16th Indian Film Festival of Houston: Unique, World Class Cinema
WHO : 16th Indian Film Festival of Houston WHAT : Film Screenings, Live Q&A with filmmakers, Entertainment – Moodafaruka, Music without Borders Reception and Food – Verandah, A Taste of India WHEN: Friday, February 23, 2024: 4 – 9:30 pm, and, Saturday, February 24, 2024: 4 – 9:30 pm WHERE: Asia Society Texas Center, 1370 […]
‘Fighter’: Top-notch Aerial Action Elevates a Cliched Narrative
By Daval Roy Story: As India faces a militant attack in Kashmir, the country’s best combat aviators join forces to form Air Dragons. The story chronicles their bravery while protecting India, camaraderie, team spirit, and a top fighter pilot’s redemption after an incident in the past. Review: Riding high on India’s Republic Day fervour, Siddharth Anand’s outing […]
‘Main Atal Hoon’ : Pankaj Tripathi Shines in this Homage to Vajpayee’s legacy
By Dhaval Roy Story: The biopic follows the life and times of the former Prime Minister of India, Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It also chronicles the various facets of his personality and the country’s achievements under his leadership. Review: Making a biopic on a stalwart like the 10th Prime Minister of India, Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, […]
‘Merry Christmas’ : A Neo-noir Surprise in This Twisted Tale
By Dhaval Roy Story: Back in town after being away for seven years, a man spends Christmas Eve with a mysterious and lonely woman. The evening takes an unexpected and dark turn that could land him in trouble. Review: Thanks to consuming riveting suspense thrillers and crime dramas relentlessly, audiences can often easily predict twists or […]
‘Dry Day’: Spirited Performance in Quirky Tale
By Dhaval Roy Story: The film is about a no-gooder alcoholic from a village who decides to fast until death to get alcohol banned when his wife vows to abort their baby. He takes on some influential people during his protest while struggling with withdrawal symptoms. Will he succeed in his endeavor? Review: The movie starts as […]
‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan’: Modern-Day Horror
By Renuka Vyavahare Story: Set in Mumbai, three platonic friends navigate through life, relationships and career challenges in this slice-of-life drama that unfolds like a thriller. The trio is in for a rude awakening when they discover the impact of social media obsession on their day-to-day life. Review: What happens if social media crashes some day […]
‘Dunki’ : Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki is Dunked with Love and Longing
By Sreeparna Sengupta Story: A soldier, Hardayal Singh Dhillon (Shah Rukh Khan) takes on an arduous and audacious mission, of helping a group of friends realise their dream of going to England. It seems like an impossible task because neither do they have a visa or nor can they can afford a ticket. And It is […]
‘Kastoori’: A Heartbreaking Story of Social Change and Escape
By Renuka Vyavahare Story: Gopi, a 13-year-old boy exuding wisdom beyond his years and his best friend Adim, find escape in attar (aromatic essential oils) that offers them momentary escape from their poverty-ridden grim world plagued by death and dirt. After watching his dreams being crushed by everyone around him, it dawns upon Gopi that […]
Indo-American Association Announces 2024 Performing Arts Season
IAA Receives Award as a “Houston Cultural Treasure HOUSTON: Indo-American Association (IAA) proudly presents its 2024 Season celebrating three decades of performing arts and cultural dialogue. For thirty years, IAA, a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization, has worked relentlessly to promote Indian arts and culture in Greater Houston as well as nationally. The organization is now […]
Gopaal Seyn’s Art Students Put Up an Impressive Performance
By Sanchali Basu It was a privilege to be invited by artist friend Indranil Sen (whose artist signature is Gopaal Seyn) to speak and honor his students at their RedBlueArts Gallery in Sugar Land the evening of December 3. The RedBlueArts Academy and Gallery has been around since 2021 and I feel fortunate to have […]
