Shaurya Singh Thapa

Shaurya Singh Thapa is a journalist and freelance writer from India who indulges the nitty-gritties of cinema, music, history and pop culture. His interests in cinema range from mainstream Hollywood to regional picks from all his native country and the rest of the world. Instead of Netflix and Prime, he is an unabashed promoter of the streaming platform Tubi mainly because it's free and because it offers some of his preferred low-budget cult classics like The Toxic Avenger, WolfCop, The Evil Bong, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter and Post Apocalyptic Commando Shark. While he's not a filmmaker by profession, "auteurs" like Tommy Wiseau (The Room) and Ed Wood (Plan 9 From Outer Space) are his role models in life. Thapa also makes Instagram satirical posts/memes and makes parody rap/pop music on the side.

Experience and Education

Thapa's tryst with journalism began in his undergraduate years when he was pursuing History (with the hopes of being Indiana Jones or in his case, "Indian" Jones). As a student reporter in his alma mater Delhi University, Thapa started out as a ground reporter and copy editor for DU Beat, the campus newspaper and India's largest student-run publication. Within a year, he became DU Beat's Web Editor. This was followed by a regular stint as a listicle and features writer for Canadian infotainment site Screen Rant, penning more than 1100 articles on movies, comics, music, books, ending explainers etc. He also spent a year working as a Sub-Editor for the acclaimed India Today magazine's digital section. He also authored news reports and features, conducted guest intervies and manages Instagram content for India Today's subsidiary website DailyO. As a freelancer, Thapa's observations on cinema have been published in CBR, Film Companion, LiveWire and Firstpost.

Favourite Movies and TV-Shows

Thapa bases his personality by quoting The Room (arguably the worst movie ever made or the movie that's so bad that it's good) so that Tommy Wiseau classic is definitely up there among his favourite movies. Other go-to movies include Stand By Me, anything by Spike Lee or Spielberg, The King of Comedy (best Scorsese movie, period), Shrek and a whole lot of Aamir Khan movies from India. He's also a dedicated horror aficionado, deriving pleasure out of Hereditary, The Empty Man and Talk To Me. As for TV shows, any show with a morally ambigious self-hating protagonist works for him (Barry, Fleabag, Bojack Horseman, Succession, The Sopranos, Better Call Saul, Atlanta, Flowers). You can follow him on Instagram at @dalai_thapa.

Shaurya Singh Thapa has written 239 articles on JustWatch. This includes adding news and relevant information to movie & TV show pages.

  • <h1>10 Movies Like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Where to Watch Them</h1>

    10 Movies Like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Where to Watch Them

    Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is the new action thriller starring genre veteran Akshay Kumar and Bollywood’s hottest new action star Tiger Shroff. Both actors play soldiers who go undercover to take down an evil arms dealer who can jeopardise the entire nation’s security. Now that Bade Miyan Chote Miyan is on Netflix, you can watch many more spy thrillers and action dramas that can impress you after this 2024 action comedy. Our guide offers you all the deals to stream, buy or rent these movies in India.

    War (2019)

    Pairing Tiger Shroff alongside Hrithik Roshan, War is an action-packed thriller in the YRF Spy Universe. The 2018 blockbuster follows an Indian soldier (Shroff) on a mission to eliminate his mentor (Roshan), who has gone rogue, leading to high-stakes confrontations and stunning stunts.

    Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)

    Before directing Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Ali Abbas Zafar already proved his action genre chops with Tiger Zinda Hai. The sequel to Ek Tha Tiger, the film continues the adventures of Indian and Pakistani spies Tiger (Salman Khan) and Zoya (Katrina Kaif) as they go against a terror organisation that has held a group of nurses hostage.

    Yodha (2024)

    If you wish to watch more adrenaline-fueled Bollywood action flicks of this year, Yodha can make for a good pick. Think of it as “Die Hard on a plane” with Siddharth Malhotra playing an off-duty soldier trapped in a hijacked plane. But as the plot thickens, the moralities of every character begins to be questioned. 

    Be sure to also check out: 10 Best Movies to Watch If You Like Yodha

    Baaghi (2016)

    Baaghi is one of Tiger Shroff’s earliest and best action hits.  The martial arts film follows a young rebel who embarks on a mission to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend from a formidable martial arts champion.

    Bloody Daddy (2023)

    Another fast-paced actioner by director Ali Abbas Zafar, Bloody Daddy boasts impressive hand-to-hand combat with Shahid Kapoor playing a protective divorced father and a committed narcotics cop. The intense and brutal action makes the Jio Cinema original an entertaining watch.

    Baby (2015)

    Featuring one of Akshay Kumar’s best performances in recent times, Baby is a taut spy thriller where an elite counter-terrorism unit undertakes covert missions to thwart terrorist threats, blending suspense and high-octane action.

