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Review: ‘Badhaai Do’: Stretched narrative makes for tedious viewing

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Film: ‘Badhaai Do’ (Running in Theatres); Duration: 147 minutes.

Director: Harshavardhan Kulkarni. Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Sheeba Chaddha, Seema Pahwa, Loveleen Mishra and Nitesh Pandey.
IANS Rating: **1/2

Bold themes reflecting the changing reality of our society are slowly but surely making their way into Hindi films.

While the honesty and intention are laudable, Harshavardhan Kulkarni’s ‘Badhai Do’ is forcefully stretched to make this point palatable to the audience. Also, somewhere down the line, the message loses its impact and earnestness.

Shardul Thakur (Rajkummar Rao) and Sumi Singh (Bhumi Pednekar) come from middle-class families where societal norms are expected to be complied with. The two of them however are ‘different’.

They belong to the queer community, and discovering a common goal, enter into a marriage of convenience, wherein each one leads his or her life freely while keeping up pretences of being a happily married couple.

The societal pressure of having a baby, and elders in the family trying hard to make it happen, make things spiral out of control, and a chance discovery of Sumi with her partner, Rimjhim (Chum Darang), causes the Pandora’s Box to be opened. How they explain to their families that they are born to be different and are not suffering from a ‘disease’ forms the crux of the film.

Rajkummar Rao, as the policeman, fixated upon fitness and body-building, flaunting his six-pack abs and an enviable physique, every inch looks his part. But somewhere, in his bid to be different and not use stereotypical mannerisms, as he essays this character, he tries too hard and fails to impress. One does not empathise with him and one cannot feel his predicament.

Bhumi Pednekar as Sumi, a Physical Education teacher, scores over Rao in her realistic portrayal and seems to be more comfortable portraying her bold character. Yet, somewhere, neither of them is deeply convincing.

The supporting cast of veteran actors deliver what is expected of them. The scene on the terrace where Shardul’s mother (Sheeba Chaddha) embraces her sobbing son in acceptance is poignant.

The plot is linear, with the narrative having a single-minded focus on delivering this message to its audience. The length of the film and the lacklustre chemistry between the lead cast, however, dilute this impact.

The setting of the film — middle-class small-town families and societal expectations — are a tad exaggerated, merely to drive home the point and heighten the contrast.

The LGBTQ+ rally towards the end, to reiterate their liberation and acceptance of who they are, is one of the several uncalled-for instances in the film, which merely adds to its length, not its gravitas.

Also, the sensitivity of the issue and the societal reactions, particularly those of middle-class families, are made to look trite, and with the several forced attempts to highlight the struggles of this community, somewhere along the way, the seriousness of the message is lost.

The music meshes well with the theme of the film. ‘Atak Gaya’ by Arijit Singh, in particular, encapsulates the essence of the film.

Overall, this film appears to be just another take on LGBTQ+ issues, this time adding the adoption angle to the otherwise commonplace matter of coming out of the closet and making your families understand. Mounted with moderate production values the film tends to get tedious at times.

Bollywood

Salman Khan shares emotional reunion with ‘bada bhai’ Sanjay Dutt, says ‘Allah, Bhagwan, Jesus keep him happy’

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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.

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Delhi HC orders removal of ‘Kala Hiran’ links in Salman Khan personality rights case

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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.

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Randeep Hooda shares heartwarming moments from daughter Nyomica’s first rice ceremony

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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.”

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