They were part of a group of more than 100 Sikh devotees from Pakistan on a pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrine situated at a height of about 16000 feet in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Bollywood has been undergoing a significant paradigm shift with its choice of storytelling. Lavish and opulent sets are no longer the primary driving force to impress audiences. Interestingly, movies like Laapataa Ladies, Mimi, and others have reinstated the belief that cine-goers appreciate authenticity. If you’re looking for films that capture the essence of small towns, here’s a list of some of the best movies available on Netflix.
Kiran Rao’s directorial Laapataa Ladies tops the list for all the right reasons. Led by Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Sparsh Shrivastava, this light-hearted satire redefines storytelling with its originality. The period film offers a glimpse into village life, paying close attention to intricate details.
Kriti Sanon’s National Award-winning film Mimi deserves a spot on the list. Set in Rajgarh, Rajasthan, the movie authentically portrays the culture and lifestyle of a small town. From having big dreams of becoming an actress to facing judgment for her decisions, Mimi’s character resonates deeply, thanks to the small-town setting.
Next on the list is Shah Rukh Khan’s Dunki, set in the small town of Laltu in Punjab. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the film effectively narrates the story of Punjabi migrants, with talented actors like Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal, and Boman Irani delivering realistic performances. The characters feel grounded, thanks to their proficiency in the local dialect and their authentic portrayal of small-town life.
Another excellent film, OMG 2, uses the small-town setting of Ujjain to great effect in conveying its story. Led by Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi, and Yami Gautam, the movie addresses the subject of sex education. Through its characters, we witness the raw lifestyle, deep faith in God, and spirituality of a small town, all of which help them overcome life’s hardships.
The 2017 film Bareilly Ki Barfi, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Kriti Sanon, and Rajkummar Rao, is a unique love story. As the title suggests, the film is set in the small town of Bareilly. From its authentic dialect to the way characters interact on adjacent terraces and navigate crowded by-lanes, the movie captures an original sense of the town. The film also portrays a supportive yet interfering community, making the storytelling both smart and relatable.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s 2004 film Swades, led by Shah Rukh Khan, makes one fall in love with their homeland all over again. Complemented by breathtaking views of rural India and some of the finest performances by its actors, Swades presents an exceptionally raw and unique depiction of life in a small village. The film is a heartfelt exploration of identity, belonging, and India’s rural heartland.
One of the most acclaimed shows on Netflix, Jamtara is based on phishing scams and cybercrime driven by unemployment. Directed by Soumendra Padhi, the series is set in the small town of Jamtara, Jharkhand. The rural setting serves as the perfect backdrop to tell the authentic and gritty story of the consequences of phishing scams. The show adeptly portrays the economic conditions that lead to these crimes, making it both relevant and gripping.
Kota Factory is not just a series; it has become an emotion for its fans. Directed by Raghav Subbu, the show is set in Kota, Rajasthan, a city known for its numerous coaching institutes that prepare students for engineering and medical entrance exams. The show’s monochrome theme symbolizes the competitive atmosphere and the grim lives of students trying to succeed in this high-pressure environment. It masterfully captures the struggles and challenges of student life in Kota.
Udaan is a must-watch film led by Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy, and Ram Kapoor. Set in Jamshedpur, also known as the steel capital of India, the film’s raw and unpolished quality adds realism to its narrative. The city’s industrial backdrop perfectly mirrors the themes of confinement and rebellion, with the steel plants symbolizing the protagonist Rohan’s feelings of entrapment. The film is an emotionally compelling exploration of teenage angst and the desire for freedom.
Released in 2021 and led by Sanya Malhotra, Pagglait remains one of the most underrated films. Directed by Umesh Bist, the movie gently explores themes of repression and women’s empowerment through the story of a young widow. Set in a small house in Lucknow, crowded with extended family mourning a recent death, the film delves into complex family dynamics and the tension between tradition and modernity. It’s a nuanced portrayal of women’s struggles in a patriarchal society.
Seema Pahwa’s directorial debut Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi is also set in Lucknow. The family comedy unfolds during the 13-day mourning period following the death of the family patriarch. The film offers a nuanced portrayal of small-town life and family dynamics, making it a compelling watch. While the basic plot may sound similar to Pagglait, both films stand out in their own right, delivering hard-hitting yet heartwarming stories.
Billu Barber is one of Priyadarshan’s most beautiful films, blending entertainment, laughter, emotions, and drama seamlessly. Led by Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan, and Lara Dutta, the movie is set in the small town of Budbuda, Uttar Pradesh. It explores themes of small-town friendships, loyalty, and social inequality. The film highlights the class differences and simple dreams of its characters, making it a heartwarming and thought-provoking watch.
It is the richness of their authenticity that makes these films and shows top choices. Which one of these is your favorite?
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Alia Bhatt is among the top actresses in Bollywood. Apart from her stellar performances, she is also known for her dedication to physical fitness. The actress welcomed her first child, Raha, with Ranbir Kapoor in 2022. The Highway star’s postpartum journey has been inspirational to many expecting mothers. Let’s take a look at the lifestyle followed by the actress after embracing motherhood.
During an interview with Vogue India last year, Alia Bhatt admitted that she needs to present herself in a certain way ‘sometimes also for the continuity’ considering her nature of work. Nevertheless, opposed to popular belief, she didn’t lose weight unnaturally.
“The truth is that I can’t even get my wisdom tooth extracted at the moment since I’m breastfeeding and can’t be given anesthesia,” she clarified. The actress asserted that she documented her fitness journey on Instagram to bust the myth suggesting that people who work in the visual medium resort to unnatural things to get back in shape.
In the same interview, she revealed that she pushed harder in her workouts after 12 weeks, following her doctor’s advice. The Jigra actress noted that she started going on 15-minute walks and did breathing exercises that improve blood flow. She also recommended one to not check their weight every day, like many people do when they work out religiously.
Citing her own experience, the actress stated that she would step on the scale once in two weeks. The actress mentioned one needs to be consistent and let the transformation happen at its own pace.
The 31-year-old also highlighted her eating habits and normalized weight gain. She shared, “My mother-in-law even made me those gond ke laddus that I ate for six weeks.”
“People need to understand that putting on weight during pregnancy is not a result of eating too much; it’s because you’re making life inside you and that life needs that extra weight. It has to be in sync with your BMI, of course, and you should consult a professional if you have questions but you’re supposed to put on a certain amount of weight. It’s completely okay,” she further added.
In addition to this, renowned celebrity fitness trainer, Yasmin Karachiwala who also worked with Alia during her pregnancy also gave insights into customizing workouts for her. She explained that the exercises and nutrition are tailored according to the specific trimester.
Reflecting on the Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani actress, she further added that it was funny and beautiful working with her. “She came to me saying, ‘I’m pregnant, but I need to exercise.’ We customized her workouts to keep them interesting because Alia is someone who exercises daily and doesn’t want to feel limited by her body,” she shared on a YouTube podcast with Ryan Fernando.
Yasmin also mentioned that she had to keep the actress’ routine engaging as she has a “short attention span.” She revealed that the actress’ workouts needed to be crisp and varied to keep her focused. She shared that if she were given 20 repetitions; Alia would lose it by the eighth one.
Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor got married in April 2022 and welcomed their first child, a daughter Raha the same year in November.
On the work front, Alia will be next seen in Vasan Bala’s Jigra alongside Vedang Raina. Backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Alia’s Eternal Sunshine Productions, it is poised to hit the theaters on October 11, 2024.
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