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Thursday, August 20, 2026
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Reel Take

Gulzar’s ‘Maachis’ is a relic of an India that could sit with uncomfortable history

Part of what cemented Maachis's cult status is the fact that Gulzar refused to make it a film about villains and heroes. The story isn’t black or white.

Geet Gaata Chal turns 51—the film that gave Tagore’s sad ending a happier one

The screenplay for Geet Gaata Chal, written by Sachin’s father Sharad Pilgaonkar along with Madhusudhan Kalelkar, was sent to Shantiniketan seeking adaptation rights, but the trustees turned it down. 

Madhuri Dixit wasn’t the first choice for Tezaab. It made her a superstar

The mansion used as Mohini’s oppressive home in the film went on to carve its own legend in Bollywood history. In 2001, it was purchased by Shah Rukh Khan and renamed Mannat.

Roti Kapada Aur Makaan captured India’s crises in the 1970s

The 1970s was the first time when the rose-tinted glasses came off; the socialist fantasy clashed with the harsh reality of a growing population and rising corruption in the public distribution system.

In Saagar, community clashes with capitalism. The film marked Dimple Kapadia’s comeback

While the 1980s were largely defined by the 'Angry Young Man' and rugged action, Ramesh Sippy's 1985 film Saagar emerged as a visual poem where the sea played a huge role.

Next stop, heartbreak—Why Bollywood’s 1974 film 27 Down is the ultimate Indian Railways tragedy

While the rest of Bollywood was busy getting colourful and loud, filmmaker Awtar Krishna Kaul went rogue with handheld cameras on real trains.

In an era of Shammi Kapoor romances, Mala Sinha’s Anpadh talked about women’s education

Through its characters and conflicts, ‘Anpadh’ showed a society where wealth and social status held more power than education.

Hero was Subhash Ghai’s musical experiment with newcomers. It gave us Jackie Shroff

Jackie Shroff made his debut with the film. But he was not the first choice for the lead. Subhash Ghai had initially approached Kamal Haasan and then Kumar Gaurav.

Shashi Kapoor & Amitabh Bachchan played twins in Suhaag—a treasure trove of Bollywood cliches

Amitabh Bachchan had already cemented his 'One Man Industry' persona by 1978. And Manmohan Desai brilliantly toned down his 'Angry Young Man' image by pairing him with Shashi Kapoor.

Sandesham’s jokes are relevant 35 years later. Kerala’s UDF-LDF rivalry is evergreen

The film, directed by Sathyan Anthikad, doesn’t dismiss the importance of politics. Instead, it cautions viewers about the perils of getting into politics as a way to serve yourself.

On Camera

Indian politicians need to learn to take a joke

From stand-up comics facing FIRs to political leaders bristling at memes, India remains deeply uncomfortable with the freedom to mock.

India’s crude import bill jumped by 57% year-on-year to $63.4 bn in April-July as oil prices rose

India’s crude import volumes remained largely unchanged in April-July, but higher oil prices sharply increased the import bill, with renewed US-Iran tensions raising the risk of another rise in costs.

Hafiz Saeed’s Muridke headquarters was hit by woman fighter pilot during Op Sindoor

ThePrint has learnt that more than one woman fighter pilot were involved in targeting military locations during the 87-hour conflict with Pakistan last year.

Gen Vaidya won 2 Maha Vir Chakras, fell to assassins’ bullets 40 yrs ago. India forgot a great soldier

Forty years ago this week, ‘Khalistan Commando Force’ assassins were closing in on Gen Vaidya. So callous was the security of the just-retired Army chief that he was given a solitary police gunman