Doordarshan, India's public broadcaster, has launched its OTT platform 'WAVES', featuring a blend of nostalgic classics like Ramayan and Mahabharat alongside contemporary programming. Available in 12+ languages, WAVES offers news, documentaries, regional content, and live events, including the upcoming US Premier League Cricket Tournament.
Recalling working on her debut film Mr Azaad (1994), which also starred Anil Kapoor in the lead, Niki Aneja has revealed that she was mentally tortured on the set of Mr Azaad. Niki Aneja also alleged that Pahlaj Nihalani asked her to have dinners.
Aishwarya Rai said this about father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan's 'habits'.
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
In an interview with Filmfare in November 1984, Rekha shared details about Amitabh Bachchan's denial of his romance with her. Rekha also revealed if the two love each other. She also spoke about Jaya Bachchan.
Born Diana Kurien, Nayanthara changed her name when she entered the film industry. In 2011, she changed her religion at an Arya Samaj Temple in Chennai. Nayanthara and Vignesh Shivan have been married since June 2022. They are parents to two children - Uyir and Ulagam.
'I didn't have time to...': When AR Rahman revealed having 'agreement' before marriage to Saira Banu
AR Rahman's old interview talking about pre-marriage 'agreement' with Saira Banu goes viral.
Delhi HC issues notice to OpenAI as ANI sues ChatGPT co
The Delhi High Court is reviewing a case filed by news agency ANI against OpenAI, alleging the company used ANI's content without permission to train its AI chatbot, ChatGPT. ANI also claims ChatGPT fabricated news stories and attributed them to the agency. A judge has asked OpenAI to respond to the accusations, with a follow-up hearing scheduled for January 28.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's ex-husband Naga Chaitanya will reportedly tie the knot with her fiancee Sobhita Dhulipala on December 4.
The women will torture the men in the Time God task inside the Bigg Boss 18 house.
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Apollena actors Aditi Sharma and Sandeep Baswana open up about the space-based drama and how it will encourage young girls.
Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn remarked about what's keeping Bollywood behind the south and pointed out the lack of unity, especially among young generation actors.
Despite receiving death threats, Salman Khan arrived to cast his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections on Wednesday afternoon.
This actor may not have reached the heights of stardom, yet he achieved a record of possessing a swanky MPV that no other actor could do.
Balaji Telefilms appoints Sanjay Dwivedi as Group CEO
Balaji Telefilms has made two major leadership appointments. Sanjay Dwivedi, the current Group CFO, has been elevated to the position of Group CEO. Vimal Doshi, with a long tenure at Balaji, has been named COO of Balaji Motion Pictures. Dwivedi has been with Balaji Telefilms since 2013 and has a strong financial background.
Nayanthara's casting as Sita in the 2011 Telugu film Sri Rama Rajyam was questioned due to her alleged affair with Prabhu Deva, who was married at that time.
Arjun Kapoor recently redeemed his career by playing villain in Rohit Shetty's Singham Again, and now he reunited with his 'partner-in-crime after ages'.
Sukrit Mahajan reimagines Peter Shaffers Equus in Bengaluru theatre
With shadow theatre and Jungian psychology, Equus restages Peter Shaffers classic for Bengaluru audiences, exploring the human psyche
Amid Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan's divorce rumours, the actor spilt a dinner table secret of the Bachchans.
AR Rahman's brother reveals how the singer left his wife Saira Banu alone on their honeymoon.
AR Rahman and Saira Banu have announced their separation 29 years after their marriage.
Diljit Dosanjh finally shares details of his Mumbai Dil-Luminati concert, know dates, and how to book tickets
After AR Rahman, his bassist, Mohini Dey also announced separation from her husband, Mark Hartsuch.
Eisha Singh, and Kashish Kapoor mock new wildcard entries, Edin Rose, Aditi Mistry, and Yamini Malhotra.
This Indian film broke several box office records and earned more than its budget in just 24 hours.
The photos going viral on social media show Shweta Tiwari dressed in traditional attire, signing the wedding documents, along with Vishal who is dressed in a white kurta-pajama and a red jacket. Shweta Tiwari could also be seen with sindoor.
