Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

My top 10 films by Amrit Maghera

Freida: I love this film and used to watch it a lot when I first moved to Mumbai by myself as a 23-year-old who felt quite overwhelmed and sometimes lacking in courage and confidence. Every time I watch it, Salma Hayek’s performance and the story fills me with strength and admi­ration, and completely inspires me. Know­ing she was the reason why this true story was made into a film in the first place and what she had to endure from Harvey Weinstein while making it just makes me respect and admire her even more. Frieda Khalo’s style, which I love, has become so iconic too. I love so many of the lines from the film, like: ‘Take a lover who looks at you like maybe you are magic’.

Monster: As you can see from this choice, I like films that aren’t necessarily ‘feel-go-od’ films. I like things that do something to me and leave me in a different state to when I first began watching. I was scared by Charlize Theron’s performance of Ai­leen Wuornos because it was so amazingly convincing and she completely trans­formed. I have only seen this once and probably wouldn’t be able to watch many times, but it’s definitely a film I remem­ber and was transfixed by.


Brave: This film just warms my heart and makes me so happy. Having Scottish roots myself, I just love the fact that this film is set in Scotland and how ballsy and tomboyish Merida is with her beautiful, fiery, wild hair. It’s so refreshing to see not your typical princess and one that oozes personality. The relationship being mother and daughter is also just so touching and beautiful.

Mullholand Drive: David Lynch is one of my favourite directors and I just love the characters he introduces and the world he takes us into. I’m also a big fan of Nao­mi Watts and think she is brilliant in this. The eeriness and quirkiness is something that really appeals to me somehow. I also love his films Blue Velvet, Lost Highway and of course Twin Peaks.

The Goonies: This film reminds me of my childhood. It is the perfect ensemble and a feel-good movie. The director creates this unpatronising sense of childhood and I still absolutely love it now. Both my brother and I would watch it so many times as children and we can still recite lines from this film. I recently bought it for him on DVD as a Christmas present.

E.T.: As well as The Goonies, this film just utterly encapsulates my childhood. It’s such an all-time classic. The part where E.T. says goodbye to Elliot would break me every time and does even now. It’s such a magical, feel-good, imaginative film and I could watch it repeatedly.

The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: This film just blew my mind. It’s wacky, eccentric, idiosyncratic and ex­pands your mind, but on a very human, guttural level. It asks the question: What would you do if you could choose to erase your memories, would you do it? Would you want to? In this film, Jim Car­ey also shows a completely different side as he is not comical but more serious, and for me, relatable. I loved his perfor­mance as I did Kate Winslet’s. After the film ended, it left me thinking for ages.

Dancer In The Dark: This film was shocking, disturbing and made me feel uncomfortable, but I have never forgot­ten it. Bjork is absolutely amazing and I just couldn’t believe it was her. I saw it as part of an acting course I was doing in Mumbai, as every week we had to watch films that pushed the envelope some­how. I thought it was bonkers, utterly brilliant and traumatic.

The Black Swan: I have an artistic inter­pretation of the poster of this film in my flat. I love this film and the fact that it’s centred on a ballerina, her ambition and the darkness that comes with it. I was captivated from start to end! Natalie Port­man is also one of my favourite actresses and I just didn’t want this to end.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?: Two words – Leonardo DiCaprio! He is every­thing in this movie. I saw it as a teenager. His performance got me to the point that I can’t forget it because I was so moved at his portrayal of an autistic boy. Maybe the movie was supposed to be about Johnny Depp’s character, i.e Gilbert, but it was him who got to me.

  • Amrit Maghera is a British actress. Visit Instagram: @amrit.maghera, Twitter: @ amrit_maghera and www.amritmaghera. com for more.

