scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Friday, November 14, 2025
HomeFeaturesReel Take

Reel Take

Yash Chopra’s ‘Daag’ had a love triangle with no jealousy. It happily ends in bigamy

Daag would go on to establish Chopra as a filmmaker who would not just explore the fun elements of romance but also touch upon subjects like infidelity, and in this case, bigamy.

Dil Hi Toh Hai was a ‘Muslim social’ — but it put insaniyat and sharafat above khandan

The 1963 film Dil Hi Toh Hai, starring Raj Kapoor and Nutan, is a compelling outlier in the ‘Muslim Social’ genre. It defied conventions, even if gently.

Trishul tested Amitabh Bachchan’s emotional range—and he was more than an angry young man

Trishul came when Salim-Javed were at the high point of their creativity and Bachchan at the top of his stardom.

Ek Chadar Maili Si isn’t an easy watch. Hema Malini plays a woman trapped by tradition

Based on Rajinder Singh Bedi’s Urdu novel, the 1986 film directed by Sukhwant Dhadda is a portrayal of a woman’s bruised dignity and the silent scream of suppressed rebellion.

Jaya Bachchan made Mili unforgettable. Her acting rivalled Rajesh Khanna’s in Anand

With this 1975 film, Jaya Bachchan established herself as a serious performer in an era where women were confined to glamorous, arm-candy roles.

ChaalBaaz was Bollywood’s wild take on feminism. Sridevi showed no one did double roles like her

Sridevi carries ChaalBaaz entirely on her shoulders, effortlessly switching between the timid Anju and the brash Manju. Sunny Deol and Rajinikanth pale in comparison.

Doosara Aadmi tackled emotional infidelity before Bollywood had a language for it

The 1977 film Doosara Aadmi explored obsession, longing, and the human tendency to seek lost love in new relationships. It’s one of Rakhee’s most nuanced performances.

Kal Aaj Aur Kal brought Kapoors together on big screen. That’s all it’s remembered for

If it weren’t for its memorable songs, Kal Aaj Aur Kal would likely have faded into obscurity with its lacklustre performances, weak writing, and no memorable dialogues.

‘Kunwara Baap’ was closest to Mehmood’s heart. Tested his limits as an actor

Mehmood made the film to raise awareness about polio, which had affected his own son, Maqdoom Ali. It also marked the acting debut of his other son, Lucky Ali.

Kaala Patthar is about workers’ woe. It has real Angry Young Bachchan

What stands out in Kaala Patthar is its inclusion of working women as characters. Parveen Babi is a journalist, Neetu Singh is a bangle seller, and Rakhee plays Doctor Sudha.

On Camera

Wealth nears $99 trillion, still Asia’s rich don’t have succession plans

Much of this wealth is tied to founder-led businesses that employ millions and help anchor regional economies.

Turkey blocks transport of Apache choppers to India through its airspace, new route being worked out

Indian govt officials last month skipped Turkish National Day celebrations in Delhi, in a message to Ankara following its support for Islamabad, particularly during Operation Sindoor.

Bihar is where politics moves, and everything else stands still

Bihar is blessed with a land more fertile for revolutions than any in India. Why has it fallen so far behind then? Constant obsession with politics is at the root of its destruction.