iWorld
Bumble is back with new edition of its content series ‘Dating These Nights’
Mumbai: Dating and social networking app Bumble has launched the third edition of its series, Dating These Nights. Featuring Zoya Akhtar, Mrunal Thakur, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Jim Sarbh, Vijay Varma, and Srishti Dixit, the series aims to help people discover and navigate deeper and meaningful conversations around modern romance and dating in 2022. The series can be seen on Bumble’s YouTube channel.
The first episode, ‘Romances and Bromances’, will feature award-winning filmmaker Zoya Akhtar and actor Jim Sarbh as they dive into “modern masculinity,” discussing what healthy masculinity looks like and more. ‘Age of Love’, the second episode will see popular actors Mrunal Thakur and Shriya Pilgaonkar discuss dating in their 30s—an interesting experience to date on their own terms and timeline. Ending the season, ‘Banking on Love’ will feature the star of the recently released film “Darlings,” Vijay Varma, and influencer Srishti Dixit, who explore the nuances of financial intimacy in relationships in the last episode.
Bumble India communications director Samarpita Samaddar said, “We are excited to bring back our popular content series in its third edition, this year titled Dating These Nights. We’re flipping the switch with this after-hours series this year where we don’t sleep over it, instead we delve into deeper and more meaningful conversations around topics that are often considered taboo but need to be discussed openly. We are thrilled to be associated with such amazing talent, who are known to have carved their lives and journeys on their own terms. As a brand that understands and speaks to modern romance and evolving dating cultures in India, we hope Dating These Nights sparks more meaningful conversations and encourages healthy and equitable relationships.”
Akhtar said, “Bumble’s Dating These Nights gives a platform to spark meaningful conversations on less-tackled topics around modern relationships that should be discussed openly.”
Sarbh shared, “I consider myself fluid when it comes to these concepts as I don’t hold myself to ‘what should be’ in terms of gender ideas. Masculinity is entirely subjective, but I believe we should consider each human being for what they are as opposed to caging them in societal norms. Hailing from an industry that easily typecasts, I am thrilled to be engaged in conversations that go beyond the shackles of traditional notions. More so with Bumble, as this turns out to be my second rendezvous with them, and I applaud the kind of work they do.”
When talking about dating in her 30s, Mrunal Thakur said, “To me, it’s being more assertive about your priorities. In retrospect, even when I meet people who are in their 30s, they are clear about what they want. I am seeking that sort of transparency. Being a part of Bumble’s Dating These Nights series has been an eye-opening process as I’ve been able to discover myself more. These conversations are surely causing a positive change in the world, and I’m happy that I’m a part of this progressive society and blessed that I can pursue life the way I want even in my 30s.”
Sharing her dating experience in her 30s, Pilgaonkar said, “As you continue to evolve as a person, your idea of love changes, it matures. We get more comfortable with ourselves as we age, and this stems from self-love. In my 30s, I can say that I have a better grasp of who I am and the type of companionship I want to have. It’s time that we normalise dating and explore relationships in our 30s. Bumble’s series does just that by having open conversations and helping individuals navigate their relationships by prioritising themselves over societal norms.”
Varma, speaking on financial intimacy in relationships, shared, “As a society, we talk about money all the time but we shy away from direct questions about finances as they tend to make us feel insecure. While this stems from patriarchal thinking, I believe this can be destigmatized during the first date itself. Questions like, “Who will pay for the date?” or “Do we split the check?” are a great way to start the money conversation. The idea is to get your partner comfortable with discussing money from the very beginning. Personally, I am a firm believer in having a space to openly discuss these matters in a relationship, and I’m so glad that Bumble is taking the effort to make this mainstream.”
Dixit candidly spoke about her finances, “Growing up, as girls, we’ve been taught to be very frugal with our money. I believe a lot of them are still learning how to operate their finances better—how to make more, save more, and invest more of their money, and be assertive in such situations. I’m glad I got to associate with Bumble to emphasise the importance of being financially independent in a relationship because, ideally, that is what modern dating should look like. It should be an equal partnership.”
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
