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Thursday, April 2, 2026
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Reel Take

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.

1978 film Shalimar had Dharmendra, Zeenat, and the biggest budget of its time. It still bombed

Featuring actors such as Rex Harrison and John Saxon, the 1978 film ‘Shalimar’ had scale, ambition, and star power. It was undone by a weak screenplay and uneven execution.

Manchali is Bollywood’s masala take on Shakespeare—a husband for hire and his bratty bride

Directed by Raja Nawathe, Manchali is about a rich, spoilt heiress who can access her inheritance only if she marries. So, she hires a husband.

On Camera

The 3 M’s Of Hinduphobia: Mill, Macaulay and Marx

Indians tend to fuss more about the damage done to the Indian psyche by Thomas B Macaulay’s infamous Minute of 1835, but he was preceded in this unholy endeavour by James Mill.

Air fares to go up? Staggered hike in ATF prices for domestic airlines, to cost Rs 21 more per litre

A govt official said that although ATF prices for domestic market had been expected to rise 100 per cent in April, increase was moderated to 25 per cent to cushion burden on domestic passengers.

GE delivers sixth F404 engine for Tejas Mk1A to HAL, cites war in Gulf for delay

GE delivered only six engines to HAL in the last fiscal which ended Tuesday, short of the 11 promised as per the revised timeline.

Gulf war exposed India’s fragilities. It’s time for navel-gazing, in the national interest

It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.