(Crisp) Movie Review: SYSTEM by FENIL SETA
10:59 AM
System, which has released today on Amazon Prime Video, is the story of a young lawyer and her strained relationship with her father. The father-daughter dynamic plays out very well and adds to the drama. Moreover, Jyotika's character stands out. There has never been a film where one of the principal characters is a stenographer, adding to its freshness. A twist in the tale is quite shocking and will catch viewers unawares. However, the climax comparatively is thanda. One expects fireworks in the end but the finale is devoid of it. It's justified but also predictable and hence, underwhelming. The love interest is added for the heck of it, as the character serves no purpose after a point. Sonakshi Sinha is apt for the part and shines in the role. Jyotika is quite natural and terrific, keeping her act subtle yet impactful. Ashutosh Gowariker delivers a very convincing performance as a lawyer who’s not theatrical but knows how to dominate his opponent. Vijayant Kohli (Bajral) and Adinath Kothare (Alok; Neha’s brother) are memorable. Gaurav Pandey (Akshay) is wasted while Upen Chauhan (Inspector Rathi) hams. Nishant Singh (Laxman; Sarika's husband), Freya Kothari (Inaaya Kothari), Aashriya Mishra (Kusum), Aatma Prakash Mishra (Atmaram; Neha's junior colleague), Sayandeep Sengupta (Raghav Shrivastav; journalist) and Ravi Mahashabde (ACP Kumar) perform well. All in all, System makes for a decent one-time watch.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
(Crisp) Movie Review: CHAND MERA DIL by FENIL SETA
10:33 AM
Chand Mera Dil's trailer doesn't give out the whole story. Hence, one is constantly surprised with the developments, that too in the first half. Vivek Soni, who previously directed Aap Jaisa Koi, also helms this film in a stylish manner. The impact of a few scenes in the initial portion is manifold thanks to his execution. The intermission point and a crucial scene in the second half are quite dramatic, while the issues faced by the couple are very relatable. On the flipside, the film gets stretched in the second half; a particular track has no relevance and should have been axed. On the other hand, the family track needed more screen time, but those characters have been underutilized. The climax is sweet and also predictable. Lastly, the title song is fine, but the overall album doesn't leave a huge mark. Speaking of performances, Lakshya delivers a stupendous performance and shines in the emotional scenes. Ananya Panday has clearly evolved and handles a difficult character with ease. Paresh Pahuja (Kevin), Akhil Kaimal (Aarav's male friend), Manik Papneja (Aarav's male friend), Vidushi Kaul (Aarav's sister) and Aastha Singh (Jyotsna) are fair. Manish Chaudhari (Aarav’s father), Irawati Harshe Mayadev (Aarav’s mother) and Charu Shankar (Chandni’s mother) are okay and are let down by writing. All in all, Chand Mera Dil is a heartfelt romantic drama.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
(Crisp) Movie Review: STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU by FENIL SETA
9:59 AM
Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu begins on an action-packed note. Director Jon Favreau helms the film deftly and with an old-school sensibility. Even the visuals and locations have a certain retro touch, which adds to their appeal. The film is mounted on a grand scale and is undoubtedly big-screen worthy. The various action set pieces are spectacular, but what truly stands out is the bond between Mando and Grogu. The latter is adorable and already enjoys a dedicated fan base. On the flipside, the film feels stretched and stagnates in the middle of the second half. The ending is convenient. Also, as often happens with large-scale VFX-driven films, certain moments give a been-there-done-that feeling. Pedro Pascal is barely seen, but he excels with his performance and voiceover. Jeremy Allen White (Rotta The Hutt) does very well. Sigourney Weaver is dependable in a supporting role. Jonny Coyne (Janu) and Steve Blum (Zeb) leave a mark. Martin Scorsese is entertaining as the voice of a shopkeeper. On the whole, Star Wars: The Mandalorian And Grogu is a timepass entertainer.
My rating - *** out of 5!
My rating - *** out of 5!
