Hindi

Mubarakan……Fun while it lasts

Published

9 years ago

July 28, 2017

Mubarakan is designed to be a crazy comedy on the lines of Bazmee’s own, Welcome, Sajid Khan’s Housefull, Nikhil Advani’s Patiala House and other such movies where knotty situations are created leading to one tangle after another, leading to a lot of funny situations and laughter as a result.

The prime ingredient is a horde of artistes, preferably a talented lot if it has to work better. However, depending on the script and screenplay, not to forget peppy dialogue of which some work, some don’t.

Being a situational comedy, more the characters on the screen, better the pace. With fewer characters, it would become tedious. The story about identical twin brothers separated at birth because of circumstances, helps add spice. And, of course, a film has to justify folks dancing in colourful costumes at a family wedding. That is being so Indian.

This muddle revolves around a Sikh family divided between Chandigarh in India and London in the UK.
It falls upon the bachelor played by Anil Kapoor to bring up his twin nephews, the character of Arjun Kapoor in a dual role, when his brother played by Sanjay Kapoor and his wife die in a car crash. Not in a position to take up the responsibility, he sends off one of the twins to his older brother, played by Pawan Malhotra, and the other to his sister, played by Ratna Pathak Shah.

Charan, one of the twins, brought up by Pawan grows up to be a shy, introvert and traditional Sikh, sporting his pagdi while the one brought up in London by Ratna is bold, has shorn his hair and, is outgoing. However, both brought up by their adoptive parents, are in awe of them and give them full respect.

Arjun from London has followed the character of Ileana D’Cruz to Chandigarh whom he has been courting for two years. He keeps promising her that he will talk to his parents soon but, an accident meeting between her and Ratna, turns into Ileana calling Ratna names and ridiculing her. That puts paid to Arjun’s plans to take Ileana’s to meets his strong headed mother, Ratna.

The shy Arjun with pagdi loves the character of Neha Sharma, a lawyer by profession. He is scared to take her home to meet his father, Pawan, for he is shy by nature as it were and the fact that she is not from the Sikh community deters him from doing so.

Pawan decides to fix up his nephew, Karan’s wedding with the character of Athiya Shetty, daughter of a London tycoon played by Rahul Dev. But, being in love with Ileana, he wriggles out of the proposal, instead, suggesting the family choose Athiya for Charan. But, Charan wants to marry Neha.

None of the two is opening up about their true intentions and, instead, approach their maternal uncle, Anil Kapoor, to help get them out of the situation. Anil has decided to remain a bachelor, drowning his sorrows in alcohol after a failed romance. In helping his nephews, he finds a cause.

To start with, when the family reaches Rahul’s palatial house, Anil suggests Arjun (Charan) act as a drug addict which would be easy to pass off since his home state, Punjab, has been in news for drug abuse; he even quotes Udta Punjab (a recent film on the Punjab drug menace).

Then on starts a chain of events which create funny situations in the film which at most times keep viewers giggling.

Comedy writing has not been the forte of Hindi filmmaking clan. But, in the case of Mubarakan, the team of writers has done a good job, which was expected considering the director, Bazmee, who himself began his career as a writer, would know what he wanted. Dialogue adds to the fun.

Despite this, some scenes stretch and the climax, though enjoyable, follows on the predictable lines. Bazmee, the director, handles his artistes well, making their causes look convincing and not letting the performances look like buffoonery.

The cinematography is good with ample help from the choice of locations. Choreography adds colour to the proceedings. Editing could have been a little crisper. Though dominated by Punjabi songs, the music works in the film’s favour with foot tapping numbers. The title song is already popular with the reworked version of Hasan Jehangir’s 1987 number, Hawa hawa… and the romantic song, Hathon mei haath…..being appealing.

This despite being a no holds barred comedy attempt, the actors are reigned in well. Anil Kapoor verges on going overboard but that is what his character demands. Arjun Kapoor does a very good job in two totally different characters. Ileana D’Cruz is aptly peppy. Athiya has a limited role in first half and is restrained in the latter parts when she gets more exposure; her dancing is graceful. Neha Sharma impresses. Rahul Dev and Karan Kundra live up to their roles of arrogant but traditional Sikhs. However, the ones who give the comic film credence are Ratna Shah Pathak and Pawan Malhotra.
Mubarakan is a family entertainer and though the opening is average (the film’s promos were uninspiring), the film has the prospects to pick up over the weekend.

Producers: Ashwin Varde, Murad Khetani.

Director: Anees Bazmee.

Cast: Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor (double role), Ileana D’Cruz, Athiya Shetty, Neha Sharma, Rahul Dev, Karan Kundra,, Ratna Pathak Shah, Pavan Malhotra.

