Hot News Mix: Duke University’s Half-Desi Porn Star, £300 Chappals, Slum Tourism 2.0 + More

Xtracurricular Activities. Neither a Jesuit school background, an army doctor dad, or a Desi mom could stop 18-year-old “Belle Knox” from a tryst with the porn world. The Duke University student’s claimed headlines for starring in a slew of x-rated films, all in the name of funding her $60,000 tuition. Check her out on Piers Morgan last week, where, in addition to claiming she stands by her choices (“the same society that consumes me is also the one that condemns me,” she quipped), Knox also revealed her biggest regret: “Not telling your family when you’re doing sex work is a very isolating experience.” [Daily Mail]

A Chappal By Any Other Name…Cultural appropriation reached an all-time low when English designer Paul Smith launched a pair of £300 made-in-Italy sandals , bearing an uncanny resemblance to the ubiquitous leather shoes donned by millions of Pakistani men. “We should also never shy from owning what is ours, especially on the rare occasions when the associations are entirely positive and aesthetically universal in appeal,” said Mosharraf Zaidi, a Pakistani education activist and former diplomat. Someone at PS is listening, because the sandal description now pays a hasty tribute to its Peshawari origins. [The Independent]

Inside Dharavi. When tour operators began offering excursions that traveled through Mumbai’s largest slum approximately 7 years ago, incensed critics accused the companies of being sleazy parasites, cashing in on poverty. A new Intel commercial pays homage to a pair of Dharavi-based college students who — courtesy of the hallowed Pentium processor — utilize technology to spread the word about their supposedly “authentic” local tours. Groundbreaking or voyeuristic? You be the judge. [BuzzFeed]

Razor Sharp. Though she’s typically singled out for her edgy sartorial choices, actress Sonam Kapoor sent the Twittersphere reeling after unveiling a series of images that depict her shaving her face — foam and all. An off-the-wall tribute to her dad (often dubbed Bollywood’s hairiest hero) or a serious depilatory choice? Her intentions remain fuzzy. [The Times of India]

2 Kinds of Indians. We can’t get enough of this All India Bakchod sketch, featuring Indo-Canadian comedian, Lilly Singh, depicting the stark — and occasionally hilarious — differences between NRIs and homegrown Desis, from packing tendencies to food habits. Yay, culture shock! [All India Bakchod]

Aarti Virani is an arts and culture writer based in Hoboken, New Jersey. She has written for publications including Vogue India, The Wall Street Journal and Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @aartivirani.