Movies
Movies

When Disaster Strikes

Film historian Dhruv Somani re-visits Yash Chopra’s Kaala Patthar (1979), based on the true-life Chasnala coal-mining tragedy. Movies about doomsday predictions have al...

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The Two Who Went Away

Film historian Dhruv Somani laments the fact that the alluring Prema Narayan and Jasmine quit Bollywood way too prematurely. She was a former Miss India, and a succ...

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The Forgotten One

Film historian Dhruv Somani writes on the curious case of Marc Zuber, who had featured in Bollywood and international films. Right from his unusual name, to his non-desi back...

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The Flashback Experiment

Film historian Dhruv Somani revisits Cinema Cinema, the 1979 underappreciated documentary by Krishna Shah and Shahab Ahmed, on the genesis of our popular cinema. Cinema Cinem...

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APARAJITO: A PARODY MASQUERADING AS A ‘TRIBUTE’

Pandering to the Bengalis’ juvenile fondness for wallowing in nostalgia, Anik Dutta’s film is a monument to artifice. Nothing, not even Jeetu Kamal’s strikin...

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Salty and Spicy

Film historian Dhruv Somani marvels at Gulzar’s women-centric flavored Namkeen (1982). A lonely house looks so dilapidated that only some miracle seems to be ...

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Those Haunting Melodies

Film historian Dhruv Somani, laments the end of the melody-laden songs of the suspense-packed whodunits, which enthralled right from the days of Aayega Aanewala in Mahal (1949...

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Finding Ganga

Film historian Dhruv Somani, recounts the arduous process that was involved in the casting of Mandakini in Raj Kapoor’s biggest hit Ram Teri Ganga Maili. Mandakini, bes...

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The Forgotten History of Human Civilization

Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri: A film based on a Badal Sircar play is rare. Rare still is a debutant filmmaker adapting one. That too in a moribund film industry. Which is what makes...

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Movies

Scent of a Killer

Film historian Dhruv Somani, revisits Rajesh Khanna’s slasher film Red Rose, which was a flop on its release in 1980 but commands a cult following today. When producer ...

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IT’S A CONSTANT BATTLE – RAHI ANIL BARVE

The creator of the belatedly lauded Tumbbad, Rahi Anil Barve, who continues to be a warr...

April 7 2026

WHY INDIAN TELEVISION IS FAILING

Vinta Nanda examines the sharp decline in Indian television viewership, exposing outdate...

April 5 2026

INDIA CENSUS 2027 INCLUSION CHALLENGES

Population Foundation of India calls for inclusive and secure approach to India’s ...

April 4 2026