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144 Responses to “Gulabo Sitabo and the rest of the box office”
I expected this to be the case. An acquired taste; not as friendly as PIKU but on the lines of OCTOBER. I would hardly care for international reviews; on the other hand, folks like KRK. Is it available in the US?
Gulabo Sitabo movie review: Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana give us one of the finest films of the year
Gulabo Sitabo movie review: Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana romance a haveli in Amazon Prime’s latest release. A worthy addition to Shoojit Sircar’s filmography, it is one of the finest films this year.
Overall, the screenplay is written in a manner that the viewer sometimes gets the feeling that he’s watching a television serial — and this has nothing to do with the real characters or lack of larger-than-life characters, ostentatious sets and lip-synch songs. Another point about the screenplay is that it is slow-paced and class-appealing, more so because it moves on a single track only. There are a few sub-plots but they are sketchy and come as asides in the film. Since there is just one track, the drama becomes tedious and sometimes even boring after the first few reels. Even the climax leaves you with a feeling of sadness and depression rather than one of exhilaration and elation, which the Hindi cinema-going audiences are used to.
Rocky: Anupma Chopra –
The film takes its time setting up this world, which is both contained and timeless. The first hour moves at a measured pace. In this, Gulabo Sitabo is more like October than Piku.
The actors revel in the writing. Especially Amitabh Bachchan who with a prosthetic nose, white beard and oversized glasses, leaves his Bachchan-ness behind him. He makes Mirza cantankerous and stubborn but also, a shade tragic. I wondered, did anyone ever love this poor man?
Gulabo Sitabo is likely to be an acquired taste. As I watched, I wondered how this old-world film would have played in a theater. What would the warm blues and oranges of the haveli look like on a big screen? Would Shantanu Moitra’s nostalgic score enrich the visuals more? I also worried that since streaming platforms don’t encourage commitment – if you get restless with one story, you just click on the next – how many people will see this film through?
I am fed up within 30 minutes of watching this crap #GulaboSitabo ! I am forced to watch it till end to review it for public, otherwise I won’t watch this crap for one minute also. #AaaThoo!
After watching #GulaboSitabo
I just want to ask director Sahab
@ShoojitSircar
Ki Sir Ji Kaya Karna Chah Rahe Thai Aap! Exactly Mansha Kaya Thi? Dekhne Walon Ki Rooh Nikalna Chahte Thai Kaya sir! Anyway thank you so much for not releasing it in the theatres.
Bachchan – Day 4474 :
.. this then is the release pattern .. but another pattern seems to be bearing a bearing .. that of the film in abeyance ..’Shoebite’ or in its fresh avatar ‘Johnny Walker’.. or whatever does get admission in name for the film ..
.. a signature campaign contemplated by some gains interest and attention .. and the details are awaited for it to materialise, so that a participation of them that care and follow us be put into practice ..
.. many efforts have been made in the past , through august bodies and temperaments, but to no avail .. the talk of it lying with the temperaments of the large and important bodies of the west prevails , but stops there at attention ..
.. Star and Disney and lawyers and legal are the conversations that come out but nothing to the context of its release .. a pain that shall remain for the amount of effort made by the people concerned, in all kinds of adverse conditions .. hear us then and let us settle .. the digital platform is now predominant .. release it there .. sell it to us .. relate to the creativity in its making .. give it due justice and value .. if there are anomalies or conditions give us the reasons .. let us sit across a desk a table , anywhere and let us hear it .. chance it to us .. it brings nothing but garage space at the moment .. and shall rot in obscurity in time .. for no reason .. not even to tell us the reason ..
‘Shoebite’ has biten the edges of some Studio feet .. give us the opportunity to nurse it , balm it , remove the calluses and make it presentable to be able to walk on it again ..
Watching GS. Very good so far. Bachchan’s prosthetic made me believe that he is really Mirza. His acting is mindblowing.
A must watch film. Dont miss it.
The old world charm, the humour and the story.
At the end of the day, this is Bachchan’s film.’
‘Despite the distracting makeup, his famous baritone and indisputable flair for dedicated inanity lend Mirza an air of significance,’ observes Sukanya Verma.
Shoojit Sircar made a bold move when he opted for a digital release for his film, Gulabo Sitabo.
Expectedly, his decision invited the wrath of exhibitors and distributors.
It was not an easy decision to make for Shoojit and he tells Rediff.com Contributor Sonil Dedhia, “Cinema and digital will coexist. I will only understand this experience after I have seen my film online.”
I am so so glad this was released on digital, this would have bombed so badly that people would have forgotten the BO fate of LAK-2.
The only saving grace is the towering Bachchan’s performance, I mean the nuances that he brings to the character of UP Miyan is so perfect, and I have seen quite a few in my life. He reminded me of one of our employee of looked exactly like him with towel wrapped around his head all the time .
The BGM is so boring and listless, har scene mein same music, the lighting and the colors are so dull. The synch sound is not that great, I had a hard time understanding some dialogs and I am from UP.
The script has so many holes, and this obsession of Juhi Chaturvedi of showing unmarried girls having sex on the terrace continues . The climax is so unreal and stupid.
I am sure the buddhijeevis will be forced to like it but is strictly a tele film.
However- Bachchan ney Jaan daal dee …..
Re. the employee , would like to add that he used to be a well to do khandani person, and due to bad times was with us, my dad gave him proper respect ( called him Khaaan sahab ) and made sure that others including us kids gave him the respect that he deserved .
Ever since I watched Gulabo- Sitabo, I keep remembering the similarities between Mirza and the employee I knew.
Exactly as Mirza, he would shoo away the roadside kids who would assemble at our Karkhana , he would always be kadak and shouting at other employees in my dad’s absence but was very quite when my dad was present . my dad would send us to take rides in our Trucks Only with him around.
He made enough money, but his only problem was ( as told to me by other employees ) that he had two families ( wives ) to feed.
Bachchan’s performance somehow has really touched me and reminded me of the loving Khaaan Sahab.
Television actor Deepika Singh on Friday appealed to the Delhi government to help her family after her mother tested positive for coronavirus. She shared on social media that Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Medical College has not handed over the reports to her parents, making it difficult for her mother to get admitted to a hospital. The Diya Aur Baati Hum actor added that she has a joint family of 45 members, and everyone is at risk at the moment.
Tagging Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh posted a video on Instagram appealing for urgent assistance. She also wrote, “My mom has been diagnosed with Covid positive. My mom & dad are in Delhi. The test has been done in Lady Hardinge hospital & they didn’t give reports. They only allowed my father to click its picture. I really hope the concerned personnel are reading this and my mom there receives some relief. We need your help.”
Except of him saying kee AB kee acting theek theek hai, I totally agree with the rest of the review , ( he too brings in the BGM issue). Also I really liked his cricket tuk-tuk analogy a lot !!
I feel kinda embarrassed: I thought Gulabo Sitabo would be utterly missable (was completely put off by the Bachchan get up in the stills), but then I ended up watching it the day it was released. In a word: FANTASTIC. Both the film and the Bachchan performance — it’s funny, and an unbearably sad parable by Shoojit Sircar, (contd.) of the sordidness of loving something that simply isn’t human. My favorite ayushmann khurana performance; and Juhi Chaturvedi seems to have been one woman-dynamo powering the script, dialogue, and so much else here. Finally, the Lucknow locations are simply unforgettable, heartbreaking in their decayed loveliness…
The country’s top multiplex chains, including names such as PVR, Inox, Cinepolis and Carnival Cinemas, have been quietly at work on these new standard operating procedures, undertaking digital seminars and training programmes for their personnel, cleaning up their properties to prevent damage from humidity and procuring the technology to aid in sanitisation and thermal screening.
Single-screen theatres, on the other hand, have been struggling to get started, given that cash flows have been nil for the past two-and-a-half months since the lockdown began.
Of the 9,600 screens in India, 70 per cent are single screens and 30 per cent are multiplex screens.
However, multiplexes earn more than half of India’s theatrical revenues, implying many single-screen theatres could simply fold up under the combined weight of high maintenance costs and low footfalls, say experts
Well, one is a sequel of a 1991 film. The sequel is being directed by the filmmaker who had announced his retirement from direction years ago. Another film is helmed by a debut-making director and stars a new leading lady. The third is an ensemble cast film which had earlier been announced for release in cinemas, then announced for OTT premiere, then again for release in cinemas. It will finally bypass the cinema route and make its premiere on the OTT platform
In a fascist regime you can daily mouth profanities for PM & his party with no consequences but can't name few "privileged" Bollywoodiyas who are self proclaimed sekoolar liberal torch-bearers https://t.co/mjAoLhKAIh
Highly, highly recommended
This might be Amitabh Bachchan’s greatest performance, because for the first time in his life, the very first time, he plays a total “loser”, not hero, not a villain, but someone fundamentally unlikeable, a dilapidated man with not a trace of heroism, as UnBachchan as a Bachchan character can be, who steals trinkets from his own house when he thinks no one is looking, tries to con his own wife into selling the house, bilious and complaining and scheming, and worst of all, not particularly bright. Bachchan gets everything right about the character, the gait, the way he looks at people, the mumbling and while the prosthetic nose does sometimes look too obviously prosthetic, it effectively hides the man behind the character, and the legacy he carries with him in every frame.
In a way I am glad that Gulabo Sitabo released on Amazon Prime, if people had paid five hundred rupees for the cinema experience, and then seen it, I am sure it would have gotten far more social media vitriol than it has been getting. Gulabo Sitabo is not for everyone, things don’t move in the frenetic way that Indian mainstream audiences are used to, the humor is subtle, and the story is made subordinate to characters, and the characters subordinate to the world, and what it says about the human condition it leaves unsaid, none of which particularly engender it to easy digestion over popcorn, or in this covid world, whatever it is you have at home.
Shoojit Sirkar’s new movie Gulabo Sitabo which recently launched on Amazon Prime turns out to be a great film with some of the most versatile and outstanding actors, like Ayushmann Khurrana, Amitabh Bachchan and Farrukh Jafar. Sushant Mehta in this special broadcast of In Da Club talks to Farrukh Jazar who has done an extraordinary performance again Amitabh Bachchan in Gula Sitabo and shares her experience on working in the film.
Renuka Shahane thanks “angel” Akshay Kumar for helping friend Nupur Alankar
Akshay Kumar has offered help after Renuka Shahane recently revealed on Facebook that her friend Nupur Alankar was facing a financial crisis due to PMC Bank collapse
An angel from our film industry has helped Nupur with a staggering help that will help Nupur’s mother get the best possible treatment. This angel has already helped so many actors, workers from the film industry without any expectation of even a thank you in return. He read about my fb post asking for help on Twitter. He called Ranaji for details about what I had shared. He asked how much Nupur needed. I told him the amount she had asked for and he told me that it will be done. And it was & topped up with more. I thanked him for his generosity and he said only one sentence in Marathi, ” मला धन्यवाद नको, तिची आई बरी व्हायला पाहिजे, बस” (“Please don’t thank me, her mother should get well, that’s it”). At a time when there is this raging debate about people not being their for each other, this angel has proved that there are gems like him who will stand by someone in need, someone who they have never met or worked with. My gratitude to this immensely generous, compassionate angel is boundless & forever.
It is high time for the high headed families who plan to make or break careers to introspect now.
YRF
Salman khan and brothers
KJO
are known to have been doing this for years now.
