Tag: Amazon Prime Video

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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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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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Dhootha: This Riveting Paranormal Saga Makes Compelling Points About Politics And Journalism

‘Dhootha’ focuses on how Sagar (Naga Chaitanya) is related to the invisible forces and races against time to connect the dots.

An intriguing web show!

Dhootha (Telugu)

  • Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Priya Bhavani Shankar, and Parvathy Thiruthovu
  • Director: Vikram K Kumar
  • Producer: Sharrath Marar
  • Music: Ishaan Chhabra
  • No. of episodes: 8
  • OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video

Filmmaker Vikram K Kumar is not new to the genre of paranormal thrillers.

For example, the director made a horror film in Tamil titled Yavarum Nalam (2009). The same was dubbed into Telugu as 13 B.

13 B was a gritty thriller where a TV set becomes a character in the story.

After making a series of romantic and science fiction movies, the filmmaker is back with a paranormal thriller and this time, the focus is on journalism and politics.

Synopsis

Naga Chaitanya Vikram K Kumar
Actor Naga Chaitanya and director Vikram K Kumar on the sets of ‘Dhootha’. (X)

Sagar (Naga Chaitanya) and Priya (Priya Bhavani Shankar) are successful investigative journalists. They both are in a happy space, professionally and personally.

Priya is on maternity leave. But thankfully, director Vikram K Kumar doesn’t regulate her to just a one-note character.

Sagar is promoted as the chief editor of a newspaper called “Samachar“.

But the happiness doesn’t last long. A tragic accident claims the life of Sagar’s pet dog. Right before the tragedy, Sagar comes across a newspaper clipping which foretells what would happen.

The incident marks the beginning of many ominous messages foretelling future events and an external force targeting corrupt journalists.

Parvathy Thiruvothu plays an investigating officer named Kranti Shenoy.

In a nutshell, Dhootha focuses on how Sagar is related to these invisible forces and how he races against time to connect the dots.

Analysis

Naga Chaitanya in a still from Dhootha
Naga Chaitanya in a still from ‘Dhootha’. (X)

Vikram Kumar engrosses the viewers from the first frame. He does a brilliant job of balancing the suspense and supernatural elements.

A major strength of the Dhootha web series is how the director designs the character of Sagar.

Initially, the viewers see Sagar as an ideal husband and a righteous media person. He is an inspiration to many aspiring journalists.

But soon enough, layers upon layers come out. Sagar is a departure from the on-screen characters that Naga Chaitanya has portrayed thus far, and the actor more than rises to the occasion.

He does a splendid job, particularly when Sagar has mental and emotional breakdowns.

Backstory shines

Working still from Dhootha
A working still from ‘Dhootha’. (X)

The backstory of the newspaper involving Pasupathy and Tharun Bhascker also gives the web show some of its best moments.

There is a lot of impactful socio-political commentary.

For example, there are hard-hitting dialogues about how intersecting politics and journalism are dangerous for society. The web series also predicts that nothing good will come out of politicians running newspapers.

Apart from Pasupathy and Tharun Bhascker, Dhootha has many small characters. For example, Prachi Desai is Sagar’s PA, and Rohini is the mother. These characters have been neatly integrated into the main storyline by Vikram K Kumar.

For any thriller, it is necessary that the dots are connected, and the director has done a great job of connecting all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.

Like the television set in 13 B, the newspaper cuttings play a pivotal role in the web series. As soon as a newspaper cutting appears, the viewers feel tense about what will happen next.

Performances

Parvathy Thiruvothu doesn’t need an introduction. She has always been a solid actor. Here too, she makes a huge impact as the no-nonsense police officer.

Priya Bhavani Shankar Sagar, as spouse, is in good form. Her character comes with its grey shades.

Technically, the Dhootha web series is a solid product with top-notch cinematography and special effects.

However, one slight problem is the middle part where the parallel investigation of Kranthi feels a bit bloated.

Also, the closing episode could have been more impactful. However, these are just minor quibbles in an otherwise gripping show.

Verdict

In a nutshell, the Dhootha web series is a gripping paranormal saga that makes some pertinent points about politics and journalism.

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Pippa: An Engrossing War Drama That Throws Light On A Significant Chapter In Indian History

An impactful war film meant for theatres!

