Netflix&rsquo;s new web series The Royals- featuring Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter- holds a lot of potential. In a crime thriller-infested OTT space, light-hearted romantic comedies are a win-win, particularly at a time when there is so much despair outside the screen otherwise. One would ideally want to sit back, grab a bucket of popcorn or a tub of ice cream, and binge-watch the slow-burning romance between Ishaan and Bhumi on the show. The Royals, after all, is a story of a reluctant prince and a go-getter self-made woman- they look good, they have smoldering chemistry, and the locations are fabulous- all serving as a perfect ingredient for a feel-good romance drama. Yet creator Rangita Pritish Nandy&rsquo;s The Royals falters too much, making the premise of the whole show feel too superfluous and lame to be taken seriously.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>The Plot <o:p></o:p></h2>
Sophie Kanmani Shekhar, the hot-shot CEO of a hospitality brand, meets horse-loving, reluctant heir to the throne of Morpur, Aviraaj Singh, and sparks fly. She is an impulsive overachiever, while he is a reluctant King of a cash-strapped, crumbling palace. Their first meeting doesn&rsquo;t go the way they initially think it would. Soon enough, Sophie comes knocking to Motibagh Palace in Morpur, which is a unique B&amp;B experience where commoners can meet and interact and live for a few days with the royals. Aviraaj is obviously not keen on the idea, but his brother Digvijay and mother Padmaja remind him of the impending dues that the Palace has to pay and he eventually agrees. But can all things be that smooth? Throw in some past secrets, exes, the looming presence of Aviraaj&rsquo;s late father, some secret desires and dreams and a skeptical Venture Capitalist who is not willing to place bets on Sophia&rsquo;s risky ideas &ndash; and it&rsquo;s chaos all over. And amid all this, can love blossom between a Rajkumar and an &lsquo;aam kumari&rsquo;? Can the King save his kingdom? Can the CEO safeguard her company and roll out her most ambitious project?&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bhumi-pednekar-just-spent-a-fun-weekend-with-jennifer-garner-beyonce-heres-how-8864152">Bhumi Pednekar just spent a fun weekend with Jennifer Garner, Beyonce; deets here</a>
<figure class="image"><img alt="The Royals" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/22/1scpILiDYJUuefRxDyQ2.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>The Royals Photograph: (X/Netflix)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">What works<o:p></o:p></h2>
It is a story of Indian royalty that blends modernity with Indian traditions. The Royals has a very good-looking cast, and equally well-shot locations, which makes the series visually very appealing. The makers also ensemble an interesting set of actors together- from Sakshi Tanwar who plays the complicated Padmaja to the reluctant prince Ishaan Khatter to Bhumi Pednekar, the ambitious CEO to Adinath Kothare, the shrewd VC of Bhumi&rsquo;s company- the show boasts of credible actors. It also features Zeenat Aman in the most underwritten character of a Rajmata, who comes and goes without really creating much of an impact. Along with these big names, there are also internet stars like comedian Sumukhi Suresh, Lisa Mishra, and OTT regular Vihaan Samant- each playing their parts well.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ott-releases-of-this-week-new-shows-and-movies-coming-on-netflix-amazon-prime-video-and-more-9047319">OTT releases on Netflix, Amazon Prime and more: The Royals, Good Bad Ugly and more</a>
Khatter and Pednekar&rsquo;s romance is the highlight of the show, and the actors look super hot and exude hot chemistry. Both credible actors in their own right, they together try to elevate the show to a great length and are also quite successful at that. Vihaan Samant, an actor who in a short period created a niche for himself in the OTT space, is also in good form as the prince, waiting to take up bigger roles even as he harbours dreams of becoming a master chef. Lisa Mishra, the singer, is also a revelation as the strong, logical best friend of Sophia who has eyes for the Princess. <o:p></o:p>
While the writing is questionable and the series takes forever to establish the main plot, it does come together and shows spark in the final two episodes, and ends on a cliffhanger, opening up possibilities of a second half. The scenes between Aviraaj and his siblings are well-played out and feel organic and natural.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YV7FN78Dwxo?si=SuvztSnKuLhqitoB" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">What does not work<o:p></o:p></h2>
Unfortunately, the show&rsquo;s flaws are much more glaring. It ultimately dumbs down everything and makes every character and their problem look very lame. For the longest time, you don&rsquo;t quite get what Aviraaj is running away from or why Sophia gets anxious thinking of her parents. We are told she is impulsive and he is an escapist &ndash; but the reasons remain unknown. Also, their falling in love seems slightly misplaced. It is also a shame to underutilize so many of the actors. Sumukhi Suresh as the restless jumpy assistant is barely there for the laughs, Zeenat Aman is reduced to a ditzy intoxicated old royal who mutters and mumbles mostly, Chunky Panday looks and behaves like a buffoon- the humour of the series is as inconsistent as the character&rsquo;s issues in life.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/martin-scorsese-joins-ishaan-khatter-and-janhvi-kapoors-homebound-as-executive-producer-9004691">Martin Scorsese joins Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor's Homebound as executive producer</a>
Pednekar, in her debut web series, heaves and sighs through her roles, when she is anxious, she is upset or simply passing lascvicious looks towards her prince- the heaving and sighs and pouting never ends. <o:p></o:p>
The Royals begins on a promising note but the problems are so first world and ditzy that they would put Sonam Kapoor&rsquo;s Aisha to shame. <o:p></o:p>
The seven-part series is now streaming on Netflix.

Entertainment Netflix’s new web series The Royals- featuring Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter- holds a lot of potential. In a crime thriller-infested OTT space, light-hearted romantic comedies are a win-win.

Netflix’s new web series The Royals- featuring Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter- holds a lot of potential. In a crime thriller-infested OTT space, light-hearted romantic comedies are a win-win, particularly at a time when there is so much despair outside the screen otherwise. One would ideally want to sit back, grab a bucket of popcorn or a tub of ice cream, and binge-watch the slow-burning romance between Ishaan and Bhumi on the show. The Royals, after all, is a story of a reluctant prince and a go-getter self-made woman- they look good, they have smoldering chemistry, and the locations are fabulous- all serving as a perfect ingredient for a feel-good romance drama. Yet creator Rangita Pritish Nandy’s The Royals falters too much, making the premise of the whole show feel too superfluous and lame to be taken seriously. The Plot Sophie Kanmani Shekhar, the hot-shot CEO of a hospitality brand, meets horse-loving, reluctant heir to the throne of Morpur, Aviraaj Singh, and sparks fly. She is an impulsive overachiever, while he is a reluctant King of a cash-strapped, crumbling palace. Their first meeting doesn’t go the way they initially think it would. Soon enough, Sophie comes knocking to Motibagh Palace in Morpur, which is a unique B&B experience where commoners can meet and interact and live for a few days with the royals. Aviraaj is obviously not keen on the idea, but his brother Digvijay and mother Padmaja remind him of the impending dues that the Palace has to pay and he eventually agrees. But can all things be that smooth? Throw in some past secrets, exes, the looming presence of Aviraaj’s late father, some secret desires and dreams and a skeptical Venture Capitalist who is not willing to place bets on Sophia’s risky ideas – and it’s chaos all over. And amid all this, can love blossom between a Rajkumar and an ‘aam kumari’? Can the King save his kingdom? Can the CEO safeguard her company and roll out her most ambitious project? Bhumi Pednekar just spent a fun weekend with Jennifer Garner, Beyonce; deets here The Royals Photograph: (X/Netflix) What works It is a story of Indian royalty that blends modernity with Indian traditions. The Royals has a very good-looking cast, and equally well-shot locations, which makes the series visually very appealing. The makers also ensemble an interesting set of actors together- from Sakshi Tanwar who plays the complicated Padmaja to the reluctant prince Ishaan Khatter to Bhumi Pednekar, the ambitious CEO to Adinath Kothare, the shrewd VC of Bhumi’s company- the show boasts of credible actors. It also features Zeenat Aman in the most underwritten character of a Rajmata, who comes and goes without really creating much of an impact. Along with these big names, there are also internet stars like comedian Sumukhi Suresh, Lisa Mishra, and OTT regular Vihaan Samant- each playing their parts well. OTT releases on Netflix, Amazon Prime and more: The Royals, Good Bad Ugly and more Khatter and Pednekar’s romance is the highlight of the show, and the actors look super hot and exude hot chemistry. Both credible actors in their own right, they together try to elevate the show to a great length and are also quite successful at that. Vihaan Samant, an actor who in a short period created a niche for himself in the OTT space, is also in good form as the prince, waiting to take up bigger roles even as he harbours dreams of becoming a master chef. Lisa Mishra, the singer, is also a revelation as the strong, logical best friend of Sophia who has eyes for the Princess. While the writing is questionable and the series takes forever to establish the main plot, it does come together and shows spark in the final two episodes, and ends on a cliffhanger, opening up possibilities of a second half. The scenes between Aviraaj and his siblings are well-played out and feel organic and natural. What does not work Unfortunately, the show’s flaws are much more glaring. It ultimately dumbs down everything and makes every character and their problem look very lame. For the longest time, you don’t quite get what Aviraaj is running away from or why Sophia gets anxious thinking of her parents. We are told she is impulsive and he is an escapist – but the reasons remain unknown. Also, their falling in love seems slightly misplaced. It is also a shame to underutilize so many of the actors. Sumukhi Suresh as the restless jumpy assistant is barely there for the laughs, Zeenat Aman is reduced to a ditzy intoxicated old royal who mutters and mumbles mostly, Chunky Panday looks and behaves like a buffoon- the humour of the series is as inconsistent as the character’s issues in life. Martin Scorsese joins Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor's Homebound as executive producer Pednekar, in her debut web series, heaves and sighs through her roles, when she is anxious, she is upset or simply passing lascvicious looks towards her prince- the heaving and sighs and pouting never ends. The Royals begins on a promising note but the problems are so first world and ditzy that they would put Sonam Kapoor’s Aisha to shame. The seven-part series is now streaming on Netflix.

The Royals review : Ditzy, lame characters in a crumbling palace

The tactic of presenting old content with a fresh polish is something Indian audiences are quite familiar with. In 2020, the world was captivated by Panchayat, a one-of-a-kind show that won millions of hearts with its innocence and simple storytelling. Five years later, we now have plenty of shows set in rural India, highlighting everyday life and chores. The most recent addition to this list was Dupahiya, a similar format with slight changes here and there.
In a few months, again, we have got the new entry to the list, which is Gram Chikitsalay, the TVF series that comes from the makers of the Panchayat. And watching the show, it felt like we were watching a story from the world of Phulera or a village nearby. &nbsp;&nbsp;
<h2>Gram Chikitsalay - what is the new story about?</h2>
The show takes you to a village of Jharkhand, called Bhatkandi, where a gold medalist Dr Prabhat Sinha (Amol Parashar), who has a passion to do something for the unprivileged and moves to a remote village when he gets a job as a medical officer (MO). While he has every choice to live a comfortable life, Dr Prabhat accepts a government job in this remote village, a world that he's not familiar with at all.
The series begins with the death of an elderly man who passes away after receiving an injection from a local doctor, Chetak Kumar (Vinay Pathak). Whether the death was due to the injection or old age remains a mystery. The villagers are mourning the loss of Sipahi Chacha, and it's when Dr. Prabhat arrives in the village, only to find that the Primary Health Centre is a building that no one looks at.
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-royals-review-netflix-ishaan-khatter-bhumi-pednekar-zeenat-aman-sakshi-tanwar-9051922" aria-label="The Royals review : Ditzy, lame characters in a crumbling palace">The Royals review: Ditzy, lame characters in a crumbling palace</a>
Right after entering the village, the first job of Dr Prabhat is not to look at the patients, but to remove the overgrown paddy fields at the PHC. With this, the struggle and the journey of Dr Prabhat begins. How Dr Prabhat earns his first patient in the village where he's not welcomed at all makes the rest of the story.&nbsp;
<h2>This story from the heartland lacks</h2>
Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Arunabh Kumar, the show gives you a deja vu of Panchayat from the first frame. The only difference is that while Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar) had no interest in moving into Phullera, Dr Prabhat has moved into the village by choice. That was the first thought that struck me as I began watching. As you watch the series, there are plenty of things that will come to your mind. However, what sets this show apart is its focus on the troubling state of healthcare in rural India and the worrisome situation with challenges that persist despite the presence of government infrastructure.
In bits and pieces, the five-episode series ably explores issues like corruption, the lack of awareness and literacy in rural areas. Having said that, the show also blends emotions with the story. However, the overall impact doesn&rsquo;t quite match the standard set by other rural dramas. Some scenes feel overdone and out of sync with the show&rsquo;s tone, leaving you puzzled.
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/fallout-walton-goggins-annouces-season-2-has-wrapped-filming-with-hilarious-videowatch-9051703" aria-label="Fallout: Walton Goggins annouces season 2 has wrapped filming with hilarious video|Watch">Fallout: Walton Goggins annouces season 2 has wrapped filming with hilarious video|Watch</a></h2>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/580x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/b5917ff3-9cf.png" alt="" style="width: 580px;">
<h2>Where is the entertainment?</h2>
While the show delivers a social message, what about entertainment? It feels like the makers assumed that setting the story in a familiar setup that is already a hit would be enough, but that&rsquo;s not the case here. From the characters to the storyline, and even the dialogues and serious moments, none of it leaves a lasting impact.
Chetak Kumar (Vinay Pathak), who plays a doctor without a degree, aka &nbsp;"jholachap" doctor, &nbsp;a character that I found interesting first. &nbsp;However, surprisingly, he contributes little to the plot. His monologue felt unnecessary, and I couldn&rsquo;t understand why it even existed.
Every character in the show lacks depth. Parashar tried hard to make his character of Dr Prabhat Sinha feel, but things felt hollow at many times. &nbsp;The supporting characters, such as Anandeshwar Dwivedi as Phutani and Akash Makhija as the ward boy, try to bring some much-needed laughter to the show. And to some extent, they did.&nbsp;
The only things that I liked about the show were the realistic portrayal of village life, which was effectively brought to the screen. Garima Singh, who played Nurse Indu, also wins every frame she's in.
Rahul Pandey's directorial is a social commentary on rural healthcare, but it lacks in holding the audience's attention. Gram Panchayat is another addition to this growing rural sub-genre that you won't regret skipping.&nbsp;
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/samay-raina-reveals-his-emotional-call-with-his-father-in-jammu-amid-rising-indo-pak-tensions-9051005" aria-label="'My father calls me one last time tonight from Jammu...' Samay Raina reveals his emotional chat with dad amid rising Indo-Pak tensions">'My father calls me one last time tonight from Jammu...' Samay Raina reveals his emotional chat with dad amid rising Indo-Pak tensions</a></h2>

While the show delivers a social message, what about entertainment? It feels like the makers assumed that setting the story in a familiar setup that is already a hit would be enough, but that’s not the case here.

The tactic of presenting old content with a fresh polish is something Indian audiences are quite familiar with. In 2020, the world was captivated by Panchayat, a one-of-a-kind show that won millions of hearts with its innocence and simple storytelling. Five years later, we now have plenty of shows set in rural India, highlighting everyday life and chores. The most recent addition to this list was Dupahiya, a similar format with slight changes here and there. In a few months, again, we have got the new entry to the list, which is Gram Chikitsalay, the TVF series that comes from the makers of the Panchayat. And watching the show, it felt like we were watching a story from the world of Phulera or a village nearby. Gram Chikitsalay - what is the new story about? The show takes you to a village of Jharkhand, called Bhatkandi, where a gold medalist Dr Prabhat Sinha (Amol Parashar), who has a passion to do something for the unprivileged and moves to a remote village when he gets a job as a medical officer (MO). While he has every choice to live a comfortable life, Dr Prabhat accepts a government job in this remote village, a world that he's not familiar with at all. The series begins with the death of an elderly man who passes away after receiving an injection from a local doctor, Chetak Kumar (Vinay Pathak). Whether the death was due to the injection or old age remains a mystery. The villagers are mourning the loss of Sipahi Chacha, and it's when Dr. Prabhat arrives in the village, only to find that the Primary Health Centre is a building that no one looks at. The Royals review: Ditzy, lame characters in a crumbling palace Right after entering the village, the first job of Dr Prabhat is not to look at the patients, but to remove the overgrown paddy fields at the PHC. With this, the struggle and the journey of Dr Prabhat begins. How Dr Prabhat earns his first patient in the village where he's not welcomed at all makes the rest of the story. This story from the heartland lacks Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Arunabh Kumar, the show gives you a deja vu of Panchayat from the first frame. The only difference is that while Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar) had no interest in moving into Phullera, Dr Prabhat has moved into the village by choice. That was the first thought that struck me as I began watching. As you watch the series, there are plenty of things that will come to your mind. However, what sets this show apart is its focus on the troubling state of healthcare in rural India and the worrisome situation with challenges that persist despite the presence of government infrastructure. In bits and pieces, the five-episode series ably explores issues like corruption, the lack of awareness and literacy in rural areas. Having said that, the show also blends emotions with the story. However, the overall impact doesn’t quite match the standard set by other rural dramas. Some scenes feel overdone and out of sync with the show’s tone, leaving you puzzled. Fallout: Walton Goggins annouces season 2 has wrapped filming with hilarious video|Watch Where is the entertainment? While the show delivers a social message, what about entertainment? It feels like the makers assumed that setting the story in a familiar setup that is already a hit would be enough, but that’s not the case here. From the characters to the storyline, and even the dialogues and serious moments, none of it leaves a lasting impact. Chetak Kumar (Vinay Pathak), who plays a doctor without a degree, aka "jholachap" doctor, a character that I found interesting first. However, surprisingly, he contributes little to the plot. His monologue felt unnecessary, and I couldn’t understand why it even existed. Every character in the show lacks depth. Parashar tried hard to make his character of Dr Prabhat Sinha feel, but things felt hollow at many times. The supporting characters, such as Anandeshwar Dwivedi as Phutani and Akash Makhija as the ward boy, try to bring some much-needed laughter to the show. And to some extent, they did. The only things that I liked about the show were the realistic portrayal of village life, which was effectively brought to the screen. Garima Singh, who played Nurse Indu, also wins every frame she's in. Rahul Pandey's directorial is a social commentary on rural healthcare, but it lacks in holding the audience's attention. Gram Panchayat is another addition to this growing rural sub-genre that you won't regret skipping. 'My father calls me one last time tonight from Jammu...' Samay Raina reveals his emotional chat with dad amid rising Indo-Pak tensions

Gram Chikitsalay review:  Amol Parashar's show comes with Panchayat vibes with faded impact

I have to admit I&rsquo;ve had the Marvel Superhero fatigue for a while now and have even avoided watching some of the studio&rsquo;s recent offerings. There are too many now, and everything seems to be having an Avengers hangover. Just when I was about to write off Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio has sprung a surprise with Thunderbolts- a film that is aware of the weight of fatigue that it carries but turns the Avengers sub plot on its head and delivers a refreshing take on the super hero world post the exit of the Marvel stalwarts. The film, directed by Jack Shreier and featuring Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh and others, also tackles mental health in the most effective way possible in a story of reluctant, has-been superheroes.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">The Plot of Thunderbolts<o:p></o:p></h2>
The film begins with Yelena (Pugh) going about her job as an assassin with a feeling of loneliness and a void within. When CIA head Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) assigns her a new task, this time to go to an undisclosed facility and eliminate possible intruders, Yelena decides it will be her last assignment. However, she is in for a surprise as she finds other &lsquo;agents&rsquo; of Valentina too at the facility, all wanting to kill each other, as that&rsquo;s what they have all been assigned.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pedro-pascal-supports-transgender-rights-at-thunderbolts-london-premiere-8994729">Pedro Pascal supports transgender rights at Thunderbolts London premiere</a>
So Yelena finds herself meeting John Walker, aka US Agent(Wyatt Russell), Ava Star, aka Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Bob (Lewis Pullman) at the facility. Initially trying to outdo each other, with Bob only trying to save himself, the group soon realise that evil motives of Valentina, who herself is undergoing impeachment for her various illegal practices. Valentina wants all of them killed, but the reluctant heroes, along with Bucky(Stan) and Alexei Shostakov(David Harbour) join forces to expose Valentina.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hUUszE29jS0?si=AE3c8KaZoGCpEiSa" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
The CIA chief, however, has bigger plans and thinks one step ahead of the newly formed Thunderbolts and uses Bob&rsquo;s secret powers to create havoc on the streets of New York.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/i-hope-it-resonates-thunderbolts-director-shares-insights-into-how-they-set-up-the-sentrys-mcu-debut-9011738">'I hope it resonates': Thunderbolts director shares insights into how they set up the Sentry's MCU debut</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">What works in Thunderbolts<o:p></o:p></h2>
The fact that a superhero film doesn&rsquo;t take itself very seriously is in itself very refreshing. At one point, Yelena declares, &lsquo;We are all losers, &rsquo; which is perhaps a first for the Marvel Superhero Universe. Eric Pearson&rsquo;s story is aware of the baggage it carries- that it has to cater to an audience that is still not over Avengers and may not be in the years to come. Yet, Pearson and Joanna Calo&rsquo;s deft screenplay uses Avengers to its advantage. The writers assemble a group of has-beens who know their shortcomings and what led them to the facility in the first place. They all are battling some inner demons, they all have faltered and thus, they are more human and less superhero.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
The film addresses depression, lonliness, the feeling of emptiness within the realms of superhero universe. At one point, it seems that the mental health illness is perhaps the biggest villain and while the solution offered seemed too simple, one must give credit to the writers for atleast talking about it in an overhyped, testortrone filled super hero universe where the heroes mostly lack the emotion of sadness.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-fantastic-four-first-steps-new-promo-art-gives-us-a-detailed-look-at-the-new-outfits-of-marvels-first-family-8999697">The Fantastic Four: First Step's new promo art gives us a detailed look at the new outfits of Marvel's first family</a>
Thunderbolts is also a fun watch. While the makers talk of depression and mental illnesses, they also stay true to the original plot and pack in stunts, smart repartees, and humorous situations in plenty, making Thunderbolts a quintessential Marvel entertainer. <o:p></o:p>
Pugh as the straight face weary Yelena is the star of the show and is an able successor of the Black Widow legacy. Complementing her is actor Lewis Pullman as Bob, the mestiroiuous man in the facility who has unknown powers. Bob and Yelena form a formidable bond and it is nice to see their scenes together.&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img alt="Thunderbolts" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/30/PESjvF5xUoqQ9ZbZ17Ul.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Thunderbolts Photograph: (X)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
<h2 class="MsoNormal">What doesn&rsquo;t work &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></h2>
The Avengers' legacy looms large. While the makers smartly tackle the narrative, giving a unique spin to the hunderbolts, the film sticks to the similar template of Marvel&rsquo;s pervious movies. Its approach to dealing with Mental Health also seems to simplistic.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/is-shah-rukh-khan-collaborating-with-the-marvel-cinematic-universe-9013928">Is Shah Rukh Khan collaborating with Marvel Cinematic Universe for a new project?</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Final verdict<o:p></o:p></h2>
Thunderbolts are indeed the 'New Avengers', as the film pitches itself. But unlike the OGs, these guys are flawed humans wanting to make a difference and at the same time cashing in on their newfound fame (don&rsquo;t miss the end credits).&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
Last year&rsquo;s Deadpool and Wolverine had somewhat instilled hopes within scores of Marvel fans (including this writer) that may MCU hasn&rsquo;t fully lost its sheen. Thunderbolts reiterates that fact. It is a wholesome film that entertains you, gives you things to think about, and sets your heart pumping with its stunts.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>Thunderbolts is releasing on May 1.
In pics:&nbsp; <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/marvels-thunderbolts-from-black-widow-to-winter-soldier-who-plays-what-9018757" aria-label="Marvel's Thunderbolts: From Black Widow to Winter Soldier, who plays what">Marvel's Thunderbolts: From Black Widow to Winter Soldier, who plays what</a>

Hollywood | Entertainment Thunderbolts is aware of the weight of fatigue that it carries, but turns the Avengers sub-plot on its head and delivers a refreshing take on the superhero world post the exit of the Marvel stalwarts.

