March 2021: Rahul Desai’s reccos
Here's a list of film critic Rahul Desai's favourite titles across OTT platforms.
The best and worst Hindi films of 2020
Year ender: We present to you the best and worst of Hindi cinema in 2020.
Rahul Desai’s streaming diary: November
Film critic Rahul Desai's streaming diary for the month of November 2020.
Pankaj Sachdeva’s Hindi film trivia
More of Pankaj Sachdeva's (visual) Hindi film trivia – complete with comparisons and screenshots.
Trailer Review: Anaarkali of Aarah
Our trailer review of the upcoming Swara Bhaskar starrer (feels good to say that!), Anaarkali of Aarah.
In Good Shape
We write about the first season of 'Not Fit', India's first mockumentary web-series about a struggling actor and his adventures in Mumbai's shifty tinsel-town inner lanes.
2015: Hindi Movies That Nobody Watched
An intrepid critic lists down the little-known debacles and B-movies in 2015 that nobody (in their right mind) probably watched.
Interview with the cast and crew of ‘Daadi’
Check out our video interview with the cast and crew of 'Daadi', including director David Andrew Stoler, producer and actor Purva Bedi, and actor Shelle Davis, at the New York Indian Film Festival! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hegop7Gvss&feature=youtu.be
‘Anumati’ Review
"Anumati", directed by Gajendra Ahire, was the winner of Best Feature Film at the 2013 New York Indian Film Festival, as well as Vikram Gokhle winning for Best Actor for his performance as the main character, Ratnakar. Courtesy of http://marathimoviemarketing.com Loss of a loved one is very difficult for many to undergo, and it is no surprise. The process can be heartwrenching, watching one's health deteriorate in front of one's eyes, witnessing the pain and struggle firsthand. Alternatively, the shock of a sudden loss can thrust one into an alternate reality, with the defense mechanisms of denial and [...]
Confessions from Brown Hollywood with Kiran Deol
Last week I had the chance to sit down with the lovely and hilarious Kiran Deol during the Tribeca Film Festival. Deol plays the role of Roopa Raj in Meera Menon's award-winning film "Farah Goes Bang." In addition to being an actress who has appeared on shows like "Modern Family" and "Weeds", she also directed and developed an Emmy-nominated documentary called "Woman Rebel." If that wasn't enough, she's also a really funny stand-up comedian. Kiran Deol plays Roopa in "Farah Goes Bang" IIF: Tell me about how you got involved with this movie, "Farah Goes Bang." Deol: They released [...]
Kiefer Sutherland, Kate Hudson and Riz Ahmed talk ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’
IIF was recently invited to partake in a small round-table discussion with "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" Director Mira Nair and cast members Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson and Kiefer Sutherland. IIF as well as a few other writers and outlets discussed everything from South Asian culture to perception in this day and age. Here are a few highlights from the conversation with Kiefer Sutherland, Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson. IIF's questions are highlighted in green while the regular bold questions are from the other members of the press. Kiefer Sutherland discusses "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" What’s it like working with Mira as a [...]
Mira Nair talks ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ and perception in a post 9/11 world
IIF was recently invited to partake in a small round-table discussion with "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" Director Mira Nair and cast members Riz Ahmed, Kate Hudson and Kiefer Sutherland. IIF as well as a few other writers and outlets discussed everything from South Asian culture to perception in this day and age. Here are a few highlights from the conversation with Mira Nair. IIF's question is highlighted in green while the regular bold questions are from other members of the press. Mira Nair discusses "The Reluctant Fundamentalist" IIF: There is a relationship in this movie, I've noticed, with the artistic and [...]
SAIFF 2012 kicks off tonight with the “South Asian Rising Star Film Awards”
The South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) kicks off tonight with an awards ceremony celebrating the rising stars of South Asian cinema. IIF will be there all week covering everything we possibly can. Below is a press release with all the nominees and information. The festival is co-sponsored by HBO. NEW YORK CITY September 25, 2012 – The South Asian International Film Festival; presented by HBO, celebrates its ninth year in 2012 and together announce the nominees for first-ever South Asian Rising Star Film Awards Gala Dinner. The 2012 Nominees for all Nine (9) Award Categories are: Best Lead [...]
An interview with Sakti Sengupta, Director of NJISACF
Similar to the production issues in getting an independent movie made, putting on a festival highlighting these films is no simple task. It involves fundraising, curating and creativity. Which all simply translates to a lot of late nights for Sakti Sengupta, Director of the New Jersey International South Asian Cinefest, and his staff. Mr. Sengupta was kind enough to discuss the process of putting on a festival like this, his attraction to independent films and much more with IIF recently. IIF: How would you describe the success of the festival this year in comparison to previous years? Sakti Sengupta: Every [...]
IIF Exclusive: An Interview with Imtiaz Ali
Imtiaz Ali, the director of such hits in India like "Rockstar" and "Love Aaj Kal", was in New Jersey for the weekend to introduce an independent film called "Dekh Indian Circus" at NJISACF. While he was there, he graciously took the time to speak to IIF about the definition of independent films, the challenges of a filmmaker and what audiences expect from their movies. Imtiaz Ali and Paresh Jha after the interview. Ali was in New Jersey for the New Jersey Independent South Asian Cinefest. IIF: Being such a big director in the Indian Film Industry and working [...]
“Listen Amaya” takes home top honors at NJISACF
The New Jersey Independent South Asian Cinefest has come to a close after an eventful weekend full of interesting films and visits from director Imtiaz Ali and actress Deepti Naval. "Listen Amaya", which had its east coast premiere at the festival, took home top honors for Best Feature Film and Best Director Avinash Singh. The film closed to a standing ovation from festival goers. Here is the full list of this year's awards: Best Feature film: "Listen Amaya" produced by Avinash Singh and Geeta Singh Best Director: Avinash singh for "Listen Amaya" Best Actor : Adil Hussain for "Lessons in [...]
Imtiaz Ali introduces “Dekh Indian Circus” on NJISACF’s opening night
Friday night kicked off the New Jersey Independent South Asian Cinefest in Edison, NJ. The theater was packed as acclaimed director Imtiaz Ali was on hand to introduce the opening night film, "Dekh Indian Circus." Ali spoke fondly of the festival's mission to promote good cinema. He cited festival director Sakti Sengupta's vision and all the volunteers' hard work in organizing the event as crucial in spreading the word about South Asian films and filmmakers. "What they do for us is to help popularize the idea of cinema more and more. And to put it in the desi way, humara [...]
NJISACF begins tonight!
The New Jersey South Asian Cinefest (NJISACF) begins tonight in Edison, NJ! I am pleased to announce that IIF will be attending and covering all the fun. The festival has been around since 2007 and their mission is to "to promote and recognize the talents of the new,the established, the underrepresented, the best and the brightest Independent South Asian filmmakers from across the globe." This year will kickoff with a Q&A session with Imtiaz Ali, director of films like "Rockstar", "Love Aaj Kal" and "Jab We Met". Ali will also present the opening night film "Dekh Indian Circus", directed by [...]
