#kapoor & sons is my favorite of these but i liked them all

[tangledinink]

Heya! First off I’m around halfway through teenage mutant what now and it is the funniest fic I have ever read - Beautifully written and overall brilliant but the jokes get me every time

And second, is it okay if I reference a pose from one of your gemini artworks for my own work? I’ll credit the inspiration if I post it anywhere ^^

whew we're overdue for an ask dump,,, OKAY ALRIGHT.

THANK YOU ; w ; I'm really glad you like it hehehehe. also yeah sure feel free! I don't mind! ^^

HEHEHE THIS MAKES ME VERY HAPPY THANK YOU

oh he DEFINITELY freaked out at first. there was a lot of panicking and confusion and "how could this even happen?!" ("you think i'd genetically engineer a creature that's not capable of reproducing? all of you should be genetically compatible with practically any yokai," draxum said. "AND YOU DIDN'T THINK TO, I DUNNO, TELL US THAT?!" donnie said.) but eventually, he did calm down, and he and his partner talked about it (a bunch, multiple times), and eventually some of the panic gave way to... curiosity, first of all... and then maybe kind of excitement? and some fondness? i mean, he was still pretty scared, and sure, he doesn't really consider himself a 'kid' person, but it's not like he never thought about EVENTUALLY having kids, just maybe... not so soon? but. i mean.

well. if they're already cooking...

THANK YOU ; w ; i'm glad you like them! @kiwi-smug-silvalina

oh gosh, that's a good question. i'm not entirely sure... uhmmm... i would say perhaps... details about how gemini!donnie's witchcraft looks and acts, VS how venus's witchcraft looks and acts...

it is very shiny. i like that people call it "the bean" instead of its actual title coz it pisses anish kapoor off.

ah ; w ; THANK YOU SO MUCH,,, thats so sweet and this made me very happy,,, <3 im glad you liked it!!!! @allegedllama

HEHEHE thank you. yes im aware that i am deranged.

omg same hat!!! i was a lifeguard and it was.... uh.... INTERESTING to say the least... (sometimes lovely, sometimes AWFUL...) @datfearlesschick

if by games you mean 'messed up deals that she can manipulate to her own advantage,' then yes! @frogonamelon

@beannary @spectralsleuth @heckitall @livsinpjs and the sep council as a whole!!! y'all's support has definitely meant so much and there's no way i'd have gotten as far with any of my projects as i have without them... or without literally ANY of the people who take the time to do things like reblog with tags, leave commentary in the tags, send in asks about my stories, etc etc etc! that's definitely one of my main motivators to create more!!! <3 thank y'all!

EEEE this made me smile, hehehehe. thank you :3c @thejavavoid

AAAAAA THANK YOU THIS GENUINELY MADE ME SO HAPPY COZ I WAS SO GODDAMN PROUD OF THOSE HANDS AND HOW THEY CAME OUT ; w ; THANK YOU @onejellyfishplease

thank you!!! u w u @fanrulerjynx

THANK YOU ; w ; I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS,,, it made me very very very happy and HEHEHE IM GLAD YOU LIKE YASSIFIED DRAXUM,,, i just think he DESERVES it, y'know? also thats just my favorite way to draw characters lmao I think it's fun so I decided for this comic I just get to indulge...

not necessarily-- this was mostly just a coincidence! @breezehurricane

oh gosh. i'm not sure, but i know it definitely WILL affect their parenting... i think at first donnie will find himself just... deferring to his partner a LOT in almost any situation because he's afraid that he'll fuck it up, because he DOESN'T feel like he understands proper boundaries or what parenting is supposed to look like, etc etc etc, and he's afraid he'll mess up. he probably reads a TON of parenting books as well because RESEARCH and will often try to pull directly from them in any situation he can, and is confused when things don't go exactly the way they were described in the text... leo i think kind of tends to flounder between being overprotective and feeling the desire to protect his son from everything and anything and wanting to overcorrect this tendency by pulling back and trying to give him as much freedom and space as possible, which sometimes leads to some... inconsistencies. there's definitely a learning curve for both of them, but they both get the hang of it eventually. they both have lovely partners and a very loving and supportive family to help them and they'll figure it out with a bit of practice.

ahhh thank you! :D im so delighted that my silly stories actually inspired something for you!!! hell yeah!!! MAKING THINGS IS GREAT!!! THANK YOU!!! @can-elope

i like to imagine them all staying very close, especially coz i'm loosely planning on them all going through the kraang-apocalypse together (and then coming through to the other side!) so i can't imagine them ever drifting too far from each other, emotionally or geographically. there's a bit of a rocky start for a lot of them, but all of the siblings end up a very tight-knit bunch.

[tsupertsundere]

HELLOO. i see you reblog a lot of hindi cinema!! i would love to watch more of it, what are your top 10 favorites?

🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍🤩😍

this might be my favorite thing I've received in my inbox.

wh I well I wh how could I possibly refuse hee hee hee hee

limiting this to hindi cinema helps!! or so I thought, before I went through several rounds of intense interrogation and several scribbled pages of notes and realized this just outs me as a baby shah rukh khan stan, which I am. I resisted every impulse to try to make the list broad and varied and kept only repeating 'what are your FAVORITES, what are your FAVORITES' and even then narrowing everything down was really painful... I feel like I've watched very many but then not very many at all.

There are another half-dozen more I had to cut with great anguish (Paheli, Ram-Jaane, the Don films) OMG EDITED TO FINISH MY FRIGGIN SENTENCE: BUT I PRESENT TO YOU AND TO ALL: VI TSUPERTSUNDERE'S TOP TEN:

Mohabbatein ("Love Stories", dir Aditya Chopra, 2000)

A young men's college ruled by a headmaster who disdains love--can one music teacher help three love stories grow, and let love tower above all? ✫ My first hindi film. Still can't think of a better introduction. Truly has it all. My favorite ghost story also!! ✧ Standout number: the three ingenues have an incredible dance sequence - it's the emotional climax of the film for me.

Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai ("Say You Love Me", dir Rakesh Roshan, 2000)

When Rohit, an aspiring musician, meets Saxena, a rich bussinessman's daughter, his dreams of stardom glimmer right within his reach. Life has other plans. ✩ Hrithik Roshan's debut - and what a debut! My first introduction to a beloved facet of hindi cinema - double roles!! ✫ Standout number: The number that takes place in Cafe Indiana, Ek Pal Ka Jeena, accurately conveys how it felt like to go to a Rainforest Cafe when I was very young. Truly thrilling!

Muhjse Dosti Karoge! ("Will You Be My Friend!", dir Kunal Kohli, 2002)

Childhood friends Raj, Tina, and Pooja are caught in a classic love triangle - Pooja loves Raj, but he only has eyes for Tina. When he moves away, Pooja poses as Tina as they email back and forth and their friendship blossoms long-distance. A decision made in childhood brings problems to Pooja's doorstep - as they all graduate high school and become adults, Raj returns home... ✧ Rani Mukherjee and Kareena Kapoor are the real MVPs here - shining stars in every movie they're in. ✩ Standout Sequence: The medley, seen above, brought me to my fucking feet when we first watched it. The characters diagetically are singing these popular songs for each other at a wedding celebrations - each song's lyrics weave in and apply on multiple levels, depending on who knows what and what they mean, up to and including Hrithik Roshan reprising Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai! Genuinely one of my favorite sequences I've seen period on film, if I could ever put together anything half as layered I'd be patting myself on the back forever.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... ("Through Smiles and Through Tears", dir Karan Johar, 2001)

The wealthy Raichand family splits in half when elder son Rahul falls in love with a lower-caste girl and marries her - younger son Rohit watches his beloved brother disappear to England and the light in his home wither away. When he becomes an adult, he's determined to find his brother and unite them all again. ✫ These three fuckers as a dad and two sons just make a fascinating family together, let alone the kind of heavy hitting talent you get from Jaya Bachchan (indeed married to Amitji) and of course Kajol my beloved Kajol most of all. 'It's All About Loving Your Parents' is a much much much... much harder sell than I'm prepared to give - at the very least, it's all the drama I can watch in. ✫ Standout Sequence: Bole Chudiyan above is so much fun, of course, but Say Shava Shava is also a really great 'here's how fun things are when things are GOOD' establishing song. When Amitji says 'EVERYBODY' he is not asking!!

Those four films are a truncated highlight reel of the 8 or so films I like watching around the holidays!! They work really well together and I associate them with each other a lot.

Darr ("Fear", dir Yash Chopra, 1993)

Kiran Awasthi has a freshly minted college degree, a bus ticket home, a beloved boyfriend in the Navy... and a stalker. A young woman is slowly driven mad by a ruthless specter who will stop at nothing to be by her side. As she and her boyfriend escalate... so does he. ✧ Truly breathtaking. A breakout role for SRK, another hit cementing Juhi Chawla my fucking beloved Juhi Chawla as the OG expression queen. My favorite horror film. Rahul Mehra deserves to be in Dead By Daylight so he can fight Leon in a twink off. Simply the bloodiest there is. My Halloween costume next year. ✩ Standout sequence: Any time Juhi Chawla is on screen and I'm not kidding.

