The Desi Gaze

Ankita Rathour
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  • FILM HISTORY
  • MONTHLY

The Desi Gaze is a podcast about (mostly) Hindi films made from the 1930s to the present. The goal is to assert "desi" readings and to dismantle the western gaze that is often imposed on Bollywood films. From the Soviet era to the rise of far-right rhetoric, the podcast will bring in-depth understanding of lesser-known Hindi films, Indian/diasporic socio-political culture, and its often-overlooked nuances. Your hosts are Dr. Ankita Rathour, a scholar of Hindi films and postcolonialism at Georgia Tech, and Azharuddin, a Ph.D. candidate at Louisiana State University, whose research revolves around post-9/11 literary culture. Ankita's website is https://sites.gatech.edu/ankitarathour/. The logo is by Ankita Rathour. The editors are Jason Christian and Ankita Rathour. Music is by Sujay Govindaraj. Thanks for listening!

Episodes

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Ankhen and India's Cold War Anxiety

    Ankita and Azhar analyze India's Cold War anxities through the 1968 Hindi spy thriller Ankhen (Eyes), directed by Ramanand Sagar. India is facing a crisis as its "enemies" are fueling riots within the nation. Concerned citizens and businessmen take it on themselves to protect national sovereignty and defeat the enemies who remain nameless and are signified through a concoction of Mao, Hitler, Napolean. Is such a muddled narrative deliberate? Is the film a cold war (US friendly) propoganda? Or is the film emblematic of India's infamous non-alignment? The co-hosts dive deeper into the meanings of the film, its value, its propagandist appeal while critiquing US imperialism's role in destablizing socialist/communist aspirations of the rising East. Write to us at thedesigazepodcast@proton.me As always, subscribe to the podcast, and don't forget to leave us a review!

    1h 21m

  2. 19 JAN

    Extended Conversation on Dhurandhar

    Ankita continues to expand her thoughts/feelings on Dhurandhar, but this time with two of her favorite people–Vignesh Burugupalli and Mihika Gottimukkala. The three forged a cinephilic friendship after Ankita's Global Bollywood class last year. Continuing the discourse, the three chat about their reactions, complex feelings, and criticisms of Dhurandhar. Ankita ends the episode by arguing that Dhurandhar marks the era of Cold War 2.0 in India. We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to write to us at thedesigazepodcast@proton.me As always, subscribe to the podcast, and don't forget to leave us a review!

    58 min

  3. 5 JAN

    Dhurandhar-ing into Season 2

    Happy New Year! Ankita introduces season two "Before the Collapse" as she recovers from acute bronchitis (welp!) But there's more...she shares her thoughts on Dhurandhar, arguably, India's biggest blockbuster film. This film has genearted a lot of interest, debate, and chaos. As Ankita tries to make sense of her messy experience of watching the film, she invites Jason Christian, who is the co-host of Cold War Cinema podcast (and Ankita's husband!). For season 2, TDG will unpack the cold war era in the Indian film context along with some wonderful guests on the way! Stay tuned. As always, please subscribe to the podcast, and don't forget to leave us a review!

    38 min

  4. 07/10/2025

    Shah Rukhnomics: The Man, The Legend, The Star!

    For October, Ankita and Azhar delve deep into the phenomenon, the legend, and the alleged last star of Bollywood – Shah Rukh Khan, also known as SRK. Why not a film? Because both have discussed their fascination and critique of the megastar on and off. This is a labor of love and a gaze back from SRK's two ardent fans.  What makes SRK great? Why does SRK still rule? How has the far-right attack on the star affected SRK's fandom? Do artists have a social responsibility?  The hosts unpack, celebrate, criticize SRK, and, in extension, a film industry that seems to be losing its foundational ethos of socialist, revolutionary filmmaking. As always, please subscribe to the podcast, and don't forget to leave us a review!  We will be taking a break until the end of this year! From January 2026, we will bring you seasons dedicated to a particular theme, along with some brilliant guests!   Reading recommendations: When the Hindu Right Came for Bollywood Image credit: Creative Commons

    1h 22m

  5. 04/08/2025

    Damul, 1985. Director: Prakash Jha, Hindi

    Ankita and Azhar take you to Bihar this time–the richest Indian region before colonialism–plundered by many invading forces, including the British Raj and East India Company. Damul is a film about bonded labor and casteism. It is based on the story "Kaalsootra" by Shaiwal, a native writer of Gaya, Bihar. Ankita and Azhar dive deeper into the political economy of caste and gender while critically analysing the possibilities of resistance in a land notorious for violence. A native of Bihar herself, Ankita weaves experience and insight to discuss one of the most realistic portrayals of Bihar's socio-political culture.  Note: The co-hosts use words like Chamaar, Ahir, etc., in connection to labor explicitly. They acknowledge how these words are often used as slurs by Savarnas and vehemently reject the negative connotations associated with them.  As always, please subscribe to the podcast, and don't forget to leave us a review!