More For You

Aaradhya Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan says Aishwarya Rai is fully responsible for Aaradhya’s upbringing

Getty Images

Abhishek Bachchan praises Aishwarya Rai for raising Aaradhya without phone or social media

Quick highlights:

  • Abhishek Bachchan credits Aishwarya Rai for taking the lead in daughter Aaradhya’s upbringing.
  • Says Aaradhya, now 13, has no phone and stays away from social media.
  • Calls Aishwarya “selfless” for prioritising parenting over everything else.
  • Slams online gossip surrounding their marriage as baseless and insensitive.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan has dismissed recent speculation around his marriage with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, instead shining a light on her unwavering dedication as a mother. In a recent chat, he spoke warmly about their 13-year-old daughter Aaradhya, revealing that she neither owns a mobile phone nor uses social media, something he attributes to Aishwarya’s hands-on parenting.

 Aaradhya Bachchan  Aaradhya Bachchan has no access to social media or a personal phoneGetty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Ranveer Singh

Ranveer Singh in a still from Lootera that captured his most restrained performance

Twelve years of 'Lootera': 5 reasons Ranveer Singh’s most understated role still holds up

Quick highlights:

  • Ranveer’s subtle performance in Lootera marked a major shift from his usual high-energy roles.
  • The 1950s-set romantic drama became a career milestone for the actor.
  • His restrained, emotionally complex portrayal earned long-term critical acclaim.
  • The film showcased a successful collaboration with director Vikramaditya Motwane.
  • As Dhurandhar builds buzz, Lootera reminds us of Ranveer’s range.

Twelve years ago, Ranveer Singh surprised audiences with Lootera, a period romance that asked him to do something unfamiliar: stay still. Set in 1950s Bengal and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, the film gave Ranveer the space to deliver one of his most subdued and mature performances. No outbursts. No spectacle. Just quiet heartbreak.

  Lootera released in 2013 and marked a stylistic shift for Ranveer Singh Prime Video  

Keep ReadingShow less
AR Rahman shares selfie with Hans Zimmer

AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer smile together in viral selfie

Instagram/arrahman

AR Rahman shares selfie with Hans Zimmer as 'Ramayana' music collaboration excites fans

Quick highlights:

  • AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer will collaborate on the soundtrack for Ramayana: Part One, directed by Nitesh Tiwari.
  • Rahman shared a selfie with Zimmer on Instagram, captioned “With @hanszimmer #ramayanamovie”.
  • The photo sparked a wave of excitement online, with fans and celebrities calling it a “historic moment”.
  • Ramayana: Part One stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi, and is set for a Diwali 2026 release.

AR Rahman’s latest Instagram post has set the tone for what might be one of the most ambitious film music projects in recent Indian cinema. The Oscar-winning composer shared a selfie with legendary Hollywood music producer Hans Zimmer, confirming their collaboration on Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana: Part One. The picture quickly went viral, as fans celebrated the rare coming together of two globally acclaimed composers for a single Indian film.

  AR Rahman confirms collaboration with Hans Zimmer on InstagramInstagram/arrahman

Keep ReadingShow less
Ozzy Osbourne returns to Birmingham

Birmingham celebrates its heavy metal roots with Back to the Beginning show

Getty Images

Ozzy Osbourne returns to Birmingham for final Black Sabbath concert after 20 years

Quick highlights:

  • Ozzy Osbourne to perform one final time in Birmingham on 5 July, reuniting with Black Sabbath’s original line-up.
  • Villa Park will host a 10-hour metal concert titled Back to the Beginning, curated by Tom Morello.
  • The line-up includes Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and others; proceeds go to three Birmingham-based charities.
  • The reunion marks the first time Ozzy, Iommi, Butler, and Ward will play together in 20 years.

After a lifetime of chaotic stage antics, searing vocals, and defining an entire music genre, Ozzy Osbourne is officially calling time on his career. On Saturday, the 76-year-old rock legend will headline his final concert in Birmingham, his birthplace, alongside the original members of Black Sabbath, the band that started it all.

Billed as Back to the Beginning, the sold-out event will not only mark Osbourne’s last performance but also a rare reunion with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Their last appearance as a full group was two decades ago.

Keep ReadingShow less