Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Month-by-month guide to Hindi film highs and lows from the past year

Month-by-month guide to Hindi film highs and lows from the past year

EVERY month of 2023 had its winners and losers, with successes being balanced out by less-than-memorable moments.

Eastern Eye looks back on some of the Bollywood highs and lows from the past year, with a month-by-month guide.


January

January Pathaan 951

 Good: Shah Rukh Khan reclaimed his crown as the king of Bollywood with the blockbuster hit Pathaan. It would set up a dream year for the actor that was followed up with blockbuster films Jawan and Dunki.

Bad: Arjun Kapoor added to his many film failures with the flop Bollywood release Kuttey. He would headline an even bigger disaster, The Lady Killer, later in the year.

February

Good: Anil Kapoor delivers a winning performance in the Indian adaptation of The Night Manager. He makes the villainous role his own.

Bad: After a strong 2022, Kartik Aaryan had high hopes for Shehzada. Unfortunately, the film turned out to be a box-office dud despite being a remake of a Telugu hit.

March

 Good: Legendary actress Sharmila Tagore makes a great comeback after over a decade with a strong performance in the acclaimed family drama, Gulmohar.

Bad: Ajay Devgn directed and starred in flop film Bholaa. The action remake of the Tamil hit, Kaithi, did so badly that it will likely be the last film he attempts to direct.

April

Good: Priyanka Chopra-Jonas delivers a riproaring performance in the mega-budget web series Citadel, which has been renewed for a second season.

Bad: Salman Khan, once the king of Eid film releases, added to his increasing number of failures on the annual holiday with the boxoffice disaster, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.

July Good Rocky Aur Ranii Ki Premi Kahani 855

 

May

 Good: Sonam Kapoor is the surprise choice to represent India at King Charles’ coronation concert held outside Windsor Castle and joins a star-studded line-up on stage.

Bad: Sara Ali Khan makes her debut on the Cannes red carpet, but is heavily trolled for her choice of outfits, including a lehenga that made her look like a bride.

June

Good: Award-winning playback singer Asees Kaur gets married to musician Goldie Sohel. A month later, in July, she delivers arguably the best Bollywood-led concert of 2023 in the UK.

Bad: Kangana Ranaut’s production debut, Tiku Weds Sheru, is a colossal failure. She would follow that up later in the year by headlining one of the year’s biggest flops, Tejas.

July

 Good: Alia Bhatt scores a big international win with the romantic comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Weeks later, she makes her Hollywood debut opposite Gal Gadot in the high-profile film, Heart of Stone.

Bad: Bawaal, starring Varun Dhawan and Jahnvi Kapoor, is heavily criticised for trivialising the Holocaust, and there are calls for the film to be removed from Amazon Prime.

August

 Good: After a prolonged spell in the Bollywood wilderness, Sunny Deol strikes back with a starring role in Gadar 2. The action sequel defies negative reviews to become a super hit.

Bad: Abhishek Bachchan is left disappointed when his film Ghoomer massively underperforms at the box office and adds to his many disappointments in recent years.

August Good sunny deol Gadar 2 258

September

Good: Richa Chadha and her Fukrey 3 co-stars score a surprise success with the third instalment of the comedy franchise. Great boxoffice numbers result in the film being declared a hit.

Bad: Sadly, former Miss World Manushi Chhillar makes it two flops in a row with The Great Indian Family.

October

Good: Ali Fazal followed up a winning performance in the Hollywood blockbuster, Kandahar, in May, with a terrific turn in the Indian film, Khufiya.

Bad: Tiger Shroff stars in one of the year’s biggest box office disasters, Ganapath. The film clocks up shockingly low figures and kills any chance of a planned sequel.

November

March Bad Bholaa Ajay Devgn 2555

Good: Tiger 3 turns out to be the biggest success for lead stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in six years since they starred in the 2017 film, Tiger Zinda Hai, despite underperforming at the box office.

Bad: Mrunal Thakur’s comedy Aankh Micholi is a box-office disaster. Her other November release, Pippa, is dumped straight onto a streaming site and received largely negative reviews. That makes it three film failures for the actress in 2023.

December

Good: Ranbir Kapoor delivers the year’s best performances in the hit film, Animal, and demonstrates why he is the most in-demand of the younger Bollywood stars.

Bad: Vicky Kaushal delivers a spirited performance in Sam Bahadur, but it isn’t enough to save the army drama from adding to his many recent failures as a leading man.

More For You

Wireless Festival 2025

The 2025 event made headlines after it was announced that Canadian rapper Drake

Getty Images

Wireless Festival 2025 confirms new acts for Finsbury Park

Key points

 
     
  • Wireless Festival 2025 runs from 11–13 July in Finsbury Park, London
  •  
  • Drake to headline all three nights of the sold-out event
  •  
  • New acts include ODUMODUBLVCK, SahBabii, Darkoo and Uncle Waffles
  •  
  • Up to 150,000 attendees expected across the weekend
  •  
 

Final line-up revealed ahead of 20th anniversary festival

 

Further acts have been confirmed for the 2025 edition of Wireless Festival, as Finsbury Park prepares to host the three-day music event from Friday 11 July to Sunday 13 July. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the UK’s biggest urban music festival, which has evolved into a major platform for rap, R&B, afrobeats and grime.

The 2025 event made headlines after it was announced that Canadian rapper Drake would headline all three nights — a first for the festival — sparking record-breaking ticket sales. The festival sold out within minutes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Superman

This film marks the first cinematic release under the new unified DC Universe banner

X/ ErikDavis

Superman early reactions praise James Gunn’s reboot as “a terrific start”

Key points

  • First reactions to Superman (2025) praise its action, humour and emotional tone
  • Directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet as Superman
  • Premiered in Los Angeles ahead of 11 July theatrical release
  • Fans and critics call it a strong launch for the new DC Studios era

Superman early reviews call it “exciting” and “hopeful”

Following its premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night, the first social media reactions to Superman have begun to emerge — and they are largely positive. Though full reviews will be published closer to the 11 July release date, critics, journalists and early viewers have shared their first impressions online.

 

What fans and critics are saying

“A terrific start for the new DC Studios,” – Erik Davis, Fandango
Film journalist Erik Davis praised Superman as a promising launchpad for DC Studios under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran.

Keep ReadingShow less
Neena Gupta

The brand’s use of a traditional Indian design without acknowledgement

Getty Images

Neena Gupta joins Kareena Kapoor in calling out Prada over Kolhapuri chappals

Key points

  • Neena Gupta posts a video wearing Kolhapuri chappals gifted by late actor Laxmikant Berde
  • Joins Kareena Kapoor in highlighting resemblance to a Prada sandal design
  • Luxury brand showcased similar footwear at Milan Fashion Week without reference to Indian origins
  • Both actresses emphasised the value of original handmade designs

Neena Gupta backs Kolhapuri chappals after Prada controversy

Veteran Indian actress Neena Gupta has weighed in on the ongoing conversation around Prada’s recent footwear collection after actress Kareena Kapoor earlier pointed out the brand’s use of a traditional Indian design without acknowledgement.

In a video shared on Instagram, Gupta showcased a pair of handmade Kolhapuri chappals gifted to her by the late actor Laxmikant Berde. Sharing the story behind the slippers, she said, “So, these Kolhapur slippers are in great demand these days. Once I did something with Laxmikant Berde—I don't remember what it was—so I asked him, can you get me these slippers from Kolhapur? He said yes. So he got them for me. This is the most beautiful slippers I have ever had. Most beautiful and handmade. I love them. Thank you, Laxmikant. You are not there anymore, but love you.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Katy Perry seen in black bikini on Capri yacht after Orlando Bloom split
Katy Perry relaxes on deck in a black bikini as she chats with friends
Twitter/info katy perry

Katy Perry seen in black bikini on Capri yacht after Orlando Bloom split

Quick highlights:

  • Katy Perry seen for the first time since confirming split with Orlando Bloom.
  • The singer relaxed on a yacht in Capri with daughter Daisy and close friends.
  • Representatives say the couple has shifted focus to co-parenting after months of changes.
  • Bloom shared cryptic quotes on loneliness while Perry broke down on stage in Australia.

Katy Perry appears to be embracing single life with warmth and grace after confirming her split from actor Orlando Bloom. Just days after their breakup statement, the pop star was seen enjoying a yacht holiday in Capri with her daughter Daisy and longtime friends.

Perry looked composed and at ease as she spent time on the water, marking her first public appearance since the relationship announcement. Dressed in a black bikini, with her hair tied back in a sleek bun, the singer was photographed laughing, hugging friends, and sharing moments with her 4½-year-old daughter.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Beckham family

Mia Regan, Romeo Beckham, Cruz Beckham, Harper Beckham, David Beckham, Victoria Beckham, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham attend the Netflix 'Beckham' UK Premiere

Getty Images

Brooklyn Beckham’s absence looms over Harper’s birthday as family rift deepens

Quick highlights:

  • Brooklyn Beckham is unlikely to attend Harper’s 14th birthday amid ongoing family tensions.
  • He recently skipped David Beckham’s 50th celebration to attend Nicola Peltz’s father’s birthday in the US.
  • Insiders say Harper is especially hurt as she shares a close bond with Brooklyn.
  • Brooklyn reportedly feels distant from the Beckham family and more connected to Nicola’s side.

The Beckham family is preparing to mark Harper’s 14th birthday this week, but the occasion is expected to be bittersweet. Brooklyn Beckham is not expected to join the celebrations, sparking concerns about a deepening rift between him and the rest of his family.

Once a close-knit unit, tensions reportedly began brewing after Brooklyn married American heiress and actress Nicola Peltz in 2022. Since then, his growing bond with Nicola’s family and increasing distance from his own has been a source of strain, insiders claim.

Keep ReadingShow less