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Shiva was a RGV cult classic when it initially came out. Shot in real locations and diverging from the normal Bollywood plotlines, it was a completely different experience in 1990 and left. A mark on you and the change the industry for ever.

However in 2024, with the advent of OTT and excellent plotlines, watching this was an underwhelming experience even after skipping all the songs.

Yes songs. Just like a typical Bollywood potboiler completely tacky and out of place. Nagarjuna's acting leaves much to be desired, though Amala is beautiful and fantastic. Overall the political - student-union nexus is brilliantly explored and Shivas quest for revenge and dominance is well thought out. I would have given it 9 stars in 1990, but this move does not stand the test of time.

I watched it a second time. Because I got hooked by its theme song on youtube. While it is quite progressive in some parts, its quite regressive in others. Like normalizing cousin marriage or the son/daughters having no agency in their own life decisions.

The women are modern, working and yet quite regressive. Maybe its reflection of the society, but I found it a but unpalatable in 2024.

Yet I rated it 9 stars. Because the two leads are just amazing. Fawad Khan is a directors actor. He is nuanced and expressive and Mahira khan is so lovely and adorable. The series was short and sweet with an epic final episode. Watching that was a cathartic experience.

I would rate it as one of the best of 2017, and one of Spielberg's best in recent times. In this age of 'fake news' its a reminder of the part that the free press plays in a democracy. Oscar worthy performance from Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.