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Indo-Asian News Service or IANS is a private Indian news agency. The IANS was founded by Indian American publisher Gopal Raju as the India Abroad News Service. It was later renamed the Indo-Asian News Service. The IANS has its main offices located in Noida.

Articles Written By IANS News

'Godzilla And The Titans' Live-Action Series In Development
1601 days ago
Hollywood

'Godzilla And The Titans' Live-Action Series In Development

Los Angeles, Jan 21 (IANS) Network Apple has ordered a live-action Godzilla series from Legendary Television. ## According to Variety, the untitled series continues the story of the Legendary Monsterverse established in films like 'Kong: Skull Island' and 2014's 'Godzilla'. ## Following the battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking new reality that monsters are real, the series explores one family's journey to uncover its buried secrets and a legacy linking them to the secret organisation known as Monarch. ## Monarch is a secret government entity that has played a major role in the Monsterverse franchise, working to cover up the existence of and defend the world from creatures like Godzilla and the other Titans. ## Chris Black and Matt Fraction co-created the series with both executive producing. Black will also serve as showrunner. Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell of Safehouse Pictures will also executive produce along with Hiro Matsuoka and Takemasa Arita of Toho Co. Ltd. Toho is the owner of the Godzilla character and has licensed the rights to Legendary for the series. ## There have been four films in the rebooted Monsterverse to date: 'Godzilla' in 2014, 'Kong: Skull Island' in 2017, 'Godzilla: King of the Monsters' in 2019, and most recently 'Godzilla vs. Kong' in 2021. ## There is also a 'Skull Island' anime series currently in the works at Netflix. ##

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IANS Review: 'Breaking Point Season 2': Showcases the making of fearsome soldiers (IANS Rating: ***1/2)
1601 days ago
Digital Media

IANS Review: 'Breaking Point Season 2': Showcases the making of fearsome soldiers (IANS Rating: ***1/2)

Series: 'Breaking Point Season 2' (Streaming on 'discovery+'); Duration: 45 minutes per episode ## Directors: Prabhu Asgaonkar and Manika Berry Asgaonkar; Cast: Brig A. Ragesh, Ustaad Saurabh Kumar, Lt. Gen. Ajay Kumar Suri, Brig S. Vadhera, Brig Kashyap, Lt. Gen. K.S. Brar, Maj Gen. S. Jha, Brig. PK Singh Sm, GP Captain M. Abhiman ## IANS Rating: ***1/2 ## The title 'Breaking Point' conjures a negative connotation in the minds, and thus for this non-fiction, four-part series streaming on 'discovery+', it is a misnomer. It does not show us the moment of greatest strain at which someone or something gives away, instead, it is an inspiring series that makes us aware that tough moments don't last, tough people do. ## It showcases the various training schools of the Indian Armed forces where young recruits are pushed to excel and become fearsome soldiers with determination, grit, and caliber. ## The first episode titled, 'The Artillery- Big Guns of India', takes us to the Artillery Training Centre at Nasik. Here we are introduced to ultralight and medium cannons of lethal power like 130MM, Bofors, ULH (Ultralight Howitzer) and M46, and Ultra Heavy artilleries like the K9 Vajra and Grad BM21 Multi-barrel Rocket launcher. ## At the centre, young cadets depending on their aptitude, are trained under an "Ustaad" to become a Gunner, Surveyor, Technical Assistant, Radio Operator, or a Driver. ## This episode mainly focuses on the roles of the Gunner and the Driver driving HMVs (High Mobility Vehicles). ## The second episode titled, 'Army Aviation Soldiers in the Sky', focusses on the Army Aviators who are a class apart. These Army aviators, also known as Helicopter Pilots, help the Indian Army to attack enemy troops or transport soldiers during surgical strikes. ## We are initially taken to the Combat Army Aviation Training School in Nasik, where we are informed how the greenhorns are trained and groomed to fly and perform basic maneuvers in the sky with helicopters like the HAL Chetak. ## Later we are transported to Jodhpur, where the rookies are taught complex and daring moves to fly, combat and hunt together. The training is imparted on the HAL Rudra, an attack Indian-made helicopter.## The third episode features officers of the Armoured Corps and is titled 'The Armoured Corps- India's Iron Steeds'. It is at the Armoured Corps Centre and School where its young officers of the cavalry are given technical and tactical training to be effective troop leaders. How they train on the T72 and T90 Bhishma (Tanks) forms the crux of this episode. ## In the final episode we get to see the making of a Paratrooper. How they prepare themselves to jump out of aircrafts, shoot and acclimatise themselves for urban warfare is a part of their training which is imparted to them at the Para Training School. ## With excellent camera work, each episode brings to life (the feelings of the first time and unforgettable experiences of the soldiers) what mere words of the talking heads cannot reproduce. The interesting part of the series is that it gives us in-depth information akin to a crash course on the various aspects of the subject and supplies nuggets of historical importance that may hold your interest. ## The series is moderately paced and engaging. The sound design along with the background score- elevates the viewing experience. The only issue is the voice-over of the narrator - Ross Huguet. His diction simply does not suit the Indian audience. ##

