shot-button

Javed Akhtar is ‘relieved’ as Saif Ali Khan gets discharged

In a shocking turn of events, an intruder entered Saif Ali Khan’s Bandra residence in an alleged attempt at robbery. When Saif confronted the intruder, he was stabbed six times. This case left the entire entertainment industry in a state of shock. After the incident, Saif was taken to Lilavati Hospital with the help of an autorickshaw. Now, as Saif has been discharged from the hospital, Javed Akhtar has shared his happiness about the good news. The filmmaker expressed relief and shared, “All of us were extremely concerned. And I'm happy that he has come back from the hospital," Akhtar said while attending the convocation ceremony at Whistling Woods International, a film institute founded by Subhash Ghai. Akhtar, in conversation with PTI, stated, “We were all deeply worried. It’s a relief to know he has returned home from the hospital." Since the horrifying incident, several versions of it have surfaced. Recently, Saif also gave his statement on what happened that night. Saif Ali Khan narrates the events of January 16 In his statement, Saif reportedly said that he and Kareena were woken up by Jeh’s nanny, Eliyama Philips’s scream. Upon tracking the scream, the couple found the intruder in Jeh’s room along with a screaming nanny and their younger son crying. Saif tried to overpower the accused, identified as Shariful Islam, but in the tussle, he was attacked by a knife multiple times on his back, neck, and hand. Despite being injured, the actor pushed the intruder inside the room as Ms. Philips ran away with Jeh and locked him in. Was Saif Ali Khan brought to the hospital by friend Afsar Zaidi? The actor’s medical report gives detailed information about the injuries on his body. According to the actor’s medical report, Saif has suffered a 0.5 to 1 cm injury on the left side of his back, and an injury of 5 to 10 cm was reported on the left wrist. Additionally, an injury of 10-15 cm was found on the right side of Saif’s neck, while an injury of 3-5 cm was found on the right shoulder. The grave injury suffered by the actor is on his right elbow, which ranged from five centimeters. Earlier, it was reported that Khan was accompanied to the hospital by his six-year-old son, Taimur Ali Khan, which was also what the doctors at the hospital claimed. However, the medical report mentions the name of Afsar Zaidi.

24 January,2025 11:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Mamta Kulkarni

Mamta Kulkarni gets a new name, can play only THESE roles in films

Mamta Kulkarni will become a Mahamandleshwar in the Kinnar Akhada. Today, the actress performed Pind Daan in Prayagraj as she reached the Maha Kumbh. Laxmi Narayan, Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, shared this news with the media. In the information that Laxmi gave to the media, it has been revealed that Mamta will get a new name. Laxmi also revealed the kind of roles Mamta will be playing. Laxmi told ANI on Friday, “Kinnar Akhada is going to make Mamta Kulkarni (former Bollywood actress) a Mahamandleshwar. She is now named Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri.” While Mamta will be renamed as Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri, Laxmi also revealed that Mamta is not prohibited from working. While the community doesn’t prohibit performing arts, she will be allowed to do any spiritual role. In conversation with ANI, Laxmi further revealed, “As I am talking here, all the rituals are underway. She has been in touch with Kinnar Akhada and me for the last one and a half years. She is allowed to perform the character of any devotional figure if she wants, as we do not prohibit anyone from performing their art.” About Mamta Kulkarni & Her Career Mamta Kulkarni recently returned to Mumbai after a long gap of around 25 years. The actress stepped away from the limelight following her controversy with drug lord Vicky Goswami. Mamta appeared in several commercially successful Hindi films such as Ram Lakhan, Waqt Hamara Hai, Krantiveer, Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Andolan, and Baazi. Her last Bollywood film was released in 2002. Her 1995 film Karan Arjun, which also stars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Kajol, was re-released in Hindi cinemas on November 22. The film revolves around the story of two titular brothers who seek revenge against their greedy uncle for murdering their father but are killed by him and reincarnated to complete the revenge. Mamta Kulkarni on Saif Ali Khan’s Stabbing Incident Yesteryear diva Mamta Kulkarni recently shared her concerns after Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing incident. Emphasizing the need to upgrade security systems, Mamta Kulkarni said, "I was really saddened to learn about Saif’s condition. I am deeply concerned regarding the security in the city. This incident is not only limited to Saif; such cases are taking place in various places like Gujarat, Mumbai, and Rajkot. Security personnel fall asleep, and robbers manage to enter buildings. So, we need to tighten our security. I am deeply concerned about Saif, and I will pray to the Almighty that he regains his health quickly."

