Stay ConnectedA weekly wrap up of consumable and non-consumable entertainment curated, especially for the internet age. Hosted by Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen. Click here to support Newslaundry: http://bit.ly/paytokeepnewsfree
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While discussing Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives:
Abhinandan: How did I come about watching this? And I ended up watching four episodes.
Rajshree: I am impressed.
Abhinandan: It’s because someone called me and told me about all these characters.
Rajshree: Okay.
Abhinandan: (smiling) I said you have to be exaggerating this. Then I got home, it happened to be a Sunday, and I said let me see if it’s true.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the series Rivals and Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, and the film Wolfs.
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Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
01:27 - Appeals
02:09 - Headlines
05:46 - Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives
22:37- Letters
26:02 - Rivals
35:47 - Wolfs
References
Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives
NL interview with Tajinder Bagga
Contribute to our NL Sena projects for Maharashtra and Jharkhand polls
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Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Prashant Kumar; edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin discuss the series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and Disclaimer and documentary Sweet Bobby.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin discussthe films Jigra, Khel Khel Mein, and Mothers’ Instinct, the series The Tribe, and the documentary Jamoora.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Trap:
Abhinandan: It was too convenient. Everyone was sharing too much information with the serial killer.
Rajyasree: Also, the cops aren’t suspicious when he joins their briefing.
Abhinandan: The police in this is from a 70s Jitendra film... always one step behind.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discussthe series Monsters 2 and Follow Kar Lo Yaar and the film Trap.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry so that you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Audio timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
02:53 - Announcement
08:56- Monsters
18:25 - Letter
22:15- Trap
28:45 - Abhinandan’s concert story
34:16 - Letter
39:17 - Follow Karlo Yaar
47:12 - Letter
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Shubang Gautam; edited by Parikshit Sanyal.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discussthe series Call Me Bae, Sector 36 and Angry Young Men. They also talk about an old interview of Saif Ali Khan by Ranveer Allahbadia aka BeerBiceps, as well as the Emmys.
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.
A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discussthe series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack and Shekhar Home. They also review the movie Kalki 2898 AD.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Balakrishna discuss the series Angry Young Men and Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast Chapter 2. Additionally, Balakrishna reviews Pa Ranjith’s new film Thangalaan.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajaysree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review the films Stree 2, The Union, and the Apple TV mini-series Defending Jacob. They also discuss the trailer for Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency and an advertisement of Kalyan Jewellers. The duo are also joined by film critic Sucharita.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Abbas Momin review the films Trap, Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba and Indian 2. The duo also discuss the viral Hanumankind song Big Dawgs.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Rathore review the films Longlegs and Wicked Little Letters, and the series A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Deadpool Wolverine, Sprint and the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The duo are joined by standup comedian Radhika Vaz, who tells us about her standup special called ‘Jaat Bahu’.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the films Dune: Part Two and Maharaja, and the series Hijack.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the films Challengers, Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and the third season of Mirzapur.
Abhinandan also shares his thoughts on the first and second seasons of Succession. Additionally,the duo discuss the media circus around the Ambani wedding.
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This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin discuss the films Kill, Rautu Ka Raaz and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and the third season of The Bear. This episode also features film critic Mayank Shekhar’s take on Kill.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing A Family Affair:
Rajyasree: Did you like it? Or, did you think it was totally mindless?
Abhijeet: It was quite stupid, to be honest.
Rajyasree: And something has happened to Zac Efron’s face. I think he’s been going to the same plastic surgeon as our Bollywood actors.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and NL Subscriber Abhijeet Dangat discuss the films Federer: Twelve Final Days, A Family Affair and Sharmajee Ki Beti.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Audio Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
00:45 - Topics
01:26 - Announcement
02:07 - Federer: 12 Days
19:33 - Announcement
20:48 - A Family Affair
28:02 - Sharmajee Ki Beti
39:15 - Best picks of 2024 so far
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Maharaj:
Rajyasree: The maharaj in question is played by Jaideep Ahlawat.
Deepanjana: And, his abs.
Rajyasree: Yes. That’s a different cast member altogether because Jaideep has worked out a lot. I am very happy to see these results, I must say.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Maharaj, Chandu Champion, The Fall Guy, and Do Aur Do Pyaar.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Audio Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
00:58 - Announcement
02:27 - Topics
05:27 - Maharaj
27:00 - Chandu Champion
38:38 - The Fall Guy
49:10 - Subscribers letter
49:35 - Do Aur Do Pyaar
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra, edited by Umrav Singh and Saif Ali Ekram.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing LSD 2:
Abbas: This was the movie of our times.
Nainika: Maybe, if you can stomach the movie. It is NOT an easy watch.
Abbas: Ten minutes ago, you spoke about a movie where a woman gives birth to the anti-christ and THAT WAS FINE.
Nainika: That was easy because you know it’s not real.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Abbas Momin discuss the films LSD 2, Inside Out 2, and The First Omen.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
03:55 - Inside Out 2
12:18 - Announcement Newsable
13:00 - The First Omen
23:15 - Letter
25:16 - Announcement Kashmir ki Kahani
25:32 - LSD 2
References
How Newslaundry worked with its users to make its journalism more accessible
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Shubang Gautam and edited by Samarendra K Dash.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Hit Man:
Abbas: I was never bored for a second.
Rajyasree: This was fun especially compared to another Glen Powell movie I saw.
Abbas: Which one?
Rajyasree: It had Sydney Sweeney in it.
Abbas: Anyone But You.
Rajyasree: Yeah, you feel like shooting him and Sydney and then yourself also.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin discuss the TVF show Panchayat Season 3, the mini series Eric and the film Hit Man.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
01:45 - Announcement
03:20 - Panchayat Season 3
13:25 - Letters
16:05 - Hit Man
28:48 - Letters
31:18 - Eric
45:56 - Letters
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Shubang Gautam and edited by Hassan Bilal.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Manjummel Boys:
Abish Mathew: I’m a very easy cryer.
Abhinandan: Then you should watch a film with her.
Rajyasree: Like in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham also I cried.
Abish: But you didn’t like Manjummel Boys?
Rajyasree: I cried in Planet of the Apes one time.
Abhinandan: I cried that why the f*ck am I here!
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen, Abhinandan Sekhri, and comedian Abish Mathew discuss Manjummel Boys, Kevin Hart’s Mark Twain Prize, The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the new ‘Cozi Boys’ ad, and why subscriber-funded news matters.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
04:17 - ‘Cozi Boys' Ad
10:05 - Letter 1
13:18 - Kevin Hart Mark Twain Prize
21:37 - Announcement
23:10 - Letter 2
25:55 - Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
35:20 - discussion on Jingles
40:40 - Manjummel Boys
1:01:00 - Letter 3
1:04:20 - Abish’s favourite films and shows
1:11:30 - the concept of subscriber founded news
References
Kevin Hart’s Mark Twain Prize ceremony
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam and edited by Samarendra K Dash.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Heeramandi :
Rajyasree: If you wear velvet and zardozi in the heat of Lahore, you won’t have a nawab around you because you will be stinking.
Abhinandan: As if the nawabs themselves were smelling of roses, they were probably piss-drunk.
Rajyasree: Chee, chee, chee!
Abhinandan: It’s such a stupid concept, it took me three days to watch 24-odd minutes.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar and the films Unfrosted and The Idea of You. Abhinandan recommends Saba Dewan’s documentary, The Other Song.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
03:51 - Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
20:09 - The Other Song - Abhinandan’s Recommendation
29:44 - Announcements
31:45 - Unfrosted
38:55 - Letter
40:57 - The Idea of You
44:24 - May December - Rajyasree’s Recommendation
49:18 - Kettan Singh and Met Gala
References
Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Shubang Gautam and edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Laapataa Ladies:
Rajyasree: It was a sweet film. I cried at the end.
Abhinandan: Which is so rare. You cry in every film, even in Ram Ratan Dhan Payo.
Rajyasree: It’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. In fact, you almost cried upon realising what a shit film it was. I cried in Chennai Express.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the films Scoop, Laapataa Ladies, and Amar Singh Chamkila. Abhinandan also shares some entertaining pop culture headlines he came across.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Producer’s note: The films and series reviewed in this episode were reviewed earlier, but Rajyasree and Abhinandan have new perspectives to offer.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
3:04 - Pop culture headlines by Abhinandan
9:05 - Letters and an apology by Rajyasree
14:25 - Laapataa Ladies
28:15 - Amar Singh Chamkila
35:45 - Scoop
41:40 - Some more political ads and songs
References
Shivsena UBT Hindi Advertisement
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced, recorded by Shubang Gautam and edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Ferrari:
Rajyasree: In House of Gucci, I felt Adam Driver overacted.
Abbas: Everyone in that film was given a brief to overact.
Rajyasree: Yeah a bit over the top...actually it's their version of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin discuss the films Ferrari and Aavesham, and Rajyasree gives her thoughts on the series Ripley.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
General elections are here, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have a series of ambitious coverage planned. To support our journalism, choose an election project and contribute here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
02:11 - Ferrari
16:48 - Letter
17:27 - Rajyasree’s take on Ripley
27:30 - NL TNM Election Fund
28:41 - Aavesham
35:32 - Backlash to Chamkila review
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced, recorded by Shubang Gautam and edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing headlines:
Jayashree: Does your fandom of Akshay Kumar extend to you watching his movies?
Rajyasree: No, that’s too much. I just think he’s a very good-looking man.
Jayashree: I think the last Akshay Kumar movie I watched was Garam Masala, 20 years ago.
Rajyasree: I have nothing to say to that.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Jayashree Arunachalam discuss the films Amar Singh Chamkila and Aattam, and the series Baby Reindeer.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
General elections are here, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have a series of ambitious coverage planned. To support our journalism, choose an election project and contribute here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
02:25 - Headlines
6:20 - Baby Reindeer
20:30 - Amar Singh Chamkila
31:48 - NL TNM Election Fund
32:35 - Aattam
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced, recorded and edited by Shubang Gautam.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Ripley:
Abbas: So, Andrew Scott became famous as the hot priest in Fleabag.
Nainika: How can you forget he was Moriarty in Sherlock?
Abbas: Ah, right.
Nainika: A generation of girls on Tumblr were raised looking at Andrew.
Abbas: Tumblr. I can totally fill in the blanks.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Abbas Momin discuss the mini-series Ripley, the film Scoop, and election campaign songs. Abbas ends the episode with a summary of the latest WrestleMania.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
General elections are here, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have a series of ambitious coverage planned. To support our journalism, choose an election project and contribute here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
02:24 - Headlines
3:30 - Ripley
15:40 - NL TNM Election Fund
16:30 - Election campaign songs
29:10 - Scoop
35:10 - WrestleMania
References
The World of Wrestling by Roland Barthes
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Shubang Gautam, edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Crew:
Rajyasree: Maybe my expectations were very low.
Abhinandan: That's the theme of your life. You find Saif hot, you watch Akshay Kumar films…
Rajyasree: Saif is very hot. And by the way, I enjoyed Akshay in Yeh Dillagi.
Rahul: Man, those were the days!
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, and film critic Rahul Desai discuss the series The Regime, the movies Crew and The Zone of Interest, and the latest BJP and Congress ads.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have a series of ambitious coverage planned. To support our journalism, choose an election project and contribute here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
03:34 - Crew
19:27 - BJP Ads
22:37 - The Zone of Interest
43:24 - The Regime
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Satish Kumar.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing the headlines:
Tanishka: Kangana Ranaut was declared BJP’s candidate from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh…It’s the audition she’s been doing for years now.
Nainika: That too on Twitter…which is why you should keep posting on social media.
Tanishka: Shitposting is great!
Nainika: Doesn’t matter what your mom says. You should always be on your phone. One day it could result in a Lok Sabha seat.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Tanishka Sodhi discuss the series Maamla Legal Hai and The Gentlemen, and the movie Irish Wish.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have a series of ambitious coverage planned. To support our journalism, choose an election project and contribute here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
01:10 - Headlines
04:02 - Maamla Legal Hai
23:42 - NL TNM Election Fund
24:35 - The Gentlemen
36:40 - Irish wish
47:04 - Letters
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Kate Middleton’s ‘disappearance’:
Rajyasree: It is a little weird that she is nowhere to be seen. But then the royal family has had a bit of a dull phase.
Abbas: Exactly.
Rajyasree: Too bad that our public figures don’t go missing.
Abbas: Or are half as interesting. Kate, if you’re listening to this, please show up.
Rajyasree: And subscribe to Newslaundry!
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin discuss the movie Murder Mubarak, the series Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Can’t, the new special by stand-up comic Daniel Sloss.
This episode is outside the paywall. Watch it, enjoy it, and subscribe to Newslaundry, so you can tune in every week.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have a series of ambitious coverage planned. To support our journalism, choose an election project and contribute here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
02:21 - Headlines
04:41 - Murder Mubarak
19:23 - NL-TNM Election Fund
21:19 - Big Girls Don’t Cry
36:34 - Daniel Sloss: Can’t
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Poor Things:
Jayashree: You threw me under the bus. I asked if I should watch American Fiction or Poor Things, and you led me to Poor Things.
Rajyasree: Which has won an Oscar.
Jayashree: So many terrible movies have. I had to watch Poor Things over dinner. So, I did not get my calorie intake last night, because it was a struggle.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Jayashree Arunachalam discuss the movies Poor Things, American Fiction, Manjummel Boys, and the 96th Academy Awards.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together. Choose an election project you would like to support and power our journalism. Click here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
01:29 - Headlines
03:45 - Poor things
18:40 - American Fiction
25:54 - NL-TNM Election Fund
27:28 - Manjummel Boys
34:10 The Oscars
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Abbas: Did you see? Karan Johar has put up a high production quality pre-wedding video of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Our pre-wedding videos are by some random ‘Chandu video wala’.
Nainika: No, Abbas. You’re Bombay royalty. You should have one of your director friends come in and shoot your wedding with a film camera.
Abbas: I think I’d get Suraj Barjatya, or maybe Quentin Tarantino. The joota-churai ceremony would be epic.
Nainika: Oh my god, you did not just say that. (laughs)
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Singh Rathore discuss the movies The Holdovers and Laapataa Ladies, the series Mr and Mrs Smith, and the hullabaloo around Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s pre-wedding festivities.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
By the way, general elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together. Choose an election project you would like to support and power our journalism. Click here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
02:18 - Headlines
04:02 - Ambani bash
21:06 - NL-TNM Election Fund announcement
22:08 - Mr & Mrs Smith
28:59 - Subscriber letter
30:05 - Laapataa Ladies
37:56 - Subscriber letter
40:05 - The Holdovers
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Samarendra K Dash and Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, it’s time to unwind as we look back at our favourite moments and best clips from the past few weeks. 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 Argylle:
Nainika: I’ve seen a lot of movies since joining this podcast. I’ve watched the awful, I’ve watched the awesome, but I’ve never watched…
Rajyasree: The boring?
Nainika: No, the bizarre. (laughs) It was a bizarre film. I fell asleep, I woke up.
Rajyasree: But, what a starcast they’ve got.
Nainika: I think this film is a money laundering front for all those involved.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Singh Rathore discuss the series Love Storiyaan and Feud, movies Argylle and This Is Me…Now, and the BAFTAs.
Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
By the way, general elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together. Choose an election project you would like to support and power our journalism. Click here.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
01:27 - Headlines
03:01 - Love Storiyaan
15:09 - Letter
16:10 - Argylle
32:20 - Letter
34:23 - BAFTAs
39:10 - Announcement on NL Sena Modi 2.0 Report Card
40:09 - Feud S2
References
Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS.
Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Hassan Bilal and Saif Ali Ekram.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While discussing Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya:
Abbas: Dimple Kapadia, who is Shahid’s aunt in the film, plays the role of a scientist.
Rajyasree: She did the same role in Pathaan too. Who knows, when filmmakers look at Dimple, they think, “This is what a scientist definitely looks like.”
Abbas: Oh, and Shahid Kapoor is also a robotic scientist, by the way.
Rajyasree: (laughs) This is really stretching the suspension of disbelief.
This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin discuss the films Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jia, Anatomy of a Fall, Bhakshak, and Ranveer Singh’s viral Bold Care ad.
Have more to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introductions
01:14 - Headlines
13:07 - Letter #1
14:30 - Bold Care ad
20:25 - Announcement on NL Sena Modi 2.0 Report Card
21:40 - Bhakshak
34:23 - Letter #2
35:30 - Anatomy of a Fall
References
Teri Baaton Me Aisa Uljha Jiya
Ranveer and Johnny Sins Bold Care Ad
NL Interview: Bhumi Pednekar on Bhakshak and the power of journalism
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Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Shubang Gautam, edited by Samarendra K Dash and Saif Ali Ekram.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Animal, the series The Expats and Griselda, and the documentary The Greatest Night In Pop. Also in this episode, a special interview with Bhumi Pednekar about her Netflix film Bhakshak. Stay tuned till the end.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Singh Rathore and Abbas Momin review the films Fighter and Anyone But You, series American Nightmare, trailer of Monkey Man, and the Paris Fashion Week.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Singh Rathore and Abbas Momin review the film Sam Bahadur and series Killer Soup, The Curse and Kanan Gill’s comedy special Is This It?
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande review the film Merry Christmas and series The Curse,
Killer Soup, and First Act.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Singh Rathore review the films Foe and Good Grief, documentary series Wedding.con, and the 81st Golden Globes Awards.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Jayashree Arunachalam review the films Three Of Us and Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, and the trailer for Merry Christmas.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films Dunki, Maestro and Sajni Shinde Ka Viral Video; the documentary series The Hunt For Veerappan; and their best and worst picks for 2023.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Singh Rathore and Tanishka Sodhi review the films Wonka, Priscilla, Dhak Dhak, and Christmas As Usual.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and film critic Anna MM Vetticad review the films The Archies, Kaathal: The Core, Animal, and Leave The World Behind.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Balakrishna Ganeshan review movies Animal and Bottoms, and the trailer of Shahrukh Khan’s upcoming film Dunki.
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A whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Rathore review movies The Vaccine War and What’s Love Got to Do with It? and the series A Nearly Normal Family.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review the movie Sukhee along with Rainbow Rishta and The Crown S6.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Jayashree Arunachalam review the movies The Killer and Fingernails along with Robbie Williams documentary, and the series Bodies.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Nainika Singh Rathore and Abbas Momin review the movies Fingernails, Indi(r)a’s Emergency, A House Named Shahana, Anatomy of a Fall, The Marsh King’s Daughter, and the new episode of Koffee with Karan S8 featuring Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Singh Rathore review the movies Pain Hustlers and Killers Of The Flower Moon, the trailer for The Killer, the eighth season of Koffee With Karan, and the untimely death of Friends star Matthew Perry.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Deepanjana Pal review the movies OMG 2, Aattam, and Bye Bye Tiberias; the new season of Mumbai Diaries; and the new House of Masaba ad with Kareena Kapoor.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Nainika Singh Rathore and Jayashree Arunachalam review the movies Thank You For Coming and 2018: Everyone Is A Hero, the mini-series The Fall of the House of Usher, the controversial MakeMyTrip ad, and stand up comic Abhishek Upmanyu’s new special.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies Khufiya and Fair Play, the documentary series Beckham, and the new Vimal ad.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Singh Rathore review the movie Reptile, Wes Anderson’s four new short films for Netflix (based on Roald Dahl’s stories), season 4 of Sex Education, Dark Fantasy’s new ad campaign, teaser of Animal, and the Paris Fashion Week.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the documentary The Supermodels, the movie Jaane Jaan, the podcast SmartLess, and 100 years of veteran actor Dev Anand’s cinema. Abhinandan also recommends another Punjabi song.
PS: Rajyasree reveals a secret connection between supermodel Cindy Crawford and Dev Anand. Listen to the full episode to find out!
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande review the movie Polite Society, the documentary While We Watched, the third season of The Morning Show, the trailer for Vivek Agnihotri’s The Vaccine War, and the latest controversy surrounding the comedian Hasan Minhaj.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movie Jawan, Naseeruddin Shah’s short film Man Woman Man Woman, Aaj Tak’s AI ad, and the series Unforgotten.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Abbas Momin review the movies Friday Night Plan, Asteroid City, Goldfish, season 3 of the series Only Murders in the Building, and the trailer of Jawan.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Abbas Momin review the movie Ghoomer, the series Taali, Star Wars Ahsoka and the winners of the 69th National Awards.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the series Guns & Gulaabs, Indrani Mukerjea’s book Unbroken, the controversy around Made In Heaven 2, and the ABC News documentary titled Is Bollywood becoming a propaganda tool?
PS. Abhinandan recommends a new Punjabi song this week. Don’t miss it!
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Abbas Momin review the movies OMG 2, Heart of Stone and Red, White & Royal Blue, the series Made in Heaven Season 2, and the teaser for Don 3.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and The Deepest Breath and discuss the controversy around The Elephant Whisperers.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movie Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One, web series Based On A True Story and Kohrra, as well as the Zeenat Aman CRED advertisement.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies Barbie, Oppenheimer and Bawaal.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the movies Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One and Past Lives, along with OTT series Kohrra and The Trial.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande review the movie Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the series The Bear, the documentary Wham!, and the trailers for Jawaan and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the anthology Lust Stories 2, the movie Till, the series The Night Manager - Part II and Charlie Chopra, and short film The Tunnel.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen is joined by special guest Shubhra Gupta, a film critic with Indian Express and author of Irrfan: A Life In Movies. They review the book, the movie Tiku Weds Sheru, and the series Never Have I Ever and Just Like That S2.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Singh Rathore review the movie Adipurush and the series Arnold, The Idol, season 6 of Black Mirror, and Bigg Boss OTT.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Singh Rathore review the movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the series School of Lies, Punit Pania’s standup special No Country For Moderation, the controversial Zomato advertisement, and Foo Fighters’ new album.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies Samrat Prithviraj, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Kathal, the series Love & Death, Scoop, and a whole lot more.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande review the Succession finale, the movie Triangle of Sadness,the Parliament inauguration, and influencers at the Cannes Film Festival.
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A whole lot of stuff Awful and Awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the series Modern Love Chennai and the movie Kathal. This episode also features an interview with Hansal Mehta and Karishma Tanna ahead of their new series Scoop.
Listen to the full podcast by subscribing to newslaundry.com.
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This and a whole lot of stuff Awful and Awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the series Dahaad, the movies Air and Good Luck To You, Leo Grande; Metallica’s new album 72 Seasons and the book This Is How You Lose The Time War.
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A whole lot of stuff Awful and Awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the movie Guardians of the Galaxy 3, stand-up comedy specials Mood Kharab and Baby J, and the tracks Search and Rescue and Heart on my Sleeve.
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While talking about Indian Matchmaking Season 3:
Abhinandan: Even if I had the time to watch this, I would not have…It’s just so bad. I refuse to watch this.
Rajyasree: Is that why you’re going to London? (Referring to the upcoming Newslaundry subscriber meet). Because Indian Matchmaking Season 3 is basically Sima (Taparia) aunty taking over London.
Abhinandan: Well, she can come to the subscriber meet then.
Rajyasree: The kind of publicity you’ll get if she comes to the subscriber meet! (Cracks up)
Nainika: I’m sure Abhinandan would make a great participant on the show.
Rajyasree: Going by the people they have, sure!
Abhinandan: Is it a game show?
Nainika: No! (Pauses) Well, marriage is a game show, technically!
Abhinandan: Profound thoughts from the youth! The Gen Z! (laughs)
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, and Nainika Singh Rathore review the series The Diplomat, Indian Matchmaking Season 3, and the film Afwaah in a special 300th episode livestream.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Timecodes
00:00 Introductions
03:37 The Diplomat
10:09 Indian Matchmaking Season 3
27:03 Subscriber questions
38:20 Afwah
49:21 Youtube questions
01:17:49 Recommendations
References
Produced by Priyali Dhingra & Tehreem Roshan.
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A whole lot of stuff Awful and Awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Singh Rathore review the series Dead Ringers, the documentary Dancing On The Grave, the films Pinocchio and Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody, and James Corden’s latest Carpool Karaoke with Adele.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen and NL subscriber Abhijeet Dangat review the documentary Boom! Boom! Boris Becker vs The World; the movie M3GAN; season 4 of Succession; and Cadbury ads.
To listen to the full podcast, subscribe to newslaundry.com.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Rathore review the series Jubilee, Beef, Anni: The Honeymoon Murder; the movie Babylon and the Barbie trailer.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Nainika Rathore review the movies Gaslight, Bheed and John Wick 4; the documentary Caught Out; and the NMACC gala.
This is a sneak-peek. To listen to the full podcast, subscriber to newslaundry.com
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin review the documentaries All That Breathes and Caught Out; the docuseries Waco: American Apocalypse, and the short film Fursat.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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A whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies Everything Everywhere All At Once and Kuttey, stand-up special Chris Rock: Selective Outrage, and the ads for Ghadi detergent and Coca Cola.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While discussing the Chris Rock stand-up comedy special:
Abbas: This was the first ever live event Netflix streamed. For which I also woke up for the second day apart from the Oscars.
Nainika: You woke up to watch Chris Rock?
Abbas: I did. I’m a big Chris Rock fan.
Nainika: I’m judging you a little bit. We’ve watched a lot of stuff together. I’ve seen you talk so much about MCU and I’ve always supported you through your MCU obsession but to find out you like Chris Rock? I feel like I’ve been betrayed.
Abbas: Did you say MCU obsession? You mean DC obsession?
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the Academy Awards, Creed 3 and Chris Rock: Selective Outrage.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While discussing Abhinandan’s appearance in Monsoon Wedding:
Rajyasree: So I watched Monsoon Wedding. The last time I watched it was when it was released.
Abhinandan: Did you pause in that scene where I’m asking for Bacardi and Coke?
Rajyasree: You’re not there.
Abhinandan: Okay, fine. I’m not there.
Rajyasree: No! On YouTube it’s very difficult to go back.
Abhinandan: So that means I’m not there.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies Gulmohar and Sharper; the music videos Chubby Girl and Todh; and the Women’s Day ads by Prega News and Tanishq.
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While discussing The Night Manager:
Abhinandan: How do you know the show is shot in Bangladesh?
Rajyasree: Maybe they’ve shot it here but it’s supposed to be set in Bangladesh.
Abhinandan: But you just said it’s shot in Bangladesh.
