Tag: movies

Films

‘Second Chance’: Subhadra Mahajan’s Poetic Portrayal of Healing, Womanhood, and the Himalayas

Tanisha Cardozo

Second Chance is an evocative and quietly powerful cinematic work by Subhadra Mahajan that blends themes of feminine healing, personal resilience, and environmental awareness in a narrative grounded in the raw beauty of the Himalayas. The film, shot entirely in black and white, takes viewers into the soul of a young woman navigating her inner trauma while immersed in the majestic yet fragile ecosystem of Himachal Pradesh.

The story revolves around Nia, played by Dheera Johnson, who retreats to her family’s summer home after facing her first significant emotional trauma. As she isolates herself in the quietude of the mountains, time, nature, and unexpected local friendships guide her toward inner healing. The slow, deliberate pace of the film reflects Nia’s own relationship with time and grief, allowing the audience to truly live the experience alongside her. The film does not rush—because healing does not.

What sets Second Chance apart is not only its emotionally intelligent storytelling but also its stylistic choices. Cinematographer Swapnil Sonawane’s decision to present the film in monochrome elevates the visual impact. Even without color, the landscapes of Himachal Pradesh breathe with life, mood, and metaphor. From forests to highlands, the visuals offer a grounding presence, anchoring the protagonist’s emotional evolution.

Subhadra’s decision to cast non-actors adds an organic authenticity to the film. The locals, with their natural speech and subtle gestures, become part of the narrative’s emotional fabric. Their presence doesn’t feel staged—it feels lived. These characters, many playing versions of themselves, create a community that gently supports Nia’s journey, reminding the viewer that healing often arrives in the form of small, unspoken acts.

The music, composed by Quan Bay, plays a crucial role in deepening the film’s emotional undertone. It drifts in and out like memory, never overwhelming the silence that carries so much weight in the story. Dance sequences are used with care and symbolism, not merely as performance but as extensions of the protagonist’s emotional state—moments when words no longer suffice.

The film, presented by the Entertainment Society of Goa’s Cinephile Film Club and hosted by Sachin Chatte, received a warm and thoughtful response from the audience. During the post-screening interaction, viewers expressed admiration for the film’s sensitivity and its honest portrayal of mental health, womanhood, and climate change without sensationalism. Many hoped the Himachal Pradesh government would support the film, given how genuinely it showcases the region’s culture and ecological reality.

Second Chance premiered at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and has since traveled globally to festivals including Busan, Hamburg, Sao Paulo, Adelaide, and Belfast. Its universal themes of personal growth and the delicate relationship between humans and nature have resonated with audiences worldwide.

This film is not just a story; it’s a visual meditation on second chances—for women, for nature, and for anyone who has ever sought to begin again.

Events in Goa

India’s First Multi-Inclusive Hindi Film “Rabb Di Awaaz” to Screen at Purple Fest Goa 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

The International Purple Fest Goa 2025 will open with a powerful screening of “Rabb Di Awaaz,” India’s first multi-inclusive and multi-accessible Hindi feature film. The screening, scheduled for October 9 at INOX Panjim (Screen 1), is a fitting start to a festival that champions inclusivity and accessibility in every form.

Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Ojaswwee Sharma, the film explores the lives, challenges, and aspirations of persons with disabilities. What sets this film apart is its authentic casting — featuring actors with disabilities in key roles — including lead actor Shiv Kumar Sharma, who is visually impaired. His nuanced performance lends emotional depth and truth to the film’s narrative, making it not only a cinematic experience but a social statement.

“Rabb Di Awaaz” has already created a global ripple. It has completed over 275 complimentary screenings across India and internationally, spanning over 650 days. The film has reached audiences in schools, colleges, universities, and special education institutions across 13 Indian states and territories, including Goa, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and more. Internationally, it has been featured in festivals across California, Leicester, and London. It was most recently recognized by the United Nations India and UNESCO at the We Care Film Festival 2025 for its commitment to accessibility and inclusion in cinema.

