While the DMK fears that the Congress with its poor strike rate will pull it down in the 2021 state elections, like it did five years ago, the ruling AIADMK is worried that the BJP may ultimately do a Bihar on it, relegating it to second place in Tamil Nadu, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
'We are the largest film industry in the world.' 'We employ millions and entertain billions.' 'We generate the highest amount of sales tax.' 'Our stars pay the highest amount of income tax.' 'All I would say is: Don't f*** it up!'
Tamil Nadu has time and again proved that it needs a decisive leader even if corrupt, rather than an indecisive leader, however good-hearted, good-natured and honest he may be, writes N Sathiya Moorthy.
As we prepare to return to the land of silver screens and samosa, Sukanya Verma looks at notable theatre moments in Hindi films.
Flautist, singer and composer Rasika Shekar talks about her interesting musical journey.
Every single one of Parinda's magnificent frames is a masterclass in slick. Sukanya Verma tells us why.
Analysts believe the film should cross Rs 120 crore over the four-day weekend.
Disney's The Jungle Book has taken the box office by storm.
'For women, it's about, 'See idiot, this is what we go through.' For that, they will get their men.' 'When he comes, he will understand women's problems and say, "You are special" and she will get that 10 minutes ka bhaav. But it's very important.'
Modi did not consider these deaths important enough to express regrets. Will these lives continue to count for nothing? asks Jyoti Punwani.
Chauthi Koot is the first of two Indian films in Un Certain Regard.
This time round, even 'petrol coupons' were reportedly distributed for those attending campaign rallies, especially those addressed by top leaders, cutting across party lines. If this owed to the rising cost of petrol and diesel -- which is a poll issue this time -- there were the customary coupons for 'quarter' (liquor bottle size) and non-vegetarian biryani. Some media reports claimed that some of these 'crowds' attended more than one political rally on the same day in the last week, and at times for rival political parties in adjoining constituencies or districts, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
Indicators are that there has been little enthusiasm for Rajinikanth's entry into politics, owing possibly to his 'hide-and-seek' game over the subject since the early to mid-nineties. That was when Rajinikanth was already a superstar, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
Gujarat-based tea major will run a Rs 2-cr roadblock on Hindi and regional news channels.
'After Gully Boy, many interesting projects started coming my way.' 'But things really changed with the Filmfare. Now, people notice me.' 'It's a good space, where you don't have to tell people who you are.'
Defence Ministry says the report is being verified, maintaining that neither Indian nor French government had any say in the decision.
'Saurabh Shukla and Annu Kapoor are the biggest pillars of Jolly LLB 2. I used to joke that Subhash (Kapoor, director) has got six actors from the National School of Drama and four actors from the Film and Television Institute of India and I am the only one from Khalsa College.' Akshay Kumar holds on to his humour, as he celebrates the success of his new film.
If the Congress lost in Tamil Nadu in 1967, never to return, or the DMK and the AIADMK have kept their place in power and electoral politics since then, it owes not to their love or hatred for gods or for one religion over another. Instead, they had always been linked to performance and incumbency/anti-incumbency factors. There may be something in such constructs for Rajini's strategic team to consider, especially if the superstar is to enter direct politics by around this time next year. But then, they would need to brush up their homework more than at present, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
If Team Rajini expected Kaala to carry the superstar's political message off-screen, it may have proved counter-productive. If the not-so-infrequent presence of Muslim residents of Dharavi, including that of Kaala's ex-love Zarina, in many scenes is expected to convey a political message, it is a no-brainer, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
'Somehow the Flying Sikh has endured in people's memory.'
Sukanya Verma presents a DDLJ special quiz to test your knowledge about one of Hindi cinema's most successful films of all time.
This piece is a tribute to that corner of film criticism that they call subtextual film criticism.
Only 10,059 tourists have visited the state this month compared to around 90,000 in July
A lowdown of what's happening Malayalam cinema!
Every year, 1,500-2,000 films are produced in India, losing up to 30 per cent of their business to piracy.
'If you accept that situation you don't require the judiciary, the criminal procedure law, the Indian Penal Code or even the Constitution because there is somebody who decides who gets to live and who gets to die.'
'Which is your favourite scene in the film?' 'The scene where I get beaten up by the police in the lock-up and my friend Murad (Ranveer Singh) comes to meet me.' 'It was an emotional scene and showed a tough guy like Moeen in a vulnerable state.' 'Also, you witness a deep friendship in that scene.' 'I know the value of friends and I know that a friend can unconditionally help another.' 'It's very reflective of my own life.'
Assuming office for the sixth time as chief minister, Jayalalithaa began a new chapter in her chequered political career.
Meet Pandiraj , the creator of the Tamil film.
While we wait and see the final BO ratings of this Ranbir Kapoor-Anushka Sharma-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer, here's a look at successful romances in the past.
Higher education policy may be at the core of the Tamil Nadu assembly polls next May, with a potential to break the ties between the ruling AIADMK in the state and the BJP counterpart at the national level, says N Sathiya Moorthy.
Twenty two years before Kabir Khan's The Forgotten Army streams on Amazon Prime on January 24, 2020, his documentary of the same name was telecast on Doordarshan. On that occasion, Kabir Khan spoke to Amberish K Diwanji/Rediff.com about Netaji's Azad Hind Fauj and its many battles for India's freedom.
Meet Selvi, the abused child bride who refused to be held back by her gender.
Ahead of BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation polls, BJP is reminding Shiv Sena it is not the sole claimant of intellectual property rights for Marathi Manoos and Hindutva.
'Thanks to monetary help from several people, we are comfortable and living with dignity.'
Aseem Chhabra lists his 10 favourite non-Indian shows streaming in India -- classics as well as recent shows.
'Just as success is not real, I believe failures are also not real.' 'It's just like opinions of people who don't really know you.'
On all key issues, Congress is MIA, sighs Shekhar Gupta.
