The 98th Academy Awards was a mix of high fashion, subdued politics, flashes of humour and emotions running high.
The India release of the Oscar-nominated film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab', based on the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli forces, is facing delays as the distributor awaits a censor certificate.
Having grossed nearly $370 worldwide, Sinners filled up Warner Bros coffers when many of the studio's key 2025 films lost money, and deserves its many Oscar nominations.
'To have made it to the shortlist of 15 films for the Academy Award is a big deal for us.''
'...including my baby sisters, age three and one.' 'My dad was humiliated, and he started screaming at them.'
Aseem Chhabra ranks the Best of 2025's films that released in theatres, or went directly to OTT platforms.
'One's country is the best place to live, no matter what problems, what difficulties.' 'My country is where I can breathe, where I can find the reason to live, and where I can find the strength to create.'
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite films, most of them shown at international film festivals held virtually (Berlinale and Rotterdam), hybrid (Toronto) or physical (Cannes and Venice).
Hollywood's biggest night was high on glitz and glamour but lacked the edge and excitement of the movies it was celebrating, observes Sukanya Verma.
Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies has been picked as India's official entry for Oscars 2025.
How wonderful it would be for all of us to watch the Oscar ceremony on March 2, 2025 and watch AWIAL win an Oscar, notes Aseem Chhabra.
'Indian life is full of chaos. So it captures the cultural chaos quite beautifully and lightly.'
'We watched the film many times but each time, we would cry.' 'During the editing and sound mixing, my whole team would cry.' 'When we reached the music composing stage, it happened again.' 'Our producer said it is too much to be crying so many times.' 'But we never thought the film would be such a big hit.'
Aseem Chhabra picks his top 10 Indian films of 2024, which includes films that have had theatrical releases or are streaming on OTT.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite 2024 films that he watched at film festivals held in Berlin, Cannes, Toronto and India.
'Everyone should understand that Laapataa Ladies is not the only best film in India.' 'It is one of the best films out of these 29 entries.'
Aseem Chhabra's Top 10 Films/ Series from TIFF 2024 includes films that he watched for the first time in Toronto. The films were impressive due to their rigor, passion, unique storytelling style and sometimes exploring the vulnerable sides of big name stars.
'I think because India is a bigger country and Bollywood is such a well-oiled machine, the star thing has become so much bigger than the actor thing.'
2023 was a good year for international cinema with many strong films premiering at the Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto film festivals.
In the biggest surprise of the night, Emma Stone grabbed the Best Actress trophy for the complex portrayal of a Frankenstein-like character Bella, in Yargos Lanthimos' electrifying and most original film Poor Things. Aseem Chhabra recaps the 96th Annual Academy Awards.
'When democracy first came to Bhutan people had no idea and they were like 'What is that?' Oh it's that thing they have in India where the leaders are always fighting and arguing.' When I screened the film to Bhutan's film committee, they thought my film was good but they were concerned about that line. They wanted me to change that line. They said, 'We don't want to offend India.' I tried to tell them that Indians have a great ability to laugh at themselves but they insisted I change it.'
Love them, hate them but the Oscars have a way of sneaking up on you.
'Pandi was promised something, that is not happening, so his anger is not of a villain's.' 'That's how all normal humans would react, or they stay silent.' 'Our violence is our silence. So in this world, everybody is innocent.'
You'll wish weekends lasted as long as weeks after looking at Sukanya Verma's long, long list of recommendations on OTT this week.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has come out with a list of 301 feature films eligible for the Oscars with Indian films RRR, Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files and Kantara making the cut.
Thriller, horror, feel-good, rom-com, action, vendetta, biopics -- you name it, you got it on OTT this week.
'This is a historic moment for India.'
It's quite a heated mood. Sukanya Verma gives us her OTT recommendations.
Crime, climate change and cool Oscar winners dominate the OTT menu this week.
The song Naatu Naatu from S S Rajamouli's RRR has been nominated in the Best Original Song category at the 95th academy Awards. But that's not all.
S S Rajamouli's period action film RRR has scooped nominations in two categories at the Golden Globe Awards: Best Picture, Non-English, and Best Original Song, Motion Picture.
It is by no means a perfect list and I might have missed out some important films but these are films that have entertained me, taught me how to be compassionate, to view the world, and understand people, their histories, behaviors and customs.
'It's everyone's dream to have their pictures show up on Google.' 'In the beginning, you're not used to it.' 'It's a bit weird and even now it's weird.'
Drive My Car looks at the nature of grief through the emotions of reserved characters but conveys a world of healing that cannot be summed, only felt most ardently, most appreciatively, feels Sukanya Verma.
The OTT scene is bustling again this week with brand new shows and movies. Sukanya Verma suggests what you can watch.
Films that amazed Aseem Chhabra at the El Gouna Film Festival in Egypt.
'The richness of Buddhism makes it possible for us to create these stories and to interpret them.'
Subhash K Jha applauds the Oscars for Anthony Hopkins and Frances McDormand.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite Indian films of 2021.
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