30052023-LSTC-01.qxd 5/29/2023 11:26 PM Page 1 c m y b TRIBUNE Desi touch Director Prasanth Varma is all set to introduce his cinematic universe, which will be inspired by Indian superheroes. The first one in this universe is Hanu-Man. CHANDIGARH | TUESDAY | 30 MAY 2023 NOW TRENDING Sheetal PTI Oops moment Vicky Kaushal hosted the 23rd edition of the IIFA Awards with Abhishek Bachchan in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Several inside photos and videos of Vicky and Abhishek from the IIFA are surfacing on social media. A clip has been doing the rounds on the internet, wherein the Bigg Boss contestant Rakhi Sawant accidentally bumped into actor Vicky Kaushal and the latter almost tripped. The clip begins with Rakhi, Sara Ali Khan and Vicky dancVicky ing to the tune Chikni Kaushal trips Chameli from Agneepath. as he grooves to However, seconds into their Katrina’s Sheila Ki performance, the Raazi actor said, “Let’s dance on Jawani with Rakhi Sheila Ki Jawani.” The trio Sawant at IIFA then started dancing to Katri2023 na’s hit item number. However, Rakhi accidentally bumped into the Sanju actor, causing him to lose his balance. Soon after watching the trio’s impromptu performance at the award function, users swamped the comments’ section and dropped laughing emoticons. The prestigious IIFA Awards 2023 was held in Abu Dhabi. — ANI T HE last week of May brought along enough binge-worthy content. While the theatrical releases witnessed decent box office numbers, we look at the trending OTT releases, which are not to be missed. TERMINATOR ON PROWL FUBAR: NETFLIX XO, KITTY The eight-episodic series has Arnold ‘ Terminator’ Schwarzenegger in the lead. Currently trending on number one in India, the series is about a father and daughter who secretly work as CIA agents. And, while discovering the truth about each other’s CIA ties, their dysfunctional family affair of a drama meets an undercover operation. This series is a mix of genres, action, comedy and drama. Nick Santor has created Fubar. Besides the 75-year-old Arnold, it also stars Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna and Jay Baruchel. The story is inspired by the star’s 1994 actioncomedy film, True Lies. This series marks the OTT debut for Arnold. While ‘Terminator’ Schwarzenegger leads the OTT content with Fubar, here are few other shows which you cannot afford to miss POLITICAL DRAMA CITY OF DREAMS: DISNEY+HOTSTAR It’s the third season of National Award-winner Nagesh Kukunoor’s high-octane political drama. With new characters and sub-plots submerging into the storytelling, this series manages to keep the entertainment quotient and interest of the viewers. REAL ISSUES THE ULTIMATUM—QUEER LOVE: NETFLIX It’s a reality TV show with five couple participants. The couple with non-binary individuals are in the midst of a difficult decision with one of the partners having a reservation but the other is ready to settle down. It was released just in FUBAR THE ULTIMATUM: QUEER LOVE time to celebrate LGBT Pride Month in June. CHILLS & THRILLS TIN & TINA: NETFLIX A young couple adopts two unusual twins from a convent and the children’s obsession with religion soon causes problems for the family. This horrifying movie will give you chills down your spine. GOD HELP HIM AMERICAN BORN CHINESE: DISNEY+HOTSTAR This is an action/ comedy film in which a teenager named Jin Wang balances his home life and social life. When he meets a new student on the first day of the school year, more worlds collide as Jin unknowingly becomes involved in a conflict between Chinese mythological gods. Yang had to unpack memories of being bullied as a child and feeling different because he is Chinese American based on his own experiences. The Indian film industry has been making great strides internationally. With incredible stories and great talent, Indian cinema has found a huge fan base on foreign soil. Ace filmmaker Rob Marshall is also an admirer of Indian talent. In an interview, Rob, who is currently being lauded for his directorial The Little Mermaid, expressed his desire to work with Indian artistes in future projects. “I would love it...I mean I am so open to working with wonderful, spectacular actors...there are so many great Indian actors. I was very proud to have Art Malik in our film. He has an Asian background and he is very special. I am always looking for who is best for the role. I am open to everybody and anybody,” Rob said. The remake of the animated The Little Mermaid stars Halley Bailey as Ariel. It also includes Melissa McCarthy as the sea witch Ursula, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as the voice of Sebastian the crab, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder the fish and Awkwafina as Scuttle the seabird. — ANI The Little Mermaid director Rob Marshall shares his plans on working with Indian talent It’s the second season of Crackdown series. The first part was uploaded on Voot but with JIo Cinema buying the rights, the second season is available on the latter. The story is about a deadly mastermind behind a kidnapping plot and many innocent lives that are at risk. Actors, Saqib Salim, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Iqbal Khan have managed to crack the way to the audiences’ hearts. FUN TIME PLATONIC: APPLETV+ This coming-of-age comedy series starring Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne is about an extended separation. These two platonic best friends who are now in their 40s reunite; their friendship quickly consumes them and throws their lives into disarray. TWISTS & TURNS MISSING: NETFLIX The mystery thriller film will keep The prestigious Palm d’Or went to a French director on Saturday night at the Cannes Film Festival, but President Emmanuel Macron was not celebrating because Justine Triet made a fiery political speech that took aim at the French government’s handling of weeks of protests on the streets. After being introduced on stage by Jane Fonda and thanking her partners on the film and Cannes' jury, Triet said that the country "was rocked by an unprecedented protest movement that was extremely powerful and unanimous against the pensions reform". France's Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak was first to react to Triet's comments on Twitter, saying The teaser for Randeep Hooda and Ankita Lokhande’s upcoming film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar has been released. The film is directed and co-written by Randeep Hooda and Utkarsh Naithani. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is a historical biographical drama that sheds light on the life and contributions of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, an influential figure in India’s struggle for Independence. Produced by Anand Pandit and Sandeep Singh, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar aims to provide an authentic and engaging cinematic experience. ‘I was on radiation’ ANI DEADLY PLOT CRACKDOWN 2: JIO CINEMA CITY OF DREAMS 3 you on the edge of the seat as a girl tries to find her missing mother through online resources available to her at home. The writing and direction of Will Merrick and Nick Johnson is full of twists and turns. Starring Storm Neid and Nia Long, it’s an independent sequel of the thriller, Searching (2018). UNJUST SYSTEM VICTIM/SUSPECT: NETFLIX This documentary is based on an investigative report by Rae de Leon. In her quest to find the truth, she reveals the unjust police system which often misuses the power to frame the sex victims as prime suspects. SENSITISING PEOPLE XO, KITTY: NETFLIX The Korean drama, currently at the second spot on the trending list on Netflix India, is a spin-off of To All the Boys. Through lead character’s friends, Yuri and Q, the series has explored LGBTQ themes ahead of Pride Month. Attack & counter-attack Teaser of Veer Savarkar film released ‘So many great Indian actors...’ VICTIM/SUSPECT Veteran actor Edward James Olmos recently revealed that he was diagnosed with throat cancer. On the Mando & Friends podcast, Olmos said, “This would be the first time publicly I’ll be coming out and saying it, but I had throat cancer. I just finished getting through it. December 20 was my last radiation. The week before, I’d finished my chemo and (for) months and months I was on radiation and chemo as it attacked my throat.” He also explained he had five doctors advising him ahead of his treatment who warned him. “There’s only one thing we have to tell you: We do not know what you’re gonna sound she was "flabbergasted by her speech so unfair". Abdul Malak continued, "This film wouldn't have seen the light of day with- The journey so far ANI like” after they were done. “I said, ‘What?!’” Olmos recalled. He described the illness as “a very strong disease,” saying doctors had to “shoot” his vocal cords with radiation. He said the experience “took a lot” out of him. —ANI c m y b REUTERS Robert Downey Jr., who is synonymous with the MCU’s Iron Man, was not always going to play the billionaire philanthropist and was in talks to play a different character. “I remember you had all met with (Downey) already for like Doctor Doom or something on another project,” director Jon Favreau said in a conversation with Marvel boss Kevin Feige. — IANS out our French model of film financing which allows for a unique diversity in the world. Let's not forget it."—IANS