Sandip Roy

In <em>The Avengers</em>, the Hulk lives in Calcutta — and doesn't lose his temper over the city's traffic and other problems. That might not ring true to anyone who's been there, says Sandip Roy.

Watching 'The Avengers' In India, With A Twist

Sandip Roy

Once, moviegoers in India waited patiently for the latest Hollywood releases to trickle their way over. That's no longer true for the big popcorn blockbusters like The Avengers,which was in 39 countries before its U.S. debut. A fan in India welcomes the change.

Sumon Mondol, in the foreground, works out at Mandohar Aich's traditional iron gym in Kolkata, India.

Living To 100: The Story Of India's Pocket Hercules

Sandip Roy

Centenarian Manohar Aich, also known as India's Pocket Hercules, runs an old-fashioned gym in Kolkata, India. Commentator Sandip Roy visited India's first Mr. Universe, who has little patience with the craze for fancy gym equipment that has swept middle-class India.

<p>Clay lamps, used to celebrate Diwali, are for sale at a market in Calcutta. </p>

Outsourcing Tradition: My New, Globalized Diwali

Sandip Roy

For commentator Sandip Roy, the Indian festival of Diwali usually brings to mind the warmth and comfort of tradition. But this year the holiday seems more commercial than ever before. He has this essay on celebrating the festival of lights in a globalized India.

'Tamil Pulp': Sexy, Gory Fiction, Now In English

Sandip Roy

Tamil is a language known for its poetry, but commentator Sandip Roy knows it has another side. Dime-store pulp fiction has a large Tamil-speaking following — and a newly translated anthology is coming to America.