‘The Archies’: The Retro Musical Charms Despite Shortcomings
By Dhaval Roy Story: Set in 1964 in a fictional hill station called Riverdale in India, the coming-of-age story follows Archie and his friends navigating friendship, romance, and social responsibility as their cherished park faces a threat from developers demolishing it to build a hotel. Review: Director Zoya Akhtar adapts the adolescent-favourite Archies Comics for […]
‘Sam Bahadur’: Vicky Kaushal’s Stellar Performance Elevates a Film that Struggles to Impress
By Abhishek Srivastava Story: ‘Sam Bahadur’ chronicles the life of Sam Manekshaw, the legendary Chief of Army Staff, who later ascended to the position of Field Marshal. The film explores the milestones of his illustrious career. Review: ‘Sam Bahadur,’ despite narrating the tale of a legendary Indian Army personnel, carries a distinctive flavour that sets it apart […]
‘Diwali Dhamaka’ by Khushboo Dance Groups at Iskcon Temple, Houston
HOUSTON: Grand successful “Diwali Dhamaka” event was organized by Khushboo GroupsmLLC, with a huge crowd & full of energetic performances at Iskcon temple’s Gauranga Celebration Hall on 17th Nov 2023, Friday at 6 pm onwards. Guest of Honor Judge Juli Mathew did the inauguration ceremony by lighting the diya with Mr Sunil Jaiswal & Mrs […]
‘Farrey’: A-grade Drama with Good Acting
By Dhaval Roy Story: An orphaned 10th board exam topper from Delhi, who earns a spot at a prestigious school in the city, is pulled into a cheating racket by her rich classmates. As the stakes and rewards get higher, she risks losing far more than she stands to gain. What will be the result of […]
‘Apurva’ : Hostage Drama that Thrills, Shocks and Impresses
By Dhaval Roy story: A young woman en route to Agra from Gwalior is taken hostage by four dreaded criminals. This is the story of her fight to survive. Apurva review: Road survival movies are a combination of thrill, crime, drama, and action, keeping you on the edge of your seats. One can guess where the story […]
Masala Radio’s ‘Deities & Demons’ Diwali Fest: Mesmerizing
Masala Radio yet again innovated a new concept celebration for DIWALI in a trendy part of town – MIDTOWN! Thousands flocked through drizzling rain and chilly temperatures to DEITIES & DEMONS Houston Diwali Fest 2023 @ Rise Rooftop Music Hall. The venue featured an amazing light & sound show combined with its high glass ceilings, […]
Udavam Karangal Presents Phenomenally Professional Play “Unforgiven”
By Venugopal Menon The annual, customarily exceptional fund-raising event of Udavum Karangal presented on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Kalyanamandapam of Sri Meenakshi Temple, was a notch superior than ever before. Under the gifted guidance of Dr. Padmini Ranganathan and Rajan Radhakrishnan, a team of dedicated artists and volunteers worked tirelessly for months to […]
Salman and Katrina’s Powerful Punches Save This Formulaic Spy Thriller
By Ronak Kotecha Story: Tiger (Salman Khan) and his partner Zoya (Katrina Kaif) face a harrowing personal threat when a vengeful terrorist, Aatish Rehman (Emraan Hashmi) from Pakistan, issues an ultimatum— they must comply with his demands or risk losing their son to a brutal fate. Review: ‘Tiger 3’ continues the saga of YRF’s spy universe, with […]
Making Life Better for Shelter Animals: Fifth Grader to Host Concert Benefitting Houston Pets Alive! Through His Innovative Initiative, “Wild Tunes”
HOUSTON: Ten-year-old animal lover, pianist, and drummer Yuvaanh “Yuvi” Agarwal will join fellow musicians from across the Houston area on Saturday, Nov. 18, for a free concert, “Melodies of Gratitude,” benefitting Houston Pets Alive! (HPA). The musical fundraiser is hosted by Wild Tunes, a one-of-kind program launched by Agarwal earlier this year aimed at soothing shelter […]
‘Three of Us’: A Meditative and Melancholic Journey into the Past
By Renuka Vyavahare Story: Diagnosed with an early stage of dementia, Shailaja Patankar (Shefali Shah), a middle-aged woman from Mumbai decides to take a week-long break and revisit her childhood home in Vengurla, Konkan, before her memories fade. Review: The story follows Shailaja as she embarks on a pursuit of holding onto her past that she […]