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IANS Review: '36 Farm House': Mundane and mediocre writing weakens the foundation (IANS Rating: **1/2)
1601 days ago
Bollywood

IANS Review: '36 Farm House': Mundane and mediocre writing weakens the foundation (IANS Rating: **1/2)

Film: '36 Farm House' (Streaming on Zee5); Duration: 108 minutes. ## Director: Ram Ramesh Sharma; Cast: Amol Parashar, Barkha Singh, Sanjay Mishra, Vijay Raaz, Madhuri Bhatia, Ashwini Kalsekar, Flora Saini, Rahul Singh, Ishita Deshmukh, Nivedeta Bhargava, Gaurav Ghatnekar, Pritam Kagne, Pradeep Bajpai, Liza Singh, Hetal Puniwala. ## IANS Rating: **1/2 ## At its best, '36 Farm House' is a satirical comedy on a superficial level that does not even work as a good, moral and cautionary tale. ## Delving on the universal theme of 'Some Steal For Need - Some Steal For Greed', the narrative proceeds to tell us the story of three sons trying their best to change their mother's will to their respective advantage. To what lengths they go to achieve their goal forms the crux of this story. ## Set during the 2020 lockdown, the film appears to be a quickie trying to pass off the story as a relevant tale of our times. ## The narrative begins with migrants returning to their roots. Jay Prakash (Sanjay Mishra), aka JP, a smooth-talking opportunist, and father of two grown-up children, with the help of Benny (Ashwini Kalsekar), the housekeeper of 36 Farm House, manages to wriggle his way as a chef, into the house of Eighty-five-year-old Padmini Raj Singh (Madhuri Bhatia) the owner of 36 Farm House and its 300-acre property who had bequeathed her assets to her oldest son Raunak (Vijay Raaz). JP gets the job purely because he convinced Raunak that he is a lone soul, unmarried, and with no family members to claim his own. ## While JP is nearly settling in 36 Farm House, he learns about Benny's devious plan of stealing from her employers. During the same time, his son Harry (Amol Parashar), who was an assistant to Designer Manish Malhotra by happenstance, meets the designer Antra (Barkha Singh), who is heading to her grandmother Padmini's residence. Together they come to 36 Farm House. ## To add to the chaos is JP's concerned and worried wife Shantishree, who lands up at 36 Farm House in search of her husband while an investigation into the murder of a young lawyer, who was deputed by Padmini's younger sons- Gajendra and Virendra, to get their mother's will changed, looms large over 36 Farm House. ## But the plot, instead of focusing on the three sons, factors in several other characters with their motive, thereby diluting the narrative and reducing it into a farce. The writing as well as the direction, are purely perfunctory, very mundane, and mediocre to digest. The humour too- only elicits chuckles. ## On the performance front, every actor is within their comfort zone. Therefore they deliver staid and routine performances. ## The songs in the film have the flavour of the 1990s and are so reminiscent of Subhash Ghai's repertoire. ## Mounted with moderate production values, the film is a bit disappointing since it comes from the stable of Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts Ltd. ##

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IANS Review: 'The Royal Treatment': A Fairytale With A Modern Approach (IANS Rating: ***)
1601 days ago
Digital Media

IANS Review: 'The Royal Treatment': A Fairytale With A Modern Approach (IANS Rating: ***)

Film: 'The Royal Treatment' (Streaming on Netflix); Duration: 97 minutes. ## Director: Rick Jacobson; Cast: Laura Marano, Mena Massoud, Chelsie Preston Crayford, Grace Bentley-Tsibuah, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Cameron Rhodes, Phoenix Connolly, Amanda Billing, Jay Simon. ## IANS Rating: *** ## 'The Royal Treatment' is an outright fairytale with a modern approach. It is the oft-heard and familiar tale about a prince who finds his true love among the commoners. ## There's little to the characters beyond what we learn at the start and how a couple of additional details adjust our understanding of how we should feel about them. In this case, the stifled Prince Thomas of Lavania is in New York for his engagement party to the hotel heiress Lauren (Phoenix Connolly). He needs a haircut, and his butler mistakenly fixes him for an appointment with the hairstylist of a run-down beauty salon called Bellissime, situated in the suburb. ## When the spunky beauty salon owner Izzy arrives, the prince finds himself drawn towards her indomitable spirit. And, when his fiance's family is looking for a hairstylist for the wedding in Lavania, the prince and his butler promptly recommend Izzy and her team. ## After Izzy and her two assistants, Destiny (Chelsie Preston Crayford) and Lola (Grace Bentley- Tsibuah), arrive at Lavania, and when they both visit a down market area called "Uber die Gliese" which means, over the tracks, the prince realises that Izzy has a heart of gold. ## Soon both of them become aware that their lives are bound by family obligations and duties, and naturally, romantic sparks innocently begin to fly. But then reality intervenes, and how their destinies become further entangled forms the crux of this tale. ## Apart from the romance, which is built on tropes usually adopted in Disney films, the characters are cardboard thin, and the plot has no layers and appears frothy even while speaking about injustice, gentrification, and even the Gandhian principle of being the change you want to see in the world. Also, the conflict, handled in a very non-conventional style and modern approach- drains the film of any chance of complexity. ## On the production front despite being mounted with ace production values, the set and characters appear to be a deliberate mA¿lange of style, culture, and races. ## As for the performances, the film is Marano's canvas, and she excels in every frame. Massoud complements her with equal fervor. They are both natural and charming as individuals, but together, their chemistry is simply saccharine sweet and bland. The others in supporting roles deliver unfiltered performances that make them sparkle during their moments of on-screen glory. ## Overall, this film will appeal to those who love fairytale romance. ##

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'A Christmas Story' Sequel With Original Star Peter Billingsley In The Works
1601 days ago
Hollywood

'A Christmas Story' Sequel With Original Star Peter Billingsley In The Works

Los Angeles, Jan 21 (IANS) Holiday movie classic 'A Christmas Story' is finally getting a sequel, with original star Peter Billingsley set to reprise his role and produce. ## Warner Bros. and Legendary are backing the production, reports variety.com. ## 'A Christmas Story Christmas' will be directed by Clay Kaytis from a script by Nick Schenk. ## A box office failure when it first premiered in 1983, 'A Christmas Story' has become one of the most beloved holiday movies in cinema history. Much of the story's appeal is its simple, nostalgic story about Ralphie (Billingsley), a 1940s kid who desperately wants a Red Ryder BB rifle that everyone, including the local mall Santa, tells him will shoot his eyes out. ## The new film will take place in the 1970s, with the adult Ralphie bringing his family to his childhood home for Christmas. ## While the original was shot in Cleveland and Toronto, the home where the movie is shot has even become a tourist attraction, the new film will begin production in Hungary in February. ## After working steadily as a child actor, Billingsley largely transitioned into producing as an adult, starting as a co-producer of Jon Favreau's 2001 mob comedy 'Madea'. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk.

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'Rocket Boys' Makers Release Trailer, Raise Excitement About India's Space Pioneers
1601 days ago
Digital Media

'Rocket Boys' Makers Release Trailer, Raise Excitement About India's Space Pioneers

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) The trailer of the upcoming web series 'Rocket Boys' was unveiled on Thursday. The series stars Ishwak Singh as Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Jim Sarbh as Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, India's space pioneers.## It revolves around the lives of nuclear physicists Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. Homi J. Bhabha and follows their journey as they set out to create the Indian space program.## It takes account of several international and geopolitical factors that shaped the Indian nuclear program and Indian space program including the shortage of raw material after the Second World War, the industrial policy of India, and the Sino-Indian War of 1962.## The trailer starts off with establishing the excellence of the prominent lead scientists (Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and Dr. Homi J. Bhabha) and their camaraderie, progressing into the element of love before it sharply cuts the mounting tension between the scientist pair with a difference of opinion that would spiral over the next course of events in the story.## The series, which also stars talents like Regina Cassandra, Rajat Kapur, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Saba Azad, and Arjun Radhakrishnan in pivotal roles, has been directed by Abhay Pannu.## Created by Nikkhil Advani, Roy Kapur Films, and Emmay Entertainment, and produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and Nikkhil Advani, the show will be soon available for streaming on SonyLIV from February 4.## Stay tuned...

