Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast

In this episode, Dhruv, Amartya, Ahendrila, and Aryan share thier pain, anger, frustration, exasperation, and annoyance for the biggest Hindi-language film of the year. WARNING: THIS EPISODE IS SPOILER-FILLED, SNARKY, SARCASTIC, AND SALTY. Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach...

In this QID reunion, Dhruv, Aryan, and Amartya welcome back Lord Sanjeet to discuss a film that itself feels like a reinvigoration of the Hollywood spectacle. Critically, though, from a revisionist African American perspective. The four discuss the different degrees to which they each love and/or admire the film. Regardless, they agree that it is the most original piece of Blockbuster Cinema to co...

In the first, totally uncensored part of the episode, Dhruv, Aryan, and Amartya decide which version is better - the Spanish-language time-travel/murder-mystery thriller on Netflix - "Mirage" - or its official Indian remake, "Dobaaraa." By discussing both films individually and then detailing the minor (but integral) differences between the two films, they try to convince each other which version...

In this very special episode, Dhruv welcomes Filmstagrammer Devi, the voice behind the incredible page "film.trance," to discuss three of their favorite films that cleverly ride the line between art-house and mainstream cinema. Especially focusing on Bong-Joon Ho's "Parasite," they both gush about the meticulous construction of these films that help them dissect class division through their narrat...

In this very special episode, Dhruv welcomes returning guest Simon Ezra to talk about a film movement recommended by one of our listeners! We try to make sense of the origin of this Danish film movement, its absurdly strict rules (courtesy Lars Von Trier & Thomas Vinterberg), its flailing reputation, its influences, and some of its most seminal films. Do listen for an in-depth & spoiler-fi...

In this very special episode, Dhruv and Amartya welcome High on Films writer Ahendrila Goswami to talk about some essential feminist film theory and then apply it to two special films that they feel establish a different form of looking compared to mainstream cinema - Shoojit Sircar & Juhi Chaturvedi's "Piku," & Mira Nair and Sooni Taraporevala's adaptation of Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake...

In this episode, Dhruv and Aryan welcome cine-enthusiast and writer Sudeshna Oruganti to use Dharma Production's latest release, "JugJugg Jeeyo," as a springboard to talk about the state of comedy in the modern-day Hindi film industry. Using Hrishikesh Mukherjee's 1975 film, "Chupke Chupke," as an example of a "clean comedy," they question if it is possible to make a low-stakes, escapist comedy in...

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 episode, Sanjeet and Dhruv welcome Arijit back to continue their trek through Horror-Ville. This time they are venturing into the deep dark tunnel of contemporary art-house horror, first discussing their introduction to it and the general reception towards it nowadays. Then, they discuss two extremely divisive releases from this year - Alex Garland's "Men" and David Cronenberg's "Crim...

In this latest episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome back Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (critic at High on Films) for a "spiritual sequel" to their previously recorded episode on director Anubhav Sinha. They discuss the successes and failings of his latest film, aNEk, and how it stacks up against his previous three efforts - Mulk, Article 15, Thappad. Also, they end the episode by recommending Assamese films...

After an unannounced mid-season break, the QID members return to help with Dhruv's film school assignment. Sanjeet, Amartya, and Aryan share their thoughts about Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire," its controversial legacy, and the "The White Tiger" effect on it. Aryan faces technical difficulties; Sanjeet and Amartya suffer memory deficiency in trying to recall Ang Lee's "Life of Pi." To know th...

Miraculously, all four QID members (mostly) agree about the merits and demerits of the recent Hindi releases on streaming services. To find out about the specifics, listen to the rarest episode. Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify and rate us, if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people!  Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast   You can also foll...

In this very special episode, Dhruv & Amartya welcome returning guest Simon Ezra to discuss three films representing three different Japanese Cinema styles. They try to go beyond championing the maze-like narrative structure of "Rashomon," the fruitful provocations of "In the Realm of the Senses," and the meditative pacing of "Drive My Car" to contextualize each film as part of a particular st...

