Imagine the magic when not just one, but seven stars dazzle together on Karwa Chauth! After treating fans to the iconic sibling duo, Kareena and Karisma Kapoor, Netflix is all set to bring the queens of Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives Season 3—Maheep Kapoor, Seema Sajdeh, Bhavana Pandey, Neelam Kothari Soni, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Shalini Passi, and Kalyani Saha Chawla—straight to the laughter terminal. This episode promises nothing but glam, grace, and guilty pleasure conversations! As the laughter flows, Kapil Sharma playfully compliments the wives on their massive fan following, then cheekily asks, "Have you ever figured out who’s hooked on the show more—men or women?” Responding immediately to this question, Neelam Kothari Soni shares, “Actually, men enjoy the gossip.” Bhavana Pandey pitched in, “It is actually true that men enjoy gossip more. And then they blame their wives- yaar usne show lagaya hua hai, main toh bas baitha hua hoon but actually they want to watch it.” And let's be real, we all have that one guilty pleasure we can’t resist! If you’re just as eager as we are, don’t forget to tune into The Great Indian Kapil Show only on Netflix at 8 PM today. About Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives The third season that is currently streaming on Netflix will see Delhi socialites battle it out with their style game with the Bollywood Wives. Saif Ali Khan will also be making a brief appearance on the show as a moderator. Bhavana believes Khan was the perfect choice for the reality series. “Saif is in the third season, like we had Shah Rukh Khan in the first and Ranveer Singh in the second. I have known Saif for years, he has worked with Chunky [Panday] and Neelam. Saif was the right person for this scene as he knows all seven of us well, in his own capacity,” she shares. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Shalini Passi and Kalyani Saha Chawla have joined the third season. Bhavana says their addition has changed the dynamics between the original four. “While bringing them into our core group was to throw us off, I felt closer to my group and more protective about our friendship,” she smiles.
18 October,2024 05:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSamantha Ruth Prabhu is teaming up again with her directors from The Family Man, Raj & DK, for the upcoming Amazon web series Citadel: Honey Bunny. This action-packed spy thriller features Samantha doing a lot of stunts, many of which she did herself. However, one downside was that she got a concussion during filming. Samantha Ruth Prabhu talks about concussion while filming Citadel: Honey Bunny In an interview with Galatta India, Samantha Ruth Prabhu talked about one of the injuries she experienced while shooting Citadel: Honey Bunny and shared her thoughts on it, “I had a concussion and I forgot the names after that. I completely blanked out. That was quite something." The actor added, "Now that I think of it, nobody took me to the hospital. Nobody asked me.” Not to worry though, the show's writer, Sita Menon, clarified that they did have a doctor on call, which Samantha could not remember because of her concussion. The actor further recalled, "I remember, during my concussion, hearing that we have the set only for less than a day, we need to finish the shoot. So in my concussion, I was like, ‘I am coming, people, I am coming.’ Then I remember the stunt guy was in front of me, and then I was like, ‘What am I doing?’ and they were like, ‘Okay, cut, not happening.'” Samantha Ruth Prabhu suggested 4 names to play Honey Samantha Ruth Prabhu also said she begged the makers of ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ Raj and DK to cast someone else owing to her health concerns. They however did not budge and went ahead with Samantha, who is garnering praise for her action sequences as seen in the trailer that was launched recently. In the same interview with Galatta India, Samantha shared, “I begged them to move on because I really didn’t think I could do it. I was really sure I couldn’t. I sent other recommendations, ‘Look at this heroine, she is so amazing. She will kill it. I beg you I can’t do this.’ I sent like four options to them. I was really not well.” She added, “Now, watching this show I am so thankful that they didn’t make it without me and that I found the strength to do it. Even before the verdict is out for this show, I am going to give it to myself for pulling through.”
