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Sunday, April 5, 2026
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Reel Take

Saath Saath begins where most Bollywood love stories end—after the wedding

The film proves that sometimes the most compelling love stories are not about overcoming villains, but about learning how to live through everything life throws your way.

Gora Aur Kala is 1970’s Bollywood tackling racism. If anything, it makes it worse

For a film that tries to show that 'beauty is skin deep', director Naresh Kumar and the scriptwriters seem wholly oblivious to its problematic depictions of blackface.

Asha Parekh set the tone for 1970s glamour in Aan Milo Sajna

‘Achha toh hum chalte hain’—it’s the songs that stuck around in the 1970 film Aan Milo Sajna.

Vamps, NRIs, and the feudal system — the makings of Rekha’s Hindi film debut Sawan Bhadon

Rekha's spunky portrayal of the traditional Chanda and Navin Nischol's easy-going foreign-returned Vikram steal hearts with their banter and chemistry.

Ittefaq stood out from the musicals and morality of the 1960s. It offered ambiguity

Shot in 28 days, no song & dance—Rajesh Khanna took the spotlight in Yash Chopra's Ittefaq

Indo-Soviet film Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor wasn’t a diplomatic feat but a commercial success

The 1980 blockbuster is the age-old story of “good over evil”,  featuring an ensemble cast of Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Rolan Bykov, among others.

Mother India took Hindi cinema to global stage. Its Oscar nomination was a turning point

The Oscar nomination of the film highlighted how deeply local stories can resonate globally when told with honesty and conviction.

Before Sholay, there was Mera Gaon Mera Desh. Its Gabbar was more ruthless

At its core, Mera Gaon Mera Desh is the story of a prodigal son and his redemption through Ajit, played by Dharmendra.

Mehbooba started Rajesh Khanna’s downfall. He’s playing Hema Malini’s lover from past life

Mehbooba was Khanna's fourth film with Shakti Samanta after Aradhana, Kati Patang, and Amar Prem.

1978 film Shalimar had Dharmendra, Zeenat, and the biggest budget of its time. It still bombed

Featuring actors such as Rex Harrison and John Saxon, the 1978 film ‘Shalimar’ had scale, ambition, and star power. It was undone by a weak screenplay and uneven execution.

On Camera

US pilot rescue in Iran must be seen more than war cost. Nation protects its warriors

A live American pilot paraded on Iranian state television would have been an intelligence windfall and a propaganda coup of historic proportions.

What to expect from China’s new 5-year plan—trade innovation, tensions with partners

ASEAN is struggling against a flood of 'underpriced Chinese goods', while Brazil has imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel.

UAE walks away from financing Rafale F5 due to restricted access to technology, reports French media

French newspaper La Tribune earlier last week indicated that UAE withdrew from deal to fund EUR 3.5 billion. India is looking to order 114 new Rafales, which could include the F5.

China insulated itself against energy shocks. India is ‘all talk, no walk’

China patiently invested capital, skill and technology in coal gasification. Unlike it, we won’t move from words to action. As crude prices decline, we lose interest.