Episode 46: In this encore presentation, a look at Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, directed by Vasan Bala, starring Abhimanyu Dassani, Radhika Madan and Gulshan Devaiah.

Also introducing a new segment called Filmi Funde. In this inaugural version - a conversation with Karan Kulkarni, the music director for Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, about three songs from the film.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq

Episode 45: Created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, co-written by Alankrita Shrivastava, and co-directed by Nitya Mehra and Prashant Nair, Made In Heaven is an Amazon Prime Video series that uses the backdrop of the ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’ to talk about social realities.

First we start off with Geeton Ka Ghanchakkar, a shaadi special featuring some unusual shaadi-waali movies - Saathiya and Tanu Weds Manu.

Then Bollywood Behes takes us into the world of modern day Indian weddings. Dreamed up by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, this series focuses on the complicated lives of two wedding planners Tara and Karan, and the couples they are planning weddings for. Issues such as dowry, class, tradition, as well as LGBTQ lives are seen through a not-so-rosy lens.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq/ Material Breakthrough by Peritune

Episode 44: Gully Boy brought the sounds of Mumbai’s gullies to the big Bollywood screen. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the movie featured A-list stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, and a team of formidable supporting actors. Together, they brought to life a story based on the lives of Indian rap stars Divine and Naezy.

First we start off with Geeton Ka Ghanchakkar, which features Bluffmaster’s “Right Here Right Now” (composed by those hip hop fakers - Vishal and Shekhar) and Baba Sehgal’s “Thanda Thanda Pani” (yes, we feel your pain). Filmi Khabrein rounds up the latest Bollywood news.

Then Bollywood Behes takes a deep dive into Gully Boy, where we look at Zoya Akhtar’s masterful direction, which made stars like Ranveer and Alia shine, but also put actors such as Vijay Raaz, Vijay Varma and Amruta Subhash in the spotlight.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq/ Material Breakthrough by Peritune

Episode 43: Aparita Bhandari watched Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga with Queer South Asians and Allies of Toronto (QSAALT). A conversation with its members after watching the movie.

The group talked about queer representation in Bollywood movies of past, and the importance of Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga in giving voice to a mis- or under-represented community.

Then a follow up conversation with Lucky, about her experiences growing up as a lesbian in India.

Music: Ek Ladki Ko Dekha by Rochak Kohli/ Wind Marching for Rain by Puddles of Infinity

Episode 42: A look at the influence of Telugu cinema on Bollywood, and a discussion of the sleeper hit Telugu film Arjun Reddy.

We start off with Geeton Ka Ghanchakkar featuring the hit A. R. Rahman song Urvashi Urvashi, as well as Jumme Ki Raat from Kick. Filmi Khabrein has us talking about Kangana Ranaut and the ensemble cast featured in Total Dhamaal.

In Bollywood Behes, we look at the tradition of Telugu cinema inspiring Bollywood films such as Ek Duje ke Liye, Wanted and Tevar, before discussing Arjun Reddy and its problematic title character.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq/ Material Breakthrough by Peritune

Episode 41: A debate on whether Uri: The Surgical Strike, starring Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam and Paresh Rawal among others, is a jingoistic film - or not.

We start off with Geeton Ka Ghanchakkar featuring two A. R. Rahman songs, and Filmi Khabrein full of new teasers and trailer information. Then in Bollywood Behes, an in-depth discussion of how war is made sexy in Uri, including some audience reactions.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq/ Material Breakthrough by Peritune

Episode 40: A conversation with author Moupia Basu on her book The Queen’s Last Salute, which is partially inspired by the story of Rani Laxmibai. Basu’s book covers much of the same ground as Kangana Ranaut’s latest film Manikarnika.

The Queen’s Last Salute is published by Juggernaut Books and available at your local bookstore or online.

To see what some of the old monuments at Orchha look like, visit the World Monument Fund website.

Music: Desert City by Kevin MacLeod, Desert Heartbeat by Ustad Zakir Hussain

Episode 39: We have lots to talk about when it comes to Rohit Shetty and Ranveer Singh’s collaboration in Simbaa. While the movie had many fun elements, tacking on a serious issue like rape to a Shetty style masala movie didn’t sit well with us.

We start off with Geeton Ka Ghanchakkar, followed by Filmi Khabrein - where we talk about the depiction of police in Shetty’s movies and masculinity in Bollywood movies, among other topics.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq/ Material Breakthrough by Peritune

Episode 38: We watched Zero, the big budget Anand L. Rai extravaganza starring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, alongside top-billing female leads Anushka Sharma and Katrina Kaif. The movie didn’t impress us much; but then neither did Race 3 or Thugs of Hindostan earlier in 2018. So, this episode features our experience of watching Zero, followed by a discussion on the relevance of Bollywood’s Khan triumverate.

We start off with Geeton Ka Ghanchakkar, followed by Filmi Khabrein - where we note the passing of two Indian cinema greats: veteran art house filmmaker Mrinal Sen, and Bollywood screenwriter and actor Kader Khan.

We also meet two Shah Rukh fans who run SRK Universe Canada, the Canadian chapter of an international fan forum, and pay a short tribute to Kader Khan.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq/ Material Breakthrough by Peritune

Episode 37: In this special episode, a conversation with celebrated Indian documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan about his latest work Vivek/Reason.

Vivek/Reason screened as part of the Toronto International Film Festival (2018). Although many balked at first at its run-time – the 261 minute long documentary is meant to be screened in two sessions – critics noted its importance, especially given the rise of nationalistic rhetoric in India and across the world. The incidents shown in Vivek might not be new, but the way it connects the dots between seemingly disparate incidents gives much needed context to the rise of Hindu extremism.

Music: Bollywood Blades by Professor Kliq/ Material Breakthrough by Peritune