Ten Must-Watch Satyajit Ray Films
It goes without saying that Satyajit Ray features on every film buff’s palate. Deepa Gahlot selects 10 of his works to put on your list Satyajit Ray is the only …
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Film Flashback: The Fires of Rebellion in ‘Holi’
The festival of Holi inevitably brings forth raucous Bollywood numbers, but it was also the setting for a slightly more sombre film in the 1980s. Deepa Gahlot looks back Holi …
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Flashback to a Film that highlights the Plight of Farmers
Deepa Gahlot throws light on a less-successful Balraj Sahni starrer about the plight of farmers Dharti Ke Lal (1946) As the farmers’ stir rocks our country, and draws attention to …
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Tandav Review: Shallow & Senseless?
If at all the controversial Tandav points to anything, it is that OTT content can be as shallow and senseless as the worst of commercial cinema. Throw in stars, good production values …
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New year, young blood
Deepa Gahlot takes a closer look at a little-known film based on a rather familiar theme – Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal (1966) A new year begins with hope, and …
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The Fire That Forged RK
Raj Kapoor’s debut production was an ode to passion and beauty, showcasing tropes that recurred in future films, writes Deepa Gahlot. Aag (1948) December 14 marks the birth anniversary of …
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The Exiled Prince
With Dussehra and Diwali just behind us, Deepa Gahlot takes a look at the legend of Ram Ram Rajya (1943) The Dussehra to Diwali festive season revolves around Ram and …
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Film Flashback: Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen & the timeless mega-starrer – Waqt
With memorable music, a star-studded cast and despite the most improbable storyline, the 1965 Yash Raj film Waqt remains literally a family favourite, writes Deepa Gahlot It was in 1970 …
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Film Flashback: Khamoshi & the Focus on Mental Health
Mental health was generally uni-dimensional in films of bygone days, with the iconic Khamoshi being an exception, writes Deepa Gahlot Khamoshi (1969) The suicide of actor Sushant Singh Rajput has …
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Guru Dutt’s Top 10 Films !!
Seniors Today film chronicler Deepa Gahlot picks her Top 10 Guru Dutt films 1. Baazi (1951): Movie lore has it that when Dev Anand and Guru Dutt worked in …
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Laughter UnLtd: 20 Hindi Films that will make you Laugh & Be Happy
From romcoms to satire, comedy films have made us laugh down the ages. Deepa Gahlot lists 20 of the best If smiles and laughter can be used to measure happiness, …
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Remembering Netaji, Samadhi & Kadam Kadam Badhaye Jaa
Deepa Gahlot looks back on an improbable but fiercely patriotic film, which is now remembered chiefly for its songs Samadhi (1950) Those who have not seen Samadhi (1950), or even …
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Rainy Day Flashback: Barsaat Ki Raat
No ‘rain song’ playlist is possible without Zindagi bhar nahin bhoolegi… Deepa Gahlot looks back on the musical hit that is synonymous with monsoon moods As the monsoon hits Mumbai, …
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No Country for the Poor
The pathetic condition of the poor and marginalised in India, brought into the limelight by the Covid-19 crisis, was documented in stark realism by Bimal Roy, well over 60 years …
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RIP, Rishi Kapoor. Very Instinctive, Very Politically Incorrect
Deepa Gahlot pays a tribute to the just departed actor with whom she interacted frequently over the years Plain-speaking was part of his nature, as his frequent scraps on Twitter …
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Bollywood’s China Connection
At a time when China, epidemics and the selflessness of doctors is under constant discussion due to the coronavirus, Deepa Gahlot takes a look at a film that combined all …
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Woman Power on Screen
March is celebrated as Women’s Month, so here’s a look at one of the finest female bonding films made in Bollywood. By Deepa Gahlot Mrityudand (1997) “Pati ho, parmeshwar ban …
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Tales of Eternal Love
The immortal love story, often doomed, is an integral part of Indian history and folklore – By Deepa Gahlot Of all the stories that pass down the ages, love stories …
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Romance on the screen
Deepa Gahlot casts an eye on Bollywood love over the years Unlike Western movies, romance is part of the Bollywood movie package. Even the angry young man and vigilante antihero …
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The Young and The Restless
Against the backdrop of student-led protests across the country, Deepa Gahlot takes a look at Sudhir Mishra’s film which tackled this subject 32 years ago As the country erupts into …
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An Affair Not to Remember
The casually blatant sexism of the 1978 movie Pati Patni Aur Woh may have seemed funny at one time, but it is nothing short of tragic that the film is …
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The Old and the Beautiful
Cinema would be nothing without women – but older women’s roles get short shrift, writes Deepa Gahlot Like the rest of society, Hindi cinema too marginalises senior and older women. …
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The Revolutionary Seven
Well known as the Big B’s first step into filmdom, Saat Hindustani also chronicles the struggles of an era, writes Deepa Gahlot A small film with new actors might have …
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