06052023-LSTL-01.qxd 5/6/2023 12:30 AM Page 1 c m y b PATHAAN HEADS TO BANGLADESH If you are a Shah Rukh Khan fan living in Bangladesh and wanting to see his movie on big screen, then there’s good news for you. After breaking all box-office records in India, Pathaan is now all set to release in the neighbouring country on May 12. ANI TRIBUNE Grand offer Dancer-actor Raghav Juyal supposedly received Rs 1.2 crore for his part in the Salman Khan-starrer Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, which marked his foray into Bollywood. IANS LUDHIANA | SATURDAY | 6 MAY 2023 Keeping political inclinations aside, The Kerala Story, seen strictly from cinematic angle too, does not pass muster Nonika Singh The Kerala Story, which has been courting controversy ever since its trailer was released, is finally out in theatres. In a country which thrives on inclusivity and where inter-religious marriages thrive too, any attempt to draw attention to love jihad can only be seen through a political prism. And political battle-lines have already been drawn. However, even if one were to let one’s political inclinations, right wing or left ones, aside, The Kerala Story, seen strictly from cinematic angle too, does not pass muster. Indeed, if truth be told, the harrowing reality of some girls from Kerala being brainwashed, converted and ultimately inducted into terror groups is not an outright figment of imagination. But the manner in which the story of Shalini Unnikrishnan (despite an earnest performance by Adah Sharma) unfurls, you feel little for her predicament. The narrative’s only fault isn’t how it creates Muslim stereotypes with no redeeming features whatsoever. There isn’t a single portrayal of an edifying character among the entire community. If in Kerala, they ensnare unsuspecting girls, in other nations like Syria and Afghanistan, they kill like butchers and rape like animals. Sexual violence is a recurring thread and the ones like the Misguided, misleading Film: The Kerala Story Director: Sudipto Sen Cast: Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Siddhi Idnani, Sonia Balani Rating:  Christian girl Nimah Andrews (Yogita Bihani), which can’t be converted are sexually assaulted. Much is wrong with the treatment; it is so brazen that it ends up as too impersonal a story. Just like the impassive investigators of the UN team, which interrogates Shalini, we are left unmoved. The loud background score further numbs your senses and you are devoid of empathy. The only plus is the cinematography, the terrain looks authentic, but the less than mediocre storyline saps this cinematic plus too of any real impact. How the students of nursing college are trapped by their roommate Asifa (Sonia Balani) follows an oversimplified graph. If the methods employed by Asifa and other members of her group are annoying, equally troublesome is the way she tries to Galaxy worth a visit MOVIE REVIEWS run down Hinduism. The notso-subtle suggestion that Hindus do not take pride in their religion, especially in God’s own country, Kerala, is as unwarranted as the Muslim girl’s rant against ‘helpless’ Hindu gods. It’s not here but at many other junctures that the film offers facile arguments. Any film that creates misgivings can at best be termed a misguided attempt. No doubt, if the fictional account of the trauma as depicted in the film is a true reflection of even one girl it deserves to be shown, but with greater sensitivity and subtlety. An enquiry into a grave subject like religious extremism can’t flirt with semantics and remain on the surface. The film, whose director claims to have done diligent research, sadly is rather shallow. And now the all-important question should Kerala and Keralities take objection to the film? Well, it certainly is not an unflattering account of the state per se, but provocations are galore. When it asserts that the multi-cultural, multi-religious state is sitting on a time bomb, hackles are likely to be raised. Add to it the assertion where Nimah reiterates an ex-Chief Minister’s words, “In 20 years Kerala will become an Islamic state.” This and more is provocative and perhaps misses the context too. As does the film. Mona The Guardians of the Galaxy are back, for the third and ultimate outing and, boy, what a send off! The 32nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has long been in the making, with the whole fiasco of writer-director James Gunn in and out of the project, one finally got the ride to ‘Knowhere’ in cinemas. The plot follows Rocket, the Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), his back story and how the team bands together to save him while taking on the High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) with Ravagers, headed by Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), thrown in the mix. The legendary Star Lord aka Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) leads the rather goofy Guardians, each playing their part in the game — mighty yet stupid Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), battle strategist and armed Nebula (Karen Gillan), superemphatic Mantis (Pom Klementieff) and cute and gutsy Groot (Vin Diesel). The band banks on psionic abilities of Cosmo the Spacedog (voiced by Maria Bakalova) and others, including Gamora (Zoe Saldaña) from a different world though, to complete their mission to get the key to keep Rocket alive. This space adventure comedy follows the familiar planes; music is the high like PHOTO: ANI Carrie Fisher honoured with Hollywood Walk of Fame star on Star Wars Day Helping hand Star appeal Saiyami Kher pledges support for young female athletes In Saiyami Kher’s upcoming movie Ghoomer, she plays the role of a para-athlete. Always enthusiastic about sports, the actress has pledged to support young female athletes. She said, “I have always wanted to do something for girls in sports, and I am trying to do my bit. Kavita Raut was sponsored first by an NGO started by my parents in Nasik. And I feel so proud to see all that she has achieved. In my small way, if I can contribute to helping young female athletes achieve their dreams, I will be very happy. In the last three years, I have helped support a vegetable vendor’s daughter to complete her engineering in elec- Late actor Carrie Fisher was honoured with Hollywood Walk of Fame star on May 4, which is also known as the Star Wars Day. Her daughter, Billie Lourd, was in attendance and spoke about how much the honour would have meant to her mother. "I'd like to say thank you so much to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for this incredible honour. I know my mom would just be so excited and grateful," she said during her speech. The actress confessed that growing up she thought her mother was 'a lot embarrassing' and that Fisher tried to change her perspective by trical and telecommunications, and will be helping young individual female athletes in my capacity. I hope I come to a point where I can start my own organisation because this is something very close to my heart.” Saiyami is part of Ghoomer, where she is playing the part of a cricketer, a Paralympian who has lost one arm. The movie, which is currently in the post-production stage, has been co-written by Balki, along with Rahul Sengupta and Rishi Virmani. It is inspired by the story of Karoly Takacs, the late Hungarian right-hand shooter who won two Olympic gold medals with his left hand after his other hand was seriously injured. showing her the 'cool movie she was in - 'Star Wars'. The daughter of singer Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher made her film debut opposite Warren Beatty in 1975's Shampoo. She also appeared in The Blues Brothers, When Harry Met Sally, and Hannah and Her Sisters, and provided the voice of Peter Griffin's boss Angela in the adult animated sitcom Family Guy. But her enduring fame is thanks to her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, a part she reprised in last year's reboot The Force Awakens. —ANI Ed wins copyright case Shape of You singer Ed Sheeran won the copyright trial case, which alleged that he plagiarized the Marvin Gaye hit Let’s Get It On for his Thinking Out Loud song. After just a few hours of discussion on Thursday, the jury issued a decision clearing him of copyright infringement, capping a case that lasted just under two weeks. Sheeran gave a statement to the media outside the courthouse in Packed with a whole lot of action, stunts and CGI, the last outing of the Guardians makes for an emotional send off Film: Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 Director: James Gunn Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chukwudi Iwuji, Will Poulter, Elizabeth Debicki, Maria Bakalova, Sylvester Stallone Rating:  the earlier two outings, as the band goes about killing and claiming what’s rightfully theirs through the explosions, variety of attacking creatures and weapons and transversing other worlds, including the Counter Earth, which, by the way, didn’t turn out as perfect as envisaged by High Evolutionary. The script, though very basic, manages to makes one laugh and cry at the same time. Music maintains the peppy pace even through some insane cruelty and brutal killings. CGI is super, which is but expected out of MCU, so is the action choreography. On the downside, the after scenes that have been signature of Marvel movies, have been lazy; we want to see, not read what we already know please! The MCU fans are not going to miss it for the world. Even for others, if superheroes are your choice, this is one good watch! ‘My wife is boss’ American pop-star Nick Jonas cannot stop gushing about his wife Priyanka Chopra Jonas, as he calls her “boss” after seeing her performance in the series Citadel. Nick took to Instagram Stories to share a poster of Citadel, featuring Priyanka with her co-stars and fellow spies Richard Madden and Stanley Tucci. It had ‘Citadel, no. 1 title on Prime Video’ written on it. Captioning the poster, he wrote: “My wife is a boss. Congrats to the entire Citadel and Prime Video family.” The first three episodes of Citadel have been released on Prime Video, and new episodes will be released every Friday and the finale on May 26. Filled with action, thrill and drama, the series stars Priyanka, Richard Madden and Stanley Tucci. — IANS Nick Jonas praises wife Priyanka and team Citadel which he expressed his frustration at being charged with plagiarism and having the case go to trial. Sheeran said, “I am obviously very happy with the outcome of the case, and it looks like I’m not going to have to retire from my day job after all.” Sheeran also informed that having to be in New York for the trial had prevented him from attending his grandmother’s funeral in Ireland. —ANI Deepika’s airport look A dress featuring actor Carrie Fisher as Star Wars character Princess Leia worn by her daughter Billie Lourd, as she attends the posthumous unveiling of a star in her honour on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. REUTERS c m y b When it comes to airport fashion, actor Deepika Padukone knows best how to steal attention with her sartorial choices. On Friday, she was spotted at the Mumbai airport with her father and badminton legend Prakash Padukone. Clad in an all-white co-ord set, she looked gorgeous as ever. The former badminton star was seen in formal attire. Deepika even happily posed and greeted those around with a 'good morning'. It is currently unclear if the father-daughter duo was travelling to their hometown Bengaluru or jetting off for a family vacation. —ANI Priyanka Chopra Jonas and husband Nick Jonas attend a special screening of Screen Gems’ Love Again in New York. PTI