Hemant Kumar: On His Birth Centenary, A Musical Flashback
Recalling some of the composer-singer’s music, from the sombre Guru Dutt films to Girl Friend, which had ‘Boom booma boom’.
Brutal set of tweets !!
1.Anurag Kashyap doesn’t dare stand up against Salman’s family 4 throwing his own brother Abhinav Kashyap out of work.
But he stood up 4 inclusion of illegal B’deshi, Rohingyas in CAA.
CAA is a zero cost battle given industry consensus.
But standing up for ur brother isn’t.
2.That’s why Swara will ask questions abt Rohit Vemula’s suicide.
Because that’s zero cost. Free PR.
But won’t ask questions about suicide in her own industry.
Their ‘loud’ virtue signaling is a cover up 4 their silent surrender in their own industry.
Outsider is a caste in B’wood.Sushant was an outcaste.
He was d Rohit Vemula of B’wood.
U linked a suicide in Hyd to Del despite no evidence.
Here, despite videos, u want to shield ur upper class frnds.
The leading actress of ‘misery porn’ is nw disgusted by her own genre
3.During Kathua – I am Hindustan, I am ashamed
NOW – I am Bollywood. Stop shaming us! That’s mean!
Entire Hindustan must share collective guilt & be ashamed of Devisthans!
But don’t shame d Santa who gives us coffee hampers!
Virtue signaling is d crutch used by the spineless.
4.Anurag Kashyap didn’t have the balls to stand up to his partner Vikas Bahl when sexual harrasment charge was made against him.
Becoz that affected his self interest (company) directly.
Same Kashyap can rant daily about PM.
It’s not abt courage. It all abt d cost vector!
5.That’s why Meryl Streep rants about Trump at awards.
But keeps quiet on Harvey Weinstein.
Because Hollywood hates Trump & Trump can’t dictate who hollywood won’t hire.
But Weinstein could.
Most of ‘anti establishment’ pretense is just self interest disguised as virtue!
6.So a Gaurav Taneja speaking against his own airline Air Asia is ‘anti establishment’.
Vivek speaking against Salman was ‘anti establishment’
Kangana saying it on face of Johar is admirable.
Alas, We have made heroes out of ‘zero cost’ gasbags like Kashyap, Sinha & Swara.
Only demented parties & ideologies can go to the extent of mocking, shaming, demeaning the efforts of our own armed forces and hoping for the nation to take a blow, just because they hate a person or a party. This is exactly where the followers of such cults cross the line.. https://t.co/2cXHHgtDYM
Low lives are gloating in this period of crisis. There is a reason why they are called anti-national. Because the by product of their hatred for the government is hatred for the country. The boundaries have completely blurred in the past few years.
दस सेकेंड की क्लिप लगाने का मतलब होता है कि वायरल करने वाला कुछ छिपा रहा है। ना आप जैसों से डर लगता है ना आपकी ‘मालिक’ परंपरा से। आप विडियो बनाकर अपने मालिकों को खुश रखिए। हम तो बेवजह खुश रहने में भी खुश हैं। https://t.co/x1DJJF0Qi3
When all else fails , these Paki agents without fail bring in Gaumootra in the discussion.
That is precisely why I refuse to engage with them .
Itna Zehar kyon hai inn logo key dil mein Hindus key liye ? Kahan sey aatey hain yeh log!
Narayan innko sadbuddhi dey !!
Agree JC. santulan bana zaroori hai .
P.S.-One thing is amazing though , lagaav dikhaney ka tareeka bada Vichitra hai. Making jokes about the most sacred maa in Hindu religion , and the guy has the nerves to say lagaaav hai !!
really …
One of the reason I chose to ignore is that if a person is delusional enough to believe that Mota Bhai orchestrated the Pulwama attack then he/ she is Mentally unstable for sure .
therefore kya faayada !!
It’s quite amusing that you guys take an indirect jibe by calling names such as sleeper cells, Pak agents and Naxals everytime I present a remotely political opinion without even involving either one of you. And when I start answering to you directly, you say that you don’t want to interact with ‘someone like me’. I really hope Munna and Jay can see this through.
The term ‘Pak agents’ has become old. Why don’t you start calling us ‘Chinese agents’? Even ‘Nepali agents’ would do, considering that a puny country is now becoming bhaari on us.
Actually nafrat Hindus ke liye nahi, sabhi religions ke liye hai. Lekin lagaav sabse zyada isi ke liye hai because I was born into it. Or maybe because I believe humanity, common sense and compassion should be above age-old practices that have only taught us to hate the ‘others’?
This is common sense. Rocket science for bhakts, though.
The country has just become a very sad place to be in.
While we were busy fighting and berating our own people, making plans on CAA and NRC to make our own citizens pay the price, focusing all our energy on Ram Mandir (that takes precedence over healthcare and jobs for our godforsaken politicians), outsiders (surprisingly, not Pakistan whom our news channels loved to lay all our problems on) are wreaking havoc in Indian territory.
Where are the token nationalists now? Where are the bullies who pick on weaker targets?
One man and his narcissism has destroyed the social fabric of our nation, had his cronies spread hatred on every opportunity, and made enemies out of two more neighbouring countries in 6 years.
And I thought Congress was incapable…
“The Prime Minister’s leadership has been totally missing. Covid to China, economy to society, there’s a politics of illusion and evasive silence” writes @pbmehta https://t.co/gskz1w21kh
A hot LOC with Pakistan, a hot LAC with China, tensions with Nepal, a miffed Bangladesh (over CAA), not on the table in Afghanistan. How did we get here?
Lol at the crocodile tears of the sleeper cells and Mirchiseths. They probably wish to have a Nehruvian leadership at the helm who would actually lose a significant part of our territory to China because of their own incompetence and then claim it doesn’t matter because not a single blade of grass grows there.
Modi seems to be repeating the same blunders that Nehru did 6 decades ago to be honest. Nevertheless I’m sure a ’62 situation would not repeat itself as the Indian Armed forces are more than capable of handling China & Pakistan on 2 separate fronts if given a free hand by the center (a big if!)
Tbf it’s undestandable that the cheerleaders of a party that signed a MoU with the fricking CCP find it hard to suppress their glee in the current situation.
Do you know that @incindia and CCP of China have an MoU?
here is a piece of old news which is very relevant today and u will understand why 10 Janpath is so close to Chinahttps://t.co/ZLZxi94sfb
More than hiding our glee, we are following the nakshe kadam of The Supreme Commander when he was so sweetly asking for votes in the name of dead Pulwama soldiers. You can give him a look too. He looks as cute as a teddy bear here
I thought your ilk was more into the likes of Imran, no? Since you recycle his rhetoric anyway and also believe Pakistan isn’t wrecking havoc in Indian territory LMAO.
I am as much a member of the BJP IT Cell as you are a member of the Pindi IT Cell who pretends to be an Indian on Indian forums while abusing India 24*7 😉
Some phuddus continue to bring Congress in every discussion even when they are nowhere in the picture. ‘Dont you dare criticize me for scoring low on every subject because my classmate didn’t pass either’ is the excuse even nine year olds will find embarrassing. And these chomus will bring in 10-40 year old terrorist attacks when the government is questioned over basic health facilities and necessities. Why? Because they cannot handle the criticism of the ruling party and will defend it even when the grimness of the situation reaches their home and threatens their very existence. Or maybe it won’t, coz they’ve always had an entitled existence where they’ve never had to visit government hospitals, watch people die miserable deaths or stand in unending queues for ration.
Jahan se mai dekh raha hu wahan se apko sukh suvidhayein dene ke bajay Pakistan ki taraf ishara kiya ja raha hai. Bohot hi cleverly (actually, not) aapko yeh convince kiya gaya hai ki speaking against Modi = speaking against India.
Itne time bante to rahe thay, aage bhi bante hi rahoge
Speaking against Modi or any sitting government is fair game. Par bahut saare reverse watermelons Government ko criticize karne ki aad mein desh ko hi gaaliyan dete hain. Some of them can be found on this very thread moaning about what a sad country this has become to live in blah blah blah.
These reverse watermelons are also strangely kind towards Pakistan giving them clean chits out of hand and use Gaumutra jibes just like Pakistani terrorists. They try to moonlight as atheists/humanists who hate “all religions” but reserve their most vile abuse for one religion. What is even stranger, is that they become a combination of Manmohan Singh and Gandhari when it comes to criticizing a religion that actually, literally asks it’s followers to hate the “others”. Wonder why that is.
When you call them out on their dubious hypocrisy and double standards they try to gaslight you as bhakts/IT Cell who can’t stand criticism for some supreme leader and so on. Too bad for them as some of us are still around to show them a mirror 😉
It is better to acknowledge that this has become a sad country to live in. Acceptance is the first step towards recovery. Otherwise it is and will remain a fool’s paradise for you, and you’ll find yourself nodding at every latest jumla your dear politicians serve you.
Criticizing a religion or not believing in it is a personal choice. If your ego unnecessarily gets shattered when I lay a finger on it and you start crying like a toddler over why I don’t abuse the other religion too to make you feel good, I’ll do that to. From everything that I’ve read about Islam, it’s as fake as Kadarshian’s assets which was formed to satisfy the ego of a megalomaniac. There, are you happy now? Is your belief in your beliefs safe?
Some of us are old enough to remember the Ulta Pulta Alliance era where there used to be bomb blasts in metro cities every year if not every month not to mention vile terror attacks like 26/11.
Back then I don’t recall the kind of schadenfreude on our own side that is seemingly evoked by a Pulwama/Ladakh type event these days. Some of these folks may actually cheer for China/Pak in case we end up in a 2 front war. Narayan narayan.
Lol even your jibes are borrowed from the terrorists who blow themselves up while killing Indian soldiers. Birds of a feather truly flock together, eh?
Ohh you mean Amit Shah’s mastermind plan that strangely happened just two months before the general elections? Either you’re too naive or your head is stuck far up der fuhrer’s 56-inch wide ….
Oh so now you are openly calling it a false flag attack. Cool. Indian hone ka mukhauta utar raha hai dheere dheere MirchiSeth 😉 Might have blown your cover hehe.
I’m not a mod guys. I just approve comments that are in moderation.
But look it’s clear neither 3 of you will change or influence a different thought from opposing view so please stop responding to each other.
Go to a different thread and talk about Sonu Nigam songs or whatever – change the topic.
This is not first thread…You guys should stop. We all know each others positions. So keep them repeating is not going to change others position.
I don’t know how we can use such language. Whatever we write, it should pass the test that I can use those words in office, home or with families..once or twice I can understand we may get angry but we need to look for language.
I had expressed similar thoughts, some come here just to spread hate and create tension. Just look at 75% of their posts and you’ll know right away.
I think best solution is what i had suggested a year or two back and it was implemented and working to have political posts only in Politics thread. This means no more posts about what one person tweets that 99.9999% Indians don’t even know who that person is; but is being posted here just to create tension. If they want to post it, post it in politics thread.
Anyway, some good news, India-China agree to de-escalate border clash.
Also, India had the highest one day death due to covid yesterday. 2,000+ deaths in a single day.
I think it may get very bad in india and more lockdown may come. Please help poor people in India because they are truly suffering. People who earn daily to have some food are dying. They are not getting any help from government. There are a lot of private organization that are helping as much as they can but that help may run out too. If you’re in foreign land and from india, please send money to trusted org who are helping the poor.
I think it might get bad in India but that 2k number included catch ups unreported. But all the developing countries have not peaked yet – Brazil, India, Mexico etc.
