All stories by ASEEM CHHABRA
2023's Must Watch Movies From Around The World
Rediff.com26 Dec 20232023 was a good year for international cinema with many strong films premiering at the Berlin, Cannes, Venice and Toronto film festivals.
'I have very deep connections with India'
Rediff.com22 Dec 2023'When democracy first came to Bhutan people had no idea and they were like 'What is that?' Oh it's that thing they have in India where the leaders are always fighting and arguing.' When I screened the film to Bhutan's film committee, they thought my film was good but they were concerned about that line. They wanted me to change that line. They said, 'We don't want to offend India.' I tried to tell them that Indians have a great ability to laugh at themselves but they insisted I change it.'
A Film About Sex Not Seen In India Before
Rediff.com26 Oct 2023'Agra is about sexuality and sexual repression, and the relationship of sexuality to the physical spaces that we are in.'
4 Palestinian Women: A Touching Story
Rediff.com19 Oct 2023'The idea of this movie is to trace these journeys and not to blame.' 'We could have talked what happened in 1948. This is what the Israelis did. This is what the Palestinians and Arabs did.' 'We didn't want to go there.'
'I was attacked for being anti-national'
Rediff.com12 Oct 2023'What the film shows is an India, which was headed in a completely different direction than where we are headed.'
Kiran Rao Has Made A WOW Film!
Rediff.com4 Oct 2023'I guess things happen when they have to happen.' 'And the film got delayed by COVID a little bit. But yeah, it's been a decade which I do not regret.' 'I feel like I have grown so much, as an artist, as well as just a human being.' 'So much life experience to channel into films that I think is an advantage almost.'
Karan Johar Makes 'Most Violent Film' In India
Rediff.com29 Sep 2023'The only violence I have had in any film of mine is a slap.' 'When Nikhil narrated the film to me, I was blown away.' 'I was literally screaming out of my chair.'
Why Veerappan's Story Needed To Be Told
Rediff.com24 Aug 2023'He killed so many people, doing the kind of horrible things he did, and yet, he believed he was making the right choices.'
Depp Vs Heard Review: Trashy Gossip!
Rediff.com18 Aug 2023If there is one lesson we get from Depp vs Heard, it is that the American legal system is deeply flawed and the court of public opinion and social media make it harder for victims to get justice, observes Aseem Chhabra.
'People are suddenly treating me like a star'
Rediff.com1 Aug 2023'Once I left my photographs at Ram Gopal Varma's office.' 'I told a friend I was concerned no one had contacted me. My friend said, "Itni jaldi nahin hota idhar. Time lagega".'
Does Rocky Aur Rani Bring Out Karan Johar 2.0?
Rediff.com28 Jul 2023Rocky Aur Rani is definitely Karan's most subversive project, discovers Aseem Chhabra.
'Maybe Hollywood wasn't for me'
Rediff.com25 Jul 2023'I never got respect as an actress.' 'But when I became a director and worked with actresses like Cate Blanchett and Jessica Chastain, I felt such pride of being an actress.'
Kohrra Review: Haunting
Rediff.com18 Jul 2023Kohrra is a terrific ensemble piece but the two fine leads keep show glued together, applauds Aseem Chhabra.
'Women in Pakistan feel like they are being watched'
Rediff.com26 Jun 2023'There's this presence, a sense of patrolling and surveillance. And it's not coming from a place of safety.' 'It's coming from a place of 'You don't belong here'.' 'It's a malevolent force, the society at large is observing them.'
10 STUNNING Films I Watched In Cannes
Rediff.com6 Jun 2023Twelve days of movie madness and 36 films later, Aseem Chhabra lists his top 10 favourite films from this year's Cannes Film Festival.
'Now I see who my real and fake friends are'
Rediff.com25 Apr 2023'It's everyone's dream to have their pictures show up on Google.' 'In the beginning, you're not used to it.' 'It's a bit weird and even now it's weird.'
When A Country Erases Its Film-makers
Rediff.com5 Apr 2023'The Iranians are very resilient people. So even when they are throttled, they try their best to survive.'
10 Lovely Stories From Across The World
Rediff.com24 Mar 2023Aseem Chhabra highlights 10 films that moved him, films that may show up in theatres near you.
Yes, India Shone At The Oscars, But....
Rediff.com14 Mar 2023India is shining, although I will argue that it is a temporary acceptance until India once again makes a mega-successful film like RRR or another beautiful, moving, documentary like The Elephant Whisperers, notes Aseem Chhabra.