Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a good-looking film but lacks a good story, writes Raja Sen.
Isn't It Romantic is about a New York woman hit on the head during a mugging. The impact leaves her feeling that she is in a rom-com.
It is always wonderful to discover a gem of film at an international film festival. It is even more exciting when that film is from India.
Besides the five Indian films that are playing at the Toronto International Film Festival this year -- a rather large collection at an international film festival, says Aseem Chhabra -- there are more films with an Indian connect.
How well did these actors play homosexuals? RATE THEM!
'Discussions of favouritism and the #MeToo movement really unearthed a lot.' 'I really hope that these movements force people to look inwards and be nicer to each other.' 'But it's definitely not as bad as it's made out to be.'
Of all the Indian films screened in Toronto, three stood out for Aseem Chhabra -- A Death in the Gunj, Mostly Sunny and An Insignificant Man.
'My father never saw any success for me. 'When I meet him in the next world, I will proudly say that I didn't buy houses and cars, but I made some art that will hopefully stand the test of time.'
Sukanya Verma shares her exciting filmi week with us.
The actress stood out in an off-shoulder shimmery dust blue gown. She teamed her gown with a classic bob, which is similar to the look that she will be seen sporting in her upcoming film Rangoon.
'The sari is a symbol of Indianism.' 'Once I was wearing a sari and walking in the middle of a market in Amsterdam and there was a musician playing a instrument.' 'When he saw me, he started playing an Indian song.' 'A sari has such strong cultural narrative.'
'Freedom of expression is not a freedom to abuse those who do not agree with you.' 'It is also about being liberated from prejudices and intolerance.' 'To me, freedom is the right to be who I am and what I am without hurting the same rights of others.'
'I don't care about how people are used to seeing me -- that is their problem. They make little compartments in their heads and they want to fit everybody into that, but I don't really abide by it.' Richa Chadha, in a candid chat.
'Banning the film is an unfortunate response and does great injustice to Nirbhaya's parents, who have supported the film and to the brave young men and women who forced the government to set up the Justice Verma Commission.' Bollywood gets their voice across.
Kalyani Khona is helping the disabled find love.
'I have doubts before the release of every single film. I never really like my work as I am never happy with what I do. After Barfi! released, I ran away for three-and-a-half weeks! I didn't want to face the media because I had heard some horrific stories.' Ileana D'Cruz gets ready to face the world again, with Happy Ending.
What if we these popular American television series were made in India?
Arjun Mathur recounts his journey as an actor in Bollywood.
'Why does it exist in the film industry?' 'It is because we are culturally nepotistic.' 'The son always grows up to carry on the work of the father; that's where we come from.' 'So if you have to tackle nepotism in the film industry, you have to tackle it in our culture.'
'We went around with the story, but no one came forward to finance it. They would say 'Who would want to watch this?' Or they would say 'Ek to ladka dal do is me.' We said no, we didn't want to compromise.'
Aseem Chhabra tell us how he watched 302 films in 365 days on airplanes, on Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, Google, Hulu, DVDs and even on YouTube.
'Saif is very passionate as an actor. He is always thinking way ahead. He wants to make movies for the future. He doesn't necessarily stick to the current trends.' Director duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK discuss Happy Ending.