Did Kriti Sanon just confirm her relationship with Kabir Bahia? Actress' new post has fans convinced
Kriti Sanon drops unseen picture with rumoured boyfriend Kabir Bahia, pic goes viral.
Many are unaware that before Nayanthara, the lead role in Jawan was offered to none other than Samantha Ruth Prabhu but, at the time, the actress wanted to focus on her personal life and was planning a family with her ex-husband Naga Chaitanya.
When Sushmita Sen revealed that she didn't feel guilty about dating 'married' Vikram Bhatt.
The official statement on behalf of AR Rahman's ex-wife Saira Banu was issued by celebrity lawyer Vandana Shah. Amid this, Vandana Shah's statements about marriages and divorces in Bollywood are going viral on social media.
Abhishek Bachchan, who is on a promotional spree for the film, is going viral every day for his interviews and snippets about his life and preparation for the role. Many fans have been associating his statements with his wife Aishwarya Rai.
When AR Rahman talked about making adjustments after marrying Saira Banu: 'I lost my...'
AR Rahman's interview talking about adjustments after marrying Saira Banu went viral amid their divorce.
Kangana Ranaut reacts to Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan making his debut as a director.
AR Rahman breaks silence on his separation from wife Saira Banu: 'Even the throne of God might...'
AR Rahman and wife Saira Banu have three kids - Khatija Rahman, Raheema Rahman, and AR Ameen.
The 59-year-old actor, who made a successful comeback in 2023 with three hits in Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki, said if an artist is able to touch basic emotions, then their brand travels everywhere but it should also reflect the times.
'Aiyyashi ka adda...': Salman Khan's farmhouse doesn't belong to him but...
Salman Khan is known for his social orientation and certain interviews are good proofs of it.
Produced by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment, Aryan Khan's directorial debut series will release on Netflix in 2025.
FIR against stand-up comic Yash Rathi for using derogatory words in his show at IIT Bhilai
Clips of Rathi's show held during IIT Bhilai's annual festival, organised by the council of students, have gone viral on social media in which he is purportedly heard using objectionable language.
How superstar Zeenat Aman was instrumental in making a Bollywood hero to watch out for
Mithun Chakraborty has a career spanning over five decades in the Indian film industry, but he had to undergo his share of struggles.
After Rajat Dalal mocked Kashish Kapoor for leaving Splitsvilla 15 for money, she hit back at him for hitting a biker with his overspeeding SUV.
Mahesh Babu subtly backs Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan amid feud with Dhanush; here's how
Mahesh Babu comes in support of Nayanthara amid her feud with Dhanush over a clip in her documentary.
Kashmera Shah had shared a photo of the blood soaked tissues on Instagram after suffering a major accident in a mall in the United States of America.
Vignesh Shivan gets emotional while recalling being compared to a dog for dating Nayanthara.
Netizens speculate names after celebrity divorce lawyer says star couple is facing 'breakdown in marriage'.
Moon Moon Sen's husband, Riya Sen and Raima Sen's father, Bharat Dev Varma, passes away in Kolkata
Riya Sen and Raima Sen's father Bharat Dev Varma passed away on Tuesday.
Dev Anand was 'desperately' in love with THIS superstar, got jealous when Raj Kapoor 'kissed' her
Not many people are aware that Dev Anand was admittedly 'desperately' in love with superstar Zeenat Aman in the 70s when she was just 20 years old. Even after years of her achieving superstardom, Dev Anand always remained mesmerised by her.
Sushmita Sen's ex boyfriend Rohman Shawl breaks his silence on their relationship: 'We are still...'
Sushmita Sen's ex-boyfriend Rohman Shawl talks about his relationship with the actress after their breakup.
Rupali Ganguly's on-screen husband, Sudhanshu Pandey reacted to the claims made by Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter, Esha Verma.
Drona was directed by Abhishek Bachchan's good friend Goldie Behl. Abhishek Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan played mother and son for the first time on screen which built anticipation, however, after the film's release, it all fell flat.
Why Hindi cinema industry losing its daredevil old film producers
The Hindi film industry is facing a crisis as traditional film producers, known for their passion and risk-taking, are fading away. A new force of studios and corporate entities has emerged, prioritizing profit over creativity, leading to a decline in the quality of films and a focus on recovering investments rather than artistic vision.
