India Masala
Bollywood and culture in an emerging India
Vishwaroopam: Saga of faith in troubled times
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily of Reuters)
For a spy thriller that has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, “Vishwaroopam” is surprisingly tame.
What I’ll remember most about “Vishwaroopam” is its technical finesse, breathtaking locations, stark imagery and a crisp edit.
The film, released as “Vishwaroop” in north India, features at least three different religions and five nationalities. It never takes a stance on which God is greater, nor does it brand you a freedom fighter or a radical militant. The central message is that bloodshed will lead to more bloodshed.
from India Insight:
“Vishwaroopam” touches yet another Indian nerve
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily of Reuters)
Actor and filmmaker Kamal Haasan’s film "Vishwaroopam" was supposed to open in cinemas last Friday, but that's not happening in Tamil Nadu after Muslim groups protested against scenes that they consider offensive.
from India Insight:
His name is Khan and he is misunderstood
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily of Reuters)
When Bollywood heart-throb Shah Rukh Khan shared his views on religious stereotypes in an article in Outlook Turning Points magazine, it turned heads as the editors likely expected. Some media outlets criticized Khan, saying he sought "refuge in Muslim victimhood."
Bollywood and sex education
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily of Reuters)
A couple of weeks ago, I watched a Marathi film called “Balak Palak” (Children and Parents). A new crop of film-makers is portraying the burgeoning Indian middle class with its own set of problems and “Balak Palak” is no different.
Table No. 21: Passable fare
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily of Thomson Reuters)
As thrillers go, Aditya Datt’s “Table No. 21″ isn’t likely to keep you on the edge of your seat, but you won’t be making a beeline for the exit either. This is one of those in-between films that won’t really make it to your list of must-see movies.
Rajdhani Express: The train wreck from hell
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily of Thomson Reuters)
Ashok Kohli’s “Rajdhani Express” is one of those films which will force you to answer some existential questions. Questions such as “Why am I here?” “What am I doing with my life?” and most importantly, “How did a movie like this get made?”
from India Insight:
Responsibility or censorship: why Bollywood should pick
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily those of Thomson Reuters Corp.)
The mother and father of the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim were cremating their daughter's body around the same time I discovered Honey Singh, now lately known for his notorious song, "Ch**t," or "Cu*t." The song revolves around the singer's vision of satisfying a woman's lust, followed by beating her with a shoe and then moving on to other things.
from India Insight:
Banning Bollywood item numbers is no solution
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not necessarily of Thomson Reuters)
The gang rape and death of a 23-year-old woman in New Delhi last month has made many Indians take a hard look at how they behave as a society.
The best (and worst) Bollywood films of 2012
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and not those of Thomson Reuters)
This is what it all comes down to — a year of watching movies and writing about them distilled into one post. Here are my picks for the best and worst of 2012 from the Hindi film industry.
Khiladi 786: The other ‘Son of Sardaar’
(Any opinions expressed here are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Thomson Reuters)
If it wasn’t for the chorus of “Khiladi Bhaiyya” that accompanies Akshay Kumar each time he makes an entrance on screen, I would’ve forgotten I was watching Ashish Mohan’s “Khiladi 786″. I might as well have been watching “Singham” or “Golmaal” or any of the comedies earning a box-office billion that dot our cinematic landscape these days.
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