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Subhash K Jha curates a special list of 8 brilliant films to watch for this festive weekend.

Silvat (2018):

Playing a Muslim darzi in Tanuja Chandra 40-minute film situated in the crowded gully of what looks like Mumbai’s Haji Ali locality, Kartik is every bit Anwar, the shy sensitive tailor who develops a secret passion for his favourite client: a lonely abandoned wife Noor (Meher Mistry) whose husband has migrated to Riyadh for a job with nary a glance back for the woman he has left behind. The focus of the passionate plot, pulsating with unspoken ardour, is Noor. But it’s Kartik’s Anwar who silently steals the show. There is no exhibition of outward passion here. And yet so much is said through Anwar’s eyes. Every stolen glance is laden with longing. The film is shot on location in a Muslim locality with streetside vendors frying parathas and malpuas,...

Top IMDb Rated Irrfan Khan Movies Streaming(Photo Credit –Facebook)

On the occasion of Irrfan Khan’s death anniversary, we remember him fondly and give you the top five highest-rated movies starring the phenomenal actor (as per IMDb ratings) and where to watch them on Ott platforms.

Few actors have left as deep and lasting an impact on cinema as Irrfan Khan. With his effortless performances and expressive eyes, he won hearts across the cinematic world. As we celebrate his remarkable legacy on his death anniversary, here’s a look at five of his highest-rated movies to stream on Ott today. Each film is a testament to Irrfan’s rare ability to make every role unforgettable.

We have collated a list of the brilliant actor’s top five highest-rated movies as per their IMDb scores, and where you can watch these films on streaming platforms. We have considered only those...

Bollywood cinema has always been known for its spirit of celebration. Singing, dancing, and having a good time has been an important part of the Bollywood experience. Here are the five festive films that must be seen this Eid.

1. Hum Saath Saath Hain:

While most would opt for Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum…Apke Hain Koun as the ultimate festive fare, this feel-good followup after the historic Hum…Aapke Hain Koun from Barjatya’s school of familial merrymaking has a string of terrific stars from Salman Khan to Saif Ali Khan eating, singing, and dancing through a stream of nursery-rhyme styled songs composed in juvenile style by Ram Laxman-. The entire 4-hour film is a pleasure binge for Alok Nath’s Chaturvedi family as they picnic, party, a wedding, and celebrate from Eid to Diwali to marriage anniversaries. Life is one long celebration in this thinly-plotted excuse to celebrate the joys of family togetherness.

The magic of Madhubala is the magic of Hindi cinema. She epitomizes all the grace and feminine beauty that make those flickering images on the screen come alive as a collective emblem of the life force. And to think that she died so young. 36 is no age to die. Not for one of the most beautiful women God ever created….or maybe He needed to have her up there to beautify heaven.

Madhubala is synonymous with beauty, just as Lata Mangeshkar is the epitome of melody.

The Nightingale Lataji recalled meeting Venus socially. “She was always warm and friendly. Though everyone stressed her breathtaking beauty, Madhubala never took her looks seriously.”

God knows, Madhubala turned Hindi cinema into an ambrosial paradise for as long as she remained alive. Short-lived as her stardom was, the reign at the top was swift and splendid.

Born in a conservative Muslim family, Madhubala started...

From Vishal Bhardwaj’s Shakespearean trilogy Maqbool (based on Hamlet), Omkara (Othello) and Haider (Hamlet), Maqbool is the rawest, most honest and untarnished adaptation.

Maqbool transports us to a threshold of pain and redemption hitherto unknown to Hindi cinema. Because this is Shakespeare’s Macbeth trans-located to Mumbai’s underworld, and because Bhardwaj has selected a dream cast to portray his nightmarish world of crime and retribution, Maqbool takes its emotional content beyond any other film from the genre.

The writing on the wall is so clear, coherent, and redemptive that even Shakespeare would smile indulgently at the artistic liberties Bhardwaj has taken with the original text. Maqbool opens a whole new universe of passion- play, unexplored in the original text. Bhardwaj reveals the politics of lust and passion with a sure-handedness seldom witnessed in Hindi cinema.

Hence, the King from Shakespeare becomes a doddering, paunchy underworld kingpin, Abbaji (Pankaj Kapoor...

There was one occasion when Dev Anand, forced to quit a blue-collar job he depended on for sustenance, ripped his elder brother Chetan Anand of Rs (the then) princely sum of Rs 5,000 to launch a less than moral venture, and if this was not enough, began wooing the girl his younger brother Vijay ‘Goldie’ Anand fancied, and eventually in luring her away.

If these sordid revelations shock you, do not think too badly of Dev Anand. For all this did not happen in real life, but in reel life, in the social romantic comedy “Kala Bazaar” (1960), which has several distinctions to its credit but chiefly stands out for being the only film in which all the three Anand brothers acted together.

While Chetan Anand had directed the early Dev Anand films, he had sought to branch out on his own after “Taxi Driver” (1954) to indulge in his own creativity, and...

