Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast

Hello, Hello Hello, In this new episode of QID, Dhruv, Sanjeet, Amartya and Srilekha, discuss the new Netflix show Killer Soup starring the very fantastic Konkana Sensharma & Manoj Bajpayee, directed by common favourite Abhishek Chaubey. Uncommonly, though, we came out with polarized views, with two of us loving the show’s darkly delicious tone and the other two bemoaning its unnecessary edgin...

In this annual year-end episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome three returning guests -- Devi (@film.trance), Adithiyan (@curioseradithiyan), and Yadhu (@immersive_cinema) -- to discuss each of thier top 5 favorite Indian films (best is only for the title, it's always subjective!) from the past year. These include films from all Woods - Bolly, Tolly, Kolly, Molly! The five extensively discuss film...

In this very special episode specifically designed to counteract the negativity spread by two QID members on our YouTube Livestream, Dhruv and Aryan — two self-proclaimed Hiranites — talk about the director’s pre-“Dunki” and “Sanju” output to celebrate his contribution to contemporary Indian cinema. Aryan does bring up “Dunki” sadly to begin our discussion. But we swiftly move away from it to disc...

Taking a cue from recent Bollywood releases, we have decided to leave our latest episode unedited. So get ready for the most extensive discussion on Sandeep Reddy Vanga's hollow provocations in "Animal," the most accurate Sanjeet impression (courtesy Aryan) as we collectively gush about Vidhu Vinod Chopra's uplifting "12th Fail," and the most detailed breakdown of Meghn...

Away from MAMI contamination, Dhruv and Sanjeet invite Varun and Hemanth to discuss "Killers of the Flower Moon" in full. Everything from specific problems with perspectives to why those problems are not actually major problems are discussed and debated here. Do listen to the full episode to get a detailed breakdown of what we thought of the film's narrative choices, lead performance...

In this somewhat unplanned continuation of our David Fincher "The Killer" obsession, Amartya, Dhruv, and Srilekha discuss two of the director's widely acclaimed serial killer films -- "Se7en" (1995) and "Zodiac" (2007) -- that shine more light on the psyche of those pursuing the killer than the killer himself. Thanks to another podcast regular -- Simon Ezra (@thebongcinephile) -- our Fincher trail...

In QID’s last part from the MAMI series, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about what they watched on Days 6, 7 & 8 of MAMI. Short, non-spoilery discussions on Vikramaditya Motwane's new documentary “Indi(r)a's Emergency”, Sofia Coppola's "Priscilla", "Ghaath", "La Chimera" and many more. Also features, Dhruv discussing his sickness and how MAMI is responsible for it, Aryan's generic socio-political...

In this unexpectedly topical (it's Noirvemeber!) episode, the QID gang talks about the recently released David Fincher film on Netflix -- "The Killer," starring Michael Fassbender. Rather than just talk about what we liked and disliked about the film, we use its release to look back at the neo-noir film that continues to inspire auteur-driven assassin projects -- Jean Pierre Melville...

In QID’s third in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about what all they watched on Day 3, 4 & 5 of MAMI. Short, non-spoilery discussions on “Joram”, "Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa", "Fallen Leaves", Gujarati critical darling "Kayo Kayo Colour" and many more. Also features, Dhruv discussing his sickness and how MAMI is responsible for it, Aryan's generic socio-political mumbo-j...

In QID’s second in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan and Dhruv talk about what all they watched (and stupidly missed) on Day 2 & 3 of MAMI.Short, non-spoilery discussions on “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Green Border,” “Stolen,” and “Maestro.” Long, non-spoilery discussion on Anurag Kashyap’s “Kennedy.” Also, featuring a one-sided argument about why watching films on a laptop is better than watc...

In QID’s first in-person recorded episode, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about their film festival experiences, why MAMI provides ammunition for the “Cinema is Dead” argument, and their non-spoilery thoughts on the first films they watched at MAMI. (Sanjeet and Aryan decided to include “Killers of the Flower Moon” as part of the discussion. That’s what we debate about most in the episode.) Listen...

In this special Halloween episode, Dhruv, Amartya & Simon discuss the explosion of Japanese horror in the late 90s and early 2000's. We discuss their diverse styles that all talk about the alienation caused by the internet boom thematic elements. Do listen for an in-depth & spoiler-filled discussion of all three films! **Apologies for some of the background noise in the episode**    Fo...

In this new episode, Amartya and Sanjeet discuss the new Lokesh Kanagaraj film "Leo", starring Thalapathy Vijay, among other stars. We discuss what we liked/disliked in the film, championing the film for its decision to move away from the generic star vehicles that have been popular recently in Tamil and Telugu cinema. Kanagaraj's 5 film career so far has been driven by his unique di...