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'Squid Game' Propels South Korea To Netflix's No. 2 Content Supplier
1601 days ago
Digital Media

'Squid Game' Propels South Korea To Netflix's No. 2 Content Supplier

Seoul, Jan 20 (IANS) South Korea remained the No. 2 supplier of popular content to Netflix in the fourth quarter of last year, US online media have reported.## According to What's On Netflix, a private online site that provides information on Netflix content, on Wednesday (US time), South Korean-made shows accounted for 11.8 percent of the top 10 films and TV series in the final three months of 2021.## Korean content thus ranked No. 2 for the second consecutive quarter after the United States, which accounted for 59 percent, reports Yonhap News Agency. The figures are based on data by the streaming analytics firm FlixPatrol, it added.## It marked a sharp increase from its share of 5.4 percent for the third quarter, thanks to the breakout hit 'Squid Game', released on September 17, and other hit series.## "The fourth quarter of 2021 is likely to be an outlier with the arrival of 'Squid Game', but Korean content has been on a slow march up the charts regardless of 'Squid Game'," the report said.## 'Squid Game' became the most successful Netflix show in history, with its total viewership reaching a record 1.65 billion hours in the first four weeks of its release.## Two subsequent series, the fantasy horror 'Hellbound' and the sci-fi thriller 'The Silent Sea', also topped Netflix's official weekly viewership chart for non-English TV shows.## Stay tuned...

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Hindi Version Of 'Pushpa' Director's 'Rangasthalam' Set For Feb Release
1601 days ago
Tollywood

Hindi Version Of 'Pushpa' Director's 'Rangasthalam' Set For Feb Release

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) The 2018 Telugu film ‘Rangasthalam starring Ram Charan is all set to release in Hindi in theatres next month.## Noted producer Manish Shah is planning the release to bring some respite for the cinema owners and to end the dry spell caused by the Covid pandemic.## A Sukumar directorial, ‘Rangasthalam' was a colossal success at the time of its release and was the Telugu film industry's biggest hit in 2018. The film is scheduled to release for Hindi audiences in February.## Several exhibitors have welcomed the decision to release the film. Producer Shah has also cut down on terms and conditions to ensure that the revenue sharing formula is in favour of the cinema owners.## Sukumar, whose recent release "Pushpa: The Rise" has been ruling the box office, told the story of a deaf man played by Ram Charan in "Rangasthalam", which also starred several popular actors like Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Jagapathi Babu, and Prakash Raj.## Stay tuned...

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'Gehraiyaan': Deepika, Siddhant, Ananya Get Tangled In Complex Web Of Relationships
1601 days ago
Bollywood

'Gehraiyaan': Deepika, Siddhant, Ananya Get Tangled In Complex Web Of Relationships

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) The makers of the upcoming film 'Gehraiyaan' unveiled the trailer on Thursday and showcased an intense but complex human relationship. ## Directed by Shakun Batra, Amazon Original Movie 'Gehraiyaan' stars Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa as leads along with Nasseruddin Shah and Rajat Kapur in pivotal roles. ## Deepika said: "Alisha, my character in 'Gehraiyaan' is extremely close to my heart and certainly one of the most challenging characters I have portrayed on screen. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to play a role that was fun and challenging at the same time. Each of the characters' struggles and arcs are real, raw and relatable." ## The actress says when it comes to dealing with relationships and human emotion, Shakun Batra is truly a master of his craft. ## "In a manner, this seems like coming back home to me," Siddhant Chaturvedi said. ## He added: "I feel there is a little bit of Zain in all of us. His ambition, aspiration, passion for his dreams and his struggles when faced with tough choices are all extremely relatable." ## Jointly produced by Viacom18 Studios, Dharma Productions and Shakun Batra's Jouska Films, the movie will have its World Premiere exclusively on Prime Video on February 11, 2022 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. ## Ananya Panday recalled shooting for the film, she said: "Shooting with the wonderful cast and crew of Gehraiyaan has been an absolute high point for me and I never wanted the shoot to end! There's a certain realness to the story of Gehraiyaan; while the film dives into the complexity of relationships it also talks about the thrill of being in love, of discovering oneself and charting ones' path." ## The actress said that Tia has been one of her favourite characters to play and the way Shakun Batra has dealt with the modalities of each character and has brought out the best in every one of us in his unique way is amazing. ## Actor Dhairya Karwa added: "It is every actor's dream to have their work reach out to the widest possible audiencee. The experience of working with such a talented cast and creators is one that I will cherish forever. I look forward to how the viewers react to the movie." ##