Pippa (Hindi)

  • Cast: Ishaan Khattar, Priyanshu Painyuli, Mrunal Thakur, and Soni Razdan
  • Director: Raja Krishna Menon
  • Producers: Ronnie Screwvala and Siddarth Roy Kapur
  • Music: AR Rahman
  • Runtime: 2 hours 19 minutes
  • OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video

The significance of the 1971 Bangladesh War goes beyond winning the battle against Pakistan. It is more about liberating the large number of refugees who have faced many atrocities.

In a scene in Pippa, Ishaan Khattar’s character talks about how this is the first military battle fought to free the helpless.

For those who are not aware, Pippa is based on the book titled “Burning Chaffees“. Ishaan Khattar plays Brigadier Balram Singh Mehta (the author) aka Balli.

Ram Mehta (Priyanshu Painyuli), an army officer, is the elder brother of Balli. Ram’s personality is different from that of Balli. Not surprisingly, both brothers often find themselves at odds.

Their sister Radha (Mrunal Thakur) is an expert at cryptography and quite rebellious, too. This comes out well in a scene where we see her participating in a college protest.

Mrs Mehta (Soni Razdan) is their mother.

Balli’s family is a refugee family from Rawalpindi, West Pakistan. There is a brilliant scene when Mrs Mehta talks about how people don’t become refugees by choice.

As the story progresses, all three siblings play a vital role in the Indian victory.

Analysis

The first feeling that comes to viewers’ minds after watching Pippa is why it was not released in theatres. The war sequences have been brilliantly shot, and if seen on the big screen, the impact would have been tenfold.

Pippa has all the elements needed for a big theatrical experience. However, there is no point in dwelling on that now.

So, let’s go into the analysis. Raja Krishna Menon does not waste any time in setting up the plot.

There is a graphic representative story at the start that shows many people in East Pakistan being gunned down. This disturbs us, and you will instantly empathise with Bangladeshis.

After that, the director establishes the relationship dynamics of these siblings, which adds to the human drama when Ram becomes a war prisoner.

For those who don’t know, Pippa is a nickname given to the army tank PT 76 that Balli operates. The scenes of Ishaan Khattar leading this tank are a sight to behold.

The camaraderie between the members of Balli’s squadron has some amusing moments, like the scene where the mutton is cooked when the war preparations are going on.

Ishaan cements his place in Bollywood

Mrunal Thakur and Ishan Khattar in Pippa
Mrunal Thakur and Ishan Khattar in ‘Pippa’. (X)

On the performance front, Ishaan Khattar leads the show with his impeccable act. His character starts as a constantly flirting captain. From there, we see him as an unhappy officer who notes down maintenance reports to finally being a brave commander.

Ishaan strongly pulls all these shades. With this film, the actor cements his place as a young talent who is versatile with his choices.

Priyanshu Painyuli is also equally good as the elder brother. His confrontational scenes with Ishaan give some powerful moments.

Mrunal Thakur does well both as a caring young sister and a cryptographer who helps the nation.

Soni Razdan has a brief presence, but the actress is impactful in her scenes, particularly the one where she talks about refugees.

Rahman’s music & BGM do wonders

Ishan Khattar in Pippa
Ishan Khattar ‘in Pippa’. (X)

AR Rahman’s music and background score complement the film.

The soundtrack is diverse, starting with “Main Parwaana“. This song brings out the playful side of Balram. The choreography and the tune go perfectly well with the setting.

On the other hand, you have the more intense “Jazbaat” that gives an adrenaline rush.

The background score is also chilling and enhances many of the war scenes.

Director Raja Krishna Menon also deserves appreciation for how he gives equal importance to the character arcs of Ram Mehta and Radha. They are blended seamlessly into the narrative.

An area where the film could have been better is the visual effects. Also, 10 minutes could have been edited.

Verdict

Not many stories about the Bangladesh war are made into films. Let’s hope Pippa will rekindle interest in that glorious chapter in Indian history for the new generation.

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Aspirants Season 2: A Relatable Tale Of Friendship, But Falls Short In Exploring Social Issues

Season 2 is about the lives of three friends outside Old Rajinder Nagar in Delhi as adults. But it doesn’t match its predecessor.

Not as gripping as Season 1!

2.5

Aspirants Season 2 (Hindi)

  • Cast: Sunny Hinduja, Naveen Kasturia, and Namita Dubey
  • Director: Apoorv Singh Karki
  • Producer: Vijay Koshy, Shreyansh Pandey
  • Music: Sangeet Haldipur, Siddharth Haldipur
  • No of episodes: 5
  • OTT platform: Prime Video

For those who haven’t seen Aspirants Season 1 (2021), the story revolves around the past and present of three friends — Abhilash Sharma (Naveen Kasturia), Gurupreet aka Guri (Shivankit Singh Parihar), and Shwetketu aka SK (Abhilash Thapiyal).

The past dealt with their aspirations of cracking UPSC and the various struggles that came their way.

The first season of Aspirants was a big success. An important reason for the show’s success was the realistic portrayal of the UPSC aspirants.

The distinct characterisations also made the show a big winner. For example, Abhilash is a serious person.

Guri, on the other hand, is more carefree. Finally, SK is an introvert who struggles on the account of low self-esteem and confidence.

Now the makers are back with Aspirants Season 2, which also moves between two timelines.

The setting of Season 1 is Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi. The present portions are about their lives outside Rajinder Nagar as adults.

Synopsis

In Aspirants Season 2, Abhilash is posted as a DM in Rampur. Guri makes constant attempts to get government contracts. SK works as a teacher.

Aspirants Season 2 on Prime Video
‘Aspirants Season 2’ is streaming on Prime Video. (X)

The story in this series primarily focuses on how these three navigate the challenges of their respective professional careers along with friendship dynamics.

One of the things that Apoorv Singh Karki gets right is the problems that arise in maintaining friendships when priorities shift in life. This has been portrayed realistically and will definitely find an echo with many men and women.

The director also does a good job of showcasing Abhilash’s journey as a district magistrate. The day-to-day challenges of an administrative job have been portrayed with authenticity.

Abhilash finds himself at odds with Sandeep Bhaiya (Sunny Hinduja), his senior in the coaching institute. There was a time when Abhilash idolised Sandeep. But now, they are at a crossroads because of their different ideologies.

Sunny Hinduja plays an assistant Labour commissioner. This war of ideologies plays a major part in Aspirants Season 2 and gives the show some of its best moments.

A major area where Apoorv Singh Karki fails is his depiction of the political problems. One of the subplots involves protesting villagers. This has been dealt with in a very haphazard way, making them come across as semi-villains.

Characterisation and performances

Sunny Hinduja in Aspirants Season 2
Sunny Hinduja in ‘Aspirants Season 2’. (X)

A character from Northeast India is introduced in Aspirants Season 2, but it doesn’t have any particular significance to the story.

The depiction of women’s characters is another major problem.

Namit Dubey, as Guri’s wife, is impressive. But the character doesn’t go beyond a traditional housewife. Her compromises don’t make any sense.

The performances across the board are good, particularly Naveen Kasturia and Sunny Hinduja.

Naveen Kasturia is successful in carrying the intensity from the first season. His character arc is designed well, and the actor does complete justice to it.

Sunny Hinduja also does a wonderful job of showcasing the pain of Sandeep.

Apoorv Singh Karki is good at portraying the difficulties of sustaining friendship. But the series doesn’t completely match its predecessor.

Final take

The best way to enjoy Aspirants Season 2 is by watching it with low expectations.

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Bawaal: This Mix Of World War II And Relationship Drama Has Its Moments And Flaws

Weak writing, morose tone of storytelling, and Janhvi Kapoor’s ineffective performance make things worse for the movie.

A downfall for Nitesh Tiwari!
Bawaal (Hindi)
  • Cast: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Mukesh Tiwari, Manoj Pahwa, and Anjuman Saxena
  • Director: Nitesh Tiwari
  • Producers: Sajid Nadiadwala and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
  • Music: Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, and Akashdeep Sengupta
  • Runtime: 2 hours 2 minutes
  • OTT platform: Amazon Prime

Nitesh Tiwari is a director who created a strong niche for himself with the likes of Dangal (2016) and Chhichhore (2019). Both films were not only box office hits but also got rave reviews. As a result, a lot was expected from Bawaal.

