iiF Awards, Hindi Cinema, 2018
The fourth edition of our custom-made iiF Awards is here. Rewarding the best and worst of Hindi cinema in 2018.
The immortality of grief
A rock-climbing documentary and a space biopic collide to form a celestial body of fragile humanity.
The Circus of Cinema
Film essayist Pankaj Sachdeva delves into the depictions of the "Circus" - a dying art - in Hindi cinema.
Sairat: The Symphony of Cloud Nine
Film critic Rahul Desai throws back to the "storytelling" of the path-breaking music of Sairat - the Marathi blockbuster that subverted the norms of Indian mainstream cinema.
Laila Majnu: Love is Madness
Pankaj Sachdeva dissects the Imtiaz Ali-written undertones of Sajid Ali's Laila Majnu (2018) - an underrated film elevated by one of the best male performances of the year.
Gulabi Gang: What questions to ask, and when
A throwback to Nishtha Jain's illuminating 2014 documentary GULABI GANG -- not to be confused with the vapid Madhuri Dixit starrer Gulaab Gang -- by award-winning film critic Tanul Thakur.
Mulk: When Your Own Disown You
Pankaj Sachdeva deep-dives into one of the most passionately argued, well-acted and progressive Hindi films of 2018.
The anatomy of movie marriages
Film critic Rahul Desai explores the narrative language of "marriage" in modern Hindi cinema.
Breaking the Fourth Wall in Hindi Cinema
Pankaj Sachdeva delves into the various ways Bollywood characters break the fourth wall in the movies.
Karwaan: Finding Focus
Pankaj Sachdeva deep-dives into the themes and observations of Akarsh Khurana's KARWAAN.
The cutters of consciousness
Film critic Rahul Desai delves into two separate films in 2018 about documentary makers and their unique perception of memories.
Once Again: Pehli Baar Phir Se
Pankaj Sachdeva explores Kanwal Sethi's mature, atmospheric "Once Again" - a Netflix release starring Shefali Shah and Neeraj Kabi.
Raazi: If the heart agrees
By Pankaj Sachdeva Meghna Gulzar's Raazi is the story of Sehmat (Alia Bhatt) who is a daughter, a wife, and a spy. The film is based on Harinder Sikka's novel Calling Sehmat which itself was inspired by real events. Sehmat is the twenty-year-old daughter of Hidayat Khan (Rajit Kapur) who dedicated his life to the service of his nation. He asks Sehmat to get married to a Pakistani major's son Iqbal (Vicky Kaushal) so that she can spy on the secret plans of the other nation's army and relay them to the Indian intelligence. Sehmat is raazi (in agreement) to do the same and becomes a raazi (keeper of [...]
Par Ek Din: The haze of city voices
Rahul Desai writes about Par Ek Din, a 89-minute documentary (streaming on Youtube) that features the struggles of an obscure Mumbai-based music band.
Anatomy: “Chaav Laaga” from Sui Dhaaga
Pankaj Sachdeva delves into the themes and images of Sharat Katariya's beautifully designed song, Chaav Laaga, from the upcoming SUI DHAAGA.
The Insaaf Man of Malad
Pankaj Sachdeva dives deep beneath the metaphorical cape of Vikramaditya Motwane's BHAVESH JOSHI SUPERHERO.
The Saviours of Idealism
Writer Poulomi Das delves into two Hindi films where the pragmatism of the older characters shields the idealism of the vulnerable younger ones.
Lust Stories: Heart Matters
Pankaj Sachdeva dives deep into the most talked-about Indian anthology film of the year, LUST STORIES.