24 January,2025 09:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Mamta Kulkarni

Mamta Kulkarni to embrace role of Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara

Mamta Kulkarni, who has recently returned to Mumbai, visited the Kumbh Mela and is now set to embark on a spiritual journey. It has been revealed that Mamta Kulkarni will embrace the role of Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara. Today, on January 24, Mamta will officially be declared Mahamandleshwar in a grand ceremony. The event will include a series of traditional rituals, including the Pind Daan at the sacred Sangam. About the traditional ceremony The traditional ceremonies will include Pind Daan at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. As per a report in Aaj Tak, the ceremony will commence today and culminate in her formal induction into the Kinnar Akhara at 6 PM. About Mamta Kulkarni & her career Mamta Kulkarni recently returned to Mumbai after a long gap of around 25 years. The actress stepped away from the limelight following her controversy with drug lord Vicky Goswami. Mamta appeared in several commercially successful Hindi films such as Ram Lakhan, Waqt Hamara Hai, Krantiveer, Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Andolan, and Baazi. Her last Bollywood film was released in 2002. Her 1995 film Karan Arjun, which also stars Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Kajol, was re-released in Hindi cinemas on November 22. The film revolves around the story of two titular brothers who seek revenge against their greedy uncle for murdering their father but are killed by him and reincarnated to complete the revenge. Mamta Kulkarni on Saif Ali Khan's stabbing incident Yesteryear diva Mamta Kulkarni recently shared her concerns after Saif Ali Khan's stabbing incident. Emphasizing the need to upgrade security systems, Mamta Kulkarni said, "I was really saddened to learn about Saif's condition. I am deeply concerned regarding the security in the city. Why would they take the lives of their employers so lightly? Are they not being paid properly? I would like it if we all treat our security personnel with love so that they give importance to the lives of their employers. This incident is not only limited to Saif; such cases are taking place in various places like Gujarat, Mumbai, and Rajkot. Security personnel fall asleep, and robbers manage to enter buildings. So, we need to tighten our security. I am deeply concerned about Saif, and I will pray to the Almighty that he regains his health quickly."

24 January,2025 06:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Stills from Fighter and Sky Force

Siddharth Anand's cryptic note on Sky Force: Insecurity hits new lows

Ahead of the release of Sky Force on Thursday night, filmmaker Siddharth Anand dropped a post on X which is presumed to be a dig at the Akshay Kumar-starrer. While the filmmaker did not take names, netizens feel it is his response to comparisons between his last release Fighter and this weekend release 'Sky Force'. The film starring Akshay Kumar and debutant Veer Pahariya is based on the real life story of the Indo-Pak airstrike in 1965. Fighter, on the other hand, starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor is a fictional tale around airforce soldiers.  On Thursday, taking to X, Siddharth Anand wrote, "Hahahaha!! Insecurity hits new lows! I feel so important today! Have faith in your own self! Come on yo!!  An old saying - By blowing off another candle, won’t make yours burn brighter! But alas…" Hahahaha!! Insecurity hits new lows! I feel so important today! 😎 Have faith in your own self! Come on yo!! An old saying - By blowing off another candle, won’t make yours burn brighter! But alas… — Siddharth Anand (@justSidAnand) January 23, 2025 Netizens decode Siddharth Anand's post  Netizens were convinced that the tweet was in response to comparisons between both films. Fighter was released over the Republic Day weekend last year and earned over Rs 200 cr lifetime in India.  Reacting to Anand's post, a user commented, "Fighter deserved so much more, but anyways thank you for the film and for raising the standards of action in Indian Cinema. "One thing common in both movies. Obsession for Pakistan and hate for Pakistanis. Would it continue? Yes!! Next year Sunny Deol will bring the force on Border." Another user wrote, "Fighter" stands tall as the ultimate benchmark in Indian cinema. No other film has reached its heights yet. It remains the greatest aerial movie ever made in India—a true masterpiece of ambition, execution, and cinematic brilliance". What is Sky Force about? Sky Force is based on real-life events and draws its inspiration from the air war between the Indian and Pakistani Air Forces during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. The story also touches upon the life of Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya. In 1965, Pakistan attacked several Indian air bases, including Pathankot, Halwara, and Adampur. After this attack by the Pakistani army, India conducted its first-ever airstrike against Pakistan and targeted one of the most guarded air bases in Asia, Sargodha. During this operation, while the Indian aircraft were making their way home, Squadron Leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya's aircraft was shot down by an enemy aircraft, and he went missing.Akshay Kumar will reportedly be seen playing the role of Group Captain O.P. Taneja, leader of the 13-aircraft contingent, in Sky Force. Meanwhile, Veer, who has been named T. Vijaya in the film, will portray the role of Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya. The movie will also star Sara Ali Khan in a pivotal role, with the actress playing Veer Pahariya's wife in the movie.

