At a time when the politics of hostility has engulfed the world and escalated it into senseless wars Main Vaapas Aaunga's unwavering belief in love is a testament to cinema's uplifting gifts, notes Sukanya Verma.
Imtiaz Ali's new film Main Vaapas Aaunga is set to delve into the enduring trauma of the 1947 Partition, continuing Bollywood's complex cinematic journey of depicting one of history's most violent and impactful events.
From Mohanlal's commanding act in Company to Dulquer Salmaan's chilling turn in Chup, these Malayalam stars proved they could shine far beyond Mollywood.
Govind Nihalani made some of the finest films of the 20th century: Aakrosh, Ardh Satya, Party, Aaghat and, of course, the Partition epic television series Tamas. On his 84th birthday on December 19, a tribute.
If the stories are food for the mind then our digestive system has changed. If they are a piece of art, our gaze has altered. This calls for a change not in stories, but in the grammar of storytelling so that it can cut through the deluge and gluttony and force people to savour, appreciate and re-visit it. That is what the creators of Taskaree or Dhurandhar are trying, points out Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.
Om Puri would have been 75 in October. We look back at his early years through these 16 pictures from his life.
We look at the longest Hindi movies through the years, and interestingly, most of them have done well.
Dhurandhar may not have the dark realism of a spy story which a web show can manage. But it does not have the flamboyance either, that has come to be associated with espionage movies, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Every day a Party unfolds on social media where armchair activists, politically charged influencers, trend pundits, gyaan givers and troll armies change the world in their heads but remain clueless about the nation's grassroots reality, feels Sukanya Verma.
'When I started reading Tamas I instantly knew it had to be made into a film. I could relate to the tragedy in the lives of the characters.' Govind Nihalani remembers Bhisham Sahni on his centenary.
Wondering where to catch some overlooked, understated gems. Here are some OTT recommendations for you.
'One is not allowed to smoke on the sets of a Hollywood film even during a break.' 'When I asked an assistant to suggest some place where I could light a cigarette, he recommended the bad boys' corner -- where Jack Nicholson smoked.' 'However, I hesitated.' 'But when I was heading back to my chair after the shot, Jack Nicholson asked me if I wanted to join him for a smoke. We had a long conversation over cups of cappuccino.'
'On the set, he was this big personality, the great Om Puri. But at home, he was like a fluffy teddy bear.'
'Naseer does not have the sense of humour that Om Puri has. 'Also Om has a great deal of compassion as a human being. Naseer was too focused on his own self.' A fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book, Shyam Benegal.
'I don't know how long cinema will survive.'
'...be it a comedy, thriller or a love story.' 'The bhindi costs Rs 30 per kilo, but the price of potato remains unchanged.'
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movie legend who turns 70 on October 10.
'He treated stars and assistants with the same unfailing courtesy.'
'I find his sense of history astounding, not just history of film, but of life in general.' Another fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book Shyam Benegal.
'We wouldn't have had to face all this had our national leaders taken care to select a place for Sindhis and sent us there, instead of sending us all over to settle in places where the locals didn't want us.' 'They could have partitioned Sindh and given us a Sindhi state from its two Hindu-majority districts.' 'Wasn't that the logic of Partition?'
Shyam Benegal, the shining beacon of the Indian cinema, was laid to rest on Tuesday around 3 pm with full state honours and a three-gun salute at Shivaji Park, central Mumbai.
'With his passing, Indian cinema has lost its most undaunted voice, a voice of unsettling truths, a window to history, a school of filmmaking.'
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary special premiere of Sarfarosh, actor Aamir Khan treated fans with a big update on the sequel of the film.
Rajkumar Santoshi hosted two screenings of his film Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh over the weekend.
'I don't think Waheeda had the confidence that I could pull it off, so she said no.'
Never before in history have Cannes and its sidebars found space for eight Indian, or India-themed, films.
'When you watch Freedom At Midnight, I want you to feel like you are sitting on a ticking time bomb.'
'The problems that the film explores still remain. It was a different time when we made the film. We were young and we thought we could change the world.'
His cinema of compassion inspired me, gave me tools to develop empathy for others. But it also made me understand that serious, socially committed cinema with deeply engaging narratives and great performances is an art form to admire, appreciate and explore. Aseem Chhabra remembers Shyam Benegal, who passed into the ages on Monday evening.
'The ending Vijay Tendulkar had written was different.' 'According to him, the film ended with Anant Welankar's suicide.' 'I felt such an ending would be too nihilistic.' 'Bahut zyada defeatist ho jaata.'
In a special series, we will put YOU to the test everyday!
Intensity, blood and gore are going to be key here.
Film folk step out for a movie.
'It's not necessary that only superstars can give you blockbusters.'
Juggling marriage, motherhood and movies -- all in a day's work -- Kareena loves her job and hopes she'll never retire. So do we, as the actress turns 43 on September 21.
Take a look at the arrivals.
Comfort and chemistry go hand in hand, so Tabu's versatile vigour and Devgn's brooding intensity has regularly complemented their working styles in solidarity and conflict.
'Bahut mazaa aaya tha doing Agneepath. When you are working with good actors, it enriches your acting.' 'Amitabhji and I had done Shahenshah before, but that was a fun film.'
