Filmi Ladies

Filmi Ladies takes a woman-centered look at Indian cinema, with occasional detours into books, tv, and other pop culture. Hosted by Pitu Sultan and Beth Loves Bollywood.

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#210
Wednesday · 58 min
Filmi Ladies episode 210: Geeta Bali
For the second episode of our Retro Ladies series, we take a look at Geeta Bali, who starred in 75 films and worked in the film industry for 2 decades. This is an actor we know very little about, and we were very charmed by her ebulience, natural acting, and girl-next-door wholesomeness. Pitu watched the delightful Albela (1951) and Beth watched Pocket Maar (1956), where her co-star is Filmi Ladies podcast patron saint Shri Dev. Thank goodness - it's been ages since we saw Dev! Read "Remembering Geeta Bali As More Than Just Mrs Shammi Kapoor" by Ananya Surana at Feminism in India https://feminisminindia.com/2023/06/22/remembering-geeta-bali-as-more-than-just-mrs-shammi-kapoor-indianwomeninhistory/ 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
#209
August 19 · 1 hr 14 min
Filmi Ladies episode 209: Sridevi films we've been meaning to watch
To mark Sridevi's birthday this year, we gave ourselves an assignment: finally watch some of her films that have been on our lists but we just haven't gotten around to yet. Pitu picked Jaag Utha Insan, and she will explain her choice and regrets. Beth picked Sri's first Hindi film as a lead, Solva Sawan, which was, frankly, rough going. Then we have a long discussion on the perpetual issue with Sridevi films: she's always so much better than the men opposite her, and if you want to prioritize the films that are written for her to be the unquestioned number one lead, you run out of options way too fast. What are your favorite Sridevi films (in any language)? (And no, Beth's Nagina background has nothing to do with anything—she just felt snakey.) 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
#208
August 12 · 1 hr 8 min
Filmi Ladies episode 208: Dil Chahta Hai 25th Anniversary
Come celebrate the 25th anniversary of the very iconic Dil Chahta Hai! Let's peek into this sunny, golden, aspirationally emotionally open world inhabited by Akash, Sid, Sam, Shalini, Tara, Pooja, and Deepa! There will be much discussion of 2000s fashionz too. Forgive us for forgetting about Deepa, the deeply relatable queen of unrequited love. Way back in 2006, a friend challenged fellow writers to name a Hindi film character who should have a blog, and OBVIOUSLY it's her. https://www.bethlovesbollywood.com/2006/10/aaaaakaaaaash-dot-blogspot-dot-com.html Want to talk about Sid some more? Beth did a whole essay https://www.bethlovesbollywood.com/2010/05/this-is-one-sid-whos-already-awake.html 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
#207
August 5 · 54 min
Filmi Ladies episode 207: Ikka (2026)
(This episode contains spoilers!) We are always curious to see what Akshaye Khanna and Sunny Deol are up to these days so we watched Ikka (2026), a courtroom drama on Netflix. Although we watched it for them, the only actor worth watching turned out to be Tillotama Shome, who we didn't even know was in the film. Ha! Did you watch Ikka? What did you think? 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
#206
July 29 · 1 hr 10 min
Filmi Ladies episode 206: Omkara 20th Anniversary
It's the 20th anniversary of Omkara! Does this movie belong to Saif's evil Langda Tyagi? Absolutely! But we are also excited to discuss Omi, Kesu, Dolly, Indu, and Billo! Tell us what you think! Our friend Vikas Raheja and his guest discuss Omkara as their #1 Indian film of 2000–2025 in this episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/my/podcast/e48-the-5-best-indian-movies-of-the-21st/id1724615125?i=1000739198605&l=ms 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
#205
July 22 · 1 hr 11 min
Filmi Ladies episode 205: Sunil Dutt
Have you ever heard anyone say they don't like Sunil Dutt? No, you haven't coz it's not allowed. We shine a spotlight on his acting career, directorial work as well as his specific "brand". There is also a Venn diagram of "decent, green flag men." Movies discussed are Humraaz (1967), Bhai Bhai (1970), Reshma Aur Shera (1971), and Ganga Aur Suraj (1980). Look at Beth's screengrabs of Ganga aur Surag to see how the sparkle contest between the two leads lands squarely in Shashi's favor. And also how fun Aruna Irani and Reena Roy are! https://www.bethlovesbollywood.com/2009/11/reshma-aur-shera.html 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
