Saisuresh Sivaswamy, Nikhil Lakshman In Gandhinagar

Stories by Saisuresh Sivaswamy, Nikhil Lakshman In Gandhinagar

Zoya and the M factor of Gully Boy

Zoya and the M factor of Gully Boy

Rediff.com   21 Feb 2019

'If Murad's Mozziness doesn't strike us in the eye, if we see the film as a youth's struggle to break free of the shackles holding him back and not as a Muslim fighting the system, it is because not once in the film does Zoya show him blaming his religion for his low social status or struggle, a temptation many 'progressive' film-makers may have yielded to for it sounds so politically correct,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Why Modi govt's Ayodhya plea is different

Why Modi govt's Ayodhya plea is different

Rediff.com   30 Jan 2019

By pegging the exact area of the Babri Masjid site at 0.313 acres, and not the original 2.77 acres, the government hopes to be in line with the court ruling in the 1994 Ismail Faruqui case which mentions return of land to original claimants once the exact area needed for acquisition is determined, observes Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Priyanka's sister act

Priyanka's sister act

Rediff.com   24 Jan 2019

'Having taken the first step, Priyanka will do well to remember that politics is not a part-time occupation, nor is it meant for guest appearances and cameos.' 'It can't be that come June 2019 and Priyanka goes back to her cocooned life, to re-emerge five years later because the family business is in trouble again,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

Modi ka Magic Chalega Kya?

Modi ka Magic Chalega Kya?

Rediff.com   11 Dec 2018

'Facing foes with a common intent is not something Modi-Shah's BJP has done before,' points out Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

2.0 trailer warns you: Tech is out to get you

2.0 trailer warns you: Tech is out to get you

Rediff.com   3 Nov 2018

2.0 raises the bar for Indian films, taking them a step closer to Hollywood blockbusters, says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'This anger is now too far gone to be easily reversed'

'This anger is now too far gone to be easily reversed'

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2018

'The new generation of teenagers which has taken the forefront is largely an amorphous, leaderless mass.' 'It is extremely difficult to find a representative with whom to negotiate now, unless one turns to a militant leader.'

'Pakistan can certainly contribute to peace in Kashmir'

'Pakistan can certainly contribute to peace in Kashmir'

Rediff.com   29 Oct 2018

'...by stopping its promotion of turmoil, its aid and abetment to militancy.' 'Mr Vajpayee paved the road for peace by engaging Pakistan tirelessly while also reaching out to Kashmiri leaders and people at large.' 'Like so often in the past, this government does not have a policy. No consistency in approach.'

The Hindu Shah Bano moment is here

The Hindu Shah Bano moment is here

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2018

'Modi's power rests on the Hindu vote.' 'It is this vote bank that sees the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala as an intrusion into its religious practice and is frothing at the mouth.' 'History shows us the ill-fated consequences of a strong government buckling before street power,' cautions Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'India will feel impact of future financial crisis more than in 2008'

'India will feel impact of future financial crisis more than in 2008'

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2018

'I can confidently say there will be another financial crisis soon enough, and probably more than one global crisis within the next century, given the increasingly integrated nature of the global economy.'

Sabarimala verdict brings a new dawn

Sabarimala verdict brings a new dawn

Rediff.com   28 Sep 2018

'What the Sabarimala majority verdict has done is to elevate the principle of equality over all others, including the right to worship, and declared that this will be the litmus test of all practices, and re-emphasise that practices that are ultra vires will be junked,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

The V S Naipaul I came to know

The V S Naipaul I came to know

Rediff.com   14 Aug 2018

Nikhil Lakshman remembers the times he spent with the legendary writer who passed into the ages six days before his 86th birthday.

How not to do a no-trust vote

How not to do a no-trust vote

Rediff.com   21 Jul 2018

'Friday's parliamentary confrontation obviously was a precursor, or a trailer, to use a pop culture reference, to the real show awaiting the nation,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'Hinduism is under threat from those in power'

'Hinduism is under threat from those in power'

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2018

'there is absolutely no question that the Hinduism of the mob-lynchers, the people who have actually gone and killed others because of what they are eating or how they are worshipping or the faith they belong to or what they're doing professionally, those are, to my mind, not Hindus at all.' 'Hinduism needs to be reclaimed for the Hindus who are not bigots.'

'Congress are better Hindus than BJP'

'Congress are better Hindus than BJP'

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2018

'...because we are truer to the spirit of the Hindu faith.' 'There is absolutely no question that the Hinduism of the mob lynchers, the people who have killed others because of what they are eating or how they are worshipping or the faith they belong to or what they're doing professionally, those are, to my mind, not Hindus at all.'

Coming soon: The Hindu Vote Tsunami

Coming soon: The Hindu Vote Tsunami

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2018

'It is this new brand of nationalism, where the saffron has elbowed out the other shades in our Tiranga, that will go before the electorate later this year.' 'And it is this new nationalism that will power Modi back into office with 300-plus seats when elections are held,' says Saisuresh Sivaswamy.

'The Pakistanis have a hand in Kashmir'

'The Pakistanis have a hand in Kashmir'

Rediff.com   20 Jun 2018

'Pakistan had almost disappeared from Kashmir.' 'Now in the last three, four years we have brought Pakistan back again by not handling Kashmir properly.'

'There is no military solution to Kashmir'

'There is no military solution to Kashmir'

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2018

'Once the violence is contained, the politicians must play their role, but unfortunately that is not happening.'

'There's no Modi doctrine on Kashmir'

'There's no Modi doctrine on Kashmir'

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2018

'If Modi had followed Vajpayee in Kashmir, then there would have been absolutely no problem in Kashmir.'

'When relations improve, Kulbhushan Jadhav will return'

'When relations improve, Kulbhushan Jadhav will return'

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2018

'Kulbhushan Jadhav is a very sad case.' 'I think Pakistan handled this issue very clumsily.' 'They gave too much of publicity and also said that they will hang him.' 'Now obviously, they are not going to hang him.'

'Indians live in fear'

'Indians live in fear'

Rediff.com   19 Apr 2018

'They have no other agenda, but to perpetuate hate.' 'They have destroyed the economy and polity and they survive only on hate.' 'They think through hatred, they can mobilise the large chunk of Hindu votes.'