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Koffee With Karan Season 7 Episode 1 was Ranveer Singh all the way! A crackling episode that has all fans sit up and take notice.
For me, the ‘Koffee With Karan’ was getting insufferably predictable, boring, and even borderline mean in the last few seasons. There were a few exceptional guests on the show though like Twinkle Khanna and Nargis Fakhri, who lend some originality and wit on it.
So, I had zero expectations when the latest season was out last night. In fact, I was prepared for the worst.
I mean, it’s Alia Bhatt in the introductory episode, who is intolerable to watch offscreen with her gross immaturity, and lack of intellect on the whole. I don’t mind her emoting on-screen, though. She’s an excellent actress, no doubt.
I watched Karan Johar’s rapid fire on Pinkvilla, where he gloats over darling Ms. Bhatt and claims that the word talent should now be replaced with Alia Bhatt.
I was like,
“Hello! What about Tabu, Irrfan Khan, Bhumi Pednekar, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Deepika Padukone and scores of other contemporary talented actors across India?” In fact, Deepika Padukone is no less than Alia Bhatt, where acting skills are concerned. Haan, Haan, poore industry mein sirf Alia acting kar rahi hain. Baaki sab halwa bana rahe hain. (yes, yes, only Alia can act in the whole industry!)
If this is not nepotism, what is! (Thank you, Kangana!)”
While Alia is talented, it’s a bit of a stretch to replace the word ‘talent’ with ‘Alia Bhatt’ while conveniently not mentioning the word ‘privilege’. When you get the best of roles on a silver platter owing to your lineage, it’s privilege first and talent next. Also, there’s no scarcity of talent in the world that the word has to be replaced with one privileged actress’s name. Talent is not scarce, and it’s not limited to the elite few.
“And then there is Ranveer Singh,” I thought. “I mean, what more could he offer that we’ve not seen before? Apart from his loud clothes and ways, that is!”
But, the first episode was not that bad.
While it may have to do with my expectations being zero, a huge redemption factor was Ranveer Singh. He literally stole the show from the start to the finish.
Karan Johar started off the episode on an impressive note. I liked his self-deprecating humour. Alia was being Alia, looking a little more radiant than in her earlier appearances on the show. Thanks to the unmistakable pregnancy glow.
However, she, along with the host, bored us for more than half an hour about how pure, pious and sincere a lover and husband Ranbir Kapoor is. Also, if KJo is listening, the sexual innuendoes and jokes are also getting jaded.
My favorite moments were undoubtedly the ones with Ranveer Singh.
When Singh laughed his guts out at Alia’s first email ID name. Punkbabe something. ROFL!
When he was asked what Alia had which Deepika didn’t, and vice versa. His answer was straightforward and subtle, which pitched the two actresses as equally talented. Unlike a previous ‘Koffee with Karan’ episode, where Karan Johar was blatantly biased towards Alia Bhatt, although Padukone was internationally more well-known at that point in time and had a credible line-up of performances and hits.
When he called out KJo for a biased Q to Alia and termed it nepotism. Yes, it was an unfair question and good on Ranveer for holding his ground.
When Alia mistook a question, and Ranveer remarked, “Ladies and Gentleman! Genius of the year!” ROFL!
When Karan Johar brings up the vilification of Bollywood in the last 2 years, and Alia Bhatt joins in sympathetically, “I thought we were done.” Ranveer Singh acts all cool, ignorant, and uninterested in joining in the drama. But he lends his full support to Johar, topping it by calling him a “Gudda” at the end. How cute! Smooth. Very Smooth.
When Ranveer doesn’t get Deepika’s zodiac sign right which shocks Karan and Alia, and he goes like, “What? I don’t believe in astrology.”
When Karan asks how would Alia-Ranbir, Anushka-Virat, and Vicky-Katrina be celebrating their 50th anniversary. The look on Alia’s face when he spoke about Vicky and Katrina was priceless.
When Alia chooses Ranbir and Varun over Ranveer, the latter creates a ruckus and walks out while declaring, “Dost ke naam pe kalank.” (You’re no friend!)
Alia defends her stance saying but she didn’t throw up a fuss when Ranveer commented on her short stature. To which he responds, “Ooh ooh ooh, touched a nerve.” Ranveer Singh was on fire.
Alia shares Ibrahim Ali Khan’s message that he took the time for after Gangubai Kathiawadi. Ranveer remarks, “Since you’re busier than Jeff Bezos na in life.” And “Lady?” while shaking his head. “Oh God! (3 times) Charan Sparsh, Ibi Sir! Thank you for removing the time to send the message.”
Even though this was admittedly a tad mean and could have been avoided, I’m presuming they’re a close-knit group that doesn’t mind pulling each other’s legs on national television.
Whether it is Hrithik Roshan or Kapil Dev’s “What else we here for” or Ranbir’s “Jai karna aata hai” impersonation, Ranveer Singh’s mimicry was a treat to watch.
From his inventive jokes to mimicry, FULL marks to him for the entertainment and infusing some energy into a tired, scripted show.
And why is Akshay Kumar buzzing around Samantha Ruth Prabhu like a bee to honey? Have to find out next. Stay tuned!
Author, poet, and marketer, know more about Tina Sequeira here: www.thetinaedit.com read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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