Daily Briefing: New US ambassador to India; rise of vertical dramas; Bring Her Back movie review

With that, let’s move on to the top 5 stories from today’s edition:

🚨 Big Story

Amid strained ties between India and the United States, US President Donald Trump has nominated 38-year-old Sergio Gor as the new US ambassador to India as well as the Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. It remains to be seen how early the US Congress confirms his appointment, with Delhi being keen to figure out what will be Gor’s mandate. The new US ambassador has a challenging task to accomplish soon, as New Delhi has been targeted by the US administration over 50 per cent tariffs and for buying Russian oil.

⚡Only in Express

After gaining wild successes in the US and China, vertical dramas are now taking over the Indian audience, with as many as 50 million viewers spread across scores of platforms. Many are drawn to this latest entertainment habit: the microdrama. The plots are predictable – a disguised billionaire, boy-meets-girl, saas-bahu sagas – and high on melodrama. My colleague Aishwarya Khosla uncovers the world of these microdramas, bite-sized, reel-style episodes that fit neatly into the empty slots of the day — the lull of a commute, the pause for chai, the final moments before sleep.

💡 Express Explained

Shantanu Mukherjee, a resident of Kolkata, has complained to police that filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri’s forthcoming Bengal Files tarnishes the image and reputation of his late grandfather Gopal Mukherjee. Agnihotri’s film is about the communal riots that raged in Kolkata beginning August 16, 1946, the date designated by the Muslim League as “Direct Action Day” to create Pakistan. Gopal Mukherjee was then a leader of one of the major street gangs that were active during the Direct Action Day violence in the city, who took it upon themselves to protect Hindus in their area from gangs of Muslim rioters. What did Mukherjee do on the Day? Deep dive here.

✍️ Express Opinion

In our Opinion section today, Najeeb Jung delves into the recommendations borne out of unusual meetings with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat over the country’s deteriorating social and secular fabric. Jung writes: “India’s strength lies in accommodating complexity — allowing multiple identities to coexist without fear. That balance is under strain. The choice is stark: Let mistrust harden into permanent division, or take the harder path of conversation, reform, and mutual respect.”

🍿 Movie Review

Wondering what to watch this weekend? We’ve got you covered! You could have your heart stopped and wrenched at the same time, with Bring Her Back, carefully unpacking the story of a grieving mother’s sorrow and guilt. Shalini Langer, in her review, writes: “The beauty of Bring Her Back and Hawkins is that even when you think you know Laura, you don’t know her. She can be incredibly warm and perceptive, capable of genuine care, and bring comfort to Piper (especially) and Andy. At the same time, she can be scheming in petty ways.”

That’s all for today. Have a lovely weekend!

Until next time,
Ariba

Business As Usual by E P Unny