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Wednesday, October 8, 2025
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Reel Take

Kissa Kursee Ka: A parody that sent Sanjay Gandhi to jail and laid bare Indian politics

Directed by Congress and Janata Party MP Amrit Nahata, Kissa Kursee Ka was made during the Emergency, and irked the Gandhi clan like nothing else.

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan: A film as relevant in Indira Gandhi’s time as it is in Modi era

As BJP and Congress promise election freebies and jobs, Manoj Kumar’s Roti Kapda Aur Makaan still rings uncannily true.

In Kati Patang, director Shakti Samanta created magic with Rajesh Khanna & R.D. Burman’s music

The film gave us evergreen hits like Yeh Shaam Mastani and Pyar Diwana Hota Hai featuring superstar Rajesh Khanna.

Shashi Kapoor’s New Delhi Times gives a true picture of journalism, warts and all

New Delhi Times conveys the fundamental duality that plagues all journalists — the thrill of chasing a ‘good story’ that is also a human tragedy.

Sahir’s poetry in ‘Kabhi Kabhie’ and our forever connection with them

Yash Chopra’s ode to complicated relationships was made immortal by the man behind its poetry – Sahir Ludhianvi.

‘Roti’ and Rajesh Khanna: When a Bollywood film took melodrama to new heights

Hindi films have an unceasing connection to mythological tales. But in the hands of someone like Manmohan Desai, they turn into great entertainment.

‘Namak Haraam’, the film in which Amitabh Bachchan trumped then superstar Rajesh Khanna

In Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film Namak Haraam, 'supporting' actor Amitabh Bachchan stole the show, and perhaps the crown as well.

Every Bollywood reincarnation story must tip its hat to Bimal Roy’s ‘Madhumati’

Of the many things that Bimal Roy’s Madhumati got right, Pran’s antagonistic turn was one.

Teesri Kasam: When Raj Kapoor played perfect foil to Waheeda Rehman’s heartbreaking grace

A commercial failure, Teesri Kasam won National Award for best film but its heartbroken and financially broke producer Shailendra had passed away by then

No jobs then, no jobs now: Gulzar’s 1971 film ‘Mere Apne’ still rings an unfortunate bell

In Mere Apne, Gulzar, still finding his feet as a maker after a long apprenticeship with Bimal Roy and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, weaves in poetry and angst.

On Camera

‘I Love Muhammad’ is cheap politicisation of Prophet’s name. Don’t drag it to the streets

Muslims would do better to think about whether the public performance of religion strengthens or weakens secularism—the idea in which they have the highest stake.

Vietnam & China cutting into India’s footwear exports, NITI Aayog calls for tariff cuts, R&D push

With non-leather products driving global footwear demand between 2020 and 2024, India’s global market share stood at 1.85% in 2024, says a NITI Aayog report.

ISKP & Lashkar converging under aegis of Pakistan’s ISI to take on Baloch fighters

ISKP, a sub-continental branch of the Islamic State, is said to have vowed to extend operations in Kashmir, on encouragement from Pakistan’s security establishment.

How Pakistan thinks: Army for hire, ideology of convenience

Pakistan’s army has been a rentier force available to a reasonable bidder. It has never come to the aid of any Muslims including Palestinians or the Gazans, except making noises here and there.