Asif Hassan

Lapaataa Ladies gives us a peek into an often overlooked part of life, yet it's undeniably real. The film's raw honesty raises it to impressive heights, making it one of the finest in Indian cinema. The movie follows rural Indian women in the early 21st century as they find themselves. They also help other women who've lost their way, guiding them to rediscover their identity. After a 14-year break since "Dhobi Ghat," Kiran Rao returned to directing, bringing another unforgettable film that will stay with me for a long time.

What a wonderful movie, and it's such a joy to see Imtiaz Ali returning to his top form. Chamkila is truly a masterpiece. The treatment of the movie is crafted so unique that allowing us to momentarily forget the harsh realities faced by the characters. We seamlessly transport ourselves into the world of Chamkila, and hold our attention until the very end. The story unfolds through various perspectives, told in flashbacks, yet the presentation feels refreshingly different. A.R. Rahman's music adds another layer of brilliance to the film. His timeless songs are beautifully showcased, reminding us why he's loved by music lovers everywhere. Arijit Singh's rendition of "Vida Karo" is particularly touching and other songs blend really well with the movie's mood. In a movie, there's a scene where a police officer sits alone in his car. He opens a hidden space and takes out some cassette tapes of songs by Chamkila. He starts to think deeply about the music. But then, other police officers arrive, and he hurriedly hides the tapes. What's interesting is that, throughout the whole movie, he doesn't show support for Chamkila in public. But secretly, he's a huge fan of his songs. It shows how we act in public may not match who we truly are inside. Perhaps Chamkila secretly resides in the hearts of all Punjabis. Overall, "Amar Singh Chamkila" shines as a captivating biopic that offers a fresh perspective and it tells his story without glorifying it.