Rajyasree: The location is supposed to be Bangladesh.
Abhinandan: So then say that it’s set in Bangladesh. Do you know the difference between shot in and set in...
Rajyasree: Don’t act smart when you have not watched what we’re supposed to review.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies The Whale and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway; and the series The Night Manager.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While discussing the Netflix show Class:
Abhinandan: My input on this will be very brief.
Nainika: Okay, because how many episodes have you watched?
Abhinandan: I watched about 10 minutes. With great difficulty.
Nainika: Oh, wonderful!
Abhinandan: And I just could not...
Nainika: Tolerate it?
Abhinandan: Oh, dear god!
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Nainika Rathore review the series Class and Alaska Daily; the movie Magic Mike’s Last Dance; and the music video Alone.
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This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the series The Romantics and Farzi; the short documentary Elephant Whisperers; and the Adani Anthem.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Nainika asks Abbas how he would deal with a zombie pandemic:
Abbas: I think I’ll be gone in the first five or six hours (both laugh). I give myself a day tops.
Nainika: If you make it through a day, you’ll be like ‘oh, I won this already’.
Abbas: Yeah yeah, it was a good run. What about you?
Nainika: I’ll probably hold on and try to fight on for the people I love, like friends and family. Otherwise I’m like, you know what, I don’t really care. I’m wearing good clothes, I’m lying down and you can come get me so I can peacefully leave.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review films Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat and You People; webseries Last Of Us and Fleishman Is In Trouble; the new DC Comics film slate, and the Schiaparelli Spring Collection.
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Abhinandan and Rajyasree share their thoughts on Pathaan:
Abhinandan: It has some very good things. There’s Deepika Padukone.
Rajyasree: Who has not wasted any time in wearing any clothes.
Abhinandan: Then there’s Deepika Padukone also. And there is that other person that’s…
Rajyasree: Sponsored by OnlyFans?
Abhinandan: Deepika Padukone. And even Shah Rukh is looking amazing.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review Pathaan, and three music videos, including Miley Cyrus’s Flowers, Sam Smith’s I’m Not Here To Make Friends and Players by Badshah, Karan Aujla and Devika Badyal.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Abhinandan asks Nilanjana if she’s a day person or a night person:
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, we didn’t ask you. You are obviously a night person because it will be strange to see a broom flying around in the sky during the day.
Rajyasree: Nilanjana is not going to encourage this kind of loose talk about my character.
Nilanjana: She has the most elegant broom in the whole sky.
Abhinandan: Elegant broom? Acha theek hai,maybe Arvind Kejriwal should get in touch.
Abhinandan, Rajyasree and Nilanjana burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by author Nilanjana Roy to talk about her book Black River, as well as the films Aftersun and Thor: Love and Thunder; and Rahul Gandhi’s interview with Curly Tales.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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The pop culture podcast that isn’t afraid to pop the bubble.
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The pop culture podcast that isn’t afraid to pop the bubble.
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This week, it’s time to unwind as we look back at our favourite moments and best clips from 2022. 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.
Timecodes
02:04 - Beyoncé’s Break My Soul
04:34 - Besharam Rang
09:17- Top Gun Maverick
17:14 - Drake’s new album
23:23 - The Kardashians
28:43 - Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives S2
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While talking about the show Moving in with Malaika:
Rajyasree: I told you to watch at least one episode.
Abhinandan: And I am glad that I didn’t watch it. The beauty of life is sometimes it helps when you listen to people. But the other beauty of life is sometimes it helps when you don’t listen to people. When you asked me to watch, main samajh gaya tha, beta mat dekhna, pachtayega.
Rajyasree: I said you will enjoy it.
Abhinandan: Aap enjoy kijiye, hum chai peete bechte hain?
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films The Swimmers and The Banshees of Inisherin; web series Harry & Meghan; Malaika Arora’s new show Moving in with Malaika; and a lot more.
Listen.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While talking about a song from Pathaan:
Abhinandan: This is a song from Pathaan which is shot I think somewhere in Spain. There’s like an emerald green ocean and there is a Deepika Padukone...
Nainika: Who’s even prettier than the emerald green ocean which, as you know, has huge feet.
Abhinandan: Yeah. But she also has huge feet.
Nainika: Okay.
Abhinandan and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Nainika Rathore review the films Qala and Doctor G; web series Wednesday; the song Besharam Rang from the upcoming film Pathaan; Nora Fatehi’s defamation suit against Jacqueline Fernandez; and a few commercials.
PS. While talking about Jacqueline and Norah, Abhinandan explains how he once had a chat with a spam caller from Sri Lanka. Listen!
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Talking about the Bangladeshi horror movie Moshari.
Abhinandan: I’m going to start calling horror movies ‘Har Har’. Ask me why.
Rajyasree: Because then you feel like doing…You’ll shout at me now when I say…Because it leads to bowel movement which is ‘Har Har’.
Abhinandan: You know your punchlines always have something to do with shit! It is so sad.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies An Action Hero and Moshari; the web series Welcome To Chippendales; Matthew Perry’s memoir; Kanye West; and the controversy surrounding Balenciaga’s holiday campaign.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters
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Rajyasree rattles off names of actors from The Crown.
Abhinandan: I don’t know. Like you’ve rattled off 10 names. I don’t even know one. I can’t even remember the name of the film I watched. I’m very impressed. You eat badam every day?
Rajyasree: I eat.
Abhinandan: Really? Then start eating less (starts laughing).
Rajyasree: You all are laughing, he’s fat shaming me.
Abhinandan continues laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the series The Crown Season 5; the movies Bullet Train and Monica, O My Darling; the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony; and the Adidas World Cup ad.
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Nainika explains her dislike for Drake while talking about his new music album:
Abbas: So Drake has a new album in collaboration with 21 Savage called ‘Her Loss’ and Nainika, I don’t know why, but I feel like the “her” in the title…
Nainika: Is me?
Abbas: Specifically refers to you!
Abbas and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the films Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, Phone Bhoot and Monica O, My Darling; Netflix series The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself and Drake’s new music album Her Loss.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While talking about how Don’t Worry Darling ends:
Abhinandan: We won’t give any spoilers.
Rajyasree: If it makes me sound really stupid, we can cut it. (pauses) I didn’t understand the end. What happened?
Abhinandan: Cut it!
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the movies Gargi and Don’t Worry Darling; the second season of The White Lotus; and Akshay Kumar’s Dollar Ultra Thermals ad.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction
00:36 - Subscriber letters
09:12 - Review of Gargi
20:05 - Subscriber letters
21:16 - Review of The White Lotus Season 2
27:51 - Subscriber letters
29:15 - Review of Don’t Worry Darling
37:42 - Matthew Perry’s memoir
40:43 - Controversy around the movie The Kerala Story
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The pop culture podcast that isn’t afraid to pop the bubble.
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While talking about season 2 of The Kardashians:
Lipi: Can you name all the sisters?
Rajyasree: Quiz!
Abhinandan: Kim.
Lipi: Yeah.
Abhinandan: Khloé.
Lipi: Yeah.
Abhinandan: Done.
Rajyasree: No no think. One of the others you know.
Abhinandan: Devika? Anuradha? Rajyasree?
Rajyasree and Lipi: All are with the initials ‘K’.
Abhinandan: Karen?
Rajyasree: You know for sure!
Abhinandan: Kilimanjaro?
Legend has it that it was an endless quiz. Abhinandan, Rajyasree and Lipi burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by author and poet Jerry Pinto as they review his book The Education of Yuri. Lipi Vats, producer at Newslaundry, joins the panel to discuss season 2ofthe web series The Kardashians and the Kanye West controversy.
They also review trailers of the films Ram Setu and The Legend of Maula Jatt; Diwali commercials and their favourite Raveena Tandon songs.
PS. Jerry Pinto gives a message to young authors. Tune in!
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Check out our Diwali hampers here.
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While talking about Ana de Armas’s preparation to play Marilyn Monroe in the film Blonde:
Abhinandan: It’s like how young Indian boys and girls lock themselves in a room and study for IAS for eight months.
Rajyasree: She has studied for this for sure!
Abhinandan: She locked herself in the room and went to Batra classes or Aakash classes or whatever classes, where she only watched every expression of Marilyn and replicated it.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films Blonde and Ticket to Paradise; web series Hush Hush; Hasan Minhaj’s stand-up special The King's Jester; and the new podcast What The Hell Navya.
Song: 12 Bande
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Check out our Diwali hampers here.
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Timecodes
00:49 - Mashup
01:53 - Top Gun Maverick
14:03 - The Matrix Resurrections
26:48 - Beyoncé’s Break My Soul
29:19 - Drake’s new album
35:29 - Abhinandan’s favourite song by Sidhu Moose Wala
This week, as The Media Rumble gets underway, Awful and Awesome producer Jude Weston looks back at his favourite moments from the podcast this year. From Top Gun: Maverick to The Matrix Resurrections to Drake’s new album, here are some of his top picks.
Awful and Awesome will return with a new episode next week.
Visit https://www.themediarumble.com/
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While reviewing the film Chup:
Abbas: If you’re making a film like this, do not show me frames from some of the most amazing classic films made in Hindi cinema.
Abhinandan: Kaagaz Ke Phool type.
Abbas: Because now I just want to get up from my seat and go watch those films.
Abhinandan and Abbas burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Abbas Momin review the film Chup: Revenge of the Artist; Tamil films Ponniyin Selvan: I and Natchathiram Nagargiradhu;the trailers of Bros and Adipurush and the controversies surrounding them; and a few commercials.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Reviewing the film Everything Everywhere All at Once:
Nainika: It’s about, you know, unlocking so much potential about yourself and it’s a very tenderly made film. It’s about love and you would really. If you have a stone cold heart, it would hopefully thaw it a little.
Abhinandan: I see the look!
Nainika: (Laughs) Do you have a stone cold heart?
Abhinandan: Clearly the accusatory look.
Nainika: I’m not assuming.
Abhinandan: So you've been listening to too much of Rajyasree Sen.
Abhinandan denies he has a stone-cold heart and Nainika bursts out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Nainika Rathore review the films Jogi and Everything Everywhere All at Once; web series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power; CSAA insurance group’s ad featuring Rick Astley; India’s official entry to Oscars 2023; and the life of comedian Raju Srivastav.
PS: Abhinandan talks about the first movie he watched in a theatre.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While reviewing the series The Bear:
Abhinandan: So if you watch it at leisure, it’s chilled Bear. But if you watch it with someone you love, it’s Bear with me.
Rajyasree: I apologise to the people who are here.
Abhinandan: More jokes are coming as we go on!
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film Do Revenge; web series The Bear; a Cadbury ad featuring Tigmanshu Dhulia; and a Polish commercial on handicap parking. As a bonus, Abhinandan shares his views on films Nope and The Batman.
PS. The conversation takes a turn after Abhinandan kills a mosquito.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Abhinandan talks about his recent watchlist:
Abhinandan: Are you familiar with A-ha the band?
Rajyasree: Yes.
Abhinandan: So there’s a film about them which I’ll talk about next time.
Rajyasree: The first time Grammys was shown on Doordarshan was when A-ha performed outside the studio Take On Me.
Abhinandan: I don’t think that’s the first time the Grammys was shown on Doordarshan.
Rajyasree: I have a feeling.
Abhinandan: That feeling is not true because Grammys has been shown for long, like from Michael Jackson’s time I have watched the Grammys.
Rajyasree: Aha! (Fake laugh.)
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by Siya stars Vineet Kumar Singh and Pooja Pandey and director Manish Mundra to review the new film. They also talk about the second season of the web series Indian Predator, the car safety commercial featuring Akshay Kumar, Pakistani talk shows, and Primetime Emmy Awards 2022.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While talking about Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, Nainika asks Rajyasree what she would do if she was a Bollywood wife:
Rajyasree: See, when I was young, I had hair like you. So, I’d get this hair again. Like suddenly I'd have a shock of hair. I’d go to Dubai and I'd come back with a shock of hair.
Nainika: Okay, fair. But that’s a one-time investment?
Rajyasree: Then I’d go to France and I’d come back like 20 shades fairer. ‘What happened?’ I'd say, ‘Oh, there’s no sun out there, I don't know.’
Nainika: (laughs)
Rajyasree: Then I’d go somewhere else, my figure would be – like, I don’t know – like when I was 23. ‘How did...?’ No, I ate healthy. I just became slim again.
Rajyasree and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Rathore review season two of web series Delhi Crime and Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives; the drama surrounding the film Don’t Worry Darling; and the Venice press screening of the film The Whale.
PS: Abhinandan interrupts the podcast recording.
Also, join us on September 10 at 12pm for FoE Con 2022, where Newslaundry and Internet Freedom Foundation bring together news professionals and legal minds to map the media and regulatory framework in contemporary India. See more details here.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While talking about She-Hulk:
Nainika: So I think we need OSHA violations of how much Marvel content I can be expected to consume before I go insane.
Abbas: You know what they call it when you have a crisis of faith and you join a cult? It’s called an OSHO violation.
Abbas and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Nainika Rathore and Abbas Momin review the film Three Thousand Years of Longing; shows Mo and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law; Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon; and Kamal R Khan’s arrest over controversial tweets.
PS: Taking their cue from Three Thousand Years of Longing, Abbas and Nainika discuss what they’d ask for if a genie in a bottle offered them three wishes.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While talking about Indian Matchmaking, Rajyasree lists her criteria for the perfect partner:
Rajyasree: You can set me up...I’m very open to suggestions.
Nainika: I’ll be on the lookout for people who’d be nice to...
Rajyasree: Subscribers can write in also if they want.
Nainika: Please send in your biodatas. I would love to evaluate them and then set up a meeting between you and Rajyasree.
Rajyasree: You can send your bank statements also because we don’t want surprises later.
Nainika bursts out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Nainika Rathore review Jordan Peele’s Nope; web series Indian Matchmaking Season 2 and The Staircase; Hrithik Roshan's Zomato ad row; and the trailer of Season 2 of Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives.
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The pop culture podcast that isn’t afraid to pop the bubble.
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The pop culture podcast that isn’t afraid to pop the bubble.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction
06:45 - The Worst Person in the World
12:19 - The Most Hated Man on the Internet
16:05 - Subscriber letters
18:50 - Malayankunju
26:35 - Jugjugg Jeeyo
28:56 - Fashion talk
36:59 - Kurkure and Cadbury ads
42:09 - Subscriber letters
44:19 - Ranveer Singh nude photoshoot
48:51 - Kesariya | Arijit Singh
53:37 - Koffee With Karan
While talking about the Malayalam film Malayankunju:
Nidhi: Why haven’t you made a Mallu playlist then? You only made a Punjabi playlist...Or you’re either singing all the time to Punjabi music.
Abhinandan: Yeah, I sing Punjabi music all the time.
Nidhi: You’ve never put any effort to learn or sing.
Abhinandan: I don’t understand Malayalam.
Nidhi: Haven’t you ever had a Mallu girlfriend? Everyone in Delhi has had a Mallu girlfriend.
Abhinandan: (tries to ignore the question) Can't we just stick to the...
Abhinandan and Nidhi burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Nidhi Suresh review the films Malayankunju and The Worst Person in the World; docu-series The Most Hated Man on the Internet; the song Kesariya from the movie Brahmāstra; and Kurkure and Cadbury’s new ads. Abhinandan also asks Nidhi why she watches Koffee With Karan.
Tune in!
PS. Nidhi gives Abhinandan some Malayalam lessons.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our NL Sena projects Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All.
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While talking about a fight sequence in The Gray Man:
Abhinandan: They’ve both been trying to kill each other since the beginning of the film. In the end, you get a chance. You’ll throw away the gun, you’ll throw away the knife. Chal hand to hand ho jaye.
Rajyasree: “Chal hand to hand ho jaye” – no one said to each other.
Abhinandan: Ranjeet and Amitabh Bachchan used to do this in the ‘70s!
Abhinandan, Rajyasree and Ayesha burst out laughing.
In this episode of Awful and Awesome, Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by Ayesha Sood, director of the Netflix series Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi. Ayesha explains the challenges she faced while shooting the series and her experience with Netflix. The panel also discusses the film The Gray Man; Ranveer Singh’s controversial photoshoot; and how Shamshera flopped at the box office.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The pop culture podcast that isn’t afraid to pop the bubble.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction
05:10 - RRR
17:58 - Subscriber letters
22:23 - Spiderhead
37:00 - New York magazine story
47:15 - Subscriber letters
49:28 - Break My Soul by Beyoncé
55:14 - Under the Banner of Heaven
Talking about a New York magazine story on a teenager who was cancelled.
Abhinandan: It's a conspiracy.
Nainika: This is a conspiracy against you?
Abhinandan: Wasting my week.
Nainika: But then what do I plan to achieve through it?
Abhinandan: Just, you guys are sadists, all of you. Jude, you, and Rajyasree.
Nainika: So you think the world is stacked against you?
Abhinandan: I’m Diego*!
Abhinandan and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Singh Rathore review the films RRR and Spiderhead; web series Under the Banner of Heaven; Beyonce’s Break My Soul single from her upcoming album Renaissance.
* The 17-year-old protagonist of the New York magazine story.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our new NL Sena projects Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All.
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Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction
02:42 - Ms Marvel
16:59 - Jayeshbhai Jordaar
28:33 - Stranger Things Season 4
31:48 - Hustle
41:03 - Irma Vep
51:36 - Drake’s new album
Talking about the Happy Madison Productions film Hustle:
Abbas: It’s such a boring movie, dude!
Nainika: What is wrong with you?
Abbas: I fell asleep while watching it. I’ll come to it…Anyway!
Nainika: Abbas, do you have Covid?
Abbas: No, why?
Nainika: Because you have no taste.
Jude: Ooh, burn!!!
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Singh Rathore review the films Ms Marvel, Hustle and Jayeshbhai Jordaar; the web series Irma Vep andseason 4 of Stranger Things; and Drake’s new music album Honestly, Nevermind.
PS: Drake will be horrified if he listens to this episode. Tune in to figure out why.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our new NL Sena projects Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All.
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Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction
01:36 - Subscriber letters
03:16 - Spaces bedsheet ad
07:42 - Jurassic World Dominion
23:17 - Subscriber letters
25:09 - My Daughter Joined a Cult
43:20 - Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey
47:08 - Wild Stone ad
49:17 - Subscriber letters
While talking about the docu-series My Daughter Joined a Cult:
Abhinandan: No cult is complete without a white woman...slightly unhinged...
Rajyasree: Damn unhinged, ya.
Abhinandan: And her name is Sarah Landry, which is like News-landry..
Rajyasree: Maybe you should get her on?
Abhinandan: So I was like, bloody hell! It was a sign.
Rajyasree: You’d make a good baba. Baba Nikku Singh!
Abhinandan sings his baba theme song, Rajyasree bursts out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film Jurassic World Dominion; docu-series My Daughter Joined a Cult and Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey; and commercials for Spaces and Wild Stone.
Song: Nasha
PS: The hosts contemplate starting a cult and Abhinandan wants to be a leader.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our new NL Sena projects Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All.
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Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction
05:21 - Layer'r Shot ad controversy
10:01 - Gaslit
24:56 - Subscriber letters
30:03 - Akshay Kumar on history
34:23 - Jungle Cry
44:52 - Subscriber letters
51:19 - Depp-Heard trial
Rajyasree spots a typo in Abhinandan’s notes:
Rajyasree: You’ve just written things incorrectly. Amber Heard as H-E-R-D, that’s not her surname!
Abhinandan: H-E-A-R-D, Heard?
Rajyasree: Heard, yes.
Abhinandan: Oh, I was having a herd mentality!
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film Jungle Cry; web series Gaslit; the Layer’r Shot ad controversy; Akshay Kumar’s controversial comments on history books; and the Depp-Heard trial.
PS. A fly is the third co-host of this episode.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our new NL Sena projects Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All.
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Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction
01:47 - Subscriber letters
04:33 - Top Gun: Maverick
17:52 - Fresh
24:30 - Abhinandan reviews The Great Indian Kitchen
27:44 - Trailer of Dhaakad
31:54 - Subscriber letters
36:33 - Various topics
While reviewing the film Top Gun: Maverick, Abhinandan goes through his notes:
Abhinandan: Makes you realise yet again what an amazing time the ‘80s was. When cool was genuinely cool.
Rajyasree: This also you wrote while watching the film?
Abhinandan: Yeah. I take notes, I don't just try to wing it. I come prepared.
Rajyasree: You’re not a wingman!
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films Top Gun: Maverick and Fresh; the movie trailer of Dhaakad; theJohnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial; and the killing of Punjabi pop star Sidhu Moose Wala.
Bonus: Abhinandan reviews The Great Indian Kitchen to cover for episode 205.
Song: Same Beef
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our new NL Sena projects Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All.
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While reviewing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness:
Abbas: This is the third iteration of it [the Multiverse] to be watched. We watched it in Loki, the last Spider-Man film, and now this. And I still don’t know what exactly the Multiverse is...
Nainika: Loki? Which Loki movie?
Abbas: Not the movie, the TV show Loki.
Nainika: Does it also have Tom Hiddleston in it?
Abbas: Yes?!
Nainika: Tom Hiddleston did a whole TV show with Marvel?
Abbas: A whole TV show, yes!
Nainika: Okay, I guess.
Abbas: I would give anything to listen to the fanboys pulling their hair out right now.
Abbas and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the films Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers; web series Love, Death & Robots; Santigold's new song; and the Balenciaga fashion show.
PS: The hosts get carried away and talk about death, particularly a poem Abbas wrote about it. Tune in to find out more!
Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction, subscriber letters
03:02 - Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
21:19 - Love, Death & Robots
38:24 - Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
50:32 - Balenciaga fashion show
58:02 - Santigold song
References
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
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Timecodes
00:00 - Introduction, subscriber letter
03:23 - Modern Love: Mumbai
26:45 - Subscriber letter
27:17 - The Baby
35:44 - Subscriber letter
36:38 - The Worst Person in the World
44:27 - Season 2 of The Wilds
While picking their favourite episode of Modern Love: Mumbai, Rajyasree says she cried watching one of them:
Abbas: But why did you cry?
Rajyasree: I cried in Chennai Express also.
Abbas: Okay.
Rajyasree: I think I cried in Jurassic World also when one of the dinosaurs died. I’m a very sensitive kind of person.
Abbas and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Rajyasree Sen review the web series Modern Love: Mumbai and The Wilds Season 2 & films The Baby and The Worst Person in the World.
Tune in!
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While talking about a documentary on Marilyn Monroe:
Abhinandan: You haven’t even watched it.
Rajyasree: Keep quiet, I know everything about Marilyn Monroe.
Abhinandan: Your insights are just useless. They are not even insights, they are “outsights”. Go outside.
Rajyasree: Oh God, it is so bad, I cannot even laugh. I am crying.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film Thar; web series Slow Horses; documentary The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes; the new Pepsi anthem; and the Punjabi song Farming.
Tune in!
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
NL Sena projects
Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All
Timecodes
00:09 - Introduction
01:43 - The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes
11:06 - Subscriber letters
13:15 - Thar
26:40 - Slow Horses
34:57 -Pepsi Summer Anthem Ad
41:19 - Pasoori
46:49 - Farming
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:17 - Moon Knight
16:42 - Apollo 10 ½
27:20 - Subscriber letters
33:53 - Russian Doll
48:47 - Metal Lords
In the context of Russian Doll, Jude asks the panel what they’d do if they were stuck in a time loop situation:
Abbas: Are you talking about today? If today was happening over and over again?
Nainika: Any random day.
Abbas: I’m going to say something very depressing. But I mean, don’t we all live the same day over and over again? We wake up, dress up, and we go to work and then we hate our job and we’re sitting at our cubicle like “I’m going to do something one day when my dreams come true!” But then take a train commute back to the house and just...
Nainika: Oh God, Abbas!
Abbas: Sit in front of the TV and be like...
Nainika: Awful and Awesome was supposed to be about hope. What are you doing?
Abbas and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Rathore review the films Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Childhood and Metal Lords; web series Moon Knight and season 2 of Russian Doll. Tune in!
PS. The hosts time travel to their favourite TV shows and songs. Beware or you shall enter the time machine.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
NL Sena projects
Bulldozing a New Image in MP and The Yogi Who Has It All
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:40 - Subscriber letters
06:24 - Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King
15:54 - Severance
29:14 - Subscriber letters
33:55 - The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
39:40 - Uber ad ft. Anil Kapoor
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:37 - The Kardashians
09:28 - Anatomy of a Scandal
22:00 - Subscriber letters
24:02 - Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story
32:35 - Fardeen Khan
35:46 - Alia and Ranbir
40:52 - Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial
43:11 - Subscriber letters
While discussing the Jimmy Savile documentary:
Rajyasree: What are you laughing at?
Abhinandan: No, I’m just saying, if he [Jimmy] was knighted and if you have to be unknighted, then you’re day-ed? What is the term?
Rajyasree: What are you saying?
Abhinandan: See, I knight you and then I take your knight[hood] away, then you’re day-ed.
Rajyasree: I feel very sad for myself at these moments. I’ve had a very tough week and I don't even deserve this.
Abhinandan and Rajysaree burst out laughing.
This, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the web series The Kardashians and Anatomy of a Scandal; docu-series Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story; Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor's wedding; and the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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While talking about Dasvi:
Nainika: Did you watch the full movie?
Abbas: Of course I did, who do you think I am, Abhinandan?
*Pause before laughter*
This, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abbas Momin and Nainika Singh Rathore review the films Dasvi and Cobalt Blue, the Netflix series Eternally Confused and Eager for Love, besides the Spotify ads.
PS. Abbas fills in for Abhinandan’s dad jokes. Don’t miss.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:24 - Dasvi
16:30 - Cobalt Blue
25:54 - Eternally Confused and Eager for Love
35:51 - Spotify ads
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
05:20 - Subscriber letters
09:27 - Sharmaji Namkeen
19:42 - Subscriber letters
21:03 - IPL ads
27:10 - Subscriber letters
28:25 - The Bubble
37:33 - Subscriber letters
While talking about The Bubble:
Rajyasree: It's a good timepass.
Abhinandan: So if they did a spoof of The Fast and the Furious in the same genre, it will be called the farce and the furious. Stop laughing Rajyasree. Don’t laugh so hard, the audio is cracking.
*After a few seconds of silence*
Rajyasree:I need to go for therapy.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films Sharmaji Namkeen and The Bubble, besides the IPL ad campaign.
