Hindi

‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’….Missing audience

Published

11 years ago

February 27, 2015

MUMBAI: Dum Laga Ke Haisha is very unlike a Yash Raj Films product. It gives you nothing of that finesse most of their films boast of. What’s more, Bhumi Pednekar, who makes her debut with this film, is not the kind who can become a heartthrob of young men. She is not the traditional slim, stylish, chiffon clad actress Yash Raj women are identified with. Also, unlike most of their films, this one is about a traditional middleclass family based in a small town Haridwar of mid 1990s.

Ayushmann Khurrana, the only son of Sanjay Mishra, looks after the family tape recording shop but is a zero when it comes to studies and is deficient in English. He is a huge Kumar Sanu fan. He is shy and terrified of his dominating father. His father has decided it is time to get him married and the match is found in Bhumi, a fat chubby girl who loves to dance and never wears clothes that match. However, she is better qualified and ready to become a teacher.

The marriage is performed notwithstanding Khurrana’s reluctance. The first night draws a blank and Bhumi starts working on attracting Khurrana towards her. Her first stop is a lingerie shop. Let alone loving her, Khurrana is even ashamed of the fact that she is his wife. But Bhumi is determined and not the kind to take taunts and insults as she gives it back to Khurrana’s aunt and also ends up slapping Khurrana when she hears him insult her behind her back. Bhumi has had enough and is ready to return to her parents.

Producer: Manish Sharma

Director: Sharat Kataria

Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra

The dual continues as both miss no opportunity to make each other conscious of their problems. There is a scene where she plays the tape with a song to provoke Khurrana and he on his part comes out of bathroom with soap all over him to play another song to give it back to her. This turns out to be a medley of old songs. And there are times when Khurrana finds it tough to balance his scooter with Bhumi on the pillion.

The story may not find identification with today’s audience initially but its simplicity may finally touch them. The director makes sure he keeps it as simple and maintains its old-fashioned native flavour. However, one thing that stands out as an eyesore is Khurrana’s dressing; there is nothing native about it as his costumes are dandy. Anu Malik stages a comeback and with him come some sensible lyrics and soulful tunes in ‘Moh moh ke dhage….’ As Kumar Sanu gives other two songs, ‘Dard karaara…’and ‘Tu’ the ‘90s feeling. The dialogue has subtle humour. The film is 111 minutes long and becomes more lively post interval.

Khurrana is good in a subdued role. Bhumi is impressive. Sanjay Mishra, as usual, stands out. The rest are good as supporting cast.

Though watchable, Dum Laga Ke Haisha has not been given due publicity and has opened poorly with very little chance of catching up.

‘Ab Tak Chhappan 2’.. Ab tak enough!

Ab Tak Chhappan 2 as the title suggests is a sequel to Ab Tak Chhappan, released 11 years back to the day (27 February, 2004). This also suggests that the sequel has come too late as the theme of specialist police shooters, called encounter specialists, has passed its expiry date and is no more relevant. Also, so many bullets have been fired since by all and sundry (good as well as bad) that a gun-toting cop is no longer exciting.

Nana Patekar is encounter specialist Sadhu Agashe, is facing court cases for unsanctioned killings of criminals. He is happy whiling away his time fishing, making meals for his teenaged son and playing marbles in his native village somewhere in Goa. The criminals have resurfaced and there is chaos in the city of Mumbai. The ex-commissioner, Mohan Agashe, is summoned by CM Dilip Prabhavalkar and HM Vikram Gokhale, during whose tenure as police chief the encounter specialist team was formed and underworld reined in.

Agashe suggests Nana be brought back even as two other senior cops, Ashutosh Rana and Govind Namdeo, disagree with the idea. For his part, Nana too is reluctant despite an offer to withdraw all litigation against him. However, his son convinces him finally to go back since he is a cop and not a fisherman.

Producers: Raju Chadha

Director: Aejaz Gulab

Cast: Nana Pateka, Gul Panag, Mohan Agashe, Govind Namdev, Raj Zutshi, Vikram Gokhale, Ashutosh Rana

So Nana is back heading the force with a very resistant Rana as an enemy within. It is business as usual as Nana goes on a shooting spree, killing a goon first and then telling the viewers about the deceased. They are just dummies. But, the joke is about the two dons who rule over Mumbai underworld; one is a suave, computer-wiz Raj Zutshi, holed up somewhere abroad because he is scared of his rival, a nondescript actor, who may just pass off as a street side gunda, least of all a big time don!

As has been reported often, these specialists also work on behest of dons and that happens in this story too as it did in the earlier version 11 years back. Nothing is new. Nana’s wife was shot dead in part one, this time his son falls to the villains’ bullets. That is the final push he needs.

However, there is an effort to salvage the already sunk plot; this is not just another cop story, there is a twist though a very predictable one from reel one. There is a greedy politician pulling strings.

Ab Tak Chhappan 2 is built on a wrong premise: just about everything about it is misconceived. The script is run of the mill and the direction is copy book; nothing original or inspirational. Camera angles are corny. Thankfully, there are no songs and the background score is okay. Despite a tolerable 105-minute duration, the film gives the feeling of being lengthy; some crisp editing could have brought it down to maybe 90 minutes.

Dialogue is very tacky. There is no scope for performances and Nana sticks to being Nana. So do Rana and Namdeo, who stick to their routine. Gul Panag, whose character is forced in, is a misfit and miscast. Prabhavalkar has little to make an impact. The only actor who makes his presence felt is Gokhale.

Ab Tak Chhappan 2 has had a miserable opening and may find it hard to last the week.

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Hindi

Boney Kapoor acquires remake rights of Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil

Strong word-of-mouth turns Pongal satire into remake pick

Published

2 days ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: A Pongal release, a village satire and a theatre visit in Coimbatore have turned into Boney Kapoor’s latest acquisition. The producer has secured the remake rights to the Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (TTT), a film that has been enjoying a strong theatrical run powered by word-of-mouth and praise for its sharp, rooted writing.

Set in a rural milieu, the story follows a panchayat leader thrown into disarray when a wedding and a funeral land on the same day. What unfolds is a swirl of satire and humour that skewers local politics, power games, bruised egos and family tensions, all anchored in the textures of everyday village life.

Kapoor first encountered the film earlier this year while in Coimbatore for the Celebrity Cricket League. With time to spare, he caught a screening at a local theatre. That viewing proved decisive. According to sources, the narrative style, performances and the film’s balance of political commentary and comedy caught his attention.

Interest quickly turned into intent. Kapoor reached out to the producers soon after to explore a remake. Talks gathered pace over the following weeks and came to a head last Friday at the film’s success party in Chennai, where Kapoor joined the celebrations and continued negotiations with the makers.

By the end of the evening, the deal was sealed, with Kapoor formally acquiring the remake rights.

For an industry constantly mining regional cinema for the next crossover story, the move is telling. A small-town satire with local flavour has found a national backer. And if Kapoor’s instincts hold, a tale born in one village may soon echo far beyond it.

Hindi

Fans take centre stage as Zee Cine awards turns the spotlight around

Published

4 days 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

2 weeks 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.