There was one occasion when Dev Anand, forced to quit a blue-collar job he depended on for sustenance, ripped his elder brother Chetan Anand of Rs (the then) princely sum of Rs 5,000 to launch a less than moral venture, and if this was not enough, began wooing the girl his younger brother Vijay ‘Goldie’ Anand fancied, and eventually in luring her away.

If these sordid revelations shock you, do not think too badly of Dev Anand. For all this did not happen in real life, but in reel life, in the social romantic comedy “Kala Bazaar” (1960), which has several distinctions to its credit but chiefly stands out for being the only film in which all the three Anand brothers acted together.

While Chetan Anand had directed the early Dev Anand films, he had sought to branch out on his own after “Taxi Driver” (1954) to indulge in his own creativity, and...

Three-fourth of his 88-year-long life was spent in acting and of these, six and a half decades, over half, had Dev Anand playing the lead (romantic) role, even as his peers and even several of his leading ladies had moved on or out. In the process, Dev Anand ended up being paired against at least three generations of heroines, if not four, as he transitioned from his early days where his female co-lead was the bigger star to a time when most actresses were keen on working with him as he sauntered from success to success with that charming demeanour and the winning smile.

While most of his early heroines, say, Kamla Kotnis, who was cast against him in his debut “Hum Ek Hai” (1946), Kamini Kaushal, the heroine of his first hit “Ziddi” (1948), Khursheed Bano or Nimmi or Shakila will only be familiar to hardcore film buffs or movie historians,...

Three-fourth of his 88-year-long life was spent in acting and of these, six and a half decades, over half, had Dev Anand playing the lead (romantic) role, even as his peers and even several of his leading ladies had moved on or out. In the process, Dev Anand ended up being paired against at least three generations of heroines, if not four, as he transitioned from his early days where his female co-lead was the bigger star to a time when most actresses were keen on working with him as he sauntered from success to success with that charming demeanour and the winning smile.

While most of his early heroines, say, Kamla Kotnis, who was cast against him in his debut “Hum Ek Hai” (1946), Kamini Kaushal, the heroine of his first hit “Ziddi” (1948), Khursheed Bano or Nimmi or Shakila will only be familiar to hardcore film buffs or movie historians,...

Around the turn of the century, modern reimaginings of Shakespeare had reached a fever pitch. Audiences were rediscovering the Bard's work through a string of stylish Hollywood films ranging from Baz Luhrmann's bombastic “Romeo + Juliet” to Michael Almereyda's gen-x-courting “Hamlet” to fun teen comedies like “10 Things I Hate About You.” It wasn't long before the trend reached the Indian film industry, which had previously produced only a small selection of Shakespeare adaptations. The charge was led by Vishal Bhardwaj, who received widespread acclaim for 2003's “Maqbool,” his violent take on “Macbeth” featuring Irrfan Khan in the lead role. Transposing the Scottish Play's power struggles to 21st-century Mumbai, Bhardwaj takes a haunting approach to the material, leaning into the bloodshed while playing with the supernatural moodiness and psychological torment of its protagonist. Bhardwaj would continue his Shakespeare trilogy with “Omkara” (“Othello”) in 2006 and “Haider” (“Hamlet”) in 2014, both...

FilmsOf late, Malayalam cinema has had a lot of nuanced narratives headlining teens, and they have mostly been well-received. We track the evolution of teen and young adult representation on screen over the years.Mathew, Krishnachandran, AnaswaraMalayalam cinema hasn’t really explored the conflicts that come with teenage as it should have. Instead, we have mostly been rallying around the various dimensions of adulthood—alpha, domesticated, violent, powerful, flawed men and often domesticated yet occasionally empowered, distinctive women. Sporadically we have had stories about teen sexual awakenings (Rathinirvedham), rebellion (Deshadanakili Karayarilla), infatuation, and, teen pregnancy (Notebook). Of late, Malayalam cinema has had a lot of nuanced narratives headlining teens, and they have mostly been well-received. These films have also introduced us to a whole new range of fine talents. We track the evolution of teen and young adult representation in Malayalam cinema over the years. Ammini (Selma), in the Mt...

In the upcoming ‘Shukravaar Ka Vaar’ episode of ‘Bigg Boss 16’, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan will be seen schooling Sajid Khan over the prank played on Abdu Rozik and confusing the Tajikstani’s feeling for Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia.

A promo shows Salman telling Sajid, “First you make Abdu carry out such plans like the birthday message for Nimrit and then you tell him to stay away from her. So I am not able to understand this.”

For the unversed, Sajid suggested Abdu write ‘Happy Birthday Nimmi’ on his body to wish Nimrit on her birthday.

At the same time, when Abdu requested them to write ‘I love you’ on his back, “I love tatti” was written on his back.

Salman told Sajid that he too, like many others, didn’t like the joke. Sajid clarifies that it was not at Abdu’s expense at all. Salman tells Abdu next time to not tolerate such jokes.