According to reports, Keerthy Suresh is all set to marry her high school sweetheart Antony Thattil in December.
Aishwarya Rai's old interview talking about her 'ideal man' goes viral amid divorce rumours with Abhishek Bachchan.
As Nayanthara turned 40, and amid her controversy with Dhanush, the actress' husband Vignesh Shivan penned an appreciation note.
This actress was slammed as a 'gold digger' and dated several men, but she's still unmarried at 49.
Rakesh Roshan reveals Shah Rukh Khan's casting in Karan Arjun was 'most difficult'
For the past few months, there are speculations about Aishwarya Rai living separately from her husband and also rumours of Abhishek Bachchan's alleged affair with Nimrat Kaur.
CCI slaps penalty of Rs 213 crore on Meta for abusing dominant position
India's Competition Commission (CCI) fined Meta 213.14 crore for abusing its dominant position with WhatsApp's 2021 privacy policy. The CCI found that the policy update, which mandated data sharing with Meta companies, violated competition law by forcing users to accept unfair terms and denying market access to rivals.
Kanguva: Disha Patani 'was there to look pretty' says producer's wife, angry netizens bash her
Because Angela's character is not the whole movie Kanguva is about! Angela can't be in 2.5 hours of film! said Kanguva's producer's wife over Disha Patani's role in the film.
Collective Artists Network expands to the Middle East
Collective Artists Network, an Indian talent management agency, has opened an office in Dubai. This expansion aims to connect Indian talent with opportunities in the Middle East. The company will offer services like talent management, brand endorsements, and creator marketing through its digital platform, Big Bang Social.
Kartik Aaryan fans were surprised when they saw him making a surpirse entry at Diljit Dosanjh's Ahmedabad concert.
Allu Arjun impresses with his Hindi at Pushpa 2 trailer launch event in Patna, watch viral video
Speaking in Hindi, Allu Arjun thanked the people of Bihar for their love and hospitality at the trailer launch event of Pushpa 2: The Rule.
Know all about Dharmendra's 'best friend' who became a star despite starting career with 12 flops
Warner Bros, Discovery, NBA reach settlement on TV rights
Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA have resolved their legal battle over broadcasting rights. While Warner Bros. Discovery will no longer air NBA games in the US, the company retains international and digital rights. The deal allows Warner Bros.
Kanguva review: Suriya, Disha Patani, Bobby Deol's film is no Baahubali
Suriya, Bobby Deol, and Disha Patani's magnum opus, Kanguva, is no match for SS Rajamouli and Prabhas' Baahubali.
After Nayanthara's open letter, Vignesh Shivan mocks Dhanush's legal notice on their Netflix documentary.
Anshula Kapoor calls her brother Arjun Kapoor a green flag, revealing how he takes care of her during periods.
Rajat Dalal slams Shilpa Shirodkar for trying to be good with everyone in the Bigg Boss 18 house.
'Meet Me Next Christmas' movie review: A festive tale of rusty romance
You know youve signed up for a run-of-the-mill romantic comedy in the holiday season when every speaker blares, Its the most wonderful time or Jingle Bells. Meet Me Next Christmas sticks to a familiar path with Layla (Christina Milian), who finds herself stranded at an airport on Christmas Eve due to a snowstorm. As she waits for the next flight out, she encounters two men, including one with whom she shares an instant connection. James (Kofi Siriboe) suggests that if theyre both still single, they should meet again next Christmas Eve at the concert of her favourite acapella group, Pentatonix. The stage for a holiday romance is set. The first 30 minutes of the film unfold smoothly, like the pieces of a puzzle falling into place, that is, until Layla meets the other man from the airport. Teddy (Devale Ellis) plays her helpful concierge, assisting Layla in her search for the happily-ever-after. The film leans into cheesiness, not taking itself too seriously. Layla, with her wholesome day job of helping students attend historically Black colleges and universities, feels almost saintlyshed easily top Santas list. Director Rusty Cundieff and writers Molly Haldeman and Camilla Rubis are aware of the genres limitations, keeping the story tightly within the typical mould while trying, at times, to step beyond it. Yet, the film relies on convenient storytelling choices that prevent its simple story from growing into something more memorable. While Layla and Teddys screen presence charms through a few slower scenes of them racing across New York for concert tickets, its the real Pentatonix band that steals the show, adding quirks and inside jokes. The snowball contest with an array of drag queens offers a refreshing break. Kalen Allen shines as Jordy, effortlessly carrying their bold, flamboyant character with braided hair and striking eyelashes. Meet Me Next Christmas finds itself somewhere between a romantic drama and light fantasy, with characters invoking Christmas miracle and The universe has spoken every now and then, gently nudging the audience to believe in the magic unique to the festival. It feels as though nothing in their lives matters more than a miracle for the holiday. Its yet another holiday romance that may blend in with others, thanks to its meet-cute tropes and predictable plot familiar on BookTok . But, for those looking to indulge in some guilty-pleasure this season, Meet Me Next Christmas may just spark enough romance to light up a few holiday candles. Meet Me Next Christmas Director: Rusty Cundieff Genre: Romance Platform: Netflix Language: English
Ajay Devgn makes big announcement, will direct Akshay Kumar in fifth directorial
Ajay Devgn has directed four films, U Me Aur Hum, Shivaay, Runway 34, and Bholaa. Sadly, all of them were major box office flops.
