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Swatantra Veer Savarkar: An Honest Insight Into India’s Freedom Struggle From A Different Perspective

The most interesting aspect of ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’ is the depiction of his ideological clash with Mahatma Gandhi.
Swatantra Veer Savarkar (Hindi)
22-03-2024, Drama, Biography, 2 hours 58 minutes, U/A, Theatre
  • Main Cast: Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande, Amit Sial, and Rajesh Khera
  • Director: Randeep Hooda
  • Producer: Randeep Hooda
  • Music Director: Vipin Patwa
  • Cinematography: Arvind Krishna
  • Rating: 3/5

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is someone who does not need a particular introduction. Savarkar is a hugely polarising historical figure with more than one controversy.

He was the one who laid the foundation for the present Hindutva regime and has also been accused of having an indirect hand in killing India’s Father of the Nation — Mahatma Gandhi, the reason being the ideological differences along with Nathuram Godse being a student of Savarkar.

A biopic on a person like Savarkar is not easy to make, given his vastly turbulent life that is filled with many incidents.

Acclaimed actor Randeep Hooda not only plays the title role but also directs and co-writes the story.

The rawness of a first-time director is quite visible, particularly in the second half, but there is no denying the passion with which Randeep mounts the film.

Synopsis

In simple terms, the story of Swatantra Veer Savarkar is about the different stages in Savarkar’s long and turbulent life.

It starts with him losing his father at a young age. Then we see how the grown-up Savarkar decides to become a freedom fighter and does the things he does.

The major life-turning events of Savarkar are shown in great detail in the movie. This includes interaction with Gandhi, and his life imprisonment in the Andaman Islands aka Kaala Paani.

Stand out scenes

Ankita Lokhande in ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’. (X)

Among the many passages in the film, my favourite ones are the scenes featuring Randeep Hooda and Amit Sial as the supportive elder brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar (Amit Sial.) The bond between the brothers comes out strongly and moves us.

For example, there is a scene in the second half when Veer Savarkar and Ganesh Damodar Savarkar unexpectedly cross paths in the Andaman jail, Damodar is surprised to see his younger brother there and, in that shock, he forgets to hug him.

The portions of how Abhinav Bharat was formed and the ideology behind it are well shown.

The most interesting aspect of Swatantra Veer Savarkar is the scenes of ideological clash with Mahatma Gandhi. Thankfully, the clash of ideologies has been handled with maturity.

There is an important scene when someone tells Savarkar that he hates Gandhi. In response, Savarkar says he doesn’t hate Gandhi but dislikes the ideology of non-violence.

We are also shown that Gandhi wrote letters to the British government seeking the release of Savarkar from the Andamans. He also praises Savarkar, though they have a different approach to the freedom movement.

When Gandhi dies, there is a genuine pain that we see. In fact, Savarkar condemns the act of Nathuram Godse and says that Godse shouldn’t have done this.

Randeep Hoods — The USP

Another major USP of Swatantra Veer Savarkar is its leading man Randeep Hooda.

Randeep Hooda has always been one of the most dependable actors going to any lengths to portray his characters with authenticity — physical and mental.

Here too, Randeep immerses himself into the role, whether it is the fiery freedom fighter of the first half or the prisoner in the long and elongated portions of Kaala Paani.

The physical transformation is, of course, brilliant. But the way he showcases the fighting spirit of Savarkar makes his performance even more admirable.

Among the other actors, Amit Sial stands out as both a supportive elder brother and a freedom fighter himself.

Ankita Lokhande does not have many dialogues but does a fine job in her limited screen time. She effectively portrays the inner strength of a freedom fighter’s wife.

Crammed narrative

Savarkar’s life is on a huge scale given the many incidents. There are times when, as viewers, you might feel that the movie is crammed with too much information and a web series would have been a better option.

The second half in particular needs some brevity. The portions of Savarkar being tortured both physically and mentally need some serious trimming.

Also, the vilification of Congress reaches the point of exhaustion. It does not add anything substantial to the narrative.

Talking about the technical departments, cinematographer Aravind Krishna does a good job of capturing the vast landscape through his lens.

The production design and the art design are also in complete sync with the era of the film.

