Bollywood Archives - Page 8 of 37

Can Salman Khan Stop Mocking Priyanka Chopra and Start Talking About Bharat?

It’s now been almost a year since Priyanka Chopra decided to no longer be a part of Bharat but Salman Khan seems to have been unable to get over her decision. The digs he has taken at her since then are a prime example of how the Indian male’s ego is unable to process a simple “no” from a woman.

Poulomi Das June 25, 2016

Bollywood

Farewell, Jagdeep. An Era of Gentle Goofy Comedy Passes With You

Even though the legendary Soorma Bhopali role immortalises him, Jagdeep was much more than just the funny guy in that comic subplot. He became the humorous voice in hysterical melodramas, he was the quintessential “hero ka dost” or the solid sidekick propelling the story forward with his bumbling ways, making the lead’s exasperatingly flawless personality tolerable.

Pragyan Mohanty June 25, 2016

Bollywood

The White Tiger Review: It’s Adarsh Gourav’s Show All the Way

Adarsh Gourav, in his debut feature film role, is up to the task of being the glue that holds The White Tiger together. His character is both the flawed hero and the unreliable narrator, existing on society’s underbelly first out of choice, and then out of compulsion.

Arré Bench June 24, 2016

Bollywood

Hichki: A Cliche-Ridden Film that Underserves Rani’s Comeback

Hichki suffers from the same condition that afflicts most films with a social message: a severe case of good intentions that justifies the lack of risks. And there’s only so much heft Rani Mukherji can afford a half-baked comeback role.

Poulomi Das June 24, 2016

Bollywood

What Dostana Meant For an India Where Homosexuality Was Still a Crime

Despite its glaring flaws, Dostana played a role in drawing the attention of a nation oblivious to the queer community and its struggles. The film went on to define the mantra of the LGBT community: sexy, fabulous, and deeply individual.

Kahini Iyer June 22, 2016

Bollywood

Move over Koffee With Karan. Simi Garewal, the Grandmother of Celebrity Talk Shows is Back

Rendezvous with Simi Garewal will be back soon and even in this talk show-saturated climate, I’m waiting with bated breath for the return of the queen. The old-fashioned talk show was not bogged down by any “revealing” rapid fires, instead Garewal’s spotless white couch was more like that of a therapist.

Kahini Iyer June 22, 2016

Bollywood

Ghost Stories Review: Dibakar Banerjee Single-Handedly Offers a Compelling Definition of Modern Horror

The dullness of Ghost Stories dilutes the urgency of a horror anthology. In the times that we live in, horror is everywhere you look – in state-sanctioned violence, in the militarisation of the police force, the othering of minorities, and in the clampdown of dissent. It’s probably why Dibakar Banerjee’s segment stands out: the director doesn’t just make a film, but also a statement.

Poulomi Das June 21, 2016

Bollywood

What Yash Chopra’s Dharmputra Teaches About Calling Out Bigotry

For many anti-CAA protesters, the resistance is also about standing up to the bigotry of family and friends. It’s imperative how Dharmputra, a film made over five decades ago, has an answer for it: call out objectionable views regardless of who holds them.

Pragyan Mohanty June 21, 2016

Bollywood

15 years of Bunty Aur Babli: An Ode to Small-Town India Before It Was Cool

Bunty Aur Babli was Bollywood’s first taste of a new success formula: the wholesome, quirky small-town romance, replicated in films like Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Bareilly Ki Barfi. It painted a clear picture of how small-town India was pushed to the extreme to live out a cut-rate version of the Great American Dream.

Swarnim Jain June 21, 2016

Bollywood

More Fathers Like Bunny’s Dad from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Please!

We are so used to seeing martyr moms and haanikarak bapus on screen, that Farooq Shaikh’s portrayal as Bunny’s endearing dad in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani provides a much-needed respite. The film rejects stereotyping the older generation as dream killers.

Poulomi Das June 20, 2016