Atrangi Re review: A grave insult to trauma and Dhanush!
Atrangi Re Review: Trauma breeds a conscience, and that eventually leads to a life, they say. Trauma breeds a love triangle, and that leads to a wife, Atrangi Re said.
Atrangi Re has finally released on Christmas Eve. Fans were looking forward to the film which stars Dhanush, Akshay Kumar and Sara Ali Khan in the lead. At the outset, Atrangi Re doesn’t disappoint, with Dhanush’s acting skills, Sara’s character and Akshay’s magical touch. This is because too many cooks usually tend to muck up the soup! The turns in the plot are like bits of onion floating mindlessly in the fast-cooling chicken soup. There’s no pepper but all salt and in excessive quantities.
With Anand L Rai’s direction, Himanshu Sharma’s script and A.R. Rahman’s music, Atrangi Re is an immersive film with quirky one-liners, dazzling dances, to wrenching monologues and an emotional ending, this film has got its formula pat.
National Award winning actor Dhanush is the soul of the film. If one has to choose the best element, they can’t help but fall in love with his character. Akshay Kumar too keeps the fan curious about his part throughout. Sara Ali Khan’s Rinku is by far her best performance, fingers crossed. Barring a few instances of hamming, she has held her own.
The film opens with Rinku (Sara Ali Khan) fleeing from men sent by her grandmother to stop her from eloping with her lover. She reaches the railway station, where we see Vishnu (Dhanush). She tosses glass bottles at her pursuers. Vishnu can’t help but feel terrible for this fearless, outspoken young woman.
The scene turns to Rinku being beaten up by her Amma for attempting to flee with her lover for the 21st time, resolute girl we must add. As Amma’s men fail to nab Rinku’s lover, Amma instructs them to grab any one who isn’t from Bihar. They abduct Vishnu and make him marry Rinku against his will.
Vishnu and Rinku, on the other hand, have other interests in their life. Rinku has a childhood sweetheart, Sajjad Ali Khan, who is a magician. Vishu is set to wed Maddy, the daughter of his college dean, who is far from his true love. As a result, they both decide to ditch their forced marriage.
Vishnu conceals the news of his forced marriage to his family and fiancé on the advice of his psychiatrist friend Madhu. Vishnu’s engagement is broken, and he returns to Delhi with Rinku in a much expected change of events. Vishnu is won over by Rinku throughout this and as he professes his love to her, Sajjad (Akshay Kumar) lands.
Akshay Kumar’s plays the over-the-top magician, a la desi Houdini. The plot twists just before Rinku and Sajjad are set to leave. And the whole thing comes apart in this miasma of what, we can’t exactly put our finger on. A flashback, the destruction of Rinku’s parents and what not. Then a phantom made up by the young mind of an orphaned child. Please, please, someone save me!!!
The film is far from reality and is too much khayalon mein. Be it Vishnu falling in love with Rinku without enough interactions, or the blase manner in which the film portrays serious mental disorders, nothing went unnoticeable. With the makers focusing to flesh out Akshay Kumar’s character, Vishnu loses out. Poor Sara Ali Khan can also be seen struggling to keep Rinku’s mosaic intact. Her over-the-top and unnecessary excitement does not go unnoticed.
Coming to the music, Rahman has yet again managed to convert fans into his melody bhakts. From the classical beats of Tera Rang to Little-Little, the mood refresher, one cannot help but immerse themselves into a loop of the compositions and symphonies. However, one feels you’ve heard it somewhere, oh musta been from other Rahman-scored films.
The sore point is the portrayal of mental health disorders; their treatment could have been shown with more reserve rather than ending up as mere wisecracks. The makers sure didn’t want to court controversy and very clearly wanted to stay away from debates and criticism that sensitive topics can stir up. Apart from that and a Madrasi slur, the film really brings to you an unexpected taste of love candies and curiosity filled flavours. And the sore realisation that you saw it on OTT and not in a theatre, where you could have thrown an old shoe or something else. Poor Dhanush!
Atrangi Re is on Disney+Hotstar. You’ve been warned!
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.
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.
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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