Ahead of the main screening at IPFG-2025, the film was already introduced to audiences in Goa through a series of pre-event screenings under the Purple Spectrum initiative, led by the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa. The film was showcased at educational institutions like Chubby Cheeks Spring Valley High School, St. Britto High School, Goa University, and the National Association for the Blind, among others. This made Goa the first Indian state administration to invite and facilitate screenings of “Rabb Di Awaaz” across multiple educational setups.

Director Ojaswwee Sharma expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Goa for this opportunity, stating that it represents a meaningful step toward national recognition for inclusive cinema. He emphasized that this film is not merely an artistic project but part of a larger cultural movement that uses cinema as a catalyst for empathy, dialogue, and social change.

As part of the festival’s rich and inclusive programming, the screening of “Rabb Di Awaaz” reaffirms that inclusive cinema is not a niche category but an essential pillar of India’s evolving cultural narrative. With policymakers, educators, and changemakers in attendance, the festival provides an important platform to amplify the voices and stories that matter.

Films

Shraddha Kapoor Announces Animated Prequel Choti Stree at Thamma Trailer Launch

Tanisha Cardozo

Bollywood fans were in for a treat at the trailer launch of Thamma, the upcoming horror-comedy from Maddock Films, set to release this Diwali on October 21. While the event featured lead stars Ayushmann Khurrana, director Aditya Sarpotdar, and producer Dinesh Vijan, it was Shraddha Kapoor who stole the spotlight with an exciting surprise.

The original face of the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe, Shraddha announced a brand-new animated theatrical feature titled Choti Stree. This prequel will explore the mysterious backstory of her iconic character from Stree, the film that started the cinematic universe and became a cultural phenomenon.

Shraddha shared her excitement, saying the film will give fans the long-awaited answers about her character’s powers and origins. Producer Dinesh Vijan added that Choti Stree will release six months before Stree 3, and end with a sequence that directly connects to the much-anticipated sequel—effectively making it a narrative bridge between the two.

This strategic move not only expands the universe but also introduces a family-friendly entry point. By using animation, the franchise is tapping into a broader demographic, including children and younger audiences, while retaining the folklore-based roots that have defined the series.

The Maddock Horror Comedy Universe has steadily evolved since the success of Stree (2018), with titles like Bhediya and Munjya adding new layers and mythologies. Thamma, which delves into the legend of the Betaal, adds yet another folkloric thread to the shared universe.

Dinesh Vijan emphasized the studio’s mission: to celebrate India’s rich cultural stories instead of borrowing tropes from Western horror. He also revealed that Thamma will introduce two new characters who will lead future films, all interconnected and culminating in Stree 3.

With Choti Stree, Maddock Films is signaling its serious intent to craft a cohesive and enduring cinematic universe—one grounded in Indian mythology, reimagined for modern audiences, and now expanding into new formats like animation.

As the anticipation for Thamma and Stree 3 builds, Choti Stree adds another compelling chapter to one of Bollywood’s most creative franchises. Fans can expect not just jump scares, but layered storytelling, interconnected lore, and now, an exciting animated twist.

Films

Goa to Spotlight Its Soul Through Cinema at Heritage for Sustainability Film Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

Cinema is about storytelling, and on September 28, 2025, Goa will tell its story through 13 compelling films and documentaries at the Heritage for Sustainability Film Festival. Organized by non-profit Heritage First Goa (HFG) in collaboration with the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG), SKAL International Goa, and Goa Tourism, the one-day festival will be hosted at the ESG auditorium in Panaji as part of the state’s extended World Tourism Day celebrations.

The festival brings together a curated selection of films created by Goan filmmakers, each reflecting the intricate connections between Goa’s cultural heritage, its natural environment, and the sense of belonging rooted in its land. Titles like Bread & Belonging, Islands on the Island, The Birdman of Chorao, Kharvan, I Am Nothing, and Caazu promise to engage audiences in meaningful dialogue through cinematic expression. These narratives will be brought to life not only through the screen but also via panel discussions and live interactions with the filmmakers themselves.

