Bollywood
‘Bob Biswas’: Intriguing but perfunctorily mounted
Film: “Bob Biswas” (Streaming on Zee5); Duration: 132 minutes.
Director: Diya Annapurna Ghosh; Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Chitrangda Singh, Paran Bandopadhyay, Ronith Arora, Tina Desai, Samara Tijori, Ditipriya Roy, Pavbitra Rabha.
IANS Rating: ***1/2
This film focuses on the assassin Bob Biswas, a character conceived by Sujoy Ghosh and Advaita Kala in 2012 released Kahaani which featured Vidya Balan, thus technically making it a prequel to Kahaani.
Actor Saswata Chatterjee had portrayed the quirky character in Kahaani with such flair and unconventional style that it landed becoming an intriguing figure worth exploring his backstory, and thus this film germinated.
Unlike the high-octane, nifty thriller Kahaani, Bob Biswas with a character-driven plot, is a slow-paced film. The titular character in a vulnerable state of mind embarks on a journey of self-discovery after being in a coma for eight years. Unable to recall his past, and while trying to piece his life together with his wife Mary, son Benny and stepdaughter Mini after he steps out of the hospital. How he gets his prospective victim’s MMS on a mobile phone and is forced to kill them while working undercover as a life insurance agent, forms the crux of the film.
Set in Kolkata, the script does have its moments, with the twists in the tale and the code of conduct among criminals, but it is Bob’s gullibility that keeps you hooked to the screen.
While we miss Saswata Chatterjee as the eponymous killer, Abhishek Bachchan with his bemused appearance and unwonted demeanour delivers an equally earnest performance. He is aptly supported by Chitrangda Singh as his wife Mary, Ronith Arora as Son Benny, and Samara Tijori as Mini.
Purab Kohli has his moments of onscreen glory as the drug peddler Bubai. Similarly, Pabitra Rabha as Dhonu the street-food seller, and Paran Bandopadhyay as the pharmacist Kali Da who keeps saying: “Niyam, Niyam hota hai…” leave their mark on the screen.
Tina Desai in a significant role as Police Officer Indira Verma is stereotypical and so are all the other supporting actors who are a part of the city’s underbelly.
While Bob Biswas’ back story is intriguing and the film informs you of how he is connected to the tale in ‘Kahaani’, writer Sujoy Ghosh takes the lazy way out.
His script fails to tell us about Bob’s initiation into the world of crime, how he became a contract killer in the first place. This would have been much more interesting. Also, Bob’s journey as the assassin is smooth and perfunctory that beyond a point, you just don’t get emotionally hooked.
Bollywood
Salman Khan shares emotional reunion with ‘bada bhai’ Sanjay Dutt, says ‘Allah, Bhagwan, Jesus keep him happy’

Mumbai, Aug 1: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan treated fans to heartwarming pictures of his reunion with his longtime friend Sanjay Dutt.
Sharing an emotional note celebrating their bond, Salman expressed his heart out in the wee hours of Saturday.
Taking to his social media account, Salman dropped two pictures of him warmly hugging Sanjay Dutt. In the first picture, the two actors are seen hugging each other, at what seems to be at Sanjay Dutt’s house.
The second picture captures the same image but from the camera angle of Sanjay Dutt being more in focus.
Sharing the pictures, Salman wrote, “Babaaaa for ever baba aur baba, baba hota hai. Sanju baba hai hum sab ka baba n Sanju baba now apne bacchon ka baba, mera bada bhai Sanjay Dutt, Allah, Bhagwan Jesus sab iss Aadhmi ko khush rakhain, I love you Baba.”
The post received love from Sanjay Dutt’s wife Maanayata Dutt, who commented, ” brothers for life.” Sanjay’s daughter Trishala Dutt also dropped a string of pink heart emoticons in the comments section.
Talking about Salman and Sanjay’s bond, they have shared one of Bollywood’s most enduring friendships and have also collaborated on many films over the years. The duo has appeared together in “Saajan” released in 1991, followed byb”Chal Mere Bhai” in 2000.
Both movies went on to become superhits. While Saajan starred Madhuri Dixit as the lead heroine, Chal Mere Bhai starred Karisma Kapoor.
For the uninitiated, both Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt hail from respected Bollywood families.
Salman Khan is the son of legendary writer Salim Khan and Sanjay Dutt is the son of legends Sunil Dutt and Nargis.
On the work front, Salman will next be seen in “Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace” based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Bollywood
Delhi HC orders removal of ‘Kala Hiran’ links in Salman Khan personality rights case

Mumbai, July 27: The Delhi High Court has directed the removal of social media links related to the upcoming film “Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy” from X, formerly Twitter, and YouTube.
The Delhi High Court has reprimanded the film’s producer, Amit Jani and told his counsel that he seemed to be drawing confidence from the fact that no order had been passed in the previous hearing.
The Delhi High Court further told producer Amit Jani, “You seem to think you are above the law. Things are only getting worse day by day. You cannot do this even to an ordinary citizen.”
However, Jani’s counsel argued, “This is only a teaser. How does it violate Salman Khan’s personality rights? I am not even taking his name.”
The counsel further submitted that the teaser does not contain any deepfake or AI-generated video.
“There is no protection over events or public performances,” the counsel argued.
Salman Khan’s counsel told the court, “In three out of the four cases, my client has been acquitted. In the fourth case, the sentence has been stayed. The teaser is attempting to turn an entire community against Salman Khan.”
Salman Khan had filed a petition before the Delhi High Court against the film Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy.
The teaser of the upcoming film was unveiled on July 17 and was brimming with
‘Dabangg’ and ‘Sikander’ references
The movie has been directed by Bharat S. Shrinet and produced by Amit Jani.
‘Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy’ is reportedly inspired by Salman Khan’s 1998 blackbuck poaching case and also portrays his alleged rivalry with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.
Salman Khan’s blackbuck poaching case involves the illegal hunting of two endangered blackbucks in October 1998 during the filming of Hum Saath-Saath Hain near Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Bollywood
Randeep Hooda shares heartwarming moments from daughter Nyomica’s first rice ceremony

Mumbai, July 19: Actor Randeep Hooda shared heartwarming glimpses of a special milestone in his daughter Nyomica’s life.
Taking to Instagram, he posted adorable moments from her first rice ceremony, also known as Chakumba. The ‘Jaat’ actor also expressed his emotions and gratitude towards everyone who blessed her on the occasion. Calling it a moment he wished he ‘could hold on to forever,’ Randeep shared his joy over celebrating Nyomica’s special milestone with loved ones. Sharing a series of images, he wrote, “There are moments you wish you could hold on to forever! Nyomica’s #Chakumba was one of them. Her first taste of rice and a heart full of gratitude for everyone who blessed her.”
The first image from the ceremony featured Randeep Hooda sitting alongside his wife Lin Laishram, who was seen holding their daughter in her lap. The ‘Murder 3’ actor also shared pictures with his parents and other family members. One candid moment captured Lin cradling their daughter while Randeep lovingly played with her. Another picture showed guests sitting on the floor and enjoying a traditional meal as part of the celebrations.
Randeep Hooda was dressed in a traditional white kurta and dhoti for the ceremony, while his wife Lin Laishram complemented him in an elegant pink saree paired with a matching shawl. The couple looked graceful in their traditional attire as they celebrated the special occasion with their family and loved ones.
For the unversed, Chakumba is a traditional rice-feeding ceremony observed in the Manipuri Meitei community. The ritual marks an important milestone in an infant’s life, celebrating the child’s first taste of solid food, particularly rice, and the beginning of the weaning journey.
Randeep and Lin embraced parenthood with the arrival of their first child, a baby girl named Nyomica, on March 10, 2026. In an Instagram post, the couple revealed that the name, suggested by the actor’s sister, carries a beautiful meaning—symbolizing “divine grace, freedom, and limitlessness as the sky.”
-
Crime4 years agoClass 10 student jumps to death in Jaipur
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai Local Train Update: Central Railway’s New Timetable Comes Into Effect; Check Full List Of Revised Timings & Stations
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMumbai To Go Toll-Free Tonight! Maharashtra Govt Announces Complete Toll Waiver For Light Motor Vehicles At All 5 Entry Points Of City
-
Maharashtra2 years agoFalse photo of Imtiaz Jaleel’s rally, exposing the fooling conspiracy
-
National News2 years agoMinistry of Railways rolls out Special Drive 4.0 with focus on digitisation, cleanliness, inclusiveness and grievance redressal
-
Maharashtra2 years agoMaharashtra Elections 2024: Mumbai Metro & BEST Services Extended Till Midnight On Voting Day
-
National News2 years agoJ&K: 4 Jawans Killed, 28 Injured After Bus Carrying BSF Personnel For Poll Duty Falls Into Gorge In Budgam; Terrifying Visuals Surface
-
Crime2 years agoBaba Siddique Murder: Mumbai Police Unable To Get Lawrence Bishnoi Custody Due To Home Ministry Order, Says Report