Unfortunately, his latest directorial doesn’t quite reach expectations in spite of a solid set-up.

Synopsis

The film begins in Lucknow with the heroic entry of the protagonist Ajay Dixit fondly called Ajju (Varun Dhawan). Looking at his swag and the adoration of the locals, viewers think that Ajju is doing a high-profile job.

But actually, he is a history teacher. However, it is quite a mystery how he got the job, given his ignorance of the subject and his lack of interest.

Ajay Dixit has a fake aura that he himself builds over a period of time. For him, image is everything.

In reality, Ajju is just a man-child and also a big liar. He marries Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor) but keeps away from her.

Nisha was a strong independent woman before the rushed marriage. She is now patiently waiting for her husband to accept her even after nine months of marriage.

Ajju never accepts Nisha as a wife because of her epileptic fits.

The self-made image of Ajju comes crashing down when he slaps a student in the class for asking a question about World War II. The student turns out to be the son of an MLA (Mukesh Tiwari).

Expectedly, all hell breaks loose and Ajju is temporarily suspended.

He comes up with a plan of travelling to the various locations in Europe which were ravaged by World War II and teach the students about the tragedy live.

In order to convince his father (Manoj Pahwa), Ajju plans to take Nisha along and paints a picture of wanting to repair his relationship.

His parents fall for this and give him the required money. The rest of Bawaal is about how Ajju undergoes a transformation and learns some important life lessons.

Positives

Before getting into the negatives, Nitesh Tiwari needs to be appreciated for how he uses World War II as a narrative tool.

He uses the horrors to make some important points. For example, in a scene, there is a clear message about the futility of war.

Similarly, in another scene, Nisha talks about the greed of Hitler and explains how not being content with oneself leads to disastrous consequences. 

The scene depicting the gas chamber incident is also quite poignant.

Mitesh Mirchandani’s cinematography in the World War II portions is successful in bringing alive the horrors of those times.

Performances

Of the two leads, Varun Dhawan is the clear winner. His character Ajju shares more than one similarity with Badri in Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017).

In spite of the similarities, Varun does a terrific job of portraying the different shades. In fact, on many occasions, he seems to be acting on behalf of Janhvi Kapoor as well.

Janhvi Kapoor seems to have walked straight out of the sets of Mili (2022) and Good Luck Jerry (2022). It is puzzling how a supposedly strong woman would stay with a husband for nine months who insults her on every occasion.

Alia’s Vaidehi in Badrinath Ki Dulhania had far more spine, though she eventually ends up with Badri. But that was only after he changes, and becomes a better person.

Janhvi’s expressions hardly change. It looks as if she is forced to act.

Flaws

The biggest issue with Bawaal is the lack of a strong foundation for the love story between Nisha and Ajju.

The combination of weak writing coupled with Janhvi Kapoor’s ineffective performance makes things worse for the movie.

Bawaal also suffers from a morose tone of storytelling. There aren’t many light moments that make your heart flutter.

The lovey-dovey moments can be counted on the tip of the fingers.

The music composed by Mithoon and others isn’t bad but could have been much better, given the genre of the film. The need is for more soulful songs.

Final take

In a nutshell, Bawaal is a huge downfall for Nitesh Tiwari.

(Views expressed are personal.)

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Tiku Weds Sheru: A Hotchpotch Of ‘Luck By Chance’ And ‘Tanu Weds Manu Returns’ That Leaves You With A Bitter Aftertaste

Avneeth Kaur’s confident debut and Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s earnestness aren’t enough to salvage this wreck of a film.

A complete dud!
Tiku Weds Sheru (Hindi)
  • Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Avneet Kaur
  • Direction: Sai Kabir
  • Producers: Kangana Ranaut
  • Music: Gaurav Chatterji
  • Runtime: 1 hour 51 minutes
  • OTT platform: Amazon Prime

There have been several films set against the backdrop of the film industry and Tiku Weds Sheru is one such.

For example, Shyam Benegal’s Bhumika (1977) was based on a well-known Marathi stage and screen actress of the 1940s. Even before that, Guru Dutt’s Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) explored the turbulent life of a famous filmmaker.

