Madhulika Liddle is a novelist and award-winning short story writer, best known as a writer of historical and detective fiction: her Mughal detective Muzaffar Jang is the star of a best-selling series of books. She also writes non-fiction, especially on food, travel, history and cinema. Madhulika’s blog, Dusted Off (www.madhulikaliddle.com) focuses on cinema from before the 1970s, and has been in existence since 2008.

My creations

Madhumati: Salil Chowdhury’s Magnum Opus in Hindi Cinema

A lyrical exploration of Salil Chowdhury’s Madhumati score, showing how music, narrative, landscape, and emotion merge into a masterpiece.

Jagte Raho: A Night of Truth

Jagte Raho tears into the hypocrisy of Calcutta’s wealthy residents as a thirsty villager, stumbles upon the dark secrets hidden behind their respectable façade

Khaniker Atithi and Zindagi Zindagi: Two Sides of One Coin

Tapan Sinha’s Khaniker Atithi (1959), and its Hindi remake Zindagi Zindagi (1972) examine themes of humanity and love, juxtaposed against ambition, prejudice, and casteism.