Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast

Queen Is Dead
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Queen is Dead - A Film, TV and Culture Podcast

क्वीन इज डेड. Movies, the universe and everything. We come to pop culture with an Indian perspective and want to share it with the world. These are the voyages of the podcast Queen is Dead!

  1. Black Warrant (2025) - A Great Indian Netflix Show in This Economy?! #143

    3 DAYS AGO

    Black Warrant (2025) - A Great Indian Netflix Show in This Economy?! #143

    Hello, Hello, Hello, In this bite-sized episode (relative to the episodes we have already released and will release in the coming month), Amartya and Varun discuss Vikramaditya Motwane's latest Netflix series, "Black Warrant," and why you should not only watch it but "savor it." Spoilers Galore! Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people! You can also follow us on Instagram at: Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/ Varun: https://www.instagram.com/cinephilestock/ Follow us on Letterboxd at: Varun: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/ Amartya: https://letterboxd.com/amartya/

    1h 2m
  2. Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu: Forever in the Shadow of F. W. Murnau and Werner Herzog's Nosferatwos #142

    JAN 16

    Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu: Forever in the Shadow of F. W. Murnau and Werner Herzog's Nosferatwos #142

    Hello, Hello, Hello, This is the second part of the discussion we had on Robert Eggers! Here, Dhruv – joined by the brain-melting and blood-sucking vampire, Varun, and his “spirited animal” friend, Hemant – tries to talk about Eggers’ latest horror film, “Nosferatu,” in relation to F. W. Murnau’s 1922 German Expressionist classic, and Werner Herzog’s existentially despairing 1979 remake of it. But little does he know the digressions this deadly duo has in store for him… Listen to the full episode to hear him respond to the absurdity of Varun referencing Zoya Akhtar’s “Dil Dhadakne Do” when talking about Murnau’s classic, or, worse still, the Sridevi-and-Anil-Kapoor-starrer “Judaai” when he’s talking about the Eggers’ version. There’s plenty of discussion about how these films, despite tackling the same story, have such drastically different treatments. But that’s if you can look past those comparisons… Best of luck to all! TIMECODES Introduction (+ Nonsense) - [00:00 – 07:42] The Convoluted Legacy of “Nosferatu” - [07:42 – 26:01] Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (+ Nonsense) - [26:01 – 01:00:40] Herzog’s “Nosferatu, the Vampyre” - [01:00:40 – 01:23:58] Eggers’ “Nosferatu" (+ Nonsense) - [01:23:58 – 01:56:40] Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people! Follow our Instagram page: ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast⁠ Follow us on Instagram at: Hemant: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/hemantganti/ Dhruv: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/⁠⁠ Varun: https://www.instagram.com/varunonfilm/ Follow us on Letterboxd at: Varun: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/ Dhruv: ⁠⁠https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/⁠⁠ Hemant: https://letterboxd.com/ganti117/ Audio Excerpts are taken from the promotional material for Nosferatu (1922), Nosferatu (1979), Nosferatu (2024), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1981), and Grizzly Man (2005).

    1h 57m
  3. Robert Eggers & His Acutely Authentic Brand of Nightmarish Cinema #141