    1h 4m

  6. 01/06/2025

    SPECIAL SERIES: Diasporic Gazes: with Kandarp, Parth, Sai, and Vignesh.

    They say, save the best for last! We end our special series with an episode on myriad meanings and observations on Bollywood with Ankita's former students: Kandarp Vadia, Parth Parikh, Sai Lalith Kanumuri, and Vignesh Burugupalli. Our guests begin the discussion with the importance of Hindi films for the desi diaspora along with presenting crucial insights into the problems of (mis) representation, the use of CGI, issues of adapting/borrowing/stealing stories etc. Though difference in opinions arise here and there, all the participants do agree on the postcolonial power of Hindi film and the spirit of storytelling the contemporary Hindi filmmakers must return to.  Azhar miscalculated the time difference and could not make it. Though, Ankita and he have decided to be back for an episode before taking a much-needed summer break.    Show these youngsters some love, please like and subscribe!

    1h 3m

  7. 19/05/2025

    SPECIAL SERIES: Diasporic Gazes: Reviewing Global Bollywood Class

    May is special! Beyond celebrating May Day, Azhar and Ankita decided to crank it up a notch. As educators, cinephiles, Marxists, and postcolonial scholars, they believe in breaking hierarchies. So they bring you "Diasporic Gazes," a series of special episodes featuring Ankita's film students from her classes on Global Bollywood and Global Other Cinema. In this short episode, Cierra Ferguson and Laksh Makhija reflect on their experience taking Global Bollywood with Dr. Ankita Rathour at Georgia Tech. Together, they discuss how the class shaped their understanding of Bollywood as both an art form and a cultural force. What does it mean to study Bollywood in an academic setting? How does your background shape what you take away from it? Along the way, they share unexpected insights and work through a tier list of the films they watched throughout the semester. Whether you're a lifelong fan or completely new to Bollywood, this episode invites you to join us in thinking about how cinema, culture, and personal perspective come together in the classroom. Show these young learners some love and cheer.   Speaker Bios: Cierra Ferguson is a Taiwanese-American psychology student focusing on computation and cognition. Dr. Rathour's ENGL 1102 class on decolonial film and literature sparked in them a deeper commitment to continue education grounded in historical understanding and liberation. Now, after taking Global Bollywood, they're more passionate than ever, and SRK has officially gained another lifelong fan.  Laksh Makhija is a Computer Science major at Georgia Tech! Having grown up with Bollywood, Hindi films have played a huge role in his life. He had to perform a lot of the Bollywood songs at weddings and other events!

    24 min

  8. 12/05/2025

    SPECIAL SERIES: Diasporic Gazes: "Bollywood's Boyfriend Problems"

    May is special! Beyond celebrating May Day, Azhar and Ankita decided to crank it up a notch. As educators, cinephiles, Marxists, and postcolonial scholars, they believe in breaking hierarchies. So they bring you "Diasporic Gazes," a series of special episodes featuring Ankita's film students from her classes on Global Bollywood and Global Other Cinema. In this episode, Lasya Malladi and Adi Krish unpack masculinity in Hindi and other Indian language films. They rate them over a "rizzometer." It turns out that SRK is a clear winner in portraying positive masculinity. But for more insight, listen to Lasya and Adi. Show these young learners some love and cheer.   Speaker Bios: My name is Lasya Malladi, and I just recently took Dr. Ankita Rathour's Global Bollywood class this past semester. I'm obsessed with everything Tolly/Bollywood, especially all things Nani and old SRK ! (We don't speak of Pathaan)". Thank you so much for featuring us! I'm Adi Krish, but my friends call me Adi Krizz. I am a Computer Science major at Georgia Tech, and a huge Bollywood fan! I'm a terrible dancer, but I love dancing. I'm tone deaf, but I love singing!

