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.
Abhimaan, the timeless classic, had shades of Amitabh & Jaya Bachchan’s real lives
Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee is better known for his family-friendly comedies, but in Abhimaan, he dealt with feminism & a love story with many shades of grey.
Umrao Jaan’s captivating music is a lasting testament to Khayyam’s musical genius
Khayyam masterfully blended ghazals, shayaris and classical Hindustani music to create melodies that made the story of Umrao Jaan.
Kabuliwala is the heart-rending childhood tale of innocence, love & fate
Balraj Sahni’s Kabuliwala perfectly captures the essence of a wonderful friendship that builds against the backdrop of hardship.
Meena Kumari was more than just the tragedy queen and this movie shows us why
Meena Kumari plays a happy and carefree character in S.M. Sriramulu Naidu’s 1955 film.
Uttam Kumar’s Saptapadi is the 1960s’ inter-faith love story that rings true even today
Saptapadi’s famous, moving Othello scene, which was directed separately by Utpal Dutt, deserves special praise.
Animals have come home. Covid-19 lockdown gives control back into nature’s hands
With people in India and elsewhere locked down in homes due to the coronavirus, the peaceful reclamation of public spaces by animals is teaching us important lessons.
Modi’s 9-min candle plan Sunday: Needless spectacle or much-needed motivation for Indians?
PM Modi requested Indians to light candles, lamps or mobile torches at 9 pm Sunday for nine minutes in a show of solidarity in the fight against Covid-19.
Defence
In a first, Army deploys medical team at civil coronavirus quarantine camp in Delhi
The Indian Army has so far only been operating out of quarantine camps set up by the armed service for coronavirus patients.
Poke fun at taali, thaali, diya and mombatti all you want. Modi couldn’t care less
Modi knows who he needs to speak to, who he should toss, who he can address in kind. People accuse him of infantilising his voters, but it’s a winning strategy.