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Review: ‘Runway 34’: Gripping drama and strong performances make this film soar high

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Series: ‘Runway 34’ (Showing in theatres)

Duration: 148 minutes

Director: Ajay Devgn

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Rakul Preet Singh, Abhinay Raj Singh, Boman Irani, Sharik Khan, Aakanksha Singh, Angira Dhar

IANS Rating: ****

Ajay Devgn’s ‘Runway 34’, is inspired by a real-life incident and strongly reminiscent of the 2016 released English film ‘Sully: Miracle on the Hudson’. Yet, it is distinct and proves to be a gripping drama pivoting around Captain Vikrant Khanna’s flight from Dubai to Cochin, one rainy night, and how the skilled and experienced pilot saves 150 lives, with his maturity and foresight, preventing an impending aviation disaster, landing in Trivandrum instead, with limited fuel.

An edge-of-the-seat drama, the film keeps you hooked right from the beginning. The flight scenes displaying the fear and anxiety of the petrified passengers are real and palpable. The external flight shots of the aircraft flying amidst thunder and rain are also beautifully executed and appear real. The final landing of the plane in severe turbulence is frighteningly credible.

While the passengers and media term him a hero, Captain Vikrant Khanna faces a strict inquiry for his decision of landing at Trivandrum instead of Bengaluru and even opting for Runway 34 instead of the recommended Runway 16.

The second half of the film with the entry of Amitabh Bachchan as Narayan Vedant, the Investigating Officer, is equally exciting, although it is more of a courtroom drama with the inquiry committee and the pilots being interrogated.

How Captain Vikrant Khanna manages to hold his own against Narayan Vedant, convincing him of his sharp memory and flying skills through a simulated flight, thereby justifying his actions and decisions, forms the crux of this aviation drama.

Ajay Devgan, as the dashing and accomplished Captain Vikrant Khanna essays his character with his characteristic restraint and minimal expressions. He emotes through his eyes, conveying myriad emotions. An astute pilot, who places his passengers’ safety before everything else, a family man but with a fun side to his personality, Ajay Devgn is every bit that pilot.

Amitabh Bachchan as Narayan Vedant expectedly takes centre stage with his flawless oratorical skills and charisma, and towers over everyone else in the inquiry scenes. As always, he is a treat to watch.

Rakul Preet Singh, as Co-pilot Tania Albuquerque delivers what is expected of her, given the limited scope of her character. The scene where she is frightened owing to the bad weather and thinks it is all over is a wee bit incongruous with the perception one has of a pilot.

Boman Irani as Mr Suri, the owner of the Skyline Aviation company, is credible.

The story is narrated in a linear manner, and is fairly straightforward with no element of intrigue or unexpected twists, although the drama quotient is fairly high.

Some parts of the film appear a tad rushed and unconvincing, especially the inquiry by the DGCA officials and the breath analyser tests.

The background music is effective especially in the scene when Captain Vikrant Khanna leaves the airport after the heroic feat.

Overall, ‘Runway 34’ is an interesting film which is a perfect combination of drama and good performances.

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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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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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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