I’m back! Don’t say y’all missed me… I already knew that!
As America dealt with it’s crisis of democracy, otherwise known as an election, I’ve been otherwise occupied with my full-time job. (I also moved across the country, so there’s that!)
Thankfully, my binge-watching habits are back in full swing and much has released since my last dispatch. I can’t recount it all in one go, but I’ll surely try – and keep an eye out for my year-end best and worst of 2020 lists, coming soon!
Recently Released
A lot of stuff has come out in the past few weeks — here’s a partial list:
On Amazon, recent film releases include “Chhalaang,” “Middle Class Melodies” (Telugu) , “Bheemasena Nalamaharaja” (Kannada) and “Soorarai Pottru” (Tamil). Also out this week is “Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers,” a docuseries that follows the journey of one of India’s most celebrated Pro Kabaddi league teams, which is also owned by Abhishek Bachchan.
We've also got the films “Ludo,” “Kaali Khuhi,” “Andhaghaaram” (Tamil) and “Miss India” out on Netflix recently, joined there recently by the series “Mismatched.” And a few weeks ago, another Ishaan Khatter film “Khaali Peeli” hit Zee5, as did the Pakistani series “Ek Jhoothi Love Story.”
Let’s dive into a couple of my recent faves.
Recently Watched
Binge-watch of the Week: “Bhaag Beanie Bhaag” | Netflix
Swara Bhasker and Ravi Patel star in this short series about a woman who flees her wedding to realize her dream of becoming a stand-up comic. If it sounds like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” to you, you’re not alone — the premise and a bit of the style reminded me of the Amazon hit, but the story, comedy and flavor is fully original.
Bhasker is great, always in her element in shows and films like this that portray a woman in all her independence, strength and self-doubt. But to me, the real draw was Patel, who co-created the series. If you’re familiar with Patel’s work (including “Meet the Patels”) this entrance into Indian streaming feels like a perfect fit. His comedy, comfort and timing brought relatability to his character, and for once, I’m thankful that an Indian series didn’t present NRIs and clueless, dumb and over-the-top.
Don’t miss this nifty littlee six-episode series that’s a bit quirky, super funny and brings a freshness to the Indian streaming realm.
Guilty Pleasure of the Week: “Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives” | Netflix
If you’re into classism and Bollywood, this one’s for you. Our very own version of the Kardashian clan, (or Basketball Wives? I don’t know, can you tell I’ve never watched either shoow?) this reality series follows Neelam Kothari Soni (The Neelam show, yo!), Maheep Kapoor (wife of Sanjay Kapoor), Seema Khan (wife of Sohail Khan) and Bhavana Pandey (wife of Chunky Pandey).
Exactly as advertised, this reality show is over-the-top, dramatic and more than a little pre-planned. From “random” cameos to a fully sponsored trip to Qatar, it felt like less of a glimpse into their lives and more of a performative normal. Still, I didn’t expect to be so hooked so fast. One of the biggest draws was glimpses of the fun Bollywood husbands, like Sanjay Kapoor and Chunky Pandey (spin-off please?). They’re more hilarious and real than their dolled-up counterparts, and I truly lived for their Dad jokes. (I never knew Sanjay Kapoor would be so relatable, omg!)
Also, fans of Neelam (like me!) have plenty to witness as she weighs a return to the small screen and opens up about trying to age gracefully. Potty-mouthed Maheep Kapoor is bananas and she knows it — our very own melodramatic Kris Jenner. The diplomatic Bhavna Pandey silent and subtle but funny and very spiritual nonetheless; and Seema Khan is, well… A LOT. I’ll leave it at that.
Don’t miss this highly bingeable and totally wild reality series!
What I’ve Been Reading
The veteran actor and filmmaker Aparna Sen wrote a moving tribute to Soumitra Chatterjee, who recently passed away. “What I cannot fathom is the depth of despair I feel with his passing, my sense of loss, of nothing ever being the same again,” she wrote.
I also loved this interview with Sonny Singh, a Brooklyn-based musician who featured visuals from this year’s anti-CAA protests in the video for his latest song, “Koi Bol Ram.”
Vishal Bhardwaj is adapting Agatha Christie’s stories into a film franchise. “Bhardwaj, who grew up in the northern Indian town of Meerut, says he has always been ‘a crime fiction junkie,’” the BBC wrote.
Coming Soon to a Couch Near You
Spotlight: “The White Tiger” | Netflix | Jan. 2021
Here’s a first look at “The White Tiger,” a film based on the best-selling novel by Aravind Adiga, which is hitting Netflix early next year.
Dec. 11: “Durgamati” | Amazon | Starring: Bhumi Pednekar
Dec. 11: “Torbaaz” | Netflix | Starring: Sanjay Dutt and Nargis Fakhri
Dec. 11: “Lahore Confidential” | Zee5
Dec. 15: “Vir Das: Outside In” | Netflix
Dec. 18: “Paava Kadhaigal” (Tamil) | Netflix
Dec. 25: “Coolie No. 1” | Amazon | Starring: Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan