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Anupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra is the editor and founder of Film Companion.

Articles by Anupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra’s Bollywood dreams for 2020

Empowered writers, original music, an exchange of ideas across languages... a wishlist for the year ahead.

Shah Rukh Khan at the World Economic Forum in Davos, in 2018. ‘I hope Shah Rukh finds a script and a storyteller who can both reinvent the Shah Rukh Khan myth and honour it.’

columns

Updated on Dec 28, 2019 07:26 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Showbiz is ageist but there is no slowing down Isabelle Huppert

Huppert is the French Meryl Streep

Actress Isabelle Huppert at the screening of Elle in London. She was nominated for an Oscar for the film.(Getty image)

columns

Published on Dec 13, 2019 05:47 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

The cult of Karan Johar

He doesn’t get enough credit for pushing the envelope in his films

Karan Johar at a party in Mumbai.(Yogen Shah)

columns

Published on Nov 29, 2019 05:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Film festivals open your head and ways of seeing the world, says Anupama Chopra

A festival insists that you watch films you would never have encountered otherwise.

General view of the red carpet opening ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival 2003.(Getty Images)

columns

Updated on Nov 15, 2019 04:35 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

‘This is Amitabh...’ he said, Anupama Chopra shares her many memories of Big B

The megastar completes 50 years in Hindi cinema this month

For those who came of age in the 1980s and 1990s, Amitabh Bachchan cut a colossus-like figure, towering over the movies.(HT PHOTO)

columns

Updated on Nov 02, 2019 07:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Playing against type

It’s a treat when actors let go of on-screen vanity for a film, says Anupama Chopra

Hrithik Roshan shed his macho image when he played a maths teacher in

columns

Published on Oct 18, 2019 05:25 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Blurring the lines: Anupama Chopra on movie scenes that move us

Cinema can sometimes echo your soul, be a friend and a guide

columns

Published on Oct 05, 2019 05:37 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

What can stars do, beyond shine? Actually, quite a lot, says Anupama Chopra

Some have begun to use their massive clout, online and off, for greater good.

Actor Hrithik Roshan’s feed has photographs of bonding vacations with his sons. Stars have become ‘intimate strangers’, more visible than ever before.

lifestyle

Published on Sep 21, 2019 10:11 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

A step out of line: Anupama Chopra on what’s wrong with ‘item songs’ today

Done right, these numbers are joyous. It’s time to rename them

‘Item songs’ work, when like Chaiyya chaiyya (Dil Se) they celebrate sensuality.

bollywood

Published on Sep 07, 2019 07:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Language no bar: Anupama Chopra on non-Hindi blockbusters

Surprise! The truly innovative cinema like Virus or Village Rockstars, Super Deluxe, Sairat, Kumbalangi Nights or the Baahubali franchise, is emerging from outside Mumbai.

bollywood

Published on Aug 24, 2019 06:17 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

My review, my choice:Anupama Chopra calls out Twitter trolls

Twitter trolls, on both sides of the political axis, need to stop looking for a conspiracy in every movie review, says Anupama Chopra.

Over the years, the trolling got so vicious that I trained myself not to look at mentions when big-budget, big star films hit the screens.

bollywood

Published on Aug 10, 2019 06:10 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Breaking the barriers of language in films

The borders between film industries in India have become more porous

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga reworked his Telugu hit, Arjun Reddy

entertainment

Updated on Jul 27, 2019 05:51 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Let’s not play any more of these games, says Anupama Chopra

Stars are being asked to play charades or quiz each other, during interviews. But if standard Q&As are one rut, this is turning out to be just another. It’s time to rethink Bollywood promotions.

Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan, amid numerous other stars, are playing games like What If and Never Have I Ever, during film promotion interviews.(HT File Photo)

hollywood

Updated on Jul 12, 2019 05:50 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Ayushmann Khurrana is an actor who is pushing the boundaries, says Anupama Chopra

Ayushmann Khurrana actively sought out the film Article 15. The actor saw Mulk, a powerful and persuasive plea for religious unity, and called the film’s director, Anubhav Sinha. Anubhav offered him a rom-com. Ayushmann asked instead for something gritty and hard-hitting.

Ayushmann Khurrana in a gritty role. He plays a cop in Article 15, inspired by a real-life story

columns

Updated on Jun 29, 2019 08:43 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

It takes courage to be a star student, says Anupama Chopra

In an industry that allows mediocrity to survive and even thrive, successful actors are setting aside time to hone their craft. I wish more actors would do this.

Since Zero, where she was applauded for making her character come alive, Katrina Kaif says her approach has changed radically. ‘Regardless of how the director works, there’s certain work which I now make sure I do for myself. [I ask], how do I up my game; how do I better myself?’ Kaif says.(IANS)

bollywood

Published on Jun 15, 2019 05:52 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Can’t we have both fashion and film at Cannes, asks Anupama Chopra

HT introduces a fortnightly column by Anupama Chopra. Up first, a peek beyond the Cannes red carpet to ask why it’s been 25 years since India had a film in the main competition section.

Deepika Padukone poses at Cannes in a lime green Giambattista Valli. The dress was hailed as bold, and inspired memes around the world. But if the only conversation around India is about fashion, we will be reduced to lightweights.(REUTERS)

bollywood

Updated on Jun 02, 2019 09:53 AM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

Watching Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood at Cannes

Anupama Chopra puts her experience at Cannes Film Festival in numbers - nine days, 13 films, 20 interviews and two parties.

Actors Margot Robbie from left, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood at the 72nd international film festival, Cannes.(AP)

hollywood

Published on May 22, 2019 11:21 AM IST

ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

Cannes diary: Aishwarya Rai confirms doing Mani Ratnam’s next, says she keeps it real with Aaradhya

Anupama Chopra interviewed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Asif Kapadia, Werner Herzog and Sonam Kapoor at Cannes. Here is an interesting sneak peek.

Aishwarya Rai is accompanied with daughter Aaradhya.

hollywood

Updated on May 21, 2019 02:36 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

A day at Cannes: rubbing shoulders with Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu

Anupama Chopra writes about interviewing actor Andie Macdowell at Cannes Film Festival and meeting director Alfonso Cuaron.

US actress Andie MacDowell arrives for the screening of the film The Best Years of a Life at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival.(AFP)

hollywood

Updated on May 20, 2019 12:01 PM IST

ByAnupama Chopra

Deepika Padukone on Cannes: You either come here with a film or you slay on the red carpet

At Cannes Film Festival, Anupama Chopra talks to Deepika Padukone about her red carpet style, and why she doesn’t bring Ranveer Singh there.

Deepika Padukone walks the red carpet at 72nd Cannes Film Festival.(REUTERS)

bollywood

Updated on May 14, 2020 11:58 PM IST

Cannes | ByAnupama Chopra

Mira Nair discusses absence of Indian films at Cannes Film Festival

Mira Nair who is in Cannes as a mentor for the 11th edition of La Fabrique Cinema. She said that the tastes and agendas of the selection committee and that of Indian cinema don’t necessarily align.

Mira Nair attend the AT&T Presents: Untold Stories luncheon, in conjunction with the Tribeca Film Festival, at Thalassa on Monday, April 22, 2019, in New York.(Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

bollywood

Updated on May 18, 2019 11:27 AM IST

Cannes | ByAnupama Chopra

Hina Khan chooses to be positive at Cannes as Priyanka Chopra shares her red carpet rule

Anupama Chopra chats up Priyanka Chopra and Hina Khan at Cannes Film Festival as they make their red carpet appearances.

Priyanka Chopra poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film Rocketman at the 72nd international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Thursday, May 16, 2019.(AP)

bollywood

Updated on May 14, 2020 02:38 PM IST

Cannes | ByAnupama Chopra

After a Jean Dujardin repast, a taste of India at Cannes 2019

Village Rockstars drector Rima Das participated in the inauguration of the India Pavilion, which becomes a home away from home for the many Indians at Cannes.

Director Quentin Dupieux and cast members Jean Dujardin and Adele Haenel pose during a photocall before the screening of the film Le Daim (Deerskin).(REUTERS)

hollywood

Published on May 16, 2019 11:17 AM IST

ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

At Cannes 2019, Indian films missing from official selection, no Indian talent on juries

At Cannes Film Festival this year, 1845 feature films were submitted for the official selection but no Indian films made the cut. There are no Indian artists on any of the juries either.

Director Jim Jarmusch and his partner, US director Sara Driver, actors Tilda Swinton, Luka Sabbat and Adam Driver arrive for the screening of The Dead Don't Die.(AFP)

hollywood

Updated on May 16, 2019 11:55 AM IST

ByAnupama Chopra, Cannes

All the buzz from Cannes as one of the greatest cinema events of the year is set to begin

There’s a lot to look forward to at the Cannes Film Festival, starting with the opening film - Jim Jarmusch’s star-studded zombie horror The Dead Don’t Die.

Jury members Pawel Pawlikowski, Enki Bilal and Yorgos Lanthimos pose with Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Jury President of the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.(REUTERS)

hollywood

Updated on May 15, 2019 05:10 PM IST

Cannes | ByAnupama Chopra

Too much of an obstacle race: Running Shaadi review by Anupama Chopra

The film begins with the ingenious idea of a website for lovers who want to elope, but it’s all pretty much downhill from there.

