Trailer Review: Operation Parindey, a ZEE5 Original film

(Image Source: An OTT platform ZEE5.com)

When facts blend with fiction, under the direction of a good filmmaker, it results in powerful cinema. Recently, I watched the trailer of Operation Parindey on ZEE5 which left me speechless. Operation Parindey is a ZEE5 Original film that is scheduled to premiere on 7^th March 2020.  It is a gripping action thriller based on the true events that occurred in India post-surgical strike. The 55-minute film is a fictional account of one of the most controversial jailbreaks that occurred in the history of India.

Star cast and Direction

Operation Parindey has a promising star cast. Monty Singh, the antagonist is played by the talented Rahul Dev whereas Amit Sadh plays the role of superintendent of police. The movie also stars Ameet Gaur, Rucha Inamdar, Aakash Dahiya, and Kunal Kumar in key roles.

The ZEE5 Original is directed by Sanjay Gadhvi of Dhoom fame. Therefore, the action sequences are very well directed.

Location and Background

The shooting of the movie took place in Nabha City in Punjab. The background score suits the mood of the movie and raises the thrill quotient.

Trailer Review

The trailer of the movie begins with Monty Singh (played by Rahul Dev) telling someone on the telephone: “The Day you decide to sacrifice yourself for your loved ones, that day no one can stop you.” This dialogue sets the mood for the captivating trailer.

The movie is about the jailbreak that occurred in 2016.  A reporter informs that 6 convicts have escaped from Nabha Jail in the morning. We can see the Superintendent of Police (played by Amit Sadh) worried about the fact that Monty Singh, after escaping from jail is planning an attack on India. The entire nation is under threat.

Within 24 hours, the police have to capture Monty Singh. The rest of the trailer shows glimpses of the cat and mouse chase between the police and the convicts. #The24Hourchase is peppered by some mind-blowing action sequences which we can see in the trailer.

The last scene of the trailer leaves the audience thrilled where Monty Singh and the police pass by each other without the police identifying the convict.

As the run time of Operation Parindey is only 55 minutes, the audience can be assured that it will be a fast-paced movie. The audience can expect top-notch performances from the acclaimed actors.

Final Words

If you enjoy watching fast-paced action thrillers based on true events, you will wait for the movie eagerly after watching the trailer. The trailer reveals the premise of the film without giving away any spoilers. Various questions linger after watching the trailer:

How did they plan and execute the prison break?

What was the plan of the convicts after escaping the prison?

Can police catch Monty Singh within 24 hours?

What was the outcome of #The24HourChase?

Watch the trailer of Operation Parindey on ZEE5 right away! The trailer is promising and intriguing. Movie lovers can expect an edge of the seat thriller with unexpected twists and turns. Don’t forget to subscribe to ZEE5 so that you don’t miss the premiere of the movie. 

Movie Review of Jadu Kadai, a ZEE5 Bengali Original

We all get fascinated by tales of magic and wonder. Therefore, when I saw the trailer of Jadu Kadai (magical wok) on ZEE5, I was tempted to watch it right away. Jadu Kadai is a Comedy drama starring popular Bengali actors such as Rahul, Sayani Dutta, Joydip Kundu, and Dipanwita Nath in the lead roles. The 132 minutes long movie has a fresh and refreshing concept.

Plot and Characters

Jadu Kadai tells the story of an ordinary man, Bikram whose life changes magically after he gets a wok endowed with special powers. When the movie starts, we can see Bikram daydreaming about the girl he loves. A timid and under confident man, Bikram has made peace with his mundane 9 to 5 job instead of pursuing his passion for cooking.

One day, Bikram buys an old vintage wok from a mysterious man who claims to be from Bikram’s village, Palashpur. Before leaving, the man warns Bikram not to say about the wok to anyone. It creates suspicions in Bikram’s mind but he soon dismisses it.

