25012023-LSTL-01.qxd 1/24/2023 11:11 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Sum up Ajay Devgn says his experience of working with different directors on both commercial and independent films was useful while directing his upcoming feature film, Bholaa. PTI LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 25 JANUARY 2023 Creatively chaotic Nonika Singh C ‘Truly one of my favourite trailers…’ Alia Bhatt showered praises on her husband and actor Ranbir Kapoor after the trailer launch of his upcoming movie Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Taking to Instagram, the Gangubai Kathiawadi actor shared the trailer video along with a caption, “truly one of my most Alia favourite trailers! Tu Bhatt heaps Jhoothi Main Makkaar releasing 8th March.” praise on The trailer of Luv Ranbir’s Tu Jhoothi Ranjan’s upcoming Main Makkaar romantic comedy Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar trailer dropped on Monday, bringing in a breath of fresh air, with crackling chemistry between Ranbir and Shraddha Kapoor, stunning visuals and hilarious dialogues. The three-and-a-half-minute-long trailer also gave a glimpse of the fantastic music that will be in the film with the magic of Pritam, Amitabh Bhattacharya and Arijit Singh coming together. —ANI HAOS, which is what Fauda means, gets more chaotic in its fourth season. Unlike sequels, this popular web series that foregrounds Israel-Palestine conflict has not lost any bit of its cutting edge or any of its binge watching quotient. Fauda Season 4 throws enough clues to join the dots and then stumps the audience with a new twist Web series: Fauda Season 4 Director: Omri Givon Creators: Lior Raz, Avi Issacharoff Cast: Lior Raz, Itzik Cohen, Netta Garti, Rona-Lee Shim’on, Lucy Ayoub, Amir Boutrous, Loai Nofi, Yaakov Zada Daniel and Idan Amedi Rating:  Lior Raz (Doron Kavillio), who happens to be the co-creator as well as the hero of this nail-biting spy drama, takes us to Brussels this time before we return to his and the series’ home-ground Israel. Doron is enjoying his retirement at a ranch. But Gabi Ayoub (Itzhak Cohen), the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) captain, persuades him to join him in his trip to Brussels where his source is apparently suffering from a panic attack. What happens hereafter lends the same nail-biting finish to the series that has audiences the NET, FLICKS & MORE world over hooked to its dramatic flair and technical excellence. The beauty of Fauda is that even when you can predict the next move, it keeps you on the edge. Tension is so thick that you could actually cut it with a knife. Like good thrillers it throws enough clues for you to join the dots and then at some point, it simply stumps you with a new twist. Will Gabi’s source Omar Tawalbe (Amir Boutrous) betray him, will Gabi die or Doron be able to save him are mere tips of the iceberg. The drama spanning 12 episodes spreads out to include many more characters apart from the familiar ones like agents Steve and Eli. New sub-plots emerge but are interlinked to the main narrative. Omar’s sister Maya (lovely Lucy Ayoub) and cousin Adele (Loai Nofi) play significant parts and once again ethical dilemmas are factored in. Collateral damage in a war of attrition is a given. But the series also points out how sentiments have no place herein and how giving in to emotions can create another kind of havoc in this warfare of opposing ideologies. For each time the agents give in to their conscience, the results are against their own good. Is there room for goodness in this war of nerves? One of the strengths of Fauda is that it doesn’t play out the other side as outright demons. Complexity and layering does define its characters. In fact, in Season 4 it’s not the Israeli agents but their adversaries Hezbollah assassins from Lebanon and Palestinian militants from the West Bank, who seem to be a lot smarter, sharper and one step ahead of them. And they strike deep into the Israeli Defence Force. Do Israelis manage to extract their pound of flesh? The final episode threatens to conflagrate into a bloody funeral; remember the first season and its blood wedding. Alas, it may not offer you the same redemption if you are rooting for the heroes, particularly Doron, otherwise indomitable and invincible. Lior Raz with that rare charm of toughness and underlying vulnerability is endearing like always. While what these agents do for a living is far removed from our reality, all of them appear believable and relatable. Thus, all the other killing machines, be it Yaakov Zada Daniel as Eli or Doron Ben David as Steve, too are fleshed out as agents with a heart who want to lead a normal family life. But with their lives hanging by the thread, with each new mission deemed as their last, is this even a choice they can exercise? As the season four ends, we are not fully sure whether another season is in the offing. Even though the final episode ends on a cliff hanger... But the question here is not simply who lives or who dies. Rather, how powerfully this actioner with razor edge action sequences and splendid camerawork by Nitai Netzer has all our attention. Even with a few emotional add-ons like Sagi (Idan Amedi) and Nurit (Rona-Lee