We talk about her films a LOT, so you knew this was coming: superstar Aishwarya Rai! We both like her acting in general, so we dig into why we think she's good, why other people think she's bad, and what kind of burden it must be to know that no matter what you do or say, someone will hate it. How can one woman manage the burden of being TMBWITW, getting abused by a mega-star, being a face and body of India's economic liberalization, and marrying into the Bachchan family? We're tired just thinking about it - even before we consider the range of work she's done!Films in focus: Iruvar (1997), Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997), and Guzaarish (2010). (If your favorite Aishwarya film isn't here, don't worry - we've might have talked about it in another episode. For example, we've discussed Kandoukondain Kandoukondain, Dhoom 2, Enthiran, Chokher Bali, Taal, Josh, and Jeans...). Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

To close out Pride month, we look at 3 Indian films that feature LGBTQIA+ characters: Fire (1996), Nil Nirjane (2003), and Arekti Premer Golpo (2010).Previously, we've discussed Maja Maa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdhvj0tN5ww and Badhaai Do https://youtu.be/iolSwAuT7IU?si=qp6wt9cMluLUCRZ_ And of COURSE we did a whole episode on queer icon REKHA. https://youtu.be/UPgobOdmKHs?si=dvvduK7zu_YFdQUhSubscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

We would be remiss if we only talked about MAAs in Bollywood and ignored the PITAJIS. We bring two very different movies that depict different aspects of fatherhood - father as a human being first, and father who must grapple with passing the torch to his son.Beth discusses Ray's Apur Sansar (1959) and Pitu discusses Boman Irani's The Mehta Boys (2025). [We know Apur Sansar is not exactly "filmi" but neither is Masoom that we did for maas, so it all evens out.]We also discuss quintessential fathers in Indian cinema as well as father figures like all the amazing uncles - and end with a fun quiz!Tell us your thoughts! And most importantly tell us what you learned from your father (and/or father figure).Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Meena Kumari is famously known as the tragedy queen of Hindi cinema, and she's an actress whose filmography we've mostly avoided so far. Inspired by a subscriber's comment, we decide to give Meena's light-hearted movies a shot, and discuss Miss Mary (1957) and Kohinoor (1960).Pitu has seen the error of her ways and is no longer calling her Moaning Myrtle. She is now Merry Meena.If you haven't seen her dance with puppies at the puppies' birthday party in Mem Sahib, please stop what you're doing and revel in this delightful song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12WvtoTJ3r0And as a postscript, enjoy this clip of Emma Thompson talking about working with Hugh Grant. https://youtube.com/shorts/nLNMZXpNbB8?si=FpfSeZHahz5AhlNuSubscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

We've discussed Indians making films set elsewhere, and now it's time to flip the script: foreigners making films set in India! Don't worry, we steered very, very clear of the Eat Pray Love trap ?. We joined a Wes Anderson dysfunctional family in Darjeeling Limited (2007) and studied a fictionalized take on real-life drama in The Bengali Night (1988). Their characters may be lost and overwhelmed in India, but it's less because of India and more because of their own baggage and foolish choices. In case you didn't catch them, here are our episodes on NRI films https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWHDEgDAITQ and comfort watches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAwXCgYLiJY.The infamous India Mars Mission cartoon: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-29502062.Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Yellow is so many things - it's cheery, happy, positive, optimistic, and literally sunny as in the color of the sun! But it's also a color associated with fear, unease, cowardice, and the oppressive heat and dangerous conditions of the desert. We discuss the positive aspects of yellow through the 2014 movie Khoobsurat and the more seedy aspects of yellow in the 2007 noir film Manorama Six Feet Under.- What are your favorite yellow films?- Is Juhi Chawla the living embodiment of the color yellow?- Apart from sarson ke khet what are some other yellow aesthetics in Hindi movies?- And lastly what do we think of men wearing yellow? It seems not to be a thing?!?Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Beth has been waiting for this episode for years: it's finally time to talk about her very favorite star. And the thing is, Rani is so, so much more than a star - she's an ACTOR. We discuss some of our favorite films - many of which have featured on this podcast already - and a few that we've never seen before. Not surprisingly, we both love her comedic chops and went for Aiyyaa (2012), Chori Chori (2003), and Hadh Kar Di Aapne (2000). Beth also checked out her debut, Biyer Phool (1996), in which she is sure-footed and charming from the start.Tell us what items from her earlier career we need to see! And tell us what you hope our queen will do going forward! ? ? ?Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Happy Mother's Day or as we call it - Maa Divas! CineMAA has many interesting maas and in this episode we discuss them. There's the martyr maa, wholesome maa, unhinged maa, idealistic maa, sauteli maa, vengeful maa, even the sexual maa. We discuss what motherhood means through two very different movies - Masoom (1983) and English Vinglish (2012)Tell us your favorite cinema maas and also your favorite thing about your own maa!Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

This week we're looking at movies tinged with green. The color may connote envy, luck, and eco-consciousness...but we both went literal and chose films with beautiful greenery. Sudani from Nigeria (2018) is a sweet slice of outsider life in Kerala, and Khoj (1989) has strange goings-on in the hills of Nepal. Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

