India has changed politically, socially, and culturally in the last decade. Through all this change, few voices have stayed as cutting, witty, and topical as that of Twinkle Khanna. From deconstructing viral nonsenses like the Labubu fad to questioning more serious topics like ethics in AI, misogyny, or Indo-Pak film politics, Khanna combines wit and perspicuity in a way unique to Indian social commentary.
As her bestselling debut Mrs Funnybones celebrates its tenth anniversary, Khanna reflects on the innocence of that era a time when humour was harmless and outrage wasn’t weaponised. “I’ve grown older, and wider if not wiser,” she jokes, but the truth remains that her voice has only grown more vital. Her writing stands as a testament to how laughter can still be the best antidote to despair particularly when aimed at ourselves.
What distinguishes Twinkle Khanna is not just her honesty, but her compassion. She doesn’t write from a position of privilege, even though she could effortlessly occupy one, but from a position of profound understanding and empathy. Her columns, books, and interviews have repeatedly pierced hypocrisy, criticized performative fame, and questioned the decline of common sense all while never once compromising her original self.
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In an age of staged pictures and clickbait outrage, Khanna’s voice is refreshingly authentic and unscripted. She demonstrates that one can enjoy the comforts of life without sacrificing empathy, become renowned without being overwhelmed by renown, and revolt discreetly, resolutely, and decisively.
A decade of Twinkle Khanna has taught us that amidst chaos, there is always space for humor, honesty, and creativity — and that being funny can, in fact, be a form of resistance.
