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Review: ‘Aarya Season 2’: Sushmita Sen enthralls you with her performance

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Series: ‘Aarya Season 2’ (Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar); Duration: Averaging 40 minutes per episode.

Director: Ram Madhavani

Cast: Sushmita Sen, Ankur Bhatia, Vikas Kumar, Maya Sarao, Vishwajeet Pradhan, Sugandha Garg, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Jayant Kripalani, Akash Khurana, Sohaila Kapur, Dilnaz Irani, Charu Shankar.

IANS Rating: ***1/2

“Kahnewale kuch bi kahenge, I’m just a working mother.” This dialogue with the Investigating Police Officer ACP Yunis Khan (Vikas Kumar), in the last episode of the second season of ‘Aarya’, encapsulates the mindset of Aarya Sareen (Sushmita Sen), who is no stranger to the criminal underworld due to her family’s connections.

So lucid is the narrative that those who have not seen season one of the series will not have any difficulty following the thread of events in season two.

This eight-episode series begins from where it left in season 1.

After Aarya’s husband Tej Sareen, a reluctant crime syndicate operator murdered for stealing drugs worth 300 crore from Udayveer Shekhawat (Akash Khurana), which belonged to the Russian Mafia, her father Zorawar Rathod (Jayant Kripalani) and brother Sangram (Ankur Bhatia) are accused of his murder.

How Aarya struggles to balance raising her three children, keeping the police investigation at bay, and is invariably sucked into the sticky web of dodgy deals, violent threats, and double-crosses forms the crux of this narrative.

So innocuous is Aarya’s approach to her tumultuous life that it makes the series appealing. The first episode, titled ‘Mujhe Yahan Se Bhaagna Hai’, exposes her desperation to flee the country due to the impending threats they face. What follows are, ‘An Eye for an Eye’, ‘Ab Hum Vaapas Jaa Rahe Hai’, ‘Sangram Kahan Hai”, ‘300 Crore Ka Consignment’, ‘I Hate You’, ‘Phir Se Panje Baahar Nikaalo’ and ‘Isko Mere Raaste Se Hataa Do’.

There are also a few moments in the series, especially events in episodes four and eight, dealing with the weaknesses of the characters that appear trite, formulaic, and forced.

But overall, the script ignites your interest with enough sympathy and an equal amount of intrigue and brilliance. The best of which- springs in episode six, where the tormented mother in desperation leaps like a ferocious tigress.

This inspiring and jaw-dropping moment is enough for you to root for Sushmita Sen, who essays Aarya effortlessly – balancing reluctance, innocence, and zealous determination, with a compelling grit.

Season two of ‘Aarya’ is once again Sushmita Sen’s canvas. And she shines as; a mother bonding with her three children, a disgruntled daughter who dislikes her father, and a concerned sister, friend, and confidant. Sushmita delivers her part earnestly, thus making Aarya a believable character.

She is aptly supported by a group of ace actors who slip into their characters with natural grace. Among the casts are; Viren Vazirani, Virti Vaghani, and Pratyaksh Panwar, who portray Aarya’s Children Veer, Arundhati, and Aditya. Sikandar Kher plays Zorawar Rathod’s loyalist and Aarya’s well-wisher. Dilnaz Irani plays the Public Prosecutor.

Apart from the acting, it is the production values, inclusive of the locales and the cinematography of the series, that are worth a mention. But moreover, it is the usage of the peppy, old Hindi film songs used as background score that brings a familiarity to the telling and elevates the viewing experience.

The final episode ends on a cliff-hanger, ensuring that you look forward to season three.

Bollywood

SS Rajamouli Faces FIR For ‘Hurting’ Religious Sentiments Over Controversial Lord Hanuman Remark At Varanasi Event In Hyderabad

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Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has landed in trouble after his recent remarks on Lord Hanuman during the launch event of his upcoming film Varanasi in Hyderabad on Saturday (November 15) sparked a major controversy. Soon after the launch, an FIR was registered against the acclaimed director for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

On Tuesday, November 18, the Saroornagar police in Hyderabad received a complaint from the Vanara Sena organisation, alleging that Rajamouli had hurt Hindu sentiments by saying, “I don’t believe in God Hanuman.”

The police added how they are currently investigating the matter.

As of now, SS Rajamouli has not reacted to the controversy.

At the event that was held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, technical glitches prevented the teaser from being played. An emotional Rajamouli apologised to the 50,000-strong crowd, saying he felt as though he had been let down by Lord Hanuman.

“When my father talked about Hanuman and suggested relying on his blessings for success, I got so angry,” he said. The filmmaker also clarified that he does not believe in God.

He also mentioned that his wife, Rama, was a great devotee of Hanuman. “My wife has a great devotion to Lord Hanuman. She talks to Him like He’s her friend. I even got angry with her for a while. Let’s see,” said the director.

Soon after Rajamouli’s statement went viral on social media, netizens slammed him, with many expressing surprise, noting that his blockbuster films, including Baahubali and RRR, draw heavily from Hindu epics and mythology.

Varanasi stars Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and is slated for release in 2027.

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Bollywood

Akshay Kumar & Tiger Shroff flaunt picture perfect abs during their Juhu Beach edition of ‘Ocean’s 9’

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Mumbai, Nov 18: Bollywood hunk Akshay Kumar joined Tiger Shroff and other ‘Desi Boys’ as they all made heads turn during their Juhu Beach edition of ‘Ocean’s 9’.

The video posted by Akshay on social media had all of them walking in the water at Mumbai’s Juhu Beach. Going bare-chested, both Akshay and Tiger were seen flaunting their chiseled physique and perfect abs.

“Ocean’s 9: Juhu Beach edition (sic),” Akshay captioned the post.

Awestruck by Akshay’s fitness even at 58, an Insta user penned the comment, “Body physique in this age unbelievable (sic).”

Another one shared, “Six pack Akshay Kumar ki 58 age me v wow”.

The third comment read, “Ohh my god Look at the Akshay Kumar fitness at this age”.

One of the cybercitizens wrote, “Make some noise for the Desi boyz.”

Akshay is often seen turning cheerleader for Tiger, with whom he shared the screen in the 2024 science fiction action entertainer “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan”.

Helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar and backed by Pooja Entertainment, the project is a modern adaptation of the 1998 classic of the same name.

Over and above this, Akshay collaborated with Tiger for the second time in Rohit Shetty’s cop drama “Singham Again.”

Enjoying a strong bond, Akshay and Tiger keep entertaining the netizens with their fun banter on social media.

In 2024, the ‘Airlift’ actor shared a heartfelt note for Tiger, lauding his unwavering dedication to fitness. Akshay revealed that the ‘Baaghi’ actor inspires him to push the envelope.

“Tere saath yeh shoot karke badiya feel aa rahi hai, Tiger. We are doing amazing stunts, we talk fitness, we work out, and then we play volleyball till we crash. I feel rejuvenated, I feel young from inside and this surge of fitness is making me realise that 55 is the age just on my birth certificate. (sic),” he said.

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Bollywood

Mahima Chaudhry & Sanjay Mishra’s ‘Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shadi’ to be out on December 19

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Mumbai, Nov 17: The makers of Mahima Chaudhry and Sanjay Mishra’s forthcoming romantic entertainer “Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shadi” have finally announced the release date for the film. The drama has been locked to be out in the cinema halls on December 19 this year.

The announcement poster showed groom Sanjay lovingly looking at Mahima, who is dressed as a bride, with a garland in his hand.

Both Mahima and Sanjay were seen blushing in a post captioned, “The wedding bells are ringing! (Bell emoji) Get ready to celebrate love, family, and second chances. #DurlabhPrasadKiDusriShadi is coming to the big screen on 19th DECEMBER. (sic).”

“Durlabh Prasad Ki Dusri Shaadi” has been made under the direction of Siddhant Raj Singh. The project shares the tale of a young man who embarks on a desperate mission to find a new bride for his widowed father, after facing immense pressure from his prospective in-laws to have a woman in the house before they send their daughter.

The core cast of the drama also features Vyom Yadav, Palak Lalwani, Pravin Singh Sisodia, and Shrikant Verma in key roles, along with others.

Sharing why this character holds a special place for him, Sanjay revealed in a statement, “Durlabh Prasad is a character you’ll love for his simplicity and innocence. Comedy with emotion is always special, and this film has both in abundance. I’m excited for audiences to meet this unique dulha and his equally unique journey.”

Previously, Sanjay took to social media and posted the first look poster from the movie, along with the caption, “The bride has been found, get ready now, because the barat will be coming soon, from theaters near you or far. #DurlabhPrasadKiDusriShadi releasing in cinemas soon! (sic).”

The poster features a close-up of Mahima as a glowing bride, while Sanjay poses as an unconventional Dulha. He is seen holding a photo frame of the bride instead of the real bride herself.

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