    Fighter (2024)

    Another major actioner from 2023, Fighter stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone as daring fighter pilots who unite for a deadly counter-terrorism operation. The Top Gun influences are definitely there but with a melodramatic Bollywood touch. 

    Be sure to also check out: 10 Movies to Watch If You Loved Fighter

    Pathaan (2023)

    The 2023 blockbuster Pathaan features Shah Rukh Khan as a charming RAW agent who faces off against a rogue soldier-turned-terrorist. Espionage, high stakes, and global chases follow in this Siddharth Anand hit.

    Dishoom (2016)

    Mirroring the friendly banter between the two leads of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, this buddy cop action-comedy stars Varun Dhawan and John Abraham as two police officers who race against time to find a kidnapped cricket star.

    Main Hoon Na (2004)

    A mix of military action and family drama, Main Hoon Na is Farah Khan’s directorial debut with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. Khan plays an undercover soldier who protects a general’s daughter while reconciling with his estranged family.

    Where can I watch movies like Bade Miyan Chote Miyan online?

    The list below provides you all the information you need to stream these movies after Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. We also provide you with options to stream them for free in India.

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  • <h1>10 Best Movies to Watch If You Liked Maidaan</h1>

    10 Best Movies to Watch If You Liked Maidaan

    India hasn’t had the best track record in football (or soccer as some may prefer). But the fact-based drama Maidaan proves how some Indian underdogs still give their best to make their nation proud on the football field. Starring Ajay Devgn as former national team coach Syed Abdul Rahim, the film details India’s struggles to win gold in several Asian Games tournaments and qualify for semi-finals at the Olympics.

    If you like the rousing journey of a driven coach and his team in Maidaan, our guide will take you through many more inspiring sports dramas that you can stream in India. We also show you all available deals to buy and rent these movies.

    Chak De! India

    This 2000s classic boasts an ensemble of promising debut actresses and Shah Rukh Khan in one of his most committed roles. Cast against type, Khan plays a disgraced Indian hockey player who becomes a tough-as-nails coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. The ups and downs of the team make Chak De! India an emotional watch.

    Gold

    Gold is the uplifting true story behind the Indian hockey team’s success at the 1948 Olympics with Akshay Kumar playing the team’s optimistic assistant manager. Expect similar themes and tones as Maidaan.

    The Beautiful Game

    The Beautiful Game is a recent Netflix drama that celebrates football while shedding light on its socio-political background. What sets it apart from other football movies is that it focuses on the Homeless World Cup, a tournament that plans on giving homeless football players a global stage.

    Jhund

    If Maidaan makes you want to watch more Hindi-language football films, Nagraj Manjule’s Jhund should definitely be on your list. Amitabh Bachchan play an aging sports teacher while a cast of talented newcomers play a team of slum-dwellers who battle all odds to make it out of their dire situation.

    Dangal

    When it comes to Indian sports dramas to watch, Dangal makes for an essential pick. The Aamir Khan-led drama is led by the journey of former wrestler Mahavir Phogat training his daughters Geeta and Babita (both of whom became leading wrestlers in the future). The film also touches upon themes like the patriarchy in the wrestling field and India’s quest for gold at global tournaments.

    Next Goal Wins

    Based on the documentary of the same name, Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins recreates the hilariously true story of how the American Samoa soccer team made it to the 2014 World Cup Finals (despite having an embarrassingly bad track record earlier). Expect motivational speeches, strange training sessions, and Michael Fassbender giving his all as a disgraced coach.

    Badhaai Ho

    Maidaan is the third movie by Amit Sharma who was previously known for directing Badhai Ho. Some might argue that the Ajay Devgn-starrer is his best work but Badhai Ho has its own merits as well. Neena Gupta steals the show as an elderly woman who accidentally gets pregnant with the rest of the story taking on stigmas around pregnancy and ageism in India.

    Lagaan

    Nominated for an Oscar for Best International Feature, Lagaan is a cult classic when it comes to Indian sports dramas. Aamir Khan leads a group of Indian villagers in this Ashutosh Gowariker Independence-era epic as they take on their British overlords. It’s a perfect example of how social politics can blend with sports cliches.

    Shaolin Soccer

    Not all football movies need to be as serious and historically accurate as Maidaan. Some can be truly out of the box. Shaolin Soccer is a classic example, a family-friendly hybrid of kung fu movie action and football drama. It’s easily the wildest football movie to watch.

    Bend It Like Beckham

    Before Maidaan and Jhund, the best Indian football movie was perhaps Gurinder Chaddha’s Bend It Like Beckham. Following a young British-Indian footballer, the film explored both her struggles on the field and struggles within her conservative household.

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  • <h1>15 Best Rituparno Ghosh Movies (and Where to Watch Them)</h1>

    15 Best Rituparno Ghosh Movies (and Where to Watch Them)

    Rituparno Ghosh was one of the most celebrated directors of the Bengali industry, known for his artistic adaptations of the works of Rabindranath Tagore. He also drew equal acclaim in other languages with experiments in Hindi (Raincoat) and English (The Last Lear).

    If you wish to watch Rituparno Ghosh’s best movies, our streaming guide will take you through his entire filmography and show you where you can stream, buy or rent these modern classics in India.

    Which Rituparno Ghosh movies should I watch first?

    The best Rituparno Ghosh movies to get started with are his period pieces. A top-tier example to watch is Chokher Bali. Based on the Tagore story of the same name, the 2003 National Award-winning romance is a poignant tale of love and betrayal. It stars Aishwarya Rai as Binodini, a young widow navigating the complexities of relationships in early 20th century Bengal.

    Another must-watch period drama by Ghosh is Antarmahal. Set in late 19th century Bengal, this 2005 film delves into the oppressive world of a patriarchal society, starring Jackie Shroff and Rupa Ganguly.

    Ghosh’s second collaboration with Rai also makes for essential viewing with the Hindi drama Raincoat. Also starring Ajay Devgn in the lead, Raincoat explores the bittersweet reunion of two former lovers on a rainy afternoon.

    Raincoat was his sole Hindi feature film (barring a segment in the anthology Mumbai Cutting). But Ghosh also collaborated with Bollywood actors in other languages. For example, his 2000 Bengali drama Bariwali offered a stellar performance by Kirron Kher as a lonely, middle-aged woman whose life changes when a film crew rents her house.

    In the English-language drama The Last Lear, Ghosh had industry veteran Amitabh Bachchan play an aging Shakespearean actor who unwillingly takes on a film role.

    Talking about Shakespeare, Ghosh was a man of many tastes. So, it’s not just Bengali writers like Tagore that inspired his movies. The aforementioned Raincoat was heavily inspired by American writer O Henry’s short story “The Gift of Magi”. Meanwhile, his 2003 mystery thriller Shubho Mahurat was a tribute to Agatha Christie's novel “The Mirror Crack’d”.

    Apart from literature inspirations, another recurring theme in Ghosh’s films have been characters with complex situations. Personal freedom and infidelity play a major part in Chokher Bali and the Konkana Sen Sharma-led drama Dosar. Even his 2010 hit Abohomaan revolved around an aging director's affair with a young actress, highlighting the complexities of love and art.

    The celebrated filmmaker could also occasionally act in his own films. This was the case in the semi-autobiographical drama Chitrangada. The film features Ghosh himself, tackling issues of gender identity and societal acceptance with profound sensitivity.

    Memories in March is another movie to watch that has Ghosh in the cast. Sharing screen space with Deepti Naval, Ghosh’s film explored the themes of grief and acceptance following a mother’s discovery of her deceased son’s hidden life.

    The 2012 movie is similar to some of Ghosh's other dramas that take on heavy themes like dysfunctional families and death. So, in the National Award-winning Unishe April, the focus lies on a strained mother-daughter relationship and their journey towards reconciliation.

    In the Bipasha Basu-led drama Shob Charitro Kalponik, we follow the life of a widow as she discovers her deceased husband's creative genius posthumously.

    Where can I watch the best Rituparno Ghosh movies online?

    Below you can find the latest streaming information for Rituparno Ghosh's best movies. This includes every offer for viewers in India today. We'll also show you if any of his best movies are available to watch online for free.

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  • <h1>20 Best Abhay Deol Movies and Where to Watch Them Online</h1>

    20 Best Abhay Deol Movies and Where to Watch Them Online

    Abhay Deol has made his mark in Bollywood with mainstream but offbeat productions like Dev.D, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, and Shanghai. Even though he hails from acting royalty like the Deol family (Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Sunny and Bobby Deol), he has often kept a relatively lower profile and not shied away from taking on more niche roles. These include crime dramas like Shanghai and Manorama Six Feet Under along with streaming releases like What Are The Odds.

    If you wish to binge watch the very best of Abhay Deol, our guide shows you how and where to watch his best movies in India.

    Which Abhay Deol movies should I watch first?

    Abhay Deol has acted in both breezy romantic comedies and slightly edgier dramas. To watch his full range on his display, it’s better to get started with his more serious projects. Dev.D can be a good starting point. The Anurag Kashyap drama is a modern day retelling of the Bengali tragic novel Devdas (previously adapted in a Shah Rukh Khan movie of the same name) and has Deol playing a frustrated lover who turns to a life of alcoholism and self-destruction.

    An equally impressive dramatic performance was in the crime thriller Manorama Six Feet Under that had Deol playing an obsessive detective. As the mystery deepens, he begins to lose a grip on his reality.

    Talking about thrillers, Deol was also captivating to watch in Dibakar Banerjee’s Shanghai. The film investigated bureaucratic corruption in covering up a social activist’s death. Deol plays a government officer who wants to do everything by the books but questions his morals throughout the movie.

    The crime genre has been a mainstay in Deol’s career even on a lighter note. A case in point is his first collaboration with Dibakar Banerjee: Oye Lucky Lucky Oye. The satirical comedy followed the stranger-than-fiction exploits of a real-life professional thief.

    When it comes to Deol as a lead in romantic comedies, he has starred in the Imtiaz Ali collaborations Ahista Ahista (written by Ali) and Socha Na Tha (Ali’s directorial debut). He also starred alongside Sonam Kapoor in Aisha, the delightful adaptation of Clueless (which itself was based on Jane Austen’s novel Emma).

    Despite his status as a lead actor, Deol doesn’t shy away from taking on supporting roles in ensemble-driven dramas and comedies. Some of his best performances include supporting roles in Zoya Akhtar’s buddy comedy Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and the Dhanush/Sonam Kapoor-starrer Raanjhanaa.

    Has Abhay Deol acted in TV shows?

    While Deol has had limited OTT credits, he gave a particularly memorable performance as a grieving father in the Netflix original Trial By Fire. The fact-based drama is based on the aftermath of a tragic fire that broke out in a Delhi cinema.

    Why is Dev.D the best Abhay Deol movie to watch?

    Abhay Deol gives a nuanced performance as a tragic lover in one of Anurag Kashyap’s best works. The themes of addiction and unrequited love are also brought out perfectly with a neon-lit colour scheme and Amit Trivedi’s bizarrely memorable music.

    Where can you watch the best Abhay Deol movies online?

    The list below shows you every platform on which you can watch, buy or rent the best Abhay Deol movies. We also provide you with offers to watch these movies online for free.

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  • <h1>15 Best Sridevi Movies and Where to Watch Them Online</h1>

    15 Best Sridevi Movies and Where to Watch Them Online

    The late Sridevi was one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, especially in the 1980s and the 1990s. From her many collaborations with Anil Kapoor (Mr. India, Lamhe) to her later projects (English Vinglish, Mom), have a look at where you can stream all of Sridevi’s best movies in India.

    Which Sridevi movies should I watch first? 

    The best Sridevi movies to get started with would be her comedic and romantic projects in the 1980s. These include the Yash Chopra-directed movies: Chandni and Lamhe. The former was a rom-com pairing her alongside Rishi Kapoor while the latter was a more serious drama starring her in a dual role opposite Anil Kapoor.

    Sridevi and Kapoor would go on to become good friends and often partner up in iconic hits, ranging from the sci-fi comedy Mr. India to romances like Judaai and Laadla.

    Mr. India is perhaps her most impactful project introducing memorable characters like the titular protagonist who possesses the power of invisibility and Amrish Puri who plays the evil warlord Mogambo. Sridevi’s own performance was iconic as a journalist named Seema Sahni, standing out with her comic timing and songs like “Hawa Hawai”.

    While she found her initial fame in the South as a Tamil and Telugu actress, she went on to collaborate with past co-stars even after her Bollywood stardom. A notable example is the critically acclaimed tragedy Sadma. The Hindi-language film found her playing a woman with retrograde amnesia with Tamil actor-writer-director Kamal Haasan playing her ill-fated lover.

    Similarly, the comedy ChaalBaaz paired her opposite Tamil superstar Rajinikanth. The 1989 classic found her taking on dual roles as twin sisters who are separated at birth. Displaying impeccable comic timing to express the opposite personalities of the sisters, Sridevi established herself in both the comedy and romance genres.

    The 2000s came with a supposed retirement from acting but then came her comeback in the 2010s. Even though Sridevi could act in only two 2010s movies before her untimely death in 2018, both of them went on to be her best roles.

    English Vinglish (2012) starred her as Shashi, a naive housewife who is belittled by her family for her illiteracy. But an accidental trip to New York gives her a sense of newfound freedom as she enrolls in an English speaking class. Mom (2018) marked her 300th and final film role. A gritty crime drama, the film followed the exploits of a single mother who is determined to seek revenge after her daughter is sexually abused. The latter even earned her a National Film Award for Best Actress.

    Why is English Vinglish the best Sridevi movie to watch?

    At a time when people thought Sridevi was past her prime, she surprised critics and audiences alike with English Vinglish. Powered by Gauri Shinde’s witty screenplay and easygoing direction, Sridevi perfectly essayed the simplicity (and later complexity) of the lead character. Her portrayal of Shashi Godbole is both endearing and entertaining.

    Where can I watch the best Sridevi movies online?

    Below you can find the latest streaming information for Sridevi’s best movies. This includes every offer for viewers in India today. We'll also show you if any of her best movies are available to watch online for free.

    Read more