Filmi Ladies

This amazing all-rounder required looking at different kinds of films: of course Rangeela (1995) and Ek Hasina Thi (2004), but also Khoobsurat (1999), Dillagi (1999), and Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (2001). 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽 Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062 @filmiladies on...

We travel to colonial Bengal and encounter the idle rich, a bejeweled beauty, a perennially bemused bumpkin, and a sparkly, sprightly lady - and of course a crumbling haveli with bad juju. In this episode we discuss Saheb Bibi Golam (Bengali, 1956) and Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam (Hindi, 1962). Read Prof. Philip Lutgendorft's essay on SBG (Hindi version): https://indiancinema.sites.uiowa.edu/sahib-bibi-...

This is the first episode in a new series about films we associate with particular colors. Black may be the most complicated color, evoking traits from elegance and edge to sadness, anger, mourning, and destructiveness. For a color that can be so striking, it often screams "don't look too closely." Neither of us could resist choosing a black and white film, but that's where the s...

Happy New Year, friends! We hope 2025 is kind to all of us! In the spirit of the new year, we discuss movies that discuss new beginnings. Beth chose Queen (2014) and Pitu chose Bend It Like Beckham (2002). So many lovely things to say about these films that celebrate believing in yourself and taking chances. ✨️ Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0...

Bringing the energy we want for 2025, it's everyone's favorite bolt of sunshine: Juhi Chawla! In talking about a range of her films - Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Yes Boss (1997), and 3 Deewarein (2003) - we also discuss her unique traits, why she's so good with Shah Rukh Khan, whether comedy really is not as well regarded as drama, and what acting even IS. Did you...

Let it snow!! Snow conjures up visions of giddy delight, snowball fights, hijinks, romance, hushed wonder but also eerie, claustrophobic scenes invoking dread. We discuss two movies where being snowed in is a thing. Junglee (1961) and Gaddaar (1973). (Beth couldn't find Junglee with subtitles online, but Gaddaar is on the Internet Archive! https://archive.org/details/gaddaar-1973-hindi.-dv-drip.-4...

Spoilers abound in this discussion of two recent-ish films. If you saw either of these, share your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062 @filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on Instagram Beth is @bethlovesbollywood on Bluesky Email...

In her 40+ year career, Madhuri has out-acted her co-stars and peers, out-danced everyone, done films, streaming and reality shows and looked fabulous while doing it. We discuss Pukar (2000) (where she plays perhaps her only negative role?), Khel (1992), Deewana Mujhsa Nahi (1990), Khalnayak (1993) and Sailaab (1990). Tell us your favorite Mads movies! Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://...

* This episode contains many spoilers for both films under discussion! * Both Anjali and Poo are grown up and being badass detectives in Do Patti (2024) and The Buckingham Murders (2023). While we enjoyed both movies, there were quite a few things that made us go HUH??? Kriti Sanon also turns in a Seeta aur Geeta twin role but it's all quite bleak. What are your favorite lady detective films? Subs...

What do you watch when you need a hug from the screen? For us, it's American comedies When Harry Met Sally (1989) and Legally Blonde (2001). What, like it's hard? Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062 @filmiladies on Instagram and Twitter Pitu is @pitusultan on Inst...

This week we focus on Feroz's Dharmatma, his 1975 adaptation of Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather (1972). * This episode contains spoilers for both the original and this adaptation! * * Content warning: this film is very violent towards women. It's violent in general, of course, but it feels extra brutal towards a few of its women, with at least one significant change from the arc of one of the...

Veer Zara celebrates its 20 year anniversary and Pitu and Beth disagree on basically everything about it. 😆 The only things we agree on: • Preity's cute outfits • Srk's frosted boy band tips • Pretty visuals • Amit and Hema being charming • The importance of public service??? What are your thoughts? Want more Yash Chopra? Listen to the Bollywood Drafts podcast episodes on YC's worst https://podca...

Joining our list of favorites is Eighties Lady Amrita Singh! While we didn't think she quite qualified as a superstar, Pitu (with her 80s and 90s expertise) knew Amrita's brash energy made her worth talking about. (PS Beth mentions both Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt as producers of Kalyug, and the film itself says "Mahesh Bhatt presents" and "Mukesh Bhatt production," so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ) What are your favor...

