English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Entertainment

Hai Junoon web series review: Musical dreams marred by flawed execution

Hai Junoon offers a musical college drama with heart but falters due to clichéd writing and underdeveloped characters.

Published

on

Set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s vibrant Andersons College, Hai Junoon: Dream, Dare, Dominate embarks on an ambitious journey to blend music, dance, youth rivalry, and emotional storytelling. Unfortunately, this 20-episode musical drama staggers under the weight of its own aspirations.

At the heart of the story lies a fierce rivalry between two student factions: the polished band Supersonics and the defiant dance crew Misfits. What unfolds is a competition riddled with old tropes, shallow storytelling, and scattered narrative threads that dilute the drama’s impact.

Unfocused themes blur the emotional core

Despite a promising premise involving themes of identity, ambition, and belonging, the series falters due to a lack of narrative discipline. The central arc — Gagan Ahuja (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a reclusive music prodigy returning to mentor his old college band — has emotional potential but gets buried under rushed subplots and overstretched themes. Issues like sexuality, mental health, and trauma are touched upon without depth, often feeling like token inclusions rather than integral parts of the story.

The contrast between the Supersonics and Misfits, led by Sebi (Sumedh Mudgalkar) and Pearl Saldhana (Jacqueline Fernandez), aims to reflect a legacy-versus-rebellion dynamic. However, it ends up being surface-level, lacking the gravitas to sustain viewer interest.

Performances struggle against weak writing

Neil Nitin Mukesh stands out with a sincere portrayal of a mentor wrestling with his past. Sumedh Mudgalkar also delivers an engaging performance, infusing Sebi with charm and grit. But Jacqueline Fernandez fails to leave a mark, her character suffering from poor development and a flat arc. The supporting cast, while energetic, is let down by limited depth and screen presence.

Music and choreography provide fleeting highs

Musically, the series briefly shines. The choreography is peppy, and nostalgic Bollywood renditions add some charm. With veteran voices like Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan, and Sonu Nigam lending weight to the soundtrack, the musical moments occasionally lift the series. Yet, the placement of these numbers often interrupts rather than complements the narrative flow.

Final verdict

Hai Junoon strives to champion youthful ambition and self-expression but ends up a confused, overstuffed drama. Its sporadic highs — particularly in music — are overshadowed by inconsistent writing and half-baked themes. With a tighter script and more focused storytelling, it could have struck the right chord. As it stands, it’s a missed opportunity that only sporadically entertains.

Entertainment

OTT and theatrical releases this week: new films and series to watch from December 19 to 26

From crime thrillers and disaster dramas to romantic films and comedy shows, here’s everything releasing on OTT platforms and in theatres this week.

Published

on

friday ott release

As the holiday season kicks in, a packed slate of fresh OTT and theatrical releases is set to entertain audiences this week. From crime thrillers and disaster dramas to comedy shows and romantic films, viewers have multiple options across platforms and cinemas. Here is a detailed look at what’s releasing between December 19 and December 26, based strictly on available information.

Major OTT releases this week

Several high-profile web series and films are making their digital debut across platforms, spanning genres like thriller, drama, comedy and fantasy.

Mrs Deshpande (December 19)
An Indian adaptation of the French thriller La Mante, this series stars Madhuri Dixit as a convicted serial killer imprisoned for years. The story takes a turn when a copycat killer surfaces, forcing the police to seek her assistance to crack the case.

Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders (December 19)
This standalone sequel revisits Inspector Jatil Yadav, who finds himself probing a complex murder. As the investigation progresses, layers of greed, betrayal and dark family secrets come to light.

Four More Shots Please Season 4 (December 19)
The final season focuses on the four central characters confronting personal truths and growth. The narrative tracks their emotional journeys as they reassess choices, relationships and identities.

A Time For Bravery (December 19)
The film follows a nervous psychoanalyst sentenced to community service after a traffic accident. Assigned to counsel a depressed police officer, the unlikely duo soon gets caught in a dangerous criminal conspiracy linked to national security.

The Great Flood (December 19)
Set against what appears to be Earth’s final day, this disaster drama depicts a massive global flood. The story centres on survivors trapped inside a sinking high-rise building as water levels rise rapidly.

The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 4 (December 20)
Returning after a short break, the new season brings back familiar faces with fresh sketches, aiming to appeal to viewers across age groups.

Sicily Express (December 22)
This series follows two Sicilian nurses working in Milan who discover a magical dumpster portal allowing instant travel between Milan and Sicily. Their plan to run a secret commuter service leads to unexpected misadventures.

Ghost Adventures: House Calls – Season 2 (December 24)
The paranormal series documents investigators visiting real homes where families report unexplained experiences, aiming to identify and understand unusual activity.

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking – Season 2 (December 25)
Set on actual movie locations, this season challenges bakers to create desserts inspired by iconic moments from the Harry Potter films, with hosts and guest appearances from the franchise.

Hustlers, Gamblers, Crooks – Season 2 (December 26)
The series presents real-life stories of risk, cons and high-stakes decisions, narrated by the people who lived through them.

Films releasing in theatres

Two notable films are hitting cinema screens on Christmas Day, offering contrasting genres.

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (December 25)
Marketed as a Christmas romance, the film stars Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday. It follows two individuals who discover love during personal journeys of self-discovery, while navigating family expectations and modern relationships.

Anaconda (December 25)
The film tracks two friends dealing with midlife crises who travel to the Amazon rainforest to remake their favourite childhood movie. Their plans spiral into a survival ordeal when they encounter a giant anaconda.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Bharti Singh, Haarsh Limbachiyaa welcome second child after she’s rushed to hospital mid-shoot

Comedian Bharti Singh and her husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa welcomed their second child after she was rushed to hospital during a television shoot.

Published

on

Bharti

Popular comedian and television personality Bharti Singh and her husband, writer-host Haarsh Limbachiyaa, have welcomed their second child. The baby was born on Friday after Bharti was taken to the hospital following a sudden medical emergency earlier in the day, according to media reports.

Emergency during television shoot led to hospitalisation

As per available information, Bharti Singh was scheduled to shoot for the television show Laughter Chefs on Friday morning when her water broke unexpectedly. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later delivered her second child. No further details about the baby have been shared publicly so far.

The news of the delivery comes weeks after the couple announced Bharti’s second pregnancy on social media.

Pregnancy announcement and maternity shoot

Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa had revealed the pregnancy during a family vacation in Switzerland. A few weeks ago, Bharti also shared pictures from her maternity photoshoot, where she was seen wearing a blue silk gown with white floral patterns.

Sharing the photos online, Bharti wrote, “2nd Baby Limbachiya coming soon,” along with a baby emoji.

Family background

Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa became parents for the first time in 2022, when they welcomed their son, Lakshya.

The couple is among the most well-known faces on Indian television. Bharti is widely recognised for her comic timing and distinctive on-screen persona, while Haarsh has made his mark as a writer and host. Apart from their television work, the two also co-host a podcast together.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Gaurav Khanna wins Bigg Boss 19, lifts trophy and Rs 50 lakh prize

Gaurav Khanna has been crowned the winner of Bigg Boss 19, securing the trophy and Rs 50 lakh after a competitive finale.

Published

on

Television actor Gaurav Khanna has been declared the winner of Bigg Boss 19, bringing the curtain down on a season packed with drama, intense face-offs and emotional moments. He secured the top spot after a closely fought finale, with Farhana Bhatt finishing as the first runner-up.

Gaurav Khanna’s steady game pays off

Premiering on August 24 with 18 contestants, the season showcased shifting alliances, sharp strategies and memorable confrontations. Despite being seen as quiet in the early weeks, Gaurav Khanna gradually emerged as one of the strongest voices inside the house. His composed demeanour and calculated task performance helped him build momentum through the competition.

Farhana Bhatt ends as runner-up

Farhana Bhatt, known for her dynamic presence and determination throughout the season, finished second. Although she narrowly missed the title, her journey remained one of the standout tracks of the show.

Finale eliminations

The grand finale began with multiple eliminations — Amaal Mallik was the first finalist to bow out, followed by Tanya Mittal, and then Pranit More, leaving Gaurav and Farhana as the top two contenders.
Gaurav ultimately lifted the trophy and took home a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh.

With the conclusion of Bigg Boss 19, the show wraps another season marked by strategy, rivalry and heartfelt moments that kept viewers engaged from start to finish.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com