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12 Of The Best Bollywood Interviews, Essays, And Reviews Of 2016

12 Of The Best Bollywood Interviews, Essays, And Reviews Of 2016

Rashmi Daryanani

With the year coming to a close, we’re taking a look back at some of the best Bollywood-centric pieces we’ve read around the internet in 2016 – including interviews, essays, reviews, opinion pieces, and more. Here are some of our favourites.

(Titles are links.)

Fast Forward: How Ranveer Singh Made It

Taran N Khan for Caravan, February

Ranveer Singh is at the top of his game, and everyone wants a piece of him. This story is an in-depth look at the actor, the person behind the actor, and his growth and struggles.

Fan—How Social Media Changed Passion Into Power

Mohini Chaudhuri for Film Companion, April

An insightful look into fan culture as it relates to Bollywood celebrities, and how important social media fan clubs are to a celebrity’s digital image.

I Am Begging On Bended Knee For Freedom For Films

Karan Johar for NDTV, June

Karan Johar‘s first in a series of candid columns, where he talks about censorship and moral policing. Even more interesting when you consider what he went through a few months later for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.

Dear Intelligent Salman Khan Fan, It’s Finally Time For Us To Talk

Rega Jha for BuzzFeed India, June

A brave piece on how defending Salman Khan – and his comments – equals defending misogyny, violence, goonism, and a whole host of other moral and legal issues.

The SRK Interview

Ankur Pathak for Huffington Post, July

Even after giving thousands of interviews, there’s still more to Shah Rukh Khan that needs to be uncovered. This interview – and its subsequent part – is amongst the best reads on the superstar, and really makes you feel like you’ve spent some time in his head.

“Sultan” Is A Bloody Salman Khan Film So This Review Is Kinda Sorta Super Fucking Pointless

Sahil Rizwan for BuzzFeed India, July

The Vigil Idiot’s most viral review of 2016, which rips apart Sultan, points out plotholes, and acknowledges that everyone will watch it anyway.

What Are Bollywood Films Really Trying To Say About Women?

Proma Khosla for Brown Girl Magazine, August

If you’ve ever rewatched a film you loved, only to realise that it’s problematic, sexist, and full of stereotypes, you’ll want to read this piece on the portrayal of women in Bollywood films.

An Insider’s View: Why is Bollywood Going Bust?

A Krishna for The Quint, September

An insightful look into potential reasons Bollywood studios are shutting shop. There was a lot of chatter about this online, and many disagreed with the author, but it’s an interesting read nonetheless.

I Didn’t Wake Up Like This

Sonam Kapoor for BuzzFeed India, September

Sonam Kapoor‘s viral essay about body image, unrealistic beauty standards, and celebrity culture.

The Truth Behind Fawad Khan’s Alleged Comments Against India

Suresh Mathew for The Quint, October

While many took Fawad Khan‘s alleged anti-national statement with a pinch of salt, it was still widely shared online and believed to be the truth. This piece tracks the story in the media, with an aim to find the original source.

What Karan Johar’s Statement Says About The India We Live In Today

Suprateek Chatterjee for Huffington Post India, October

A much-needed sensible take on the controversy surrounding Pakistani artists working in India, posing the question: How did we get here?

Review: Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil

Raja Sen, October

Raja Sen’s beautifully-written review of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil that’s a treat to read even if you don’t agree with his thoughts on the film.

Add your favourites in the comments below!