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Thursday, December 4, 2025
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Reel Take

OP Nayyar’s music turned Howrah Bridge from a movie to a whole mood

Madhubala and Ashok Kumar-starrer Howrah Bridge has music as a character.

Anand Math is the anti-establishment film to watch and learn from

Starring Geeta Bali, Bharat Bhushan and Ajit, the film shows the struggle behind rebellion and poses some uncomfortable questions.

Shabana Azmi is what Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay thought of when he wrote Swami

The 1977 film is an excellent tribute to Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s book, which put the woman and her desires and angst in the forefront.

Chashme Buddoor, aka Saeed Jaffrey, and the art of making a small role fill the screen

The 1981 rom com and buddy film starring Saeed Jaffrey shows you don’t have to be centre stage or mainstream to have an impact.

1942: A Love Story — the swansong that brought R.D. Burman back to stay

Music company HMV had told Vidhu Vinod Chopra it wouldn’t pay if he signed R.D. Burman. Thankfully, he didn’t listen.

M.S. Sathyu’s Garm Hava still speaks to a country wrestling with questions over citizenship

The story of a Muslim family in post-Partition India and the troubles they faced is a powerful call to humanity.

Smita Patil’s portrayal of a flawed, messy actor in ‘Bhumika’ is fascinating and powerful

Based on memoir of Marathi actor Hansa Wadkar, Smita Patil's Bhumika, a film by Shyam Benegal, is a brutal & unflinching look at the life of a female movie star in Bombay.

C.I.D. — when Bollywood musical met noir in signature Dev Anand style

The 1956 classic also introduced one of Hindi cinema's most loved actors – Waheeda Rehman.

Disco Dancer and the era of disco featuring Bappi Lahiri

Bappi Lahiri’s iconic music electrified an entire generation and continues to inspire old-school disco diehards.

Bollywood’s definitive ‘masala’ film, Yaadon Ki Baarat tops the hall of fame

With an excellent soundtrack and a fast-paced and entertaining plot, Yaadon Ki Baraat established Zeenat Aman as a star.

On Camera

Why Bihar migrates has a 500-year old answer — from Mughal taxpayers to peasant warriors

Migration in North India isn’t just due to lack of development today. It was shaped by the evolution of labour markets under Sher Shah, Mughals, and the East India Company.

India’s Russian oil imports are showing up in cryptic new places. The crude map stands redrawn

December oil imports from Russia may drop nearly 50%, but Indian buyers already shifting to non-designated Russian entities and opaque trading channels to keep Russian oil flowing.

From nuclear cooperation to defence, trade to oil, what is expected from Putin’s two-day India visit

New Delhi is interested in firming up bilateral agreements for increased trade, mobility, upgrade of Su-30 MKI fighters and the increased range of BrahMos supersonic missiles.

Gaali cricket: Bavuma stands tall, India’s Test ego cut to size

The India-South Africa series-defining fact is the catastrophic decline of Indian red ball cricket where a visiting team can mock us with the 'grovel' word.