Writer and comedian Varun Grover released his directorial debut film 'All India Rank' on 23 February 2024. Amid praise for its tender storytelling and a strong emotional core, the film is getting inevitably compared to other "competitive exam films" like Vidhu Vinod Chopra's '12th Fail', and TVF's hit web series 'Kota Factory'. In this episode of 'Do I Like It', Prateek Lidhoo dives deep into this genre of Indian cinema, and tries to understand what makes 'All India Rank' different. Listen till ...
Mar 01, 2024•10 min•Ep. 133
Hold onto your acceptance speeches! On this episode of 'Do I Like It', Prateek Lidhoo makes his predictions for the 2024 Oscars, and it looks like Oppenheimer might just take home EVERY major award! Is this a historic clean sweep in the making, or are we way off base? Watch and find out! From Margot Robbie's snub for Best Actress to the Cillian Murphy v. Bradley Cooper fight for Best Actor, this year's Academy Awards have cinephiles worldwide on the edge of their seats. What are your picks for t...
Feb 22, 2024•15 min•Ep. 132
Is Biryani anti-Hindu? Should vegetarians be forced to eat chicken? Did Ram actually eat meat? I never thought a film would ever take me on that trail of thought. In this episode of ‘Do I Like It’, let’s talk about Nayanthara's Tamil film ‘Annapoorani’ and the controversy that made Zee Studios and Netflix take the film down days after its online release. The film sparked controversy and faced strong criticism from right-wing groups and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which argued that it offend...
Jan 13, 2024•12 min•Ep. 131
Forget Drake and The Beatles - meet Talat Mahmood, the original Indian heartthrob who pioneered world tours before they were cool. His grandniece, Sahar Zaman, joins me on this episode of 'Do I Like It', on a journey through this unsung legend's life and music. Sahar, through her book 'Talat Mahmood: The Definitive Biography', takes us down memory lane to talk about Talat's life before entering Bollywood, his independent ghazal music career, the onset of new musical influences, and so much more....
Jan 11, 2024•26 min•Ep. 130
Yes! It’s that time of the year when I bombard the internet with my spiciest opinions, my hot takes, and some views that’ll set the comments section on fire. Looking back at 2023, I had some vastly different takes when compared to what I saw on the internet. Takes where I was like, “Did I even watch the same film as everyone else?” So, let’s go ahead and talk about them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 20, 2023•14 min•Ep. 129
Let us go on a trip down this year's best cinematic gems. 2023 was a feast of some mind-blowing movies! Join Prateek as he dives into the films that blew his mind, both on the global stage and closer to home in Bollywood. From Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer', to Vidhu Vinod Chopra's ode to purer times, '12th Fail', this list is bound to add some new recommendations to your year-end watching list. Watch till the end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 16, 2023•15 min•Ep. 128
Shah Rukh Khan is back, and this time he might be a 'Dunki' trying to escape India for London! But can Rajkumar Hirani, the director of blockbusters like 3 Idiots and PK, recapture the same wit, heart, and social commentary in this new trailer? Join me as I dive deep into the Dunki trailer, analyzing Hirani's signature style, Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal's characters, and the music. Watch till the end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 05, 2023•11 min•Ep. 127
Would my review be different if I was not a man? Should artists always take a moralistic stance while creating complex characters or conflicts? Can you learn good things from a bad film? Am I a closet Sandeep Reddy Vanga stan? These are some questions that came to mind after watching Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna’s Animal, directed, written, and edited by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. In this episode of Do I Like It, Prateek talks about what he liked, what he did not like, and why you should not li...
Dec 05, 2023•14 min•Ep. 126
After the sleeper hit 'Kantara' hit theatres in 2022, Rishab Shetty comes back with a prequel 'Kantara Chapter 1'. The first look was released with Shetty playing a trident-carrying, firey-eyed character, presumably set during the Kadamba Dynasty. The internet has been roaring with theories as to what the actual character is. Some say that it is Lord Shiva, others say that it is the deity Panjurli, while others deduce that it might be Parshuram. While I am excited about the prequel, I also have ...
