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Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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Reel Take

Why Bimal Roy’s ‘Devdas’ remains the first among equals

Of the 16 adaptations of Sarat Chandra's novella, the most iconic remains director Bimal Roy's film on Devdas.

‘Do Bigha Zamin’, the Bimal Roy classic that Bollywood should look at now more than ever

Bollywood needs to replicate Bimal Roy’s deep commitment to the farmers he portrayed.

How Kader Khan’s dialogues made Devdas look cool in ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’

Prakash Mehra’s Muqaddar Ka Sikandar redefined Masala as a popular Bollywood genre.

‘Aradhana’ propelled Rajesh Khanna to his ‘15 hits in a row’ superstardom

On his 76th birth anniversary, rewatch Rajesh Khanna’s hit film with Sharmila Tagore that still holds a message for society

Politicians must watch Shammi Kapoor’s ‘Tumse Achha Kaun Hai’ to appreciate India’s diversity

Tumse Achha Kaun Hai had a great soundtrack and an innocent paean to India’s incredible diversity.

Smita Patil’s ‘Mirch Masala’ is the movie a post-#MeToo India must watch

Smita Patil left an indelible impact with her unique sensuality, resolve and vulnerability in Mirch Masala.

Cultural Taliban in India needs to watch Dharmendra’s ‘Chupke Chupke’ again

Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Chupke Chupke, set in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), delivers a simple message through hilarious performances.

‘Padosan’ can’t be made in today’s Republic of Easy Offended India

Cult comedy Padosan features Hindi cinema’s most popular duet and never runs out of laughs.

‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ — a deeply conservative film that gave Bollywood its ‘boldest’ actor

Dev Anand’s film Hare Rama Hare Krishna, starring Zeenat Aman, gave India both its Rakhi and hippie anthem.

With 2019 elections approaching, Gulzar’s Aandhi is the film to watch again

Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar-starrer Aandhi was banned by Indira Gandhi govt during the Emergency.

On Camera

India is becoming a Republic of RWAs. It’s the most powerful elected body

Civics textbooks need an upgrade, considering that RWAs enforce laws they’ve devised themselves – no matter if it violates a fundamental right or two.

How mining, manufacturing & power sectors weighed on India’s industrial output since January 2024

India’s industrial output growth saw a 10-month low in June, with Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growing by mere 1.5% as against 1.9% in May 2025.

Can’t restrict ‘extent of induction’—why SC struck down gender quotas in Army’s JAG recruitment

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ruled that the Indian Army cannot cap the number of women in its Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch...

Modi’s ready to risk it all for farmers. Farm reform can answer Trump with new Green Revolution

Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.