author

Utkarsh Mishra

Utkarsh Mishra writes on politics and current affairs. You can e-mail the author at utkarshm@rediff.co.in

All stories by Utkarsh Mishra

Why You Must Watch Freedom at Midnight

Why You Must Watch Freedom at Midnight

Rediff.com4 days ago

Freedom At Midnight is a bold attempt to revisit the whole discourse about Partition, its causes, and the predicament under which the Congress leaders accepted it. It perfectly captures the extremely confused and complicated situation to which it seemed the only viable solution, observes Utkarsh Mishra.

Why Did IC-814 Series Mute ISI Role?

Why Did IC-814 Series Mute ISI Role?

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

Captain Sharan and Flight Engineer Anil Jaggia both confirm that the hijackers seemed to know a lot about flying an aircraft. Without help from the ISI or the Pakistan army, it was impossible, points out Utkarsh Mishra.

When Bhagat Singh Asked Rajguru To Shoot Him

When Bhagat Singh Asked Rajguru To Shoot Him

Rediff.com28 Sep 2024

On Bhagat Singh's 117th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra recounts fascinating incidents from the legend's life.

10 Times Arvind Kejriwal Made Headlines

10 Times Arvind Kejriwal Made Headlines

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

From the time he first rose to prominence during the movement against the then UPA government, Arvind Kejriwal has regularly grabbed headlines for his surprise moves and decisions. Here are 10 such instances.

Emergency Trailer: On Expected Lines

Emergency Trailer: On Expected Lines

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

As with biopics these days, Kangana Ranaut's films may be less about telling the story of a dark chapter of Indian history and more about giving fodder to those who seek to defend or justify government highhandedness today, observes Utkarsh Mishra.

'Hindutva Must Refute Nehru To Make Its Case'

'Hindutva Must Refute Nehru To Make Its Case'

Rediff.com27 May 2024

'Nehru remains central to the polemic between the Congress and the BJP, or stated ideologically, between secular and Hindu nationalism.' 'The reason is that Nehru represents what is optimally possible as a secular politics along with liberalism and democracy in a country like India.'

Modi In Varanasi: Festive Saffron Fervour

Modi In Varanasi: Festive Saffron Fervour

Rediff.com14 May 2024

Utkarsh Mishra's impressions of the Narendra Modi roadshow in Varanasi.

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Review: Lost In Politics

Swatantrya Veer Savarkar Review: Lost In Politics

Rediff.com23 Mar 2024

With the kind of money and talent that has gone into making this movie, a really good biopic of a personality like Savarkar could be made. But this film is lost in polemics, as is the case with almost every biopic and period drama today, observes Utkarsh Mishra.

In The Times Of Usha Mehta And Savarkar

In The Times Of Usha Mehta And Savarkar

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

As Ae Watan Mere Watan and Swatantra Veer Savarkar release this week, Utkarsh Mishra takes us down history and reminds us about India's freedom struggle.

'Supreme Court verdict on Article 370 is a missed opportunity'

'Supreme Court verdict on Article 370 is a missed opportunity'

Rediff.com11 Jan 2024

'On hard cases like this one, the Supreme Court has only episodically stood against Parliament and the executive government.' 'I worry that this decision sets a precedent where President's rule is imposed in another state... and during the operation of President's rule, the state is fundamentally altered.'

Why Oppenheimer Liked Hinduism

Why Oppenheimer Liked Hinduism

Rediff.com23 Nov 2023

'Hinduism meshed with his sense that the world was paradoxical and puzzling.'

Nehru: The Man Who Knew No Fear

Nehru: The Man Who Knew No Fear

Rediff.com14 Nov 2023

On Jawaharlal Nehru's 134th birth anniversary, Utkarsh Mishra recounts incidents where the first prime minister showed exemplary courage, bravery and integrity.

Why Article 370 Failed To Protect Kashmiri Pandits

Why Article 370 Failed To Protect Kashmiri Pandits

Rediff.com11 Aug 2023

'The relationship between Kashmiri Pandits and Article 370 is vexed.' 'Sentiment in Jammu towards Article 370 was largely unfavourable and Jammu resented being lumped with Kashmir and placed on a different footing from the rest of India.'

'Incorrect to say Article 370 has been abrogated'

'Incorrect to say Article 370 has been abrogated'

Rediff.com5 Aug 2023

'Article 370 laid down the edifice of the relationship between J-K and the Union of India.' 'If you look at the Article, what is there now is a provision which states that all provisions of the Constitution of India applies to J-K.' 'The veto that the state could exercise previously on most Union laws has ended.'

'How can I let go of my faith?'

'How can I let go of my faith?'

Rediff.com4 Aug 2023

Rediff.com's Utkarsh Mishra visits the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, which is fast being turned into another mandir-masjid dispute.

Oppenheimer Review: Simply Brilliant

Oppenheimer Review: Simply Brilliant

Rediff.com22 Jul 2023

Oppenheimer is a very politically significant film for our time, observes Utkarsh Mishra.

Kangana, Will You Paint A True Picture Of The Emergency?

Kangana, Will You Paint A True Picture Of The Emergency?

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

Hope this film would be able to teach Indians the value of their rights and the perils of exchanging those for 'economic development' or promises of a better future by some populist leader, notes Utkarsh Mishra.

The Power Of The Law... And Hope

The Power Of The Law... And Hope

Rediff.com29 May 2023

Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai reminds us that we haven't run out of instances where even the most vulnerable can secure justice against the mighty, applauds Utkarsh Mishra.

Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh Review: Idea Gone Astray

Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh Review: Idea Gone Astray

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

A movie that seeks to explore an 'alternate history' cannot be so superficial, sighs Utkarsh Mishra.

Trial by Fire Review: Gripping

Trial by Fire Review: Gripping

Rediff.com13 Jan 2023

What works for Trial By Fire is Rajshri Deshpande's and Abhay Deol's portrayal of the distraught parents who struggled and toiled for justice for over two decades, observes Utkarsh Mishra.

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