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Hindi

Fans Take Centre Stage as Zee Cine Awards Turns the Spotlight Around

Published

1 day ago

February 7, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: When the applause gets louder than the dialogue, you know the fans have taken over. That was the unmistakable mood as Zee formally announced the Zee Cine Awards 2026, flipping the script to celebrate not just cinema’s stars, but the people who cheer them on the loudest.

The 24th edition of the awards marks a fresh chapter in Zee’s long-standing relationship with Hindi cinema, anchored in its fan-first philosophy, Fantertainment. This year’s theme, ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, reinforces a simple idea: cinema’s most powerful moments are shaped as much by audiences as by actors on screen. Presented by Maruti Suzuki, the awards aim to turn fandom into the main event.

The announcement, held in Mumbai, was anything but a routine press conference. Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, composer Mithoon and singer Palak Muchhal joined fans to kick off the celebrations, turning the launch into a high-voltage, participative spectacle.

Staying true to the theme, fans didn’t just watch the announcement, they drove it. Akshay Kumar took the lead, pulling fellow stars on stage and energising the room, before the unveiling of a live LED Fan Meter. Powered purely by audience cheers, the rising meter culminated in the reveal of the Zee Cine Awards 2026 ground event date, announced in unison with fans, blurring the line between performer and spectator.

The momentum continued as Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa and Aparshakti Khurana recreated iconic hook steps, joined by Mithoon and Palak Muchhal for music-led interactions. Games, spontaneous performances and playful banter kept the focus firmly on shared moments, underscoring the evolving bond between cinema and its audience.

Beyond the launch, the awards will roll out as a multi-platform journey across television, digital, print and fan-led experiences. The aim is sustained engagement from the first announcement to awards night cementing fandom as a cultural force rather than a footnote.

Commenting on the milestone edition Zee head of advertisement revenue, broadcast & digital Laxmi Shetty said the 24th Zee Cine Awards continue to draw strength from the network’s omni-channel ecosystem, reflecting how audiences consume content today across TV, digital and social platforms. She noted that long-standing brand associations, including Maruti Suzuki’s three-year partnership and support from brands such as Hell Energy, underline the platform’s scale, trust and cultural relevance.

As Zee Cine Awards 2026 gathers pace, one thing is clear: this year, the loudest cheers won’t just echo in the auditorium, they’ll shape the show itself.

Hindi

Prime Video to stream Don’t Be Shy, produced by Alia Bhatt

Published

1 week ago

January 30, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Prime Video has found its next feel-good original, and it comes with a healthy dose of heart, humour and youthful chaos. The streaming platform has announced Don’t Be Shy, a coming-of-age romantic comedy produced by Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt under their banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions.

Written and directed by Sreeti Mukerji, the film follows Shyamili ‘Shy’ Das, a 20-year-old who believes her life is neatly mapped out until it suddenly is not. What follows is a relatable tumble through friendship, love and the awkward art of growing up, when plans unravel and certainty gives way to self-discovery.

The project is co-produced by Grishma Shah and Vikesh Bhutani, with music composed by Ram Sampath, adding to the film’s promise of warmth and energy. Prime Video describes the story as light-hearted yet emotionally grounded, with a strong female-led narrative at its core.

Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the platform was delighted to collaborate with Eternal Sunshine on a story that blends sincerity with humour. He noted that the film’s fresh writing, earnest characters and infectious music make it an easy, engaging watch for audiences well beyond its young adult setting.

For Alia Bhatt, Don’t Be Shy reflects the kind of storytelling Eternal Sunshine set out to champion. She said the film stood out for its honesty, its coming-of-age perspective and Mukerji’s passion, which she felt was deeply woven into the narrative. Bhatt also praised Prime Video for supporting distinctive voices and bold creative choices.

With its breezy tone and familiar emotional beats, Don’t Be Shy aims to charm viewers whether they are rom-com regulars or simply in the mood for a warm, unpretentious story about life refusing to stick to the plan.

Hindi

Tips Films reports Rs 286.87 lakh quarterly loss in Q3 FY26

Published

2 weeks ago

January 27, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Tips Films struggled to find its rhythm in the final quarter of 2025, as a spike in production costs and a new regulatory burden pushed the Mumbai-based outfit deeper into the red. According to results released on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the company posted a net loss of Rs 286.87 lakh for the quarter ended 31 December, despite a modest bump in total income to Rs 456.29 lakh.

The bottom line was hit by the introduction of India’s New Labour Codes, which forced a Rs 37.37 lakh catch-up payment for employee benefits. Production costs also proved a heavy lift, gobbling up Rs 318.48 lakh during the period. On a nine-month basis, the picture looks even bleaker; the company has racked up losses of Rs 1,237.61 lakh, a sharp reversal from the Rs 1,269.17 lakh profit it managed in the same period last year.

Investors will be looking for a script change as the company enters the final stretch of the financial year, with basic earnings per share now languishing at minus Rs 6.64. For now, Tips Films remains a single-segment player, pinning its hopes entirely on the volatile world of film production and distribution.