In this episode, Dhruv, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Amartya take on the never-ending Art vs. Artist debate fueled by the breaking news of two widely respected international auteurs - Asghar Farhadi and Sian Sono - being charged for two very different offenses. Discussing the severity of the charges leveled at these filmmakers, they get into unsolvable debates about the fine line between plagiarism and ins...

In this episode, Sanjeet & Dhruv welcome aspiring filmmaker, currently assistant to Vikramaditya Motwane, Jasmin Singh, to discuss all things Bollywood. Before that, though, we discuss her experience working with Mr. Motwane and the filmmaking choices of her lovely short film, "Purple." Listen to the full episode to hear at least two of us gush about "the art is heart" central to the success a...

In Part 2 of our Oscar discussions, QID members Dhruv and Aryan welcome High on Films writer Shashwat Sisodiya to briefly discuss (more like destruct) the awards ceremony before championing the Documentary and Animated Categories that were especially forgotten because of the Best (at least most noticeable) Male Performance of the evening. Also, sharp, hard-hitting punches thrown at the Screenplay...

In our most extended episode yet, QID members Sanjeet, Dhruv, Aryan, and Amartya stomp down the well-trodden Academy Awards lane. They find some pleasures in what is there. But, a whole lot more pain in what all is not. Listen to the full episode to know what they think about the significant contenders in almost all categories. The technical awards are NOT ignored. Follow our Instagram page: https...

In this episode, Batman experts Sanjeet and Amartya gush about the aesthetics and mystery-style narrative of the newest iteration of the Cape-Crusader. Novice Dhruv listens, learns, and, as usual, defuses their excitement. Check out this episode to know more! Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast You can also follow us on Instagram at: Sanjeet: https://www.instag...

In this episode, Dhruv interviews freelance film critic Mike McCahill (has previously written for "The Guardian," "The Reader's Digest") about what it is to watch and professionally review Indian Cinema (particularly Bollywood) outside of India. We discuss Mike's introduction to the Indian Film Industry, some surprising (maybe, shocking) films he likes that majority of Indian cinephiles don't, and...

In this episode, podcast hosts invite Maheedhar to discuss much anticipated Vikram-starrer 'Mahaan'. The film is directed by Karthik Subbaraj and also features the likes of Bobby Simha, Simran, Sananth, and Dhruv Vikram. We discuss what works in the film and what doesn't. We also preface Karthik Subbaraj's filmography and try to put the film in context. Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't al...

The OG QID members - Teja and Hemant - are back (at least for this episode)! They join Sanjeet and Dhruv to have a spoiler-filled discussion about the latest Amazon Prime release, "Gehraiyaan," that has initiated incredibly polarized responses. To find out if they are on a similar wavelength to each other and you, do listen! ************************************** Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you...

In this episode, Dhruv and Sanjeet welcome not one, but TWO "Filmstagram" influencers - Cinetasticc & Simp_For_Cinema a.k.a Yash & Itish - to discuss the films and filmmakers that made them see cinema and the world in different ways than they ever imagined. This allows them to talk about some common favorites, discuss why they are so obsessed with some filmmakers, and mandate that 8-year-o...

In this episode, Sanjeet, Aryan, and Amartya discuss the best regional films they saw this year as Dhruv bemoans the lack of time he invested in them. All four unanimously agree on one film’s excellence that has sadly been buried by the Netflix algorithm. This episode was recorded before Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana landed on OTT platforms, which we all unanimously agree was amongst the best tha...

In this episode, Sanjeet, Dhruv, and Simon introduce some major international film movements - Italian Neorealism, French New Wave, and Indian Parallel Cinema - before going through some of Simon's favorite, obscure ones, like the Czech New Wave. Then, each of us recommends three-four films/filmmakers whose films have gotten us more into the world of world cinema.  Also, featuring a never-heard-be...

Joining us on this episode is the "Filmstagram" sensation, The Bong Cinephile, a.k.a Simon Ezra! We talk extensively about the great questions sent by our listeners that have us discussing specific films (Simon's favorite of the year "Titane"), underseen ones, and the precarious position of independent cinema in the ever-growing Disney landscape. Watch out for Part 2, where Simon joins us in guidi...