Category: Entertainment

Prime Video’s latest series ‘Rangeen’ sets off with a bold and unconventional premise but struggles to live up to its promise. Starring Viineet Kumar Siingh as Adarsh, a middle-aged newspaper editor from a small town, the story takes a wild turn when he discovers that his wife, Naina (Rajshri Deshpande), is having an affair with a gigolo (Taaruk Raina). In a surprising twist, Adarsh decides to get back at her by becoming a gigolo himself. It’s a quirky, daring idea that feels fresh in the context of Indian web series, and the trailer had certainly sparked curiosity. Initially, ‘Rangeen’ appears to offer an exciting blend of humour, emotions, and small-town drama. The narrative follows Adarsh as he transitions from a struggling husband to someone exploring a bizarre secret life. There’s certainly an undercurrent of emotional depth and social commentary that the show attempts to explore — themes like broken marriages, fragile egos, and societal hypocrisy. However, the show soon falters in execution. As the episodes progress, ‘Rangeen’ struggles with tonal confusion. It switches between comedy, drama, and awkwardly staged emotional scenes without settling on a coherent narrative voice. Despite the variety of serious topics it touches upon, it never delves deep enough, leaving much of the plot feeling superficial and, at times, stretched. Viineet Kumar Siingh, known for his powerful roles, seems surprisingly off in this one. His portrayal of Adarsh, a man in emotional turmoil, lacks the nuance and subtlety required. He oscillates between being overly dramatic and emotionally vacant, making it difficult to connect with his character’s inner struggle. Even the pivotal decision to become a gigolo isn’t convincingly justified, a fact that Sitara (played by Sheeba Chaddha) sensibly questions within the show. Rajshri Deshpande, a gifted actress, is unfortunately underutilised. Her role as Naina is thinly written, offering her little space to showcase her talent. On the brighter side, the supporting cast lends some much-needed energy. Taaruk Raina as Sunny, the confident and carefree gigolo, brings charm and lightness to his scenes. Sheeba Chaddha delivers a grounded performance as Sitara, the boutique owner who secretly manages the gigolo service. Her calm composure and strong screen presence make her one of the most convincing characters. In the end, what could have been a witty, emotional, and thought-provoking tale ends up being a half-baked attempt at blending genres. ‘Rangeen’ loses its charm and feels like a missed opportunity. It neither commits to its emotional core nor leans fully into the absurdity of its premise. For a show named ‘Rangeen’, it sadly lacks the vibrancy and depth its title suggests.

Diljit Dosanjh, visibly emotional and overwhelmed, has officially wrapped up his shoot for the much-awaited war epic ‘Border 2’, slated to release on 23 January 2026. Marking the end of filming, Diljit shared a heartfelt video on Instagram with the caption, “BORDER 2 Shoot Finish”, giving fans a touching behind-the-scenes glimpse from the final day on set in Punjab. In the video, Diljit is seen warmly embracing his co-stars Varun Dhawan and Ahan Shetty, both of whom appeared emotional as they bid farewell to the film that has been years in the making. In a sweet gesture, Diljit also distributed sweets to children and crew members present at the location, showcasing his signature humility and warmth. In a significant revelation, Diljit confirmed that he is portraying martyr Nirmal Jeet Singh Sekhon, India’s only Air Force officer to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra, adding even more emotional depth to his role in this patriotic drama. The shoot wrap comes just days after producer Binoy Gandhi hinted that the final leg of the film was being shot in Punjab with the caption, “Last Battle Loading…” About ‘Border 2’ Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is the spiritual successor to J.P. Dutta’s 1997 classic Border. The new ensemble cast includes Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and Diljit Dosanjh, and is being produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The film is expected to be a grand tribute to the spirit of Indian soldiers and is scheduled for a Republic Day weekend release in 2026. The Controversy Around Diljit Diljit’s involvement in Border 2 recently stirred controversy due to his appearance alongside Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3. The casting decision triggered outrage from some quarters amid ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. Film associations had even urged the makers of Border 2 to reconsider Diljit’s casting and requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah to revoke permissions granted for filming at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. While there were rumours about his possible removal from the project, Diljit remained part of the core cast and has now successfully completed his portion of the film. What’s Next for Diljit? After Border 2, Diljit will be seen in No Entry 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2005 comedy hit No Entry. The film, directed by Anees Bazmee and produced by Boney Kapoor, will also star Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor, promising a fun-filled ensemble entertainer. With Border 2 in post-production and No Entry 2 on the horizon, Diljit continues to prove his versatility across genres — from war dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies.