I hope it is just a catch up number.
I think the combination of heat, spicy food and great immune system kept the death rate low for India. But not sure how well it’s being tracked.
It’s pretty amazing what started with a case here and there had turned into about 450,000 deaths in the world.
Imagine what those numbers would have been if most of the countries had not locked down as fast as they did.
LOL, in other words, you’re saying everyone is doing fine in India during this pendamic.
Well, we have been sending help to India which feeds 300+ families in my small town including hindu/muslim/sikhs. One can You can think all is well but ground reality is different.
Do something that makes a difference and help poor.
20,000 crore package isn’t reaching the poor. It’s not like USA where government sent thousands of dollars in stimulus package to each family.
Kuch toh Naainsaafi hui hogee, but not to the extent he is claiming .
Salman Khan – IMO , all he does is that he refuses to work with the person with who he is mad with.
be it Arijit or JA .
He had no issues – Kat working with JA in New York,
Sorting out the border dispute is the military’s dharma & I’m sure they’re more than capable of handling the situation if the need arises (46 China soldiers dead the last time I checked) and taking to task this despicable fiend of a leader called XiJing Ping. Neither is the Indian media capable of delivering responsible journalism (without taking potshots at the opposite party depending on whoever is filling their coffers) and nor are keyboard warriors capable of stfu in this age of social media gas. Only time will tell whether Modi’s handling of the situation is decisive or not (although i do hope he leaves it to the pro’s in the military & an extremely capable Dr S Jaishankar to handle the diplomacy as his own has failed on multiple counts) but for now I do not see the purpose or use of indulging in online vile which has no value in a situation as fragile as this.
Being from the Army background myself, I can safely say if ever this despicable creature XiJing Ping & his CPC cronies attempt mischief at the LAC or North Eastern borders, the Indian military is more than capable of sorting them out in today’s era (doesn’t matter what Modi’s, Gandhi’s and their stooges have to say)
You wouldn’t get even 6 (forget 46) names out of the pandemic viral spreading vermins for sure. At least they send choppers to hunt their corpses unlike their terrorist “brothers in arms” on the western border who love living in delusions and denial.
When will our troubles end? From covid 19, from China, from natural calamities etc. Russia has stopped interfering for or against. USA is grappling with its own problems. No proper world leadership from 2 big countries and UN has become too lame.
This kind of situation would have made Satyam write some of his finest long essays.
Its an exposed China that needs to worry about the biggest of troubles, India will emerge stronger than before from such a crisis (irrespective of whose in power but of course the casual approach, corruption and demographic & economic disparity would never allow India rise beyond a certain point), US’ healthcare loopholes are left bare naked thanks to the approach of choosing missiles & weapons over medicines & R&D. China’s time is gonna be over soon. The panic along the LAC is just the tip of the iceberg. Internal animosity post Covid, public anger simmering internally as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan issues, dispute along the South China Sea, trade & economic warning from the likes of Australia, Japan etc would most likely lead to it disintegrating like the USSR did unless the rogue state mends its ways and withdraws its expansionist goals.
Bhakts must note its only today that Beijing backed AIIB has approved a $750 million loan for India’s covid 19 response (not the first time something like this has happened). China continues to remain India’s biggest import partner with over 14% share (twice as high as the next USA). The current regime has seldom spoken of the trade deficit and made no constructive efforts to narrow the gap despite being in power for 6 years now. Empty rhetoric like “atmanirchar bharat” and “boycott China goods” is of no value unless there’s systematic policy on ground. Now for the urban naxals, the current one of a kind infrastructure projects within 7.5 kms of the LAC (which includes an air strip exclusively meant for the IAF to transport troops) is what is making Beijing paranoid about the situation and act is panic. “Iss bazaar mein sabhi nange hain”, there is no point fighting amongst ourselves if we got rogue states like China & Pakistan knocking at our doors on either side.
I am going to unapprove comments if I find language not unto standard. I just don’t have bandwidth in my office time to go through each comment and edit.
Quite a few corona cases around me and a person whom I knew personally breathed his last last week. Trying times, and the sheer failure of hospital administration of granting them dignity even in their final moments was nothing short of distressing.
Work and movies provided some distractions. Watched quite a few recently. Presenting some short movie reviews:
MALANG
Finally Mohit Suri gets it right. Despite lack of plausibility and inconsistency in storytelling, his conviction makes Malang a decent masala flick with revenge as the core theme. It does take its time to come into its own, though, for the first half with its Satyamev Jayate meets a poor man’s ZNMD setup was filled with cringeworthy moments. The music is the icing on the cake. Not a bad way to spend a weekend when all you want is Bollywood unadulterated.
A note: Wish we had a critical culture like the west where we could respect every voice behind the camera. A Mohit Suri puts in as much effort as, say, an Anurag Kashyap. If only he gets better scripts to work with, he could be one of the good commercial filmmakers in India. He understands the grammar, the importance of a strong moment and, above all, how to use his music right to the film’s advantage.
MOUNA RAGAM:
Enjoyed watching it, but blame it on lesser (yet grander) romances such as HDDCS and RNBDJ because of which this film appears more dated than it should have been. Despite this, I loved this love story born out out of the social and hierarchical arranged marriage setup. The actors were brilliant, so was the music, and words alone can’t do justice to the believability of the characters and the contrast in the setting. Quite a Mani Ratnam thing, this.
OK KANMANI:
The genius behind the camera is an institution in himself, who can make films across genres: political thrillers and relationship dramas to slice-of-life gangster sagas and exuberant, youthful romance like OK Kanmani. After long, I enjoyed watching a lightweight romantic made for the modern generation that doesn’t take your intelligence for granted. Lots to appreciate here, but it would be doing disservice to Mani Ratnam Fanboys/girls to spell it out. Still, the everyday conversations, the frenzied camera movements, the moving traffic, buses and trains building the atmosphere of a scene even when conversations and conflicts form an important part of it…is so vintage Ratnam.
Directors down south since have emulated his style, even the crop of realistic filmmakers in Bollywood, but no one brings realism to the fore quite like he does. And he unabashedly mixed it with his song and dance routines. The latter not in plenty here, but this is such a fun film with the charming lead and a solid supporting cast in Prakash Raj and Leela Samson that you’re swept away.
Unambitious in its scope but still majorly enjoyable, it is a reminder than Ratnam can make such stuff convincingly in his sleep. Don’t knowhow much effort he applied here, but it’s still a must watch for many an incurable romantic. Aditya Chopra, please make note: this is how you make a film on the aspirations and relationship dilemmas plaguing the youth today, without turning them into horrible people a la in Befikre.
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
I don’t remember if I earlier posted my thoughts on it here. But here goes: A poignant, well-acted film that works like a therapy session. In times when entertainment is equated with dark cinema and gritty web series, it’s nice to have a family friendly film that believes in the goodness of people and focuses on what makes them humane, despite their several misgivings.
The character of Mr. Rogers gives us hope that there might still be a lot of kindness left in the world, provided we know where to look. It is brought alive by Tom Hanks’ wonderful and heartfelt act (a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor), besides Matthew Rhys and Chris Cooper’s solid performances. Their father-son characters share a fractured relationship, and form the central premise.
The film, meanwhile, makes us rethink our lives, making a sweeping statement on the power of communication and why it’s never too late to make amends.
A YouTube video on the original Mr. Rogers will reveal his kindness. Easy to misunderstand the extreme politeness as creepy and fake, thanks to the times we live in where everything appears untrustworthy. Well, the partisans believed him to be a modern-day saint: forever wanting to help people out, checking up on them constantly to ensure they were doing fine and responding to every fan mail with gratitude and a deeply personal message.
Available on Prime Video, strongly recommended. A bittersweet tale of atonement and introspection.
Thappad:
Might just be Anubhav Sinha’s finest film, with moments of silence and stillness that speak louder than words. Love the “show don’t tell” format of establishing the deep-rooted patriarchy and male domination in the everyday lives of its characters.
I had reservations about how the events would proceed in a film that revolves around a slap which changes equations between a couple. But Sinha plays it well, and rather than focusing only on its principal characters, he decides to show its consequences on the people around them. So there’s the silently observing but empathetic neighbour (Diya Mirza underplaying her part beautifully), the lawyer who warns about the repurcussions of Amrita’s stubborn decision yet eventually stands in full support, a housemaid who’s slapped around by her husband at the slightest provocation and Amrita’s own brother and his wife who are often divisive over matters.
And then there are the parents on both sides: mothers who are undoubtedly caring and supportive yet urge her to “move on” because of the gender hierarchy ingrained in their mental framework. And the brilliant and lovable Kumud Mishra whose unconditional support for his only daughter, a casual demeanour and natural dialogue delivery are a treat to watch.
Taapsee is superb, and so is Pavail Gulati in his first full-length feature film (a complete natural). But Geetika Vidya’s fabulous body language and pitch perfect diction is absolutely convincing as the maid who finally decides to give it back to her abusive husband.
The handling of the very sensitive subject is mature, and even if it doesn’t lead to a particularly happy ending, it ends up on a positive note. You feel happy for Amrita, but not at the cost of holding a grudge against any of the other characters. There are no out-and-out villains here, except maybe a few entitled yet good people who weren’t even aware of their wrongdoings.
The true antagonist here is the social setup, and how it makes even the best of us fall prey to it.
Please use
Modi supporters , right winger or similar instead of Bhakht, Cow lovers
Left liberal, liberal or similar for instead of commie-naxal, Tukde Tukde.
If I see something objectionable comments will be unapproved.
I’m done now. Against better judgment, I usually end up engaging in pointless arguments. More of a cinephile than a political commentator anyway. Shivaay and Saket undoubtedly are better informed on that front.
I also understand that I should’ve refrained from making some comments that were probably blasphemous to a few . Nothing more from me, hopefully, in the near future on the subject.
I think the problem we have with politics in India now is somewhat same as what we have here in USA; if you don’t support GOP, than you must be a traitor, don’t like constitution, etc…
You simply can’t have opposing views/opinions anymore. So either you are a modi supporter or Pakistan lover because you simply can’t be an Indian if you don’t agree with all of bjp/modi policies.
As a society, we are definitely regressing, or actually perhaps we were in better shape 40 years ago.
We can no longer have a decent, open minded debates/discussion on any topic.
I’m a Democrat but there are many policies that I don’t agree with Democrats party on, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a Democrat.
Life is short guys, spend it on love instead of hate.
Precisely why I miss this iconic legend of Indian politics more than ever before :
Yes he was from the BJP, yet managed to run a coalition of over a dozen parties for 6 years straight (despite losing a no confidence motion by just 1 vote in ’99). I can never imagine the current regime with 303 LS seats bring in the kind of economic & policy reforms that the Vajpayee govt managed with just 182 solo LS seats.
Conversely if you support Modi, you are Cow Urine drinking bhakt.
If you do not agree with Ilhan Omar, you are a Trump supporter .
The way to Frame the argument is the key, Yeh bhee batao Zee .
Aside- Agree the world is becoming very polarized .
License raj to unstable policy, frequent policy changes to large turn around time at ports and of course widespread & rampant corruption. Few of the many reasons why companies leaving China would prefer Vietnam/Thailand or even Bangladesh over India as manufacturing hubs. Merely blaming Nehru or Rajiv Gandhi for votebank politics & creating hysteria cannot hide the fact that the current regime itself has done nothing to make trade & business environment more conducive. On the contrary, with draconian and unplanned actions like demonetization & mass lockdowns at a 4 hour notice, its made it even worse.