Shah Rukh Khan fans are going gaga watching the cute chemistry little Aryan Khan shared with his superstar father. The old video captured their friendly bond perfectly.
Kanguva makers face criticism over 'poor' audio quality, producer reacts: 'No one has...'
On Friday, Kanguva producer KE Gnanavel Raja addressed the media in a virtual press conference from Hyderabad, where he assured that they were taking steps to resolve the issue.
Salman Khan confronted Ashneer Grover on Bigg Boss 18, the video of the same is going viral on social media.
Diljit Dosanjh slams his fans who trolled women crying at his concert: 'Only those who...'
During his gig, Diljit Dosanjh took some time off his live singing session to call out those who trolled some of his female fans for crying at his concert.
In the letter, Nayanthara also accused Dhanush of harbouring a personal grudge against her and her husband, filmmaker Vignesh Shivan.
'If i feel like...': Aditya Roy Kapur reveals why he does not take a shower daily
A Reddit user recently found an old video of Aditya where he confessed that he doesn't take shower regularly.
Jayalalithaa, despite her professional achievements, always remained in the news for her personal life, especially for her affair with MG Ramachandran, popularly known as 'M.G.R.', former CM of Tamil Nadu.
FICCI, GDAI sign MoU to bolster Indias video gaming industry
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Game Developers Association of India (GDAI) joined forces at IGDC 2024 to bolster India's burgeoning video game industry. Their partnership will focus on creating industry-friendly policies, fostering knowledge exchange, and promoting skill development to establish India as a global gaming leader.
Amitabh Bachchan says he regrets inviting Abhishek Bachchan on his show Kaun Banega Crorepati 16.
Ahead of the I Want To Talk release, filmmaker Shoojit Sircar revealed Abhishek Bachchan was not the first choice for the film.
