Tag: Sanjay Dutt

‘Leo’ gets mixed review; fans call it Thalapathy Vijay’s ‘best performance’

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Thalapathy Vijay’s much awaited movie Leo was released in theatres on Thursday, October 19, and it opened to a huge response at box office. As many fans rushed to catch the early morning show of Leo social media is now filled with first reactions for the action thriller drama.

After the release of the Lokesh Kanagaraj directorial, it has been getting mixed response from the viewers and critics. Film trade analyst and columnist, Manobala Vijayabalan said that despite having a promising premise and some commendable efforts from Vijay and the other cast, the end result has been disappointing.

“Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Leo fails to live up to the expectations or unnecessary hype. Also, the film does not maintain a consistent level of engagement, leading to moments of boredom that detract from the overall viewing experience. The film is nowhere near Vikram or Kaithi, it is the weakest in Lokesh’s career,” Vijayabalan tweeted.

#Leo: ⭐️⭐️

Leo – Meow

||#LeoReview|#LeoFDFS||

Tried to be a lion🦁 but ended up as a cat🐈. Despite a promising premise and some commendable efforts from Joseph Vijay and cast, the end result is a disappointment. Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Leo fails to live up to the expectations or… pic.twitter.com/46TSuaRAI7

— Manobala Vijayabalan (@ManobalaV) October 19, 2023

Filmy Track mentioned the movie Leo as ‘lengthy and tiring’. “Too much violence and bloodshed with the  Average First Half with Unwanted scenes in the second half. Mainstream commercial template with cringe scenes which was unnecessary. A Predictable commercial movie which was unexpected from Lokesh,” tweeted Filmy Track.

#Leo – Lengthy and Tiring! Too much violence and bloodshed with Average First half with Unwanted scenes in the second half. mainstream commercial template with cringe scenes which was unnecessary.

A Predictable commercial movie which was unexpected from @Dir_Lokesh

FT Rating -… pic.twitter.com/Lwx14UkJnX

— Filmy Track (@Filmy_Track) October 19, 2023

Actress Trishna Krishnan went out all the way to surprise fans and audiences who gathered at Rohini Theaters in Chennai to watch Leo on Thursday. She celebrated the release of the Thalapathy Vijay starrer and spent quality time with her fans, Pinkvilla reported.

Fans gathered eagerly around the actress, excited to catch a glimpse of their favourite star watching the film along with them. The film’s celebration was in full swing, with many praising it for its action sequences and its strong connection with the audience.

On the other hand, fans of Thalapathy Vijay and Lokesh Kanagaraj have flooded social media with positive comments calling Leo one of the best to come from the actor-director duo. One of the fans wrote, “Thalapathy completely broke the barrier this time.”

Thalapathy completely broke the barrier this time 👏👏 #LeoReview #LEO @Dir_Lokesh pic.twitter.com/Llbr6VhfwX

— Troll Cinema ( TC ) (@Troll_Cinema) October 19, 2023

“I am from North India but after watching #Leo I can say, #Vijay is the hero of the whole world. Five out of five points to Leo Film. We love you Vijay Thalapathy sir,” read a second comment.

I am from North India but after watching #Leo I can say, #Vijay is the hero of the whole world. Five out of five points to #LeoFilm
We love love you #VijayThalapathy sir 😍😍#LeoFDFS #LeoReview #LokeshCinematicUniverse pic.twitter.com/90YpOBueT9

— Gauravgupta (@Gauravg2152) October 19, 2023

Adding to the list of reactions, another X user wrote, “Leo interval – the new dimension of actor Vijay. Top-class action choreography and world-class work with hyena CG! Tight so far!”

#Leo interval – new dimension of @actorvijay . Top class action choreography and world class work with hyena CG !

Tight so far !

— Prashanth Rangaswamy (@itisprashanth) October 19, 2023

A fourth user commented, “Cafe Stunt will be one of the Best fight Sequences in Tamil cinema. Tharamm.”

Cafe Stunt will be one of the Best fight Sequences in Tamil cinema. Tharamm. #Leo.

— Kettavan Memes (@Kettavan__Memes) October 19, 2023

“Leo Review in a nutshell. One of the biggest blockbusters in Thalapathy’s career”, said another fan.

