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
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
Thappad: The slap that confronts patriarchy
Zero, one, two, three, four, five… how many slaps justify the end of a marriage? Whichever numerical digit you picked or didn't pick after watching Thappad, if introspection is your thing, you will feel guilty for being a part of a system that feeds patriarchy, enabling men and women to diminish a woman's status. Thappad… Continue reading Thappad: The slap that confronts patriarchy
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
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi: Kangana Ranaut claims her throne
"Jhansi aap bhi chaahte hai aur main bhi. Farq sirf itna hai ke aap raaj karna chaahte hai aur main apnon ki sewa." This defiant line delivered by Kangana Ranaut sets the stage and tone for Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (Manikarnika) as well the kind of values Rani Laxmibai stood for. As a bonus, Kangana… Continue reading Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi: Kangana Ranaut claims her throne
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
Pataakha: Female anger & energy, unleashed
Boom. Female anger unleashes and explodes on the Hindi cinema screen in full frontal glory in Pataakha. Who other than Vishal Bhardwaj for the job? The writer-director tackles women's energy head on, by exploring a tempestuous relationship between two sisters Badki and Chutki with black humour. A mad hatter concept suspends the… Continue reading Pataakha: Female anger & energy, unleashed
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