    31 min

  9. 05/04/2025

    Aranyak (A Trip into the Jungle), 1994. Director: Apurba Kishore Bir, Hindi

    Bougies, colonial hangover, hunting, party, and an unusual dinner! Ankita and Azhar bring you the criminally underrated and one of the most haunting Hindi films, Aranyak (1994), directed by the legendary Odiya cinematographer and screenwriter Apurba Kishore Bir. This film is a testament to Hindi cinema's versatility and uniqueness. It asks you to question the thin line between control and cannibalism, appreciation and objectification, and so much more. It is one of the earliest Hindi films to examine the subject of cannibalism and the objectification of the Indigenous people of Odisha, India. Hailing from Odisha, there can be no better storyteller than Bir himself, who carefully braids patriarchy, native elitism, and the rise of postcolonial capitalist machinery through the theme of cannibalistic consumption.  As always, please subscribe to the podcast if you like what you hear, and don't forget to leave us a review!

    58 min

  10. 10/03/2025

    Bhavni Bhavai (The Tale of the Life), 1980. Director: Ketan Mehta, Gujarati

    Ankita and Azhar continue their love for Ketan Mehta and Smita Patil by discussing Mehta's Gujarati language debut film Bhavni Bhavai (1980). The film depicts the caste atrocities of India through the lives of Dalits. It uses the popular theater form of Bhavai to bring forth a scathing critique of casteism. Bhavni Bhavai was Ketan Mehta's debut film and received critical acclaim. Mehta won the prestigious Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. As always please subscribe to the podcast if you like what you hear, and don't forget to leave us a review!   Note: the release of this episode was delayed due to academic work commitments and Ankita's never-ending cold!

    1h 7m

  11. 01/02/2025

    Mirch Masala (1987; Ketan Mehta)

    In this episode, Ankita Rathour and Azharuddin share their love for the trailblazing 1987 Hindi film Mirch Masala directed by the Gujarati filmmaker Ketan Mehta. The film is about Sonabai/Sonbai, a spirited woman who works at a local pepper factory with other women. A subedar working for the British Raj wants her and is not shy to use force. Sonabai runs and hides in her factory while the ageing Muslim security guard, Abu Miyan vows to protect her at any cost when the other men of her village won't.  One of the finest anticolonial feminist films from the 80s starring the iconic Smita Patil as the protagonist. We now have an email address for our listeners! Please reach out to us at thedesigazepodcast@proton.me As always please subscribe to the podcast if you like what you hear, and don't forget to leave us a review! Happy listening!

    1h 14m

  12. 31/12/2024

    Dharti Ke Laal (The Children of the Earth), 1946. Director: K.A. Abbas

    Join hosts Ankita Rathour and Azharuddin as they discuss Khwaja Ahmed Abbas's iconic film Dharti Ke Laal (English: Children of the Earth, 1946). The film is a fictionalized depiction of the aftermath of British orchestrated Bengal famine of 1943 in which millions of Bengalis were starved to death to feed Winston Churchill's imperial interests. One of the early films of Indian social-realist film movement, Dharti Ke Laal was immensely popular in the Soviet Union, opening doors for the widespread distribution of Indian films. The famous Marxist Indian actor Balraj Sahni stars as one of the main characters. As always please subscribe to the podcast if you like what you hear, and don't forget to leave us a review! Happy listening!

    1h 13m
  • 12 Episodes

About

The Desi Gaze is a podcast about (mostly) Hindi films made from the 1930s to the present. The goal is to assert "desi" readings and to dismantle the western gaze that is often imposed on Bollywood films. From the Soviet era to the rise of far-right rhetoric, the podcast will bring in-depth understanding of lesser-known Hindi films, Indian/diasporic socio-political culture, and its often-overlooked nuances. Your hosts are Dr. Ankita Rathour, a scholar of Hindi films and postcolonialism at Georgia Tech, and Azharuddin, a Ph.D. candidate at Louisiana State University, whose research revolves around post-9/11 literary culture. Ankita's website is https://sites.gatech.edu/ankitarathour/. The logo is by Ankita Rathour. The editors are Jason Christian and Ankita Rathour. Music is by Sujay Govindaraj. Thanks for listening!

Information

  • Creator
    Ankita Rathour
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    The Desi Gaze