#204
July 15 · 36 min
Filmi Ladies episode 204: Bhooth Bangla (2026)
We watched Priyadarshan and Akki's latest venture - Bhooth Bangla (2026) and had several thoughts about bhoots, haunted havelis, bad wigs, demons, bats and horror comedies as a genre.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
#203
July 8 · 1 hr 7 min
Filmi Ladies episode 203: catching up with Alpha, Disclosure Day, Single Salma, and more
Just a catch-up episode where we discuss movies and tv shows we are watching or plan to watch. Beth discusses Alpha and Single Salma, and Pitu discusses Disclosure Day and America's Sweethearts. What are you guys watching? 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
#202
July 1 · 59 min
Filmi Ladies episode 202: Love in Simla (1960) and Love in Tokyo (1966)
Love and cherry blossoms are in the air! Our actors Sadhana, Asha Parekh, and Joy Mukherjee x2 fall in love, hijinks, and misadventures in Love in Simla (1960) and Love in Tokyo (1966). 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
#201
June 24 · 1 hr 17 min
Filmi Ladies episode 201: Meena Kumari
It's a new series, fully embracing the RETRO LADIES we are at heart! (Some of these people should have been in our superstars series the first time through, and we beg their forgiveness.)Where better to start than Meena Kumari, one of the great queens of all time? We look at Azaad (1955), Sharada (1957), Aarti (1962), and—finally—Pakeezah (1972), with the latter two forming the bulk of our discussion. Other episodes centered on Meena Kumari's work: • Merry Meena, focused on her light-hearted roles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ2tuaYv05U (this also contains a long discussion of the burden of the moniker of Tragedy Queen)• Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8cuCJMPvKE• Parineeta https://youtu.be/TNop2Hiu1ic?si=w_WMuMh55dD2Yyb1• Dil Apna aur Preet Parai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtdKK1LkcN8• Mem Sahib (in the Shammi Kapoor episode) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WiKPVP9iPASubscribe 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
#200
June 17 · 1 hr 12 min
Filmi Ladies episode 200: Harishchandrachi Factory (2009)
To mark our 200th—yes TWO HUNDREDTH—episode, we chose a film that celebrates cinematic history. Harishchandrachi Factory is a Marathi film about the making of the very first feature film in India, and it's a peculiarly light-hearted approach to an event with massive consequences. Dadasaheb Phalke is portrayed as a less crabby Willy Wonka, surrounded by people who mostly say yes, easily, to all his whims. This film is missing much commentary on the significance of Phalke's work beyond "it was the first feature film" and spends no energy investigating anything juicy—what was it like to undertake such a project as a person of color in a subject area of the British empire? what sacrifices were made to appease investors? what was it like to shoot on location?—but it's a very enjoyable presentation of time period and a group of people that all of us movie-mad folks should know more about. Watch Harischandrachi Factory on Daily Motion. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6i80j6 Watch Raja Harishchandra on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyFm3WvVGCc 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
June 10 · 1 hr 21 min
Filmi Ladies episode 199: Maa Behen
So much to say about Maa Behen! Madhuri, Triptii, and Dharna portray wily, crafty, endearing, complicated, entrapped, strong, powerful, confusing ladies in this character study of what it means to be a woman in our world. This episode is spoiler-free until we issue a warning at 24 minutes in! 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
#198
June 3 · 1 hr 14 min
Filmi Ladies episode 198: Yalgaar and Apradh
If "Feroz Khan"="more is more," then the theme of today's episode is More More Is More. How perfectly filmi! We needed to escape the nonsense and disappointment of the modern world, so we traveled back to a mod Mumtaz in Apradh (1972) and shiny Sanjay Dutt in Yalgaar (1992), all in the very good company of the always macho, always winkingly fun Feroz Khan. For more FK, check out Beth's appearance on Let's Talk Melbourne's special episode devoted to the actor-director https://open.spotify.com/show/39TgxeixQXM4v8qkWfBIEo or read this great interview about him with Kabir Bedi https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/feroz-khans-love-for-life-was-infectious-kabir-46280-2009-05-01. 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