PS. Abhinandan cracks a Santa Banta joke. Don’t miss.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:21 - Subscriber letters
05:31 - Wecrashed
23:30 - Subscriber letters
25:34 - Oscars 2022
43:12 - Subscriber letters
47:15 - King Richard
56:44 - Subscriber letters
1:01:20 - CRED ad
1:03:33 - Lock Upp
While talking about King Richard:
Abhinandan: I know the two heroes that are going up on my wall of heroes.
Rajyasree: Me and?
Abhinandan: You, Serena and Venus. Same, same.
Rajyasree: I can play tennis if my father had bothered to teach me...I was rejected by the tennis coach, by the way.
Abhinandan: You are as big as their tennis racket, Venus’s racket. Just saying.
Rajyasree: Like I’m a two-footer? I’m a one-and-a-half footer, not even two feet.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the Oscars 2022; the film King Richard; and the web series WeCrashed.
PS. Hear what they have to say about Will Smith's assault on Chris Rock.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:39 - Subscriber letter
04:35 - Jalsa
18:47 - The Kashmir Files
33:06 - Subscriber letter
35:39 - Tropicana ad
37:21 - Pepsi ad
39:18 - 83
52:31 - Subscriber letter
While talking about the new Tropicana ad:
Abhinandan: Why did Jude include this ad?
Jude: I included it because I thought if I could just give this drink to Abhinandan when he’s angry, he’ll cool down and we’re saved.
Rajyasree: I wouldn’t depend on this. That’s all I'm saying.
Abhinandan: Well, we can try it. All that’s full of sugar and I’m diabetic so I see where you’re going with this.
Jude denies the intention. Rajyasree and Abhinandan have a good laugh.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films 83, Jalsa, and The Kashmir Files, and the new Tropicana and Pepsi commercials.
PS. The hosts list their favourite Holi songs.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:44 - Badhaai Do
12:50 - Fardeen Khan
15:50 - Subscriber letter
21:13 - The Dropout
33:56 - IPL ads ft. Dhoni
37:14 - Tata Play ad ft. Saif and Kareena
40:04 - Jhund
57:34 - Subscriber letter
While talking about Badhaai Do:
Rajyasree : She starts seeing this girl from the North East who works in a clinic like Dr Dangs kind of…and that girl shifts into the house.
Abhinandan: It’s called ‘bloodology’ where they check all the blood reports. No! It’s something else.
Rajyasree: Don’t make up. What nonsense absolutely! Not called ‘bloodology’. We have so many doctors who are subscribing which is shocking that y’all are subscribers. Please keep subscribing, it’s a very good place, Newslaundry.
Abhinandan: It’s called path labs. Pathological liars go there!
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film Badhaai Do and Jhund; web series The Dropout, Fardeen Khan’s comeback, and IPL and Tata Play commercials.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:05 - The Batman
26:02 - Jugaadistan
42:06 - Sea State: A Memoir
48:30 - Servant of the People
While talking about the series Servant of the People, Nainika Singh Rathore asks Abbas Momin what he would do if he gained political power.
Nainika: Do you think you’d make a good war time general? Like you know if a war breaks out…
Abbas: Not at all. No.
Nainika: Ok fair (laughs).
Abbas: I will be in my bunker hoping nobody disturbs me.
Abbas and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abbas and Nainika review The Batman; web series Jugaadistan, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky's TV sitcom Servant of the People and Tabitha Lasley’s book Sea State: A Memoir.
PS: The hosts talk about their college life, their favourite Batman and draw comparisons between the series featuring Zelensky and the Ukraine situation.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:45 - Kapil Sharma: I'm Not Done Yet
13:03 - Good Night India
16:37 - The Fame Game
30:05 - Love Hostel
44:22 - SAG Awards
While talking about the Screen Actors Guild Awards 2022:
Abbas: Can I make a really bad joke which I’ve been sitting on?
Rajyasree: Yes, please.
Abbas: These are called the SAG Awards. Does that mean there’s also a makke di roti award because makke di roti and sarso ka saag?
Rajyasree: For all the people who are missing Abhinandan, there’s no need to miss him because my co-host has the same high level of humour which I am used to. So, I’m feeling right at home.
Abbas and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abbas Momin review the film Love Hostel; web series The Fame Game; stand-up special Kapil Sharma: I'm Not Done Yet; and the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards.
PS: Spoiler alert for The Fame Game at the 21:02 mark.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our NL Sena project, Assembly Elections 2022.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:09 - Subscriber letters
05:44 - tick, tick...BOOM!
14:15 - Subscriber letters
16:38 - Pam & Tommy
24:39 -Subscriber letters
26:30 - Inventing Anna
43:08 - Subscriber letters
While reviewing the film tick, tick...BOOM!
Rajyasree: He (Andrew Garfield) learned singing for this role. So, which means even I can learn singing if I get a music role!
Abhinandan: No, that would require a miracle.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film tick, tick...BOOM!, web series Pam & Tommy and Inventing Anna.
Song: What Ve
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our NL Sena project, Assembly Elections 2022.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:44 - Rocket Boys
14:26 - Subscriber letters
18:04 - BMW ad
23:30 - Subscriber letters
25:24 - Gehraiyaan
37:55 - Subscriber letters
39:05 - Qandeel Baloch
43:43 - Super Bowl halftime show
While reviewing the series Rocket Boys:
Abhinandan: But tell me, is the music by Anu Malik?
Rajyasree: No.
Abhinandan: Oh, damn! Because if it was, then it would be directed by Pannu and music by Anu. (laughs) Anu and Pannu!
Rajyasree: This is Abhinandan’s bad habit when he doesn’t watch half of the things. He just does nonsense when I’m reviewing things.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film Gehraiyaan; web series Rocket Boys; the BMW ad featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Salma Hayek; and the Super Bowl halftime show.
PS: Rajyasree says Gehraiyaan is one of the worst films she’s ever watched. Abhinandan offers a different ending to the movie.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our NL Sena project, Assembly Elections 2022.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:57 - Titane
17:22 - Subscriber letters
23:17 - The Tragedy of Macbeth
43:22 - Yellowjackets
50:22 - Light Switch by Charlie Puth
52:22 - Subscriber letters
1:03:49 - The Spider-Man Problem
After Rajyasree compares the acting in The Tragedy of Macbeth to her performance in a play:
Abhinandan: You know, Rajyasree, you’re like Donald Trump. You’ll just pelo yourself...
Rajyasree: But I’m criticising my acting. I’m not saying I was so good. I feel he was so bad, he reminded me of how badly I acted. Unlike you, who would’ve said, “See! He’s a lot like me when I acted as Jude Law’s character in Closer.”
Abhinandan: I would never dream of doing that. I would never bring myself into this.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films Titane and The Tragedy of Macbeth; web series Yellowjackets; and Charlie Puth’s new music video Light Switch.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our NL Sena project, Assembly Elections 2022.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
09:56 - Chatting with Suresh Menon
36:17 - Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
42:06 - Subscriber letters
53:49 - Shyam Singha Roy
1:00:34 - Subscriber letters
1:04:59 - Unpaused: Naya Safar
1:09:42 - Subscriber letters
While talking about why Manoj Bajpayee walked out of a show that Suresh was a part of:
Abhinandan: Why did he walk out of the show, what was the problem?
Suresh: So, he felt that what he was doing was not doing him justice as an actor. For example, that show, I played a slipper.
Abhinandan: Sorry?
Suresh: I played a chappal.
Abbas: I’m getting a sense of why he walked out of the show.
Abhinandan, Abbas and Suresh burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by stand-up comedian Abbas Momin and actor and comedian Suresh Menon. They review the documentary Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, the film Shyam Singha Roy, and the series Unpaused: Naya Safar.
PS: Suresh does some celebrity impressions that you don’t want to miss. Also hear what Angry Ganeshan has to say about Republic Day!
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Contribute to our NL Sena project, Assembly Elections 2022.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:45 - Subscriber letters
06:30 - The Tender Bar
23:36 - The Matrix Resurrections
36:33 - Subscriber letters
45:50 - After Life Season 3
55:10 - Byju’s ad
Before talking about the movie The Matrix Resurrections:
Abhinandan: Actually I’m not slow, I’m in The Matrix zone.
Rajyasree: So, you don’t know whether you’re going back or forward.
Abhinandan: Hanging out with you is like this.
Rajyasree: Oh please, I’m like that bullet which whizzes by.
Abhinandan: Please tell us the make of that gun of which you’re a bullet. Where is this gun made?
Rajyasree: I’m like an AK-47.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films The Tender Bar and The Matrix Resurrections; season three of the web series After Life; and a Byju’s ad.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
NL Sena: Assembly Elections 2022
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:07 - Subscriber letters
06:50 - The Lost Daughter
18:34 - Subscriber letters
25:43 - Minnal Murali
38:40 - Subscriber letters
46:10 - Chandigarh Kare Ashique
01:01:19 - Subscriber letters
Talking about Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui and whether a trans actor should have been cast to play Maanvi:
Rajyasree: The whole concept of acting is that you play something which you are not. Say I have a film which is on karate...
Abhinandan: So they should cast you as a person who is nice, who is a good person. That would be a challenge.
Rajyasree: That would be acting, right?
Abhinandan: That would be a big challenge. Like if they cast you as a horrible obnoxious woman, then what’s the challenge?
Rajyasree: Don't act smart, okay.
Abhinandan, Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan and Rajyasree review the films Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, The Lost Daughter and Minnal Murali.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:50 - Subscriber letters
06:42 - Atrangi Re
15:09 - Subscriber letters
17:52 - Don’t Look Up
26:42 - Subscriber letters
32:57 - Decoupled
44:46 - Conversation with Manu Joseph
1:29:58 - Subscriber letters
Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by Manu Joseph, author and creator of Netflix series Decoupled. Manu talks about the show, his other notable works and the film industry.
Manu: I find the OTT revolution interesting because it's the first time I belong to an industry which is not dying. Otherwise at the age of 20, I joined journalism, it began to die. Then I wrote a novel 10-12 years later in my early 30s; then I realised publishing is also dying everywhere.
Abhinandan, Rajyasree and Manu burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan and Rajyasree review the films Don’t Look Up and Atrangi Re, web series Decoupled,and the controversy around Sunny Leone’s recentvideo.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
PS: Manu gives a sneak peek into what he has in store for the year.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:39 - Subscriber letters
07:15 - Spider-Man: No Way Home
12:48 - Spoiler alert
18:32 - The Witcher Season 2
29:47 - Trailer of Gehraiyaan
34:21 - Subscriber letters
45:18 - Decoupled
57:08 - Last Night in Soho
During the introduction:
Abhinandan: Nainika, your take on Awful and Awesome. You can be brutally honest. Is it too much of an uncle aunty gabfest?
Nainika: Oh absolutely! But that is why I listen to it.
Abhinandan and Nainika burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by Nainika Singh Rathore, a long-time subscriber. They review the film Spider-Man: No Way Home, web series Decoupled, season 2 of The Witcher and the trailer of the movie Gehraiyaan.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
PS: Abhinandan thinks Nainika is his perfect replacement on this podcast. Tune in!
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:15 - Subscriber letters
06:50 - Aarya Season 2
14:12 - Subscriber letters
16:24 - The Beatles: Get Back
27:18 - Subscriber letters
31:59 - Aranyak
39:20 - Subscriber letters
45:26 - Miss Universe 2021 and #Vicktrina
During the introduction:
Rajyasree: What have you watched Abhinandan?
Abhinandan: So before I tell you… We start every episode with hello hello! How many songs can you think of that have hello in it or start with hello. I can think of three.
Rajyasree: Hello…Shall I sing each song I remember also?
Abhinandan: Oh dear God! What have I done?
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the web series Aranyak and Season 2 of Aarya. They also discuss documentary series The Beatles: Get Back, Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif’s wedding and Miss Universe 2021.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
PS: Abhinandan was asked by a subscriber to start a dating show. Tune in to know his answer.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
05:32 - Dave Chappelle’s The Closer
12:38 - Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui trailer
20:50 - When Harry Met Santa
27:42 - House of Gucci
43:17 - 14 Peaks
54:55 - Subscriber letters
While reviewing the documentary film 14 Peaks:
Rajyasree: I felt it lacked drama which maybe it doesn’t need to…The drama is that he’s climbing so many peaks in so little time.
Sandip: What more drama do you want?
Rajyasree: As in, no one dies and all that.
Sandip: How many peaks? It’s a documentary! You wanted this poor man to die in his own documentary...
Abhinandan: I think she wants it to be like Indian Idol. There should be someone to outburst, there should be a fight between two of the team members...
Rajyasree: Or one person pushes a climber off and...
Abhinandan: Then they are showingdoosh…doosh…“I’m not coming, I’m abandoning.”
Sandip: Someone will say like “I have to do this within seven months you know...like I have no time, get out of my way”.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by journalist Sandip Roy. They review the film House of Gucci, the documentary14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, the Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui trailer and a new Christmas Norwegian ad.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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The pop culture podcast that isn’t afraid to pop the bubble.
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Timecodes
00:01- Introduction
03:18 - Amruta Fadnavis
10:57 - Subscriber letters
13:34 - Old
24:14 - Subscriber letters
32:04 - Promising Young Woman
39:18 - International Emmy Awards
43:57 - Dhamaka
56:04 - Subscriber letters
1:05:16 - Atmanirbhar
Abhinandan explaining a conversation Rajyasree had with the podcast’s producer:
Abhinandan: She told our producer, “Uff, so and so has texted and mailed me. He’s a stalker!” I said if he was a stalker, he’d be the stocking...
Rajyasree: And then I bought a ticket with my own money for Switzerland and said, “I’ll just leave. My visa is still there, I'll just leave.”
Abhinandan: And you didn’t let me finish the joke. He’d be a stocking and that would be a sock in the face of those who called him a stalker. Get it? Like a stocking sock.
Rajyasree: I apologise to our listeners.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films Dhamaka, Old and Promising Young Woman; the short film Atmanirbhar; Amruta Fadnavis’s version of the song Manike Mage Hithe; and the International Emmy Awards.
Song: 8 Raflaan
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
00:33 - Nomadland
12:57 - Call My Agent
17:55 - Ei Raat Tomar Amar
22:23 - Faraar by Gurinder Gill
24:58 - Kehnde Rehnde by Neha Bhasin
Check out our previous Best of 2020-21 lists here, here and here.
This week, Awful and Awesome producer Jude Weston looks back at his favourite moments from the podcast over the past year. From the Academy award winner Nomadland to songs recommended by subscribers, here are some of his top picks.
Awful and Awesome will return with a new episode next week.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01- Introduction
04:38 - Dune
19:44 - Subscriber letters
23:06 - Jai Bhim
39:26 - Subscriber letters
42:35 - Mad Angles ad
44:46 - Tip Tip song
49:15 - The Closer
Before reviewing the film Dune:
Abhinandan: What do you want to start with?
Rajyasree: No, let’s ask our esteemed guest/co-host.
Abhinandan: We have an esteemed guest? We only have A-bus.
Abbas: (laughs)
Rajyasree: There’s no need to laugh, Abbas. No need to laugh at bad jokes, okay?
Abbas: No, it’s okay. I have to say my favourite part of all Newslaundry podcasts is when Abhinandan cracks a joke and laughs at himself and you can hear all the panelists looking at each other like, “Were we supposed to laugh at that?”
Abhinandan, Rajyasree, and Abbas burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by Abbas Momin, a stand-up comedian from Mumbai, to discuss the Netflix special Dave Chappelle: The Closer; films Dune and Jai Bhim; the recreation of the song Tip Tip Barsa Paani in the film Sooryavanshi; and a Mad Angles commercial featuring Ranveer Singh.
PS. Don’t miss what the hosts discuss about The Closer.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Awful and Awesome producer Jude Weston looks back at his favourite moments from the podcast over the past year. From Abhinandan’s pronunciation of Charlie Puth to our two hosts striking a bet, here are some of his top picks.
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.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:13 -Subscriber letters
05:17 - Rashmi Rocket
14:38 - Subscriber letters
18:13 - Sardar Udham with Ronnie Lahiri
43:51 - Subscriber letters
46:28 - Fem Dabur ad
52:21 - CEAT ad ft. Aamir Khan
54:14 - Cadbury ad ft. Shahrukh Khan
57:25 - Subscriber letters
While talking about the film Sardar Udham, a chair caught Abhinandan’s eye:
Rajyasree: It’s so gripping, the way they shot it. But then...
Abhinandan: Who broke that chair? Why is that chair bent? Who sat on it?
Rajyasree: Not me!
Abhinandan: Sorry! So, a chair caught my eye which is bent and I was just worried we have to buy another chair. But, there’s another chair there, so there are three nice chairs. So, three chairs for Newslaundry!!! Hip hip...
Rajyasree: If y’all don’t support Newslaundry by the end of all the lawsuits, they’ll only be three chairs.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by Ronnie Lahiri, producer of the film Sardar Udham, to discuss the film. Abhinandan and Rajyasree also review the film Rashmi Rocket; Dabur’s Karwa Chauth ad controversy; the CEAT ad controversy; and the death of Halyna Hutchins.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
08:18 - Break Point
24:37 - Subscriber letters
28:33 - House of Secrets
41:59 - Cred ad ft. Kapil Dev
44:22 - Subscriber letters
50:15 - Fabindia controversy
52:38 - Batman Trailer
54:20 - Squid Game
1:02:11 - Subscriber letters
While talking about the documentary series Break Point:
Rajyasree: The two people who had directed it are the same people who directed Panga and Dangal.
Abhinandan: If you mix the two movies, if you watch the first part of Panga and the second part of Dangal, it will become Pangal.
Rajyasree: (sarcastically) It’s a good joke.
Abhinandan: I think it’s better than yours. It’s at least 5.5/10.
Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review Netflix's Korean drama web series Squid Game; and documentary series Break Point and House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths. They also discuss the new trailer of Batman; the Cred ad featuring Kapil Dev; and the Fabindia controversy.
PS: Abhinandan sings a new version of Aati Kya Khandala.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:35 - No Time To Die
24:31 - Subscriber letters
31:08 - Scenes from a Marriage
39:23 - Subscriber letters
43:30 - Abhinandan’s song recommendation
49:29 - Who Is The Bad Art Friend?
While talking about the Bond film No Time To Die:
Rajyasree: Who did the theme song, Abhinandan?
Abhinandan: Of which one?
Rajyasree: Of this one.
Abhinandan: No Time To Die (sings a different tune).
Rajyasree: You didn’t even listen to it because you were outside on the phone.
Abhinandan: (continues singing) Hi hi, no time to die...What? I don’t know! Who did it?
Rajyasree: Billie Eilish.
Abhinandan: Oh.
Rajyasree: Is Billie Eilish a girl or a boy?
Abhinandan has no clue and Rajyasree bursts out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review Daniel Craig’s last Bond film No Time To Die; Swedish miniseries Scenes from a Marriage; and New York Times article “Who Is The Bad Art Friend?”.
PS: Abhinandan and Rajyasree share their cinema experience and discuss who should be the next Bond.
Producer’s note: Rajyasree and Abhinandan reviewed the song No Time To Die last year; check it out here.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
06:49 - Subscriber letters
09:39 - Bell Bottom
23:42 - The Morning Show Season 2
30:15 - Subscriber letters
34:35 - Coca-Cola ad
36:42 - Thalaivii
44:51 - Subscriber letters
47:44 - Manyavar ad
50:06 - Only Murders in the Building
58:16 - Closure
1:04:01 - Subscriber letters
While talking about the film Bell Bottom:
Rajyasree: How do we know that he’s Bell Bottom? Because he’s wearing bell bottoms and he’s riding a bike outside Red Fort so then we know this is him, not the guy who’s wearing the pencil trousers. That’s Pencil.
Abhinandan: And there’s this other guy Baggy?
Rajyasree: And then his brother is Baggy.
Abhinandan: And there’s a Half Pant? Is there a Chaddi also?
Rajyasree: Chaddi is the one who sells tickets outside that movie theatre y'all used to have in Delhi.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the films Bell Bottom and Thalaivii; web series Only Murders in the Building and The Morning Show Season 2; Tinder’s short film Closure; the Manyavar controversy; and the new Coca-Cola ad.
PS: Abhinandan and Rajyasree give themselves code names.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:09 - Black Widow
10:05 - Loki
19:19 - Subscriber letters
22:49 - Shang-Chi
31:28 - Red Sparrow
36:36 - Cadbury ad
52:34 - Subscriber letters
1:05:03 - WandaVision
Talking about the character Wenwu played by Tony Leung in the film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings:
Mansa: Tony Leung(“luhng”)is a scene stealer, pardon if I’m pronouncing his name incorrectly.
Abhinandan: You are sitting with Abhinandan and you’re apologising for the pronunciation? Like seriously!
Inderpreet: It’s Tony Leung (“loong”).
Mansa: Really? He Wenwu’ed us with his performance.
Abhinandan: In fact when he appeared in that other film...
Mansa: He’s known for his collaborations with Wong Kar-wai.
Abhinandan: No no no. Leung...He did a song ya, with Deepika Padukone. Lungi dance, Lungi dance (sings).
Inderpreet bursts out laughing.
Abhinandan: I wish our listeners could see the look on Mansa’s face. She’s like “Kaha baitha diya uncle ke saath, itne bhadde joke.”
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Newslaundry subscribers Inderpreet and Mansa enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the films Shang-Chi and Black Widow; and web series Loki and WandaVision. They also discuss the thriller Red Sparrow. Abhinandan is also joined by the creators of the 2021 Cadbury cricket ad, which is a remake of the 1993 advertising classic.
PS: Don’t miss Abhinandan’s encounter with Gen Z.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:49 - Bhoot Police
12:25 - Subscriber letters
18:17 - Home
28:03 - Subscriber letters
34:08 - American Crime Story Season 3
48:25 - Subscriber letters
50:26 - ‘The Activist’ Reality TV Series
Talking about the film Bhoot Police:
Rajyasree: Do you know what a Kichkandi is?
Abhinandan: It's one variety of...
Rajyasree: Of Shak Chunni like that.
Abhinandan: Ya, it’s a Bengali chudail!
Rajyasree: Bengali chudail is Shak Chunni.
Abhinandan: This is Sheikh Chilli.
Rajyasree: No, Kichkandi.
Abhinandan: Kichkandi, okay.
Rajyasree: Is a Hindi chudail.
Abhinandan: All these good things that I learn on Awful and Awesome which will absolutely have no value in my life.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Bhoot Police; Malayalam film Home; FX series American Crime Story Season 3; and ‘The Activist’ Reality TV Series backlash .
Song: Challa Punjabi MC Mix
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:22 -ITC ad
08:53 - Subscriber letters
12:33 - Chhi Chhi (Short Film)
19:33 - Subscriber letters
22:07 - Android Kunjappan Version 5.25
32:41 - Subscriber letters
38:41 - The Father
47:49 - Subscriber letters
52: 51 - Clickbait
1:00:20 - Subscriber letters
1:01:54 - Abba
While reading a letter from a subscriber:
Abhinandan: That is such a good insight you’ve added at the end, just like Awful and Awesome, which panders to pop culture but always has one little profound wisdom at the end.
Rajyasree: I’m profound, you are the panderer.
Abhinandan: Obviously!
Rajyasree: You’re like a panda. Kung Fu Panderer!
Abhinandan: You have the guts to call my jokes bad?
Rajyasree: They are very bad. Are you gonna crack a joke now? Because I’m scared.
Abhinandan: Then what you just did with the Kung Fu Panda..It was the worst joke that has ever been cracked in the history of podcasts.
Rajyasree: No. Kung Fu Panderer is so clever. Because you’re sporty and you pander. Did you get what I did there?
Abhinandan: No!!!
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the award winning film The Father; Malayalam film Android Kunjappan Version 5.25; Netflix’s latest web series Clickbait; an ITC commercial; and pop group Abba reuniting after 40 years.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:22 - Nine Perfect Strangers
11:34 - Modern Love
20:38 - Subscriber letters
26:55 - Untold: Caitlyn Jenner
49:14 - Subscriber letters
52: 31 - Cruella
1:01:21 - Zomato ads
While talking about episode 4 of Modern Love Season 2:
Rajyasree: Did you watch that? Those two kids? They meet as kids and then when they grow up. That’s a sweet one!
Abhinandan: And they sing Jab hum jawan honge jaane kahan honge.
Rajyasree: Oh I saw three [episodes], not four. Sorry.
Abhinandan: But we are used to you lying, that's okay. You’re basically a dishonest person. In your reviews...
Rajyasree: In my romances also. Unlike in Modern Love, where nobody lies...I just felt it could’ve been better but okay.
Abhinandan: Like this podcast?
Rajyasree: No. This can’t be better, I’m telling you. This is as good as it gets.
Abhinandan: Oh damn! I’ll just shut down Newslaundry and go home now.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Cruella; season 2 of the anthology series Modern Love; Netflix docuseries Untold: Caitlyn Jenner, and Zomato commercials.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:14 - The Chair
11:15 - Subscriber letters
15:31 - Shershaah
33:33 - Comedy Premium League
41:56 - Subscriber letters
44:38 - You Must Remember Manson
While reading a subscriber’s letter, the conversation moves on to the producer of the podcast:
Abhinandan: Our young producer, Jude...
Rajyasree: Youngish.
Abhinandan: He’s young, he's 24.
Rajyasree: So sweet. How much you abuse in front of him.
Abhinandan: Why don’t you just focus on the task at hand which is to record a good podcast.
Rajyasree: If you had a child at the right age, he’d be his age. If I had a child at the…you could be my son. Please treat me with respect.
Abhinandan: Can you get your focus back here?
Rajyasree: Oh, sorry I’m just thinking I could have also had him as a child.
Abhinandan: You don’t. He’s your producer and he’s expecting you to record a good podcast. So if you focus on that he'll be more grateful than if you had been his mother.
Rajyasree: (Laughs) 21 years older I’d be.
Abhinandan: See! Bacch gaya! Imagine. He would’ve jumped off a building.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Shershaah, The Chair and Comedy Premium League web series, and the podcast You Must Remember Manson.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00.01 - Introduction
04:38 - The Three Khans
38:01 - Navarasa
52:39 - Subscriber letters
57:29 - Godzilla Vs Kong
1:05:57 - Welcome to Your Fantasy
1:07:28 - Subscriber letters
1:10:56 - The Courier
While talking about the book The Three Khans, on the careers of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan:
Kaveree: All three began coincidentally in 1988. Shah Rukh began in television, the other two began in...