I have to admit I’ve had the Marvel Superhero fatigue for a while now and have even avoided watching some of the studio’s recent offerings. There are too many now, and everything seems to be having an Avengers hangover. Just when I was about to write off Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio has sprung a surprise with Thunderbolts- a film that is aware of the weight of fatigue that it carries but turns the Avengers sub plot on its head and delivers a refreshing take on the super hero world post the exit of the Marvel stalwarts. The film, directed by Jack Shreier and featuring Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh and others, also tackles mental health in the most effective way possible in a story of reluctant, has-been superheroes. The Plot of Thunderbolts The film begins with Yelena (Pugh) going about her job as an assassin with a feeling of loneliness and a void within. When CIA head Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) assigns her a new task, this time to go to an undisclosed facility and eliminate possible intruders, Yelena decides it will be her last assignment. However, she is in for a surprise as she finds other ‘agents’ of Valentina too at the facility, all wanting to kill each other, as that’s what they have all been assigned. Pedro Pascal supports transgender rights at Thunderbolts London premiere So Yelena finds herself meeting John Walker, aka US Agent(Wyatt Russell), Ava Star, aka Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), and Bob (Lewis Pullman) at the facility. Initially trying to outdo each other, with Bob only trying to save himself, the group soon realise that evil motives of Valentina, who herself is undergoing impeachment for her various illegal practices. Valentina wants all of them killed, but the reluctant heroes, along with Bucky(Stan) and Alexei Shostakov(David Harbour) join forces to expose Valentina. The CIA chief, however, has bigger plans and thinks one step ahead of the newly formed Thunderbolts and uses Bob’s secret powers to create havoc on the streets of New York. 'I hope it resonates': Thunderbolts director shares insights into how they set up the Sentry's MCU debut What works in Thunderbolts The fact that a superhero film doesn’t take itself very seriously is in itself very refreshing. At one point, Yelena declares, ‘We are all losers, ’ which is perhaps a first for the Marvel Superhero Universe. Eric Pearson’s story is aware of the baggage it carries- that it has to cater to an audience that is still not over Avengers and may not be in the years to come. Yet, Pearson and Joanna Calo’s deft screenplay uses Avengers to its advantage. The writers assemble a group of has-beens who know their shortcomings and what led them to the facility in the first place. They all are battling some inner demons, they all have faltered and thus, they are more human and less superhero. The film addresses depression, lonliness, the feeling of emptiness within the realms of superhero universe. At one point, it seems that the mental health illness is perhaps the biggest villain and while the solution offered seemed too simple, one must give credit to the writers for atleast talking about it in an overhyped, testortrone filled super hero universe where the heroes mostly lack the emotion of sadness. The Fantastic Four: First Step's new promo art gives us a detailed look at the new outfits of Marvel's first family Thunderbolts is also a fun watch. While the makers talk of depression and mental illnesses, they also stay true to the original plot and pack in stunts, smart repartees, and humorous situations in plenty, making Thunderbolts a quintessential Marvel entertainer. Pugh as the straight face weary Yelena is the star of the show and is an able successor of the Black Widow legacy. Complementing her is actor Lewis Pullman as Bob, the mestiroiuous man in the facility who has unknown powers. Bob and Yelena form a formidable bond and it is nice to see their scenes together. Thunderbolts Photograph: (X) What doesn’t work The Avengers' legacy looms large. While the makers smartly tackle the narrative, giving a unique spin to the hunderbolts, the film sticks to the similar template of Marvel’s pervious movies. Its approach to dealing with Mental Health also seems to simplistic. Is Shah Rukh Khan collaborating with Marvel Cinematic Universe for a new project? Final verdict Thunderbolts are indeed the 'New Avengers', as the film pitches itself. But unlike the OGs, these guys are flawed humans wanting to make a difference and at the same time cashing in on their newfound fame (don’t miss the end credits). Last year’s Deadpool and Wolverine had somewhat instilled hopes within scores of Marvel fans (including this writer) that may MCU hasn’t fully lost its sheen. Thunderbolts reiterates that fact. It is a wholesome film that entertains you, gives you things to think about, and sets your heart pumping with its stunts. Thunderbolts is releasing on May 1. In pics: Marvel's Thunderbolts: From Black Widow to Winter Soldier, who plays what

Thunderbolts review: The ‘new Avengers’ bring back Marvel’s lost glory

Ajay Devgn is back in full form as the Income Tax officer Amay Patnaik in Raid 2 as he fights off corruption and money-hungry politicians. Raid 2 pits Ajay Devgn&rsquo;s officer against corrupt and power-hungry politician Dadabhai aka Riteish Deshmukh in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase. Raid 2 is as good as the first film which became a huge sensation at the box office and continues a good run for the franchise.&nbsp;
Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 delivers its promise of being nail-biting till the end although it does feel a bit lengthy towards the end. The film, however, manages to still keep you hooked and not drag like most films do when you can predict the ending of a good prevails over evil saga.&nbsp;
Riteish is brilliant in every frame. He is vicious, perverse, deceitful and you can&rsquo;t stop looking at him when he does what he does as Dadabhai &ndash; a man considered too good to be true and exalted as God by the people of Bhoj. He plays the unsuspecting politician who has made helping the poor his motto, and it's only Amay who is able to unmask the real Dadabhai.&nbsp;
How he makes the people around him believe in his false narrative is what the story tells us through twists and turns. The songs also fare well and complement the story.&nbsp;
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/580x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/57f1a5cc-4be.jpg" alt="Riteish" style="width: 580px;">
Ajay and Vaani Kapoor&rsquo;s chemistry also deserves a mention. The two look good with each other. While it is Amay and Dadabhai&rsquo;s film, Vaani does do more than just acting as a beautiful face. &nbsp;
<h2>What works</h2>
Raid 2 is gripping, its engaging, it tells us a new story of fight against corrupt people in power. It has some great acting from the leading actors. Both Ajay and Riteish are in top form. Ajay does justice once again in the cop role. Riteish shines as vile politician who hoards the entire city&rsquo;s money while playing saint.&nbsp;
The story impresses with its shock value as fans keep guessing where he&rsquo;s stashed all the black money &ndash; gold, immovable assets, cash, and more.&nbsp;
Saurabh Shukla strikes again in the film as Tau Ji from Raid. His story gets a follow-up in Raid 2 as he&rsquo;s shown revelling in Amay&rsquo;s actions. He&rsquo;s brilliant as the scornful Tau Ji who desperately wants Amy to fail only to become his cheerleader towards the end.&nbsp;
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pakistani-artists-fawad-khan-atif-aslams-account-still-visible-in-india-9020565" aria-label="Pakistani artists Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam's accounts still visible in India">Pakistani artists Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam's accounts still visible in India</a></h2>
Amit Sial as Income Tax officer in Ajay Devgn's team is convincing as corrupt officer who worships money. He is believable as a man who thinks its okay to not be honest in a system that compensates the corrupt. It's a delight to watch Amit Sial on the screen.&nbsp;
Watch trailer of Raid 2:&nbsp;
<iframe width="642" height="361" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kQF1gl7nLaU" title="RAID 2 (TRAILER): Ajay D | Riteish D | Vaani K | Raj K | Abhishek P | Kumar M | Bhushan K, Krishan K" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>What doesn&rsquo;t&nbsp;</h2>
The only thing that could have made the film tighter is the length. A crisp 20 minutes editing would have made the film tighter because honestly towards the end, everyone knew Dadabhai&rsquo;s fate and were expecting it to end.&nbsp;

Entertainment Bollywood Raid 2 movie review: Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh impress in this good vs evil drama about an officer standing tall against corruption.

Ajay Devgn is back in full form as the Income Tax officer Amay Patnaik in Raid 2 as he fights off corruption and money-hungry politicians. Raid 2 pits Ajay Devgn’s officer against corrupt and power-hungry politician Dadabhai aka Riteish Deshmukh in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase. Raid 2 is as good as the first film which became a huge sensation at the box office and continues a good run for the franchise. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 delivers its promise of being nail-biting till the end although it does feel a bit lengthy towards the end. The film, however, manages to still keep you hooked and not drag like most films do when you can predict the ending of a good prevails over evil saga. Riteish is brilliant in every frame. He is vicious, perverse, deceitful and you can’t stop looking at him when he does what he does as Dadabhai – a man considered too good to be true and exalted as God by the people of Bhoj. He plays the unsuspecting politician who has made helping the poor his motto, and it's only Amay who is able to unmask the real Dadabhai. How he makes the people around him believe in his false narrative is what the story tells us through twists and turns. The songs also fare well and complement the story. Ajay and Vaani Kapoor’s chemistry also deserves a mention. The two look good with each other. While it is Amay and Dadabhai’s film, Vaani does do more than just acting as a beautiful face. What works Raid 2 is gripping, its engaging, it tells us a new story of fight against corrupt people in power. It has some great acting from the leading actors. Both Ajay and Riteish are in top form. Ajay does justice once again in the cop role. Riteish shines as vile politician who hoards the entire city’s money while playing saint. The story impresses with its shock value as fans keep guessing where he’s stashed all the black money – gold, immovable assets, cash, and more. Saurabh Shukla strikes again in the film as Tau Ji from Raid. His story gets a follow-up in Raid 2 as he’s shown revelling in Amay’s actions. He’s brilliant as the scornful Tau Ji who desperately wants Amy to fail only to become his cheerleader towards the end. Pakistani artists Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam's accounts still visible in India Amit Sial as Income Tax officer in Ajay Devgn's team is convincing as corrupt officer who worships money. He is believable as a man who thinks its okay to not be honest in a system that compensates the corrupt. It's a delight to watch Amit Sial on the screen. Watch trailer of Raid 2: What doesn’t The only thing that could have made the film tighter is the length. A crisp 20 minutes editing would have made the film tighter because honestly towards the end, everyone knew Dadabhai’s fate and were expecting it to end.

Raid 2 movie review: Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh stand tall in this gripping cat-and-mouse drama

The timing is unintentionally perfect. Emraan Hashmi starrer military biopic Ground Zero releases just days after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. While the film is set in the early 2000s and talks of a BSF commandant, Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, the film is set in Kashmir &ndash; a state that is being discussed widely at present. The situation from the early 2000s to the present day may vary, but the enemy &ndash; terrorism remains the same. But despite its relevance to the nation's current mood, Ground Zero is a typical military biopic that Bollywood has churned out in dozens since time immemorial. Does the film leave a defining impact? Let&rsquo;s find out.
<h2>Plot of Ground Zero</h2>
Emraan Hashmi dons the uniform to play a daredevil BSF commandant, Narendra Dubey. Posted in Kashmir at a time when Jaish-e-Mohammad orchestrated several major terror attacks across the country, Dubey is given charge to work in coordination with the IB in Delhi and hunt the terror outfit&rsquo;s chief, Ghazi Baba. The man is considered the mastermind of several terror attacks across the country, including the 2001 Parliament Attack and 2003 Akshardham Temple attack, which makes him one of the deadliest terrorists. As Dubey and co set out on nabbing Ghazi Baba, they have very little information about him.,
The man operates from shadows and gives sermons in code. No one knows how he looks, and how one can reach him. To get to him, Dubey knows he first has to crack the pistol gang, which recruits young college boys and offers them a meager amount in exchange for one Fauji&rsquo;s life.
Dubey befriends a local Kashmiri boy who eventually becomes his access to the secret terror outfits with a possible link to the main man, working from the heart of Srinagar. But can Dubey reach Gazi Baba, forms the rest of the story.
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/i-was-in-no-state-to-go-aamir-khan-cancels-apperance-at-andaz-apna-apna-re-release-after-pahalgam-attack-8999829" aria-label="'I was in no state to go': Aamir Khan cancels appearance at Andaz Apna Apna re-release after Pahalgam attack">'I was in no state to go': Aamir Khan cancels appearance at Andaz Apna Apna re-release after Pahalgam attack</a>
<h2>The writing&nbsp;</h2>
Written by Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava, Ground Zero has a very no-fuss, no-frills linear narrative. While the focus remains on the military and its extensive hunt for the mastermind, the film also focuses on Dubey&rsquo;s family life, where his wife Jaya (Sai Tamhankar) provides him the familial support that a man of his stature and nature needs.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ground-zero-poster-emraan-hashmi-to-play-a-bsf-commandant-in-action-flick-8895911">Ground Zero poster: Emraan Hashmi to play a BSF Commandant in action flick</a>
While the action sequences are edgy, delivering several tense moments, the film&rsquo;s drama elements are less impactful. Considering Dubey is shown to be a daredevil, he often gets impulsive and breaks protocols, which has repercussions. The writers never flesh out the scenes where Dubey is ridden by guilt, nor does the script give Hashmi the scope to experiment and give his character more depth. It&rsquo;s a one-tone character, who knows how to be on field and kill the bad guy, nothing more. The screenplay is also very predictable. You almost know who will die at what point and what flashbacks montages will be played out to mourn the character&rsquo;s end throughout the film.
<h2>What works</h2>
Military biopics tend to lean towards chest-thumping patriotism, blaming and over-the-top jingoism. To its credit, Ground Zero steers clear of such tropes. Instead, Dubey is shown as a man who has faith in the locals, who doesn&rsquo;t want to kill them arbitrarily or put them in jail, but understands the issue at hand and befriends them.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-emraan-hashmi-and-mallika-sherawat-reunite-at-an-event-20-years-after-their-fight-on-murder-sets-710616">Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat reunite at an event 20 years after their fight on Murder sets</a>
Hashmi and Tamhankar are good in their roles, even though their characters don&rsquo;t have many layers. Zoya Hussain plays an IB officer who seems unnecessarily hyper.
Shot in Kashmir, the frames by cinematographer Kamaljeet Negi are beautiful,l and the aerial and panoramic shots depict the beauty of the valley well.
Ground Zero is well-intended but doesn&rsquo;t offer anything new. Kashmir and terrorism in the state a topic that evokes strong emotions among all of us.&nbsp;Ground Zero provides a tried and tested story. It oscillates between presenting facts as they are and being a commercial action thriller. The result is ultimately middling.
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pakistani-actors-hania-amir-fawad-khan-and-others-condemn-pahalgam-terror-attack-8998392" aria-label="'Tragedy for all of us': Pakistani actors Hania Amir, Fawad Khan and others condemn Pahalgam terror attack">'Tragedy for all of us': Pakistani actors Hania Amir, Fawad Khan and others condemn Pahalgam terror attack</a>
&nbsp;

Entertainment Despite its relevance to the nation's current mood, Ground Zero is a typical military biopic that Bollywood has churned out in dozens since time immemorial. Does the film leave a defining impact? Let’s find out.

The timing is unintentionally perfect. Emraan Hashmi starrer military biopic Ground Zero releases just days after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. While the film is set in the early 2000s and talks of a BSF commandant, Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, the film is set in Kashmir – a state that is being discussed widely at present. The situation from the early 2000s to the present day may vary, but the enemy – terrorism remains the same. But despite its relevance to the nation's current mood, Ground Zero is a typical military biopic that Bollywood has churned out in dozens since time immemorial. Does the film leave a defining impact? Let’s find out. Plot of Ground Zero Emraan Hashmi dons the uniform to play a daredevil BSF commandant, Narendra Dubey. Posted in Kashmir at a time when Jaish-e-Mohammad orchestrated several major terror attacks across the country, Dubey is given charge to work in coordination with the IB in Delhi and hunt the terror outfit’s chief, Ghazi Baba. The man is considered the mastermind of several terror attacks across the country, including the 2001 Parliament Attack and 2003 Akshardham Temple attack, which makes him one of the deadliest terrorists. As Dubey and co set out on nabbing Ghazi Baba, they have very little information about him., The man operates from shadows and gives sermons in code. No one knows how he looks, and how one can reach him. To get to him, Dubey knows he first has to crack the pistol gang, which recruits young college boys and offers them a meager amount in exchange for one Fauji’s life. Dubey befriends a local Kashmiri boy who eventually becomes his access to the secret terror outfits with a possible link to the main man, working from the heart of Srinagar. But can Dubey reach Gazi Baba, forms the rest of the story. 'I was in no state to go': Aamir Khan cancels appearance at Andaz Apna Apna re-release after Pahalgam attack The writing Written by Sanchit Gupta and Priyadarshee Srivastava, Ground Zero has a very no-fuss, no-frills linear narrative. While the focus remains on the military and its extensive hunt for the mastermind, the film also focuses on Dubey’s family life, where his wife Jaya (Sai Tamhankar) provides him the familial support that a man of his stature and nature needs. Ground Zero poster: Emraan Hashmi to play a BSF Commandant in action flick While the action sequences are edgy, delivering several tense moments, the film’s drama elements are less impactful. Considering Dubey is shown to be a daredevil, he often gets impulsive and breaks protocols, which has repercussions. The writers never flesh out the scenes where Dubey is ridden by guilt, nor does the script give Hashmi the scope to experiment and give his character more depth. It’s a one-tone character, who knows how to be on field and kill the bad guy, nothing more. The screenplay is also very predictable. You almost know who will die at what point and what flashbacks montages will be played out to mourn the character’s end throughout the film. What works Military biopics tend to lean towards chest-thumping patriotism, blaming and over-the-top jingoism. To its credit, Ground Zero steers clear of such tropes. Instead, Dubey is shown as a man who has faith in the locals, who doesn’t want to kill them arbitrarily or put them in jail, but understands the issue at hand and befriends them. Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat reunite at an event 20 years after their fight on Murder sets Hashmi and Tamhankar are good in their roles, even though their characters don’t have many layers. Zoya Hussain plays an IB officer who seems unnecessarily hyper. Shot in Kashmir, the frames by cinematographer Kamaljeet Negi are beautiful,l and the aerial and panoramic shots depict the beauty of the valley well. Ground Zero is well-intended but doesn’t offer anything new. Kashmir and terrorism in the state a topic that evokes strong emotions among all of us. Ground Zero provides a tried and tested story. It oscillates between presenting facts as they are and being a commercial action thriller. The result is ultimately middling. 'Tragedy for all of us': Pakistani actors Hania Amir, Fawad Khan and others condemn Pahalgam terror attack

Ground Zero review: Emraan Hashmi’s Kashmir drama is well-intended yet lacks the thrills

A day before Kesari Chapter 2 was released in theatres, the film&rsquo;s leading hero, Akshay Kumar, who plays Sir C Sankaran Nair in the film, urged the media at the film&rsquo;s premiere to not miss the film's beginning. While Kumar has a point since the first scene depicts the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in great detail- which serves as the backdrop of this courtroom drama, it still is a difficult scene to watch.&nbsp;
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre has been represented in books, films, and poems for years now. The tragedy shook the Indian conscience back then and till date continues to be one of the biggest blunders that the British committed while they ruled over our country. Director Karan Singh Tyagi&rsquo;s film Kesari Part 2 highlights the incidents that followed the massacre and how a certain anglicized advocate who had received Knighthood for his pro-British work changed sides and spoke up against the brutality.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Plot of Kesari Part 2<o:p></o:p></h2>
C Sankaran Nair is a successful lawyer who is known to fight on behalf of the British in court. Awarded with Knighthood, Sir Nair is given the task of being the only Indian in the enquiry committee set up to investigate the massacre. Nair&rsquo;s presence is seen as a token representation by the British, who know his allegiance lies with them. But while investigating the case, and an encounter with one of the survivors (Krish Rao), Nair suddenly realises he is on the wrong side, fighting on behalf of the oppressors.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<img alt="Still from Kesari Chapter 2" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/18/kesari-3-693881.png" style="width: 1280px;">
Along with young law college graduate Dilreet Gill ( Ananya Panday), Nair sues General Dyer &ndash; the man and the Crown, for conspiracy and genocide. Representing the British is Neville McKinley &ndash; a half-Brit and half Indian man- who accepts the case just to settle an old score with Nair. How the British Empire arm twists the jury and tries every trick in the book to save Dyer forms the rest of the story.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-apology-is-bound-to-happen-akshay-kumar-wants-king-charles-to-watch-kesari-chapter-2-8953606">'The apology is bound to happen': Akshay Kumar wants King Charles to watch Kesari Chapter 2</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">The writing of Kesari Chapter 2</h2>
A spiritual sequel of Kesari, the film is a taut&nbsp;courtroom drama that works for its premise, its writing, and smart performances by the actors. It has been over 100 years since General Dyer and his army ruthlessly fired at innocent people at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Since then, the tragedy has been replayed in several films and books and remains one of the most important chapters in the Indian freedom struggle. Most of us have studied in school about the tragedy and how it became a catalyst for subsequent events in the freedom struggle. Presenting such a well-documented event on screen is not easy. Sure, most of us are not aware of the case that followed, but writers Amritpal Singh Bindra and Tyagi ensure that the screenplay is riveting and engaging. Courtroom dramas, too, are tricky to write and enact, as long, drawn-out dialogues and the limited physical movement of actors can be a drag after a point. But the writing of Kesari Chapter 2 is solid and keeps the viewers hooked throughout. They keep the subplots almost minimal, which helps to keep the focus on the main plot intact for the viewers. Impactful dialogues by Sumit Saxena help the taught screenplay and the overall narrative.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<img alt="Still from Kesari Chapter 2" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/18/kesari1-346036.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kesari-chapter-2-akshay-kumar-urges-fans-not-to-be-late-and-miss-out-on-the-movies-powerful-opening-scene-8974507">Kesari Chapter 2: Akshay Kumar urges fans not to be late and miss out on the movie's powerful opening scene</a>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan in top form</h2>
The actors are all in top form. Akshay Kumar&rsquo;s stardom looms large only in the beginning when his character is introduced with a Kathakali performance. I am willing to ignore the brief Kathakali performance simply because Kumar delivers a smart, compelling performance, never going overboard with his expressions and emotions. Giving him company is R Madhavan as his rival, Neville McKinley, an angsty lawyer who wants to put Nair down with a court verdict on Dyer. The face-off between the two actors at court is well enacted, with both Kumar and Madhavan delivering smart performances.<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-defends-salman-khan-amid-sikandar-failure-tiger-zinda-hai-8968605">Akshay Kumar defends Salman Khan amid Sikandar failure: 'Tiger Zinda Hai'</a>
The women have limited scope but are equally good. Regina Cassandra plays Kumar&rsquo;s supportive wife and has very limited screen time and dialogues. Ananya Panday plays a catalyst for Nair, as the spirited young lawyer Dilreet, who eventually shows her idol, Nair, the mirror about the British and their atrocities. Panday also delivers a restrained performance and is effective. &nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<figure class="image"><img alt="Still from Kesari Chapter 2" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/18/jl2gOn934IRTI11NPYGF.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Still from Kesari Chapter 2 Photograph: (X)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;
Kesari Chapter 2 isn&rsquo;t devoid of flaws, though. The end monologue of Akshay Kumar somehow seems slightly long. The usage of Punjabi music to introduce a gutsy South Indian protagonist also seems misplaced. Panday&rsquo;s Victorian-style blouses and sarees sometimes shift focus from her performance. The film also plays to the gallery. The gore in the Jallianwala Bagh scene is over the top, obviously to evoke strong emotions among viewers. Then a brief interaction between Nair and Dyer in the restroom is to bring in cheer from the crowd in the theatres. But these flaws can be overlooked in a film that rides high on nationalism. Overall film wins for its story and performances.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-7g08INMSI?si=YSJJyf9nDUdhAB0r" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Final verdict</h2>
One can&rsquo;t help but draw comparisons between what&rsquo;s shown on screen to the present day. At one point, Nair is shown asking some pertinent questions related to General Dyer to Tirath Singh (Amit Sial), the legal advisor to Punjab Governor Michael Francis O'Dwyer. Singh misconstrues them as complaints to which Nair responds, &ldquo;If my questions are interpreted as complaints, so be it.&rdquo; The line holds true to this date, as often questioning the government is misinterpreted as complaints. There are also moments where it's shown how the British tried to gag the press and suppress facts after the massacre to control the crowd&rsquo;s emotions. Buying and influencing the press and suppressing facts continues to date, and Kesari Chapter 2 makes you think hard on whether India, after independence, has been able to change drastically.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/when-r-madhavan-was-fooled-by-ai-video-of-cristiano-ronaldo-praising-virat-kohli-8688155">When R Madhavan was fooled by AI video of Cristiano Ronaldo praising Virat Kohli</a>
Based on the book&nbsp;The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, Kesari Chapter 2 may have taken a few artistic liberties here and there, but it is still very relevant and an important watch. While the massacre remains etched in our collective memory, it is important to know what happened afterwards and how Indians fought back. <o:p></o:p>
Kesari Chapter 2 is not to be missed. <o:p></o:p>

Bollywood | Entertainment Director Karan Singh Tyagi’s film Kesari Part 2 highlights the incidents that followed the massacre and how a certain anglicized advocate changed sides and spoke up against the brutality.

A day before Kesari Chapter 2 was released in theatres, the film’s leading hero, Akshay Kumar, who plays Sir C Sankaran Nair in the film, urged the media at the film’s premiere to not miss the film's beginning. While Kumar has a point since the first scene depicts the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in great detail- which serves as the backdrop of this courtroom drama, it still is a difficult scene to watch. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre has been represented in books, films, and poems for years now. The tragedy shook the Indian conscience back then and till date continues to be one of the biggest blunders that the British committed while they ruled over our country. Director Karan Singh Tyagi’s film Kesari Part 2 highlights the incidents that followed the massacre and how a certain anglicized advocate who had received Knighthood for his pro-British work changed sides and spoke up against the brutality. Plot of Kesari Part 2 C Sankaran Nair is a successful lawyer who is known to fight on behalf of the British in court. Awarded with Knighthood, Sir Nair is given the task of being the only Indian in the enquiry committee set up to investigate the massacre. Nair’s presence is seen as a token representation by the British, who know his allegiance lies with them. But while investigating the case, and an encounter with one of the survivors (Krish Rao), Nair suddenly realises he is on the wrong side, fighting on behalf of the oppressors. Along with young law college graduate Dilreet Gill ( Ananya Panday), Nair sues General Dyer – the man and the Crown, for conspiracy and genocide. Representing the British is Neville McKinley – a half-Brit and half Indian man- who accepts the case just to settle an old score with Nair. How the British Empire arm twists the jury and tries every trick in the book to save Dyer forms the rest of the story. 'The apology is bound to happen': Akshay Kumar wants King Charles to watch Kesari Chapter 2 The writing of Kesari Chapter 2 A spiritual sequel of Kesari, the film is a taut courtroom drama that works for its premise, its writing, and smart performances by the actors. It has been over 100 years since General Dyer and his army ruthlessly fired at innocent people at the Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Since then, the tragedy has been replayed in several films and books and remains one of the most important chapters in the Indian freedom struggle. Most of us have studied in school about the tragedy and how it became a catalyst for subsequent events in the freedom struggle. Presenting such a well-documented event on screen is not easy. Sure, most of us are not aware of the case that followed, but writers Amritpal Singh Bindra and Tyagi ensure that the screenplay is riveting and engaging. Courtroom dramas, too, are tricky to write and enact, as long, drawn-out dialogues and the limited physical movement of actors can be a drag after a point. But the writing of Kesari Chapter 2 is solid and keeps the viewers hooked throughout. They keep the subplots almost minimal, which helps to keep the focus on the main plot intact for the viewers. Impactful dialogues by Sumit Saxena help the taught screenplay and the overall narrative. Kesari Chapter 2: Akshay Kumar urges fans not to be late and miss out on the movie's powerful opening scene Akshay Kumar and R Madhavan in top form The actors are all in top form. Akshay Kumar’s stardom looms large only in the beginning when his character is introduced with a Kathakali performance. I am willing to ignore the brief Kathakali performance simply because Kumar delivers a smart, compelling performance, never going overboard with his expressions and emotions. Giving him company is R Madhavan as his rival, Neville McKinley, an angsty lawyer who wants to put Nair down with a court verdict on Dyer. The face-off between the two actors at court is well enacted, with both Kumar and Madhavan delivering smart performances. Akshay Kumar defends Salman Khan amid Sikandar failure: 'Tiger Zinda Hai' The women have limited scope but are equally good. Regina Cassandra plays Kumar’s supportive wife and has very limited screen time and dialogues. Ananya Panday plays a catalyst for Nair, as the spirited young lawyer Dilreet, who eventually shows her idol, Nair, the mirror about the British and their atrocities. Panday also delivers a restrained performance and is effective. Still from Kesari Chapter 2 Photograph: (X) Kesari Chapter 2 isn’t devoid of flaws, though. The end monologue of Akshay Kumar somehow seems slightly long. The usage of Punjabi music to introduce a gutsy South Indian protagonist also seems misplaced. Panday’s Victorian-style blouses and sarees sometimes shift focus from her performance. The film also plays to the gallery. The gore in the Jallianwala Bagh scene is over the top, obviously to evoke strong emotions among viewers. Then a brief interaction between Nair and Dyer in the restroom is to bring in cheer from the crowd in the theatres. But these flaws can be overlooked in a film that rides high on nationalism. Overall film wins for its story and performances. Final verdict One can’t help but draw comparisons between what’s shown on screen to the present day. At one point, Nair is shown asking some pertinent questions related to General Dyer to Tirath Singh (Amit Sial), the legal advisor to Punjab Governor Michael Francis O'Dwyer. Singh misconstrues them as complaints to which Nair responds, “If my questions are interpreted as complaints, so be it.” The line holds true to this date, as often questioning the government is misinterpreted as complaints. There are also moments where it's shown how the British tried to gag the press and suppress facts after the massacre to control the crowd’s emotions. Buying and influencing the press and suppressing facts continues to date, and Kesari Chapter 2 makes you think hard on whether India, after independence, has been able to change drastically. When R Madhavan was fooled by AI video of Cristiano Ronaldo praising Virat Kohli Based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat, Kesari Chapter 2 may have taken a few artistic liberties here and there, but it is still very relevant and an important watch. While the massacre remains etched in our collective memory, it is important to know what happened afterwards and how Indians fought back. Kesari Chapter 2 is not to be missed.

Kesari Chapter 2 review: Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan are impactful in a riveting film about Jallianwala Bagh massacre

Chhorii 2 Movie Review: In Vishal Furia&rsquo;s&nbsp;Chhorri 2, metaphors stand tall. Long steel chains, deep wells, extended veils, flickering lights and a never-ending maze - all signifying the horrors of being a woman in a man&rsquo;s world.
<h2>Chhorii 2 Movie Review</h2>
Its protagonist fights misogyny, patriarchy, blind faith, superstitions and age-old evil of child marriages among other societal beliefs. But in the quest of delivering social messages, the spooks take a massive hit.&nbsp;
<h2>Plot of Chhorii 2</h2>
Seven years after the events of Chhorii, Sakshi (Nushrratt Bharrucha) is happily staying with her daughter Ishani (Hardika Das). The 7-year-old girl suffers from a rare condition where she gets instantly burnt in the sun and so, darkness is her ally. She&rsquo;s either at home or covered top to bottom when stepping out. But one fateful night, revenge and vengeance claw their way into their happy little world.&nbsp;
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The mother-daughter duo is now back in the same cursed village and sugarcane fields they once fled. They are trapped in a cave where there&rsquo;s an Adimanav, who feeds on &lsquo;seva&rsquo; and &lsquo;samarpan&rsquo; from young girls, a Daasi maa (Soha Ali Khan) who aides the caveman in his &lsquo;healing&rsquo; quest, young and old torchbearers of toxic misogyny, and corpses gunning for revenge, among other elements.&nbsp;
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What primarily worked for Chhorii when it released in 2021 was that it balanced the chills and thrills with its messaging about female infanticide. But the sequel fails to do just that. The weight of its social commentary is unfortunately borne by its thrills - that rarely get you to the edge of your seat. The supernatural characters, too, fail to evoke any horrors.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d4VVkwTw3x4?si=Ku7hrHlrBPsOsEIs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>Battle between two women</h2>
Chhorii 2 attempts to juxtapose the battles of its two women - Sakshi and Daasi - and that&rsquo;s where much of its potential lies. Nushrratt Bharrucha is convincing as a mother going pillar to post to rescue her daughter and fighting on behalf of all those who&rsquo;ve been wronged. She musters the strength of them all and puts on a fierce show. Soha Ali Khan delivers a decent performance as the supernatural Daasi - one does wish her character had more agency, though. &nbsp;
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Hardika Sharma is impressive in her part and her scenes with both Sakshi and Daasi are executed well. The characters of Samar (Gashmeer Mahajani), who plays the police officer supporting Sakshi and Ishani, and Adimanav, who the entire village is trying to appease, lose steam soon enough. While it&rsquo;s understandable that societal beliefs are the story&rsquo;s main villains, a powerful supernatural villainous character would&rsquo;ve done no harm.&nbsp;
The film&rsquo;s pulse lies in its messaging, cinematography and production - particularly in a scene where Sakshi finds herself lost in a maze in a dungeon. It&rsquo;s powerful and reflective of the societal shackles women find themselves trapped in - but alas, just like the film, the scene runs long enough to bore you out of it.&nbsp;
<h3>Where to watch Chhorii 2? (OTT Platform)</h3>
Chhorii 2 is streaming on Prime Video.&nbsp;
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Chhorii 2 Movie Review: Chhorii 2 attempts to juxtapose the battles of its two women - Sakshi and Daasi - and that’s where much of its potential lies. The film’s pulse lies in its messaging, cinematography, and production.

Chhorii 2 Movie Review: In Vishal Furia’s Chhorri 2, metaphors stand tall. Long steel chains, deep wells, extended veils, flickering lights and a never-ending maze - all signifying the horrors of being a woman in a man’s world. Chhorii 2 Movie Review Its protagonist fights misogyny, patriarchy, blind faith, superstitions and age-old evil of child marriages among other societal beliefs. But in the quest of delivering social messages, the spooks take a massive hit. Plot of Chhorii 2 Seven years after the events of Chhorii, Sakshi (Nushrratt Bharrucha) is happily staying with her daughter Ishani (Hardika Das). The 7-year-old girl suffers from a rare condition where she gets instantly burnt in the sun and so, darkness is her ally. She’s either at home or covered top to bottom when stepping out. But one fateful night, revenge and vengeance claw their way into their happy little world. G20 Movie Review: Viola Davis and Antony Starr can't save this boring Die Hard clone The mother-daughter duo is now back in the same cursed village and sugarcane fields they once fled. They are trapped in a cave where there’s an Adimanav, who feeds on ‘seva’ and ‘samarpan’ from young girls, a Daasi maa (Soha Ali Khan) who aides the caveman in his ‘healing’ quest, young and old torchbearers of toxic misogyny, and corpses gunning for revenge, among other elements. Chhorii 2 : Release date, teaser and cast - everything you need to know about the horror thriller What primarily worked for Chhorii when it released in 2021 was that it balanced the chills and thrills with its messaging about female infanticide. But the sequel fails to do just that. The weight of its social commentary is unfortunately borne by its thrills - that rarely get you to the edge of your seat. The supernatural characters, too, fail to evoke any horrors. Battle between two women Chhorii 2 attempts to juxtapose the battles of its two women - Sakshi and Daasi - and that’s where much of its potential lies. Nushrratt Bharrucha is convincing as a mother going pillar to post to rescue her daughter and fighting on behalf of all those who’ve been wronged. She musters the strength of them all and puts on a fierce show. Soha Ali Khan delivers a decent performance as the supernatural Daasi - one does wish her character had more agency, though. Nushrratt Bharuccha recounts how she escaped the deadly Hamas attack on Israel: Watch Hardika Sharma is impressive in her part and her scenes with both Sakshi and Daasi are executed well. The characters of Samar (Gashmeer Mahajani), who plays the police officer supporting Sakshi and Ishani, and Adimanav, who the entire village is trying to appease, lose steam soon enough. While it’s understandable that societal beliefs are the story’s main villains, a powerful supernatural villainous character would’ve done no harm. The film’s pulse lies in its messaging, cinematography and production - particularly in a scene where Sakshi finds herself lost in a maze in a dungeon. It’s powerful and reflective of the societal shackles women find themselves trapped in - but alas, just like the film, the scene runs long enough to bore you out of it. Where to watch Chhorii 2? (OTT Platform) Chhorii 2 is streaming on Prime Video. Soha Ali Khan appreciates hubby Kunal Kemmu's work in 'Abhay 3'

Chhorii 2 Movie Review: Spooks take a hit amidst social messaging in Nushrratt Bharuccha’s film

There are good films, not-so-good films and then there are Salman Khan films. Unless one is an ardent fan of the actor, one has to tread with caution when one is watching a Salman Khan film. You know you must ignore logic, practicality and even technical finesse while watching Salman's films. His latest Eid release, Sikandar, has Salman Khan once again in a larger-than-life role, flexing muscles at regular intervals and helping those in need at other times. But is the AR Murugadoss film worth a watch? Let's find out.
<h2>Plot of Sikandar</h2>
In a world of evil politicians and corrupt officials, Sikandar aka Sanjay Rajkot is a man of principles and a do-gooder. He may not follow the rules, has cases piled up against him, but he is revered as the King of Rajkot, and his people (praja) are ready to fight for him in order to protect him.&nbsp;
A mid-air scuffle with Prateik Babbar- who plays the son of a Mumbai politician- leads to the cops and the politician himself go after him. In Rajkot, the authorities are not able to touch him. He has an army to protect him. However, one fateful night, his wife, Sai Shree (Rashmika Mandanna), gets killed. Mourning her death, Sikandar then goes to Mumbai to meet the recipients of his dead wife's organs, but with goons, politicians and police after him- will he be able to meet the recipients and help them forms the rest of the story.
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<h2>Salman has aged and looks tired</h2>
Sikandar obviously has been made to glorify &nbsp;Salman Khan. And while he flexes his muscles and takes on goons double his size through the film, the actor looks tired. Khan, who was reportedly nursing a rib injury during the making of the film, seems to have aged. Khan is no longer in top form - his dancing, his stunts seem to have been designed keeping in mind the actor's age and injuries, and yet he is unable to do justice to the task in hand.&nbsp;
Salman also sleepwalks through his role. In some of the most crucial scenes where the actor is expected to emote, Salman's performance is flat and doesn't uplift the convoluted story which has been written by Murugadoss.&nbsp;
Since Salman is so below average in the film, the rest of the actors, including leading lady Rashmika Mandanna and actor Sharman Joshi, try hard to uplift the film with equally mediocre performances. The film also features Kajal Aggarwal, who almost seems like a robot delivering dialogues. Anjani Dewan is very limited in an over-the-top character. Equally hammy are Prateik Babbar and veteran Telugu star Sathyaraj as the antagonists.&nbsp;
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The first half of the film takes too long to establish the plot as Sikandar meanders around Mumbai city looking for the people who have his wife's organs. You almost think it's a story of repentance, but in the second half, when the action begins, the film starts becoming incoherent. By the time the film reaches its climax- with all the key characters gathering in one place- the film has completely lost its plot.&nbsp;
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A moment in the film has a crowd- cordoned off at an enclosure- watching Salman take on 200 goons single-handedly. No one steps forward to help him even though they look disturbed and scared, but they watch on as Salman uses showels and blades to hack the mean guys.&nbsp;
The sub-plots are not well established and some of the characters come and go arbitrarily.&nbsp;
<h2>The Pan-India template</h2>
Sikandar also falls in the template of what we nowadays call a Pan-India film where Bollywood stars work in a film which is helmed by a south filmmaker and has elements of south massy actioners. And so the action sequences will be rustic in nature. No guns or bazookas, heroes take on the villains with knives, shovels and swords. Elements which have been used in blockbusters previously and hence deemed as fit for any Pan-India template. The heroines too are from the south, making it a film that will draw crowds in the north as well as the south.&nbsp;
Sadly, the template is now losing its sheen, and Sikandar is a prime example of that. The leading man looks tired, the heroine paired opposite him is trying too hard to make the pair look great and the film has more cringe moments than ones that can make you laugh or enjoy.&nbsp;
Sikandar releases a day before Eid with the intent to appeal to the family audience, but after a wholesome meal with family, the film will serve as the perfect lullaby for afternoon siesta.&nbsp;
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Bollywood | Entertainment Sikandar has been made to glorify  Salman Khan. And while he flexes his muscles and takes on goons double his size through the film, the actor looks tired.

There are good films, not-so-good films and then there are Salman Khan films. Unless one is an ardent fan of the actor, one has to tread with caution when one is watching a Salman Khan film. You know you must ignore logic, practicality and even technical finesse while watching Salman's films. His latest Eid release, Sikandar, has Salman Khan once again in a larger-than-life role, flexing muscles at regular intervals and helping those in need at other times. But is the AR Murugadoss film worth a watch? Let's find out. Plot of Sikandar In a world of evil politicians and corrupt officials, Sikandar aka Sanjay Rajkot is a man of principles and a do-gooder. He may not follow the rules, has cases piled up against him, but he is revered as the King of Rajkot, and his people (praja) are ready to fight for him in order to protect him. A mid-air scuffle with Prateik Babbar- who plays the son of a Mumbai politician- leads to the cops and the politician himself go after him. In Rajkot, the authorities are not able to touch him. He has an army to protect him. However, one fateful night, his wife, Sai Shree (Rashmika Mandanna), gets killed. Mourning her death, Sikandar then goes to Mumbai to meet the recipients of his dead wife's organs, but with goons, politicians and police after him- will he be able to meet the recipients and help them forms the rest of the story. Piracy attack! Salman Khan's Sikandar leaked hours before release, pulled down from 600 websites Salman has aged and looks tired Sikandar obviously has been made to glorify Salman Khan. And while he flexes his muscles and takes on goons double his size through the film, the actor looks tired. Khan, who was reportedly nursing a rib injury during the making of the film, seems to have aged. Khan is no longer in top form - his dancing, his stunts seem to have been designed keeping in mind the actor's age and injuries, and yet he is unable to do justice to the task in hand. Salman also sleepwalks through his role. In some of the most crucial scenes where the actor is expected to emote, Salman's performance is flat and doesn't uplift the convoluted story which has been written by Murugadoss. Since Salman is so below average in the film, the rest of the actors, including leading lady Rashmika Mandanna and actor Sharman Joshi, try hard to uplift the film with equally mediocre performances. The film also features Kajal Aggarwal, who almost seems like a robot delivering dialogues. Anjani Dewan is very limited in an over-the-top character. Equally hammy are Prateik Babbar and veteran Telugu star Sathyaraj as the antagonists. The first half of the film takes too long to establish the plot as Sikandar meanders around Mumbai city looking for the people who have his wife's organs. You almost think it's a story of repentance, but in the second half, when the action begins, the film starts becoming incoherent. By the time the film reaches its climax- with all the key characters gathering in one place- the film has completely lost its plot. L2 Empuraan Review: The Mohanlal & Prithviraj combo is ultimately a letdown A moment in the film has a crowd- cordoned off at an enclosure- watching Salman take on 200 goons single-handedly. No one steps forward to help him even though they look disturbed and scared, but they watch on as Salman uses showels and blades to hack the mean guys. The sub-plots are not well established and some of the characters come and go arbitrarily. The Pan-India template Sikandar also falls in the template of what we nowadays call a Pan-India film where Bollywood stars work in a film which is helmed by a south filmmaker and has elements of south massy actioners. And so the action sequences will be rustic in nature. No guns or bazookas, heroes take on the villains with knives, shovels and swords. Elements which have been used in blockbusters previously and hence deemed as fit for any Pan-India template. The heroines too are from the south, making it a film that will draw crowds in the north as well as the south. Sadly, the template is now losing its sheen, and Sikandar is a prime example of that. The leading man looks tired, the heroine paired opposite him is trying too hard to make the pair look great and the film has more cringe moments than ones that can make you laugh or enjoy. Sikandar releases a day before Eid with the intent to appeal to the family audience, but after a wholesome meal with family, the film will serve as the perfect lullaby for afternoon siesta. Salman Khan defends 31-year age gap with his Sikandar heroine Rashmika Mandanna

Sikandar review: Salman Khan's latest Eid offering puts you to sleep

Prepare to have your world shattered by Netflix's most talked-about limited series of the year while the year is still young, as Adolescence provides a chilling look at how the digital era can transform a normal life into something terrifyingly unfamiliar.
Why is everyone talking about this show? As soon as Adolescence premiered on Netflix, it became an international sensation, with fans transfixed to their screens and critics scrambling for the appropriate words to capture its intensity. The four-part series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of murder following a tragic incident at school.
<h2>Adolescence is more than a crime thriller</h2>
Written by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence is more than just a criminal thriller; it is a timely societal reflection. The show uses real-time storytelling with a continuous shot throughout each episode (one-take episodes), immersing viewers in Jamie's reality and making them feel like invisible witnesses to his family's disintegration. Barantini, who previously created Boiling Point, has used this technique to emulsify an experience that would leave the viewer wanting more.
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This series delves into deeper questions of today&rsquo;s age: How much of our children's lives is influenced by the Internet? How can a seemingly normal child be radicalized by forces beyond comprehension? Stephen Graham's sincere performance as Jamie's father, Eddie Miller, portrays a man struggling with denial, wrath, and immense pain. How can an ordinary normal kid be subjected to forces beyond his imagination, especially when he was asleep knowing what happened? Stephen Graham's honest performance as Jamie's father, Eddie Miller, depicts a man torn between denial, rage, and enormous suffering.
The series powerfully demonstrates how digital manipulation can impact a young person's (or anyone&rsquo;s) life. In one pivotal episode, Jamie is dragged deeper into a web of online influencers who play on his fears, target his insecurities, providing a terrifying depiction of the dangers that many young people face online. While Baby Reindeer focuses on the psychological toll of maturity, Adolescence highlights the perplexing maze that young people must navigate in today's internet-driven culture.
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<h2>A watershed moment</h2>
Adolescence joins the charts of hard-hitting dramas like Baby Reindeer, The Fall, The Night Manager but it stands out for its timely focus on the dangers of online society. The show is more than a thriller; it is a social spectrum on how technology impacts young people's identities and mental health. The series focuses on Jamie's relationship with his family and explores how digital environments can profoundly impact real-world relationships.
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Adolescence is already recognized as one of the most important television shows of 2025, with an impact on the film industry and being a series. It's a scary, present reminder of the darkness that young people face on the internet, and it'll make you question how we connect with technology, our children, and one another. Don't delay&mdash;Adolescence is a watershed moment in television that will make you question everything.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-praises-new-web-series-as-adolescence-while-slamming-netflix-india-8870011">Anurag Kashyap praises new web series Adolescence while slamming OTT platform</a>

Entertainment Adolescence provides a chilling look at how the digital era can transform normal life into something terrifyingly unfamiliar. The four-part series is more than a crime thriller.