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Swara Bhaskar: Post-Covid Fatigue Is A Real Thing
1601 days ago
Bollywood

Swara Bhaskar: Post-Covid Fatigue Is A Real Thing

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Actress Swara Bhaskar, who suffered from Covid, has recovered and is now back in the studio for the dubbing of her upcoming film 'Jahaan Chaar Yaar'. She says even though she feels happy to be back in work, her body requires more rest. ## Swara said, "I was supposed to dub for this film earlier, but unfortunately, it got delayed due to COVID-19. I have been feeling very pressured about having to complete my work for the movie. As soon as I tested negative for COVID, I flew to Mumbai and headed for the dubbing straight from the airport. I am glad to be back at work and I am really enjoying dubbing as it is a process I enjoy in general too." ## However, she also mentioned how she is still taking more time to deal with the fatigue that happens post-Covid. ## "Covid fatigue is a real thing and I have realised that while being back at work; the weakness that it leaves is very real so I am trying to rest adequately and also ensuring that I continue working. I dub for 3-4 hours and rest for the entire day making sure I don't overwork myself," shared the actress. ## The film 'Jahaan Chaar Yaar' is directed by Kamal Pandey, and it also features Meher Vij, Pooja Chopra and Shikha Talsania. ##

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Hrithik Shares Glimpse Of His 68-Year-Old Mother's Intense Workout
1601 days ago
Bollywood

Hrithik Shares Glimpse Of His 68-Year-Old Mother's Intense Workout

Mumbai, Jan 20 (IANS) Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan has shared a glimpse of his 68-year-old mother Pinkie Roshan's intense workout. The actor says it gives him hope that everyone can continue to get better no matter what the age. ## Hrithik on Thursday posted a slew of video clips, where his mother is seen doing high intensity workout. ## He wrote as the caption: "To see her giving her all to fitness and wellness at the age of 68 gives me hope that we all can continue to get better no matter what the age. A big, big hug to all of you out there for supporting and sharing this relentless, joyful passion with my mom." ## The actor said that he knows his mother has bad days "we all do, and time and again I have seen how hard it is for her to get into the gym and get started." ## "But she does it because of the sense of community she has started feeling with all of you supporting her on insta. So this really is a thank you post for all of you helping my mom get stronger. I wish and pray that everyone out there who is pushing themselves to get better has that support from friends and family. I wish you all a beautiful day." ## Hrithik shared that his mother started working out at the age of 58. ## "Just thought I should add that fact for other parents who feel it's too late for them. It's NEVER too late. Do it for your kids. They will love you for it," he wrote. ## On the work front, Hrithik will next be seen in 'Vikram Vedha'. ## The film stars Hrithik and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles, with Radhika Apte in a crucial role. Pushkar and Gayatri, the original writers and directors, are donning the director's hats for the Hindi remake as well. ## A cult film in its own right 'Vikram Vedha' is a neo-noir action crime thriller film. Based on the Indian meta-folktale 'Vikram aur Betaal', the film tells the story of a tough police officer who sets out to track down and kill an equally tough gangster. ## This original Tamil blockbuster starred R. Madhavan and Vijay Sethupathi. ## He also has 'Fighter' with Deepika Padukone. ##

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Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Joins Ranjit Jeyakodi's 'Michael'
1601 days ago
Kollywood

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar Joins Ranjit Jeyakodi's 'Michael'

Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) The team of director Ranjit Jeyakodi's 'Michael', featuring actors Sandeep Kishen and Divyansha Kaushik in the lead, on Thursday announced that actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar would be joining their unit. ## The film, which is being made in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi, already has director Gautham Vasudev Menon and Vijay Sethupathy playing important roles in it. ## On Twitter, the makers tweeted, "After the big additions of Vijay Sethupathi and Gautham Menon to Sundeep Kishan's 'Michael', the team welcomes the supremely talented Varalaxmi Sarathkumar on board. Her surprise role will set the screens on fire." ## The news of actress Varalaxmi becoming a part of 'Michael' came even as the actress put out a dancing video of herself with the caption, "We are covid negative...woohooo." ## 'Michael' has triggered a huge amount of interest in fans and film buffs as director Ranjith had, while realising his film's title poster, written, "A wise man once said that man, by nature, is not a docile creature who prefers peace. He is a creature who is constantly expecting to be attacked and therefore ready to hit back hard!" ##

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