Shim’on)’s wedding, it’s never off track and never loses momentum. Go ahead, bingewatch as it streams on Netflix. Sudheer Varma dies by suicide Tollywood actor Sudheer Varma died by suicide on January 23. He was 33. The actor was known for films like Kundanapu Bomma and Second Hand. He had reportedly consumed poison on January 18 in Warangal and was admitted in a private hospital at Vizag. But he didn’t survive and took his last breath on Monday. Sudheer’s co-actor Sudhakar Komakula shared the news of his demise. Sudhakar has worked with Sudheer in Kundanapau Bomma. Taking to Twitter, Sudhakar wrote, “Such a lovely and warm guy. It was great knowing you and working with you brother. Can’t digest the fact that you are no more. Om Shanti.” Aaliya Siddiqui reacts to the FIR filed by husband Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s mother (L-R) NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI, BHUMI PEDNEKAR, ANUBHAV SINHA AND SUDHIR MISHRA Mark the date for Afwaah Action & reaction Anubhav Sinha and Sudhir Mishra’s upcoming film will be released on big screen on February 24 The makers of the upcoming thriller Afwaah, Anubhav Sinha and Sudhir Mishra are all set to release their film on the big screen on February 24. The film has already grabbed everyone’s attention with its quirky pairing of Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Bhumi Pednekar. Anubhav says, “Working on Afwaah was creatively fulfilling as a producer. Sudhir and I have been friends for many years and I am happy to bring this film to the audience. Confessions after four drinks In a string of tweets, director Ram Gopal Varma has praised filmmaker SS Rajamouli, whom he is jealous of, and joked that he is a part of an “assassination squad” of filmmakers set to kill the RRR helmer. In a banter, Ram Gopal Varma asked Rajamouli to increase his security. RGV wrote, “From Dada Sahab Phalke onwards till now, no one in the history of Indian cinema including @ssrajamouli could have imagined that an Indian director someday will go through this moment.” “Hey @ssrajamouli you basically surpassed every filmmaker from #KaAsif who made #MughaleAzam till #RameshSippy who made #Sholay and also the likes of Aditya Chopras, Karan Johars and the Bhansalis of India and I want to suck your ‘Jealous’ Ram Gopal Varma is part of ‘assassination squad’ to kill SS Rajamouli! It is an intriguing story and the performances of powerhouse talents like Bhumi and Nawaz only add weightage and gravitas to the characters. ” Mishra adds, “Afwaah is a thriller which speaks of a very important issue in the current times. I am glad that the release date is finally out and I am really looking forward to its release. Bhumi and Nawaz have given their best to this unconventional story and I am sure the audience is going to love watching them on the big screen.” The big moment has arrived little toe for that.” “And sir @ssrajamouli, please increase your security because there is a bunch of film makers in India who out of pure jealousy formed an assassination squad to kill you, of which I am also a part...Am just spilling out the secret because I am four drinks down.” —IANS Rejoice all RRR fans! History has been created. SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus RRR has made it to official Oscars nominations. The film’s song Naatu Naatu has officially entered the Oscars race in the Best Original Song category. The Elephant Whisperers is nominated in Documentary Short Subject category at Oscars 2023. Indian filmmaker Shaunak Sen’s directorial All That Breathes has made it to the c m y b gory. The splashy Elvis biopic, dark comedy The Banshees of Inisherin ever get justice?” According to the police, there is a property dispute between Nawazuddin, his mother and Aaliya. A case has been registered under Sections 452, 323, 504 and 506 of the IPC. Couple of years ago, Aaliya had also sent a legal notice to Nawazuddin for divorce. She had alleged that she was subjected to domestic violence, which was the prime reason behind her demand for separation. In 2021, she withdrew it. Naatu Naatusong makes it to Oscars nominations in Best Original Song category; The Elephant Whisperers & All That Breathes too are in A STILL FROM THE SONG, NAATU NAATU 95th Oscar Awards after it got nominated in the Documentary Feature Film cate- Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s mother Mehrunisa Siddiqui has filed FIR against the actor’s wife Aaliya over a property dispute. Aaliya took to Instagram and posted a picture of FIR’s photocopy. She wrote, “Shocking... my genuine criminal complaints against my husband go unattended by the police. However, I enter my husband’s house and a criminal complaint / FIR is immediately filed against me within a few hours. Will I and multiverse adventure Everything Everywhere All at Once landed nomina- tions for best picture at this year’s Academy Awards on Tuesday. Others competing in the prestigious best picture race include Steven Spielberg’s coming-of-age film The Fabelmans and Avatar: The Way of Water. Top Gun: Maverick, Tar, Triangle of Sadness and Women Talking rounded out the 10 best picture nominees. However, Chhello Show (Last Film Show) is out of the Oscars race. —AGENCIES Top Gun: Maverick