18 October,2024 10:14 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAvid viewers of Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives watch it as much for the star cameos as for the peek it affords into the inner world of Bhavana Panday, Maheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari and Seema Kiran Sajdeh. While the latest season, titled Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives, has the usual celebrities—Gauri Khan, Ananya Panday, Karan Johar, among others—Saif Ali Khan makes a brief appearance. It is a pleasant surprise to see the reticent actor on the show, which is a face-off between the swish set of Delhi and Mumbai. Bhavana believes Khan was the perfect choice for the reality series. “Saif is in the third season, like we had Shah Rukh Khan in the first and Ranveer Singh in the second. I have known Saif for years, he has worked with Chunky [Panday] and Neelam. Saif was the right person for this scene as he knows all seven of us well, in his own capacity,” she shares. Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Shalini Passi and Kalyani Saha Chawla have joined the third season. Bhavana says their addition has changed the dynamics between the original four. “While bringing them into our core group was to throw us off, I felt closer to my group and more protective about our friendship,” she smiles.
18 October,2024 08:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRActress Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who is making a powerful comeback on screen following the diagnosis of her autoimmune disorder myositis, says she begged the makers of ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ Raj and DK to cast someone else owing to her health concerns. They however did not budge and went ahead with Samantha, who is garnering praise for her action sequences as seen in the trailer that was launched recently. Samantha Ruth Prabhu suggested 4 names to play Honey In an interview with Galatta India, Samantha shared, “I begged them to move on because I really didn’t think I could do it. I was really sure I couldn’t. I sent other recommendations, ‘Look at this heroine, she is so amazing. She will kill it. I beg you I can’t do this.’ I sent like four options to them. I was really not well.” She added, “Now, watching this show I am so thankful that they didn’t make it without me and that I found the strength to do it. Even before the verdict is out for this show, I am going to give it to myself for pulling through.” Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s 'Myositis' diagnosis In 2022, Samantha revealed that she was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called 'Myositis'. According to the National Health Service UK (NHS), myositis is the name for a group of rare conditions that lead to weak, painful, and aching muscles. Also, this condition gets worse with time. There are generally three types of myositis: Polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and inclusion body myositis (IBM). About ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ trailer The trailer is a preview of the exhilarating and riveting spy thriller set against the vibrant tapestry of the ’90s, which features explosive action, high-octane stunts, and edge-of-your-seat excitement, all perfectly complemented by exceptional performances and a grand visual scale. When stuntman Bunny (Varun Dhawan) recruits struggling actress Honey (Samantha) for a side gig, they are hurled into a high-stakes world of action, espionage, and betrayal. Years later, as their dangerous past catches up, the estranged Honey and Bunny must reunite and fight to protect their young daughter Nadia. ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha is launching on November 7, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video.
16 October,2024 11:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actress Neelam Kothari Soni may have returned to the screen space with the reality show ‘Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives’, but the stint that allowed the icon to show her acting prowess decades later was ‘Made In Heaven’ season 2 which also featured her husband Samir Soni. Those who have watched the show are aware of Neelam braving a liplock, something she’d never done before. Neelam speaks exclusively to mid-day.com recalling how it all fell into place thanks to Zoya Akhtar. Neelam Kothari Soni on her liplock scene in ‘Made In Heaven 2’ Neelam and her husband Samir featured in the second season of the popular web series ‘Made In Heaven’. It was a big leap for the star who had never kissed on screen. She recalls, “I was always Miss Proper with my necklines, with my fully covered self and no exposing. Zoya narrated the script to me and she was like ‘Neelam, there's a kissing scene’. And I'm dying to work with Zoya Akhtar. She was like, ‘But relax it's with your husband’. So I was like okay if I'm going to do something bold and different why not with my husband.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neelam (@neelamkotharisoni) When asked if it was awkward despite your spouse, given all the cameras and crew looking at your supposedly intimate moment, a blushing Neelam says, “Before our scene, I actually asked Samir, ‘How do you kiss for the camera?’ He's like, ‘Don't be ridiculous, you're embarrassing me.’” Neelam adds that since the chemistry was there, they finished the scene in about two takes. Neelam Kothari Soni opens up on cracking jokes on herself In the reality series, Neelam has been extremely candid about herself. From getting fillers on camera to confessing her excessive use of bronzer to look tanned, this queen knows the art to be unserious. “That's the only way reality is going to work. You've got to be yourself you've got to have fun and you've just got to own it. People will laugh at you, will think you're silly but at the end of the day there'll be people out there who will say kudos. One thing keeps on going through my brain when I'm doing this show just don't take yourself so seriously,” she concludes. ‘Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives’ season 3 is set to premiere on October 18 on Netflix.
