bollywood Archives

Shikara Review: An Incomplete Narrative on the Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits

In Shikara, Vidhu Vinod Chopra chooses to look at the Kashmiri Pandit exodus in isolation and not in relation with the continuous othering of the state by the governments of India and their armed forces. In that sense, not only does the film come across as visibly apolitical but also an incomplete narrative where quite a few pieces of the puzzle are missing.

Poulomi Das June 10, 2016

People

The Slow Descent of Ram Gopal Varma

As Sarkar 3 readies for release, it’s time to investigate what is up with RGV. Is he a modern-day shit-talking, raving seer? Or has he turned into a character from one of his films?

Nimisha Misra June 9, 2016

Pop Culture

Sarkar 3 and the Death of an Icon

It took Ram Gopal Varma 12 years and three films to erode the memory of Sarkar, one of the most formidable protagonists to emerge out of Bollywood in recent times.

Poulomi Das June 8, 2016

Bollywood

Ishqiya, the Kachori Western Served With Noir Ki Chutney

Abhishek Chaubey's Ishqiya retains the intensity of a Western through poignancy in dialogue, a classic trope of the Western that sets the men apart from the boys

Anahad Madhav June 8, 2016

Bollywood

Suhana Suffer: Stop Whining about the Vogue Cover

Can we please stop the hand-wringing over Suhana Khan on the Vogue cover? Don’t blame the magazine or nepotism – blame yourselves for falling over each other to see her #AirportLook. This is a classic case of the privileged, whining on about the super privileged.

Purba Ray June 7, 2016

POV

“Paani Chala Gaya”: Why India Will Never Have its The Shape of Water

Would the creature from The Shape of Water, who needs to stay hydrated all the time, fall in love in India, staring at its own version of the water crisis? He might be an anti-hero instead, avenging the loss of his habitat from the worst of us.

Runa Mukherjee June 7, 2016

Bollywood

Only 90s Kids will Remember: Sumeet Saigal, Avinash Wadhawan, and 50 Shades of Hamming from Forgotten Heroes

While watching Aayush Sharma in Loveyatri, I was reminded of the stock ’90s hero – someone who had the inherent talent of hamming and could champion patriarchy while celebrating matriarchy; could flex muscles as well as emotions; and become taller, sharper and stronger as the narrative progressed.

Sayantan Mondal June 7, 2016

Bollywood

13 Years of Omkara: How a Play About Race Became a Critique of Toxic Masculinity

Thirteen years ago, Vishal Bhardwaj gave us the masterful Omkara based on Othello, the Shakespeare play about race and misogyny. The play is tailor-made for Indian sensibilities, where race turns into caste and the misogyny is dialled up several notches.

Bhaskar Chawla June 6, 2016

Bollywood

Arré Checklist: How Protest Publicity Can Make Manikarnika and Super 30 a Hit

Now that Padmaavat has set the trend and Manikarnika is due to follow, the floodgates are open for protestors to come together against “offensive” films. Sinhal Classes will be perfect protest partners for Hrithik Roshan’s Super 30.

Dushyant Shekhawat June 4, 2016

Bollywood

Laila Majnu Review: How the Interminable Wait for Love Descends into Madness

Sajid Ali's Laila Majnu will easily end up as the most conflicting piece of cinema this year. It tests your patience with a frustrating first hour and then presents an affecting 30-minute sequence that offers a visceral portrait of the insanity of love.

Poulomi Das June 4, 2016