In this very special episode, Dhruv, Aryan, and Ashwani welcome Amith -- handler of the now inactive Mactacritic page on Instagram -- to celebrate the works of arguably THE essential filmmaker of our times, Jafar Panahi. The Iranian filmmaker, already known internationally for his docu-fiction work before his arrest, molded that aesthetic in defiant, perceptive, and self-reflexive ways post-arrest...

In this episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome back QID OG Hemant to talk about Vishal Bharadwaj’s latest espionage thriller recently released on Netflix — “Khufiya.” Starring Tabu, Ali Fazal and Wamiqa Gabbi, Bharadwaj’s latest project promises to be both moving and thrilling. But is it? Listen to the full episode to know our thoughts on the film! After the initial, spoiler-free discussion, we delve...

In this episode, Dhruv, Amartya, Shashwat, and a special new guest -- Srilekha Mitra (writer for High on Films, Youth Ki Awaaz, The Red Sparrow, and other publications) -- talk all about the delightfully artifice-laden worlds of Wes Anderson. First, we discuss Anderson's auteurism, discussing its value (or lack thereof) in today's filmmaking world for audiences and critics alike. Then, we...

In this impromptu episode, Dhruv listens to Amartya vent about the recently released Netflix thriller starring Kareena Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma -- "Jaane Jaan." An official adaptation of Keigo Higashino's "The Devotion of Suspect X," Ghosh's film deviates significantly from its source material, squandering the novel's tragic emotionality without addi...

In this (much longer than planned) discussion of SRK's latest blockbuster, "Jawan" (2023), we spend half the episode setting up multiple contexts that help us each inform our disparate reactions to the film. Amartya, Aryan, and Dhruv talk about the Bollywood context -- the Angry Young Man films of the 70s, SRK, and the industry today. And our special guest, Adithiyan (@curioseradithi...

In this episode, Sanjeet, Dhruv, Aryan, and returning guest, Shashwat discuss their three favorite films of the year (up till and including July). Not limited to any particular language or industry, this discussion gives you a wide variety of films from all over the world that fascinated us in ways that we had not anticipated. Check out this episode to know more. Follow our Instagram page: https:/...

In this special episode, Amartya and Dhruv remember William Friedkin -- the great American director who recently passed away at the age of 87. First, we discuss our introductions to his filmography, simultaneously elaborating upon his status as a critical 70s New Hollywood filmmaker. Then, we take a deep dive into 5 of his films, some seminal from the 70s -- "The French Connection" (1971...

In this long overdue episode, Dhruv, Sanjeet, and Amartya invite back Sanket Mistry (@Cinephile Sanket on YouTube) to discuss two different types of films from one of his favorite genres -- The Historical Epic. We begin by situating the origin of this type of film to the 50s and 60s. Then, we delve into things that enthrall and frustrate us now when we watch William Wyler's "Ben-Hur"...

In our second (!) episode that's on all things Karan Johar, Dhruv is joined by returning KJo-Stan Jasmin A. Singh (@jasssipinkman) and a brand new card-holding member of the party, Aryan (@aryantalksfilm), to discuss Karan Johar's latest film that's (to our surprise/shock) being liked by everyone. We reiterate what everyone loved -- Ranveer Singh, his chemistry with Alia Bhatt, and the...

Tis' Nolan Month!   Dhruv and Amartya conduct a full retrospective of the director's work, with Varun Bhakay (@cinephilestock) and Prithwish Roy (@little.lord_fauntleroy) joining in for all the discussions. Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (@safaed_syaahi) returns. And Sanjeet replaces Dhruv for this ep to take control of the exponentially increasing episode runtimes.   In Part 4, we look at two Nolan...

Tis' Nolan Month!   Dhruv and Amartya conduct a full retrospective of the director's work, with Varun Bhakay (@cinephilestock) and Prithwish Roy (@little.lord_fauntleroy) joining in for all the discussions.   New Team Member: Self-Ascribed “Nolan Megafan” Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (@safaed_syaahi)   In Part 3, we look at the films that gave birth to Dhoom 3 and Nolan’s annoying fandom. This is,...

Tis' Nolan Month! Dhruv and Amartya conduct a full retrospective of the director's work, with Varun Bhakay (@cinephilestock) and Prithwish Roy (@little.lord_fauntleroy) joining in for all the discussions. In Part 2, we follow Amartya's lead into Nolan's Batcave -- the series that propelled him to fame. Discussing each film from the Trilogy, we note how he fuses his sensibilities wi...