Sayantan Mondal, Author at Arré

Kaalia, Bob Biswas and Circuit: The Side Characters Without Whom No Bollywood Plot is Kaamyaab

A Bollywood film is incomplete without a “side hero” – you know, the “hero ka dost”. But side characters have risen from the forgotten corners of history, and thanks to social media, often find their own audience. Sanjay Mishra’s Kaamyaab reminds us of the long road side characters have had to tread.

Sayantan Mondal March 30, 2016

Bollywood

No Dharma Films, No Koffee with Karan. But Chunky Pandey was a Superstar in Bangladesh

After the success of Aankhen in 1993, Chunky Pandey practically had no work. That’s when directors from Dhallywood, the Bangladesh film industry, came knocking on his door. Pandey dived right in and became an instant superstar.

Sayantan Mondal March 11, 2016

Bollywood

What Do Baazigar and Chachi 420 Have in Common With the Oscar-Winning Parasite?

Oscar-winning South Korean phenomenon Parasite, directed by Bong Joon-Ho, walks on a similar path as several Bollywood plots, focusing on ugly societal norms, class divide, and striking inequality. The only difference — our love for a sprinkling of masala.

Sayantan Mondal March 3, 2016