Writer, film critic: Hindustan Times, Vogue, Scroll, Mint, Firstpost, Hindu, The Nod, TVOF etc. | Comms Lead: ART MUMBAI & Saffronart | I.G: Udita_j

Joined July 2009
Udita J retweeted
"#Love gives the familiar romantic question a contemporary spin through dating apps, algorithms and start-up culture. The result is breezy viewing that raises potentially interesting questions about how we connect," @UditaJ reviews. scroll.in/reel/1096062/love-… #MovieReview via @TheReel_in
1
1
1
1,333
Udita J retweeted
There would be fewer, more scenic destinations for a run than this. Plus the challenge of running it - the altitude, weather, thin air etc. Tried to put all that in here. @Mint_Lounge #marathons #ultra #ladakh
1
1
1
69
Reviewed this: '# Love', a slight and breezy Tamil show that works thanks to the chemistry of its lead actors scroll.in/reel/1096062/love-… and 'Drishyam 3', a satisfying conclusion to the crime thriller with a crackling performance by Jaideep Ahlawat livemint.com/mint-lounge/art…
1
1
178
Before shutting Mumbai’s T1 and shifting a huge number of passengers to Navi Mumbai, shouldn’t the basic public transport infrastructure have been ready? While there are buses, there is still no direct metro connecting Mumbai to NMIA. A cab home can cost ₹2,000–₹3,000 or more. Metro Line 8, the crucial Mumbai–Navi Mumbai airport link, is still only in the planning stage, with 2029 being the projected opening. Why are we shutting down a busy & crucial airport terminal before putting the mass-transit alternative in place? Mumbai is one of the world’s great cities. This level of infrastructure planning simply isn’t good enough. newindianexpress.com/states/…
224
410
45
1,572
195,702
The National Award winning #Shahid is finally streaming on Prime Video. It took 13 years for our film to find a streaming home. Shahid tells the story of Shahid Azmi, a lawyer who defended people accused under terror laws and fought for due process in a climate where Muslims were often presumed guilty before being proven innocent. He was murdered for that courage. I’ve often wondered why Shahid remained without a streaming platform for so long. It was released a year before 2014. Then came a political climate in which dissenters, activists, journalists and those defending the rights of the accused increasingly found themselves under suspicion. In that same period, people like Umar Khalid have spent years in prison awaiting trial. Many of us—filmmakers, actors and writers drawn to courageous stories like Shahid—either struggled to get such ideas made or were co-opted by the system into telling “kosher” stories that won national awards thanks to their political conformity and despite their mediocrity. So why now? Why does a film like Shahid finally find a streaming platform in 2026? Has the mood changed? Is there growing resistance to the politics of fear? Whatever the reason, I’m proud of this film. It established me as a co-writer/editor and brought me back to the kind of cinema I believe in. Watch it if you haven’t. Watch it again if you have. This film, made by a wonderful team, is a reminder of the kind of courageous cinema we used to make and celebrate. Thankyou @PrimeVideoIN ✊ #HansalMehta @RajkummarRao @Mdzeeshanayyub @JaiHMehta
62
564
27
2,887
108,950
Udita J retweeted
Unfortunately, the movie mistakes Instagram philosophy for insight. Nandini (Neha Dhupia), the author of The Perfect Woman, delivers the film’s most startling dictum: “Don’t love yourself, change yourself.” scroll.in/reel/1095982/revie… @UditaJ ✍️
1
1,749
Reviewed two films this week. Can recommend one only one of them: Read links to find out which one: scroll.in/reel/1095982/revie… livemint.com/mint-lounge/art… @Mint_Lounge @scroll_in #dontbeshy #heartofthebeast
1
265
Udita J retweeted
#MintPremium | The government’s intention is to make Goa more attractive to event organisers—to bring in sportspeople, support staff and fans who add to the tourism revenue. It’s also to provide tourists with more options—besides the casinos, parties and beaches—so they can add on a day at the stadium to a few days of holidaying. Here is how Goa is reinventing itself as a sports tourism hub ⚽️ livemint.com/mint-lounge/ide… Trust our hard work, subscribe to #MintPremium: livemint.com/premium⚡️ @iArunJ ✍️
2
3
4,092
'Tony' didn't quite hit the right spot. My review of Anthony Bourdain's origin story directed by Matt Johnson
1
187