If you get together with cinematically-minded loved ones in the festive season, whatever your festivities are, these questions can make for great conversation! We want to know what you think about all of them in the comments. Many of Beth's questions were inspired by discussions on the podcasts Extra Hot Great (https://extrahotgreat.com/) and I Saw What You Did (https://www.exactlyrightmedia.com/i...

We talk about another good movie from the Maddock horror verse: Munjya. Points discussed: • Green flag heroes • Suhas Joshi as Aaji 😍 • Entitled boys • Marathi Gollum • The Billy Graham Show??? • Annoying uncles Tell us what you thought! Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id...

We are firmly in the 80s now as Meenakshi Seshadri is our first 80s superstar. A beautiful, talented actress and dancer, she doesn't get talked about as much as she should - and we are a bit puzzled as to why. Are you a Meenakshi fan and do you consider her a superstar? Which of her films or performances do you enjoy? Films discussed: Ghayal, Ghar Ho To Aisa, Swati, and Dilwaala. We have both...

To celebrate the birthday of the great Rekha, we watched Utsav (1984), Girish Karnad's adaptation of the ancient Sanskrit play Mrichakatika. In our totally unbiased opinion this is Rekha's film through and through, but really everyone and everything else is great, with one exception that you can probably guess. This is one of our favorite Rekha performances! What are yours? Other discussions: • Is...

It's a catch-up episode! We've been busy getting through our watchlists and have opinions! Pitu watched Laila Majnu (2018), Madgaon Express (2024), and The Perfect Couple (2024). Beth watched Bad Newz (2024) and...the vintage US tv series Moonlighting (1985–89)?!? Have you seen any of these movies? What have you guys been watching? Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify....

We discuss the brief but magnificent film career of Smita Patil—one of India's greatest actresses. Winner of the Padma Shri and several film awards, she was the face of art cinema and feminist narratives. Intense and smoldering, she was often the hero of the film. We also discuss her foray into commercial cinema. See the pinned comment for recommended films. What are your favorite Smita movies...

Taal turns 25 years old because Time is an illusion. Taal is the filmiest of filmy films, with a seriously OTT Anil, diva-like Aishwarya, and Akshaye being sensible lover boy. There is a lot of rain, some talk of tyaag and izzat, snooty rich people, a cute mop of a dog, and an unholy amount of sequins and razzle dazzle. A R Rahman delivers an absolutely epic score that is choreographed to perfecti...

We conclude our Kapoor series with the heir of the Kapoor dynasty - Ranbir. We discuss his versatility, his chameleon like ability to get into his character's skin, his dancing skills, the manchild description he is often labeled with, and his impressive filmography. For once, we pick the exact same ice cream flavor for an actor, and are inordinately proud of ourselves. Films discussed are Jag...

Dhoom dhoom dhoom dhoom! 20 years of fast bikes, fast cars, stylish locales and questionable fashion. Do the Dhoom movies float your boat? What are your thoughts on Uday Chopra as an actor? Do you agree with Beth that everyone in Dhoom is at maximum annoyance level? How do we feel about the liberal use of bronzer and body oil? Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9...

In this episode we discuss Stree, Stree 2 and all things terrifying from the Maddock horror universe. This is a very spoiler heavy episode so you've been warned. Tell us - how do you feel about Roohi, Bhediya and Munjya? What are your favorite Rajkumar Rao characters or movies? Is there an actor who can out-Pankaj Pankaj Tripathi? Did Stree 2 have the right combo of horror and comedy for you?...

because Filmi Ladies is turning 2! Thanks be to Patron Saint Dev Anand who inspires us to be bigger and better! We celebrate with Do Devs (actually 3, but who's counting?): Dev in a double role in Hum Dono and singular Dev in the singularly delightful Nau Do Gyarah. What are your favorite Dev movies? Where do you pin the beginning of his awkward decline? And what do you think is his legacy on...

Love Aaj Kal turns 15 years old! This movie was quite the rage back then and the fashions in it quite the moment. Has it held up? Yes for one of us, no for the other. Mostly we agree on Saif's fab performance, DP's okay one, and spend a few moments smiling happily as we think of Patron Saint Rishi Kapoor. Important notes: • Do not date your boss. • Bridge is not a job. • For a film about a...