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Mission Majnu: Crossborder Rom-Kaum
Mission: Majnu(Netflix)
Directed by Shantanu Bagchi
Rating: ***
Mission Majnu is mentioned only once, or maybe twice, in the entire film. That’s the codeword for RAW agent Amandeep(Siddharth Malhotra)’s mission across the border.
Now the kaum in Pakistan in Indian cinema means green everywhere and the characters in skull caps addressing one another as ‘janaab’, which is not how people in Pakistan speak. Where is the normal conversation?
But yes, to the film’s credit, civilians in Pakistan are not demonized for once,only the politicians are. And they, I am sorry to say,come across as fools and clowns. No fault of the good actors Rajit Kapur, Shishir Mishra et al. who try hard to confer some dignity to their characters.
But it is a losing battle. When it comes to the depiction of Pakistan in Hindi cinema it always is: a losing battle,I mean. In every sense. In this film the desh-bhakti jingoism goes even further: when THEY make nuclear weapons they are evil. When we do it , it we just protecting ourselves from evil.
Having to wade through the political stereotyping is not easy. Once we get through it Mission Majnu has a sweet tender love story at its core.Siddharth Malhotra masquerading as Tariq plays the wide-eyed Majnu to Rashmika Mandana sightless-eyed Nasreen.Their chemistry is filled with tender sighs and shimmering shayari. Some of the supporting cast playing Pakistani civilians is interesting . Bijitesh De’s cinematography captures the bazaar bustle with vigorous visuals.
The climax squeezes out a tear or two from the audience, although it is tackily shot.But I must say Lucknow pretending to be Lahore is as convincing as Siddharth Malhotra pretending to be Tariq Ali.
The lead pair brings a certain thehrao to their roles.I especially liked Rashmika raving about Dharmendra and Sholay –this is the 1970s, by the way—although I am not sure how she saw Sholay.
I am also not sure I know why Rashmika is blind in the film. She just is. Just like the sky is blue Rashmika is blind.Such a pity she won’t able to watch Mission Majnu.
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Karan Johar Moves Alia Song From Switzerland To Kashmir

The romantic duet in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani which was to be shot in Switzerland and which was delayed due to the film’s leading lady Alia Bhatt’s motherhood, is now being relocated to Kashmir.
Purely out of the love for new mom Alia.
Says a source in the know, “Karan loves Alia like his own daughter. He would do anything for her. He postponed the release of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani as the love duet could not be shot before Alia’s maternity leave. Karan had decided to shoot the song in Switzerland after Alia’s maternity love. But now he has relocated the song to Kashmir as Alia doesn’t want to leave her baby girl behind for long stretches.”
And as Karan Johar argued, snow is snow. How does it matter whether it is Switzerland or Kashmir?
This song would be Karan Johar’s tribute to his idol Yash Chopra. Alia would be dressed in chiffon sarees while Ranveer, for a change, would be seen in formals.
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Bobby Deol’s Switchover To Villainous Roles

After Prakash Jha’s webseries Ashram where Bobby played a sleazy godman, and Love Hostel where he was a ruthless assassin, he is playing the villain to Ranbir Kapoor in Sandeep Vanga’s Animal.
Bobby says it is not conscious career decision to play negative characters but a conscious decision to play interesting characters. “ I don’t look at characters as positive or negative.When I watch films there is always one character that stays with you. I want to play that character.”
Prakash Jha’s Ashram proved a gamechanger for Bobby. He admits finding challenging roles is tough. “I am trying. I am doing Sandeep Vanga’s Animal with Ranbir Kapoor , Parineeti Chopra. Then I am doing the family film Apne 2 which I am very excited about.”
In an earlier interview with this writer Bobby spoke about his long absence from screen before Prakash Jha’s Ashram. “My fans would ask why I wasn’t being seen on the screen.And I couldn’t tell them it was because I wasn’t getting good roles. But my fans stood by me. They gave me the strength to keep looking for the right roles. Thankfully I found the roles I liked. My new films have given me some new fans. I am thankful I am still here. Yeah , I am in a good space right now.”
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Pathaan Collects 55 crore nett in India On Day 1

YRF’s Pathaan has apparently wiped out all previous records as it collected 55 crore nett in India and recorded the biggest ever Day 1 for a Hindi film. The total collections of Pathaan on Day One is 57 crore nett (Hindi – 55 crore and dubbed versions 2 crore).
It is the widest Hindi release of all time in India and also the highest grossing 1st Day for a Hindi film.It is also the highest grosser on the first first for a non-holiday release. Pathhan is also the highest opener for Shah Rukh Khan.
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, says, “It is a historic day for Indian cinema and we are humbled to see the love and appreciation that is flowing for Pathaan globally. For Pathaan to shatter records in this fashion on a non holiday, just proves that the theatrical business is here to stay, provided we make films that entice people to come to the cinemas to witness a never seen before experience that entertains them thoroughly.“
He adds, “We, at YRF, are thrilled with the start that the film has got across India and we are hopeful that Pathaan brings joy to cine-goers globally in the days to come! Pathaan is the fourth film of our YRF Spy Universe and we are thrilled that we have been able to elevate the cinematic experience of audiences with each film from this franchise. We humbly share this moment with all the stake-holders of the film who have given their blood, sweat and tears to give people a movie-going experience like never before.”
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“Professionally, What A Year It Has Been For Me,” Raveena Tandon On Her Padma Shri

Raveena Tandon feels she is in a dream. “I woke up today to the news that I have been awarded the Padma Shri by my Government. I felt all my years of hard work has finally come to fruition.I can’t wait to get back to Mumbai.”
Raveena is in Bhopal attending a wedding. “I woke up on Thursday morning to the good news. My husband(film distributor Anil Thadani) who is in Mumbai had no clue about it. I had to inform him that his wife is now Padma Sri Raveena,” she laughs heartily.
She then grows melancholic. “The past one year has been a whirlwind for me. Professionally, it couldn’t get any better. My webseries Aranyak on Netflix and then the bigscreen blockbuster KGF 2 where I played one of the protagonists , became huge successes.Sadly,it was also the year that I lost my father(well-known producer-director Ravi Tandon). It was the severest blow of my life.I am still processing the loss. The Padma Shri would have made my Dad so proud.”
Remind her she is still young and already a Padma winner and Raveena expresses her happiness. “I guess I am lucky to have received the honour at the midpoint of my life and career. I am also very happy that M M Keeravani Sir has also received the Padma Shri.His Naatu naatu has the world dancing to his tune. But even before Naatu naatu he has done such exemplary work.”
Getting nostalgic Raveena says, “I started working when I was 17.I have done every kind of cinema, balancing out a Chote Miyan Bade Miya with a Shool, a Rakshak with a Ghulam-e-Mustafa, a Bulundi and a Khauff with a Daman and an Aks. It’s always been my endeavour to be be seen in escapism and real cinema. Some people think dancing around trees and doing the masala stuff is easy. It is not! In fact being real on screen is far easier.”
Raveena feels the good days are back in the entertainment industry. “I saw Pathaan and I whistled and clapped the loudest. It is an out-and-out mass entertainer and bound to revive the sagging fortunes of our industry. While the Padma Shri is a personal triumph, the success of Pathaan is a happy occasion for the entire industry.So yeah, I am on top of the world,”
Raveena’s fans would like to know her khubsoorati ka raaz.
She laughs, “It’s nothing more than sleeping and eating right. I try to eat correctly. I have only organic food. More importantly,I am happy and secure in life. If you are content within it is bound show on your face.”
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