Latest news with #PaatalLok
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Stolen review: A survival drama done right, with an in-form Abhishek Banerjee
DIRECTOR: KARAN TEJPAL CAST: ABHISHEK BANERJEE, SHUBHAM VARDHAN, MIA MAELZER STARS: ★★★⯪☆ A story that spans one night- that, right there, is a favourite with filmmakers. The premise is intriguing, packed with potential for drama. Stolen, directed by Karan Tejpal and co-written by him and Gaurav Dhingra, falls into this category- and the payoff is well worth your time. The plot kicks off with a sharp misunderstanding. A woman named Jhumpa wakes up on a railway platform to find her child kidnapped. Suspicion quickly falls on Raman (Shubham Vardhan), who has just arrived by train. His brother Gautam (Abhishek Banerjee), there to receive him, urges him to stay out of the situation as the police arrive. But Raman chooses to help. What follows is a fast-unfolding series of events that plunge all three- Raman, Gautam, and Jhumpa into escalating danger. The screenplay is taut and skillfully layered, escalating the tension without losing grip. Tejpal's writing gives each actor room to work with, allowing them to embody their roles. At its core, the film asks a chilling question: Does it still pay to be good-hearted in a world where deception comes easy? As the story unfolds, viewers are left grappling with unsettling thoughts- what would you do in such a situation? Just when Raman's character begins to feel too idealistic, Tejpal drops hints of a backstory, subtly suggesting why Raman connects so deeply with Jhumpa's anguish. The narrative then shifts gears into a gripping car chase (slickly executed) and later to a remote village, where a violent mob threatens the trio's survival. These sequences are palpably tense, made more so by Ishaan Ghosh's tight cinematography that heightens the sense of claustrophobia. What elevates Stolen beyond its thriller beats are the performances. Abhishek Banerjee, having already proven himself with projects such as Paatal Lok and Stree 2, delivers another standout act, convincingly transforming from a man driven by money to one moved by conscience. Shubham Vardhan brings quiet strength and layered vulnerability to Raman, anchoring the emotional core of the film. Mia Maelzer as Jhumpa is outstanding, portraying grief and desperation with raw intensity. In conclusion, Stolen is a well-acted thriller that hooks you from the first frame and doesn't let go. It raises questions and leaves you thinking long after the credits roll. It's a gripping one-night story that doesn't just entertain; it resonates.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
21 hours ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Paatal Lok's actor Jaideep Ahlawat buys Rs 10 cr flat in Andheri West
Bollywood actor Jaideep Ahlawat along with his wife Jyoti Hooda has purchased an apartment in Andheri West, Mumbai, for Rs 10 crore, according to property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards on the website of Inspector General of Registration. The transaction was registered in May 2025. According to the IGR property registration documents reviewed by Square Yards, the property is located in a residential project known as Poorna Apartments. The purchased apartment features a carpet area of 1,950 sq. ft. and a built-up area of 217.47 sq.m. (~2,341 It comes with four car parking spaces. The transaction incurred a stamp duty payment of Rs. 60 lakh and registration charges of Rs. 30,000. Jaideep Ahlawat is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films and web series. He gained recognition for his roles in the films Raees (2017) and Raazi (2018). In 2020, he starred as a police officer in the streaming series Paatal Lok, for which he received the Filmfare OTT Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series. Most recently, he appeared alongside Saif Ali Khan in the Netflix film Jewel Thief (2025). Strategically positioned between Mumbai's prominent business districts and entertainment zones, Andheri West boasts excellent connectivity through the Western Express Highway, Link Road, SV Road, and the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro line. Over the years, Andheri West has evolved into a dynamic commercial and residential destination, featuring a lively blend of modern office complexes, co-working spaces, upscale retail outlets, entertainment centres, and premium residential developments. After a hiatus of five years, the much-anticipated second season of Paatal Lok premiered on Prime Video on January 17, 2025. The gripping crime thriller sees Jaideep Ahlawat reprising his role as the dogged Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary, tasked with unraveling a high-profile murder case in the scenic yet mysterious northeast India.
Mint
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
The rise of small-town stories on OTT: Grassroots-themed shows are proving to be cost-effective, culturally rich
Much like the wave that took over Bollywood around the early 2010s, when movie plotlines shifted to small towns, original shows on video-streaming platforms too are being set in tier-two and tier-three locations. The trend may have started with shows such as Panchayat in April 2020. Now, it has spread as makers take shows to small, remote parts of the country, whether it is Punjab in Kohrra or the northeast in the latest season of Paatal Lok, cashing in on local dialects and talent. While the common perception is that OTT is an upmarket, metro phenomenon with limited viewership in smaller towns, executives said that in the effort to widen audience reach, writers and makers are setting stories in the hinterland, which makes it cost-effective to put together and allows for new faces and real locations. Even metro audiences increasingly seek rooted stories from beyond the cities. 'Culturally relevant storytelling helps audiences connect with their roots and see their lived realities on screen, which fosters deeper engagement," said Raghavendra Hunsur, chief content officer of ZEEL. Also Read | Regional OTTs bank on native loyalty as viewership lags behind foreign players While the metros account for a significant portion of OTT consumption, there's been a notable and steady rise in viewership in tier-two and tier-three cities, with a major portion of ZEE5's audience from these regions, Hunsur added, noting that such stories increasingly resonate with urban audiences as well. 'The emotional depth, sociocultural nuance, and grounded storytelling offer a refreshing break from the gloss of typical urban narratives," he pointed out. Titles such as Aindham Vedham, Sankranthiki Vasthunam, Ayyana Mane, Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri and Bhaiyyaji are prime examples of stories set in small-town India streaming on ZEE5. Nostalgia, depth In the fast-paced urban life, stories set in small towns or rural settings bring a sense of nostalgia and depth, agreed Nitin Gupta, chief content officer at Chaupal, a platform specialising in Punjabi, Haryanvi and Bhojpuri content. The service's titles such as Shikaari and Zila Sangrur have drawn viewers with their raw portrayal of village life and culture. The upcoming Sarpanchi 2 and Shahi Majra 2 are built on the success of their first seasons. The early adopters for any medium, including OTT platforms, tend to come from larger cities, according to Arpit Mankar, head of non-Bollywood category at Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd. However, as these platforms expand, smaller towns catch up. 'We have seen this trend across Pay TV, FM radio, and even YouTube. This shift naturally drives a demand for more authentic, culturally resonant narratives that cater to a broader audience base," Mankar said. Also Read | Smaller OTT platforms cash in on regional movie acquisitions as bigger players go slow; build on originals He added that as a result, small-town stories have become a critical part of content strategy. They offer a chance to connect with diverse audiences by capturing the humour, aspirations, and unique struggles of everyday India. These stories resonate with audiences by reflecting local traditions and the universal experiences of small-town life. While metro-centric content is getting increasingly repetitive, looking and sounding the same, regional tales find more draw from the fact that many viewers who live in big cities come from smaller towns, producer and director Hemal A Thakkar said. 'OTTs are also looking to cater to the lowest common denominator now, which are not urban viewers. The stories have to be accessible to all," said filmmaker Siddharth P Malhotra, who directed the Netflix original Maharaj set in pre-Independence Bombay. Malhotra pointed to the success of rooted tales even on the big screen, be it Lapataa Ladies or films made in southern languages. A wider lens "The shift was long overdue. Audiences in smaller towns were always there—what was missing were stories that reflected their lives with honesty. As platforms began to realise that relatability often outshines gloss, the storytelling lens naturally widened," said Dhruvin Shah, founder and CEO of JOJO, a Gujarati-language platform. Platform executives and content creators emphasised that the metros are not the only OTT market anymore. Also Read | Overseas markets emerge as big opportunity for local streaming platforms as diaspora seeks more regional content Charu Malhotra, co-founder and managing director of Primus Partners, said from a production point of view, smaller towns offer lower costs, whether it is rentals, permits or crew accommodation. There is also a growing talent pool in these regions: actors, technicians and writers who understand the local texture better than anyone else. 'Beyond cost, there's a richness in talent that's often untapped. By working with local talent, we not only control budgets but also nurture a sustainable creative ecosystem. It's not just about saving money, it's about investing in grassroots storytelling, which in turn feeds the larger vision of creating inclusive, pan-Indian OTT content," said Kaushik Das, founder and CEO of AAO NXT, an Odia-language OTT platform.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Salman Khan makes it difficult to like him: Sonali Bendre shares how he made her angry during Hum Saath Saath Hain shoot
Actor Sonali Bendre opened up about her experience working with Salman Khan in their 1999 film Hum Saath Saath Hain. Speaking with Bollywood Bubble, Sonali shared that Salman would make faces at her while shooting, making her angry. She added that Salman "makes it very difficult to like him". (Also Read | Sonali Bendre recalls earlier linkups and gossips 'would be out there' only to promote a film) After working with Salman Khan for a while, Sonali revealed that she came to know his real nature, "a softy inside". Sonali said, 'We were fighting all the time. I promise you, I mean, you know I should ask Salman about it then. Because whenever I was giving close-ups, Salman would be making faces at me. And I would get so pissed off that I would say, 'What the hell?' But you know, yeah." Sonali said that Salman keeps a tough exterior but is actually a "nice guy". She added, "Through the making of this film, I got to know Salman. And you know, Salman makes it very difficult to like him. Because you grow to see that he hides what he is, a softy inside. Actually, he puts on a really rough exterior, but he's a softy. But you know what it took me time because I was like, what the hell, but it took me a while actually to figure out that he's a nice guy.' Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) is a family drama film written and directed by Sooraj Barjatya. The film also stars Mohnish Behl, Tabu, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Neelam, Mahesh Thakur, Reema Lagoo and Alok Nath. Hum Saath Saath Hain became the highest-grossing film of the year and one of biggest blockbusters. Sonali made her acting debut with Aag in 1994. She also featured in Diljale (1996), Major Saab (1998), Sarfarosh (1999), and Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000), among others. She has starred in the series Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye (2014) and The Broken News (2022). She will be seen with Ali Fazal in their upcoming web series, directed by Paatal Lok director Prosit Roy. The show is reportedly based on the Ranga-Billa murder case, which is one of the most shocking and high-profile crimes in Delhi's history. The upcoming series aims to capture the details of the crime and its impact on the people of Delhi at the time.
Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
‘In my head, I believe…': John Abraham shares why he's not fully convinced about doing OTT projects
The OTT platform has emerged as a top choice for both audiences and major celebrities, with many big names making their digital debuts. However, it appears that actor John Abraham isn't in a rush to join the trend. In a recent interview, the Dhoom star shared his perspective on the matter and said, "In my head, I believe, I was made for the big screen." John Abraham on why he is not doing OTT projects In a conversation with Hindustan Times, John Abraham expressed his reservations about working in the OTT space. He reportedly pointed out that venturing into the digital medium requires a large operational setup and a dedicated team, yet creators often don't retain ownership of the intellectual property. According to him, the revenue earned is usually offset by operational costs, making the effort less worthwhile. He added that most people involved in OTT would agree with this perspective, which is why he doesn't find it practical to pursue web series at the moment. However, he acknowledged that he would be open to producing a web series if he came across a compelling story that genuinely resonated with him. The Vedaa actor clarified that his interest would stem from a desire to share a meaningful narrative, rather than to pursue it as a business venture. This, he explained, is why he has not taken on any OTT projects as a producer so far. As for appearing in web content as an actor, John Abraham maintained that while he wouldn't rule it out entirely, he currently has no intention of doing a series or an original film for an OTT platform. He stated that his focus remains on the big screen, which he believes is where he truly belongs. Although he holds great respect for digital platforms, especially given the high-quality international offerings and standout Indian productions like Paatal Lok, he doesn't yet see himself fitting into that space. On the work front, John Abraham has teamed up with Rohit Shetty for his upcoming project. The yet-to-be-titled film is a gripping thriller based on the life of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria. The story promises to be intense, highlighting key moments from Maria's career, from his investigations into the 1993 Bombay blasts and the 26/11 attacks to his confrontations with the underworld.
