bollywood Archives

Dear SRK, I was Molested outside Mannat. On Your Birthday

We’ve all heard the familiar condescending voice of a female Bombay-ite telling a Dilliwali, “Oh please, at least in my city, I am safe.” I have been that person. That changed on Shah Rukh Khan's birthday, after I was molested by a mob outside his house.

Lavanya Jayashankar June 4, 2016

Pop Culture

How Zoya Akhtar’s Made in Heaven Shatters the Myth of the Bollywood Vivah

For a long time, Bollywood has convinced us that the shortcut to a happily-ever-after is marriage. But Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s Made in Heaven intends to tear a hole in the utter romanticisation of this custom. It shows us a side of marriage – an examination of why people choose to be in it – that has rarely been depicted on celluloid.

Manik Sharma June 3, 2016

Coronavirus

Is It Me or Have Bollywood Celebs Just Turned More Annoying During the Lockdown?

Quarantine has knocked off the pedestal from under our beloved stars and right now, they feel past their expiry date. I don’t want to watch Katrina do jhaadu-pocha or a Kareena Kapoor tutorial on how to wipe an already clean table. I’d much rather watch ordinary folks going about developing a new skill.

Purba Ray June 2, 2016

Pop Culture

3 Storeys: How to Break the Bollymom Stereotype

In 3 Storeys, Arjun Mukherjee weaves together a story of three mothers, exposes the burden of mothers who have been conditioned to sacrifice and be silenced, intertwining it with the disastrous results it has on their kids.

Kahini Iyer June 2, 2016

Bollywood

Abhay Deol, The Actor Who Survived Despite Bollywood

In this week’s forgettable Chopsticks, Abhay Deol plays a conman who has a refined taste. His filmography is now littered with peculiar outings that primarily serve the cachet of being Abhay Deol. And his early films – Dev.D and Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! – resemble the slate of an actor who peaked even before his career took off.

Poulomi Das June 2, 2016

Pop Culture

Mai Review: A Chilling Blend of Violence and Innocence

Netflix’s Mai starring Sakshi Tanwar in a brilliant central role is a well-performed series based on a familiar premise. It does most things well, except resonate on an emotional level but is certainly worth watching and waiting for.

Divya Unny June 2, 2016

Bollywood

15 Years of Socha Na Tha: A Reminder of What an Imtiaz Ali Romance Used To Be

Socha Na Tha takes us back to the time when Imtiaz Ali was a filmmaker who was interested in saying something, not repeating it. The film is predictable to a fault, but its sweetness is devoid of any pretension or baggage, a throbbing flaw in Ali’s recent outings.

Poulomi Das June 1, 2016

Bollywood

Happy Birthday, Irrfan Khan. We’ve Missed You

For a man like Irrfan Khan, who has always marched to the beat of his own drum, narrating his story of fighting cancer might be his boldest role yet. By sharing the truth of his struggle with his fans and followers, he has displayed a rare kind of generosity.

Kahini Iyer May 31, 2016

Pop Culture

Cuttputlli review: Bland and Boring

Akshay Kumar is the weakest link in a film that rarely makes sense or has you at the edge of your seat.

Pradeep Menon May 31, 2016

Pop Culture

2017: The Year That Destroyed ’90s Bollywood

This was the year our rose-tinted memories of the glorious ’90s died. “Oonchi Hai Building” is permanently sullied by Varun Dhawan and we’ll never look at Govinda, Sridevi, and Sanjay Dutt the same way again.

Poulomi Das May 31, 2016