Prepare to have your world shattered by Netflix's most talked-about limited series of the year while the year is still young, as Adolescence provides a chilling look at how the digital era can transform a normal life into something terrifyingly unfamiliar. Why is everyone talking about this show? As soon as Adolescence premiered on Netflix, it became an international sensation, with fans transfixed to their screens and critics scrambling for the appropriate words to capture its intensity. The four-part series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller (Owen Cooper), who is accused of murder following a tragic incident at school. Adolescence is more than a crime thriller Written by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne and directed by Philip Barantini, Adolescence is more than just a criminal thriller; it is a timely societal reflection. The show uses real-time storytelling with a continuous shot throughout each episode (one-take episodes), immersing viewers in Jamie's reality and making them feel like invisible witnesses to his family's disintegration. Barantini, who previously created Boiling Point, has used this technique to emulsify an experience that would leave the viewer wanting more. Is Kim Sae Ron’s family hiding the truth about her marriage to target Kim Soo Hyun? YouTuber makes shocking claims This series delves into deeper questions of today’s age: How much of our children's lives is influenced by the Internet? How can a seemingly normal child be radicalized by forces beyond comprehension? Stephen Graham's sincere performance as Jamie's father, Eddie Miller, portrays a man struggling with denial, wrath, and immense pain. How can an ordinary normal kid be subjected to forces beyond his imagination, especially when he was asleep knowing what happened? Stephen Graham's honest performance as Jamie's father, Eddie Miller, depicts a man torn between denial, rage, and enormous suffering. The series powerfully demonstrates how digital manipulation can impact a young person's (or anyone’s) life. In one pivotal episode, Jamie is dragged deeper into a web of online influencers who play on his fears, target his insecurities, providing a terrifying depiction of the dangers that many young people face online. While Baby Reindeer focuses on the psychological toll of maturity, Adolescence highlights the perplexing maze that young people must navigate in today's internet-driven culture. Gripped by Netflix's Adolescence? Here are other similar shows that you should watch | OTT binge-guide Shows like Boiling Point pioneered this type of visceral experience, and Adolescence takes it a step further by immersing viewers in Jamie's disintegrating reality. Stephen Graham's performance as Eddie, who is attempting to understand his son's descent into internet radicalization, adds emotional dimension to the play. It isn't just about crime. A watershed moment Adolescence joins the charts of hard-hitting dramas like Baby Reindeer, The Fall, The Night Manager but it stands out for its timely focus on the dangers of online society. The show is more than a thriller; it is a social spectrum on how technology impacts young people's identities and mental health. The series focuses on Jamie's relationship with his family and explores how digital environments can profoundly impact real-world relationships. Is Kim Sae Ron’s family hiding the truth about her marriage to target Kim Soo Hyun? YouTuber makes shocking claims Adolescence is already recognized as one of the most important television shows of 2025, with an impact on the film industry and being a series. It's a scary, present reminder of the darkness that young people face on the internet, and it'll make you question how we connect with technology, our children, and one another. Don't delay—Adolescence is a watershed moment in television that will make you question everything. Anurag Kashyap praises new web series Adolescence while slamming OTT platform

Adolescence: A gripping Netflix limited-series that will leave you speechless

Police vs the underworld is a trope that Indian cinema has adapted too many times. An honest officer trying to clean the system even as he and his force are outdone by smart crooks who are hand in glove with the powerful leaders is a story well too familiar. Netflix's new series Khakee: The Bengal Chapter falls in a similar category- where an honest and brave IPS officer is out to clean up the city- in this case Kolkata- even as his work is hindered by powerful leaders and local crooks.&nbsp;
Showrunner Neeraj Pandey and directors Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Roy shift the cop drama from rural Bihar (The first part was Khakee: The Bihar Chapter) to the underbelly of Kolkata where goons and politicians work hand in hand and run a nexus of organ trading, kidnapping, real estates and more. Everyone knows that the system is corrupt and people in government are involved but the honest are scared to raise an alarm while the local goons want a piece of the pie.&nbsp;
<h2>Plot of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter</h2>
Arjun Maitra (Jeet) is appointed to investigate the murder of IPS officer Saptarishi Sinha (Parambrata Chatterjee) who was investigating a case of a high-profile kidnapping. Both are honest officers, but their ways of functioning are poles apart. While Saptarishi is played by the books, Arjun is more brazen, sometimes flouting orders just to do what he feels is right. Local mafia lord Bagha (Saswata Chatterjee ) is named as the main culprit behind Saptarishi&rsquo;s murder even though the Bagha is careful to never cross the force. Bagha&rsquo;s aids Sagar (Ritwik Bhowmik) and Ranjit (Aadil Zafar Khan) are also suspects. Bhagha along with his aids is known to be ruthless and has instilled fear among the people in the city.&nbsp;
While investigating the case, Arjun realizes the situation is more murky than it appears. Barun Roy( Prosenjit Chatterjee) a conniving neta runs the show from behind even as CM Shirshendu (Subhasish Mukherjee) is the man giving orders from the front. While the government wants to project it is taking cognizance of the crime in the city and hence appoints an honest officer like Arjun to investigate, members of the ruling party are also involved in the nexus- pocketing good money from real estate deals, organ trading and more.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/sourav-ganguly-to-make-acting-debut-with-khakee-the-bengal-chapter-everything-we-know-8861400">Sourav Ganguly to make acting debut with Khakee: The Bengal Chapter? Everything we know</a>
There is also an opposition leader Nibedita Basak (Chitrangada Singh), a woman in a man&rsquo;s world, raising important issues on the misdeeds of the government.&nbsp;
Things get murky and complicated when Sagar and Ranjit break away from Bagha, yearning to make a name for themselves in politics and power. Sagar, the smarter and calmer of the two even gets a ticket for the local municipal elections, which leads to an ego tussle with Ranjit, the brash and volatile of the two. But a tussle between two goons can lead to blood on the streets of Kolkata and Arjun who already has his hands full, has to get his fingers brunt in the process of setting things right.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OErVaC--Bxk?si=BhoxW1y60JEwxWC_" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>The actors of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter</h2>
The biggest win of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is its casting. It casts some of the most prominent faces of the Bengali film industry and almost all are in top form. Jeet, a bonafide superstar of Bengali commercial cinema, is splendid as the no-nonsense cop Arjun Maitra. The actor has made a name for himself as an action star in a career spanning over three decades. He is in familiar territory, making Arjun Maitra the gritty cop that the narrative needs. Giving him company is the other Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee as the clever, manipulative and cold-blooded politician Barun Roy &ndash; who knows how to get work done, who to let go when needed &ndash; loyalty notwithstanding. It&rsquo;s a joy to watch the two actors pitted against each other on screen.&nbsp;
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kim-soo-hyun-releases-new-statement-amid-kim-sae-ron-dating-controversy-8871588" aria-label="Kim Soo Hyun releases new statement amid Kim Sae Ron dating controversy">Kim Soo Hyun releases new statement amid Kim Sae Ron dating controversy</a></h2>
Those who grew up in Bengal in the 1990s and early 2000s &ndash; would know that Pandey and Netflix pulled a huge casting coup by including these two actors in series. For years, the media has pitted them against each other at the box office and it is for the first time that the two share screen space together in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, and the two stars do not disappoint.&nbsp;
The other actors who shine are Ritwik Bhowmik and Aadil Khan- who are the backbone of the story and represent the underbelly of the 'City of Bhoy (fear) and not joy'. They harbour big dreams and can go to any length to realise them. Both are spectacular in their respective parts.&nbsp; Saswata Chatterjee and Parambrata &ndash; both now well known names in the OTT world &ndash; and stars in their own right in Bengal, are good in the show, even though they have limited screentime.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/ott-releases-of-this-week-march-17-to-march-23-sky-force-khakee-the-bengal-chapter-and-more-8866731">OTT releases of this week (March 17 to March 23) - Sky Force, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter and more!</a>
<h2>What does not work&nbsp;</h2>
Despite a great cast and setting- a lot is shot in actual locations of Kolkata giving it an authentic feel- the series runs its predictable course. You know which character will go rogue at what point in the story, you know there is a mole in the force and the action sequences do not offer anything out of this world. While the show begins on a very engaging note, one seems to lose interest halfway due to the sluggish narrative. It somewhat gets back its edge towards the end of the series.&nbsp;
The women are there but not doing much. Chitrangada Singh and Akanksha Singh only aid the story, but their characters have limited scope. It is a story of men, male egos and power tussles and showcasing their machismo.&nbsp;
The seven-part series is earnest even though predictable. I do wish they had dwelled deeper in Bengal polictis, which in reality, is never debvoid of thrills and drama.&nbsp; Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, ultimately works for its actors and not so much for its predictable story.&nbsp;
Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is now streaming on Netflix.&nbsp;
<h2 class="gh-archive-page-post-title"><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment-news/officer-on-duty-netizens-praise-kunchacko-bobans-investigation-thriller-after-netflix-debut-8872120" aria-label="Officer on Duty: Netizens praise Kunchacko Boban's investigation thriller after Netflix debut">Officer on Duty: Netizens praise Kunchacko Boban's investigation thriller after Netflix debut</a></h2>

Entertainment The biggest win of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is its casting. It casts some of the most prominent faces of the Bengali film industry and almost all are top form.

Police vs the underworld is a trope that Indian cinema has adapted too many times. An honest officer trying to clean the system even as he and his force are outdone by smart crooks who are hand in glove with the powerful leaders is a story well too familiar. Netflix's new series Khakee: The Bengal Chapter falls in a similar category- where an honest and brave IPS officer is out to clean up the city- in this case Kolkata- even as his work is hindered by powerful leaders and local crooks. Showrunner Neeraj Pandey and directors Debatma Mandal and Tushar Kanti Roy shift the cop drama from rural Bihar (The first part was Khakee: The Bihar Chapter) to the underbelly of Kolkata where goons and politicians work hand in hand and run a nexus of organ trading, kidnapping, real estates and more. Everyone knows that the system is corrupt and people in government are involved but the honest are scared to raise an alarm while the local goons want a piece of the pie. Plot of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter Arjun Maitra (Jeet) is appointed to investigate the murder of IPS officer Saptarishi Sinha (Parambrata Chatterjee) who was investigating a case of a high-profile kidnapping. Both are honest officers, but their ways of functioning are poles apart. While Saptarishi is played by the books, Arjun is more brazen, sometimes flouting orders just to do what he feels is right. Local mafia lord Bagha (Saswata Chatterjee ) is named as the main culprit behind Saptarishi’s murder even though the Bagha is careful to never cross the force. Bagha’s aids Sagar (Ritwik Bhowmik) and Ranjit (Aadil Zafar Khan) are also suspects. Bhagha along with his aids is known to be ruthless and has instilled fear among the people in the city. While investigating the case, Arjun realizes the situation is more murky than it appears. Barun Roy( Prosenjit Chatterjee) a conniving neta runs the show from behind even as CM Shirshendu (Subhasish Mukherjee) is the man giving orders from the front. While the government wants to project it is taking cognizance of the crime in the city and hence appoints an honest officer like Arjun to investigate, members of the ruling party are also involved in the nexus- pocketing good money from real estate deals, organ trading and more. Sourav Ganguly to make acting debut with Khakee: The Bengal Chapter? Everything we know There is also an opposition leader Nibedita Basak (Chitrangada Singh), a woman in a man’s world, raising important issues on the misdeeds of the government. Things get murky and complicated when Sagar and Ranjit break away from Bagha, yearning to make a name for themselves in politics and power. Sagar, the smarter and calmer of the two even gets a ticket for the local municipal elections, which leads to an ego tussle with Ranjit, the brash and volatile of the two. But a tussle between two goons can lead to blood on the streets of Kolkata and Arjun who already has his hands full, has to get his fingers brunt in the process of setting things right. The actors of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter The biggest win of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is its casting. It casts some of the most prominent faces of the Bengali film industry and almost all are in top form. Jeet, a bonafide superstar of Bengali commercial cinema, is splendid as the no-nonsense cop Arjun Maitra. The actor has made a name for himself as an action star in a career spanning over three decades. He is in familiar territory, making Arjun Maitra the gritty cop that the narrative needs. Giving him company is the other Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee as the clever, manipulative and cold-blooded politician Barun Roy – who knows how to get work done, who to let go when needed – loyalty notwithstanding. It’s a joy to watch the two actors pitted against each other on screen. Kim Soo Hyun releases new statement amid Kim Sae Ron dating controversy Those who grew up in Bengal in the 1990s and early 2000s – would know that Pandey and Netflix pulled a huge casting coup by including these two actors in series. For years, the media has pitted them against each other at the box office and it is for the first time that the two share screen space together in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, and the two stars do not disappoint. The other actors who shine are Ritwik Bhowmik and Aadil Khan- who are the backbone of the story and represent the underbelly of the 'City of Bhoy (fear) and not joy'. They harbour big dreams and can go to any length to realise them. Both are spectacular in their respective parts. Saswata Chatterjee and Parambrata – both now well known names in the OTT world – and stars in their own right in Bengal, are good in the show, even though they have limited screentime. OTT releases of this week (March 17 to March 23) - Sky Force, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter and more! What does not work Despite a great cast and setting- a lot is shot in actual locations of Kolkata giving it an authentic feel- the series runs its predictable course. You know which character will go rogue at what point in the story, you know there is a mole in the force and the action sequences do not offer anything out of this world. While the show begins on a very engaging note, one seems to lose interest halfway due to the sluggish narrative. It somewhat gets back its edge towards the end of the series. The women are there but not doing much. Chitrangada Singh and Akanksha Singh only aid the story, but their characters have limited scope. It is a story of men, male egos and power tussles and showcasing their machismo. The seven-part series is earnest even though predictable. I do wish they had dwelled deeper in Bengal polictis, which in reality, is never debvoid of thrills and drama. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, ultimately works for its actors and not so much for its predictable story. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter is now streaming on Netflix. Officer on Duty: Netizens praise Kunchacko Boban's investigation thriller after Netflix debut

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter review: Prosenjit Chatterjee, Ritwik Bhowmik and Jeet's performances alleviate a predictable story

For anyone who&rsquo;s into watching theatre, Phantom Of The Opera is not something you can afford to miss. The play is in Mumbai, India at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Bandra. It is playing from March 5 to March 30 with shows in the afternoons and evenings.&nbsp;
As someone who has watched over 15 Broadway theatre shows including Frozen, Lion King, The Dry House, Mamma Mia, Life of Pi, Matilda and many others, I found Phantom Of The Opera to be the best show ever. Initially, I had heard about the show on social media and assumed it was overhyped but still wanted to give it a try. Also, I didn&rsquo;t exactly think I was into opera music because I almost never understood it.&nbsp;
However, in Act One itself when the chandelier was introduced, I knew the play was like no other. In terms of set production, each individual set for the acts in Phantom Of The Opera is purely unique. The play dragged me to the Victorian era with high-end costumes, mystery, ghastly vibes and a never-before-seen amalgamation of the arts. From watching ballet dancers, opera performances, musical notes and drama on stage, there&rsquo;s a lot to look forward to.&nbsp;
I remember a trip to Vegas where we watched the Bolshoi Ballet show at the Bellagio theatre, memories from that performance came back to me as I watched Phantom Of The Opera. The lead actress Christine could do everything from sing, ballet, opera, high end acting and so much more. I also liked how phantom acted during the play, it was a daring balancing act between being a beauty and beast himself.
For me the Victorian costumes stood out to me during the play. With each costume intricately designed and embroidered, my fellow audience members were seen gasping for breath when the curtains rose and costumes were revealed. I&rsquo;ve never seen the audience react like this - not even during Lion King where each costume is planned and designed. For me, during Phantom Of The Opera, what stood out most was also the audience's reaction.&nbsp;
A part of me could resonate more with Phantom than with Christine. I have always felt like there are some ugly parts of me that I can never show to my partner in a relationship. There are also parts of me that are tough to love and I&rsquo;m scared of being judged. I see myself isolating from the world, from my own thoughts even - only to feel okay with myself. Phantom plays the piano, I sit and write.&nbsp;
For me I was partly heartbroken when phantom&rsquo;s love was not reciprocated by Christine. Phantom gave it his all, he opened his heart, showed his ugliness, displayed the beauty of his affection and kindness. If Phantom can&rsquo;t find love, how can I?&nbsp;
Even though the set was beautiful, dark, gothic, mysterious, and delicate all at once - I could see the darkness of Phantom melting away into the delicate and sweet nature of Christine. The feminist in me wouldn&rsquo;t have approved such a production but this was a theatrical from the Victorian era. It shouldn&rsquo;t be judged for being more than that. While the play might not reflect on our times, it does reflect on the beauty, beast, beauty without the beast and shows how Christine is in a good position to choose what she wants for herself. She doesn&rsquo;t need a man to tell her what she wants in life. She&rsquo;s in love with the Count and there&rsquo;s no dispelling that.&nbsp;
What I loved most about the theatrical was also the set. With a beautiful night room of mirrors, graveyard, dispelling court room that acts as an office space, grand staircase and of course Phantom&rsquo;s stunning house which has ancient candle holders and is set in the middle of a lake. The fact that this Victorian set creates nostalgia and makes us crave for other times that have gone by is a gentle reminder of the world we live in and of what we hold dear.&nbsp;
While words come to those who speak them, the Phantom lurks and takes away musician&rsquo;s voices, killing them, only because Christine isn&rsquo;t his. Pure vengeance. A theatre taking place in a theatre. Almost a double entendre.&nbsp;
What I wished to be different in the play was surely Phantom and Christine ending up together. For if Phantom can be loved, I can be loved too.&nbsp;

Opinions & Blogs | Lifestyle  As someone who has watched over 15 Broadway theatre shows including Frozen, Lion King, The Dry House, Mamma Mia, Life of Pi, Matilda and many others, I found Phantom Of The Opera to be the best show ever

For anyone who’s into watching theatre, Phantom Of The Opera is not something you can afford to miss. The play is in Mumbai, India at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre in Bandra. It is playing from March 5 to March 30 with shows in the afternoons and evenings. As someone who has watched over 15 Broadway theatre shows including Frozen, Lion King, The Dry House, Mamma Mia, Life of Pi, Matilda and many others, I found Phantom Of The Opera to be the best show ever. Initially, I had heard about the show on social media and assumed it was overhyped but still wanted to give it a try. Also, I didn’t exactly think I was into opera music because I almost never understood it. However, in Act One itself when the chandelier was introduced, I knew the play was like no other. In terms of set production, each individual set for the acts in Phantom Of The Opera is purely unique. The play dragged me to the Victorian era with high-end costumes, mystery, ghastly vibes and a never-before-seen amalgamation of the arts. From watching ballet dancers, opera performances, musical notes and drama on stage, there’s a lot to look forward to. I remember a trip to Vegas where we watched the Bolshoi Ballet show at the Bellagio theatre, memories from that performance came back to me as I watched Phantom Of The Opera. The lead actress Christine could do everything from sing, ballet, opera, high end acting and so much more. I also liked how phantom acted during the play, it was a daring balancing act between being a beauty and beast himself. For me the Victorian costumes stood out to me during the play. With each costume intricately designed and embroidered, my fellow audience members were seen gasping for breath when the curtains rose and costumes were revealed. I’ve never seen the audience react like this - not even during Lion King where each costume is planned and designed. For me, during Phantom Of The Opera, what stood out most was also the audience's reaction. A part of me could resonate more with Phantom than with Christine. I have always felt like there are some ugly parts of me that I can never show to my partner in a relationship. There are also parts of me that are tough to love and I’m scared of being judged. I see myself isolating from the world, from my own thoughts even - only to feel okay with myself. Phantom plays the piano, I sit and write. For me I was partly heartbroken when phantom’s love was not reciprocated by Christine. Phantom gave it his all, he opened his heart, showed his ugliness, displayed the beauty of his affection and kindness. If Phantom can’t find love, how can I? Even though the set was beautiful, dark, gothic, mysterious, and delicate all at once - I could see the darkness of Phantom melting away into the delicate and sweet nature of Christine. The feminist in me wouldn’t have approved such a production but this was a theatrical from the Victorian era. It shouldn’t be judged for being more than that. While the play might not reflect on our times, it does reflect on the beauty, beast, beauty without the beast and shows how Christine is in a good position to choose what she wants for herself. She doesn’t need a man to tell her what she wants in life. She’s in love with the Count and there’s no dispelling that. What I loved most about the theatrical was also the set. With a beautiful night room of mirrors, graveyard, dispelling court room that acts as an office space, grand staircase and of course Phantom’s stunning house which has ancient candle holders and is set in the middle of a lake. The fact that this Victorian set creates nostalgia and makes us crave for other times that have gone by is a gentle reminder of the world we live in and of what we hold dear. While words come to those who speak them, the Phantom lurks and takes away musician’s voices, killing them, only because Christine isn’t his. Pure vengeance. A theatre taking place in a theatre. Almost a double entendre. What I wished to be different in the play was surely Phantom and Christine ending up together. For if Phantom can be loved, I can be loved too.

