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Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Ground Zero: Hatemongering comes so naturally to Bollywood that it can't make an antiwar movie even when it tries; Emraan Hashmi's film is proof
'There is no such thing as an antiwar film,' the French New Wave icon Francois Truffaut famously declared once upon a time. It was almost as if he'd secretly been yanked into the future and made to attend a 'special screening' of Uri: The Surgical Strike at PVR Juhu. It is, indeed, irresponsible for any movie to glorify war, and Truffaut was of the opinion that this isn't a supposition, but an inevitability. He wasn't entirely correct, of course. There have been several great antiwar films over the years, and we'll discuss some of them here. But what about Indian movies? The recent film Ground Zero, which was released on Prime Video following a theatrical run that was unfortunately affected by the Pahalgam terror attack, appears to be aware of these concerns. But it chooses to ignore them when it matters the most. Starring Emraan Hashmi in the lead role, Ground Zero follows a BSF officer called Narendra Dubey on a determined quest to hunt down the notorious militant leader Ghazi Baba after the 2001 Parliament attacks. Ghazi Baba was a close aide to Masood Azhar, who was released by Indian authorities during the IC 814 hijacking. Instead of making him the manifestation of Kashmir and its people, Ground Zero treads the middle path; it doesn't view every Kashmiri Muslim as a traitor, but it certainly views most of them as victims. And where victims exist, there must be a saviour. That man is Dubey, who appears to be aware of the alienation that military presence has created in the hearts and minds of the locals. Also read – Chhaava: Vicky Kaushal's worrisome streak hits an all-time low; who'll take responsibility for inciting violence? Directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskar, Ground Zero doesn't go so far as to show military brutality or the 'forced disappearances' that reflect the reality of the local population. Nor does it spare a moment for the 'half-widows' who roam the land like tortured spirits. But such are the times we live in, when even a moderately responsible Hindi movie comes across as a grand beacon of empathy. One could argue that Shershaah would've been the ideal candidate to comment on the ultimate meaninglessness of war, but because the movie valorises Captain Vikram Batra's ultimate sacrifice and frames it against an Indian victory, it ends up endorsing the idea of violent combat. Neither Shershaah nor Uri are antiwar movies. Ground Zero could have been, had it not been so oblivious about certain, well, ground realities. Not too long ago, Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza's Warfare showed just how efficiently political statements can be made through cinema rooted in fact. Based on Mendoza's own experiences during the Iraq War, the movie, for him, was a tribute to his fellow soldiers. For Garland, it was an opportunity to comment on America's foreign policy, now that the dust has somewhat settled on the Bush years. Warfare ended with a shot of dazed Iraqi fighters slowly streaming out of destroyed residential buildings, having driven out a group of American soldiers they'd cornered in them. They look around silently. The Americans have fled, injured and depleted. Iraq lies ravaged. What was the purpose of all this? Ground Zero isn't as well-crafted. It paints Kashmir as a land and Kashmiris as a people not to be tamed, but to be won over — with kindness, compassion, and bravery. For a movie whose every frame seems to be have been desaturated to the point of being black-and-white, it certainly has a rose-tinted view of the complex situation. 'Kuch bhi bolo, Kashmir hai toh humara,' says one of Narendra's fellow soldiers to him at one point in the movie. 'Sirf Kashmir ki zameen humari hai ke yahan ke log bhi?' he asks. The movie understands that there is a difference. And, to illustrate this difference, it introduces the character of Hussain, a local youth who is brainwashed into carrying out random acts of violence against the military in exchange of a small sum of money. Without quite understanding or examining what could've drawn a boy like Hussain towards terrorism, Narendra tries to convert him towards the 'good' side. He is made an informant, but Ground Zero doesn't portray this as its own kind of exploitation and brainwashing. Because Narendra is a virtuous man, nothing he does can be morally questionable. We must assume that he always has everybody's best interest in mind. Call it reverse fridging, but Hussain predictably dies in the line of duty and leaves Narendra to deal with the guilt. It's a personal loss for him, one that makes him all the more determined to find Ghazi Baba and end his reign of terror for good. Read more – The Diplomat: If John Abraham wants to save his career, he needs to stop saving damsels in distress first Ground Zero is Hashmi's second film in a row to express a humanist stance at a time when warmongering seems to fetch folks extra brownie points in the Hindi film industry. For that, he must be applauded. He played the villain in Tiger 3, in which Salman Khan's protagonist refers to the people of Pakistan as his in-laws, and rescues them from their oppressors. That said, Ground Zero also prominently includes a song whose lyrics go something like this: 'Thoda aur lahoo behne do.' Not to mention the climax, which involves a violent combat sequence that leaves a bunch of people dead. This may well be based on fact, but there is no moment of introspection. Was the bloodshed worth it; were the Kashmiris won over? Who knows. Ah well, at least one Narendra is trying. Post Credits Scene is a column in which we dissect new releases every week, with particular focus on context, craft, and characters. Because there's always something to fixate about once the dust has settled.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Dhanush says ‘Kuberaa' took him back to his ‘humble, rooted beginnings'
Taking a break from the shoot of Tere Ishq Mein, where he reportedly plays an Air Force officer, Tamil star Dhanush dropped by to promote his upcoming release, Kuberaa, at a Mumbai multiplex on Tuesday (June 10). In Kuberaa, Dhanush plays a beggar who 'undergoes a dramatic transformation'. The gritty, sweeping film explores themes of greed, morality and ambition. While Tere Ishq Mein will see Dhanush returning to Hindi cinema after four years, Kuberaa, co-starring Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna, marks the Tamil actor's first foray into Telugu cinema. Directed by Sekhar Kammula, the film is a trilingual social thriller shot simultaneously in Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil. The third song from the film's album, 'Pippi Pippi Dum Dum Dum', was launched in the presence of Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika, Jim Sarbh, Dalip Tahil and others at PVR Juhu, Mumbai. The film's music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad. 'This film is extremely close to my heart,' Dhanush said, calling the experience of shooting Kuberaa both 'fantastic' and 'weird', since it took him out of his comfort zone. 'We shoot at dump yards and inside garbage trucks,' Dhanush shared. 'As actors, we live very protected lives. We like to do what's convenient. I come from very humble, rooted beginnings. So to go back and see that world again was both enlightening and nostalgic.' Praising his director, Sekhar Kammula, Dhanush recalled assenting to Kuberaa over a 20-minute narration. 'I loved his energy, his positivity and his honesty towards making this film.' Rashmika said Dhanush aces all kinds of roles in the most effortless fashion. 'He inspires us to work a hundred times extra to be 10 percent as good as him.' ALSO READ:Dhanush to shoot for 'Por Thozhil' director's film after 'Tere Ishq Mein', say sources Nagarjuna, 65, expressed gratitude for his enduring fandom in north India. Nagarjuna was last seen in the Hindi film Brahmastra: Part One - Shiva, playing an archaeologist named Anish Shetty. 'Right from the beginning of my career, from Shiva and Khuda Gawah to Criminal, Jakhm and Angaaray, not to mention my dubbed films, all of them have been accepted so well in the north. I appreciate that deeply,' Nagarjuna said. Kuberaa is co-written by Sekhar Kammula and Chaithanya Pingali. The film is releasing in theatres on June 20, 2025.
News18
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sara Ali Khan Teases Ibrahim As Paps Click Them With Palak Tiwari On Movie Night
Last Updated: Ibrahim Ali Khan was caught blushing as rumoured girlfriend Palak Tiwari and sister Sara Ali Khan joined him at PVR Juhu for a movie night. Ibrahim Ali Khan and Palak Tiwari have once again sparked relationship rumours after being spotted together on a movie night with none other than Sara Ali Khan. The trio was seen arriving at Mumbai's PVR Juhu, where Sara and Palak walked in together before joining Ibrahim, who was waiting near the elevator. As soon as the ladies approached, Ibrahim couldn't help but blush. Caught off guard by the paparazzi, he nervously looked away and avoided facing the cameras. Sara, clearly amused, was seen playfully teasing her younger brother as he shyly smiled and kept his eyes on the elevator doors. Once it opened, the three quietly stepped in, keeping their backs to the photographers and avoiding further attention. Palak and Ibrahim seemed to coordinate their outfits, both dressed in grey, while Sara stood out in a neon green top paired with baggy pants. This isn't the first time the trio has been spotted hanging out together. They were previously seen vacationing in Goa, further fuelling speculation about Ibrahim and Palak's relationship. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Interestingly, Ibrahim recently made headlines during a cheeky segment for GQ titled 'Wrong Answers Only." When asked, 'Are you single?" he first responded with a 'yes" but quickly corrected himself to 'no," given the nature of the game. The swift back-and-forth had fans wondering if Ibrahim may have unintentionally confirmed his dating status, especially amid persistent rumours linking him to Palak. Palak Tiwari, daughter of television icon Shweta Tiwari, rose to fame with Harrdy Sandhu's chartbuster music video Bijlee Bijlee. Since then, she has appeared in several film and digital projects, steadily making her mark in Bollywood. Ibrahim, the son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, recently made his acting debut in Netflix's Nadaaniyan alongside Khushi Kapoor. Before stepping in front of the camera, he worked behind the scenes as an assistant director on Karan Johar's Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. First Published:
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sara Ali Khan playfully teases Ibrahim Ali Khan during movie night with Palak Tiwari
Ibrahim Ali Khan and Palak Tiwari sparked dating rumours after a movie outing with Sara Ali Khan at Mumbai's PVR Juhu. The trio's coordinated looks and previous Goa holiday sightings fueled speculation. Palak, daughter of Shweta Tiwari, and Ibrahim, son of Saif Ali Khan, are both rising Bollywood stars. Ibrahim Ali Khan and Palak Tiwari have fueled dating speculation once more after they were seen enjoying a movie outing alongside Sara Ali Khan . The three were spotted at Mumbai's PVR Juhu, with Sara and Palak entering the theater together before meeting up with Ibrahim, who was waiting by the elevator. Ibrahim's Shy Reaction to Paparazzi The moment the ladies came closer, Ibrahim couldn't hide his blush. Surprised by the paparazzi, he nervously prevented his gaze and avoided looking at the cameras. Sara, clearly entertained, playfully teased her younger brother, who shyly smiled while staring at the elevator doors. When the elevator opened, the trio quietly stepped inside, turning their backs to the photographers to avoid drawing more attention. Coordinated Outfits Palak and Ibrahim matched their attire in shades of grey, contrasting with Sara's vibrant neon green top and relaxed baggy pants. The trio's outings aren't new—earlier, they were spotted holidaying in Goa, adding fuel to the ongoing speculation surrounding Ibrahim and Palak's rumoured relationship. Palak Tiwari's Career Palak Tiwari, daughter of actress legend Shweta Tiwari, gained widespread recognition with Harrdy Sandhu 's hit music video 'Bijlee Bijlee'. Since then, she has been part of various film and digital ventures, gradually establishing herself in the Bollywood industry. Ibrahim Ali Khan's Acting Debut Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh 's son Ibrahim recently entered the acting world with his debut in Netflix's 'Nadaaniyan', starring alongside Khushi Kapoor. Before taking up acting, he gained valuable experience working behind the camera as an assistant director on Karan Johar's 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Housefull 5' to surprise audiences with two endings; Jackie Shroff calls Akshay Kumar the ‘biggest joker'
The 'Housefull 5' trailer is out, revealing a unique twist: each theater will show a different killer, offering two alternate endings. Starring Akshay Kumar, Nargis Fakhri, and Fardeen Khan, the film releases on June 6, 2025, blending comedy with a thrilling murder mystery in Bollywood's iconic franchise. The eagerly awaited 'Housefull 5' trailer is out, bringing with it an unexpected announcement from producer Sajid Nadiadwala during the launch event. Set to release on June 6, 2025, this latest chapter of Bollywood's beloved comedy series will uniquely offer two alternate endings. Reflecting on the concept, Nadiadwala said, 'In my mind, I've been playing with this idea for 30 years. If I ever made a thriller, what would be the X-factor? How would people walk out of the theatre if the identity of the villain was kept secret?'. Sajid Nadiadwala on the Unique Twist He revealed the film's unusual twist: 'I've written a story where every theatre will have a different killer. So if you watch it at Gaiety, it'll have one killer. If you watch it at Galaxy, there'll be another. In PVR screen number 4, you'll see a different killer, and in PVR screen number 5, yet another one. It's like every time you watch the film, you'll get a different ending.' Nadiadwala further emphasized the novelty of the concept, saying, 'The film basically has two endings, something that hasn't even happened anywhere else in the world. ' Nargis Fakhri's Emotional Comeback At the trailer launch, actress Nargis Fakhri made a heartfelt return to the big screen with 'Housefull 5'. She emotionally recounted the chance encounter that led to her role: 'There's so much excitement. It's also kinda funny how it actually happened. In fact, it happened here at PVR Juhu, at the elevator, where I met Sajid sir. I told him, 'Hey, I miss you, we should work together again.' And a few days later, he called and said, 'Housefull 5. ' I said, 'Woah, that's amazing.' I feel like it's a great comeback. I wasn't here for a while, but now I'm finally back.' She also praised the atmosphere on set, saying, 'It was really incredible on the sets of Housefull 5, where everyone got along. It was such a supportive and fun set. I'm so happy that Sajid called me, and I'm here now.' Fardeen Khan's Return Fardeen Khan is making a significant return to cinema with 'Housefull 5', marking his first major appearance on the big screen in over ten years. Reflecting on this phase, he shared, 'It feels like a second coming, in my case, you could argue it's a third. But to be met with so much respect, love, and appreciation from colleagues, it's something I'm deeply grateful for.' He further explained, 'Coming back after a 12-year break isn't something you can plan. But I'm just prepared for it. I missed being on set, missed telling stories, and missed the connection with the audience. And now to have a fourth release in just one year, and that too with Housefull 5, such a successful and iconic comedy franchise in Hindi film history, it just feels like a celebration. I'm extremely grateful to everyone who believed in me and gave me this opportunity.' Jackie Shroff Names Akshay Kumar the 'Biggest Joker' Jackie Shroff, who returns to the Housefull franchise after appearing in the third installment, didn't hesitate when asked about the biggest prankster on set. He said, 'Itne bade bade joker hai bhai… magar sabse bada joker hai jisne abhi bola safed suit mein (Akshay Kumar) uske samne kaun bol sakta hai kuch. Ek number ka badmaash hai… khade khade kab shirt nikal deta hai pata hi nahi chalta hai.' A Star-Studded Ensemble 'Housefull 5' is set to make cinematic history as the first Indian comedy series to reach its fifth chapter. This installment spices up the franchise's classic slapstick humor with an intriguing murder mystery, adding fresh excitement to the mayhem. The film features a star-studded cast of 19 actors, including Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh , Abhishek Bachchan , Jacqueline Fernandez, Jackie Shroff, Shreyas Talpade, Chunky Pandey, Nikitin Dheer, Fardeen Khan, Nana Patekar, Nargis Fakhri, Johnny Lever, and several others. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
