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IANS Review: Hari’s ‘Yaanai’ delivers on its promise to entertain (IANS Rating: ***1/2)

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Film: Yaanai (showing in theatres); Duration: 155 minutes

Director: Hari; Cast: Arun Vijay, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Samuthirakani, Aadukalam Jayabalan, Yogi Babu, Ramachandra Raji, Pugazh and Radhika

IANS Rating: ***1/2

Director Hari is undoubtedly a master when it comes to making commercial entertainers. He is very good when it comes to narrating family dramas laced with action sequences and he proves it yet again with his latest offering ‘Yaanai’.

You know pretty much what to expect from a Hari film — a close knit adorable family, a notorious goon who is looking to hurt the family in some way just to settle scores with the hero and a powerful hero who looks to protect his family even though some of the other members of his family are not as understanding or affectionate as he is.

Despite knowing fully well that is what the film will offer, one still comes out entertained by the time the film ends and that is exactly where Hari scores as a director.

The central idea is the same, but Hari’s films stand out simply because his narration is fresh and intense and his presentation interesting. These factors make each of his films come across as being different and entertaining. ‘Yaanai’ too is no exception.

The film is a proper commercial entertainer that has as its soul a good, proper script. The film allots space in equal measure to family drama, romance and some really intense action sequences.

The story of ‘Yaanai’ is set in the southernmost tip of Tamil Nadu, where two powerful families, each headed by Samudram (‘Aadukalam’ Jayabalan) and PRV (Rajesh), respectively, are at loggerheads with one another.

Samudram has two sons (twins played by Ramachandra Raji) while PRV has four sons. Of the four, the first three (played by Samuthirakani, Bose Venkat and Sanjeev) are born to his PRV’s first wife while Ravi (Arun Vijay), the fourth, is born to his second wife (Radhika).

Both Samudram and PRV happen to be good friends at one point. But a particular development leaves one of Samudram’s sons killed and the other in prison. An enraged Samudram and his family hold PRV and his family accountable for this loss and seek revenge.

Under these circumstances, trouble erupts inside PRV’s family and Samudram’s son, who has just returned from prison, looks to capitalise on the misfortune that has befallen PRV’s family. Does Ravi manage to thwart the evil designs of Samudram’s son to destroy his family? ‘Yaanai’ gives you the answers to questions like this.

Just like how Hari’s narration and script are a big plus, his casting is also perfect. Arun Vijay as the vociferous but affectionate fourth son delivers a solid performance. Samuthirakani as the eldest brother is equally good and comes up with a spectacular performance that raises the credibility quotient of the film.

One other person whose performance needs to be mentioned is Priya Bhavani Shankar. She makes the character of Jeba Malar look absolutely adorable. The romantic portions between Jeba Malar and Ravi are neat, clean and dignified and are a treat to watch.

Yogi Babu’s jokes evoke laughter and provide some much-needed relief in an otherwise intense, emotional story.

On the technical front, G.V. Prakash’s music is mellifluous and Gopinath’s cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful. In particular, Gopinath’s shots of two water bodies being separated by a thin stretch of land are just captivating.

The film in all is just a proper good mass entertainer that delivers!

Entertainment

Actress Ruchi Gujjar Hits Actor-Director With Chappal, Protests Against Him At Mumbai Theatre After Filing FIR Over ₹25 Lakh Fraud

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A dramatic scene unfolded at a Mumbai theatre during the screening of So Long Valley when actress Ruchi Gujjar hit the film’s producer and actor Man Singh with a chappal, leading to chaos at Cinepolis. The incident, captured in a now-viral video, came amid an ongoing financial dispute between Ruchi and another producer, Karan Singh Chauhan.

In the video, she is heard screaming while arguing with the producers. She then lost her cool and hit one of the producers with her chappal.

It appears that she arrived at the theatre with the intention of staging a protest. During the special screening, where the producers were present, Ruchi showed up along with a group of protestors. People around her were seen raising slogans against the producers.

They held placards with the producers’ photos, marked with red cross signs across their faces. In some of the posters, which can be seen in the video, the producers were depicted sitting on donkeys.

What is the case?

According to Ruchi, Chauhan had approached her last year claiming he was producing a Hindi television serial that would soon air on Sony TV. “He offered to add me as a co-producer and also sent documents related to the project,” she said, according to media reports.

Believing the offer, Ruchi stated that between July 2023 and January 2024, she transferred several payments from her company, SR Event and Entertainment, into accounts linked to Chauhan’s K Studios. However, the promised project never took off.

“Despite repeated contacts, he kept postponing them and lied,” she added in her complaint.

She claims to have discovered that the funds were allegedly used not for the serial, but for the production of So Long Valley. “When I got the information that the film is releasing on July 27, I told him to return my money now, on which he started threatening me,” she alleged.

Mumbai Police has registered an FIR under sections 318(4), 352, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Chauhan, 36, for allegedly cheating actress Ruchiof Rs 25 lakh.

Ruchi has submitted banking records and documents to support her claims. An investigation into the financial transactions and communications is currently underway.

Notably, Ruchi had earlier drawn attention for her Cannes appearance, where she wore a necklace featuring an image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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Entertainment

‘What A Shame’: Janhvi Kapoor Reacts To Kalyan Clinic Assault Case, Says Man Should Be Jailed For Thrashing Receptionist

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Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor reacted to the Kalyan clinic assault case and said the man should be in jail for thrashing the female receptionist. For those unversed, a video has gone viral which shows a man, identified as Gopal Jha, punching the receptionist, dragging her by the hair, and repeatedly assaulting her at Shree Bal Chikitsalaya, a paediatrics hospital, in Kalyan East on July 21.

Janhvi says the man should be jailed

Reacting to the incident, Janhvi took to her Instagram story on Thursday (July 24) and wrote, “This man needs to be in jail. Why does anyone think this behaviour is ok? What makes him think he can raise his hand at someone like this? What kind of upbringing convinces you to go through with these actions without any remorse, guilt or sense of humanity?”

“How do you live with yourself after knowing this is how your brain operates? What a shame. And shame on us for not punishing and condoning such behaviour more aggressively. Nothing excuses this,” the actress added.

However, on Wednesday, a new video surfaced on social media which shows that it was the receptionist who first slapped a woman and then charged at Gopal Jha. Reportedly, the woman she slapped is Jha’s sister-in-law.

The attack occurred after the receptionist denied Jha entry to see the doctor, who was attending another patient at the time.

The receptionist reportedly sustained serious injuries on her neck, legs, and chest, with concerns that she may suffer from partial paralysis due to the extent of the trauma. She has been admitted to Janaki Hospital.

Janhvi Kapoor’s work front

Meanwhile, on the work front, Janhvi is gearing up for the release of Param Sundari with Sidharth Malhotra. Directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan, the romantic drama will release in theatres. However, its release day is not confirmed yet.

Janhvi also has films like Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, alongside Varun Dhawan, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, Maniesh Paul, and Akshay Oberoi, and Peddi with Ram Charan in the pipeline.

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Entertainment

Salman Khan REDUCES Fees For Bigg Boss 19, To Charge ₹150 Crore For 15 Weeks Of Hosting: Report

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Bigg Boss 19 is set to premiere in August, with Salman Khan returning as the host. This season is expected to be the longest yet, spanning five months. However, there has been no official confirmation so far. Earlier reports suggested that Salman Khan will host the show for the first three months, while Farah Khan, Karan Johar, and Anil Kapoor may take over hosting duties in the final two months.

Salman Khan To Charge Rs 150 Crore For Bigg Boss 19

Salman will reportedly earn approximately Rs 120-150 crore for hosting over 15 weeks, with a per-weekend fee of Rs 8-10 crore. This marks a significant pay cut compared to previous seasons; he was reportedly paid Rs 250 crore earlier, while his fee for Bigg Boss 17 was around Rs 200 crore.

According to several reports, this year, the Bigg Boss 19 house is set to have a ‘Rewind’ theme. While the exact pros and cons of the theme have not been disclosed yet, it surely will make the game tougher for the contestants.

The ‘secret room’, which was once a part of the Bigg Boss house, is set to make a comeback this season. Also, in a shocking twist, the audience will nominate housemates for eviction this year and not the contestants themselves. However, the contestants will then fight to save themselves from the evictions.

Salman Khan’s Work Front

Salman was last seen in Sikandar alongside Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, however, the film did not perform well at the box office.

Next, he has Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia. In the film, Salman will play the role of an army officer.

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