Beyond Cinema with Nihita Nihita Bajaj Kumar

Director: Jag Mundhra

Writers: Carl Austin & Rahila Gupta

Based on: The Circle of Light (book)

Cast: Aishwarya Rai, Miranda Richardson, Robbie Coltrane, Naveen Andrews,Ray Panthaki & Nandita Das

Cinematography: Madhu Ambat

Music: A.R. Rahman

In this episode, we delve into the gripping 2006 biographical drama "Provoked," featuring Aishwarya Rai in one of her most powerful roles. The film portrays the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, an Indian woman who endures years of domestic abuse before fighting back and reshaping the British legal system. We explore Rai’s poignant performance, the film’s impactful storytelling, and its contribution to raising awareness about domestic violence among immigrant communities.

Director: Pradeep Sarkar

Based on: Parineeta novel by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt, Dia Mirza, Raima Sen, Sabyasachi Chakrabarty

Cinematography: Natarajan Subramaniam

Music: Shantanu Moitra



"Parineeta" ("The Married Woman") is a 2005 Hindi-language musical romance film adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 1914 Bengali novella of the same name. Directed by Pradeep Sarkar in his debut, the screenplay was crafted by the film's producer, Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The movie features Sanjay Dutt, Saif Ali Khan, and Vidya Balan (making her debut) in the lead roles, with Raima Sen, Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, and Dia Mirza in supporting roles. The film includes several notable references to Indian literature and cinema.

Director: Shakun Batra

Screenplay: Shakun Batra & Ayesha Devitre Dhillon

Producer: Karan Johar for Dharma Productions

Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Fawad Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, Alia Bhatt, Rajat Kapoor & Ratna Pathak Shah

Cinematography: Jeffery F. Bierman

Songs: Amaal Mallik, Badshah, Arko, Tanishk Bagchi, Benny Dayal, Nucleya

Background Score: Sameer Uddin



"Kapoor & Sons" is a 2016 Indian Hindi-language drama film that stands out as a masterclass in contemporary cinema. Directed by Shakun Batra and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film features an ensemble cast including Rishi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Fawad Khan, Alia Bhatt, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Rajat Kapoor. With a delicate balance of humor, emotion, and realism, "Kapoor & Sons" delves into the intricacies of family dynamics, personal aspirations, and the underlying tensions that often remain unspoken.

Writer, Director & Producer: Shoaib Mansoor

Cast: Humaima Malik, Atif Aslam, Iman Ali, Mahira Khan, Shafqat Cheema, Manzar Sehbai, Zaib Rehman, Amr Kashmiri

Music: Atif Aslam, Shoaib Mansoor, Sajjad Ali, Jafiey, Ahmed Jahanzeb, Hadiqa Kiyani, Ali Javed



Bol, a Pakistani film directed by Shoaib Mansoor, was released in 2011 and quickly garnered attention for its bold and unflinching exploration of social issues in Pakistani society. This film is not just a narrative but a profound statement on the systemic problems that plague many families and communities. It dives into the depths of gender discrimination, economic hardship, and the struggle between tradition and modernity.

Director: Tanuja Chandra

Writer: Mahesh Bhatt, Girish Dhamija

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta & Ashutosh Rana 

Lyrics: Sameer

Music: Jatin- Lalit

"Sangharsh," directed by Tanuja Chandra and penned by Mahesh Bhatt, stands as a hallmark in the genre of psychological thrillers within Hindi cinema. Released in 1999, this film diverged sharply from the conventional narratives prevalent at the time, delivering a chilling exploration of crime, sacrifice, and redemption.

Lajja (2001)

Story, Direction & Dialogues: Rajkumar Santoshi

Cast: Manisha Koirala, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Mahima Chaudhary, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Ajay Devgan, Danny Denzongpa, Suresh Oberoi, Gulshan Grover, Samir Soni, Rohini Hattangadi, Govind Namdeo, Sharman Joshi, Johnny Lever & Farida Jalal

Lyrics: Sameer & Prasoon Joshi

Music: Anu Malik

Background Score: Illaiyaraaja

Written Description:

Released in 2001, "Lajja," directed by Rajkumar Santoshi, is a film that delves into the societal injustices faced by women in India. The movie interweaves the stories of four women, each representing different facets of oppression and resistance within a patriarchal framework.