Phantom Of The Opera review: Better than what you would expect it to be

Nadaaniyan review: The trailer of&nbsp;Nadaaniyan- which marks the debut of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's son Ibrahim Ali Khan in Bollywood opposite Sridevi's daughter Khushi Kapoor - had given us all enough hints at how bland a film it would be. When I sat down to watch the movie, my expectations were already low considering that the trailer looked unimpressive. But the film, helmed by Shauna Gautam and backed by Karan Johar's Dharmatic, is far lower than what I had expected it to be. &nbsp;A two-hour bland romance drama, Nadaaniyan makes Gen Z -the film's target audience- look dumb, dumber, dumbest, and its lead characters one dimensional with zero sense of rationale and practicality.&nbsp;
The high school drama is based on the same template of&nbsp;Student Of The Year where students prep for a big competition- in this case- a national Debating competition that secures a spot in an IVY league college - even as they meander to find themselves while falling deep in love. Johar, who directed the two SOTYs has often been blamed for making a flimsy film that was just a launchpad of new star kids, made the flimsy world SOTY still believable but sadly Gautam's take on the high school generation finding love amid choosing career and college is too superfluous and flat.
<h2>Plot of Nadaaniyan</h2>
She is super rich and a popular girl in school. He is the new kid in school who has the looks and the brains. In order to save her friendship with her girl gang, Pia 'hires' Arjun to be her fake boyfriend. She offers money, he needs it to for his future startup and they agree to act to be in love.&nbsp;
Predictably though feelings get in the way and mess things up.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/dupahiya-review-this-delightful-soul-stirring-village-drama-is-a-treat-to-watch-8830533">Dupahiya review: This delightful, soul-stirring village drama is a treat to watch</a> &nbsp; There are also familial issues at hand for Pia, who comes from a dysfunctional family. Her father (Suniel Shetty) and grandfather (Barun Chanda) run the family law firm and have craved to have a male heir to take over the business in due course of time. Her mother (Mahima Chaudhary), unable to provide a son for the family has lived her life mostly in depression which has led to strains in her relationship. The disjointed family is also elitist much like the students of Falcon High where Pia studies. And just like the students, Arjun manages to charm his way into the family's heart with good looks, good looks and good looks.&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img alt="Nadaaniyan " src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/03/07/L2Gx8YfXhCFHZkPuQfXE.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Nadaaniyan Photograph: (X/Netflix)</figcaption>
</figure>
I am not sure if the makers at all took this film seriously while making it because the plot points make you say 'What?' at regular intervals. A woke heroine who right at the beginning of the film tells us she is privileged, is shown to be a closet debater and brainy, even though she is obtuse enough to lie about her relationship and even pay the boy to pay act. The hero- supposed to be a scholarship student and smart- impresses students to make him the captain of the school debating team by showing his six-pack abs. &nbsp;There is also a Prince (Meezaaan Jafri) who makes for a third angle in the film -who sticks to prototypes and keeps addressing himself as 'hum' (we) while living in a palace and being the girl's oldest friend and possibly a fling. Again, the character is unnecessary to the plot and not fleshed out.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ibrahim-ali-khan-is-all-set-to-make-his-debut-in-bollywood-saif-ali-khan-amrita-singh-karan-johar-8663811">'Saif 2.0 loading': Ibrahim Ali Khan all set to make his debut in Bollywood. Deets inside</a>
<h2>Poor acting, poor script</h2>
Ibrahim Ali and Khushi Kapoor- both extremely one-dimensional actors- lack any kind of energy and share zero chemistry. The dialogue delivery is flat, their faces are devoid of any expression and they struggle through emotional as well as romantic scenes. In the past, Johar has launched several star kids, who have fought that nepotism tag and managed to prove their talent as actors in films outside of Dharma. But Ibrahim and Khushi lack any kind of spark and one wonders why are they in the movies at all. Sure, they look good but can vanity alone help them with a long-lasting career in films?
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/a-complete-unknown-review-timothee-chalamets-act-as-bob-dylan-is-worth-an-oscar-nod-8772078">A Complete Unknown review: Timothee Chalamet's act as Bob Dylan is worth an Oscar nod</a>
The older actors- Suniel Shetty, Mahima Chaudhary, Dia Mirza and Jugal Hansraj- who form the parents of these dimwitted kids are credible but the poor script by Riva Razdan Kapoor gives them zero scope to leave any kind of impact. In Dharma's universe, the Noida boy is supposed to be poor (or middle class?) in comparison to the south Delhi rich brat he is fake dating. The same Noida boy still manages to live in a bungalow with his teacher mom and doctor dad and have cozy sit-outs and dinners in the garden with his girl. The rich in this universe are predictably hollow with an amiable bank account and troubled marriages.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bXTsJKcx_fc?si=JgFTNQ7ZzAcTP81-" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp;The problem with Nadaaniyan is that just like its title, the makers assume the audience to be foolish to take in the extremely synthetic universe it has created which focuses on vanity and is woke to just tick boxes.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/is-dharma-productions-creating-a-cinematic-universe-karan-johar-spills-the-beans-exclusive-8734457">Is Dharma Productions creating a cinematic universe? Karan Johar spills the beans</a>
There is Archana Puran Singh - playing Mrs Braganza Malhotra - with a hat tip to her character to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, who wants to learn all the lingo of Gen Z and be woke, There is also a token Orry cameo too - you know - make it more relatable to the younger generation. But just like Singh's character, the film tries too hard to tap into the mood of the Instagram and reel generation - making Nadaaniyan a foolish attempt at romance drama.
Johar may have built a name by creating a superfluous universe early in his career with films like Student Of The Year and characters like Poo and Miss Braganza, but they remain iconic to date. Unfortunately, Nadaaniyan takes Johar's hit template but fails to create a make-believe word convincing.&nbsp; Throughout the film, Khushi's character keeps hitting Ibrahim's character in the arm as he squirms in pain each time. I had the same expression as Ibrahim while watching the two-hour-long movie.&nbsp;
Nadaaniyaan is streaming on Netflix.&nbsp;

Nadaaniyan review | Entertainment  A two-hour bland romance drama, Nadaaniyan makes Gen Z -the film's target audience- look dumb, dumber, dumbest, and its lead characters one dimensional with zero sense of rationale and practicality.

Nadaaniyan review: The trailer of Nadaaniyan- which marks the debut of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh's son Ibrahim Ali Khan in Bollywood opposite Sridevi's daughter Khushi Kapoor - had given us all enough hints at how bland a film it would be. When I sat down to watch the movie, my expectations were already low considering that the trailer looked unimpressive. But the film, helmed by Shauna Gautam and backed by Karan Johar's Dharmatic, is far lower than what I had expected it to be. A two-hour bland romance drama, Nadaaniyan makes Gen Z -the film's target audience- look dumb, dumber, dumbest, and its lead characters one dimensional with zero sense of rationale and practicality. The high school drama is based on the same template of Student Of The Year where students prep for a big competition- in this case- a national Debating competition that secures a spot in an IVY league college - even as they meander to find themselves while falling deep in love. Johar, who directed the two SOTYs has often been blamed for making a flimsy film that was just a launchpad of new star kids, made the flimsy world SOTY still believable but sadly Gautam's take on the high school generation finding love amid choosing career and college is too superfluous and flat. Plot of Nadaaniyan She is super rich and a popular girl in school. He is the new kid in school who has the looks and the brains. In order to save her friendship with her girl gang, Pia 'hires' Arjun to be her fake boyfriend. She offers money, he needs it to for his future startup and they agree to act to be in love. Predictably though feelings get in the way and mess things up. Dupahiya review: This delightful, soul-stirring village drama is a treat to watch There are also familial issues at hand for Pia, who comes from a dysfunctional family. Her father (Suniel Shetty) and grandfather (Barun Chanda) run the family law firm and have craved to have a male heir to take over the business in due course of time. Her mother (Mahima Chaudhary), unable to provide a son for the family has lived her life mostly in depression which has led to strains in her relationship. The disjointed family is also elitist much like the students of Falcon High where Pia studies. And just like the students, Arjun manages to charm his way into the family's heart with good looks, good looks and good looks. Nadaaniyan Photograph: (X/Netflix) I am not sure if the makers at all took this film seriously while making it because the plot points make you say 'What?' at regular intervals. A woke heroine who right at the beginning of the film tells us she is privileged, is shown to be a closet debater and brainy, even though she is obtuse enough to lie about her relationship and even pay the boy to pay act. The hero- supposed to be a scholarship student and smart- impresses students to make him the captain of the school debating team by showing his six-pack abs. There is also a Prince (Meezaaan Jafri) who makes for a third angle in the film -who sticks to prototypes and keeps addressing himself as 'hum' (we) while living in a palace and being the girl's oldest friend and possibly a fling. Again, the character is unnecessary to the plot and not fleshed out. 'Saif 2.0 loading': Ibrahim Ali Khan all set to make his debut in Bollywood. Deets inside Poor acting, poor script Ibrahim Ali and Khushi Kapoor- both extremely one-dimensional actors- lack any kind of energy and share zero chemistry. The dialogue delivery is flat, their faces are devoid of any expression and they struggle through emotional as well as romantic scenes. In the past, Johar has launched several star kids, who have fought that nepotism tag and managed to prove their talent as actors in films outside of Dharma. But Ibrahim and Khushi lack any kind of spark and one wonders why are they in the movies at all. Sure, they look good but can vanity alone help them with a long-lasting career in films? A Complete Unknown review: Timothee Chalamet's act as Bob Dylan is worth an Oscar nod The older actors- Suniel Shetty, Mahima Chaudhary, Dia Mirza and Jugal Hansraj- who form the parents of these dimwitted kids are credible but the poor script by Riva Razdan Kapoor gives them zero scope to leave any kind of impact. In Dharma's universe, the Noida boy is supposed to be poor (or middle class?) in comparison to the south Delhi rich brat he is fake dating. The same Noida boy still manages to live in a bungalow with his teacher mom and doctor dad and have cozy sit-outs and dinners in the garden with his girl. The rich in this universe are predictably hollow with an amiable bank account and troubled marriages. The problem with Nadaaniyan is that just like its title, the makers assume the audience to be foolish to take in the extremely synthetic universe it has created which focuses on vanity and is woke to just tick boxes. Is Dharma Productions creating a cinematic universe? Karan Johar spills the beans There is Archana Puran Singh - playing Mrs Braganza Malhotra - with a hat tip to her character to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, who wants to learn all the lingo of Gen Z and be woke, There is also a token Orry cameo too - you know - make it more relatable to the younger generation. But just like Singh's character, the film tries too hard to tap into the mood of the Instagram and reel generation - making Nadaaniyan a foolish attempt at romance drama. Johar may have built a name by creating a superfluous universe early in his career with films like Student Of The Year and characters like Poo and Miss Braganza, but they remain iconic to date. Unfortunately, Nadaaniyan takes Johar's hit template but fails to create a make-believe word convincing. Throughout the film, Khushi's character keeps hitting Ibrahim's character in the arm as he squirms in pain each time. I had the same expression as Ibrahim while watching the two-hour-long movie. Nadaaniyaan is streaming on Netflix.

Nadaaniyan review: Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor's film is completely unnecessary

Dupahiya review: Some shows win hearts for their innocence, and Amazon Prime Video's&nbsp;Dupahiyaa is among those shows. The heart of this show is its simple story, which is told through a humour-packed plot with a fantastic cast. Due to the show&rsquo;s rural setup, many viewers may find it to be on the same landscape as Panchayat, which I wouldn't deny, but Dupahiyaa stands out for how nicely the story is woven with strong performances. There are a few points where the depiction of rural life is overdone, but that can be ignored (from the viewers' point of view).
Directed by Sonam Nair, Dupahiyaa wins for its simplicity, which settles well with social commentary on dowry, migration of rural people and much more.
<h2>Dupahiyaa - the plot</h2>
The show is set in Dhadakpur, India's only crime-free fictional village, where no crime has taken place in the last 24 years. It opens with the Jha family talking to set up the marriage of their daughter to a village boy who is going to live in Mumbai. To say yes to the marriage, the groom demands a motorbike. The father of the bride, Banwari Jha (Gajraj Rao), says yes, and the preparation for the marriage begins.
After gathering the money, the family buys the bike. However, their lives are turned upside down when the bike gets stolen. Now, the family cannot register an FIR because it would break the village&rsquo;s 24-year record of being crime-free. So, what will the Jha family and the entire village do? Will they be able to find the bike, or will the marriage be cancelled? That&rsquo;s what the rest of the series is all about.&nbsp;
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/0x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/f9e7d629-ac8.png" alt="" style="width: 0px;">Set around the nine days before Roshni's wedding, the series shows many plots running parallely at the same time without overlapping such as Banwari&rsquo;s daughter Roshni&rsquo;s (Shivani Raghuvanshi) wedding, her brother Bhugol&rsquo;s (Sparsh Shrivastava) and ex-boyfriend Amavas' (Bhuvan Arora) attempt to arrange a bike before the wedding, Panchayat member Pushpalata&rsquo;s struggles to keep Dhadakpur&rsquo;s crime-free status and much more.&nbsp;
<h2>What works in the show</h2>
''Ab Pahunchi ho sadak tum gaanv, jab poora gaanv sheher jaa chuka hai (Oh road, you've reached the road now, when the entire village has gone to the city)'' -&nbsp;Hindi poet Mahesh Chandra Punetha.
This quote at the start of the show encapsulates the core issue of migration from rural to urban areas, which has significantly increased in India in recent years. Making this quote the focal point of the show, the nine-episode series is also a humorous commentary on the dowry system, how beauty standards are influenced by skin colour and other significant societal issues.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/nadaaniyan-movie-review-collection-star-cast-ibrahim-ali-khan-khushi-kapoor-film-release-date-netflix-audience-reaction-8831068">Nadaaniyan review: Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor's film is completely unnecessary</a>
Writers Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg have created a heartfelt and innocent series filled with warmth, making this chaotic journey of finding a bike truly entertaining.
The adventure of finding a bike is made even more enjoyable by the cast, who skillfully balances humour, suspense, and love, making the show truly wholesome.&nbsp;
<img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/580x0/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/post_attachments/f0c14123-d1d.png" alt="" style="width: 580px;">
As I mentioned earlier, this show will often remind you of TVF's beloved series,&nbsp;Panchayat. At times, it may even feel like a spin-off, as the story takes place in a similar village setup like Phullera. It wouldn't be a bad idea if the makers explored the possibility of a crossover between these two series in the future.
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/a-complete-unknown-review-timothee-chalamets-act-as-bob-dylan-is-worth-an-oscar-nod-8772078">A Complete Unknown review: Timothee Chalamet's act as Bob Dylan is worth an Oscar nod</a>
Capturing the essence of the village in the best way possible, every nook and corner of this fictional rural world is sketched well with the progressive dynamics infused in the plot, as Roshni refuses to marry, and her father supports her. Then there is Pushpalata, the village head and mother of Nirmala, a knowledgeable girl who struggles with self-confidence issues due to her dark skin. A key aspect of the story is the strong bond between mother and daughter as they navigate life in a male-dominated society, showcasing their mutual support towards each other.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YZ1S3Jvegz4?si=Sw0TaDVVu7T7Hesb" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
In one scene of the series, one character says, "Sheher aur gaaon mein kya farak hota hai? Sheher mein aapka dukh aapka, lekin gaon mein, aapka dukh poore gaaon ka dukh (What is a difference between a city and a village? In city, your problem in yours, but in village, your problem is whole village's problem)" - this line and scene of the show is a perfect example of how human bonds are actually in rural world.
Talking about the performances, Gajraj Rao brilliantly portrays multiple shades of his character, leading the show exceptionally well. Sparsh Shrivastava, known for his roles in shows like Jamtara and, most recently, Laapataa Ladies, delivers an enjoyable performance as Bhugol, a village boy and the bride's brother. Although he projects a strong image, deep down, he is an emotional, caring, and simple young man who longs for his father's approval.
In addition to the leads, actors playing other characters of the show, including Amavas (Bhuvan Arora), Mithilesh (Yashpal Sharma), Rohini (Shivani Raghuvanshi), and Pushpalata (Renuka Shahane), delivered outstanding performances.
The show is presented excellently, with the perfect dialect, although several gimmicky moments take if off-track. However, it quickly gets back on the path. Much like Panchayat, the USP of the show is its simplicity, infused with ample doses of emotion. While comedy does take a backseat at times and might not give you big laughs, it ensures that a smile remains on the viewer's face throughout.

Dupahiya review | Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg have created a heartfelt and innocent series filled with warmth, making this chaotic journey of finding a bike a motorcycle truly entertaining.

Dupahiya review: Some shows win hearts for their innocence, and Amazon Prime Video's Dupahiyaa is among those shows. The heart of this show is its simple story, which is told through a humour-packed plot with a fantastic cast. Due to the show’s rural setup, many viewers may find it to be on the same landscape as Panchayat, which I wouldn't deny, but Dupahiyaa stands out for how nicely the story is woven with strong performances. There are a few points where the depiction of rural life is overdone, but that can be ignored (from the viewers' point of view). Directed by Sonam Nair, Dupahiyaa wins for its simplicity, which settles well with social commentary on dowry, migration of rural people and much more. Dupahiyaa - the plot The show is set in Dhadakpur, India's only crime-free fictional village, where no crime has taken place in the last 24 years. It opens with the Jha family talking to set up the marriage of their daughter to a village boy who is going to live in Mumbai. To say yes to the marriage, the groom demands a motorbike. The father of the bride, Banwari Jha (Gajraj Rao), says yes, and the preparation for the marriage begins. After gathering the money, the family buys the bike. However, their lives are turned upside down when the bike gets stolen. Now, the family cannot register an FIR because it would break the village’s 24-year record of being crime-free. So, what will the Jha family and the entire village do? Will they be able to find the bike, or will the marriage be cancelled? That’s what the rest of the series is all about. Set around the nine days before Roshni's wedding, the series shows many plots running parallely at the same time without overlapping such as Banwari’s daughter Roshni’s (Shivani Raghuvanshi) wedding, her brother Bhugol’s (Sparsh Shrivastava) and ex-boyfriend Amavas' (Bhuvan Arora) attempt to arrange a bike before the wedding, Panchayat member Pushpalata’s struggles to keep Dhadakpur’s crime-free status and much more. What works in the show ''Ab Pahunchi ho sadak tum gaanv, jab poora gaanv sheher jaa chuka hai (Oh road, you've reached the road now, when the entire village has gone to the city)'' - Hindi poet Mahesh Chandra Punetha. This quote at the start of the show encapsulates the core issue of migration from rural to urban areas, which has significantly increased in India in recent years. Making this quote the focal point of the show, the nine-episode series is also a humorous commentary on the dowry system, how beauty standards are influenced by skin colour and other significant societal issues. Also read: Nadaaniyan review: Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor's film is completely unnecessary Writers Avinash Dwivedi and Chirag Garg have created a heartfelt and innocent series filled with warmth, making this chaotic journey of finding a bike truly entertaining. The adventure of finding a bike is made even more enjoyable by the cast, who skillfully balances humour, suspense, and love, making the show truly wholesome. As I mentioned earlier, this show will often remind you of TVF's beloved series, Panchayat. At times, it may even feel like a spin-off, as the story takes place in a similar village setup like Phullera. It wouldn't be a bad idea if the makers explored the possibility of a crossover between these two series in the future. Also read:A Complete Unknown review: Timothee Chalamet's act as Bob Dylan is worth an Oscar nod Capturing the essence of the village in the best way possible, every nook and corner of this fictional rural world is sketched well with the progressive dynamics infused in the plot, as Roshni refuses to marry, and her father supports her. Then there is Pushpalata, the village head and mother of Nirmala, a knowledgeable girl who struggles with self-confidence issues due to her dark skin. A key aspect of the story is the strong bond between mother and daughter as they navigate life in a male-dominated society, showcasing their mutual support towards each other. In one scene of the series, one character says, "Sheher aur gaaon mein kya farak hota hai? Sheher mein aapka dukh aapka, lekin gaon mein, aapka dukh poore gaaon ka dukh (What is a difference between a city and a village? In city, your problem in yours, but in village, your problem is whole village's problem)" - this line and scene of the show is a perfect example of how human bonds are actually in rural world. Talking about the performances, Gajraj Rao brilliantly portrays multiple shades of his character, leading the show exceptionally well. Sparsh Shrivastava, known for his roles in shows like Jamtara and, most recently, Laapataa Ladies, delivers an enjoyable performance as Bhugol, a village boy and the bride's brother. Although he projects a strong image, deep down, he is an emotional, caring, and simple young man who longs for his father's approval. In addition to the leads, actors playing other characters of the show, including Amavas (Bhuvan Arora), Mithilesh (Yashpal Sharma), Rohini (Shivani Raghuvanshi), and Pushpalata (Renuka Shahane), delivered outstanding performances. The show is presented excellently, with the perfect dialect, although several gimmicky moments take if off-track. However, it quickly gets back on the path. Much like Panchayat, the USP of the show is its simplicity, infused with ample doses of emotion. While comedy does take a backseat at times and might not give you big laughs, it ensures that a smile remains on the viewer's face throughout.

Dupahiya review | This delightful, soul-stirring village drama is a treat to watch

Iconic musician Bob Dylan may be one of the icons of music, but as an individual, the artist preferred to be somewhat of a recluse. His provocative lyrics may have motivated and inspired many in the 1960s when American society was undergoing civil unrest and change, but Dylan's rise to stardom also came with issues with mentor Pete.&nbsp;
James Mangold's A Complete Unknown chronicles the iconic legend Bob Dylan's initial years of activism and stardom in the 1960s, when American society was undergoing massive change amid the civil rights movement. Dylan's enduring stardom and relevance lie in the fact that the singer's words may move people and make them think, but his life is shrouded with mystery&mdash;with him living a quiet, private life despite popularity&mdash;for all these years. Based on Elijah Wald&rsquo;s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties&mdash;Mangold's film showcases a young Dylan (played by Timothee Chalamet) and his rise as a musician and a thought-provoking artist even as he switched from acoustic to electric guitar.&nbsp;
Written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, A Complete Unkown focuses on four crucial years when Dylan made a shift&mdash;from singing covers in his first album to becoming an artist to reckon with. The film also highlights his professional collaboration with artist Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), the influence of his girlfriend Sylvie (Eklle Fanning), who introduced him to counterculture movements prevalent in America in the 1960s, and his relationship with mentor of sorts Pete Seeger (Edward Nortan). The film spans over three consecutive Newport Folk Festivals. The initial year has him collaborating with Baez, in the second year, he walks off mid-stage when asked to play his hit song, and the third has him transitioning into a star folk singer who refuses to bow down to traditional methods and chooses to sing what he wishes to despite being the top draw on the finale.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2025-live-updates-news-97th-academy-awards-check-nominees-winners-list-red-carpet-performances-photos-videos-news-8771596">LIVE | Oscars 2025: Final predictions - Who will win the golden trophy?</a>
<h2>Plot&nbsp;</h2>
Dylan arrives in New York City in 1961 and within four years revitalises folk music with his words and music. While his background is never explored, at one point his girlfriend asks him why he never talks about his origin, but it is brushed off by the man and never addressed later.&nbsp; While visiting his ailing hero Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), Dylan runs into renowned folk singer Pete Seeger, who impressed by his music, takes him home and becomes a mentor. Seeger and his wife Toshi (Eriko Hatsune) watch over Dylan&rsquo;s steady progress as a star musician whose popularity only grows with time.&nbsp;
<h2>Music and performances</h2>
While Dylan's background remains sketchy in the film, with the makers mostly concentrating on the singer who made it big in New York, the film is rich with Dylan's iconic songs- all impressively performed by Chalamet himself. Where words fail for the singer, his music speaks for him, make A Complete Unknown a beautiful musical ode to the Nobel laureate.&nbsp;
Along with Dylan, Baez too is celebrated. The folk musician was ahead of her time and shared a complicated personal as well as professional relationship with Dylan. Both Chalamet as Dylan and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez are outstanding. The scenes where two artists are seen admiring and jamming together are performed by the actors earnestly. Both Chalamet and Barbaro, nominated for Oscars 2025, make these iconic musicians come alive in A Complete Unknown.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2025-live-free-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-97th-academy-awards-online-tv-broadcast-ott-in-india-us-8771795">Oscars 2025 Free Live Streaming | How to watch on TV and streaming</a> The film serves as a valuable insight into Dylan's evergreen persona. In his 80s and mostly away from the limelight, Dylan and his music continue to inspire generations of musicians and artists and leave a defining impact. A Complete Unknown shows the genius musician and his ability to adapt and become a power to reckon with. Still, Mangold also manages to highlight the stubborn individual that the singer has been who has been nonchalant about the attention he has got - almost reluctant - and yet has been egoistical to reject the love that has come his way. A Complete Unknown doesn't whitewash Dylan even when it glorifies his activism and music, and perhaps that's what makes the film special.&nbsp; Nominated in multiple categories at the Oscars, A Complete Unknown is running in theatres across India.&nbsp;

Entertainment | Hollywood: The film serves as a valuable insight into Dylan's evergreen persona. In his 80s and mostly away from the limelight, Dylan and his music continue to inspire generations of musicians till date.

