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India Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Blending style with substance: Evolving language of espionage in storytelling
Hindi cinema has recently seen a boom in the spy genre. From Salman Khan's 'Ek Tha Tiger' (2012) kickstarting the origins of Yash Raj Films' spy universe, to Neeraj Pandey's 'Baby' (2015) and 'Naam Shabana' (2017), the espionage saga in films and shows has evolved over the years. With Pandey's grounded storytelling or YRF's 'Mission Impossible'-inspired thrillers with a Bond-like flair in the spy genre, the genre has created a new cinematic wave in Hindi cinema. However, when it comes to films and shows, the audiences have grown to appreciate much more than gadgets, glitz and glamour over the years. Where is this genre heading, though? Is it all style and mass, but no meat? spoke to the industry experts to understand more about the genre and where it is thinking of espionage stories, a larger-than-life spectacle often comes into the picture. There has been a template in terms of storytelling in the genre by blending jingoism with the commercial elements of mainstream Bollywood. These stereotypes have now been broken with the OTT boom. Audiences are now rooting for more grounded and relatable characters and are not going to settle for mere style over recent teaser of Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, Kiara Advani's much-hyped 'War 2' has created a lot of buzz since it was launched. The action-thriller from Aditya Chopra's spy universe is a spin-off to 'Tiger 3' and 'Pathaan' while depicting similar chase sequences, hand-to-hand combat, aerial wire-work action, explosions, beach shots and musical sequences. In spite of movie buffs raving about the upcoming grand spectacle, it is worth noting that some previous big-budget films were mounted on the same yardstick. Despite the moderate or disappointing fate of these films, Bollywood filmmakers still stick to similar formulaic storytelling. At a time when not just OTT platforms but social media and podcast channels have also become an alternative to content consumption, it is crucial to retrospect the future of cinema and the much-needed evolution in film genres and the age of algorithms and market economics, where there is a reel for every teaser and trailer, the X-factor in storytelling needs to come from unique, layered characters and relatable stories, irrespective of the genres. With growing conversations around the future of theatrical releases, it is pivotal to also consider the changing preferences and content consumption habits of audiences. Movie lovers exposed to not just Hindi and English shows, but K-Dramas, Iranian and other languages' cinema are not going to have the same approach towards movie viewing as in earlier shows like 'The Family Man,' 'Special Ops,' 'Mukhbir - The Story of a Spy' and 'The Freelancer' paved the way for more nuanced, research-based stories, do mainstream Hindi filmmakers also need to evolve in their storytelling? On being asked whether the Indian audiences have become more discerning towards the spy genre post the OTT revolution, 'Mukhbir' writer Vaibhav Modi says, "In the pre-OTT era, we did not have too much exposure to that genre. A little bit of that kind of storytelling was there in the American shows, but not many people had access to it. But, if you look at that genre over the last few years, starting with 'Special Ops,' 'Bard of Blood' and 'The Family Man.' So, it has definitely given exposure to Indian audiences."advertisementFilmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra, however, feels that the Hindi film audiences haven't been discerning towards spy films as there have been many such stories being backed by studios like YRF. He says, "Spy content is still very popular on films and streaming platforms. There are an entire spy universe content-based films which are coming out.""Even Alia Bhatt and Sharvari are coming up with a spy film ('Alpha'). So, producers wouldn't be willing to back such movies if it were a discerning audience. If you get it right in terms of the flow, you will always enjoy it. The plot needs to be engaging enough for it not to be discerning. As a genre, it will never go out of fashion," he Gul Panag, who has acted in 'The Family Man', feels that there has been a shift in the audiences' ability to filter content since the OTT boom. She says, "Since the last 4–5 years, the audiences have been discerning towards not just spy content but all kinds of genres. They have been exposed to content from across the world. The viewers have been consuming films and shows available in many different languages. There has also been a shift in their ability to filter content dramatically."advertisementWatch War 2 teaser here: The virality of content and the bridging of language barriers in the current OTT era have also shaped how traditional audiences prefer watching films. Apart from engaging storytelling, is it also time for more research-oriented, nuanced filmmaking when it comes to spy genres? In spite of the charismatic on-screen personas of mainstream stars, does the Hindi film audience also expect character-led espionage films? Are producers willing to back such stories?While reflecting on the same, Modi says, "I would think so because one of the trends has been picking stories from real-life incidents. The other thing is making content from published material. There are a bunch of books out there that are based on declassified information from RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and IB (Information Bureau). This medium allows time to develop research-based content."The writer also feels the long-form format of storytelling in the spy genres gives them more creative freedom in comparison to films. He further says, "This format of telling a story over eight or ten odd episodes gives you the ability to develop more characters and world-building compared to films where you are only going after one plot. Obviously, producers and writers have gone deeper in terms of geopolitical aspects of a story. In 'Mukhbir', we actually had to create the era where India's relationship with Pakistan was a certain way. We did a lot of deep research related to it."advertisementMalhotra, on the other hand, stresses the need to back writers apart from making projects based on big stars. He says, "If it is a real-life espionage story, then it is better. So, you need a big star and a big setup. Instead of backing stories, producers don't back writers in our film industry; they back stars. I am talking about barring Aditya Chopra, there is no other producer who is going to back the writers."Panag, while weighing on the same, feels that the backing has to come from the platforms. She says, "The producers are certainly open. The backing, however, has to come from platforms. At the end of the day, the numbers are on the platform, and they decide which shows to greenlight."The espionage genre in Indian cinema is not just about nationalism and high-octane action, but also concerns cross-border terrorism and geopolitics. With streaming platforms adapting to more realism and current events, it is imperative for mainstream cinema to also consider the changing trends. The cinematic experience doesn't just have to be about stunts and grand-VFX, but also set a narrative that compliments ongoing politics, national security threats, global terrorism and secret service agencies. Will the success of shows like 'The Family Man' or 'The Freelancer' impact the kind of spy films Bollywood greenlights in the next few years?advertisementPanag points out the diversity in the spy genre on OTT platforms and how the success of these shows depends on the audiences' response. She says, "Espionage is not only 007-style spy stories. That is what big blockbusters have been feeding us. But there have been lots of examples on streaming platforms like 'Jack Ryan,' 'Fauda' and others that have handled the narrative differently. There was this show with Sasha Baren Cohen ('The Spy'), based on a true story as well. The success of these stories, however, also depends on how well they have been received by the viewers."Watch Special Ops 2 teaser here: The future of spy stories largely depends on the ever-changing content-consumption pattern of audiences. Will movie-goers be more inclined towards masala entertainers, musical espionage thrillers, blending 'James Bond' with 'Dhoom'-inspired glamour and gadgets? Or has there been a revolutionary change in the cinematic preferences of film lovers?What is the future of spy stories in Hindi cinema? Panag feels there will always be a theatrical market. However, the actor credits OTT platforms for democratising content. She says, "OTT platforms in today's times have democratised content consumption. I will still go and watch Mission Impossible on the 1st day. So, there will always be a theatrical market apart from OTT platforms. And I don't think the two will cannibalise each other. The consumer is now king and the content creators have to work harder to get a piece of their attention. Earlier, the content was skewed in favour of the supply-side films that were released theatrically and, of course, the content we viewed on traditional television. But today there is a much larger choice and so scope for everyone."Theatrical releases are here to stay irrespective of the rise of streaming shows. The espionage genre - YRF's universe or the Bond franchise - will always appeal to the masses. However, the success and longevity of such stories will only be cinematically relevant if they resonate with the evolving mindset of audiences. Both mainstream films and OTT releases will have to bring a certain novelty and uniqueness to storytelling with a combination of realistic narrative apart from visual appeal in order to ensure audience fate of 'War 2,' 'Alpha,' 'Special Ops 2' and 'The Family Man 3' will define the future course of such films and Watch
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exclusive: Ranveer Singh not producing any Shaktimaan series
Actor Ranveer Singh is busy acting in movies, and producing anything is not on the cards right now, sources confirmed As opposed to the news circulating in the media, the 39-year-old has not bought the rights to produce the 'Shaktimaan' series. He is also not collaborating with Mukesh Khanna, who played the celebrated superhero in the iconic TV team confirmed to us that the actor has no time to expand the horizons when his lineup is full of anticipated movies, including YRF's 'Don 3'.advertisement"The news about Ranveer Singh acquiring rights to develop a new superhero ('Shaktimaan') project as the producer holds no truth. He is currently busy shooting for Aditya Dhar's next and then, 'Don 3' is also on the cards for him," the source said. A source close to the actor also informed us that the actor is going to begin shooting for 'Don 3' in the second half of the year with Vikrant Massey. Currently, the only project he's busy with is Aditya Dhar's espionage drama, 'Dhurandar', which is extremely demanding - both physically and emotionally.A report in Filmfare earlier mentioned that Singh acquired the rights to develop 'Shaktimaan', and is thinking of creating a indeed showed his interest in performing the iconic superhero on the screen a few years back. However, things didn't work out, and now, the actor has got his plate Reel IN THIS STORY#Ranveer Singh
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exclusive: The Royals actor Udit Arora reacts to show's criticism, Bhumi's trolling
Actor Udit Arora says the audience is entitled to their opinion of his show 'The Royals', and all he can do as an artiste is to receive the feedback 'with grace'. In an exclusive interview with the actor, who played Kunal Mehta in the Netflix show, reacted to the trolling that co-star Bhumi Pednekar received for her Kunal was Bhumi's Sophia's business partner and former lover. The two shared many scenes in the series. When asked about the criticism of the series, Mehta said, "People are entitled to their opinions, whether praise or critique, and I fully respect that. Some folks love rom-coms, others are drawn to hard-hitting dramas or international cinema. It's all subjective. As creators, we put our best into the work. Once it's out there, it belongs to the audience. All we can do is receive their reactions with grace."advertisementHe appreciated Pednekar's dedication to work, and called her efforts 'extraordinary'. When asked to comment on Pednekar facing trolls for her appearance on the show, Arora said, "Bhumi gave more than 100% to this role, she's a dedicated, passionate performer and was amazing to work with." He continued, "She brought everything she had to the character. But again, people will always have opinions. They have the freedom to like or dislike something. That's not in our hands. What matters is the intent and effort she brought to the table, and that was extraordinary. Arora, who was also seen in 'Saas Bahu Flamingo', shared his experience of bagging the series and what changes it has brought to his resume of work. The 32-year-old revealed that he was one of the last actors to have joined the cast of 'The Royals'.advertisementWhen asked if the show's popularity has helped him bag new offers, Arora shared, "The response has been nothing short of phenomenal. The show is still being discovered by people, and it's trending in 58 countries. But, it's still early days. Even if offers come, I usually don't speak about them until things are concrete. But yes, there's been a lot of love from the industry, which feels great."He continued, "I think opportunities build over time. You deliver consistently, and that builds trust. There have already been a couple of projects where I was being considered, so I'm hopeful. I believe this performance will definitely open more doors."'The Royals' has now been renewed for season two. The show also stars Zeenat Aman, Ishaan Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Lisa Mishra and Nora Fatehi, among Watch IN THIS STORY#Bhumi Pednekar
India Today
6 days ago
- Business
- India Today
17-year-old from Dubai brings digital skills to over 2,700 students in rural Bihar
Can you imagine a 17-year-old not only dreaming of change but actually building something real from the ground up? That's what Kavin Khanna did. Determined to empower students in Bihar's remote areas, where children often have access to the internet but rarely the guidance to use it meaningfully, he created a space where learning digital skills could open doors to new a student of social entrepreneurship at Jumeirah College in Dubai, launched the SkillLeap Project in September 2023 from Kaina village in Bihar's Samastipur partnership with the KCS Foundation, a community-focused non-profit registered under NITI Aayog (DARPAN), the initiative has since reached more than 2,700 students, many from government and low-income private schools, providing them with essential training in digital skills and financial literacy. Backed by $10,000 (Rs 8.35 lakh approximately) in international donations, a digital lab with 20 advanced computer systems was set up. Three full-time local instructors were hired to deliver a curriculum designed entirely by Kavin himself. It covered everything from basic computing and internet safety to AI and coding.'I designed the entire SkillLeap curriculum to make digital learning simple and accessible,' Kavin told 'The planning was mine, but the execution came to life with full support from the KCS Foundation. We built something that could actually transform lives,' he learning space was thoughtfully equipped with projectors, printers, webcams, and ergonomic furniture to create an engaging, student-friendly syllabus was layered to suit different age groups, starting from basic computing, internet use, and Microsoft Office tools to programming in Python, HTML, and students could even explore artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and advanced levels of curriculum also extended into digital marketing, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship for students who were interested in these areas. According to the curriculum accessed by students were also exposed to practical skills in budgeting, planning, fundraising, and content mentorship from industry experts and quarterly assessments, students were encouraged to build real tech-enabled ventures, from e-commerce platforms to educational while living in Dubai, Kavin remained closely involved. He conducted weekly online sessions and, in April, visited the Samastipur centre for the first time to meet the students face-to-face. This photograph was taken during Kavin's visit to the centre in Samastipur in April. (Source: Special Arrngement) 'Many of the kids didn't even know what financial literacy meant,' he said, adding, 'During my visit, it was heartening to see them not only using the systems but actually becoming curious about how tech could improve their lives.'advertisementCurrently, 390 students are actively enrolled; 153 girls and 237 boys, coming from nearby schools and communities. Classes are grouped by age, from grade 3 up to college-level learners, with topics gradually introduced based on student interest and keeps him going? Kavin says it's the joy of seeing real impact. 'You don't need a lot of money to be a changemaker,' he said. 'What you need is a vision, commitment, and the courage to start.'Looking ahead, he hopes to take SkillLeap beyond Bihar. 'We're in the digital age of AI. These children deserve the same opportunity to learn modern skills,' he said, adding, 'We're aiming to partner with more organizations and seek government support to expand this initiative across India, and eventually, globally.'Suman Jha, Secretary of the KCS Foundation, said the collaboration has done more than just provide infrastructure. 'In rural Bihar, children lack both access and exposure,' he said. 'This project is giving them not just tools, but a vision.' He added that new SkillLeap centres have also opened in Baheri (Darbhanga) and training batch includes 40 students, with two students sharing a computer. Once a module is completed, they receive certificates. Teachers guide them through video tutorials, followed by hands-on practice in the lab. Kavin's photo with the students of Kaina centre in Samastipur district. And the real transformation? It's visible in the students a Class 6 student, said he had never used a computer before. 'Now I can create simple games using block coding,' he said, smiling. 'Earlier, I only watched videos online; now I use the internet to learn,' he in Class 9, said the program gave him a head start that his regular school couldn't. 'All my academics were book-based. I wanted more. Now I'm building HTML web pages and learning how AI can support my studies. It's opened a whole new world for me,' he told added, 'I use AI now to explore my interests and find resources. At first, we learned how computers work, then what they can do. Right now, I'm learning the basics of programming.'advertisementThen there's Sanchi, a Class 5 student who dreams of becoming an artist. 'Earlier, I just used YouTube,' she said, adding, 'Now I journal and explore creativity using notes. I come here with 14 other girls, it's the best part of my day.'Perhaps Kavin Khanna's story is a reminder that age is no barrier when purpose leads the way. With vision and empathy, even the widest digital divides can be Reel
India Today
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Akshay doesn't 'appreciate' anyone calling Paresh 'foolish' for leaving Hera Pheri 3
Actor Akshay Kumar reacted to Paresh Rawal's decision to exit their film 'Hera Pheri 3'. The actor was present at the trailer launch event of his film 'Housefull 5', where he addressed the media's questions about Rawal quitting the film. Kumar maintained that the matter is currently subjudice and therefore, he wouldn't comment on it. However, he maintained that he doesn't 'appreciate' anyone calling Rawal told that people are calling Rawal 'foolish' for stepping out of 'Hera Pheri 3', Kumar said, "I would not appreciate anybody using the word 'foolish' for my co-star. I would say that's not right."He then talked briefly about his association with Rawal in the past and how he continues to respect their relationship. 'I've worked with him for over 32 years. We are very good friends. He's a great actor. I really admire him." Kumar refused to make any comment on Rawal's exit from the film. The actor, who has sued his co-star for Rs 25 crore, told the media, "And whatever the issue is, this is not the place where I am going to talk about it. It's a serious matter. It's a matter which is going to be handled by the court and things like that. I don't think I am going to speak about it here." advertisementEarlier, Rawal's team issued a statement mentioning that he had not shot for a single day and had also returned the signing amount while leaving the film. The 69-year-old, who was a part of both the films in the 'Hera Pheri' franchise, announced his decision to leave the film on social media. He, however, maintained that his decision had nothing to do with any 'differences' with director real reason behind leaving 'Hera Pheri 3' is still not in an exclusive interview with actor Suniel Shetty, who's also a part of the film, revealed that neither he nor Kumar had any clue about Rawal's sudden exit. He addressed the news as the 'biggest shock', and added that the film is important for everyone's 'mental health'.Must Watch IN THIS STORY#Akshay Kumar
