Happy Gilmore 2 review: Adam Sandler returns with a swing and a hole lot of heart
Motivated to support his daughter's dream, Happy decides to pull himself together, at least as much as he can. He attempts to clean up his act, return to the game, and reclaim a sense of purpose. Meanwhile, his four sons, each in wildly different careers but all carrying the same chaotic DNA, bring their own brand of madness to the table.However, it's Happy's chemistry with his sons that feels the most undercooked in the entire film.What follows is a messy, hilarious, surprisingly poignant journey of rediscovery. The film balances sports satire, absurd comedy, and an endearing family drama without getting too sentimental.It's got the high-energy humour of the 1995 comedy drama 'Billy Madison', the warm fuzziness of the 2020 drama series 'Ted Lasso', and the emotional stakes of a classic Sandler dramedy, all topped with golf balls flying into people's faces and unexpected rivalries.Watch the trailer of 'Happy Gilmore 2' here: Sandler, unsurprisingly, owns the screen. He doesn't attempt to reinvent the character; he lets him mature. This version of Happy is still loud and impulsive, still threatening to fight people mid-tournament - but there's also vulnerability, regret, and a quiet understanding of loss. It's Sandler at his best: chaotic, charming, and carrying a surprising emotional core.But 'Happy Gilmore 2' isn't just a one-man show. Sandler generously shares the spotlight, allowing new arcs to flourish. Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin) returns in top form, while Benny Safdie (Frank), Bad Bunny (as Happy's oddball caddie Oscar), and a handful of other scene-stealers bring both comedy and chaos. Their chemistry is effortless and adds layers to what could've easily been just another nostalgia cash-grab.advertisementSpeaking of nostalgia, yes - comparisons to the original are inevitable. But the sequel doesn't try to outshine it. Instead, it builds a world adjacent to the first, with enough quirks and narrative detours to stand on its own. It respects the legacy without trying to recreate it beat-for-beat.And then come the cameos - the film is packed with them. From golf champs like Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris to musicians like Eminem (in a scene that might just be the film's funniest), the guest appearances are ridiculous, joyful, and designed to get you pointing at the screen in delight.It needs to be mentioned that, no, 'Happy Gilmore 2' doesn't break new cinematic ground. But that's not the point. It's meant to be a comfort watch; a little silly, a little messy, but packed with laughs and heart. If you go in expecting the irreverent fun of the original with an older, slightly wiser twist, you'll walk away satisfied.Watch it with your mates and quote it till your throat hurts, because in 'Happy Gilmore 2', Adam Sandler swings big, and while the shots aren't flawless, they land where it matters.Directed by Kyle Newacheck, the film is currently streaming on Netflix.- Ends3 out of 5 stars for 'Happy Gilmore 2'
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Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Rasha Thadani: Our generation is not scared to be our own self
Films and fashion have always been in her blood, and now that she has embarked on a journey of her own, she is creating a legacy of her own. Rasha Thadani has made a place for herself in the audience's heart in just a few months, owing to her innocence and charm, and as our cover girl, she brings the same spunk to the set. Outfit 1: Dolly J Studio | Jewellery: Clara | She exudes glamour in a corset-inspired look by Dolly J Studio, detailed with sheer panels and soft blue floral motifs. The tailored silhouette flatters her figure while lending a touch of graceful sophistication. | Outfit 2: Namrata Joshipura | Jewellery: Clara | The actor stuns in a sleek black gown by Namrata Joshipura, adorned with shimmering sequins and detailed textures that melt into deep blue hues at the hem. She pairs the look with delicate drop earrings from Clara, adding a hint of sparkle that perfectly balances the bold silhouette.(Photographer: Abheet Gidwani) Outfit: Namrata Joshipura | Jewellery: Clara | The actor dazzles in a form-fitting black gown by Namrata Joshipura. Embellished with shimmering sequins and intricate textures, the gown fades into rich blue tones at the hem. She finishes the look with dainty drop earrings from Clara, offering just the right sparkle to complement the statement gown.(Photographer: Abheet Gidwani) At the mere age of 20, Rasha Thadani has a clear understanding of what fashion means to her: 'It's all about being the best version of yourself,' she insists, adding that being a part of Gen-Z has helped her learn the power of individuality. 'The power of our generation is that we are not scared to be our own selves. Everyone is just being themselves and that becomes a statement on its own,' she says. Outfit: Fablestreet | Jewellery: Soni Sapphire | Sunglasses: Scott Eyewear | Rasha stuns in a fitted black dress by Fablestreet, which hugs her silhouette with sleek precision. A sparkling necklace from Soni Sapphire lends the look a refined hint of glamour, while the oversized sunglasses by Scott Eyewear add a statement-making, retro-chic edge.(Photographer: Abheet Gidwani) Rasha believes that the generation has somewhere risen above the pressure of fashion trends. 