Abhinandan: Cinema.
Kaveree: Yeah.
Rajyasree: His [Shah Rukh] was Fauji.
Kaveree: Yeah, exactly!
Abhinandan: And they were 3G.
Rajyasree, Abhinandan and Kaveree burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen are joined by Kaveree Bamzai, journalist and author of The Three Khans, to discuss her book; the films Godzilla vs Kong and The Courier; web series Navarasa,and a lot more.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Click here to subscribe and avail our Independence Day offer.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00.01 - Introduction
02:10 - Cooking with Paris
10:09 - Roadrunner
38:59 - Subscriber letters
41:52 - A Big Little Murder
49:34 - Subscriber letters
While talking about Yo Yo Honey Singh's wife accusing him of adultery, among other things:
Rajyasree: Also, eat when you’re hungry, karwa chauth will not do anything good. You think he was not eating with that other woman in Dubai? God knows what all was happening, we don’t even want to get into that.
Abhinandan: You’re so crass. You’re so crass you’re like Yo Yo Honey Singh. The crassness of Rajyasree Sen is matched by Yo Yo Honey Singh, there’s a reference to a Brown Rang girl.
Rajyasree: That’s what, maybe I was in Dubai.
Abhinandan: Ta-da! The plot thickens.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the documentary films Roadrunner and A Big Little Murder; and the Netflix cooking show Cooking With Paris.
PS: Abhinandan and Rajyasree give relationship advice. Do check it out.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
Subscribe and avail our Independence Day offer: https://bit.ly/NewslaundryIDayOffer
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
00:01 - Introduction
02:32 - White Lotus
09:30 -Subscriber letters
12.49 - Mimi
27:53 - Subscriber mails
31.20 - Sarpatta Parambarai
43:12 - Subscriber letters
45:55 - Voot Select Film Fest
56:53 - Subscriber letters
Talking about the film Mimi:
Rajyasree: But there is a clause in that also that the woman should have already had children of her own. Basically that woman has no other life.
Abhinandan: But there’s also a clause that you have to give special gifts in December and it’s called a…
Rajyasree: Santa Clause!
Abhinandan: It’s called a Santa Clause. Let me finish my own jokes! Why do you interrupt my joke? I will not let you finish your jokes now.
Rajyasree: You never let me finish!
Abhinandan: You never let me finish a sentence, man!
Rajyasree: No, when there are other people then I let you. Because I let you shine in that moment.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Mimi and Sarpatta Parambarai; TV miniseries The White Lotus, and The Voot Select Film Fest.
PS: Abhinandan and Rajyasree share their top five comedy series.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Song: Jail
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
00:01 - Introduction
02:49 - Feels Like Ishq
11:53 -Subscriber letters
23:45 - Happy Birthday Mummy Ji
28:07 - Malik
37:25 - Subscriber letters
40:53 - Jalebi Baby by Tesher
42:39 - WAP by Cardi B
45:52 - Zivame ad
52:11 - Subscriber letters
54:20 - LFG
Reading a subscriber letter regarding the Ep 215 mystery:
Abhinandan: I didn't know Guldar is the name for a leopard. Guldar sounds like a flower.
Rajyasree: Wo dekho Guldar khil rahe hai!
Abhinandan: Aaha!
Rajyasree: Then the Guldar kills you. Arey Guldar ne maar diya! I can write a good wildlife documentary.
Abhinandan: You’re like a tat Doordarshan-like filler.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Malik; the series Feels Like Ishq; the documentary film LFG; Tesher’s song Jalebi Baby ft Jason Derulo; and Cardi B’s WAP.
PS. Don’t miss their reactions after listening to WAP.
Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters.
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:34 -Subscriber letters
06:09 - Toofan
24:38 - Subscriber letters
36:00 - How to become a tyrant
47:22 - Cannes Film Festival
54:23 - Subscribers letters
55:53 - Mimi trailer
59:24 - Rain songs
Talking about the docuseries How to Become a Tyrant:
Abhinandan: We will talk about a series called How to Become a Tyrant.
Rajyasree: Which is about Abhinandan.
Abhinandan: It’s a six-part series.
Rajyasree: He’s written it. It’s about his life.
Abhinandan: No one will believe you that I’m a tyrant. No one!
Rajyasree: Shall I tell them how you threw a chair at me once?
Abhinandan: Tyrants don’t do that. Tyrants will just…
Rajyasree: Kill!
Abhinandan: Yeah.
Rajyasree: Once you tried to run me over but I was so quick. I just stepped another way.
Abhinandan: That’s why I had to buy a new car because I had to re-tyre.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Toofaan; Netflix docuseries How to Become a Tyrant; the trailer of the film Mimi; and the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival.
PS: Abhinandan and Rajyasree talk about their favourite rain songs.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:51 - Sherni
17:18 - Subscriber letters
18:06 - Haseen Dillruba
28:38 -Subscriber letters
32:51 -Ray
49:00 - Various ads
55:36 - Subscriber letters
59:33 - Dilip Kumar
While talking about the film Sherni:
Abhinandan: If you can solve this mystery for us and you think you’re the cat’s whiskers...and get the fangs straight. I’ve replaced facts with fangs, you know.
Rajyasree: We understood.
Abhinandan: Just explaining to you. Then you can write to us at contact@newslaundry.com and tell us: is Sher a lion or a tiger, a cheetah or a papita?And then we might give you fruit salad but it may get spoiled by the time it gets to you.
Rajyasree: Now you’ve lost five subscribers who were listening to us. They've left.
Abhinandan: They’ve left? Why? The papita is too much.
Rajyasree: You’ve crossed the line over there!
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Sherni and Haseen Dillruba; anthology web series Ray; the works of Dilip Kumar; and various commercials.
PS: Rajyasree thought Dilip Kumar starred in Sangam. Don’t miss Abhinandan’s laughter.
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Awful and Awesome producer Jude Weston looks back at his favourite moments from the podcast over the past year. From discussing Netflix show Indian Matchmaking last July to The Man From Earth last August, here are some of his top picks.
Awful and Awesome will return with a new episode next week.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
00:22 - Tiger
18:16 - JP Saxe If the World Was Ending ft Julia Michaels
26:52 - Tinder ad
This week, Awful and Awesome producer Jude Weston looks back at his favourite moments from the podcast over the past year. From discussing a Tinder ad last December to analysing the documentary Tiger in January, here are some of his top picks.
Awful and Awesome will return with a new episode next week.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:19 - Subscriber letters
04:55 - The Family Man Season 2
13:54 - Subscriber letters
15:35 - Sunflower
31:37 - Subscriber letters
35:01 - Dobara Alvida
45:53 - Subscriber letters
47:44 -Danish road safety ad
51:25 - Subscriber letters
While talking about the short film Dobara Alvida:
Rajyasree: This film was not good, to put it mildly, but I watched the full thing. It’s about...
Abhinandan: It’s 25 minutes. “I watched the full thing”, as if you’ve run a marathon. Even I watched it!
Rajyasree: It seemed like two and a half hours, na.
Abhinandan: The biggest show slacker of the world has watched it so it’s not some sort of an achievement.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss web series Sunflower and the second season of The Family Man; Royal Stag’s short film Dobara Alvida;and a Danish road safety ad.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:12 - Subscriber letters
04:37 - Indian Summer School
16:46 - Maharani
31:42 - Tape of You by Baba Sehgal
36:50 - Subscriber letters
39:07 - The Mauritanian
55:19 -Subscriber letters
57:54 - Licious ad and Peugeot ad
01:01:07 - Subscriber letters
While reading a letter from a subscriber:
Abhinandan: “Abhinandan, I’m a huge fan of yours. I wish I was as articulate and funny as you.”
Rajyasree: Articulate?
Abhinandan: Clearly, Rajyasree...
Rajyasree: Oh, she doesn’t know the meaning of articulate. I’ll just...
Abhinandan: She doesn’t know the meaning?
Rajyasree: “Articulate” is not...You’re misusing the word.
Abhinandan: The word you are looking for is?
Rajyasree: Obnoxious!
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film The Mauritanian; web series Maharani; Channel 4 docuseries Indian Summer School; Baba Sehgal’s Tape of You; the Licious ad featuring Anil Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor; and the Peugeot ad featuring Novak Djokovic.
PS: Don’t miss Abhinandan’s version of Shape of You.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:25 - Friends: The Reunion
23:10 - Subscriber letters
37:54 - Season 3 of Master of None
43:42 - Mare of Easttown
51:07 - Subscriber letters
56:15 - Another Round
1:08:06 -Subscriber letters
1:13:46 - Cred ad
1:15:56 - Subscriber letters
Talking about the reunion of the TV series Friends.
Abhinandan: Did you like it, Rajyasree Sen?
Rajyasree: I liked it! In fact, I shed a tear here and there also. Maybe I shed tears quite easily when I watch stuff.
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, you shed tears in Ajay Devgan and, what’s his name, Akshay Kumar’s film, so don’t give me that.
Rajyasree: No, don’t lie. Which Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar film?
Abhinandan: We’ve discussed this many times on the same podcast. Let's not bore our audience.
Rajyasree: No, I cried in Chennai Express.
Abhinandan: That I can still understand because Deepika Padukone’s performances are also very moving so.
Rajyasree: (Laughs.)
Abhinandan: But you’ve cried in every film we watched so when you say “I shed a tear” it’s like “I breathe”.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the reunion of the iconic TV show Friends; web series Mare of Easttown; Season 3 of Master of None; Danish film Another Round; and the new Cred ad.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:18 - Asuran
12:17 - Army of the Dead
24:52 - Subscriber letters
29:03 - Music directors
47:34 - Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream
1:00:27 - Subscriber letters
1:05:43 -Eurovision Song Contest 2021
1:09:44 - Subscriber letters
1:10:57 - Greenpeace ad
Talking about the last scene in the film Army of the Dead and Huma Qureshi’s character:
Abhinandan: I’m shocked people watched this film
Rajyasree: (Laughs) I liked it!
Abhinandan: I’m very sad that Huma did this.
Rajyasree: I was thinking of you because I know of your fondness for Huma Qureshi. Now explain this to me: they rescue her in the helicopter, then what? Where did she go? She just vanished. Last scene there’s no Huma Qureshi.
Abhinandan: She was taking a breather maybe.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Asuran and Army of the Dead; Netflix series Alma Matters; the Eurovision Song Contest 2021,and Greenpeace UK ad. They also pay tribute to three music directors – Shravan Rathod, Raamlaxman and Vanraj Bhatia.
PS: Abhinandan also talks about when he met Dave Bautista.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:44 - BRIT Awards
08:21 - Subscriber letters
11:13 - Radhe
21:53 - The Sons of Sam
31:04 - Subscriber letters
38:23 - Minari
52:22 -Subscriber letters
59:16 - Halston
1:04:07 - Subscriber letters
1:07:18 - Enjoy Enjaami by Dhee ft. Aruvi
Talking about the film Radhe:
Rajyashree: I booked the film. I have paid two hundred and forty five rupees, I think.
Abhinandan: You are not getting reimbursed by Newslaundry.
Rajyasree: Are you not going to reimburse me for this because I think I need some therapy after this also.
Abhinandan: No chance. I am not reimbursing you for either therapy or the ticket, if it’s self-inflicted.
Rajyasree: I need therapy for putting up with you also.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Radhe, Halston, and Oscar winner Minari; theweb series The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness and Halston; the latest Tamil song Enjoy Enjaami, and The BRIT Awards 2021.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:47 - Nomadland
16:15 - Subscriber letters
22:16 - Mandela
31:42 - Tourism ad
35:12 - Subscriber letters
38:50 - Usha ad
43:26 - The Disciple
54:32 - Subscriber letters
56:07 - Payal Rohatgi
While talking about the character Fern in Nomadland:
Abhinandan: See now! If I was a plant, if I was a tree, I would be a soli-tree. (laughs) But you see…
Rajyasree: This is why you’re solitary, na. Because you crack these jokes.
Abhinandan: So, everyone leaves. They say “live on your own”.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Mandela, The Disciple and Oscar winner Nomadland; theSwitzerland tourism adfeaturingRoger Federer and Robert De Niro, and more.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:33 - Subscriber letters
05:46 - Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi
19:41 - Two Distant Strangers
31:19 - Subscriber Letters
36:32 - Colette
43:16 - Rajshree Elaichi ad
46:28 - Burger King ad
48:00 - Subscriber letters
53:15 - Rajyasree’s artwork
58:52 - Searching For Sheela (teaser)
1:11:18 - Subscriber letters
While talking about Rajshree Elaichi ad:
Abhinandan: This is a very old company and we will let you into the secret now. Actually, Rajyasree was named after this elaichi. (laughs)
Rajyasree: of course! My parents... (mocks Abhinandan’s laugh). I’m like Rajshree elaichi, I’m fun and spunky!
Abhinandan: And you should be put into boiling tea.
Rajyasree: And I can give you mouth cancer also.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi; Oscar-winning films Two Distant Strangers and Colette; the teaser of Searching For Sheela,and more.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
04:08 - CarDekho ad
08:30 - Swayam ad
11:10 - Glucon-D ads
12:48 - Ajeeb Daastaans
25:59 - Subscriber letters
32:50 - Star vs Food
38:36 - Judas and the Black Messiah
50:32 - Letters from listeners
54:15 - Bhima Jewellers ad
57:54 -Faraar by Gurinder Gill
1:00:30 - Kehnde Rehnde by Neha Bhasin
While talking about getting ‘triggered’:
Abhinandan: I have sometimes started using that word. I think I sometimes use it absolutely incorrectly.
Rajyasree: Like when you do something, you say, “I triggered.”
Abhinandan: Earlier, I used to tell people, “Don’t piss me off.” Now, I say, “You’re triggering me.”
Rajyasree: (laughs) Next fight we have, I want you to tell me, “Rajyasree, you’re triggering me.” I’ll bloody just shoot you, I think, if you say this.
Abhinandan: Don’t make a joke of everything. Don’t mock. You have some shame!
Rajyasree: Then what is left in this friendship if I’m not going to mock you?
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Judas and the Black Messiah; film anthology Ajeeb Daastaans; celebrity cooking show Star vs Food, and many songs and commercials.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Talking about Joji:
Abhinandan: Have you seen the second part of Joji?
Rajyasree: No, say it...joke bata hi do aap.
Abhinandan: The second part of Joji is Ta Vahi Sikandar.
Rajyasree: (Gasps) This is the problem...These are all the side effects of taking the shot (Covid vaccine), I realised. Your humour has become even worse.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films The Big Bull and Joji; Netflix documentary Seaspiracy; the Cred advertisement featuring Rahul Dravid, and more.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Awful and Awesome letters: A brief history of Zack Snyder's Justice League
Timecodes
0:08 - Introduction
4:12 - The Big Bull
17:17 - Seaspiracy
29:35 - Letters from listeners
36:42 - Joji
46:40 - Letters from listeners
52:32 - Brooklyn 99 Season 7
54:51 - Cred advertisement
58:44 - Letters from listeners
1:05:31 - Conclusion
References
Cred (Rahul Dravid)
Cred (Jackie Shroff)
Mere Pyaar Ki Umar Ho Itni Sanam
Newslaundry’s Hindi website and Hindi newsletter
Recorded by Dhyanesh Vaishnav, produced by Parikshit Sanyal and edited by Umrav Singh.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 Introduction
03:05 Letters from listeners
07:57 Tenet
18:48 The Great Indian Kitchen
31:44 Letter from listeners
36:43 Sudani from Nigeria
44:21 The Serpent
54:27 Letter from listeners
58:15 & Jara Hatke
1:05:39 Dancing With The Devil
1:11:21 Mrs Sri Lanka pageant
1:14:15 Google ad
Talking about The Great Indian Kitchen in light of the “time inversion” concept from Christopher Nolan’s Tenet:
Rajyasree: I did not see why it was so great because...
Abhinandan: You may not have understood it.
Rajyasree: No, full I understood, okay. It has subtitles.
Abhinandan: I’m being patronising again.
Rajyasree: Again.
Abhinandan: Like Tenet, this is also...
Rajyasree: This is also temporal, she’s gonna walk in through the other door and that drumstick will not be chewed up.
Abhinandan: She uncooks. Instead of cooking she’s uncooking.
Rajyasree: So, she uncooks this bad lie that she has.
Abhinandan: (laughing) So, instead of an anda...
Rajyasree: You sound very bad, it better be a good joke.
Abhinandan: Instead of making anda she’s making da, because she’s undone the anda so it becomes da.
Rajyasree: I’m so thankful that you don’t have a humour podcast. At one point, so that everyone knows, Abhinandan thought he could be a standup comic, but all his friends got together and said...
Abhinandan: “People will throw andas at you!”
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss Christopher Nolan’s Tenet; Malayalam films The Great Indian Kitchen and Sudani from Nigeria; Marathi film & Jara Hatke; web series The Serpent; documentary series Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, and more.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:08 -Kanika Kapoor - 2 Seater Car
05:33 - Pagglait
20:12 - Subscriber mails
23:29 - Operation Varsity Blues
32:55 - Subscriber mails
36:13 - Zack Snyder’s Justice League
51:21 - Subscriber mails
53:20 - Disney+ Hotstar VIP ads
55:12 - Filmfare Awards
While talking about the film Zack Snyder’s Justice League:
Abhinandan: Zack Snyder came back, re-shot a lot of it as it’s clear from this film and much of it is CGI, which is computer graphics.
Rajyasree: Like you’re saying that because you think that I don’t know what CGI is?
Abhinandan: Yeah.
Rajyasree: I’ll just hit you with the mic. Why did you say CGI computer graphics?
Abhinandan: You may think it’s Chowringhee Institute.
Rajyasree: Please! What rubbish. I like the way you explained that.
Abhinandan: I’m mansplaining.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Pagglait and Zack Snyder’s Justice League; Netflix documentary Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal; commercials, and more.
Song: Rail Gaddi
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:08 - Letters from listeners
05:45 - Tanishq and Vimal ads
14:22 - Madam Chief Minister
26:33 - Letters from listeners
30:38 - The Illegal
47:09 - Letters from listeners
58:58 - Red Nose Day telethon
1:07:03 - 67th National Film Awards
While talking about the film The Illegal:
Abhinandan: The one thing I liked about this film is that it made me think of...
Rajyasree: (laughs) That in itself is a miracle.
Abhinandan: Why are you laughing?
Rajyasree: “That it made me think.” (laughs) You get the joke?
Abhinandan: No.
Rajyasree: The film made you think, full stop.
Abhinandan: That’s the joke?
Rajyasree: That’s the joke! I’m crying with laughter. My allergies and laughter.
Abhinandan: Clearly your eyes are allergic to your bad sense of humour.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films The Illegal and Madam Chief Minister; the 67th National Film Awards; the Red Nose Day telethon hosted by Comic Relief; commercials, and more.
Can’t get enough of this podcast? Click here to get the Pop’d newsletter in your inbox.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:43 - Nike ad
09:39 - The Married Woman
22:13 - Subscriber letters
23:01 - Drishyam 1 & 2
30:57 - Subscriber letters
33:36 - My Octopus Teacher
47:58 - Subscriber letters
59:41 - NCPCR on Bombay Begums
While talking about the web series The Married Woman:
Rajyasree: But it’s quite progressive. There’s a lot of...
Abhinandan: Progressive?! (laughs)
Rajyasree: Bahaut hi progressive hai lesbian relationship, then they are kissing and all. I was like nowadays, actresses and all...
Abhinandan: You’re such a...you remind me of my dadima.
Rajyasree: That’s why I wore a sari today.
Abhinandan: “It is very bold. There is kissing, kaafi bold hai.” Dude! How do you talk? I’m the uncle here.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss Malayalam thriller film Drishyam and its sequel Drishyam 2; Netflix documentary film The Octopus Teacher; ZEE5 web series The Married Woman; Nike’s The Toughest Athletes ad, and a lot more.
Song: Khyaal Rakhya Kar
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
08:03 - Faber ad
11:04 - Normal People
24:57 - Subscriber letters
27:13 - Bombay Begums
42:54 - Subscriber letters
49:44 - Honest Government ad
51:34 - PayTM ad
53:43 - Levis ads
56:54 - MTV ad
58:41 - Subscriber letters
1:02:35 - Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
While talking about the Faber dishwasher ad:
Rajyasree: Next time, when you’re having those interviews you have every Sunday, where you interview girls [to] get married to? You just ask, “Do you like cooking?” Then she’ll say, “Yes, yes, I make samosa, shepherd’s pie..." You’ll say, “But will you wash the dishes?”
Abhinandan: Do you like washing dishes?...That toh she will, but do you like?
Rajyasree: That toh she will?!
Abhinandan: Because you don’t want to force anyone.
Rajyasree: What is “that toh she will”? Tell me. That’s what you have to do if she gets married to you? Khaana de...wo saaf karo! You’re quite an emancipated man, I must say.
Abhinandan: So, if I don’t get married, I’m getting a Faber washing machine.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the web series Bombay Begums and Normal People; Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; advertisements for International Women’s Day, and more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:12 - Subscriber mails
07:11 - Kappela
16:56 - Allen v Farrow
24:55 - Subscriber letters
27:42 - Call My Agent
32:41 - Subscriber letters
39:19 - Prince Harry’s appearance with James Corden
43:25 - Dove ad
49:55 - Redbull ad
53:41 - Subscriber letters
While reading a letter from a subscriber about the song Ei Raat Tomar Amar:
Abhinandan: You know, Rajyasree often does this. If I say something about anything like, you know, “This is a dhol".
"It was invented in Bengal!”
Rajyasree: But most of the things are...your speakers are.
Abhinandan: I’ll say sarso ka saag...
"It was invented in Bengal."
Rajyasree: Sarso was invented in Bengal.
Abhinandan: Or if I were to say this is how Sikhs tie their turbans.
“They learned it from Bengal.”
Rajyasree: The cloth came from Bengal.
Abhinandan: But you [subscriber] have actually sent a video clip showing that the original is a Bengali. So you get 10/10.
Rajyasree: Proof! Proof!He’s given proof.
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, the thing is that you claim everything came from Bengal and you’ve never given me any proof.
Rajyasree: Because you don’t need to show proof for the obvious, na? This is like saying do you know the moon is round when it is a full moon.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Kappela; Season 4 of web series Call My Agent!; HBO docu series Allen v Farrow, controversies, and commercials.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
02:23 - Subscriber mails
03:37 - Yeh Nayan Dare Dare by Amruta Fadnavis
07:15 - Hustlers
13:49 - I Care a Lot
21:50 - Subscriber letters
30:24 - Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel
40:01 - Subscriber letters
43:10 - The Girlfriend Experience
47:06 - NHS vaccine ad
51:38 - Subscriber letters
While talking about the docuseries Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel:
Rajyasree: All that this documentary showed me was that people on the internet have a lot of time...
Abhinandan: Really?
Rajyasree: To band together...
Abhinandan: Are you getting the irony of you saying this?...Have a lot of time to watch two shit films...See the metaness of this! So, this four-part series, 50 minutes each, the only thing that demonstrates to you is that people have a lot of time. So, 50×4, 200 minutes you spent in figuring out people on the internet for a long time, while watching on the internet for 200 minutes. Uff, the irony would make Shakespeare proud.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films I Care a Lot and Hustlers; the docuseries Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel;the web series The Girlfriend Experience; Amruta Fadnavis’ song Yeh Nayan Dare Dare,and a lot more.
Song: Gabru Ta Vairi Nu Vi Mitha Bolda & Bhabi
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:38 - Framing Britney Spears
21;05 - Subscriber letters
30:04 - Soulmates
41:21 - Super Bowl
46:00 - Subscriber letters
53:29 - Mia Khalifa
1:02:02 - Christopher Plummer and Rajiv Kapoor
While talking about Super Bowl commercials:
Abhinandan: When the public pays, the public is served, so we don’t want anyone else to bankroll Newslaundry.
Rajyasree: But they can at least outfit all of you.
Abhinandan: Why, what’s wrong with my outfit?
Rajyasree: Nothing. I don’t want to say. Foriegn things you’re wearing. Oh Doon school!
Abhinandan: Dude you know, you always make fun of my clothes. She says I’m not a snob. “Nikku, you wear the same clothes every day...”
Rajyasree: No, nowadays I’ve said you started dressing up.
Abhinandan: “...you have no new clothes, you look like you got out of bed.”
Rajyasree: I never say. I say, “Nikku, you’re looking so handsome. I can’t concentrate on the podcast.”
Abhinandan: You’re always commenting on “you only have three shirts, you only wear the same shoes. You only have the...”
Rajyasree: Do you not wear the top three shirts?
Abhinandan: I will wear the same clothes everyday in my life. What goes off anyone’s mother?
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss The New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears; the web series Soulmates; the lives of Rajiv Kapoor and Christopher Plummer; Super Bowl commercials and more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:45 - Letters from listeners
03:44 - The Dig
10:33 - Letters from listeners
14:12 - Snowpiercer Season 2
21:09 - Letters from listeners
25:12 - Servant Season 2
33:21 - Letters from listeners
35:13 - Losing Alice
43:27 - Letters from listeners
48:18 - The Wonder Years
52:08 - Rihanna’s tweet on farmer protests
While talking about the movie The Dig:
Rajyasree: It’s about hope, understanding, accepting death because she has an 11-year-old son...
Abhinandan: Raju, are you feeling well? You’re saying these things – hope, understanding – I mean, these are not things that you should be...
Rajyasree: I’m very romantic.
Abhinandan: You can be romantic but you’re a nasty human being.
Rajyasree: No.
Abhinandan: I mean, these are such positive, empathetic things you’re saying. Menu thodi tension si ho rahi hai. Did you fall?
Rajyasree: That’s why you should not leave Delhi and go, I’ve become very mellow when you’re not here.
Abhinandan: Tussi dig toh nahi pe? Tuada sir hit one of the tractors, eh?
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film The Dig; the web series Losing Alice, Season 2 of Snowpiercer and Servant,and a lot more.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:11 - The White Tiger
18:02 - Subscriber mails
24:06 - One Night in Miami
37:26 - Subscriber mails
40:58 - Apollo Tyres ad
47:08 - Godzilla vs Kong trailer
50:22 - Subscriber mails
51:26 - If the World Was Ending by JP Saxe ft. Julia Michaels
While talking about the song If The World Was Ending by JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels:
Abhinandan: Have you checked what this generation is called? It is called Gen Z, I was right.
