(Crisp) Movie Review: GINNY WEDSS SUNNY 2 by FENIL SETA
1:39 PM
Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 rests on a weak storyline but it could have made for a decent entertainer. Sadly, the script fails to cover up the shortcomings and even the direction is not up to the mark. A few scenes here and there are lovely. Also, the performances and appealing cinematography make the film bearable. On the other hand, barely any joke lands. One 'funny' scene in the first half is embarrassing. Several developments are forced merely to drive the narrative forward. Certain scenes are so silly and childish that one wonders how it even got approved in the first place. Even the music is lacklustre. Avinash Tiwary delivers a sincere performance, as always. Medha Shankr of 12th Fail fame is pretty and proves that she has immense potential. Sudhir Pande (Ram Sevak), Vishwanath Chatterjee (Pintu), Nayani Dixit (Sarika), Lillete Dubey (Neelu) and Govind Namdev (Ayodhya Prasad) are fair. Rohit Chaudhary (Rudranarayan D'Costa) is the only one who raises a few laughs. All in all, Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 is a disappointing film.
My rating - * ½ out of 5!
My rating - * ½ out of 5!
(Crisp) Movie Review: MICHAEL by FENIL SETA
11:15 PM
Michael is a fun-filled musical with Michael Jackson's hit numbers playing at regular intervals. The makers deserve brownie points for flawlessly recreating the real-life concerts of the pop legend and aslo his iconic number, 'Thriller'. The way the makers have used the same kind of props, lights, detailing etc are seen to be believed. The conflict between the father-son is a highlight. A few scenes stand out; a crucial sequence in the second half would lead to claps and hoots. On the flipside, the makers play safe. Though the run time is controlled (130 minutes), the film doesn't focus on Michael Jackson's bond with his brothers. In fact, they seem more like extras. Secondly, the film gives a feeling that Michael's musical journey was smooth and he climbed to the top very easily, with just his father's over-controlling behaviour as the only hiccup. Jaafar Jackson is outstanding and he perfectly aces Michael Jackson's mannerisms, body language and dance. Colman Domingo (Joseph) comes next. Miles Teller (John Branca) and KeiLyn Durrel Jones (Bill Bray) leave a huge mark. Nia Long (Katherine) lends able support. Kendrick Sampson (Quincy Jones) does fine, though his role gets a raw deal. Larenz Tate (Berry Gordy) is great in a cameo. All in all, Michael is a lovely entertainer and a must watch for his fans.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 931
10:39 PM
MICHAEL SPRINGS A SURPRISE; WILL GINNY WEDSS SUNNY 2 BRING JOY AT THE BOX OFFICE?
Last week’s Bhooth Bangla has done well at the box office, despite criticism over its second half. The film earned Rs. 3.50 crores in the paid previews, which is more than expectations. But on Friday, the film collected Rs. 11.50 crores, which was below expectations. But on Saturday, the earnings jumped to Rs. 18 crores, followed by Rs. 21.50 crores on Sunday.
On Monday, Bhooth Bangla collected Rs. 6.15 crores, which was a decent drop. Due to the Tuesday offer, the collections jumped to Rs. 7.25 crores. On Wednesday, it collected Rs. 5.50 crores. Hence, its six-day collections are Rs. 73.40 crores, while its one-week earnings are expected to be around Rs. 78 crores.
There’s minimal competition this week, which will prove beneficial to Bhooth Bangla. Its target will be to collect Rs. 125-130 crores in its lifetime.
This week will see the release of two significant films. Michael, based on the life of Michael Jackson, had paid previews starting at 6:00 pm on April 23. The advance booking is terrific, stunning the trade and industry. It is expected to collect Rs. 1 crore plus in previews. A weekend in the range of Rs. 20-30 crores will be ideal. The negative reviews from the West has not had any effect, it seems, on the desi audiences, as evident by the strong ticket sales.
The other release is Ginny Wedss Sunny 2, starring Avinash Tiwary and Medha Shankr. The trailer is decent and it looks like a rooted, family entertainer. However, the buzz is negligible. The songs haven’t worked at all. Moreover, though Ginny Weds Sunny’s first part was a decent success on Netflix, it doesn’t have a recall value. The opening of Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 is expected to be around Rs. 50 lakhs. It needs a strong word of mouth to have some sort of respectable collections in its lifetime.
Last week’s Bhooth Bangla has done well at the box office, despite criticism over its second half. The film earned Rs. 3.50 crores in the paid previews, which is more than expectations. But on Friday, the film collected Rs. 11.50 crores, which was below expectations. But on Saturday, the earnings jumped to Rs. 18 crores, followed by Rs. 21.50 crores on Sunday.
On Monday, Bhooth Bangla collected Rs. 6.15 crores, which was a decent drop. Due to the Tuesday offer, the collections jumped to Rs. 7.25 crores. On Wednesday, it collected Rs. 5.50 crores. Hence, its six-day collections are Rs. 73.40 crores, while its one-week earnings are expected to be around Rs. 78 crores.
There’s minimal competition this week, which will prove beneficial to Bhooth Bangla. Its target will be to collect Rs. 125-130 crores in its lifetime.
This week will see the release of two significant films. Michael, based on the life of Michael Jackson, had paid previews starting at 6:00 pm on April 23. The advance booking is terrific, stunning the trade and industry. It is expected to collect Rs. 1 crore plus in previews. A weekend in the range of Rs. 20-30 crores will be ideal. The negative reviews from the West has not had any effect, it seems, on the desi audiences, as evident by the strong ticket sales.
The other release is Ginny Wedss Sunny 2, starring Avinash Tiwary and Medha Shankr. The trailer is decent and it looks like a rooted, family entertainer. However, the buzz is negligible. The songs haven’t worked at all. Moreover, though Ginny Weds Sunny’s first part was a decent success on Netflix, it doesn’t have a recall value. The opening of Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 is expected to be around Rs. 50 lakhs. It needs a strong word of mouth to have some sort of respectable collections in its lifetime.
Mini Mathur on Alia Bhatt row: “It is all nonsense. I love Alia”
5:01 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 22, 2026)
Television host-actor Mini Mathur has clarified her stance after her recent Instagram comment was interpreted by many as criticism of actor Alia Bhatt’s hosting a film awards show in Mumbai, which some online users had described as “forced” and “fake”. Speaking to us, Mini dismissed the speculation, calling it “rubbish” and stressing that she was not shading Alia.
The chatter began after a content creator posted a video questioning why actors are chosen to host award shows, citing Alia as an example. Reacting to the video, Mini, a seasoned emcee, had commented, “Thank you. Someone finally said it,” which sparked debate online.
Explaining her remark, the 50-year-old says, “The creator had an interesting take on why award shows insist on using actors as hosts and then later complain about them falling short of their expectations. It is not their main skill set, so why the expectations? It’s like asking a host to act at gunpoint. I only commented on that,” adding, “To just create stories out of nothing is what the internet does.”
Addressing talk of a rift with Alia, she says, “It is all nonsense. I love Alia. On top of this, I have not even seen the show these people are talking about on the internet.”
Making of Dhurandhar to release in theatres later this year
4:59 PM
Akash Bhatnagar (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 22, 2026)
Filmmaker Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar (2025) and Dhurandhar: The Revenge have shattered multiple box office records, crossing Rs. 3,000 crore worldwide. Now, HT City has exclusively learnt that the making of the Dhurandhar franchise is headed to theatres, which is a first-of-its-kind move for an Indian film.
An insider source reveals, “The craze for Dhurandhar is so much that the makers have decided to turn even the making of the film into a spectacle. All the behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews will be collated into a full-length feature film and will be unveiled as a theatrical release in the last quarter of 2026, and then eventually make it to OTT as well.”
The source adds, “All the major players in the film, including actors Ranveer Singh and Arjun Rampal, and Aditya, are not doing any media interactions because their first interviews will be part of this BTS film. It is a first for any Indian film, and the makers are ensuring that no BTS footage goes out on social media before the release,” the source adds.
We reached out to the team of Dhurandhar for comment, but did not receive a response till the time of going to press.
Sudhir Pande reacts to viral walkout row after alleged disrespect by Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 team
4:53 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 21, 2026)
Aviral video recently sparked speculation that veteran actor Sudhir Pande had walked off stage during the trailer launch of Ginny Wedss Sunny 2 (GWS 2), held on April 9, with social media users alleging he was ignored by the team.
However, Pandey dismissed the claims, saying there was no disrespect involved. “There was nothing like being disrespected. I went up on stage with everyone after sitting in the front row,” the 72-year-old says, adding that the video missed context.
He explained that he was attending the event amid a tight shoot schedule for another project. “The problem was, I was in great urgency... I came to attend this trailer launch in the middle of a shoot. In fact, I had told the production house for GWS 2… that I would come with a little urgency. The reason you see me walking off because i was going to the other shoot, I was getting messages,” he shares, clarifying that his exit was due to professional constraints, not any controversy.
For Sudhir, showing up mattered: “I have a fantastic role in Ginny Weds Sunny 2 and it’s a good film. That’s why I got permission from the other film’s team. I am thankful to them for allowing it (attend the trailer launch).”
I drank more than I should have-Jasmine Sandlas
4:52 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 21, 2026)
Singer Jasmine Sandlas is riding high on the success of her tracks in Dhurandhar films.Now, during a chat on YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, the singer opened up about her struggle with alcoholism and family situation.
The 40-year-old reflected on a difficult childhood, saying she had to navigate much of life on her own. “I struggled a lot… figuring out things for myself,” she said, adding,”That was not comfortable. Life happens. It is a lot for the parents, but also for the children. We need guidance and nourishment… Why are parents so tough on their children? When life really hits you, you do look for support.”
Looking back, she admitted she regrets her heavy drinking during a turbulent phase marked by fame, personal struggles, family issues, and the loss of her father. “I drank more than I should have,” she said, adding, “I regret it, but it was important for me at that time.”
Jasmine also went on to reveal that she felt heartbroken because of her parents, saying, “I had some heartbreaks… my parents broke my heart unknowingly many times, so there is resentment.” While emphasising that she still loves them, she added, “When a child’s heart breaks, it remains broken.” She spoke about constantly searching for comfort: “When you don’t have a safe space… you look for a home in everything,” admitting she spent much of her life “just yearning and finding home.”
I was liked for Amar Singh Chamkila’s role before Diljit Dosanjh-Udaybir Sandhu
4:51 PM
Vishakha Pandit (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 20, 2026)
Fresh off the success of Dhurandhar The Revenge, actor Udaybir Sandhu, who played Pinda, actor Ranveer Singh’s friend, is taking a moment to reflect. While he’s enjoying the spotlight, he hasn’t forgotten the struggle that shaped his journey.
Opening up about a moment that could have changed his career trajectory, Udaybir reveals he almost landed the lead role in Amar Singh Chamkila (2024), a part that eventually went to actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh.
“I had auditioned for Chamkila’s part. I had done a lot of research and I was totally invested in it. I was the one who was liked for the part,” he says. However, things didn’t go as planned. According to the 27-year-old, director Imtiaz Ali “always wanted a singer for it… they didn’t think a non-singer would be able to perform it”.
Despite the disappointment, Udaybir holds no bitterness. “When I got to know that Diljit had been cast for the role instead of me, I understood the decision. He did a great job in the film, but I could have played it very well too because I was invested,” he admits.
And what initially felt like a setback eventually turned into an opportunity, as the same audition helped him land another role in the film. “It was due to my audition for Amar Singh Chamkila that I later got the chance to play (late Punjabi singer) Surinder Shinda’s role in the film,” he shares.
Looking back, Udaybir believes the struggles he faced have made his current success more meaningful. “If you get a chance early on, it’s almost like a fluke… you stop doing that kind of hard work. So you need that struggle, that hustle,” he ends.
Tiger Shroff-Vijay Krishna Acharya project in the works? Filmmaker calls it conjecture
4:49 PM
Natasha Coutinho (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 22, 2026)
Amid reports of actor Tiger Shroff teaming up with Vijay Krishna Acharya for a new action entertainer, the filmmaker has dismissed the speculation, calling it “incorrect”.
The project, which was widely reported to go on floors in August this year, with a 2027 theatrical release planned, was also said to be produced by Vinod Bhanushali and Tony D’Souza.
However, Acharya, best known for directing Dhoom 3 (2018) and Thugs Of Hindostan (2018), clarifies that no such collaboration is currently in the works: “I’ve been busy travelling and I saw these stories too. It’s conjecture and the news is incorrect. I find these reports very strange because they are not true.”
Meanwhile, Tiger is currently shooting for filmmaker Sachin Ravi’s next, who will be marking his Hindi directorial debut with the untitled project. It is produced by Murad Khetani.
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone announce their second pregnancy
4:48 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 20, 2026)
Actor-couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh are set to embrace parenthood once again. They shared the news on Sunday with an Instagram post featuring their daughter Dua (see left), marking their second pregnancy announcement.
In the picture, Dua is seen holding a pregnancy test with two pink lines, signalling that she is set to become a big sister. Keeping the reveal minimal, the post was jointly shared by both actors with evil eye emojis in the caption. The couple had welcomed Dua, in September 2024.
The announcement drew reactions from colleagues and fans, with actors Parineeti Chopra and Samantha sending congratulations and hearts in the comments section.
On the work front, Deepika is currently shooting for filmmaker Siddharth Anand’s King, headlined by Shah Rukh Khan, and also has Atlee’s Raaka, co-starring Allu Arjun, in the pipeline.
According to an industry source, “Amidst her pregnancy, Deepika is shooting intense action sequences for Raaka and will continue to shoot for the film throughout her pregnancy.”
Meanwhile Ranveer was last seen in Dhurandhar The Revenge, which grossed over ₹2,000 crore at the worldwide box office.
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