Smash Season 1, Episode 12 – “Publicity” with Chai After Dark

In this episode of Smash Hit, host Margaret is joined by Shabnam and Sameem from the podcast Chai After Dark to discuss Season 1, Episode 12 of Smash, titled “Publicity.” Together, they explore the episode’s themes, cultural moments, and character dynamics through a South Asian lens.

Topics include:

A conversation about the Bollywood dream sequence—what worked, what didn’t, and how it compares to real South Asian dance traditions

The evolution of celebrity publicity, from planted tabloid stories to highly produced pap walks in India’s Bollywood scene

Reflections on power, control, and performance—including parallels between Derek’s character and current headlines surrounding Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

Shabnam and Sameem also share some of their favorite “undiscovered” picks—from Riz Ahmed’s indie films to the immigrant story portrayed in Welcome to Chippendales.

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