Rajyasree: No no, it’s incorrect. [reading out] “Gen Z, colloquially known as Zoomers, is the demographic succeeding millennials and preceding Generation Alpha.” That’s why I’m looking confused. I’m not understanding these words. “Researchers use the mid to late 1990s..." – no, no, we were not mid to late 1990s – “as starting birth years and the early 2010s as..."Okay, you’re correct!
Abhinandan: Oh my God! How am I correct?
Rajyasree: I don’t know, you must’ve cheated and looked at it, that’s why.
Abhinandan: Like every other time? Must be that.
Rajyasree: But notice how I said you’re correct?
Abhinandan: And I saw how it took everything out of you to say that.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films The White Tiger and One Night in Miami; the trailer of Godzilla vs Kong; the Apollo Tyres commercial, and more.
Song: Kalla Sohna Nai
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:12 - Tribhanga
15:16 - Tandav
26:14 - Letters from listeners
30:50 - Tiger
51:43 - Letters from listeners
54:27 - Tandav and Mirzapur controversy
While talking about the Tiger Woods documentary:
Rajyasree: It’s a two-part documentary so it’s not that long. I think each part is one and a half hours or so. And...
Abhinandan: It’s not about the Panthera tigris?
Rajyasree: Why? You did Google just now and found Panthera tigris?
Abhinandan: No. I know that’s what the biological name for a tiger is. Just like the biological name of a frog is Rana tigrina. Did you know that?
Rajyasree: You’re very well-informed. You’re a biologist? A naturalist?
Abhinandan: No, I remember all of this.
Rajyasree: You’re a natural pain, that’s what you are.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Tribhanga - Tedhi Medhi Crazy; Amazon web series Tandav; HBO’s Tiger Woods documentary Tiger;and more.
Song: Duji Vaar Pyar
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
03:58 - Tour de Pharmacy
13:24 - Nail Polish
23:49 - Is Love Enough? Sir
42:24 - Amul ad
47:14 - Freakonomics
51:21 - Letter from a listener
53:44 - Arnold Schwarzenegger’s message
While talking about Arnold Schwarzenegger’s video message:
Abhinandan: When I was a child, inside a cupboard I had a full collage of Arnie...which explains my body also.
Rajyasree: That’s why you look like Arnie!
Abhinandan: My body is, yeah.
Rajyasree: You know, when I turn around and I’m hanging around with Abhinandan, I turn, just for a second I think (gasp), Arnie! Then I realise oh, it’s just Abhinandan. Idiot...
Abhinandan: Yeah. At least I don’t say, ‘Oh my God, I’ve worked out for one hour, I think I’m looking like Cindy Crawford.’ Who said that, Rajyasree Sen?
Rajyasree: I don’t know, Abhinandan. Who are these people you know?
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Is Love Enough? Sir and Nail Polish; 2017 mockumentary Tour de Pharmacy; Amul's greeting for new parents Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma; the Freakonomics Radio podcast Does Advertising Actually Work?,and Anold Schwarzenegger’s video message condemning the attack on the US Capitol.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timecodes
00:01 - Introduction
01:29 - AK vs AK
12:36 - The Midnight Sky
24:31 - Subscriber letters
34:14 - Criminal Justice
40:27 - CRED ad
43:33 - Subscriber letters
48:36 - Trailer of Madam Chief Minister
54:05 - Death to 2020
1:06:27 - Subscriber letters
While talking about The Midnight Sky:
Rajyasree: George Clooney has...I was going to say directorial debut, but it’s not. He’s directed Midnight Sky which is...
Abhinandan: But you can say it’s a debut. How does it matter? I don’t think you let facts get in the way of your sentences.
Rajyasree: (mocks Abhinandan laughing) That’s you, not me. Idiot! Huh...What is your new year resolution? You have to be nice to me for half an hour at a stretch everyday. Can you manage that?
Abhinandan: That means I have to deal with you for half an hour everyday?
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films AK vs AK and The Midnight Sky; the British mockumentary Death to 2020; web series Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors; the trailer of Madam Chief Minister; and CRED advertisement featuring Jackie Shroff.
Song: Jatt 24 Carat Da
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timestamps
00:01 - Introduction
01:29 - A Call to Spy
12:10 - Mank
28:50 - Letters from listeners
37:28 - The Wilds
47:46 - Letters from listeners
51:09 - Swipe
56:25 - Letters from listeners
1:01:27 - Smiths City ad
Talking about Noor Inayat Khan, played by Radhika Apte in A Call to Spy:
Rajyasree: One of her parents was Indian andshe was a pacifist. So all those things...
Abhinandan: She was a what?
Rajyasree: A pacifist. She doesn’t believe in… a, like a baby pacifier, but a pacifist.
Abhinandan: Ok, who believes in Pacific Ocean?
Rajyasree: Haa like she used to swim in the Pacific Ocean, so she was a pacifist.
Abhinandan: She was deep. I’m more of an Atlantist.
Rajyasree: Yeah, I’m also someone known as an Atlantist you know.
Abhinandan: You’re a bloody Hoogliest. Which is dirty and full of fish!
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the historical drama A Call to Spy; David Fincher’s Mank; Amazon series The Wilds; Pakistani animated short film Swipe; and Smiths City’s whiteware commercial.
Song: Vanjhali Waja
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timestamps
00:01 - Introduction
06:13 - Jallikattu
25:08 - Quiz
34:13 - Letters from listeners
39:39 - Bhaag Beanie Bhaag
50:44 - Letters from listeners
57:10 - Girl like me by BEP ft. Shakira
1:00:18 - Bob Dylan sells his entire songwriting catalog
1:03:00 - Letters from listeners
1:05:18 - Doc Morris ad
1:07:30 - Diljit Dosanjh and Kangana Ranaut's twitter clash
Talking about the Netflix series Bhaag Beanie Bhaag:
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, what was your calling in life? I mean what would be your Beanie moment where you could just say, “I’m going to go pursue my dream!”
Rajyasree: I wanted to work with animals. I wanted to work at the…
Abhinandan: Oh, in the kitchen you keep killing them and cooking them.
Rajyasree: That way only I was working. If I was given a job at the Gerald Durrell, this thing, there’s a sanctuary that’s there, like a zoo, I would have worked over there. Where the full island…
Abhinandan: What would you have done?
Rajyasree: I would have looked after the Pandas. I’d be like Tiger King.
Abhinandan: You would’ve what? Hug the Pandas? Like what is the work? I mean just being something…
Rajyasree: No, no, you hugging Pandas is also a job. I can be a Panda nanny.
Abhinandan: Panda nanny nahi panny. Acha theek hai ji! You knowI always wanted to be a dancer. Now at my age you can’t coz you’re old.
Rajyasree: You can still be! Why don’t you raise money for Newslaundry by having a channel which is Nikku dancing and people will pay money to watch you dance more and more and that money will then…
Abhinandan: Jab tak paise chalenge basanti ke pao chalenge type?
Rajyasree: Haa, like that!
Abhinandan: Jude, what do you say? Jude, can we visualise a show like this?
Jude: No.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the Malayalam film Jallikattu; Netflix series Bhaag Beanie Bhaag; game show scandal miniseries Quiz; Black Eyed Peas’ new track Girl Like Me featuring Shakira; Bob Dylan selling his songwriting catalog to Universal Music; and Doc Morris Christmas ad.
Song: Rooh by Tej Gill
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timestamps
00:01 - Introduction
05:02 - Hillbilly Elegy
16:47 - Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives
30:18 - Subscriber letters
34:31 - Tinder ad
38:17 - RC Cola ad
40:16 - Coolie No. 1 trailer
Talking about Tinder’s new ad campaign:
Rajyasree: So by midnight tonight, guys, y’all can search for Abhinandan on Tinder, and please reach out to him. He will be in the pre-section because he’s too cheap to pay for Tinder Gold.
Abhinandan: I’m not going to pay for a date, ya. That’s not good for your self-esteem, paying for your date. That’s not nice.
Rajyasree: Then also you’re not guaranteed a date. And if you are guaranteed a date, there’s no guarantee it’s not a stalker or a psycho, so there are no guarantees over here.
Abhinandan: Beta, that guarantee is not there in life only yaar, forget Tinder. Matlab psychos aur stalkers are not just an online phenomena.
Rajyasree: But Tinder India, there's a swadesi button also, so all your rightwing guys who get no action in real life, when they go on the Tinder rightwing version also they still get no action because no one…
Abhinandan: Are you joking or you’re serious?
Rajyasree: I’m kidding.
Abhinandan: I was like “dude, are you serious?”. That’s intense.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss Ron Howard’s film Hillbilly Elegy; the Netflix reality series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives; the trailer of Coolie No. 1, a remake of David Dhawan’s 1995 hit; RC Cola commercial and Tinder’s ad campaign 'In our Own Way'.
Tune in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timestamps
00:01 - Introduction
01:16 - Subscriber letters
07:35 - Boy Erased
18:04 - Subscriber letters
21:34 - Bichhoo Ka Khel
28:48 - Subscriber letters
33:25 - The Life Ahead
43:25 - Subscriber letters
50:13 - Bingo ad controversy
54:36 - Dollar Ultra ad
1:00:55 - If Anything Happens I Love You
Talking about the children Madame Rosa, a holocaust survivor, takes care of while discussing The Life Ahead:
Rajyasree: Tell me, a one-and-a-half-year-old will walk around without any assistance? Won’t they fall down?
Abhinandan: It depends. Some may, some may not. I mean some of us started walking much later, but when we started...
Rajyasree: When did you start walking?
Abhinandan: Maybe at two. Before that I was too fat to walk.
Rajyasree: What rubbish, absolutely! I was walking at five months.
Abhinandan: Yeah, you were born walking. You walked out of your mother’s womb...
Rajyasree: I was writing a novel!
Abhinandan: And said, “Hey doc, what’s up? I’m Rajyasree Sen. I’m cooler than anybody else. I am an expert on everything from plumbing to coding, so don’t mess with me!”
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Boy Erased and The Life Ahead; the TV series Bicchoo Ka Khel; the animated short film If Anything Happens I Love You; the 48th International Emmy Awards, and ad controversies.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
03:38 - Subscriber letters
07:15 - Ludo
26:41 - HP ad
31:59 - LG ad
34:38 - The Crown Season 4
45:50 - Subscriber letters
47:57 - Soumitra Chatterjee
58:06 - Facebook ad
1:02:35 - Subscriber letters
1:04:20 - Soorarai Pottru
While discussing a scene from Ludo, where six-year-old Mini's parents must choose between retaining their house help or keeping their pet dog:
Abhinandan: The moral of the story is you must know how to cook.
Rajyasree: That’s what! That’s why I cook, na, so that no one can…
Abhinandan: That’s why I never tell anyone to pick anyone between that person and me because I know I’ll never be picked because I don't know how to cook.
Rajyasree: Because I don’t know what quality contribution...Yours will be to shout at the person.
Abhinandan: That I can. I can offer that facility.
Rajyasree: Different pitches you can do it in.
Abhinandan: I can offer that facility. Regular yelling I can do.
Rajyasree: And a few punches now and then also.
Abhinandan: That I don’t indulge in but you can keep spreading rumours. But now the good thing is that you have such little credibility, no one believes in anything you say.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Ludo and Soorarai Pottru; Season 4 of the Netflix original The Crown; the works of Soumitra Chatterjee; and a lot more.
Tune in!
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
03:50 - Laxmii
16:18 - Subscriber letters
18:29 - First Man
25:36 - Tanishq Diwali ad controversy
29:09 - Senco Aham ad featuring Sourav Ganguly
32:04 - Subscriber letters
34:10 - Lucy in the Sky
45:01 - Usha exhaust fan ad
47:41 - Subscriber letters
54:51 - Cadbury ad
57:15 - Zomato ad
While talking about Lucy in the Sky:
Abhinandan: Other than technology, it’s all become easier to go on the moon, Rajyasree Sen, because the moon now is closer than it was.
Rajyasree: Oohhh! Is this your input? Because you did not watch either film.
Abhinandan: So, every year the moon will get closer till [after] two and a half billion years, it will just smash into the earth. Do you know that?
Rajyasree: But there will be no earth then, na? We’ll be like a rock because we’ll have killed everything on this earth.
Abhinandan: Do you know that?
Rajyasree: No, because I think you’re making it up now.
Abhinandan: Ahh, you’re right! It was worth a try.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Laxmii, First Man and Lucy in the Sky; the Tanishq Diwali ad controversy; and various commercials.
Tune in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:45 - Kaali Khuhi
15:18 - Jump Cuts
20:58 - Skore and Durex ads
26:40 - Ford EcoSport ad
27:21 - Subscriber letters
29:39 - The Undoing
39:31 - Subscriber letters
42:18 - Taish
Talking about the Ford EcoSport ad:
Rajyasree: I wanted to buy an EcoSport. It’s a very expensive car, I want people to know.
Abhinandan: Then you would have to put a ladder to get in.
Rajyasree: Please, I got out of Scorpios and all so easily, as you’ve noticed.
Abhinandan: You have to be pushed out and someone has to wait downstairs with a net so that you can fall into it.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Kaali Khuhi and Taish; HBO series The Undoing; Ajay Govind’s anthology short film Jump Cuts; and a lot more.
Tune in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Talking about Mirzapur Season 2:
Rajyasree: Munna’s character is very important because…
Abhinandan: Because he has no character.
Rajyasree: He really has no character, he’s a horrible character.
Abhinandan: That’s why it was funny. You don’t have to justify my joke, it was implicit in the joke.
Rajyasree: No, no, you have to explain. Hindi cinema has taught me.
Abhinandan: Making a joke in front of you is really like “Bhains ke aage been bajana”.
Rajyasree: Now you’re calling me a bhains? I’ve told you don’t fat-shame all the time.
Abhinandan: It’s a muhawra in Hindi.
Rajyasree: Either you’re calling me black or you’re calling me fat, it’s so shameful to do this to a person.
Abhinandan: Can we move on?
Rajyasree: Obviously, because I’ll start crying otherwise.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Rebecca and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm; the web series The Queen's Gambit and Mirzapur Season 2; and Eros Now’s controversial Navratri ad campaign.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
01:51: Borat 2
15:00: Letters from listeners
17:27: Rebecca
29:15: Eros Now controversy
32:36: Mirzapur Season 2
44:28: Letters from listeners
47:33: The Queen's Gambit
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While talking about the Oppo ad:
Abhinandan: It ends with a line, “Let’s be the light in each other's lives.” So, on that note, Rajyasree, I have no idea what…
Rajyasree: I’m the light in your life, you’ll have to admit. I’m not the light in your life? My name means light of the kingdom.
Abhinandan: So nice. That kingdom of chudails you can go light up!
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Tamil anthology film Putham Pudhu Kaalai; web series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story; the controversy surrounding the film 800; and a lot more.
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PS: Abhinandan and Rajyasree go back in time to when they first watched DDLJ.
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
01:43: Letters from listeners
04:32: The Trial of the Chicago 7
20:18: Ain’t No Peace by Akon
23:12: Letters from listeners
27:17: Putham Pudhu Kaalai
35:08: Letters from listeners
43:10: Scam 1992
57:55: Letters from listeners
1:01:44: 800 controversy
1:09:42: Google Nest and Oppo ads
1:16:23: Letters from listeners
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While talking about Ginny Weds Sunny:
Abhinandan: She's really good. Yami Gautam, I think…
Rajyasree: Please ya, Abhinandan! She was not good at all in this.
Abhinandan: You said your bit, na?
Rajyasree: Arrey, but you can't be delusional. I don't want you to be, na?
Abhinandan: You are completely allowed to be delusional. See! We do this podcast together for, I don't know how many 300 episodes, thinking people are listening at the other end. And these emails that we keep writing, pretending to be other people.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Ginny Weds Sunny; Netflix docuseries Bad Boy Billionaires: India; the Tanishq ad controversy; Vijay Devarakonda’s comments on democracy; and a lot more.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
01:38: Dollar Big Boss ad
06:03: Google Shopping ad
08:20: Letters from listeners
15:32: Ginny Weds Sunny
27:17: Vijay Devarakonda’s comments
33:24: Letters from listeners
35:43: Bad Boy Billionaires: India
55:16: Letters from listeners
1:04:05: Tanishq ad controversy
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While talking about their favourite James Bond actors:
Abhinandan: This was I think about eight or nine years ago. He’s much taller in person than he looks. He looks slight.
Rajyasree: What do you mean, Abhinandan? He looks tall only.
Abhinandan: He does? Acha, he doesn't look like…he’s a biggish guy. There was this guy with this white dhaadi (beard) and a white mooch (moustache) and with a shirt. He was pushing this pram and a lady was walking with him.
Rajyasree: You thought they’d stolen a grandchild...?
Abhinandan: I didn’t know who it was. My friend who was with me said that’s Pierce Brosnan. I looked and it was PIERCE BROSNAN, ya! I was like, “Now, what should I do?”
Rajyasree: What did you do?
Abhinandan: Nothing. I looked at him and continued walking.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Serious Men; true crime documentary American Murder: The Family Next Door; short film The Discreet Charm Of The Savarnas; Bond theme song No Time to Die by Billie Eilish; and Bigg Boss Season 14.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
02:40: Letters from listeners
06:47: Serious Men
23:55: Letters from listeners
25:36: The Discreet Charm of the Savarnas
34:15: Letters from listeners
41:12: American Murder: The Family Next Door
51:22: Letters from listeners
54:43: Bigg Boss 14
59:54: No Time To Die by Billie Eilish
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Talking about the Bhojpuri Rap ‘Bambai Main Ka Ba’:
Rohit: Abhinandan, I’m not being a linguist because Bhojpuri is not my first language but it’s not Bambai Main Kaaba, it is Bambai Main Ka Ba.
Abhinandan: Oh, I thought Kaaba.
Rajyasree: Kaaba, as in the Islamic structure?
Abhinandan: As Jagjit Singh said, “Kaabe se parda mat uthao varna wa bhi vahi...”
Rohit: No, no, no! “Khuda ke waaste parda na kaabe se uthaa zaalim.”
Rajyasree: Even that’s incorrect! Very good!
Rohit: Oh, my God! Brilliant! So, we are on top of the things already.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen and Newslaundry subscriber Rohit Mehrotra discuss the series Criminal UK, PariWar, and Tehran; Manoj Bajpayee's Bhojpuri rap Bambai Main Ka Ba; Dua Lipa’s New Rules for Covid Dating; Ali Sethi’s Pehla Qadam; and Mariah Carey’s memoir.
Tune in!
Timecodes
0:08: Introduction
03:36: Bambai Main Ka Ba
07:49: New Rules For Covid Dating by Dua Lipa
14:42: Pehla Qadam by Ali Sethi
19:44: Paar Chanaa De by Shilpa Rao and Noori
29:34: Letters from listeners
31:57: Criminal UK Season 2
38:01: PariWar
49:13: Oppo ad #BeTheInfinite
55:35: Cred Series
1:00:55: Tehran
1:07:08: The Meaning of Mariah Carey
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While talking about Paytm’s First Games ad:
Abhinandan: I don’t know how this world works, Rajyasree. I just don’t know it.
Rajyasree: Oh my god! You have to go and live on that cliff, na, which you’ll push me off. You’ll build a hut on that cliff and become a recluse there. When I come to meet you, then you push me.
Abhinandan: I don’t have to live there, I can just push you off and come back and live my normal life.
Rajyasree: Oh, then life would be so much better, na? You wish!
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Cuties and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare;the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards; the table read of Fast Times at Ridgemont High; and a whole lot more.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
02:12: Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare
18:32: Fast Times At Ridgemont High table read
23:57: Letters from listeners
28:59: Pink Floyd vs Bee Gees mashup
31:42: Emmy Awards
37:46: Letters from listeners
40:05: Paytm First Games ad
45:20: Cuties
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While talking about Wakaalat From Home:
Abhinandan: You are basically indulging in shameless nepotism that you’re plugging your friend’s show on this very credible pop culture podcast...So you are using it for nepotism. Kangana was right! I’m sure you’re also doing drugs in your spare time.
Rajyasree: I’m doing drugs? Dedo na, drugs dedo. I’m telling everyone, no one’s giving only. Imagine me on drugs. God!
Abhinandan: Can you imagine? Already you are so loopy, you shout, you don’t talk normally. We should do it as just an experiment to see...
Rajyasree: Just an experiment?
Abhinandan: You’d be something else. You’d be like I don't know what.
Rajyasree: Maybe I'll calm down? It’s sometimes the opposite effect.
Abhinandan: No, no.
Rajyasree: Or I just burst! There’d be a high and then I’ll collapse and that’s the end. You would’ve killed me off once and for all.
Abhinandan: All the more reason we must try it.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the documentary film The Social Dilemma;2019 film Cargo; Into The Wild With Bear Grylls featuring Akshay Kumar; web series Wakaalat From Home; and a lot more.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
02:31: The Social Dilemma
12:40: Letters from listeners
18:14: Into The Wild With Bear Grylls and Akshay Kumar
27:06: Letters from listeners
31:07: Wakaalat From Home
32:57: Horlicks ad
39:30: TRESemmé “racist” hair adverts
44:45: Cargo
54:28: Jaya Bachchan’s Parliament speech
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While talking about Bandish Bandits:
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, sing one line of any song you want, just one.
Rajyasree: No, now I don’t want to sing like that because you’ll get it doctored from the backend and make me sound bad. So, why will I do that?
Abhinandan: You’re the crappiest singer ever and I must say that much as I have problems with the place you come from, Bongs have music in their blood. It is very rarely that you’ll come across a Bengali who is either not vocally trained or [doesn’t] play an instrument very well.
Rajyasree: I play the piano very well.
Abhinandan: You do nothing and stop lying.
Rajyasree: No, no, I play the piano very well but I’ll sing one line of a song. “Saagar kinare dil ye pukare..." See! You’re making me laugh. It’s off beat?
Abhinandan: Dude, you're very bad, you shouldn’t try and sing. Okay, never mind. And don’t say that you can play the piano, your hands are too small to play the piano.
Rajyasree: No, I play the piano. I can play Chopin (pronounced “Shoh-pan”, with a nasal “n”).
Abhinandan: Ok, Chopin ki hogayi te pan.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the web series Bandish Bandits, Ramy and I May Destroy You; BBC Three Quickies’ sketch She’s Asking For It; the song Beyonse Sharma Jayegi; and a whole lot more.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
03:20: Letters from listeners
06:26: Bandish Bandits
17:33: I May Destroy You
30:09: Letters from listeners
34:44: Beyonse Sharma Jayegi
43:44: She’s Asking For It
45:59: Letters from listeners
47:50: Ramy
57:16: Letters from listeners
1:08:03: Dream11 IPL 2020 ad
1:10:55: Titan’s#LetsGetIndiaTicking campaign
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While talking about Sadak 2:
Abhinandan: Suppose there was a tribe that caught us and they said, “We’ll kill you,” and we said, “No, please let us live.” They said, “Ok, you have to watch Sadak.” Even then I would think twice. You watched it when it was optional, no one was going to kill you.
Rajyasree: If the tribe said this to me, I would say, “If I watch Sadak will you kill him [Abhinandan]?” Then I would watch Sadak. So, I would negotiate this way, do you understand?
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Sadak 2 and C U Soon; web series Masaba Masaba and A Suitable Boy; Oscar-winning short film The Neighbors' Window; Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman; and a whole lot more.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
01:29: Letters from listeners
03:14: Sadak 2
11:55: The Neighbors’ Window
19:03: A Suitable Boy
36:05: Letters from listeners
38:30: Masaba Masaba
44:55: Letters from listeners
48:07: Colgate commercial
50:07: TFL cycling safety ad
54:05: C U Soon
56:46: Chadwick Boseman
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Talking about The Man from Earth:
Rajyasree: Because he doesn't age and after 10 years being in one place, he realises that people obviously know that he’s not aging. Then he keeps moving on. I know what Abhinandan says.
Abhinandan: Why don’t you move then?
Rajyasree: Why? You didn’t say, “Oh, then I should be moving.”
Abhinandan: Why should I say that about myself? What do you think I am?
Rajyasree: Everyone, Abhinandan thinks he looks 22 years old.
Abhinandan: I don’t think I look 22. I’m just saying that when we went for a film, someone asked Rajyasree, “Brought your nephew for a film?”
Rajyasree: He said that, huh?
Abhinandan: “Accha!Tussi apne bhanje nu filme dekhne? So sweet of you!”
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Class of ‘83 and The Man from Earth; the Netflix documentary John Was Trying To Contact Aliens; and the Daily Show spoof Joe Biden: Acceptable Under the Circumstances.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
04:07: Class of ‘83
16:51: The Man from Earth
33:03: Letters from listeners
38:48: John Was Trying To Contact Aliens
44:31: Letters from listeners
50:14: Joe Biden: Acceptable Under the Circumstances.
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While talking about Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl:
Rajyasree: Also the change in behaviour, that commanding officer who takes her under his wing. The change in behaviour can’t happen because of one instance like...
Abhinandan: Not under the wing, under the rotor. If she was flying planes, it would be under the wing. But she’s flying helicopters which are under the rotor. Did you get it?
Rajyasree: You’ll be under a truck wheel very soon if you carry on with your poor jokes.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl and Greyhound; HBO series I Know This Much Is True; Pakistani web series Churails,and the Black Eyed Peas’ new song Action.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
02:41: Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl
22:18: Letters from listeners
27:36: Greyhound
36:59: Letters from listeners
40:41: I Know This Much Is True
47:20: Churails
59:35: Letters from listeners
1:04:43: Action by Black Eyed Peas
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While talking about Clint Eastwood’s movies:
Abhinandan: Since I’m from the ‘70s generation, let me say a sexist line: “Humne bhi chudiyan nahi pehen rakhi hai.”
Rajyasree: Now if no one writes mails on this, na? I’m going to be so disappointed.
Abhinandan: That means people are unnecessarily attacking you and I get a free pass on all the shit that I say.
Rajyasree: I crack a joke about something to do with my neighbouring state and everyone attacks me...
Abhinandan: And I say offensive things and yet I don’t get attacked.
Rajyasree: That’s all I’m saying. I’m watching you guys. Y’all wait and watch now.