Iconic musician Bob Dylan may be one of the icons of music, but as an individual, the artist preferred to be somewhat of a recluse. His provocative lyrics may have motivated and inspired many in the 1960s when American society was undergoing civil unrest and change, but Dylan's rise to stardom also came with issues with mentor Pete. James Mangold's A Complete Unknown chronicles the iconic legend Bob Dylan's initial years of activism and stardom in the 1960s, when American society was undergoing massive change amid the civil rights movement. Dylan's enduring stardom and relevance lie in the fact that the singer's words may move people and make them think, but his life is shrouded with mystery—with him living a quiet, private life despite popularity—for all these years. Based on Elijah Wald’s 2015 book Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties—Mangold's film showcases a young Dylan (played by Timothee Chalamet) and his rise as a musician and a thought-provoking artist even as he switched from acoustic to electric guitar. Written by Mangold and Jay Cocks, A Complete Unkown focuses on four crucial years when Dylan made a shift—from singing covers in his first album to becoming an artist to reckon with. The film also highlights his professional collaboration with artist Joan Baez (Monica Barbaro), the influence of his girlfriend Sylvie (Eklle Fanning), who introduced him to counterculture movements prevalent in America in the 1960s, and his relationship with mentor of sorts Pete Seeger (Edward Nortan). The film spans over three consecutive Newport Folk Festivals. The initial year has him collaborating with Baez, in the second year, he walks off mid-stage when asked to play his hit song, and the third has him transitioning into a star folk singer who refuses to bow down to traditional methods and chooses to sing what he wishes to despite being the top draw on the finale. LIVE | Oscars 2025: Final predictions - Who will win the golden trophy? Plot Dylan arrives in New York City in 1961 and within four years revitalises folk music with his words and music. While his background is never explored, at one point his girlfriend asks him why he never talks about his origin, but it is brushed off by the man and never addressed later. While visiting his ailing hero Woody Guthrie (Scoot McNairy), Dylan runs into renowned folk singer Pete Seeger, who impressed by his music, takes him home and becomes a mentor. Seeger and his wife Toshi (Eriko Hatsune) watch over Dylan’s steady progress as a star musician whose popularity only grows with time. Music and performances While Dylan's background remains sketchy in the film, with the makers mostly concentrating on the singer who made it big in New York, the film is rich with Dylan's iconic songs- all impressively performed by Chalamet himself. Where words fail for the singer, his music speaks for him, make A Complete Unknown a beautiful musical ode to the Nobel laureate. Along with Dylan, Baez too is celebrated. The folk musician was ahead of her time and shared a complicated personal as well as professional relationship with Dylan. Both Chalamet as Dylan and Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez are outstanding. The scenes where two artists are seen admiring and jamming together are performed by the actors earnestly. Both Chalamet and Barbaro, nominated for Oscars 2025, make these iconic musicians come alive in A Complete Unknown. Oscars 2025 Free Live Streaming | How to watch on TV and streaming The film serves as a valuable insight into Dylan's evergreen persona. In his 80s and mostly away from the limelight, Dylan and his music continue to inspire generations of musicians and artists and leave a defining impact. A Complete Unknown shows the genius musician and his ability to adapt and become a power to reckon with. Still, Mangold also manages to highlight the stubborn individual that the singer has been who has been nonchalant about the attention he has got - almost reluctant - and yet has been egoistical to reject the love that has come his way. A Complete Unknown doesn't whitewash Dylan even when it glorifies his activism and music, and perhaps that's what makes the film special. Nominated in multiple categories at the Oscars, A Complete Unknown is running in theatres across India.

A Complete Unknown review: Timothee Chalamet's act as Bob Dylan is worth an Oscar nod

In Reema Kagti's Superboys of Malegaon, Hindi cinema comes to Malegaon. The film is based on the real-life story of filmmaker Nasir Shaikh and his friends who with a shoestring budget, and limited resources made feature films that became blockbuster hits in Malegaon. Written by Varun Grover, Kagti's film stars Adarsh Gaurav, Vineet Kumar Singh and Shashank Arora among others, and is one of the most heartfelt and beautiful ode to cinema in recent years.
<h2>Plot&nbsp;</h2>
When Nasir (Adarsh Gaurav) and his family-run video parlour is sealed by the cops on charges of screening pirated films, he decides to make his own film and screen it for the people of Malegaon. He gathers a motley group of people - mostly his childhood friends- to play various parts in the movie. Farokh (Vineet Kumar), a poet and writer for the local newspaper, is given charge of the script. While he wants to make a film based on a murder mystery set in Malegaon, Nasir persuades him to write a spoof on the cult classic Sholay. Thus, Malegaon ki Sholay is made- complete with Jai, Veeru, Thaur and Basmati (Basanti ) who spoof their way into the hearts of the people of Malegaon.&nbsp;
The group's first film is a bonafide hit but with success the dynamics in the group's friendship also change. Farokh and Nasir are first to fall out with Farokh reiterating that 'Writer baap hai' while Nasir challenges him to go make it big in Mumbai.
Other friends of Nasir too leave him after the group realises that the success of the film is solely being credited to him. Things change when one of them is diagnosed with cancer (Arora) as they all put their differences aside and come together to create an original film.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jl6XYTGTKFQ?si=qC_ZKJebGM4xP2Du" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>The little moments make Superboys of Malegaon special</h2>
Much like the men on screen, you enjoy watching these underdogs come of their own in the 131-minute-long film. &nbsp;The comedy-drama is spruced with heartfelt moments that make Superboys of Malegaon truly a heartwarming film. A scene where all the friends gather for a meal putting aside years of differences just to make that one sick friend happy tugs at your heartstrings, and then the whole audition sequence brings a smile to your face. A conversation about first love and one-sided love between a newly married couple strikes a chord while a young man's clever enterprising ways of generating funds for his feature film makes you understand his obsession.&nbsp;
<h2>Performances in the film</h2>
The actors are all splendid. Kagti with casting director Nandini Shrikent gathers a bunch of talented actors who make their respective characters their own. Adarsh Gaurav, as Nasir Sheikh, the enterprising film director steers the narrative with his terrific performance. Giving him company is Vineet Kumar as Farokh the writer, who has several personal demons to deal with even as he reluctantly agrees to Nasir's vision. Shashank Arora is a revelation as Shafique, who plays Superman of Malegaon. Arora particularly shines in the second half of the film and the final scene is bound to bring a lump to your throat.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/adarsh-gouravs-superboys-of-malegaon-gets-standing-ovation-at-tiff-758831">Adarsh Gourav&rsquo;s Superboys Of Malegaon gets standing ovation at TIFF</a>
While the film celebrates brotherhood and friendship, it also has strong women characters. Manjiri Pupala plays dancer Trupti, a woman who becomes Nasir's heroine in most films. She lives a dual life- one of an artist who is self-assured of her craft and the other as a victim of domestic abuse at home. Some of her scenes with Arora are poignant and touching.&nbsp;
Muskkaan Jaferi portrays Shabeena, Nasir's childhood friend and wife who is the pillar of support to her husband's lofty ideas and helps him in doing the right thing.&nbsp;
<h2>Final verdict&nbsp;</h2>
There is not a single dull moment in the film. Grover's writing is seamless and keeps the narrative light and engaging even when it talks of death illnesses and heartbreaks. The film makes you laugh and cry happy tears and you end up rooting for these men who dared to dream big.&nbsp;
With ample references to classic and cinema legends like Sholay, Bruce Lee, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin- Superboys of Malegaon is a sublime love letter to cinema. It talks of friendship, believing in dreams, and achieving them in the most beautiful way possible.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/chhaava-review-vicky-kaushal-brings-maratha-grandeur-of-shivajis-son-in-blood-soaked-period-drama-8720201">Chhaava Review: Vicky Kaushal brings grandeur of Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj's son in blood-soaked period drama</a>
Superboys of Malegaon is releasing in theatres on February 28.&nbsp;
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Bollywood | Entertainment With ample references to classic and cinema legends- Reema Kagti's Superboys of Malegaon is a sublime love letter to cinema. It talks of friendship, believing in dreams, and achieving them in the most beautiful way possible.

In Reema Kagti's Superboys of Malegaon, Hindi cinema comes to Malegaon. The film is based on the real-life story of filmmaker Nasir Shaikh and his friends who with a shoestring budget, and limited resources made feature films that became blockbuster hits in Malegaon. Written by Varun Grover, Kagti's film stars Adarsh Gaurav, Vineet Kumar Singh and Shashank Arora among others, and is one of the most heartfelt and beautiful ode to cinema in recent years. Plot When Nasir (Adarsh Gaurav) and his family-run video parlour is sealed by the cops on charges of screening pirated films, he decides to make his own film and screen it for the people of Malegaon. He gathers a motley group of people - mostly his childhood friends- to play various parts in the movie. Farokh (Vineet Kumar), a poet and writer for the local newspaper, is given charge of the script. While he wants to make a film based on a murder mystery set in Malegaon, Nasir persuades him to write a spoof on the cult classic Sholay. Thus, Malegaon ki Sholay is made- complete with Jai, Veeru, Thaur and Basmati (Basanti ) who spoof their way into the hearts of the people of Malegaon. The group's first film is a bonafide hit but with success the dynamics in the group's friendship also change. Farokh and Nasir are first to fall out with Farokh reiterating that 'Writer baap hai' while Nasir challenges him to go make it big in Mumbai. Other friends of Nasir too leave him after the group realises that the success of the film is solely being credited to him. Things change when one of them is diagnosed with cancer (Arora) as they all put their differences aside and come together to create an original film. The little moments make Superboys of Malegaon special Much like the men on screen, you enjoy watching these underdogs come of their own in the 131-minute-long film. The comedy-drama is spruced with heartfelt moments that make Superboys of Malegaon truly a heartwarming film. A scene where all the friends gather for a meal putting aside years of differences just to make that one sick friend happy tugs at your heartstrings, and then the whole audition sequence brings a smile to your face. A conversation about first love and one-sided love between a newly married couple strikes a chord while a young man's clever enterprising ways of generating funds for his feature film makes you understand his obsession. Performances in the film The actors are all splendid. Kagti with casting director Nandini Shrikent gathers a bunch of talented actors who make their respective characters their own. Adarsh Gaurav, as Nasir Sheikh, the enterprising film director steers the narrative with his terrific performance. Giving him company is Vineet Kumar as Farokh the writer, who has several personal demons to deal with even as he reluctantly agrees to Nasir's vision. Shashank Arora is a revelation as Shafique, who plays Superman of Malegaon. Arora particularly shines in the second half of the film and the final scene is bound to bring a lump to your throat. Adarsh Gourav’s Superboys Of Malegaon gets standing ovation at TIFF While the film celebrates brotherhood and friendship, it also has strong women characters. Manjiri Pupala plays dancer Trupti, a woman who becomes Nasir's heroine in most films. She lives a dual life- one of an artist who is self-assured of her craft and the other as a victim of domestic abuse at home. Some of her scenes with Arora are poignant and touching. Muskkaan Jaferi portrays Shabeena, Nasir's childhood friend and wife who is the pillar of support to her husband's lofty ideas and helps him in doing the right thing. Final verdict There is not a single dull moment in the film. Grover's writing is seamless and keeps the narrative light and engaging even when it talks of death illnesses and heartbreaks. The film makes you laugh and cry happy tears and you end up rooting for these men who dared to dream big. With ample references to classic and cinema legends like Sholay, Bruce Lee, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin- Superboys of Malegaon is a sublime love letter to cinema. It talks of friendship, believing in dreams, and achieving them in the most beautiful way possible. Chhaava Review: Vicky Kaushal brings grandeur of Maratha King Shivaji Maharaj's son in blood-soaked period drama Superboys of Malegaon is releasing in theatres on February 28. Govinda-Sunita divorce rumours: Actor’s manager confirms issues between them, says 'she has sent a legal notice'

Superboys of Malegaon review: A charming ode to cinema, brotherhood and big dreams

Netflix Dhoom Dhaam Review: A series of events and misadventures transpiring&nbsp;over the course of a night is a trope that Bollywood has used in many films. Some have been mystery thrillers and some situational comedies.
<h2>Netflix Dhoom Dhaam Movie Review</h2>
Netflix's new film Dhoom Dhaam falls in the latter category where a newly married couple - Prateek Gandhi and Yami Gautam- are on the run from alleged goons across Mumbai - both looking for a certain Charlie. Filmmaker Rishabh Seth merges chaos and comedy- again a tried and tested combination- and delivers a light breezy situation comedy that brings in the laughs and makes you enjoy the 108-minute-long film.&nbsp;
<h2>The Plot of Dhoom Dhaam</h2>
Arranged marriages are scary&nbsp;and especially when you barely get to spend time with your partner before tying the knot. Yet scores of people willingly jump in only to be left surprised or disappointed by their partners. Koyal(Yami Gautam Dhar) and Veer (Pratik Gandhi) are one such couple. She pretends to be shy, he is actually shy and while the parents think they are a match made in heaven, they have a lot of revelations in store on their wedding night.&nbsp;
Married off within two weeks of meeting each other, Koyal and Veer's first night as a married couple is rudely interrupted by Sathe (Eijaz Khan) and Bhide (Pavitra Sarkar) who barge in, wield guns, threaten&nbsp;and ask for the whereabouts of Charlie. Veer and Koyal obviously are not aware of what they are being asked and soon a chase around the city begins as they not only discover hidden traits and talents of each other but also realise that more people are looking for Charlie.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pratik-gandhi-and-tom-feltons-bts-images-from-the-series-gandhi-will-pique-your-curiosity-729086">Pratik Gandhi and Tom Felton's BTS images from the series Gandhi will pique your curiosity</a>
<h2>The writing and the performances</h2>
Written by Aditya Dhar, Aarsh Vora&nbsp;and Rishab Seth, Dhoom Dhaam has enough moments that make you laugh out loud but also several predictable twists and turns. Veer is a vegetarian vet because he can't eat his patients. Apart from his name which means brave, the meek man has multiple phobias and enjoys the life he has in Ahmedabad. His bride, Koyal, may have been projected as a coy, shy girl by her over-enthusiastic parents, but in reality is a risk-taking, adventure-seeking, motor-mouth Mumbaikar. The two are naturally very different from each other and the revelations occur on a night when they are on a run. Series of misadventures are obviously thrown in which are situational and funny but never leave a defining impact.&nbsp;
<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/fk-the-gossip-netizens-hail-captain-america-brave-new-world-ask-to-ignore-critics-views-x-reaction-8720857" aria-label="'F**k the gossip! Netizens hail Captain America: Brave New World, ask to ignore critics views | X reaction">'F**k the gossip! Netizens hail Captain America: Brave New World, ask to ignore critics views | X reaction</a>
Gandhi and Gautam are splendid though in their roles. Both have played similar roles before. Gandhi's Veer is an extension of his character from&nbsp;Madgaon Express while Gautam has played a tough cookie in films like Article 370 and Ginny Weds Sunny, yet the two manage to bring a spark to the film, uplifting the somewhat predictable storyline with their performances. A monologue by Koyal about the challenges Indian women face daily may hit a chord even though it feels misplaced in the narrative. Then a moment where Gandhi's character talks about missing out on a lot in life due to his phobias and why he chose to be a vet, because 'animals don't judge' hits a chord.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-do-aur-do-pyaar-review-vidya-balan-pratik-gandhis-film-takes-a-refreshing--unapologetic-look-at-marriage-712823">Do Aur Do Pyaar review: Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi's film takes a refreshing &amp; unapologetic look at marriage&nbsp;</a>
While the humour is sharp, Dhoom Dhaam's writing is slightly one-dimensional. Gandhi has played the meek man in two recent films with great ease - Do Aur Do Pyaar and Madgaon Express and Veer's character seems to only enhance the eccentricities of Koyal who seems like a rebel without any cause. The film, written and produced by Dhar, obviously makes great attempts to present Gautam as a feisty, bindaas woman- perhaps to break Gautam's Goody two shoes image. Or maybe, the idea was to show Guatam in a new light on screen. While Gautam delivers, her performance is not out of the box. Her performance in Amar Kaushik's Bala (another situational comedy) was far more impactful.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6RT3cB3T74w?si=B6YDqlnr4WPTgQWI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Despite the flaws,&nbsp;Dhoom Dhaam worked for me. It is a fun film, it has its funny moments and uses mystery thriller elements to talk of two strikingly different personalities discovering each other's quirks and traits most unexpectedly on one fateful night.&nbsp;
Dhoom Dhaam is streaming on Netflix.&nbsp;

Netflix Dhoom Dhaam Review: Dhoom Dhaam is a fun film that has its moments and uses mystery thriller elements to talk of two strikingly different personalities discovering each other's quirks most unexpectedly on one fateful night.

Netflix Dhoom Dhaam Review: A series of events and misadventures transpiring over the course of a night is a trope that Bollywood has used in many films. Some have been mystery thrillers and some situational comedies. Netflix Dhoom Dhaam Movie Review Netflix's new film Dhoom Dhaam falls in the latter category where a newly married couple - Prateek Gandhi and Yami Gautam- are on the run from alleged goons across Mumbai - both looking for a certain Charlie. Filmmaker Rishabh Seth merges chaos and comedy- again a tried and tested combination- and delivers a light breezy situation comedy that brings in the laughs and makes you enjoy the 108-minute-long film. The Plot of Dhoom Dhaam Arranged marriages are scary and especially when you barely get to spend time with your partner before tying the knot. Yet scores of people willingly jump in only to be left surprised or disappointed by their partners. Koyal(Yami Gautam Dhar) and Veer (Pratik Gandhi) are one such couple. She pretends to be shy, he is actually shy and while the parents think they are a match made in heaven, they have a lot of revelations in store on their wedding night. Married off within two weeks of meeting each other, Koyal and Veer's first night as a married couple is rudely interrupted by Sathe (Eijaz Khan) and Bhide (Pavitra Sarkar) who barge in, wield guns, threaten and ask for the whereabouts of Charlie. Veer and Koyal obviously are not aware of what they are being asked and soon a chase around the city begins as they not only discover hidden traits and talents of each other but also realise that more people are looking for Charlie. Pratik Gandhi and Tom Felton's BTS images from the series Gandhi will pique your curiosity The writing and the performances Written by Aditya Dhar, Aarsh Vora and Rishab Seth, Dhoom Dhaam has enough moments that make you laugh out loud but also several predictable twists and turns. Veer is a vegetarian vet because he can't eat his patients. Apart from his name which means brave, the meek man has multiple phobias and enjoys the life he has in Ahmedabad. His bride, Koyal, may have been projected as a coy, shy girl by her over-enthusiastic parents, but in reality is a risk-taking, adventure-seeking, motor-mouth Mumbaikar. The two are naturally very different from each other and the revelations occur on a night when they are on a run. Series of misadventures are obviously thrown in which are situational and funny but never leave a defining impact. 'F**k the gossip! Netizens hail Captain America: Brave New World, ask to ignore critics views | X reaction Gandhi and Gautam are splendid though in their roles. Both have played similar roles before. Gandhi's Veer is an extension of his character from Madgaon Express while Gautam has played a tough cookie in films like Article 370 and Ginny Weds Sunny, yet the two manage to bring a spark to the film, uplifting the somewhat predictable storyline with their performances. A monologue by Koyal about the challenges Indian women face daily may hit a chord even though it feels misplaced in the narrative. Then a moment where Gandhi's character talks about missing out on a lot in life due to his phobias and why he chose to be a vet, because 'animals don't judge' hits a chord. Do Aur Do Pyaar review: Vidya Balan, Pratik Gandhi's film takes a refreshing & unapologetic look at marriage While the humour is sharp, Dhoom Dhaam's writing is slightly one-dimensional. Gandhi has played the meek man in two recent films with great ease - Do Aur Do Pyaar and Madgaon Express and Veer's character seems to only enhance the eccentricities of Koyal who seems like a rebel without any cause. The film, written and produced by Dhar, obviously makes great attempts to present Gautam as a feisty, bindaas woman- perhaps to break Gautam's Goody two shoes image. Or maybe, the idea was to show Guatam in a new light on screen. While Gautam delivers, her performance is not out of the box. Her performance in Amar Kaushik's Bala (another situational comedy) was far more impactful. Despite the flaws, Dhoom Dhaam worked for me. It is a fun film, it has its funny moments and uses mystery thriller elements to talk of two strikingly different personalities discovering each other's quirks and traits most unexpectedly on one fateful night. Dhoom Dhaam is streaming on Netflix.

Netflix Dhoom Dhaam Review: Yami Gautam, Pratik Gandhi's film is a sharp comedy yet predictable

Among the many releases this week, I have to admit, I was the most eager to watch The Mehta Boys primarily because I have admired the work of its lead actors- Boman Irani and Avinash Tiwary- but also because Irani was making his debut as a director. The Mehta Boys- about a father and son's slightly difficult relationship, is an earnest effort slice-of-life story that never soars high.&nbsp;
<h2>The Plot of The Mehta Boys</h2>
Irani, who also is the producer and co-writer of the film along with Alexander Dinelaris, plays Shiv Mehta, a man who has lost his wife recently and hence has to shift -reluctantly- with one of his kids. Irani has played a character like Shiv before, a patriarch who has his quirks, who has a strained relationship with his son, and someone who has to now grapple with changes even though he doesn't wish to.&nbsp; The junior Mehta boy, Amay is played by Avinash Tiwary, a sincere actor who has proved his talent in films like Tu Hai Mera Sunday, Laila Majnu, and Bulbbul before. Amay has moved out of his home with a swanky job in Mumbai. Struggling to create a foothold in the city as well as his professions, Amay has problems in plenty, and hosting his father isn't part of his bigger scheme of things.&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img alt="Boman Irani and Ashwin Tiwary " src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/07/boman-irani-and-ashwin-tiwary.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Boman Irani and Ashwin Tiwary in a still from The Mehta Boys Photograph: (WION Web Team)</figcaption>
</figure>
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The two have had a long-standing strained relationship and the woman in between, Amay's sister and Shiv's daughter (Puja Sarup) tries to mediate but isn't quite successful. Due to a ticketing issue, Shiv is forced to pit stop at Amay's house for two days in Mumbai before he moves to the US with his daughter. Two days of awkwardness that Amay decides he can deal with but the daddy issues of a grown-up man come forth at the most crucial moment in his life when he is trying to excel at the workplace and failing at it.&nbsp;
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<h2>What works</h2>
The little moments of the film actually fill up the heart. A scene has the father and son laughing and enjoying a Lauren and Hardy show on TV &nbsp;and sharing a plate of noodles - even though they are conscious of the strain they have. Another scene has two sharing a candlelit dinner on the balcony of Amay's skyrise during a sudden power outage.&nbsp; Both Irani and Tiwary are pitch-perfect as the dysfunctional duo. You can sense how uncomfortable they are together and how they want to move past but can't. Puja Sarup and Shreya Chaudhry Amay's girlfriend/colleague are also impactful in the limited screen time they have.
<img alt="The Mehta Boys" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/07/the-mehta-boys.png" style="width: 1280px;"> A scene right in the beginning of the film has Shiv mechanically thanking everyone present at his place when his wife passes away including his son. The scene is poignant and establishes well their problematic relationship.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/avinash-tiwary-boman-iranis-the-mehta-boys-wins-top-award-at-chicago-south-asian-film-festival-761909">Avinash Tiwary-Boman Irani's The Mehta Boys wins top award at Chicago South Asian Film Festival</a>
<h2>What does not work</h2>
 The film, however, never digs deeper. No explanation is given as to why the two share a strained relationship. On many occasions, the film feels slightly stretched as the banter between the two becomes repetitive. Amay's relationship with his somewhat sympathetic boss (Siddharth Basu) who gives unsolicited advice to Amay is also not fully flexed.&nbsp; The beauty of The Mehta Boys lies in its little moments that Irani and Tiwary earnestly bring alive on screen. The film however is too fluid to be genre-defining and the narrative slackens ever so often.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-sikandar-ka-muqaddar-actors-jimmy-shergill-avinash-tiwary-talk-about-neeraj-pandeys-latest-heist-movie-780163">Sikandar Ka Muqaddar actors Jimmy Shergill, Avinash Tiwary talk about Neeraj Pandey's latest heist movie</a> The Mehta Boys is streaming on Prime Video.&nbsp;

Bollywood | Entertainment Boman Irani makes his debut as a director with The Mehta Boys- a film about a father and son's slightly difficult relationship. The earnest slice-of-life story has its moments but never soars high. 

