Name: Beyond the Book: Parmesh Shahani in conversation with Mahesh Rao
Uploaded: 2025-11-28T07:15:46.226Z
Description: We get attached to our books—and Mahesh Rao’s 'Half Light' was particularly hard to let go of. So, to process this novel's emotional whiplash, we got writer Parmesh Shahani to chat with Rao about queer clichés, why Ahaan Pandey and Taha Shah are their dream leading men, and whether a sequel might be lurking in Rao’s drafts.

Watch Mahesh Rao and Parmesh Shahani discuss Half Light, a novel about two queer men, and The Nod Book Club's November 2025 pick. 

Beyond the Book: Half Light- Parmesh Shahani x Mahesh Rao

We get attached to our books—and Mahesh Rao’s 'Half Light' was particularly hard to let go of. So, to process this novel's emotional whiplash, we got writer Parmesh Shahani to chat with Rao about queer clichés, why Ahaan Pandey and Taha Shah are their dream leading men, and whether a sequel might be lurking in Rao’s drafts.

Beyond the Book: Parmesh Shahani in conversation with Mahesh Rao

We get attached to our books—and Mahesh Rao’s 'Half Light' was particularly hard to let go of. So, to process this novel's emotional whiplash, we got writer Parmesh Shahani to chat with Rao about queer clichés, why Ahaan Pandey and Taha Shah are their dream leading men, and whether a sequel might be lurking in Rao’s drafts.&nbsp;&nbsp;~Join our Instagram channel to read along with us: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaiNjee79flVG5f/&nbsp;More about The Nod Book Club here: https://thenodmag.com/book-club

Book Club

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Twinkle Khanna and Kajol play Shuffled

There's literally never a dull moment when it comes to Kajol and Twinkle Khanna.&nbsp;&nbsp;Read their full interview here: https://thenodmag.com/content/kajol-twinkle-khanna-too-much-november-2025-cover-interview&nbsp;Editorial Direction: Megha Mahindru, Ridhima SapreDirector: Mourya DanduFashion and Creative Direction: Anaita Shroff AdajaniaArt Direction: Harry IyerVisual Director: Jay ModiBookings editor: Nikita MosesMultimedia designer: Mehak JindalVisuals Editor: Ria RawatSocial Media Editor: Diya ParakhHair: Yianni Tsapatori, Sangeeta HegdeMakeup: Namrata Soni (Twinkle), Mallika Bhat (Kajol)Assistants: Neona Bahri, Mythili PanjabiProduction: Imran Khatri Productions

Shuffled

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 Beyond the Book: Namita Dubey in conversation with Adelle Waldman

We’re still not over Adelle Waldman’s 'Help Wanted'—our October pick for The Nod Book Club. So, we called in actor and bookworm Namita Dubey to do what she does best: ask a lot of questions. In this chat, Waldman spills on how her day job inspired the book, who she’d cast in a movie version, and a whole lot more.~The Nod Book Club's Instagram channel: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaiNjee79flVG5f/More about The Nod Book Club here: https://thenodmag.com/book-club?utm_source=wa

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Lakshya plays Shuffled 

We pulled Lakshya into a game of Shuffled just in time for Diwali— and let’s just say, the vibes were lit 💥Read the full interview with the actor here: https://thenodmag.com/content/lakshya-lalwani-bads-of-bollywood-october-2025-cover-starEditorial Direction: Megha Mahindru, Ridhima SapreVideo: N SainilStylist: Vrinda NarangArt and Creative Direction: Harry IyerBookings editor: Nikita MosesMultimedia designer: Mehak JindalVisuals Editor: Ria RawatSocial Media Editor: Diya ParakhHair: NadimMakeup: Mahima Wachher SalviAssistants: Keyur Sangoi, Ayushi KumarProduction: Imran Khatri ProductionsArtist PR Management: Hype

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Beyond the Book: Ria Chopra in conversation with Amrita Mahale

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Ananya Panday plays Shuffled | The Nod

We love a good P language moment, especially if it involves Ananya Panday 🥹&nbsp;Read the full interview with the actress here: https://thenodmag.com/content/ananya-panday-bollywood-actor-gen-z-september-cover-star&nbsp;Editorial Direction: Megha Mahindru, Ridhima SapreDirector: Gorkey PatwalFashion and Creative Direction: Priyanka KapadiaVisual and Creative Direction: Jay ModiArt Direction: Harry IyerBookings Editor: Nikita MosesStyle lead: Naheed DriverSocial Media Editor: Diya ParakhMultimedia Designer: Mehak JindalMakeup: Deepa VermaHair: Aanchal MorwaniDOP: SainilStyling Assistant: Anish (Photo); Kashish Jain (Style)Production: Imran Khatri Production, Radhika Chemburkar, Hritik PatelArtist Reputation Management: Hype

