Bollywood Archives

11 Years of 3 Idiots: The Average Student is More Like Chatur Ramalingam and Raju Rastogi, Less Like Rancho

An Indian student is more like Chatur Ramalingam and Raju Rastogi. In school, most of us gave in to rote learning, and in college like Raju we had our insecurities. It’s precisely why 10 years later, I still cannot relate to the exceptional Rancho.

Priyanka Agarwal April 25, 2016

Bollywood

Enough With the Ms Braganzas & Mr Iyers. Where are the Biharis in Bollywood?

Bollywood has its share of Kaizads, Miss Braganzas, and Mr Iyers. But I haven’t found a single Mr Jha who chews paan more frequently than he curses the bourgeoisie in theth Bhojpuri.

Aastha Anupriya April 25, 2016

Bollywood

Ranjish Hi Sahi: How Sad Bollywood Songs Make Life Bearable

I inherited my mother’s love for sad songs. One can be happy for other people, but one cannot associate with that happiness. Sadness is more universal. When Guru Dutt laments, “Tang aa chuke hain kashmakash-e-zindagi se hum”, his kashmakash, the paradox of life, isn’t just love, it is everything.

Manjiri Indurkar April 25, 2016

Bollywood

You’ve Been Ghosted: Is There More to Bollywood Horror than Ramsay Brothers?

What next for Bollywood horror? Ramsay Brothers might be the most popular spooky filmmakers, but there is more to the genre. Decades later we continue to be haunted by tried-and-tested tropes – women in white, demonic possession, and bhoot banglas.

Aditi Sen April 25, 2016

Bollywood

Mogambo, General Dong, Thakral: Why Amrish Puri is the Bollywood Villain You Couldn’t Hate

Despite being one of the most influential villains of our cinematic history, Amrish Puri never really needed the theatrics to make his roles work. On his death anniversary, a tribute to the actor who became the shorthand for a Bollywood villain in our collective conscience.

Runjhun Noopur April 25, 2016

Bollywood

Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior Review: A Pulpy Action Thriller that Needs a History Lesson

Ajay Devgn’s self-seriousness in Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior is unbearable. But Saif Ali Khan’s gleeful irreverence makes the villainy of Udaybhan Rathod, a Rajput general in Aurangzeb’s army, extremely enjoyable.

Poulomi Das April 25, 2016

Bollywood

Vishwatma: Bollywood’s Flashiest Story of Patriotism in Pardes

On Republic Day, we look back at Rajiv Rai’s cult classic Vishwatma, where Bollywood took deshbhakti to the diaspora. The film, which released 28 years ago, gave us the greatest masala national integration song, “Dil le gayi teri bindiya,” and reminds us of a time when no one was asked to prove their patriotism.

Pragyan Mohanty April 24, 2016

Bollywood

Drive Review: This Netflix Heist-Action Drama is a Pile-up of Fiascos

Drive seems to be either completely unaware of its sub-standardness or weirdly boastful about it. It’s a nightmarish love child between the Dhoom series and the Fast and Furious franchise.

Poulomi Das April 24, 2016

Bollywood

60 Years of Mughal-E-Azam: Anarkali, Jodha Bai, and Bahar Remain the Film’s Biggest Strength

Sixty years on, the women of Mughal-E-Azam need to be celebrated. Anarkali is the soul of the film, but even Bahar, a jealous lady-in-waiting, is graceful in her pursuits. Jodha Bai is an unconventional mother figure, not a standard 17th century queen who only exists to produce heirs

Shakun Saini April 24, 2016

Bollywood

Vicky Kaushal: The Man Who Has Mastered the Art of Blending In

Vicky Kaushal has mastered the art of blending in. He’s one of the few actors who is aware that his presence and talent is a contribution to any film, not its headline gift.

Poulomi Das April 23, 2016