Beyond Bollywood

The final episode of this season's Beyond Bollywood Podcast puts the spotlight on four big hits that are celebrating big anniversaries this summer. Lagaan, Gadar and Dil Chahta Hai turn 20 years old, and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD) was released a decade ago. What are the legacies of each film? Was 2001 a career-changing year for Aamir Khan? Could you relate to Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar or Abhay Deol's characters in ZNMD? Have these films stood the test of time or are they problematic for a 2021 audience? Join Haroon with podcaster Raj Pander and Akanksha Bhatia, who is the sub-editor of Scoop Woop, as they dissect each film without a tinted lens.

From colourism, to fat shaming and how minority communities are represented - this episode explores prejudices portrayed in Bollywood and questions whether things are changing. Are characters like Bhumi Pednekar in Dum Laga Ke Haisha progressive or should they have used a 'bigger' actress rather than making her gain weight for the role? Is Vidya Balan the only actress flying the flag for women with 'real' bodies? Are Punjabis always portrayed as loud and drunk and Muslims depicted as terrorists? And is fair still considered more beautiful in songs and storylines? From Priyanka Chopra-Jonas' rock-bottom moment in the film Fashion to Hrithik Roshan blacking up in Super 30 - is colourism an issue in Bollywood?

Haroon Rashid chats to student Jasmine Rai who based her dissertation on minority representation in films, Tik-Tokker Shabaz Ali and former film/TV critic, Imaan Zia

Haroon chats to Tik-Tok couple Ahmed and Nimrah Zaman about Bollywood soundtracks – what on earth has happened to the music? From 90s albums you could listen to on repeat like AR Rahman's Rangeela or Jatin-Lalit's Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge; to one-hit wonders and remixed tracks like "Deedar De" or "Cheez Badi" – this episode takes you through a time tunnel of the highs and lows of filmi music over the last few decades.

With stars like Salman Khan in his 50s romancing Disha Patani who's in her 20s in the film Radhe; why is it so common for actors to star opposite heroines half their age? Does Akshay Kumar have a strategy when it comes his leading ladies? Have actors with star kids like Anil Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan switched their acting game because their daughters are now heroines? Superstars of the 90s and 00s Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Juhi Chawla and even Kajol are struggling to make an impactful comeback - why is that?

There are so many questions to answer in this week's episode where Haroon Rashid is joined by film critic Rahul Desai from Film Companion in Mumbai and film buff Sanaa from London. They explore why the Hindi film industry discriminates against actresses once they turn a certain age or get hitched.

Nepotism has been the buzz word in B-town over the last few years, especially after the sudden death of rising star, Sushant Singh Rajput. Since then, film fans have started to question whether Bollywood is for those who know the right people rather than for those who can act. Would you rate Sara Ali Khan, Ananya Pandey, Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor or Alia Bhatt as talented actors if they weren’t born in to star families?

In this podcast, Haroon Rashid is joined by Nayandeep Rakshit from Bollywood Bubble and Amrita Tanna from BizAsia who dissect whether nepotism does really give a ‘star kid’ or ‘celeb mate’ the platform they need to shine; or does their fate ultimately depend on how talented an actor they are.

Would you boycott a star if they do something you just can’t forgive? How easy is it to watch their movies when you disagree with what they do or say in real life? The Khandaan Podcast’s presenters; Asim, Sujoy and Amrita join Haroon to dissect Bollywood. From Salman Khan’s many controversies, Kangana’s politics. Ranbir Kapoor’s love life and Vidya Balan’s lack of opinion on BLM – find out if they would cancel stars who don’t align with their beliefs.

Pakistani star Feroze Khan speaks exclusively to Haroon Rashid about the success of his drama Khuda Aur Mohabbat, his controversial choice of roles and why he can’t escape his “bad-boy” image. Feroze tells Haroon he doesn’t care what people think of him, shares his biggest fan moment and responds to claims that his characters promote toxic behaviour.

Stars of Sardar Ka Grandson; Arjun Kapoor, Neena Gupta and Rakul Preet Singh, alongside director Kaashvi Nair share anecdotes of making the latest Bollywood release on Netflix.

Arjun says he thought the story idea sounded "stupid" until he heard the script and was captivated. Neena said she instantly refused to play a 90-year-old woman until the screenplay won her over. And Rakul could relate to the film because her grandfather always dreamt of returning to his home in Pakistan. The team behind the film reminisce about how their grandparents spoilt them and find out what they think of how Pakistanis are portrayed in Bollywood films.

Bollywood's beloved bhai, Salman Khan says filmmaking is what gets him up in the morning and he wouldn't want a break because he finds holidays boring. He's looking forward to Radhe releasing worldwide - including the UK, as cinemas reopen after another lockdown. Find out if he finds action roles too physically challenging and how he snapped the Eid film release spot.

And in the second part of the podcast Haroon chats to Huma Qureshi who is celebrating a decade in Bollywood. She reveals how she bagged a Zack Snyder film to make her Hollywood debut with Army of the Dead, which releases on Netflix.

He's only 24 and already Rohit Saraf has shared the screen with A-listers like Alia Bhatt in Dear Zindagi, Priyanka Chopra-Jonas in The Sky is Pink and Abhishek Bachchan in Ludo. But he says he never dreamt of being an actor, in fact he wanted to be a dancer - and that dream came true with the music video "Shola" by singer Akasa. The rising star says he has more fun at work than partying with mates and feels he's "one of the luckiest people in the world" because of the adoration from his fans. Find out how he takes criticism and what he makes of his new pin-up status following the success of Netflix's teen rom-com, Mismatched.