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Thursday, January 8, 2026
TopicSmita Patil

Topic: Smita Patil

Shyam Benegal’s Bhumika is a raw portrait of a female film star’s turbulent life

In Bhumika, Usha chooses a life that does not align with societal expectations. And Shyam Benegal is not afraid to show her as a deeply flawed woman.

English is a very funny language—Bachchan gave the OG Bollywood monologue in ‘Namak Halaal’

While Bachchan has been rightly applauded for his dialogue delivery in ‘Namak Halaal’, the writer is not widely known—it was actor Kader Khan.

On Camera

Budget 2026 must signal rail reform. End cross-subsidies, privatise operations & services

Rail reform must be politically and socially sustainable. Infrastructure ownership should remain sovereign, while privatisation should be limited to new services and assets.

500% tariffs ahead for India? Trump’s lined up a big bad Bill for countries buying Russian oil

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says bill will be 'well-timed, as Ukraine is making concessions for peace and Putin is all talk, continuing to kill the innocent'.

India’s defence sky gets a solar boost: Army orders iDEX solar-electric drone 

Indian Army has inducted loitering munitions, kamikaze and surveillance drones for over Rs 5,000 crore post Operation Sindoor from various domestic firms.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.