    JAN 10

    Robert Eggers & His Acutely Authentic Brand of Nightmarish Cinema #141

    Hello, Hello, Hello! In what is another one of our director retrospective episodes, Dhruv, Amartya, and Aryan (from America) talk about the 3 feature films directed by much-revered horror director Robert Eggers, whose latest film, “Nosferatu," just recently released this week in India! (We have a whole “Nosferatu" themed ep planned to be recorded and released in the coming week, which includes an extended discussion on the 1922 silent film directed by F.W. Murnau, the 1979 version directed by Werner Herzog, and the 2024, one directed by Eggers!) We begin the episode by positioning Eggers as a (or the) key figure who kickstarted the patented-A24-brand-of-elevated horror cinephiles have increasingly grown weary of now, and how his first film, “The Vvitch,” in particular, sets a template for that specific type of arty horror film that’s never really been replicated as successfully afterward. Except, maybe by himself, with “The Lighthouse" (2019) – his second film, also distributed by A24, that pushes even further into the type of horror film that thrives on ambiguity and atmosphere vs. satisfying generic thrills. And then comes “The Northman" (2022). Listen to the full episode to hear us argue, in detail, about the value (or lack thereof) of his third film, which Aryan—rather worryingly—warns Amartya and Dhruv is better than his recent foray into mainstream cinema, "Nosferatu. TIMECODES Episode Intro - [00:00 – 05:39] Introduction to Robert Eggers - [05:39 – 15:37] Eggers & Horror Cinema Today - [15:37 – 33:29] “The Vvitch" (2015) - [33:29 – 01:10:38] Aryan's Warning for “Nosferatu" - [01:10:38 – 01:12:07] “The Lighthouse" (2019) - [01:12:07 – 01:34:58] “The Northman” (2022) - [01:34:58 - 02:00:57] Episode Outro - [02:00:57 – 02:04:02] Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people! Follow our Instagram page: ⁠https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast PROFILE PIECES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 1. “Robert Eggers’ Historical Visions Go Mainstream" (Sam Knight) - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/04/04/robert-eggerss-historical-visions-go-mainstream. Follow us on Instagram at: Amartya: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/⁠ Dhruv: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/⁠ Aryan: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aryantalksfilm/⁠ Follow us on Letterboxd at: Amartya - ⁠https://letterboxd.com/amartya/⁠ Dhruv - ⁠https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/⁠ Aryan: ⁠https://letterboxd.com/aryantalksfilms/⁠  Audio Excerpts are taken from the promotional material for The Vvitch, The Lighthouse & The Northman.

    2h 4m
  4. The Most Disappointing Films of 2024 | Disclaimer, Emilia Pérez, Agra & 3 more! #140

    JAN 1

    The Most Disappointing Films of 2024 | Disclaimer, Emilia Pérez, Agra & 3 more! #140

    Hello, Hello, Hello Dhruv and Amartya’s first foray into this type of episode – that we have consciously avoided up until now – comes courtesy of our new QID member and admin of our Twitter page (https://x.com/qidpodcast) – Cris (https://x.com/limjaeseven). Rather than simply bash films released this year that we unanimously hated, however, we’ve tried to talk constructively about a variety of films that have proved divisive amongst critics and audiences. There are some high-profile projects directed by well-reputed auteurs and critically well-received at major film festivals that left all of us scratching our heads (Emilia Perez, Disclaimer, and Blitz). But other films – like Jigra, Agra, and, to a lesser extent, Malaikottai Valliban – divided opinion even amongst the three of us. Listen to the full episode to hear a spoiler-filled discussion and/or rant on these 5 films and 1 limited TV series as we – for once – try to make a case against valuing the auteur theory. TIMECODES Introduction - [00:00 – 11:20] “Emilia Pérez” - [11:20 – 37:33] “Blitz” - [37:33 – 54:05] “Disclaimer” - [54:05 – 01:22:19] “Malaikottai Valliban” - [01:22:19 – 01:49:45] “Agra” - [01:49:45 – 02:23:18] “Jigra” - [02:23:18 – 02:41:26] Outro - [02:41:26 – 02:48:29] Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people! Follow our Instagram page: ⁠https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast⁠. Follow us on Instagram at: Amartya: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/⁠ Dhruv: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/⁠ Cris: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/prdscris/⁠ Follow us on Letterboxd at: Amartya: ⁠https://letterboxd.com/amartya/⁠ Dhruv: ⁠https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/⁠ Cris: ⁠https://letterboxd.com/crislim/⁠ Audio Excerpts are taken from the promotional material for Emilia Perez, Blitz, Disclaimer, Malakottai Valliban, Agra, Jigra & Eyes Wide Shut.

    2h 48m
  5. Talk the Talk - Discussing Meiyazhagan & I Want to Talk | Shoojit Sircar | C Prem Kumar #139

    12/21/2024

    Talk the Talk - Discussing Meiyazhagan & I Want to Talk | Shoojit Sircar | C Prem Kumar #139