AI-generated “mini version” of Shah Rukh Khan’s King using leaked clips and paparazzi footage goes viral
4:34 PM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 21, 2026)
What do established filmmakers and production houses fear the most? Financial losses? Bad publicity? Ballooning budgets? Not quite. A footage leak, perhaps. But what the makers of Shah Rukh Khan’s King certainly didn’t see coming was an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated mini version of their film going viral online, stitched together from leaked visuals, paparazzi clips, and stills, just days after footage from the climax shoot surfaced on the internet. Now that’s the kind of nightmare no one in the industry was prepared for.
The 15-minute fan-made video used AI tools to recreate transitions and claimed to offer audiences a “mini version” of director Siddharth Anand’s film before its release. According to insiders, both fans and the production team rapidly mass-reported the footage, leading to its removal from several platforms.
A source close to the production told mid-day, “The team was already upset after stills from the climax leaked. Before that, sequences from the Cape Town schedule went viral where Deepika and SRK shot a song. The line production team was extremely careful but when someone like SRK shoots in public, it’s impossible to trace the source of the leak. But the AI edit crossed a line because it attempted to recreate the narrative of the film.”
The insider added that security around the current schedule near Ghodbunder Road, on the outskirts of Mumbai, has now tightened significantly. “This set in Mumbai is a busy area, so removing phone access won’t help much. But movement in the action portions and crucial scenes has become extremely restricted.”
King is now nearing completion, with “nearly two months of shoot pending”. “King is in its final leg. A lot of patchwork, action inserts, and another schedule remains to be done, with VFX work going on simultaneously. The film is looking to wrap by July-end,” the source revealed.
Director Siddharth Anand’s appeal
“Please do not post or circulate any leaked multimedia from the sets of ‘King’. The team is working around the clock to ensure the best cinematic experience for everyone. Let us wait for the surprise on the big screen.”
Censor board should have protocol on spy movies-Delhi High Court
4:32 PM
Abhinav Garg (THE TIMES OF INDIA; May 21, 2026)
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday remarked that the "censor board should have some guidelines" related to spy movies, after a PIL filed by a serving Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel flagged concerns over Ranveer Singh-starrer 'Dhurandhar The Revenge' revealing tactical and sensitive information on the country's intelligence and defence operations, and sought framing of a 'spy movies protocol'.
"The concerns raised by the petitioner need to be considered and addressed appropriately," a bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said, adding although films are meant for entertainment, they do have an impact.
The bench disposed of the PIL with a direction to the I&B ministry and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) "to consider the entire writ petition as representation of the petitioner and take an appropriate decision on the issues raised". It asked the authorities to communicate their decision on the representation, and if any corrective measures are taken, to the petitioner.
The PIL contended that the film violated the Official Secrets Act as it showed tactical operations, sensitive locations and agents in "depth", and some scenes even revealed information that is not in the interest of the country's security. The petitioner further argued that actions and characters modelled after high-ranking officials and martyred servicemen are so explicit in the film that it is not in the country's best interest, and even certain successful military operations are recalled in the movie.
The petitioner also objected to the movie using "classified protocols" in certain scenes and depicting "deep cover identities". He claimed that the movie has "directly compromised the safety of our on-field undercover agents" and led to local authorities in Karachi being on "spy alert".
The PIL sought framing of a protocol to prevent the showcasing of methods of the country's agents, and revocation of the certification granted to the movie.
‘Big boys’ in Bollywood removed me from 60 films-Amaal Mallik
4:30 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (May 21, 2026)
Singer-composer Amaal Mallik has once again spoken openly about his struggles in the entertainment industry, claiming that internal politics and powerful industry figures have significantly impacted his career.
On Tuesday night, Amaal shared a lengthy note on Instagram Stories (see above), claiming that he has lost out on 60 projects since 2019, having been removed by “big boys in powerful positions”. He added, “20 films toh maine khud hi mana kar diye as it was beneath me to work in those setups.”
The 35-year-old also hinted that he may eventually reveal names, while criticising what he described as years of behind-the-scenes politics.
