Abhishek Bachchan Archives

15 years after its release, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna feels more of an opportunity missed to debate infidelity

Karan Johar’s film was ahead of its time in terms of context, but conservative, ultimately in its tropes and education. It could have been so much more had the director not felt apologetic for broaching the topic in the first place.

Tia Basu July 1, 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

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

Pop Culture

Bob Biswas review: Abhishek Bachchan’s stand-in act falters on many levels

Bob Biswas fails to deliver on the creepy mysticism of the original played by Saswata Chatterjee. In his place, Abhishek Bachchan is acceptable but not memorable by any stretch of the imagination.

Lakshmi Govindrajan June 18, 2016

Bollywood

Manmarziyaan Review: The Bollywood Love Triangle, Redefined

Anurag Kashyap’s Manmarziyaan is both a manifesto of modern love and a statement against Bollywood's unrealistic portrayal of love triangles. Aided by smart writing and affecting performances, the film subverts the nice guy trope and squashes the idea of the one true love.

Poulomi Das June 16, 2016

Culture

Arranged Marriage, Tinder, & Why Manmarziyan is Completely Wrong About Modern Love in India

For all of Manmarziyan’s feminist pretensions, its lead Rumi is a cipher, waiting for validation from the men in her life. Where are the fun, confused young women who end up by themselves and become stronger because of it? Where are the women who bid their orthodoxies goodbye and try to fly solo?

Kamayani Sharma June 4, 2016

Features

Great Performances, Mythology References, and More Reasons to Watch Breathe: Into the Shadows

Breathe: Into the Shadows is carrying forward the trend in shows of weaving mythological concepts into its narrative. This time the focus is on Ravan’s 10 heads — or, sins — which our mysterious serial killer seems to be obsessed with for reasons that aren’t immediately apparent.

Aditya Bhalla May 29, 2016

Pop Culture

The Jinx of Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

On this day, ten years ago, Shaad Ali’s ambitious musical, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, single-handedly sounded the death knell for five flourishing careers.

Poulomi Das May 10, 2016

Bollywood

The Manmarziyaan of India’s Many Small-Town Rumis

The plot of Manmarziyaan is a story as old as time. It’s also a narrative that spans the breadth of mohallas across India where countless Rumis let go off their pehla pyaar and marry a stranger. Rumi is that woman discussed in hushed whispers in every small town.

Nimisha Misra May 3, 2016

Bollywood

The Big Bull Review: This Harshad Mehta Story Feels Like a Wikipedia Entry Made More Dull by Abhishek Bachchan

Most biopics are pedestrian visual accounts of Wikipedia pages of their subjects. The Big Bull is no different. It unfolds as a series of events that have to be ticked off a list and has no insights to offer. Abhishek Bachchan’s lazy and uninspired performance makes matters worse.

Devarsi Ghosh May 2, 2016