    Hello, Hello, Hello! In this new (but considerably delayed) episode, we talk about two films that approach the subject of talking differently -- "I Want to Talk" and "Meiyazhagan." 'I Want to Talk,' directed by Shoojit Sircar and starring Abhishek Bachchan, continues the director's trend to push his films to the brink of becoming anti-dramas. C Prem Kumar's 'Meiyazhagan,' on the other hand, is a classic tear-jerker. The new Tamizh film, starring a sentimental Arvind Swamy and an effervescent Karthi, indulges in nostalgia and episodic storytelling to engage its audiences. Check out the episode to know what we thought of these drastically different approaches to capturing conversation (or the lack of it) in cinema. Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reaches more people! Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast Follow us on Instagram at: Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/ Sanjeet: https://www.instagram.com/pixel_baba/ Follow us on Letterboxd at: Amartya - https://letterboxd.com/amartya/ Sanjeet: https://letterboxd.com/Sanjeet_Singh/

    1h 53m
  6. All We Imagine as Light & The Gently Surreal Cinema of Payal Kapadia #138

    12/08/2024

    All We Imagine as Light & The Gently Surreal Cinema of Payal Kapadia #138

    Hello, Hello, Hello!   In this very special, if slightly delayed episode, Dhruv & Amartya are joined by returning guest Cris (now "not the token queer representation for QID"), reincarnated host-cum-guest Aryan (from America), and first-time-but-hopefully-recurring-guest Prakhar Patidar, to talk about the film every Indie Awards Circuit talk show and Indian cinephile is currently talking about -- Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine as Light." Because everyone already seems to have written all sorts of essays and reviews on AWIAL (some of them are linked below!), we decided to expand the discussion beyond that. The first hour (of this 110 min podcast) is dedicated to exploring Payal Kapadia’s early short film work, her, at times, overpowering indebtedness to certain filmic styles (namely, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, who is mentioned at least 20 times in this discussion), and how her first feature film, “A Night of Knowing Nothing” (2021), breaks away from that. The second hour involves a full, spoiler-filled discussion of AWIAL – the things we liked about it, the things we didn’t, and the things we hope to like more about it on a rewatch. Listen to the full episode to hear us also -- dismiss the all-male Indian Jury who dismissed AWIAL as India’s Oscar Entry for its lack of “Indianness” and debate what “Indianness” really is! TIMECODES Episode Intro (& Cheap Laughs) - [00:00 – 07:35] Introduction to Payal Kapadia - [07:35 – 11:33] Kapadia’s Short Films & Going Beyond Inspiration - [11:33 – 26:57] Debating the “Indianness” of Kapadia’s Cinema - [26:57 – 43:10] “A Night of Knowing Nothing” (2021) - [43:10 – 01:01:58] “All We Imagine as Light” (2024) - [01:01:58 – 01:44:13] Episode Outro (& Cheap Laughs) - [01:44:13 – 01:50:32] Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people! Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast REVIEWS/BIOGRAPHIES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE   1. “Payal Kapadia: The Chronicler of Dreams” (Suhani Singh) - https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/payal-kapadia-the-chronicler-of-dreams-2641073-2024-11-27   2. “‘All We Imagine as Light’ is a Rare Cinematic Peek into the world that women live in” (Prakhar Patidar) - https://poemsindia.substack.com/p/all-we-imagine-as-light-is-a-rare   3. “‘All We Imagine as Light’ review: The Search for intimacy amidst a sea of turbulence” (Aryan Vyas) - https://www.socialketchup.in/review/all-we-imagine-as-light-review-7342862   4. “All We Imagine as Light Review” (Dhruv Goyal) - https://inreviewonline.com/2024/11/11/all-we-imagine-as-light/ You can (and should!) follow Prakhar at - https://www.instagram.com/she_isatthemovies. You can (and should, even though the site is a hellhole) follow Cris on his Twitter account - https://x.com/limjaeseven Follow us on Instagram at: Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/ Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/ Aryan: https://www.instagram.com/aryantalksfilm/ Cris: https://www.instagram.com/prdscris/ Follow us on Letterboxd at: Amartya - https://letterboxd.com/amartya/ Dhruv - https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/ Aryan: https://letterboxd.com/aryantalksfilms/ Cris: https://letterboxd.com/crislim/   Audio Excerpts are taken from the promotional material for Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s Memoria, Payal Kapadia’s A Night of Knowing Nothing, and All We Imagine as Light  -- all of which are discussed and referenced in this episode. The outro music clip is from Emahoy Tsege Mariam’s “The Homeless Wanderer” – mentioned, described, and discussed as an integral part of All We Imagine as Light’s soundtrack.