#LeoReview in a nutshell 💥

One of the biggest blockbusters in Thalapathy’s career. #Leo pic.twitter.com/J0Lt4DULtc

— Troll Cinema ( TC ) (@Troll_Cinema) October 19, 2023

Lokesh Kanagaraj helmed Leo is said to be a part of his Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU) films. Apart from Vijay, it features Trisha Krishnan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Sarja, Mysskin, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mansoor Ali Khan, Priya Anand and Sandy among others.

Leo has been produced by Seven Screen Studios and has been released in four major languages including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Akshay Kumar announces ‘Welcome 3’ on his 56th birthday

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Bollywood star Akshay Kumar will be returning to the Welcome movie franchise with a third part, to be directed by Ahmed Khan.

Akshay announced the project on X, formerly known as Twitter, on the occasion of his 56th birthday.

“Khud ko aur aap sab ko ek birthday gift diya hai aaj (Have given myself and all of you a birthday gift today). If you like it and say thanks, I’d say Welcome(3) #WelcomeToTheJungle,” the actor wrote alongside a clip featuring the ensemble cast performing a cappella.

The film, titled “Welcome To The Jungle”, also stars Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Johnny Lever, Paresh Rawal, Lara Dutta, Rajpal Yadav, Arshad Warsi, Jacqueline Fernandez, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Disha Patani, Kiku Sharada and Krushna Abhishek. Singers Daler Mehndi and Mika Singh round out the cast.

The movie, presented by Jio Studios in association with AA Nadiadwala, is produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Firoz A. Nadiadwallah. It is scheduled to be released in the theatres on December 20, 2024.

The first film in the franchise, Welcome, was released in 2007 and the second movie, Welcome Back, came out in 2015. Both the movies were directed by Anees Bazmee.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi to reunite for an untitled film, tease poster on Instagram

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi, the duo of the popular “Munna Bhai” film series, are set to reunite for an untitled film. Dutt and Warsi, who famously essayed the roles of the affable don Munna Bhai and his henchman Circuit respectively in Rajkumar Hirani’s “Munna Bhai” franchise, announced their new project on social media on Thursday.

“Our wait has been longer than yours but the wait is finally over, coming together with my brother @arshad_warsi for yet another exciting movie… Can’t wait to show you, stay tuned!” Dutt wrote on Instagram.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay)

Warsi also expressed his excitement over joining hands with Dutt again with whom he also starred in the “Dhamaal” franchise.

Also Read: Pathaan Box Office Day 1: Shah Rukh Khan film beats KGF 2, War record with Rs 57 crore collection

“Finally, it’s happening! Teaming up with my bro @duttsanjay for another entertaining movie and our wait has been longer than yours,” he posted on Instagram.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Arshad Warsi (@arshad_warsi)

The upcoming movie will be directed by Sidhaant Sachdev and produced by Dutt through his banner Three Dimension Motion Pictures.

Also Read: Salman Khan’s ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ teaser released with Shah Rukh’s ‘Pathaan’

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Samrat Prithviraj movie review: Watch this Akshay Kumar film for Sanjay Dutt, Sonu Sood

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The latest addition in Akshay Kumar’s string of nationalistic films is a biopic on the legend of Rajput warrior-king Prithviraj Chauhan. It is helmed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi, whose directorial credits include teleserial Chanakya (1991-92) and films Pinjar (2003) and Mohalla Assi (2018).

Produced by Aditya Chopra under his banner Yash Raj Films, Samrat Prithviraj has already been declared tax-free in three BJP-ruled states so far — Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Their chief ministers have hailed the film as glorious. The verdict is already out — it’s too important to miss. It’s a must-watch. When the government in power peddles films, do reviews matter anymore? Well. Based on Prithviraj Raso, an epic poem written in the praise of Chauhan’s valour and extraordinary life, Samrat Prithviraj focuses on the key moments of the emperor’s eventful reign — the first battle of Tarain in which he defeats Muhammad Ghori and makes the fatal mistake of letting him go, his coronation as the ruler of Delhi, his controversial union with Sanyogita, and the final battle with Ghori, resulting in his capture and assassination.

In telling the story of one of the most loved Indian rulers, Samrat Prithviraj gets a lot right. For instance, unlike Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 period drama Padmaavat, it resists the temptation to rob its villain of all humanity. Dwivedi’s Ghori, played with self-assured restraint by Manav Vij — is not Bhansali’s Alauddin Khalji, a flesh-devouring, whoring barbarian incapable of any good. Ghori’s intentions may not be noble, but Dwivedi imbues him with pride, tact, and courage, key characteristics of all magnificent monarchs.

Then there is the legendary friendship between Chauhan and his court poet, prophesier, and closest confidant Chand Bardai, played by a terrific Sonu Sood. The film offers rare, golden glimpses of their unshakable bond. Sood here is in top form. Fortunately for him, he has some of the best dialogue in the film along with Sanjay Dutt, who essays the character of Chauhan’s irreverent uncle, Kaka Kanha. As Kanha, Dutt is all heart, pumping life and vigour into every scene he is in. Both Dutt and Sood are so good, they make Kumar look wooden, jaded.

Samrat Prithviraj tells a remarkable tale from over 800 years ago, but it is written for the contemporary cinegoer. It tries to equip Sanyogita, the princess of Kannauj, and later the wife and reigning queen of Ajmer and Delhi, with her own distinct voice. However, Dwivedi needn’t have laboured so hard. For her actions and choices, radical for her time, speak volumes of her fearlessness of thought and spirit. But Dwivedi drones on nevertheless, explaining the evident, constructing scene after scene filled with clunky dialogue. The attempt to make her look empowered is so forced and misdirected that it falls flat.

Manushi Chhillar, who makes her big Bollywood debut with this film five years after winning Miss World, is sincere as Sanyogita but weak writing and sketchy direction fail her. Being cast opposite a seasoned actor 29 years her senior does her no favours either. She looks too raw, too young, despite the best efforts of YRF’s VFX team to de-age Kumar. Together, they just don’t work. Their chemistry is not ineffective. It is absent. They are uneasy around each other, especially in romantic scenes, where the discomfort is too palpable to ignore.

This could be why the film does not delve deep into their love story. Despite it being extraordinary, Samrat Prithviraj treats it as an aside. The main focus always is on Chauhan, his charisma, his towering greatness, his demi-godly goodness. Kumar, who has been playing the hero for 31 years now, plays it yet again with great smugness. He doesn’t look his age at all; he is incredibly fit and agile. He makes for a handsome Chauhan. But that is about it.

Sure, he brings in star power and has secured governmental support and tax exemptions few other actors could have as easily, but he is still horribly miscast. He dons the costume, mouths the lines, performs the fantastically choreographed action sequences, and goes through the entire drill, but fails to impress.

Ever since Bhansali stepped into the arena of period dramas, every filmmaker has tried to match up to his opulence — both visual and emotional. Visually, Samrat Prithviraj succeeds in most parts. Emotionally, not so much.

It is difficult to not draw comparisons since the maverick maestro made a film on an effervescent Rajput warrior queen only four years ago, stirring up a storm of controversies and success. However, this time around, the Karni Sena has made peace with a lot less. Days before the film’s release, they just got its name changed from Prithviraj to Samrat Prithviraj. No ruckus over Chiller’s midriff showing or her dancing every opportunity she gets, including moments before committing suicide en-masse by jumping into jauhar’s sacrificial fire.

My grandmother, who passed away yesterday a year ago, would have loved Samrat Prithviraj. She absolutely dug watching historical dramas on screen. She religiously followed every episode of Dharti Ka Veer Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan, the teleserial adaptation of Ajmer-Pati’s times and travails. It aired on Star Plus from 2006 to 2009, making child-actor Rajat Tokas, who played Chauhan with incredible spunk and spirit, a household star.

Despite her advanced age and frail health, my grandmother would have gone to the nearest theatre to watch Samrat Prithviraj. She would have stood up and applauded with joy when Chauhan, mercilessly blinded by Ghori’s men, releases that last arrow following Bardai’s spirited Mat chuko Chauhan. She would have shed tears when the fabled warrior finally lies to rest on a bed of arrows and Bardai drops dead at his feet. I did too. But it was more for the unshakable valour of the king that I have grown up reading about, not for the middling performance of the actor playing him. Chauhan’s story is memorable. This film is not.

Read other pieces by Sneha Bengani here.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow