Chiya-Pop Guff "November Edition"

Hello and Good Morning Everyone, Welcome to the November Edition of Chiya-Pop Guff. In Chiya-Pop Guff, I take a step back from the algorithm-fueled frenzy and just have a chill conversation about the movies I’ve watched, the games I’ve played, and the songs that have been on repeat — the kind of stuff you’d talk about with friends during a late-night call or a random cafe meet-up.

Whether it’s a random indie film that surprised me, a game I finally got around to finishing, or a track that got stuck in my head for days, you’ll find a little bit of everything here. No hot takes just for clicks — just honest vibes, some mild overthinking, and a love for storytelling in all its forms. This month I watched quite a few movies and got around listening a few album and these are the few that caught my liking to write something about it.

I went into Perfect Blue with sky-high expectations — I mean, this is one of those films that’s universally praised on every platform, so I was already prepared for something “great.” But wow… it didn’t just meet those expectations, it absolutely obliterated them. The first thing that you notice is the retro aesthetic — that hand drawn 90’s anime texture, the grainy color palette that makes the movie even more perfect and beautiful. There’s this rawness to the visuals that modern animation just can’t replicate, and it pulls you into its psychological mess effortlessly.

The story itself is insanely gripping. Once it starts, it just does not let you go. That constant uneasiness, the blurred lines between reality and delusion, the way the film keeps switching perspectives without warning — it honestly felt like watching a Nolan psychological thriller, just in anime form. You’re confused, constantly second-guessing everything and everyone. By the time the ending hits, you’re left building your own theory. And then there’s the stalker — easily one of the creepiest characters ever animated. It’s not even jump-scare horror; it’s the slow, skin-crawling, psychological kind that sticks with you even after the movie ends.

What makes Perfect Blue so brilliant is how emotionally manipulative it is in a very intentional way. It wants you to spiral with Mima, question her reality, feel her paranoia, and get trapped in her anxiety. And it succeeds flawlessly. An absolutely incredible film — haunting, clever, emotionally dense, and way ahead of its time. One of those movies you’ll keep thinking about for days, and honestly one of the easiest recommendations I can give if you love psychological thrillers.

Never realized Tisca Chopra was in this movie. Overall though, the movie felt very okayish, nothing too remarkable, nothing too terrible… it just kind of exists. You can tell they were aiming for this quirky comedy vibe, but for me, most of those jokes just didn’t land. It had that awkward humor energy, but not the kind that actually makes you laugh — more like “hmm okay” moments. That being said, Emraan Hashmi a legend for sure. Man shows up and suddenly the entire movie becomes 10x more watchable. He has this effortless charm that just makes any scene interesting.

The music is surprisingly good too. Classic early 2010s Bollywood soundtrack vibes — catchy, melodic, and honestly better than the movie itself. So yeah, if you want something low-effort, something to keep on while you chill or scroll your phone, this could work. But as a film overall, it doesn’t leave any major impact. Fun in parts, forgettable in the long run — a very mid watch with a few redeeming elements.

This was a pretty decent watch — honestly gave me the exact same vibe as those movies I used to catch on Sony Max after coming home from school, where you don’t expect anything serious but still end up having a good time. Fahadh Faasil absolutely crushed it. Man slips into these eccentric characters like it’s nothing, and he carries the whole film with that unhinged-but-charming energy only he can pull off. The supporting cast was surprisingly solid too. Their chemistry felt so natural that half the absurd stuff somehow became even funnier. And speaking of absurdity — yeah, the movie leans heavily into it, but in a fun way. It’s chaotic, loud, random, and somehow that becomes part of its charm. Also, as an engineering student, I can 100% vouch for the low attendance scenes.

And of course, the reels. I remember seeing clip after clip blowing up all over Instagram — the bits are tailor-made for meme culture. Watching the full movie, it made sense why those scenes were so popular. They’re funny out of context, but even funnier in context. Overall, the movie isn’t something groundbreaking or super special, but it is one of those good-vibes watches. If someone asks for a light, fun, high-energy film to put on and enjoy without overthinking, I’d definitely recommend it.

Considering it’s a modern take on the original Devdas, this one honestly surprised me with how well it holds up. I mean, I haven’t watched the classic Devdas either, but the basic plotline is so culturally baked-in that everyone more or less knows what’s going on. But the way Dev D reimagines it? Yeah, that hit a little too close to home. Dev’s character in this movie felt way too relatable 💀 — that messy, self-sabotaging, emotionally confused energy? Been there, seen people like that, avoided becoming that. Kashyap really nailed the whole “flawed protagonist” vibe without making him unbearable.

And then there’s Kalki. Oh man. She absolutely stole the show. Her character felt almost too good to be true — the kind of person who’s written so tenderly and with so much depth that you kinda sit there thinking, “bro where do people like this exist fr?” Kalki brought so much softness and strength into the role that it balanced out Dev’s chaos perfectly. The modern elements and suburban setting though… personally didn’t bond with me that much. It’s stylish and gritty and very Kashyap-coded, but some of the hyper-urban vibes felt a bit disconnected from my taste. That said, for people who vibe with that whole aesthetic — the rawness, the indie soundtrack, the reckless nightlife energy — this movie probably hits even harder. Direction-wise, Kashyap once again proves why he’s considered one of the boldest storytellers in India. The way he reinvents a classic without making it feel forced or pretentious is genuinely impressive.