#197
May 27 · 42 min
Filmi Ladies episode 197: Kartavya
Pitu said "Let's watch Saif's new film!!" and Beth said "OK!" before realizing what it was about, and then she wanted to scream into the abyss. Overall we found this a rough watch - but only because it's far too real. This episode starts with a spoiler-free general discussion, and we tell you when we're getting into spoiler territory later on. 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
#196
May 20 · 1 hr 11 min
Filmi Ladies episode 196: Varun Dhawan
Affable, energetic, talented, excellent hip swiveler and very versatile Varun Dhawan takes center stage in this episode. We discuss Badlapur, Dishoom, October and Street Dancer 3. For more VD discussion, here are links to the Alia and Bhediya episodes. https://youtu.be/aGoFNXxQm3o and https://youtu.be/JYyRDXVWWPw What are your favorite Varun films? Do we need to watch Baby John or Border 2? (Please say no.)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
#195
May 13 · 52 min
Filmi Ladies episode 195: Dil Apne Aur Preet Parai (1960)
A doctor and a nurse having a romantic moment at the hospital, drinking coffee in the moonlight...this romantic drama from 1960 ticks a lot of boxes (and we literally keep count). Meena Kumari, Nadira, and Raaj Kumar star. 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
#194
May 6 · 1 hr 12 min
Filmi Ladies episode 194: The Burning Train (1980)
This movie is everything the title promises plus so much more! Starring half of the 1980 film industry and putting most of them on a speeding death trap is a recipe for a great time. We discuss what makes this work so well (bravo to editors R. P. Bapat, S. B. Mane, and Pran Mehra), its songs, and what various players bring to their roles. Watch The Burning Train in youtube with English subtitles here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5SWfxtScsk And at the very least watch the amazing qawwali Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtlW1geOWxM 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
#193
April 29 · 53 min
Filmi Ladies episode 193: Toaster
We watched Toaster, the new release on Netflix with Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Archana Puran Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, and others in a great cast stuck a misfiring machine that somehow never really goes ding and pops out a well-done, crunchy treat. And if you _that_ was a belabored point, just wait til you watch the film. (Or don't.) What do you wish for Rajkummar Rao's career? Because for us, it sure wasn't this. Remembering the great Bhanu Athaiya in our episode about film saris. https://youtu.be/pZySdkLAgVM?si=80p8i8JBlueR8cbx Subscribe to Filmi Ladies on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/7Ib9C1X5ObvN18u9WR0TK9 Apple Podcasts https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/filmi-ladies/aacadcfe-4195-40a4-ba16-e528118ec892 or Google Podcasts https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9iMTU3OTE3NC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw? @filmiladies on Instagram and Twitter Pitu is @pitusultan on Instagram Beth is @bethlovesbolly on Twitter Email us at filmiladies at gmail See our letterboxd for everything discussed on this podcast. https://boxd.it/qSpfy
#192
April 22 · 1 hr 14 min
Filmi Ladies episode 192: Unishe April (Rituparno Ghosh)
Happy Unishe April to all who celebrate! We discuss this much-loved Rituparno Ghosh film about a mother daughter duo (Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy) who have a relationship that is anything but "shodhoran" (ordinary). 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
#191
April 15 · 1 hr 21 min
Filmi Ladies episode 191: Fan 10th Anniversary
In our opinion, Maneesh Sharma's Fan (2016) is a deeply unsettling work of experimentation, creativity, and importance. Join us for a long chat about why it's so weird and yet so great, what it means that Shah Rukh made this artistic commitment and statement, plus speculation on why audiences didn't seem to connect with it the way the makers hoped. Read Beth's original take on the film when it came out: https://www.bethlovesbollywood.com/2016/04/cause-i-can-play-part-so-well-fan.html 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

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