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The Railway Men Web Review: A Riveting Tale Of A Few Good Men That Is Worth Watching

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Director: Shiv Rawail

Cast: R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Divyenndu, Babil Khan, Sunny Hinduja, Juhi Chawla Mehta, Mandira Bedi, Raghubir Yadav, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sunita Rajwar

Where: Streaming On Netflix

Rating: 3.5 stars

Offering an uncomfortable but an important perspective, the Railway Men goes on to deconstruct the truth behind the tragedy and the aftermath that transpired following the leak of a poisonous gas at Bhopal’s Union Carbide India Limited plant on the night of 2nd December 1984. Netflix India and Yash Raj Films combine forces to bring to light the horrors of the incident that is considered one of the world’s worst industrial disasters, till date, through the show. It also conveys how the loss of lives could have been averted, had concerned authorities paid heed to infrastructural issues. In telling us the truth, the show also chooses to highlight the selfless services of a few good men and women who risked their own personal lives and prospects to save a larger populace from succumbing to the deadly gas, even as lives around them continued to crumble like a pack of cards.

Directed by debutant Shiv Rawail, The Railway Men makes a brave attempt in constructing the episode by offering both perspectives before us. So, while we get to see the issues and the concerns raised by the employees of the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), we also are accorded a chance to learn about what were the commercial interests of the United States-led Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) and why did they display a lack of empathy.

In between the two perspectives, stands a brave attempt at survival. Bhopal station master Iftekaar Siddique (Kay Kay Menon), new recruit Imad Riaz (Babil Khan), a stranded bandit Baldev (Divyenndu) and Central Railways General Manager Rati Pandey (R. Madhavan) must do what it takes to save as many lives as possible.

Aayush Gupta’s effective writing constructs the journeys of all characters concerned without resorting to over-the-top histrionics or drama. Sam Slater’s background score accompanying Rubais’ cinematography spells doom each time the focus shifts upon the factory and its adjacent localities. The visual of the methyl isocyanate gas emerging from a flare tower, looking at engulfing an entire city is one of the most haunting moments of the show.

The Railway Men certainly benefits from a great star cast put together. While the four leading actors are absolutely top-notch, you also have Sunny Hinduja who plays the truth-seeking journalist Jagmohan Kumawat with ease. Sunita Rajwar plays Siddique’s spirited colleague Vijaya, who’s getting her daughter married on the ill-fated day. Mandira Bedi plays Rajbir Kaur, a woman who must escape from succumbing to the anti-Sikh sentiments following the assassination of a former PM. Raghubir Yadav plays the Gorakhpur Express guard who puts his humanity above in the face of adversity. The solid Dibyendu Bhattacharya plays UCIL employee Kamruddin, who tries hard to put forth the grievances of the staff before UCC and pays a hefty price for it. And there’s Juhi Chawla Mehta, who plays the Railway Ministry bureaucrat Rajeshwari Janglay, a sincere but affirmative woman who must nudge her bosses to send aid and relief to lives affected in Bhopal.

The Railway Men is certainly not for the faint-hearted. But it walks the tightrope path in between recreating a horrific episode while celebrating an inspiring story of courage and grit.

Crime

Telangana Minister condemns attack on Allu Arjun’s house

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Hyderabad, Dec 23: Telangana’s Minister for Roads and Buildings and Cinematography Komatireddy Venkata Reddy on Monday condemned the attack on the house of Tollywood actor Allu Arjun.

The minister took to ‘X’ to condemn the attack on Allu Arjun’s house in Hyderabad by a group of persons on Sunday over the Sandhya Theatre stampede issue.

“I strongly condemn the attack on the house of film actor Allu Arjun. There is no room for physical attacks in a democracy. No one should act in a way that disrupts peace and order. The matter related to the Sandhya Theatre incident is in court. The law will take its course,” the Minister posted.

Earlier, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also condemned the attack on the actor’s house. He directed the Director General of Police and City Police Commissioner to take strict action to maintain law and order. He made it clear that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.

The Chief Minister also asked senior officials to prevent police personnel who are not connected with the investigations into the Sandhya Theatre incident from speaking on the issue.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Vishnu Murthy, was suspended recently following allegations of corruption, Sunday addressed a press conference about the December 4 incident at Sandhya Theatre. He accused Allu Arjun of lacking a basic understanding of the law and also targeted the film industry for criticizing the police department.

Taking serious note of the suspended police official’s action, top officials initiated disciplinary action against him.

Akshansh Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Central Zone, said in a statement that Vishnu Murthy conducted the press meeting without obtaining prior permission from higher authorities or intimating any senior officer. “This action is a clear violation of disciplinary norms. We are forwarding a report against Sri Vishnu Murthy to the Director General of Police (DGP) for initiating disciplinary action. The DGP’s office will investigate this matter and take necessary action,” he said.

“We reiterate that such actions will not be tolerated, and necessary disciplinary measures will be taken against those who violate the conduct rules,” the DCP said.

Vishnu Murthy was previously working as the DSP Task Force at Nizamabad, and later attached to the DGP Office on allegations and subsequently suspended in October 2024.

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Entertainment

‘Yeh Kaisa Insaan Hai’: Telangana CM Revanth Reddy Slams ‘Pushpa 2’ Star Allu Arjun For Stampede During Screening 

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Hyderabad: Despite police permission being denied, top Telugu actor Allu Arjun attended the theatre where ‘Pushpa-2’ was screened on December 4, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy charged on Saturday.

Even after the death of a woman in a stampede, the actor did not leave the cinema hall, prompting the police to force him out, CM alleged.

Responding to the issue after AIMIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi raised it in the Assembly, Reddy, referring to videos in circulation, found fault with Allu Arjun for holding a roadshow and waving to the crowds in spite of the heavy crowd.

Reddy further said the theatre management gave a letter to the police on December 2 seeking security for the visit of top actors and others on December 4. However, the police rejected the application, citing difficulties in crowd management.

Before entering the theatre and exiting, the actor stood through the sunroof of his car and waved to the crowds leading to thousands of fans jostling to get a glimpse of him, he said.

He slammed film personalities for making a beeline for Allu Arjun’s residence to meet him after his arrest but not showing empathy to visit the boy who is undergoing treatment in hospital after suffering injuries in the incident.

“I appeal to the top film personalities that they should not be inhuman,” he said.

He also said there won’t be any special privileges when untoward incidents like death in a stampede happen and said the government would not spare those who troubled common people.

A 35-year-old woman died and her eight-year-old son was hospitalised on December 4 during a stampede-like situation at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad when thousands of fans jostled to have a glimpse of the actor at the premiere of the blockbuster ‘Pushpa 2,’.

Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s family.

Allu Arjun was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from the prison here on December 14 morning.

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Entertainment

Pushpa 2 OTT Release: Makers Share MAJOR Update On Digital Streaming Of Allu Arjun’s Blockbuster

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Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil’s Pushpa 2: The Rule has grossed over Rs 1,500 crore in worldwide box office collection, making it the fastest Indian film to reach the mark. The film, directed by Sukumar, hit the big screens on December 5 and it received mixed reviews from critics and the audience. Recently, it was reported that the film is all set to release on OTT soon. However, the production house has dismissed the reports and shared an update about the digital release of the film.

Taking to their official X account on Friday (December 20), the makers stated that Pushpa 2: The Rule is now available only in theatres and will release on OTT only after 56 days of its theatrical release.

“There are rumours floating around about the OTT release of #Pushpa2TheRule… Enjoy the Biggest Film #Pushpa2 only on the Big Screens in this Biggest Holiday Season ❤️ It won’t be on any OTT before 56 days! It’s #WildFirePushpa only in Theatres Worldwide,” their post read.

Rumours about Pushpa 2’s OTT release

It was reported that the makers have decided to add extra footage of 18 minutes in the film and the new version will release on OTT on Christmas.

Pushpa 2: The Rule is a sequel to 2021’s blockbuster Telugu film Pushpa: The Rise. In the second part of the film, Allu Arjun reprises his role as Pushpa Raj, a labourer who transforms into a sandalwood smuggler, joined by Rashmika as his wife Srivalli and Fahadh as SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat.

The release of Pushpa 2 generated quite a buzz across India and fans left no stone unturned to express their excitement. The film has shattered box office records and cemented itself as one of the biggest films of Indian cinema.

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