Film & Culture Criticism
Published in The Hollywood Reporter India, The Indian Express and Film Companion.
The Cultural Resonance of Pushpa’s Thaggedhe Le/Jhukega Nahin
In a country where everyday Indians continue to face the indignities of feudalist engagement, the catchphrase and its accompanying gesture signal a revolt against being relegated to your station in life.
The Misogyny in Mass Telugu Cinema
It’s increasingly apparent that mainstream Telugu Cinema has a sexism problem: one that has roots in the past; one that becomes more visible as its audiences expand and grow more discerning.
Review: Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan I
In this adaptation of Kalki’s novel, Mani Ratnam summons the spirit of Kurosawa, along with his own long dormant powers of marrying the mythic and the intimate.
Dasara and the Mechanics of Telugu Cinema’s Rooted Masala
While Telugu movies have used dialects and cultural specifics from many regions over the decades, never have the evocation of these life-worlds been so deliberate.
Gone Too Soon: Irrfan, Sushant Singh Rajput, and what they brought to the screen.
When we lose an actor before their time, their films take on an uncanny quality: there is no continuing or completed filmography to reflect on; instead, we are left with the promises of unrealised futures.
In Defence of Mass Films
The sociocultural mechanics of RRR, and what our reactions to SS Rajamouli’s Sight and Sound list reveal.
The Dire State of the Telugu Star Vehicle
It often feels like the real world has drained out of mainstream Telugu cinema, replaced by farcical simulations and faux-nostalgic simulacra.
The Many Mirrors of Mani Ratnam
How Mani Ratnam and his cinematographers use mirrors to stage desire, reflection, and other character dynamics.
Iratta is a Grim Marriage of Greek Tragedy and Film Noir
The Malayalam film Iratta may remind us of Oldboy, but its roots lie in Greek Tragedy.
Rangasthalam’s Politics are hidden in its lyrics.
The lyrics of ‘Ranga Ranga Rangasthalana’ expose the way narratives shape our lives and our worldviews.
SS Rajamouli, Maker of Myths
In this essay quoted on RogerEbert.com, I take a look at SS Rajamouli’s filmography leading up to the release of RRR.
Nietzsche and Ala Vaikunthapurramulo
How the 19th century philosopher’s concept of slave and master morality illuminates the Trivikram Srinivas potboiler’s class politics.
Allu Arjun: A Profile
For The Hollywood Reporter India, A profile of a star at the zenith of his success, as well as controversy.
Misogyny and Mass Telugu Cinema: A Video Essay
The Telugu Film Industry still makes some of the best mainstream blockbusters but its regressive gender politics is quite apparent. Where do the gender dynamics of Telugu cinema emerge from? This Video Essay for Film Companion explores the cultural roots of sexism in Telugu films, starting from “mass” cinema in the 80s and 90s, and the evolution of the “rowdy hero” in the 2000s.