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The Desi Gaze
by Ankita Rathour
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
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Ankur (1974, Shyam Benegal, Hindi/Dakhini)
This episode unpacks one of the most important Indian films, Ankur (seedling) directed by the late Shyam Benegal. It stars veterans of Hindi, Oriya, and Kannada films: Shabana Azmi, Sadhu Meher, and Anant Nag in pivotal roles. Ankita and Azhar discuss how caste affects desires and the complex...
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Around the World During the Cold War!
In this short episode, Ankita unpacks the 1967 Hindi film Around the World starring Raj Kapoor, Rajshree, Mehmood, and Pran. In a reversal to his socialist image, Raj Kapoor plays a millionaire embarking on a world tour but there's a problem. He only has eight US dollars. The film is touted as a...
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Special Episode: Rang De Basanti (2006), Rakeysh Mehra: 2006 vs 2026
The student, the educator, the cinephile, and the rebellious Indian combine in this episode to unpack the relevance of the 2006 Hindi film Rang De Basanti. Ankita and Azhar do so via the Cockroach Janta Party led student protests unfolding in India. Consider this a tribute to revolutionaries like...
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Haqeeqat (1964), Chetan Anand: Indo-China, Cold War, and Postcolonial Nation Building
Ankita and Azhar unpack one of the finest war films in Bollywood history. Though set in 1962 during the Indo-China war, Haqeeqat (Reality) deals with the trauma of losing Jawahar Lal Nehru and perhaps his vision for a non-aligned India. Dharmendra, Balraj Sahni, Sudhir, Vijay Anand, Jayant, and...
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Postcolonial India, Jewish Bollywood, and Lessons for Today: Yahudi (1958), Directed by Bimal Roy
Our latest episode dicusses one of the finest and heavily overlooked Hindi film Yahudi (English: The Jew) from 1958. Starring Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari, Sohrab Modi, and Nazir Hussain, the film is a testament of postcolonial ethnic solidarity that shaped Bollywood. It is based on the play Yahudi…
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The Hubris of Capitalism: Abhimaan (1973). Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Happy Karl Marx Day! In this episode Ankita is joined by Zane Merritt as they unpack the 1973 Hindi film Abhimaan. Dr. Merritt is a freelance musician and academic currently residing in Buffalo New York. He holds a PhD in western classical music composition from the State University of New York…
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The Radical Possibilities of Melodrama: Roti (1974). Direced by Manmohan Desai
In this episode, we discuss the 1974 blockbuster Hindi film Roti. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Pinchoo Kapoor, Sujit, Nirupa Roy, and Om Prakash along with the who's who of 70's Bollywood. We love Roti for its stellar soundtrack but even more for the subtle pro-China subtext during the...
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Rules of Engagement! Pardesi (1957). Directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas and Vasili Pronin
We bring you the first ever Hindi film jointly produced by India and the Soviet Union–the 1957 film Pardesi (Khozhdenie Za Tri Moray or The Foreigner), starring Oleg Strizhenov, Nargis, Padmini, and Balraj Sahani along with a special appearance by Prithviraj Kapoor. Made in Russian and Hindi…
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Kharij, 1982, Mrinal Sen w Dr. Udita Mukherjee
Two besties analyze Mrinal Sen's powerful 1982 Bengali film Kharij (English translation: The Case is Dismissed). Based on the 1974 novel of the same name, the film follows a family after thier child servant dies of carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr. Udita Mukherjee, a geoscientist and a Bengali film...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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!
HOSTED BY
Ankita Rathour
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Desi Gaze have?
The Desi Gaze currently has 21 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Desi Gaze 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...
How often does The Desi Gaze release new episodes?
The Desi Gaze has 21 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Desi Gaze?
You can listen to The Desi Gaze on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Desi Gaze?
The Desi Gaze is created and hosted by Ankita Rathour.
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