RISING music star Ridi followed up her powerful debut single Top Guy with recently released song Merry Go Round.
She has once again combined meaningful lyrics with commercial music and great vocals on a song exploring the circular nature of life.
The brilliant song continues an interesting journey for the teenage talent, who is also an anti-bullying activist.
Eastern Eye got the young singer-songwriter to select 10 songs she loves.
Papaoutai by Stromae: An absolute legend of a song. I love how Stromae, who is from Belgium but also has roots in other countries, manages to tell the story of his father, while keeping his song so uplifting and danceable.
Stay With Me by Sam Smith: I listen to this amazing song a lot. It not only talks about feelings of insecurity within a relationship, but also about what a toxic relationship can do to someone.
Love On The Brain by Rihanna: I feel like this is one of Rihanna’s best works. It’s so heartfelt yet shows off her voice beautifully.
Top Guy by Ridi: One of the first songs I wrote. I released it when I was 16 and so it has a special place in my heart. High school was never an easy time for me, so I was really expressing the power imbalance I felt not only within, but throughout my life.
Tourner Dans La Vide by Indila: This song for sure comes before her other legendary song Dernier Danse. To any Indila fans out there, please don’t get too mad at me.
Main Shayar To Nahin by Shailendra Singh: This song from classic Indian film Bobby is really very special to me. Not only is it the epitome of my beautiful culture and country but also was the first song my dad sang to my mother. I didn’t know about that connection to my dad but automatically liked it. I was told this after I heard it a few times and it just made the song even more special for me.
Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People: This super upbeat song has quite a dark meaning that always makes me geek out. Anyone who has ever felt like a misfit or feels like a misfit can relate to its raw lyrics.
Losing My Religon by R.E.M: What an oldie, but such a goldie. I don’t think I need words to explain why this song is so great.
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen: Okay, first of all, this song is a lyrical genius. The way they were able to mix in various genres of music in one song and tell a story is just wow. Who doesn’t geek out to this song?
Merry Go Round by Ridi: Finally, my most recent single and if I may say so, the one I am most proud of. I have managed to mix both the Indian and western sides of myself in a way that not only allows for the story of the song to be enhanced, but it also sound pretty dope. In this song, you will not only hear guitar, but that guitar being complemented with tabla, which is quite a fun mix. So I really hope that you like the song.
Instagram: @realridi; website: www.realridi.com
Kajol and Twinkle Khanna respond to backlash
Kajol and Twinkle Khanna address chat show backlash in new Prime Video episode
Highlights:
The backlash around Kajol and Twinkle Khanna's show Two Much did not suddenly appear one morning. You could feel it brewing from the first few episodes through tiny comments here and there turning into bigger conversations online. The marriage bit especially set things off; one short clip, and the whole thing snowballed. In the new bonus episode, shot after filming ended, the two finally spoke about the moment after weeks of noise.
Why the Kajol Twinkle Khanna backlash picked up so fast
The show ran on loose talk, quick lines, and a lot of teasing. It worked early on. Then came the episode with Vicky Kaushal and Kriti Sanon, where Kajol said marriages should have an expiry date and maybe even a renewal.
From there, it only grew. Another episode with Janhvi Kapoor and Karan Johar brought the debate on infidelity back into circulation. Kajol, Twinkle, and Karan said physical cheating was not a deal breaker for them. Janhvi pushed back and viewers argued for days. The backlash stuck, partly because clips were lifted out of context and partly because celebrity comments carry weight, even when framed as jokes.
How Kajol and Twinkle explained themselves
In the bonus episode, Kajol did not pretend everything was normal. She opened the segment with a half-laugh and said, “Now it’s time for our next segment, which has gotten us into a lot of trouble.” It sounded like a joke, but it was not entirely one. There was a slight crack of irritation or maybe tiredness underneath.
Twinkle followed with a straight note; they should have had a disclaimer from episode one. “Nothing we say in this segment should be taken seriously,” she said. “Please do not follow any of our advice.”
Both insisted the tone was always meant to be playful. Not expert talk. Not life lessons. Just two women poking fun at how people think about marriage, relationships, and the messy bits in between.
- YouTube youtu.be
What this means for the show now
Prime Video dropped the bonus episode with Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma in a way that almost felt strategic, like a small reset button to cool the temperature without actually issuing a statement or apology.
And honestly, the guest list this season was stacked in a very “this should be safe” way: Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Sonakshi Sinha, Janhvi Kapoor. Big names, familiar energy. Nobody expected the backlash to come from them. It came from the little throwaway lines Kajol and Twinkle said around them.
What is next for Kajol and Twinkle?
No word yet on season two. Both seemed unfazed in the episode, almost amused by how far the clips travelled. They did not promise changes either. Just a note that their humour was not meant to be instruction.
Kajol ended the segment with a small smile. Twinkle nodded along. And that is where it sat. Two women, a chat show, and a storm they did not expect but chose to address head-on before signing off.