Abhinandan: Wait and watch. She’ll kill me while I’m sleeping, guys. In case anything happens to me...
Rajyasree: You’ll be found with a rasgulla with a knife through it in your chest. Underneath I would have written, “Is this rasgulla from Bengal or is it from Orissa?”
Abhinandan: In case something happens to me...
Rajyasree: Oh! I can kill you by feeding yourasgulla because your sugar will just hype.
Abhinandan: You can kill me in many ways.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Richard Jewell and Pareeksha,HBO series Run, Prabh Deep’s single Chitta, and a whole lot more.
Tune in!
PS. Rajyasree experiences something spooky during the recording. You can’t miss this!
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While talking about Raat Akeli Hai:
Rajyasree: I would not recommend it but if you all have time, you all should watch. What else is everyone doing? You’re sitting at home. Watch it.
Abhinandan: You know only you are! Everybody is working by the way.
Rajyasree: I’m working. I do three things...
Abhinandan: Then why do you assume...“Since all of you are sitting home doing nothing. Abhinandan, you don’t watch anything, you’re sitting and doing nothing.” Why do you assume everybody’s sitting and doing nothing?
Rajyasree: Why? I’m assuming people manage their time like I do. I cater, I do a full-time job, and I do this podcast and some other things.
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, I think on January 26 you should get to ride on the elephant with the bahadur bachhas of India who salute the President.
Rajyasree: You should make an elephant, na? Make a little statue over here.
Abhinandan: Yeah, you can do that. Then you can congratulate yourself.
Rajyasree: Nobody is congratulating me, I might as well congratulate myself.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Raat Akeli Hai and Lootcase,Netflix documentary Three Identical Strangers, Roger Federer’s new commercial for Barilla, and Nike ad You Can’t Stop Us.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
02:36: Three Identical Strangers
10:21: Letters from listeners
14:39: Raat Akeli Hai
22:29: Letters from listeners
27:30: Nike Ad
30:17: Lootcase
42:39: Barilla Ad
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While reading out a letter from a listener:
Abhinandan: “As someone who is active in the field of theatre, Hamilton is sacred to me and I would've loved it had Abhinandan Sir, a former thespian himself, watched it.” So...
Rajyasree: She’s very young.
Abhinandan: Have you passed out? Are you choking?
Rajyasree: No, I’m choking so they’ll get me my smelling salts, I’ll be fine. But you must not use these words loosely.
Abhinandan: I will be honest with you. Had bad acting been a crime, I would’ve got capital punishment based on one play that I did.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Dil Bechara, Netflix series Norsemen, documentary film A Suitable Girl, the death of Oscar-winning actress Olivia de Havilland, and a whole lot more.
Tune in!
Timecodes
00:08: Introduction
02:16: Dil Bechara
10:31: Letters from listeners
16:32: Norsemen
25:46: Letters from listeners
37:29: A Suitable Girl
54:52: Olivia de Havilland
1:01:05: Letters from listeners
01:12:49: Today Tea ad
01:13:40: Amitabh Bachchan’s blogpost
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How dependent are journalists and film critics on access to power for their stories? Has the entertainment beat always been close to power structures – or have things improved/worsened?
In this session of #TheMediaRumble -
Dispatches, Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by Anupama Chopra, Mayank Shekhar, Ravina Rawal and Sowmya Rajendran to discuss this, and much more.
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Abhinandan sharing his first acting experience in a play:
Abhinandan: I didn't have dialogue, so I was just showing love with expressive eyes and my eloquent facial expressions. He [the director] said, “Okay, show love.”Then I was showing love and he said, “What are you doing?” I said, “I’m showing love!”
Rajyasree: This explains why you’ve never gotten married because when you’re showing love, the person must be so confused, thinking, “Why is he so angry with me?”
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the Netflix series Indian Matchmaking; Vice Media’s documentary The Arranged Gay Marriage Scam; the trailer of upcoming miniseries A Suitable Boy; Arnab Goswami’s interview with Kangana Ranaut, and a whole lot more.
Tune in!
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Talking about The Old Guard:
Abhinandan: If Charlize Theron did an Alibaba film with Jack Ma...
Rajyasree: Hmm?
Abhinandan: If she made an ad for Jack Ma and she played a thief in it, it would be called Alibaba and Charlize Chor.
Rajyasree: Okay, we will get back to the film I was discussing so we cannot hear bad jokes.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the American musical drama Hamilton;Amazon Original series Breathe;Sony Liv series Undekhi; Netflix film The Old Guard; and Apple and WhatsApp ads. They also talk about stand-up comedians apologising for hurting religious sentiments.
Tune in!
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Abhinandan’s version of how he and Rajyasree met:
Abhinandan: I was shooting a documentary in Bengal actually. I was in the Sundarbans and late at night, I was going with my crew.
Rajyasree: And? Chudail came?
Abhinandan: Suddenly there was this [malicious laugh] and the whole crew ran off. I was like, what is this? Then suddenly she emerged.
Rajyasree: And then?
Abhinandan: Then I said I’m not scared because I’m a brave Punjabi with Tamil blood also. So I said, “I’m not scared.” She was impressed and then she said, “Will you give me a job?”
Rajyasree: And when you came back, you brought a chudail with you. [Surprisingly] you didn’t say that I sat on a tiger and I came towards you.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss Season 2 of the Netflix series Politician; Saif Ali Khan’s comments on nepotism; documentary The Saroj Khan Story,and various commercials.
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Talking about the film Bulbbul:
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, I must say this Anvita Dutta...
Rajyasree: Ya?
Abhinandan: Dutt, sorry. Dutta will be Punjabi!
Rajyasree: No no, Dutta is Bengali also. I think the Punjabis have just stolen it from us because I know a Dutta who is Punjabi and his first name is Bengali. He said, “No, I’m Punjabi.” And I just felt that was strange.
Abhinandan: He started saying, “No”? Like you start everything? You could have said, “He said, ‘I am Punjabi.’ Why is everything “no”?
Rajyasree: Because you made me a negative person Nikku. Before I met you, I was a very upbeat, chirpy, positive person. I believed in good and happiness. Now, I just believe that we will all die and I will get Covid.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss Netflix offerings Bulbbul, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga; documentary films Athlete A and Disclosure; and the cooking show Britannia Cheese Star Chef.
Tune in!
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Talking about Gippy Grewal’s new song:
Abhinandan: Anyway, that was my review. What do you think of the song, Rajyasree Sen?
Rajyasree: I rather reserve comment because I heard one minute of it and I said nothing is worth this. That’s what I felt.
Abhinandan: You call me lazy for not watching stuff. Have you no shame?
Rajyasree: No, I’ve learned from you. I’m following in the footsteps of the master.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Kadakh; 1948 psychological crime thriller Rope; Hotstar web series Aarya; Gippy Grewal’s new song Me & U; and Father’s Day ads.
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While talking about Gone with the Wind and Little Britain being removed from streaming services:
Abhinandan: See,everything is in a spectrum. This equivalence of everything from Noddy being the same as Little Britain to be the same as this...each of these are different specifically.
Rajyasree: I have one more thing which I think but I’ll wait till you say yours and then I’ll say.
Abhinandan: No, first you have to ask me what I think.
Rajyasree: What do you think, Abhinandan? I’m scared!
Abhinandan: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Gulabo Sitabo, Axone and Da 5 Bloods; the removal of Gone with the Wind and Little Britain from streaming services; P&G ad The Choice, and the life of Sushant Singh Rajput.
Tune in!
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Talking about the mountaineers Edmund Hillary and George Mallory:
Abhinandan: He’s the one who made that line famous, “Because it’s there.” Have you heard that line?
Rajyasree: It is why I also went mountaineering because it was there.
Abhinandan: This is Mallory’s line. I think it is the coolest line in history ever.
Rajyasree: Ever!
Abhinandan: I use it all the time. Why did you eat that ice cream? Because it’s there! Why did you eat that cake? Because it’s there!
Rajyasree: That’s why you have diabetes.
Abhinandan: That also because it’s there.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Chintu Ka Birthday, Chippa and Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai; thechild abuse helpline awareness video; the life and works of the filmmaker Basu Chatterjee; the second death anniversary of the chef Anthony Bourdain; and MAD magazine artist Al Jaffee’s retirement.
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Taking off from a discussion on Nandita Das’s short film Listen to Her and talking about poor parenting:
Abhinandan: That was another episode of how to do parenting by two people who have no children.
Rajyasree: I have to say something. When people say this to me, I was also a child and I turned out to be a pretty decent adult.
Abhinandan: Stop, stop spreading rumors, this is a credible show, please!
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the Netflix offerings Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich and Space Force; Nandita Das’ Listen to her; and Kent RO Atta & Bread Maker ad.
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While talking about Betaal:
Abhinandan: Rajyasree, you know you should not take this lightly. When your co-host is motivated after he has been ridiculed by his audience, who said I haven’t watched anything, the next week he goes back and watches a film, a series, two ads. He does his homework, he comes and does a great show.
Rajyasree: I was very impressed!
Abhinandan: And then his horrible co-host — who should just jump off a building and fall on concrete — tells him to watch such films. Do you know how demotivated I get? Why should I watch anything? You wasted two hours, you know how busy I am?
Rajyasree: You saw only one episode, I watched two episodes.
Abhinandan: Dude, I watched all four. I can tell you what the end scene is. Do you know what the end scene is?
Rajyasree: Everyone just shoots their brains out because they couldn't believe they have to do this?
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Ghoomketu;documentary film Untouchable; Netflix series Snowpiercer, Evil Genius,and Betaal; Madhuri Dixit’s debut single Candle; Salman Khan’s sanitiser brand; and the newNike commercial.
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Wrapping up the show:
Abhinandan: We shall watch a few more things. So...
Rajyasree: Will you?
Abhinandan: I will. I’ll be diligent!
Rajyasree: Rubbish! This is one episode. Every 12 episodes you watch stuff. But it’s ok.
Abhinandan: So, there was an article on the World Economic Forum page about how during the lockdown...
Rajyasree: How Abhinandan is misunderstood.
Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.
This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Kaamyaab; Amazon Prime series Paatal Lok; miniseries Defending Jacob; and the new commercials for Budweiser, Navratna Tel and Tata Motors.
Tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Rocketman, Amazon Prime Original series Paatal Lok, the New Horlicks ad, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.PS: This episode was recorded live. So, watch and enjoy!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fySfxmJtMqM&t=58s
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Reading an email sent by Newslaundry subscriber Siddharth Wagh: Abhinandan: Siddharth writes. “I like the fact that you strive to learn from your diverse set of listeners which is essential to making this podcast as memorable 20-30 years hence.” Rajyasree Sen, 20-30 years hence, when people listen to this podcast, what do you think they will say? Rajyasree: What a well informed woman she was and this fool just kept interrupting her by saying, “Oh, you have watched that also?” Abhinandan: So, you think we’ll be alive in 20-30 years?Rajyasree: Yeah, I think so.Abhinandan: Okay, if you say so.Rajyasree: I’ll look like J Lo then.Abhinandan: I’ll still be SOLO. Get it, ’cause I’m single. Are you understanding my puns...Rajyasree: Yeah, they’re so difficult to get, na!Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing. This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Mrs Serial Killer and Extraction; Netflix series Hollywood; Shah Rukh Khan’s singing; TikTok’s new ad campaign; and the lives and works of Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor.
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Talking about The Crooner Sessions:Rajyasree: Gary Barlow of Take That who I used to love absolutely...Abhinandan: Ooh, Take That was that band na, what was it, that song of theirs that was a big hit.Rajyasree: (Singing) Take me back for…I’m not singing it!Abhinandan: I haven’t heard that. At least what you just sang.Rajyasree: (Humming the song) Like you know what I mean.Abhinandan: Rajyasree, it’s not that you are a bad singer. You’re terrible!Rajyasree: No, no, I will sing that song. Come on...Abhinandan: Okay, remain charitable. Don’t torture our listeners.Rajyasree and Abhinandan burst out laughing.This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss films The Platform and Portrait of a Lady on Fire; Netflix series After Life; Apple TV’s Home Before Dark; docuseries The Last Dance; and Aarogya Setu ad film.
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Abhinandan: Rajyasree has finally watched Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan. Four weeks late as usual, unlike me, who watched it the first week. Rajyasree: I watched it four weeks late because you fought with me and then you went and saw many films without me. So I was left all alone, with no one to watch cinema with. Then I had to wait for Amazon to put it up, got a subscription, and then watched it. It’s very difficult.Abhinandan: (Unable to control his laughter) Unsurprisingly, I’m your only friend.Rajyasree: You are using the word very loosely over here!Rajyasree, Abhinandan and Nidhi burst out laughing. This and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, and Newslaundry subscriber Nidhi Raichand discuss the films Sergio and Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan; Amazon Prime series Four More Shots Please; Netflix series Hasmukh; Salman Khan’s Pyar Karona; The Case of The Missing Hit; Usha sewing machine ads.
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Talking about Andrea Bocelli’s Easter Sunday performance.Abhinandan: There was this phenomenal performance by Balotelli. Rajyasree: I’m sorry, what’s his name Abhinandan?Abhinandan: Andrio Balotelli.Rajyasree: (Unable to control her laughter) No, Andrea Bocelli! Abhinandan: The Balotellis are football players, you fool. You don’t even know that. Anyway, he gave a free concert. He apparently is a world renowned…umm…singer of…ok now Rajyasree, you never stop talking and now you’ve gone all quiet.Rajyasree: Because I’m waiting to hear what you’re going to say.Rajyasree bursts out laughing. Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the film Angrezi Medium; the Netflix drama Unorthodox; public service announcements by the Mumbai police; 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Talking about Netflix’s Money Heist.Goonj: It is a very entertaining show, theek hai. Bas baat yeh hai ki it’s not tight. So, thodi patience rakhni padti hai. Abhinandan: (Attempting 80s Bollywood drunk man impersonation): Toh beta, thoda tight ho kar ye show dekho. Ek large lagakar tight ho jao, fir yeh show bhi tight lagne lagega.Abhinandan, Goonj, and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, and Newslaundry subscriber Goonj Mohan discuss films Maska and Trance; Netflix drama Money Heist; Amazon Prime series Panchayat, and some public service campaigns by Bollywood celebrities, among other things awful and awesome.
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Talking about Tiger King and Joe Exotic’s conviction.Rajyasree: So, I read about Joe Exotic in January, when he was convicted for 22 years.Abhinandan: Couple of things, Rajyasree Sen. He has not been convicted for 22 years. He has been convicted of attempted murder, or whatever. He has been sentenced to 22 years. You are not convicted in the duration of years or months, you are convicted for a crime, and the sentencing is in the unit of time measurement.Rajyasree: What would I do without you, Abhinandan.Abhinandan: Probably a really mediocre podcast.Rajyasree: So funny!Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movies Contagion and The Expendables 3; Netflix’s documentary series Tiger King, and Badshah’s Genda Phool, among other things awful and awesome.PS: Apologies for the sound quality. We are working on improving it.
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Talking about how it is recording The Awful and Awesome from home.Rajyasree: So, we have taken this social distancing thing very seriously and we have put like seven miles between us, instead of six feet. What is it supposed to be?Abhinandan: It depends.Rajyasree: What did Modi ji want us to do?Abhinandan: In your case, it will be two feet. It has to do with how tall you are. It is directly proportional to your height.Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movie Cold War, Netflix originals She and Bloodride, Narendra Modi, Sonu Nigam, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajnikanth, among other things awful and awesome.PS: Apologies for the sound quality. We are working on making it better.
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While discussing Riz Ahmed’s The Long Goodbye, Rajyasree recounts her experience at a vet’s where a man had come carrying a gun.Rajyasree: He had a holster. With a gun in it….Abhinandan: (Laughing) In case they have to shoot the dog?Rajyasree: No! So, I just turned and told the dog’s owner why he had brought a gun there? “Who are you going to shoot?” Then I thought in Gurgaon you shouldn’t. He will just shoot you and say, “Ha Ha Ha…”Abhinandan: Happy spring. Holi Hai!Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movie Guilty; Amazon Prime original Pushpavalli; ALTBalaji’s Mentalhood; Narendra Chanchal’s Kitho Aaya Corona, Baba Sehgal’s Coronavirus Sey Bachney ka Indian Tareeka.
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Talking about XXX: Return of Xander Cage.Abhinandan: I remembered Deepika Padukone had done that, so I knew she would come in at some point.Rajyasree: For 10 seconds.Abhinandan: Dude, no! She has a very major role after that bald guy, what’s his name?Rajyasree: She’s cleaning his house.Abhinandan: Matlab, Asian can only be maids. You know you’re so racist. You’re a misogynist. A racist. You’re like antifeminist. You’re like a bad person. Rajyasree: Unlike other racists who are good people?Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movie Jojo Rabbit; commercials for Parle G and Facebook; music videos Dilli Wali, Yaad Piya Ki Aane Lagi and Aika To The Baika; and Woody Allen’s memoir.
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Describing Brooke Bond Red Label’s new TV commercial.Rajyasree: It’s raining and they are stuck in traffic, and then...Abhinandan: Suddenly Anu Malik enters and starts singing, Dekho barish ho rahi hai. It’s raining. It’s raining. Mera dil ro raha hai.Rajyasree: And then Alisha Chinai runs by…Abhinandan and Rajyasree: And fir happy Women’s Day.Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movies Thappad and Devi; Netflix series Taj Mahal 1989; trailer of Rohit Shetty's upcoming film Sooryavanshi; and ads for Brooke Bond Red Label and Slice.
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Talking about Flipkart Original, Zindagi inShort.Abhinandan: So they are all women-centric basically...Rajyasree: Yeah!Abhinandan: So, Rajyasree Sen, films made on women are women-centric. So, if you made a film on former lovers, would they be called ex-centric (pun intended).Rajyasree: No, but this is why you have so many former lovers. You crack these shitty jokes and they leave you. Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films 1917, Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdan, Parasite & Hair Love; Amazon Original Series Afsos; Flipkart Original Zindagi inShort; and Tata Trusts' public service commercial #TwoBinsLifeWins.
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Abhinandan: This pursuit of fame. The not being able to deal with not having it anymore. The feeling of inadequacy if you are leading a regular life. You know, where you get home and go to sleep, watch TV and play carrom with your child, do something. People I don’t think value that. Rajyasree Sen, zindagi isi ka naam hai. Ye shor sharaba, tamasha, ye sab, it’s fleeting. It’s like sand in the palm.Rajyasree: But what if my palm is a big palm and I can hold the sand.Abhinandan: Bhai, tum toh itni lalchi ho, you’re like the sand mafia of Punjab that kills reporters.Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movies Shikara and Snowpiercer, Valentine’s Day commercials for Burger King and Netflix, and trailers for upcoming films The French Dispatch and Angrezi Medium.
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Talking about the movie Judy.Abhinandan: I don’t think you should be so judgemental, Rajyasree Sen. I’ve seen you’re very harsh on people when you are judging them...Rajyasree: Unlike you?Abhinandan: No, dude I don’t do this. Kya pata kiske kya circumstances hai. Never something something unless you have walked a mile in someone's shoes. Aisa kuch muhavara hai...Rajyasree: But some shoes I don’t want to walk in!Abhinandan: Just as well. Maybe, people don’t want to give you their shoes, they just want to give you a slipper...Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the Oscars, the Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show, Swag Se Solo featuring Pepsi’s new brand ambassador Salman Khan, Rocket Mortgage’s Super Bowl commercial and films like Parasite, Ad Astra, Judy and Uncut Gems, along with a whole lot of stuff, both awful and awesome.
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Talking about Gwyneth Paltrow’s product line.Tanvi: It ranges from ashwagandha to vibrator necklaces. So it’s a...Abhinandan: Sorry, what necklaces?Tanvi: Vibrator necklaces.Abhinandan: So, it keeps your throat in shape like cough syrup or what?Tanvi: No, no, no. It’s like a necklace with a vibrator as a pendant. So, you know, just in case you need a vibrator.Abhinandan: Oh, like that!Abhinandan and Tanvi burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Newslaundry subscriber Tanvi Shetty discuss the films Parasite and The Gentlemen, Netflix shows What The Love and The Goop Lab, Mumbai police’s new ad campaign, LAVA’s public awareness commercial, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Replying to Newslaundry subscriber Tariqur’s question about Abhinandan “failing to lambast Deepika Padukone for one of the worst movie promotions”.Rajyasree: Yes, Abhinandan, why?Abhinandan: Because I’d rather die. I’d rather burn in hell than say one nasty word to Deepika. I’d rather cross a bridge on blades and get a wedgie with a razor than say anything nasty to Deepika. Yes, Tariq!Rajyasree: But you are so fair and unbiased, no?Abhinandan: I never said I am unbiased.Rajyasree: Now, we have seen that you are not.Abhinandan: No, one can be unbiased. You must hear my podcast on that. You cannot be objective and unbiased as a human being.Rajyasree: But you can be fair.Abhinandan: ...and lovely?Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Street Dancer 3D and Bombshell, Netflix series Jamtara, BBC Two’s Giri/Haji, MTV’s Republic Day ad, Vicco Vajradanti’s new commercial, Kobe Bryant, Kangana Ranaut, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Talking about Olivia Newton-John of Grease fame:Rajyasree: Like all singers, because they strain their voices so much, she got cancer of the vocal chord.Abhinandan: One second, hang on.Rajyasree: What?Abhinandan: If you’re listening to this podcast, any medical insights you get from this show, or tech insights, or even pop culture insights – please ignore them. They are just bullshit!Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss Paris Hilton’s show Cooking With Paris, Rohan Joshi’s standup special Wake N’ Bake, trailer of Love Aaj Kal 2, Deepika Padukone’s TikTok challenge, Jonas Brothers’ new music video What A Man Gotta Do, the Netflix original Killer Inside, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Talking about the popularity of Punjabi songs:Abhinandan: My Tamil niece and nephew got married. I went there and I was aghast that they were dancing to Punjabi songs. I said, “If these guys can dance to punjabi music, we are fucked.” There is no one that can withstand that onslaught…Rajyasree: (Interrupting) But no Bengali will dance to Punjabi music. They are too classy and cultured.Abhinandan: Because your steps would be just…Abhinandan starts singing in Bengali (read gibberish). Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss Ricky Gervais’s Golden Globes speech, Cadbury, Licious and Canara HSBC ads, and the BJP’s ad campaign defending the citizenship law. They also talk about Season 2 of Inside Edge, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Talking about The Mandalorian: Jefferson: They’re going way back to when Yoda was a little baby.Abhinandan: Oh my god! Are you serious, they have gone back then?Jefferson: Yeah.Abhinandan: Ok, good! I’m done. I don’t even want to go there. I’d rather die meeting Deepika Padukone and remembering Yoda the way he was. A wise old man. I don’t want to see a baby Yoda or an Old Deepika. I’m just done. I can die now. Ae rabb chakh le!Abhinandan and Jefferson burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Newslaundry subscriber Jefferson Simon discuss Netflix's adaptation of the book series, The Witcher, by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. They also talked about Google’s Year in Search 2019, YouTube Rewind 2019, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Chhapaak, and a whole lot of other stuff, both awful and awesome.PS: Abhinandan met Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey and Meghna Gulzar, and managed to get an interview. You cannot miss this!
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Abhinandan: Before we tell you about the top ten, fifteen or whatever of 2019...Rajyasree: I have eleven!Abhinandan: You have eleven? I have many things. I also have a special surprise list! Don’t cheat. Don’t look at my notes.Rajyasree: How come you have four sheets of paper? You asked me to prepare one...Abhinandan: No, no…Rajyasree: Such a sidie you are!Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss their best and worst picks from what they watched in the year gone by, among a lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Talking about how pop culture is a part of political discourse, Rajyasree explains what propaganda is:Abhinandan: Oh, that is what propaganda is. I thought it was...Rajyasree: It’s propping up people?Abhinandan: ...a rhinoceros that went to finishing school!Rajyasree: Oh, like that! Ganda, you’re saying.Abhinandan: Well, the audience got the joke about five minutes ago, and the penny is still dropping.Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the films Knives Out and The Two Popes, the new BMC commercials by Lowe Lintas, how celebrities have responded to the Citizenship Amendment Act discourse, Salman khan as Pepsi’s new brand ambassador, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Talking about the new Nike ad:Abhinandan: Those of you who follow football like I do would know Mbappé is the superstar, superfast striker for PSG. He also plays for the French national team...Anjlin: (Interjects) Also super cute!Abhinandan: Super cute, is he?Anjlin: Yeah, yep!Abhinandan: Okaay. And he did a phenomenal job at last year’s World Cup and Nike has come out with an ad, which is the Mbappé ad. So, what did you think of it, Anjlin? Do you think it did justice to his cuteness, haaan?Abhinandan and Anjlin burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Newslaundry subscriber Anjlin Sahni discuss the Netflix series Pose, the movie The Report, the podcast My Favorite Murder, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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While talking about the DC Extended Universe:Abhinandan: Underwater Man bhi inka hi hai na? Prakash: Aquaman.Abhinandan: Aquaman. Sorry. Wo bhi inka hi hai, na? Usne to bhadd hi peet di! Usne to duba diya. Aquaman ne duba diya. See the layers of the joke? It has got depth also. Like water...there’s meta depth. It’s a water joke, for those of you who are not getting it.Prakash: (Reluctantly) I think they got it.Abhinandan and Prakash burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Newslaundry subscriber Prakash Iyer talk about The Irishman; trailers of No Time to Die and Wonder Woman 1984; Jerry Seinfeld; Harper Collins India’s short film Parcel, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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Talking about the kids featured in one of the videos sent by Ananya:Abhinandan: The kids are such brilliant performers. I find it amazing that a child that young can dance so well.Rajyasree: Abhinandan used to be a dancer.Abhinandan: But I can’t do the kind of moves they did.Rajyasree: Okay. Because when we do our live recording...Abhinandan: I’ll show my moves...Rajyasree: So, we will have a segment where I will sing because we will have a captive audience and we’ll lock the door…Abhinandan: There will be a riot, Rajyasree. Let’s not push it!Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about I Lost My Body, Sky’s Christmas ad, Nredwriter1’s video essay, Servant, American Music Awards, and a whole lot of other stuff awful and awesome.