Among the many releases this week, I have to admit, I was the most eager to watch The Mehta Boys primarily because I have admired the work of its lead actors- Boman Irani and Avinash Tiwary- but also because Irani was making his debut as a director. The Mehta Boys- about a father and son's slightly difficult relationship, is an earnest effort slice-of-life story that never soars high. The Plot of The Mehta Boys Irani, who also is the producer and co-writer of the film along with Alexander Dinelaris, plays Shiv Mehta, a man who has lost his wife recently and hence has to shift -reluctantly- with one of his kids. Irani has played a character like Shiv before, a patriarch who has his quirks, who has a strained relationship with his son, and someone who has to now grapple with changes even though he doesn't wish to. The junior Mehta boy, Amay is played by Avinash Tiwary, a sincere actor who has proved his talent in films like Tu Hai Mera Sunday, Laila Majnu, and Bulbbul before. Amay has moved out of his home with a swanky job in Mumbai. Struggling to create a foothold in the city as well as his professions, Amay has problems in plenty, and hosting his father isn't part of his bigger scheme of things. Boman Irani and Ashwin Tiwary in a still from The Mehta Boys Photograph: (WION Web Team) Priyanka Chopra grooves to Darling, Nick Jonas sings Maan Meri Jaan: Inside her brother's pre-wedding celebrations The two have had a long-standing strained relationship and the woman in between, Amay's sister and Shiv's daughter (Puja Sarup) tries to mediate but isn't quite successful. Due to a ticketing issue, Shiv is forced to pit stop at Amay's house for two days in Mumbai before he moves to the US with his daughter. Two days of awkwardness that Amay decides he can deal with but the daddy issues of a grown-up man come forth at the most crucial moment in his life when he is trying to excel at the workplace and failing at it. Loveyapa Review: Junaid Khan and Khushi Kapoor's film is a love-hate situationship drama What works The little moments of the film actually fill up the heart. A scene has the father and son laughing and enjoying a Lauren and Hardy show on TV and sharing a plate of noodles - even though they are conscious of the strain they have. Another scene has two sharing a candlelit dinner on the balcony of Amay's skyrise during a sudden power outage. Both Irani and Tiwary are pitch-perfect as the dysfunctional duo. You can sense how uncomfortable they are together and how they want to move past but can't. Puja Sarup and Shreya Chaudhry Amay's girlfriend/colleague are also impactful in the limited screen time they have. A scene right in the beginning of the film has Shiv mechanically thanking everyone present at his place when his wife passes away including his son. The scene is poignant and establishes well their problematic relationship. Avinash Tiwary-Boman Irani's The Mehta Boys wins top award at Chicago South Asian Film Festival What does not work The film, however, never digs deeper. No explanation is given as to why the two share a strained relationship. On many occasions, the film feels slightly stretched as the banter between the two becomes repetitive. Amay's relationship with his somewhat sympathetic boss (Siddharth Basu) who gives unsolicited advice to Amay is also not fully flexed. The beauty of The Mehta Boys lies in its little moments that Irani and Tiwary earnestly bring alive on screen. The film however is too fluid to be genre-defining and the narrative slackens ever so often. Sikandar Ka Muqaddar actors Jimmy Shergill, Avinash Tiwary talk about Neeraj Pandey's latest heist movie The Mehta Boys is streaming on Prime Video.

The Mehta Boys review: Boman Irani's directorial debut has its moments

The beauty of Sanya Malhotra's latest Mrs. lies in the little nuances in the screenplay. The film never fully spells out the issues, yet it's the little moments, an expression here and a dialogue there that give out the message loud and clear. Making a remake of a critically acclaimed film comes with a huge amount of expectations.&nbsp;Mrs. is based on 2021's critically acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, which earned worldwide praise.&nbsp;
The Malayalam film is still fresh in the minds of many, so making a Hindi version so soon may feel unnecessary. Yet, the Hindi language remake&nbsp;Mrs is an important film which speaks a universal language. Filmmaker Arati Kadav takes up the challenge and delivers a deeply impactful film that may resonate with many viewers personally.&nbsp;
<h2>The plot of Mrs</h2>
Set in Delhi, the film has Malhotra playing Richa - a passionate dancer who gets married to Dr Diwakar, a gynecologist (Nishant Dahiya) who may be a pro at understanding the female anatomy but is blissfully ignorant about what women want. The couple lives with Diwakar's parents - a mom who toils through the day cooking for the family and providing everything to the patriarch without him asking and a conservative father who only knows how to nitpick and say no to every new change.
Initially, Richa willingly helps her mother-in-law with all the household chores, especially with cooking, but weeks later finds herself struggling as she is unwarrantedly given charge of the household after her mother-in-law goes out of town. Despite her efforts to impress her father-in-law and husband with her culinary skills, her every move is deeply scrutinised and criticised.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/mrs-trailer-sanya-malhotra-takes-up-an-important-task-to-find-her-true-identity-8658056">Mrs trailer: Sanya Malhotra takes up an important task to find her true identity</a> While her father-in-law is a conservative man of a different generation, Richa also struggles to make her husband understand her point of view. A man who feels 'Kitchen is the solution to every problem' considers his wife's passion for dance as a 'hobby'. He forces himself on her every night in an attempt to make babies never really understanding her desires and calls the smell of the kitchen (emanating from the hardworking wife) 'sexy' and 'disgusting' at his convenience.&nbsp; For Richa, problems are in plenty - conservative in-laws, a misogynist husband, the unending hours of toil inside the kitchen and never really meeting expectations and a constantly leaking kitchen pipe which is left unattended by the men in the family who are only too busy to order her around and never there to listen.&nbsp;
<h2>The writing of Mrs</h2>
The writers - Anu Singh Choudhary, Harman Baweja, and Kadav - keep Jeo Baby's original screenplay intact mostly- only adding a few new elements and changing certain aspects to suit a Hindi-speaking audience. But it never deviates from the main plot, where the leaking tap and overflowing dirty water in the bucket serve as the right metaphor for the grind of domestic chores that wears off so many women in Indian households.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-kathal-movie-review-sanya-malhotra-shines-in-this-cheeky-satire-594178">Kathal movie review: Sanya Malhotra shines in this cheeky satire</a> The detailing is superb, thanks to the solid writing. The elements of tension and a feeling of being uncomfortable seeps in while you witness Richa serving breakfast alone for the first time. Or the sense of disappointment you feel when she isn't allowed to go for a job interview. On many occasions, the situations seem too familiar and hence uncomfortable as though you have seen this happening to you or someone you know. It is familiar yet it hits home.&nbsp;
<h2>The performance in Mrs</h2>
Malhotra is terrific as Richa, a woman who wants to keep it together and yet realises she is losing herself amid the mundanity and misogyny. Nishant Dahiya who had played an antagonist in Kedarnath too, is solid in his performance as a clueless misogynist husband who is terrible in every aspect- in bed, he forces himself on his wife, in life he is dismissive of all her problems, desires and dreams. Veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh plays the authoritative father-in-law who only knows how to order and reprimand.&nbsp; The messaging of Mrs. is not in your face yet hard-hitting. The problematic behaviour of the inlaws is unraveled slowly and subtly - and just like Richa, the anger grows inside you.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/deva-movie-review-shahid-kapoor-pooja-hegde-deva-movie-latest-release-8678041">'Deva Movie Review': Shahid Kapoor's performance and swagger alone can't save this predictable actioner</a> Mrs. also highlights the deep-seated biases that exist in our society. They are subtle but how one perceives creative professions, how one treats a son and a daughter, and how a woman always gives home and family priority above everything else- stuff that we all have seen, and practiced- some willingly and others reluctantly. The film tells a very well-known story but still leaves a defining impact.&nbsp; Mrs. is streaming on ZEE 5. Do not miss this one.&nbsp;

Bollywood | Entertainment Filmmaker Arati Kadav's Mrs. is based on 2021's critically acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, which earned worldwide praise. 

The beauty of Sanya Malhotra's latest Mrs. lies in the little nuances in the screenplay. The film never fully spells out the issues, yet it's the little moments, an expression here and a dialogue there that give out the message loud and clear. Making a remake of a critically acclaimed film comes with a huge amount of expectations. Mrs. is based on 2021's critically acclaimed Malayalam film The Great Indian Kitchen, which earned worldwide praise. The Malayalam film is still fresh in the minds of many, so making a Hindi version so soon may feel unnecessary. Yet, the Hindi language remake Mrs is an important film which speaks a universal language. Filmmaker Arati Kadav takes up the challenge and delivers a deeply impactful film that may resonate with many viewers personally. The plot of Mrs Set in Delhi, the film has Malhotra playing Richa - a passionate dancer who gets married to Dr Diwakar, a gynecologist (Nishant Dahiya) who may be a pro at understanding the female anatomy but is blissfully ignorant about what women want. The couple lives with Diwakar's parents - a mom who toils through the day cooking for the family and providing everything to the patriarch without him asking and a conservative father who only knows how to nitpick and say no to every new change. Initially, Richa willingly helps her mother-in-law with all the household chores, especially with cooking, but weeks later finds herself struggling as she is unwarrantedly given charge of the household after her mother-in-law goes out of town. Despite her efforts to impress her father-in-law and husband with her culinary skills, her every move is deeply scrutinised and criticised. Mrs trailer: Sanya Malhotra takes up an important task to find her true identity While her father-in-law is a conservative man of a different generation, Richa also struggles to make her husband understand her point of view. A man who feels 'Kitchen is the solution to every problem' considers his wife's passion for dance as a 'hobby'. He forces himself on her every night in an attempt to make babies never really understanding her desires and calls the smell of the kitchen (emanating from the hardworking wife) 'sexy' and 'disgusting' at his convenience. For Richa, problems are in plenty - conservative in-laws, a misogynist husband, the unending hours of toil inside the kitchen and never really meeting expectations and a constantly leaking kitchen pipe which is left unattended by the men in the family who are only too busy to order her around and never there to listen. The writing of Mrs The writers - Anu Singh Choudhary, Harman Baweja, and Kadav - keep Jeo Baby's original screenplay intact mostly- only adding a few new elements and changing certain aspects to suit a Hindi-speaking audience. But it never deviates from the main plot, where the leaking tap and overflowing dirty water in the bucket serve as the right metaphor for the grind of domestic chores that wears off so many women in Indian households. Kathal movie review: Sanya Malhotra shines in this cheeky satire The detailing is superb, thanks to the solid writing. The elements of tension and a feeling of being uncomfortable seeps in while you witness Richa serving breakfast alone for the first time. Or the sense of disappointment you feel when she isn't allowed to go for a job interview. On many occasions, the situations seem too familiar and hence uncomfortable as though you have seen this happening to you or someone you know. It is familiar yet it hits home. The performance in Mrs Malhotra is terrific as Richa, a woman who wants to keep it together and yet realises she is losing herself amid the mundanity and misogyny. Nishant Dahiya who had played an antagonist in Kedarnath too, is solid in his performance as a clueless misogynist husband who is terrible in every aspect- in bed, he forces himself on his wife, in life he is dismissive of all her problems, desires and dreams. Veteran actor Kanwaljit Singh plays the authoritative father-in-law who only knows how to order and reprimand. The messaging of Mrs. is not in your face yet hard-hitting. The problematic behaviour of the inlaws is unraveled slowly and subtly - and just like Richa, the anger grows inside you. 'Deva Movie Review': Shahid Kapoor's performance and swagger alone can't save this predictable actioner Mrs. also highlights the deep-seated biases that exist in our society. They are subtle but how one perceives creative professions, how one treats a son and a daughter, and how a woman always gives home and family priority above everything else- stuff that we all have seen, and practiced- some willingly and others reluctantly. The film tells a very well-known story but still leaves a defining impact. Mrs. is streaming on ZEE 5. Do not miss this one.

Mrs. review: Sanya Malhotra's film is deeply impactful, much like the Malayalam original

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali&rsquo;s Padmaavat, the eyes do the talking. They speak of the havoc that Khilji is set to create in Chittor, they speak of the determination and grit that Ratan Singh has while fighting a barbaric army and they speak of love, pride and honour when Padmavati bids farewell to her husband. Bhansali&rsquo;s film scores because he makes the eyes speak. Amid the grandeur, the visually stunning frames- the three lead actors emote through their eyes and act out a known story set in the 13th century.
For a good part of 2017 when the film was initially set to release (but later released in January 2018), the film was in the news due to a false narrative. Because when one watches the film, one can see that contrary to the claims made by protesting fringe groups and ignorant state governments, Padmaavat- if anything- upholds the honour of the Rajput community and celebrates the community's 'aan, baan and shaan'.
Through scenes, dialogues and how the story is woven- the community&rsquo;s values, its valour, the way they deal with situations, and their loyalty is highlighted in more ways than one.
<h2>The story of Padmaavat</h2>
Bhansali creates two striking worlds- one of Alauddin Khilji which is dark, grim and unkempt. The other is of Ratan Singh and Padmavati in Chittor- which is lit up, decorated and pristine. &nbsp;And these two worlds collide when Raghav Chetan, a former priest tells Khilji that he can truly be a Sultan of Hind if he has the most beautiful Padmavati by his side and control over the Rajputs. And Khilji, thus, becomes obsessed with the idea of acquiring Padmavati. But the man who only knows the language of loot, plunder and ruthless killing doesn&rsquo;t understand the valour, pride and honour the Rajputs stand by. He also is unaware of the righteous Padmavati and her sharp brain who would never bow down to the wishes of an invader.
Bhansali remains true to his style as he narrates age-old folklore of how Queen Padmavati opted to perform Sati instead of bowing to Khilji&rsquo;s wishes in the most visually stunning way possible. The film is mounted on a large scale and opulence is, many a time, a bit overwhelming. But that&rsquo;s how Bhansali&rsquo;s films always are. Grand, visual extravaganzas with dramatic dialogues and backdrops and Padmaavat is just that. Each scene is elaborate, almost perfect and like a painting making it a treat for the eyes for the greater part of the film.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rings-of-power-actors-on-new-show-priyanka-chopra-padmaavat-wion-originals-754403">The Rings Of Power actors on new show, Priyanka Chopra, Padmaavat | WION Originals</a>
Padmaavat's high point is Sudeep Chatterjee&rsquo;s splendid camera work. The ariel shots of the battle scene make you feel overwhelmed at the sheer magnanimity of the situation. The scenes where Padmavati and Ratan Singh romance are soft, and intimate and make the viewer feel like an intruder, privy to the couple&rsquo;s intimate moments while scenes involving Khiljis are chaotic, dark and grey.
<h2>The performances in Padmaavat</h2>
The story is a known one but it is the actors who make the film come alive. With just a few lines, Deepika Padukone, dressed in gorgeous costumes, looks stunning and emotes through her eyes. So does Shahid Kapoor, a versatile actor, who delivers a very restrained performance as Rawal Ratan Singh. But the film belongs to Ranveer Singh as the menacing Alauddin Khilji. With a Khal Drogo-esque look, the actor creates mayhem in the lives of Ratan Singh and Padmavati. Bhansali creates a beast, who is childlike at times, maverick at others, and completely ruthless as a Sultan. And Singh transforms himself accordingly, creating a character that will remain well-etched in the minds of cinema lovers for years to come. The film is quite literally from his point of view, and his obsession with Padmavati. They could have named the film after his character, would have saved them a lot of trouble.
Strangely, while Ranveer and Deepika share no scene together, they do share a strange unspoken chemistry that seems missing between Shahid and the actress.
<figure class="image"><img alt="Deepika Padukone in Padmaavat" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/06/i3DjWXTdYGxbJvdMYzED.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Deepika Padukone in Padmaavat Photograph: (WION Web Team)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;Ranveer&rsquo;s electric performance also saves the second half of the film, which drags to an extent. Because when he comes on screen, you can&rsquo;t look at anyone else. His powerful presence commands your attention. Aditi Rao Hydari, as Khilji&rsquo;s wife, also delivers a commendable performance, who is aware of her husband&rsquo;s ruthlessness and yet takes a few bold steps against him. There is Jim Sarbh as well, playing Khilji&rsquo;s manservant, a eunuch who is in love with Khilji and is a party to his plunder and ruthless killing. Sarbh shines in parts, and hams in the rest.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-padmaavat-to-laxmii-bollywood-films-that-changed-titles-to-steer-clear-of-controversy-503311">From 'Padmaavat' to 'Laxmii': Bollywood films that changed titles to steer clear of controversy&nbsp;</a>
Padmaavat is also the most crisp film that Bhansali has directed in a long time. He wastes no time in establishing the plot and the narrative moves pretty swiftly. They could have done away with two songs in the second half though, where the story drags massively.
<h2>Bhansali's usual trappings</h2>
Music always remains a high point in Bhansali&rsquo;s film but the Padmaavat songs aren&rsquo;t too memorable apart from the Ghoomar song which is visually stunning. Ek dil ek jaan, the romantic ballad is the only other song that stands out. Otherwise, the music is dismal.Padmaavat also has the usual trappings that every Bhansali film has. There will always be a Holi sequence, with colours amply thrown in the air, there will always be a sequence of a huge group of women dressed in red to add more drama and he always has Ranveer in a solo song- even though the song makes the least sense in the narrative.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-ranveer-singh-says-he-watched-nymphomaniac--did-crazy-things-to-channel-alauddin-khilji-for-padmaavat-533696">Ranveer Singh says he watched 'Nymphomaniac' &amp; did crazy things to channel Alauddin Khilji for 'Padmaavat'</a>
The story may be a very well-known one, and some may also object to how it shows a woman&rsquo;s fate being decided by two men (if this is not patriarchy, then what is?) but everyone will agree that Bhansali&rsquo;s cinema is grand, spectacular and never really maligns the Rajputs. People will surely come out wondering what the fuss was all about in the first place. Above all, Padmaavat will reiterate the fact that Ranveer Singh can perform any role with absolute finesse.
Yes, they should have just called the film Khilji. Update: The review was originally published in 2018 when the film was released. It has been re-published as &nbsp;Padmaavat has re-released in cinemas on February 6, 2025.&nbsp;

Entertainment Bollywood: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's visually grand Padmaavat re-releases in cinemas on February 6. Here's WION's review of the film that featured Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor.

In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, the eyes do the talking. They speak of the havoc that Khilji is set to create in Chittor, they speak of the determination and grit that Ratan Singh has while fighting a barbaric army and they speak of love, pride and honour when Padmavati bids farewell to her husband. Bhansali’s film scores because he makes the eyes speak. Amid the grandeur, the visually stunning frames- the three lead actors emote through their eyes and act out a known story set in the 13th century. For a good part of 2017 when the film was initially set to release (but later released in January 2018), the film was in the news due to a false narrative. Because when one watches the film, one can see that contrary to the claims made by protesting fringe groups and ignorant state governments, Padmaavat- if anything- upholds the honour of the Rajput community and celebrates the community's 'aan, baan and shaan'. Through scenes, dialogues and how the story is woven- the community’s values, its valour, the way they deal with situations, and their loyalty is highlighted in more ways than one. The story of Padmaavat Bhansali creates two striking worlds- one of Alauddin Khilji which is dark, grim and unkempt. The other is of Ratan Singh and Padmavati in Chittor- which is lit up, decorated and pristine. And these two worlds collide when Raghav Chetan, a former priest tells Khilji that he can truly be a Sultan of Hind if he has the most beautiful Padmavati by his side and control over the Rajputs. And Khilji, thus, becomes obsessed with the idea of acquiring Padmavati. But the man who only knows the language of loot, plunder and ruthless killing doesn’t understand the valour, pride and honour the Rajputs stand by. He also is unaware of the righteous Padmavati and her sharp brain who would never bow down to the wishes of an invader. Bhansali remains true to his style as he narrates age-old folklore of how Queen Padmavati opted to perform Sati instead of bowing to Khilji’s wishes in the most visually stunning way possible. The film is mounted on a large scale and opulence is, many a time, a bit overwhelming. But that’s how Bhansali’s films always are. Grand, visual extravaganzas with dramatic dialogues and backdrops and Padmaavat is just that. Each scene is elaborate, almost perfect and like a painting making it a treat for the eyes for the greater part of the film. The Rings Of Power actors on new show, Priyanka Chopra, Padmaavat | WION Originals Padmaavat's high point is Sudeep Chatterjee’s splendid camera work. The ariel shots of the battle scene make you feel overwhelmed at the sheer magnanimity of the situation. The scenes where Padmavati and Ratan Singh romance are soft, and intimate and make the viewer feel like an intruder, privy to the couple’s intimate moments while scenes involving Khiljis are chaotic, dark and grey. The performances in Padmaavat The story is a known one but it is the actors who make the film come alive. With just a few lines, Deepika Padukone, dressed in gorgeous costumes, looks stunning and emotes through her eyes. So does Shahid Kapoor, a versatile actor, who delivers a very restrained performance as Rawal Ratan Singh. But the film belongs to Ranveer Singh as the menacing Alauddin Khilji. With a Khal Drogo-esque look, the actor creates mayhem in the lives of Ratan Singh and Padmavati. Bhansali creates a beast, who is childlike at times, maverick at others, and completely ruthless as a Sultan. And Singh transforms himself accordingly, creating a character that will remain well-etched in the minds of cinema lovers for years to come. The film is quite literally from his point of view, and his obsession with Padmavati. They could have named the film after his character, would have saved them a lot of trouble. Strangely, while Ranveer and Deepika share no scene together, they do share a strange unspoken chemistry that seems missing between Shahid and the actress. Deepika Padukone in Padmaavat Photograph: (WION Web Team) Ranveer’s electric performance also saves the second half of the film, which drags to an extent. Because when he comes on screen, you can’t look at anyone else. His powerful presence commands your attention. Aditi Rao Hydari, as Khilji’s wife, also delivers a commendable performance, who is aware of her husband’s ruthlessness and yet takes a few bold steps against him. There is Jim Sarbh as well, playing Khilji’s manservant, a eunuch who is in love with Khilji and is a party to his plunder and ruthless killing. Sarbh shines in parts, and hams in the rest. From 'Padmaavat' to 'Laxmii': Bollywood films that changed titles to steer clear of controversy Padmaavat is also the most crisp film that Bhansali has directed in a long time. He wastes no time in establishing the plot and the narrative moves pretty swiftly. They could have done away with two songs in the second half though, where the story drags massively. Bhansali's usual trappings Music always remains a high point in Bhansali’s film but the Padmaavat songs aren’t too memorable apart from the Ghoomar song which is visually stunning. Ek dil ek jaan, the romantic ballad is the only other song that stands out. Otherwise, the music is dismal.Padmaavat also has the usual trappings that every Bhansali film has. There will always be a Holi sequence, with colours amply thrown in the air, there will always be a sequence of a huge group of women dressed in red to add more drama and he always has Ranveer in a solo song- even though the song makes the least sense in the narrative. Ranveer Singh says he watched 'Nymphomaniac' & did crazy things to channel Alauddin Khilji for 'Padmaavat' The story may be a very well-known one, and some may also object to how it shows a woman’s fate being decided by two men (if this is not patriarchy, then what is?) but everyone will agree that Bhansali’s cinema is grand, spectacular and never really maligns the Rajputs. People will surely come out wondering what the fuss was all about in the first place. Above all, Padmaavat will reiterate the fact that Ranveer Singh can perform any role with absolute finesse. Yes, they should have just called the film Khilji. Update: The review was originally published in 2018 when the film was released. It has been re-published as Padmaavat has re-released in cinemas on February 6, 2025.

