News Broadcasting
A fighting fit Star Movies speaks in whispers
The quality of the flicks on Star Movies on Friday at 9:30 p.m. keep getting better. On the 16th the channel will show the period piece Anna And the King. The theme is the age old classic conflict between Eastern and Western culture. Directed by Andy Tennant (Ever After) the film stars Oscar winner Jodie Foster (The Accused) as governess Anna Leonowens in the Victorian era. She and her son travel to Siam to teach the children of the King played with charm and elegance by Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon).
The relationship between them gradually blossoms as they start respecting each others traits. The political tensions that existed at that time give the film an extra dimension. The battle scenes and narrow escapes are fraught with tension enhanced by Luciana Arrighi's production design and Caleb Deschanel's breathtaking cinematography
On the 23rd Robert Redford (Quiz Show) is the The Horse Whisperer. Based on Nicholas Evans's novel Redford who also directed stars as a cowboy who has a special way of communicating with horses. He seems to understand their language. A concerned mother played by Oscar nominee Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) travels to his ranch in Montana after her daughter Scarlett Johannson suffers a bad accident with her horse. A special bond forms as the young girl is forced by Redford to get in touch with herself to understand how the horse feels. Cinematographer Robert Richardson paints a glorious picture of rural America. The film bagged Golden Globe nominations for picture and director.
Finally on the 30th the channel assaults the senses with Fight Club. This raw wound from visionary David Fincher (Seven) tells the tale of two frustrated guys who decide to form a club where men can take out their frustrations by beating each other. When the members are physically exhausted that is when they are able to bare their feelings to each other. Soon clubs like this start springing all across the United States. Their sinister agenda is to turn the establishment on its head by blowing up corporate America buildings. The revelation at the end will make your head spin around.
The club has several rules including the fact that if you have just joined you have to fight that night. Watch the scene where Edward Norton (Primal Fear) beats himself to a pulp in order to blackmail his employer. It's a beaut!
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