Nov 28, 2023•15 min•Ep. 125
In this episode of Do I Like It, rapper Naezy opens up about his life after the hit film 'Gully Boy', and how he feels that his story wasn't properly told. He also talks about a new phase of his life where he's working on his mental health, new music, and his state of mind. He also sheds light on the current independent hip-hop scene and how he feels a responsibility towards the younger crop of rappers. Watch till the end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 12, 2023•34 min•Ep. 124
Desi Hip-Hop's new wave is here! In this episode of Do I Like It, we sit down with rappers DRV and Boyblanck and break down their latest collab album 'Multani Milli'. They also talk about their journey navigating the streets of Bollywood, with projects like Shahid Kapoor's 'Farzi', 'Class', and the awaited 'Kennedy', Anurag Kashyap's next directorial feature. Listen until the end as the duo reacts to their album and analyze their music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...
Nov 09, 2023•44 min•Ep. 123
Writer-director Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s debut Marathi feature film Sthal (A Match) opens with a dream sequence. Savita, a young girl in her early 20s, sits with 10 other women in a small room and interviews a potential suitor. She is assertive, the women around her are giggling, and they are free. Simple, yet far-fetching, the dream remains just that. And it sets the tone for the film ahead. Sthal is the only Indian film to have been selected for the festival’s Discovery Programme this year. ...
Sep 19, 2023•7 min•Ep. 122
Guns and Gulaabs is Raj and DK's latest offering on Netflix. This series has multiple parallel plot lines, whimsical characters, an illegal opium business; basically everything a quintessential gangster comedy would have. But, does it hit the mark? To know what worked and didn't work for me, tune in to this review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 22, 2023•10 min•Ep. 121
The Indian freedom struggle has always been a time of great dramatic value for artists. From love stories to action-packed thrillers, Indian filmmakers have explored this period with a great sense of detail and historicity. In this episode of Do I Like It, Prateek lists his favorite Hindi films that were set during the Indian independence struggle and the subsequent partition. Listen till the end! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 14, 2023•11 min•Ep. 120
If you've seen Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, you would know why it is so unlike yet the very definition of a Karan Johar film. On this episode of Do I Like It, Prateek Lidhoo dissects Karan Johar's directorial style, recurring themes and their evolution over the years. Delving into the narrative, characterization, and visual aesthetics, Prateek uncovers the underlying themes and emotions that make this movie stand out. From the characterisation to the intricately woven subplots, he examines h...
Aug 07, 2023•13 min•Ep. 119
In this exciting episode, we delve into historic clashes between blockbuster films released on the same day. From the iconic clash of 'Lagaan' and 'Gadar' to the intense competition between 'Saawariya' and 'Om Shanti Om,' we explore the box office impact and cultural significance of these clashes. Join us as we discuss the intriguing stories behind these clashes and the unforgettable movies that emerged as winners. Don't miss out on this fascinating journey through Bollywood history! Learn more ...
Jul 20, 2023•11 min•Ep. 118
The podcast is a tribute to the legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt on his 98th Birthday. Though his genus is hard to expound in a limited time capsule, yet Documentary Filmmaker-Writer Deepak Mahaan defines Guru Dutt as a cinematic painter who created poetic philosophies on canvas of film. And while he excelled as a director in all genres, his song picturisations were breathtaking lessons in cinematic metaphors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 09, 2023•12 min•Ep. 120
Lust Stories 2, streaming on Netflix, is the second edition of the anthology that explores sexuality and lust in ways unconventional to Indian mainstream filmmaking. This edition features 4 films directed by R Balki, Konkana Sen Sharma, Sujoy Ghosh and Amit Sharma. Tune into this episode of Do I Like It where Pratikshya Mishra breaks down the evolution of female desire on screen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 05, 2023•9 min•Ep. 119
Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani is an upcoming film directed by Karan Johar, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in lead roles, alongside Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi. The film is set to be released on July 28, 2023. In this Do I Like It episode, Prateek talks about the fundamental problem with the trailer and why that might ruin the film's experience. Watch till the end! Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:45 - Why am I talking about this film? 1:57 - Some context about Rocky and Rani 3:38...
