The much awaited trailer of Rohit Shetty's upcoming entertainer - Simmba, was finally launched amidst grand fanfare in Mumbai today. The new 'Dulha' in town - Ranveer Singh, was at his enthusiastic best, as he entered the venue with massive support from the 'paparazzi', who just couldn't stop cheering for their top cop. Clearly, a new mass character is born!

The trailer has Ranveer Singh going dishoom-dishoom all over as the rather corrupt officer - Sangram Bhalerao. While the basic plot is pretty much like your average formula film - corrupt cop turns good to avenge a tragic incident in his loved one's life. Nevertheless, the film has Shetty's entertainment se bharpur 'magic masala' sprinkled all over. Complete with the right amount of [hopefully] action, drama, emotion, romance and tragedy. This one's clearly got it all! In fact, we even get a glimpse of Bhalerao's childhood, and how he was majorly influenced by the impeccable 'Bajirao Singham' during his growing up years.


Sonu Sood plays the bad guy, who of course, starts off as our hero's source of 'illegal' income initially. We hope it isn't yet another stereotypical role for Sood. However, his character does look promising. We also spot debutant Sara Ali Khan, who is clearly on a roll with two films coming up in the same month, back to back. The actress will be seen playing Singh's love interest in the film. And of course, like most of the heroines in an action entertainer like this, she will be a massive source of motivation and inspiration for the apna hero, in the long run.

Update: #Simmba trailer will be out on December 3, 2018. The film starring @RanveerOfficial & #SaraAliKhan, helmed by #RohitShetty, is all set to release on December 28, 2018. pic.twitter.com/TzAaXto8XM

— Priya Adivarekar (@priyaadivarekar) November 22, 2018

Hard to miss glimpses of a rather grand song and dance sequence, choreographed by Ganesh Acharya, which is packed with colours and some full on Bollywood-ish signature steps. Singh's efforts to convincingly become Sangram Bhalerao is hard to miss, as he punches and dances his way, topped with some 'Marathi' swag, into your hearts. After essaying some historic roles, it is great to see Singh in a comparatively light hearted, yet dynamic role after a while. As a package, it looks like Simmba has got it all. It looks like the perfect mass entertainer, which is ready to end the year with a bang! Expect seetis, cheers and massive hoots at a single screen.

Overall, we feel the Simmba trailer packs a punch, in pure Rohit Shetty style. It would be interesting to hear the soundtrack and further, witness how this mass entertainer surprises the audience at the cinemas. The film is all set to release on December 28, 2018.

Are you excited to watch Simmba? What are your thoughts on the trailer?
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Fresh from the success of his 100+ crore film 'Badhaai Ho' and basking in critical acclaim for his performance in 'Andha Dhun', there is no stopping Ayushmann Khurrana. The actor, who has been busy delivering one hit after another at the BO, will now be seen in a rather quirky film. And, he recently took to his social media account to share the first look.

Khurrana's next is titled Dream Girl, and the film promises to be a quirky drama, full of fun. The first look features the actor sitting on a bike wearing a t-shirt and yellow saree, along with yellow bangles. Well, now that's some serious twist. And, his expressions clearly has a lot to say. What do you think? 

Sharing the first look, Ayushmann wrote, “As whacky as it can get! Here’s the first glimpse of my look in and as #DreamGirl." The actor kickstarted shooting for the film this week in Mathura, and the actor was seen sharing glimpses from the ongoing shoot on social media. The BTS images and clips has got our curiosity quotient a level up. 

Of every possible role, this one, I'd be honest, would have never crossed my mind! But here I am, to play a role in and as #DreamGirl https://t.co/VnlCvlXb72 @ektaravikapoor @writerraj @NushratBharucha @RuchikaaKapoor

— Ayushmann Khurrana (@ayushmannk) November 30, 2018

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With less than a fortnight left for the release, Yash Raj Films' much awaited action adventure - Thugs of Hindostan, has been creating immense buzz. The film, which boasts of breath-taking visuals and scale, was shot in several exotic locations like Malta and Thailand. Let's give you a quick sneak peek into what exactly unfolded during their Thailand schedule. 

