Monthly Review: July 2025
July began on a high note with a work trip to Bengaluru, which always feels like a mini-vacation thanks to its breezy weather. The first week was a mix of family time — catching up with my cousins — and work mode, as we planned our Q3 roadmap during a three-day co-working session.
That weekend, I found myself back in Bengaluru again, this time for street-side turf cricket near Bellandur. The turnout was smaller than we expected, but it didn’t matter — there’s something about playing cricket in that drizzle-filled weather that makes it feel like childhood all over again.
And then came the trip we’d been planning for months but not really planning at all. My school friends from 11th and 12th grade and I had been talking about a getaway for ages. We decided Bengaluru would be our meeting point, and from there, we’d head to one of the nearby hill stations — Coorg, Chikmagalur… or wherever the last-minute plan took us.
We finally landed on Yercaud, booked an Airbnb, and hit the road with zero overthinking. The drive was filled with 20 hairpin bends, trolling each other, and contextual jokes, and by the time we reached, the hills had already started working their magic.
The Airbnb was cozy, and the host bestowed us with a bonfire that set the perfect mood for lazy conversations. We spent our short 24 hours sipping coffee, trying local-made chocolates (honestly they were bad), catching sunsets from a cliff, and talking about life. Sometimes, the best trips aren’t about doing a lot — they’re about being in the moment with your people.
One of the unexpected highlights of July was meeting Thambi, my flatmate Tapasi’s pug. Thambi usually stays in Tapasi’s hometown with his mom, but he spent two weeks with us in Hyderabad this month.
I was in Bengaluru during his first week here, so it wasn’t until the second week of July that I finally met him in person — and it was instant chemistry with a slow start. He was shy at first, hovering near my door, but within a day or two, he started walking into my room, and our little friendship began.
The routine quickly became comforting. I would wake up every morning and talk to him, and at night, I’d say good night as if he understood. We took him on short walks, watched him adjust to our schedule, and he somehow brought a calm, happy rhythm to the flat.
When the time came for Tapasi to take Thambi back to his hometown, I didn’t expect it to be so emotional. Both of us ended up with teary eyes, realizing how quickly a pet can walk into your life and claim a piece of your heart.
Another source of happiness this month was spending time with my cousin’s son, Swarat, who lives in Hyderabad. He’s just pure joy wrapped in tiny human form — all innocent laughter, curious antics, and unconditional love.
I visited their house multiple times in July, and each visit felt like a mini escape from the world. Just playing with him, watching his expressions, and soaking in that innocent energy was a gift in itself.
The month ended on a special note with Swarat’s first birthday on 31st July. Celebrating that milestone with family, seeing him surrounded by love and laughter, was the perfect way to close the month. Some bonds, like this one, are simple and impossible not to cherish.
Now, onto the usual stuff.
Movies
July wasn’t a big movie month for me, but it did give me one memorable theatrical experience.
F1
The buzz around F1 was everywhere — my friends were talking about it, my colleagues were raving about it — and I knew I had to watch it in the right setting. My first plan was to catch it in IMAX in Bengaluru, but the tickets vanished faster than my weekend plans. Even Hyderabad didn’t make it easy; I waited nearly ten days to finally grab the seats I wanted.
When I finally watched F1 towards the end of July, it was worth every bit of the wait. It’s that classic Indian commercial entertainer — high on adrenaline, peppered with thrilling moments, and backed by a story that isn’t entirely new but still manages to grip you.
I watched it alone on a weekday evening in a houseful theater, and it reminded me why I still love the big-screen experience. Sometimes, the collective energy of a crowd cheering at the same beat is half the fun.
OTT
July also had its fair share of screen time at home. I managed to finish one movie and two web series on OTT, with mixed feelings overall.
First up was Thug Life on Netflix, directed by Mani Ratnam. I watched it in a single stretch, but honestly, I didn’t enjoy it much. The cinematography was stunning and A.R. Rahman’s music was a treat, but the screenplay felt incoherentand the characters underwritten. It’s hard to believe that Kamal Haasan + Mani Ratnam + Rahman could deliver something that felt this disjointed. They even cut short the songs, including one I loved from the soundtrack. Overall, not a film I’ll remember fondly.