In the era of nukes & missiles the Chinese decided to fight with 12th century barbed wires & stones. The 1996 agreement of “no firearms within 2 kms of the LAC” is bound to be broken by both sides now with the Indian Army taking the lead. I do hope & pray that for once the ruling BJP govt gives up on its internal territorial ambitions and settles for a ceasefire with internal political rivals in order to fight the bigger battle at the diplomatic level. We cannot have a central govt indulging in cheap gimmicks like overthrowing state leadership & horse trading MLA’s when we have borders to defend on all corners. As I’ve always believed, time for PM Modi & Amit Shah to take a back seat and leave it to MEA Dr Jaishankar, the military chiefs and our diplomats to handle this (just like Dr Harshvardhan, Aiims head Dr Guleria and the Icmr team needed a free hand for the covid crisis but alas, when you got complete autocracy at the center, logic and science would always be tossed out of the window)
The events will determine the policies as to which road to take or not to take. Defence cannot become public discussion the way covid 19 is. If public starts dictating, the public will never get the true picture. So better leave it to the government and let government not make it a public issue. Today we may boycott chinese goods and tomorrow we may not if situation cools down. Pragmatism overtakes. Same thing happenend with palm oil imports with Malaysia.
Hum aapas main lad baithay to desh ko kaun sambhalega
Koi bahar wala apne ghar se hame nikalega
Deewano, hosh karo
Mere Desh premiyo, aapas main prem karo
There was a large perception that #GulaboSitabo being a first major bollywood film on OTT will get Amazon substantial viewership & subscriptions . Well this perception has failed big time, as per sources, film has been rejected outright. It can affect many film deals hereafter.
This is what we Called cartelization…Until and unless Amazon releases data, it is speculation.
All the Cinema hall lobby is against OTT, so they will try to undermine anything on that platform.
If there is no data to give daily updates they are out of business.
I expected this. This sabotaging OTT releases by paid media. Spreading bad wom Fortuantely it will not afect that much. OTT will not care. They have got so many programs besides movie releases. As the covid 19 cases are increasing, sane people will not visit theatres for couple of months. If they are not ready to send children to schools, why will they go to movies and risk their well being?
I want to stop commenting on SSR; and I will. But again, don’t these type of tweets demoralize people? This is one of THE BEST UNADULTERATED movies made by Sircar. Forget the box-office; at least talk about the artistic integrity of folks like SS/AB/AK. Nobody in the ‘business’ wants about that? I understand SAB GANDA HAI PAR DHANDHA hai!
But come on, if you don’t give a 78-year old actor and an artiste like FARUKKH JAFFER for their efforts – I don’t know what to say.
Earlier this year it happened with a film called Thappad which if reviews were to believed it was better than Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior but the public verdict was there all to see. Again this Gulabo Sitabo has reviews better than Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior which is eyes closed the top film of the year so far. There is the case that Tanhaji – The Unsung warrior is a patriotic film and these reviewers have never been kind to the blockbuster patriotic films be it 1960, 1980, 2000 or now as the English press sees agressive patriotism on screen as jingoism. That is why the public is their to be the final judge and put the record straight
Coming back to Gulabo Sitabo the producers are in the plus but Amazon prime have paid a 30 crore permium for a dud film to come into their library a little earlier. Ayushmann Khurana who was labelled a star with films like Badhai Ho and Dream Girl now has Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Gulabo Sitabo back to back where unlike Badhai Ho and Dream Girl the content has not worked.
A potential box office number is impossible to give to as box office depends on timing, competition and period of release and all that is unknown. The only thing certain is that if and whenever it released the number would have been lower than Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan (59 crore) but would it be 10%, 20%,30% or even 40% lower is guesswork. The 50% level is not given as you would expect Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurana to get a 20 crore nett weekend on worse case which means at a minimum 30 crore nett box office
Sanjana:
Black Lives Matter: South Asian Americans come to terms with own anti-blackness
Crucially, the young generation that is unafraid to introspect within and initiate difficult conversations is increasingly putting its weight behind anti-black racism and casteism within.
– No filmy background- 14 Flop, people think He is Over- No support from big Actors and Banners in early stages- Rejected by Big Production HousesAnd Today he is one of the Biggest SuperStarI hope young generation will learn how to fight situation….🙏🏻#AkshayKumarpic.twitter.com/sucv9qLCBQ— 𝐇𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 -🇮🇳 (@iHrithik_Mania) June 15, 2020
SATYAMSHOT 
June 11, 2020 at 10:04 PM
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jun/11/gulabo-sitabo-review-amitabh-bachchan-ayushmann-khurrana-shoojit-sircar-drama
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June 11, 2020 at 10:14 PM
I expected this to be the case. An acquired taste; not as friendly as PIKU but on the lines of OCTOBER. I would hardly care for international reviews; on the other hand, folks like KRK. Is it available in the US?
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June 11, 2020 at 10:54 PM
Gulabo Sitabo movie review: Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana give us one of the finest films of the year
Gulabo Sitabo movie review: Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana romance a haveli in Amazon Prime’s latest release. A worthy addition to Shoojit Sircar’s filmography, it is one of the finest films this year.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/gulabo-sitabo-movie-review-amitabh-bachchan-ayushmann-khurrana-give-us-one-of-the-finest-films-of-the-year/story-xtTyOfPnY6ej6GSBYDufvI.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/gulabo-sitabo/movie-review/76328770.cms
3.5 stars.
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June 11, 2020 at 11:25 PM
Naveen:
The only review that matters to be is the one by TOI.
Gosh how good they are. Everytime.
Bloody everytime.
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June 11, 2020 at 11:22 PM
Rocky:
Gulabo Sitabo is now streaming on Prime ….
Uff….. glad it released on Prime and not in theatres !!
https://twitter.com/SumitkadeI/status/1271164084071755777
Komal Nahata –
Overall, the screenplay is written in a manner that the viewer sometimes gets the feeling that he’s watching a television serial — and this has nothing to do with the real characters or lack of larger-than-life characters, ostentatious sets and lip-synch songs. Another point about the screenplay is that it is slow-paced and class-appealing, more so because it moves on a single track only. There are a few sub-plots but they are sketchy and come as asides in the film. Since there is just one track, the drama becomes tedious and sometimes even boring after the first few reels. Even the climax leaves you with a feeling of sadness and depression rather than one of exhilaration and elation, which the Hindi cinema-going audiences are used to.
https://filminformation.com/featured/gulabo-sitabo-12-june-2020/
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June 11, 2020 at 11:23 PM
Rocky:
Anupma Chopra –
The film takes its time setting up this world, which is both contained and timeless. The first hour moves at a measured pace. In this, Gulabo Sitabo is more like October than Piku.
The actors revel in the writing. Especially Amitabh Bachchan who with a prosthetic nose, white beard and oversized glasses, leaves his Bachchan-ness behind him. He makes Mirza cantankerous and stubborn but also, a shade tragic. I wondered, did anyone ever love this poor man?
Gulabo Sitabo is likely to be an acquired taste. As I watched, I wondered how this old-world film would have played in a theater. What would the warm blues and oranges of the haveli look like on a big screen? Would Shantanu Moitra’s nostalgic score enrich the visuals more? I also worried that since streaming platforms don’t encourage commitment – if you get restless with one story, you just click on the next – how many people will see this film through?
https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/bollywood-review/gulabo-sitabo-review-amazon-prime-video-slyly-funny-but-also-deeply-melancholic-amitabh-bachchan-ayushmann-khurrana-anupama-chopra/
Last one- KRK
I am fed up within 30 minutes of watching this crap #GulaboSitabo ! I am forced to watch it till end to review it for public, otherwise I won’t watch this crap for one minute also. #AaaThoo!
After watching #GulaboSitabo
I just want to ask director Sahab
@ShoojitSircar
Ki Sir Ji Kaya Karna Chah Rahe Thai Aap! Exactly Mansha Kaya Thi? Dekhne Walon Ki Rooh Nikalna Chahte Thai Kaya sir! Anyway thank you so much for not releasing it in the theatres.
Bachchan – Day 4474 :
.. this then is the release pattern .. but another pattern seems to be bearing a bearing .. that of the film in abeyance ..’Shoebite’ or in its fresh avatar ‘Johnny Walker’.. or whatever does get admission in name for the film ..
.. a signature campaign contemplated by some gains interest and attention .. and the details are awaited for it to materialise, so that a participation of them that care and follow us be put into practice ..
.. many efforts have been made in the past , through august bodies and temperaments, but to no avail .. the talk of it lying with the temperaments of the large and important bodies of the west prevails , but stops there at attention ..
.. Star and Disney and lawyers and legal are the conversations that come out but nothing to the context of its release .. a pain that shall remain for the amount of effort made by the people concerned, in all kinds of adverse conditions .. hear us then and let us settle .. the digital platform is now predominant .. release it there .. sell it to us .. relate to the creativity in its making .. give it due justice and value .. if there are anomalies or conditions give us the reasons .. let us sit across a desk a table , anywhere and let us hear it .. chance it to us .. it brings nothing but garage space at the moment .. and shall rot in obscurity in time .. for no reason .. not even to tell us the reason ..
‘Shoebite’ has biten the edges of some Studio feet .. give us the opportunity to nurse it , balm it , remove the calluses and make it presentable to be able to walk on it again ..
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June 11, 2020 at 11:26 PM
An jo:
Rocky SHOEBITE needs to be released ASAP. It’s criminal to keep it tied!!
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June 11, 2020 at 11:33 PM
Watching GS. Very good so far. Bachchan’s prosthetic made me believe that he is really Mirza. His acting is mindblowing.
A must watch film. Dont miss it.
The old world charm, the humour and the story.
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June 13, 2020 at 1:32 AM
Plus is it just me or does one hear Hindi/Hindustani only in films featuring Ayushman?!
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June 11, 2020 at 11:35 PM
Gulabo Sitabo Review: Amitabh Bachchan Is A Hoot, Ayushmann Khurrana Hits The Right Notes
Gulabo Sitabo Review: With the actors giving the film their all – Amitabh Bachchan’s wizened, hunchbacked, curmudgeonly act is main propellant.
EntertainmentSaibal ChatterjeeUpdated: June 12, 2020 08:43 am IST
https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/gulabo-sitabo-review-amitabh-bachchan-is-a-hoot-ayushmann-khurrana-hits-the-right-notes-3-5-stars-out-of-5-2244920?pfrom=home-lateststories
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June 12, 2020 at 2:20 AM
Finished watching. it is like a rabindranath story. Beautiful. Cant say more as I want you to savour it personally.
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June 13, 2020 at 1:32 AM
So well-phrased sanjana!
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June 12, 2020 at 2:29 AM
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June 12, 2020 at 3:18 AM
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June 12, 2020 at 5:41 AM
4 stars
https://rajasen.com/2020/06/12/review-gulabo-sitabo/
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June 12, 2020 at 5:45 AM
https://twitter.com/ShoojitSircar/status/1271280532022685697?s=20
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June 12, 2020 at 9:59 AM
At the end of the day, this is Bachchan’s film.’
‘Despite the distracting makeup, his famous baritone and indisputable flair for dedicated inanity lend Mirza an air of significance,’ observes Sukanya Verma.
https://www.rediff.com/movies/review/gulabo-sitabo-review/20200612.htm
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June 12, 2020 at 10:03 AM
‘We challenge Mr Bachchan, and he challenges us’
https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/we-challenge-mr-bachchan-and-he-challenges-us/20200612.htm
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June 12, 2020 at 10:06 AM
Shoojit Sircar made a bold move when he opted for a digital release for his film, Gulabo Sitabo.
Expectedly, his decision invited the wrath of exhibitors and distributors.
It was not an easy decision to make for Shoojit and he tells Rediff.com Contributor Sonil Dedhia, “Cinema and digital will coexist. I will only understand this experience after I have seen my film online.”
The first of a two-part interview:
https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/shoojit-sircar-interview-gulabo-sitabo-is-going-to-203-nations-simultaneously/20200611.htm
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June 12, 2020 at 10:26 AM
I am so so glad this was released on digital, this would have bombed so badly that people would have forgotten the BO fate of LAK-2.
The only saving grace is the towering Bachchan’s performance, I mean the nuances that he brings to the character of UP Miyan is so perfect, and I have seen quite a few in my life. He reminded me of one of our employee of looked exactly like him with towel wrapped around his head all the time .
The BGM is so boring and listless, har scene mein same music, the lighting and the colors are so dull. The synch sound is not that great, I had a hard time understanding some dialogs and I am from UP.
The script has so many holes, and this obsession of Juhi Chaturvedi of showing unmarried girls having sex on the terrace continues . The climax is so unreal and stupid.
I am sure the buddhijeevis will be forced to like it but is strictly a tele film.
However- Bachchan ney Jaan daal dee …..
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June 12, 2020 at 12:43 PM
Have heard mixed reviews on Facebook. As you said, everyone has liked AB performance.
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June 12, 2020 at 1:33 PM
Re. the employee , would like to add that he used to be a well to do khandani person, and due to bad times was with us, my dad gave him proper respect ( called him Khaaan sahab ) and made sure that others including us kids gave him the respect that he deserved .
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June 15, 2020 at 10:50 AM
Ever since I watched Gulabo- Sitabo, I keep remembering the similarities between Mirza and the employee I knew.
Exactly as Mirza, he would shoo away the roadside kids who would assemble at our Karkhana , he would always be kadak and shouting at other employees in my dad’s absence but was very quite when my dad was present . my dad would send us to take rides in our Trucks Only with him around.
He made enough money, but his only problem was ( as told to me by other employees ) that he had two families ( wives ) to feed.
Bachchan’s performance somehow has really touched me and reminded me of the loving Khaaan Sahab.
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June 14, 2020 at 7:06 AM
I found it underwhelming too. The Blue Umbrella was a much better film with a similar theme.
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June 12, 2020 at 1:09 PM
Television actor Deepika Singh on Friday appealed to the Delhi government to help her family after her mother tested positive for coronavirus. She shared on social media that Delhi’s Lady Hardinge Medical College has not handed over the reports to her parents, making it difficult for her mother to get admitted to a hospital. The Diya Aur Baati Hum actor added that she has a joint family of 45 members, and everyone is at risk at the moment.
Tagging Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh posted a video on Instagram appealing for urgent assistance. She also wrote, “My mom has been diagnosed with Covid positive. My mom & dad are in Delhi. The test has been done in Lady Hardinge hospital & they didn’t give reports. They only allowed my father to click its picture. I really hope the concerned personnel are reading this and my mom there receives some relief. We need your help.”
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/television/deepika-singh-mother-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-6455960/
Deepika Singh singlehandedly increased the trps of Starplus during her serial Diya aur Bati.
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June 12, 2020 at 1:35 PM
https://theprint.in/opinion/indian-brands-cant-wake-up-after-lockdown-decoding-consumers-will-help/440229/
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June 12, 2020 at 1:35 PM
Except of him saying kee AB kee acting theek theek hai, I totally agree with the rest of the review , ( he too brings in the BGM issue). Also I really liked his cricket tuk-tuk analogy a lot !!
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June 13, 2020 at 12:57 AM
I feel kinda embarrassed: I thought Gulabo Sitabo would be utterly missable (was completely put off by the Bachchan get up in the stills), but then I ended up watching it the day it was released. In a word: FANTASTIC. Both the film and the Bachchan performance — it’s funny, and an unbearably sad parable by Shoojit Sircar, (contd.) of the sordidness of loving something that simply isn’t human. My favorite ayushmann khurana performance; and Juhi Chaturvedi seems to have been one woman-dynamo powering the script, dialogue, and so much else here. Finally, the Lucknow locations are simply unforgettable, heartbreaking in their decayed loveliness…
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June 13, 2020 at 2:14 AM
Since you showed up on blog, we need a review! 🙂
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June 13, 2020 at 9:41 AM
Arre bhai, with work and infant in work-from-home scenario, film dekhlee ye hi badee baat hai 😜
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June 13, 2020 at 11:18 AM
Welcome back Q. So great to see you commenting.
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June 12, 2020 at 10:11 PM
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June 12, 2020 at 10:15 PM
https://in.mashable.com/entertainment/14718/gulabo-sitabo-review-amitabh-vs-ayushmann-drama-burns-slow-a-little-too-slow
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June 13, 2020 at 12:23 AM
Just random thoughts on GS:
**Post created**
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June 13, 2020 at 1:30 AM
Superb write-up tonymontana!
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June 13, 2020 at 4:39 AM
https://www.axios.com/films-oscars-diversity-criteria-academy-37ca88ca-0e61-4157-93f2-b0620a9b10a3.html
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June 13, 2020 at 9:47 PM
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/coronavirus-us-covid-19-survivor-receives-1-1-million-hospital-bill-2245950?pfrom=home-topstories
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June 14, 2020 at 3:59 AM
The country’s top multiplex chains, including names such as PVR, Inox, Cinepolis and Carnival Cinemas, have been quietly at work on these new standard operating procedures, undertaking digital seminars and training programmes for their personnel, cleaning up their properties to prevent damage from humidity and procuring the technology to aid in sanitisation and thermal screening.
Single-screen theatres, on the other hand, have been struggling to get started, given that cash flows have been nil for the past two-and-a-half months since the lockdown began.
Of the 9,600 screens in India, 70 per cent are single screens and 30 per cent are multiplex screens.
However, multiplexes earn more than half of India’s theatrical revenues, implying many single-screen theatres could simply fold up under the combined weight of high maintenance costs and low footfalls, say experts
https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/the-movie-theatre-experience-post-lockdown/20200614.htm
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June 14, 2020 at 4:11 AM
Well, one is a sequel of a 1991 film. The sequel is being directed by the filmmaker who had announced his retirement from direction years ago. Another film is helmed by a debut-making director and stars a new leading lady. The third is an ensemble cast film which had earlier been announced for release in cinemas, then announced for OTT premiere, then again for release in cinemas. It will finally bypass the cinema route and make its premiere on the OTT platform
https://filminformation.com/featured/disney-to-announce-4-film-slate-for-ott-premiere-11-june-2020/
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June 15, 2020 at 6:51 AM
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June 15, 2020 at 10:35 AM
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June 15, 2020 at 12:37 PM
Great Bong on Gulabo- Sitabo
https://greatbong.net/2020/06/14/gulabo-sitabo-the-review/
Highly, highly recommended
This might be Amitabh Bachchan’s greatest performance, because for the first time in his life, the very first time, he plays a total “loser”, not hero, not a villain, but someone fundamentally unlikeable, a dilapidated man with not a trace of heroism, as UnBachchan as a Bachchan character can be, who steals trinkets from his own house when he thinks no one is looking, tries to con his own wife into selling the house, bilious and complaining and scheming, and worst of all, not particularly bright. Bachchan gets everything right about the character, the gait, the way he looks at people, the mumbling and while the prosthetic nose does sometimes look too obviously prosthetic, it effectively hides the man behind the character, and the legacy he carries with him in every frame.
In a way I am glad that Gulabo Sitabo released on Amazon Prime, if people had paid five hundred rupees for the cinema experience, and then seen it, I am sure it would have gotten far more social media vitriol than it has been getting. Gulabo Sitabo is not for everyone, things don’t move in the frenetic way that Indian mainstream audiences are used to, the humor is subtle, and the story is made subordinate to characters, and the characters subordinate to the world, and what it says about the human condition it leaves unsaid, none of which particularly engender it to easy digestion over popcorn, or in this covid world, whatever it is you have at home.
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June 15, 2020 at 11:09 PM
I watched it once again with family. Beautiful film.
Also watched Blue Umbrella as recommended by JC.
The beauty of Garhwal and the ordinariness of its inhabitants.
Lovely film. Recommended.
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June 15, 2020 at 3:40 PM
Shoojit Sirkar’s new movie Gulabo Sitabo which recently launched on Amazon Prime turns out to be a great film with some of the most versatile and outstanding actors, like Ayushmann Khurrana, Amitabh Bachchan and Farrukh Jafar. Sushant Mehta in this special broadcast of In Da Club talks to Farrukh Jazar who has done an extraordinary performance again Amitabh Bachchan in Gula Sitabo and shares her experience on working in the film.
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June 15, 2020 at 11:05 PM
Oscars 2021 postponed by two months to April due to coronavirus chaos
The Academy’s Board of Governors also decided to extend the eligibility window beyond the calendar year to Feb. 28, 2021, for feature films, and delay the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures from December until April 30, 2021
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/oscars-postponed-by-two-months-to-april-due-to-coronavirus-chaos-6460994/
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June 16, 2020 at 4:20 AM
Renuka Shahane thanks “angel” Akshay Kumar for helping friend Nupur Alankar
Akshay Kumar has offered help after Renuka Shahane recently revealed on Facebook that her friend Nupur Alankar was facing a financial crisis due to PMC Bank collapse
An angel from our film industry has helped Nupur with a staggering help that will help Nupur’s mother get the best possible treatment. This angel has already helped so many actors, workers from the film industry without any expectation of even a thank you in return. He read about my fb post asking for help on Twitter. He called Ranaji for details about what I had shared. He asked how much Nupur needed. I told him the amount she had asked for and he told me that it will be done. And it was & topped up with more. I thanked him for his generosity and he said only one sentence in Marathi, ” मला धन्यवाद नको, तिची आई बरी व्हायला पाहिजे, बस” (“Please don’t thank me, her mother should get well, that’s it”). At a time when there is this raging debate about people not being their for each other, this angel has proved that there are gems like him who will stand by someone in need, someone who they have never met or worked with. My gratitude to this immensely generous, compassionate angel is boundless & forever.
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/renuka-shahane-thanks-akshay-kumar-financial-help-friend-nupur-alankar-twitter-facebook-post-6461344/
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June 16, 2020 at 4:56 AM
It is high time for the high headed families who plan to make or break careers to introspect now.
YRF
Salman khan and brothers
KJO
are known to have been doing this for years now.
There could be few others.
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June 16, 2020 at 5:20 AM
Agree with you Naveen
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June 16, 2020 at 5:39 AM
Hemant Kumar: On His Birth Centenary, A Musical Flashback
Recalling some of the composer-singer’s music, from the sombre Guru Dutt films to Girl Friend, which had ‘Boom booma boom’.
POSTED ONJUNE 16, 20205 MINUTE READBY BARADWAJ RANGAN
https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/bollywood-features/hemant-kumar-on-his-birth-centenary-a-musical-flashback-baradwaj-rangan/
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June 16, 2020 at 6:03 AM
This is looking serious. Just bad news everywhere:
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-china-border-tensions-live-updates-casualties-suffered-on-both-sides-in-violent-face-off-in-galwan-valley-indian-army-says/liveblog/76396873.cms
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June 16, 2020 at 11:23 AM
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/army-officer-2-soldiers-killed-in-violent-face-off-yesterday-night-during-de-escalation-process-in-galwan-valley-ladakh-2247034?pfrom=home-topscroll
Worrisome development.
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June 16, 2020 at 10:32 AM
Nitin Gupta
@Nitin_Rivaldo.
Brutal set of tweets !!
1.Anurag Kashyap doesn’t dare stand up against Salman’s family 4 throwing his own brother Abhinav Kashyap out of work.
But he stood up 4 inclusion of illegal B’deshi, Rohingyas in CAA.
CAA is a zero cost battle given industry consensus.
But standing up for ur brother isn’t.
2.That’s why Swara will ask questions abt Rohit Vemula’s suicide.
Because that’s zero cost. Free PR.
But won’t ask questions about suicide in her own industry.
Their ‘loud’ virtue signaling is a cover up 4 their silent surrender in their own industry.
Outsider is a caste in B’wood.Sushant was an outcaste.
He was d Rohit Vemula of B’wood.
U linked a suicide in Hyd to Del despite no evidence.
Here, despite videos, u want to shield ur upper class frnds.
The leading actress of ‘misery porn’ is nw disgusted by her own genre
3.During Kathua – I am Hindustan, I am ashamed
NOW – I am Bollywood. Stop shaming us! That’s mean!
Entire Hindustan must share collective guilt & be ashamed of Devisthans!
But don’t shame d Santa who gives us coffee hampers!
Virtue signaling is d crutch used by the spineless.
4.Anurag Kashyap didn’t have the balls to stand up to his partner Vikas Bahl when sexual harrasment charge was made against him.
Becoz that affected his self interest (company) directly.
Same Kashyap can rant daily about PM.
It’s not abt courage. It all abt d cost vector!
5.That’s why Meryl Streep rants about Trump at awards.
But keeps quiet on Harvey Weinstein.
Because Hollywood hates Trump & Trump can’t dictate who hollywood won’t hire.
But Weinstein could.
Most of ‘anti establishment’ pretense is just self interest disguised as virtue!
6.So a Gaurav Taneja speaking against his own airline Air Asia is ‘anti establishment’.
Vivek speaking against Salman was ‘anti establishment’
Kangana saying it on face of Johar is admirable.
Alas, We have made heroes out of ‘zero cost’ gasbags like Kashyap, Sinha & Swara.
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June 16, 2020 at 1:58 PM
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June 16, 2020 at 2:03 PM
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June 16, 2020 at 3:10 PM
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June 16, 2020 at 3:18 PM
Note well : Aaag AK urf aaka urh Khapshyap par comment sey lagee, bijlee Bharat par giree !!
and we are bhakts …
Narayan Narayan !!
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June 16, 2020 at 3:30 PM
When all else fails , these Paki agents without fail bring in Gaumootra in the discussion.
That is precisely why I refuse to engage with them .
Itna Zehar kyon hai inn logo key dil mein Hindus key liye ? Kahan sey aatey hain yeh log!
Narayan innko sadbuddhi dey !!
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June 16, 2020 at 3:51 PM
Engage toh hum bhi nahin karna chahte par Shakti ka Santulan bahut zaroori hai sansaar mein. Aag ke liye paani ka darr bane rahna chahiye 😉
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June 16, 2020 at 4:04 PM
Agree JC. santulan bana zaroori hai .
P.S.-One thing is amazing though , lagaav dikhaney ka tareeka bada Vichitra hai. Making jokes about the most sacred maa in Hindu religion , and the guy has the nerves to say lagaaav hai !!
really …
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June 16, 2020 at 4:13 PM
Yep.. so how does the sacred mom’s piss taste like? Hope she wasn’t too uncomfortable while you were forcibly taking it out to cure the mahamaari
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June 16, 2020 at 4:19 PM
See JC, told you …saaley leechad hain hain yeh log .
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June 16, 2020 at 4:25 PM
I could have stooped to the gutter level too in responding to the above- filthy, dirty , and disgusting comment but am choosing to ignore it for now.
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June 16, 2020 at 4:29 PM
One of the reason I chose to ignore is that if a person is delusional enough to believe that Mota Bhai orchestrated the Pulwama attack then he/ she is Mentally unstable for sure .
therefore kya faayada !!
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June 16, 2020 at 4:34 PM
Khud ko hi nanga kar rahe hain. Achha hai. Some naive posters may see their true self isi bahane.
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June 16, 2020 at 4:59 PM
true that …
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June 16, 2020 at 5:17 PM
It’s quite amusing that you guys take an indirect jibe by calling names such as sleeper cells, Pak agents and Naxals everytime I present a remotely political opinion without even involving either one of you. And when I start answering to you directly, you say that you don’t want to interact with ‘someone like me’. I really hope Munna and Jay can see this through.
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June 16, 2020 at 3:56 PM
The term ‘Pak agents’ has become old. Why don’t you start calling us ‘Chinese agents’? Even ‘Nepali agents’ would do, considering that a puny country is now becoming bhaari on us.
Actually nafrat Hindus ke liye nahi, sabhi religions ke liye hai. Lekin lagaav sabse zyada isi ke liye hai because I was born into it. Or maybe because I believe humanity, common sense and compassion should be above age-old practices that have only taught us to hate the ‘others’?
This is common sense. Rocket science for bhakts, though.
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June 16, 2020 at 1:09 PM
When a 2 Rs site mocked SSR for removing his surname. The bastards are now using his name to push their Islamophopic agenda.
https://www.opindia.com/2017/01/sushant-singh-rajput-drops-his-surname-to-protest-assault-on-bhansali-twitter-reacts/
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June 16, 2020 at 1:18 PM
Also:
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June 16, 2020 at 1:19 PM
The 1 who is silent is busy hiding his 56-inch a**.
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June 16, 2020 at 1:31 PM
The country has just become a very sad place to be in.
While we were busy fighting and berating our own people, making plans on CAA and NRC to make our own citizens pay the price, focusing all our energy on Ram Mandir (that takes precedence over healthcare and jobs for our godforsaken politicians), outsiders (surprisingly, not Pakistan whom our news channels loved to lay all our problems on) are wreaking havoc in Indian territory.
Where are the token nationalists now? Where are the bullies who pick on weaker targets?
One man and his narcissism has destroyed the social fabric of our nation, had his cronies spread hatred on every opportunity, and made enemies out of two more neighbouring countries in 6 years.
And I thought Congress was incapable…
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June 16, 2020 at 2:32 PM
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June 16, 2020 at 2:38 PM
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June 16, 2020 at 2:45 PM
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10163571120850332&id=589995331
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June 16, 2020 at 2:48 PM
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June 16, 2020 at 2:31 PM
Lol at the crocodile tears of the sleeper cells and Mirchiseths. They probably wish to have a Nehruvian leadership at the helm who would actually lose a significant part of our territory to China because of their own incompetence and then claim it doesn’t matter because not a single blade of grass grows there.
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June 16, 2020 at 2:41 PM
Yes, this is the time for Nehru should step down from leadership and let Modi take control.
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June 17, 2020 at 10:44 AM
Modi seems to be repeating the same blunders that Nehru did 6 decades ago to be honest. Nevertheless I’m sure a ’62 situation would not repeat itself as the Indian Armed forces are more than capable of handling China & Pakistan on 2 separate fronts if given a free hand by the center (a big if!)
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June 16, 2020 at 2:43 PM
Tbf it’s undestandable that the cheerleaders of a party that signed a MoU with the fricking CCP find it hard to suppress their glee in the current situation.
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June 16, 2020 at 2:51 PM
They are not being able to hide their glee….disgusting is the word for these people .
P.S. Dhruv Rathi !! ha ha ha ha …Hai main Marjawan !!
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June 16, 2020 at 3:01 PM
More than hiding our glee, we are following the nakshe kadam of The Supreme Commander when he was so sweetly asking for votes in the name of dead Pulwama soldiers. You can give him a look too. He looks as cute as a teddy bear here
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June 16, 2020 at 3:13 PM
I thought your ilk was more into the likes of Imran, no? Since you recycle his rhetoric anyway and also believe Pakistan isn’t wrecking havoc in Indian territory LMAO.
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June 16, 2020 at 3:20 PM
Still talking about Pakistan when Chinese are capturing Ladakh? Are you a member of the BJP IT Cell? Just curious
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June 16, 2020 at 3:46 PM
I am as much a member of the BJP IT Cell as you are a member of the Pindi IT Cell who pretends to be an Indian on Indian forums while abusing India 24*7 😉
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June 16, 2020 at 3:16 PM
Some phuddus continue to bring Congress in every discussion even when they are nowhere in the picture. ‘Dont you dare criticize me for scoring low on every subject because my classmate didn’t pass either’ is the excuse even nine year olds will find embarrassing. And these chomus will bring in 10-40 year old terrorist attacks when the government is questioned over basic health facilities and necessities. Why? Because they cannot handle the criticism of the ruling party and will defend it even when the grimness of the situation reaches their home and threatens their very existence. Or maybe it won’t, coz they’ve always had an entitled existence where they’ve never had to visit government hospitals, watch people die miserable deaths or stand in unending queues for ration.
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June 16, 2020 at 3:37 PM
Jahaan se main dekh raha hoon the biggest phudoos are the duffers who think Pakistan isn’t wrecking havoc in Indian territory hehe.
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June 16, 2020 at 4:02 PM
Jahan se mai dekh raha hu wahan se apko sukh suvidhayein dene ke bajay Pakistan ki taraf ishara kiya ja raha hai. Bohot hi cleverly (actually, not) aapko yeh convince kiya gaya hai ki speaking against Modi = speaking against India.
Itne time bante to rahe thay, aage bhi bante hi rahoge
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June 16, 2020 at 4:23 PM
Speaking against Modi or any sitting government is fair game. Par bahut saare reverse watermelons Government ko criticize karne ki aad mein desh ko hi gaaliyan dete hain. Some of them can be found on this very thread moaning about what a sad country this has become to live in blah blah blah.
These reverse watermelons are also strangely kind towards Pakistan giving them clean chits out of hand and use Gaumutra jibes just like Pakistani terrorists. They try to moonlight as atheists/humanists who hate “all religions” but reserve their most vile abuse for one religion. What is even stranger, is that they become a combination of Manmohan Singh and Gandhari when it comes to criticizing a religion that actually, literally asks it’s followers to hate the “others”. Wonder why that is.
When you call them out on their dubious hypocrisy and double standards they try to gaslight you as bhakts/IT Cell who can’t stand criticism for some supreme leader and so on. Too bad for them as some of us are still around to show them a mirror 😉
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June 16, 2020 at 4:49 PM
It is better to acknowledge that this has become a sad country to live in. Acceptance is the first step towards recovery. Otherwise it is and will remain a fool’s paradise for you, and you’ll find yourself nodding at every latest jumla your dear politicians serve you.
Criticizing a religion or not believing in it is a personal choice. If your ego unnecessarily gets shattered when I lay a finger on it and you start crying like a toddler over why I don’t abuse the other religion too to make you feel good, I’ll do that to. From everything that I’ve read about Islam, it’s as fake as Kadarshian’s assets which was formed to satisfy the ego of a megalomaniac. There, are you happy now? Is your belief in your beliefs safe?
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June 16, 2020 at 4:58 PM
Nah not good enough. You’re phoning it in. Lacks the venom and intent that you reserve for Hindus. Try again MirchiSeth 😉
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June 16, 2020 at 3:04 PM
Some of us are old enough to remember the Ulta Pulta Alliance era where there used to be bomb blasts in metro cities every year if not every month not to mention vile terror attacks like 26/11.
Back then I don’t recall the kind of schadenfreude on our own side that is seemingly evoked by a Pulwama/Ladakh type event these days. Some of these folks may actually cheer for China/Pak in case we end up in a 2 front war. Narayan narayan.
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June 16, 2020 at 3:25 PM
We are cheering for India only. It’s too sad that the likes of you fail to see that Modi and India are two different things.
We are more deshbhakts than people buying Modi masks and believing cow peeshab can cure you of coronavirus.
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June 16, 2020 at 3:40 PM
Lol even your jibes are borrowed from the terrorists who blow themselves up while killing Indian soldiers. Birds of a feather truly flock together, eh?
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June 16, 2020 at 4:08 PM
Ohh you mean Amit Shah’s mastermind plan that strangely happened just two months before the general elections? Either you’re too naive or your head is stuck far up der fuhrer’s 56-inch wide ….
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June 16, 2020 at 4:27 PM
Oh so now you are openly calling it a false flag attack. Cool. Indian hone ka mukhauta utar raha hai dheere dheere MirchiSeth 😉 Might have blown your cover hehe.
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June 16, 2020 at 4:51 PM
So would your belief in closeted psychopaths whom you’ve voted for. Wait and watch, or forget. Don’t care
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June 16, 2020 at 5:24 PM
I’m not a mod guys. I just approve comments that are in moderation.
But look it’s clear neither 3 of you will change or influence a different thought from opposing view so please stop responding to each other.
Go to a different thread and talk about Sonu Nigam songs or whatever – change the topic.
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June 16, 2020 at 5:27 PM
This is not first thread…You guys should stop. We all know each others positions. So keep them repeating is not going to change others position.
I don’t know how we can use such language. Whatever we write, it should pass the test that I can use those words in office, home or with families..once or twice I can understand we may get angry but we need to look for language.
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June 16, 2020 at 6:41 PM
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June 17, 2020 at 5:44 PM
highly recommended..long but if you like village or small town atmosphere and some simplicity..this is good..
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June 17, 2020 at 8:22 AM
I had expressed similar thoughts, some come here just to spread hate and create tension. Just look at 75% of their posts and you’ll know right away.
I think best solution is what i had suggested a year or two back and it was implemented and working to have political posts only in Politics thread. This means no more posts about what one person tweets that 99.9999% Indians don’t even know who that person is; but is being posted here just to create tension. If they want to post it, post it in politics thread.
Anyway, some good news, India-China agree to de-escalate border clash.
Also, India had the highest one day death due to covid yesterday. 2,000+ deaths in a single day.
I think it may get very bad in india and more lockdown may come. Please help poor people in India because they are truly suffering. People who earn daily to have some food are dying. They are not getting any help from government. There are a lot of private organization that are helping as much as they can but that help may run out too. If you’re in foreign land and from india, please send money to trusted org who are helping the poor.
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June 17, 2020 at 9:46 AM
I think it might get bad in India but that 2k number included catch ups unreported. But all the developing countries have not peaked yet – Brazil, India, Mexico etc.
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June 17, 2020 at 10:08 AM
I hope it is just a catch up number.
I think the combination of heat, spicy food and great immune system kept the death rate low for India. But not sure how well it’s being tracked.
It’s pretty amazing what started with a case here and there had turned into about 450,000 deaths in the world.
Imagine what those numbers would have been if most of the countries had not locked down as fast as they did.
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June 17, 2020 at 1:00 PM
India high number was accounting for some 1000 death which were not counted before in Mumbai or Delhi.
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June 17, 2020 at 9:34 AM
LOL, in other words, you’re saying everyone is doing fine in India during this pendamic.
Well, we have been sending help to India which feeds 300+ families in my small town including hindu/muslim/sikhs. One can You can think all is well but ground reality is different.
Do something that makes a difference and help poor.
20,000 crore package isn’t reaching the poor. It’s not like USA where government sent thousands of dollars in stimulus package to each family.
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June 17, 2020 at 10:14 AM
“We Are Taking Legal Action,” Says Arbaaz Khan On Dabangg Director Abhinav Kashyap’s Allegations Against Salman And Family
https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/we-are-taking-legal-action-says-arbaaz-khan-on-dabangg-director-abhinav-kashyaps-allegations-against-salman-and-family-2247594?pfrom=home-lateststories
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June 17, 2020 at 10:17 AM
Good, Besharam was a really trashy movie, also Dabang had several Salim Sahab and Salman Khan’s suggestions incorporated .
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June 17, 2020 at 10:24 AM
Wonder if there is something there thou, if he is coming so strong at them. It takes a lot of courage to go after big timers.
However, this guy is using SSR death to his advantage which is pretty low.
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June 17, 2020 at 10:36 AM
Kuch toh Naainsaafi hui hogee, but not to the extent he is claiming .
Salman Khan – IMO , all he does is that he refuses to work with the person with who he is mad with.
be it Arijit or JA .
He had no issues – Kat working with JA in New York,
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June 17, 2020 at 10:57 AM
Sorting out the border dispute is the military’s dharma & I’m sure they’re more than capable of handling the situation if the need arises (46 China soldiers dead the last time I checked) and taking to task this despicable fiend of a leader called XiJing Ping. Neither is the Indian media capable of delivering responsible journalism (without taking potshots at the opposite party depending on whoever is filling their coffers) and nor are keyboard warriors capable of stfu in this age of social media gas. Only time will tell whether Modi’s handling of the situation is decisive or not (although i do hope he leaves it to the pro’s in the military & an extremely capable Dr S Jaishankar to handle the diplomacy as his own has failed on multiple counts) but for now I do not see the purpose or use of indulging in online vile which has no value in a situation as fragile as this.
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June 17, 2020 at 11:02 AM
Being from the Army background myself, I can safely say if ever this despicable creature XiJing Ping & his CPC cronies attempt mischief at the LAC or North Eastern borders, the Indian military is more than capable of sorting them out in today’s era (doesn’t matter what Modi’s, Gandhi’s and their stooges have to say)
https://www.wionews.com/india-news/increase-in-chinese-chopper-activity-along-lac-to-airlift-casualties-suffered-in-face-off-report-306377
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June 17, 2020 at 11:40 AM
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June 17, 2020 at 11:44 AM
You wouldn’t get even 6 (forget 46) names out of the pandemic viral spreading vermins for sure. At least they send choppers to hunt their corpses unlike their terrorist “brothers in arms” on the western border who love living in delusions and denial.
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June 17, 2020 at 12:47 PM
When will our troubles end? From covid 19, from China, from natural calamities etc. Russia has stopped interfering for or against. USA is grappling with its own problems. No proper world leadership from 2 big countries and UN has become too lame.
This kind of situation would have made Satyam write some of his finest long essays.
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June 17, 2020 at 12:58 PM
Its an exposed China that needs to worry about the biggest of troubles, India will emerge stronger than before from such a crisis (irrespective of whose in power but of course the casual approach, corruption and demographic & economic disparity would never allow India rise beyond a certain point), US’ healthcare loopholes are left bare naked thanks to the approach of choosing missiles & weapons over medicines & R&D. China’s time is gonna be over soon. The panic along the LAC is just the tip of the iceberg. Internal animosity post Covid, public anger simmering internally as well as in Hong Kong, Taiwan issues, dispute along the South China Sea, trade & economic warning from the likes of Australia, Japan etc would most likely lead to it disintegrating like the USSR did unless the rogue state mends its ways and withdraws its expansionist goals.
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June 17, 2020 at 12:51 PM
Bhakts must note its only today that Beijing backed AIIB has approved a $750 million loan for India’s covid 19 response (not the first time something like this has happened). China continues to remain India’s biggest import partner with over 14% share (twice as high as the next USA). The current regime has seldom spoken of the trade deficit and made no constructive efforts to narrow the gap despite being in power for 6 years now. Empty rhetoric like “atmanirchar bharat” and “boycott China goods” is of no value unless there’s systematic policy on ground. Now for the urban naxals, the current one of a kind infrastructure projects within 7.5 kms of the LAC (which includes an air strip exclusively meant for the IAF to transport troops) is what is making Beijing paranoid about the situation and act is panic. “Iss bazaar mein sabhi nange hain”, there is no point fighting amongst ourselves if we got rogue states like China & Pakistan knocking at our doors on either side.
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June 17, 2020 at 12:57 PM
I am going to unapprove comments if I find language not unto standard. I just don’t have bandwidth in my office time to go through each comment and edit.
name calling should stop.
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June 17, 2020 at 1:03 PM
and my mild response is in moderation ,
Is this SS or twitter ? LOL
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June 17, 2020 at 5:37 PM
Good. About time, munna. We need this place to be clean, just like it used to be!
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June 17, 2020 at 1:03 PM
Quite a few corona cases around me and a person whom I knew personally breathed his last last week. Trying times, and the sheer failure of hospital administration of granting them dignity even in their final moments was nothing short of distressing.
Work and movies provided some distractions. Watched quite a few recently. Presenting some short movie reviews:
MALANG
Finally Mohit Suri gets it right. Despite lack of plausibility and inconsistency in storytelling, his conviction makes Malang a decent masala flick with revenge as the core theme. It does take its time to come into its own, though, for the first half with its Satyamev Jayate meets a poor man’s ZNMD setup was filled with cringeworthy moments. The music is the icing on the cake. Not a bad way to spend a weekend when all you want is Bollywood unadulterated.
A note: Wish we had a critical culture like the west where we could respect every voice behind the camera. A Mohit Suri puts in as much effort as, say, an Anurag Kashyap. If only he gets better scripts to work with, he could be one of the good commercial filmmakers in India. He understands the grammar, the importance of a strong moment and, above all, how to use his music right to the film’s advantage.
MOUNA RAGAM:
Enjoyed watching it, but blame it on lesser (yet grander) romances such as HDDCS and RNBDJ because of which this film appears more dated than it should have been. Despite this, I loved this love story born out out of the social and hierarchical arranged marriage setup. The actors were brilliant, so was the music, and words alone can’t do justice to the believability of the characters and the contrast in the setting. Quite a Mani Ratnam thing, this.
OK KANMANI:
The genius behind the camera is an institution in himself, who can make films across genres: political thrillers and relationship dramas to slice-of-life gangster sagas and exuberant, youthful romance like OK Kanmani. After long, I enjoyed watching a lightweight romantic made for the modern generation that doesn’t take your intelligence for granted. Lots to appreciate here, but it would be doing disservice to Mani Ratnam Fanboys/girls to spell it out. Still, the everyday conversations, the frenzied camera movements, the moving traffic, buses and trains building the atmosphere of a scene even when conversations and conflicts form an important part of it…is so vintage Ratnam.
Directors down south since have emulated his style, even the crop of realistic filmmakers in Bollywood, but no one brings realism to the fore quite like he does. And he unabashedly mixed it with his song and dance routines. The latter not in plenty here, but this is such a fun film with the charming lead and a solid supporting cast in Prakash Raj and Leela Samson that you’re swept away.
Unambitious in its scope but still majorly enjoyable, it is a reminder than Ratnam can make such stuff convincingly in his sleep. Don’t knowhow much effort he applied here, but it’s still a must watch for many an incurable romantic. Aditya Chopra, please make note: this is how you make a film on the aspirations and relationship dilemmas plaguing the youth today, without turning them into horrible people a la in Befikre.
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD:
I don’t remember if I earlier posted my thoughts on it here. But here goes: A poignant, well-acted film that works like a therapy session. In times when entertainment is equated with dark cinema and gritty web series, it’s nice to have a family friendly film that believes in the goodness of people and focuses on what makes them humane, despite their several misgivings.
The character of Mr. Rogers gives us hope that there might still be a lot of kindness left in the world, provided we know where to look. It is brought alive by Tom Hanks’ wonderful and heartfelt act (a well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor), besides Matthew Rhys and Chris Cooper’s solid performances. Their father-son characters share a fractured relationship, and form the central premise.
The film, meanwhile, makes us rethink our lives, making a sweeping statement on the power of communication and why it’s never too late to make amends.
A YouTube video on the original Mr. Rogers will reveal his kindness. Easy to misunderstand the extreme politeness as creepy and fake, thanks to the times we live in where everything appears untrustworthy. Well, the partisans believed him to be a modern-day saint: forever wanting to help people out, checking up on them constantly to ensure they were doing fine and responding to every fan mail with gratitude and a deeply personal message.
Available on Prime Video, strongly recommended. A bittersweet tale of atonement and introspection.
Thappad:
Might just be Anubhav Sinha’s finest film, with moments of silence and stillness that speak louder than words. Love the “show don’t tell” format of establishing the deep-rooted patriarchy and male domination in the everyday lives of its characters.
I had reservations about how the events would proceed in a film that revolves around a slap which changes equations between a couple. But Sinha plays it well, and rather than focusing only on its principal characters, he decides to show its consequences on the people around them. So there’s the silently observing but empathetic neighbour (Diya Mirza underplaying her part beautifully), the lawyer who warns about the repurcussions of Amrita’s stubborn decision yet eventually stands in full support, a housemaid who’s slapped around by her husband at the slightest provocation and Amrita’s own brother and his wife who are often divisive over matters.
And then there are the parents on both sides: mothers who are undoubtedly caring and supportive yet urge her to “move on” because of the gender hierarchy ingrained in their mental framework. And the brilliant and lovable Kumud Mishra whose unconditional support for his only daughter, a casual demeanour and natural dialogue delivery are a treat to watch.
Taapsee is superb, and so is Pavail Gulati in his first full-length feature film (a complete natural). But Geetika Vidya’s fabulous body language and pitch perfect diction is absolutely convincing as the maid who finally decides to give it back to her abusive husband.
The handling of the very sensitive subject is mature, and even if it doesn’t lead to a particularly happy ending, it ends up on a positive note. You feel happy for Amrita, but not at the cost of holding a grudge against any of the other characters. There are no out-and-out villains here, except maybe a few entitled yet good people who weren’t even aware of their wrongdoings.
The true antagonist here is the social setup, and how it makes even the best of us fall prey to it.
Next on the list: Thalapathi.
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June 17, 2020 at 1:07 PM
Please use
Modi supporters , right winger or similar instead of Bhakht, Cow lovers
Left liberal, liberal or similar for instead of commie-naxal, Tukde Tukde.
If I see something objectionable comments will be unapproved.
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June 17, 2020 at 1:35 PM
I’m done now. Against better judgment, I usually end up engaging in pointless arguments. More of a cinephile than a political commentator anyway. Shivaay and Saket undoubtedly are better informed on that front.
I also understand that I should’ve refrained from making some comments that were probably blasphemous to a few . Nothing more from me, hopefully, in the near future on the subject.
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June 17, 2020 at 1:43 PM
Munna, how about 56″ lover.
Sorry, just want people to lighten up little.
I think the problem we have with politics in India now is somewhat same as what we have here in USA; if you don’t support GOP, than you must be a traitor, don’t like constitution, etc…
You simply can’t have opposing views/opinions anymore. So either you are a modi supporter or Pakistan lover because you simply can’t be an Indian if you don’t agree with all of bjp/modi policies.
As a society, we are definitely regressing, or actually perhaps we were in better shape 40 years ago.
We can no longer have a decent, open minded debates/discussion on any topic.
I’m a Democrat but there are many policies that I don’t agree with Democrats party on, but that doesn’t mean I’m not a Democrat.
Life is short guys, spend it on love instead of hate.
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June 17, 2020 at 2:27 PM
Precisely why I miss this iconic legend of Indian politics more than ever before :
Yes he was from the BJP, yet managed to run a coalition of over a dozen parties for 6 years straight (despite losing a no confidence motion by just 1 vote in ’99). I can never imagine the current regime with 303 LS seats bring in the kind of economic & policy reforms that the Vajpayee govt managed with just 182 solo LS seats.
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June 17, 2020 at 2:52 PM
Conversely if you support Modi, you are Cow Urine drinking bhakt.
If you do not agree with Ilhan Omar, you are a Trump supporter .
The way to Frame the argument is the key, Yeh bhee batao Zee .
Aside- Agree the world is becoming very polarized .
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June 17, 2020 at 3:18 PM
P.S.- Sorry for commenting on the “god” here- the Charsee Khapshyap !!
will try and be more careful going forward, peace !
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June 17, 2020 at 1:48 PM
12 million Americans are still entitled to a stimulus check — here’s how to make sure you get yours.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/12-million-americans-are-still-entitled-to-a-stimulus-check-heres-how-to-make-sure-you-get-yours
I’m sure none of the Desi will fall in to this category 🙂
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June 17, 2020 at 2:46 PM
https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/you/easynomics-why-companies-leaving-china-will-not-come-to-india/articleshow/75705236.cms
License raj to unstable policy, frequent policy changes to large turn around time at ports and of course widespread & rampant corruption. Few of the many reasons why companies leaving China would prefer Vietnam/Thailand or even Bangladesh over India as manufacturing hubs. Merely blaming Nehru or Rajiv Gandhi for votebank politics & creating hysteria cannot hide the fact that the current regime itself has done nothing to make trade & business environment more conducive. On the contrary, with draconian and unplanned actions like demonetization & mass lockdowns at a 4 hour notice, its made it even worse.
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June 17, 2020 at 7:43 PM
In the era of nukes & missiles the Chinese decided to fight with 12th century barbed wires & stones. The 1996 agreement of “no firearms within 2 kms of the LAC” is bound to be broken by both sides now with the Indian Army taking the lead. I do hope & pray that for once the ruling BJP govt gives up on its internal territorial ambitions and settles for a ceasefire with internal political rivals in order to fight the bigger battle at the diplomatic level. We cannot have a central govt indulging in cheap gimmicks like overthrowing state leadership & horse trading MLA’s when we have borders to defend on all corners. As I’ve always believed, time for PM Modi & Amit Shah to take a back seat and leave it to MEA Dr Jaishankar, the military chiefs and our diplomats to handle this (just like Dr Harshvardhan, Aiims head Dr Guleria and the Icmr team needed a free hand for the covid crisis but alas, when you got complete autocracy at the center, logic and science would always be tossed out of the window)
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June 18, 2020 at 9:00 AM
The events will determine the policies as to which road to take or not to take. Defence cannot become public discussion the way covid 19 is. If public starts dictating, the public will never get the true picture. So better leave it to the government and let government not make it a public issue. Today we may boycott chinese goods and tomorrow we may not if situation cools down. Pragmatism overtakes. Same thing happenend with palm oil imports with Malaysia.
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June 18, 2020 at 7:22 AM
Hum aapas main lad baithay to desh ko kaun sambhalega
Koi bahar wala apne ghar se hame nikalega
Deewano, hosh karo
Mere Desh premiyo, aapas main prem karo
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June 18, 2020 at 9:26 AM
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June 18, 2020 at 10:34 AM
Did Bezos email him personally?
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June 18, 2020 at 10:58 AM
This is what we Called cartelization…Until and unless Amazon releases data, it is speculation.
All the Cinema hall lobby is against OTT, so they will try to undermine anything on that platform.
If there is no data to give daily updates they are out of business.
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June 18, 2020 at 11:17 AM
I expected this. This sabotaging OTT releases by paid media. Spreading bad wom Fortuantely it will not afect that much. OTT will not care. They have got so many programs besides movie releases. As the covid 19 cases are increasing, sane people will not visit theatres for couple of months. If they are not ready to send children to schools, why will they go to movies and risk their well being?
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June 18, 2020 at 1:11 PM
I have emailed Bezos , and asked the question . Am awaiting his response back.
Bass numbers ka pata chaltey hee aapko khabar karta hoon.
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June 19, 2020 at 12:07 AM
I want to stop commenting on SSR; and I will. But again, don’t these type of tweets demoralize people? This is one of THE BEST UNADULTERATED movies made by Sircar. Forget the box-office; at least talk about the artistic integrity of folks like SS/AB/AK. Nobody in the ‘business’ wants about that? I understand SAB GANDA HAI PAR DHANDHA hai!
But come on, if you don’t give a 78-year old actor and an artiste like FARUKKH JAFFER for their efforts – I don’t know what to say.
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June 18, 2020 at 1:29 PM
https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=6062
Earlier this year it happened with a film called Thappad which if reviews were to believed it was better than Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior but the public verdict was there all to see. Again this Gulabo Sitabo has reviews better than Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior which is eyes closed the top film of the year so far. There is the case that Tanhaji – The Unsung warrior is a patriotic film and these reviewers have never been kind to the blockbuster patriotic films be it 1960, 1980, 2000 or now as the English press sees agressive patriotism on screen as jingoism. That is why the public is their to be the final judge and put the record straight
Coming back to Gulabo Sitabo the producers are in the plus but Amazon prime have paid a 30 crore permium for a dud film to come into their library a little earlier. Ayushmann Khurana who was labelled a star with films like Badhai Ho and Dream Girl now has Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and Gulabo Sitabo back to back where unlike Badhai Ho and Dream Girl the content has not worked.
A potential box office number is impossible to give to as box office depends on timing, competition and period of release and all that is unknown. The only thing certain is that if and whenever it released the number would have been lower than Shubh Mangal Zyaada Saavdhan (59 crore) but would it be 10%, 20%,30% or even 40% lower is guesswork. The 50% level is not given as you would expect Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurana to get a 20 crore nett weekend on worse case which means at a minimum 30 crore nett box office
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June 18, 2020 at 4:20 PM
I was hoping covid-19 would stop BOI, Kadel, Jaiswals in one go. Seems like they are even more prolific now.
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June 19, 2020 at 1:46 AM
Absolutely. To talk something about a movie with Big B and Ayushmaan, one a mega star and another a big star now is laughable.
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June 18, 2020 at 2:12 PM
Sanjana:
Black Lives Matter: South Asian Americans come to terms with own anti-blackness
Crucially, the young generation that is unafraid to introspect within and initiate difficult conversations is increasingly putting its weight behind anti-black racism and casteism within.
https://indianexpress.com/article/world/black-lives-matter-south-asian-americans-come-to-terms-with-own-anti-blackness-6465153/
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June 18, 2020 at 5:34 PM
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
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June 19, 2020 at 1:54 AM
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/06/hummingbirds-see-colors-outside-rainbow/
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June 19, 2020 at 2:36 AM
https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/sonu-nigam-video-on-music-industry-new-talent-sushant-singh-rajput-6465934/
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