The team shot in rain forests and the picturesque Bora Island, but little did they know that it would turn out to be an adventure. Amitabh Bachchan, who plays the interesting character - Khuda Baksh, stated “I couldn't understand Viktor’s philosophy of wanting to go to Thailand to shoot this sequence, but he said we found a wonderful location and was keen on exploring that. I must admit that when I went there and saw the location, it was absolutely awe inspiring." The actor added that it was a massive cave, which was almost 20 to 30 stories high, and he confessed that it was difficult to imagine how nature was able to create this. "While we were shooting on two or three locations, we had visitors without a pass on our location. Huge snakes would suddenly appear out of the rocks. Many a times there were little pranks that everyone was playing by throwing rubber snakes,” quipped Bachchan.

Film maker Vijay Krishna Acharya [fondly called Viktor] chose a cave on the island to be Khuda Baksh’s hide out. But, reaching the set was cumbersome for Sr Bachchan, who had to walk for more than half an hour to reach the cave. So, just for him, the team built a palkhi!

“I had a lot of problems for the final walk. It had a climb, as it was mountainous. I have breathing problems. I tried a couple of times, but it was just not happening. They generously made a Palkhi for me. So, I was lifted and taken to the location, looking very regal,” added Bachchan. Aamir Khan, who plays Firangi Malla in the film, says he was wowed by the location in Thailand. He says, “When I walked in there for the first time, I was taken aback by the beauty of Poda Nui Island. It also felt like a real hideout. It had a massive cave with a huge ceiling and a river flowing through it. It’s a fantastic location.” 

With visually grand, immersive experiences and jaw dropping action sequences, Thugs of Hindostan, co-starring Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh,  is all set for a grand Diwali release. The film is set to release on November 8, 2018 in three languages - Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Are you excited to watch Thugs of Hindostan? 

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"Pyaar ek sim card ki tarah hota hain. Mehanga ya sasta mobile kahan dekhta hain." This dialogue should pretty much set the tone for everything that one can expect from film maker Abhiraj Minawala's Loveyatri. Right from the opening scene, the makers make it clear - expect colours, music, mushy moments of 'love at first sight' and yes, Garba! Lots of it. The film marks Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain's debut, while Minawala makes his feature film debut as a director. But, does it live up to all the expectations? Read on to find out!

The premises is pretty straight forward, and the trailer should give you enough insight. Sushrut's (Aayush Sharma) only aim in life is to have a Garba academy of his own. Susu (that nickname, though) is well known for his Garba skills, with kids and teens thronging his place for lessons everyday. Obviously, his parents aren't too happy with the boy's vision. But, he finds support in his 'Mama' (Ram Kapoor) - a 'Gujarati' saree shop owner, who doubles as a Garba singer. Very soon, it's that time of the year, when festive fervour in Gujarat is at it's best - Navratri, and the boys set out to find the 'love' of their life. Enter Michelle (Warina Hussain), 'jisse dekhti hi Sushrat ke sar pe barsaat girne lagti hai'. Of course, our hero has fallen head over heels in love (quite a romantic moment indeed), and thus begins their journey of love. So, our heroine is a scholar, who scores well and gets through B-school, with an entire career plan chalked out. However, an important point to note is that the girl is based in London, and her father is quite the ambitious businessman, who hasn't even spared his daughter's name in the name of 'westernisation' (he turns Manisha to Michelle). Will our 'Love Yatris' survive this journey, especially with her father playing a spoilsport? Can Sushrut and Michelle ultimately unite to do the 'Chogada' on the streets of a foreign land?  You will have to watch the film to find out.

The story felt a bit weak and teeny bit predictable at most times. It almost got to a point where one could make out what follows next. The screenplay was too haphazard. Well, the dialogues were quite interesting. Don't know if they can qualify as 'massy' or 'entertaining', but personally, I thought they were laced with a decent touch of humour and emotions. In fact, if you are a Bollywood buff like me, chances are that some of them might make you smile or even laugh. Yes, that's the level of filmy-ness! Imagine a serious situation at a club, where the Mama has a chat with Sushrat about his troubled love life. That's when 'Mama' actually goes, "Hum logon ne pyaar bhi karna filmon se sikha hain." Well said, Mamaji! Very well indeed (not). Do not attempt these lines for real [unless the aim is to be forever alone]. Chances are that you may never end up finding love. Ever.

 Well shot Garba sequences and romantic moments keep you entertained during the first half. Although the film is well under 2 hours, the second half feels a tad bit stretched. So yes, the pre-interval part has an edge. Loveyatri's biggest highlight is the wonderful music, which has the perfect variety and range. From the foot tapping Dholida to soulful Tera Hua and upbeat Akh Lad Jave; the soundtrack is simply brilliant. In fact, it won't be wrong to say that music is an integral hero of Loveyatri. Sanchit Balhara's BG score is decent. Ditto the cinematography by Jishnu Bhattacharjee, that brings up some vibrant sequences that capture the essence of Navratri in Gujarat very well. With the festival up in a few days, it will actually force you to book a trip to Ahmedabad right away. Another special mention would be the costumes - designed by Manish Malhotra, Alvira Agnihotri and Ashley Rebello. While the duo dance the night away, it would be hard to miss the intricate designs and detailing that has gone into the making of those gorgeous outfits. Kudos to the costume department for a fine job!

As far as performances are concerned, the ensemble cast is decent. Ronit Roy (Michelle's father) is impressive, but gets very little screen time. Sushrat's friends - called Rocket and Negative (Pratik Gandhi) - perform well as the humorous duo, who stand by their friend (and even back out, knowing he might fail). Ram Kapoor as the 'Love Guru' Mamaji is decent, and gets some of the most 'filmy' dialogues that have been highlighted in the film. Loveyatri marks Aayush Sharma's much hyped debut. The actor does have a decent screen presence, and dances quite well. He aces the Garba choreography quite well, and his footwork, body movements were totally on point. However, one does feel that he has a lot to learn, especially during the emotional sequences. Warina looks beautiful, especially during the Garba sequences in Gujarat. Even her efforts at performing the choreography is decent. But, it's hard to connect with her expressions and performance.  There are some really beautiful moments that strike out, especially during the first half. However, being a romantic film, their chemistry could have been a lot more stronger!

At it's core, the film becomes a victim of a really weak screenplay and story. But, that's not to take away from the elements that genuinely strike out. The music keeps you going and will even go to the extent of making you dance while watching the film (I even did a step or two while being seated. Such skills, I tell you). The film will make you fall in love with the vibrancy of festivals in India and further, push you to visit Gujarat at least once during Navratri. However, I really wish the lead pair's romantic journey could have established a stronger connect. Nevertheless, Loveyatri is an average attempt, especially with some decent technical aspects and a well paced first half. Oh, and my takeaway from the film? I've got two! One - don't eat ketchup with pizza. You might just end up losing the one you love, and Two - Pyaar ek sim card ki tarah hota hai. Chalo, Barabar Samajya Tame?

Verdict: Watch it for the vibrant sequences and costumes, brilliant soundtrack, and perhaps, dialogues that scream - Oh, so filmy! Let the magic of Garba and Love take over, right before Navratri.

☆☆☆

Are you planning to watch Loveyatri this weekend? What are your thoughts on Aayush Sharma and Warina Hussain's launch vehicle? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation on

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Electricity theft, lack of basic infrastructure, facilities and growing turmoil among the common citizens is a pertinent issue. Director Shree Narayan Singh, whose last film - Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, discussed poor sanitation and lack of hygienic facilities, is back with yet another tale that presents a hard hitting reality. Singh's latest offering - Batti Gul Meter Chalu, is a relevant film which highlights the issue of electricity frauds and scams, without being too preachy or dull. 

Set against the stunning backdrop of Uttarakhand, the film traces the journey of three best friends - Susheel K Pant [Shahid Kapoor], Sundar Tripathi [Divyendu] and Lalita Nautiyal [Shraddha Kapoor]. While Sunder turns entrepreneur with his own factory, Susheel loiters around as a 'corrupt' lawyer, while Lalita aspires to be the ultimate 'Lakmé Fashion Week' designer. The three make merry, and have a gala time, just when a strange twist of fate changes their lives forever. Susheel takes it upon himself to change the course of action, and vows to fight for his best friend against all odds. In a bid to create awareness around electricity frauds and thefts, which becomes one of the prime reasons behind Sundar's ultimate fate, Susheel tackles the issue by discussing similar problems with thousands of locals and organising multiple activities. Ultimately, SK fights the case for his friend in a rather impressive court room drama climax. Will he win the case and bring justice for his friend? For that, you will have to watch the film. And, I strongly suggest you do!

Music of this film deserves a mention, as some of the songs have already created massive buzz before the release, especially Dekhte Dekhte and Gold Tamba (wish the former played a little longer in the film, though). It was an absolute delight to watch Shahid dance on the big screen again, almost after a gap of 2 years. Full marks to Ganesh Acharya for the peppy moves, straight from the 90s, in Gold Tamba. The BG score is decent. Anshuman Mahaley's cinematography captures the real beauty and essence of Uttarakhand; making it one of the strong pillars of BGMC. So much, that one is bound to feel like visiting the beautiful state on their next vacation. Siddharth-Garima and Vipul K Rawal's writing is another strength, with the Kumaoni laced dialogues creating a powerful impact. There are scenes where one just cannot go without whistling or at least, clapping to laud the moment. Of course, a huge part of that credit also goes to the performances, but gotta say - the dialogues were simply incredible. They add an essential charm to the characters and their respective personalities.

Performances, especially by the lead cast, are undoubtedly the strongest pillars of this film. Even the ensemble cast, including Farida Jalal, Supriya Pilgaonkar, Atul Srivastava among others, perform well. However, the film belongs to the lead trio, with Shahid Kapoor clearly dominating the scene. As the meek and humble Sundar, Divyendu Sharma makes a mark. His character becomes the crux of the film's plot, and Sharma does complete justice with an emotionally charged act. Shraddha's Nauti aka Lalita is a quirky and feisty young girl, who believes in justice and provides unconditional support to her partner, throughout the struggle. She performs well in certain emotional scenes, and her chemistry with the duo is really interesting. Yami Gautam makes an important appearance as advocate Gulnaar, and does a fine job.

However, the film [especially the second half] belongs to Susheel Kumar Pant aka Shahid Kapoor. He wonderfully displays myriad emotions - ranging from envy to vengeance, love and misery. If there is anyone who believes that one needs a larger than life character to create an impact, then Kapoor's portrayal of SKP is here to prove you wrong. He adds an extraordinary personality to an otherwise simple [add to that - corrupt], yet flamboyant boy next door. Right from the court room sarcasm to friendly humour and the perfect attitude with which he approaches the authorities at SPTL, Kapoor nails it just right. He shines with an impeccable dialogue delivery (the dialect was on point) and the perfect body language, making it difficult for anyone to believe that he is not a Tehri local for real. Of course, the costumes and his over-zealousness helped add a good flavour to the character. One can't help but marvel at Kapoor's monologue during the climax of this film, which is clearly one of the strongest highlights of BGMC. That scene is bound to walk away with maximum cheers! As an avid cinephile, I could clearly witness glimpses of Senior Kapur sir's impeccable act from 'Ek Ruka Hua Faisla' in Shahid, especially during some of the emotional scenes. Kapoor is the soul of this poignant yet entertaining drama, and his performance is simply effortless!! 

As a viewer, the film pushes you to step out of your comfort zone and look at the world with the POV [point of view] of a citizen, who hasn't lived with the privilege of having electricity 24x7. The story instantly reminded me of Elephanta Caves, a little away from India's financial capital Mumbai, where the locals got 24x7 electricity connection for the first time ever in 2018, almost 70 years after Independence. Conditions get even more miserable for individuals in small towns, who are forced to study and work in poor light and sometimes, end up suffering losses or consequences too. Now, while the social message of saving electricity and creating awareness around the lack of basic facilities available for a majority of the population in India is one of the prime aspects of this film, Batti Gul Meter Chalu also wonderfully explores other facets of life - that of friendship and unrequited love. Susheel, Sunder and Lalita's equation is beautiful, and their friendship makes you wanna call up your BFF gang right away. It also showcases the other side of love, which remains a rather one sided affair. All this, without being too over-dramatic, which certainly helps maintain a good flow of the film and makes it an entertaining watch. Singh does a good job of putting together this delightful film. A special mention for the distinctive narration, which was rather interesting!

Overall, Batti Gul Meter Chalu is engaging and highly entertaining. It comes with the perfect blend of humour, drama and some really strong, poignant moments, while highlighting an important issue that needs immediate attention. The performances and dialogues prove to be the biggest strength, with Kapoor's act being the star of this show. I am definitely adding an extra star, just for that monologue!

Verdict: Highly recommended for it's exemplary performances (with Shahid Kapoor leading the pack) dialogues and the stunning landscape of Uttarakhand!

☆☆☆☆

Have you seen Batti Gul Meter Chalu yet? What are your thoughts on this film?

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The Dancebee