Through his commitment to democratic norms, debate, dissent and constitutionalism, Jawaharlal Nehru helped ensure that parliamentary democracy took deep root in independent India. Utkarsh Mishra evaluates Nehru's 17 years as India's first prime minister, examining his role in nation-building, democratic institution-building, economic planning, scientific advancement and foreign policy.
Rather than wasting time on rhetoric, emotions and drama, if Aakhri Sawal had engaged in a serious debate with more controversial questions and stronger arguments to counter them, it would have enriched the viewer as well as lifted the discourse, observes Utkarsh Mishra.
Explore a curated list of 10 Indian films that masterfully condense their narratives into a single day, showcasing how limited timelines can enhance storytelling and character development, from thrillers like 'NH10' and 'Kaithi' to comedies like 'Taxi No 9211'.
Arjun Menon celebrates his 70th birthday on August 22 by looking at his most memorable films.
"The police not only arrested us, but also beat up some of our members mercilessly. We have not come here to break the law. Why is the police stopping us from moving freely in an independent democratic country," Patkar sought to know.
Deepa Gahlot picks a list of 10 essential RGV movies though there are 84 to wade through.
When I asked Krishna Gopal Sengupta, who had travelled through Bangladesh from Chittagong to Petrapole if the interim government had made any impact at ground level, he said, "it's been only a couple of days. They will need some time." Shyam G Menon reports from Petrapole, India's entry point with Bangladesh.
Through Manorathangal, M T Vasudevan Nair makes himself available to a whole new generation of uninitiated viewers, who can familiarise themselves with his rich body of work and hope to learn a thing or two about life in all its messy grandeur and flawed imperfections, notes Arjun Menon.
'Kejriwal could have easily deputed someone to step in as chief minister, but being the authoritative and self-centered personality that he is, he chose not to do it.' 'If the AAP loses Delhi, where it has a huge majority, the only one to blame would be Kejriwal,' asserts Ramesh Menon.
The signatories to a letter sent to NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani include Kanti Prasad Bajpai, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University professor who currently serves as the vice dean at the National University, Singapore, Pratap Bhanu Mehta, a former vice-chancellor of the Ashoka University, Rajeev Bhargava, a former director of CSDS, Niraja Gopal Jayal, a former JNU professor, Nivedita Menon, a JNU professor, Vipul Mudgal, the head of civil society watchdog Common Cause, K C Suri, a former professor at the University of Hyderabad who is now associated with the Gitam University, and Peter Ronald deSouza, a former director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.
It was a year of so many contradictions and contrasts that it became dangerous to talk about movies, people lost their heads discussing Friday releases, psychiatrists began dabbling in film criticism, and film critics turned into psychiatrists, says Sreehari Nair.
As Manipur sank deeper into ethnic violence, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered the setting up of a committee of three former women high court judges to oversee relief and rehabilitation of victims and compensation to them, besides asking former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor the probe in criminal cases.
'Galbraith had a powerful ally in Washington -- not as blunt and direct as the ambassador -- but committed to see Krishna Menon go.' 'This was President Kennedy himself.'
Whether it is Nargis in Mother India or Nirupa Roy in Deewaar, Mama's a scenestealer while Dad is just a shadow. There are films that have explored the Dad's character with tender affection
'The way he had his finger on the pulse of individuals was great. Besides, the state had a buoyant economy during his tenure. The rain gods also stood by him, unlike in the case of his predecessor.'
Joginder Tuteja looks at just how much audiences have loved Bollywood's serial killers.
The two Indian journalists posted in Islamabad today left for home after their abrupt expulsion even as India has taken up the issue with Pakistan. Press Trust of India's Snehesh Alex Philip and Hindu newspaper's Meena Menon left early on Monday for India after they were given time till May 20 to leave Pakistan.
Joginder Tuteja looks at the lesser known films of these stars.
Ram Gopal Varma is back with Part Three of that series, which presented to us the first clear evidence that the great man was slipping, rues Sreehari Nair.
The hits and miss of the box office.
The judgment was reserved after a marathon hearing which went on for 38 days spanning four months.
The hits and misses of the week.
The hits and misses of the week.
The top posts on social media from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
A look at the top tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
'In the 1990s, wherever I would go for work, I would see Tabu dancing in a studio.'
Yudh leaves things a bit too wide open, says Raja Sen.
A key argument against the Aadhaar scheme was that it was violative of the nine-judge bench verdict that had held that Right to Privacy is a fundamental right under the Constitution.
The top posts on social media from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
A look at the top 10 tweets from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
Successes and controversies have gone hand-in-hand for Maria.
The top posts on social media from your favourite Bollywood celebrities.
We look at 52 of them, spread over 52 Fridays, in a two-part special. Here's the first part.
'It is quite overwhelming, as a young filmmaker, to be in the presence of so many great filmmakers.' Jennifer Alphonse is ready for her second Cannes calling.
These sequels have failed to match up to their first installments.
'You ask him for anything and he gives you more than you expect.' 'Though I work with Rahman again and again, it is not because it is comfortable. In fact, we push ourselves to a discomfort zone.'