'None of us is scared of wearing something just because it's not trending. If you look at fashion trends, jeans are the are the most trending and also the most comfortable thing. It's just about being yourself and that is a statement in itself," she says. Outfit: Dolly J Studio | She looks glamorous in a corset-style ensemble from Dolly J Studio featuring sheer panels and delicate blue floral accents. The flattering silhouette enhances her frame while maintaining an air of refined elegance.(Photographer: Abheet Gidwani) The actor adds, 'There's no constant pressure of being perfect. It's all about being comfortable, because comfort is cool. There's nothing wrong in following trends, but I like to be the trendsetter.' Having grown up under the guidance of one of the most loved and fashionable actors of the '90s, her mother Raveena Tandon, Rasha admits that her wardrobe is heavily influenced by not just her mom but the whole '90s era. 'Me and my mom have very similar styles. I've grown up seeing and being influenced by what she likes and dislikes. Thus, 90% of my style, I have taken from her,' she admits. Outfit: Ridhi Mehra | Jewellery: Soni Sapphire | Wearing a strapless brocade ensemble by Ridhi Mehra, Rasha is here to steal the moment. The top, adorned with delicate beadwork and floral motifs, flows seamlessly into flared trousers. An intricately tied golden headscarf adds a modern, cohesive edge to the look, while a layered pearl necklace from Soni Sapphire lends a hint of old-world charm.(Photographer: Abheet Gidwani) Ask her what today's fashion can learn from the '90s era, and vice versa, and Rasha says, 'Today's fashion is a little more focused on comfort, and that is better. But '90s fashion is iconic. The way they'd accessorise, the hair, the makeup, the silhouette in everything the people would wear, it was so beautiful. I am a fan of '90s fashion. I try and do '90s style as much as I can yeah, be it the smoky eyes or high ponytails, the red bands. I can spend my entire life with the '90s fashion.' Outfit: Mehul Gupta Label | Rasha wears a sleeveless sheer mermaid-style dress from Mehul Gupta Label, adorned with delicate black floral embroidery. The dress features a flattering waist cutout, while a black stole draped around her arms adds a graceful, sophisticated touch.(Photographer: Abheet Gidwani) With her first film Azaad earlier this year, Rasha got a first-hand experience of fashion in films. Mention that and she says, 'Azaad made me realise the beauty in simplicity. All the outfits were so colourful and ethnically beautiful, but it was all so simple. I realised that less is more.' Outfit: Tabeer India | She wears a striking black dress from Tabeer India, defined by its intricately beaded bodice and flowing sheer layers that catch the light with every turn. The dramatic silhouette, balanced by delicate detailing, gives her an ethereal yet powerful look.(Photographer: Abheet Gidwani) But it's not just fashion inspiration that she got from the film, as it paved the way for her to the audience's hearts. 'I don't believe that anything is really happening yet. It's very hard for me to process everything, because I am myself still learning about the what, why and hows. I am just being myself and somewhere, it's building a connect with the audience. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't have imagined an outcome like this. It's surreal for me,' she says. The FDCI Manifest Wedding Weekend showcased the finest in luxury, all under one roof. Leading couturiers, jewellers, and premium brands came together to offer a seamless wedding shopping experience. Creative direction: Shara Ashraf Prayag Mishra Photographer: Abheet Gidwani Stylist: Namita Alexander Words: Akash Bhatnagar Hair: Sourav Roy Makeup: Mehak Oberoi Location: Faze Studio
NDTV
9 hours ago
- NDTV
The 300-Crore Saiyaara Phenomenon And Why No Hindi Film Could Beat It: What Trade Experts Say
New Delhi: Released on July 18, 2025, Mohit Suri's Saiyaara, led by debutant Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, has turned out to be a massive pop-culture moment amongst the Gen-Z crowd. The film has steadily gone up the ladder with a blockbuster opening at the box office, and the huge numbers raking in ever since then. The film is soon going to clock 3 weeks of release on August 8, 2025. The film entered the 300 crore club on Monday, August 4, giving tough competition to films led by big stars such as Ajay Devgn's Son of Sardaar 2. It has also impacted Dharma Productions' Dhadak 2, led by Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi. Trade Expert Taran Adarsh talks to NDTV to give an insight into what makes Saiyaara a celebration with its 300 crore milestone. He also sheds light on the scope of it, continuing its glorious run. On The 300-Crore Box-Office Record Taran Adarsh tells NDTV that he has always believed how the box office is unpredictable and how that's the beauty of it all. He says, " Saiyaara has rewritten all records. And of course, if you look at the collection, it is the biggest opener, biggest grosser for a film starring newcomers. It's crossed the 300 crore mark, which is a first for a film starring new faces. Sharing the limelight with such biggies is unimaginable. Before the release, I'm sure a lot of people did not think this movie would work. But then the box office speaks for itself." Scene from Saiyaara So is Saiyaara now aiming to soon hit the 500 crore mark? Taran Adarsh adds, "No, I think this is the maximum. But then this is also a huge achievement for a film with newcomers." Saiyaara Vs Big Releases One of the biggest releases of July was Son of Sardaar 2, starring Ajay Devgn and Mrunal Thakur in the lead. With the tremendous response to Saiyaara, the makers pushed the film's release to August 1, 2025. Scene from Son of Sardaar 2 On the other hand, Dhadak 2 stood firm on its initial release date, which was always August 1, 2025, despite a clash with Son of Sardaar 2 and Saiyaara's success. Scene from Dhadak 2 Taran Adarsh reacts to the impact that Saiyaara had on such important releases. He says, "On the contrary, Saiyaara has also now been impacted slightly by Mahavatar Narsimha (the film collected Rs 8 crore on Monday, August 4). The latter is also rocking the box office. So I guess we will have to see. But again, the point is, irrespective of what kind of impact Saiyaara might have had on these films, on its own, it is an epic blockbuster." Scene from Mahavatar Narsimha On Saiyaara's International Business Saiyaara is not just making waves in India, as Taran Adarsh reiterates. He says how it has found a large audience overseas too and is earning fantastic figures. He says, "It has worked across the globe, not just in India. That shows the potential of the film, and it's a huge blockbuster." Speaking of any other love stories that had such a huge impact on the audience before this and did well Internationally as well, Taran Adarsh recalls, "Those were different times. But, I do remember when Bobby (1973) led by Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia had released, that kind of craze we witnessed during Bobby; it was unprecedented, and somewhere I saw it for Saiyaara. The best thing is they are fresh faces, so it's easier to relate, and they are also brilliant actors." War 2 Incoming The biggest Bollywood release in August is undoubtedly Ayan Mukerji's War 2, led by Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani. Interestingly, it is also bankrolled by Yash Raj Films, the same as Saiyaara. Scene from War 2 Taran Adarsh shares how War 2 will take over Saiyaara, " War 2 will be massive, but Saiyaara will still be running with limited screens. War 2 will have at least 60-65 crore first day opening. Also, it's releasing on August 14, which is a Thursday, and then there's Independence Day. Imagine the business." Saiyaara emerged as the second-highest-grossing film of the year after Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava. At the global box office, it has already crossed the Rs 450 crore mark. Despite Son of Sardaar 2 and Dhadak 2 now running in cinemas, and Mahavatar Narsimha also emerging as a solid frontrunner, Saiyaara continues to hold its ground.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
'I married the guy who hated me in school' — this viral love story has everyone smiling
In a sea of Friendship Day messages filled with old group photos, childhood anecdotes, and notes to friends-turned-family, one post quietly broke through the noise– for being refreshingly real and unexpectedly touching. Aanchal Rawat's post on X on August 3 wasn't a tribute to a friend, but to her husband– the same classmate who once refused to speak to her after an innocent mishap in school. Years later, they crossed paths again– this time not in a classroom, but on a matrimonial app– and the rest, as they say, came full circle. 'I married the guy who hated me in school' In her now-viral post, Rawat shared two contrasting photos– an old class picture with both of them marked out, and a recent one from their wedding. But it was her caption that caught everyone's attention. 'I married the guy who hated me in school,' she wrote. According to Rawat, they barely interacted in school, and their one notable memory was far from friendly. 'I was the kind of girl who didn't want to be friends with boys. A nerdy, shy guy once tried sharing his lunch with me. I accidentally broke his Pokémon tiffin box. I think I almost made him cry that day, and he never spoke to me again,' she recalled. Aanchal Rawat's post on X: A long silence and a light-hearted comeback Years passed, and there was no contact between them– until they unexpectedly matched on a matrimonial app 15 years later. Rawat shared how the conversation began with a callback to their only memorable moment from school. 'His first text was literally: 'Will you ever buy me a new tiffin box?'' Though their school days didn't spark a friendship, their later conversations did. Rawat ended her post with, 'No friendship happened in school, but yes, we ended up married. Happy Friendship Day, husband.' Internet reacts with humour and warmth The post quickly gained traction, with users across X reacting with a mix of humour, nostalgia, and affection. One user commented, 'He remembered! Hope you never break another tiffin again. Wishing you both all the meals and memories ahead.' Another remarked, 'From breaking his tiffin to packing his lunch– love that journey for you!' 'Tiffin box se lekar tiffin banana tak ka safar,' read one comment. 'Pokémon ne bana di jodi,' added another. Some reflected on their own school memories. 'I deserve a love story like this too, God,' one user wrote, while another noted, 'You often become great friends with schoolmates you once disliked.' A user summed it up saying, 'He clearly knows how to hold on to gifts more than grudges. Wishing you two all the happiness.' social media post . The claims, experiences, and events described have not been independently verified by the Times of India . Thumb image: X/Aanchal Rawat
