26072022-LSTC-01.qxd 7/25/2022 10:46 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Struggling actor arrested in Mumbai for death threats to Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal Up next Karan Johar took to social media on Monday and officially announced his next film. Titled Screw Dheela, the film stars Tiger Shroff in the lead role. TMS CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 26 JULY 2022 HIT In the net Bollywood couple Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal received death threats from an unknown person on social media, following which a case was registered at Santacruz Police Station on the complaint of Vicky Kaushal. In his complaint, Vicky mentioned that a person had been threatening and posting threat messages on Instagram. The actor stated The that the accused had also been stalking his wife, accused Katrina Kaif. Manvinder Singh An investigation was allegedly used to post initiated and an morphed videos and accused named Manvinder Singh was arrestpictures of him ed on Monday (July 25). with Katrina. Manvinder is said to be a struggling actor and a big fan of Katrina Kaif. He wanted to marry the actress and that’s why was constantly troubling her on social media. Manvinder used to allegedly post morphed videos and pictures of him with Katrina. Meanwhile, Vicky and Katrina are back in Mumbai after their Maldives vacation where they celebrated the actress’ birthday with family and friends. — TMS Action spectacle Yash Raj Films’ Pathaan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, is set to release on January 25, 2023. The makers unveiled the first look of Deepika Padukone from the film on Monday and the actress is looking fierce! Director Siddharth Anand says, “Deepika Padukone is a big star and her presence in Pathaan makes our film even more exciting. No one has yet seen her look in Pathaan and we are thrilled to present a glimpse of her in our action spectacle. Deepika has a fierce role that will blow everyone’s mind.” Siddharth claims that Deepika will have a magnetic aura in the film. He adds, “I have worked with her very early in her career and have seen her evolve over the years into a completely different actor.” — TMS Deepika Padukone has a fierce role in Pathaan formula Sheetal A period film about dacoits, Shamshera, starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role, is struggling at the box-office after the opening weekend, where it made only Rs 31. 75-cr. Not long back, Akshay Kumar's Samrat Prithviraj was a big flop. Kangana Ranaut's Dhaakad met the same fate. But the same cannot be said for big-budget Hollywood films, as their content and larger-than-life world view is welcomed with open arms. Here's a look into why Bollywood is failing against the tough competition. CONTENT IS FAILING I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS THE CONTENT THAT IS FAILING HINDI CINEMA. AS FAR AS HOLLYWOOD IS CONCERNED, THEY HAD REALISED THE INDIAN MARKET WAS BIG LONG AGO. IT’S NOT TODAY THAT WE ARE SEEING ENGLISH MOVIES BEING RELEASED NOT JUST IN HINDI, BUT TELUGU, TAMIL AND OTHER LANGUAGES. NUMBER GAME After a serious film like The Kashmir Files finds its way into the Rs 200-crore club, the first to do so after the pandemic, another hit came two months later in Bhul Bhulaiyaa 2. Thereafter it has been a dry spell for Hindi cinema. Another family comedy-drama, Jugjugg Jeeyo did reasonably well with Rs 84.80-cr collection in India (recovering its Rs 85-cr budget). In the top 10 list of highestgrossers in domestic box-office collection, three are Hollywood films — Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Rs 130-cr), Thor: Love And Thunder (Rs 93.94-cr) and Jurassic World Dominion (Rs 68.56cr). Call it the superhero craze or better content from the foreign shores, films like Top Gun: Maverick and The Batman also performed better than the Indian big-budget films and multi-starrers. So, where is Hindi cinema lacking? Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Mittra says, "Covid has changed viewing preference of the audience. Traditionally, movie buffs in India have eagerly awaited for the films of their favourite stars and this factor would contribute largely to a sizeable opening weekend business, but now they don't mind waiting for the reaction of cinema-goers and critics to get a whiff of what lies in store. Also, should the word of mouth not be favourable, the discerning audience doesn't mind waiting so as to watch it on OTT after a few weeks of release." TARAN ADARSH, FILM CRITIC GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI THE KASHMIR FILES WINDS OF CHANGE A look at last year's box-office collections in India and one can make out how it was just a teaser to what was unravelling. Spider-Man—No Way Home (English) collected Rs 218.41-cr in India followed by Sooryavanshi (Rs 196-cr) and '83 (Rs108.26-cr). A year later, it has now increased to three Hollywood biggies and two South-Indian larger-than-life movies. OTT EFFECT Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi made it to the commer- The resolute flight of dreams Mona Hail the brave, they have the power not to change just their lives but of others as well. Soorarai Pottru, the much-feted Tamil film that led the 68th National Awards bagging five awards, takes one on a rollercoaster ride of ambition, determination and a never-saydie attitude. Aiming at showcasing an equal society where the divide between rich and poor is significantly reduced, National-Award winning film Soorarai Pottru has a great screenplay that is backed by powerful performances Film: Soorarai Pottru (Udaan) Director: Sudha Kongara Cast: Suriya, Aparna Balamurali, Paresh Rawal, Kaali Venkat, Mohan Babu Rating:  Inspired by the life of Capt GR Gopinath, founder of Air Deccan and his memoir Simply Fly: A Deccan Odyssey, merged with stories of struggle of several lowfare airlines, Soorarai Pottru has a powerful screenplay. Yes there are stock situations — tumultuous father-son bond, three best friends navigating life’s journey, While big-budget Hindi films like Shamsherahave failed at the box-office, Hollywood biggies have done well. Can Bollywood get its act together? NET, FLICKS & MORE man on a mission and a fierce love story, and how well these fit within a larger-than-life dream. The story is that of Maara Nedumaaran (Suriya) from a small village, Sholavaram, near Madurai, who gives up a career in Air Force to pursue the dream of making an ordinary person fly. Son of an idealist teacher, he is intelligent, hardworking and has the support of his family as well as friends to conceive and deliver the unimaginable for everyone in society. How the powerful aviation lobby tries to stop Maara makes for an intriguing story. Soorarai Pottru also has a love story; Bommi (Aparna Balamurali) dreams passionately about having her own bakery business, so the duo turn into partners not only in personal but professional life as well. The film bats for an equal society where the divide between rich and poor, man and woman is significantly reduced. c m y b If fine writing by Sudha Kongara and Shalini Ushadevi, and dialogues by Karunas, is one strong point of the film, acting is another. Suriya is one of the top stars of cinema for a reason. He can enact different emotions with finesse and holds the skill to say a lot with a few words. His adversary in the film is none other than veteran actor Paresh Rawal as Paresh Goswami — his ideal turned into a bitter adversary. Aparna Balamurali, who plays Sundari aka Bommi, is feisty and effervescent. Mohan Babu as M Naidu, Maara’s superior in the Air Force, lends able support. Vivekh Prasanna and Krishna Kumar, as friends, add to the story. Sudha Kongara delivers an engaging script and delivers well as a director. The background score by GV Prakash Kumar deftly bring alive emotions of ambition, joy, love and failure. While the film presents many a theme and effectively so, it’s entertaining from the word go. On the downside, at 149 minutes it’s a tad long and while showcasing real stories the makers take too much cinematic liberty. (Streaming on Amazon, the Hindi dubbed version is available with the title Udaan) TOP GUN: MAVERICK THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER cially successful film category; it also made Alia Bhatt a successful heroine who can single-handedly deliver a hit. But the same could not be said for female-centric Dhaakad (Rs 2.58-cr), starring Kangana as a contract killer, or the biopic Shabaash Mithu (Rs2.12-cr) where Taapsee Pannu portrayed cricketer Mithali Raj. So, even film critics and trade analysts refuse to predict the fate of movies given the unpredictable audience. With Samrat Prithviraj tanking, filmmakers are going to think twice before choosing a period film, a favourite genre for the past few years. Shamshera falls in the same category, but has so far earned just Rs 31.75-cr having been made at a whopping Rs150crore budget. We wonder if OTT is to be blamed! Rahul explains, "Just like a growing number of filmmakers are following a clear demarcation with regards to content they are creating, for the cinemas and for the OTT, viewers have begun to do the same. Only larger-than-life action films with catchy songs warrant the cinema-viewing experience." Highest taxpayer Akshay Kumar has once again become the highest taxpayer from the entertainment industry. He has been honoured with a samman patra by the Income Tax Department. Interestingly, the actor has been getting the title of the highest taxpayer for the past five years! Akshay’s honourary certificate has gone viral. According to a source, “Akshay has the maximum number of films today and also ruling the endorsement world. It’s no surprise for him to feature in the highest taxpayer list of India.” Akshay is currently shooting for Jaswant Singh Gill’s biopic in the UK, so his team accepted the certificate from the Income Tax Department on his behalf. Make way for Darlings Trailer of the much-anticipated film Darlings was dropped on Monday. The film is all set to premiere on August 5, 2022, on Netflix. Starring Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah, Vijay Varma and Roshan Mathew in the lead roles, Darlings is a dark comedy with secrets, mystery and drama. The film delves into the lives of a resilient motherdaughter duo, fighting for love and finding their footing in Mumbai while also battling their demons. Alia Bhatt, kicking off her maiden production (Eternal Sunshine) with Darlings, shared, “Darlings is special, the moment I read the script, I wanted to be a part of the film not only as an actor, but to play a larger role in bringing such unique stories to the viewers. I can’t hold back my excitement as we unveil the hard work of the team. It’s an engaging tale.” — TMS THE FILM DELVES INTO THE LIVES OF A RESILIENT MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, FIGHTING FOR LOVE AND FINDING THEIR FOOTING IN MUMBAI WHILE ALSO BATTLING THEIR DEMONS.