bollywood Archives

Why Are Quantico-Loving Indians Suddenly Mad with Priyanka Chopra?

A recent episode of Quantico has irked Indians because it dared to imply Hindus are terrorists. Except that, their anger rests less with the show and more with Priyanka Chopra, for not representing India.

Arré Bench June 24, 2016

Pop Culture

Cannes Film Festival: That Time of the Year When B-Grade Bollywood Celebrities Become Relevant Again

There’s no getting away from the fact that Mallika Sherawat’s and Hina Khan’s connection to world cinema is tenuous at best. Yet they are gracing the Cannes red carpet. As for the rest of the Indian delegation? To paraphrase a modern statesman: We’re definitely not sending our best people.

Kahini Iyer June 24, 2016

Pop Culture

Neal ’n’ Nikki: When Mini Skirts Made For Movies

Neal ’n’ Nikki came to our screens and changed our young lives forever. It was exhilarating to see characters speaking like we would do, talking about sex and boning like we only did with our friends in hushed tones.

Parthshri Arora 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

Pop Culture

Shamshera Review: A Politically Intuitive Film that is Worth A Watch

Shamshera doesn’t quite deliver on the anticipation of a touted pan-India film, but its politics and front-foot stance is refreshing, even if unevenly portrayed.

Pradeep Menon June 22, 2016

POV

Thar Review: Lots of Style, but Little Substance

Spectacular to look at, Thar sports a more than decent performance by Anil Kapoor. Everything else about the film though underwhelms.

Divya Unny June 21, 2016

Pop Culture

Pappu Ki Jhappi, Priya Prakash Varrier’s Wink & DeepVeer’s Shaadi: The 2018 Photo Album

We wept after watching Hima Das on the podium after her historic win, had our hearts swell with pride on witnessing the selflessness of Kerala’s fishermen, and were left seething over the #MeToo testimonies. 2018 has been an emotional rollercoaster. Here are the images that will stay with you long after the year is over.

Arré Bench June 21, 2016

Pop Culture

The World Needs More Newtons

At a time when most of us have been conditioned to complain about the dismal state of the country, Rajkummar Rao’s Newton succeeds in doing the impossible: Making idealism aspirational again.

Poulomi Das June 20, 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

Bollywood

How Do Muslims Prove Their Patriotism? Mulk Asks the Right Question

Anubhav Sinha’s pleasantly hard-hitting Mulk doesn’t stray far from what is unfolding in the country at the moment. Just like in the film, an entire community has been othered and demonised. Muslims are repeatedly asked to prove their loyalty — a test that is automatically beyond their reach in a country that’s already decided that their religion excludes patriotism.

Poulomi Das June 20, 2016