Mahavatar Narsimha, the first installment in the Mahavatar series directed by Ashwin Kumar, marks a surprisingly powerful entry into Indian animated cinema. While the trailer offered only a glimpse of what was to come, the film itself far exceeds expectations, offering a sincere and emotional retelling of one of Indian mythology’s most powerful stories — the tale of Lord Narasimha, the half-man, half-lion avatar of Lord Vishnu. The narrative follows the story of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king who declares himself a god and demands absolute devotion — even from his own son. But his son, Prahlad, remains steadfast in his devotion to Vishnu, setting the stage for divine intervention. It’s a story familiar to many, but the film succeeds in giving it renewed emotional depth, reflection, and meaning. A Film That Grows With Its Story Technically, the animation begins with modest production values. In the early scenes, the visuals feel restrained, especially in detailing. However, as the story progresses, the quality of animation improves dramatically — as though the film itself evolves with its characters. By the second half, the visual design reaches an impressive level of maturity, rendering some scenes powerful enough to give goosebumps. One of the film’s few shortcomings lies in voice dubbing and lip sync. There are noticeable moments when the voiceovers don’t match facial expressions or mouth movements, occasionally disrupting the emotional flow. Yet, the filmmakers mitigate this through an unusual but effective cinematic tool in animation — silence. Strategic pauses amplify the emotional weight of pivotal moments, drawing viewers deeper into the narrative. Voice Work, Music, and Script: A Strong Emotional Core Despite occasional sync issues, the voice performances are commendable, lending weight and emotional authenticity to nearly every scene. The dialogues are well-crafted — respectful, introspective, and far removed from the over-the-top bravado seen in some recent mythological films. In contrast to lines like “Jalegi tere baap ki” from Adipurush, Mahavatar Narsimha maintains a calm, focused, and reverent tone throughout. The music stands out as another highlight — beautifully composed, emotionally attuned, and never overpowering. It blends seamlessly with the film’s tone and enhances its devotional atmosphere. Narasimha’s Arrival: A Moment of Awe The confrontation between Narasimha and Hiranyakashipu is the film’s high point — executed with chilling intensity and deep spiritual symbolism. It transcends mere action or drama, instead addressing a fundamental question in bhakti:“Where is God if we cannot see Him?”The scene is terrifying yet awe-inspiring, handled with seriousness and artistic reverence. A Rare Blend: Devotion and Depth for All Ages Mahavatar Narsimha offers something for everyone. Children will be captivated by the vibrant visuals and mythological grandeur, while adults may find themselves contemplating its deeper spiritual and philosophical layers long after the credits roll. The pacing is steady and deliberate, never rushed, yet never dragging. Final Verdict While not without flaws, Mahavatar Narsimha emerges as a quietly confident, emotionally grounded, and spiritually rich cinematic experience. Its sincerity, heart, and message far outweigh its technical shortcomings. In a genre often underutilized in Indian cinema, this film stands as a meaningful step forward — a respectful and moving portrayal of one of Hinduism’s most profound tales. Released in 3D and 2D formats in multiple Indian languages on July 25, 2025, the film is widely accessible — and highly recommended.

Netflix’s latest Hindi original, Mandala Murders, attempts to thread the needle between myth, mystery, and murder—but despite its rich premise and atmospheric world-building, the show falters under the weight of its own ambition. Created by Mardaani 2 director Gopi Puthran, the series is set in the fictional UP town of Charandaspur, where decades-old ritualistic killings suddenly resurface. At the center of the story is Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor), an elite CIB officer haunted by her past, and Vikram Singh (Vaibhav Raj Gupta), a disgraced cop with hidden ties to the cult at the story’s heart. What Works What Doesn’t Work Final Verdict Mandala Murders is an atmospheric and ambitious thriller that dares to be different, but stumbles in its execution. For fans of slow-burn mysteries with occult undertones and dense backstories, it’s a decent one-time watch. But those expecting airtight storytelling and emotional resonance might find themselves zoning out before the final curtain. Rating: 3/5⏳ Worth a try if you like mood-driven thrillers, but manage expectations.