Sarojji, you were a legend and one of a kind. A heartfelt salute for countless moments of cinematic joy and moves, for making a mark as a female choreographer in Hindi cinema - despite the odds stacked against you. Saroj Khan's life and 60 plus years of career were defined by her natural talent and… Continue reading Power and behold: The dancing legacy of Saroj Khan
Category: Filmmaking
Filmmaking
8 Vintage Hindi Movies from the 70s on Amazon Prime & Netflix
Wondering what to watch while in isolation? Find these hidden Hindi cinema gems from the 70s, all of them quality stamped by top industry names. Kaala Patthar (1979) Prime Before Yash Chopra went rogue with romance in the 80s, with the exception of Mashaal (1984), he belted out all-round, thoughtful dramas with a social tinge… Continue reading 8 Vintage Hindi Movies from the 70s on Amazon Prime & Netflix
Love Aaj Kal: The Uncomfortable Romance
Love Aaj Kal dives straight into the ambiguous, uncomfortable and unspoken parts of love. You will either jump in and love it, or straight up hate it. As a fan, I can safely declare Imtiaz Ali is back in the zany space. The movie stays true to its premise of tackling uncomfortable parts of love until it reaches its pointy… Continue reading Love Aaj Kal: The Uncomfortable Romance
Panga: Kangana and Ashwiny deliver a dreamy winner
Kangana Ranaut is a product of the system she was brought up in – a patriarchal society that forced her to fight for her own corner of freedom, at every step. Shunned by her family early as a teenager for her choice to be independent, her battles extended to the blinkered film industry, controlled mostly by… Continue reading Panga: Kangana and Ashwiny deliver a dreamy winner
Tanhaji: Authentic but falls short on history
Fell asleep while watching Tanhaji (Tanaji) last night. To be fair, I was also super tired from consecutive late nights. From parts that I did watch, it is a decent attempt at a historical drama and an engaging story line for what it tried to convey. It was fairly light on the depth of content… Continue reading Tanhaji: Authentic but falls short on history
The 10 Great Movies of 2019
It was a year for the creative and the restless in Hindi cinema as filmmakers told inspirational stories which balanced reality and fantasy in equal measure. Innovation won and we had some brilliant winners in the process. Here are my top 10 picks for 2019. 1. Soni This Netflix movie quietly and softly won hearts. Ivan… Continue reading The 10 Great Movies of 2019
The 10 Great Movies of 2018
Women shone in Hindi cinema, the Khans sobered down, solid scripts made their mark, and character actors rocked big along with stunning lead performances in 2018. Returning to mainstream with a solid presence, women made ample use of significant screen time devoted to them. Six movies with female-driven plots made it to top ten performers… Continue reading The 10 Great Movies of 2018
Dhadak: Ishaan and Jhanvi shine, but the beat is missing
Dhadak lacks the unbridled consonance and passion of Sairat, on which it is based, but the lead pair and a compelling second half make it worth a visit. Janhvi Kapoor's star presence is unmistakable as Parthavi Singh. She is talented, dewy, and has inherited Sridevi's grace and easy charm. Ishaan Khatter's Madhukar Bagla is au naturel,… Continue reading Dhadak: Ishaan and Jhanvi shine, but the beat is missing
Sydney Film Festival: Decoding Manto and Mehsampur
Life can be distressing for creative souls who strive to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. The consequence of their honesty could be killings or attacks, even in a civilised society. Sound familiar? Indian films Manto and Mehsampur, directed by Nandita Das and Kabir Singh Chowdhry respectively, which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival this year,… Continue reading Sydney Film Festival: Decoding Manto and Mehsampur
Nandita Das: Manto’s view of women and the dignity he gave to them is rare
Nandita Das does not need an introduction. Her body of work speaks for her. She is known for her unique acting, and now directing choices. She quietly defied moulds with expert performances in Fire, Earth, Kannathil Muthamittal, Azhagi, Kamli, Before The Rains and Ramchand Pakistani. Her directorial debut Firaaq, which she co-wrote with Shuchi Kothari, was… Continue reading Nandita Das: Manto’s view of women and the dignity he gave to them is rare
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