Poulomi Das, Author at Arré

No Fathers in Kashmir Review: A Necessary Film that Poses Questions that Can’t Be Ignored

Ashvin Kumar’s No Fathers in Kashmir, is a tender portrait of first love in the time of the Kashmir crisis. It’s a riveting narrative that feels novel, given that most of Hindi cinema’s love stories set in Kashmir remain completely unaffected by the state’s chaotic past and present.

Poulomi Das July 16, 2016

Pop Culture

Village Rockstars Review: India’s Entry to the Oscars is a Winning Ode to Childhood Dreams

The National Award-winning Village Rockstars, India’s official entry to the Oscars, is a one-woman operation. While Rima Das intended the film to be a tribute to her village, her sensitivity and warmth guarantees that it also captures the innocence of childhood – and the doting bond between mothers and daughters.

Poulomi Das July 16, 2016

Bollywood

How Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein Acquired a Cult Following

Two decades on, Rehnaa Hai Tere Dil Mein will have a sequel. But will it come close to the magic of the 2001 movie? After all, RHTDM amassed a cult following thanks to its wonderful music and inspired casting – especially the sincerity of R Madhavan.

Poulomi Das July 16, 2016

Pop Culture

Big Little Lies Season 2: Come for Meryl Streep, Stay for Her Scream

At one point in the opening episode of the second season of Big Little Lies, Meryl Streep’s Mary Louise nonchalantly makes an admission, “I’m a wanter myself..” After witnessing her terrifying turn in these 44 minutes, I’m a wanter too. I want more Meryl Streep.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

How Badrinath Ki Dulhania Tries (And Fails) To Be DDLJ

Badrinath Ki Dulhania struggles to recreate DDLJ, riding on the Varun-Alia chemistry. But it’s impossible to doff your hat to a classic with a hero with a major character flaw.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Love and Sex

What’s Stopping Millennials from Dating Someone with the Same Cultural Upbringing?

Three months ago, I met and spent time getting to know someone who spoke the same mother tongue as me. At first, it felt like discovering a whole new part of myself. But soon, the sameness started feeling suffocating. I felt like I knew him too well, too soon, and that his red flags could never have the luxury of just being flags.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Bollywood

Luka Chuppi Review: Kartik Aaryan & Kriti Sanon’s Tips for a “Successful” Live-in – Sex, Maggi, Aur Do Cup Chai

If Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon’s Luka Chuppi is to be believed, all you need to be convinced about marriage, is live with your partner for 20 days, have sex, make Maggi, two cups of chai, and play catch inside the house. Even a meme conveys more about live-ins than this logic-defying, unfunny movie.

Poulomi Das July 15, 2016

Pop Culture

Roma Review: Alfonso Cuarón Masterfully Captures the Memory of Childhood

Alfonso Cuarón’s autobiographical Roma doesn’t simply imitate or recreate life in an upscale neighbourhood in 1970 Mexico City. Instead the black-and-white spectacle captures the memory of childhood, in unflinching clarity.

Poulomi Das July 14, 2016

Pop Culture

American Factory Review: The Obamas’ Netflix Documentary Explores a Possible Threat to the “American Dream”

Co-produced by the Obamas, Netflix’s American Factory is the story of the clash between American and Chinese work cultures. In an age of globalisation, it asks a pertinent question: Can the American dream still exist in a world where its labour rarely has an upper hand?

Poulomi Das July 14, 2016

Pop Culture

This is Your Brain on Dudebro

I wasn’t expecting much out of Baywatch. But beneath the testosterone-porn that the film disguises itself as, I’ve realised it is actually a riveting documentary about a world dictated entirely by dudebros.

Poulomi Das July 13, 2016