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Saturday, August 9, 2025
TopicFilmi Flashback

Topic: Filmi Flashback

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.

Haqeeqat shows the painful futility of war. Doesn’t mask realities with bravado

The 1964 film offers a grim look at the lives of Indian soldiers fighting in tough conditions. Chetan Anand calls out the government’s lack of military preparedness without pulling any punches.

In Subhash Ghai’s Karma, prison drama meets patriotism. It’s a Republic Day staple

Karma is remembered for 'Aye Watan Tere Liye' song. It became a staple patriotic song in the ’80s and ’90s and was played endlessly on radio.

Kamal Amrohi’s ‘Razia Sultan’ lacked the magic of Pakeezah. Only opulence, no substance

Like Pakeezah, Kamal Amrohi’s Razia Sultan had all the right ingredients–superstar Hema Malini as leading lady, Bhanu Athaiya as costume designer, and Khayyam as music director. But none of it could translate into magic on screen.

Raj Kapoor’s Prem Rog is a flawed film on widow remarriage. Rishi Kapoor rescues the damsel

In Prem Rog, the narrative is dominated by male characters. Padmini Kolhapure who plays the female protagonist does not put up a fight.

Shyam Benegal’s ‘Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda’ asks—is love doomed by poverty or saved by rebellion?

Shyam Benegal’s adaptation of Dharamvir Bharati’s novel 'Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda' has a layered narrative structure. Its non-linear storytelling blurs the line between fiction and reality.

Jeevan Mrityu made Dharmendra-Rakhee hit pair. It was a corruption-revenge saga of the 70s

Jeevan Mrityu was a revenge thriller produced by Tarachand Barjatya, a break from the ‘clean’ family entertainers that the production house was then known for.

‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ gave India its most popular tragic hero—and a mega hit in Soviet Union

'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar' cemented the partnership between Bachchan and Prakash Mehra who directed the movie. The two had worked together in Zanjeer, which was Bachchans’ breakout film.

‘Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye’ is a classic that has aged well. It sits on Rekha’s able shoulders

Rekha’s entry catapults the movie into a league of its own. She unapologetically questions why society is quick to shame women for their choices while excusing men.

Ek Ruka Hua Faisla held an unsparing mirror to middle-class bias. It’s desi 12 Angry Men

Basu Chatterjee’s 1986 remake of Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men is constrained by Bollywood standards. It relies on the actors to take the story forward.

On Camera

Buying Russian oil, misreading Trump—3 points will define India’s next energy strategy

India should have secured greater savings by pressing Russia for prices nearer the cap while sustaining high volumes. This would have preserved strategic autonomy and served economic logic.

Go Swadeshi—RSS affiliate SJM calls for boycott of US firms Amazon, Walmart after Trump’s tariff hike

New Delhi: The day after the US imposed a 50 percent trade tariff on India, RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has made an...

Shadow war over India’s defence procurement on social media raises concerns of dodgy & undue influence

One such website has drawn particular scrutiny for spreading fake stories that have upset not only the Indian but also foreign defence firms by falsely attributing misinformation.

Pakistan, Dhaka have played Washington well. Back home, Modi ecosystem has an inner conflict

To protect ourselves from Trumpian diplomacy, first we must introspect the bipolarity within our establishment discourse.