14012023-LSTL-01.qxd 1/13/2023 11:01 PM Page 1 c m y b ANUSHKA SHARMA IN TROUBLE Anushka Sharma is in legal trouble and she has approached the Bombay High Court to seek relief. The actress has filed a petition for the assessment years 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 under the Maharashtra Value Added Tax Act. TRIBUNE Poor health? Life Shruti Haasan has slammed reports alleging that she did not attend the trailer launch of her film Waltair Veerayya due to poor mental health. ANI LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 14 JANUARY 2023 Guns, gore & gaalis Adventures of Hoodie Baba Kuttey unfolds at a decent pace but lot seems to be borrowed Nonika Singh T HE very title Kuttey is a giveaway. It’s a dog eat dog world. And the line between the outlaws and upholders of law is razor thin. A prologue set in 2003 involving a Naxalite sets the pace and the mood…A fable demarcates the difference between a dog (loyal servant) and lion (ruler) and the proverbial sacrificial goat. Chapter one begins and as the narrative jumpstarts from 2003 to 2016, there has to be a connection. Thus two central characters of the opening segment figure again. One is obvious and the other is a surprise element reserved for the last bit. And this is where director Aasmaan Bhardwaj scores. As he creates a vortex of crime, greed and more, there are quite a few surprises in store, even though they all don’t fit or flow organically. Gopal (Arjun Kapoor) and Sardar (Kumud Mishra) are two cops, who instead of busting the crime are in collusion with the criminals. Expectedly, their unethical world is not easy to navigate. Naseeruddin Shah wheels in (on a wheelchair), forces them to go for a contract killing and there is many a spoke in the wheel hereafter. How different players of the game of grime and greed get entangled…each trying to hoodwink the other forms the crux of the film leading to chaos and some degree of ern noir Aasmaan keeps you engaged. So does Tabu, who demands and commands attention unabashedly. Among the line-up of actors, there is Anurag Kashyap too, who gave us the original films of similar genre. Many other members of the cast such as Naseeruddin’s presence too is almost like an extended special appearance. Then a whole lot are just dispensable. Arjun Kapoor as trigger-happy avarice ridden cop hogs most of the limelight and is in fine form. Kumud Mishra gets similar footage and is adept as ever. Radhika Madan breezes in post intermission and sparkles. Cinematographer Farhad Ahmed Dehlvi is in sync with the film’s mood. The background score by Vishal Bhardwaj might be reminiscent of his film Kaminey yet punctuates the narrative well. What doesn’t is the extra dose of politicking. Yes, the last barb strikes home but the Naxal angle, rather than being subversive, stands out like a sore thumb in what is essentially a Tarantino style thriller and tale of amoral beings. Despite the obvious inspiration and influences, junior Bhardwaj, who along with his father Vishal, has written the film with cynical and quirky twists is worth watching out for. With Lakadbaggha, one hails the film industry’s attempt to weave activism in its narrative, if only the execution was as fine as the intention Mona Kolkata has a vigilante–a young hoodie boy–who wouldn’t let harm come anyone’s way, specially those who cannot protect themselves. As his fan clubs are mushrooming, many aren’t happy. The story follows Arjun (Anshuman Jha), who teaches martial arts to kids and works as a courier boy. He delivers the divorce papers to crime branch officer Akshara D’souza (Ridhi Dogra), who is struggling to catch this vigilante. Arjun’s love for animals brings the two closer. In comes her brother Aryan (Paresh Pahuja), who deals in dubious pet trade, and his striped lakadbaggha (hyena) and things get murkier! This Victor Mukherjee’s directorial has its heart in the right place but average writing and execution stop it from reaching its true potential. In the acting department Anshuman Jha’s is an honest attempt – a boy coming of age, different yet special, a nonsmoker, non-drinker, vegan hero riding high on his martial arts skills. He is good in action scenes. Ridhi Dogra as the leading lady makes for a good match to his fighting skills, and only holds an MOVIE REVIEWS fun. With a cast to die for, with fine actors such as Tabu and Konkana Sen, Kuttey has much going in its favour. Tabu as police woman Pammi gets to tell some putrid jokes and cracks an insightful one too. Only, the tale concerning scorpion and frog though familiar is no joke. Rather its dark humour underpins the whole narra- Film: Kuttey Director: Aasmaan Bhardwaj Cast: Arjun Kapoor, Tabu, Kumud Mishra, Radhika Madan, Shardul Bhardwaj, Konkona Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah Rating:  tive. Logic kya hai… becomes the catch-line and acquires a political sting in the climax. Even though the thriller circling around a heist unfolds at a decent pace, lot seems borrowed. Despite the palpable influence of west- Goodbye Lisa Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley’s only child whose tumultuous life also included a music career, died on Thursday in a Los Angeles hospital. She passed away aged 54. “Priscilla Presley and the Presley family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Lisa Marie,” reads a family statement. “They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time.” Presley was hospitalised Thursday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest at her home in Calabasas, California, just two days after she attended the Golden Globes with her mother Priscilla Presley. Lisa Marie and Priscilla Presley were at the Golden Globes on January 10 to see Austin Butler win the award for his starring role in Elvis as best lead actor in a drama. They also attended a pre-Globes party on Sunday for Elvis, where the family honoured what would have been the King of Rock an Roll’s 88th birthday. As the only child of one of the most famous people in the world, Lisa Marie Presley dealt with her parents’ divorce at age five, her father’s death at age 9, and a stretch of drug use before she embraced Scientology. She told once that her mother’s boyfriend had been inappropriate with her, and was a constant fixture in the tabloids for her marriages to Michael Jackson and a much shorter one to Nicolas Cage. Lisa Marie Presley released her first album as a singer-songwriter, To Whom It May Concern, in 2003. For her second album, “Now What,” she co-wrote 10 songs and included a cover of the Ramones’ Here Today and Gone Tomorrow. Her son Benjamin Keough died in 2020 of a selfinflicted gunshot wound. In addition to Riley Keough, Presley has twin girls, Finley and Harper, with her ex-husband Michael Lockwood. Before Lockwood, she was married to Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and Danny Keough.—IANS Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 c m y b Film: Lakadbaggha Director: Victor Mukherjee Cast: Anshuman Jha, Ridhi Dogra, Paresh Pahuja, Biju Thaangjam, Adrita De, Eksha Kerung, Murari Kumar, Trushant Ingle, Harshit Dang, Milind Soman Rating:  upper edge in looks and style department. Paresh Pahuja makes for a dapper antagonist. While one enjoys rap Practice Till I Crack This , the background score is edgy and unconventional. One wishes for better VFX. It’s the screenplay that falters and characterisation is sketchy. While Arjun fights for the right cause, you do feel for his pets Shanku and Colonel, but as he fights mighty villains, you hardly feel for his cause. The film proudly ‘introduces’ Sikkim’s supermodel, professional boxer and cop Eksha Kerung, if only they hadn’t stereotyped her. Milind Soman has a blink and miss appearance. If you have time to kill, do watch for the ball busting, bone crunching fight sequences superbly directed by Baaghi 2 and Baahubali 2 fame Kecha Khamphakdee. First Bhediya, now Lakadbaggha, one hails the films industry’s attempt to weave activism in narratives, if only execution was as fine as the intention. Lakadbaggha is running in cinemas. Sanjay Chouhan, writer of Paan Singh Tomar, no more RIP Chouhan Renowned screenwriter Sanjay Chouhan, best known for film pieces like Paan Singh Tomar and I Am Kalam, passed away at the age of 62 battling a chronic liver illness at H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre on Thursday. Sanjay is survived by his wife Sarita and daughter Sara. Chouhan took an active part in defending the rights of the writing community as well. Chouhan received many honours throughout his career. Among Chouhan’s notable films are Dhoop and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Maara. Not just this, the late writer ‘What is an official contender?’ Nikhil Chinapa asks Vivek Agnohotri... Host and DJ Nikhil Chinapa has questioned filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri about the accuracy in the information he has given about his film The Kashmir Files that it has been shortlisted for the upcoming Oscars. He tweeted after sharing Vivek’s post with a poster of the movie with the logo of the 95th Oscars, “What is an official ‘contender’?” Earlier the filmmaker had tweeted, “Thanks for your love, support and blessings. This is the year of Indian Cinema. #Oscars2023.” He shared the poster with the logo of the upcoming Oscars and it was also mentioned that the film is an “Official Contender From India”. After his post, many responded asking him about the real status of the film and why he has made such a claim. One wrote: “Just hallucination by @vivekagnihotri..With this logic all 18 lakh students are official contender for medical seats.” Another tweeted: Congratulations, @vivekagnihotri..Why should one wait for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to declare the Winners!? When we can declare for ourselves (as Official Contenders)? Btw, what is “Official” about it? Nom- Vivek Agnihotri Nikhil Chinapa inated by GoI!?” One commented on Nikhil’s tweet, “Same meaning as facts are not facts.” The Kashmir Files has made it to the eligibility list of Oscars 2023 among others. —IANS also has co-written Saheb Biwi Gangster films with Tigmanshu Dhulia. Sanjay Chauhan began his career as a journalist in Delhi before relocating to Mumbai after penning the 1990s crime drama Bhanwar for Sony television. Chouhan also wrote the dialogue for Sudhir Mishra’s acclaimed 2003 film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, which is another one of his noteworthy accomplishments.—ANI Randeep faints while riding Actor Randeep Hooda was reportedly hospitalised at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai for treatment after he fainted while riding a horse and got severely injured. The actor was injured in the incident that occurred few days back and rushed to the hospital immediately. He has been advised complete bed rest for now. Last year, Randeep suffered an injury while shooting an action sequence for Radhe with Salman Khan for which the Highway actor had to undergo knee surgery on his right leg. The surgery happened during the shoot of his series Inspector Avinash. The actor lost weight for Savarkar. During the promotions of his recently released Netflix original CAT, the actor went easy on his diet. As soon as he was back on the sets of Savarkar, to fit in the role, he went back to follow a strict diet.—IANS