According to Heta Pandit, Director of Heritage First Goa, the festival is a way to deepen the understanding of Goa beyond its party and beach image. “Goa gets lakhs of tourists every year. We want to highlight that Goa is more than just a commodity — it is fragile, layered, and deserving of respect,” she said. Filmmaker Gasper De Souza believes the festival will give younger voices an important platform, while Sonia Filinto, director of Bread & Belonging, emphasizes the need for conversations that bring together people who care about Goa’s future.

The Heritage for Sustainability Film Festival offers a unique blend of storytelling, reflection, and community engagement. Tickets are priced affordably at ₹250 for general admission and ₹150 for students, with a flexible ‘pay as you like’ option to encourage wider participation and support for HFG’s future initiatives.

As part of World Tourism Day, this film festival is not just an event—it is a call to view Goa with fresh eyes and to preserve what makes it truly Goan.

Special Occasion

Bollywood Beyond Borders: Celebrating World Bollywood Day

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo, team Allycaral

Every year, on September 24, cinephiles and culture enthusiasts unite across the globe to recognize World Bollywood Day — an occasion to honour an industry that has become a cultural phenomenon. Bollywood is more than just films; it is a vibrant confluence of music, dance, emotion, and storytelling that transcends linguistic and national boundaries.

Bollywood’s roots trace back to early silent films in India, and then, in 1913, “Raja Harishchandra” — directed by Dadasaheb Phalke — is often marked as India’s first full-length feature film, paving the path for what would become a sprawling cinematic ecosystem. Over time, the city of Bombay (now Mumbai) became the pulsating heart of Hindi cinema; the portmanteau “Bollywood” — combining “Bombay” and “Hollywood” — reflected the industry’s ambition and growing influence.

What makes Bollywood uniquely magical is its formula: melodrama and realism, romance and conflict, spectacle and subtlety, all woven with music and dance. Song sequences often punctuate emotional shifts, characters’ inner turmoil expressed through melody, and grand dance routines capturing celebrations and heartbreak alike. Over the decades, Bollywood has experimented — from the social realism of the 1950s and 60s to the masala (mix) films of the 1970s–80s, and more recently, to nuanced cinema addressing complex themes around identity, inequality, gender, and modern life.

Bollywood’s appeal is not confined to India. Its influence has permeated global culture: film festivals screen its productions, international stars collaborate with Bollywood, and dance studios worldwide teach Bollywood choreography. In many countries with Indian diaspora, Bollywood soundtracks and dialogues echo in everyday life. It is estimated that Bollywood produces over 1,000 films annually, and its audience spans into the billions globally. Beyond entertainment, Bollywood has shaped fashion, language (catchphrases, style), tourism (movie‑locations become destinations), and discourse on social issues. It has been a mirror and a catalyst.

World Bollywood Day, though not yet an officially instituted holiday everywhere, has gained recognition as a day of celebration and reflection. On this day, fans host screenings, dance workshops, film quizzes, and musical tributes. In India, in past years, multiplexes have offered special ticket rates—such as ₹75 tickets—to encourage people to revisit cinematic joy. Observers of the day also discuss how Bollywood must evolve: embracing diversity, challenging stereotypes, balancing commercial and meaningful cinema, and harnessing streaming platforms’ potential.

As we celebrate World Bollywood Day this September 24, we pause to appreciate the artists behind the magic — actors, directors, musicians, choreographers, writers, technicians — whose collaborative craft brings dreams to life on screen. Bollywood has endured challenges: piracy, shifting audience tastes, commercialization, and the need for fresh narratives. Yet it has continually reinvented itself, finding new voices and formats, while holding onto the emotional core that binds audiences.

Bollywood is not just part of Indian cinema; it is a shared cultural thread connecting millions. Its songs evoke memory, its dialogues become shared quotes, its stories inspire across generations. On World Bollywood Day, we celebrate that connection — the music, the stories, the emotion, the dreams that film projects into life. May the songs keep playing, the dancers keep moving, and the stories keep uniting hearts across the world.