You can hear a clock ticking in almost every scene of Freedom at Midnight. The historical drama chronicles the events that led to Indias independence, dampened by the horrific reality of the Partition. The clock serves as an instrument of urgency. But you never feel a sense of impending doom as a countrys fate is being decided behind closed doors. What could have been a riveting thriller, functions as a drama that is rather mellow. The details are dense but the storytelling remains straightforward. We are left informed but not necessarily involved. Watching the show was like seeing through a glass wall, as the makers of modern India, and Pakistan, MK Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, MA Jinnah and Lord Louis Mountbatten debated over the destinies of millions. But you are never there. Freedom at Midnight is the third period drama series from Nikkhil Advani, after The Empire (2021) and Rocket Boys (2022). It is quite a nerdy adaptation of the 1975 book of the same name by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. The chronology of events in the year before Independence is comprehensively laid out. After being left bleeding by the Second World War, the British are in haste to leave India. They are trying to mediate between the Congress: godfathered by Gandhi (Chirag Vohra) and fronted by Nehru (Sidhant Gupta) and Sardar Patel (Rajendra Chawla); and Jinnahs (Arif Zakaria) Muslim League. The bone of contention? A united or divided India. The series delves into a particular time in Indian history when the founding fathers debated which direction an independent nation should take. There are clashes of multiple ideologies: Jinnahs secessionism, Nehrus unification, Patels pragmatism and Gandhis principles. It makes for interesting drama, in an argument where everyone has fair points to make, but the show is more concerned with mapping out the sequence of events. It gets deep into particular happenings but fails to come together as a whole. Historicals can be a tough gamble. Often times, either facts or fiction is sacrificed for the other. Freedom at Midnight clings to the details and cursorily explores the drama. Although the episodes open with scenes of events before 1946, giving context to the characters motivations, they still feel half-baked. There is an attempt to humanise Jinnah by showing how he hid his Tuberculosis diagnosis to achieve his dream of Pakistan or his interactions with his sister Fatima (Ira Dubey), but it is quickly snuffed out and we mostly witness the man as being a stern villain, motivated only by jealousy against Gandhi. Nehru is shown as a quaint gentleman, torn between ideals and practicalities. However, Sidhant Gupta plays him with a certain heavy-handedness, with a strong, husky voice and a reverence that burdens the performance. The same is the case with Chirag Vohras Gandhi. He plays the character with such divinity that we dont get to witness the mans complexity. Rajendra Chawla, on the other hand, portrays Sardar Patel with impressive ease. For all its competence, Freedom at Midnight, lacks the spunk that was in Rocket Boys. The show takes itself too seriously. It provides us with a thorough history lesson but remains aloof like a textbook. However, there are moments when the series springs to life, like when after a meeting with British officials, Nehru and Patel get lost in the labyrinth of the Viceroys palace or when the Congress and the Muslim League members, like frat boys, try to one-up each other while waiting for an escalator. I straightened up in my chair when Nehru meets Edwina Mountbatten but their contentious relationship is merely glanced over. The incidents are given precedence over the people but the whys stay hazy. The series also is a victim of the polarizing times it is set and released. Unlike most period shows, it doesnt consciously try to speak to the present. But then, in every riot sequence, skull-cap-wearing men are shown parading the streets with swords in their hands or burqa-clad women are seen screaming Lad ke lenge Pakistan (We will fight for Pakistan). I am not contesting the events or calling for a forceful balancing act but there is a subtle one-sidedness. Sikh women are shown jumping into the fire to save themselves from Muslim men, flames dance in front of an idol of Goddess Durga as Hindus are burnt by a Muslim mob. Thankfully, Nehru is not reduced to a smoking and drinking casanova, and Patel exhibits a silent strength more fitting for the Iron Man of India. At a time when historical dramas are more propaganda vehicles, Freedom at Midnight steers clear of sensationalism. It isnt vile, and sadly, these days that is a lot. Directed by: Nikkhil Advani Cast: Sidhant Gupta, Rajendra Chawla, Chirag Vohra, Arif Zakaria and Ira Dubey Streaming on: Sony LIV Rating: 2.5/5 stars
'Gladiator 2' movie review: A stirring ode to the power of shared dreams
