Hindi

‘NH 10’: Highway to nowhere

Published

11 years ago

March 13, 2015

MUMBAI: NH 10 is a film that could easily have been in the horror genre. Normally, when a newly married couple would go on a holiday in order to leave behind their hectic city life, they would book into a haveli or jungle lodge. All kinds of eerie things would start happening to them. NH 10 veers from the mould. In this case, the couple tries to make up for their hurried honeymoon by going on a holiday, driving from their home in Gurgaon along National Highway 10, which terminates in Punjab. But most of its length passes through Haryana, the khap land.

Anushka Sharma works for a company in Gurgaon where her presentations are always a hit with the boss. One night she is called in late and on her way back, she is cornered by a pair of bikers backed up by their other goons in a car behind. Anushka somehow manages to get away from the situation but that paves way for her to obtain a gun licence, the top cop being close to her husband, Neil Bhoopalam.

The couple embark on their trip enjoying mild romantic banter and dreaming of things they could do together once there. Since it is celebration time, Neil even gifts Anushka a packet of cigarettes. A dhaba is a must stop place and both decide to refresh at one. Anushka takes time off in the loo for a smoke when a woman approaches her and asks to save her life.

That’s when a commotion attracts Neil’s attention. About half a dozen people are violently beating up a couple, the woman being the same who pleaded with Anushka in the loo. Neil’s good citizen conscious makes him intervene, only to be punched and humiliated by the girl’s brother. She has married outside her ‘gotra’ and that is taboo in this place. Her fate is sealed as is that of her lover.

Neil being a hot-blooded North Indian youth finds being beaten in front of his wife unacceptable. He arms himself with the pistol granted to Anushka for self-protection and decides to follow the guys to avenge the punches. He feels supremely confident of overpowering a bunch of uncouth men and follows them deep into woods where he witnesses them burying the boy and girl alive in a pit. Now he has no clue how and when to flaunt his gun. As a result, he ends up shooting the most innocent, mentally challenged lad who was part of the bunch but had nothing to do with their acts.

Producers: Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Anushka Sharma, Sunil Lulla, Karnesh Sharma

Director: Navdeep Singh

Cast: Anushka Sharma, Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Kumar, Deepti Naval

After this, neither his gun nor his contact with the Delhi top cop are of any use to him. Anushka and Neil are now a hunted couple in a land where every person including the cops identify with the philosophy of the killer bunch. Neil is rendered immobile as a result of a stab wound in his thigh and Anushka is left alone to fend for them both.

In her pursuit to find help as well as save herself from the killers, Anushka goes into the jungle. There is no sign of a state highway, let alone the National Highway 10. She is told by the cops that the real Haryana and khap rule starts where the glitzy malls of Gurgaon end.

Until about 20 minutes before the film ends, Anushka is a cross Haryana runner, stopping only when she finally gets shelter with a village sarpanch, Deepti Naval. Here again, another surprise awaits her. Her husband, Neil, has been killed. As if one of the goons is a clairvoyant, he declares that the injured Neil is lying at the railway underpass and they proceed to deal with him before resuming the chase for Anushka. Neil clears the way for Anushka, whose money rides on this film to seek the ultimate revenge and, hence, it has to be her show from here onwards.

Though there are numerous such films of a woman spurned, from Bride Wore Black, Black Widow to our own Kahaani, NH 10 betters none of them. It moves on totally predictable lines and offers no edge-of-the-seat kind thrills. Though Anushka decides to get even eventually, there is nothing heroic about it. As is the trend among contemporary makers, this film too is shot largely in low light but the use of night vision cameras saves the situation to some extent.

Since the script is uninspiring and lacks twists and turns, the director is also largely at sea. There is no support from the romance between the lead protagonists. Even music fails to inspire. As for background score, one is too occupied to find some meaning in the film to even notice it. If Anushka was hoping for an award-winning film, well she certainly may be a contender. Neil is fairly good though he has limited scope. Darshan Kumar as the baddie in chief is impressive. Deepti Naval is good in a brief role.

NH 10 is a tedious watch. The film has the advantage of a solo release but the exams period and the ‘A’ certificate will go against it.

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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

1 week 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

1 week 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

3 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.