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Friday, April 17, 2026
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Reel Take

In Angry Young Man era, Khel Khel Mein stood out for its wisecracking rogue — Rakesh Roshan

Rakesh Roshan, never known for his success in leading roles, outshines Rishi Kapoor in 1975’s Khel Khel Mein, Bollywood’s first college murder thriller.

Saath Saath begins where most Bollywood love stories end—after the wedding

The film proves that sometimes the most compelling love stories are not about overcoming villains, but about learning how to live through everything life throws your way.

Gora Aur Kala is 1970’s Bollywood tackling racism. If anything, it makes it worse

For a film that tries to show that 'beauty is skin deep', director Naresh Kumar and the scriptwriters seem wholly oblivious to its problematic depictions of blackface.

Asha Parekh set the tone for 1970s glamour in Aan Milo Sajna

‘Achha toh hum chalte hain’—it’s the songs that stuck around in the 1970 film Aan Milo Sajna.

Vamps, NRIs, and the feudal system — the makings of Rekha’s Hindi film debut Sawan Bhadon

Rekha's spunky portrayal of the traditional Chanda and Navin Nischol's easy-going foreign-returned Vikram steal hearts with their banter and chemistry.

Ittefaq stood out from the musicals and morality of the 1960s. It offered ambiguity

Shot in 28 days, no song & dance—Rajesh Khanna took the spotlight in Yash Chopra's Ittefaq

Indo-Soviet film Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor wasn’t a diplomatic feat but a commercial success

The 1980 blockbuster is the age-old story of “good over evil”,  featuring an ensemble cast of Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Rolan Bykov, among others.

Mother India took Hindi cinema to global stage. Its Oscar nomination was a turning point

The Oscar nomination of the film highlighted how deeply local stories can resonate globally when told with honesty and conviction.

Before Sholay, there was Mera Gaon Mera Desh. Its Gabbar was more ruthless

At its core, Mera Gaon Mera Desh is the story of a prodigal son and his redemption through Ajit, played by Dharmendra.

Mehbooba started Rajesh Khanna’s downfall. He’s playing Hema Malini’s lover from past life

Mehbooba was Khanna's fourth film with Shakti Samanta after Aradhana, Kati Patang, and Amar Prem.

On Camera

The math behind India’s elections—Why proximity matters

It is one of the most consistent findings in electoral politics: voters are more likely to support candidates who come from their local area.

US ends oil waivers but Russian crude flows to India ‘likely to remain steady’ amid Hormuz disruption

India will need to recalibrate crude sourcing strategy as US ends waivers for Russian & Iranian oil, energy experts say. But Russian crude will likely remain central to energy basket.

Why Siliguri Corridor is strategically important for India & how it is being secured | Cut The Clutter

This special edition of Cut The Clutter, straight from the Siliguri corridor, details the strategic importance of the narrow strip of land in West Bengal, and how it’s a vital link connecting the Northeast to the rest of India.

The world’s in a flux. India must reform, consolidate & build a strong economy

We now live in a world order that will keep shifting. India must use this window. This also means we remain disciplined enough not to be knee-jerked into reacting to what Pakistan sees as its moment in the sun.