Mistry may work for some, but also raises the question about mental illness being treated as a means of amusement for audiences, notes Deepa Gahlot.
On Alia's 31st birthday on March 15, Subhash K Jha looks at her best films.
It's been three years since Meghna Gulzar's espionage thriller Raazi released on May 11.
Steadily marching ahead for almost a decade now on the strength of his unassuming versatility, the 35 year old is ready to showcase his mettle in one of the most challenging roles of his career as India's first Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in Meghna Gulzar's biopic, Sam Bahadur.
It's time to awaken the patriot in you!
As Raazi hit theatres, Harinder Sikka -- author of Calling Sehmat, the book on which the film is based -- reveals the thrilling real life story of an Indian spy named Sehmat.
'Oddly enough, everything Raazi cannot explain or put a finger on, it glosses over in the name of patriotism or watan-love; glorifying thereby the very sentiment it had set out to mock.' 'This is the unique tragedy of the film: it becomes less of a counterpoint to pseudo-patriotism and more of a companion piece,' says Sreehari Nair.
'The moment the Army approved the script, they told us that they will give their full support and asked us for our full dedication.'
'It is intense, riveting, clever, dark, sad, lyrical, heartfelt, relevant and understated,' says Sukanya Verma.
Jahnavi Patel feels it's an Alia Bhatt show all the way.
India and Pakistan's tumultuous relationship is fodder for drama in many Bollywood movies. Be it Partition, war, jingoism or aman ki asha, there is a movie for every theme and timeline.
Deepa Gahlot picks the top 10 Karan Johar films -- some that he directed and others that he produced or co-produced -- that you can watch on steaming platforms.
It left the Bhatt girl feeling a little emotional.
'Raazi is being hailed for breaking the glass ceiling for Daughters of Bollywood Inc,' says Sunil Sethi.
The talented pair will be directed by an equally talented director.
Both Raazi and Veere Di Wedding are interesting films that worked. There is no point reading a trend in them, says Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.
Sukanya Verma looks at the recent spate of book-to-screen adaptations.
'She's a young, fragile, innocent girl who is put through a tumultuous journey.' 'Her fragility remains intact, and she does not metamorphose into a superwoman.' 'Alia has that vulnerability and fragility in her.'
Aseem Chhabra picks the scenes that left him impressed this year.
'What we think is being patriotic is quite opposite to what actually is patriotism.' 'You have to do things for your country.' 'You have to add value and participate in actions that are not beneficial only to you.' 'That's when I decided to do a lot as an individual and as an artiste, who has 'x' number of followers on Instagram.' 'What is the point of having so many followers if I cannot use my voice for some good?'
Are you looking forward to Bollywood's new love stories?
Horror, drama, romance and action... it's all on your plate this year!
Sreehari Nair is *not* impressed by this lot of films at all.
Amazing stories about some of our best loved movies from Bhavani Iyer who wrote them.
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