‘Dilwale Dulhania La Jayenge’ is one of the most celebrated Bollywood films. Even after twenty-nine years, it still plays at the Maratha Mandir Theatre in Mumbai. The film tells the story of two young NRI’s, non-resident Indians, Simran and Raj. Both embark on a trip around Europe after finishing sixth form and their meeting changesContinue reading “‘Dilwale Dulhania La Jayenge’ 1995: An Analysis”
Tag Archives: South Asian
‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ at the Southbank Centre: An Analysis
Pravesh Kumar’s ‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ is currently playing at the Southbank Centre and has just celebrated it’s one hundredth show. The billion-colour musical is true to its name and follows eponymous heroine Frankie on her journey to Bollywood stardom. It is a classic, fish out of water story, and one of self-discovery, set inContinue reading “‘Frankie Goes to Bollywood’ at the Southbank Centre: An Analysis”
‘Little English’ 2022: An Analysis
Pravesh Kumar’s British Indian romantic comedy follows newlywed Simmy (Rameet Rauli) in her attempts to navigate her new family, Britain and being deserted by her new husband Raj (Simon Rivers). Simmy has travelled to the UK from India for this marriage, and as a result only knows a ‘Little English,’ as referenced by the film’sContinue reading “‘Little English’ 2022: An Analysis”
‘Kaur’ 2022: An Analysis
Short film ‘Kaur’ manages to start a complex discussion by zoning into an intimate conversation between father and daughter. Not only does it shine the spotlight on young British Sikhs today, grappling with traditional and cultural ideas, but it also puts a feminist spin on the debate by centring around a young woman, Avani, andContinue reading “‘Kaur’ 2022: An Analysis”
‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ – Fact and Fiction
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s long awaited Netflix series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ is set during the fight for Indian independence, and follows the lives of several tawaifs, in the title district in Lahore. While the series looks incredible and replicates the period detail of Bhansali’s other critically acclaimed works, I would argue that the real lifeContinue reading “‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ – Fact and Fiction”
Karen Shetty in ‘Mean Girls’ 2024: Representation, Reflection and Progression
When I spotted that Avantika Vandanapu, known professionally as Avantika, had joined the cast of 2024’s musical ‘Mean Girls,’ I admit that I was surprised. Although it is less rare to see South Asian actors in Hollywood roles than previously, it is still rarer to see them in leading roles. I was also surprised atContinue reading “Karen Shetty in ‘Mean Girls’ 2024: Representation, Reflection and Progression”
‘Nagina’ 1986: An Analysis
‘Nagina,’ was released in 1986 and is now seen as a watershed moment in Indian cinema. Sridevi’s turn as Rajni, an ichchadhari naagin, proved that a woman-centric move could be a commercial success. The film centres around the relationship between Rajni and Rajiv, played by Rishi Kapoor, as they battle against Amrish Puri’s villainous BhaironContinue reading “‘Nagina’ 1986: An Analysis”
Rani Padmavati: In Film and Literature
Rani Padmavati is a legendary Rajput Hindu queen. Her story has been most recently bought to modern audiences by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in his 2018 film ‘Padmaavat,’ which still remains one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. It tells the story of Rani Padmavati, and focuses on the war that her husband, RatanContinue reading “Rani Padmavati: In Film and Literature”
Panjabi Representation in ‘Eastenders’: The Panesars
When EastEnders announced that they were introducing a Sikh Panjabi family in 2019 I will admit that I was surprised. Usually, Asian characters and/or families on screen were either Hindu or Muslim. When I was younger, if I did not fit into the category of Hindu or Muslim then people would be at a loss,Continue reading “Panjabi Representation in ‘Eastenders’: The Panesars”
‘Bridgerton’ and South Asian Representation
I’ll be honest – the only reason that I watched the second season of Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’ was to see the story of the Sharma’s. I was not as mesmerised by the first season as other people were and found it to be a bit too romanticised. I described it as period drama that lacked theContinue reading “‘Bridgerton’ and South Asian Representation”
Khambay's Words, Words, Words 