bollywood Archives

Hrithik Roshan 2.0 Looks like the Superstar He was Always Meant to Be

Hrithik Roshan has always had the starry quality that accompanied his launch two decades ago, but he has since then been more miss than hit. With War and Vikram Vedha, however, Roshan has possibly laid claim to the title of being Bollywood’s biggest, possibly only superstar.

Pradeep Menon March 22, 2016

Pop Culture

Why We Must Thank Mira Nair for PK Dubey

With Monsoon Wedding, Mira Nair breathed life into Delhi on celluloid almost two decades ago. And even today, Nair’s eccentric, marigold-chewing PK Dubey remains unforgettable.

Anahad Madhav March 22, 2016

Bollywood

How Dev Anand’s Guide Normalised Falling Out Of Love

Guide stands out for being that rare Hindi film about adultery that also normalises the act of falling out of love, even in a marriage. The film refuses to demonise its characters for the decisions they take, driving home the point that love transcends all boundaries – even those considered as sacred as marriage.

Shakun Saini March 20, 2016

Pop Culture

Bollywood Romances Don’t Work the Way They Used To

On paper, Brahmastra had every right to think it would revive the larger-than-life romance. The fact that none of the Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt spark translates on screen says a lot about mainstream Hindi cinema’s dated ideas, and the modern viewer’s demand for nuance.

Takshi Mehta March 20, 2016

Bollywood

Ms Hawa Hawai: Shehzaadi of the Meek, the Freak, the Queer

Sridevi’s cavalier reappropriation of filmy womanhood ensured the rise of the “other”, the outliers and the freaks that languish in prisons of self-expression. No wonder she was India’s queer icon.

The Faunlet March 20, 2016

Pop Culture

Raag Desh in the Time of Hyper-nationalism

Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Raag Desh is a reminder of a time when deshbhakti was not manipulatively enforced. Today, nationalism is a weapon used to prod everyone toward an “acceptable” way of life.

Poulomi Das March 18, 2016

Love and Sex

Kya Ek Ladka Aur Ek Ladki Kabhi IRL Dost Nahi Ho Sakte?

Indian children are taught many cardinal lessons, like touching our grandparents’ feet and returning dabbas to mom in pristine condition. The prime one is that girls and boys can never be friends. As a girl with seven close male friends, I’m often the centre of curiosity and judgment.

Shreya Ramakrishnan March 18, 2016

Pop Culture

How You Were Fooled Into Watching Sanju & Veere Di Wedding by Bollywood’s Hype Machine

Both Sanju and Veere Di Wedding are excellent examples of bad films that were given a positive spin by Bollywood’s hype machinery. They’re a terrific demonstration of the industry’s business sense but a crushing dent to the economy of creativity and storytelling.

Sugandha March 18, 2016

Bollywood

Namaste England Review: 2007 Called, Even They Don’t Want this Film Back

In Namaste England, Parineeti Chopra plays a UK-sexual. She abandons her husband, an expressionless Arjun Kapoor, to leave for London with a random man who can provide her citizenship. Nobody has said “Fuck it, I’m off to London” in such a rush since Vijay Mallya.

Jackie Thakkar March 17, 2016

Pop Culture

All Hail Jaanbaaz Julia

Karan Johar made the mistake of believing he’d invited Kangana Ranaut of a decade ago to Koffee with Karan. No longer the awkward outlier, the actress dropped several truth bombs.

Poulomi Das March 17, 2016