16 October,2024 07:01 AM IST | Mumbai | Oshin FernandesThe trailer of Varun Dhawan and Samantha starrer Citadel: Honey Bunny was launched on Tuesday. Samantha plays a struggling actress Honey, who is recruited by stuntman Bunny (Varun Dhawan) for a side gig. They are hurled into a high-stakes world of action, espionage, and betrayal. The trailer is full of action-packed sequences, giving both the stars ample opportunity to dabble in this genre. Women-led spy projects are rare. At the trailer launch, Samantha spoke about the opportunity to portray such a role, "I know it sounds cool to be playing a ‘female’ spy, but I would like for it to be equal, like an even playing ground, where intelligence, talent, strength decide your fate, irrespective of gender. That would be an amazing place to be at. I am also very happy to be part of this world where that has already started to take center stage. Just the opportunity to work with talents from all over the world, already the platform has become so much wider. The future seems bright for everyone." This is Samantha's second outing with creators Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, she had worked with them on The Family Man season 2. "It is every actor’s dream to be part of their universe. It’s been a long journey. We have put a lot of work into this," she said. Samantha also talked about representing strong women on screen through this role. "From time immemorial, we are used to seeing male characters in the centre of spy stories, doing all the cool action and saying the cool dialogues. Also saving the day, mostly. What’s best about this part is that I get to kick some ass as well. To be part of such an internationally connected spy world, with people like Priyanka Chopra, Matilda (Citadel: Diana star Matilda De Angelis) doing some of the heavy-lifting ourselves, it’s an amazing way to finally represent women of the society correctly, maybe. Because we do it all, don’t we?" The first season of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, premiered to global success in 2023. The Italian Original, Citadel: Diana, is the second series to debut from the world of Citadel and is followed by India’s series, Citadel: Honey Bunny.
15 October,2024 06:50 PM IST | MumbaiThe makers of Citadel: Honey Bunny unveiled its captivating action-packed trailer on Tuesday. The Indian series born from the world of Citadel is directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. The series features the immensely talented Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead and the ever-so-versatile Kay Kay Menon, along with an exciting ensemble cast that includes Simran, Saqib Saleem, Sikandar Kher, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Parihar, and Kashvi Majmundar. Saqib Saleem skips ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ trailer launch While most of the cast members attended the trailer launch, actor Saqib Saleem skipped the event and shared a cryptic post on Instagram with the caption, “Home alone n reading.” His post contained a highlighted bit from the book that stated, “Regardless of whether your circumstances are favourable or adverse, the important thing is to move through them graciously.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saqib Saleem (@saqibsaleem) According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Saqib was supposed to feature prominently in the trailer given that he is rumoured to be an antagonist in the series, but he just seems to appear for like a second in the clip. The actor was taken by surprise following the development since he expected to play a more crucial part. About ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ trailer The trailer is a preview of the exhilarating and riveting spy thriller set against the vibrant tapestry of the ’90s, which features explosive action, high-octane stunts, and edge-of-your-seat excitement, all perfectly complemented by exceptional performances and a grand visual scale. When stuntman Bunny (Varun Dhawan) recruits struggling actress Honey (Samantha) for a side gig, they are hurled into a high-stakes world of action, espionage, and betrayal. Years later, as their dangerous past catches up, the estranged Honey and Bunny must reunite and fight to protect their young daughter Nadia. The first season of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, premiered to global success in 2023. The Italian Original, Citadel: Diana, is the second series to debut from the world of Citadel and is followed by India’s series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha launching on November 7, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video. Season Two of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, is in production, with Joe Russo serving as director.