24 January,2025 02:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Veer Pahariya and Akshay Kumar in the film

How Veer Pahariya, Akshay Kumar's hairstyle added authenticity to Sky Force

A period film demands authenticity, and Sky Force is no different, says Darshan Yewalekar. The celebrity hairstylist was roped in to create the looks of Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, and some supporting actors in the aerial actioner that offers a retelling of India’s airstrike on Pakistan during the 1965 war. Director duo Sandeep Kewlani and Abhishek Anil Kapur’s brief to him was simple—stay as true as possible to the era it is set in. “For inspiration, I went through material from the period, studied aviators and the style of clothing [popular then]. There were very few photographic references. Since we were depicting Air Force officers, we had to work within a few boundaries. So, I created a lookbook that never crossed those boundaries,” says Yewalekar. Darshan Yewalekar In Sky Force, Pahariya’s character is based on squadron leader Ajjamada Boppayya Devayya, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. Yewalekar says they tried multiple looks before zeroing in on the moustache that makes him resemble the late war hero. “Veer made notes to register every detail that was discussed to bring his character to life. We did multiple changes before achieving the moustache style,” he recalls. With the film playing out over 15 years, hair played a significant role in depicting the transformation of Kumar’s character. Yewalekar points out that the superstar flaunts a salt-and-pepper look in the second half. He says, “Akshay sir helped us achieve the look with his suggestions. The hair transition was a great idea. The film has multiple looks, but there were a bunch that needed special attention.”

24 January,2025 12:28 PM IST | Mumbai | Mohar Basu
Kunal Kemmu; Jackky Bhagnani

Have you heard? Kunal Kemmu to play Single Papa

For women tomorrow Aditya Seal has pledged to sponsor the education of five underprivileged girls, furthering his commitment to empowering girls. Inspired by the work of his actor-wife Anushka Ranjan’s NGO, the Beti Foundation, Aditya aims to see the girls graduate and achieve their dreams. “Education is the greatest gift one can give, and I want to be a part of shaping brighter futures for these young girls. Watching them succeed and graduate will be one of the proudest moments of my life,” shared Aditya. On the work front, he will next be seen in a film with Kajol. Marking my entry  Director-writer Shashank Khaitan is set to make his web series debut with the slice-of-life family entertainer, Single Papa. The Netflix series revolves around the titular character, played by Kunal Kemmu, navigating the challenges and joys of single parenthood with humour and heart. Known for his knack for storytelling, Shashank aims to create a sitcom that resonates with audiences at home. Casting is underway to put together an ensemble of talented actors with strong comic timing. Production is set to begin in the summer of 2025, following the release of Shashank’s film, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. New face of FICCI Frames Ayushmann Khurrana has been announced as the brand ambassador for FICCI Frames during its 25th anniversary this year. Talking about the honour, Ayushmann said, “It is a huge honour for me to be the first brand ambassador for FICCI Frames in its silver jubilee year. As someone who arrived in Mumbai from Chandigarh with nothing but dreams in my eyes, I could never have imagined this incredible journey, one where my work has not only touched lives but also become a part of India’s rich pop culture tapestry. In my new role, I am committed to championing disruption, celebrating innovation, and highlighting the excellence our industry delivers.” Back to acting? One of actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani’s earlier films, F.A.L.T.U (2011), is set to have a sequel. “I am looking for a good and exciting story for F.A.L.T.U-2. Once we find something unique and appealing, we will definitely make the sequel,” says Jackky, who may return to the franchise as an actor. While it is not clear if Remo D’Souza will return to helm the film, Jackky has hinted that the sequel will include plenty of laughs, twists, and relatable elements for the youth. His last film as an actor was Mitron (2018). It is also unclear if Puja Gupta, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Angad Bedi, Riteish Deshmukh, and Arshad Warsi will return to the franchise.

24 January,2025 12:23 PM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist Team
Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan attack: Actor reveals he was with Kareena when intruder attacked

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed multiple times by an intruder at his Mumbai home on January 16. Ever since the incident, multiple versions of the attack has been out on the internet. Now, Saif Ali Khan has narrated his version of the incident to the Mumbai police in his official statement. The actor revealed that he was with his wife actress Kareena Kapoor on the 11th floor of the Satguru Sharan building when they heard their son Jehangir's nanny screaming. Saif Ali Khan narrates the events of January 16  In his statement, Saif reportedly said that he and Kareena were woken up by Jeh's nanny- Eliyama Philips's scream. Upon tracking the scream, the couple found the intruder in Jeh's room along with a screaming nanny and their younger son crying.  Saif tried to overpower the accused identified as Shariful Islam but in the tussle got attacked by a knife multiple times on his back, neck and hand. Despite being injured, the actor pushed the intruder inside the room as Ms Philips ran away with Jeh and locked him in. Was Saif Ali Khan brought to the hospital by friend Afsar Zaidi?  The actor's medical report gives detailed information about the injuries on his body. According to the actor's medical report, Saif has suffered a 0.5 to 1 cm injury on the left side of his back, and an injury of 5 to 10 cm was reported on the left wrist.  Additionally, an injury of 10-15 cm was found on the right side of Saif's neck, while an injury of 3-5 cm was found on the right shoulder. The grave injury suffered by the actor is on his right elbow which ranged from five centimetres. The medical report sent to Bandra Police suggested that Saif was possibly brought to the Lilavati hospital by his manager and close friend, Afsar Zaidi, who runs a celebrity management company. His home was just 10-15 minutes away from the hospital. It is mentioned in the report that it was Zaidi who had taken Saif to the hospital on January 16 night and had admitted the actor at 4:11 a.m. on January 17. In the medical report sent to the police from Lilavati Hospital, Zaidi's name is mentioned in the friend column. Earlier it was reported that Khan was accompanied to the hospital by his six-year-old son Taimur Ali Khan which was what the doctors at the hospital also claimed. However, the medical report mentions name of Afsar Zaidi.  Talking about the same to India Today, Zaidi denied reports of bringing Saif to the hospital. He said that he received the call from the family at 3.30 am after whcih he reached the hospital. Zaidi reached the hospital at around 4 am and completed the admission formalities for the treatment of Saif by filling up a mandatory form, at the behest of the Pataudi family.

24 January,2025 10:49 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mohit Malik. Pic/Yogen Shah

Mohit Malik shares why Bollywood wasn’t his first choice

TV actor Mohit Malik, who made his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Kapoor’s film “Azaad,” recently opened up about why Bollywood wasn't initially his first choice.  In a recent interview with IANS, the actor revealed that his primary goal has always been to become a better actor. Reflecting on his journey, Mohit shared, “My intention was always to become a better actor. Before 2016, I wasn’t really trying to make the transition to films. I was very comfortable with my work on television. But post-2016, in 2017, I decided to give films a try.” Speaking about his big-screen debut, the ‘Kulfi Kumar Bajewala’ actor revealed that his defining moment came when he received a call confirming his role in the film Azaad. “I felt my dream truly came true the moment I received the call from the director confirming my role in Azaad. That was a defining moment for me. And of course, seeing myself on the big screen was another surreal experience." Mohit also reflected on the challenges he faced in making this shift. Talking about it, he stated, “Of course, the transition from being comfortable to stepping into the unknown has always been challenging. But I believe that's where real growth happens. If you're never uncomfortable, you're not pushing yourself to grow.” Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, Azaad saw Malik in the role of an antagonist. The action thriller marked the debut of newcomers Aaman Devgan and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani. Ajay Devgn and Diana Penty also featured in pivotal roles. Produced by Ronnie Screwvala and Pragya Kapoor, the period drama, set against the backdrop of pre-independence India, was released on January 17, 2025. Speaking about Mohit Malik’s stint on television, he is widely recognized for his roles in TV shows such as “Doli Armaano Ki," “Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala,” “Baatein Kuch Ankahee Si”, and several others. He began his television journey with the Star Plus show “Miilee,” where he portrayed the character of Aaoni. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

24 January,2025 09:29 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Boney Kapoor with son Arjun

Boney Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor prove 'like father like son' in this pic

Boney Kapoor recently took to his official Instagram handle and dropped a black and white picture of himself from his younger days, along with a picture of his son Arjun Kapoor. The photograph shows us the uncanny resemblance between Boney Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor. The filmmaker captioned his latest social media post, "Hairy Son with Hairy Father".           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Boney.kapoor (@boney.kapoor) Jumping on a chance to comment on the post, one of the Insta users wrote, "Love this. He gets his good looks from you and offocurse lots of hair". Another one penned, "Fabulous". The third comment read, "Nice". A couple of days back, Boney Kapoor dropped another Instagram post, sharing throwback photographs with his late wife Sridevi from their trip to Alaska. The producer shared an old picture of the couple where he can be seen hugging the late superstar. In the other two photos posted by Boney Kapoor, he and Sridevi are seen being all lovey-dovey amidst a beautiful backdrop. He captioned the Insta post, "Romancing in Alaska amongst the glaciers & the fall season which arrives early September there," along with three heart emojis. Meanwhile, on the professional front, Arjun Kapoor is presently working on his upcoming romantic entertainer, "Mere Husband Ki Biwi". Made under the direction of Mudassar Aziz, he will be seen sharing screen space with Bhumi Pednekar and Rakul Preet Singh in his next. Recently, an unfortunate mishap took place on the sets of "Mere Husband Ki Biwi" when a ceiling collapsed on the set in parts. It happened as the team was shooting a song at Imperial Palace, Royal Palms, in Mumbai. The collapse left Arjun Kapoor, producer Jackie Bhagnani, and director Mudassar Aziz injured. Additionally, a camera attendant reportedly suffered a spine injury, while the director of photography (DOP) fractured his thumb. Choreographer Vijay Ganguly also reportedly sustained injuries to his elbow and head. However, none of the actors or crew members were seriously hurt. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

24 January,2025 09:11 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Paresh Rawal leads the film

Ananth Mahadevan: ‘One producer didn’t know who Satyajit Ray was’

One would think Ananth Mahadevan would be happy that his directorial venture, The Storyteller, is set to drop on Disney+ Hotstar on January 28. But the director has mixed feelings about his Paresh Rawal-starrer skipping the theatrical route. “It was Jio’s decision to release it on the platform and not have a theatrical release. With the response films are getting in the theatres these days, it’s a question of taking a chance. I would’ve liked it to have a limited release,” says Mahadevan.Also starring Adil Hussain and Revathy, the film is based on Satyajit Ray’s short story, Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro. It revolves around an elderly man, known for spinning grand tales. Despite having the foundation of one of Ray’s best stories, Mahadevan says making the film was challenging, with some producers not even knowing of the legendary filmmaker-writer. “It was heartbreaking. Nobody believed in a film on Ray in his centenary year. Producers wanted drama and high-pitched films. One producer didn’t even know who Ray was. I paraded the script in front of six producers over three years till Suchanda Chatterjee came on board. Any other actor would’ve given up, but Paresh stood behind me steadfast.” Ananth Mahadevan and Satyajit Ray In 2022, The Storyteller premièred at the Busan International Film Festival. It was also screened at the Kerala Film Festival 2022, International Film Festival of India 2022, and the Palm Springs International Film Festival 2023. Encouraged by the positive response at the film galas, Mahadevan was hopeful that it could be India’s official entry to the Oscars in 2024. Recalling submitting the movie to the Film Federation of India, Mahadevan says, “We tried our best to send it to the 2024 Oscars as I thought it would be a fitting entry. But I was told by a jury member that we missed it by a whisker. That year, a film on the Kerala floods [the Malayalam film, 2018] went for the Oscars because it highlighted an ecological issue. If this is the kind of judgment they have of Oscar entries, then they are sitting on the wrong chairs. The Storyteller was [based] on Ray’s story, it won accolades everywhere. Yet they didn’t send it. It was shattering. It didn’t even feature in the National Awards.”

24 January,2025 06:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBR
A still from Sky Force

Sky Force movie review: Mission almost accomplished

Sky ForceDir: Abhishek Anil Kapur, Sandeep KewlaniCast: Akshay Kumar, Veer PahariyaRating: 4/5 Stepping out of the Sky Force screening, one heard, “Were the expectations low, or was the film actually good?” The answer to which is both. A new patriotic film has arrived in cinemas. A fatigue for the genre has set in over time. And not unfairly so. So, one enters the press show of the Akshay Kumar-starrer expecting too little and nothing new. What one gets is a pleasant surprise. Abhishek Anil Kapur and Sandeep Kewlani’s directorial venture has a decent emotional beat, and thrilling aerial action sequences, and also brings its hero back in full form. Based on India’s retaliatory attack on Pakistan’s Sargodha airbase during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Sky Force centres on two Air Force pilots, KO Ahuja (Kumar) and T Vijaya (Veer Pahariya in his acting debut). In Ahuja, Vijaya finds a mentor, while for the senior, this team member reminds him of his late younger brother, a fearless pilot who was madly in love with his country. Vijaya goes missing during the airstrike, and there begins Ahuja’s fight to find him and regain his lost glory. It’s the first half that holds most of the film’s action, both in the air and on the ground. From the pilots’ training, to the two heroes doing a recce of the border, and the airstrike, there’s plenty of mid-air action to look forward to, all of which has been fabulously shot to evoke a sense of thrill and tension. Behind the action, we see Vijaya’s pregnant wife Geeta (Sara Ali Khan) worry for his safety, while Ahuja’s partner, Priya (Nimrat Kaur), manages to treat his job matter-of-factly. Patriotic films, in the recent past, have seemed like a joke. Sky Force, however, is an anomaly. It appears sincere, even though a share of dialogues promoting chest-thumping patriotism (“Ghar mein ghuske maarenge”), and scenes that mock a Gandhi-led India’s belief in non-violence and tolerance were avoidable. Yet, they do not take away from the storytelling. An element of decency is made evident as the narrative acknowledges—even if it does so only towards the end of the film—the empathy that a soldier on the other side of the border harbours. Sincere is also how one can describe Kumar’s turn. While the character doesn’t offer something new when pitted against Kumar’s other patriotic acts, there’s a fine balance of maturity and restraint with which he has played Ahuja, managing to lift an otherwise forgettable character. In fact, both Kumar and Kaur (fantastic, even though she’s primarily seen reacting to situations) do well holding the film’s emotional reins. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said about the debutant and his co-star. Pahariya gets a lot of crowd-cheering dialogues, and his delivery is not a problem. But, he fails to serve them with the emotional depth that may be required for a film of this nature. It’s hard to connect with his character, given that he puts up a performance that may seem empty. As for Khan, she simply seems unable to become the character. Her interpretation of Geeta seems restricted to an actor placed in costumes belonging to an era gone by as she aims to imitate how people from the time may have behaved. It seems artificial, especially the dramatic bits. Sky Force does leave a lot to be desired. The writing, especially in the second half of the film, is dull and uninspiring. Rather than building suspense around a lost Air Force officer, it kills it. The narrative is too convenient and superficial. The writers, Kewlani, Ameel Keeyan Khan, and Niren Bhatt, are also unable to flesh out characters that don’t seem like prototypes. Despite all that’s good about Sky Force, one wishes the film industry could take a break from churning out patriotic offerings. Distance makes the heart grow fonder—let there be distance so that there is love, again. 

24 January,2025 06:54 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka Sharma
This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK