This week on Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast, we’re tackling two of the most talked-about (and trolled) recent releases — War 2 and Coolie.

It’s safe to say neither film blew us away, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have plenty to say. From Hrithik Roshan’s sleepwalking Kabir to NTR Jr. stuck in the wrong movie, from Shruti Haasan’s mannequin-level characterisation to Aamir Khan’s husky-filled cameo, this episode covers it all.

We dig into:

Why Coolie proves pan-India blockbusters have cracked the “fanbase activation” formula

Why War 2 fails as both mass masala and spy-universe film

The baffling treatment of female characters in both films

The accidental gay rom-com energy of Raghu & Kabbu

Whether YRF’s spy universe has any future after this mess

It’s ranty, it’s unfiltered, it’s classic Khandaan.

Plus: don’t miss our brand new video series now live on YouTube! Our first episode — Ranking All the Salman Khan Movies — is up, with much more coming soon.
👉 Watch and subscribe here: Khandaan on YouTube

Patreon Bonus this week:

Watch The Khandaan Reaction video to the Baaghi 4 Teaser here

Amrita's 5 min catch ups with fun and gossip that are full episodes ⁠here⁠ (on the Free Tier)

Asim's July LetterBxd ⁠Video⁠

We're also active on Tik Tok so follow us ⁠here⁠

We’re almost at the end of our 80’s Dhamaka series, and for our penultimate pick, we’re heading into very different territory with Sai Paranjpye’s Chashme Buddoor (1981).

This is the penultimate episode in our 80s mini-series before we close out with Mr. India.

If you have loved or hated the 80's Dhamaka Series, send us your thoughts by email!

Forget action set pieces and melodramatic revenge plots — this is the 80’s at its most charmingly low-key, with Farooq Shaikh, Deepti Naval, Rakesh Bedi, and Ravi Baswani bringing us a slice-of-life romcom that’s as Delhi as chai in chipped cups.

In this episode, we talk about:

Why Sai Paranjpye’s writing still feels fresh decades later

Farooq and Deepti’s effortless chemistry

The way Chashme Buddoor nails everyday humor

How the ill-fated remake lost all the magic

💖 Join Our Patreon & Get Exclusive Perks! 💖

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing benefits:

🎬 Early Access & Ad-Free Episodes – Be the first to hear our 80’s Dhamaka series without interruptions!💃 A Bollywood-Loving Community – Connect with fellow fans who share your passion!📺 Bonus & Video Content – Get exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, extended discussions, and more!🗳️ Vote in Polls & Pick Movies – Help decide which films and shows we cover next!

✨ Join now and be part of the ultimate Bollywood experience! 🎧 Link in bio!

🌟 Support the Podcast:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to leave us a review and a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more Bollywood fans and keeps us inspired to bring you the best content!

Patreon Bonus this week:

Amrita's 5 min catch ups with fun and gossip that are full episodes here (on the Free Tier)

Asim's July LetterBxd Video

We're also active on Tik Tok so follow us here

We’re back with another entry in our 80s Dhamaka series—this time diving headfirst into Chaalbaaz, the iconic 1989 double-role masala starring Sridevi, Sridevi… and also Sridevi. Joined by Rajnikanth, Sunny Deol, Anupam Kher, Rohini Hattangady and Shakti Kapoor at his absolute creepiest, Chaalbaaz is a slapstick remix of Seeta Aur Geeta, and a showcase of Sridevi’s unmatched star power.

In this episode, we talk about:

Rewatching this classic on VHS and Z Cinema loops

How Sridevi steamrolled two massy heroes without even blinking

The Bollywood obsession with twin/double roles and what it says about acting in the 80s

Sujoy’s VHS-core memories, Amrita’s cosplay confessions, and Asim’s righteous rage at some VERY male-gazey direction choices

Whether Chaalbaaz holds up in 2025—and how it compares to other twin films like Judwaa, Kishen Kanhaiya, and Dushman

This was a fun one with some deep dives into nostalgia, film tropes, and that uncomfortable undertone of male-written “masala feminism.”

This is the penultimate episode in our 80s mini-series before we close out with Mr. India. Next up: Chashme Buddoor!

💖 Join Our Patreon & Get Exclusive Perks! 💖

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing benefits:

🎬 Early Access & Ad-Free Episodes – Be the first to hear our 80’s Dhamaka series without interruptions!
💃 A Bollywood-Loving Community – Connect with fellow fans who share your passion!
📺 Bonus & Video Content – Get exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, extended discussions, and more!
🗳️ Vote in Polls & Pick Movies – Help decide which films and shows we cover next!

✨ Join now and be part of the ultimate Bollywood experience! 🎧 Link in bio!

🌟 Support the Podcast:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to leave us a review and a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more Bollywood fans and keeps us inspired to bring you the best content!

Patreon Bonus this week:

Amrita's 5 min catch ups with fun and gossip that are full episodes here

We're also active on Tik Tok so follow us here

The Khandaan team dives headfirst into the latest pop culture meteor: Saiyaara – the YRF hit film that no one saw coming.