We time travel to 19th century Britain for our next installment of Filmi Ladies book club. We discuss Dil Diya Dard Liya, a 1966 adaptation of Wuthering Heights; Sangdil, a 1952 adaptation of Jane Eyre; and two versions of Great Expectations, a 1998 Hollywood version as well as Fitoor from 2016.All are fairly emo and very, very filmi.What are your favorite British novels and their adaptations?To watch our Jane Austen episode, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fNDFUXWZkM&t=1sSubscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

We love Tabu! And so does everyone else apparently. What's not to love? She's strong, fearless, complex, talented and plays complicated characters with an astounding ease. Truth be told, we may be a little scared of her? Pitu desperately wants to have tea with her but is also nervous about it.We discuss her movies Kadhal Desam (1996), Astitva (2000), and Haider (2014), with a momentary foray into a favorite scene in Andhadhun (2018).What are your favorite Tabu films or performances?Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Blue is so many things: it's clear blue skies and the ocean, the excitement of tropical holidays, but also the snobbery of the blue-blooded and the preppy set. It's also the beloved morpankhi color of peacocks and the monsoon rains, as well as the sadness of feeling a little down or downright depressed. We explore the depths of the color blue (pun intended) with Blue (2009) and the angst and melancholia of Hyderabad Blues (1998).What are your favorite movies that are blue—even if they give you the blues?Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Special guest Vikas Raheja from the Let's Talk, Melbourne podcast joins us to discuss NRI films. All your favorites come up, with special attention beyond the SRK-Chopra-Johar of this genre: Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Bollywood Hollywood (2002), and Flavors (2003).Listen to Vikas's podcast. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/vikas-raheja/Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Brown is so beautiful: natural and warm and sturdy, it reminds us of coffee and tea, trees and stones, antique furniture, fine leathers, furry friends, and, in the case of our chosen projects, the symbol of legal authority (khaki) and ageless history (old papers and ruins). Pitu watched Vikramaditya Motwane's new series Black Warrant (2025) and Beth watched the Bengali archaeology adventure Guptodhoner Sondhane (2018). Tell us what films you think of when you think of brown? And what amazing chocolatey or baked good do you like to eat while watching? PS Beth is dressed like a wooly acorn because it's -16 C where she lives. Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Wherever could we find purple prose in Hindi cinema??? The Dirty Picture (2011), that's for sure. ? ? ? We also discuss the lavender marriage in the lovely queer rights film Badhaai Do (2022).Purple has a fascinating history that Pitu shares in the beginning of this episode. We're lucky to have such easy access to this strong, confident color today!Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

We time travel between 1950s Hollywood and 1990s Bollywood to discuss two movies that are same same but different - Sabrina (1954) and its Hindi adaptation Yeh Dillagi (1994). Ole Ole indeed!Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

We are not aMUSEd. Ugh, these movies. It's Beth's fault that we watched them, and we're both glad to have finally seen these films and we can have informed opinions...but unfortunately those opinions are quite negative. The real takeaway is that men authoring stories about how women inspire them is quite unnecessary and just takes up more air in the room that could have gone to women authoring their own stories. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ If you want more on Gaja Gamini, see our friend Carla (Filmi Geek's) blog. https://www.filmigeek.com/2013/03/gaja-gamini-2000.htmlSubscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Yes yes, we've already done an episode on Shashi Kapoor, but his filmography is so vast and varied that there's always room for another! We both chose a film for his young, middle and older years, so there are 6 films under discussion today: Dharmputra (1961, his debut as an adult), Pyaar Kiye Jaa (1966), Chori Mera Kaam (1975), Trishna (1978), Pyaar Ki Jeet (1987), and In Custody/Muhafiz (1994).If you want to read Beth's post on Chori Mera Kaam, it's here https://www.bethlovesbollywood.com/2009/10/chori-mera-kaam.htmland all her blog posts on Shashi films are here https://www.bethlovesbollywood.com/search/label/house%20favorite%3A%20Shashi%20Kapoor. The song Beth mentions (Are Kahe Ko Kahe Ko) is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYwzDNBpbwI with the beating heart at about 2:45. Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Natural, raw, vivacious, spirited or annoying, grating and shrill? Opinions abound on our next superstar, Kajol! We discuss her work in some of the most iconic blockbusters co-starring Shah Rukh Khan, as well as some of the smaller films and unusual roles she's done. Films discussed: Hamesha, Minsara Kanavu/Sapnay, and of course Gupt.What are your Kajol opinions?Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062@filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on InstagramBeth is @bethlovesbollywood on BlueskyEmail us at filmiladies at gmailSee our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfyOur logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan

Wherever could we find purple prose in Hindi cinema??? The Dirty Picture (2011), that's for sure. ? ? ? We also discuss the lavender marriage in the lovely queer rights film Badhaai Do (2022). Purple has a fascinating history that Pitu shares in the beginning of this episode. We're lucky to have such easy access to this strong, confident color today! Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 or Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/filmi-ladies/id1642425062 @filmiladies on Instagram Pitu is @pitusultan on Instagram Beth is @bethlovesbollywood on Bluesky Email us at filmiladies at gmail See our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfy Our logo was designed by London-based artist Paula Ganoo @velcrothoughts on Instagram https://www.art2arts.co.uk/paula-vaughan