Hindi
Five reasons to watch ‘Bastar: The Naxal Story’ this weekend
Mumbai: Bastar: The Naxal Story delves into the real-life incidents of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, particularly focusing on the Bastar rebellion that erupted in the region. Scheduled to hit the screens on 15 March 2024, at your nearest PVR INOX cinemas, this film is helmed by Sudipto Sen and stars Adah Sharma, best known for performance in The Kerala Story. This marks their second collaboration after the success of their previous project. If you’re pondering whether to watch Bastar: The Naxal Story, here are five compelling reasons why you shouldn’t miss this gripping masterpiece:
Adah Sharma’s outstanding performance
Following her emotionally charged portrayal of Shalini Unnikrishnan in The Kerala Story, Adah Sharma returns as IPS Officer Neerja Madhavan in Bastar: The Naxal Story. With a singular mission to root out threats to India’s sovereignty, Sharma’s performance is nothing short of captivating. Her portrayal will swell your chest with pride and linger in your thoughts long after the credits roll.
Sudipto Sen’s exceptional direction
With only two films to his credit, including The Last Monk and The Kerala Story, Sudipto Sen showcases his directorial prowess once again in Bastar: The Naxal Story. His meticulous direction exposes how internal strife undermines the nation’s peace and harmony. Supported by stellar performances from the entire cast, Sen’s tribute to the armed forces resonates deeply, evoking goosebumps and admiration.
Exploration of relevant themes
Bastar: The Naxal Story sheds light on pertinent issues plaguing our country, particularly the Naxal insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives and devastated national assets worth trillions over the past five decades. It stands as one of the gravest human tragedies in independent India’s history.
Empowering female representation
Amidst the rise of women-centric films that have found success at the Indian box office, Bastar: The Naxal Story stands out by placing Adah Sharma’s character at the forefront. Portraying a strong advocate for India’s sovereignty, Sharma’s character breaks barriers and challenges traditional norms, embodying power-packed female empowerment.
Visual spectacle
One cannot overlook the breathtaking cinematography in Bastar: The Naxal Story. Cinematographer Ragul Dharuman skillfully captures the film’s action sequences, the picturesque landscapes where it unfolds, and the myriad flashbacks and present-day scenes, creating a visual feast for the audience.
If you’re a fan of films that illuminate societal issues and showcase the valor of our armed forces, don’t miss the premiere of ‘Bastar: The Naxal Story’ this Friday at your nearest PVR INOX cinemas.
Hindi
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