Final take

Swatantra Veer Savarkar can be watched if you like detailed history lessons and, of course, if you are Randeep Hooda’s fan.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/swatantra-veer-savarkar-movie-review/

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Ae Watan Mere Watan: A Moderately Engaging Tale Of An Unsung Hero

Kannan Iyer deserves credit for bringing to live an unheard talefrom the pages of history but sharper writing and a stronger actor would have made this movie more memorable.
21-03-2024, Biographical Drama, 2 hours and 13 minutes U/A, OTT
  • Main Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Sparsh Shrivastav, Anand Tiwari, Emraan Hashmi, Sachin Kedekar, and Abhay Verma
  • Director: Kannan Iyer
  • Producer: Karan Johar and Somen Mishra
  • Music Director: Mukund Suryawanshi, Akashdeep Sengupta, and Sashi Suman
  • Cinematography: Amalendu Choudary

India’s independence is a result of many people’s blood and sweat. These include not just the ones that we have read in history books.

There are many unsung heroes about whom we have little to no knowledge.

Kannan Iyers Ae Watan Mere Watan is about one such personality.

Synopsis

Usha Mehta (Sara Ali Khan) is a big devotee of Mahatma Gandhi.

Her father Hariprasad Mehta (Sachin Kedakar) is a judge working for the British regime. Neither he approves of his daughter’s rebellious nature nor Usha likes the ways of her father.

Things take a dramatic turn when Mahatma Gandhi and some more leaders are imprisoned during the Quit India Movement.

The British have complete control over the media. The radio, in particular, becomes a medium to divide the nation by spreading misinformation.

In retaliation, Usha and her fellow revolutionaries launch a radio channel — Congress Radio.

The Congress Radio becomes an instant hit; it catches the attention of Ram Manohar Lohia (Emraan Hashmi).

Ram Manohar Lohia was a pre-independence leader who managed not to get caught by the British.

Of course, this Congress Radio also comes under the notice of the British and they decide to track down the people behind this radio channel.

The rest of the story is about how Usha and her comrades fight to keep the radio alive and the role of Ram Manohar Lohia in this.

Back in 1942

Sara Ali Khan on the sets of ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’. (X)

A strong aspect of Ae Watan Mere Watan is how Kannan Iyer has recreated the pre-independence era.

The production design and cinematography, in particular, deserve praise for a job well done.

The costumes along with the architecture of buildings etc are spot on.

Usha’s dynamics with her father Hariprasad give the film some of its best moments — whether it is the scenes of playful innocence in her childhood like the one where Usha is watching Serbian birds flying in the sky and talks about wanting to have wings, or the later portions where the father and daughter have heated arguments given their different ideologies.

The scene where Hariprasad writes a letter to his daughter after Usha is jailed has been wonderfully written and performed.

Another track which deserves a mention is that of Sparsh Srivastava’s Fahad. Fahad suffers from polio but this physical disability never comes in the way of his zeal.

Inconsistent writing

There are two major issues with Ae Watan Mere Watan. One is the lack of more impactful writing by Darab Farooqui and Kannan Iyer.

The ineffective writing is particularly reflected in the love story between Usha and Abhay Varma’s character Kaushik.

Kaushik is not just a comrade but loves Usha. However, this aspect never comes out strong.

Another example of weak writing comes in the portions of Usha using a transmitter and the radio for the first time. We are never shown how Usha learns to use these things.

Compare this to the scenes of Alia’s Sehmat in Raazi (2018), the difference is as clear as day and light, both in terms of staging and acting performance.

Music and background score are of great importance for a film like this. But the movie is a big letdown in that area, too. None of the songs including the title track register.

Performances

Emraan Hashmi in ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’. (X)

Sparsh Srivastava shows that his terrific performance in Laaptaa Ladies (2024) was no fluke. He portrays the fighting spirit of Fahad in a heart-touching manner.

Emraan Hashmi, as Manohar Lohia, makes a late entry but makes a striking impact. The actor also gets some impactful dialogue which he nails. For instance, there is a scene in a dark room.

A person is trying to generate light by using matchsticks but the matchsticks are getting doused.

You have the following dialogue by Manohar Lohia. “Chahe Kitni bhi teeliyan bujh jayein, hamaare seene ki aag kabhi nahi bujheg,” (No matter how many matchsticks get doused, the fire in our hearts will always remain.)

As Usha Mehta, Sara Ali Khan is like a fish out of water. The actor is earnest but her shrill dialogue delivery annoys the viewers, big time. She is unable to bring the required conviction.

The British characters are, of course, your usual stereotypes and they leave zero impact.

Particularly irritating to watch is Alex O ‘Niel as the antagonist who is given the responsibility of apprehending Usha and co.

Final take

To conclude an unsung hero like Usha Mehta deserved a far better movie based on her life.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/ae-watan-mere-watan-movie-review/

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My Short Take on Bramayugam

Yesterday watched a Malayalam movie Bramayugam on Sonyliv directed by Rahul Sadhasivan. Without giving much away Bramayugam is set in 17th century of Kerala. A Dalit singer Thevan (Arjun Ashokan) loses his way in the forest and ends up finding a dilapidated mansion where only two men stay Kodumon Poti (Mammootty) and the cook played by Sidharth Bharathan. Keeping in the tradition of the horror movie genre this is a mansion with many secrets. Initially Thevan’s stay is pleasant but things start going tipsy turvy soon.