If we talk about recent times, Zoya Akhtar showed the journey of two aspiring actors who arrive in Mumbai to become big stars in Luck By Chance (2009). Though the film didn’t make a lot of money, it was critically appreciated and won the best debut director award for Zoya.

This year, you had the web series Jubliee (2023), directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. It was about the film industry of the 1940-50s through five major characters. It turned out to be a major hit on Amazon Prime.

Sai Kabir’s Tiku Weds Sheru majorly takes inspiration from two films — Luck By Chance Kangana Ranaut’s Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015). Even the title resembles it.

Director Sai Kabir tries to address many pertinent issues like misogyny and patriarchy here, but his direction lacks the required clarity. Tiku Weds Sheru neither works as a romantic drama nor as a story of two underdogs.

Shiraz Afghani aka Sheru (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), is one of the many countless junior artists slogging it out in the film industry. Apart from being a junior artist, he works secretly as a pimp too.

Synopsis

Tiku (Avneeth Kaur) is a fierce girl from Bhopal. She has a good flair for poetry. Tiku aims to escape from her misogynistic family and become a superstar in Bollywood.

Her ticket to Bollywood comes in the form of Sheru who pretends to be a film financer. The duo gets married.

He uses the dowry money to repay a loan shark. Sheru doesn’t know that Tiku has already got a boyfriend and is using him as a gateway to reunite with him. This boyfriend promises to make her a superstar.

But eventually, he dumps her as expected. The rest of the story is about how Tiku and Sheru navigate their personal lives, and also the world of showbiz.

The only positive aspect

The only positive aspect of Tiku Weds Sheru is the performances of the individual actors.

Avneeth Kaur, in particular, sparkles as the girl who aspires to be a superstar. She shines equally in both the dramatic and comic bits. With a much better script, this girl can go a long way.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui brings certain earnestness to his part, as he does in most of his films. His performance here is no Manto (2018). Nevertheless, he is sincere.

But at the same time, Nawazuddin looks completely out of place in the dancing portions.

Fails to do justice

But as a pair, there is a complete lack of chemistry between the leads. It is not just about the hugely significant age gap. But there is a general awkwardness in the romantic scenes which only adds to the woes of the film.

The biggest issue with Tiku Weds Sheru is that it does not do justice to any of the themes handled.

The issues of the plight of the junior artists and the casting couch are very pertinent, but director Sai Kabir makes a mockery with his inept direction.

The supporting characters are another big joke. All of them are one-note characters. As a result, none of them leaves an impact.

Kangana’s cameo also comes out of nowhere. It is a part that could have been easily deleted

Verdict

Tiku Weds Sheru is the first venture for Kangana as a producer and the third film for Sai Kabir. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a complete dud. Hope they come up with better and more original stories in future.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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Jee Karda: A Tale Of Friendship With Good Dose Of Fun And Drama

Director Arunima Sharma’s web series is a good attempt at exploring the different problems faced by today’s youth.

A mirror of contemporary times!
Jee Karda (Hindi)
  • Cast: Tamannaah Bhatia, Anya Singh, Aashim Gulati, Suhail Nayyar, and Hussain Dalal
  • Direction: Arunima Sharma
  • Producer: Maddock Films
  • Music: Sachin Jigar
  • No. of episodes: 8
  • OTT platform: Amazon Prime

Arunima Sharma’s Jee Karda (What the Heart Wishes) is a relatable tale of seven childhood pals, now in their 30s going through different issues.

Through this tale of friendship, Arunima Sharma touches upon multiple topics. Not all of them are fleshed out sufficiently. But still, there is a lot to enjoy particularly if you are in the mood for some fun.

Jee Karda begins with an old man making a prophecy about a bunch of schoolchildren. He tells each of them how their lives will turn out and what things they need to keep a distance from.

Children dismiss this farfetched prophecy, and we fast forward to 15 years.

At the centre of this tale is Lavanya (Tamannaah Bhatia). She is on the verge of marrying her childhood friend Rishabh (Suhail Nayyar). Even at that stage, we see her struggling to come to terms with the idea of marriage and the complexities that come with it.

Among others, Arjun (Aashim Gulati) is a popular Punjabi pop singer who is often embroiled in controversies. Preet (Anya Singh) is struggling to find a compatible partner.