What makes a nation? Kings? Heroes? Laws? Ridley Scott presents a stirring tale of unabashed romanticism to tell us that a nation is perhaps a shared dream. Gladiator II begins with Numidian soldiers, men and women, taking up arms to defend their motherland against the invading Roman army. With his wife slain and captured to be sold as a slave, Hanno/Lucius (Paul Mescal) vows to take his revenge against the Roman army by killing its celebrated general, Acacious (Pedro Pascal). However, fate has other plans and he ends up inheriting the late emperor Marcus Aurelius dream of Rome. Beyond copious amounts of bloodshed and violence, Gladiator II carries the poetic nature of the founding stories of ancient empires. We have the return of a long-lost prince, commoners rising up against corruption, the bureaucratic machine suffocating under the web of political scheming, and an empire crumbling under the weight of its own greed. Ridley Scotts poetic touch takes a literal turn when Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) is reunited with her son through a recital of Virgils poem. The veteran filmmaker takes delight in painting the opulence of Romes aristocracy in the same vein he captures the decadence of the empires less fortunate. In one scene, we see a plague-ridden woman begging for food and in the next, we see a senator throwing a lavish party with rhinoceros head on the dinner table. While his Lucius might be the heart of the film, Denzel Washingtons Macrinus is the pulse that controls its tone and tempo. Macrinus stands as the perfect antithesis to Marcus Aurelius dream of Rome, presenting a counterpoint from every angle imaginable. As a former slave and a master of gladiators, Macrinus schemes his way to the throne of the empire. Towards the end of the film, when he roars to Lucius, Blood alone cannot make you an emperor his angst at the unjust of a closed hierarchy, his rage borne of being controlled by the powerful all his life, rises up to make a compelling, argument against the romanticism at the heart of the film. Macrinus is why, when at the end Rome falls and rises up again, it stands as a republic and not as a monarchy. Denzel Washingtons performance takes up a spatial dimension along with his signature cadence. Almost every time he enters a room, a frame, he gracefully moves from one point to another before he is directly addressing the person in front of him. In the beginning, his movements register as flamboyance and later, as he encircles his targets under his political ploy, we see his movements as a snake coiling around its prey. Even with the way he delivers his dialogues, a wave of intense friendliness belies the deceit beneath it. Between Lucius fight for a dream and Macrinuss fight for his legacy, General Acacious stands a poignant reminder about the insignificance of human strife in the face of time. Everyone will be forgotten. Empires fall, emperors die, he says. One of the weakest points of the film is Lucius change of heart as he begins to believe in the dream of Rome. It is hard to digest his transformation. However, Gladiator II is more about how the spirit of a nation rises up to assert itself. And that is perhaps why we get more close-ups of the raging mob inside the Colosseum, as opposed to the original film. It is also why the film ends with two armies, who are ready to clash, listen to the heartfelt appeal of Lucius and throw down their swords. While Gladiator (2000) ends with Maximus appealing to the people of Rome to keep their dream of a nation alive, the sequel shows how in the absence of a unified dream, corruption, dangerous ideologies, and eccentric personalities with malevolent intentions, rise up to seize power. Gladiator II is an old-school romantic tale about the power of a shared dream. It is also a cautionary tale about the dangers of discarding your ideals, both as a nation and as an individual. Directors: Ridley Scott Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen Rating: 3/5 stars
'Bhairathi Ranagal' movie review: Shivarajkumar does the heavy lifting in this character study
Before we get into the journey of the titular character in Bhairathi Ranagal, it is important to trace his rise, which was brought about through Mufti (2017). An undercover cop, Gana (Sriimurali), infiltrates the criminal syndicate controlled by Bhairathi (Shivarajkumar) in Ronapura. In the second half of Mufti, Bhairathi Ranagal takes over as a ruthless don. Shivarajkumar leaves a lasting impression on the audience in the role of Bhairathi. Muftis end, where Bhairathi is seen kept under CBIs custody, paved the way for a prequel. Shaped by lawlessness and resistance to succumb to a corrupt system, his story and struggle continue behind the bars. While the narration of Mufti shifts between Gana and Bhairathis characters, the prequel offers a more character-focused narrative, focusing on Bhairathis humble beginnings in Ronapura, a village suffering from dearth of basic amenities. A young Bhairathi, frustrated by the governments neglect, petitions for change. His pent-up anger takes a violent turn on his petitions getting ignored. He plants a bomb inside a government office, landing him in prison as a juvenile. In prison, Bhairathi channels his rage into education, emerging as a lawyer. His time behind bars shapes his resolve, turning him into a man committed to bringing justice to his village, fighting for Ronapura and its peoples right to live with dignity. Will the law help him achieve justice? When Bhairathi gets released, he finds Ronapura in a worse state. The village, once ravaged by