Crossword for Friday 25 September 2026

Across

1. 1. What you take at this very clue, if you're guessing, with 'a'
2. 5. Prefix for after and fore
3. 7. Hindustani Classical music has distinct ones for each part of the day
4. 8. Draw out, as a confession
5. 10. Start something without rushing, with 'into'
6. 11. 'You either ____ it or you don't'
7. 15. (Hindi, one spelling) Shiva's month, the most auspicious for Hindus
8. 17. Common thread through Chak De! India, Golondaaj and Irudhi Suttru, say
9. 18. Cosmetic brand named for a French opera, itself named after a Hindu goddess
10. 19. The back; nurture

Down

1. 1. (Hindi) Word on a washroom door in some government offices
2. 2. Dhoni, to CSK fans; 'chief' in Tamil
3. 3. '...under the ____ of...', vote-of-thanks phrase that keeps the boss pleased
4. 4. They put teeth in line
5. 6. abbr. Health insurance cover for workers, mandated by law
6. 9. Romila of A History of India
7. 12. Got out of bed
8. 13. Man behind the Sholay remake Aag that performed more like a fart in a storm
9. 14. Key you press on a PC to go to the next line
10. 16. abbr. Opener in a Yahoo Chat room conversation with a stranger