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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.

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When Katrina Kaif revealed her biggest learnings from her relationships

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Mumbai, Oct 9: Actress Katrina Kaif opened up about what has been the biggest learning from her relationships over the years.

As she was interacting with host and filmmaker Karan Johar during the chat show, ‘Koffee With Karan season 6’, she shared that she had realized over the years that we should not depend on anyone else for our happiness.

Katrina added that, according to her, the best kind of relationships are those where there is no dependence but only admiration, respect, and companionship.

The ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ actress said, “I had this discussion, not long back, with a few friends. They felt most women need men or it’s necessary to have a man. I really don’t think that’s true for everyone. I can’t speak for women as a collective, but it’s definitely not true for me being single. I’m becoming comfortable with who I am, which I don’t think I was for a large part of my life because you somehow judge yourself based on how much love or attention you get from your partner. When your relationship is amazing, you feel great about yourself. Your relationship suffers a little bit; your self-esteem and image take a beating, which is not a good thing.”

Revealing her idea of what a perfect relationship looks like, she added, “My biggest learning from my relationships is, ‘Nobody else is responsible for your happiness.’ You shouldn’t give away your power because you are burdening that person with responsibility. Nobody can take that responsibility for a long period of time. At some point they are going to let you down, or you let them down, and that’s when the relationship suffers. The most beautiful kind of love is when neither of you need each other. There’s no great dependence on the other person, there’s admiration, respect, companionship, and there’s a space of ease between you.”

Katrina is now happily married to actor Vicky Kaushal, and the two even have a son together, Vihaan.

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Ashish Vidyarthi revisits fond memories with Nana Patekar, shares video of actor making an omelette

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Mumbai, Oct 9: Actor Ashish Vidyarthi revisited fond memories with veteran actor Nana Patekar as he shared a throwback video showing the latter showcasing his culinary skills.

Taking to Instagram, the ‘Bichhoo’ actor shared the video, offering a glimpse into the moments they spent together. Along with the clip, he penned a heartfelt note remembering the time spent with the late actor. “Memories of some wonderful time spent together…Nana,” he wrote.

The video captures Nana Patekar in a relaxed setting as he prepares an omelette, offering a glimpse of the veteran actor beyond his on-screen persona. The video shows Ashish Vidyarthi enjoying the omelette and French toast prepared by Nana Patekar. Relishing the dish, Ashish said, “Nana made this, and it is amazing. Wow!” The video also captures a candid moment when Nana Patekar takes out some medicine and offers it to Ashish Vidyarthi, giving viewers another glimpse into their time together.

Ashish Vidyarthi and Nana Patekar have shared screen space in several films over the years, including Mahesh Manjrekar’s Yeshwant, followed by “Yugpurush,” directed by Partho Ghosh, and Manoj Kumar’s ensemble drama “Jai Hind.” The two actors are also associated with the crime drama “The Confession of Mary.”

Ashish and Nana share a friendly bond that extends beyond their professional association.

Several Bollywood celebrities, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Hema Malini, have expressed their condolences following the demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar. Raj Babbar, Anupam Kher, Rohit Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar and Pankaj Tripathi also remembered the actor, reflecting on his remarkable body of work and his enduring impact on Indian cinema.

The Padma Shri recipient passed away on October 8, 2026, aged 75. As per reports, he was found unconscious at his Goa residence after complaining of severe chest discomfort.

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‘Welcome’ director Anees Bazmee requests privacy after Nana Patekar demise, says ‘not in a condition to talk’

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Mumbai, Oct 8: Filmmaker Anees Bazmee has requested the media to give him some time to process the demise of veteran actor Nana Patekar.

The two shared a memorable professional association through the iconic movie Welcome, where Bazmee directed Patekar in the role of the iconic Uday Shetty.

Following the actor’s death, the director shared a note saying that he was deeply saddened and was currently not in a condition to speak about the loss.

Sharing a message on his social media account, he addressed his media friends and wrote, “To all my media friends, I’m really sorry, but I’m not in a condition to talk right now. I’m deeply saddened and still unable to process what has happened. Please give me some time. I genuinely don’t have the words or the state of mind to say anything at the moment. This is an unbearable loss and an unbearable pain for me and for all of us. I hope you understand.

Regards, Anees Bazmee.”

Talking about Anees Bazmee and Nana Patekar, they came together for the 2007 comedy Welcome, which went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved comedies.

Nana Patekar played Uday Shankar Shetty, a feared underworld don who, despite his intimidating persona, is deeply concerned about finding a suitable husband for his sister Sanjana, played by Katrina Kaif.

Anees Bazmee, in an old interview had recalled how he convinced Nana Patekar, an actor predominantly known for intense dramatic performances, to take up a comedy role.

He said he believed the legendary actor would be exceptional at comedy. Nana Patekar eventually agreed after reading the script, famously telling Anees Bazmee that he was like “kachhi mitti” and could be moulded by the director.

The collaboration resulted in one of Nana Patekar’s most memorable comic performances. His chemistry with Anil Kapoor, who played Majnu Bhai, became a major highlight of the film.

Nana Patekar’s Uday Shetty became particularly popular for his fine acting and dialogue delivery. The now-iconic “Control Uday, control” became one of the film’s most recognisable lines and turned into a popular meme.

Another unforgettable moment was Uday’s vegetable-selling sequence, with the dialogue “Aloo le lo, kaanda le lo…”, followed by his ““Subah se na ek aloo bika hai, na bika hai aadha kanda!”, ” went on to become a cult moment.

Earlier, Akshay Kumar, who shared screen space with the legendary actor in Welcome and later reunited with him in Housefull 5, also paid an emotional tribute.

For the uninitiated, Nana Patekar passed away on October 8, 2026, at the age of 75, after suffering a cardiac arrest at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa.

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