One of the aspects that I liked about Bramayugam was how Rahul Sadhasivan mixed elements of folklore and religion. The movie also gets into a political zone about dialogues regarding oppression of lower caste and how the desire for power corrupts anyone whether you are rich or poor.

Technically Bramayugam is a solid product. The cinematography and sound design in particular deserve praise. Shehnad Jalal’s black and white cinematography is a treat to watch and the sound design enhances the horror.

Lastly the performances are also fine. Mammootty has shown the passion to constantly reinvent himself and Bramayugam is another fine example of that. The actor chews the scenery and terrifies the viewers with just his body language. Arjun Ashokan and Siddharth Bharatan are also fine in their respective parts.

A major problem with the movie are its post interval portions after the big reveal. The screenplay starts stagnating without much to look forward to. Rahul Sadhasivan’s Bhoothakaalam kept the viewers thoroughly engaged till the end but this doesn’t. Another issue with the film are the logical loopholes particularly regarding the character of the cook. This cook uses Thevan for his own purpose. Why he waits for such a long time is not clear.

Also we are shown that Kodumon Poti is someone who knows everything but when it comes to the cook’s background Kodumon Poti is shown to be surprised when his lineage is revealed. At the beginning of the film we have a Yakshi played by Amalda Liz but her purpose of seducing and killing men is an absolute blur

To sum it up Bramayugam has some strong points but it leaves it with you more questions than answers.

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Big Girls Don’t Cry: Successfully Evokes A Sense Of Nostalgia, Particularly For Those Who Attended Boarding Schools

A tighter edit and deletion of some parallel stories concerning the adults would make ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ more cohesive.
Big Girls Don’t Cry (Hindi), 14-03-2024, Drama, 7 episodes, 16+. OTT
  • Main Cast: Pooja Bhatt, Raima Sen, Loveleen Misra, and Afrah Sayed
  • Director: Nitya Mehra, Karan Kapadia, Kopal Naithani and Sudhansu Saria
  • Producer: Ashi Dua Sara and Karan Kapadia
  • Music Director: Amit Trivedi
  • Cinematography: Cherin Paul and Kabir Tejpal
  • Rating: 3/5

Adolescence is a significant part of everyone’s life. Big Girls Don’t Cry, created by Nitya Mehra, primarily focuses on a group of girls from a fictionalised boarding school.

These include Kavya Yadav (Vidushi), Leah Joseph aka Ludo (Avantika Vadanapu), and Noor Hassan (Afrah Sayed), among others.

Pooja Bhatt plays the stern school principal reminiscent of Amitabh Bachchan’s role in Mohabbatein (2000).

There is also Zoya Hussain as the drama teacher.

In simple terms, the story of Big Girls Don’t Cry is about teenage girls grappling with academics, sexuality, classism, equality, etc.

Analysis

‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ web series is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. (X)

A strong aspect of Big Girls Don’t Cry is the distinct personalities of the seven girls. The writers have penned interesting parts for them all. This makes the show engaging.

The four directors have also succeeded in evoking a sense of nostalgia. Many teenage girls will identify with the characters in more than one way.

Among this group of girls, my favourite track is that of Vidushi’s Kavya Yadav. She plays a scholarship student who is trying hard to fit in with the popular gang of girls. Vidushi delivers a solid performance.

My other favourite character is Dia Mallik played by Akshita Sood. Dia is a rebel who finds defiance and solace in poetry.

She has little interest in conventions and norms. Akshita Sood also deserves brownie points for her wonderful performance.

However, a major problem with Big Girls Don’t Cry is the dragged narrative in the middle portions, particularly after the third episode. The length of the episodes could have been easily trimmed.

Also, a few adult characters have been terribly wasted and don’t add any value to the narrative. The likes of Raima Sen, and Suchitra Pillai feel force-fitted.

The same applies to Dolly Ahluwalia in an unnecessary cameo.

Performances

Overall, the performances of the girls are good. There is required rawness and sincerity.

Among the adults, Pooja Bhatt makes a striking impact as the stern principal, who also has a vulnerable side. She exudes a fierce nature without any hiccups.

Zoya Hussain as a drama teacher comes across as a much-needed respite. Some of her conversations with the students make a solid impact.

The musical pieces are another strength of the show. For example, there is the peppy title track by Amit Trivedi. The songs blend well into the narrative.

Verdict

Big Girls Don’t Cry can be watched, provided you like coming-of-age teen content. It is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/big-girls-dont-cry-web-series-review/

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Save The Tigers 2: Deeply Explores Marital Problems With The Right Mix Of Humour And Drama

In spite of some hitches, this Arun Kothapally’s directorial is a good follow-up to Season 1 (‘Save The Tigers’).
  • Main Cast: Priyadarshi, Abhinav Gomatam, Chaitanya Krishna, Jordar Sujatha, Pavani Gangi Reddy, Deviyani Sharma, Gangavva, Seerat Kapoor, Darshana Banik, Venu Yaldandi, Satya Krishnan, Rohini, and Aarthi Ganeshkar
  • Director: Arun Kothapally
  • Producer: Mahi V Raghav and Chinna Vasudeva Reddy
  • Music Director: Ajay Arasada
  • Cinematography: SV Vishweshwar
  • Genre: Comedy Drama
  • Rating: 3.5/5
  • Episodes: 7
  • Published in: Southfirst

Director Teja Kakumanu’s web series Save The Tigers (2023) was a hilarious show about three frustrated married men — Ghanta Ravi (Priyadarshi), Rahul (Abhinav Gomatam), and Vikram (Krishna Chaitanya).

There is nothing common among them in terms of backgrounds. But still, there is a connecting factor that binds them.

In spite of the obvious similarities with Anil Ravipudi’s F2 (2019), the first season was very much its own beast. The director was successful in creating conflicts that have substance.

For example, Vikram’s wife is an activist-cum-lawyer. Their daughter is the emotional anchor just like many other children.

The first season also subtly touched upon important topics like workplace harassment. Not surprisingly, Save The Tigers become a huge success. It was easily one of the most loved shows of last year.

Save The Tigers 2

A still from the Telugu web series ‘Save The Tigers 2’. (X)

Now, we have Save The Tigers 2 with a new director Arun Kothapally. Coming to Season 2, Arun Kothapally adds new flavours by going deeper into marital problems but at the same time maintaining the entertainment quotient.

Season 1 ended up with Ghanta Ravi, Rahul, and Vikram being detained by the police on the suspicion of having a hand in the disappearance of actress Hamsalekha (Seerat Kapoor).

The trio indeed meet Hamsalekha, though unintentionally, on the particular drunken night. But the fact is they had nothing to do with her disappearance.

Fortunately, for the trio, Hamsalekha comes to their aid and the three are released from jail. Hamsalekha also ends up forming a bond with them, particularly Ghanta Ravi. This doesn’t go well with Ghanta Ravi’s wife Hymavathi (Jordar Sujatha).

The wives are fed up with the antics of their respective husbands and seek help from a psychiatrist (Sathya Krishnan). The rest of the story is about the three men navigating marriage while facing new problems.

Additionally, you also have individual journeys. For example, Ghanta Ravi has ambitions of becoming a corporator.

On the other hand, Rahul is penning a script for Hamsalekha.

An underlying theme of Season 2 is how people easily believe the gossip spread by news channels, particularly news about actresses and come to a negative judgment about them. This comes out strongly in the track of Priyadarshi and Seerat Kapoor.

There is gossip about Ghanta Ravi and Hamsalekha having an affair even though there is not an ounce of reality in it.

Analysis

Pavani Gangi Reddy, Jordar Sujatha, and Deviyani Sharma in ‘Save The Tigers 2’. (Screengrab)

The web series makes some strong points on how people are easily influenced by rumours and come to a conclusion without having the patience to verify.

Among the marital problems explored, there are the themes of “seven-year itch” and “seeking the easy way out”. For instance, Vikram is working on a new project with Harika (Darshna Banik).

It starts as a purely professional one but they end up getting attracted to each other. Fortunately, better sense prevails as Vikram realises the need to understand his wife better.

Director Arun Kothpally also takes some jibes at the advertisement industry on how they sell lies beautifully.

Talking about the comic sequences, the portions of Abhinav Gomatam and the house help played by Rohini are a major highlight. Their scenes bring the house down much like the first season.

A special mention must be made of the conversation where Rohini’s character talks about her business aspirations with Rahul. She asks him about what captions can be written on an autorickshaw, it is simply hilarious.

There are a couple of things which bog down Save The Tigers 2. One of them is an episode involving how the system of marriage came about. There is nothing wrong with the humour per se in these portions but the brief subplot comes across as an unwanted guest breaking the flow.

Also, the portions involving the allowance of pets in an apartment feel patchy.

Performances

Chaitanya Krishna, Priyadarshi, and Abhinav Gomatam in ‘Save The Tigers 2’. (X)

Talking about the performances,  Priyadarshi  leads from the front once again. His character has an arc that showcases both his comic and dramatic skills.

The emotional sequences of Ghanta Ravi with the daughter have come out brilliantly. There is a heart-touching scene when the daughter opens up about how she was earlier ashamed about her father being a dairy farm owner, but now that has changed.

Abhinav Gomatam continues to leave the viewers in splits with his comic timing. His delivery of the liners in particular deserves a special mention.

Krishna Chaitanya provides able support although he doesn’t have as much scope as the other two.

Among the female leads, Jordar Sujatha leaves the biggest impact with her strong act. There are occasions when she may come across as too loud for some but still her no-holds-barred manner is a delight to watch.

Additionally, she also shares a good chemistry with Priyadarshi. Her emotional scenes with Priyadarshi give the show some of its best moments.

Deviyani Sharma’s role is softer in comparison to the first season. But still, the actress has done a fairly decent job.

Pavani Gangi Reddy as the doctor-wife does her part well.

Final take

Keeping aside the small niggles, Save The Tigers 2 is very much bingeworthy.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/telugu/save-the-tigers-2-telugu-web-series-review/

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Murder Mubarak: A Toothless Whodunit That Fails To Capture The Spirit Of Anuja Chauhan’s Novel ‘Club You To Death’

Director Homi Adajania tries to mix humour with suspense but fails spectacularly. Also, too many characters add to the fatigue.
  • Main Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Tisca Chopra, Pankaj Tripathi, and Sanjay Kapoor
  • Director: Homi Adajania
  • Producer: Maddock Films
  • Music Director: Sachin-Jigar
  • Cinematography: Linesh Desai
  • Genre: Murder Mystery-Comedy
  • Rating: 2/5
  • Run Time: 2 Hours 21 minutes
  • Published in: Southfirst

Anuja Chauhan’s 2021 novel “Club You To Death” was much more than just a murder mystery. It was a book that looked at discrimination based on class. The novel was a social satire in many ways.

For those who haven’t read Anuja Chauhan’s work, the setting of the movie is the Royal Delhi Club, known for its lavish parties and high-profile guests.

A murder is committed on its premises and ACP Bhavani Singh (Pankaj Tripathi) is given the responsibility of unravelling the mystery.

Bhavani Singh’s character is modelled on British writer Agatha Christie’s hugely popular fictional detective Hercule Poirot.

Also, there is Karisma Kapoor as superstar Shehnaz Noorani.

The lives of these rich people are juxtaposed with the working class.

For example, there is a caretaker with dementia Guppie Ram (Brijendra Kala).

In simple terms, the story is about what led to the death of the Zumba instructor Leo Mathews (Ashim Gulati) along with the various secrets of the suspects.

Analysis

A still from ‘Murder Mubarak’. (X)

What makes Murder Mubarak somewhat tolerable is the basic storyline.

Sure, the narrative style is tedious but the suspense of who the murderer is keeps the viewers going.

Here, director Homi Adjania and the writers must be given credit.

The last 20 minutes of Bhavani Singh solving the case is interesting.

Among the sprawling cast, Pankaj Tripathi has the most fun. The dependable actor brings his charismatic charm and also gets some good lines.

For instance, in a scene, he says “Aaj kal anti-national banne ke liye zyada patishram nahi karna padta hai (These days, it is quite easy to be labelled anti-national).

A big problem with Murder Mubarak is the overindulgence of Homi Adajania. This can be seen in how the director overstretches the narrative.

Most characters have also been poorly etched; a case in point is Vijay Varma and Dimple Kapadia.

In the second half, there is a badly placed love story between Sara Ali Khan and Vijay Varma while they are doing their parallel investigation.

The writing and the chemistry between the actors are weak.

Sara Ali Khan has one important scene in a crucial flashback towards the end. But the actor messes that scene up with her overacting. As a result, the viewers do not feel the emotional turmoil of her role.

Final take

Despite its engaging subject and an interesting set of actors, Murder Mubarak is a major misfire.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/murder-mubarak-hindi-movie-review/

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Ambajipeta Marriage Band

Dushyant Kathikeni’s Ambajipeta Marriage band has a heavy hangover of Tamil rustic dramas reminiscent of PA Ranjith and Vetrimaaran films but still this movie makes for an impressive social drama. Suhas once again plays to his strength as a young man from lower caste. He is a barber by profession but also works as a drummer on certain occasions. The sister Padmavathi (Sharanya Pradeep) is a government school teacher who is fierce in nature and doesn’t take things lying down. Things take a dramatic turn when Padmavathi is humiliated by the landlord Venkat (Nithin Prasanna) leading to a chain of events where the siblings fight back. Newcomer Shivani Nagaram plays the villains sister and hero’s love interest.

The storyline of Ambajipeta Marriage band is as old as hills but what it makes it gripping is the narration particularly in the second half. The love story has its moments as well especially a scene in the barber shop. The chemistry between Suhas and Shivani works well. Shivani has a confidence presence about her. She does a fine job in the cute moments as well as the intense emotional scene with Suhas in the latter half. the film though becomes more engaging in the second half. The director Dushyant has done a good job in exploring themes of self-respect and honor.

Wajid Baig’s cinematography is another plus for the movie. He captures the rustic surroundings well through his lens. Both Sharanya and Suhas also power the film with their performances. Suhas’s role has two shades. One is the lover boy act already seen in Colour Photo and Writer Padmabhushan. But Suhas scores most when he has to show agression. The anger is palpable. Sharanya Pradeep also leaves a lasting impact successfully showcasing the different shades of her role. Nithin Prasanna makes the viewers hate him thoroughly which is the need of the role

Ambajipeta Marriage band can be watched for those who love movies tackling social issues

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Maharani Season 3: A Gripping Tale Of Politics And Revenge

Just like the previous two seasons, the web show shines the brightest when it focuses on the politics of Bihar.
  • Main Cast: Huma Qureshi, Sohum Shah, Amit Sial, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya
  • Director: Saurabh Bhave
  • Producer: Naren Kumar and Dimple Kharbanda
  • Music Director: Rohit Sharma
  • Cinematography: Anup Singh
  • Genre: Political Drama
  • Episodes: 8
  • Rating: 3.5/5
  • Published in: Southfirst

For those who haven’t seen the first two seasons, Maharani—created and written by Subhash Kapoor, is loosely inspired by the incidents in the 1990s Bihar.

It was when seasoned politician Lalu Prasad Yadav declared and made his homemaker-wife Rabri Devi his successor.

Season 1

The first season of Maharani was set from 1995 to 1999 and had characters inspired by Naxal and left-wing militants.

Rani Bharati (Huma Quereshi) is the wife of Bihar CM Bheema Bharti (Sohum Shah). In unforeseen circumstances, Bheema Bharti gets severely wounded and appoints his wife Rani as a technical CM until he recovers.

Rani Bharti is a simple woman who is happy with her domestic life. But now, she has to deal with government files, corruption and the caste massacres happening within the state.

In addition, she is not a literate woman.

Initially, Rani Bharti feels like a fish out of the water and wants to return to her simple life. But, eventually, she becomes a firm administrator and wins admirers.

As she grows more confident the inevitable clashes with her husband happen. Season 1 ended with Bheema Bharti going to jail on charges of corruption.

Season 2

In Season 2, Bheema runs a proxy government from jail. Bharti is facing opposition from her husband and the rival politician Naveen Kumar (Amit Sial).

Naveen and Bheema used to be friends. But now, they are big-time foes.

The issues dealt with this backdrop were the demand for a separate Jharkhand state along with the chilling death of Shilpi Jain and Gautam Singh that sent shock waves for both Rani and the state of Bihar.

In this scenario, some of Rani’s decisions don’t go well with her party members. Season 2 ended with Rani Bharti going to jail for a crime she did not commit, and the death of her husband Bheema.

Season 3

Now, you have Season 3, after a gap of one and a half years.

Maharani Season 3 begins with the life of Rani Bharti in prison. She utilises her time in jail to complete her education, which she left midway because of her father.

Rani Bharti also makes moves to strike back against her opponents. In simple terms, Season 3 focuses on how Rani Bharti proves her innocence and comes out of the complex web orchestrated by the cunning Navin Kumar.

The series plays out like an intense game of chess after a point.

Analysis

Huma Qureshi in ‘Maharani Season 3’. (X)

A strong point of Maharani Season 3 is the socio-political commentary.

Director Saurabh Bhave touches upon the illegal sale of liquor despite an alcohol ban in the state. He presents an authentic picture of how this illegal sale leads to the flourishing of illicit crimes.

Apart from the illegal sale of liquor the show also dwells on unauthorized dealings and the brutal electoral tactics.

Saurabh Bhave has also done a good job of showcasing the effect of power struggles and how nasty the political landscape can be. The cutthroat world of politics keeps the viewers thoroughly engaged even when the proceedings become predictable and slightly tedious.

The clinical way Rani Bharati goes about her revenge and completes her education has been well presented.

On the flipside, some twists suffer from weak writing and the middle portions could have done with more thrills.

Huma Quereshi steals the show

Huma Quereshi successfully takes off from where she left off in the first two seasons. She nails the accent and portrays the inner strength of a woman who has come a long way from being called a misfit.

Amit Sial continues to be wickedly charming showcasing the shrewd demeanour of Naveen Kumar perfectly.

The other supporting characters played by Vineet Kumar and Dibyendu Bhattacharya are also in fine form.

Rohit Sharma’s music and Mangesh Dhadke’s background score add another layer to the show.

The song “Kaun Bola Ban Hai” particularly deserves a mention for its satirical tone about the supposed alcohol ban.

Verdict

Maharani Season 3 is a must-watch for those who like political thrillers.

It is streaming on Sony Liv.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/maharani-season-3-web-series-review-a-gripping-tale-of-politics-and-revenge/

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Showtime: An Entertaining But A Clichéd Take On The Inner Workings Of The Film Industry

Emraan Hashmi has always worked best when playing characters with grey areas and ‘Showtime’ is one more example of that.
  • Main Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Mahima Makwana, Rajeev Khandewal, Mouni Roy, Shriya Saran, and Naseerudin Shah
  • Director: Mihar Desai and Archit Kumar
  • Producer: Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, and Mihir Desai
  • Music Director: Anand Bhaskar
  • Cinematography: Vivek Shah
  • Genre: Drama
  • Episodes: 4
  • Published in: Southfirst

The story of Showtime has an outlandish but interesting premise.

Raghu Khanna (Emraan Hashmi) is the heir apparent of a studio named Viktory, started by his father Viktor Khanna (Naseeruddin Shah).

The son and father have very different approaches towards filmmaking and the movie business. As a result, they are constantly at loggerheads.

Raghu’s latest production is Pyaar Dangerous. Raghu tries to bribe critics to give good reviews.

A critic of the news samachar is unwell therefore he asks the junior Mahika Nandy (Mahima Makwana) to review the film and say only positive stuff.

Emraan Hashmi in ‘Showtime’. (X)

Raghu’s aide Ziko (Gurpreet Saini) even gifts her the latest smartphone. But on TV, Mahika brutally blasts the film adding that she was given a bribe for a positive review. The review and Mahika’s confession go viral and she loses her job.

But that very night, Viktor Khanna invites Mahika to his home, where they have a heart-to-heart conversation. Mahika expresses her wish for Viktory Studios to return to the heartfelt films they used to make.

After a few hours, Viktor passes away and things take a ludicrous turn when it is revealed that Mahika is Viktor’s granddaughter.

Naturally, Raghu gets the shock of his life but things don’t end there.

The lawyers read out Viktor’s will, which says that the ownership of Viktory Studios has been handed over to the granddaughter.

This changes the lives of Raghu and Mahika forever. Nothing more can be revealed as numerous parallel subplots are integrated into the main story.

Analysis

Showtime works best when it focuses on the characters of Emraan Hashmi and Mahima Makwana.

The interpersonal dynamics and how Mahika takes on the big challenges after the initial shock give the show some of its best moments.

Emraan Hashmi has always worked best when playing characters with grey areas and Showtime is one more example of that.

His Raghu Khanna is supremely brash, hurting people close to him like his love interest Mouni Roy who also plays an item dancer with aspirations of becoming a heroine.

But beneath the brashness, there is also a vulnerability to him that comes through strongly.

Performances

Mahima Makwana in ‘Showtime’. (X)

Emraan Hashmi does a brilliant job of portraying the different shades.

Mahima Makwana also does well in showcasing the switch of a Mahika Nandy from a regular girl to an assertive boss lady.

Among the supporting characters, Rajeev Khandelwal makes the biggest impact. He plays an obnoxious superstar who outlives his stardom but continues to throw tantrums. The actor has a blast in portraying the eccentricities.

Showtime also tackles some important questions regarding South Cinema Vs Bollywood and what should be prioritised more — script or superstars.

What doesn’t work for Showtime is the overtop and formulaic approach taken by the directors.

Directors Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar try to merge real with reel ageing superstars losing touch with reality, and sexy item girls struggling to make a mark as actresses. But this showcase of Bollywood’s dark side offers nothing particularly new.

Also, many actors have been woefully underutilised. These include Naseerudin Shah and Mouni Roy.

Final take

Showtime can be watched if you like some harmless fun and Emraan Hashmi’s acting.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/showtime-webseries-review-an-entertaining-but-a-cliched-take-on-the-inner-workings-of-the-film-industry/

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Shaitaan: A Chilling Atmospheric Horror-Thriller With A Delightfully Deranged Madhavan

Despite some hiccups in the second half, ‘Shaitaan’ is a welcome return to form for Vikas Bahl after the atrocious ‘Ganapath’.
  • Main Cast: Ajay Devgn, R Madhavan, Jyothika Saravanan, Jangki Bodiwala, and Anngad Raaj
  • Director: Vikas Bahl
  • Producer: Ajay Devgn, Jyoti Deshpande, and Abhishek Pathak
  • Music Director: Amit Trivedi
  • Cinematography: Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti
  • Run time: 2 hours 12 minutes
  • Genre: Horror-Thriller
  • Rating: 3.5/5
  • Published in: Southfirst

Vikas Bahl has had a roller coaster of a journey starting with Chillar Party (2011), which he directed along with Nitesh Tiwari.

His second film Queen (2013) was much acclaimed for its progressive story along with getting good box office numbers.

Shaandaar (2015) was unfortunately a massive flop, but Vikas struck back with Super 30 (2019). It was a moving drama about the mathematics teacher-educator Anand Kumar (played by Hrithik Roshan). Despite some flaws, Super 30 was a well-made inspirational drama that talked about how education should be a level playing field.

Later, though Vikas Bahl went through a rough patch with Goodbye (2022) and Ganapath (2023), Ganapath ended up being a tough one to endure for both critics and audiences.

But with his latest Shaitaan, the filmmaker has made a good comeback.

Shaitaan is based on the Gujarati film Vash (2023). Since I have not seen that, this will be a standalone review.

Combining horror with suspense is not an easy task given the clichés of the Indian horror genre. But thankfully here there are no creaking doors. The scares mostly come from the sinister plans of the antagonist.

Synopsis

Ajay Devgn in ‘Shaitaan’. (X)

Shaitaan begins with the introduction of Kabir (Ajay Devgn). His family consists of Jyothi (Jyothika), their teenage daughter Jahnavi (Janki Bodiwala) and their son Dhruv (Anngad Raaj).

The first 10 to 15 minutes are devoted to the family moments.

Soon, everything becomes topsy-turvy with the arrival of Vanraj Kshyap (R Madhavan), an expert hypnotist who puts Jahnavi completely under his spell. She obeys every command he gives.

Soon, the commands of Vanraj become increasingly dangerous to both Jahnavi and the rest of her family.

Kabir and Jyothi are helpless in front of this demonic man.

The rest of the story unravels the mystery behind what makes Vanraj so powerful and what are his motives in wreaking havoc. But the most important question is whether Kabir and his wife can save their children from this highly dangerous tormentor.

Analysis

For a film of this nature, building an effective atmosphere of dread is of utmost importance. Director Vikas Bahl scores big time in creating a sense of unease with the help of his cinematographer Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti.

Amit Trivedi’s background music also helps big time, particularly in the portions where Vanaraj talks about his sinister plans.

Vanraj wants to control young women and make sure that they do not become rebels with a combination of black magic and science.

On occasions, the viewers are reminded of the Pied Piper story—a man who lures all the children to seek revenge on the mayor for not giving him gold as promised.

Coming back to the movie, the second half of Shaaitaan does lose its grip with some monotonous moments.

The plot is paper thin and this also contributes to some of the dogginess. Also, the psyche behind Vanraj doing these things could have been explored with more heft. But still, they do not become a major problem.

Brilliant cast

Madhavan in ‘Shaitaan’. (X)

What also makes Shaitaan work is its brilliant cast.

Ajay Devgn, as Kabir, is back in the Drishyam mode playing a determined father wanting to save his family. In spite of the obvious similarities, the actor does a terrific job of showcasing both the vulnerability and determination of Kabir.

There are many occasions where Kabir comes across as helpless and it is in these portions that Ajay particularly shines.

Jyothika is also in fine form. She plays her part with utmost honesty. A particular mention must be made of her combat scene with R Madhavan.

Janki Bodiwala is also pitch-perfect. She laughs, cries, and dances as required with absolute finesse.

Anngad Raaj is cute and his scenes with Ajay are quite adorable.

Last but not least, Madhavan is simply outstanding. As Vanaraj, the actor showcases a vastly different facet of his that audiences haven’t seen before.

Sure, he did play a grey character in Mani Ratnam’s Yuva (2004), but this performance is something else. He does a first-class job of portraying the sadistic and sinister nature of Vanraj.

The actor has had a blast in exploring the mean streak of his role.

Final take

Shaitaan is a good watch for those who are interested in stories that combine horror with suspense. The movie is also a treat for Madhavan’s fans.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/shaitaan-hindi-movie-review/