Beyond Cinema with Nihita

Director: Vishal Bhardwaj

Screenplay: Vishal Bhardwaj, Robin Bhatt, Abhishek Chaubey

Based on “Othello” by William Shakespeare

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Konkana Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah, Deepak Dobriyal, Bipasha Basu

Cinematography: Tassaduq Hussain

Dialogues, Music & Background Score: Vishal Bhardwaj

Lyrics: Gulzar

"Omkara," a 2006 crime drama directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s "Othello," set in rural Uttar Pradesh. The film features a stellar ensemble cast and stands out for its authentic portrayal of rustic life, powerful performances, and a gripping storyline. The film’s music, especially the song "Bidi Jalaile," and its numerous awards and accolades cement its legacy in Hindi cinema.

Dor (2006)

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Writer: Sriram Raghavan & Pooja Ladha Surti

Producer: Ram Gopal Varma

Cast: Urmila Matondkar, Saif Ali Khan, Seema Biswas, Aditya Srivastava, Pratima Kazmi

Cinematography: C.K. Muraleedharan

Music & Background Score: Amar Mohile

"Ek Hasina Thi" is a 2004 Hindi neo-noir thriller directed by Sriram Raghavan, starring Urmila Matondkar and Saif Ali Khan. The film follows Sarika, a simple woman whose life is shattered when she falls in love with the charming but deceitful Karan. Wrongly imprisoned due to his machinations, Sarika endures brutal prison conditions and transforms into a vengeful force. The film is noted for its gripping screenplay, strong performances, especially Matondkar's and Khan's, and its realistic depiction of betrayal, prison life, and the pursuit of justice.

Dor (2006)

Screenplay & Direction: Nagesh Kukunoor

Based on the Malayalam film “Perumazhakkalam” by Kamal

Cast: Ayesha Takia, Gul Panag, Shreyas Talpade, Girish Karnad, Uttara Baokar & Prateeksha Lonkar

Music & Background Score: Salim- Sulaiman

In a cinematic landscape dominated by commercial blockbusters, the 2006 Hindi movie "Dor" stands out as a beacon of nuanced storytelling and emotional depth. Nagesh Kukunoor's masterful direction, combined with stellar performances by Ayesha Takia, Gul Panag, and Shreyas Talpade, makes "Dor" a film that is both timeless and poignant. It is a film that deserves to be revisited and celebrated for its artistic merit and the powerful messages it conveys.

Writer & Director: Rajat Mukherjee

Producer: Ram Gopal Varma

Cast: Urmila Matondkar, Fardeen Khan, Sonali Kulkarni, Suresh Oberoi & Rajpal Yadav

Cinematography: Sanjay Kapoor

Music: Sandeep Chowta

"Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya" (2001) explores the dark side of unrequited love through Ria (Urmila Matondkar), whose obsession with photographer Jai (Fardeen Khan) spirals into madness, jeopardizing his life and marriage. Directed by Rajat Mukherjee, the film delves into psychological drama, marked by haunting performances and intense visuals.

Director: Jag Mundhra

Writers: Carl Austin & Rahila Gupta

Based on: The Circle of Light (book)

Cast: Aishwarya Rai, Miranda Richardson, Robbie Coltrane, Naveen Andrews,Ray Panthaki & Nandita Das

Cinematography: Madhu Ambat

Music: A.R. Rahman

In this episode, we delve into the gripping 2006 biographical drama "Provoked," featuring Aishwarya Rai in one of her most powerful roles. The film portrays the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, an Indian woman who endures years of domestic abuse before fighting back and reshaping the British legal system. We explore Rai’s poignant performance, the film’s impactful storytelling, and its contribution to raising awareness about domestic violence among immigrant communities.

Director: Pradeep Sarkar

Based on: Parineeta novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt, Dia Mirza, Raima Sen, Sabyasachi Chakrabarty

Cinematography: Natarajan Subramaniam

Music: Shantanu Moitra

"Parineeta" ("The Married Woman") is a 2005 Hindi-language musical romance film adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1914 Bengali novella of the same name. Directed by Pradeep Sarkar in his debut, the screenplay was crafted by the film's producer, Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The movie features Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, and Vidya Balan (making her debut) in the lead roles, with Raima Sen, Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, and Dia Mirza in supporting roles. The film includes several notable references to Indian literature and cinema.

Director: Shakun Batra

Screenplay: Shakun Batra & Ayesha Devitre Dhillon

Producer: Karan Johar for Dharma Productions

Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Rajat Kapoor & Ratna Pathak Shah

Cinematography: Jeffery F. Bierman

Songs: Amaal Mallik, Badshah, Arko, Tanishk Bagchi, Benny Dayal, Nucleya

Background Score: Sameer Uddin

"Kapoor & Sons" is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language drama film that stands out as a masterclass in contemporary cinema. Directed by Shakun Batra and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film features an ensemble cast including Rishi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Fawad Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Rajat Kapoor. With a delicate balance of humor, emotion, and realism, "Kapoor & Sons" delves into the intricacies of family dynamics, personal aspirations, and the underlying tensions that often remain unspoken.

Writer, Director & Producer: Shoaib Mansoor

Cast: Humaima Malik, Atif Aslam, Iman Ali, Mahira Khan, Shafqat Cheema, Manzar Sehbai, Zaib Rehman, Amr Kashmiri

Music: Atif Aslam, Shoaib Mansoor, Sajjad Ali, Jafiey, Ahmed Jahanzeb, Hadiqa Kiyani, Ali Javed

Bol, a Pakistani film directed by Shoaib Mansoor, was released in 2011 and quickly garnered attention for its bold and unflinching exploration of social issues in Pakistani society. This film is not just a narrative but a profound statement on the systemic problems that plague many families and communities. It dives into the depths of gender discrimination, economic hardship, and the struggle between tradition and modernity.

Director: Tanuja Chandra

Writer: Mahesh Bhatt, Girish Dhamija

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta & Ashutosh Rana 

Lyrics: Sameer

Music: Jatin- Lalit

"Sangharsh," directed by Tanuja Chandra and penned by Mahesh Bhatt, stands as a hallmark in the genre of psychological thrillers within Hindi cinema. Released in 1999, this film diverged sharply from the conventional narratives prevalent at the time, delivering a chilling exploration of crime, sacrifice, and redemption.