We unpack its unexpected virality, emotional ending, and the fan reactions flooding TikTok – from all across the globe– as Asim forces Sujoy and Amrita to drop everything and watch it.

Amrita cathes up with Metro In Dino and Sujoy is obsessed with the soundtrack.

Then it’s on to Mohit Suri’s cinematic redemption via the emo classic Awaarapan. Yes, Sujoy has thoughts. Yes, they’re emotional. We also take a detour through his newer offerings (Sister Midnight, anyone?) and Aap Jaisa Koi.

We also discuss:

Metro In Dino – and the larger question: can these multi-character dramas still work?

Aap Jaisa Koi – songs vs films, vibes vs substance

It’s messy, chaotic, and unfiltered – just how you like it.

💖 Join Our Patreon & Get Exclusive Perks! 💖

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing

🎬 Early

✨ Join now

🌟 Support the Podcast:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to leave us a review and a 5-star

We are now on Blue Sky!

Asim

Sujoy

Amrita

Follow us on Socials:

You can listen to Khandaan- A Bollywood Podcast episodes on the

In this very special episode, the entire Khandaan team—Asim, Sujoy, and Amrita—is together in London and recording live. We sat down in the middle of a very hot British summer to review Aamir Khan’s long-awaited return to the screen with Sitarein Zameen Par.

We unpack it all—narrative swings, surprisingly good child actors, and that very Aamir ending.

Important announcement:
Your entire Khandaan is currently in London filming hours of brand-new video content—our first time in-studio together, with chaos guaranteed.
Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch it all as we roll it out.

Want to go behind the scenes and get the full video version of this episode?
Support us on Patreon for exclusive access, bonus clips, and more here

Audio note:
This episode was recorded during a heatwave in London, so if we sound like we're melting... we absolutely were. Blame the British summer, not the vibes.

Leave us a review, share with your filmi friends, and let us know what you thought of Sitarein Zameen Par.

We are now on Blue Sky!

Asim

Sujoy

Amrita

Follow us on Socials:

You can listen to Khandaan- A Bollywood Podcast episodes on the

Welcome to another 80s Dhamaka! episode of Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast.

This time we’re diving face-first into the drama, glamour, and full camp spectacle that is Rakesh Roshan’s KHOON BHARI MAANG (1988). Starring Rekha, Kabir Bedi, Sonu Walia, and an extremely underpaid crocodile, this revenge thriller has everything: makeover montages, fashion show trauma, and villains who just won’t die.

Join us as Amrita leads a passionate defense of Rekha’s action-heroine era, Sujoy questions the plot logic (and the horse), and Asim tries to make peace with crocodile VFX and the film’s very unique pacing. We also revisit the film’s legacy, its place in the 80s VHS canon, and why it deserves to be seen as more than a meme.

A big shoutout to our friend DJ Shai Guy for the 80s Dhamaka theme song! You can check out more of Shai's work here.

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing benefits:

Early Access & Ad-Free Episodes

A Bollywood-Loving Community

Bonus & Video Content

Vote in Polls & Pick Movies

✨ Join now and be part of the ultimate Bollywood experience! patreon.com/KhandaanPodcast

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review and a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more Bollywood fans and keeps us inspired to keep going!

We are now on Blue Sky!

Asim

Sujoy

Amrita

Follow us on Socials:

You can listen to Khandaan- A Bollywood Podcast episodes on the

This weeks' Patreon are:

Sujoy Watches Thug Life So You Don’t Have To

5 Min Catchup: Amrita

In this episode, we dove into Saagar (1985)—the ultimate Dimple Kapadia comeback and a masterclass in how to shoot slow-motion beach walks. We talked:

Why Dimple is pure fire (even when Rishi and Kamal are doing the most)

The unbearable softness of 80s Kamal Haasan

Why this is basically the horniest film we’ve watched all season

And of course, Sujoy’s cinematic thirst for all things Sridevi, accidentally triggered by… Saagar?

We’re down to our final three films in the Dhamaka series—
and now and if you are are a Khandaan Patreon you get to decide the order we tackle them in.

A big Shoutout to our friend Dj

💖 Join Our Patreon & Get Exclusive Perks! 💖

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing

🎬 Early

✨ Join now

🌟 Support the Podcast:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to leave us a review and a 5-star

We are now on Blue Sky!

Asim

Sujoy

Amrita

Follow us on Socials:

You can listen to Khandaan- A Bollywood Podcast episodes on the

This week's Patreon Bonus is available for free! Watch my monthly Letterboxd wrap up video here

The Khandaan gang is back with the next entry in our 80s Dhamaka series—and this time, it’s Subhash Ghai’s iconic masala bonanza Ram Lakhan (1989).

Picked by our Patreon supporters, this episode dives deep into the unforgettable world of two brothers, high-octane revenge plots, iconic songs, and the kind of full-blown filmi logic that defined a generation.