Padmaavat review: Ranveer Singh shines in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's visually grand historical saga

Deva Movie Review: Shahid Kapoor has always been a very earnest performer. Despite how problematic the film is (Yes, I mean Kabir Singh), Kapoor's performance has always stood out. In his latest film Deva, helmed by Rosshan Andrrews, Kapoor's tough, rogue cop act is truly worth all the praise, but can one performance lift a very average film?
<h2>Deva Movie Review</h2>
A remake of Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer Mumbai Police which was released in 2013, Deva is high on action and testosterone. A lot of time is spent to establish tough cop Dev Ambre's (unnecessary) swagger. Dev only knows how to pelvic thrust, wield the gun, and be violent. Rugged to the core, he is almost like a cop version of Kabir Singh.&nbsp;
<h2>Plot of Deva</h2>
A promising good cop is killed in the middle of a Police investiture ceremony in broad daylight in Mumbai. Dev Ambre, Deputy Commissioner Of Police, takes on the case as its personal. The slain cop is his childhood friend and he must now put the pieces together to find out who is the killer.&nbsp;
The twist comes when Dev meets with an accident and loses memory just when he is about to unravel the mystery. Is Dev able to resolve the case finally forms the rest of the story.&nbsp;
Dev shares brotherhood with fellow police officers Farhan and Rohan and their brotherhood runs deeper than the bloodlines. Deva also shares a romantic relationship with journalist Diya Sathe, (Pooja Hegde), whose father, a police constable, is left handicapped during a police raid led by Deva. Diya tells Deva that there might be a mole in the force who is going one step ahead to inform criminals about the police activities and investigations.&nbsp;
<figure class="image"><img alt="Shahid Kapoor in Deva" src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/31/1gPLptWAVNUhC6OaRS12.png" style="width: 1280px;">
<figcaption>Shahid Kapoor in Deva Photograph: (X/Shahid Kapoor)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/its-confirmed-shahid-kapoor-and-triptii-dimri-roped-in-for-vishal-bharadwajs-film-758439">It's confirmed! Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri roped in for Vishal Bharadwaj's film</a>
<h2>Performances in Deva</h2>
Apart from Shahid Kapoor, no other actor gets any scope to perform. Neither are any of the characters well fleshed out. While a lot of time is spent in establishing how much of a thug Dev Ambre is, writers never go deeper into his back story. A fleeting mention of a temper issue and a criminal father is all that we get about Deva. The rest of the characters, especially the women- Pooja Hegde and Kubra Sait- are grossly underutilised. Why are women even needed in the narrative that is all about bhaichara and male machismo is a question that will remain unanswered.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-kareena-kapoor-and-shahid-kapoor-captured-in-one-frame-at-an-event-fans-recall-jab-we-met-785477">Kareena Kapoor and ex Shahid Kapoor captured in one frame at an event, fans recall Jab We Met</a>
The film rests on Kapoor and he delivers to his part of a mad, rule-breaking, gun-wielding man well. I did have a problem with the way Dev is in general. A problematic man, deeply flawed and yet he is glorified to no end. Bollywood has in recent years developed a fondness for such flawed characters and goes to great lengths to glorify them and present them in larger-than-life characters. Deva follows the same route and makes you recall portions from Kabir Singh, Animal, and films in the same genre.&nbsp;
<h2>The second half of Deva stands out</h2>
I was almost about to write off Deva when I began watching it. So many unnecessary plot points, a very unoriginal song to showcase Kapoor's dancing skills, a terribly shot- VFX induced opening scenes- Deva's first half felt aimless without a cohesive story. But in the second half, the film becomes engaging when Dev finally starts putting the pieces together.&nbsp;
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3x77q40hATw?si=zqPQZjUlaC9QOdc2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>Final verdict</h2>
Deva could have been a great masssy entertainer but it follows a predictable course making the film feel and look very familiar. Actors like Pavail Gulati, Pravesh Rana and Kubra Sait are wasted with limited screen time and Shahid Kapoor alone cannot salvage a very middling film with his good performance.
Deva, helmed by Rosshan Andrrews, has released in theatres on January 31.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-shahid-kapoor-gets-angry-at-paps-during-romantic-dinner-date-with-wife-mira-rajput-watch-viral-clip-714220">Shahid Kapoor gets angry at paps during romantic dinner date with wife Mira Rajput: Watch viral clip</a>

Deva Movie Review | Bollywood has developed a fondness for flawed characters and goes to great lengths to glorify them and present them in larger-than-life characters.

Deva Movie Review: Shahid Kapoor has always been a very earnest performer. Despite how problematic the film is (Yes, I mean Kabir Singh), Kapoor's performance has always stood out. In his latest film Deva, helmed by Rosshan Andrrews, Kapoor's tough, rogue cop act is truly worth all the praise, but can one performance lift a very average film? Deva Movie Review A remake of Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer Mumbai Police which was released in 2013, Deva is high on action and testosterone. A lot of time is spent to establish tough cop Dev Ambre's (unnecessary) swagger. Dev only knows how to pelvic thrust, wield the gun, and be violent. Rugged to the core, he is almost like a cop version of Kabir Singh. Plot of Deva A promising good cop is killed in the middle of a Police investiture ceremony in broad daylight in Mumbai. Dev Ambre, Deputy Commissioner Of Police, takes on the case as its personal. The slain cop is his childhood friend and he must now put the pieces together to find out who is the killer. The twist comes when Dev meets with an accident and loses memory just when he is about to unravel the mystery. Is Dev able to resolve the case finally forms the rest of the story. Dev shares brotherhood with fellow police officers Farhan and Rohan and their brotherhood runs deeper than the bloodlines. Deva also shares a romantic relationship with journalist Diya Sathe, (Pooja Hegde), whose father, a police constable, is left handicapped during a police raid led by Deva. Diya tells Deva that there might be a mole in the force who is going one step ahead to inform criminals about the police activities and investigations. Shahid Kapoor in Deva Photograph: (X/Shahid Kapoor) It's confirmed! Shahid Kapoor and Triptii Dimri roped in for Vishal Bharadwaj's film Performances in Deva Apart from Shahid Kapoor, no other actor gets any scope to perform. Neither are any of the characters well fleshed out. While a lot of time is spent in establishing how much of a thug Dev Ambre is, writers never go deeper into his back story. A fleeting mention of a temper issue and a criminal father is all that we get about Deva. The rest of the characters, especially the women- Pooja Hegde and Kubra Sait- are grossly underutilised. Why are women even needed in the narrative that is all about bhaichara and male machismo is a question that will remain unanswered. Kareena Kapoor and ex Shahid Kapoor captured in one frame at an event, fans recall Jab We Met The film rests on Kapoor and he delivers to his part of a mad, rule-breaking, gun-wielding man well. I did have a problem with the way Dev is in general. A problematic man, deeply flawed and yet he is glorified to no end. Bollywood has in recent years developed a fondness for such flawed characters and goes to great lengths to glorify them and present them in larger-than-life characters. Deva follows the same route and makes you recall portions from Kabir Singh, Animal, and films in the same genre. The second half of Deva stands out I was almost about to write off Deva when I began watching it. So many unnecessary plot points, a very unoriginal song to showcase Kapoor's dancing skills, a terribly shot- VFX induced opening scenes- Deva's first half felt aimless without a cohesive story. But in the second half, the film becomes engaging when Dev finally starts putting the pieces together. Final verdict Deva could have been a great masssy entertainer but it follows a predictable course making the film feel and look very familiar. Actors like Pavail Gulati, Pravesh Rana and Kubra Sait are wasted with limited screen time and Shahid Kapoor alone cannot salvage a very middling film with his good performance. Deva, helmed by Rosshan Andrrews, has released in theatres on January 31. Shahid Kapoor gets angry at paps during romantic dinner date with wife Mira Rajput: Watch viral clip

'Deva Movie Review': Shahid Kapoor's performance and swagger alone can't save this predictable actioner

Emergency Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut's much-talked-about film&nbsp;Emergency finally hits theatres across the country where Ranaut directs and acts as former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and retells an era considered one of the darkest phases in the Indian democracy. But re-telling the era of Emergency (1975-77) authentically, without bias, is not easy and Ranaut's film slips ever so often, making&nbsp;Emergency the movie quite a passable affair.&nbsp;
<h2>Emergency Film Review</h2>
While the film primarily focuses on the 21-month-long emergency period, it also tries to showcase Indira Gandhi's rise to power. From being termed as Gungi Gudiya (dumb doll) who grew out of her father, Pandit Nehru's towering shadow to becoming the megalomaniac, despondent leader who saw nothing wrong in imposing arbitrary bans on the basic rights of citizens during the emergency, Indira Gandhi had quite a journey.&nbsp;
Emergency tries to capture all this and tries to even humanise the authoritative leader, making her look flawed and even vulnerable at times- unsure of her own decisions. But Ranaut, who also serves as the writer of the film, never really delves deeper into the incidents and loosely strings important political events into a 2.5-hour-long film.&nbsp;
<h2>Emergency loosely strings together important historical incidents</h2>
For many who have studied or followed Indian politics for years, Emergency does not serve anything new. Sure, some of the incidents stand out but in totality, it is a story well known. It also obviously plays to the gallery with everyone talking about Desh Bhakti (love for the country) as casually as breathing.&nbsp;
Kangana herself is inconsistent in her performance. In some scenes, she sounds shrill when she tries to get Mrs Gandhi's high-pitched voice but is unable to maintain it throughout. In other scenes you get flashes of her portrayal from Woh Lamhe and Fashion, when she appears to be sacred, traumatised or simply hallucinating. With multiple long closeup shots of her face throughout the film, that make the prosthetics look awful, cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata and Kangana try hard to make us believe that she indeed is the right choice to play one of the most important and perhaps controversial Indian leaders of all time. But are we convinced? Not quite.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/punjab-95-diljit-dosanjh-to-play-jaswant-singh-khalra-who-exposed-thousands-of-murders-8618741">Punjab 95: Diljit Dosanjh to play Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed thousands of murders</a>
The laughable portions are also in plenty. The Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, when Mrs Gandhi's intervention led to the formation of Bangladesh, is over-dramatised. At one point, a young Vajpayee (Shreyas Talpade), Sam Maneckshaw (Milind Soman) and Mrs Gandhi all sing a battle song (I am not making this up) as India prepares to wage a war against Pakistan.
During the Emergency era, the PM keeps seeing her own distorted reflection in the mirror, which looks like a scene straight out of Stree 2. Some portions beautifully glorify the opposition leaders but make the Congress veteran and her party men look bad.&nbsp;
<h2>What works in Emergency&nbsp;</h2>
Some moments stand out. Gandhi's meeting with US President Richard Nixon ahead of the Indo-Pak War in 1971 is well-executed. As Nixon dismisses her and warns her against helping East Pakistan, she responds, "You have weaponry, we have courage." Then when she rides an elephant to reach an obscure village in Bihar to meet its starving occupants, she hits the right spot. The song Ae Meri Jaan (Arko featuring Hariharan) is also beautifully utilised in the film.&nbsp;
Emergency takes meticulous efforts to make the opposition leaders look positive. No harm there as these leaders played an important role during the emergency. But the narrative is lopsided which tends to only focus on the negatives of the Congress and its veteran leaders and glorify the struggle of the then Jan Sangh party leaders.&nbsp;
The film features prominent faces in the supporting cast and they do a credible job. Anupam Kher plays Jaiprakash Naryan effectively. Shreyas Talpade plays the young Atal Bihari Vajpayee while Milind Soman plays Sam Maneckshaw well. Mahima Chaudhary as Pupul Jaykar is an empathetic friend to the Nehru family but her back story like many others is never fully explained. Special mention for actor Vishak Nair who plays Gandhi's younger son, the controversial Sanjay Gandhi who was instrumental in making Indira Gandhi a larger-than-life leader. I wish there were more scenes between Ranaut and Nair - the two complement each other and field of the extremities of their characters well.&nbsp;
Emergency ultimately fails to create an impact because it has a biased approach towards its storytelling. The film should be given credit for not whitewashing the protagonist and her deeds, but at the same time, it feels like a lopsided narrative that seems to have an agenda.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kangana-ranaut-calls-nitin-gadkari-for-first-screening-of-her-film-emergency-8611818">Kangana Ranaut calls Nitin Gadkari for first screening of her film Emergency</a>
In her career, Kangana has delivered some memorable performances in films like Gangster, Queen and Panga. But in the last few years, the actress seems to have lost her sheen, delivering middling performances in most of her films. &nbsp;I had serious problems with the way she kept pursing her lips at regular intervals throughout the film. One could almost start a drinking game at the number of times she purses and pouts her lips throughout the film.&nbsp;
I came out of Emergency learning nothing new. It was a film about a Congress veteran that predictably glorified its opposition.&nbsp;
If only it was that easy to purse one's lips, wear a prosthetic nose, and a Cruella de Ville wig to look like former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sigh.&nbsp;
Emergency has released across theatres on January 17.&nbsp;

Emergency Movie Review: Emergency takes meticulous efforts to make the opposition leaders look positive. No harm there as these leaders played an important role during the emergency. But the narrative is lopsided.

Emergency Movie Review: Kangana Ranaut's much-talked-about film Emergency finally hits theatres across the country where Ranaut directs and acts as former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and retells an era considered one of the darkest phases in the Indian democracy. But re-telling the era of Emergency (1975-77) authentically, without bias, is not easy and Ranaut's film slips ever so often, making Emergency the movie quite a passable affair. Emergency Film Review While the film primarily focuses on the 21-month-long emergency period, it also tries to showcase Indira Gandhi's rise to power. From being termed as Gungi Gudiya (dumb doll) who grew out of her father, Pandit Nehru's towering shadow to becoming the megalomaniac, despondent leader who saw nothing wrong in imposing arbitrary bans on the basic rights of citizens during the emergency, Indira Gandhi had quite a journey. Emergency tries to capture all this and tries to even humanise the authoritative leader, making her look flawed and even vulnerable at times- unsure of her own decisions. But Ranaut, who also serves as the writer of the film, never really delves deeper into the incidents and loosely strings important political events into a 2.5-hour-long film. Emergency loosely strings together important historical incidents For many who have studied or followed Indian politics for years, Emergency does not serve anything new. Sure, some of the incidents stand out but in totality, it is a story well known. It also obviously plays to the gallery with everyone talking about Desh Bhakti (love for the country) as casually as breathing. Kangana herself is inconsistent in her performance. In some scenes, she sounds shrill when she tries to get Mrs Gandhi's high-pitched voice but is unable to maintain it throughout. In other scenes you get flashes of her portrayal from Woh Lamhe and Fashion, when she appears to be sacred, traumatised or simply hallucinating. With multiple long closeup shots of her face throughout the film, that make the prosthetics look awful, cinematographer Tetsuo Nagata and Kangana try hard to make us believe that she indeed is the right choice to play one of the most important and perhaps controversial Indian leaders of all time. But are we convinced? Not quite. Punjab 95: Diljit Dosanjh to play Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed thousands of murders The laughable portions are also in plenty. The Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, when Mrs Gandhi's intervention led to the formation of Bangladesh, is over-dramatised. At one point, a young Vajpayee (Shreyas Talpade), Sam Maneckshaw (Milind Soman) and Mrs Gandhi all sing a battle song (I am not making this up) as India prepares to wage a war against Pakistan. During the Emergency era, the PM keeps seeing her own distorted reflection in the mirror, which looks like a scene straight out of Stree 2. Some portions beautifully glorify the opposition leaders but make the Congress veteran and her party men look bad. What works in Emergency Some moments stand out. Gandhi's meeting with US President Richard Nixon ahead of the Indo-Pak War in 1971 is well-executed. As Nixon dismisses her and warns her against helping East Pakistan, she responds, "You have weaponry, we have courage." Then when she rides an elephant to reach an obscure village in Bihar to meet its starving occupants, she hits the right spot. The song Ae Meri Jaan (Arko featuring Hariharan) is also beautifully utilised in the film. Emergency takes meticulous efforts to make the opposition leaders look positive. No harm there as these leaders played an important role during the emergency. But the narrative is lopsided which tends to only focus on the negatives of the Congress and its veteran leaders and glorify the struggle of the then Jan Sangh party leaders. The film features prominent faces in the supporting cast and they do a credible job. Anupam Kher plays Jaiprakash Naryan effectively. Shreyas Talpade plays the young Atal Bihari Vajpayee while Milind Soman plays Sam Maneckshaw well. Mahima Chaudhary as Pupul Jaykar is an empathetic friend to the Nehru family but her back story like many others is never fully explained. Special mention for actor Vishak Nair who plays Gandhi's younger son, the controversial Sanjay Gandhi who was instrumental in making Indira Gandhi a larger-than-life leader. I wish there were more scenes between Ranaut and Nair - the two complement each other and field of the extremities of their characters well. Emergency ultimately fails to create an impact because it has a biased approach towards its storytelling. The film should be given credit for not whitewashing the protagonist and her deeds, but at the same time, it feels like a lopsided narrative that seems to have an agenda. Kangana Ranaut calls Nitin Gadkari for first screening of her film Emergency In her career, Kangana has delivered some memorable performances in films like Gangster, Queen and Panga. But in the last few years, the actress seems to have lost her sheen, delivering middling performances in most of her films. I had serious problems with the way she kept pursing her lips at regular intervals throughout the film. One could almost start a drinking game at the number of times she purses and pouts her lips throughout the film. I came out of Emergency learning nothing new. It was a film about a Congress veteran that predictably glorified its opposition. If only it was that easy to purse one's lips, wear a prosthetic nose, and a Cruella de Ville wig to look like former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sigh. Emergency has released across theatres on January 17.

Emergency Review: Kangana Ranaut's film about Indira Gandhi glorifies opposition leaders of the time

Run a Google search for smart TVs and you will be served with hundreds of options to choose from. In other words, the smart television market has become highly competitive. One such contender in this crowded space is the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro. The television claims to offer a good mix of performance, features, and value, but does it deliver what it promises? Let's find out.

I have observed that the packaging boxes for TVs are not very exciting and the one that contains the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro is no exception. I think that companies should make a conscious effort to make these boxes look a bit more attractive.&nbsp;

Open the box and you get a 65-inch QLED TV (Coocaa 65Y73 Pro), power cord, remote, batteries, base stand with screws, quick start guide, and a warranty card. One thing that is missing is a wall mount. So, if you want to mount the TV on a wall, you will have to buy it separately. I think the company should have included it in the box because not everyone wants to put the TV on a table.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/woman-loses-hearing-ability-permanently-after-samsung-galaxy-buds-explode-inside-her-ear-761959">Woman loses hearing ability permanently after Samsung Galaxy Buds FE explode inside her ear</a>

The Coocaa 65Y73 Pro&nbsp;looks appealing. Thanks to its slim profile and modern looks, the all-black TV can complement any home decor. The remote that comes bundled with it has buttons neatly spaced out. The controls are intuitive and responsive. Its far-field voice control feature allows users to control the TV with their voice seamlessly, adding to the ease of use.&nbsp;

Talking about its display, the 65-inch TV with Ultra HD resolution delivers great brightness, deep blacks, and accurate colours. Thanks to its Matte Screen Display, you can get rid of reflections and unnecessary shadows to a great extent and enjoy your favourite shows and movies. The HDR10+ technology and Dolby Vision support further add to the visual quality. Having said that, I believe the HDR performance can be improved. Its processor uses AI to dynamically adjust backlight levels, eliminating flicker for a comfortable viewing experience.

Watch:&nbsp;Sony Launches New Bravia Televisions In India

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sony-launches-new-bravia-televisions-in-india-764733/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The audio experience is as good as the viewing experience. The 40W built-in speakers compatible with Dolby Atoms generate an immersive sound experience. The sound quality is loud and clear. Users can choose from different sound modes - Standard, Vivid, Sports, Movie, and Music - for better results.

Powered by Google TV, the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro&nbsp;offers users access to various streaming apps and other smart features. While the overall performance is good, I experienced a bit of lag on certain occasions. I hope these random bugs causing the system to misbehave are fixed in software updates.

Priced at INR 45,999, the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro offers value for money. If you are planning to buy a 65-inch smart TV at a competitive price, you should check it out.

Run a Google search for smart TVs and you will be served with hundreds of options to choose from. In other words, the smart television market has become highly competitive.

Run a Google search for smart TVs and you will be served with hundreds of options to choose from. In other words, the smart television market has become highly competitive. One such contender in this crowded space is the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro. The television claims to offer a good mix of performance, features, and value, but does it deliver what it promises? Let's find out. I have observed that the packaging boxes for TVs are not very exciting and the one that contains the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro is no exception. I think that companies should make a conscious effort to make these boxes look a bit more attractive. Open the box and you get a 65-inch QLED TV (Coocaa 65Y73 Pro), power cord, remote, batteries, base stand with screws, quick start guide, and a warranty card. One thing that is missing is a wall mount. So, if you want to mount the TV on a wall, you will have to buy it separately. I think the company should have included it in the box because not everyone wants to put the TV on a table. Also Read: Woman loses hearing ability permanently after Samsung Galaxy Buds FE explode inside her ear The Coocaa 65Y73 Pro looks appealing. Thanks to its slim profile and modern looks, the all-black TV can complement any home decor. The remote that comes bundled with it has buttons neatly spaced out. The controls are intuitive and responsive. Its far-field voice control feature allows users to control the TV with their voice seamlessly, adding to the ease of use. Talking about its display, the 65-inch TV with Ultra HD resolution delivers great brightness, deep blacks, and accurate colours. Thanks to its Matte Screen Display, you can get rid of reflections and unnecessary shadows to a great extent and enjoy your favourite shows and movies. The HDR10+ technology and Dolby Vision support further add to the visual quality. Having said that, I believe the HDR performance can be improved. Its processor uses AI to dynamically adjust backlight levels, eliminating flicker for a comfortable viewing experience. Watch: Sony Launches New Bravia Televisions In India The audio experience is as good as the viewing experience. The 40W built-in speakers compatible with Dolby Atoms generate an immersive sound experience. The sound quality is loud and clear. Users can choose from different sound modes - Standard, Vivid, Sports, Movie, and Music - for better results. Powered by Google TV, the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro offers users access to various streaming apps and other smart features. While the overall performance is good, I experienced a bit of lag on certain occasions. I hope these random bugs causing the system to misbehave are fixed in software updates. Priced at INR 45,999, the Coocaa 65Y73 Pro offers value for money. If you are planning to buy a 65-inch smart TV at a competitive price, you should check it out.

Coocaa 65Y73 Pro review: Should you buy this smart TV?

Maruti Suzuki has launched the 2024 Swift facelift in India. One of the most popular cars in the country gets an all-new engine, focused on better low-end performance and improved fuel efficiency. The refreshed version also gets some design tweaks and several feature updates, mostly safety and technology-oriented improvements. But does the new Swift offer a better experience than its predecessor? Let's find out.

New Maruti Suzuki Swift review

The upcoming 2025 Mini John Cooper Works is set to make its first appearance at this year's 24 Hours of Nurburgring, one of the toughest endurance races in the worlds. It will contest the challenge under a private team from Nurburg, Bulldog Racing, in the SP 3T category. While full specifications will be revealed at its launch, towards the end of 2024, this racing debut will surely give an idea about capabilities of the new Mini JCW.

2025 Mini JCW to prove its mettle at the 'Ring'

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