| Top 10 pop culture moments that made us question reality in 2023 Zeitgeist. The other day, after reaching the finals of an online spelling bee contest, my daughter asked me, ‘Mom, what do you think sums up the zeitgeist of 2023?’ Most dictionaries define it as the general mood or quality of a particular time. Bas phir kya tha, I got to work — and since I loveeee lists, it was a collection of 10 defining moments from pop culture. Here are the results. Modi and Meloni's unlikely bromance In the realm of international relations, chaos met virality when Narendra Modi and Georgia Meloni decided to throw the rulebook out the window. #Melodi became more than just a fleeting trend; it became a testament to the youth's irreverent take on diplomacy. Because, let's face it, who needs solemn political discourse when you can have a hashtag that sounds like a Bollywood romance? Taylor Swift's empire expansion Taylor Swift didn't just conquer the music industry; she decided to dominate the entire world. From gracing Time magazine's cover as their Person of the Year to the record-breaking Eras Tour, Swift's 2023 was a masterclass in world domination. Legal battles, billionaire status and two albums later, it’s safe to say that it’s Taylor’s world and we’re just living in it. Britain's royal transition and Spare's tell-all Move over soap operas; the British royal family provided more drama than any scripted series. With King Charles III and Queen Camilla's coronation, the royals embraced a new era. Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, shattered records, proving that when royals spill the tea, the world laps it up. Barbenheimer: A movie event Like No other Physics’ alpha particle collided with the frivolous-seeming plasticness of Barbie in the form of Barbenheimer, a cinematic spectacle that defied expectations. Oppenheimer's mind-boggling success in India and Barbie's foray into the cinematic world showcased the unpredictability of entertainment. After all, who could have predicted a plastic doll would spark world-changing conversations? Twitter's identity crisis, courtesy Elon Musk In a move that left everyone scratching their heads, Elon Musk decided Twitter needed a facelift and rebranded it as X. Because when you're a billionaire, why not toy around with the world’s leading social media platform? India's heartbreak at the World Cup Cricket aficionados faced a collective heartbreak as India faltered in the World Cup final against Australia. Some even resorted to blaming the team management for mismatched tactics and over-confidence while others drowned their sorrows. Say what you will, the same unit won 10 matches on the trot before the final and will be remembered for its dominance. The star-studded cultural extravaganza at NMACC The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre opening in Mumbai wasn't just an event; it was a spectacle. Paps went into a frenzy over international celebs, proving that even cultural gatherings aren't immune to the allure of celebrity sightings. The SRK phenomenon: A year of reinvention Shah Rukh Khan, the epitome of Bollywood romance, took an unexpected turn in 2023. Roles in action-packed thrillers like Jawan and Pathaan had us questioning our romantic ideals. In a world where reinvention is the name of the game, SRK showed us age is just a number. Orry Awatramani's social media blitz Orry, the social media sensation, not only graced the paparazzi's lens but also became a viral sensation in 2023. Decked in high-end brands, Orry's took the influencer culture to another level. Because who needs substance when you can have style and a knack for getting clicked? (And the quirkiest phone covers) The ‘just looking like a wow’ reel Delhi-based businesswoman Jasmeen Kaur became an internet sensation when she touted her designs online, saying, 'just looking like a wow’. This viral video, with over 16 million views on Instagram, reminded us that sometimes, fashion is not just about clothes; it's about exuding confidence and saying, "I'm just looking like a wow." In a year that defied expectations and left us questioning reality, 2023 will be remembered as the year when normalcy took a backseat, and the absurdity of pop culture took centre stage. Here's to the chaos, the drama, and the viral memes that made 2023 a year to remember. | 