“I will not name them today, but their time will come someday... All of them are playing award-worthy politics and that’s why you hear less of my music in films. I can’t be part of a clout, a power setup, or be part of petty groupism.”
Amaal, son of composer Daboo Malik and nephew of composer Anu Malik, added that even his family connections didn’t help him: “Even the nepotism isn’t working. So mujhe maaf karo, mera indie music suno.”
This isn’t the first time that Amaal has been so vocal about the industry. In February, he called out labels for pay disparity, saying, “Sooraj Dooba Hai from Roy (2015) earned Rs. 60-Rs. 70 crore for the label, and I got nothing except for the publishing rights, which are negligible, not even close to Rs. 1 crore.”
Saswata Chatterjee to play Sourav Ganguly’s father in biopic
4:29 PM
Ruman Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; May 21, 2026)
Saswata Chatterjee has started shooting for Sourav Ganguly biopic Dada: The Sourav Ganguly Story (tentative title) in Mumbai and is portraying his father Chandi Ganguly. Also part of the shoot are Aparajita Auddy, who’s playing Sourav’s mother Nirupa, and Rahul Dev Bose, who’s playing his brother, Snehasish.
“All three actors are currently shooting in Mumbai. Dada was present on set during the shoot on Sunday. The production team will shoot in Kolkata from the end of this month,” a source close to the unit told us.
According to the source, the Vikramaditya Motwane directorial has an exciting ensemble cast, with Tanya Maniktala essaying the role of Dona Ganguly, while, as we reported earlier, Rajkummar Rao portraying Sourav.
Before Tanya was finalized, several prominent Bengali actresses were rumoured to be in contention for the role, including Mimi Chakraborty, Ishaa Saha, and Amrita Chattopadhyay.
The biopic is expected to chronicle Sourav Ganguly’s journey – right from his formative cricketing years to becoming one of India’s most influential and fearless captains – while delving into his personal life and enduring relationship with Dona.
Satire should be witty not insulting-Shekhar Suman
4:27 PM
Abhimanyu Mathur (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 21, 2026)
Actor Shekhar who introduced the late-night talk show format in 1997 with Movers and Shakers, is back in the space nearly three decades later. On Friday, he welcomed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as his first guest on his YouTube series Shekhar Tonite. The episode saw him deliver some sharp jibes at everyone from PM Narendra Modi to MP Raghav Chadha.
Fearless Humour Still Defines Him
“I’ve been known for being fearless and that I will maintain that, otherwise I wouldn’t have done the show, ” he says, adding that satire works best when it is intelligent, witty, and not intended to insult. “If you just do it with the intention of bullying, insulting, or humiliating people, they’re bound to take umbrage. But if you do it in a manner which seems rational, logical, where it’s witty, then they take it with a pinch of salt and with a sense of humour,” shares Shekhar.
‘The ultimate compliment’
Back in the ‘90s, Shekar’s mimicry of then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his talk show gained popularity. Now, he reveals that Vajpayee himself appreciated the bit. “When (the former PM) met me (at a wedding), he stopped the entire motorcade and got out of the car. He hugged me and said, ‘I record your show, and I watch it every day. When you take off on me, you do my impersonations. I laugh the loudest. Don’t ever stop the show’,” the actor recalls.
He adds, “I should have just hung my boots that day because an actor cannot go beyond that. This is the ultimate compliment that an actor can get. Here was this statesman who had the courage to say this. Otherwise, most of them feel offended.”
‘Someone will always be offended’
Shekhar feels that the show will be ‘like a litmus test’, especially now, when social media can amplify reaction, parody, and satire. “We will have to play it by the ear. (But) there will always be some people who will be offended no matter which way you do it and how you do it,” he says.
Women often get misrepresented in shows and movies-Maanvi Gagroo
4:26 PM
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; May 21, 2026)
Maanvi Gagroo has stayed away from films for nearly seven years because she refused to compromise and be part of stories that don’t do justice to female characters.
“Often, I got excited by the one-line idea of a story, but when I got the script and read the dialogues, I felt they were written by men because [they didn’t seem] to even understand how women talk. Women often get misrepresented in shows and movies,” she shares.
Naturally, when Heer Sara Aur Pondicherry came her way, Gagroo asked for the script after being sold on the idea of “two girls on a bike trip to Pondicherry”.
“The minute I read the dialogues, I was [relieved]. Kartik [Chaudhry, director] told me to add if they’d missed out on anything because, being a woman, mine is a lived-in experience,” recalls Gagroo, adding that she shared a few suggestions during the scripting.
“I told them that one of the issues women face [on a road trip] is the lack of hygienic and safe washrooms. You have to carry wet tissues, seat sanitizer. So, they added that. It felt like a collaborative process.”
Streaming platforms double down on South Indian hits
4:24 PM
Rajesh Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; May 21, 2026)
From theatres to living rooms, South Indian cinema is increasingly dominating the showbiz, accounting for nearly 60% of all theatrically successful films acquired by streaming platforms across Indian languages in 2025.
While this marks a significant shift in OTT content-buying strategies, it is driven by stronger viewer engagement for South Indian titles on streaming platforms, with a higher proportion of viewers tending to watch them till the end after starting them, senior executives at large media and entertainment networks said.
Of the 125 films that each drew more than one million admissions in theatres and bought by leading streaming platforms, 74 were South Indian titles, according to a study by media and entertainment research firm Ormax Media.
“South Indian titles generally show strong engagement patterns, often delivering high completion rates and sustained viewing, which improve long-term platform value,” said Krishnan Kutty, head of entertainment business, south cluster, at JioStar. “At streaming scale, consistent engagement matters more than opening spikes, and regional content is increasingly delivering that consistency,” he added.
In addition, the share of South Indian content in total watch time on streaming platforms has been increasing, industry executives said.
“Across films and web series, we are witnessing phenomenal growth from the South, which accounts for more than 41% of total watch time on ZEE5,” said Siju Prabhakaran, chief business officer at ZEE5. “Every region in South India brings a unique flavour and intellectual depth that resonates across age groups and geographical boundaries.”
Producers said South Indian titles also offer advantages in terms of acquisition costs and content supply compared with Hindi films.
“These titles also provide pipeline stability,” said Suniel Wadhwa, cofounder and director at Karmic Films. “A larger volume of theatrical films with stronger audience retention in the post-pandemic period comes from the South, giving streamers a more dependable content acquisition ecosystem.”
Language affinity and the cultural rootedness of South Indian stories have helped these films attract audiences well beyond their regional markets, independent streaming consultants said.
“In addition to subtitles and dubbing, audiences’ affinity for their mother tongue and the cultural authenticity of these stories and their presentation have helped South Indian titles find viewers beyond their traditional markets,” said Shrirang Nargund, an independent consultant to the streaming industry. “Today, audiences outside the metros increasingly prefer such stories.”
The next 100 million subscribers to India’s streaming ecosystem are expected to come from markets beyond the major metropolitan cities.
According to the Ormax study, Netflix acquired 34% of all South Indian titles bought by streaming platforms in 2025, followed by JioHotstar (19%), ZEE5 (18%) and Prime Video (17%).
“We studied films that recorded one million footfalls in theatres across all languages in India. The South emerged as a bigger content market for streaming platforms,” said Keerat Grewal, head of business development for streaming, TV and brands at Ormax Media.
Streamers also acquired 35 theatrically successful Hindi films, with Netflix accounting for 57%.
| Southern Titles (74) | Hindi Titles (35) | Overall 125 titles | |||
| Platform | Share (%) | Platform | Share (%) | Platform | Share (%) |
| Netflix | 34 | Netflix | 57 | Netflix | 36 |
| JioHotstar | 19 | JioHotstar | 6 | JioHotstar | 21 |
| Prime Video | 17 | Prime Video | 26 | Prime Video | 18 |
| Zee5 | 18 | Zee5 | 6 | Zee5 | 13 |
| SonyLiv | 7 | SonyLiv | 3 | SonyLiv | 6 |
| Others | 5 | Others | 3 | Others | 6 |
| Source: Ormax Media | |||||
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