Bollywood Archives

Meet the Real PadMan Before Bollywood Ruins It

“Menstrual hygiene can’t be tackled by an advertising or a marketing team,” said Arunachalam Muruganantham toward the end of Amit Virmani’s 2013 documentary Menstrual Man. Will Akshay Kumar’s PadMan prove him wrong?

Poulomi Das March 30, 2016

Bollywood

Is Pataakha the Sisterhood Story Bollywood’s Been Waiting For?

In Bollywood films, sisters are always selfless; they are mostly bechara, often vidhwa. If they are twins, one is bold, the other is timid. Our films have mostly paid lip service to a bond as ubiquitous as sisterhood. Will Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pataakha change that?

Pragyan Mohanty March 30, 2016

Bollywood

Nanu Ki Jaanu and the Deol-ification of Abhay

With Nanu Ki Jaanu, Abhay Deol finally feels like a member of the Deol family. He fights multiple goons single-handedly, just like his “dhai kilo ka haath” cousin. His comic timing is about as good as Bobby’s, which is to say, non-existent. Where is the actor we knew and loved in Dev.D and Manorama Six Feet Under?

Aakash Ahuja March 29, 2016

Bollywood

The Evergreen Heftiness of Dum Laga Ke Haisha

Dum Laga Ke Haisha is a brilliantly observed portrait of the burden of aspirational manhood innumerable small-town men carry all their lives, headlined by a heroine, who is completely unapologetic about her weight. It is arguably Yash Raj's best romantic comedy in recent years.

Poulomi Das March 29, 2016

Bollywood

Sadak 2 Review: The First Film Mahesh Bhatt Has Directed in Two Decades… And it Shows

Sadak 2 is the first film that Bhatt has directed in over two decades and it shows. It is replete with the kind of 90s’ melodrama that you’d think Bollywood films would have outgrown. For a film pretending it is all about dark suspense, Sadak 2’s inconsistent tone is laughably hollow, menacing only because it refuses to end.

Poulomi Das March 29, 2016

Bollywood

25 Years of DDLJ: Come… Fall in Love With a Tale of Two Fathers

Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, which turns 25 today, was as formulaic as any of its romantic predecessors. For most of India, it is a love story, but for many small-towners like me it was and remains the story of two fatherly figures: One that I had but could not change, and the one that I wished for.

Manik Sharma March 29, 2016

Bollywood

Khilji and Padmaavat’s Sneaky Undercurrent of Homosexuality

In Padmaavat, despite the presence of a gorgeous leading pair, it is Malik Kafur and Alauddin Khilji’s relationship that feels sexually charged.

Karthik Shankar March 28, 2016

Bollywood

Kiss and Tell: Between NickYanka, Virushka, and DeepVeer, Who Wins the Instagram PDA Competition?

The rules of love have changed; competitive social media PDA is the order of the day. Celebrity couples are leading the charge with the most perfect kiss and the warmest hug. But who are the King and Queen of Insta-love? Nickyanka, DeepVeer, or Virushka?

Chandrima Pal March 28, 2016

Bollywood

How Low is the Bar Set That Ranveer Singh Gets Labelled Husband of the Century?

It’s been only two weeks but we’ve already declared Ranveer Singh the husband of the year/decade/century/millennium. Why exactly? For helping his wife navigate the pallu of her sari at their wedding reception? Or blowing kisses to her in public?

Sonali Kokra March 27, 2016

Bollywood

Andhadhun Review: An Excellent Dark Comedy with No Blind Spots

Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun is a brilliant urban noir thriller. The film is all about clever writing, top-notch execution, and hard-hitting social commentary – but it is also a triumph of casting, and an ode to actors.

Poulomi Das March 27, 2016