The Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap

 A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review the movie The Thursday Murder Club, the music video of Guru Randhawa’s Azul, and a new Rado ad featuring Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan. We also have a special interview with the director an co-writer of Dhadak 2, Shazia Iqbal! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the movie Dhadak 2, the documentary Fit for TV, and the final season of And Just Like That. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the movies Housefull 5, Sarzameen, and the series Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen, Abhinandan Sekhri, and Sucharita Tyagi discuss the movies Punjab 95, Homebound, and the return of Smriti Irani as Tulsi in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Indian reality show The Traitors:Abhinandan: What’s the point of reviewing trash? Like what’s the point?Rajyasree: So, the reason why I watched it is because I have seen bits and pieces of The Traitors UK…They’re genuinely funny, they know that it’s campy, that it’s ridiculous that they’re walking around in a cape and all…Abhinandan: So that’s why we’re reviewing the Karan Johar version? Rajyasree: So, I wanted to see how India has – as usual – taken a good concept, a funny concept where you’re not supposed to be serious about it, and fucked it up.  
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the movie Anora, Indian reality show The Traitors, documentary series American Manhunt, and the songs Tum Tum and Qatal.Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introductions 02:03 - Topics 4:30 - Letters9:16- The Traitors 21:08- American Manhunt 31:14 - Announcements 33: 49- Anora 41:23- Letters 46:10- Announcements47: 23- Tum Tum 48: 54- QatalReferences & recommendations NL Sena - India’s e-waste underworld The Traitors (India) AnoraAmerican ManhuntTum Tum  Qatal La La LandUnited 93The Traitors (UK)Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Tista Roy Chowdhury and Anil Kumar, edited by Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines:Rajaysree: In bad news, Kamal Haasan’s comments led to his film Thug Life not releasing in Karnataka.Manisha: In worse news, Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 cruised ahead of the box office…I had no idea that five Housefulls have been made. Rajyasree: And also Fardeen Khan has made a comeback!Shardool: Oh god. His debut movie is the worst movie I have ever seen.Rajyasree: Prem Aggan! Shardool: Yeah, I walked out of the theatre!This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen, Manisha Pande, and Shardool Katyayan discuss the movies Mountainhead and Stolen, and the second season of the TV series Last of Us. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introductions and announcements 02:20 - Headlines 07:55 - Mountainhead18:18 - Letters19:44 - The Last of Us S238:20 - Letters42.16 - Stolen54:10 - LetterReferences & recommendations Sign up for the Chennai subscriber meetupNL Sena - The Impunity of India’s Police NL Sena - India’s e-waste underworld MountainheadThe Last of Us S2Stolen Don’t Look UpTriangle of SadnessFleabag Scoop: Inside Stories from the Partition to the Present TVF’s Daaru Pe Charcha Ep.03 ft. Vijay Maal LegayaClick here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Umrav Singh.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing The RoyalsAbhinandan: You’re saying Bhumi Pednekar is good in this? Is she the redeeming factor?Rajyasree: No, she's horrible in this…But it has worked in her favour because everyone has logged on and watched the show. Abhinandan: Why?Rajyasree: Because it’s so bad. Everyone trashed it so everyone logged on and watched it.  This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the series The Royals, the documentary Flintoff, and multiple subscriber letters. Abhinandan also recommends his new favourite Punjabi song.Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introductions and announcements 01:43 - Headlines 11:15 - Letters19:42 - The Royals30:03 - Subscriber letters41:23 - Flintoff49:40 - Letters57:37 - Abhinandan recommends a Punjabi song ReferencesCannes like you've never seen it before | BBC GlobalA Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the HighwayUpamanyu Chatterjee’s interview The RoyalsFlintoffPatiala FlowClick here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Satish Kumar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Jewel Thief: Abhinandan: I tried to find a redeeming quality about the film. I couldn’t find anything.Rajyasree: The romance didn’t inspire you to fall in love?Abhinandan: This film almost inspired me to jump off a high building...In future, I would suggest that you don’t suggest anything we watch.Rajyasree: But then we’d be watching nothing. Abhinandan: Which would still be better than watching Jewel Thief. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movie Jewel Thief. They also interview Anuvab Pal, Rahul DaCunha and Bhargava Krishna – the team behind the upcoming film Pune Highway. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introductions and announcements 03:32 - Subscriber letters05:52 - Jewel Thief 19:46 - Interview with the team of Pune Highway 1:01:31 - LettersReferencesJewel Thief - The Heist BeginsPune HighwayClick here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Umrav Singh.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines:Abhinandan: I added this headline myself…In good news, Urvashi Rautela’s reels are appearing on my Instagram feed endlessly. And I am so entertained by whatever she says. I’ve seen so much of Urvashi in the last few days, and I didn’t even know who she was…In bad news, she claimed that a temple was made for her in Badrinath. Rajyasree: One kilometer from Badrinath. She’s even given directions in the video. In worse news, the priest there wants the police to take action because the goddess Urvashi has nothing to do with actor Urvashi. Abhinandan: But you know who she reminds me of? Saif. Rajyasree: What nonsense. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the TV series Your Friends & Neighbours, Deli Boys, and the movie Kill.  Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introduction02:43 - Headlines 08:32 - Letters11:28 - Deli Boys20:05 - Kill27:59 - Letters30:30 - Your Friends & Neighbours40:52 - LettersReferences & RecommendationsDeli BoysKillYour Friends & NeighboursClick here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Empuraan: Abhinandan: Why is it called L:2 Empuraan? Manisha: The second!Jayashree: Yes, so the first one was Lucifer. But this L is a thing. Something would be happening casually in the movie and a rock will fall in the shape of an L. Or Mohanlal will be walking past a tree which will catch fire in the shape of an L.Abhinandan and Rajyasree: Why?Jayashree: Because he is L for Lucifer, guys. Rajyasree: (cracks up) I’m not going to watch this one. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, Jayashree Arunachalam and Manisha Pande discuss the TV series The White Lotus and The Studio, the movie L:2 Empuraan, and their favourite Val Kilmer roles.  Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introduction02:21 - The White Lotus 19:42 - Letters26:50 - L:2 Empuraan36:12 - Letters40:00 - Favourite Val Kilmer roles47:30 - Letters52:45 - The StudioReferences & RecommendationsThe White Lotus S3The StudioL:2 EmpuraanThe PittJubilee RekhachitramClick here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced by Priyali Dhingra, edited by Umrav Singh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Emergency: Abhinandan: The only person who said ‘let me try to act in this’ was the actor who played Sanjay Gandhi. Manisha: Not Kangana? Abhinandan: No, her acting was terrible. Her look was perfect. Rajyasree: No! There was Kangana and there was Kangana’s nose. Indira had a long nose but it wasn’t like Pinocchio!This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande discuss the TV series Adolescence, the movie Emergency, and the Kunal Kamra controversy. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introduction03:19 - Headlines09:50 -  Adolescence 30:50 - Emergency51:00 - Kunal Kamra controversy References Adolescence EmergencyNaya Bharat | A Comedy SpecialClick here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and edited by Priyali Dhingra.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Hyundai’s Women’s Day ad: Abhinandan: It was simple and direct…but the spot where she parked was not that tight.Rajyasree: I can park in that spot.Abhinandan: Are you a good driver? Rajyasree: I’m a very good driver. I used to drive here also. You’ve forgotten?Abhinandan: Salman also used to drive. Doesn’t mean he’s a good driver. Rajyasree: (mimicking Salman) ye log kyu yahan pe so rahe hain!This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss several Women’s Day ads, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and several subscriber letters. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introduction03:00 - Headlines06:36 - Women’s Day ads 29:40 - Contribute to our NL Sena31:05 - Letters40:05 - Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story52:10 - LettersReferences Leap club - The playing field is not equalCars 24  - Park Your BiasTanishq | Her ChoiceBarbie - You Can Be Anything Prega NewsHyundai - Break on stereotypesLet Barbie remain the doll she was meant to beHow to sell dolls to woke kidsMunmun Sen videoBBC’s Radhe Maa documentary Contribute to our NL Sena Hafta 527 with Sumeet Mhaskar Produced and edited by Priyali Dhingra and Hassan Bilal.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines:Rajyasree: In better news, Kangana has said that Javed Akhtar has promised to write a song for her next film…Abhinandan: Very nice. I wonder what that song will sound like. (Breaks into song) Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga…I will not say anything more. Rajyasree: Yeah, don’t say. I can still get away. You can’t. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the second season of Apple TV’s Severance, the 97th Academy Awards, the trailer for Salman Khan’s Sikandar, and the movie The Honeymoon Crasher. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:34 - Headlines00:08:13 - Letters 00:16:23 - Severance S200:29:03 - Letters00:30:27 - Oscars00:38:15 - Letters00:54:09 - Sikander trailer References Subscribe to NL-TNMSeverance S297th Academy AwardsSikanderHoneymoon CrasherThe costs of Reliance’s wildlife ambitionsAn open letter to Anupam Kher: ‘Where were you when…’ is a lazy argument to makeAnA’s review of Black Warrant Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and edited by Priyali Dhingra and Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing a subscriber letter about Rajyasree’s obsession with Sukesh Chandrasekhar:

Abhinandan: When you’re at Newslaundry, there’s a chance you may go to prison owing to the several income tax notices we get. If I do go to prison, I will set Rajyasree and Sukesh up!Rajyasree: But you have to go to Mandoli jail. He is not in Tihar...I know everything about Sukesh. Abhinandan: How do I go to Mandoli?Rajyasree: You’ll have to put in a request. They’ll ask why. You say I want to hang out with Sukesh. Abhinandan: Then you can also get a private jet (like actor Jacqueline Fernandez). Keep 70 percent and donate 30 percent to Newslaundry. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande discuss the movies Anuja and Mrs., the TV show The White Lotus, and the controversy surrounding influencers Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introduction00:03:31 - Headlines00:06:48 - Anuja 00:11:33- Letters00:13:09- Mrs.00:21:45- India’s Got Latent controversy 00:43:09 - Letters00:46:44- The White Lotus S355:23:00- LettersReferences and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNMNL Sena - The Hindu RashtraAnujaMrs. The White Lotus S3Subscriber letter link Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and edited by Ashish Anand and Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines:Abhinandan: In good news, Udit Narayan returned to the headlines after a long absence. In bad news, it was for a viral video where he was seen strangely kissing a fan on her lips…Uditji! Rajyasree: Now lots of videos have come out of him trying to kiss Shreya Ghoshal, Alka Yagnik. It must be terrible to have to work with him. Abhinandan: His lips are a permanent kiss face.Rajyasree: So scary. Just think, I’ve gone to listen to Udit Narayan and he smooches me. Abhinandan: It’s scary that you’re going to listen to him! This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movie I Want To Talk, the documentary series American Manhunt: OJ Simpson, the short film Next, Please, and the Cadbury 5 Star ad on Valentine’s Day. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:47 - Topics00:05:20 - Letters00:12:24 - Headlines 00:14:35 - Next, Please 00:20:41 - I Want To Talk 00:26:10 - American Manhunt: OJ Simpson00:37:30 - Letters 00:48:50 - Cadbury 5 Star Ad References and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNMNL Sena - Delhi PollsI Want To TalkNext, PleaseAmerican Manhunt: OJ SimpsonCadbury 5 Star ad Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and edited by Priyali Dhingra and Hassan Bilal.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines:Rajyasree: I read multiple news reports claiming that Saif’s alleged attacker came into Bengal, but had to move to Bombay because there were no job opportunities in the state. Why is a dig being made at Bengal even when…Abhinandan: Even when you’re discussing the attack on Saif? Yes. The Aadhaar card he used also apparently was from Bengal. Rajyasree: I read he had no Aadhaar card! See, at the moment, the best fiction writing is being carried on in these newsrooms. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the series Paatal Lok S2 and Black Warrant. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introductions00:01:00 - Headlines 00:05:12 - Announcements00:06:42 - Topics00:09:08 - Black Warrant 00:29:31 - Letters00:34:16 - Paatal Lok S200:46:03 - Interview with the cast of Black Warrant 01:10:04 - Closing thoughtsReferences and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNMNL Sena - Delhi PollsAbhinandan’s interview with Sunil Gupta and Sunetra ChoudharyBlack WarrantPaatal Lok S2Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Ashish Anand and Prashant Kumar; edited by Priyali Dhingra.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the topics:Rajyasree: We have Juror #2, which is Clint Eastwood’s latest film. Which Abhinandan has not watched…Why? Because you thought I was talking about the judicial system? Abhinandan: I haven’t even watched Juror #1. Rajyasree: I’ll take that Nataraj pencil and put it through your eye. Abhinandan: Juror #2 is not a sequel to Juror #1? Has Juror #1 got Govinda? (proceeds to dance to a made-up Govinda-esque track)This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movies All We Imagine As Light and Juror #2, and the Golden Globe Awards.PS: Abhinandan also recommends his top five favourite podcasts. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introductions and announcements02:14 - Happy new year, with the same old A&R05:55 - Headlines 08:27 - NL Sena 09:25 - Subscriber letter10:19 - Topics14:35 - Parinda16:41 - All We Imagine As Light26:33 - Subscriber letters28:46 - Juror #238:47 - Subscriber letter44:06 - Golden Globes45:51 - Abhinandan’s top 5 podcast recommendations  References and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNMNL Sena - Hindu RashtraAll We Imagine As LightJuror #2Demi Moore Wins Best Female Actor Parinda Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Ashish Anand.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abhinandan: Rajyasree, not today, but I will review this show soon...I think I watched it a little late...Made In Heaven.(producer cracks up)Abhinandan: (stares) Our producer just laughed...What’s so funny? Rajyasree: Why did you watch Made In Heaven? Abhinandan: It was recommended. Rajyasree: Yes, four years back!This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movies Woman of The Hour, Girls Will Be Girls, and Heretic, Shyam Benegal’s cinema, and the new Kim Kardashian music video for Santa Baby.PS: Abhinandan also recommends a new Punjabi song, so do tune in to the full episode.  Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introductions 03:22 - Announcements 02:57 - Headlines 07:04 - Woman Of The Hour11:56 - Subscriber letters22:49 - Shyam Benegal nostalgia30:00 - Heretic 38:07 - Subscriber letters41:20 - Girls Will Be Girls45:02 - Kim Kardashian’s new music video References and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNMNL Sena - Hindu RashtraSubscriber Sandeep Banik’s ‘fun ad’Takeaways from CNN’s Investigation: How Airbnb fails to protect its guests from hidden camerasThe Vegetarian by Han KangWhat Went Wrong With Capitalism Kalyug by Shyam BenegalJordan Sandhu | Bottle FreeNewslaundry’s Broken Ballots series Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Umrav Singh.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, it’s time to unwind and look back at our favourite moments and best clips from the past few weeks – from laughs to jabs. This special episode is free, unlike others behind the paywall. Subscribe to listen to our previous episodes.     Awful and Awesome will return with a new episode next week. Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Kal Ho Naa Ho’s re-release:Nikhil: There’s a moment where Shahrukh comes on screen. You just see his back, and the entire auditorium started hooting!Abhinandan: No one has had the kind of screen presence Shahrukh has since Amitabh Bachhan. Rajyasree: How about Akshay? (Abhinandan gives a pensive stare to Rajyasree) This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, and this week’s special guest Nikhil Taneja discuss the series Freedom at Midnight, and the films The Substance and Kal Ho Naa Ho. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.Timecodes00:00 - Introduction06.52 - Topics 07:30 - Announcements 10:00 - Headlines18:00 - Mike Tyson- Jake Paul bout & boxing as a sport26:40 - Nikhil Taneja’s Be A Man Yaar!38:05 - Freedom At Midnight01:06:00 - Letters01:08:20 - Kal Ho Naa Ho ReferencesSubscribe to NL-TNMSubrata Roy Sahara figures ‘Life Mantras’ from TiharBe A Man Yaar!Kal Ho Naa HoFreedom At MidnightClick here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Aryan Mahtta, edited by Samarendra K Dash.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.