We get to see Bikram’s monotonous life from close quarters. A descendant of the zamindars of Palashpur, Bikram stays in a modest apartment with his friend, Timir. He is in love with a PhD scholar, Rupsha who doesn’t reciprocate his feelings. According to Rupsha, Bikram is not smart and confident enough to win her heart. Bikram is passionate about cooking and aspires to be a chef. However, he does not have the courage to take a loan for starting his restaurant. Despite being a talented and good person, Bikram lives like a loser and we feel sympathy towards him.

However, Bikram’s life magically changes when he starts cooking in the magical wok. Rupsha falls in love with him and he gets a great offer to start his restaurant from business tycoon, Maganlal. A baffled Bikram embarks on a journey to find out the truth of the wok. He also has to protect the wok from greedy Maganlal who is the main antagonist of the movie.

Pace and Climax

Jadu Kadai picks momentum post interval. The first hour has a few dull moments and can test your patience. However, once Bikram understands the power of the wok, the movie becomes fast-paced and interesting. The last 30 minutes of the movie is filled with nail-biting moments. The climax is gripping and does justice to the plot.

Performance

Rahul who essayed the role of Bikram has done complete justice to his role. He effortlessly displayed a wide range of emotions such as fear, confusion, anger, and wonder. Sayani Dutta was pleasant as the confident and well-read Rupsha. Joydip Kundu as Maganlal was pretty good.

Screenplay, Direction and Background Score

The screenplay could have been better especially in the first half of the movie. The direction justified the script. I really enjoyed the background score associated with the wok. It was both funny and mysterious. It reminded me of the fantasy adventure film, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne.

Final Words

Jadu Kadai revolves around the magical wok and the miracles and problems that occur in Bikram’s life due to the wok. If you enjoy watching fantasy adventure films with dollops of humour, you must watch Jadu Kadai on ZEE5 right away. The innovative and fresh concept will definitely leave a smile on your face.

Trailer Breakdown - The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee, an intriguing ZEE5 Bengali Original

When I watched the trailer of ZEE5 Bengali Original, The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee yesterday, I was baffled and surprised. Is it a woman’s fantasy movie? Is it science fiction? Is Mrs Mookherjee a robot? These were a few questions that popped in my mind immediately after watching the trailer. And if a trailer can keep a person wondering for hours, then that’s a victory for the filmmaker. Watch The Lovely Mrs. Mookherjee online now to crack the mystery.

She is beautiful. She is mysterious. She is extraordinary. She is the Lovely Mrs Mookherjee.

Directed by Indranil Roy Chowdhury, the movie looks promising with its innovative concept and amazing star cast. The titular role is played by one of the famous names in Bengali cinema, Swastika Mukherjee and her husband’s role is essayed by acclaimed actor, Bratya Basu.

Trailer Breakdown

The trailer of The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee starts with a girl’s voice, eager to tell a story that we might find interesting. We are shown a laboratory where a person is gearing up to perform a scientific experiment. We can see an injection and a helmet-like instrument that is placed on a man’s (Bratya Basu) head. There is a mention of millions of electrochemical impulses. We are told that all our thoughts and feelings, sadness and joy are electrochemical impulses.

Now, the trailer takes us from the laboratory to a typical middle-class Bengali household. We can see a demure and homely married Bengali woman (Swastika Mukherjee - click here to know more about her) who is referred to as Minu Mashi by the speaker. Although the narrator tells with a conviction that Minu Mashi is an extraordinary woman, we can find nothing extraordinary or even borderline interesting about her.

She is living a dull and mundane married life. Her husband does not care to look at her even once. She is often ignored and ridiculed by her husband. We can see the pain and dejection in her eyes that makes us feel pity for her.

The Twist

At this moment, the narrator is interrupted by the attentive listener who wonders why she is telling a tragic story. With twinkling eyes, the narrator reveals that the story is now going to take an unexpected twist.

The trailer takes us back to the laboratory again. We can see the face of Mrs Mookherjee’s husband on a big screen. There is a drastic change in the dynamics of the husband and wife. Mrs Mookherjee sits in front of a computer screen and orders her husband to entertain her. The husband from inside the screen obeys the orders of his wife. He also finds his wife interesting and alluring.

The homely wife now gets to live the life of her dreams in front of a computer screen where all her fantasies can come true.

Unveil the mystery

The trailer ends with such a cliff hanger that only after watching the movie, one can understand the plot and the mystery. From the trailer, it is evident that we can expect great performances and an innovative story. If you are wondering whether The Lovely Mrs Mookherjee is a woman’s fantasy tale or a sci-fi movie, you need to watch this ZEE5 Original today to unveil the mystery.

Richa Chadha shines in ZEE5 Original Film, Cabaret

Yesterday, I watched a captivating movie, Cabaret on ZEE5. The movie, starring Richa Chadha, Gulshan Devaiah, S.Sreesanth and Gulshan Grover in pivotal roles has been directed by Kaustav Narayan Niyogi and produced by Pooja Bhatt. The movie revolves around the life of a successful dancer whose journey begins from a small village called Gumla in Jharkhand.

Plot

The movie begins with a book launch. The author narrates the story of the protagonist who wanted nothing more than love in her life. The flashback takes us to Jharkhand where we see police ruthlessly killing a man, rendering his wife helpless. As the policeman tries to molest the woman (Richa Chadha), she kills him brutally.

6 years later, the woman has become Rosa, a successful dancer. Gaurav (Gulshan Devaiah), an investigative journalist who has lately become an alcoholic due to some unfortunate events is given the task of taking an in-depth interview of Rosa.

It’s through this interview that we learn Rosa’s painful and shocking story. From her escape to Mumbai, her career as a dancer and the dark twists that eventually follow, the narrative leaves the audience gasping for breath.

As time passes, Gaurav and Rosa fall deeply in love with each other. The responsibility of protecting Rosa from constant death threats from the underworld gives a purpose to Gaurav’s life. However, will he be able to save her life? Will he be able to tell the story of her life to everyone? To know that, you have to watch the movie.

Performances

Few minutes into the movie and Richa Chadha’s acting left me speechless. She effortlessly changes from a helpless woman to a confident dancer in the movie. Her dance performance especially in the song “Ghoongroo toot Gaye” is praiseworthy. Her moves are graceful, yet her eyes depict a profound pain.

Gulshan Devaiah’s acting is brilliant. I loved the scenes where he quietly observes Rosa with clammy eyes. He is equally good in the scenes where he is dealing with the villain.

S.Sreesanth who played one of the most interesting characters in the movie did complete justice to his role. It was a treat watching him perform with such panache. Gulshan Grover was impressive in a villainous role with a menacing performance.

Dialogues and Direction

There are some beautiful dialogues in the movie between Rosa and Gaurav. I loved the scene where Rosa, after narrating her life story tells Gaurav: “Dil kyu kisi par aitbaar karta hai ye bas dil hi janta hai.”

The scene where Gaurav takes her interview and asks some general questions was also amazing.

Gaurav: Bhagwan mein yakeen karti hai?

Rosa: Haan. Kyuki mujhe pyar mein yakeen hai.

The direction is clever and good. I loved the way the director chose to oscillate between the past and present to keep the audience engaged. As the editing is crisp, the movie is fast-paced. Once you start watching the movie, you won’t be able to leave it in between. I also enjoyed the way the director pushed the audience towards the climax. The mystery was intact and I could not guess the ending.

Soundtrack

Songs form an integral part of the movie. They are not a mere embellishment and take the story forward. I liked the songs “Do jaane anjaan”, “Tum ko jo paya ab”, and “Ghunghroo toot gaye”. The haunting and sombre background score added to the mood of the movie.

Final words

If you are a movie buff looking for an intriguing thriller, you should watch Cabaret on ZEE5. The acting, direction, and soundtrack will surely impress you. The movie is about 90 minutes long, so you can easily finish it at one sitting. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the movie this weekend.

10 Hindi Movies from 2018 you must watch on ZEE5

The year 2018 has been a golden year for Bollywood. There have been many movies that have done great not only critically but also commercially. Surprisingly, the high-budget Khan movies have not been able to perform and win the hearts of the audience. If you enjoy watching Hindi movies online, you can watch or rewatch some of the best Hindi movies from 2018 on ZEE5.

1. Mulk

Mulk is one of the best movies of this year. The captivating social drama film, starring Rishi Kapoor and Tapsee Pannu gives out the message that there is no religion for terrorism. The powerful performances, flawless direction, and hard-hitting dialogues make it a compelling watch.

2. Parmanu

Next on the list is Parmanu, the story of Pokhran. The patriotic movie starring John Abraham and Diana Penty is based on the 1998 Pokhran Nuclear Test conducted with the joint collaboration of BARC, DRDO, ISRO and the Indian Army. The way director Abhishek Sharma has presented the real incidents in a thrilling way make the movie a must watch.

3. Padman

Padman is a social drama film that has high rewatch value for the message it conveys and for the brilliant performance of Akshay Kumar. It tells the story of a courageous man who faces social stigma and other challenges in his well-intentioned pursuit to develop affordable sanitary pads.

4. Veere Di Wedding

Veere Di Wedding celebrates female friendship in a way that few Bollywood movies have done. The movie is filled with fun-filled and heart-touching moments that you would love to relive with your girl gang. With spectacular performances from Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, and Shikha Talsania, the movie shines as a movie that showcases a more realistic yet fun side of friendship.

5. Laila Majnu

Laila Majnu is a beautiful romantic drama movie directed by Sajid Ali. Written by Imtiaz Ali, the Sufi poetic aura of his style of romance is evident in the movie. While there have been past adaptations of the Laila-Majnu tale, this version provides a fresh perspective by setting the story in present-day Kashmir.

6. Batti Gul Meter Chalu

Batti Gul Meter Chalu highlights the problems that people face due to power cuts. Set in Tehri, Uttarakhand, the local dialect, locations and characterizations feel incredibly fresh to watch on-screen. But the biggest highlight is how all the previously mentioned elements come together to address a relevant social issue. Among performances, watch out for Shahid Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor and Divyendu Sharma.

7. Paltan

If you enjoy war movies, you should definitely watch Paltan on ZEE5. The movie starring Arjun Rampal and Sonu Sood is based on the clashes between the Indian and Chinese Military (Nathu La and Cho La) on 1967. Many are not aware of this battle and that is exactly what makes the movie an insightful watch.

8. Genius

Genius is an action thriller movie starring Mithun Chakraborty, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Utkarsh Sharma. Directed by Anil Sharma (known for directing Gadar), the movie features some spectacular action sequences and a thrilling plot that you shall definitely enjoy.

9. Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se

After tickling our funny bone with the previous two instalments of Yamla Pagla Deewana 1 and 2, the Deol trio is back with Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se. It has always been a fun, emotional-filled experience watching Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol act on-screen together and YPD Phir Se is no exception.

10. Tigers

Tigers starring Emraan Hashmi is a ZEE5 Original Film released in 2018 that you cannot afford to miss. Directed by Oscar-winner Danis Tanovic, The drama is inspired by true events in Pakistan. Watch it for the engaging storyline, great direction, and pitch-perfect performance by Emraan Hashmi.

In short, 2018 was the year of content-driven Hindi movies that had unique stories and fabulous performances. Grab a bucket of popcorn and binge-watch the amazing Hindi movies online on ZEE5.

Kaali: A nail-biting thrilling original web series on ZEE5

When was the last time you had watched a nail-biting thriller that didn’t let you blink your eyes? Kaali is a ZEE5 Bengali Original starring popular Bengali stars like Paoli Dam, Rahul Banerjee, and Shantilal Mukherjee. It is directed by Korok Murmu and produced by Parambrata Chattopadhyay. It released on 13th November 2018. The plot revolves around a helpless mother who has to deposit 6lakhs at the hospital for her son’s operation within 12 hours. She is ready to go to any extent to save her son. The action-packed thriller shows the strength of a woman and celebrates her power.

Plot and Characterization

In the first episode, we are introduced to all the main characters. The titular character (Paoli Dam) works as a beautician and lives with her son, Sunny. She has separated from her husband because the latter is involved in illegal activities. Two things happen simultaneously in a day which change the course of the protagonist’s life. One is the accident of her son and another is her husband getting involved in a murder case.

The doctor informs her that her son’s condition is serious and he needs an artificial lung to survive. The surgery will cost 6 lakhs and she has only 12 hours to deposit the money, else her son won’t survive. There are two inspectors who investigate the murder case and the drug trafficking racket. Inspector Aniket Bose (Rahul Banerjee) wants to help the protagonist as he has had feelings for her, whereas the intentions of OC Mitra (Shantilal Mukherjee) seem dubious.

She gets involved with dangerous people as she tries to accumulate money for her son’s operation. As each episode progresses, she gets pulled into the world of drug trafficking. The more the danger increases, the more she becomes dangerous.

How far can a mother go to save her only child?

Acting and Direction

The acting of Paoli Dam who played the titular character is so good that you will root for her with all your heart. There is a scene in Episode 6 when she yells out her son’s name and breaks down in the middle of the street. Her helplessness of not able to get the money for her son’s operation will pierce your heart. She portrayed a mother’s love with complete honesty.

At the same time, the fire and determination in her eyes when she was fighting the goons were worth watching. Rahul Banerjee was apt for the role of Inspector Aniket Bose. I also liked the chemistry between Paoli Dam and Rahul Banerjee.

Overall, the series is pretty fast-paced. There is not a single unwanted scene in the series. The direction is praise-worthy as the director keeps you on your toes constantly. There are various twists and turns thrown into the plot that makes it a perfect thriller. The haunting background score adds to the thrill quotient.

Final Thoughts

The best thing that I liked about the web series is its title. The Hindu Goddess Kali is the goddess of destruction, power, and time. She is worshipped for destroying evil forces. Although she has a fearful appearance, she is the Divine mother who cares for her devotee.

The first season of the web series has 8 episodes, each one of which is named after the 10 Mahavidyas: Kali, Pitambari, Tara, Kamala, Bhuvaneshwari, Matangi, Dhumavati, and Bhairavi. Just like the Hindu Goddess, the protagonist of the web series symbolizes power, death, and destruction when she embarks on her journey to collect 6 lakhs. She is presented as violent and dark when she meets the goons involved in drug trafficking.

The series establishes the truth that there is the power of Goddess Kali in every woman. Enjoy watching a woman unleash her power when her child’s life is in danger. If you want to watch a nail-biting thriller that celebrates woman power, watch Kaali on ZEE5 for an unforgettable experience. Check out the trailer of the web series on YouTube.

Watch Dobaara on ZEE5 to make the best out of second chances

Dhadkan sansein nahi banti

Agar dhadke nahi dobaara

Boond barsaat nahi banti

Agar barse nahi dobaara

Last night, I watched one of the movies from the collection of the ZEE5 film festival. These couplets from the movie Dobaara made me contemplate the importance of second chances. The movie starring the very talented Manav Kaul and Parvathy Omanakuttan is about a married couple, Paro and Mohan whose relationship goes through several ups and downs. This1-hour 7 minutes Hindi feature film is directed by Bejoy Nambiar.

The thought-provoking film made me philosophical. I thought about all the times when I felt sad about failing at something. Be it relationships or dreams, how easily we give up! Don’t we? We tend to think that if it is not working out, there is no point in trying another time. I thought about all the manuscripts that I abandoned when they failed to get accepted by publishers. I thought about all the friendships that I left behind because of some minor misunderstandings.

Would my life be different if I had decided to take a second chance at that time?

Could the connection in those lost friendships be restored?

Would the abandoned manuscripts ever see the light of the day?

Maybe. Maybe not. At least, there would be no regrets in trying one more time.

Letting go is easier; holding on is difficult. We all know that letting go is extremely important for our mental peace. But when something is truly precious to us, doesn’t it deserve a second chance?

The most important thing is to figure out how important and valuable it is for us. If the person or project holds immense value, we must try to give the relationship a fresh start. In the movie, Paro gets tired of her married life and leaves her home. She feels that there is no connection between her and her husband. There is no point in staying back. Her husband, Mohan who was quite indifferent to Paro’s feelings for years realizes the importance of his wife. As the realization dawns on him, he accepts that he cannot live without Paro, he decides to find her and bring her back. But will Paro give him a second chance?

The best thing about the movie is that anyone can relate to the circumstances. When I was watching the movie, I tried to put myself in the shoes of both Paro and Mohan. Both the characters were equally responsible for making their married life suffer. As humans, we tend to take things for granted until it goes away from us. But the most important thing is to realize the other person’s value and holding onto them. When Mohan realizes Paro has left him, he reminds himself that he has not left her yet. He embarks on a long journey to bring back his wife.

The importance of second chances is so beautifully depicted in Dobaara that it will surely resonate with you. To get a glimpse of the movie, watch the trailer here

Maana zindagi ki shuruwat

Mumkin nahi dobaara,

Magar mumkin hai har mod se

Ek nayi shuruwat dobaara.

The ZEE5 film festival brings 12 beautiful films directed by 12 top directors, 6 from India and 6 from Pakistan. If you are a movie buff like me, you will be having a great time watching the films on ZEE5. So, what are you waiting for? Download the App and subscribe to it to have an amazing movie night on the weekend. Keep a bowl of popcorn ready.

Seemarekha: Watch the story of two twin sisters on ZEE5

TV serials have always garnered immense popularity among the audience. If the plot is good and there are well-written characters, people get deeply involved with the TV show. The internet has made it possible to watch a particular TV show whenever you get time. Unlike earlier times, you don’t have to panic if you miss an episode. You can easily catch the episode on the Internet. Seemarekha is a popular Bengali TV series that released on 23rd October 2017. It airs from Monday to Saturday, 8.30pm on Zee Bangla. It tells the story of two twin sisters who are like chalk and cheese. Although they are identical in looks, their personalities are completely different.

Plot

Indian audience has always been a fan of stories on sister rivalry. The word “Seemarekha” means boundaries or limitations in Bengali. The name of the serial is metaphorical. On one hand, it displays the limitations of being self-centred. On the other hand, it shows how love can break every single boundary to create happiness and harmony in the family.

The story revolves around the lives of two twin sisters, Seema and Rekha. Seema is a self-centred and career-oriented person. She is a criminal lawyer and least interested in investing her time in household chores. Rekha, on the other hand, is a calm homely girl for whom family means everything. Although Seema and Rekha are complete opposites, they get married off in the same house.

Seema gets married to Sitangshu, a successful businessman who strongly believes in family values. Despite being the daughter-in-law of a joint family, Seema is disinterested in fulfilling her responsibilities. Her focus is always on her career.

After going through some terrible experiences, Rekha eventually gets married to Subhrangshu, Sitangshu’s brother. Subhrangshu is not as successful as his elder brother. Moreover, he has bipolar disorder. How will Rekha find her happiness with Subhrangshu especially when her sister is against her?

Characterization

Only a good plot cannot make an interesting story. It also needs good characterisation to grab the attention of people. In this respect, this Bengali TV series definitely scores ten on ten. The characters of both Seema and Rekha are very well-written. Seema is not exactly a bad person. She is self-centred who want to grab the limelight and make the most of all situations. She does not believe in sacrificing her own happiness for her loved ones. She loves her profession and values her individuality.

Rekha is a calm, considerate, and homely person. She loves taking care of her family and won’t hesitate to sacrifice her own happiness for the happiness of her loved ones. Although she gets overshadowed by Seema’s accomplishments, she never complains. Even when her mother is partial towards Seema, she does not feel envious. She loves her sister from the bottom of her heart.

Where and why should you watch it?

All the episodes of Seemarekha are now available on ZEE5 that you can watch at your leisure. You can also download the ZEE5 App on your phone. The TV series is enjoying its popularity because of its fresh storyline. People enjoy watching the different nature of the two twin sisters who are destined to live in the same house after marriage. The family entertainer is packed with drama, romance, and thrilling situations. Indrani Halder is playing the role of both Seema and Rekha.

You can check out the trailer on YouTube.