A list of puzzling questions
Editor’s note: Every week, we feature three questions from our quiz master Shantanu Sharma—who is a researcher-writer, and has a side hustle as a professional quiz guru. He’d love to hear from you—so send your feedback/suggestions or just say ‘hi’ over at sharmashantanu312@gmail.com or @shantorasbox on Twitter.
How this works: Every correct answer is worth 10 points. If a question has multiple parts, each is worth 5 points. You have until Friday 12 pm to send in your answers to talktous@splainer.in or via DMs on Insta or Twitter. The correct answers will be published every Monday. The grand prize for the winner at the end of the month: a quarterly subscription for anyone of your choice—including the option of adding three months to your sub. That’s Rs 499 in value—so it’s pretty darn good:)
Rule to note: We will pick winners each month using a lucky draw.
The answers: to the previous week’s quiz are at the bottom—as are the winners for the first week of June.
One: Name the ensemble cast of this 1960s TV series that went on to birth a blockbuster franchise three decades later? 
Two: One film premiered to global acclaim just last month, and the other is an adaptation of a Shakespeare play. Who/What connects the two?
Three: Double up a Dickensian novel title to arrive at the starry life story of this person. What is the title and who is the person? (5+5)
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the previous edition of the splainer quiz:
One: What was the subject of this photographer’s hazardous excursion to India? Also, name the photographer, better known for an iconic image taken in another country in our neighbourhood. (5+5)
Answer: Monsoon and Steve McCurry
Steve McCurry has been a towering figure in contemporary photography for over five decades. Long before he became world-famous for his portrait of Sharbat Gula, the “Afghan Girl,” McCurry undertook a physically punishing yet career-defining project in India: documenting the monsoon. In 1983, while on assignment for National Geographic, McCurry followed the seasonal rains as they swept from south to north across the Indian subcontinent. But the assignment was far from romantic, he waded through chest-deep, garbage-strewn water, battled leeches, endured relentless heat, and even survived a near-fatal fall. This year, the India Meteorological Department announced an early onset, with rains reaching Kerala on May 24, eight days ahead of schedule.
Two: What rare triple feat connects these people behind the camera? Who’s the latest entrant to this exclusive club? (5 +5)
Answer: Winning the top prize at Cannes, Venice, and Berlin (all 3) & Jafar Panahi
Iranian director Jafar Panahi won the Palme d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival for ‘It Was Just an Accident’. His return to Cannes marks a triumphant comeback. Just a few years ago, Panahi was imprisoned in Tehran and banned from filmmaking for 20 years. He last attended Cannes in 2003 with ‘Crimson Gold’, which, like many of his films, was banned in Iran for its sharp social criticism.
He now joins an elite group of directors including Henri-Georges Clouzot, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Robert Altman (the three images in question) to win the top prizes at “big three” European film festivals: Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. Panahi previously won Venice’s Golden Lion for ‘The Circle’ (2000), a powerful critique of the treatment of women in Iran, and Berlin’s Golden Bear for ‘Taxi’ (2015), made despite a government ban.
Three: Named after his most potent weapon, what is this former World No. 1’s podcast called?
Answer: Served with Andy Roddick
‘Served with Andy Roddick’ is a refreshingly candid podcast hosted by the former World No. 1, known for his sharp wit and fearless takes. With longtime friend and journalist Jon Wertheim as co-host, the show offers smart, in-depth conversations that go far beyond the usual soundbites. Roddick brings sharp analysis and strong opinions, whether he's questioning Novak Djokovic’s form or rethinking Iga Swiatek’s dominance. If you are still wondering why the podcast is called Served, here’s a glimpse of the good-old days.
And the winners are…
Here are the top five scorers for the first week of June. Congratulations!
