They are still very much in touch and co-parenting Daisy together,' the insider explained. ALSO READ: Dr Vinay Prasad's FDA exit in less than 3 months linked to Sarepta gene therapy controversy? Check details On June 13, a source told People that their relationship was 'pretty much done,' adding that the former couple does not 'really see them[selves] being able to turn things around here.' The issues had been there for quite some time, the source shared: 'It's been breaking down the last couple of months and isn't looking good.' A few days earlier, several sources told the publication that tension rose during the release of her latest album, 143. 'Katy was deeply frustrated following the reception of her new album,' one source said. 'It made her very stressed. Orlando was understanding, but it did cause some tension.' A second insider said of Perry, 'She was also disappointed in some of the tour reviews. It's put stress on their relationship.' The former couple's last public outing was in March 2025 at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party. During the weekend of June 21 and 22, Bloom was seen with Daisy in Perth, Australia, where Perry was touring. The couple wasn't photographed together. They have broken up before, taking time apart in 2017.


News18
an hour ago
- News18
Barbie Designers Mario Paglino, Gianni Grossi Killed In Tragic Road Accident In Italy
Last Updated: The couple were travelling with their close friend, Amodio Giurn, and his wife, Silvia Moramacro. Mario Paglino and Gianni Grossi, the acclaimed Italian designers known for their iconic contributions to the world of Barbie, tragically lost their lives in a car accident on Sunday, July 27, in Italy. The fatal collision occurred on the A4 Turin–Milan motorway and was reported by Italian news outlet TG24. According to initial reports, the couple were travelling with their close friend, Amodio Giurn, and his wife, Silvia Moramacro, when their vehicle collided head-on with another car being driven in the wrong direction. The other driver, identified as 82-year-old Egidio Ceriani, was reportedly travelling at a speed of 129 kilometres per hour. The crash claimed the lives of Paglino, Grossi, Giurn, and Ceriani. Moramacro was the sole survivor and has been hospitalised in critical condition. Paglino and Grossi were reportedly en route to a lake for a day trip when the tragic incident occurred. The crash took place between Novara Est and Marcallo Mesero, in the north-western region of Italy. More than just professional collaborators, Paglino and Grossi were also romantic partners. In 2006, they made history as the first non-American artists to design a commemorative Barbie doll. Their creative work was often inspired by the likes of Vincent van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Piet Mondrian, blending high art with the cherished world of collectible dolls. The post went on to honour the 'spirit and love" of the 'passionate and talented designers and lifelong collectors", noting that they 'turned every creation they touched into a masterpiece" and 'shared an energy that lit up every space they entered." According to the official Magia2000 website, a doll created by the duo sold for $15,000 at a charity auction in 2015. In 2011, they also founded the Italian Doll Convention, now recognised as the largest fashion doll event in Europe. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 17:25 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Justin Trudeau may have a new romance brewing: Ex-Canadian PM's love life in spotlight after Sophie Gregoire separation
Former Canadian Prime Justin Trudeau and American singer Katy Perry had dinner together in Montreal this week. Trudeau and Perry set tongues wagging after they were spotted by onlookers on a quite evening, prompting speculation among fans and media alike. This comes one month after Katy Perry ended her engagement with Orlando Bloom. Perry, 40, and Trudeau, 53, were seen eating at neighborhood restaurant Le Violon, reported PEOPLE. The duo met with Chef Danny Smiles during dinner and headed to the kitchen after their meal to thank the staff. According to TMZ, Perry and Trudeau enjoyed cocktails and several dishes, including one that featured lobster. Though Justin Trudeau usually keeps his personal life low-key and under the wraps, but he also made headlines when he announced his separation from his ex-wife Sophie Grégoire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now ALSO READ: Dr Vinay Prasad's FDA exit in less than 3 months linked to Sarepta gene therapy controversy? Check details How Justin Trudeau met his ex-wife Sophie Grégoire? Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire parted ways in August 2023. Trudeau and Grégoire who wed in 2005 and share three children and the couple announced their separation after 18 years of marriage. Grégoire and Trudeau first met as children growing up in Montreal, as Grégoire was a classmate and friend of Trudeau's youngest brother, Michel. However, it wasn't until years later, when the Closer Together author and politician were both adults in 2003, that they reconnected at a charity event, according to US Weekly. Live Events Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau keeps his love life mostly private, but his marriage to ex-wife Sophie Grégoire unfolded in front of the world. Grégoire and Trudeau first met as children growing up in Montreal, as Grégoire was a classmate and friend of Trudeau's youngest brother, Michel. However, it wasn't until years later, when the Closer Together author and politician were both adults in 2003, that they reconnected at a charity event. ALSO READ: 'The Summer I turned Pretty' Season 3 scores 25 million views in just 7 days: Where can you watch Episode 4? Grégoire and Justin began dating and got engaged after one year together. According to People, the pair went on their first date to an Afghan restaurant, then to a karaoke bar, where they sang Elton John and Beatles songs. Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire got engaged on October 18, 2004, and tied the knot on May 28, 2005, at the Sainte-Madeleine d'Outremont Church in Montreal. 'It hurts deeply. You know, marriage is 'success.' Separation and divorce is 'failure,' " Grégoire said on the Next Question With Katie Couric podcast in May 2024. Who is Sophie Grégoire? Sophie Grégoire has had an eclectic and illustrious career. Fluent in French, English and Spanish, she began her career in advertising, working her way up from receptionist to account manager at a marketing firm, but felt herself drawn to other endeavors. She is also known for her extensive charity work. Grégoire worked as a television host and was involved in presenting entertainment news in Canada before switching to focus on charity work. ALSO READ: 10-feet high tsunami waves could hit parts of Hawaii after powerful earthquake in Russia. Check latest update She is also a national volunteer for the Canadian Mental Health Association, and in May 2023, she partnered with the organization to encourage others to share their own struggles with mental health "to build more compassion and more empathy for one another." She also worked as news ticker items, which she described as "the worst job ever." In 2005, Grégoire attended a charity event where she met several CTV Television Network staffers, leading her to become a correspondent for CTV's eTalk, an entertainment news show. Grégoire is also an author. She published Closer Together: Knowing Ourselves, Loving Each Other in 2024.