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After reading Jay’s letter correcting Rajyasree’s pronunciation of ‘Le Mans’:Abhinandan: So Rajyasree Sen, he has corrected your pronunciation. So obviously you hate Jay. Jay, you are now on the…Rajyasree: Hitlist!Abhinandan: Rajyasree’s ‘I hate’ list. You are there because you corrected her pronunciation. Because no one dare correct her pronunciation. So just telling you, in case you’re ever alone, wandering the streets where you live, and suddenly someone arrives from the sky sitting on a broom…Rajyasree: And throws a dictionary on your head…Abhinandan: yeah, and you pass out, you know who it is!Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about Hotel Mumbai, One Mic Stand, Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, Utsav Chakraborti, Out of Love, Amazon Prime's censorship of Madam Secretary, Gillette's new ad campaign and Durex, among other stuff awful and awesome.
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Rajyasree: I actually told you all that I’ll record the second week, and you said I’d rather record by myself with the subscribers. But even the subscribers complained and said please come back, because Abhinandan is saying any shit on the podcast. And I actually listened to the podcast and you trashed me in the first five minutes. And then I stopped!Abhinandan: So welcome back and all of you who were saying where’s Rajyasree, lo, she’s back, ab khao kadhi!Abhinandan and Rajyasree burst out laughing. This and a lot more as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about Apple TV+, The Morning Show, Drive, season 3 of The Crown, Prince Andrew’s interview, Ford vs Ferrari and Bhuvan Bam’s music video Ajnabee, among all other stuff awful and awesome.PS: Abhinandan is back at recommending Punjabi songs, on popular demand.
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Inderpreet: So the award you got, it was based on votes?Abhinandan: I don’t think it’ll be based on anything else.Abhinandan, Tanya and Inderpreet burst out laughing.Inderpreet: So we should tell Modi ji, Jan sankhya vispot ka hume to faida ho gaya!Abhinandan: Beshak!This and a lot more happens as Abhinandan Sekhri and Newslaundry subscribers Inderpreet Singh and Tanya Bahuguna talk about the new Under Armour ad, Korean TV shows, Netflix shows Living With Yourself and Trump: An American Dream, the latest episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, among other stuff awful and awesome.
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This week on The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by Amrita Roy and Aditya Relangi to discuss Season 3 of the series Atypical, Tamil movies Asuran and Kaithi, the album Khulle Naagde by the Bandish Projekt, and three advertisements which have become the talk of the town. Referring to Atypical, Amrita says the sitcom series is “more representative of the world we live in”. “It’s brave to pick up a subject like this because it’s very easy to get it wrong,” she adds. Aditya applauds the makers of Asuran for the intense visuals of the film. Up next is the Knorr soup commercial starring Karan Johar. Amrita argues that it is a “fine, lowkey and funny ad” that is also progressive. “KJo maintains his way of making fun of his wishy-washy stand on being homosexual,” she notes. The panellists also laud the latest Australia Tourism ad as having the perfect ingredients to attract an Indian audience.The discussion moves on to a major Tamil release of 2019, Kaithi. Aditya argues, “Kaithi is a gritty film, a suspense thriller, they were able to hold the suspense through the entire 2.5-hour film.”This episode also features the bilingual Netflix documentary American Factory, the Citibank ad plagiarism row, and Bandish Projekt’s Khulle Naagde album.
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen review the film Saand Ki Aankh, which hit theatres last Friday. “Tushar Hiranandani, whose directorial debut this is, demonstrated that it is clearly his directorial debut because I think this material under a more adept director would have made a fantastic film,” Abhinandan says. They also discuss interesting advertisements they watched recently. One is an ad by an Australian insurance company featuring Domuts, donuts for dogs. Both Abinandan and Rajyasree agree that it was definitely worth a watch. Another ad that caught their eye is the Puma ad featuring Indian sportswomen such as Mary Kom, Dutee Chand. “I thought it was a very cool jingle, but one can’t help but compare it to the previous Nike commercials,” says Abhinandan. Rajyasree complains that the production quality of the ad is bad.A special episode of the Netflix show My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman featuring Shah Rukh Khan is a topic of discussion as well. “This is by far one of the worst interviews of SRK I have seen and he is an extremely interesting interviewee,” Rajyasree says. They also review the Dabbang 3 trailer and agree that it all but gives away the gist of the film. So one doesn’t need to watch the film when it releases.
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This episode of Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap features Rajyashree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri.The podcast kicks off with the duo discussing The Sky is Pink. Shonali Bose, the director also directed the movie Amu which Rajyashree quite liked. Rajyashree says that the movie will appeal to people who have lost somebody close. However, both humorously also add, “You don’t have to be a lion to appreciate Lion King,” or “You don’t have to be a zebra to appreciate Madagascar”.Safi’s recent advertisement has Abhinandan caught up with its catchphrase, “Taste karoge hate, face banega great." They also review the viral Project Streedhan, an advertisement that targets women suffering from anaemia and urges them to invest in their health. Abhinandan, however, comments, “It is a fantastic piece of audio-visual production, it has nothing to do with the messaging”.They also discuss Amazon Prime’s Modern Love that is based on the essays on The New York Times column that goes by the same name. While Abhinandan is not all praises for it, Rajyashree says, “It’s like Love Actually but not as good."Amongst others, they also talk about Netflix’s series The Laundromat and another documentary Tell me who I am. Rajyashree also reviews a few Zomato Originals episodes that she watched.
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, host Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by two of our subscribers, Ekta Gulyani and Abinash Chakraborty. The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap has been nominated for the Best Podcast award at the Asia Podcast Awards. Please click on the link (https://asiapodcastawards.com/) to ensure the podcast that YOU have helped us create wins.They begin with a discussion on Mere Pyare Prime Minister, which is directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. Ekta says, “There are very amazing elements of niceness and humanity which we don’t see in city life.” She adds later that it is a feelgood film despite being about such a dark topic. On Oppo drawing flak for its ads, Abinash says he wonders why Caucasian actors were chosen for the ads when the Chinese company has a huge market in India and China. Abinash then talks about El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. He says although the movie is good, the sequel was a long time coming. “There are inside references or jokes that I rarely remember,” he says, adding that the film is meant for a small audience.They also delve into the similarities in the trailers of upcoming movies, Bala and Ujda Chaman. Wondering why men are so self-conscious about their receding hairline, Abhinandan remarks, “I think it’s because deep down hair is a sign of virility. And this is why it is so deeply etched in the subconscious of men.”
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This episode brings you not only the usual dose of entertainment but some exciting news as well. The Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap has been nominated for the Best Podcast award at the Asia Podcast Awards. Please click on this link(https://asiapodcastawards.com/) to ensure the podcast that YOU have helped us create wins. Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen, as usual, talk about ads, series, and movies. Discussing the new Cadbury Dark Milk ad starring Aishwarya Rai, Rajyasree says, “I can’t see whether the ad is that good or not as the chocolate, although she is looking very good.” They talk about the Netflix series Bard of Blood, a spy thriller which Rajyasree thinks is “just very very bad”. The Family Man on Amazon Prime is much better, she adds. “Watch it because they have managed to string the whole thing together very well. I’m impressed that Amazon Prime has a better original series than Netflix does.”The recent release Joker has garnered a lot of attention. But Abhinandan thinks the director didn’t do justice to the film and the character of Joker as the quintessential villain. Rajyasree adds, “This character has nothing. Neither do you feel bad nor does he scare you. You just wish he died.”They also discuss China’s ban on South Park and its creators’ apology to Beijing, Ram Gopal Varma’s latest offering, Beautiful, and much more.Tune in!
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Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen come together after two weeks for yet another episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap. They begin with talking about ‘Back to School Essentials’, a Public Service Announcement inspired by the Sandy Hook School Shooting. They discuss the recent Gillette advertisement starring Kanan Gill, Kenneth Sebastian and Sumeet Vyas. Talking about advertisements Abhinandan says, “If you’re making a jingle, it has to be memorable”. However referring to these ads particularly, he adds “It’s completely forgettable.”Rajyasree brings up the Netflix series ‘Unbelievable’. While she is all praises about the article that inspired the show, she remarks, “More than the show honestly, the article is brilliant.” Talking about another Netflix show, ‘The Politician’ she comments ‘It is a commentary on everything”.Abhinandan speaks of his experience of watching ‘Fleabag’. He says, “It’s a phenomenal show”. He also talks about the two movies he watched in the past days, Pet Semetary and Tumbbad.The podcast ends with the duo talking about a music video called ‘India’s Got Colour’. “It was just nice and catchy and it’s done without being preachy. But it wasn’t catchy enough for me to remember the tune” Rajyasree concludes.
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In this episode of Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Abhinandan Sekri and Rajyasree Sen talk about the Netflix miniseries, The Spy, trailer for the upcoming movie The Sky is Pink, Bollywood newbie Karan Deol and his movie Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas.They begin the podcast with Sacha Baron Cohen’s The Spy. Rajyasree notes, “It's not particularly gripping,” however, she also adds, “Watch it to see Sacha.” Abhinandan also talks about another series ‘Fauda’ which he doesn't like much as he says, “It’s not that great, it's okay.”They move on to discuss the ad campaigns by Absolut Vodka and Samsung. Rajyasree while talking about the Samsung ad says, “I understand the thought is very good and noble but the ad is over the top.” Abhinandan, on the other hand, appreciates the ad and the concept of the App and jokingly adds, “Felt that lump in the throat feeling or maybe it was the Delhi pollution.”They talk about the trailer of The Sky is Pink, lauding the change in air in Bollywood. Talking about the same, Abhinandan says, “It makes you want to watch the film.” They also talk about sexual harassers and the larger debate of excluding the art from the artist. In this context, they also talk about Roman Polanski and Amir’s decision to work with Subhash Kapoor. The podcast ends with Abhnandan’s quintessential Punjabi song recommendation which Rajyasree warns you to refrain from hearing.
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In this episode of Awful and Awesome, Rajyasree and Abhinandan engage in a conversation about advertisements, beginning with the Fevicol and Fevikwik ad. Rajyasree talks about the Malayalam movie Kumbalangi Nights, the Mumbai Metro ad and the controversy surrounding the Brooke Bond Red Label Ad. They also review an award-winning short-film Banoffee Pie, the new Star Wars trailer, David Chappelle’s stand-up Sticks and Stones, Season 2 of Succession followed by more ads.The podcast starts with the two talking about the Fevicol ad. Rajyasree felt it was like watching a short film, while Abhinandan tries to figure out the meaning of ‘Bangali Kirmit’. The second ad they talk about is the Fevikwik ad. Abhinandan thinks it has a feminist perspective. He says “There is a feminist point, the kabadi is a woman as opposed to a man; most kabadis are men”. Rajyasree jokingly adds, “I felt that the girl is the person who believes in the NRC and the kabadi-wali is the one who wants everyone to be a part of India.”Rajyasree then goes on to review the Malayalam film Kumbalangi Nights. She says the movie is set in the backwaters and covers the story of four brothers. By and large, she was not very impressed with either the movies or its reviews. She says, “When I finished the film, it made zero impact on me.” They also talk about the depiction of male characters in Malayalam and Bengali movies, Abhinandan says, “Lots have shown how Bengali and Mallu men are lazy.” Rajyasree concludes by saying that people need to watch better movies if this is their idea of good cinema.Finally, the episode wraps up with Abhinandan’s Punjabi song recommendation.For this and much more, tune in.
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about the second season of Sacred Games, the trailer of Laal Kaptaan, season two of Mindhunter, OkCupid's new ad campaign, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood and Euphoria's new song.The podcast kicks off with the latest season of Sacred Games, featuring a stellar star cast. According to Abhinandan, the directors left the end hanging. He says the first episode was the weakest but adds: "I didn’t think it was as good as Season 1 but at the same time, it was better than anything India has ever produced!" Rajyasree says, "I felt that it was too stretched, as in it was not plausible." Abhinandan wonders how Sartaj, the character played by Saif Ali Khan, ties his pagdi since he loses his left thumb in the first season. He also discusses the level of writing the series' writers will have to pursue for the third season in order to lure him back, since all the characters have been fully developed and there's not much to add to the plot.They go on to talk about Once Upon a Time In Hollywood starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo di Caprio. Abhinandan says, "I think every movie of Quentin Tarantino is a celebration of cinema." Rajyasree says the movie is a "riot". "It's really a fun ride, almost." Moving on to discuss dating apps, Abhinandan assures Rajyasree that he'll contemplate signing up on OkCupid, Tinder and similar platforms and then share his experience in the next podcast.Finally, Abhinandan expresses his thoughts on Vande Mataram, Euphoria's new song, saying this is just an attempt to cash in on the wave of patriotism. The duo also talks about disaster-themed films like The Meg.This and a lot more, so tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about an episode of Man vs Wild featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Netflix series The Family, a controversy which involves Priyanka Chopra, Due Date, and an interview Abhinandan conducts with Vanita Kohli-Khandekar, author of The Making of Star India.The podcast kicks off with the Man vs Wild episode featuring Narendra Modi. Rajyasree thinks it's the tamest episode of Man vs Wild ever. She says, “The episode should not have been shot in Corbett National Park since the others were shot in the wild, not in the tame parts of the wild.” Up next is the film Due Date starring Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. Abhinandan says: “The film has a promising start and had its moments but wasn’t very funny. So I was a little disappointed and was not thrilled with the film.”Abhinandan then interviews Vanita Kohli-Khandekar, a media specialist who tracks the entertainment business. They discuss Vanita's book The Making of Star India which is about the gripping story of the company that shaped the Indian media and entertainment business. Abhinandan says, “What Star has done for Indian television entertainment is like what Michael Jackson did for music television.”Rajyasree then recommends two Hollywood-inspired Hindi films, Khoon Bhari Maang and Masoom, while Abhinandan recommends a Punjabi song. This and much more, so tune in!
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In this episode of the Awful and Awesome, Rajyasree and Abhinandan delve into the depths of non-Hindi and non-English movies. They review Ek Haseena Thi, Kia and Cosmos, The Great Hack, Chhichhore, and Man Vs Wild’s special episode with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They also talk about the demise of Toni Morrison, who received the Noble Prize for Literature and the Pulitzer Prize for fiction writing. Abhinandan initiates the discussion by dismantling Ek Haseena Thi, starring Saif Ali Khan and Urmila Matondkar, a movie Rajysree is fond of. Next, they discuss Kia and Cosmos, a movie about a girl with a development disorder (Ritwika Pal) and her mother (Swastika Mukherjee). Among other things, Rajyasree says that the movie is very beautifully shot and the portrayal of the mother's emotions was done well. They next discuss Toni Morrison, who passed away on August 5, 2019. According to Abhinandan, Toni Morrison was a revolutionary writer since she inspired the future generations of black writers that they “don’t have to write for the white man”. There’s this and much more. Tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri cover, among other things, the letter and counter-letter written by celebrities.The duo kicks off the podcast by talking about the open letter to the prime minister signed by a host of celebrities, and the subsequent counter-letter. They discuss the members of both camps and the heavy presence of "Bongs" in both. Rajyasree says, “You shouldn’t just focus on your art, celebrities can influence political opinions.” Abhinandan adds, "It's all right as long as it's just letters.”Moving on to Spider-Man: Far From Home, Abhinandan says, “I’m not usually the one who hates superhero movies, but I don’t like Spider-Man movies.” He found it whiny and difficult to sit through. Rajyasree talks about The Loudest Voice, a series on Roger Ailes, the founder of Fox News. She and Abhinandan discuss the life and times of Ailes and his influence on American politics, as well as the sexual harassment controversy he was embroiled in. The conversation shifts to the documentary Rhythm & Hues: Life After Pi, which covers the shutting down of the visual effects studio Rhythm & Hue. Abhinandan says, "Even if you're the best at what you do, it doesn't mean you'll be sustained. The model is broken."For this and more, tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri cover Netflix series Typewriter, the new Lion King movie, Top Gun: Maverick, a controversy involving Priyanka Chopra, and more.Kicking off with Typewriter, Rajyasree says she's especially impressed with Kanwaljit Singh’s performance in the show. However, she adds: “There was nothing scary in it.” Abhinandan comments, “This is no Stranger Things.”Rajyasree and Abhinandan discuss their love for the original Lion King movie and how the new photorealistic remake fails to live up to the original, despite excellent visual elements. What stole the show for Abhinandan was John Oliver’s character Zazu, who he felt was fantastic. Rajyasree adds that the Hindi version’s trailer was “unimpressive”.Up next is Top Gun: Maverick. Despite not being a huge fan of Tom Cruise, Abhinandan says his reaction upon watching the trailer was “bete ye toh deknhi padegi”. He talks about the iconic nature of the original Top Gun and how the new one could be better or worse. Bringing up the iconic love song in the original movie, he lists other excellent "lovemaking" songs. (Hint: there’s a surprise here!)Finally, the podcast moves to the controversy surrounding the three Masterchef Australia judges quitting the show. The hosts discuss charges of non-payment to workers surrounding one of the judges, and the reasons that led to all three leaving. They also debate whether the show can survive without them.For this and more, tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri cover Stranger Things season 3, the Ambani family’s birthday video for Shloka Ambani, Danny Boyle’s Yesterday and more.Since Abhinandan finally watched Stranger Things, the duo discusses the latest season. Abhinandan shares his admiration for Winona Ryder, saying, “When I was a young boy, she was the love of my life." They talk about the casting and the acting, calling it “brilliant across the board”. When asked which season she liked best, Rajyasree said: “Season 1 was nice, but season 2 didn’t do anything for me."Up next was the film Yesterday. Rajyasree felt the lead actor wasn’t “very good looking” and Kunal Nayyar from the Big Bang Theory would have been a better-looking fit. Although, she did love his acting. They also discuss the premise of the film and its relation with The Beatles. The duo shares their love for The Beatles and how they hummed along to the songs in the movie. Abhinandan also felt that “if you’re making a film about The Beatles, the film better be as legendary as the band”.Next, the duo discusses Amir Khan production’s Rubaru Roshni and the stories that it brings to light. Abhinandan felt that “it is really well-made” but was disappointed with the music choices.Finally, they move to the legendary video put out by the Ambani family on the occasion of daughter-in-law Shloka’s birthday. Rajyasree strongly felt that “the only natural person there was Mukesh bhai”. Abhinandan asks a poignant question: “What do you give to someone who already has everything?”. (Hint: the answer is the video)
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri cover Kangana Ranaut’s controversial statements, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s interview with Anupama Chopra, Punjabi pop music, Sacred Games 2's trailer and more.The duo kicks off with a discussion on Kangana Ranaut’s ugly spat with a journalist. Rajyasree says, “It was quite ridiculous the way she carried on and on." They also talk about Kangana’s sister's involvement and the online hungama that followed.Moving on to Kabir Singh’s director, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s interview with Anupama Chopra, the panel discussed his comments and Anupama’s response. Abhinandan felt that it was handled really badly, and that "it was a terrible interview". "She should have challenged Mr Vanga,” he says. Finally, they move to the latest trailer of the second season of Sacred Games. Abhinandan shared his expectations from the show and what he thinks might feature this season. Rajyasree commented, “It has Saif in it, how can it not be good?". Expressing his excitement about the show, Abhinandan adds, “I have not looked forward to any show as much as I have to this."
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, host Rajyasree Sen speaks to guest Meghnad S. They speak about Article 15, The Office’s Indian remake, Fleabag, an advertisement from Subway, Meghnad’s new book Parliamental and much more.The discussion kicks off with a weird Subway advertisement—that made no sense to Meghnad. The duo also talks about Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag, the Indian remake of The Office and more. Meghnad, who loves the US version, talks about the differences and similarities between the two versions. He says that they’ve literally translated the US version line to line but there are some uniquely Indian nuances. Later, commenting on the UK version, Meghnad notes: “The original UK version is like a meme, you can just take it and put it anywhere. It's like Shakespeare." To which Rajyasree responds: “Shakespeare just died, again."Rajyasree and Meghnad then discuss Ayushmann Khurrana’s Article 15. Rajyasree is surprised that the film was even allowed to release considering it's not flattering to the government and wonders “if the person who gave it the certificate understood the film”. They talk about how the movie deals with caste and its impact on the Indian audience. Further, the duo talks about the closing down of Mad magazine. They share their childhood memories of reading the magazine.For this and much more, tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about online series When They See Us, Charité at War and Season 5 of Black Mirror, Telugu movie Arjun Reddy and its Hindi remake Kabir Singh, a Vice movie on musicians from marginalised communities, and much more. The duo starts off by talking about the latest Pond’s commercial. Rajyasree says, “Nowadays commercials aren’t just ads, you have to have a hashtag”. Abhinandan says he found the campaign to be a "sweet thought", adding that it's a great concept though he thinks the boxing shown in the video could have been much better. Discussing the docu-series When They See Us, Abhinandan explains it's a documentation of a famous 1989 case on "the Central Park Five", considered the most high-profile example of miscarriage of justice. He says he found the show "mind-blowing" and that he hasn't watched a show this good in a very long time. Rajyasree says, "How well these boys have come out ... [they] have changed their lives and been able to make something of their lives, it's very uplifting to see."Moving on to Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh, Rajyasree says: "Arjun Reddy is three hours too long and Kabir Singh is three-and-a-half hours too long." She's sceptical of the reaction of feminists to Kabir Singh, comparing Alia Bhatt's character in Gully Boy to Shahid Kapoor's character in Kabir Singh and saying both were wrong. In the context of the glorification of problematic behaviour, Abhinandan argues that you can have shows where a woman is perfectly happy to go back to her husband who's a problematic person, but the show has to be set in a warped society. He says it only becomes problematic when it's portrayed as normal. This and a lot more, so tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri cover Durex India’s orgasm inequality campaign with Pooja Bedi, HBO’s Chernobyl, Free Solo, Leila, Creed II, the ICC World Cup advertisements and much more.The duo kicks off with a discussion on Star Sports' ads on the India-Pakistan World Cup match. In the ad, the Mauka Mauka theme returns to slam Pakistan, glorify India and implies that India is Pakistan's father. They talk about the criticism and backlash the ad received online. “I'm not impressed with the ads at all, I think the IPL ads are better than this," says Abhinandan.Rajyasree reviews HBO’s mini-series Chernobyl, calling it “the finest docu-drama that she has seen”. She talks about the acting and set design of the show and some of the moments that she loved. The duo expresses their disdain of the Instagram frenzy around the site of the actual disaster with people going there for photo-shoots.Finally, the duo reviews Netflix’s Leila. They talk about the lack of good acting in the show. Rajyasree felt that “the characters did not make me feel for them”. They further discuss how the show lacked a thrill element and suffered from bad special effects owing to lack of budget.For this and much more, tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri cover Aziz Ansari’s set (part of the Road to Nowhere show), Mard ko Dard Nahi Hota, the trailer of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Lisa Ray’s book Close to the Bone, and much more.Kicking off with Aziz Ansari’s stand up show, Rajyasree explains that this is Ansari’s comeback tour since claims of sexual harassment popped up against him. She remarks that the show is “not haha-laugh-out-loud, which would be odd”, and finds his decision to reference celebrities like R Kelly “interesting as a content choice”. Abhinandan thinks Ansari is “lazy” and the show was “pretty ordinary”. He ends his review with a PSA to the millennial audience: viewers come out to watch the performer and not “their fashion show”.The duo reviews the trailer of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, set in 1969 and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie. Abhinandan appreciates the “spectacularly cut trailer” and pegs Tarantino as the “finest filmmaker of his generation”. Rajyasree expresses her fear that the film will be heavily censored before its release in India. Even so, they both intend to catch the film when it hits theatres.Moving to the movie Mard ko Dard Nahi Hota, Abhinandan says he loved it, and his biggest regret is that he could not catch the movie in the theatre. He calls Abhimanyu Dasani a “great performer” and appreciates the plot for its nuances and pop culture references. Rajyasree appreciates the action sequences for being on par with international movies and thinks the film was excellent. They attribute the average performance of the movie to terrible distribution.Rajyasree reviews the book Close to the Bone written by actress Lisa Ray. While the book comes across as “well-written”, Rajyasree quips that Ray’s life is “not very interesting” to read about because it smacks of privilege. Abhinandan interjects that a non-dramatic story can be made interesting if one “can tell the story well”, citing the example of actor Pankaj Tripathi.For this and much more, tune in!
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In the latest episode of The Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri talk about a Pakistani movie, Cake, as well as a show based on Vampire housemates, What We Do in the Shadows. They also discuss The Times of India's new classified ad. The podcast kicks off with a discussion about a video game, Sniper 3D Assassin, where journalists get killed. They also talk about some of the shows that came to an end, namely the Game of Thrones and The Big Bang Theory.While talking about Cake, Abhinandan said, “If a Pakistani film is above average, it’s said, oh, it is brilliant." Giving anecdotes from the film, Rajyasree adds, “They make our regressiveness seem progressive.”While discussing What We Do in the Shadows, Rajyasree not only recommends the show but also describes it as "laugh-out-loud funny". She urges people to watch the show instead of watching Republic TV's Arnab Goswami.The duo also discusses the new Nirma commercial starring Akshay Kumar. Abhinandan criticises him by saying, “He demonstrates his lousy martial arts which he pretends to be an expert at."For this and more, tune in!
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In the latest episode of The Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri talk about car advertisements, new trailers, Kanhaiya Kumar’s campaign song, Amy Poehler-directed Wine Country and more.Reviewing Poehler’s directorial debut, Wine Country, Rajyasree says the film doesn’t work despite the fantastic cast. She says, “They keep trying to put in funny lines, sometimes you should just let it (be). But it’s really impressive to see this line-up of really funny women come together for this film." Moving on, the hosts talk about the Datsun redi-Go advertisement. Rajyasree found the idea of the ad quite heart-warming. She also added that it was strange that the car was parked in the middle of the road while the participants were resolving their fight. According to Abhinandan, it was completely realistic for a Delhi road, but he disagrees with the message that the ad puts out.The duo also talks about The Kings, an Indian dance troupe, which won NBC’s World of Dance competition this year. They discuss Suresh Mukund and his 14-member troupe’s journey and performances. Abhinandan finds their routine and performances to be fantastic. He says, “The kind of acrobatics and the physical ability and dexterity of his team, and the strength, is phenomenal.”Talking about movie trailers, Abhinandan finds the trailer of De De Pyaar De, starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh, to be quite funny. What impressed Rajyasree the most was the age-gap between Bollywood actors and actresses who often romance each other and how it has been directly addressed in this case. They also discuss the trailer of It: Chapter Two. The hosts discuss their takeaways from the first film, which was based on a novel by Stephen King, and how they look forward to the new film after this brilliantly produced trailer.The panel also discusses a short film called Tyson, Kanhaiya Kumar’s election song, and more.Listen in to find out!