Considering it’s a modern take on the original Devdas, this one honestly surprised me with how well it holds up. I mean, I haven’t watched the classic Devdas either, but the basic plotline is so culturally baked-in that everyone more or less knows what’s going on. But the way Dev D reimagines it? Yeah, that hit a little too close to home. Dev’s character in this movie felt way too relatable 💀 — that messy, self-sabotaging, emotionally confused energy? Been there, seen people like that, avoided becoming that. Kashyap really nailed the whole “flawed protagonist” vibe without making him unbearable.

And then there’s Kalki. Oh man. She absolutely stole the show. Her character felt almost too good to be true — the kind of person who’s written so tenderly and with so much depth that you kinda sit there thinking, “bro where do people like this exist fr?” Kalki brought so much softness and strength into the role that it balanced out Dev’s chaos perfectly. The modern elements and suburban setting though… personally didn’t bond with me that much. It’s stylish and gritty and very Kashyap-coded, but some of the hyper-urban vibes felt a bit disconnected from my taste. That said, for people who vibe with that whole aesthetic — the rawness, the indie soundtrack, the reckless nightlife energy — this movie probably hits even harder. Direction-wise, Kashyap once again proves why he’s considered one of the boldest storytellers in India. The way he reinvents a classic without making it feel forced or pretentious is genuinely impressive.

Oh, this movie… this is definitely one of those films I’d recommend to literally everyone. I genuinely loved it to its every last bit. The suspense, the slow-burn mystery, the way the story keeps twisting just enough to keep you slightly off balance — all of it works so well. And that final plot twist? Yeah, that one hits different. It’s the kind of twist where you just sit there for a moment thinking, “Damn, okay.” Tom Cruise, as always, delivers a phenomenal performance. He has this talent for playing characters who look confident on the outside but are quietly falling apart on the inside, and here he absolutely nails that vibe. And the mysterious, dreamlike undertone that runs throughout the movie? Completely surreal. It constantly feels like the film is whispering, “Don’t trust what you’re seeing,” and somehow that feeling is both unsettling and comforting at the same time. The romantic angle also felt surprisingly natural — not dramatic for the sake of drama, but more like an emotional thread that tightens with every scene. And yeah… after all, “four times” really does mean something once it clicks.

This was honestly one of the most unique things I’ve ever seen in Indian cinema. Kashyap really outdid himself here — this is him in full bold, unapologetic directorial mode. The whole film has this eerie, unsettling vibe that sits with you from the first scene till the end, and it’s so intentional that you can’t help but admire how confidently it’s executed. Also, this movie made me realize I really haven’t watched many of Ayesha Takia’s films. Damn — she was literally my childhood crush. Seeing her here just unlocked a whole era.

One thing about Kashyap in this film is that he doesn’t spoon-feed anything. The whole Bengali Baba aspect is just established — like a myth you’re supposed to accept without question. He doesn’t really explore the Baba’s backstory or the mechanics behind how the whole system works, and honestly, I kinda wish we got at least a glimpse. Not a full breakdown, but just enough to understand how the madness connects underneath all the surrealism. But maybe the ambiguity was the whole point — to keep the audience trapped in the same psychological maze as the protagonist. Stylistically, the movie is wild. The pacing, the dreamlike transitions, the disorienting loops — all of it works together to create this claustrophobic experience that feels more psychological torture than narrative. And yet, it’s fascinating. Technically, the sound design deserves appreciation too; those subtle atmospheric cues really amplify the paranoia.

Finally, something new from The Boys universe. I’ve been hooked on this whole world ever since I watched The Boys Season 1, so getting another series that expands the lore was already exciting. Initially, I thought Gen V would just be a simple spinoff operating on its own separate track. But the way the characters and events from Gen V actually tie back into the main series? I genuinely didn’t expect that level of connection. It’s like the writers said, “Yeah this is a spinoff… but also not really.” The show itself is a great watch. It has that same messed-up, unhinged energy that The Boys is known for, but there’s also this interesting shift in tone because the focus is on younger Supes and the whole corrupted-college environment. It adds a layer of vulnerability and chaos that hits differently. And the way they explore powers, trauma, and manipulation feels very in sync with the parent show, which makes the whole universe feel tightly crafted.

Technically, the show is pretty impressive too. The VFX continues to be shockingly good for a streaming series—some scenes look straight out of a big-budget movie. Even the pacing is solid; episodes flow smoothly with that same tension-heavy build-up The Boys always nails. And as always, the outro song choices? Impeccable. Whoever is responsible for the soundtrack is working overtime because every episode ends with a track that perfectly matches the mood—dark, ironic, stylish, take-your-pick. Overall, Gen V just proves that this universe still has so much potential. It’s entertaining, surprising, and sets up future stakes in a smart way. Definitely a highly recommended watch for anyone already invested—or even for someone who just wants something chaotic and fun.

And that’s a wrap for this month’s edition of Chiya-Pop Guff.

Whether it’s a cozy Nepali film, an emotional video game journey, or a movie you watched just for the plot , there’s always something worth sharing over a good cup of chiya.

Thanks for reading — genuinely. If anything here made you curious, made you smile, or made you want to queue something up for the weekend, that’s all this newsletter is about.