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Thursday, December 4, 2025
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Reel Take

Chhoti Si Baat is the kind of rom com we miss in today’s whirl of swiping and deleting – simple, sweet and funny

Starring Amol Palekar and Vidya Sinha, the classic underdog tale leaves one with a bittersweet nostalgia for a gentler time.

‘Koshish’—the nuanced 1972 film portrayed disability as just another aspect of life

The Gulzar-directed film won Sanjeev Kumar his second National Award and remains a landmark in both their careers.

Teen Bahuraniyan: A quirky family comedy with a touch of female solidarity

Prithviraj Kapoor plays patriarch to his three sons and daughters-in-law in this madcap comedy that's all about loving your neighbour — literally.

‘Dhool Ka Phool’—Nehruvian secularism of Yash Chopra’s first movie is worth remembering today

The story of a Muslim man raising a Hindu child born out of wedlock is not only a plea for communal peace, but also questions the sexist mores of the times.

Om Puri and Smita Patil’s Ardh Satya is the only police drama you need to watch

Unlike modern police dramas, this film gives a realistic look at the difficulty of being good in a broken system.

Mr. & Mrs. ’55, a light-hearted rom-com that raised questions about feminism 6 decades ago

Guru Dutt and Madhubala’s chemistry and some masterful cinematography make this film sparkle despite some problematic gender equations.

Dev Anand’s Prem Pujari spoke about patriotism like no other Bollywood film

With great music on one hand, but problematic representation on the other, Dev Anand’s directorial debut is an interesting watch.

Shyam Benegal’s Ankur talked about caste and patriarchy when no else did

Starring Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag, this film is the hard-to-swallow pill that we need today.

Sharmila Tagore’s Chhoti Bahu gave us a Bollywood rarity — a layered female protagonist

Based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s book, Bindur Chhele, this film makes for a great family drama. 

Gulzar’s Parichay showed us how love could be a better teacher than fear

Parichay, starring Jeetendra & Jaya Bhaduri, teaches us, in its own simple way, that children need love & encouragement to become confident and grow into kind adults.

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.