Cover Story: Padmavati: Siyasat Ka Jauhar

The blurring lines between myth and history and electoral arithmetic come in the way of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmavati. If history has taught us anything, it is that revisiting history can bring out the worst in us.

World: Saudi Arabia: Pashchim Asia Mein Takht-o-Taj Ki Shataranji Chaalein

Saudi Arabia's unprecedented purge of the high and mighty among the ruling elite along with Iran’s expanding sphere of influence are sparking further tensions in the region

Special Report: China: Muqable Ki Taiyari Par Badha Zore

The armed forces ratchet up their military plans to tackle an assertive China amid significant geopolitical changes. Clearly, when it comes to China, nothing short of work on a war footing will do.

Nation: Uttar Pradesh: Dayara Chhota, Daon Bada

The civic body election in Uttar Pradesh is a barometre for political parties to gauge their stregth after assembly polls in the state this year. The results will be treated as indicators of public mood.

Upfront: China-Myanmar: Rohingya Sankatmochan

China has signalled its willing­ness to emerge as a key player—perhaps even mediator—in tackling the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.

Upfront: Rahul Gandhi: Congress Ke Taranhar

Ever since Rahul Gandhi, 47, fought his first election in 2004, his ascent to Congress presidency was pre­ordai­ned. The Congress Working Committee has decided it’s time to bite the bullet—in a few weeks. So Rahul remains on the verge, a faintly damning phrase that sums up his political career. By mid-December, he’ll take over a party that’s only just recovered from what seemed to be terminal decline. Rahul’s also in the midst of a personal renaissance. Campaigning in Gujarat, he has been assured, caustic, taken the fight to the BJP. Can he revive the Congress?

State: Rajasthan: Aur Ye Rahe Doosre Jihadi

A 'spiritual' fair where the Rajasthan government bussed in school children leaves egg on the face of  the Raje government with its rants on the minorities

State: Madhya Pradesh: Godse Ki Moorti

The Hindu Mahasabha builds a temple for Godse, has the BJP government squirming though Madhya Pradesh police seized the statue of Mahatma's killer.

Fashion: Sari: Pallu Ka Badla Mizaj

A sign of both modernity and tradition, in the hands of designers today, the sari is becoming an aspirational symbol too.