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Gehraiyaan Movie Review: Raw, dark, and absorbing

Shakun Batra directorial features Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, and Dhairya Karwa in the lead roles. Besides, Naseeruddin Shah and Rajat Kapur play pivotal roles.

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Gehraiyaan

By Shruti Kaushal

Director: Shakun Batra
Gehraiyaan cast: Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajat Kapoor
Ratings: 4/5

“We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us”: Andrew Ryan

We have been told many times over by filmmakers and philosophers that the choices we make dictate our lives. Life is nothing but the choices we make; and how they impact our lives.

Shakun Batra-helmed Gehraiyaan, featuring Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, and Dhairya Karwa, takes you on a ride of choices with a twisted tale of relationships. This romantic movie will not just leave you mushy. Instead, it will make your heart race with the waves and the pulse of love and the complicated bond we share with ones close to us.

Gehraiyaan begins by showing how it feels to be stuck even when you are with ones you love the most. The key characters in the movie are Alisha (Deepika Padukone), a yoga instructor, Karan- Alisha’s boyfriend, a struggling writer (Dhairya Karwa), Alisha’s cousin Tia (Ananya Panday), and her fiance Zain (Siddhant Chaturvedi), who is a real-estate entrepreneur.

The film not just revolves around the four characters but also shows flashbacks of Alisha’s mother and why they slipped out from their plush life and things that will make you question, till the end, what did happen.

At the beginning of the movie, everything will seem so simple, yet complicated. The couples get entangled when four of them head off for a holiday at an Alibaug beach house where Alisha and Tia spent most of their childhood. The four of them meet on a yacht along the Mumbai coast. Alisha and Zain share a few glances and are enamoured of each other. And, of course, heedless Tia and Karan indulge in good-natured banter.

The makers have done a splendid job and enveloped the trailer with kisses and lovemaking scenes. When it comes to storytelling, Shakun Batra always steals the cake. The two sexually drawn people cheat on their partners and ends tragically for all concerned. Burdened by her miserable childhood, Alisha is not able to let go of the memories of her mother and her parents’ dysfunctional relationship. Alisha’s character is the one that most people will relate to since the overwhelming fear most face is not to end up tragically like someone we know.

Promises, lies, cheating, and complication is the new definition of love these days, explains Gehraiyaan. Things take a U-turn after Zain decides to leave Tia in six months and start a new life with Alisha. Deepika Padukone beautifully portrays a complicated character like Alisha and illustrates each layer of her character- ambitious, strong-headed, and vulnerable. Siddhant brings out Zain, who too has had a rough childhood, aspires to crack every deal by hook or by crook. However, his expressions require more depth and polishing. Rajat Kapoor plays Jitesh who helps Zain to save the company from the wrath of the Enforcement Directorate. Ananya is impeccable as she pretty much plays herself as Tia, a privileged woman living in a posh Mumbai apartment and longing for love. Dhairya as Karan has the least amount of screen time, however, plays a significant part in the not-so-anticipated twist and turns.

Composed by Kabeer Kathpalia aka OAFF, the music of the film is raw and mellow and Tu Marz Hai Dawa Bhi lines sum up the essence of each character. Besides, Deepika’s acting prowess what stunned me was her flawless nude makeup. Her looks in the film prove that minimalistic makeup underlines grace.

Shakun Batra has exquisitely used waves as a metaphor to show the depth of each character. Few scenes like the aesthetic Arabian Sea, the bird’s-eye view of the yacht, Alisha’s miscarriage while crying out loud in the shower, and of course Alisha-Zain lovemaking are too many cherries on a single cake. Moreover, the plot twist 28 minutes before the climax deserves standing ovation.

The 2 hours 30 minutes-long film Gehraiyaan is raw, dark, and absorbing. Dysfunctional family, flawed characters, and mind-boggling twists in Shakun Batra’s film are enough to keep the audience glued to their seats and their mobiles till the end.

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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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