Latest news with #URI:TheSurgicalStrike
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First Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Ibrahim Ali Khan's 'Sarzameen' movie review: The most forgettable take on terrorism in recent times
Only if that supposed twist towards the climax was not undone. Where are Gupt, Khakee, and Fida when you need them? read more Cast: Kajol, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Ibrahim Ali Khan Director: Kayoze Irani Language: Hindi The backdrop is Kashmir again. A voiceover by Boman Irani with gorgeous and ghastly visuals of the state is the opening frame of Kayoze Irani's directorial debut titled Sarzameen. Irani Sr. made his directorial debut last year with a part-petite and part-pulsating ode to fatherhood titled The Mehta Boys. Irani Jr. doesn't take a different route, he creates a new path. For a first time director to grapple with an issue as delicate and difficult as Kashmir is tricky. Action director Tinnu Varma did that with Maa Tujhe Salaam, and of course Aditya Dhar with the 2019 URI: The Surgical Strike. But does Kayoze have the rigor or the razor-sharp vision to pull the material off? As the story progresses, we see the debutant has made an attempt to dig deeper into political commentary and complexities juxtaposed with personal turmoil and tensions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sarzameen ensures it presents its hero heroically. So we don't see Prithviraj Sukumaran's face just so easily. We first see his lips, a smirk, a command, and then a warning. It's only after the damage is done we see him sprinting in slow motion, which is followed by a stiff and swift combat. We then meet the woman who commands the man who commands his men. This character is Meher (an omnipresent Kajol). What binds the directorial debuts of the Iranis is the father-son conflict that forms the central theme of the story. In The Mehta Boys, it was the long distance that strained the relationship due to the silences. In Sarzameen, it's the closeness that becomes the reason for the father's resentment as the son stutters and struggles to speak. One can see the purpose, but also the predictability. And the way the early scenes are staged, you know exactly what's going to happen next. The gatekeepers will turn out to be the ghosts that will haunt the central character and his family only because he refused to abide by the cliched demands. By when will these fictional terrorists realize Indian soldiers are not even half as pliant as they assume? All the tried and tested pandemonium unfolds as a forgettable qawwali number takes centre stage. An urgent phone call is not responded to because the owner is far away busy dancing. This is no Bajrangi Bhaijaan, so any room for miraculous goodness is obliterated. There's also a tinge of Ramesh Sippy's Shakti. Duty or son? This didn't strike me until a late night message from a friend who asked me if it was similar to that 1982 drama. It became all the more familiar when Vijay says his motherland comes first. The fact that the father is called Vijay 42 years later is no coincidence. However, Sarzameen also has the perspective of the mother, what's unfortunate is that the role is essayed by Kajol. By now, she can safely call herself a veteran of tear jerking stories and terrorism clashes. (Fanaa, My Name Is Khan, and the most recent Maa- She was a mother in all three). But the actress who has made a solid career out of some of the most emotionally stirring breakdown scenes struggles with cosmetic tears here, and the title song tries its best to camouflage the surprisingly emptiness in a crucial scene. The distance between the husband and the wife in this scene suggests the marriage is going to crumble. The half-effective Mission Kashmir (2000) got the bruises of the mother right as the son grew up to be what he never wanted to. Ditto for Fiza, both starring Hrithik Roshan in the same year. This character here is given to Ibrahim Ali Khan. His acting debut Nadaaniyan was unfortunately received rather brutally with scathing reviews all over. His second choice could be best described as Imran Khan moving from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na to Kidnap within a span of three months. This (mis)step seems intentional to tell the world there's a lot more to them than their chocolate boy aura. At least for Imran, his debut is still a fresh part of the pop culture. Ibrahim didn't fair that smoothly. Those muscles and ripped body do half the job. The gunshot to his head is deceptive for anyone who saw the trailer. This is the basic problem with Kayoze Irani's directorial debut. You are always one step ahead of the people who inhabit the story, which is never a good sign. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The most baffling aspect of Sarzameen is the climax with a twist that's never milked to its juiciness. That's because the makers are too busy screeching the idea about humanity and hatred with two fine actors unleashing their most one-note performances in recent times. The action scenes are raw and the final shot before the final shot is the second time they cheat the audiences. Don't be fooled when the end credits begin. This has to be a unique case where there are two end credits. Marvel and DC would be crying in one corner. Only if that supposed twist was not undone. Where are Gupt, Khakee, and Fida when you need them? Rating: 2 (out of 5 stars) Sarzameen is now streaming on Jio Hotstar
Economic Times
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Vicky Arora joins Shortgun Games as action director for upcoming third-person shooter title
Bollywood action director Vicky Arora Bollywood action director Vicky Arora, known for his work on films like URI: The Surgical Strike, RRR, TANAAV, and the upcoming Ramayan Part 1, has joined Shortgun Games to lead the action design for its upcoming third-person shooter (TPS) game. The move marks a collaboration between film and interactive entertainment, with Arora applying his experience in cinematic combat to a new gaming environment. Shortgun Games, founded by the team behind Rogue Heist, is currently working on a narrative-driven shooter for PC and console platforms. At Shortgun, Arora is overseeing the game's action sequences from pre-visualisation and motion capture to final implementation. His focus is on combining technical precision with storytelling, drawing on over a decade of experience in choreographing action scenes in film.'What stood out was Shortgun's commitment to narrative. Games have always fascinated me as a medium that blends immersion with interactivity,' said Vicky Arora. 'The idea of using action to advance character arcs rather than relying on spectacle alone aligns closely with how I approach cinema. Applying that same lens to a TPS, where every gameplay decision carries emotional weight, felt like a natural fit. This is a progression for action design where players don't just witness the fight, they step into it.'The upcoming title explores themes such as identity, instinct, and control, with Arora's role focused on aligning these ideas with the game's combat systems. Drawing inspiration from games like The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Ghost of Tsushima, Arora aims to bring similar narrative depth and realism to Shortgun's project. 'Vicky Arora's background in grounded, close-quarters choreography and his ability to think from a narrative perspective made him the right choice for this role,' said Vidhit Mehta, Founder at Shortgun. 'His collaboration with our creative team helped bring weight and logic to the way our characters move and fight.'Shortgun says that bringing someone from a film background into game development reflects a broader shift in India's digital entertainment sector.'This collaboration reflects a larger shift happening across India's digital entertainment. We're seeing the lines between film and games blur, and that opens up a whole new design language for developers. Bringing someone like Vicky Arora on board, someone with deep roots in cinematic storytelling and physical action, allows us to tap into that momentum," said Jeet Chandan, Managing Director at Shortgun."Indian gamers today expect quality, immersion, and originality, not just localisation of global trends. For us, elevating production value from the development stage is a strategic choice. It's about showing that Indian studios can create globally competitive, story-driven titles from the ground up. And in doing so, we're also building a model for cross-industry collaboration that can redefine how games are made in India," he also serves as General Secretary of the Screen Action Association of India (SAAI), where he supports professional training and safety standards for stunt performers. His familiarity with motion capture work, particularly on Ramayan Part 1, is informing his approach to game development at Shortgun. The studio's project is still in development, but the team believes that combining cinematic expertise with interactive storytelling can help raise the bar for Indian-made games.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vicky Arora joins Shortgun Games as action director for upcoming third-person shooter title
Vicky Arora, known for action direction in films like URI and RRR, is now with Shortgun Games. He will lead the action design for their new third-person shooter game. Shortgun Games, creators of Rogue Heist, are developing a narrative-driven shooter for PC and consoles. Arora's role involves overseeing action sequences, blending cinematic combat with interactive gaming. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Bollywood action director Vicky Arora , known for his work on films like URI: The Surgical Strike, RRR, TANAAV, and the upcoming Ramayan Part 1, has joined Shortgun Games to lead the action design for its upcoming third-person shooter (TPS) move marks a collaboration between film and interactive entertainment, with Arora applying his experience in cinematic combat to a new gaming environment. Shortgun Games, founded by the team behind Rogue Heist, is currently working on a narrative-driven shooter for PC and console Shortgun, Arora is overseeing the game's action sequences from pre-visualisation and motion capture to final implementation. His focus is on combining technical precision with storytelling, drawing on over a decade of experience in choreographing action scenes in film.'What stood out was Shortgun's commitment to narrative. Games have always fascinated me as a medium that blends immersion with interactivity,' said Vicky Arora. 'The idea of using action to advance character arcs rather than relying on spectacle alone aligns closely with how I approach cinema. Applying that same lens to a TPS, where every gameplay decision carries emotional weight, felt like a natural fit. This is a progression for action design where players don't just witness the fight, they step into it.'The upcoming title explores themes such as identity, instinct, and control, with Arora's role focused on aligning these ideas with the game's combat systems. Drawing inspiration from games like The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Ghost of Tsushima, Arora aims to bring similar narrative depth and realism to Shortgun's project.'Vicky Arora's background in grounded, close-quarters choreography and his ability to think from a narrative perspective made him the right choice for this role,' said Vidhit Mehta, Founder at Shortgun. 'His collaboration with our creative team helped bring weight and logic to the way our characters move and fight.'Shortgun says that bringing someone from a film background into game development reflects a broader shift in India's digital entertainment sector.'This collaboration reflects a larger shift happening across India's digital entertainment. We're seeing the lines between film and games blur, and that opens up a whole new design language for developers. Bringing someone like Vicky Arora on board, someone with deep roots in cinematic storytelling and physical action, allows us to tap into that momentum," said Jeet Chandan, Managing Director at Shortgun."Indian gamers today expect quality, immersion, and originality, not just localisation of global trends. For us, elevating production value from the development stage is a strategic choice. It's about showing that Indian studios can create globally competitive, story-driven titles from the ground up. And in doing so, we're also building a model for cross-industry collaboration that can redefine how games are made in India," he also serves as General Secretary of the Screen Action Association of India (SAAI), where he supports professional training and safety standards for stunt performers. His familiarity with motion capture work, particularly on Ramayan Part 1, is informing his approach to game development at studio's project is still in development, but the team believes that combining cinematic expertise with interactive storytelling can help raise the bar for Indian-made games.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shishir Sharma on 'Rasa': It completely engaged me as an actor
Picture Credit: X The makers of the culinary drama 'Rasa' on Tuesday unveiled the trailer of the upcoming film and veteran star Shishir Sharma , known for 'Raazi,' 'URI: The Surgical Strike,' and 'Dangal,' said it completely engaged him as an actor. In Rasa, Sharma essays the role of Anant Nair, a revered yet enigmatic culinary maestro. The trailer gives a glimpse of a world where food is more than just taste, it is a philosophy, an emotion, and a deeply personal journey. Speaking about the film, Shishir shared, "Rasa is a film that the audience has to experience. It's an emotion that is served in the form of food... the characters get transported to the ecstasy of enjoying something that they would not have experienced ever." One must experience it The actor said that it's very difficult to explain in words why Rasa is a must-watch. He added: "You have to experience it. It's unique in its story, the design, the writing, and the performances. It's a very intense film that will give you food for thought long after you've seen it." Reflecting on his journey with the film, he added, "From the very first reading, Rasa completely engaged me as an actor." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Glicemia acima de 100? Tente esse truque antes de dormir Revista Saúde+Você Undo For Shishir, working with young and energetic directors was magical. He added: "They bring such freshness to storytelling that you feel inspired to give more than 200 percent. Rasa is a film where you need to immerse yourself... and that I did!" About 'Rasa' Set to release on July 25, the film is directed by Angith Jayaraj and Preetish Jayaraj, and written by Rutuja Patil, Rasa promises an immersive emotional and sensory experience. The film also stars Rishi Bissa, Vishishtha Chawla, and Rajiv Kumar in key roles. Sharing about how the whole idea came up, the directors said: "We both had first developed it as a short film story based on Angith's concept years ago. When we shifted to Mumbai with Rutuja Patil (the writer), and realized that we had to make the dream happen, the three of us took that idea, and developed it into a feature film." "As producers too, we had full control over our vision. Despite limited resources, we strived to create a world with character, while wearing multiple hats - from cinematography and editing, designing the sets, to handling VFX." The directors said that the film is a culmination of years of "dreaming, planning, and relentless hard work." Produced by Angith Jayaraj, Preetish Jayaraj, and Rutuja Patil under the banners Purnam Films and Indian Summer; in association with Haroon Rashid Films and Vidya Entertainment and distribution by New Age Visuals, Rasa is slated to release in theatres on July 25.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Dhurandhar' first look: Ranveer Singh plays a rugged warrior in Aditya Dhar's violent actioner
The much-awaited first look from Ranveer Singh's upcoming actioner Dhurandhar was unveiled by the makers on his birthday today. Helmed by URI: The Surgical Strike (2019) director Aditya Dhar, the film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal and R Madhavan pivotal roles. The first look gives a detailed glimpse into the film. It introduces Ranveer as a rugged warrior with long hair, as he is seen engaging in violent action sequences. A smashing Punjabi song plays over the visuals as it is revealed that the film is based on 'incredible' true events. Ranveer seems to be a chain-smoker, who is shown lighting cigarettes in multiple instances. Akshaye, Sanjay and Arjun seem to play grey characters, having intense looks. At one point, Ranveer says, 'Ghayal hoon, isiliye Ghatak hoon (I am wounded, hence I am dangerous)'. There are multiple visuals of explosions, hand-to-hand combat and gun fights. Towards the end, Akshaye and Sanjay's characters are shown to be taken in a cop vehicle somewhere. The film promises to be a stylistic actioner, although plot details are kept under wraps.
