Before the superstardom and larger-than-life roles, there was a softer, more vulnerable Salman Khan. Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998) captures him at his most sincere as Suraj, a young man navigating first love, heartbreak, and emotional maturity. In this birthday special episode, we revisit one of Salman Khan’s most underrated romantic performances, a film that often gets overlooked, yet beautifully showcases his charm, restraint, and emotional depth. With its memorable music and heartfelt storytelling, the film reminds us why Salman Khan became a generation’s favourite. A celebration of love, innocence, and the quieter magic of Salman Khan because when you truly fall in love, some stories stay with you forever.

In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we revisit Kaante (2002) — Sanjay Gupta’s gritty, stylish heist thriller that redefined the look and attitude of Bollywood crime films in the early 2000s. Set in Los Angeles and powered by a stellar ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Lucky Ali, Kaante is a story of six men, one perfect plan, and the dangerous game of trust and betrayal. With its noir narration, iconic soundtrack and unforgettable standoffs, this episode breaks down why Kaante remains one of Bollywood’s boldest and most influential heist films.

Kya pyaar ko sach-mein formula ki zaroorat hoti hai? Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula (2003) ek quirky, sweet rom-com hai jahan Radha, the girl next door, apne crush Vikram ko paane ke liye follow karti hai ek self-help style “pyaar ke rules.” Iss episode mein hum decode karenge, does love really work by rules, ya dil ko koi rules nahi chahiye? From Meera Vasudevan’s charming simplicity to Milind Soman’s effortless cool, yeh film quietly slipped under the radar, lekin apne relatable emotions aur slice-of-life romance se aaj bhi connect karti hai. Get ready for nostalgia, naïve romance aur early-2000s vibe ka ek superhit mix!

In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we revisit Udaan (1989) — the iconic Doordarshan series that redefined what women-led storytelling could be on Indian television. Inspired by the real-life journey of India’s first woman DGP, Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, Udaan captured a nation with its honesty, grit and hope. Featuring Kavita Chaudhary in her most unforgettable role, and a rare on-screen performance by legendary filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, this episode also marks a special tribute to him on his birthday week. Join Jyotika as she explores the show’s legacy, its cultural impact, and the courage it continues to inspire even 35 years later.

In this special episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we remember the legendary Dharmendra, the hero who taught us that strength can be gentle, and style can be soulful. Among his many classics, Jyotika chooses Johnny Gaddar not because it’s his biggest film, but because it’s the one where she met Dharam ji, the man behind the legend. A sharp, stylish thriller by Sriram Raghavan that explores greed, guilt, and betrayal. Johnny Gaddar also gave us one of Dharmendra’s most quietly powerful performances. This is a tribute to the warmth, grace, and depth he brought to every frame and to the line that still echoes:“Main ne zindagi mein sirf ek galti ki thi kisi par zyada bharosa kar liya.”

This week on “Watchlist with Jyotika” Join us as we dive into the 2000 Hindi film Fiza — a gripping tale of loss, loyalty and the price of justice set against the backdrop of the 1993 Bombay riots. Directed by Khalid Mohamed and starring Karisma Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan and Jaya Bachchan, Fiza follows a sister’s desperate search for her missing brother — only to find him entrenched in a militant organisation. We’ll explore how the film blends mainstream Bollywood appeal with heavy socio-political themes, the standout performances (especially by Karisma Kapoor), and why this movie still feels relevant today. Tune in for a fun, filmy conversation — perfect for nostalgia seekers, Bollywood buffs and anyone curious about how the “issue film” meets commercial cinema.

This week, we revisit Ek Hasina Thi (2004), Sriram Raghavan’s dark, stylish neo-noir where a seemingly sweet romance spirals into betrayal and cold-blooded revenge. Urmila Matondkar shines as Sarika, an ordinary woman whose life is upended by the charming yet dangerous Karan, played by Saif Ali Khan.In this episode, I break down what makes the film gripping: its sharp writing, bold performances, and the way it transforms a love story into a chilling game of manipulation and payback.Perfect for anyone who loves thrillers that go beyond the obvious. Tune in for a quick, punchy deep dive into one of Bollywood’s most underrated revenge dramas.

In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we rewind to 7 ½ Phere — a smart, satirical look at how reality TV blurs the lines between truth and tamasha.Starring the birthday girl Juhi Chawla and Irrfan Khan, the film follows a TV director who turns a family wedding into a secretly filmed spectacle — only to discover that every family hides its own script. Funny, emotional, and way ahead of its time, 7 ½ Phere reminds us that the most dramatic stories are the ones we don’t intend to tell.

In this special birthday episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we’re celebrating Shah Rukh Khan, the superstar who’s redefined charm, emotion, and energy for over three decades.  And what better way to do that than by revisiting one of his early, often-forgotten gems — King Uncle.Directed by Rakesh Roshan, the film stars Jackie Shroff as the cold, no-nonsense industrialist Ashok Bansal, whose life changes when a mischievous orphan, Munna, enters his mansion and his heart. Along the way, we see a young Shah Rukh Khan in one of his sweetest supporting roles full of warmth, innocence, and that spark that hinted at the megastar he was about to become. It’s a story about family, forgiveness, and how love can melt even the toughest exterior.Tune in as Jyotika looks back at King Uncle, a film that reminds us that before the “King Khan” we know today, there was a young dreamer already winning hearts in his own quiet way.

In this special birthday episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we celebrate Amitabh Bachchan, the legend whose every role has redefined Hindi cinema.This week, we revisit Main Azaad Hoon, one of his most powerful yet underrated performances.Directed by Tinnu Anand, the film follows a down-and-out man who becomes the face of a fake revolution only to truly embody it.It’s political, poetic, and painfully relevant even today, a story about media manipulation, mass hysteria, and one man’s awakening.Tune in as Jyotika breaks down how Amitabh turned fiction into faith, and why Main Azaad Hoon is the perfect reminder, on his birthday, of why he’ll always be the voice of the people.

What happens when a bank manager, pushed to the edge, decides he is going to rob his own bank using blind men as the thieves? Aankhen (2002) is exactly that kind of twisted, clever thriller. In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we dig into how Amitabh Bachchan, an obsessive, short-tempered manager, Vijay Singh Rajput, turns from keeper of order to mastermind of a heist.We’ll explore the unlikely team he assembles, three blind men trained to carry off the impossible and the moral chaos that follows. Add Sushmita Sen’s teacher torn between duty & desperation, and twists that lead to open vs. closed endings depending on where you watched the film. Based on the Gujarati play Andhalo Pato, Aankhen pushed boundaries in Bollywood’s heist genre. It’s suspense, betrayal, sympathy, and shock all rolled into one. Loved by many, debated by more, it’s a story that stays with you. Tune in as we unspool Aankhen’s secrets, the brilliant, the messy, and the moments you probably missed.  

Before Marvel, there was Ajooba! This week on The Watchlist with Jyotika, we’re diving into one of Amitabh Bachchan’s most ambitious and underrated roles, a fantasy adventure straight out of a desi fairy tale. Directed by Shashi Kapoor, Ajooba takes you to the mythical kingdom of Baharistan, where a masked hero fights evil, saves his people, and redefines what it means to be a legend. With capes, genies, magic carpets, and underwater kingdoms, Ajooba was Bollywood’s bold attempt to dream big, way before special effects caught up. And while it didn’t strike gold at the box office, it remains a cult gem for fans who love their cinema grand, experimental, and a little bit wild. So tune in as Jyotika unpacks the charm, chaos, and pure imagination of Ajooba, a reminder that even legends like Amitabh Bachchan have a few forgotten adventures worth rediscovering.

Bhoothnath (2008) – ek aisi film jisme dosti, comedy aur emotion sab kuch tha! Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost, iss film ne Amitabh Bachchan ke Bhoothnath aur chhote Banku ki sweet friendship se sabke dil jeet liye SRK ka extended cameo, Juhi Chawla ki warmth aur Rajpal Yadav ki comedy – full family entertainer vibes! Bachpan ki yaadon ka khazana, aur ek message ki ghar aur rishton ki asli value kya hoti hai

A vision that won’t leave her mind. A murder she sees before it happens. 100 Days is the gripping story of Devi, a woman with psychic powers whose premonition draws her into a chilling mystery. Madhuri Dixit delivers one of her most underrated performances as Devi, while Jackie Shroff and Javed Jaffrey add layers of suspense and intrigue to this psychological thriller.In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we dive into Partho Ghosh’s cult classic — a film that blended supernatural elements with edge-of-the-seat suspense. Expect eerie trivia, unforgettable music by Raamlaxman, and why 100 Days remains one of Bollywood’s most haunting thrillers of the 90s.

Canada, 2001. A tragic accident shatters a family and a business empire. Amar Shah is gone, leaving behind a fiancée drowning in grief, a father who has lost his voice, and a family struggling to hold on. Into this storm walks Shekhar Malhotra, a man who promises to rebuild Shah Industries and unknowingly begins to heal their broken hearts. But Tum Bin isn’t just a love story. It’s a tale of guilt, redemption, and the impossible choice between love and loyalty. Should Pia follow her heart, even if it beats for the man responsible for Amar’s death? Or should she choose a future that looks stable, but loveless? In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we revisit one of the most poignant romantic dramas of the early 2000s. From its soulful Anubhav Sinha direction to the timeless Nikhil-Vinay soundtrack, from Priyanshu Chatterjee’s quiet intensity to Sandali Sinha’s heart-wrenching vulnerability — Tum Bin remains a film that defined love, loss, and second chances for an entire generation. Because sometimes, moving on isn’t about forgetting, it’s about forgiving.

Posters on his wall. Dreams that stretch from Pune to Mumbai. Mast is the story of Kittu, a young arts student whose obsession with film star Mallika turns his life upside down. Urmila Matondkar shines as Mallika, caught in her own struggle with fame, while Aftab Shivdasani in his debut captures Kittu’s innocence and heartbreak.In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we revisit Ram Gopal Varma’s musical romance — a tale where love, obsession, and illusion collide. Expect debut trivia, timeless music, and why Mast remains one of Bollywood’s most fascinating late-90s love stories.

Mumbai, 1991. A quiet afternoon turned into six hours of relentless gunfire as the police and underworld clashed in the heart of Lokhandwala. Apoorva Lakhia’s Shootout at Lokhandwala captures this real-life encounter in all its chaos, raising questions that still haunt us: Was it justice, or just revenge?In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we dive into one of Bollywood’s most hard-hitting gangster dramas. From Vivek Oberoi’s menacing turn as Maya Dolas to Sanjay Dutt’s steely ATS chief, to the way the film blurred lines between cops and criminals, media and spectacle — this is a story where every bullet carried a dilemma.Expect behind-the-scenes trivia, the controversies that shook the film, and why Shootout at Lokhandwala remains one of the finest underworld films in Indian cinema.Because sometimes, real life is more cinematic than the movies.

Some films stay with you long after the credits roll. A Wednesday, directed by Neeraj Pandey, is one of them. A tense thriller set over the course of a single day, it pits an ordinary man (Naseeruddin Shah) against the system, with a police commissioner (Anupam Kher) caught in between. In this episode, Jyotika dives into what makes this story so powerful—the moral dilemmas, the razor-sharp dialogues, and the way it questioned authority without giving easy answers. She also connects the film to Neeraj Pandey’s later work like Special 26 and Baby, and even draws parallels to OTT shows that carry the same urgency and grit. If you love taut storytelling, unforgettable performances, and cinema that makes you think, this episode belongs on your Watchlist.

What happens when you swap fairy-tale endings for champagne hangovers and backstage betrayals? Page 3 pulls back the velvet rope on Mumbai’s high-society circuit and it’s not all glitz and gold.In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we revisit Madhur Bhandarkar’s National Award-winning drama, where Konkona Sen Sharma plays a young journalist navigating the murky space between truth and access. From designer parties to hidden scandals, from starry smiles to silent breakdowns, this is a world where the headlines are just the tip of the iceberg.We’ll talk about the film’s raw honesty, unforgettable performances, and why its critique of celebrity culture still feels painfully relevant. Because sometimes, the most interesting stories aren’t on Page 1… they’re buried on Page 3.

What happens when a broke son-in-law, two struggling roommates, and a fake kidnapping plan come together? Total chaos — and comedy gold.In this episode of The Watchlist with Jyotika, we rewind to Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (2001) — the crime-comedy caper where Saif Ali Khan, Fardeen Khan, and Aftab Shivdasani set out to stage a kidnapping… only for things to take a hilariously dangerous turn. Add Sonali Bendre, Twinkle Khanna, Johnny Lever, and a dash of real kidnappers to the mix, and you’ve got a ride that’s equal parts madness and masti.