water scarcity, is faced by a new evil, the iron mining mafia. Corrupt businessmen have turned Ronapura into a hub for illegal mining for profiteering. Instead of turning a blind eye to the injustice, Bhairathi seeks to set things right. As he uncovers the exploitation, he realises the land and resources his people fought for are being stolen. As Bhairathi continues his legal battles, he confronts the Parande Steel Company, a mining giant run by Parande (Rahul Bose), which operates with impunity. The companys illegal activities, including land grabs and labour exploitation, become the focus of Bhairathis legal campaign. He petitions the government to recognise workers rights and halt the companys operations. But when the authorities ignore him and the companys power grows, Bhairathis faith in the system erodes. The stakes rise when Bhairathi uncovers a land scam involving the fraudulent takeover of local lands. The people of Ronapura turn to him for help, and Bhairathi feels the weight of responsibility. As the battle over land intensifies, Bhairathi faces a crucial decision. After the success of Mufti, Narthan returns with Bhairathi Ranagal, a film that shares a similar tone to Mufti yet tells a distinct story. As Bhairathis legal battle escalates, the Parande Steel Company resorts to destroying evidence and silencing witnesses. History repeats as the corrupt system once again fails Bhairathi, who abandons the courtroom and emerges as the leader of the rebellion, challenging the mining mafia and the corrupt government that enables the irregularities. The story evokes curiosity among audiences as to why a man who firmly believed in the rule of law has resorted to taking justice into his own hands, giving rise to several questions in our minds. The film spans drama and violence, with the first half being slower-paced but the second half intensifying, especially with Bhairathis powerful lines. However, the ending is predictable. Shivarajkumars performance is the heart of the film, carrying it with his commanding screen presence. His portrayal of Bhairathi, marked by emotional intensity and physicality, makes the film a one-time experience. The film doesnt rely on heavy dialogue, but when Bhairathi delivers lines, they pack a punch. His emotionally charged delivery, especially in the second half, gives fans an emotional boost. Bhairathis journey symbolises resistance against systemic injustice. The inhabitants of Ronapura rally behind him, witnessing his deep conviction to fight for the good of his people. Their struggle goes beyond resources; its about reclaiming dignity. Even as the CBI investigates the corruption, Bhairathis battle continues, demonstrating the power of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity. Here, Shivarajkumars eyes convey the essence of Bhairathis internal struggle. His gaze captures everythingfrom raw anger and defiance to a more humane side, illustrating Bhairathis complex journey from a lawyer to a rebel. Under Narthans direction, these subtle shifts in expression strengthen the character, making him more relatable to the audience. Bhairathis moral conflict, his anger at the system, and his role as a protector and legal mind all unfold through Shivarajkumars expressions, making his performance a masterclass in conveying depth and complexity. Director Narthans Bhairathi Ranagal blends action, drama, and intensity but misses the mark in some key areas. While Shivarajkumars performance is fully utilised, the film lacks the impactful twists seen in Mufti, making the plot feel predictable. Rahul Bose, as the antagonist, doesnt reach his full potential, and Rukmini Vasanths character feels underdeveloped, leaving some emotional depth unexplored. The supporting cast, including Gopal Krishna Deshpande, Avinash, Madhu Guruswamy, Shabeer Kallarkkal, Prathap Narayan, Babu Hirannaiah, and others, give their best, but the film struggles to balance its high-stakes action with deeper emotional moments. The lack of compelling twists weakens the overall impact, and the film could have benefited from more complex character arcs. Even the intensity that the director aimed for in bringing out the sibling sentiment through Chaya Singhs role as Vedavathi didnt fully land. Ravi Basrurs musical score and songs explain Bhairathis transformation, with the music bridging the narrative and amplifying his journey. Cinematographer Naveen Kumar captures the harsh realities of Ronapuras landscapedust, mud, and weapons. Though visually striking, tighter editing could have improved the pacing and flow of the story. Bhairathi Ranagal explores Bhairathis evolution from a rebellious youth to a lawyer and later to a powerful force for change. While the film weaves themes of lawlessness, corruption, sacrifice, and justice, the journey of Bhairathi Ranagal, through Shivarajkumars wholehearted performance, leaves us curious about Bhairathis future with questions: Will Bhairathi Ranagal continue to take matters into his own hands? Will the law serve justice or will the systems failures push him to become a more rebellious vigilante? Movie: Bhairathi Ranagal Cast: Shivarajkumar, Rukmini Vasatnh, Rahul Bose, Chaya Singh, Devaraj, Madhu Guruswamy, Babu Hirannaiah, Gopal Krishna Deshpande, Shabeer Kallarkkal, and Prathap Narayan Director: Narthan Rating: 3/5 stars