15 October,2024 05:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn his 12-year-long career, Varun Dhawan has acted in two action films - Badlapur (2015) and Dishoom (2016). He will soon be seen in full action mode in 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', his OTT debut, and 'Baby John', a film by Atlee. At the trailer launch of 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', the actor said that he is grateful to South filmmakers for giving him the opportunity to explore the action genre and hoped that Bollywood also takes note. Varun described the extent to which they went to film action scenes, "I had a great time (doing action). It is a wake-up call, and hopefully, a lot of people take notice of this. Right now, I feel only South Indians are taking notice of me and giving me great opportunities in action, which is true. I started working with Raj & DK, and Samantha, and next, I'm working with Atlee and Keerthy (Suresh, actress). Hopefully, that will lead the way for other people in our industry to give me (action roles)," he said. The actor also revealed that he once asked Aditya Chopra to cast him in an action film but the producer turned him down saying that he was not "at that place" yet to justify the budget required to make a good movie in the genre. "During lockdown, I met Aditya Chopra, he was playing badminton, and Maneesh Sharma was there. They were making 'Tiger' (3) at that time. I asked him, 'Why don't you make an action film with a younger talent?' He was like, 'I want to give you acting roles, and don't want to give you action (roles)'. I kept pursuing it," Dhawan said. "He (Chopra) was like, 'I can't do that because I can't give you that budget right now. You're not at that place where I can give you such a big budget'. I kept thinking and then I messaged him and asked him, 'What is the budget?' And he gave me a figure, that this is the budget you need to make something big in action." Dhawan said when 'Honey Bunny' came his way, the first question he asked creators Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK and Amazon Prime Video was about its budget. "...Because I got this knowledge from Aditya Chopra that you need this much budget to make something look good in action. I'm grateful to Amazon and Raj & DK for giving us this platform because that is needed to make something look big, to make actors look larger than life." The Hindi series, also starring Kay Kay Menon, Saqib Saleem, and Sikander Kher, will premiere on November 7 on Prime Video.
15 October,2024 04:39 PM IST | MumbaiPrime Video, India’s most-loved entertainment destination, today dropped the captivating action-packed trailer for the eagerly awaited Original series, Citadel: Honey Bunny. The Indian series born from the world of Citadel is directed by Raj & DK (Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK) and written by Sita R. Menon, along with Raj & DK. The series features the immensely talented Varun Dhawan and Samantha in the lead and the ever-so-versatile Kay Kay Menon, along with an exciting ensemble cast that includes Simran, Saqib Saleem, Sikandar Kher, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Parihar, and Kashvi Majmundar. Citadel: Honey Bunny is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on November 7. Citadel: Honey Bunny trailer: Varun and Samantha serve up major action The trailer is a preview of the exhilarating and riveting spy thriller set against the vibrant tapestry of the 90’s, which features explosive action, high-octane stunts, and edge-of-your-seat excitement, all perfectly complemented by exceptional performances and a grand visual scale. When stuntman Bunny (Varun Dhawan) recruits struggling actress Honey (Samantha) for a side gig, they are hurled into a high-stakes world of action, espionage, and betrayal. Years later, as their dangerous past catches up, the estranged Honey and Bunny must reunite and fight to protect their young daughter Nadia. “Following the tremendous response to the teaser, the excitement and anticipation around the show has been rising every day, with fans of Varun, Samantha and Raj & DK eagerly waiting for November 7. We felt that now is the right time to provide them with a window into the series with an action-infused trailer of the show that captures the incredible world of Citadel: Honey Bunny. Raj & DK have added their signature quirk and charm to this high-octane spy thriller that promises to be a whole new thrilling ride for our audiences,” said Nikhil Madhok, Head of Originals, Prime Video, India. "Citadel: Honey Bunny is a significant project for us as it has given us the opportunity to be part of a larger, unprecedented world of spies and espionage that has never been done or even attempted before. We have created all our projects so far, but Citadel: Honey Bunny is our first collaboration. And that it is with the creative forces like the Russo Brothers, as well as a host of talented filmmakers and creators around the world, has made this an amazingly valuable creative experience,” said Raj & DK. "Bunny is unlike any role I’ve played before. As a spy, he not only leads a double life, but every aspect of his personality has two distinct sides, which was very exciting for me as an actor. Intricately woven into the storyline, his portrayal required me to draw on a blend of experiences and characters I’ve embodied over the years, as well as mentally and physically prepare for the grueling stunts and amped-up action scenes, making it one of my most challenging performances yet. And I am deeply grateful to Prime Video, Raj & DK, and AGBO for the opportunity to bring Bunny to life,” said Varun Dhawan. Samantha said, "The opportunity to be part of an action-packed entertainer with a gripping storyline, rich character depth, and intense hand-to-hand combats and stunts that rival international standards, along with the prospect to play an integral role in this collection of connected spy stories, is what drew me to this project. The challenges and efforts required to bring Honey to life have left a profound impact on me, both professionally and personally, making it one of the most significant roles of my career. I’m confident that the audience will thoroughly enjoy this series, not just in India but across the many countries and territories where it will stream on Prime Video." About the World of Citadel The first season of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, premiered to global success in 2023, becoming Prime Video’s second most-watched new original series outside the U.S. and fourth most-watched worldwide, after 24 days. Executive produced by the Russo Brothers' AGBO, Citadel and its subsequent action-espionage Original Series traverse the globe, evolving the story of spy agency Citadel and its powerful enemy syndicate, Manticore. Each series born from the world of Citadel stars top local talent and is created, produced, and filmed in region—bringing about stylistically unique shows with strong cultural identities rooted in their respective country of origin. The Italian Original, Citadel: Diana, is the second series to debut from the world of Citadel and is followed by India’s series, Citadel: Honey Bunny, starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha launching on November 7, 2024. Season Two of Citadel, starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas alongside Stanley Tucci and Lesley Manville, is in production, with Joe Russo serving as director.
15 October,2024 01:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt had been actor-writer Sumeet Vyas’ long-time dream to start directing. The opportunity presented itself when he met writer Khyati Anand Puthran at their kids’ playgroup. Their collaboration, Raat Jawaan Hai, is a story about three best friends who are new to parenthood. To Vyas, the Barun Sobti, Priya Bapat and Anjali Anand-starrer is about the smaller things in life. In conversation with mid-day, the first-time director talks about the SonyLIV show, his own experiences with parenthood, the interesting casting and more. Director Sumeet Vyas. Pics/Instagram, AFP Edited excerpt from the interview. After writing and fronting road trip shows and dark shows, what prompted you to direct something on parenthood and friendship?The show’s writer is Khyati Anand [Puthran]. It was a coincidence that our kids were friends, and played together at a nearby park. In March 2022, she told me she was writing a script about early parenthood and friendship. She asked me whether I’d like to direct it. I read the script and liked it. She had written two episodes, and we began working together from there. Moreover, we were both going through the phase, so we could bring in our personal experiences. As we developed the story, the plot became more about friendship. We realised that friendship is the first victim of [parenthood] as one is not able to give their friends the same time as they did before. Do you feel it is tougher for women compared to men?Of course! If two partners are actively involved in parenting, then it becomes difficult. For example, my wife [Ekta Kaul] has taken a break from work. She is taking care of the child, so how can I go off to party somewhere? I finish my work and go home. I have very little time to spend with Ved, so I’d rather do that. Male or female, whichever parent decides to stay back and take care of the child, it affects them the most. Their social life is as good as non-existent. While making the show, did anything surprise you?The one thing I’ve understood about parenting is that it is very similar yet different. Every person’s right and wrong is different. So when they become parents, their rules differ. You cannot generalise parenting because we’ve all grown up in varied circumstances and economic backgrounds. In an episode, Barun Sobti’s character says that dogs are better than children. Did you get any flak for it?Avinash [Sobti’s character] is around friends, so he doesn’t have to filter what he says. He has a child and now, he wants to have a dog. When Suman [Bapat] reprimands him, asking whether it’s the same, Radhika [Anand] says that the animal doesn’t have the responsibility to grow up, take care of his elders. From the time kids are born, they are told they have to come first in class, learn tennis, become a scientist and what not! [laughs]. A lot of people now are opting to not have babies. Your take?To each his own. I don’t think any aspect of life completes you. I always wanted to have a child, and I have friends who didn’t; either option is fine. No matter what decision you take, the grass is always greener on the other side. If your kid is crying in the night, while your friends are chilling, you may miss it. On the other hand, they may feel that you are lucky to get to play with a child. In India, we shouldn’t be worried about this. We have an abundant population [laughs]. What made you zero in on this cast?The first actor we approached was Priya, she is also Khyati’s friend. When Khyati was writing the part, she had Priya in mind. When we approached her, she was more than excited to be a part of it. She is exceptional in the show. Anjali was a complete surprise. I had never seen her previous work. Sony recommended that we meet her. The ease with which she carries herself is quite something. Barun’s casting was out of the blue. We were struggling to find Avinash. I saw Kohrra [2023] around that time, called him and suggested the role. He is a desi guy, and loads of fun. Did you ever feel the urge to be on the other side of the camera?Not with this show. From the onset, I always wanted to direct it. There is a certain pace that I wanted for it. Like when we watched Malgudi Days, [even though] the episodes were all 30-minute-long. I wanted to narrate a story with tasalli. If someone cannot watch the show for 30 minutes also, and he has to watch five reels, then he may not watch it. I didn’t want to compromise on the temperament. If people can relate to the story, they will watch it. Being a first-time director, did you feel you had to prove yourself?No, I thought I would. But from the second or third day, I found my groove. We shot for close to 40-45 days at a stretch. I didn’t feel I had to prove a point to anyone. I wanted to tell the story as honestly as I could. The story demands a certain pace because it is about smaller things [in life], there is no melodrama to it. One reference point I had is of a film that I had acted in many years ago, English Vinglish [2012]. There is innocence in this narrative, which is why it connects with a larger audience.
15 October,2024 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Letty Mariam AbrahamTitle: DisclaimerPlatform: Apple TVCast: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Lesley Manville, Louis Partridge, Leila George, Liv HillCreator/Director: Alfonso CuarónRating: 4/5Runtime: 7 Eps This new limited series, an erotic psychological thriller, ‘Disclaimer’ from director Alfonso Cuarón follows Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett), a television documentary journalist whose work has been built on revealing the transgressions of long-respected institutions. Cuarón’s narrative set in 7 chapters pulls you into a web of reminisces and elusive truths. Adapted from Renée Knight’s novel, the series takes an unstinting look into the lives of its characters and the secrets they appear to hide. Its not long before the celebrated Catherine has to face up to her dark past and see the edifice of what she painstakingly built brick by brick, come crumbling down following the release of a novel titled ‘The Perfect Stranger.’ Catherine’s life is thrown into turmoil after she receives the novel that she believes, anonymously reveals secrets from her past. The book published by former teacher and widow Stephen Brigstocke (Kevin Kline), was written by his deceased wife Nancy (Lesley Manville) and is about a woman (Leila George) who has an illicit affair with a young man and then allows him to drown in order to preserve her secret. The disclaimer on the first page says it all: “ Any resemblance to persons living or dead is not a coincidence.” As narrated by the gorgeous Indira Varma, the series juggles multiple narratives across time. The series opens with flashbacks from a young, libidinous carefree couples’ vacation in Italy and cutting into that, in the present day, we see Catherine receiving an award for her unstinting journalism. It doesn’t take long to understand the connections between the two events and the strands of memories that follow in their wake. Catherine tries to uncover the writer’s true identity while confronting her past before it destroys her life and her relationships with her husband Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen) and their son Nicholas (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Never-ending grief, revenge,well-hidden secrets, false sense of security and well-being come into play as the slow-burn series structured to reflect those themes starts to unravel its main theme. Just when we begin to get a handle on what we see as the truth the narrative throws another curved ball with new information that challenges that belief. Our grasp of reality is fragile and the series examines this by pitting perception against truth. Of course truth has many versions and faces. Cuarón’s characters’ meticulously constructed facades crumble as hidden versions emerge. Catherine and Stephen’s shattered psyches reflect the consequences of perception over truth. Societal and cultural flaws are exposed through the construction of public outrage that labels people as villains from mere allegations. There are plenty of twists and turns to intrigue and captivate the viewer. The camerawork is distinctive. The past, through flashbacks is depicted in carefree, playful, enchanting visual style while the present has a more darker, grittier palette. The performances of each and every member of the cast is creditable. But it’s Cate Blanchett who steers this drama to a fulfilling high with a breathtaking performance that tamps down on melodrama while emboldening nuance and emotion. It’s a performance that is likely to garner her an Emmy nomination if not the award itself. This series, brilliantly helmed by Cuarón, shows a mirror to human traits and flaws making the revelatory journey within, that much more interesting, thought-provoking and compelling.
12 October,2024 09:47 AM IST | Mumbai | Johnson ThomasADVERTISEMENT
