Aseem Chhabra salutes the late Italian Master and his cinema.
'That Mad Men is currently the best-written show and quite unlike anything else out there is an understatement.'
'When a woman gets married, she leaves her village, her friends and family.' 'In her new home, she will make friends, but they can never replace those she left behind.'
These Birds Walk is on the long list of documentaries to qualify for the Academy Awards. Filmmakers Omar Mullick and Bassam Tariq tell Aseem Chhabra their fascinating story.
Aseem Chhabra is heartbroken that India overlooked the acclaimed film, The Lunchbox, as its Oscar nominee.
'The news that the once dashing, absolutely handsome, utterly charming Shashi Kapoor is no more makes me feel terribly sad.' Aseem Chhabra, author of Shashi Kapoor: The Householder, the Star, pays rich tribute to the iconic actor.
'My biggest challenge was getting into the head of the character.' Aamir Khan talks about his big release, PK.
Aseem Chhabra's take on the highlights of Indian cinema this year.
'Sonakshi Sinha, Imran Khan and other stars say MFF is their film festival. In reality, the festival belongs to Mumbaikars, who wait in long lines, rushing from theatre to theatre.'
Aseem Chhabra lists the best non-Hindi language films he watched in 2020, with the hope that they will have a wider reach in the new year.
'Talvar belongs to Irrfan Khan, who plays the chief investigating officer. With each new film, this very fine actor continues to surprise us and delight us.'
Here is a look at some of Aseem Chhabra's favourite memories of 2020 in Hindi cinema, performances by well-known and new actors, special moments in films and shows.
'He has given us a history, a heritage that we can share with generations to come,' says Aseem Chhabra.
'I miss Tabu's beauty, her graceful presence, her delicate smile and the texture of her voice, with which she can convey so many things -- the lonely mother, the lover, the seductress, the wronged woman, or a young woman charmed by an older man,' says Aseem Chhabra.
'He was not a matinee idol. He was overweight and mostly seen in crumpled clothes. His scruffy, unshaven look had become his identifier and he did not seem to give a damn.'
Aseem Chhabra lists 10 of his favourite films that played in various sections at the 74th Cannes Film Festival.
'He represented the warmth, gentleness and goodness that existed in Hindi cinema before Bollywood became a loud commodity.' Aseem Chhabra on the legendary actor he admired for over 40 years.
Just when everything seemed picture perfect for brown faces on American television, Showtime reverts to form with its new series Billions. Aseem Chhabra points out how popular media still hasn't gained enough distance from accents and towel-turban fixations.
The New York Film Festival served an amazing plate of films. Aseem Chhabra picks the best ones.
Farhan Akhtar's Bhaag Milkha Bhaag does not offer anything new
'We are a young nation. But I wanted to explore the conflict between the young and the old.' 'The cynicism of people who have lived it versus the optimism and naivete of the young.'
'To me,' says Aseem Chhabra, 'the Golden Globes hold the most meaning as one gets to see stars celebrating, getting emotional, letting their guard down and showing us their regular human side.'
After working on Mr India and Sagar, Partho Sen-Gupta left to study filmmaking in France at 26. He returns with the dark and moody Sunrise.
Skip Fifty Shades of Grey. Watch these well-made films recommended by Aseem Chhabra.
'There is never a safe choice in the movie business.' 'Everything is chance.'
On planes, on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, Zee5, Hulu, MUBI, Kanopy, film festivals... Aseem Chhabra tell us how he watched 309 films in 365 days.
'... and committed.' 'Priyanka had so much happening in her personal life...' 'Once we started, Priyanka rose to it.'
Aseem Chhabra watched some great films and some huge disappointments in 2020.
'She is a genuine, real, person who wants to be with girls who are suffering the way she suffered.'
Aseem Chhabra introduces us to the best of Berlinale.
'Dev for me embodied all that kind of charm, optimism, energy, vulnerability, awkwardness and yet strength.' 'He's in every scene for two hours.' 'He has to play drama, melodrama, romance, pathos, comedy.' 'It was a relief when he said yes.'
'Arthur was a charming, quirky, funny, smart journalist who loved all things about films. And he would change my life forever.'
'He never went to the Bombay industry.'
How many of the 354 films Aseem Chhabra watched in 2017 have you seen?
'It was difficult, but we wanted to show an honest portrayal.' 'I was not trying to tear him apart.'
Aseem Chhabra celebrates 40 years of the prestigious Telluride Film Festival.
'I want to go back to India after my success here.'
'We want to be a nation at par with the best internationally.' 'But why is it in theatre we continue to have such low standards?'
'Prashant has left us and it is really tragic. But I want to hold on to those little moments of happiness that he shared with me and with others whose lives he touched. That is how I want to remember him.' Aseem Chhabra pays tribute to Patang director Prashant Bhargava, who passed away on May 16. He was only 42.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's next film is about aging Pakistani musicians who get a second chance because of jazz.
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