Jul 05, 2023•10 min•Ep. 118
If you've been on the internet today, you must have heard that Ali Sethi's Pasoori from Coke Studio has made its way into Bollywood. And yet again like most remakes, the first reactions to the song have been that "it is ruined". But what exactly is it about the song that works or doesn't work? Could Arijit Singh make it better? Or do remakes just not work? Tune into this episode of Do I Like It to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 27, 2023•16 min•Ep. 117
Daredevil Musthafa is a Kannada film directed by Shashank Soghal. It is based on a short story by K.P Poornachandra Tejaswi; and it was the love for this author's stories that over 100 people funded this film and made it possible. Although, what got me introduced to the film was the fact that Karnataka government made it tax-free. So, do I like it? Tune in to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 24, 2023•13 min•Ep. 116
After a fun time reviewing KR$NA and Munawar Faruqui's albums, here I am, talking about Emiway Bantai's album 'King of the Streets', because the third time's the charm, you know! The album consists of 17 tracks, where Emiway chronicles his journey of self-improvement, quitting bad habits, and living a more fulfilling life. But all is not well in this project. Listen to the full episode to find out why I liked this album, but didn't really like it. Trust me, after recording this, I have more ques...
Jun 22, 2023•17 min•Ep. 115
A few months ago I watched a film, that still hasn't left me. In this episode of Do I Like It, let's talk about ‘Dhuin’, Anchal Mishra’s short film. This Maithili film, streaming on MUBI, follows the journey of a theatre actor, Pankaj (played by Abhinav Jha), who treads on the blurred lines of enthusiasm and exhaustion. The film is set in a lockdown Darbhanga, where financial woes make the protagonist choose between his passion and duties. Even as heavy mist engulfs rural Bihar, the sensitive po...
Jun 16, 2023•12 min•Ep. 114
In this episode of Do I Like It, Prateek talks about Munawar Faruqui's debut hip-hop album 'Madari'. The album features a solid tracklist with beats by industry stalwarts like Sez on the Beat and Karan Kanchan. After a controversial jail time in 2021 and his subsequent reality show win, will this album capture his state of mind and provide a musical outlet for his distress? Or will it be just another cookie-cutter, pop-rap project? Listen till the end to find out. Learn more about your ad choice...
Jun 12, 2023•13 min•Ep. 113
Fire In The Mountains is a 2021 film directed by Ajit Pal Singh. It revolves around a woman in Uttarakhand and is a story that intertwines superstition, patriarchy and a dreamy hill station's sombre reality.It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and is now streaming on Sony Liv. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 06, 2023•6 min•Ep. 112
In this episode of Do I Like It, Pratikshya talks about the Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan starter 'Zara Hatke Zara Bachke', which was directed by Laxman Utekar. The film follows the story of a young couple who want to build their own house away from their families, and the trouble that ensues afterwards. Listen till the end to find out why this film reminds us of the 2023 Manoj Bajpayee starter 'Gulmohar', 'Tu Jhoothi Mai Makkar', and the great Indian family drama 'Baghban' Learn more about yo...
Jun 03, 2023•11 min•Ep. 111
In this episode of Do I Like It, I want to talk about a song that's close to my heart because of two reasons: 1: I love Kashmiri music, and 2: I love wedding music. And Kya Karie Korimol by Alif, Noor Mohammad, and Aashima Mahajan is the perfect blend of the two. The rendition of Alif's original song talks about a wedding, where all the father is worried about is whether there is enough food to feed everyone. On the other hand, the daughter's mind is racing about the changes that are about to co...
May 26, 2023•14 min•Ep. 110
In this episode of Do I Like It, I talk about Yungsta’s album, 'Meen'. It was executive produced by Sez on the Beat and released on his label 'The MVMNT'. With a star-studded feature list of Calm, Frappe Ash, Ikka, Raga, and many more, Meen marks Yungsta's entry into mainstream desi hip-hop. The album has a coherent soundscape and a consistent subject matter about an artist, a fish coming out of the proverbial water. Yungi takes us through his journey of introspection. While not all tracks were ...
May 17, 2023•17 min•Ep. 109
Amar Colony is a 2022 film directed by Siddharth Chauhan. It premiered last year at the Tallinn Black Nights’ Film Festival where it won the Special Jury Prize. It revolves around the lives of three families living in a dilapidated building in Shimla and deals with themes of loneliness, confinement, and sexual repression. Tune in for the full review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 16, 2023•6 min•Ep. 108
Jaggi is a 2021 Punjabi film, which after winning accolades at several international festivals, screened at the 15th edition of the Habitat Film Festival on Sunday, 7 May. It tells the story of Jaggi, a boy in his twenties who lives in Punjab. Grappling with impotency and the stigma, harassment and ridicule it comes with, Jaggi's story is raw, touching and unnerving. Tune in to listen to the full review! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 09, 2023•7 min•Ep. 107
