'For the longest time, he was not an activist.' 'He was just trying to build his own self-identity, self-respect and ambition.'
'What interested me more than the influencers was how were they surviving in Bombay?' 'How many reels did they make per month? How much money did they need to get by?' 'Did they get a job and then come back home and do this at night?'
'...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.
This weekend, we lost Diane Keaton, that piece of American heart, Hollywood's darling hummingbird. Thank God she is still alive in her films. Aseem Chhabra on the Hollywood star he was in love with.
Twice-fried plantains make a great base for any kind of topping, especially something with avocado in it.
'When the phone's battery is running out, it will make a charming statement like "I'm feeling a little low. Please recharge me".'
With his killer smile, the sex symbol image, Robert Redford would go beyond just being an actor, remembers Aseem Chhabra.
Check out who Rediff critics are rooting for this year!
Aseem Chhabra Raja Sen, Sukanya Verma make their predictions.
'One afternoon, I spotted Karan Johar and film critic Rajeev Masand having tea with Nina Gupta, the head of NFDC, and barged into their meeting.' Aseem Chhabra's IFFI diaries...
Aseem Chhabra presents his list of 100 best (and must watch) films -- many classics, some relatively new and several personal favourites.
Here's a look at the expert predictions. Do send in your predictions too!
'She was brave. She didn't care a hoot. And India was not the strongest of nations as it is now.'
'She was brave. She didn't care a hoot. And India was not the strongest of nations as it is now.'
Karisma meets Maonj Bajpayee... Juhi wishes Alka Yagnik... Namrata enjoys a Parisian breakfast...
'There have been multiple cases of people being shot for pulling into someone's driveway because they made a wrong turn or ringing the wrong bell because they made a mistake.' 'That is also the pathway to fascism.' 'The way you divide people is to make them fear each other. Then a strong man can come in and say, "I will protect you".'
'They are clueless about the man on the currency notes.' 'They have been fed with WhatsApp forwards, so either Gandhi is vilified or deified. There's nothing in between.'
Aseem Chhabra presents his list of 100 best (and must watch) films -- many classics, some relatively new and several personal favourites.
Aseem Chhabra presents his list of 100 best (and must watch) films -- many classics, some relatively new and several personal favourites.
'He spent his lifetime writing about Africa, supporting the continent's desires to stand up against injustice. Watching him work, I learned to be tolerant, secular and liberal, values that now define who I have become.' Aseem Chhabra pays tribute to his father Hari Sharan Chhabra, one of India's foremost experts on Africa.
Rediff star reviewers tells us who they are rooting for.
'You need the drishti, the experience. I am beginning to see things differently.'
'I realised why the farmers and the rural folks are going for Trump. They are so insecure and vulnerable that anybody who is throwing a line of hope to them, they seize it.'
The festival's People's Choice Award, voted by the audience, is a strong indication of films that can eventually be nominated and even win Oscars. Twelve of the last 15 People's Choice winners have received Best Picture Oscar nominations.
'On our first day at the Kumbh Mela, there was a fire and shook our confidence. 'There must have been a few crore people there.' 'How do we place the camera in between them?'
Filmmaker Nisha Pahuja, whose widely acclaimed documentary opens in Indian theatres on June 6, in conversation with Aseem Chhabra.
'What is it about the institution of faith that makes somebody get a sense of impunity, that they believe they can get away with anything?'
Aseem Chhabra lists must watch films, many classics, some relatively new and several personal favourites.
The stars of MNIK, SRK, Kajol and Karan Johar, will be promoting their film in New York on February 1. And you can catch the action right here.
Aseem Chhabra picks his favourite films from the recently concluded Berlin Film Festival.
'People riot against power cuts, get beaten up, killed,' Fahad Mustafa and Deepti Kakkar, who have made the powerful documentary Katiyabaaz, tell Aseem Chhabra/Rediff.com
Aseem Chhabra remembers writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who together with filmmakers Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, brought many a quiet, gentle tale to life.
'The value of a human being is being lost. That's my biggest worry.'
In between meditating in the Himalayas and attending prayer sessions, Khyentse Norbu finds time to make films that satisfy his creativity.
Seated in a Manhattan gallery, photographer Gauri Gill takes Aseem Chhabra through the decade-long journey behind Balika Mela and Jannat
Avinash Arun, winner of the Crystal Bear at Berlinale for his directorial debut, Killa, shares a fascinating life story with Aseem Chhabra.
Beautiful shots, stunning music and rich performances make Trishna a pleasant watch, writes Aseem Chhabra
