Bollywood Archives

Kabir Singh Review: In the Arjun Reddy Remake, Rage is a Man’s Birthright and Violence His Badge of Honour

Disguised as a love story, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Kabir Singh justifies what Indian men have been trying to normalise since time immemorial: That anger is a man’s birthright. That rage is necessary for a man to exert his dominance over a woman and the world needs to accept it.

Poulomi Das May 13, 2016

Bollywood

Checking in on Munna and Circuit 12 Years After Lage Raho Munna Bhai

What happened to Munna and Circuit after the end credits of Lage Raho Munna Bhai? Munna has been seeking therapy after realising that he is more likely to get arrested for spreading Gandhigiri in 2018 than being a thug. Circuit – as was always evident – has become a politician.

Jackie Thakkar May 12, 2016

Bollywood

Will 2020 be the Year Deepika Padukone, the Actor, Finally Challenges Herself?

The last time Deepika Padukone took up a role that showcased her versatility was five years ago, in Piku. The film is an exception in her 12-year-old career. It’s difficult not to label Padukone as risk-averse. Will Chhapaak change that?

Poulomi Das May 12, 2016

Bollywood

47 Years of Koshish: What the Gulzar Film Reminds Us About an Indifferent Society

Often called the most illustrious film of Gulzar’s career, Koshish, which revolved around a deaf and mute couple earned Sanjeev Kumar his second National Film Award and became a reference point for many future films that revolved around physical disabilities.

Shakun Saini May 10, 2016

Bollywood

Salman Khan’s Dance Evolution and the Art of Bhai-Boying

On the basis of skill, Salman Khan’s dance repertoire has been limited at best. Yet, in an industry rife with Hrithiks and Shahids, the effortless swag of Bhai’s timeless moves remains the most imitable. Bhai, then, is the undisputed patron saint of all terrible dancers.

Jackie Thakkar May 10, 2016

Bollywood

Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl Review: An Unambitious Biopic of an Ambitious National Heroine

For an industry overpopulated by biopics that veer between hagiographies and celebrations of hyper-nationalism, Gunjan Saxena is a welcome respite. Yet, it sticks to expected beats, and there are few moments with any bite. Janhvi Kapoor, who has visibly improved since Dhadak, is still inconsistent.

Poulomi Das May 10, 2016

Bollywood

Happy Birthday, Shahenshah: Lessons from the Baap of Avengers

Shahenshah, Amitabh Bachchan’s comeback vehicle, will go down in history for gifting the world two extraordinary pop-culture moments: a nocturnal avenger who wore the raddest costume ever, and a catchphrase that keeps on giving.

Poulomi Das May 10, 2016

Bollywood

Gone Kesh Review: A Bold Subject Cut Short by a Receding Storyline

Female baldness, unlike male baldness, doesn’t invite sympathy – it’s a marker of inadequacy. It’s this narrative that debutante director Qassim Kallow attempts to dissect in Gone Kesh with the story of a small-town girl suffering from alopecia. But the movie does not do justice to a bold subject.

Poulomi Das May 9, 2016

Bollywood

“Beyonce Sharma Jayegi”, Really? Bollywood Lyricists, Please Do Some Basic Googling

The song “Beyonce Sharma Jayegi” from the upcoming Khaali Peeli, annoyed social media users with its absolutely tone-deaf lyrics. Many Indian fans of Beyonce Knowles even posted apologies to the international superstar for her name being sullied by the ill-conceived lyrics.

Arré Bench May 7, 2016

Bollywood

And the Chief Non-Guest at the Sonam Kapoor-Anand Ahuja Wedding Is…

The Sonam Kapoor-Anand Ahuja shaadi is a sacred occasion for every Bollywood wedding’s chief non-guest: the paparazzi. For the great Indian pap, it’s also a trying time, solely because it necessitates that they give up doing groundbreaking work on two of the most pertinent issues of today: airport looks and documenting Taimur’s afternoons.

Arré Bench May 7, 2016