Actress Mridula Oberoi, currently seen playing a negative role Nimmi in Ektaa R Kapoor’s show ‘Appnapan’, shares a few memories as she completes five years in the industry. The actress recalls arriving in Mumbai to fulfil her dreams. She says: “I remember, I landed in Mumbai only with three things: conviction, belief and a purpose in life leaving behind everything, my family, my kid, financial security, comfort, luxurious life which is not easy to get out of but I believed in myself and dared to follow my inner voice.”

She goes on to say: “I still remember the day I landed, it was raining while waiting for my cab. I called home and said to my dad that this is the place I was searching for in so many years of life. The city has surely made me a better person. I have evolved, outgrown my fears of life and have gone limitless.

Mumbai, June 18 (Ians) ‘Kumkum Bhagya’ actress Mridula Oberoi turns antagonist for Ekta Kapoor’s TV show ‘Appnapan’ which stars Cezanne Khan and Rajshri Thakur in lead roles. She says: “I’m excited to have this show. I will be seen playing a negative role, Nimmi. I’m glad that Tanusri (Dasgupta) and Palki (Malhotra) ma’am chose me […]...

Dada Saheb Phalke Awardee and eminent music maestro Naushad needs no introduction for he is the first music director in the film industry who gave a new impetus to popular music in Indian cinema. The country honoured him with multiple awards like the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his invaluable contribution to Indian Cinema.

May 5 marks the death anniversary of this legend; Glamsham.Com remembers him on this occasion and brings forth why he was considered such a great music director.

In the 60s Naushad was ruling the roost and was the first choice of every big film producer. One among them was H. S. Rawail, eminent film director, who was directing his first home production Mere Mehboob.

Since Rawail was producing his first film he wanted it to be magnum opus. He had hired top notch stars of the 60s like Rajendra Kumar, Sadhna,...

“Love, star-crossed love, being in love with the idea of love, passion and lust — he takes me through his personal repertoire of romance, his voice soft, if a bit gruff at the edges.”

– Madhu Jain on Raj Kapoor in her book The Kapoors: First Family of Indian Cinema

In Barsaat, two rich city slickers, Pran (Raj Kapoor) and Gopal (Prem Nath), go on holiday in the mountains of Kashmir. Pran, the sensitive, poetic one of the pair, meets Reshma (Nargis), and the two fall in love. Gopal, the womaniser, meets Neela (Nimmi), who faithfully waits for him to return during the monsoon season (the Barsaat of the film’s title); the faithless Gopal, however, has no intention of returning, preferring to spend his time galavanting with other women.

Barsaat, really, is a film about love — about a kind of philosophy of love. Pran and Reshma represent true love, love at...

The script has changed in Bollywood in the last 60 years - the women are more worldly, the men more macho and the cinema itself more techno-savvy, almost as good as Hollywood, says veteran cinema writer and critic Bhaichand Patel..The women in Hindi cinema are more assertive though no less beautiful (than yesteryear ones), they often smoke on screen and they are equal to men. Mainstream cinema has been a good trend-setter for equality of gender - it is happening now,. Patel told us..The hero, however, has not changed as much as women though they - the crop represented by Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and Amitabh Bachchan - are a little more physical and action-oriented than the early superstars like Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar..A former Un official, Patel studied filmmaking at New York University.His new book, Bollywood.s Top 20: Superstars of Indian Cinema launched Monday,...

'Barsaat' (1949)

Starring Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Premnath, Nimmi

Raj Kapoor, one of the biggest stars of the decade following India's independence, started his own production company, R.K. Films, in 1948, and 'Barsaat' was the studio's second film and its first success. The movie poster for 'Barsaat'—which shows Kapoor holding his famous leading lady Nargis in his arms—became the iconic image of the studio. 'Barsaat' exemplifies Kapoor's filmmaking in its focus on social barriers to love and its sexualized portrayal of women.

Postmodern in theme and style, the film de-emphasizes plot and debates moral relativism. The title means "Monsoon," and rain, with its association with fertility, is a common cue in Bollywood for sex. Monsoons are also dark, intense, and violent, as is the mood of this film.

Pran (Kapoor) and his friend Gopal (Kapoor's brother-in-law Premnath) are privileged men with the trappings of a modern lifestyle,...

Fame is fickle. Sadhana, Nanda and Nimmi, who were the toast of Hindi cinema, are long forgotten now and lead secluded lives in a city that once worshipped them. Others like Parveen Babi, Nadira and Suraiya died lonely and unloved.Parveen was considered one of the most glamorous actresses in the 1970s and was often seen playing modern, unconventional women in films like 'Deewaar', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Shaan' and 'Kaalia'.The actress had much talked about affairs with Kabir Bedi and Mahesh Bhatt but never married. She was said to be suffering from a delusional disorder and in her last days, addiction to drugs and alcohol left her to lead a secluded life. She was found dead in her apartment in 2005 due to complications from diabetes.Something similar happened to Nadira. Often cast as a vamp, she made her name with '...