'Anand Sreebala' movie review: A mostly engaging mystery thriller with old-school techniques
Vishnu Vinays debut directorial Anand Sreebala is a mystery thriller that attempts to balance entertainment with an examination of justice and the human cost of investigative oversights. Loosely inspired by real-life cases where the deaths of young women were hastily dismissed as suicides, the film does not claim to recount any particular incident but instead crafts a fictional narrative with striking familiarity. The film opens with the quote, It is through intellect that we prove, but through intuition that we discover, setting the thematic tone for what follows. The story begins with distraught parents reporting their missing daughter, Merin, at a police station in Kochi, only to be met with indifference. This portrayal of systemic apathy feels all too real as the parents are sent from one station to another before the case is finally taken up. Their ordeal worsens when Merins body is discovered in the backwaters near Kochi Wharf, and the police conclude the death was a suicide following a lovers quarrel. Unsatisfied with the investigation and its conclusion, the grieving parents demand further inquiry, but their pleas largely fall on deaf ears. The circumstances of Merins deathher body found in the backwaters with inconsistencies in the post-mortem reportrecall details of the Mishel Shaji case from 2017, where similar lapses in the investigation led to public outcry. The narrative then shifts to 27-year-old Anand Sreebala (Arjun Ashokan), who aspires to be a police officer but is haunted by trauma from his childhood. Anands late mother, Sreebala (Sangita), was a brilliant police officer murdered when Anand was 12, leaving him deeply scarred. This tragedy continues to shape his life and his perception of justice. Anand frequently hallucinates his mother, who appears as a guiding figure in his life. While this narrative device could easily lapse into melodrama, the film handles it with surprising restraint, ensuring the emotional arc feels organic rather than cloying. Anands life takes a turn when his journalist girlfriend, also named Sreebala (Aparna Das), decides to cover Merins death for a crime show, as the crime remains unsolved after six months. Anand, driven by his own sense of justice, joins her in unravelling the inconsistencies in the case. This sets the stage for a procedural drama where Anand questions the polices findings and challenges their conclusion of suicide. While Anands discoveries are often engaging, they are occasionally marred by leaps in logic or overly convenient deductions. For instance, his claim that Merin, a level-headed law student, wouldnt commit suicide over a lovers spat relies on flimsy evidence, such as a poster in her room commemorating the Pulwama attack. Arjun delivers a compelling performance as Anand, deftly balancing vulnerability and determination. His portrayal of a man burdened by past trauma yet driven to seek justice feels genuine. Sangita, as the late Sreebala, makes a solid impression with her characters backstory as a justice-driven cop being aptly woven into the narrative. Aparna, as the journalist Sreebala, is adequate but largely sidelined by the script. While her character serves as a catalyst for Anands involvement, she does not significantly contribute to the investigation itself. The screenplay by Abhilash Pillai is mostly engaging, with the mystery unfolding at a steady pace. However, not all plot points are equally convincing. Anands participation in a crime show criticising the Kerala Police feels contradictory, given his aspirations to join the force. While the narrative justifies this as Anands way of exposing the truth, it strains credibility and risks undermining his characters motivations. The police are depicted as largely indifferent or defensive, quick to dismiss alternative theories to protect their conclusions, reinforcing a one-dimensional view of law enforcement. Kiran Dass editing is crisp, while Ranjin Rajs background score is understated and functional, avoiding the bombast typical of many thrillers. This restraint extends to the films depiction of violence, which is refreshingly subdued. In an era where many films resort to gratuitous gore or triggering imagery for shock value, Anand Sreebala proves that a thriller can be effective without resorting to gimmicks to increase its shock value. While the film is engaging, its reliance on old-school narrative techniques may not appeal to all viewers. The use of a melancholic montage to depict the parents grief and a romantic song to establish Anands relationship with Sreebala are functional but uninspired choices. These elements, while not detracting significantly from the overall experience, underscore the films dependence on familiar tropes rather than innovative storytelling. Despite its imperfections, Anand Sreebala is a reasonably impressive debut for Vishnu Vinay, offering an emotionally resonant narrative. Film: Anand Sreebala Director: Vishnu Vinay Cast: Arjun Ashokan, Sangita, Aparna Das, Siddique, Saiju Kurup Rating: 3/5 stars
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