(Crisp) Movie Review: LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA 2 by FENIL SETA
4:08 PM
Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 tries to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor. The first part was a game-changer as we had never seen something like this in Hindi cinema before. In the second part, the writers and director get it all wrong and how. The first track is akin to watching a show like ‘Bigg Boss’ on the big screen. Thankfully, it ends on an amusing note. The second track culminates with a lot of questions unanswered. The worst, however, is reserved for the last story. It goes completely bouncer and viewers will be left scratching their heads, wondering what exactly is happening. The pluses of the film are camerawork, sound design, the song 'Kamsin Kali', animation and title design. The performances also save the day to some extent. Paritosh Tiwari (Noor) and Bonita Rajpurohit (Kullu Vishwakarma) play difficult roles with ease. Abhinav Singh (Shubham aka Game Paapi) gets into the skin of his character completely. Swastika Mukherjee (Lovinda), as expected, rocks the show. Swaroopa Ghosh and the actors playing Pushpesh Mishra, Ajmal and Nimesh lend able support. Anu Malik (Prem Desi) is very entertaining. Mouni Roy, Tusshar Kapoor and Sophie Choudry are fine in their cameos. All in all, Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 is a waste of time.
My rating - * ½ out of 5!
My rating - * ½ out of 5!
(Crisp) Movie Review: DO AUR DO PYAAR by FENIL SETA
2:23 PM
Do Aur Do Pyaar’s biggest strength is its relatability. It depicts the complexities of relationships in a very realistic manner. Though it is adapted from a Hollywood film, The Lovers, director Shirsha Guha Thakurta has Indianized it beautifully. The characters are well-etched and the first half has some very funny scenes. The intermission point is crazy. The madness continues in the second half. However, the crucial pre-climax is very stretched. Some important developments in the story are skipped. The makers try to do a Kapoor & Sons by infusing humour in serious scenes; it doesn't work all the time. The sound is also an issue; a few dialogues are not properly audible. Vidya Balan, however, is out of the world. After a long time, she is in such a form and proves yet again why she is one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema. Pratik Gandhi has never looked so handsome before in a Hindi film and gives a first-rate performance. His chemistry with Vidya Balan is electrifying. Ileana DCruz, too, looks ravishing and proves that she can be a rocking performer if given a chance. The dashing Sendhil Ramamurthy lends able support. His screen time, however, is limited. Thalaivasal Vijay (Kavya’s father) delivers a memorable performance. The soundtrack is not impactful but 'Jazbaati Hai Dil', with its catchy theme, stands out. All in all, Do Aur Do Pyaar is a nice romcom from Bollywood after a long time and is worth watching.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan collects 46 cr in 7 days
8:53 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN collected 2 crore nett on Tuesday which takes the film to almost 44 crore nett in six day and the extended first week is heading for around 47.50 crore nett.
It hardly matters what the film is collecting now as the film has no where to go. The very dull period over the next month or so can mean even this film can hang around despite being a film which is about initial.
The exhibitors do not have many options for some time and despite the film not finding appreciation at all, it can remain in theatres. The disaster of this Eid is that it becomes a target of 100 crore nett between the two films which could actually have been written off if there was not such lack of releases for the next 2 months.
The collections of BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN are as follows.
Thursday - 15,00,00,000 apprx
Friday - 7,50,00,000 apprx
Saturday - 8,25,00,000 apprx
Sunday - 8,75,00,000 apprx
Monday - 2,15,00,000 apprx
Tuesday - 2,00,00,000 apprx
TOTAL - 43,65,00,000 apprx
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The Eid releases could not benefit much from the partial holiday of Ram Navami as BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN collected 2.25 crore nett which is a 10% jump from the previous day.
This now takes BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN to around 46 crore nett. The combined total of both films is 72 crore nett and 100 crore nett combined is not a foregone conclusion though with open period and incentives which will come, you would think the films can at least do 100 crore nett combined.