We discuss:

Why Ram Lakhan is peak 80s masala cinema

The sheer charisma of Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff

How this film influenced Bollywood for decades to come

The soundtrack’s everlasting legacy—from My Name is Lakhan to Tera Naam Liya

Why Amrita thinks it’s basically the Avengers of desi VHS

Sujoy’s nostalgia from Chitrahaar to Zee Cinema reruns

Asim’s obsession with Debu the American

Plus: Havelis, vengeful widows, song interludes every 6 minutes, and the chaotic joy of watching Bollywood do everything at once.

A big Shoutout to our friend Dj

💖 Join Our Patreon & Get Exclusive Perks! 💖

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing

🎬 Early

✨ Join now

🌟 Support the Podcast:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to leave us a review and a 5-star

We are now on Blue Sky!

Asim

Sujoy

Amrita

Follow us on Socials:

You can listen to Khandaan- A Bollywood Podcast episodes on the

Patreon bonus episodes whilst we were away:

Khandaan continues the 80s Dhamaka series with one of Amitabh Bachchan’s most iconic—and polarizing—comedies: Namak Halaal (1982).

Is this peak masala madness or a nostalgia trip gone wrong? In this episode, Asim passionately defends his childhood favorite while Amrita and Sujoy wrestle with the film’s dated humor, dizzying plot logic, and eyebrow-raising romance arcs.

We discuss:

The comedy Amitabh debate — genius or grating?

The legacy of Kader Khan’s unforgettable one-liners

Bappi Lahiri’s absolute banger of a soundtrack (Pag Ghungroo, Raat Baaki, Jawaani Jaaneman)

Smita Patil's rain-soaked dance number and the discomfort behind the scenes

The villain lair logistics (seriously, where do you even buy a villain lair?)

Dadu-related emotional trauma and masala film magic

Disco suits, absurd aliases, and Shashi Kapoor’s unexpectedly spicy side

Next episode of the 80's Dhamaka will be Ram Lakhan (Dhina Dhin Da!)

💖 Join Our Patreon & Get Exclusive Perks! 💖

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing benefits:

🎬 Early Access & Ad-Free Episodes – Be the first to hear our 80’s Dhamaka series without interruptions!

💃 A Bollywood-Loving Community – Connect with fellow fans who share your passion!

📺 Bonus & Video Content – Get exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, extended discussions, and more!

🗳️ Vote in Polls & Pick Movies – Help decide which films and shows we cover next!

✨ Join now and be part of the ultimate Bollywood experience! 🎧 Link in bio!

🌟 Support the Podcast:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to leave us a review and a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more Bollywood fans and keeps us inspired to bring you the best content!

We are now on Blue Sky!

⁠⁠Asim⁠⁠

⁠⁠Sujoy⁠⁠

⁠⁠Amrita⁠⁠

Follow us on Socials:

You can listen to Khandaan- A Bollywood Podcast episodes on the following apps:

Patreon bonus episodes whilst we were away:

After a short break, the full Khandaan crew is back in the house—and we’re not easing in gently.

In this episode, we dive headfirst into everything that’s been on our minds: the personal cost of conflict, censorship in media, and how Bollywood fits into a world that feels increasingly divided. From WhatsApp group tensions to government-issued podcast warnings (!), this is one of our most personal episodes yet.

🎙️ What we talk about:

The India–Pakistan conflict and how it’s impacted real friendships

Media propaganda, misinformation, and the risks of being "too political"

Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par trailer—can it survive the noise?

Suhana Khan in King—is this the launch her stardom needs or a risky bet?

Bhool Chuk Maaf, Sanam Teri Kasam, Lal Pari, and why viral Bollywood music won’t die

The surreal podcasting moment when we found out we’d been flagged by the Indian government

Our stance on love, peace, and why we'll always choose each other—even when it’s not popular

🎧 Plus:

We laugh through the weirdness of Housefull 5, dissect the awkward uncle energy of Akshay Kumar, and rant about Abhishek Bachchan’s rap career (again).

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong in your own fandom anymore, or you’re struggling with how to talk about art during political chaos—this one's for you.

💖 Join Our Patreon & Get Exclusive Perks! 💖

Love Bollywood? Support Khandaan: A Bollywood Podcast on Patreon and unlock amazing benefits:

🎬 Early Access & Ad-Free Episodes – Be the first to hear our 80’s Dhamaka series without interruptions!

💃 A Bollywood-Loving Community – Connect with fellow fans who share your passion!

📺 Bonus & Video Content – Get exclusive behind-the-scenes clips, extended discussions, and more!

🗳️ Vote in Polls & Pick Movies – Help decide which films and shows we cover next!

✨ Join now and be part of the ultimate Bollywood experience! 🎧 Link in bio!

🌟 Support the Podcast:

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to leave us a review and a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more Bollywood fans and keeps us inspired to bring you the best content!

We are now on Blue Sky!

⁠Asim⁠

⁠Sujoy⁠

⁠Amrita⁠

Follow us on Socials:

You can listen to Khandaan- A Bollywood Podcast episodes on the following apps: