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The actor who outshone the stars

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Om Puri passes away at 66

By Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr

Om Puri, who passed away on January 6, stood tall among the actors, physically and figuratively. He took whatever roles came his way and made gold out of them in terms f his performance. There will be many who will remember his iconic performances in Aakrosh (1980), where he literally exploded in the frame, and Ardh Satya (1983), where he showed himself to be the much harassed cog-in-the-wheel, the lot of the frustrated not-poor-not-well-off middle class man. Or that of the hapless butcher in the television film, Tamas (1988), based on Bhisham Sahni’s story, where he becomes the agent provocateur without his being aware of it.

But where he shone in his natural sheen was in some of the English movies, where the acting need not require the volcanic simmering of the ordinary Indian of the 1980s. The latest was The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014), directed by Lasse Holstrom, the heartwarming story of an Indian restaurateur played by Om Puri, and his family, settling in a French village, and opening an Indian joint. There is a French eating place across the road, and Helen Mirren plays the owner. The little rivalries, and the aspiration of the elder son of the Indian family to be a Michelin-starred chef, encouraged by Mirren, makes for an amusing encounter, with its moments of pathos. He played again the dignified father in The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012), based on Pakistan writer Mohsin Hamid’s novelette, showing the anguish of a parent without exhibiting it outwardly.  One of his almost invisible roles was in Code 46 (2003), a sci-film, where he walks through his role in an unreal matrix. Perhaps, the most moving portrayal by Om Puri of an individual caught in the web of circumstance came in My Son The Fanatic (1997), a film based on a story by England-based Pakistan writer, Hanif Kureishi.

A good actor burns brightly in powerful roles and that Om Puri did when he won the spurs as it were in the early 1980s. But as the actor matures, he knows how to lend charm and credibility to the smallest part he plays in a film. And it is in the apparently walk-through parts that a good actor lends weight and meaning to the roles he plays.

Om Puri, like his peer Naseeruddin Shah, makes it amply clear, that one does not have to be the hero of a film, and romance the heroine, to win the acting laurels. You do that with roles that have no glamur quotient. Om Puri made himself the monarch of the “other role” and when the audience walked away, it was his part that remained etched in their memories. It was not an easy feat to achieve.

He did not also complain too much against Bollywood’s star-struck ways. He was quite stoic in accepting the system, and working around it and through it. No. He did not try to subvert the system. He stole the show through many of his performances, but he never made it into an act of oneupmanship. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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The Family Man 3 first glimpse: Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur join action thriller series

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Streaming platform Prime Video unveiled the first look of the much-anticipated third season of The Family Man on Friday, introducing actors Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur as formidable new adversaries to Manoj Bajpayee’s iconic spy, Srikant Tiwari.

The action-packed thriller, created and directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, will see Bajpayee reprise his role as Tiwari, a middle-class man navigating the high-stakes world of espionage. The new season, penned by Suman Kumar in collaboration with Raj & DK, will also feature returning cast members Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur, and Vedant Sinha.

In a joint statement, Raj & DK expressed their excitement about elevating the series. “Each season, we strive to raise the bar with a more gripping story, grander scale, and sharper performances. We’re thankful for our fans’ patience. Season 3 will push Srikant and his team to their limits, immersing them in a world of intense danger and personal turmoil that tests their bonds. While juggling a new family dynamic, Srikant will face off against powerful new antagonists, brought to life by the incredibly talented Jaideep Ahlawat and Nimrat Kaur. Our collaboration with Prime Video has been instrumental in shaping this season,” they said.

The upcoming season will follow Srikant as he tackles a looming threat to national security while grappling with the challenges of family life, striving to repair his strained relationship with his wife, Suchitra, played by Priyamani. Details about the roles of Ahlawat, known for Paatal Lok, and Kaur, celebrated for The Lunchbox and Airlift, remain undisclosed, adding to the anticipation.

The Family Man debuted to widespread acclaim in 2019, with its second season, featuring Samantha Ruth Prabhu, earning similar praise in 2021. As excitement builds for the third installment, the addition of Ahlawat and Kaur promises to intensify the stakes for Srikant Tiwari’s latest mission.

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Aamir Khan starrer Sitaare Zameen Par crosses Rs 90-crore mark

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Aamir Khan’s latest cinematic offering, Sitaare Zameen Par, has amassed a nett collection of ₹90 crore domestically within its debut week. Directed by R S Prasanna, the film hit cinemas on 20 June 2025, serving as a spiritual successor to the widely acclaimed 2007 release Taare Zameen Par, and has struck a chord with audiences.

According to Sacnilk, the film opened strongly with ₹10.7 crore nett at the domestic box office, setting the stage for a solid run. Touted as a heartfelt exploration of neurodivergence, Sitaare Zameen Par features Aamir as a basketball coach guiding ten differently-abled individuals towards triumph.

The cast includes Genelia D’Souza alongside fresh talents Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar, with the screenplay penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma. The project is a collaborative production by Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit, and Ravi Bhagchandka under Aamir Khan Productions.

Critics have noted its connection to the 2018 Spanish drama Campeones (remade in English in 2023 with Woody Harrelson), echoing Taare Zameen Par’s mission to raise awareness about neurodiversity. However, some reviews suggest a didactic approach, with one stating, “Every scene is crafted to deliver a lesson, often tipping the balance from entertaining to preachy, which can frustrate viewers despite Aamir’s knack for edifying cinema.”

The film’s narrative, centred on mentorship and inclusion, has resonated emotionally, contributing to its box office success. Its opening figures and positive word of mouth hint at a potential surge over the weekend.

Earlier today, Aamir participated in a virtual fan meet to celebrate the milestone, sharing anecdotes from the set and praising the young cast’s dedication. “Their energy inspired every frame,” he remarked, boosting fan excitement online. The session, joined by enthusiastic supporters, highlighted the film’s impact, with many lauding its uplifting message.

As Sitaare Zameen Par progresses into its second week, its ₹90 crore haul underscores Aamir Khan’s enduring appeal. Whether it maintains this momentum amidst mixed critical reception remains to be seen, but its strong start has certainly reignited interest in his storytelling legacy.

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Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon and Onir collaborate to direct second part of My Melbourne

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Acclaimed Indian filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Shoojit Sircar, Anjali Menon, and Onir are teaming up for the second edition of My Melbourne, an Indo-Australian anthology film project that celebrates cultural diversity and strengthens cinematic ties between India and Australia, according to a press release.

Produced by Mind Blowing Films and presented by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), the anthology builds on the success of its inaugural edition, released in March 2025. The first film featured short stories by directors Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, and Onir, exploring themes of identity, gender, race, sexuality, and disability.

Mitu Bhowmick Lange, CEO of Mind Blowing Films and the project’s creative producer, described the response to the first My Melbourne as “immensely gratifying.” She said, “The film showed that authentic, heartfelt stories can resonate across borders. We’re privileged to have some of India’s most celebrated filmmakers contribute their vision to this second chapter. This initiative continues to champion inclusivity and collaboration, offering a platform for emerging talents from underrepresented communities.”

Rajkumar Hirani, renowned for blockbusters like Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, PK, Sanju, and Dunki, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “My Melbourne is a unique canvas for crafting stories that are personal yet universal, bridging cultures through cinema,” he said.

Anjali Menon, known for her nuanced storytelling, highlighted the project’s alignment with her creative vision. “The themes of My Melbourne resonate deeply with my approach to storytelling—narratives that foster empathy and connect people across divides. I’m excited to be part of this cross-continental collaboration,” she said.

Shoojit Sircar, whose diverse filmography includes Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, Piku, October, and Sardar Udham, emphasized the universal appeal of the anthology. “Stories transcend borders. My Melbourne is a powerful reminder that locally rooted narratives can carry global impact,” he said.

Onir, returning for the second edition, described the project as “an evolving journey.” He added, “Working with fresh themes and voices while continuing this meaningful initiative is profoundly fulfilling.”

The second instalment of My Melbourne promises to further the anthology’s mission of weaving diverse narratives, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and spotlighting new voices in cinema.

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