Sheetal (Samvedana Suwalka) is married to Sameer (Malhar Thakkar). She is facing the challenges of living in a joint family and is desperate to have her own space with her husband.

Melroy (Sayan Banerjee) is in a problematic relationship with a guy called Yavar. Melroy is trying to cope with Yavar’s inability to come out of his closet.

The last one in the group is Shahid (Hussain Dalal), a school teacher struggling financially to make ends meet.

In a nutshell, Jee Karda looks at how these seven friends navigate the challenges of adulthood.

There is no denying that the theme of Jee Karda isn’t exactly original. The story at times reminds you of both Shashanka Ghosh’s Veere di Wedding (2018) and also Ayan Mukherjee’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013).

But what makes the show work is how Arunima Sharma deals with the different plotlines.

Strong plotlines

One of the best tracks in Jee Karda is the one involving Sayan Banerjee as Melroy. He is a homosexual man who had to face a lot of problems because of that.

The director does a wonderful job of portraying the arch of his character. It also helps that Sayan did complete justice to the character.

Another subplot that deserves a mention is that of Hussain Dalal’s Shahid.

Shahid comes from the lower social strata, in comparison to his friends. As a result, life has never been easy for him. Hussain Dalal does a very good job of bringing out the vulnerability of Shahid.

The story of Samvedana Suwalka is similar to what we had earlier seen this year in Zara Hakte Zara Bachke (2023). However, there is no denying that the claustrophobia of her character Sheetal is easily relatable for many married women.

Coming to the main leads, Tamannaah Bhatia gets to portray a character which is vastly different from what we have seen in her earlier films. To Tamannaah’s credit, she does pull off a wonderful performance.

There are times when she goes overboard. But nevertheless, she is impressive.

Aashim Gulati is also fun to watch as the Punjabi pop singer. His character Arjun is not just high on energy, but there is also a vulnerable side to him.

Another aspect that works for Jee Karda is the family scenes featuring Lavanya’s mother and Rishabh’s parents. Their contrasting ideologies have been well portrayed by the director.

Weak points

Among the seven friends, the one track that sticks out like a sore thumb is Anya Singh’s Preet. The arc given to her is the weakest of all.

One major problem with Jee Karda is the overdose of the “F” words. After a point, it does get irritating.

Technical aspects

The cinematography by Mahendra Shetty is suitably glossy adding to the rich production values. Sachin Jigar’s background music also works well.

Final takeOverall, Jee Karda is a good attempt at exploring the different problems faced by today’s youth. Some of them manage to resolve them while others don’t; a mirror of contemporary times.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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The Family Man Season 2: A Scintillating Sequel

The expectations from The Family Man Season 2 have been huge ever since its announcement. Fortunately the show turned out to be a worthy one. It not only matches up to the first part but it also goes a step ahead. Through the second season director duo Raj and DK continue to showcase their ability in dealing with conflicts both global and domestic through humanist lens. There are no simplistic heroes and villains here. Both sides come with their own shades of grey.

By the start of Season 2 Manoj Bajpai’s Srikant Tiwari had quit his task force job and joined an IT company. The reason for it is his guilt about certain events that happened at the end of the first season. He also wanted to make his family life work. But both were not working well for him. In fact things became worse.

The backdrop of Family Man Seaason 2 is Northern Sri Lanka. You have a Tamil government in exile who wants to take revenge on PM Basu ( Seema Biswas). Manoj Bajpai’s Srikant who is already vexed with his IT job decides to return back to where he belongs. This time around Srikant is dealing with a hardened LTTE militant Raji ( Samantha Akkineni).

In addition the old enemies have also made a comeback lead by Darshan Kumar. As part of the plan Darshan Kumar’s character along with another person Sajid uses a boy to trap Srikant’s daughter. This is only one side of the story but many other things are happening simultaneously.

The biggest take way from this season is how Raj and DK deal with the character of Samantha’s Raji and the entire LTTE thing in general. Samantha has said in various interviews that she doesn’t look at her character as a villain and you understand the reasons behind it when you see the show. Raji is someone who has faced brutality not only at the hands of the Sri Lankan soldiers but has also been abused by men in day to day life.

There are scenes where we see men trying to get into bed with her, you also have a random stranger trying to touch her inappropriately on a local bus. So her anger is not just about the governments but it is also about the patriarchy and the society at large.

Initially we see her as a very silent person with no expressions but as the story goes along we are introduced to the darker side of her life. Samantha embodies all these aspects of her character superbly and delivers a performance which pushes boundaries. Her performance in the action scenes is also top notch.

The scenes where the paths of Manoj Bajpai and Samantha cross keep you on your toes. One of my favourite scenes in the series is when Manoj Bajpai’s character question’s Samantha’s about their plans. Can’t give too much away as it will be spoilers but the scene works very well. In simple terms Raj and DK touch upon about how a freedom fighter is a terrorist for a person who is on the other side.  

The treatment of Samantha’s character also extends to the other LTTE ones. Raj and DK along with co writer Supan Varma show that although the path they have chosen is wrong we shouldn’t ignore the struggles and the sufferings that they have undergone.

Another important thing about the show is how Tamil characters speak. It comes across as very natural without sounding caricaturist (for example Chennai Express).

The moral dilemmas of Srikant Tiwari has also been explored well. This particularly comes out in a scene where he and his boss played by Dalip Tahil talk about a mishap related to the first season. This is regarding a Muslim student who gets branded as a terrorist because of Srikant’s mistake.

The friendship between Srikant and Sharib Hashmi’s JK also grows stronger in this one. There is a strong thread of emotion that comes out.

The family portions don’t get the same weightage as the first one but they still work. The character which gets the most growth in the family is the daughter Dhriti played by Ashlesha Thakur. Her character goes through a major transformation in this one. She gets into a relationship with Kalyan AKA Salman. One thing leads to another and eventually it is shown that Salman is not what he appears to be. He kidnaps her on his bosses’ command. In the eighth episode she saves herself from Salman and also from Sajid. She shows that she has inherited her father’s genes and can make for a great agent herself. After that incident we see a more mature Dhriti. Ashlesha Thakur is particularly good in the scenes where she saves herself.

The comedy bits work perfectly and come across as a major relief when the drama gets dark. The scenes which will make you chuckle the most are the ones where Srikant is struggling to adjust with his IT life. There are also some humorous scenes when the action shifts to South India. Most of the humour in these scenes comes from the stereotypes that north and south people have about each other. These include food and other things.

Manoj Bajpai as Srikant continues his good form and shows why he is the perfect actor to play this character. This time around there are more scenes which portray Srikant’s vulnerability and Manoj faces it. Sharib Hashmi continues his impressive form, out of the old nemeses Darshan Kumar looks very dashing and fits the part of the stylish villain perfectly.

The Family Man Season 2 is well worth the wait and it will be interesting to watch how Raj and DK take the franchise forward. Can’t wait for the third season!

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Year-End Roundup: Best Web Series Of 2022

Here are the four best web series from three different languages (Tamil, Telugu and English) that made a mark with their content on sensitive, social issues.

Anantham and Suzhal: The Vortex in Tamil and 9 Hours created by acclaimed director Krish Jagarlamudi in Telugu won the hearts of viewers.

As We See It, an English comedy-drama that follows the journey of three roommates with autism spectrum, caught the attention of the audience.

Anantham

Anantham, directed by V Priya, is the story of a house narrated by a house.

The plot spans different decades and each episode comes with its genre. There is romance, comedy, tragedy and horror among others.

The best thing about the web series is the way Priya integrates these genres. As viewers, we go through various emotions with each segment.

For example, there is a segment called “Parvathy” that talks about a child abuse survivor who ends up meeting her abuser. Through this segment, an important topic was discussed.

The director throws light on the family ecosystem that made the child a victim and the passive aggression that silenced her.

Another interesting segment is “Lalitha”. She is a murderer chased by her past demons. However, to the son, she remains the noblest soul on earth. The jump scares are done well and on more than one occasion the audiences feel scary.

Anantham also makes a plea for accepting homosexuality. Ananth (Sampath Raj) is a famous homosexual writer. He was thrown out of the house at a young age by his father Venkatesan (Prakash Raj) upon discovering his sexual tendencies.

Ananth returns to his family home after a long time when the father is unwell.

Venkatesan is someone who oscillates from being a progressive dad to a man with homophobia but he eventually comes to love his son. All this was brought out wonderfully by both the director and the actors.

Suzhal: The Vortex

Suzhal: The Vortex is much more than just an investigative thriller. The series is written by the acclaimed director duo Puskhar-Gayatri and directed by Bramma and Anucharan.

Suzhal means environment. It has many layers and character arcs. Viewers are kept guessing till the end and the finale is gut-wrenching, to say the least.

The series starts in a small town Sambaloor which is preparing to celebrate “Mayana Kollai” (looting of the graveyard). It is a ritual that is closely associated with the Goddess Angalamman.

The devotees of Angalamman narrate the life of the Goddess in the form of songs.

While this is happening on one side, on the other side, a huge cement factory in the same town gets destroyed in a fire. Its union leader is Shanmugham (Parthiban) whose 15-year-old daughter Nila also goes missing the same day.

The task of solving both these mysteries is entrusted to Sakkarai (Kathir), a sub-inspector.

Regina (Shreya Reddy) is also a police officer. Regina’s son Adhisayam is a suspect in Nila missing case, which creates unrest between the families.

Nandini (Aishwarya Rajesh) is Nila’s sister. She returns home after a lay-off in her company. She decides to help Sakkarai in his investigation. As the story goes along some deeply buried secrets start tumbling out.

The first two episodes give the feeling that it is an investigative thriller but it soon ventures into a rather unexpected zone.

The screenplay is very deft and each character is compelling to watch, irrespective of his or her screen time.

Some of the issues addressed are superstition, police brutality, child sexual abuse, human sacrifice and mental health. All these are smartly integrated and at no point that the audiences feel a sense of being burdened with several things.

One of the most touching parts of Suzhal is concerning Aishwarya Rajesh’s Nandini.

She is someone who is dealing with repressed emotions and has to take therapy to get over them. Through her character, Bramma and Anucharan address the importance of mental health.

Writer duo Gayatri-Pushkar infuses a much-needed message in the climax. It is something that will stay with the audiences, especially parents and children.

The performances across the board are brilliant but Kathir and Aishwarya Rajesh stand out.

9 Hours

Director Krish Jagarlamudi created a niche for himself with films like Gamyam, Gautamiputra Sathakarni and Konda Polam, among others. There is always an expectation of quality content when his name is attached.

The original story of 9 Hours is written by Malladi Venkata Krishnamurthy, a popular writer of yesteryears and adapted by Krish for this web series. It is directed by Niranjan Kaushik and Jacob Varghese.

As the title suggests the story is set in the time frame of nine hours. Three prisoners escape from jail to rob a bank but a simple bank robbery leads to a series of unexpected events.

The best bits of 9 Hours are easily the situations focusing on the hostage.

There are some unexpected revelations regarding those who are connected to this robbery. No one seems to be what they are. Some of the backstories are particularly well-fleshed out.

A special mention must be made of the character played by Ajay. His motivations are unclear for the most part. But when the suspense is revealed, it catches you off guard.

Ajay shines the brightest in this huge ensemble. The story for the most part takes place in the bank but the single location never comes across as a hindrance.

As We See it

This web show is created by Jason Katims. It is a heartwarming journey of three 20-something flat mates suffering from different spectrums of autism.

First up is Harrison (Albert Rutecki) who is the least independent of the three. He hates going outside because he is full of insecurities.

Next up is Violet (Sue Ann Pien) whose biggest desire is to have a boyfriend and lead a self-sufficient life.

The last among the three is Jack (Rick Glassman) who is the complete opposite of Harrison. He speaks whatever comes to his mind, irrespective of what the others around him feel.

As We See It shows how these three flatmates navigate family, friendships, careers and matters of the heart. They are guided by Mandy (Sosie Bacon).

At its heart, As We See It falls under a dramedy. A good dramedy needs to have the right balance between light and dramatic moments. Neither should outshine the other. Thankfully, Jason Katims got this mixture perfectly right.

The series has a feel-good nature to it but at the same time, the core issue is never watered down. It successfully addresses the different misconceptions about what is normal.

Out of the three flat mates, Violet has the most impact. Her equation with her brother Van gives the show some of its best moments.

The acting performances are top-notch across the board and add immensely to this well-made dramedy.