18022023-LSTL-01.qxd 2/17/2023 10:34 PM Page 1 c m y b IN THE BIG LEAGUE Bollywood star Ranveer Singh is all set to be a part of the roster for the NBA allstar celebrity game in Salt Lake City and will be seen playing alongside Marvel Star Simu Liu, comedian Hasan Minhaj, Latin global music icon and actor Nicky Jam, among others. IANS TRIBUNE Politics now? Actor Kichcha Sudeepa recently met politician DK Shivakumar, which gave rise to rumours of him entering politics. He clarified, “I have not made any decision yet.” LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2023 MOVIE REVIEWS Tired & tested Please call the Avengers! A familiar plot where incongruities abound by the dozen, Shehzada, despite Kartik Aaryan’s charm, is at best a time-pass fare Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, built on a thin plot, doesn’t exactly set your heart racing but there sure is ‘room to grow’ Nonika Singh Action ke beech mein kahani mat pooch…Does that say it all? If you thought good old Bollywood ishtyle of telling stories is long gone by, take a break. Only Shehzada is not merely a rehash of the tried and tested B-town formula, but also a remake of Trivikram Srinivas’s Telugu hit Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo. At the core of the film is the eternal filmy and flimsy tale of swapping of kids at birth, one raja another runk. Here the rightful heir of the Jindal empire is taken away by a disgruntled employee Valimiki (Paresh Rawal). He places his own new-born in his place for he wants his son to grow up in the lap of luxury. The eyewitness to his evil designs, a nurse, is conveniently laid to coma. Cut to 25 years and expectedly the hero, Bantu (Kartik Aaryan), growing up in a modest household is a macho man with a heart. Some gaana shaana, bit of flexing of muscles, a dash of romance and what helps the logic-less storyline cruise through the interval mark is the pace. It leaves little time for you to ponder over the incongruities. But once our shehzada learns where he belongs, we are led down the twisted path of contrivances. Every other character exists to enhance his persona. Heroines, be it the lovely looking Kriti Sanon as his romantic inter- Film: Shehzada Director: Rohit Dhawan Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Ronit Roy, Sachin Khedekar, Debattama Saha, Rajpal Yadav and Ankur Rathee Rating:  est or Debattama Saha as his sister, are expendable. Kartik like always is endearing and pulls off some rib-tickling one-liners with his trademark charm. Sadly, even his star charisma can’t salvage the film and after a point in this masala mix, even the fun element goes for a toss. Second half becomes a tad taxing. Even the ever reliable Rajpal Yadav can’t tickle our funny bone. With fine actors like Ronit Roy and Manisha Koirala playing parents, the narrative tries to tug at our heartstrings, but there isn’t scope for emotional heft. Nothing here is meant to be taken seriously, and we do take it with a bagful of salt. Why the classic comic tenor of David Dhawan brand of films too is not perceptible in son Rohit Dhawan’s directorial endeavour. The music by Pritam and the peppy Munda Sohna Hu Mai Kudi Tu Crore Di, sung by Diljit Dosanjh, fail to lift our spirits. The saving grace is that bad man’s son Raj (Anukr Rathee) isn’t that bad and even gets to mouth some decent lines. Upbringing? Nah, here too the credit goes to our prince, who is a Shehzada not because he stands to gain an empire. Rather he wants to set things right for his real family. One of the few redeeming features of the film is it’s not so predictable end. No, we are not being nasty and suggesting that we are grateful that the movie comes to an end. The climax following the golden ‘all is well that ends well’ rule, is a bit ‘hat ke.’Overall, the film has nothing new to offer. At best time-pass, provided you are not tired of old wine in yet another variant of an old bottle. Mona The 31st film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) launches the Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in an inimitable AntMan way. In Ant-man’s previous two standalone outings, one grows fond of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man. Written by Jeff Loveness, the story opens with Scott enjoying a breezy day in San Francisco, making the most of his career as a famous author, basking in the glory of having saved the world with Avengers. Yes, he gets confused with others like Spider Man or Thor, but affable, he doesn’t let it come in his way of making the most of his time with his daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton). The love of his life Hope van Dyne (Wasp) is doing the real heroic work, leading her parents’ Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) and Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) Foundation and working on humanitarian causes. With all of them together, especially Janet after her time in the quantum universe, it’s happy family time. Until, Cassie in her research over the quantum universe ends up signalling and getting all of them sucked in. Thus begins an exploration to what was, is and can be. The theme being whether to save one’s skin and look the other side, while walking one’s path. Peyton Reed, who has made Together, we can Urvashi cheers for Rishabh Actress Urvashi Rautela has called Rishabh Pant ‘India’s pride’ and ‘asset’ after learning about his health. Urvashi was pictured at Mumbai airport, where she was asked by paparazzi Viral Bhayani about the condition of cricketer Rishabh Pant, who is undergoing treatment after a car accident a few months ago. The paparazzi asked her about the cricketer’s post about his recovery. Urvashi, who looked drop-dead-gorgeous in a fiery red colourd outfit, said, “He is an asset to our country, India’s pride.” The cameraperson replied that their good wishes are with him. To which, Urvashi said: “Hamari bhi (Mine as well).” After the news of Pant’s accident made headlines, Urvashi had posted a cryptic note: “Praying, love Urvashi Rautela.” Earlier, Urvashi had taken to her Instagram Stories and shared a black and white photograph featuring the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital building, where Pant was admitted for treatment. — IANS Swara Bhasker surprised her fans by announcing her wedding to Fahad Ahmad, a political activist on Thursday (February 16). After announcing her court marriage, Swara has now shared that she will soon tie the knot with Fahad in a traditional wedding. The actress took to Twitter and wrote, “So blessed to be supported and cheered by the love of family and friends like family! Wore my mother’s sari and jewellery… Made @FahadZirarAhmad wear colour and we registered under the #SpecialMarriageAct. Now to prep for shehnaii-wala shaadi @theUdayB.” The traditional wedding will reportedly take place in March. Film: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania Director: Peyton Reed Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Douglas, among others Rating:  Swara Bhasker is set for a ‘shehnai-wala shaadi’in March Meanwhile, in another tweet, Swara added, “Three cheers for the #SpecialMarriageAct (despite notice period etc.) At least it exists and gives love a chance… The right to love, the right to choose your life partner, the right to marry.” — IANS Now, red wedding for Hardik and Natasa After calling Swara B-grade actress, Kangana wishes her Actress Kangana Ranaut, who is busy with the post-production of her upcoming period political drama Emergency, recently surprised the netizens when she took to her Twitter on Friday to wish all the best to actress Swara Bhasker on her wedding with political activist Fahad Ahmad. Kangana wrote on Twitter: “You both look happy and blessed. That’s God’s grace, as marriages happen in the hearts and rest all are formalities.” Kangana and Swara have worked together in the hit Tanu Weds Manu franchise. The two actresses came to loggerheads when Kangana addressed Swara as a Bgrade actress along with Manmarziyaan actress Taapsee Pannu during a nepotism debate. IANS c m y b the earlier two films, helms the third Ant-Man movie too and builds a colourful universe. One meets Jentorra (Katy O’Brian), an exotic looking fighter aiming at justice for different communities in the quantum universe, helped by Quaz (William Jackson Harper), a telepath, who would rather not read others’ minds for all are disgusting. Now the new visitors to their universe are challenged by all mighty Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) and his sidekick Darren (Corey Stoll) — the giant floating head who is now Mechanized Organism Designed Only for Killing and likes to be addressed as M.O.D.O.K.! A challenging battle ensues, flitting to past and providing references to other Avengers, till Cassie establishes herself in the new gen of superheroes in her new suit. Paul Rudd makes for a fun Avenger and one loves his happy-go-lucky arc, Evangeline Lilly as Hope is commanding. Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer get enough part, but rather incoherently. Jonathan Majors is the new super villain and lends some weight in his portrayal. But weak characterisation stops him from the dreaded monster that he is supposed to play. At 124 minutes, the very ordinary plot is rather stretched. As the first film in Phase Five of the MCU, it builds but a passable crescendo. The twists at the end, are now but anticipatory, and nobody moves as the credits roll. The true blue marvel fans enjoy and cheer the anticipated Marvel outings. You want to watch this one for the little man, but as Scott says, there is always ‘room to grow’. Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic held a Hindu wedding on Thursday (February 16). A day prior, Natasa was dressed in all-white for a Christian wedding! They shared beautiful pictures from their Hindu wedding ceremony, held in Udaipur, on their respective social media handles. While Hardik was dressed in a white sherwani, Natasa wore a red and golden lehenga. For the pheras, she opted for a beautiful red saree and looked stunning. Sharing the pictures, Hardik wrote, “Now and forever.”