Aseem Chhabra picks his top 10 Indian films of 2024, which includes films that have had theatrical releases or are streaming on OTT.
'The way the anticipation is built up for Gabbar Singh's introduction scene with sound, image and details of his personality, like the combat boots he wears.' 'The camera comes so close -- not a tele lens shot, but a wide-angle close-up -- that you can almost smell Gabbar's breath.'
Sholay's Basanti is the face of women's empowerment and gender equality. That's why, half a century after the movie first released, we're still talking about her.
On Alia's 31st birthday on March 15, Subhash K Jha looks at her best films.
'Star didn't think Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi was good enough to come immediately after KBC.' 'Except for Ekta, no one imagined it would become such a hit.'
Catch the blockbuster Saiyaara on OTT this week along with Rajinikanth's action-packed, Coolie.
'I've not been doing much work because I was not getting the kind of roles I want to do.'
'When you are a pioneer and someone who's put on a pedestal, but then the pedestal gets dusty, people don't look at the statue anymore.' 'They would say, 'Yes, yes, of course I know Bimal Roy. He made Do Bigha Zamin.'.'
Aseem Chhabra lists his favorite 2023 films -- a healthy blend of Bollywood, Hindi indies and some of the best work that is being done in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Bengali cinema.
'Suchitra Sen threatened to leave, with the film only 80 per cent complete.'
Inspector Zende had the potential to be genuinely entertaining. Instead, it settles for formulaic fun, observes Mayur Sanap.
'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?'
From facing Dennis Lillee to filming with Dharmendra, Mohsin Khan goes back in time in a freewheeling interview.
'For the longest time, he was not an activist.' 'He was just trying to build his own self-identity, self-respect and ambition.'
Sooraj R Barjatya was judged Best Director for the Hindi movie Uunchai at the National Film Awards.
Despite the mediocrity at large, these films had me in raptures for the emotions they evoked within as a cheering audience, critic and cinephile.
Even after 50 years, Sholay remains a lasting reminder of unity, shared memories and the joy of cinema, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.
'When India opened its doors to the world, moving away from an agrarian to a market economy, everything, whether life or love, was commodified.'
'I make films which I think have the possibility of being liked by a majority of people, and you present it with the right emotions.'
'I was a nobody when I came here, and now I've become something.'
Melodies that stayed on in the mind and memory are too few and far between. Except the ones that do make an impression are definitely worth celebrating for their refreshing style and substance.
'Both Shahid and Ishaan are over-thinkers and I'm constantly telling them to lighten up, chill.'
Mehmood and R D Burman shiver, wail and flail when they encounter a stuffed tiger that wags its tail, furniture that moves on its own volition and dancing skeletons and mummies. Dinesh Raheja revisits a must-watch.
Rediff's film critic Sukanya Verma lists her top Hindi movies of 2015.
'When you try to do something that's not been tried before, nobody likes that.'
Today's Hindi film mothers are younger, trendier, more mischievous. But, truth be told, says Dinesh Raheja, I still do miss sometimes the comforting presence of the trad mother.
'Even today, though my hair looks different, people recognise me wherever I go. They come up and say 'Aap Maine Pyar Kiya mein thi, na?' I think it's going to follow me to the grave.'
'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.'
As Shyam Benegal turns 89 on December 14, Subhash K Jha takes a look at 10 of his best films and tells you where you can watch them.
'If you watch songs like Acha Ji Main Haari Chalo Maan Jao Na, Lag Ja Gale or Jhumka Gira Re, you'll notice they're not just a distraction. There's a story unfolding within them.'
Sukanya Verma looks at Bollywood's best-known diamond robberies in film.
'A director's actor, if I had told her to jump from a building, she would probably have.' 'But I only told her to jump off a running train...'
The veteran actor passed into the ages in the early hours of Friday, April 4, 2025. Sukanya Verma looks back at his most memorable performances.
Films that turned out to be box office disappointments.
His cinema of compassion inspired me, gave me tools to develop empathy for others. But it also made me understand that serious, socially committed cinema with deeply engaging narratives and great performances is an art form to admire, appreciate and explore. Aseem Chhabra remembers Shyam Benegal, who passed into the ages on Monday evening.
The actress got emotional as she accepts the award for Best Actress for her Gujarati film, Kutch Express.
Director Priyadarshan's Malayalam film Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham was declared the Best Feature Film.
'The moment a movie was declared a hit, he would immediately start planning his next.'
'Panchamda created an exclusive theme music for Gabbar Singh, which is used throughout the film every time the dacoit makes an appearance, and in both concept and sound, is so eerie and evil.'
Shahana Goswami's Santosh has been shortlisted for the best foreign film Oscars.
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