News Broadcasting
East meets west in ‘Where’s the party yaar’
MUMBAI: Ever wondered what a mother of a meeting it would make when an American desi jams with someone who’s ‘fresh off the boat’ (FOB). Well that’s exactly what Where’s the party yaar , entails. Add to that an American desi (AD) producer, director and star cast and what you get is an Indo-American crossover flick. The film essentially targeting the American audience, producer Sunil Thakkar was on the look out for an American distributor for over a year. Unfortunate on that front, his good destiny led him to Sunil Mutreja, managing director of Channel Nine entertainment bagging himself a distributor in India.
The fun filled party flick, set in America is scheduled for a nation-wide release on 28 May. Kakkar says ” It’s a weird, funny and fresh mix and tells a tale of an individual who is awkward and does not funny. The movie is not to be taken seriously.” Following a storyline focusing on Hari Patel, a villager who visits an astrologer before his first trip to America. The astrologer, an outlandishly dramatic character, makes several puzzling predictions about Hari’s future. “In America you will meet the woman of your dreams. It will be a full moon night. There will be lightninga fever, and then she will fall madly in love with you. Her name will start with a “P”.” Throughout the film, Hari seeks to make sense of these bizarre revelations.
Upon his arrival in America, Hari stays with the Bakshi family where he meets his Americanized counterpart, Mohan Bakshi (Mo). Mo is spoiled, rich, popular, yet a likeable character. Mo helps promote Indian parties on the campus. Ray, the party thrower, is on a mission to keep the FOB’s (Fresh Off the Boat) out of the party to maintain a cool image for his events. However, as the astrologer’s revelations begin to materialize, Hari realizes that he must go the party to get the girl of his dreams. This sends Hari and his FOB friends on a relentless search to find out “where is the Party yaar?”
From their part -time jobs at an Indian restaurant to college life with the dueling cliques, Mo and Hari’s crazy antics lead the audience on a pursuit for their true loves and the big party. Cultural conflicts, romantic adventures, and family struggles arise in the comedic twists and turns of this movie. From the unforgettable boy- band dance routine in the rain to the climatic party at the end, this movie sure promises to be one not to be taken seriously.
The main lead Kal penn originally Kalpen Patil also has an interesting history. A crossover artist Kal penn has television credits that include Spin City, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina-The teenage witch, ER and The Steve. Penn is currently talking his first lead as Kumar in Harold and Kumar go to white castle. Also up his sleeve is Mask 2, and come September and Penn takes on a new NBC series Homeland Security .
Technically, Benny Mathews (director) and Sunil Thakkar (producer) debut as director and producer with the launch of this motion picture. Although what one is not aware of is that this duo had made a flick earlier too titled Thanks for a lovely dinner. Essentially an experimental movie, the duo decided to get serious and get into the movie making business with a bang. Infused by the party scene in America, Thakkar has invested $ 250000 dollars into this flick.
Hopefully this not to be taken serious movie will make some serious waves in both the east and west.
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.
