Those who follow Hindi cinema’s history and lore would be familiar with Roshan Taneja’s place in it. The veteran acting coach is recognized for training generations of Bollywood actors including Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Govinda, Naseeruddin Shah, and Shabana Azmi. In 1977, Taneja directed Abhi To Jee Lein, his sole directorial credit. This campus drama is centred around student politics. It features Jaya Bhaduri, Danny Denzongpa, Kiran Kumar, Radha Saluja and a bunch of other young actors who had studied under Taneja at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. Kiran Kumar ..read more

Some old, familiar faces and some new in the third part of the Bollywood child artist directory. The first part of the series can be viewed here. The second part of the series can be viewed here. Adil Badshah/ Aadil Badshah Films:Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi (2005) Ahmad bin Umer Films: Laal Singh Chaddha (2022) Akanksha Sharma Films: Break Ke Baad (2010) Master Akbar/ Master Ali Akbar Films:Azad Mohabbat (1974), Naukri (1978) Master Akive Films: Barsaat (2005) Master Ali (II) Films: John Jani Janardhan (1984) Baby Alisha/ Baby Alisha Baig Films: Judaai (1997), Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha (1 ..read more

Rajiv Rai’s cult classic Vishwatma took Bollywood’s deshbhakti to the diaspora. The film also gave us the greatest masala national integration song, “Dil le gayi teri bindiya,” and reminds us of a time when no one was asked to prove their patriotism. In Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), when Amrish Puri’s Chaudhary Baldev Singh walks the streets of London with “Ghar aaja pardesi” playing in the background, it made many a NRI weep. But three years prior to being the adarsh pardesi – feeding pigeons at Trafalgar Square and reminiscing about Punjab – Simran’s bauji was a naughty NRI. In Rajiv ..read more

Purists may dismiss Sooryavansham as one of Amitabh Bachchan’s mediocre offerings, but over two decades later, this sappy family drama has found itself a diverse and an ever-growing fandom: Some watch it for cheap thrills, some out of habit. The movie’s perpetual telecast has inspired legions of jokes and memes. In Hindi cinema, “kheer” has long been the sacred symbol of a doting mother’s love for her child, often competing with the hot favourite, “gaajar ka halwa” for the honour. The humble, harmless dessert was also drafted into a lactose-heavy jingoistic war cry against the enemy in the S ..read more

In Hindi cinema, the ubiquitous activity of reading newspapers has incidentally become a showcase of the diversity of the Indian print media. Some dailies have gone defunct, some still going strong. And some, are fictional. In Basu Chatterjee’s Baton Baton Mein (1977), the hero’s father is almost always seen buried in his newspapers while his wife and son are arguing. Men poring over their dailies, oblivious to the domestic cacophony is a recurring image in Bollywood. Such scenes often appear in family dramas where a saas is making her bahu’s life hell or family members are engaged in petty s ..read more

Charming love letters, curt chitthi announcing breakup, emotional requests, and blackmail bids — here’s a list of filmi letters with nice handwritings. Superb penmanship in this poster of Bimal Roy’s Prem Patra (1962) where the titular entity is both the cause of conflict and its resolution. This impressively written note in Hum Tum Aur Woh (1971). Too bad it’s about Helen dumping Ashok Kumar for being poor and even taking away her photograph from him. Nargis’ tragic farewell message to Shahabuddin in Pakeezah (1972). Uphaar’s (1973) immature, unlettered bride’s endearingly matter-of-fact ..read more

Feuding families opposed to love birds is one of Bollywood’s oldest and most minted formulas. There are multiple Romeo Juliet-inspired stories of love blossoming between the wards of sworn enemies, young lovers rebelling against parental opposition, or jumping hoops to convince them. Here are some the most well-known films about defiant lovers and their warring families. Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963) A young architect falls in love with the daughter of his father’s business rival. To make matters worse, he is tasked by both families to design their houses that face one another. Dev Anand and Nu ..read more

What’s Hindi cinema without some seething, screaming, revenge-seeking filmi kids. A list of the hall of famers. Master Rajat: Looks cute, might shoot you later. (Amba, 1990) Master Suhail‘s One-day-I-will-kill-you face in Khel Khilari Ka (1977). Master Javed after getting humiliated for riding ameer logon ki buggy in Ghar Parivaar (1991). Master Alok choosing violence against his evil uncle in Mujrim (1989). Master Munish‘s rage-filled Jaani Dushman face in Badle Ki Aag (1982). Master Sumeet planning his retribution in Baazigar (1993). Master Amit getting ready to bhagaao shaitaan in ..read more

A list of Hindi films that end with a family picture or group photo being taken. Nancy and Tony’s wedding snap in Baton Baton Mein (1979). An all’s well that ends well picture in Pyar Hi Pyar (1969). A ‘reformed’ Bhavani Shankar and party in Gol Maal (1979). A not-angry-anymore Vijay joins his family in Trishul (1978). This zany lot from Ab Ayega Mazaa (1984). The great relevance of this family photograph in Kapoor & Sons (2016). Yaar dost log in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011). Sab Apne (2007) hain iss photo mein. The ensemble cast of Vijay (1988) getting clicked. The photographer ..read more

A ’70s Hindi film called Do Bachche Dus Haath with a poster that looks like this, and a ‘For the first time, Junior Mehmood as James Bond’ sales pitch. What do you do? Watch it, of course. Its kitschiness and kookiness aside, the film makes an impression for a whole different reason altogether. But more on that later. First things first. The MVP of this actioner is its canine star Rexy (King Kong in the film) who gloriously makes into our list of the most heroic dogs of Bollywood. Do Bachche Dus Haath follows the adventures of a wannabe detective Junior Jasoos (Mehmood Junior), who fancies hi ..read more