A few weeks ago I read a very stimulating discussion &mdash; on the website of a favourite writer, Jim Emerson &mdash; about the &ldquo;technical&rdquo; knowledge required for in-depth movie criticism. Emerson mentions the reluctance of the legendary reviewer Pauline Kael to analyse technique, or to engage with the nuts and bolts of movie making. Elsewhere, he writes, &ldquo;You can&rsquo;t distinguish form and content for the purposes of analysis... You can&rsquo;t perceive the whole without taking notice of the specifics, any more than you can absorb a novel without reading the words.

Nuts and bolts

Business Standard

Anyone who studies cinema &mdash; or reads film literature at a level beyond magazine gossip &mdash; must sooner or later stub his toes on the Auteur Theory. The debates around it are too many to properly discuss in this space, but here&rsquo;s a condensation: in the 1950s, a group of French critics &mdash; who championed popular American cinema and drew attention to the artistry in many genre films &mdash; proposed that some directors imposed a unified artistic vision on the movies they helmed, even while working within the constraints of the studio system or under the watchful eye of a money-minded producer. Thus, though filmmaking is a messy, collaborative process, certain movies could be seen as bearing the stamp of a single distinct personality. Cinema, even commercial cinema, could be a deeply personal art form.

The star as author

Among the visual and aural pleasures of Saeed Mirza&rsquo;s 1978 film Arvind Desai ki Ajeeb Dastan (newly available in a restored print by the National Film Development Corporation) is an enigmatic establishing sequence. The first images are from a village or a very small town, and are set to a minimalist music score &mdash; little more than the gentle plucking of a string instrument, it becomes more hypnotic the more you hear it. We see measurements being taken, cloth being dyed, posts being driven into the ground, threads stretched across them, and soon we realise that we are watching an intricately embroidered carpet coming into existence.

Poor little rich boy

A pleasing thing about the so-called multiplex film &mdash; and its blurring of the line between &ldquo;mainstream&rdquo; and &ldquo;parallel&rdquo; cinema &mdash; is the number of opportunities it has provided to talented character actors.

Doctor Sperm

Faced with a book on the subject matter of which he has strong opinions, an honest reviewer should show his hand. So let me quickly touch on a passage in Christina Daniels&rsquo; I&rsquo;ll do it My Way where it is said of the 1990 film Dil that &ldquo;it excelled in the use of light-hearted comedy&rdquo;, that it was &ldquo;a complete entertainer&rdquo; and &ldquo;a path-breaking film&rdquo;.

Sun worship

The 2003 film Baghban has a scene where Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini &mdash; playing an aging couple mistreated by their children &mdash; find themselves outside a car showroom. An oily salesman coerces the duo into test-driving a fancy car, and then gets abusive and violent when it turns out they don&rsquo;t have the money to buy it. Of course, this pat, emotionally manipulative set-up provides a pretext for good adoptive son Salman Khan to show up and lay some of the old dhishum-dhishum across the sales guy&rsquo;s noggin; viewer catharsis is easily achieved, and all is &mdash; at least temporarily &mdash; right with the world.

75 and dancing

The lines work in the given context &mdash; this is a world of double-crossers and triple-crossers, and Vinod (probably not his real name) doesn&rsquo;t know if Ruby (definitely not her real name) can be trusted &mdash; but the seasoned viewer will catch another, more playful layer. The girl who was serenaded thus in the 1960s film &mdash; Kashmir ki Kali &mdash; was played by Saif&rsquo;s real-life mother Sharmila Tagore. Incidentally, the actor who sang those lines was Kareena&rsquo;s real-life grand-uncle Shammi Kapoor.

Of sons and grand-nieces

The Iranian film A Separation was one of the most widely acclaimed movies of the past year, but I went into it knowing very little other than that it was about a couple on the verge of divorce because the wife wants a better life (outside Iran) for their young daughter while the husband needs to look after his Alzheimer&rsquo;s-afflicted father. Based on this perfunctory plot synopsis, I expected to see a nuanced story about people trying to balance their responsibilities, feelings and circumstances. And indeed, Asghar Farhadi&rsquo;s film is all of this.

Many separations

To begin with a minor quibble, the &ldquo;Indian&rdquo; in this book&rsquo;s subtitle is slightly misleading: this is a collection of essays on iconic Hindi-movie performers. But there are larger problems with this anthology. Given that its subjects are screen legends who have had an immeasurably complex influence (for better and for worse) on the lives of countless fans, it would be reasonable to expect personal, passionate writing. Instead, one gets an odd mix of second-hand reporting with throwaway observations on films that deserve to be written about with much more enthusiasm.

Starry-eyed about Bollywood

Among the joys of being a movie buff in the Internet age (and I speak with the hoary wisdom of one who remembers an earlier time) is the opportunity to have limitless public discussions about a stimulating film. You can examine the nuts and bolts of a movie, supply diverse readings of a scene, get technical, argue about seemingly inconsequential details, stupefy people by making obscure references.

Plot holes & tale twisters

Any professional book reviewer knows there are days when one despairs of the grind of reading literary fiction, and days when concentration reserves fall so low that even Jeffrey Archer can seem highbrow and impenetrable. At such times, I turn for comfort to one of the mass-market novels that bear the insignia of low-investment publishing houses like Srishti. The sensory experience of reading these books begins with the titles, most of which are splendidly ungrammatical and contain at least one set of ellipses and a word in all-caps. Their very prefaces can make the heart sing; sentences such as &ldquo;The insect of writing a novel was born in my Department of Brain during my graduation days&rdquo; point to the treasures that await in the main narrative.

Jai Arjun Singh: Writers without reading

In-film advertising is a common thing these days. Much too common. (I sometimes fall asleep in a hall even before a movie begins, in the time it takes for the list of sponsors and media partners to display.) But what happens when a brand is so big and so representative of a way of life that its very appearance in a film &mdash; however fleeting &mdash; can add layers to the narrative? I speak of Coca-colonisation, a term that has been used to link the world&rsquo;s most famous soft drink with American cultural imperialism, and sometimes, with other supposedly American qualities such as enterprise, vitality and crassness.

Coca-colonisation of cinema

When we think of master-classes in film acting, we usually envision performers firing sharply written lines at each other in intense dramatic confrontations. Or scenes that have little dialogue but where the silences are soaked in meaning; where each pause, each glance, is somehow significant; where it&rsquo;s all about understatement. For a good sense of what is commonly thought of as a performance highlight, look at the short clips chosen when acting nominations are read out at the Oscars.

Putting the 'act' in action

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 7: Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design  &amp;  Technology (SMI) is accepting admissions for all courses in its undergraduate and postgraduate programs for the academic year 2025-26.

Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design  &amp;  Technology Opens Admissions for the Academic Year 2025-26

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 7,: In a statement that underscores the brand's robust growth, Meal of the Moment (MOM) - a homegrown nutritious snacking brand - has announced that it is targeting an ambitious topline of INR 150 cr. in 2025. Founded in 2017, MOM has revolutionised the snacking category with their smart and wholesome food solutions that comprise 100 per cent natural ingredients.

Meal of the Moment, India\'s fastest-growing nutritious snacking brand, targets INR 150 cr topline in 2025

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 7: BRISKPE, a PayU-backed cross-border payment platform, has introduced a game-changing solution designed specifically to meet the needs of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This unified platform integrates account-to-account (A2A) transfers, card collections powered by PayU and PayPal, providing exporters, service providers, marketplace sellers and freelancers with unparalleled convenience and efficiency in managing international transactions.

BRISKPE Launches Unified Platform for Cross-Border Payments

IT major Microsoft will invest USD 3 billion in India for the expansion of cloud and AI infrastructure in the country, the company's chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said on Tuesday.
There is a fantastic momentum in India where people are pushing for a multi-agent kind of deployment.
"I am really really excited to announce the single largest expansion we have ever done in India by putting USD 3 billion additional dollars to expand our Azure capacity," Nadella said.
He said that the company is doing a lot of regional expansions in India.
Nadella said that Microsoft's mission to empower every person and organisation in India drives the company.
"To that end it is about being able to ensure that the human capital of this country is able to continue to scale, take advantage of immense opportunity and potential the technology has. That's why we are very excited to announce today our commitment, which we have always had, to train 10 million people around AI skills by 2030," Nadella said.

Satya Nadella,Satya,Nadella

New Delhi [India], January 7: Aptiv PLC (NYSE: APTV), a global technology leader focused on making the future more safe, green and connected, showcases a fleet of software - defined vehicles (SDVs) and associated software tools and solutions at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Aptiv Shows World-Class ADAS, Next-Gen In-Cabin Experience, and Advanced Power Distribution Technologies in Software - Defined Vehicles at CES 2025

The Union Budget for FY 2025-26 assumes significance as it comes on the back of lower than expected growth numbers in the second quarter and geopolitical uncertainty

Sitharaman

While HMPV may affect anyone with a weakened immune system, young children and people above the age of 65 are at higher risk

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)

Indices decline over 1.5%; investors lose nearly Rs 11 trn

India’s benchmark indices rallied on Friday, mirroring gains in global equities, after the latest US economic data allayed fears of recession in the world’s biggest economy. The continued buying support from domestic investors added to the market buo

India's benchmark indices rallied on Friday, mirroring gains in global equities, after the latest US economic data allayed fears of recession in the world's biggest economy. The continued buying support from domestic investors added to the market buo

So far, IIFCL has sanctioned loans worth Rs 2.8 trillion, with disbursements totalling Rs 1.4 trillion, of which 50 per cent has occurred in the last 4-5 years

Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary M Nagaraju

The centre of the quake was 93 km North East of Lobuche, Nepal and struck the region at 06:35:16 IST today

Earthquake

Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was the world's oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has died, an Ashiya city official said Saturday. She was 116.
Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official in charge of elderly policies, said Itooka died on December 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan.
Itooka, who loved bananas and a yogurt-flavoured Japanese drink called Calpis, was born on May 23, 1908. She became the oldest person last year following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the Gerontology Research Group.
When she was told she was at the top of the World Supercentenarian Rankings List, she simply replied, Thank you.
When Itooka celebrated her birthday last year, she received flowers, a cake and a card from the mayor.
Born in Osaka, Itooka was a volleyball player in high school, and long had a reputation for a sprightly spirit, Nagata said. She climbed the 3,067-metre (10,062-foot) Mount Ontake twice.
She married at 20, and had two ..

Tomiko Itooka

Apparel exporters body AEPC on Saturday urged the government to announce tax incentives, including removal of a provision requiring payments to MSMEs within 45 days to claim deductions and customs duty exemption on garment machinery imports.
The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has also requested that an  interest equalization rate of 5 per cent be announced in the Budget, scheduled to be unveiled on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Other demands include extension of concessional tax rate for new manufacturing units to encourage setting up of new garment units; simplification in the procedure of imports of trims and embellishments under IGCR (Import of Goods at Concessional Rate); and liberalizing e-commerce export procedures.
"Ready Made Garments (RMG) industry has also demanded removal of Sec43B (H) of IT Act in the ensuing Budget which pertains to payment to any MSME companies within a maximum 45 days' time to claim any deduction in tax. This has increase

Apparel-Exports

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) on Saturday said it has joined hands with venture debt firm Stride Ventures to support high growth potential startups in their funding requirements.
It said this collaboration will be instrumental in creating enormous opportunities for startups by integrating financial support with strategic mentorship and market access.
Highlighting the macroeconomic impact of this collaboration, Joint Secretary in DPIIT Sanjiv said Stride Ventures will curate dedicated programmes and collaborate on engagements like the Bharat Grand Challenge to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment.
Ishpreet Singh Gandhi, Founder and Managing Partner, Stride Ventures, said "this partnership, coupled with our billion-dollar commitment to nurturing startups, reaffirms our resolve to strengthen India's startup ecosystem".
The department said Stride Ventures will give thrust "on identifying startups with high growth potential, offering

India's technology startup ecosystem got six new unicorns in 2024: There were two last year. The new unicorns – startups reaching $1 billion valuation – specialise in lending, logistics, software and generative intelligence. Technology startups raise

The Tesla chief has criticised UK PM Keir Starmer for 'mishandling' child exploitation cases involving Pakistani-origin gangs; UK govt said that claims made by him are 'misjudged and misinformed'

Elon musk, musk, Elon, Tesla

The draft protection rules released by the government create a balance between regulation and innovation while completely protecting citizen rights, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday.
The government issued draft rules for the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act on Friday for public consultation till February 18.
"Rules have to be within four walls of the Act. It is within the ambit of the Act passed by Parliament. These rules have been framed to ensure a balance between regulation and innovation while completely safeguarding the rights of citizens," Vaishnaw told PTI in an interview.
The minister said earlier there was only one template available to the world -- the European data protection rule with a high level of regulation. However, Indian rules have attempted to balance the regulation with innovation to safeguard the boom in the innovation ecosystem developing among startups in the country.
He said extensive consultations have been held with the industry

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ashwini, Vaishnaw

In smaller Indian cities and towns, where opportunities for advancement are few and dwindling, the nounis emerging as something of a social and cultural phenomenon

Phone, social media, mobile phones

He cited the 'Sheeshmahal' as an example, referencing a report by a leading newspaper revealing excessive expenditure on the Delhi CM's residence, based on the CAG report

Sanjay Raut

Travel booking major OYO has launched a new check-in policy for partner hotels, starting from Meerut, introducing guidelines effective this year whereby unmarried couples will no longer be welcome to check in.
Under the revised policy, all couples will be asked to present valid proof of relationship at the time of check-in, including for bookings made online. OYO has empowered its partner hotels' discretion to decline couple bookings based on their judgment, aligning with local social sensibility, the company said.
OYO has given the directive to its partner hotels in Meerut to ensure this with immediate effect. Based on ground feedback, the company may expand this to more cities, people familiar with the policy change said.
"OYO has received feedback in the past from civil society groups especially in Meerut urging action to address this issue. Additionally, residents from few other cities have petitioned for disallowing unmarried couples to check-in at OYO hotels," they said.
Pawa

Jai Arjun Singh

Jai Arjun Singh

Page 5 - Jai Arjun Singh

Nuts and bolts

The star as author

Poor little rich boy

Doctor Sperm

Sun worship

75 and dancing

Of sons and grand-nieces

Many separations

Starry-eyed about Bollywood

Plot holes & tale twisters

Jai Arjun Singh: Writers without reading

Coca-colonisation of cinema

Putting the 'act' in action

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Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design & Technology Opens Admissions for the Academic Year 2025-26

Meal of the Moment, India's fastest-growing nutritious snacking brand, targets INR 150 cr topline in 2025

BRISKPE Launches Unified Platform for Cross-Border Payments

Microsoft to invest $3 bn in cloud and AI in India, says Satya Nadella

Aptiv Shows World-Class ADAS, Next-Gen In-Cabin Experience, and Advanced Power Distribution Technologies in Software - Defined Vehicles at CES 2025

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Jobs, growth, demand in focus as FinMin concludes pre-Budget talks

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95 killed, 130 injured after earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hits Tibet