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Asian cinema: Bollywood

Asian cinema: Bollywood
Views, news and reviews of films from the world's biggest movie production centre, India
South China Morning Post’s From the Vault series looks back at culturally significant films. Photo: Shutterstock
Cinema

From the Vault: culturally significant films

In the From the Vault feature series, the South China Morning Post’s film experts reflect on culturally significant films celebrating notable anniversaries.

India

Reel politik: India tells filmmakers to drop ‘China-bashing’ as ties warm

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Asian cinema

What is it like to win the lottery? These 10 Asian movies have the answers

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Millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires

Meet Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju – who just had a ‘billionaire wedding’

Bollywood’s Madhuri Dixit, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor performed at the viral nuptials, with guests including Donald Trump Jr and Bettina Anderson.

Netra Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju tied the knot in a multi-million-dollar wedding in Udaipur. Photo: @aashniandco/Instagram
2025 National Games

Letters | In the National Games, Hong Kong has a model of a green mega event

Readers discuss the features of the games that safeguard sustainability and the passing of an Indian cinema legend.

India

Bollywood mourns ‘He-Man’ Dharmendra, Indian cinema legend, dead at 89

Famed for his action roles and enduring charisma, Dharmendra leaves a legacy of over 250 films.

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India

Lights, camera, conflict: Bollywood cashes in on India-Pakistan clashes

Film studios have registered a slew of titles evoking ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s military action against Pakistan.

Bharatiya Janata Party supporters wave Indian national flags to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor on May 17. Photo: AFP
India

Bollywood star’s sudden death reignites India’s quick-fix beauty treatment debate

The death of Shefali Jariwala, 42, a user of anti-ageing injections, has raised concerns about cosmetic treatment safety and heart-related deaths among young adults.

Fashion

Bollywood power couples: 4 actors at the top of their style game

Take style cues from 2 power couples who reign supreme in India’s movie scene, and know how to accessorise to maximum effect.

Music

Bollywood dance video filmed at Oxford University goes viral on Instagram

Hong Kong-born Oxford alumnus Druv Punjabi says he and his friends ‘really wanted to show off Oxford and the surrounding cityscape’.

A screen grab from Druv Punjabi and his friend’s viral Bollywood dance video shot at Oxford University. Photo: Instagram/druvphk
India

Bollywood’s women rewriting India’s ‘misogynistic’ scripts after Cannes win

Women filmmakers in India are reshaping cinema with authentic female narratives, gaining acclaim and box office success, despite challenges.

(From left) Indian actress Kani Kusruti, Indian actress Chhaya Kadam, Indian director Payal Kapadia and Indian actress Divya Prabha pose after Kapadia won the Grand Prix for the film “All We Imagine as Light” during the Closing Ceremony at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2024. Photo: AFP
Asian cinema

Move over Bollywood, Indian art-house cinema is on the rise

Films such as All We Imagine as Light, Sister Midnight and Santosh are showing a different side to Indian cinema and attracting global fans.

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Millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires

Bollywood richest actresses, from Priyanka Chopra to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

From Deepika Padukone to Juhi Chawla, these savvy women made major bank on screen, while boosting their bank accounts further through other ventures – but who tops the list by a significant amount?

Millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires

Who is businessman George Panayiotou, former fiancé of actress Amy Jackson?

Jackson and Westwick married last year and recently welcomed a son, but the Bollywood actress was previously engaged to Panayiotou, a multimillionaire whose family owns hotels across Britain.

Bollywood actress Amy Jackson and multimillionaire businessman George Panayiotou had a very public relationship. Photo: @celebshub/Instagram
India

Are Indian films tapping Hindu nationalism to achieve box-office success?

The blockbuster Chhaava, which has led to violent protests, has sparked debate on whether Indian directors have forsaken historical accuracy.

A scene from Chhaava, a Hindi historical action film. Photo: YouTube/Maddock Films
TV shows and streaming video

How Pakistan’s TV dramas captivate Indians and break down barriers

Pakistan is a drama powerhouse whose low-key soaps are big in India, fostering connection between rival nations in a way diplomacy cannot.

Luxury travel

The insider’s mini-guide to Mumbai: hotels, shopping, museums and more

Looking for an authentic experience in Mumbai? Our guide recommends some of the hottest spots in the home of Bollywood, far from the maddening crowds of the busiest tourist traps.

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Asian cinema

How politics stop the Oscars celebrating the best of international cinema

When entries for the best international film Oscar are selected by government bodies, politics often rears its ugly head.

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Director Mohammad Rasoulof, whose film The Seed of the Sacred Fig wasn’t put forward for the Oscars by his country, Iran. Photo: AP
India

Fading fortunes of India’s Bollywood in streaming era spark political debate

An opposition politician, the wife of film legend Amitabh Bachchan, has accused New Delhi of not doing enough to support the film industry.

Millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires

7 wealthiest composers in the world in 2025 – net worths, ranked

These maestros have written some of the most famous soundtracks ever heard – Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Aladdin, The Simpsons, Slumdog Millionaire, Phantom of the Opera …

Fame and celebrity

Who is Priyanka Chopra’s younger brother Siddharth Chopra?

Third-time-lucky in love and seven years younger than his famous sister, Siddharth Chopra worked in hospitality and now runs Priyanka’s production house, Purple Pebble Pictures.

Priyanka Chopra (second right) with husband Nick Jonas at her brother Siddharth Chopra’s wedding to Neelam Upadhyaya. Photo: @priyankachopra/Instagram
India

Bollywood star’s stabbing reignites India-Bangladesh border security debate

Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing has sparked political blame, with the ruling BJP accusing the AAP of illegal immigration and the AAP criticising the government’s border security.

Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing has sparked political blame about immigration in India. Photo: Reuters
Asian cinema: Korean films

Exhuma, Twilight of the Warriors lead Asian Film Awards nominations

Both movies are up for best picture at the 18th Asian Film Awards, as are All We Imagine as Light, Black Dog and Teki Cometh.

Hong Kong economy

Letters | How can Bollywood get its mojo back in 2025?

Readers discuss changing taste in Indian cinema, an idea for a Hong Kong resort, and a river revamp project.

Asian cinema

Director’s joy as her art-house movie gains fans in Bollywood-mad India

Golden Globes and Oscar nominee All We Imagine as Light has shown an Indian art-house film can challenge Bollywood’s dominance of cinemas.

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Kani Kusruti (left) and Divya Prabha in a still from All We Imagine as Light. The art-house film is challenging Bollywood’s dominance in India. Photo: Spirit Media
Asian cinema

The 12 best Asian films of 2024, including The Last Dance

From a Thai tear-jerker to a Korean cross-dressing romcom and a hand-drawn Japanese anime, our pick of the best Asian films of the past year.

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Michael Hui in a still from The Last Dance.
India

Bollywood’s Aamir Khan almost retired during Covid, but Kiran Rao changed his mind

Khan, famous for “Laal Singh Chaddha,” credits his ex-wife Kiran Rao for his comeback, saying he felt guilty and needed to re-evaluate his priorities.

Asian cinema

‘Time has come’ for Indian women directors with 3 set to vie for Oscars

Director of wife-swapping comedy Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies), Indian Oscars entry, hails ‘special moment’ for South Asian women filmmakers.

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