The week was a fantastic week for collections with first the Eid period and then a weekday boost from Ram Navami but it has all gone all wrong with content of both films not appealing. The marginal jumps on Ram Navami shows the rejection of both films.
It will be testing times for exhibitors as these two films were supposed to give some breathing space with limited releases over the election period but both films were pretty much dead on arrival.
----------------------------------
BADE MIYAN CHOTE MIYAN did well in Gulf in its opening weekend but collection there have also come down heavily. The film picked up a good $1,425,000 over the weekend but could only add around $100k in the next three days.
After such a weekend, you would expect the film to reach $2 million lifetime even allowing for a Eid weekend but that looks tough here and going by the weekdays, the film will find it hard to add another $500k unless the second weekend surprises. This is the best market for the be it India or Overseas.
The picture was the same across other markets as collections came down but unlike Gulf, the other markets did not even get decent weekend collections. The US market will hardly reach $1 million in its lifetime run. The extended week in overseas is looking to be around the $3.25 million mark.
Maidaan collects 26.25 cr in 7 days
8:49 AM
Box Office India Trade Network
MAIDAAN collected 1.60 crore nett on Tuesday to take its total to 24 crore nett in six days plus paid previews. The films edged up a little from its Monday collections but it was minimal growth.
The hold hardly matters as its come from such low numbers. The first week looks to be heading for 27 crore nett and this is an eight day week with paid previews.
There is likely to be only film in whole of May which is likely to be release which will get a decent release in terms of screens and that is TEHRAN if it comes mid May. So, basically the flow of films starts mid June which will allow MAIDAAN to stick around possibly through May but the collections will be next to nothing.
The collections of MAIDAAN till date are as follows.
Wednesday (Paid Previews) - 2,00,00,000 apprx
Thursday - 4,00,00,000 apprx
Friday - 3,00,00,000 apprx
Saturday - 5,85,00,000 apprx
Sunday - 6,25,00,000 apprx
Monday - 1,50,00,000 apprx
Tuesday - 1,60,00,000 apprx
TOTAL - 24,20,00,000 apprx
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The Eid releases could not benefit much from the partial holiday of Ram Navami as MAIDAAN went up by 25% as it collected 2 crore nett.
This now takes MAIDAAN to 26.25 crore nett. The combined total of both films is 72 crore nett and 100 crore nett combined is not a foregone conclusion though with open period and incentives which will come, you would think the films can at least do 100 crore nett combined.
The week was a fantastic week for collections with first the Eid period and then a weekday boost from Ram Navami but it has all gone all wrong with content of both films not appealing. The marginal jumps on Ram Navami shows the rejection of both films.
It will be testing times for exhibitors as these two films were supposed to give some breathing space with limited releases over the election period but both films were pretty much dead on arrival.
In Overseas, MAIDAAN hardly had any collections on the weekdays and will be practically out in week one outside US/Canada where it is comparatively better.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga takes a jab at Adil Hussain’s ‘regret’
8:43 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 19, 2024)
Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘alpha’ instinct seems to have kicked in after actor Adil Hussain said recently in an interview that he regrets being a part of Vanga’s 2019 film Kabir Singh.
“Ur ‘belief’ in 30 art films didn’t get as much fame to u as ur ‘regret’ of 1 BLOCKBUSTER film did... I regret casting u, knwing that ur greed is bigger than ur passion. NOW I’ll save U from the shame by replacing Ur face with AI help Now smile properly (sic),” Vanga wrote on X alongside a clip of Hussain’s interview.
In the aforementioned interview, the actor said that he became a part of Kabir Singh (played the college Dean) without reading the script. He added that he told his manager to ask for more money so that the makers would say no, but they still agreed to it.
Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani-starrer Kabir Singh emerged as one of the biggest blockbusters of 2019, collecting over Rs. 250 cr at the domestic box office. However, a section of the society also called it misogynistic. Vanga’s 2023 film Animal faced a similar storm of controversy.
‘IT LEGITIMISES MISOGYNY’
“I have said it before that the only film I regret doing is Kabir Singh. I think a film like it celebrates something which is not beneficial for the society. It legitimizes male misogyny and violence against anybody (does not have to be a woman),” Adil Hussain had told AP Podcast recently.
Mrunal Thakur, Siddhant Chaturvedi to begin filming for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next
8:42 AM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 19, 2024)
Actors Mrunal Thakur and Siddhant Chaturvedi are teaming up for the first time in filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next. And we’ve exclusively learnt that the duo is all set to start filming for it next week.
“The actors have been taking workshops with director Ravi Udyawar since the first week of April as part of their prep. Both actors play musicians in the film and have put in a lot of work in their preparations,” a source close to the development reveals to us.
Produced by Bhansali, the musical will be helmed by Udyawar, who previously directed Mom (2017). The fresh pairing has fans of both actors excited, especially with Thakur’s recent releases Sita Ramam (2022) and Hi Nanna (2023) — both romances — having done well at the box office. Chaturvedi, too, had praised her work in Super 30 (2019) and Sita Ramam in an earlier interview. Recently, Thakur had recalled how the two had a long call to discuss cinema, with the Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (2023) actor praising her performances.
The source adds that Bhansali aims to finish the shoot of this film, billed as a contemporary romance drama, before jumping to his next directorial, Love And War, which stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal.
Ibrahim Ali Khan to romance Janhvi Kapoor, Mahima Makwana in his third film
8:40 AM
Navya Kharbanda (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 18, 2024)
Ibrahim Ali Khan, actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s son, and Sara Ali Khan’s brother, is gearing up to make his Bollywood debut with Sarzameen soon, followed by Naadiniyaan alongside Khushi Kapoor. Now, we have exclusively learnt that Ibrahim has signed a third movie, in which he will be romancing actors Janhvi Kapoor and Mahima Makwana.
“Ibrahim, Janhvi and Mahima have signed up for a rom-com together. The scripting and casting of the film are done, and other parts of the pre-production stage will be done soon. Shooting is slated to begin next year for the theatrical release,” a source tells us.
The insider reveals more details about the Shashank Khaitan directorial: “It will be a love triangle featuring these three actors. The plot is like Main Tera Hero (2014) with actors Ileana D’Cruz, Nargis Fakhri and Varun Dhawan. And Ibrahim’s character will have a lisp.”
We contacted the director, but there was no response till the time of going to the press.
Salman Khan to kick off Sikandar in May
8:38 AM
Sources say Salman to kick off Sikandar in May; Murugadoss to juggle it with his ongoing Tamil film shoot
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 18, 2024)
Salman Khan didn’t have an Eid release this year. So, he did the next best thing—announced his next, Sikandar, which marks his first collaboration with director A R Murugadoss. Now, mid-day has learnt that the superstar will begin filming the action entertainer in May.
There is a stumbling block, but the director seems to have worked his way around it. Murugadoss is currently shooting an action film, tentatively titled SK23, with Tamil star Sivakarthikeyan and that is scheduled to go on till June. So, for the next two months, the filmmaker will have to divide his time between the Hindi and Tamil projects.
“Before Sikandar goes on floors, Murugadoss wants to wrap up maximum portions of SK23. After he shoots the first schedule of Sikandar in May, he will go back to finish Sivakarthikeyan’s movie in June. From July, he will be fully immersed in the Salman-starrer,” says a source.
Sikandar is slotted for an Eid 2025 release. The team wants to ensure that the shoot goes as per the timeline, despite the director having a full plate.
The source adds, “To avoid any delay, Murugadoss has got a dedicated team to help him finish SK23 at the earliest.” Sikandar marks the director’s return to Hindi cinema eight years after Akira (2016).
Zeenat Aman, Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khatter shoot Mumbai leg of Royals
8:37 AM
Zeenat, Bhumi and Ishaan shoot Mumbai leg of Royals, said to be partly inspired by Rajasthan’s aristocratic families; rom-com series mounted on a grand scale à la The Crown
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; April 18, 2024)
Imagine The Crown in an Indian setting. That would be a fascinating world. Soon, Zeenat Aman, Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter will take us into that universe with Royals. While talk about Pednekar making her web series debut with the show hit headlines earlier this year, little was known about it. Now, mid-day has learnt that producers Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy wrapped up the series’ first schedule in Rajasthan in March-end and are currently shooting in Mumbai.
So, does Royals trace a particular aristocratic family? Not really. Sources tell us that the Netflix offering is a blend of fiction and facts, with some parts inspired by the different royal families of Rajasthan. Pednekar, who leads the series, apparently plays a big-league entrepreneur.
A source reveals, “The desert state has seen generations of royal families, from Jaipur to Mewar and Alsisar. Bits and pieces have been taken from the lives of these families, marrying it with a generous dose of fiction. The show will travel back and forth between two eras—the present day and the past decades. Like The Crown, it is being made on a grand scale, depicting lavish palaces, extravagant parties, and polo matches. At its core, Royals is a romantic comedy that will delve into the style, politics and fabulous lives of the aristocrats. Four More Shots Please’s success showed that the producers have a finger on the audience’s pulse, and this time, they are putting out a stylish and emotional drama.”
Pednekar, Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Chunky Panday and Milind Soman were a part of the first schedule that kicked off on February 10 in Rajasthan.
The source adds, “The unit shot at real locations like the City Palace and the Rambagh Palace. Simultaneously, the production design team was building huge sets reflecting the interiors of a palace, at a studio in central Mumbai. As soon as that schedule was wrapped up, the cast and crew kicked off the month-long stint in Mumbai. They will have a short schedule in Goa before wrapping up.”
Apparently, Rangita has chosen Four More Shots Please director Nupur Asthana, and The Night Manager’s Priyanka Ghose to helm the offering.
It’s not that the woman is being objectified all the time in Chamkila's songs. It’s an equal relationship-Imtiaz Ali
8:35 AM
Even as Chamkila’s songs continue to divide audience over their raunchy lyrics, Amar Singh Chamkila maker Imtiaz notes singer’s duets showed women as ‘smarter and naughtier’
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; April 19, 2024)
Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila has won unanimous praise. The director’s masterful storytelling and Diljit Dosanjh’s honest performance has endeared the slain Punjabi singer to the audiences. The musician’s songs though—which, in his lifetime, were wildly popular, but abhorred by a section of the society, who felt they objectified women—are a different story. But Ali believes that Chamkila wasn’t a sexist man.
“In Punjab and everywhere else, I’ve seen that the sangeet songs in shaadis are always vulgar. There’s a reason for it—women are naughtier than men. Their naughtiness comes out through music,” reasons the director. He points out another aspect in the late Chamkila’s creations.
“In his music, the women are smarter and equally participative. They are teasing the men. The first song that Chamkila sang on stage is about an old man who is trying to say that he is young and virile, and the woman is making fun of him. It’s not that the woman is being objectified all the time. It’s an equal relationship.”
Through the musical, Ali neither glorifies nor decries Chamkila’s songs. He doesn’t glorify the protagonist either. The director was certain he didn’t want to make a hagiography.
“When you tell the story of someone’s life, you should represent all aspects of it. I don’t like biopics that endlessly glorify the [protagonist]; that becomes boring. I had to present the human side of Chamkila. He wasn’t a [flawless] person. But I was sure of his intrinsic good qualities—he didn’t come across as a star, he was always a servant of the masses. He came from the most disadvantaged background; he was humble.”
Though the Netflix film delves into his partnership with his singer-wife Amarjot Kaur, played by Parineeti Chopra, it largely shows her as muted. “I relied on my research. This is how Amarjot always comes across, in the narration of people or in her videos. Plus, the film had to wrap up in a certain duration. Maybe, someone can make a film on Amarjot now,” he smiles.
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