The visitor returns not just with the jewel-like beauty of the country imprinted on the mind, the body rejuvenated by hot stone massages, but also with the captivating stories and myths that are built into every important structure -- whether a tourist magnet or an off-the-beaten track spot.
In the slot of rural poor, there are those who struggle to pull themselves out of crumbling hovels, and there are the Jamtara-like bunch who turn to crime. Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound is about the former, whose quest for respect and dignity is thwarted because they are underprivileged, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Silent it may aim to be, but Ufff Yeh Siyapaa is as headache-inducing as an out-of-tune brass band, sigh Deepa Gahlot.
Jugnuma has the unhurried pace of a stroll at dusk through the hills and the quiet delight in coming across jugnus (fireflies) twinkling in the trees, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The comedy is unfunny, the emotional bits are dubious and the music forgettable in Heer Express, observes Deepa Gahlot.
'For the longest time, he was not an activist.' 'He was just trying to build his own self-identity, self-respect and ambition.'
Akshay Kumar, Arshad Warsi and Saurabh Shukla are in top form in Jolly LLB 3, applauds Deepa Gahlot.
Aryan Khan has made The Ba***ds of Bollywood entertaining and wicked, applauds Deepa Gahlot.
If it wasn't so violent, there would have been a few unintended laughs in Baaghi 4, but this one has not a shred of humour amidst the nonstop mayhem, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Do You Wanna Partner is frothy and funny without being loud or crude, which is something so many Indian comedies cannot manage, observes Deepa Gahlot.
The lead pair looks good on screen. But each time they look lovingly into each other's eyes, the viewer's eye wanders over to the gorgeous landscape, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Songs Of Paradise is the story of a female achiever that needed to be told, just as her songs of love and longing deserve to be rediscovered and shared with music aficionados, observes Deepa Gahlot.
This light, tasty preparation can be eaten with ghee rice or even by itself.
A Mumbai court granted bail to a teacher accused of sexually assaulting a minor male student. The teacher denies the charges, claiming the case is fabricated due to the boy's parents' disapproval of their relationship.
Where Half CA 2 scores is in making the audiences care for the characters to the extent that one holds their breath when the results are declared, Deepa Gahlot notes.
Some of the issues Vivek Agnihotri raises in The Bengal Files are valid, but today, the need of the hour is to find ways of negotiating peace not pouring oil over troubled waters, asserts Deepa Gahlot.
The rhythmic chants of pilgrims have been replaced with frantic footsteps of those looking for their loved ones in the wake of a disastrous landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine which has claimed 34 lives till now.
It is sporadically chilling but the disparate elements take forever to come together, notes Deepa Gahlot.
By today's standards, when the cynicism about the corrupt system is rampant, New Delhi Times seems mild. But it was upsetting enough to have problems with film distributors. Even television refused to run it. Deepa Gahlot re-introduces you to this 1986 classic.
Unlike the TVF shows that manage to mine humour and nostalgia for family bonds that are seen to be fraying in real life, the ordinariness of Bakaiti becomes its stumbling block, observes Deepa Gahlot.
rediffGURU Dr Deepa Suvarna offers advice on how to keep your kids healthy.
The 97th Academy Awards are days away and there are some strong contenders for the top awards.
The always dependable Pratik Gandhi finds a match in Sunny Hinduja and they are surrounded by a top notch supporting cast, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Sean Baker's indie film, Anora, hits a streaming channel soon after the Oscar triumph. For the cinema aficionado, gems of world cinema are available on OTT-- some free, some to rent or buy-- it just needs an eye out for films worth watching, and the patience to search across platforms. A pick of 10 recent films that currently streaming.
'I wanted a player of his calibre to take on one of the strongest sides in the country.' 'However, he stuck to his guns, and we had an argument.'
Maalik is just unpleasant, not even slightly engaging, observes Deepa Gahlot.
'Around 7 am, I was in my house when I heard a loud noise and there was dust all over. When I came down, I saw that our neighbour's home has collapsed'
Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 'Don', passed away on Sunday due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Mumbai. He was 86.
Special Ops 2 captures the spirit of the modern-day spy thriller and runs with it, observes Deepa Gahlot.
'You need the drishti, the experience. I am beginning to see things differently.'
Ishwak Singh's earnestness and the rustic energy of his mates keeps Mitti engaging, even when it starts to get preachy, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Mistry may work for some, but also raises the question about mental illness being treated as a means of amusement for audiences, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Mushroom soup that gets its creaminess from healthy nuts.
Watch Kaalidhar Laapata because clean family-viewing films are getting scarcer by the week, recommends Deepa Gahlot.
As a nothing-better-to-do weekend watch, Jurassic World Rebirth is fine. But the franchise is losing steam, observes Deepa Gahlot.
'While shooting the Don song, Chandra Barot ordered 30-40 paans and insisted Amitabh Bachchan eat them all.'
If you're staying home this Valentine's Day weekend, and need a good movie to watch with your date, Deepa Gahlot gives you many options to choose from.
Plenty of sweet peppers are available this season. Deepa Mehrotra combines them with homemade paneer and air-fryer grilled zucchini & broccoli for a delicious salad.
The documentary series In Transit attempts to correct the misconceptions about transgenders, notes Deepa Gahlot.
Since the actors fit their parts perfectly, and everybody gets enough of an opportunity to shine, they have become familiar to viewers. So along with its relatable, laugh-out-loud content, they are a big reason for the show's popularity, notes Deepa Gahlot.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances