The Oscars is prestigious and all artists covet it but ultimately, the business of winning is ruthless and political. And India has seldom risen to the challenge, argues Sukanya Verma.
Arrested in September 2019 by the Delhi police for making 'provocative statements' when Donald J Trump was on his visit to India, Dr Umar Khalid has now spent three years in jail without being convicted of an offence, points out Aakar Patel.
Lovingly made, heartfelt stories that speak the truths about our lives.
Aseem Chhabra gives us the top films that enriched his year.
'Yellow Bus is a heart-breaking story based on a real incident and will strike a chord with mothers across the world.'
'If the authorities go about completing this project the way they have proposed, this is going to cause a HUGE environmental impact not only on Malabar Hill but also on the rest of the city.'
'The next war will be fought by China-Pakistan against India and we have to fully be prepared. We must read the writing on the wall.'
'This is a film that speaks to the spirit of women who have been cast into the bottom of India's social hierarchy, and how they have navigated their way to redefine the meaning of power.'
Harami is described as a 'hard-hitting, visually striking street saga of youth crime and broken destinies, love and redemption'.
In a world where age and form seem to be at odds with each other, these IPL veterans defied expectations wrote their own narratives and left us all marveling at their incredible staying power.
'In AAP, those who are in charge of a particular state provide information to Arvind Kejriwal. 'In the BJP, several organisations convey what is happening on the ground to the top leadership.' 'There are so many channels through which issues are being understood.'
'The prime minister is talking to his Chachaji and he is crying in the PM's lap, it was such an emotional scene.'
Mallikarjun Kharge has the stature, maturity and gravitas to lead a national party like the Congress with its rich history of struggle and myriad achievements, asserts Virendra Kapoor.
Sukanya Verma looks at what's looking hot on the OTT menu this week.
Steve Waugh said that Kohli is loved by the fans for his attitude of not being intimidated by an opposition.
'Those who worked with him or came to know him rated him as one of our best, with a sharp intellect, unfailing courtesy and ready wit.' Ambassador T P Sreenivasan fondly remembers Ambassador B S Prakash, wonderful human being, unusual diplomat and long-time Rediff.com columnist, who passed away into the ages on Monday, October 4, 2021.
'My film will not only be a reminder for all of us who have gone through these hellish two years, but also a reference point for future generations and for the four-five year olds who would have forgotten everything by the time they grow up.'
Aseem Chhabra lists the films that won his heart at the recent Toronto International Film Festival.
One priority for Delhi (for the new foreign secretary in particular) is to have an in-depth discussion with Dharamsala as soon as possible, suggests Claude Arpi.
There is growing acceptance of the idea in the international community that engaging the Taliban government is a far better approach than ostracising it, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
'We are open to directing a Khiladi 2.' 'And we would want to do it with Akshay who is still so fit, energetic and successful.'
'Many enter the civil services with the desire to do good work but get beaten by the system, step back or become part of it.' 'Ten fantastic officers out of 100 can completely change the game.'
The New York Film Festival served an amazing plate of films. Aseem Chhabra picks the best ones.
India cannot afford to adopt any coercive measures against the military even if it disapproves the military takeover, notes Dr Rajaram Panda.
'We are very watchful about inflation and growth. But the main challenge is economic revival and growth.'
The sports field saw two special mentions at the 90th Oscar Awards on Sunday night.
The film will star Nymphomaniac actor Stacy Martin.
If Irrfan could have been our finest professor of empirical philosophy, and Nawaz is our foremost poet of that space halfway between the gutter and the stars, then Jaideep Ahlawat has to be our greatest artist-scientist, asserts Sreehari Nair.
Aseem Chhabra introduces us to the best of Berlinale.
Aseem Chhabra picks 10 fascinating films he watched in Macao -- a blend of Asian, independent, Hollywood projects and even a 66-years-old classic Japanese film that still stands the test of time.
The festering dispute over the accession of Jammu and Kashmir stands out as one of the world's most volatile fault lines that divides regions, countries, societies, communities and ethnic groups, notes Mohammad Sayeed Malik, the distinguished commentator on Kashmir affairs, on Sheikh Abdullah's 39th death anniversary.
As a multi-agency probe into the NSE case gathers pace, the grant of preferential server and data access to select brokers and their suspected misuse are being investigated threadbare to unveil all quid pro quo arrangements in a highly-sophisticated scheme that worked like a cricket betting scandal, officials said on Monday. While the bourse has said it has taken several steps over the years to strengthen its technology infrastructure, including as per regulatory orders, the officials said certain fresh disclosures call for a detailed probe into whether a select group of individuals in high positions had banded together to make illicit gains by facilitating the preferential trading slots, beginning over a decade ago. Even a split-second faster access is said to result in huge gains for a trader.
'Your achievements are many, Nitish babu, but it needs a sustained campaign to remind us, the good people of Bihar, what we may have forgotten,' points out Asmita Bihari.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite films from the recent Toronto International Film Festival.
'I consider myself to be a 50 year old with a 16-year-young mind, ready to conquer more continents,' Dr Shuvendu Sen tells Payal Singh Mohanka.
Aseem Chhabra lists the top 10 films at the recent Toronto International Film Festival.
'I am fascinated by people who cannot accept things.'
'My family goes to the airport every day so that they can find a way out.'
'Skater Girl is India's first film on skateboarding and I hope that it inspires girls and boys across the world and brings them hope.'
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