In a new series, Bollywood's towering talents, who themselves made brilliant works this year, pick their favourite show of 2021, and tell us just why they loved it.
'War is never a solution. It's nothing but real estate business I am against any kind of violence.'
'I don't celebrate my success and that's why I don't moan my failures.'
'I'm a guy who tries to find humour in every situation, no matter how difficult and serious, without offending anyone.'
'I don't know about being superstar, but one day if I become like Shah Rukh Khan, I will not mind that. If I get the kind of films that I really want to do, and if I manage to survive in this industry, I will become somebody like that.' Sushant Singh Rajput talks movies.
Actress Katrina Kaif wanted to participate in her first-ever Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, on Sunday, but things don't go as planned.
So is supermodel Natalia Vodianova.
'Whenever an achiever writes a book, writing a book is not a commercial enterprise.'
'I always thought that if you play a negative character, people will tend to hate you.' 'But the reaction has been amazing, especially after Season 2.'
'I simply cannot believe that Sushant has taken such a step. He was such a lively boy who inspired others through his zest for life.'
At a time when many women were forbidden by their caste-conscious families from taking up acting assignments in an industry not deemed respectable, Phalke wanted to cast his wife as the female lead in Raja Harishchandra.
Even with an ongoing pandemic, theatres in many states functioning at 50 per cent occupancy, a quieter social life and fewer movies, Bollywood still managed to pack in plenty of drama and trauma, fun and festivity, love and war into the year.
The actor, who has been catapulted to the national spotlight for his work in helping stranded labourers, has refuted reports of his political motivations and says his work with the migrants is because of his love for them.
'Mumbai is very different from the rest of India. It can be ruthless if you don't have work or friends. The struggle time and times of disappointment are horrific and can break you.'
'Putting your life at stake defending your motherland is the best feeling you can get.'
'It was only after D-Day that people believed that I had actually directed Kal Ho Naa Ho.'
'You knew that Shetty hai aur tere saath hamesha rahega. Then why???'
If everything goes as expected, Arya, now a second year graduation student of a Thiruvananthapuram college, would not only become the new mayor of Kerala's capital, a position held by several significant personalities in the past, but also the youngest ever mayor in the country.
'That I have been given the opportunity to be part of The Forgotten Army and Bunty Aur Babli 2 is really great.'
'Kangana Ranaut is not only the Sena's issue, but also of those who love Mumbai and Maharashtra'
Celebrities like veteran Bengali actor and chairman of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Ranjit Mullick and percussionist Tanmoy Bose want Mamata's promise to be viewed not in its face value but in its spirit.
'I don't look forward to seeing my films because this only sort of gives me a deep sense of dissatisfaction that I could have done better, and I lose my self-confidence.'
'God gave me a second chance to live and I had to make the most of it.'
The film appears more colorful and vibrant but drags a bit in the second half, writes S Saraswathi.
'I never wanted to be a niche actor; I want to be a commercial star heroine.'
Dalip Tahil has worked on stage, in the films, television and now on the digital platform, and he's not slowing down anytime soon. Continuing our series: Actors We Love.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite Indian films of 2021.
'My mother is a lady with a lot of emotional stability and strength. And wisdom.' 'When I was younger, she would tell me that if I ever refused water to anyone, I would have to drink gutter water.' 'When I grew up, she would say, "Be liberal when you know what you are talking about, and be conservative when you don't".'
Pinch your nerves, and trust the ghoul -- blood will be spilled; women, children, and grouchy old men will be dismembered! observes Sreehari Nair.
A hard, unrelenting film that doesn't give in to over-sentimentality, Citylights is like the city of Mumbai -- it beats you down and when you are broken, takes you in its arms and loves you. Suparn Verma, who has directed films like Aatma, Acid Factory and Ek Khiladi and Ek Haseena, raves about the film.
The 25-year-old's story is an inspiration for young Indians.
'This is my film and I think only I could have done it.'
'There is an unsaid bond between Ranveer and me.' 'We just have to look at each other to know if something is not working.'
Five people in the know narrate the sordid story that is fast exploding into a pornography scandal, allegedly involving businessman Raj Kundra.
Dear Friend is for those who idealised Dil Chahta Hai all out of proportion, and then warmed up to the premise that friendship could be a lot more complicated, and transient, observes Sreehari Nair.
Former Miss India and actor Gul Panag on Thursday joined the Aam Aadmi Party and will be its candidate for Lok Sabha polls from Chandigarh, a place where she was born and describes as her "family's home".
Devi is neither scary nor funny, writes S Saraswathi.
Seven years ago, Ravishankar Venkateswaran heard a story during a bus ride.
