Indian Cinema: Does Every Film Need a Song and Dance?
When will Indian filmmakers stop feeling compelled to insert songs and dance numbers into every film, regardless of the story or genre? A song or dance sequence can certainly enhance a film when it is organically woven into the narrative. But when it arrives merely as an interruption, it can break the rhythm, dilute the mood and pull audiences out of an otherwise gripping cinematic experience. Why not let the story dictate the treatment? A thriller can remain a thriller. A serious drama can breathe without an unnecessary song. Even a romantic film can tell a powerful love story without suddenly breaking into a dance sequence. After all, musicals are already a genre of their own. Not every film needs to borrow its conventions. This raises an interesting question: are filmmakers themselves making these creative choices, or are distributors and market considerations still pressuring them to add a song or dance number because it is considered commercially essential? Cinema evolves when filmmakers are willing to break conventions. Perhaps it is time for Indian cinema to trust its stories a little more—and allow the narrative, rather than the obligatory song-and-dance routine, to carry the film. - NewzTaag | Entertainment | Indian Cinema
#cinema #entertainment #IndianCinema #movies #films #songs #dance
What Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan did not succeed at, Thalapathy Vijay did it in the very first attempt! - NewzTaag │ Entertainment │ Politics
Tamil Nadu loves its Superstars as Demi-gods, and elects them to run the State, too. Superstar Thalapathy Vijay is the new Chief Minister candidate of Tamil Nadu, India. After the landside victory of his political party, TVK today in the assembly elections of 2026, Vijay becomes third megastar of Tamil Nadu after MGR or M.G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa (Amma). Interestingly the outgoing deputy chief minister of DMK, Udayanidhi Stalin was actor villain in the first movie of Thalapathy Vijay.
#TamilNadu #TamilNaduPolls2026 #ThalapathyVijay #Vijay #TrishaKrishnan #TVK #UdayaNidhiStalin #Stalin #MGR #JJayalalithaa
Namit Malhotra & Nitesh Tiwari Unleash Ramayana—India’s Epic Bet on the World Stage
On the auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, filmmakers Namit Malhotra and Nitesh Tiwari unveiled the first trailer of their much-anticipated magnum opus, Ramayana. Mounted on a staggering budget reportedly around ₹4 crore, the film is being positioned as a landmark cinematic spectacle—one that aims to transcend borders. With its ambitious scale and vision, Ramayana aspires not only to captivate audiences in India but also to leave a lasting impression across global markets, including Hollywood, Japan, China, and beyond. If the trailer is any indication, this retelling of an ancient epic is set to blend cutting-edge filmmaking with timeless storytelling—marking a bold step forward for Indian cinema on the world stage. Only fear is the movie recovers the budget and makes profits.—NewzTaag │Entertainment │ Cinema │Ramayana │DNEG
“Claiming Glory: How Much ‘Indian’ Is Enough to Count?”
Is it valid to claim the Indianness and Indian roots of a person who was born to the either or both parents who migrated to other country, and married a native foreigner, grew up as a foreigner, imbibed a non-Indian culture and then suddenly wins big? Is it a valid claim of Indianness and Indian roots for who was born in a foreign country, has nothing Indian into him or her except the surname (family name)? For example, Alexandre Singh the 2026 Oscar winning Director - Producer. He was born to a Indian-Punjabi father and a French mother. - NewzTaag │ Entertainment │ Cinema Breaking down further, let us understand in detail - Is it valid to claim someone as “Indian” if they were born and grew up abroad? Short answer: It depends on what you mean by “Indian.” i. Indian by ancestry? Absolutely valid. If even one parent is Indian-born, the person *does* have Indian ancestry. That’s a factual, genealogical truth—not a cultural one. ii. Indian by culture? Not necessarily. If someone grows up in France, Australia, the US, or anywhere else— absorbing that country’s language, lifestyle, values, and worldview— then culturally, they’re shaped by that environment. Culture is lived, not inherited. iii. Indian by citizenship? If they don’t hold Indian citizenship, then legally they’re not Indian. Simple. iv. Indian by public perception? This is where things get messy. When someone with an Indian surname wins big—an Oscar, a Grammy, a Nobel— suddenly everyone wants to claim them. It’s not unique to India. Every country does this. It’s a global reflex: “If they’re successful, they are ours.” Understanding the example of Alexandre Singh (2026 Oscar-winning Director–Producer), - Born in Bordeaux, France - French mother - Indian-Punjabi father - Grew up in French culture - Built his career in a non-Indian ecosystem In such a case: - He has Indian roots → Yes - He is culturally Indian → Not really - He is Indian by citizenship → Likely no - Is it valid for India to celebrate him? → Yes, but with nuance - Is it valid to claim him as “fully Indian”? → That’s a stretch So what’s the fair way to frame it? A balanced, honest line would be: Oscar-winning filmmaker Alexandre Singh, who has Indian-Punjabi ancestry through his father… Not: ❌ “Indian filmmaker Alexandre Singh” Not: ❌ “Proud moment for India” But, ✔ “A global talent with Indian roots” ✔ “French filmmaker of Indian-Punjabi descent” Remember, Success has many parents—but identity has only one truth. Alexandre Singh is French by culture, global by craft, and Indian only by ancestry. And that’s perfectly fine. - NewzTaag │ Entertainment │ Oscars 2026
Why Villains and Vamps Are More Memorable Than Hero-Heroines in Indian Cinema?
Indian audiences often remember villains more vividly because they carry conflict, complexity, and emotional depth. Modern actors like Akshaye Khanna represent a shift toward intelligent, quiet antagonists, proving that menace doesn’t need volume. These characters represent a new kind of antagonist—quiet, intelligent, and far more unsettling than brute force. Villains in Indian cinema often leave a stronger impression than heroes, thanks to their layered personalities, intense conflicts, and lasting impact. For example, Akshaye Khanna in - Deewangi (2002) – Tarang Bharadwaj : a chilling, soft-spoken obsessive antagonist driven by ego and entitlement Chhaava (2024) – Aurangzeb : a strategic historical adversary marked by restraint and authority Dhurandhar (2025 )– Rehman Dakait / Rehman Baloch/ Sher - E - Baloch : a cerebral, morally grey role highlighting manipulation and control - NewzTaag | Entertainment - Movies