Director Amit Roy gets the small-town milieu right. He mines the inherent humour of small town India negotiating the new digital landscape. But the fun soon leaches out and, in the second half, Running Shaadi derails.

entertainment

Published on Feb 17, 2017 05:53 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

A mangled mess: Kung Fu Yoga review by Anupama Chopra

Even Jackie Chan’s charisma cannot save this odd, disjointed, cross-border debacle.

Director Stanley Tong strains to create a souped-up, multicultural Indiana Jones adventure, but he seems to have forgotten to actually write it.

entertainment

Updated on Feb 03, 2017 04:44 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

A rollercoaster ride: Review of Raees by Anupama Chopra

The best way to enjoy Raees is to manage expectations first. This is an uneven film.

Shah Rukh gives the character of Gujarati bootlegger Raees a flamboyance and an inherent decency; Mahira, in the role of his wife, is vapid.

entertainment

Updated on Jan 26, 2017 07:54 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

A hero saves the day: Review of Kaabil by Anupama Chopra

A B-grade genre film is elevated by the blazing talent of Hrithik Roshan.

Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam are refreshing as a blind couple very much in love.

entertainment

Published on Jan 25, 2017 04:03 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

An inexact replica: OK Jaanu review by Anupama Chopra

This is just a pointless film, because an exact frame-for-frame version already exists in Tamil.

As with most millennial romances, OK Jaanu is light on plot and drama. Sadly, it offers little in their stead.

entertainment

Updated on Jan 13, 2017 11:27 PM IST

Hindustan Times | ByAnupama Chopra

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Anupama Chopra

Anupama Chopra is the editor and founder of Film Companion.

Empowered writers, original music, an exchange of ideas across languages... a wishlist for the year ahead.

Huppert is the French Meryl Streep

He doesn’t get enough credit for pushing the envelope in his films

A festival insists that you watch films you would never have encountered otherwise.

The megastar completes 50 years in Hindi cinema this month

It’s a treat when actors let go of on-screen vanity for a film, says Anupama Chopra

Cinema can sometimes echo your soul, be a friend and a guide

Some have begun to use their massive clout, online and off, for greater good.

Done right, these numbers are joyous. It’s time to rename them

Surprise! The truly innovative cinema like Virus or Village Rockstars, Super Deluxe, Sairat, Kumbalangi Nights or the Baahubali franchise, is emerging from outside Mumbai.

Twitter trolls, on both sides of the political axis, need to stop looking for a conspiracy in every movie review, says Anupama Chopra.

The borders between film industries in India have become more porous

Stars are being asked to play charades or quiz each other, during interviews. But if standard Q&As are one rut, this is turning out to be just another. It’s time to rethink Bollywood promotions.

Ayushmann Khurrana actively sought out the film Article 15. The actor saw Mulk, a powerful and persuasive plea for religious unity, and called the film’s director, Anubhav Sinha. Anubhav offered him a rom-com. Ayushmann asked instead for something gritty and hard-hitting.

In an industry that allows mediocrity to survive and even thrive, successful actors are setting aside time to hone their craft. I wish more actors would do this.

HT introduces a fortnightly column by Anupama Chopra. Up first, a peek beyond the Cannes red carpet to ask why it’s been 25 years since India had a film in the main competition section.

Anupama Chopra puts her experience at Cannes Film Festival in numbers - nine days, 13 films, 20 interviews and two parties.

Anupama Chopra interviewed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Asif Kapadia, Werner Herzog and Sonam Kapoor at Cannes. Here is an interesting sneak peek.

Anupama Chopra writes about interviewing actor Andie Macdowell at Cannes Film Festival and meeting director Alfonso Cuaron.

At Cannes Film Festival, Anupama Chopra talks to Deepika Padukone about her red carpet style, and why she doesn’t bring Ranveer Singh there.

Mira Nair who is in Cannes as a mentor for the 11th edition of La Fabrique Cinema. She said that the tastes and agendas of the selection committee and that of Indian cinema don’t necessarily align.

Anupama Chopra chats up Priyanka Chopra and Hina Khan at Cannes Film Festival as they make their red carpet appearances.

Village Rockstars drector Rima Das participated in the inauguration of the India Pavilion, which becomes a home away from home for the many Indians at Cannes.

At Cannes Film Festival this year, 1845 feature films were submitted for the official selection but no Indian films made the cut. There are no Indian artists on any of the juries either.

There’s a lot to look forward to at the Cannes Film Festival, starting with the opening film - Jim Jarmusch’s star-studded zombie horror The Dead Don’t Die.

The film begins with the ingenious idea of a website for lovers who want to elope, but it’s all pretty much downhill from there.

Even Jackie Chan’s charisma cannot save this odd, disjointed, cross-border debacle.

The best way to enjoy Raees is to manage expectations first. This is an uneven film.

A B-grade genre film is elevated by the blazing talent of Hrithik Roshan.

This is just a pointless film, because an exact frame-for-frame version already exists in Tamil.

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