Chaahat ("Desire", dir Mahesh Bhatt, 1996)

When the father of a father-and-son comedy duo gets sick, his son, Roop, would do anything to secure the money he needs to restore his father's health. So when he catches the eye of a wealthy club owner's sister, he can't say no, no matter how much her desire consumes... ✫ Diametric opposite of Darr, now Shah Rukh Khan is the target!! As a carnivore girl lover I can't not adore it. ✧ Standout sequence: Chaahat Na Hoti, pictured above. This was the frame that made me sit up and go 'oh I have to... I gotta watch this movie right now. Right now.' And I was so right.

Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani ("Yet, I Have the Heart of an Indian", dir Aziz Mirza, 2000)

Ajay Bakshi is a hotheaded, loudmouthed reporter - a rival media network hires his counterpart and superior, Ria Bannerjee, to try to take him down. ✫ A gag-a-minute comedy with more gumflaps than brains, just like our lead. Juhi is heaven in this. I can only describe this as 'I think this is what the guy from American Psycho THOUGHT was going on.' Was a flop - came out right after Kaho Na... Pyaar Hai and couldn't compete - but it hits the zany button like nothing else. ✧ Standout sequence: The inventiveness of the sets in pretty much every song is my favorite. CONTENT WARNING: There is an awful anti-Chinese gag sequence at about the middle of the film. The two leads pose as Chinese reporters to get into somewhere, and it's just wall to wall racial caricatures. I hit that ff button through it myself, a truly unpleasant marring in an otherwise goofy-ass romp.

Chak de! India ("Let's go! India", dir Shimit Amin, 2007)

Can a disgraced former field hockey star turn 16 proud, contentious players from all over the country into one unified team as their coach? Can each young woman play her all on the field - for herself and for her team? ✩ A sports anime fit into one film, I wish it were several seasons long. Each girl is spectacular and is a joy to watch!! ✫ Standout Sequence: The character work is where this one shines. Bindiya Naik is my personal favorite (and not just because the instant I saw her performance I went 'omg, she's playing my OC almost exactly. I'd cast her in a heartbeat!)

Fan (dir Maneesh Sharma, 2016)

Aryan Khanna is the King of Bollywood. Gaurav Chandna is almost him, but not quite - knows everything about him by heart, uses him as the light in his life, and Gaurav even looks just enough like him to boot. All Gaurav wants is five minutes of his time. Just five minutes... ✩ Eminem's 'Stan' as a feature length thriller that literally no one else could make. I can only quote this letterboxd review, because it's right: "even if there was another celebrity who could pull off tearing himself open to splash his own imposter syndrome onscreen, they wouldn't dare try...happy birthday to the only actor good enough to make his fans sympathize with his own stalker". I was SO upset to learn that this flopped. ✫ Standout Sequences: the practical and special effects used to differentiate SRK's two roles bar none some of the best I've experienced - uncanny valley is real here, and half of the horror is the ALMOST. but not quite.

✫✧✩✫✧✩✫✫✧✩✫✧✩✫

While I followed a loose, non-ranking order for the preceding nine entries, I had to save the only possible film for number one:

Om Shanti Om (dir Farah Khan, 2007)

"30 years ago," irrepressible junior artist Om Prakash Makhija has only one dream grander than making it big in the film industry - to get a chance to act alongside his greatest inspiration, superstar Shanti. His wish comes true, but, well... some dreams, one lifetime is not enough... ✫ THE BEST MOVIE THAT EXISTS. THE BEST MOVIE THAT DOESN'T EXISTS. Don't believe me? Let these ladies convince you - when I learned that somehow The Coolest And Most Sparkling theater troupe on the face of the planet staged a production of this I literally got so lightheaded I couldn't see for a second. This movie came out when I was thirteen - if I had seen it then I think it would have made a huge difference. As it was, I saw it at the second most perfect time: when I was/am also a 30 year old irrepressible junior goofball, just like Om. Farah Khan is one of my favorite directors for certain. A film about the hindi film industry, I place it last also because the more faces you recognize, songs you can pick out, movie references you can catch, the better - and it's incredible even still. ✧ Standout sequence: I can't say the whole movie (... minus Deewangi Deewangi it's the Yakuza 4 of this movie) can I??? Let me just say - long story short, Farah Khan got the idea for this film when Andrew Lloyd Weber had her to choreography for his stage show, Bollywood Dreams. She thought the plot, a poor junior artist becoming a big Bollywood star, was eye-rollingly unrealistic. She could do better, she thought... and that idea eventually became Om Shanti Om. The climax is her proving she could do Phantom of the Opera better than him, too!!

✫✧✩✫✧✩✫✫✧✩✫✧✩✫

And, if you'll indulge me... in thanks for giving me a really fun thing to do today, I have one more film: one that I think you would like, based off of the vibes of the journal entries I got to read!

Veer-Zaara (dir Yash Chopra, 2004)

An Indian pilot and the daughter of a Pakistani politician fall in love, but are wrenched apart when the pilot is imprisoned on false charges. He languishes 22 years in prison, never saying a word, until a young Pakistani lawyer is assigned his case and she is determined to see him freed... ✧ Certified Mom Movie and is an absolute banger. When I thought 'who would be a character who I could see Estelle looking forward to meeting for lunch', Rani Mukherjee's lawyer was right at the top of the list. ✫ Standout Sequence: My personal favorite, Main Yahaan Hoon, is the song linked above. It drives me Insane absolutely Insane - this depicts 'they're not in the room but they're the only thing on your mind' in a way seldom more effective!

✫✧✩✫✧✩✫✫✧✩✫✧✩✫

omg NOW I'm done for eel. This was a terrific exercise in tilling the soil in my brain - I'm really inspired by the all visual direction, the colors and depths, the sensibilities in general exemplified by the movies here, and hope to one day reflect it in my own work! I have to make the Yash Raj reshade shaders I want to see in the world.

Please don't hesitate to drop me a line about anything you find interesting here, other movies you've seen, or anything else! Genuinely truly always love getting to see your work. Thank you for reading!

[bolllywoodhungama]

Koffee With Karan 8: Karan Johar reveals about a trait that Sara Ali Khan and Saif Ali Khan have in common 8 : Bollywood News — Bollywood Hungama

Karan Johar has worked with both, Sara Ali Khan and Saif Ali Khan in different projects and noticed that the father-daughter duo are quite similar.

Karan Johar is all set to bring fans close to their favorite stars in the new season. With the guestlist of Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sunny and Bobby Deol, Ajay Devgn, Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra, among others, the recent guests on the show would be the mother-son duo of Sharmila Tagore and Saif Ali Khan. While their royal legacy definitely will be a part of the discussion on the couch, the duo also opened up about their family to Karan Johar, who too shares a great bond with the Pataudis.

Koffee With Karan 8: Karan Johar reveals about a trait that Sara Ali Khan and Saif Ali Khan have in common

In fact, Karan Johar has also worked with the Khan-daan in many of his projects and the filmmaker had confessed that after working with Saif Ali Khan and his daughter Sara Ali Khan, he noticed a similarity between them. While Sara has inherited a lot of good looks, skills and mannerisms from her parents Saif and Amrita Singh. Karan Johar revealed one particular trait she has taken from her father. Talking about the same, KJo said, “I think Sara gets being indecisive from Saif as per my  observation, they both are very indecisive. Especially when it comes to her work. She is much better now because I've seen her grow up in the movies.” In his defense, Saif Ali Khan said, “I am not indecisive anymore. I used to be. I used to be a lot of things.”

For the unversed, Sara Ali Khan has already made an appearance on the show with Ananya Panday whereas Saif’s wife Kareena Kapoor Khan too has been a part of the new season with her sister-in-law Alia Bhatt.

Speaking of the show, Season 8 has some interesting additions on the show which includes some new unseen, unheard segments as the producer, director, actor and show host Karan Johar is set for unfiltered and candid conversations. From the iconic rapid fire segment to new additions like the Imposter game, Koffee wrecktangle, Kwiz & tell and Ask me Anything with Karan.

Dropping new episodes every Thursday exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar, viewers will be on a whirlwind journey of getting up close and personal with celebrities. The new episode will air on December 28.

[ayusr]

Bade Aache Lagte Hai 3 | Episode 3 | Kaddar Kapoor ka swayamvar :D

Oh my heart. Let's begin.

Priya and Ram both stayed in each other's memory enough to bring each other up in their conversations with others the next day of their first meeting. Priya did it once and Ram twice.

Priya complains to Yuvi (Priya's name for phony Yuvraj) Khaddar (Priya's name for Ram :D) ate all the cake. Don't know where the cake went. He was looking fit. Haha. I penned the same thing after episode 2. Priya got him malai roti, his favorite during struggle days. The duration of the relationship is not disclosed just yet. It's an old one as Priya said she have invested her life in this relationship. Alekha saw the two of them together. She was at phony Yuvraj's apartment to return his phone.

Phony Yuvraj is just promoted to manager and has big dreams which is great but his constant comparison of him to Ram is not. Priya tells her she won't force marriage till he achieves what he desires. The right ones are always accommodating for the right things.

Ram is in his offce with Alekha who was requesting him to go to Yuvraj and check about Pillu. She asks him to quit eating and to listen. He was listening. He always does. Khaddar was eating, working and listening at the same time. Is there anything this man can't do? You girls quit complaining about my eating . He brings up Priya when questioned who else is complaining about it.

