This week veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai takes a look at the method and genius of Aamir Khan, the actor, producer and director. Though part of Bollywood’s Khan brigade, Aamir has set himself apart with his choice of films and his perfectionist attitude.

Sandeep Bamzai Dec 30, 2009 8:44 AM

In a nation where food prices have just about everyone teetering on the ropes, to first ‘bribe’ foreign delegations and then get an unlimited financial commitment from the Union Government to host the Games is a criminal waste of time, money and effort. Fiscal deficit be damned, the nation’s prestige is at stake after all. And media needs to target the real meaty issues in its crosshairs. Issues that affect you and me, says veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Dec 23, 2009 8:03 AM

This entire Telangana affair is most baffling. Why should the Government of India act in such a hasty manner by making an arbitrary announcement? If the people’s verdict was against K Chandrshekhar Rao and Telangana Rashtriya Samiti, how did Banquo’s ghost return so quickly to haunt the UPA Government, wonders veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Dec 16, 2009 7:54 AM

This week, veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai takes an indepth look at the 2010 Commonwealth Games preparations and the various controversies surrounding it.

Sandeep Bamzai Dec 9, 2009 8:09 AM

It is over a year now since 26/11 happened and a year later, the news channels haven’t seemed to learn much about giving coverage to such events, observes veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai. He is confident that as in the past, India will overcome 26/11 as well and will be better and smarter at fighting terror.

Sandeep Bamzai Dec 2, 2009 7:44 AM

AB Bardhan’s forthrightness during a recent interview with Karan Thapar regarding the demise of the Left and its afflictions impressed Sandeep Bamzai no end as the veteran journalist analyses what ails the Left in India, or for that matter, even the once strong BJP.

Sandeep Bamzai Nov 25, 2009 7:44 AM

The Crest Edition from the Times of India Group seems like a good idea. The question is whether it is sustainable or merely a passing fad and fancy? I am saying this because Bennett, always known for innovation, has attempted such things in the past as well, writes veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Nov 18, 2009 7:57 AM

It’s been a rollercoaster week ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime, as veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai takes a look at some baffling news coverage and incongruous suggestions doled out by a section of the Indian press.

Sandeep Bamzai Nov 11, 2009 8:11 AM

Is Hindi cinema a cash burn? Or does it pay in spades when the movie makes its tryst with the Box Office? Is there a section of the Hindi film industry and old style trade papers who want to continue burnishing the myth that Hindi movies aren’t doing well? Veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai attempts to answer these posers and more as he looks at the winds of change in Bollywood.

Sandeep Bamzai Oct 28, 2009 8:10 AM

Why did the soap queen go off the boil so suddenly? Once Ekta Kapoor crossed the Rubicon with Star, it proved to be her bugbear. Now, with ‘Betaab Dil Ki Tamanna’ and ‘Pyar Ka Bandhan’ comes her litmus test as an original content generator, and for a gasping Sony as well. Veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai takes an indepth look at Balaji Telefilms’ fortunes.

Sandeep Bamzai Oct 21, 2009 8:28 AM

This week, veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai takes an indepth look at the increasingly becoming murky NELP round 8. And the Director General Hydrocarbons’ recent comments to the media have not helped things further.

Sandeep Bamzai Oct 14, 2009 8:48 AM

Anyone who has been a parent will abhor watching the distasteful antics of Rakhi Sawant and Co in ‘Pati, Patni aur Woh’. It is truly inhuman to see toddlers being maltreated in the manner that they are. No parent will allow the kind of nonsense that these small ‘bezuban’ children are being subjected to, says veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Oct 7, 2009 8:06 AM

This week, veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai takes a look at the scourge of piracy and how the industry and lawmakers are taking affirmative action to curb it. However, piracy is not just simply selling illegal audio and video products, but a more deep-rooted conspiracy, and the involvement of officials from big companies further complicates things.

Sandeep Bamzai Sep 30, 2009 6:57 AM

With top Government machinery in overdrive and in camera briefings to top editors almost daily in the Rajdhani over the weekend, the media community in the Capital is abuzz. Veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai analyses the media coverage and Government handling of the Chinese incursions into Indian territory.

Sandeep Bamzai Sep 23, 2009 7:44 AM

Media runs on trust. The reader or viewer believes what he sees or reads and treats it like gospel. Media has to be responsible at all times in what it puts out. The increasing clutter in media and its resultant competitive edge is proving a damper, for it means that people take short cuts, observes veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Sep 16, 2009 8:16 AM

Cerebral and erudite, Amitabh Bachchan is considered by many as the greatest living actor to come out of India. In an industry dominated by the Khans, the name Bachchan represents a mystique and charisma that is enduring. In an exclusive conversation with veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai, Bachchan speaks about his journey in films, Hindi Cinema, and return to the small screen in Color’s ‘Bigg Boss 3’.

Sandeep Bamzai Sep 15, 2009 8:07 AM

With an overdose of so many new Bollywood releases all bunched up, the earnings potential of many of these releases will be impacted. On several Fridays going forward, there are two and even three big releases slated for simulcast. The audience will obviously sift the wheat from the chaff, it will give a thumbs up to what it thinks connotes the best entertainment, says veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Sep 10, 2009 9:09 AM

There is need a broadcast regulator to create a system of checks and balances for what is still a nascent industry. Self regulation will not work. But let us do this systematically and in a cogent manner. The onus is on Ambika Soni to bring about this transformation. Delink broadcasting from TRAI and create a separate authority, a sensible authority aware of the industry’s needs and moves, says veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Sep 2, 2009 8:37 AM

While several of the Hindi news channels try desperately to out do one another with the strangest and weirdest stories, new vistas are now being explored by English news telly as well. Not exactly the ‘Ichadari Saanp’ variety, but close, says veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Aug 27, 2009 8:27 AM

How is the Ambani sequel different from its 2005 avatar? The biggest difference this time is the virtual paralysis that has gripped the Mukesh Ambani camp. While the Anil Ambani camp is busy ratcheting up the volume to very high levels, Reliance Industries is keeping mum, says veteran journalist Sandeep Bamzai.

Sandeep Bamzai Aug 19, 2009 9:11 AM