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On the brighter side, I caught up with the latest seasons of Panchayat and Special Ops. Both were exactly what I expected — solid continuations of their earlier seasons, easy weekend watches that I could wrap up in about a week each. They didn’t surprise me, but they didn’t disappoint me either. Sometimes, a show that just stays true to its world is all you need.
Books
If movies were a mixed bag this month, books more than made up for it. July turned out to be a rewarding reading month, and I realized something about myself — short chapters or short stories keep me hooked. They make finishing a book feel effortless, and that sense of momentum keeps me going.
I ended up reading three books this month:
The Dopamine Detox
I stumbled upon this book accidentally on 1st July, at my cousin’s place in Bengaluru. It was his son’s birthday, and while the family was out, I noticed this slim book on the table. I started reading it just to pass the time and finished it in two sittings — one evening and a quick session the next morning. The book is simple, actionable, and easy to understand. I hope I can put its suggestions into practice soon — though that’s always the hard part, isn’t it?
Adrishya
This was another short but fascinating read, borrowed from my cousin. It’s based on Epic On’s detective series, which weaves stories from mythology to modern-day Indian espionage. Some tales were genuinely insightful, and it sparked a small thought — if I ever write a detective story, I might borrow a leaf or two from this book’s approach.
Reliving Sujatha
The final book of the month was a translated collection of short stories by Sujatha, a legendary Tamil writer, translated into English by Vimala Balakrishnan. This one was particularly memorable — not all endings were happy, and the stories often carried psychological or crime-driven undertones, including a longer novella with medical conspiracies and organized crime. I loved it enough to immediately order another Sujatha translation, Sasi’s Wedding, which is sitting on my desk as I write this.
Speaking of books, alongside reading, books played a special role this month for another reason.
After delaying it for over six months, I finally bought a bookshelf from IKEA — a small, sturdy bookcase that now proudly holds my 50–60 books. My collection is a mix of Telugu and English titles, with a stray Hindi book or two.
One unexpected joy came from sharing this bookshelf with someone I hadn’t imagined as a reading companion — our cook. She noticed the books and casually mentioned that she had to drop out of school after 2nd standard due to financial issues. Then she asked, if she could borrow a book.
I showed her my Telugu collection, and she picked one I had already read. We ended up discussing that book. What we liked, what we didn’t, the parts that surprised us. She returned it and borrowed another, and this small cycle has continued.
It felt deeply wholesome. Books became a bridge for conversations that were more meaningful and human than any small talk could ever be. Sometimes, it’s not just about owning books or reading them — it’s about sharing stories and creating new ones along the way.
Now, coming to Fitness:
Fitness this month mostly came in the form of badminton. I managed to play on several evenings, except on the days I was traveling to Bengaluru. Playing as a small group of friends made it even more fun — we cheered, trolled, and pushed each other for longer rallies.
Outside of badminton, July wasn’t my fittest month. I didn’t hit the gym or go running, but the games were enough to keep me moving. I was also sick for almost a week this month, owing to incessant rains and changing weather. With a 10K marathon coming up in late August, I really hope to start prepping seriously next month.
I also got back to watching Baradwaj Rangan interviews this month, and I loved a couple of them.
The first was Vishnu Vishal’s three-part conversation, where he talked about his life, career, and the opportunities he missed. I really admire how he keeps striving to bring good stories to the screen and even paved the way for his brother’s entry into films.
Another favorite was Lokesh Kanagaraj’s interview, where he spoke about Coolie and his last two years working on Coolie, and with Rajnikanth. I love how these conversations flow naturally.
And yeah, I’ve been listening to this song on-loop (max hyped for Coolie):
Coming to work, July brought exciting news. I’ve been with Fyle for almost four years now, and towards the end of the month, we were acquired by Sage Group. It feels like a big milestone for all of us at Fyle. More on this here: https://www.sage.com/investors/investor-downloads/press-releases/2025/07/sage-acquires-fyle-to-simplify-and-automate-expense-management-workflows-for-smbs/
July 2025 was a month of slow joy and small adventures. It started with Bengaluru breezes, family time, and a spontaneous Yercaud trip, and ended with quiet evenings, badminton games, and books that left a mark.
It reminded me that not every month needs to be loud or fast. Sometimes, rainy days, small conversations, and shared stories can make a month feel complete.
Until next time…