    1h 51m
  7. Is Gladiator 2 any good? | What is up with FFC's Megalopolis? #137

    12/03/2024

    Is Gladiator 2 any good? | What is up with FFC's Megalopolis? #137

    Hello Hello Hello! In this new episode, we discuss two films -- "Gladiator 2" and "Megalopolis" -- directed by two stalwarts of Hollywood cinema -- Ridley Scott and Francis Ford Coppola -- that embody two different filmmaking ethos. Gladiator 2 is the quintessential Hollywood sequel to the 2000 film "Gladiator," winner of the "Best Picture" Academy Award that year. It's bigger, safer, and same-r -- directed by a filmmaker whose content on speedrunning through his filmmaking process to get the studio product out as soon as possible. "Megalopolis," on the other hand, is a self-funded multi-million dollar passion project, mulled over for 20-odd years by its maker, and made with the sort of bonkers sensibility only an old man who made "Apocalypse Now" can have. Is one better than the other? Or do both succumb to different kinds of auteuritis? Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reaches more people! Follow our Instagram page: https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast Follow us on Instagram at: Amartya: https://www.instagram.com/amartya25/ Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/ Varun: https://www.instagram.com/varunonfilm/ Sanjeet: https://www.instagram.com/pixel_baba/ Follow us on Letterboxd at: Dhruv - https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/ Amartya - https://letterboxd.com/amartya/ Varun: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/ Sanjeet: https://letterboxd.com/Sanjeet_Singh/

    1h 45m
  8. Stanley Kubrick's The Shining - The Horrors of Everything (including Book-to-Screen Adaptation) #136

    11/01/2024

    Stanley Kubrick's The Shining - The Horrors of Everything (including Book-to-Screen Adaptation) #136

    It's no longer Halloween Month because we're one day late in uploading this, but regardless, here's our penultimate ep on Kubrick (one more for Noirvember!) and the final episode for Spooky Season! Hemant and Amartya have ditched Dhruv on his much-anticipated trip to the Overlook Hotel, but he's joined by two returning guests -- the perpetually disgruntled Varun and the perpetually enthusiastic Arijit -- each of who provides their contrasting opinions on Stanley Kubrick's most discussed film of all time -- "The Shining" (1980). Everything -- from the film's divergences from Stephen King's original novel to bonkers and fruitful conspiracy theories surrounding the film's layers of subtext to wildly contrasting opinions on the performances of the central cast -- is discussed here. All -- we promise -- in a civil and hopefully organized way. Major spoilers, of course, for everything "The Shining" related -- the novel, the film, "Room 237," and even, to some extent, Mike Flanagan's "Doctor Sleep." Do listen to the full episode to let us know what you think of the film (and the novel!), and if anything we contributed to its already endless discourse was of any value! TIMECODES Context and Crew Details - [00:00 - 06:39] Plot of the Novel vs. Plot of the Film - [06:39 - 14:16] Who Doesn't Like "The Shining"? - [14:16 - 16:04] The Opening Credits - [16:04 - 20:12] The 34-minute Long Set-Up - [20:12 - 39:50] Jack's Deterioration - [39:50 - 54:10] What Exactly is in Room 237? - [54:10 - 01:08:50] Jack's Escalation of Violence - [01:08:50 - 01:21:57] Final Thoughts on "The Shining," Stephen King & "Doctor Sleep" - [01:21:57 - 01:49:53] Do hit 'Follow' on Spotify if you haven't already to help the podcast reach more people! Follow our Instagram page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/queenisdead.filmpodcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠ You can follow us on Instagram at: Arijit: https://www.instagram.com/_tentinquarantino_/ Dhruv: https://www.instagram.com/terminalcinema/ Varun: https://www.instagram.com/varunonfilm/ You can also follow us on Letterboxd at - Dhruv: https://letterboxd.com/aterminalcinema/ Varun: https://letterboxd.com/varunoakbhakay/ Arijit - https://letterboxd.com/nostradamus/ Audio Excerpts are taken from The Shining & Room 237 -- both of which are discussed and referenced in this episode.

    1h 50m
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4.7
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क्वीन इज डेड. Movies, the universe and everything. We come to pop culture with an Indian perspective and want to share it with the world. These are the voyages of the podcast Queen is Dead!

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