Rediscovered short film showcases Irrfan Khan’s acting mastery

By Bhabani Shankar Nayak

is a disturbing portrayal of the hidden violence embedded in everyday life under feudal, patriarchal, and capitalist structures. After 25 years, the rediscovered VHS tape of this 43‑minute short film, directed by , stands as a fitting tribute to ’s artistry. Shot in 2000 but lost before release, it finally surfaced on 29 April 2026 through and has already drawn 589,549 views. Its power of performance and storytelling ensures a lasting legacy.

The narrative revisits themes of gender, honour killing, and class through a haunting monologue carried almost entirely by Irrfan Khan. His presence transforms the abandoned house setting into a stage for memory, grief, regret, and fragile human connection. A slow, violin‑led score intensifies the unease, while the eerie location adds emotional depth to the tale of , a financially broken musician whose creative pursuit unravels a story of love, reconciliation, and despair.

Irrfan Khan’s performance is a masterclass in restraint and nuance, conveying meaning beyond dialogue. ’s brief appearance signals the rise of another formidable talent. Supporting roles by , Annu Khandelwal, , Satish Kalra, and Anand Mishra leave distinct impressions despite limited screen time. The film’s strength lies in its simplicity—raw talent flourishing without excess.

The Last Tenant depicts life and love in a where class dictates creativity and patriarchal honour killing masquerades as cultural norm. Yet characters like Sagar break through these ceilings with sheer creative force, offering hope in a hopeless world.

There are no sweet dreams here, only echoes of alienation. The abandoned house becomes a metaphor for society itself, storing regressive traditions under the guise of honour. How many girls must die to preserve it? How many Sagars must suffer to sustain their art? The film does not answer—it provokes.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

If Maoist violence is illegitimate, how is Hindutva, state violence justified? Can right-wing wash off its sins?

By Swami Agnivesh* and Sandeep Pandey** There was major police action against Sudha Bhardwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Varvara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira on 28 August, 2018. Before this police arrested Professor Shoma Sen, Adocate Sudhir Gadling, Sudhir Dhawle, Mahesh Raut and Rona Wilson on 6 June. Even before this Dr. Binayak Sen, Soni Sori, Ajay TG, Professor GN Saibaba and Prashant Rahi have been arrested and all these activists have been accused of having links with Maoists.

Caste 'continues to influence' hiring, wages, migration patterns in India

By Rajiv Shah A recent academic study has highlighted how caste and social identity continue to shape employment opportunities, wages and access to secure livelihoods in India, even as the country projects itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The findings, published in the 2026 Springer volume Unequal Opportunities: An Analysis of Inequalities in Employment Opportunities Among Different Social Groups in Labor Markets of India , argue that structural discrimination remains embedded in both formal and informal labour markets.

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