Fear of the afterlife? The army in Xi’an!

When did humans accept their mortality and the fact that if there was afterlife, it was certainly not like this one? The Pharaohs made elaborate arrangements for their own burial, packed in all their belongings, vast riches, all worldly comforts, made sure their consorts and handmaidens were embalmed with them, and prepared for a glorious [...]

The gift of a father to a child! Dear Zachary

This weekend I saw Dear Zachary, an award-winning documentary by Kurt Kuenne. When Kurt finds out that his best friend, Dr. Andrew Bagby, has died in Pennsylvania at the hands of his mentally disturbed ex-girlfriend Shirley Turner, he sets out on a journey to make a film to memorialize Andrew for his family and friends. [...]

Under five feet and packed full of talent – Jaya Bhaduri!

To begin – I think that 5 feet 2 ” in the IMDb biography is bull! But do we care? No, because Jaya did not make it into cinema for her beauty queen looks and star presence. She started out as a 15 year old in Satyajit Ray’s Mahanagar. Soon after she acted in Hrishikesh [...]

The weirdest food you ever ate – or tried to……

High up on my list is the Durian. The King of Fruit? “The 19th-century British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace famously described its flesh as “a rich custard highly flavoured with almonds”. (Wikipedia) Despite the widely held Indonesian belief that this royal fruit has aphrodisiac properties, I have never been able to get a morsel into [...]

Nutan – actress par excellence!

Daughter the famous Marathi actress Shobhana Samarth, Nutan entered films as a fourteen year old in a film produced by her mother. Nutan was part of the powerful Samarth-Mukherjee family and her sister Tanuja was a notable actress too. Rumors are she was so slim that she was told to put on some weight before [...]

The experience – Basu Bhattacharya’s Anubhav!

Basu Bhattachrya’s most impressive Teesri Kasam was followed by another quiet and hidden gem, Anubhav. Meeta (Tanuja), decides to shake up her staid in-a-rut six year old marriage with Amar (Sanjeev Kumar). The household help is reduced to one, Hari (AK Hangal), and that too because Hari considers himself more a relative that a servant [...]

Psycho Killer, Qu’est-ce que c’est? One of Jonathan Demme’s early gems

In 1984 Jonathan Demme collaborated with The Talking Heads to direct what is one of the best live concert films. Made entirely in digital audio format, and shot over three days, it is a visual and acoustic marvel. To a die-hard fan of The Talking Heads this represents the best of their music, energy and [...]

Where the mind is pure and the head held high!

While on a trip to China (more on that later), I had the good fortune to spend a week in Tibet. We had to obtain permits on the sly in China, otherwise I am told that the Chinese Embassy will deny your entry Visa into China if Tibet is on your itinerary. Lhasa is a [...]

This is not Potty humor! Gaudi and 4 Cats in Barcelona

Driving along the Iberian Peninsula, I had a chance to stop over for a few days in sunny Barcelona. The city traces its history back to pre-Roman times but in the modern era it is a fun filled place that boasts of many parks, beaches (including the divine Mar Bella), and a rich cultural history.

A fistful of vermillion: Anurag finally gets it right with Gulaal, and how!

Even before seeing the film one could not help but be most impressed by the wonderful soul stirring music of Gulaal. But I am always conflicted about Anurag Kashyap – prodigy or poseur? He wants to make a statement with every film, and it is an in-your-face one, often sledgehammer in approach. The recent Dev [...]

Aloo Chaat – Movie Review

LINK By Aparajita Ghosh There’s almost every spice to suit the Indian palate in director Robby Grewal’s Aloo Chaat . The only bummer is that the story’s course and conclusion is downright predictable.

Diverse genres from Bollywood this Friday

LINK Four films based on different themes and subjects are going to release this Friday.

GULAAL doesn’t spray color at the box office

Glamsham March 19, 2009 2:10:33 PM IST Sampurn, Bollywood Trade News Network GULAAL hasn’t exactly sprayed color at the box office if the collections over the week gone by are any indication. The opening was quite low all over with around 30% occupancy. Though such opening was pretty much on the cards due to the [...]

This is NOT Potty humor! Barons and stars and castles

From the chilly climes of Switzerland we move to sunny California and to a monument in the mid-coastal region of the state. Hearst Castle was the domicile of William Randolph Hearst, the cattle baron, business tycoon, and newspaperman. He built his folly nested among the coastal hills in San Simeon and sought out the best, [...]

Veer ras ka Gulaal!

The music of Gulaal has been around for a while and I had heard snippets here and there. Then I heard all of the track called Aarambh and was instantly hooked. I listened to that number all day before moving on to other songs. Infused with fervor and vigor, this call to battle is one [...]