Like a true business man he wants Alika to save him from the marriage prospects selected by his Jaan. Alika suggests introducing Kriti to Jaan so she can quit the search but Kriti have signed a contract to remain single. Ram thinks it would cause confusion and is stressed now. Just the idea of introducing Kriti to Jaan stresses him out. Alekha calms him down and he agrees to introduce her as a friend so that Jaan can back off for some days. Ram's nickname for Alekha is Alu. Mr. Kapoor gives the sweetest nicknames. I wonder if he likes her not just as a friend. He flirted with her once (in episode 1). It was harmless though.

Just like Ram his guardian angels work overtime too. Jaan is on a morning walk with her friends. She mentions Priya too. And as destiny would have it she met with a minor accident. Courtesy Kriti's driver. Kriti was in the backseat and the exchange they had after was not pleasant.

Kriti called Khaddar post accident. She was in a bad mood. The topic of exercise came up and Ram having been the big time victim of it recently tells her it's quite a sensitive topic and tells her the experience with Priya. Priya have not left the minds of Kapoor's.

It's not clear to me what Ram sees in Kriti. Sure, she is good looking but personality ugly. Forget apologizing for her share of mistakes, she didn't show the slightest concern for the elderly lady who just hit by her car. I wonder how they met? Who proposed who? How close are they? Questions questions.

Kriti storms off and Jaan suddenly remembers she have seen her somewhere. Her friends show her a news article written on her son and her dating rumours which she dismisses. I am aware of the girls Ram dates says Jaan. She is wrong this time.

Jaan reminds her friends to come to Shonalika's roka with their daughers. Jaan has turned it into a bride-hunt for Ram.

Shonalika is Ram's paternal cousin who is getting engaged to Akhil. Akhil breaks their six month old relationship with Neha as doing so promises him a better future without having to work hard and earn it, courtesy Shonalika's dad, who promised Akhil's involvement in the family business. Ram seems unaware of this transaction.

Akhil and Neha are Priya and phony Yuvraj's friends. Neha tells Priya about the break up. Priya tries her best to console Neha. She calls phony Yuvraj who was with Akhil and asks him to join them for a dine out . He was made aware of the break up and the reason by Akhil.

It is first revealed in this episode that Jaan's real name is Shailni Kapoor. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate. Wonder why Ram got her vanilla after her wisdom tooth extraction. Guess, they must have run out of chocolate. It was past midnight on New Year's eve.

[saetoru]

what are your favorite bollywood movies? or just your most favorite

okok so i know ur asking for my favs but an anon also asked for recs so im gonna combine them in one ask

so for recs, starting off with some older classics

kabhi khushi kabhi gham, kal ho naa ho, kuch kuch hota hai (you have to HAVE to watch these first 3 its literally the law) and then main hoon na, 3 idiots, english vinglish (this one is emotional for me as a daughter of immigrants), devdas, judwaa, bhagban, jodhaa akbar, tare zameen par, yeh jawani hai deewani, bodyguard

and then for more newer ones,

my personal fav is badrinath ki dulhania, just bc idk i rly like the story and the character development of both of them — its not the best on this list but its still my all time fav / comfort movie

but also — padmaavat, bajirao mastani, kapoor and sons, gully boy, bang bang, bar bar dekho, heropanti, abcd (there's 3 and i like them all)

and yeah i think this is a rather good list for now KJASHGD

my personal favs off this list are yeh jawani hai deewani, badrinath ki dulhania, padmaavat, bajirao mastani, and bar bar dekho !!

[dissecting-bollywood]

10 Queer Characters/Couples in Indian Media

A topic that has been taboo in Indian society forever now, homosexuality is now prevalent and more talked about than ever. There have been many forms of normalization the Indian audience has been exposed to, such as literature, social media awareness, and of course, Indian Media. In celebration of Pride Month, I’d like to stray away from the more dehumanizing and embarrassing portrayals of LGBTQ+ characters and instead focus on the more positive and realistic portrayals of them. So here are 10 queer characters and couples in Indian Media (keep in mind, I probably missed some queer Indian characters, so please don’t @ me. These are some of my personal favorites and most of these movies are available on online platforms)

*minor spoiler for Kapoor and Sons*

*THIS WAS WRITTEN BEFORE THE BLM PROTESTS. DONATE TO THE MOVEMENT OR SIGN PETITIONS*

1. AMAN-KARTHIK IN SHUBH MANGAL ZYADA SAAVDHAN

Probably the most recent one on the list, SMZS took the internet by surprise with the great representation. Starring Ayushmann Khurrana as Karthik and Jitendra Kumar as Aman, the movie showed a healthy relationship between the two and made their personalities deeper than the typical gay man stereotype. Although the movie did have a story structure similar to the modern situational comedy movies (i.e. Dream Girl and Badhaai Ho), this movie is a fun ride and an important step towards LGBTQ+ acceptance in Indian cinema. SMZS is available of Amazon Prime.

2. SWEETY-KUHU IN EK LADKI KO DEKHA TOH AISA LAGA

Proclaimed as the first mainstream Bollywood movie to showcase a lesbian love story as the main focus, this movie was bold for many. Starring Sonam Kapoor as Sweety and Regina Cassandra as Kuhu, their chemistry on-screen was lovable and so was the innocence of their intentions. Sweety’s journey of acceptance of her identity is one that many could empathize with and the movie overall was visually pleasing to look at. In technical terms, I found the movie slightly bland but that doesn’t make me disregard the impact it has had in queer love stories in Bollywood. Watch it on Netflix.

3. SHABNAM MAUSI IN SHABNAM MAUSI

Rolling backwards in time to 2005′s, Shabnam Mausi is about the real-life Shabnam Bano, the first transgender woman to become a political activist. Played by Ashutosh Rana, this movie was incredibly risky for obvious reasons. At that time, transgender women were ostracized by society and for a fairly famous Rana to take up this role was daring. Even though the movie had exaggerated many events that took place in Bano’s life, Ashutosh Rana’s great performance can’t be ignored.

4. RAHUL KAPOOR IN KAPOOR AND SONS

2016′s Kapoor and Son’s was an emotional movie centered around a family and their troubles. The oldest son Rahul, played by Fawad Khan, for most of the runtime is portrayed to be the perfect child but towards the end, it is discovered that he is a closeted gay in a relationship. Fawad Khan is charming and effortless as always and he bought a sense of rawness and authenticity to his performance. His subplot is just one of the many brushstrokes that make this movie the way it is. Available on Netflix.

5. RADHA-SITA IN FIRE

Both Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das were proven brave for taking up the role of Radha and Sita, especially considering the negativity surrounding LGBTQ folks at 1996 India. The movie was unjustly marred with controversy and hate by conservatives, but almost all critics hailed this film as gutsy and path-breaking, which it was in many ways. Along with portraying a lesbian love story in the forefront, the movie also portrays unhappy marriages and age gap relationships well. Catch this one of YouTube.

6. LAILA-KHANUM IN MARGARITA WITH A STRAW

Laila is a teenager with celebral palsy and Khanum is a blind Pakistani-Bangladeshi. The two extremely daring roles were carried out to near perfection by Kalki and Sayani in this gem of a movie. The chemistry between them was impeccable and the moments they have together will definitely make you tear up. This movie was path-breaking for portraying characters with disabilities in a good way and (of course) tackling the subject of sexuality with nuance. Catch this heartfelt movie on Hulu.

7. PROFESSOR SIRAS IN ALIGARH

Aligarh is a biopic of Professor Ramchandra Siras, a former professor at Aligarh Muslim University who was caught getting intimate with a rickshaw puller, causing him to get suspended. Siras is a character easy to empathize with and everything that Bajpayee emoted was very praiseworthy. You could really feel Siras’ pain and struggle through the screen. Despite the movie being moderately successful, Bajpayee’s performance didn’t go unnoticed and he went on to win a Filmfare in Best Actor (Critics) category. 

8. SHILPA IN SUPER DELUXE

The only regional character in this list, Shilpa played by Vijay Sethupathi is a transgender woman who comes back to her childhood town to meet her family and child she left years ago. Although she is a small part of this 3 hour long movie, she is easily the most iconic character and her conversations with Rasukutty seems very genuine and wholesome. Her storyline was engaging and when the sad and unfortunate incident happens to her, I couldn’t help but shed a tear. Definitely one of my most favorite characters in South Indian cinema. Watch this masterpiece of a movie on Netflix.

9. NIKHIL-NIGEL IN MY BROTHER... NIKHIL

Nikhil Kapoor, played by Sanjay Suri, is a competitive swimmer who has a hard time with accepting himself when he has HIV and Nigel D’Costa is his supportive boyfriend. Much like Shabnam Mausi and Aligarh, the movie is based on the real life Dominic D’Souza, who was a well-known AIDS activist. Certainly another brave attempt to normalize gay portrayal in the silver screen during challenging times, the movie was received well worldwide and deservedly so. The movie featured great performances from everyone and the ending carried so many mixed emotions that it was just beautiful. Available on YouTube.

10. KARAN MEHRA IN MADE IN HEAVEN

One of my personal favorites in the list, Karan, played brilliantly by Arjun Mathur, is a wedding planner along with Tara Khanna. He is a well-fleshed out character with a great personality and I think 50% of my most favorite moments are with him in it. The web series manages to show the nitty gritty situations gay people faced before the court’s decision on Section 377, from the parents’ reactions, to facing society’s stigma. I found myself sobbing and smiling along with him throughout the series and I am interested as to what is planned ahead for him. Please watch this series on Amazon Prime its very good.

NOTE: IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECENT PROTESTS AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY, I’D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THAT MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND THE PAIN AND STRUGGLE YOU GO THROUGH, BUT KNOW THAT I WILL FOREVER SUPPORT THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT AND I URGE ANYONE READING TO CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE TO MAKE DONATIONS OR SIGN PETITIONS. #BLACKLIVESMATTER AND #ACAB

[raviposting]

idk if you have done this before, but bollywood movie recommendations if you feel up to it please ❤

Oh my gosh I absolutely can! Enjoy these completely arbitrary recs

Movies That Make Me Cry/The First Three Bollywood Movies I Ever Saw/The Beginning of my SRK Obsession: 

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Kal Ho Naa Ho (AMAZING movie)

Khabhi Khushe Khabi Gham 

Bonus: My Name is Khan (excellent look at how desis and Muslim folks were treated post 9/11, cried a lot, the main character is autistic and portrayed positively though I admittedly do not know how other autistic folks thoughts on it!) 

Movies That Should Have Been Gay and/or Poly If They Weren’t Cowards: 

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (they were in love, change my mind)

Kal Ho Naa Ho (they were all in love change my mind) 

Bajirao Mastani (I mean. I guess it is poly but like......y’know)

Queen (2013) 

Student of the Year (note I did not like this movie buuuuuut it is fun watching and imagining the two leads as boyfriends because like. They were.) 

Oh? There’s Actual Rep Here? 

Kapoor and Sons (my favorite Bollywood movie, 10/10 loved it and it came out before decriminalization so I extra loved the gay rep there).

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (lesbians!!!!! In love!!!!) 

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan (note: haven’t watched it but the gay rep!!) 

Dear Zindagi (this is mental health representation and it’s fantastic, and the patient/therapist dynamic did NOT happen as I feared it would which made it all the better) 

The Cinnamontography.....

Bajirao Mastani (hnnnnnnng just look at this song and the visuals. It’s. Beautiful. ALSO if you’re a Game of Thrones/ASOIAF fan, this story is very, very much in line with what I assume Rhaegar/Lyanna/Elia looked like). 

Om Shanti Om (a really cool look at reincarnation and the visuals that I particularly enjoyed is the 70s style movie sets it’s just a very colorful movie and I adore that)

Amir Khan Movies lmao: 

Dangal (SUCH a good movie, based off a real-life story - of which the real-life one is probably even more wild than the movie version? A fantastic look on female wrestling sisters and their father who trained them, I usually hate sports movies but this one was really really good) 

3 Idiots (means a lot to me, looks at the pressures that parents put on their kids and also about going your own way and finding your own path. TW for suicide in this movie however) 

Superstar (idk if it’s on Netflix anymore but it’s where I watched it - a beautiful coming of age story about a girl trying to get her and her mother - and brother - away from her abusive father. It’s a beautiful mother/daughter story and I think even though Amir’s character seemed kind of inconsistently written the emotional story is just FANTASTIC and I like how they didn’t shy away from showing that the main character sometimes exhibited the same traits she was afraid of - a fantastic look at abuse and how it manifests in the home and it’s genuinely heartwarming)

Taare Zameen Par (a young boy with dyslexia!! I need to rewatch this movie but I watched it on a flight to India about 3 times and I adored it) 

Movies that Didn’t Fit Anywhere Else But Like...I Recommend Them: 

Khoobsurat (SUCH a cute Disney movie and uhhh if you’re like me, Sonam Kapoor and Fawad Khan are both beautiful to look at so there’s that)

The Lunchbox!!!!!! (I need to rewatch it bc I watched it very young I believe or in snippets but I remember it hit hard? Also Irrfan Khan starred in it. <3) 

[niaking]

My top ten Hindi films on Netflix

If you’ve never seen a Hindi film, you’re missing out. Action, romance, comedy, and drama: you can often find them ALL in one of these three-hour films. (OK, not all Hindi films are three hours, but they tend to skew longer than American films, especially the older ones.) If the constant genre-changing doesn’t hold your attention, maybe the singing, dancing, bright costumes and incredible cinematography will. If you’re not sure where to start, check out my recommendations below. Most of these feature strong female characters or have a feminist bent. Here are a few Hindi words to listen for while you’ve got the subtitles on.

pyaar – love, dost – friend, dushman – enemy, zindagi – life

1.) Dangal (2016) – Feminist sports movie, based on a true story. Lead actor and producer Aamir Khan plays Mahavir Phogat, the father of Geeta Phogat and Babita Kumari, two girls from a small town in Haryana who aspire to become professional wrestlers, though the state lacks both structural and social support for female athletes. Their father was a professional wrestler who dreamed of winning Olympic gold for India, and failing that, aspired to have a son that could fulfill his ambitions. But he didn’t have a son. He had one daughter, and then another, and then another, and then another. One day, after the girls get in trouble for beating up some boys in the neighborhood that were bullying them, Dad realizes he may not need a son to have Olympic gold winners in the family. Aamir got most of the praise when this film came out, but all the actresses who played his daughters (Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, and Suhani Bhatnagar) trained super hard for this film, and it shows 100% on screen. Best song: Dangal.

2.) Queen (2014) – Feminist coming-of-age travel film. This film is about a small-town girl that gets dumped on the eve of her wedding and decides to take her honeymoon to Europe alone, even though she’s never been out of India. Along the way, she makes friends with a diverse group of other travelers, sheds some of her more conservative views, and learns to embrace life fearlessly. Best song: Hungama. Second best song: London Thumakda.

3.) PK (2014) – This film was controversial when it came out because it pokes fun at religion, but it’s ultimately about we shouldn’t allow religious differences to divide us. Aamir Khan plays an alien that pays Earth a visit to try and understand human society. Unfortunately for him, there are a lot of rules he has to learn to pass as one of us (even though he looks human). Fortunately for us, that learning process includes a number of hilarious mishaps. Best song: Tharki Chokro.

4.) Dil Dhadkne Do (2015) – Family drama (but not without comedy, action, and romance) starring Priyanka Chopra (who you may recognize from Quantico or Baywatch). The parents in a family of business moguls decide to celebrate their anniversary by taking a ten-day cruise with some of their best frenemies. What could possibly go wrong? Best song: Girls Like to Swing. Second best song: Gallan Goodiyaan.

5.) 2 States (2014) – One of my favorite romantic Hindi films, this rom-com becomes a family drama when college sweethearts Krish and Ananya have to convince their parents to accept their partners. Krish is Punjabi (North Indian) and Ananya is Tamil (South Indian) and their cultures are very different. Will the parents be able to overcome their prejudices around class, color, and culture to accept their children’s partners? Best song: Iski Uski. Second best song: Locha E Ulfat.

6.) Little Things (2016) – This is a series, not a TV show, but I wanted to include it because I love it so much. It’s a super cute portrayal of a relationship between affluent twenty-somethings living in Mumbai. She’s very career-driven and he’s a little less clear on what his goals are, which contributes to some of the relationship conflicts in season one.

7.) Raees – This is a pretty straightforward gangster movie. A boy with strong values but few career options starts making money the best way he knows how: bootlegging liquor in a dry state. He eventually gets rich and powerful enough to scare even cops and politicians, but ultimately gets in over his head. Raju Ban Gaya podcast described this as a rip-off of Narcos, but I feel that’s a little unfair. They also praised the film’s portrayal of a Muslim protagonist. This movie features a fight scene in a butcher’s market, which, if you’re vegetarian like me, you may find a little hard to stomach. Also, some people get murdered. Best song: Laila Main Laila.

8.) Kahaani (2017) – The feminist thriller/murder mystery you didn’t know you needed. Vidya is living in London and very pregnant when her husband, who has traveled to Kolkata for work, goes missing. She travels to India to find him, but the local authorities, who assume he bounced because he couldn’t handle the prospect of fatherhood, are no help. Anyone that tries to help her mysteriously turns up dead. Can she find the killer before he finds her?

9.) Om Shanti Om (2007) – I included this because it’s a classic, and it’s got a lot of the wackiness I think Americans expect from Hindi films. It’s chockfull of references to other Hindi films, so the more you’ve seen, the more you can appreciate it. However, you don’t need to be a Bollywood buff to be able to enjoy this story about reincarnation and karmic comeuppance. It’s also a good introduction to Shah Rukh Khan, one of Hindi films’ leading men, and one of the world’s highest-paid actors. Best song: Deewangi Deewangi.

10.) Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019) – This is the first mainstream Bollywood with a lesbian protagonist. (The independent Hindi film Fire portrayed a lesbian relationship in 1996 and it did not go so well.) Ek Ladki starts out as a rom-com and then becomes a family drama. The plot gets a little convoluted between the second and third act, but the chemistry between 90s heartthrobs Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla is a joy to watch. Fun fact: Anil, who plays the protagonists’ father in the film, is the father of lead actress Sonam Kapoor in real life.

These are all on Netflix right now. Not sure how many will be taken down next month.

[craniuum]

i was tagged by @toziersuris to do this, thank you!!! 🌿🥰

Rules: Name ten favorite characters from ten different things (TV, movies, books, etc.), then tag ten people.

1. kendall roy from succession i love this absolute mess of a middle son 

2. villanelle/eve polastri from killing eve i refuse to pick just one of them like they’re it they’re the unhinged tv lesbians i’ve always wanted to see

3. princess carolyn from bojack horseman I LOVE THIS PINK CAT!!!!!!!!! is it because i too am someone who finds my worth through my career and has a total mess of a personal life??? let’s not dwell on that

4. valencia perez from crazy ex girlfriend she was underrated and underused but i loved her character arc sm i miss her!!!!

5. lucille bluth from arrested development i was originally going to post moira rose from schitt’s creek (my fave from that show) but tbh lucille is the OG rich family-turned-poor matriarch and "if that’s a veiled criticism about me i won’t hear it and i won’t respond to it” still goes so hard today. a legend

6. amelie poulain from amelie she was a manic pixie dream girl before the trope was even a thing and also i just have such a soft spot for this movie

7. kelly kapoor from the office i don’t even like the office that much but I LOVE KELLY because she’s one of the first indian characters i remember seeing on mainstream tv who wasn’t just a walking stereotype and we love that

8. everyone from house md i had to throw in a medical show on this list and as a gay person this one’s my favorite one. if i HAD to pick one fave it would be wilson but honestly they’re all a mess and i would be terrified to encounter any physicians like them in real life. anyway here’s the squad

9. velma kelly from chicago she might seem random to include here but chicago is my favorite musical and velma was my lesbian awakening in high school so

10. *not fictional* the bon appetit test kitchen staff this is a copout but i was running out of ideas for this list and i adore all of them thanks

i tag anyone who sees this and would like to do it!!! xx

[samingtonwilson]

This is so random but I’ve never seen a Bollywood movie and every time I see you post a gif I just get so interested in it?? I’m American (and white) though so is it okay to watch and if so how would I go about that (I don’t want to pirate anything of course!!)? Do you have like an all-time favorite film that you would recommend?

why wouldn’t it be okay to watch, cinema is meant to transcend manmade divisions. but netflix has tons, so does amazon prime, but honestly just pirate them because some of the ones that are just so GOOD aren’t available on netflix or amazon. 

i don’t know if i have an all time favorite tbh. 

if you want something aesthetically pleasing: ram leela; bajirao mastani. 

if you want just a good ass movie these are some of the films i’ve LOVED in recent years: yeh jawani hai deewani (this is likely one of my absolute favs); zindagi na milegi dobara (also a HUGE fav); dil dhadakne do (also a giant fav); kapoor & sons (this one KILLS ME); badrinath ki dulhania; dear zindagi; bajrangi bhaijaan; queen; ae dil hai mushkil (movie itself isn’t amazing but it’s beautifully made and the MUSIC IS SO GOOD)

come to think of it, out of everything i’ve listed in that last group, the first 3 films are probably my absolute favorites. i did also LOOOOOVE gully boy but that just came out in february so it’ll be impossible to find anywhere 

[roohfully]

hindi film recs? preferably romance but any films at all that u love💖

sure. i’ll focus specifically on rom-coms, even though it’s more specific than what you asked. romance is what hindi cinema does best, so it’s honestly too broad for me to fit in and if i expanded to ones that i’m fond of, the list would get too long. if you’d like historical romances, tragic romances, dramatic romances, send another question, please!! ♡ ~ denotes it being on netflix. this is also by no means comprehensive, i know for a fact that i am missing many lovely and worthwhile films, but i decided to focus on only contemporary ones, meaning after 2000 (bar one). this is also not in any specific order. 

love per square foot: a slice-of-life about a hindu boy and christian girl who enter a marriage of convenience so that they can buy a home. it’s very sweet and heartfelt, the family relationships in it are also extremely endearing. it’s also not very glam as usual, cinematographically i found that it focuses nicely on the little bric-à-brac common to middle-class/poorer indian family homes. ~

khoobsoorat: lit. lovely. a bubbly physical therapist is sent to work with a paralyzed king for his recuperation, but falls in love with the prince, his son, while she’s there. it’s exactly what it seems like. it’s very sugary, very light, and it’s a very good film for a rainy day or when you’re feeling down. ~

qarib qarib singlle: lit. almost single. a woman decides to embark on a trip with a poet through india to meet his past three girlfriends, the great loves of his life. of course, on this trip, they fall for each other. this one wasn’t a very big hit, but i found it very lovely. india is portrayed beautifully and very genuinely. the plot is very lowkey, i think this one mostly hinges on the poetry and scenes. ~

two states: a south indian girl and north indian boy are friends-with-benefits in college but quickly fall in love, however, upon deciding to get married, they face a culture clash that might separate them forever. writing that out felt so cheesy, lol. anyways, this is one of my favorite films in the world, after i write this out i’m going to go watch this. it’s a really fresh and pleasant movie, i just adore it. i don’t want to spoil much, so i’ll just say that it’s wonderful. ~

jab we met: lit. when we met. oh, the classic. this one also stars a bubbly woman, but she instead encounters a melancholy man on a train. unfortunately, the train leaves without them at a station. the story goes on from there. this is seriously a classic, made in the 2000s. i can’t tell you how many times i sat enraptured in front of the TV with this film on as a kid. the toy train scene is iconic and so funny, you’ll know what i’m talking about when you see it. ~

i hate luv storys: a hopeless romantic meets a complete pessimist. this is one is super fun and definitely romantic in a chick-lit, reminiscent-of-hollywood sort of way. very nice and might be the one you’re looking for if you’re very into romance. ~

aisha: a hindi remake of emma. sonam kapoor is brilliant and beautiful in it. that’s really all you need to know. very relatable and very funny. ugh, i want to rewatch this one too now, lol.

wake up sid!: a good-for-nothing rich kid falls for an older woman who writes, starring konkona sen sharma and ranbir kapoor. this one is seriously good. it’s mature, brisk, contemplative, but still very, very ‘bollywood.’ this is one of kapoor’s earlier movies and i believe (?) it’s one of the ones that really cemented him as a talented actor. loved it when i was younger too. ~

mere brother ki dulhan: lit. my brother’s bride. yeah, just as horrifically hilarious as the title suggests. katrina kaif is radiant as a sweet, confident girl who really doesn’t need anybody to confirm her self-worth. role-model-worthy when i was little, tbh. the reason for my soft spot for her as an actress. imran is good too, but then, he’s usually good. i’d recommend checking his filmography outside this list as well, because he really only does rom-coms.

band baaja baarat: two college kids start a wedding planning business, but matters become messy when one falls in love with the other. cute. fun. is exactly as advertised. the debut of anushka sharma and ranveer kapoor, the latter married deepika padukone recently, if that matters at all.

yeh jaawani hai deewani: lit. this youth is crazy. i realized i didn’t have deepika’s big rom-com on here, lol. anyways, a bookish girl goes on a trip to the himalayas and falls in love with an old collegemate, time skips forward, and we see how their love pans out. all tinsel shots and the perfect amount of angst make it very good. the leads were also dating at the time i think, so you can see if that chemistry is apparent in the film.

dilwale dulhania le jayenge: lit. the big-hearted one will take away the bride. another classic, 1998-made, starring the iconic pairing of SRK and kajol. two young non-resident indians fall in love during a trip around europe, but the girl has already been promised in marriage to another, moving the plot back to india. seriously, if you’re going to watch any film, watch this one, because in my opinion, it changed cinema. the songs are perfect, the couple is adorable. it’s just good.

josh: lit. ebullience. two gangs war in goa, and star-crossed lovers begin to question the senseless violence. it has aishwarya rai in it, which is all the reason you need, honestly. it’s enchanting atmospherically as well, and rather easy-to-watch. fair warning, though: the second half is extremely weak plot-wise, so be aware of that. still, aishwarya rai.

[amongxylophonesandglockenspiels]

Bollywood Movies Part CXLII

When Yogendra Vashisht (Rishi Kapoor) falls ill, his former students reminisce about the school competition 10 years ago and the relationships it made and broke, especially those between rich kid Rohan Nanda (Varun Dhawan), his girlfriend Shanaya Singhania (Alia Bhatt), and new student Abhimanyu Singh (Sidharth Malhotra) Who’s there on scholarship.

Student of the Year is primarily a movie about friendship and how competion, real or perceived, affects it. It is also the debut of all three leads. It is vastly entertaining and also tugs at the heartstrings at the right times. It is also relatable because it does portray working against adversity. I most enjoyed Sidharth Malhotra, but the other two newcomers did really well in their performances too. Favorite song are Kukkad (no subtitles) and Radha.

Kavya Pratap Singh (Alia Bhatt) and Rakesh “Humpty” Sharma (Varun Dhawan) meet when Kavya goes to Delhi to buy a designer lehenga for her wedding. They become closer as Kavya enlists Humpty’s help in saving her cousin’s wedding and ultimately fall in love. Kavya returns home to marry her father’s (Ashutosh Rana) choice, and Humpty follows to win over her father.

Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania is a fun romp. I found the story to be a pretty good callback to older films without compromising the story. I especially enjoyed Siddharth Shukla as Kavya’s perfect fiancé, which he played with aplomb. Otherwise, the film is filled with funny moments and is thoroughly enjoyable. Favorite songs are Samjhawan and Daingad Daingad. Neither song has subtitles.

After Amarjeet Kapoor (Rishi Kapoor) has a heart attack, his estranged grandsons Arjun (Sidharth Malhotra) and Rahul (Fawad Khan) return home. The family learns that Amarjeet wants a family photo before he dies, and the two brothers have to live together while ignoring the problems which caused them to part.

Kapoor & Sons is a funny, poignant story about a family that learns the easiest way of dealing with problems is by sweeping them under the rug. I really enjoyed the performances and found the story to work very well. I especially loved Fawad Khan in his role and the subtleties he imbued in his character. Favorite songs are Kar Gayi Chull and Buddhu Sa Mann.

[myownsuperintendent]

Abigail’s Best of 2017

I’ve been meaning to do this round-up for a while, but here are my top ten new-to-me books, movies, and plays (for plays only the production had to be new to me) of 2017.  If you are looking for things to read or watch, check it out!  In alphabetical order:

Books:

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie—This book was smart and incisive—an immediately absorbing read. I loved Adichie’s commentary on society.

Belinda by Maria Edgeworth—This is an early nineteenth-century novel (I read it in preparation for my comprehensive exam) and bananas in all the very best ways, featuring such plot elements as a cross-dressing duel and a race between pigs and turkeys.  It’s also a great look at female friendships.

Bleak House by Charles Dickens—Another one that I read for my comprehensive exams and probably my number one book of the year.  It’s so big that it has everything in it—humor, pathos, mystery, and strong characters to whom you have lots of time to become thoroughly attached; I adored its heroine, Esther.

Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood—A really sharp look at the complex dynamics of friendship.  It also has a wonderful sense of time and place.

Faithful Place by Tana French—I read and enjoyed all of French’s Dublin Murder Squad books this year, but this one really stands out.  It’s not just a murder mystery but a vivid story of family and belonging, one that I totally felt like I understand even though the family it portrays is nothing like my own.

The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain—A very funny tale of traveling with a group.  It’s obvious that tourists, as well as people in general, have not changed very much since the nineteenth century.

The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot—Another terrific book from my exam list.  I think all of Eliot’s novels (that I’ve read) have something to offer, but this is definitely my favorite; its heroine, Maggie, is such a vivid creation, determined and defiant in the face of social constraints.

Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw—I really felt that this young adult novel about a fanfiction writer got fandom to a T.  It was funny, breezy, and charming.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel—A beautifully written and unique story.  Its characters and setting are perfectly drawn, and it gives such a strong sense of hope despite its bleak content.

The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex—A laugh-out-loud hilarious children’s book.  It features two great characters in its heroine Tip and her alien friend J.Lo, and although I read it almost a year ago now, I still remember many of the funny lines.

 Movies:

Amar Akbar Anthony—I was a TA for a Bollywood class in the spring and was introduced to many great films. This story of three brothers who were separated at birth is over-the-top in just the right way, featuring great songs and humor.

Bande de Filles—This movie beautifully captures the power of female friendship.  There are great performances from the young actresses, especially in the scene where they lip sync to “Diamonds.”

Ghostbusters—Another great take on female relationships!  I loved the performances in this one as well and the characterization of the women and their interactions.

Kapoor & Sons (Since 1921)—Another film from the Bollywood class, this is a heartfelt family story with both comedy and drama.  The characters feel real and complex.

Lady Bird—The only new movie I saw this year, this one was definitely worth seeing.  Such a strong portrayal of a young woman’s subjectivity—it made me laugh and cry and kept me absorbed all through.

Night of the Demon—This movie is perhaps not good in an objective sense, but I really enjoyed watching it. It features a séance at which everyone sings “Cherry Ripe” and an extremely hokey-looking demon.

The Night of the Hunter—This movie really felt like no other I have ever seen.  It’s a dark story with excellent performances throughout and almost the quality of a fable.

Om Shanti Om—This film, also from the Bollywood class, was an absolute delight.  It has fabulous musical numbers and a lot of self-referential humor—I was glad it was the last one we watched in the class, as it really benefited from having seen other films in the genre.

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak—My final selection from the Bollywood class, this Romeo and Juliet story features two absurdly charming lead actors in Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla.  It is also delightfully female gazey.

The X-Files—This movie has Dana Scully in it, which gives it an automatic leg up on all but one other movies. It’s also just fun and a really good mix of elements—adventure, snappy dialogue, incredible sexual tension.

 Plays:

Assassins—I’d seen a production of this many years ago, but I was glad to see it again.  It’s a dark but fascinating look at presidential assassins or would-be assassins, with a really smart book and score.

Come from Away—Such an uplifting and affirming musical.  It absolutely made me laugh and cry and had such a strong message of hope; I was also very impressed by the performances of the cast, all of whom played multiple roles.

Fun Home—I’d seen this on Broadway but knew I absolutely wanted to see the tour.  This is probably my favorite recent musical—an honest, often painful but sometimes hopeful story with a wonderful protagonist in Alison Bechdel.

Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812—This was a really enjoyable production with great stagecraft and performances in an immersive setting.  Shout-out to the chorus member who cussed out the audience member who was filming him; my family will never forget you.

The New Yorkers—A funny musical about wacky New Yorkers in the 1920s.  The first act concludes with a tribute to wood and lots of wood being brought onto the stage (this is not a euphemism).

Peerless—A chilling modern-day take on Macbeth, in which two high schooler sisters murder a classmate in an attempt to get his spot at an elite college.  It terrifically explores the tensions of academic achievement.

Sunday in the Park with George—A really beautiful show all around.  Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford gave wonderful performances in the leads, but the whole cast shone, as did the smart and moving material.

Sweat—A strong play about tensions in a languishing factory town.  The characters and their problems were realistically and sympathetically portrayed, with no real heroes or villains.

War Paint—I must admit that I know people involved in this show, but I am confident that I would like it anyway. The story of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, who started the cosmetics industry, the show explores the struggles of being a woman in power with a gorgeous score.

The Wolves—The best for last, perhaps!  This play about high school girls at soccer practice always feels incredibly real—you get to know the characters naturally, with no artificial exposition, and by the end you feel connected to them all.

[hedaswolf]

Hey :) I really love your Clexa Eleven AU - it's truly wholesome and adorable. But I can't help but be curious, have they had the awkward, eleven walking in on them during the night? I just think that Lexa would be so awkward and embarrassed 😂

chapter 23 (good lord) of the clexa eleven au

You’re getting to the age when kids are starting to complain about getting up early. Even Lily, who is perpetually in motion, groans about school’s early start time.

You get it. Back in the group home Mike would have to pull the pillow out from under your head to get you up, and then help you down the rungs of the bunk bed so you wouldn’t stumble in your early-hour stupor.

It’s not like that anymore. Now, you’re what Clarke calls a “morning person.”

She groans when she says it, but it’s a good groan. Like she thinks you’re cute and not annoying, because Lexa’s a morning person too, and Clarke loves every part of Lexa, even the annoying bits.

Clarke doesn’t know that you only became a so-called morning person when you moved to this little blue house. Here -- with them -- breakfast is one of the best parts of your day. You don’t want to miss a second, even on school days. There’s something of a rhythm to it -- the way Lexa and Clarke cross paths as they bustle about the kitchen, making coffee and toasting waffles and yawning without covering their mouths.

You’re still sluggish, because some things will never change, so you usually just nestle into your chair at the kitchen table and slowly pull on your socks and tie your shoes. When you’re done you sit back and watch, tapping your foot to the beat of the morning. You simultaneously revel in the routine of it and look for improvisations; Lexa stopping mid-sip to brush an eyelash from Clarke’s cheek, Clarke reeling Lexa in by her belt loop so she can straighten out the collar of her shirt.

This morning, however, isn’t like that. Not at all.

It’s quiet, in a weird way. Like you’re tiptoeing around each other. And you all know why.

Clarke pokes at her cereal, staring into the bowl like there’s tea leaves at the bottom, and clearing her throat every few minutes, like she’s gonna say something, but she never actually does. Lexa sips her coffee, which isn’t all that unusual, except she’s sitting at the kitchen table instead of leaning against the counter, like she does most workdays.

And you? You cut determinedly into your waffles and take a big bite like nothing is wrong.

The thing is, nothing is wrong, in the grand scheme of things. You bounce your leg -- matching this morning’s frenetic rhythm -- and take stock of your emotions (one of Dr. Kapoor’s tips).

You feel weird and embarrassed and uncomfortable and curious and a little bit guilty, you guess, for not knocking. But there’s something else simmering beneath all of it that you can’t put your finger on.

You swallow your waffles and cut into them again a little too forcefully. Your knife scrapes against the plate. Lexa cringes at the sound. Clarke clears her throat.

“Okay, this is getting ridiculous,” she says, ending with a forced laugh. “Should we just talk about it? I feel like we should talk about it.”

She glances at Lexa in a desperate sort of way, which tells you they’ve already discussed how this morning should go and are both too chicken to start. Lexa brings her seemingly never-ending mug of coffee to her lips and shrugs one shoulder. Your eyes follow the movement and you notice that she’s blushing all the way down to her collarbone.

You clench your jaw as that unnamed emotion you’re feeling (anger? no...) grows stronger.

“Some help you are….” Clarke mutters.

Then she turns to you and the look on her face is so helpless you almost laugh. Part of you wants to put her out of her misery, but the other part -- the frustrated (frustrated!) part -- wants to make her -- the two of them -- sweat it out for being such babies about this.

“Eleven,” she starts, half smiling/half wincing. “Kiddo. So, about last night…”

You put down your utensils and put on your most innocent, wide-eyed face. “What about it?”

Clarke gulps and clears her throat again and you start to feel bad about the way you’re handling this. Your reaction probably falls under a new category of behavior that Clarke has dubbed “your teenage side” which has been “showing” more and more lately. Even though she rolls her eyes when she says it you know she doesn’t mean it -- like this, too, is more cute than annoying -- and it usually makes you feel grown up -- the thought of being like a teenager -- though it’s still years away.

Today, giving into your teenage side makes you feel kinda mean.

“Well, um…” Clarke stammers. “Did you have a bad dream or something?”

“I came to check on you… later,” Lexa says. “I think you’d fallen back asleep.”

Any remaining frustration inside you dissipates. Now you feel really mean. Of course, beneath all the weirdness and awkwardness, your moms just want to make sure you’re okay. And you hadn’t fallen back asleep -- you just pretended that you had, because you didn’t want to face exactly what you’re facing right now.

Your chin falls to your chest. If you hadn’t been immature last night maybe this morning would’ve been fine.

“We’re not mad!” Clarke blurts, misreading your reaction. “I mean, we’re the ones who left the door unlocked. And I’m not sure what you, um, saw…”

She trails off, and it takes you a second to realize it’s probably because you squeezed your eyes shut at the mere mention of it. The truth is you didn’t see much because you were sleepy and it was dark. But what you heard...

“Okay, uh, sorry, never mind that.”

No one speaks for a moment and you can just imagine them looking at each other all deer-in-headlights. You have to fight back a smile at that visual.

“El.” Lexa says your name so firmly your eyes fly open. She’s still kinda pink, but she looks resolved. “This doesn’t have to be painful.” She squares her shoulders and lifts her chin, changing her body language like she’s donning armor. “Sometimes when…”

She pauses, searching for the words, and you hold your breath. Not because you’re worried about what’s coming next -- because you just remembered something and it’s taking everything inside you not to laugh.

Years ago, in the group home, you and Mike would try to sneak into the older kids’ movie nights -- there was just something so thrilling about watching a film you were supposed to be 13 to see. In one movie -- you forget which -- a boy asked his parents where babies came from. The mother and father exchanged nervous looks, and then the dad said, “Well, son, sometimes, when a mommy and daddy love each other very much…”

Before you can help it, you imagine Lexa saying that to you -- except with “mommy and mommy” -- and you have to clamp both hands over your mouth. Your moms gape at you, looking super confused and alarmed, like they did that time the vacuum cleaner malfunctioned and started blowing dust out instead of sucking it in.

You drop your hands from your mouth so you can clutch your ribs as you let out a long laugh.

“I… know…” you pant between giggles, “what… sex is.”

Your moms’ close their mouths at the same time and you double over again.

“Oh.”

“Huh.”

You take a few deep breaths to compose yourself and to think of how to phrase what you’re going to say.

“Sorry for laughing. Hang on.”

It didn’t take you long to realize that foster kids know more grown-up things than kids with regular families do. The teenagers in the group home called the other children “sheltered” like it was a bad thing, but now you’re not so sure. Your moms don’t let you watch violent movies and they change the radio station when a song with lots of bleeped-out words comes on. It may be a little too late for you, but being sheltered -- the actual act of it, someone sheltering you -- feels pretty nice.

“My last foster family watched a lot of HBO,” you say instead.

Maybe it was the wrong choice, because no one responds. You’re starting to get worried when Lexa makes a sort of choking sound before spitting out a mouthful of coffee, spraying both you and Clarke.

Now it’s your turn to gape as Lexa doubles over in hysterics. You’re about to ask her what’s going on when Clarke slaps the table so hard the dishes rattle. She puts her head down next to her cereal bowl and your eyes widen as her shoulders heave with silent laughter.

“Oh my god,” Lexa croaks. She reaches across the table and squeezes Clarke’s hand, eliciting a giggle muffled against the tablecloth.

When Clarke finally sits up her cheeks are wet with tears and she’s beaming.

“Eleven - 1,” she rasps. “Moms - 0.”

This -- whatever it means -- makes Lexa laugh harder. She raises her hand and Clarke high fives her across the table.

You literally have no clue what the heck is going on, but this morning started off so weird and now your moms are laughing, and they have your favorite laughs in the world -- the most wonderful, contagious laughs -- so you start laughing too. They grin at you, giddy and young, and you feel so light. You can tell you’re on the other side of something

“Whew. Okay. Okay.” Clarke swipes at the tears on her cheeks. “Sorry kiddo. We just… were really not expecting that.”

Lexa dabs at the corner of her eyes, which does nothing because her mascara is smeared halfway down her face. “Definitely not,” she says.

You still don’t get what’s so funny, but you’re not gonna dwell on it.

“I should have said something sooner. I just didn’t know how, I guess.” You shrug. Funny that, just minutes ago, this all seemed so complicated. Now you feel like you can say anything. So you go for it. “Also Lily’s parents already had ‘the talk’ with her about, like, how babies are made, so we don’t have to do that either, because she told it to me word for word.”

You snicker, remembering that afternoon in the playground, and your moms laugh too.

“Good to know,” Clarke says. “Although sometimes we’ll have to have our own talks, even if you’ve already gone over the matter with Lily.”

“Does that make sense?” Lexa asks.

You nod. “Some things you have to talk about as a family.”

“Exactly,” they say in unison.

Your moms exchange one of those looks, like they’re communicating without words. When they look away Clarke laughs and Lexa sighs happily.

“So.” Clarke clasps her hands together. “Before we close the book on this entirely -- and before I clean the makeup off your Mum’s face -- do you have any, like, questions? Comments?” She winks at you. “Grossed out facial expressions to get out of your system?”

You roll your eyes. “Maaa.”

“Ooh, that was a good one. Very teenage-El.” Clarke laughs as you put on a fake pout. “Seriously though. May as well get it all out now. Believe it or not, this exact situation happened to me once and my parents just acted like it never happened. It got weird.”

Your eyes widen at the thought of Abby doing… that.

“It’s easier to not talk, sometimes,” you say. “But I’m glad that we did. Earlier we were all sitting so close but it felt wrong. Like there was something in the way.” You smile at them. “It’s gone now.”

“Good.” Lexa taps the toe of her high heel against your sneaker under the table. “This was good. Next time we know to just dive into talking right away.”

“Next time we’ll lock the door.”

“Next time I’ll knock.”

Your moms burst out laughing and, this time, you get why. Clarke cups her cheeks, just like you do when your face happy-hurts, and it makes you feel warm and soft.

There’s still something you want to say, but you aren’t quite sure how. You want to tell them you don’t think they’re gross, not really, even though kids your age are supposed to. And you want to tell them that you know the difference between what happens on HBO and what happens here, between them, in private.

It’s like, everything that happens in this house -- even the things you’re not supposed to see, the things that aren’t meant for you -- are rooted in something good. And that makes you feel safe.

Maybe one day you’ll find the words. But today you get up and stand between your moms. They’re still laughing when they each put an arm around you, like it’s second nature, and you loop your arms around the back of their necks.

“I never knew how many kinds there were....” you start.

Lexa kisses your temple. “Kinds of what?”

“Of love. I didn’t realize. Until I came here.”

You pause, because you feel kinda stupid, but Clarke squeezes your side. “Go on.”

“Well, there’s love when you make me waffles for breakfast, and when you help me with my history homework, and when you tuck me in at night. And there’s love when you two hold hands and make each other snacks and text random emojis throughout the day for no reason.” Clarke tickles your ribs at that and you squirm. “I know those are different kinds of love. And I know there are even more that are just between the two of you. But it’s still love -- I know that.”

“You’re right,” Lexa says, nuzzling her nose against your cheek. “Everything we do comes from a place of love.”

“Sure does,” Clarke says. “But you come first, kiddo. No matter what.”

“I know.” You kiss her forehead, then Lexa’s. “I guess I just mean, I’m glad you love each other so much.”

“Funny,” Lexa says. “We always say it’s like we didn’t know what love was until we found you.”

You’re not sure how that can possibly be true, but they look at you like one of their favorite emojis -- the one with a sappy smile and pink cheeks -- and your pulse picks up a little bit. Your moms pull you in for a tight group hug and you close your eyes and focus on the happy-hurt in your heart.

[dissecting-bollywood]

10 Bollywood Slice-Of-Life Movies Worth Watching

There are many movies in Bollywood that introduce us to a new world full of wonder and imagination (such as Mahishmati of Bahubali) and on the other hand, there are movies rooted in the real world with vibrant characters. Often called ‘slice-of-life’ films, these movies humor us but most importantly teach us about what life is and what we can gain from it. So here are 10 slice-of-life films worth watching (and since I couldn’t fit all of my favorites, I MAY do a sequel to this post).

1. ENGLISH VINGLISH (DIR. GAURI SHINDE)

This classic 2012 movie is about an Indian housewife who knows little to no English and her going to New York to attend her niece’s wedding and secretly taking English classes with a class of diverse and vibrant people. This movie is heartwarming and the main reason it was so successful was that it resonated with everyone around the world regardless of which native language they speak. Sridevi’s comeback was a definite success as she shined brightly just like she used to in her older films.

2. VICKY DONOR (DIR. SHOOJIT SIRCAR)

This award-winning film is about Vicky, a man with high-quality sperm, and how he faces turmoils in his life because of the fact that he is a sperm donor. Traditionally a taboo topic, this movie broke the barriers and explained how being a donor makes other families happier and more secure. Having great veterans like Annu Kapoor and Dolly Ahluwalia aiding them, the two main leads were fresh-eyed Yami Gautam and Ayushmann Khurrana and they proved their acting chops marvelously.

3. THE LUNCHBOX (DIR. RITESH BATRA)

This low-budget-hit is about a flourishing relationship between a married woman and an aching widower without meeting eye to eye but through writing each other letters with a lunchbox through the dabbawala system, which in short is a lunch delivery system. This touching movie has won 3 Filmfare awards and deservedly so. The story is unique, the romance and insecurities are real and organic, and the characters are so vivid and relatable that you remember them forever. What’s there to not love about it?

4. DIL CHAHTA HAI (DIR. FARHAN AKHTAR)

Marking the debut of Farhan Akhtar as a capable and talented director, this movie is about three friends, navigating their love lives which collide with their friendship. The first blockbuster of it’s kind, this movie has great performances from the three leads and it’s a great throwback to the early-2000′s. Exploring topics like age-gap relationships, this movie explores human nature and growth (especially through Akash) and gives some of the most memorable moments in movie history. 

5. DEAR ZINDAGI (DIR. GAURI SHINDE)

Dear Zindagi is about Kaira, a woman with a problematic relationships back to back, sorting out her life with the help of Dr. Jehangir, an eccentric psychologist. The natural back-and-forth’s between the two leads is interesting and effortlessly carried out and the organic and raw emotions of Kaira in sequences like the get-together party scene or ‘Just Go To Hell Dil’ song is performed nicely by the capable Alia Bhatt. Giving young lost souls an output, this movie is definitely worth your time.

6. YEH JAWANI HAI DEEWANI (DIR. AYAN MUKERJI)

One of my all-time favorite movies, this is about a group of college friends reuniting at one of their weddings and discovering how much their lives have changed after their careless days. This movie just has way too many beautiful moments and dialogues to rave about in a single paragraph. The performances, music, dialogues, themes, cinematography, characters, each and every aspect of the film combined forms an eye-opening cinematic experience I can never forget. 

7. ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA (DIR. ZOYA AKHTAR)

Another one of my all-time favorites, this movie is about three friends going on a bachelor trip through Spain having many adrenaline-filled experiences while uncovering some unspoken secrets between them. Like YJHD, ZNMD is beautiful in every shape and form. From the performances to the cinematography, to Imraan’s poems. The movie is all about growth and how we should listen to our hearts more. I have watched this movie 53 times now and every single minute of it was worthwhile.

8. DIL DHADAKNE DO (DIR. ZOYA AKHTAR)

Another Zoya Akhtar venture, this movie is about a successful but bumpy couple going on a cruise to celebrate their wedding anniversary with their savvy daughter and their spirited son. This movie shows human problems rather than rich problems. Children not being able to live their dreams or be with who they want to be with because of their parents, women marrying against their own will, and miscommunication between picture-perfect couples. This accompanied by some lively tunes and stunning cinematography makes for a great film overall.

9. PIKU (DIR. SHOOJIT SIRCAR)

This movie follows a Delhi-based architect, Piku, going on a road trip with her father to Kolkata. Although the plotline is super simple, the entire movie is uplifting and shows the beauty of simplicity and relationships. Dwelling on the characters and story rather than a commercial movie with a big-budget, Piku won 5 Filmfare awards and 2 IIFAs. And if that wasn’t impressive enough already, it won 2 National Film Awards in the ‘Best Actor’ and ‘Best Screenplay’ categories. Watch this sweet masterpiece to feel the emotions yourself.

10. DUM LAGAA KE HAISHA (DIR. SHARAT KATARIYA)

The first Khuranna-Pednekar movie revolves around a mismatched couple arranged to marry each other trying to win the annual wife-carrying competition. Marking the debut of Bhumi Pednekar as a talented individual, this movie fought the stereotype of the ‘slim leading lady’ with a genuine and heartfelt romance blossoming between the pair. Definitely one of it’s kind, DLKH has a great supporting cast, songs with a nostalgic feel, and Ayushmann delivered his best just like he always does with his movies.

[mygirlypedia]

Yesterday, Bollywood lost one of its gems – Shashi Kapoor.

He had acted in 116 Hindi movies. Born in The Kapoor family, acting was something he inherited. But, what made him stand out of the crowd was his charm, the twinkle in his eyes, that smile and of course the gentle heart.

No wonder he was the best and good looking actor of his age. His contribution to Indian Cinema is incredible.

Every biggies of Bollywood paid their tribute and shared their memories with the late actor on social media.

Shashi Kapoor is(he will always be) one of my favorite actors. Not just because of his personality on screen, but behind the screen.

Yes. I have watched his movies, lost my heart for his smile and the spark in his eyes. But I loved him more as a person as I got to know him through all the articles I read about him many years back.

  I have always heard that most of the actors are not worth idolizing in real life. Because they don’t possess good qualities. What we see them on screen is just the character they play. But, I say this man is totally different as per this statement is concerned.

Living legend Amitab Bachhan shared his memories about Shashi Kapoor. He said –

Standing elegantly without a care in the world, I saw him standing by a Mercedes Sports car, a convertible, a smart trimmed beard and mustache, adorning involuntarily, the face of this incredibly handsome man. It was a picture that filled almost an entire page of a magazine. Shashi Kapoor …  son of Prithviraj Kapoor, younger brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, making a debut in a forthcoming film, is what the caption read. And I said to myself, as very uncertain thoughts raced through my mind of wanting to become a film actor, that, with men like him around, I stood no chance at all.’’

‘’Shashi Kapoor !” was what one heard as he extended a warm soft hand out to you in introduction; that devastating smile complimenting the twinkle in his eyes. He needn’t have done so. Every one knew him. But this was his infectious humble self. When he spoke, there was a mischievous, gentle, almost inaudible, delicate, yodel, in his voice – most endearing and comforting to the one he was introduced to. The self introduction habit, was a gem. The one being introduced to, was, quite obviously, prompted to say his or her name as well, when they heard his. It was a remarkable tool to come to know the other persons name .. and .. if and when there was to be another meeting after many forgettable years, the same technology was most helpful in remembering the other persons name, in case you had forgotten it .. !!,

‘’ He had been ailing .. somewhere he had let himself go after the passing away of his dear wife Jennifer .. I had visited him on occasion in Hospital during some of the times he had been hospitalized earlier .. but I never went to see him again .. I would never have .. I never ever wanted to see this beautiful friend and ‘samdhi’ in the state I saw him in hospital .. and I did not today, when they informed me that he had gone.’’

‘’ He fondly addressed me as ‘babbua’ .. and with him have gone many incredible unread chapters of his and my life .’’

Thus he played a vital role in making the living legend – Amiatab’s career. I mean who does that??? Who likes competition??? Who thinks of someone else’s career??? Who helps someone without expecting anything in return??? At least not in this mean world.

The quality which I respected and admired and I will always admire about Shashi Kapoor is his love for his wife Jennifer.

Their love story has touched my soul. People like him make me believe in true love whenever I feel it doesn’t exist…!!!

1956 – Shashi Kapoor, the 18 year old young boy , met Jennifer Kendal in Calcutta. Jennifer, actress who was performing in ‘The Tempest’ as part of her father Geoffrey’s Shakespeareana production.

They fell in love. They fought for their love and got married by 1958 after facing initial resistance from Jennifer’s family.

They made a house a home with their love. Blessed with 3 kids. It was a happy family. Till 1983, when Jennifer was diagnosis ed with cancer.

She breathed her last in 1984. Part of Shashi Kapoor’s soul was gone with her.

Shashi’s son had revealed in an interview – ” Post my mother’s death, dad took the boat and went into the sea. He parked his boat in the middle of the sea and wept. Wept like a child. He was never the same post that.”

Shahi Kapoor had fame, money, a bright career. But only he knew, these were nothing without his love, his life – his wife.

The pain of separation. Separation from the one you love forever. The worst pain. Isn’t it??? Not opting to start life from a fresh(what we call ‘a fresh start’, ‘second chance’ , ‘second innings’ etc etc) living with their memories of deceased one is not easy. Dedication and immense love is what we need to lead such life.

He isolated himself from the world. He went into depression. Surrendered himself to drinking. Thus inviting a lot of health issues…!!!

He breathed his last due to his severe health issue last evening.

I hope he must be happy somewhere with his wife at the other end of the rainbow.

My eyes are wet. I am stunned by the love he had for his wife. The amount of dedication, commitment he had towards their relationship.

He is worth idolizing for the love, dedication, commitment, the purity. Because these are the qualities which we rarely find these days.

Thank you Shashi Ji for inspiring me…!!! Making me believe in true love… Making me believe in good deeds. Most importantly, to be humble.

PS: Amul also paid tribute to him. Amul gal standing with his most iconic characters he played. With the famous dialogue of ALL TIME – “Mere paas maa hai”

You will be missed Shashi Ji. 

Thank you Shashi Kapoor Ji Yesterday, Bollywood lost one of its gems - Shashi Kapoor. He had acted in 116 Hindi movies.