Contributor for Arts & Entertainment and Star Showbiz.
When “The Bong Connection”, directed by Anjan Dutt, was released in 2006, legendary director Rituparno Ghosh called actor Parambrata Chatterjee and told him that he could never make a film like that. What was so special about the movie that Rituparno himself was envious of the creation?
As Bangladesh continues its journey towards economic restructuring, it is imperative to create jobs that provide dignity and security for its people.
“Talvar”, released internationally as “Guilty”, is a 2015 crime thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar and written by Vishal Bhardwaj. Loosely based on the infamous 2008 Noida double murder case, the film chronicles the brutal killings of a teenage girl and her elderly male servant. The case, which captivated public attention, saw her parents and several local servants implicated by various investigative bodies.
When “Kahaani”, directed by Sujoy Ghosh, was released in 2012, it created a significant impact. Both critically and commercially successful, the film was lauded for its women-centric theme and realistic approach to filmmaking. Over a decade later, it still stands as a compelling watch.
Once musician Xefer took a turn and decided to debut as an actor while also adopting a new look with straightened hair, that too for Mostofa Sarwar Farooki’s project, it left netizens mesmerised. Moreover, the awestruck people were also eagerly awaiting her on-screen pairing with seasoned actor Chanchal Chowdhury. However, the anticipation led to much disappointment when the greater bit of the audience did not find the movie appealing.
The show begins with the abrupt disappearance of Margaret’s youngest son while he was with Mercy. This incident triggers a series of events, also involving Margaret’s neighbour Hilary. As these women navigate their deep-rooted traumas and terrible sense of loss, the series highlights the role of the megastructures of patriarchy and capitalism in individual lives.
Kitchens constitute an essential part of our lives, a space whose power dynamics we often overlook. But if cinema reflects our lives, shouldn't it highlight even the most mundane aspects? "The Great Indian Kitchen", a 2021 Malayalam movie written and directed by Jeo Baby, prompts us to consider just that.
More often than not, a film leaves you marred with questions, and you ponder over all the ifs and buts of what will unfold next. The film “Mr and Mrs Iyer”, along with all the emotions it invokes, is one that forces us to wonder about the ‘what ifs’.
From Mira Nair’s “Monsoon Wedding” to Imtiaz Ali’s “Highway”, the chronicle of Hindi cinema mainly was linear with similar kinds of stories, songs, making and melodramatic extravaganza. Nevertheless, it is high time that the country, which is to date wrapped up with archaic societal injustice, discrimination and backdated familial norms, realises the importance of telling stories that had not been heard before.
Today marks the 112th birthday of the enigmatic filmmaker, Akira Kurosawa. His love for films made him work prolifically, directing thirty films over the span of five decades.
Delhi is a city with massive economic disparities, coupled with a population that is too large and a police force that is understaffed, one can only wonder what will happen when a series of murders start to take place throughout the city? This conundrum is explored in season two of “Delhi Crime”, through a brilliant cast, captured in the dark colour palettes and ominous music that resonates the gore amidst the bustle of Delhi.
Yesterday, August 31, marked the birthday of legendary filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh. Through his writing and direction Ritu took the audience to a world where the clouds deliver messages of gloom, where the separation of lovers is mourned, and where boundaries of gender roles crumble.
Right from the beginning, Chorki, the online streaming service, has stood out for its distinct choice of content. This week, it added the Bengali dubbed version of “Bandhobi”, a 2009 South Korean independent film, which stars Bangladeshi actor Mahbub Alam. “Bandhobi” is written and directed by indie darling, Dong-il Shin, and showcases an unusual friendship between a rebellious teenage girl and a migrant worker in Korea.
In a part of the world where women are told that marriages should be the centre of their lives, the web-series “Sampurna” offers a distinct take on the topic. The series, directed by Sayantan Ghoshal, is available on the Hoichoi app and website.