Told I don't look that old, but did start out in ancient times, when Bollywood had all of four or five 'mainline film critics' — for as many English news dailies in Bombay — besides a few 'trade analysts', who ran (mostly) family-owned newsletters to report box-office numbers.

Usually, a dozen max (for a regular film) would meet Thursday evenings — often at the preview theatre in Famous Studio, Mahalaxmi — almost the 'other side' of Bombay from where the film industry is. Khalid Mohamed would have a favoured corner-seat in the back row. I've been a front-bencher (for movies), and back-bencher (in class), forever.