MOHAMMAD ASIM SIDDIQUI

All stories by MOHAMMAD ASIM SIDDIQUI

Pathaan Is About Shah Rukh's Life

Pathaan Is About Shah Rukh's Life

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

More than anything else, Pathaan is a silent and subtle statement of Shah Rukh Khan about his place, his commitment to cinema and, if one can say, his politics, observes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Why Naseeruddin Shah is WRONG about Dilip Kumar

Why Naseeruddin Shah is WRONG about Dilip Kumar

Rediff.com28 Jul 2021

Dilip Kumar remained in demand all through his career because he kept reinventing himself in keeping with the changing times in Indian cinema, argues Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

My Name is Khan, A Decade Later

My Name is Khan, A Decade Later

Rediff.com18 Feb 2020

What has not changed in a decade is the character of Rizwan Khan. He is complex, multi-dimensional and lovable. In fact, his character continues to grow on you, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Who doesn't want to escape reality for a while?

Who doesn't want to escape reality for a while?

Rediff.com22 Feb 2017

'While there cannot be any doubt that the national anthem should be shown utmost respect, cinema halls are not the most appropriate places to play the national anthem.'

Talat Aziz's genius elevates Majaz

Talat Aziz's genius elevates Majaz

Rediff.com23 Jan 2017

Majaz, based on the life of Asraul Haq Majaz, the John Keats of Urdu poetry, marks Talat Aziz's debut as a composer in Hindi cinema. The film could have been an excellent biopic had it stuck to the poet's poetic self rather than his unfulfilled love, says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Bajirao Mastani: The Grandeur of Movie Manufactured History

Bajirao Mastani: The Grandeur of Movie Manufactured History

Rediff.com22 Dec 2015

Bajirao Mastani has the potential to do for Maratha 'history' what Mughal-e-Azam did for Mughal 'history', says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

Heed the concerns of our writers

Heed the concerns of our writers

Rediff.com23 Oct 2015

'The writers fear that the fringe is threatening to become the mainstream and the liberal space -- a must for any creative expression -- is fast shrinking,' says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

How Bajrangi Bhaijaan subverts ideology

How Bajrangi Bhaijaan subverts ideology

Rediff.com24 Jul 2015

'The most important aspect of Bajrangi Bhaijaan is the use of humour to touch some sensitive and potentially explosive political-religious and cultural subjects.'

The hidden lessons of Dil Dhadakne Do

The hidden lessons of Dil Dhadakne Do

Rediff.com10 Jun 2015

Dil Dhadakne Do joins the debate over the role of women in India.

It took a 100+ years for Bollywood to acknowledge that shit exists

It took a 100+ years for Bollywood to acknowledge that shit exists

Rediff.com20 May 2015

Any subject is good enough for producing good art. Piku, and its obsession with 'emotion resulting from motion' is a perfect example, says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

The Pakistan that India loves!

The Pakistan that India loves!

Rediff.com7 May 2015

The ordinary life lived in Pakistan is rarely a part of Indian imagination. This is this gap that Pakistani television serials have succeeded in bridging, says Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.

PK wouldn't have understood PK

PK wouldn't have understood PK

Rediff.com5 Jan 2015

'It is beyond him to understand how human beings can say the same thing to mean so many different things.'

History is not only about the past, but also about the present

History is not only about the past, but also about the present

Rediff.com4 Dec 2014

It is ironic that Raja Mahendra Pratap's Jat connection is being used for vote bank politics. He could not have cared less for his caste.' 'He was aware of the hold caste had on people's lives, and always rose above this kind of narrow thinking.' 'He mentions that once when he landed at Dwarka the priests asked him about his caste. He replied that he was a sweeper. The priests denied him entry. "I did not care to visit it," he writes, "when it was surrounded by people who had no regard for humanity".'