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Beyond the Book: Ahilya Bamroo in conversation with Shelby Van Pelt

To wrap up The Nod Book Club's August read, 'Remarkably Bright Creatures' (aka “that octopus book”), we got author Shelby Van Pelt and content creator Ahilya Bamroo to chat with us about what makes this story feel like a warm hug (literally), why Lewis Pullman is the best ever, and if an octopus can actually operate a copy machine 🐙~Join our Instagram channel to read along with us: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaiNjee79flVG5f/More about The Nod Book Club here: https://thenodmag.com/book-club

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Vedang Raina plays Shuffled 

3 things we learnt about Vedang Raina while playing Shuffled:1. He likes pineapple on pizza2. He uses the word ‘banger’ obsessively3. He considers himself average-looking 🤭Read the full interview here: https://thenodmag.com/content/vedang-raina-jigra-interviewEditorial Direction: Megha Mahindru, Ridhima SapreVisual and Creative Director: Jay ModiVideo: By The GramMultimedia Designer: Mehak JindalSocial Media Editor: Diya ParakhStyle: Naheed DriverHairstylist: Alistan FernandesMake-Up Artist: Vivek SinghProduction: Imran Khatri ProductionsStyling Assistant: Sabrina WhiteArtiste Agency: Matrix IndiaArtist Reputation Management: Communiquè Films PR

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Aditya Roy Kapur plays Shuffled

When we asked Aditya Roy Kapur to play Shuffled with us, we were totally prepared for his charm—of course—but one thing we weren’t prepared for was just how much cardio would be involved 🥵🚶🏻Read the full interview here: https://thenodmag.com/content/aditya-roy-kapur-bollywood-actor-august-2025-cover-starEditorial Direction: Megha Mahindru, Ridhima SapreFilm: Amaan KhuranaStylist: Tania FadteBookings Editor: Nikita MosesMultimedia Designer: Mehak JindalVisuals Editor: Ria RawatSocial Media Editor: Diya ParakhProduction: Imran Khatri, Radhika ChemburkarHair: Raghuvir Gaonkar, Aalim HakimGrooming: StephenAssistant: Ankur Singh Nitwal (Style), Shamika SamantArtist PR : Think TalkiesT-shirt: CountrymadeJeans: Rkive City

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Gaurav Gupta plays Shuffled

When we asked Gaurav Gupta to play Shuffled with us before his milestone Mumbai show, we knew we’d have fun...but not this much fun. Exuding utmost GG-ness during the game and our interview with him, one thing is certain—he refuses to be boxed in. His now-signature half-shaved head is just a physical marker of his refusal to conform to either side. There isn’t a particular era, artist, ism, art form or region you’ll find on his list of muses. Instead, there’s a fluid interlinking of all of these. And now, he's coming for the Great Indian Wedding with his bridal couture show at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.Read the full interview here: <a href="https://thenodmag.com/content/gaurav-gupta-fashion-designer-interview-bridalwear-launch">https://thenodmag.com/content/gaurav-gupta-fashion-designer-interview-bridalwear-launch</a>&nbsp;Editorial Direction: Megha Mahindru, Ridhima Sapre, Butool JamalFilm &amp; Production: Paraffin FilmsVisuals Editor: Ria RawatMultimedia Designer: Mehak JindalSocial Media Editor: Diya Parakh

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Zarna Garg plays Bare Minimum or Princess Treatment 

What happens when you put ‪Zarna Garg‬ on the ‘Bare Minimum or Princess Treatment’ trend? A total riot, of course 💅🏻We caught up with the queen of comedy to get her take on what real effort actually means—and trust us, you might want to raise your standards, lol.Read Zarna’s full interview here: <a href="https://thenodmag.com/content/zarna-garg-practical-people-win-comedian-interview">https://thenodmag.com/content/zarna-garg-practical-people-win-comedian-interview</a>&nbsp;Editorial Direction: Megha Mahindru and Ridhima SapreFilm &amp; Production: Savio GerhartStylist: Naheed DriverBookings Editor: Nikeetaa MosesVisuals Editor: Ria RawatMultimedia Designer:  Mehak JindalSocial Media Editor: Diya ParakhFashion Assistant: Shamika SamantDress: Lovebirds Studio

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Beyond the Book: Rohan Joshi in conversation with Silvia Park

To discuss The Nod Book Club’s first pick, 'Luminous', we did the only logical thing: teamed up sci-fi sensation Silvia Park with self-confessed tech geek and comedian, Rohan Joshi. Together, they dive into why Sam Altman probably won’t be your bff, what it actually means to be human, and whether we should just let the robots take over already.Join our IG broadcast channel here: https://www.instagram.com/channel/AbaiNjee79flVG5f/More about The Nod Book Club: https://thenodmag.com/book-club

Beyond the Book: Parmesh Shahani in conversation with Mahesh Rao

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