Balaji Vittal

DDLJ worked decades ago as it was about a transition

October 27, 2023

DDLJ brought about another transition Two decades ago, the attribute of a good man was his austerity. A man from India migrates to London, settles there and has two children but holds on to his Indian roots. This was not Chaudhary Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri) from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge...

Jawan’s vigilante chronicles: A bollywood fantasy

September 15, 2023

Over the electronic screen, Azaad addresses his audience directly, exclaiming, “Tum Azaad ho, tum Azad ho,” while pointing his index finger at various members. I’m referring to the climax of “Main Azaad Hoon” (1989). Since the 1940s, when historical themes made way for social issues in Hindi cinema, numerous movies...

The Godfather Influences filmmakers from different cultures

April 19, 2023

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather was released just over 50 years ago and instantly became an international rage and a game changing film in the mafia genre. Almost to this day, the classic inspires Indian film makers across languages – in part, or in full. The first two were Feroze...