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Winter has come and gone, the Night King's had shatteringly bad luck, Arya's become kickass, and the Mountain stands like a hunk of flesh behind Cersei. But listeners of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap have been asking: "Why aren't you talking about all this?!" So in this very special episode, Abhinandan says "hold my beer" and ropes in some in-house Game of Thrones nerds to talk about the greatest pop culture phenomenon of modern times. He is joined by Meghnad S, Gaurav Sarkar and Anish Daolagupu, all of whom are GoT fans on differing levels. Unlike Abhinandan, they've got one thing in common: they're all glued to their screens and watching the show. Meghnad, Gaurav and Anish discuss what makes the show so great—no, it's not just the sex and gore—why everyone is so obsessed with it, and how people are incredibly outraged about the latest season. Meghnad tries to defend the show, Anish and Gaurav fight back, and Abhinandan is thoroughly amused by this spirited debate. Listen in!
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In this new episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri talk about the 2019 Met Gala, the trailer of Sacred Games 2, two election music videos, and more.From tracking the history of the Met Gala to deciding whether or not Abhinandan’s taste in sneakers is "Camp" or not, the duo discussed the “the party of the year” in details. This time, the theme was—Camp: Notes on Fashion. In Rajyasree’s opinion, “the frizzy hair” look of Priyanka Chopra made her look like the Hollywood actress Helena Bonham Carter, who Abhinandan thinks always “looks a little off”. However, he thought that Deepika Padukone looked magnificent!The duo also discusses the new Pan Bahar advertisement, which they find incredulous. Although they agree that it is “as crappy as an ad can get”. Rajyasree says, “This is how India will overpower the world.” Abhinandan said this ad will help inspire people to join the para-commandos.The next ad they discuss is one put out by Surf Excel. According to Rajyasree, it is a short, compassionate, well-made ad. In fact, one of the best ads she has seen recently. Speaking about the cast of Sacred Games 2, Abhinandan says that he is excited for it as he really enjoyed the first part that was written by Varun Grover.Two new songs that they talk about are Raftaar - Phir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar and Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad Campaign Song. The former between the two matches the funk of Congress’ Ab Hoga Nyay song, according to Rajyasree.The panel also discusses Netflix’s new nine-part series Street Food and the popular MCU film Avengers: Endgame.Listen in for more!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the 64th Filmfare Awards, The Music Teacher, Selection Day season 2, Bharat's trailer and Akshay Kumar’s interview with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.The podcast kicks off with a discussion on a Netflix movie, The Music Teacher. Rajyasree says, “While there is a poignancy to it, it’s very stretched out." Despite being a movie based on music, the dubbing of the songs and its lip syncing by the actors is extremely poor. Abhinandan says, “For a film about music and music teachers, they couldn’t get the singing right which is ridiculous.” However, Abhinandan praises the frame of the film as it is shot in the hills of Shimla. The hosts then discuss the trailer of Bharat. In awe of Salman Khan, Rajyasree thinks that the movie is going to be a blockbuster. She says, “To pack so much into a trailer is also a skill in itself.” The film encapsulates documentary evidence of Jawaharlal Nehru’s passing. Abhinandan says, “What they have said is something along the lines of Forrest Gump because they use documentary evidence of Nehru’s passing.”The discussion moves on to Akshay Kumar’s interview with Modi. According to Rajyasree, the choice of Akshay Kumar as the interviewer was fabulous in terms of the stance on social issues and politics that he has in general. But on a whole, the hosts condemn the idea of this interview itself. Abhinandan says, “I thought it was a complete PR exercise, it’s a disgrace that all television channels are carrying it. It’s a disgrace for ANI that it did something like this, it is clearly to avoid the Election Commission cracking down on them...” Also, he takes a dig on what Modi speaks about his chat with Obama and regards it as completely nonsensical.Stay tuned for more!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Reason, Game Of Thones, some political songs and ad campaigns, and a lot more.They start off with Anand Patwardhan’s Reason, a documentary split into eight parts, which they conclude is to attract a digital audience. The documentary is about the hate spread by Hindu organisations and how they're responsible for the murders of Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar and Gauri Lankesh. Abhinandan says the film looks like it was made in the 1980s and calls it "boring". But he adds: "What I like about this is that I had followed the Dr Dabholkar murder, you see a lot of footage of him which I haven’t seen on television … what was a revelation for me was what a brilliant and articulate man he was and how beautifully he debunked godmen and stuff.”Moving to Game Of Thrones, Rajyasree gives a sneak peek into the first episode of Season 8. She says, "All the characters were pretty much shown in the first episode." She also found it a little disappointing, considering the long wait for its release.The discussion moves to BBC's documentary podcast Mumbai Mirror, which is on the life and work of a newspaper before the elections. Both think it was very well put together. Rajyasree says it captured both feel and flavour, adding: "It's not just about election reporting ... it's mainly about the running of this newspaper."The conversation shifts to political music videos and ad campaigns like #MyFirstVoteForModi, Chunega Kya and Acche Din Blues. Both Abhinandan and Rajyasree intensely disliked #MyFirstVoteForModi—which is intended to reach out to young voters—and call it "terrible". On the flip side, Abhinandan praises Chunega Kya and Acche Din Blues in terms of their production value. On the latter, he says, "...it's an excellent piece of audiovisual communication, an excellent piece of cinema, the singing/narration is amazing."For this and a lot more, tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Criminal Justice, Traitors, the trailer of Joker, and the political campaign songs of the Congress and BJP during election season.The podcast kicks off with Rajyasree telling us about a new Hotstar series, Criminal Justice, which she feels is suspenseful but also unrealistic and implausible in parts. She says the actors are good, except "doped-out Jackie Shroff".Our hosts talk about the newly-released trailer of Joker. They agree that Joaquin Phoenix is one of those actors who really becomes a character. While Rajyasree appreciates the trailer as it gives nothing away, Abhinandan finds it to be a case of tedious repetition, saying "they're all the same”.They move on to discuss the campaign songs of the Congress and BJP. Rajyasree says that Congress’s song Ab Hoga Nyay is a "well-made music video and a catchy song”. Abhinandan thinks the Congress's production value was higher, though "the BJP has more money". In the BJP's song Main Bhi Chowkidar, he says he's disappointed with the line "yeh ek a kela nikal panda main iski katar hun". He says, “When you’re making a music video … in any mass communication exercise, there should be the sense of 'team'. Not ‘you are king, I am your dust’.” He says the AAP started the concept of catchy political songs, even though they had very little money. Tune in for more!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the latest How To Train Your Dragon, Vice, Us, A Star is Born, The Favourite and much more.The podcast kicks off with Abhinandan and Rajyasree discussing animated movies, particularly the How To Train Your Dragon series. Though Abhinandan liked the earlier parts, the latest offering didn't captivate him. Rajyasree, who's not passionate about animated movies, moves on to the Oscar-nominated movie Vice, a comic-biopic on former US Vice President Dick Cheney. She says the movie captures the nature of politics at the time, Cheney’s relationship with Donal Rumsfeld, and the charismatic interactions and motivations of the wives of prominent political leaders.Abhinandan expresses his dissatisfaction with Jordan Peele’s movie Us (2019) which may also stem from his dislike of horror films in general. He says he predicted the plot minutes into the movie. Rajyasree says she enjoys most of Peele's work. "Everything is a commentary with Jordan Peele.” She recommends Get Out by the same director. Moving on to the movie A Star is Born, Rajyasree says the actors' performances and the movie in general were adequate, but not challenging. Abhinandan remarks that with musicals, there are often two kinds of reviews: those who like the movie too much, and those who didn't. He says: "A Star is Born, like La La Land, had two kinds of reviews. There were the La La Land haters and there were people who said it was just the most amazing film ever. Same thing with A Star is Born.”Rajyasree then gives a brief synopsis of the movie The Favourite, saying she enjoyed watching it and found it funny. Abhinandan seems to lose interest just from its description. Rajyasree then says she found the mini-series A Very English Scandal extremely intriguing and amusing, and a wonderful commentary of the time. "It's very funny because it's British, right?" she says. Abhinandan agrees that British humour is very good.The discussion also spans Akshay Kumar's new advertisement for Suthol and Madhur Jaffrey's music video Nani. Rajyasree and Abhinandan also plan on watching the upcoming movies PM Narendra Modi and The Tashkent Files—notwithstanding their dread.Tune in for more!
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On this week's episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri cover the Patriot Act episode by Hasan Minhaj on India's elections, Netflix shows Delhi Crime and Cricket Fever, a short film, and a lot more. Holding the conversation baton, Abhinandan kicks off with a rant on the quality of short films being made, saying: "Short films are an indulgent filmmaker’s time pass.” They then discuss Cricket Fever, which is a sneak peek into the lives and dressing rooms of players and officials, spiced with how efficient and decisive Akash Ambani is as a leader. Abhinandan narrows the discussion down, saying: "So it's basically positioning Akash Ambani as a genius taking our country to a different level of success.”Next up is Hasan Minhaj's India episode of Patriot Act, where the hosts discuss how Minhaj simplified the idea of India's elections without taking any sides and presented a neutral show. They mention how Minhaj not only talked about Yogi Adityanath but also questioned Shashi Tharoor about his own controversies. Rajyasree points out the hurdles Hasan faces, saying: "He’s Indian, he’s Muslim, he’s brown. It’s not easy for him.” Abhinandan says he found the show a bit "plain". They then discuss the latest ad films by Mothers Recipe, specifically their idea of unrealistic cooking timeframes. Referring to a play, Rajyasree decodes this mystery of fast cooking: "Maybe they have a hidden Ramu who does all the cooking for them." For this and a lot more, tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Captain Marvel, Surf Excel’s advertisement #RangLaayeSang, Leaving Neverland and more.The podcast kicks off with Abhinandan who, though a Marvel Universe enthusiast, wasn't convinced by their latest offering Captain Marvel. Rajyasree expresses her lack of interest in watching the movie. She then discusses Ricky Gervais’s Netflix series After Life, saying: “It is one of the finest shows that he’s created in a while.” Abhinandan chimes in, mentioning Gervais’s endearing performance that accompanies his dark humour.The conversation moves to the Surf Excel ad #RangLaayeSang which, contrary to its intentions, invoked some amount of communal disharmony. Both Abhinandan and Rajyasree think the ad managed to convey its message and express their dissatisfaction with the kind of responses that have popped up on social media.The duo then discusses the documentary Leaving Neverland. Talking about the documentary's format, Abhinandan says it's a compelling watch. Rajyasree praises the extensive detailing of facts to allow viewers to reach their own conclusions. Abhinandan tries to dissect Micheal Jackson’s position while emphasising that it shouldn't be taken as a justification. He says, "I believe Micheal Jackson was insane … on a different wavelength … I think he was coming from a place of love and not damage ... he truly believed this love was genuine love.” Rajyasree disagrees, citing examples of warped love and sexual grooming.This and a lot more, so tune in!
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In this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by Ankur Pathak, entertainment editor at Huffington Post. They discuss Gully Boy, Period. End of Sentence., the Oscar awards and more.They start off with Gully Boy, with Abhinandan asking Ankur what worked for him in the movie. Ankur says: “I just felt that Zoya is basically ... fighting for your right to dream fearlessly.” He feels Zoya Akhtar made interesting points about the relevance of art. Abhinandan thinks films made with Western cultural references are usually very self-conscious and contrived, but for Gully Boy, he says, "It was comfortably cool, although rap and hip hop is not an Indian thing … it seems very authentic.”The discussion moves to Period. End of Sentence., a 25-minute documentary based in India which recently won an Academy Award. Both Abhinandan and Ankur liked it immensely. Abhinandan says, "Its message was more profound or impressive than crafting … storytelling.” They also thought it did have its weak points and think it takes much more to merit an Oscar win.Speaking of the Oscars, they talk about the award ceremony this year, which was accused of being more about "wokeness" than craft. They also criticise the Academy for, among other things, its choice for Best Picture this year, stating BlacKkKlansman and Roma were better options in this category.For this and much more, listen up!
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In this episode of the Awful and Awesome, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss My name is RaGa, Yesterday, Gully Boy, The Assassination of Gianni Versace and more. Abhinandan kicks off the podcast by discussing some of the movies he watched over the week.The duo then proceed to review the trailer of My name is RaGa. Introducing the trailer, Rajyasree jokingly says, "This film is about our future Prime Minister Rahul Gandhi.” Abhinandan is at a loss for words. To him, the trailer looks very bad. Rajyasree, sarcastically, proceeds to praise Rupesh Paul, the movie's director. She says, “He has tried to show us Rahul Gandhi from the time he is 7 or 8 to 47…Indira Gandhi is also shown…then there is an ugly version of Rajiv Gandhi as well.” She expresses her confusion by questioning whether the movie is pro-Rahul Gandhi or against him. The duo agrees on the fact that they are definitely not going to watch the movie when it is released.The discussion then moves to the trailer of Yesterday, a movie that is set in a world that doesn’t know of the Beatle’s existence. Abhinandan, talking about the trailer says, “It has got a brilliant plot.” He adds: "I am really looking forward to watching this film." Abhinandan also reveals the worst-film ever made.To find out, listen up!
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In this episode of Awful and Awesome, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the Oscar line-up (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Wife, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Green Book), the Grammys, state of radio in India, Mere Pyaare Prime Minister and more.The duo first talk about The Wife. Rajyasree gives a spoiler-free review of the film, “You have to watch the film to see this relationship. There is a mystery, there is a twist. It’s not a relationship film, but it is extremely well done.”Abhinandan then brings up Green Book. He expresses his liking for the film, but also adds that there were parts which were too simple. Rajyasree praises the performances in Can You Ever Forgive Me? but critiques the pace, “I really like slow films, but I felt somewhere it loses the momentum...Your interests fails a little.” The last film discussed is Bohemian Rhapsody. Rajyasree says in praise that she realised “how well they make biopics in the States...they show the characters with their greys and blacks.”On the occasion of World Radio Day, Abhinandan talks about the dismal state of FM radio in our country. He says, “For all the political incorrectness and the wildness that finds its way into television and print...no community of presenters is as dumb, ignorant and unknowingly offensive as radio jockeys.”Rajyasree then speaks about the Grammys, which she found to be excruciatingly long. For this and more, listen up!
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In the latest episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Abhinandan Sekhri is joined by Shubham Bhatia, a journalist with Patriot, and Adhiraj Singh, head writer at VICE India. The trio discusses the Netflix film Soni, the Dalit Lit Fest, The Good Place and more.Abhinandan asks Adhiraj about the workings of VICE, saying he's curious about how VICE produces high budget non-fiction content. Adhiraj explains, “VICE in India and in general does a lot of branded and sponsored content as well. Which is where I come in ... where more client-based editorialising is needed.” As an example of sponsored content bringing in funding, he cites VICE’s क Se Crime series which was done as part of the promotion for Amazon Prime’s Mirzapur.Shubham talks about the Dalit Lit Fest held at Kirori Mal College, highlighting the lack of interest among Delhi University students for the event. “Where the fest was happening, you couldn't see many college students. I felt this disinterest from the students ... no one is really interested in even hearing about Dalit issues, which was the whole point of the fest.”The discussion movies to Soni. Adhiraj approves of the film, saying, "I liked that it did not end on some grand climactic fight.” Abhinandan says: “But it still ended on hope with that last scene.” He adds, "If we had not been instructed by our subscribers to watch it, I would have given up.”This and much more, so listen up!
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In the 100th episode of Awful and Awesome, our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen go live to talk about the best and worst of pop-culture. They discussed Thackeray, the new Firstpost advertisement, Netflix’s Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes, Jaipur Literature Festival and a lot more.The conversation begins with Thackeray, which Abhinandan describes as a metaphor for the Shiv Sena. "Simplistic, endorses violence, made by morons, for morons,” he says. Rajyasree quipped about the costume design of the film saying, “It casts Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and his nose, his prosthetic nose.” Later she also dismisses Manto saying, “I think Nawazuddin needs to stop acting as real people.”The duo then discusses the new Firstpost ad for the publication’s new weekly newspaper. Rajyasree pointed out the lack of humility in the fact that the paper claims itself to be “the last word in news”. Abhinandan further criticizes, “It is a flawed idea to have the last word in news, there ain’t no last word in news.”Rajyashree then brings up the new Amazon series Four More Shots Please!. She describes it as “India’s answer to Sex in the City.” Adding her scathing review, she says, “I watched four episodes, which I thought was far too many.” She also deems it an inaccurate portrayal of female interactions remarking that “he dialogue is so stilted, women do not talk to each other like that”.Abhinandan then brings up JLF. He says, “There’s one bunch of people trashing JLF, there’s some who love it, but I haven’t seen anyone aggressively defend it,” as he goes on to aggressively defend JLF. He argues, “What it offers is amazing...it’s very easy to shit on it because of the Suhel Seths, but for every Suhel Seth there is a Ben Okri.”Tune in for more!
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In the latest episode, Abhinandan Sekhri co-hosts with Samar Khan—director, producer and former journalist based in Mumbai. The duo discuss the portrayal of the Indian forces in cinema, the rise of TV and change in cinema in the Nineties, the Netflix documentary Fyre and more.Samar has worked on Shaurya, The Test Case and has attended the NDA. Abhinandan asks him: “Is it a coincidence that most of the things that you have created have to do with the forces?” Samar says, “That’s what interests me the most. I think there are so many stories to be told about the men in uniform which are just not war stories ... There are other stories that happen in the Army.”The hosts moved on to discuss the 1990s. Samar points out cultural changes marked by Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: “[DDLJ] was the first film to talk to an urban audience. It was also the birth of a new director … It was almost like a changing of the guard." He says that was a time when you'd see a lot of movies influenced by the West, when a new generation of directors had taken over.Abhinandan then talks about the Netflix documentary Fyre. He says, “It’s a great commentary, other than the specific fraud it is on. It's also a comment on millenials and how social media can influence what we think.” Moving on to the movie Uri: The Surgical Strike, Samar says: “There are always fictional elements added which make you laugh. If you are the ‘janta’ audience then the humour works for you ... But if you are a military buff, you look at it and say ‘What the fuck? This can never happen'.”Tune in for more!
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In the latest episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Abhinandan is in conversation with Mayank Shekhar, entertainment head at Mid Day. The duo reviews The Accidental Prime Minister, Uri: The Surgical Strike and Gillette's latest commercial. They also discuss the portrayal of politics in Indian films, the evolution of film production in India and more. Mayank and Abhinandan also look back at the quality of last year’s films. “I genuinely believe that 2018 was the best year that I have had as a film reviewer watching films,” Mayank said.Speaking about a new genre of movies, Mayank said, “They are propaganda films...there is a new genre called pre-election films.” On The Accidental Prime Minister, he said, “What really suffers the most is the production design...the prime minister’s office looks like a shaadi hall in the movie.” Abhinandan added, “I have heard that it does not look like a story, there are just scenes that are unconnected, it does not flow like a story...it’s just a bunch of scenes put together.”Explaining the lack of a storyline, Mayak said, “It is hard enough to adapt from non-fiction to begin with...it would take competence of another kind to turn [Sanjay Baru’s book] into a coherent screenplay. Abhinandan also points out the difference between Uri and The Accidental Prime Minister. He said, "I have heard this one is pretty well-made.” Mayank agrees. He said, “I was stunned by it because my expectations were hugely low, as they should be because again you are walking in thinking ‘oh this is that pre-election propaganda film'."About the Gillette commercial, Abhinandan said, “It is appealing to the right values...I do not know what is wrong with that...overall I think it is a fantastic kind of communication from a brand that is so associated with machismo to come out with.” Discussing the backlash against the ad, Mayank talked about the people who criticised the ad. “I think a lot of opinion formation and dissemination has a lot to do with the fact that they call attention to themselves,” he said.Tune in for more!
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In the latest episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss BCCI’s notice to Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul for their appearance on Koffee with Karan, the Golden Globes, the new Uber Eats advertisement, The Mule, the Gully Boy trailer, and Backstreet Boys being back—again!The discussion begins with a quick tussle between our hosts over Rajyasree’s accusation that Koffee with Karan is a Graham Norton Show rip-off. Rajyasree also points out the irony of BCCI being the moral police in light of the complaints against BCCI’s CEO. Both agree that the degree of reaction to Pandya’s alleged misogyny is unwarranted and that it's more important to call out Karan Johar’s “infantile humour”.Rajyasree then talks about Clint Eastwood’s The Mule, based on the true story of Leo Sharp. They praise the cast, especially Eastwood and his “grasp on cinema”, nominating him for a lifetime achievement award at age 90. Abhinandan was put off by the “easiness” of the film and the “goody-goodiness of the resolution” despite being greatly impressed by Eastwood.The conversation moves to the Golden Globes. Abhinandan and Rajyasree praise Christian Bale and Glenn Close’s speeches, the former for his humour and the latter for bringing to the fore the struggle of women to be accepted both as mothers and professionals. They then discuss the Uber Eats ad, “Alia’s Tinda Moment”. Rajyasree says the ad was cute but not very compelling. Abhinandan expresses his problem with Alia Bhatt—though he thinks “she is the best actor of her generation”, because of her “child’s face”, her sexuality on screen makes him feel “queasy”.Abhinandan isn't very excited about Gully Boy because he believes hip-hop is very culturally specific to the US so it cannot be entirely transposed to Bombay. He is more excited about the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer Sonchiraiya, which is “a Paan Singh Tomar marries Bandit Queen and gives birth to a Gangs of Wasseypur kind of thing”.Finally, our hosts do not see the point of the Backstreet Boys' mushy comeback. They discuss how the main message of their latest video is that family is the most important thing in life. Featuring the Backstreet Boys with their wives and children, it promotes a heteronormative idea of family. “Yeh music video wagera unke bas ka raha nahin (this music video stuff is not in their league any more),” Abhinandan remarks.Tune in for more!
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It's the first episode of 2019, and our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the Saudi Arabia-centric episode of Hasan Minhaj's Patriot Act, Netflix series Selection Day, and the Netflix special of Black Mirror's Bandersnatch, among other things.Rajyasree recommends the controversial Saudi Arabia of Patriot Act for its wit and timing. Both hosts disapprove of Netflix pulling the episode down in Saudi Arabia after a complaint from authorities. “It is a shame because rather than more information reaching places that were behind and Iron Curtained, it seems that the Iron Curtain is extending to places that didn’t have one earlier,” says Abhinandan.They talk about the Netflix series Selection Day, based on a book by the same name by Aravind Adiga. Rajyasree summarises the plot and says she recommends it because you could probably watch the entire thing in a single sitting. She does however think the story was somewhat underdeveloped.Discussing the episode Bandersnatch from the Black Mirror series, Abhinandan is stridently against the concept, though Rajyasree found it entertaining. He says he doesn't endorse the episode's USP, which is the "cheap thrill" of being able to choose where the story goes. He says it seems to solely cater to video game fanatics, which is “a hell of a subset". He adds, "It was a lot of content consumption to cater to a gimmick.”Next, the pair review the Netflix thriller Bird Box, which had a record viewership in the first week of its release. “Watch it for the gruesomeness,” says Rajyshree, "if you’re into that sort of thing." She says while she enjoyed the "graphic" cinematography, the film can be slightly unrealistic and tiresome with its overused dystopian-world, single-parent-protecting-the-children shindig.Moving away from the Netflix universe, Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss Rajeev Masand’s Actresses Roundtable 2018. They unanimously condemn Rani Mukherjee, saying she comes across as an under-informed, overly opinionated person who is self-aware of her superiority being “Aditya Chopra’s wife, so she rules the roost,” says Rajyasree.Our hosts also talk about the recent passing of two artists: Kader Khan, whom Abhinandan calls “crass, but prolific” and praises him for being self-made, and filmmaker Mrinal Sen, of whose work Rajyasree has mixed views.Tune in for more!
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This week’s episode brings you an action-packed discussion with our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen on Relatable, season 2 of Making A Murderer, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Kareena Kapoor’s What Women Want, Honey Singh’s Makhna, the trailer of Thackeray and three commercials.Rajyasree and Abhinandan start by exchanging views on Ellen DeGeneres’s Relatable and how she’s hitting hard on the social stereotype against lesbians. They talk about the payment of $20 million Ellen received for the 68-minute show. Moving on, they discuss the Netflix series Making A Murderer Season 2, written and directed by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos. They discuss the American phenomenon of making celebrities out of criminals, to which Rajyasree says, “Although in America, I feel they are a little off, so they don’t have much happening in their own lives. So they get sucked into these kind of things.”The discussion moves on to Kareena Kapoor Khan’s radio show What Women Want on Ishq: 104.8, which is also a video show. They talk about how, unlike a radio show, the show sounds scripted. Abhinandan adds, “Radio is only compelling because it’s a conversation that’s unfiltered and unrehearsed. That’s what makes good talk radio”.Abhinandan and Rajyasree then discuss the trailer of the upcoming movie Thackeray, directed by Abhijit Panse. Abhinandan expresses his curiosity, saying, “The good thing about such films is that now there will be filmmakers getting into political commentary through their cinema. Which is fantastic! And then you’ll have a counter-narrative.”This and more, so listen up!
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This week’s episode of Awful and Awesome brings you an action-packed discussion with our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen on the short film Detour, the new Brexit trailer, Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma and two commercials.Rajyasree and Abhinandan start the podcast with the semi-autobiographical film Roma, written, directed and produced by Alfonso Cuarón. Rajyasree notes that the movie is set in 1971 Mexico and tells the story of characters that are usually ignored by cinema and society. Appreciating the director’s work, Abhinandan says, "There are two things that make cinema survive—the stars and the craftsmen who crafts cinema", and Cuarón is one of those craftsmen who’s keeping it alive. Rayasree believes Roma is all set to win an Oscar.The discussions moves to a Netflix documentary, The Innocent Man, based John Grisham’s book—which Rajyasree notes is Grisham's only non-fiction book—and how the movie portrays the criminal justice system in America in relation to sending people to jail. They then talk about the trailer of the upcoming HBO film Brexit starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch plays Dominic Cummings, the man known to be the architect of Brexit, and how he used social media to bring out the most unlikely outcome. Abhinandan expresses his excitement for the movie but also says, “In the interest of making a compelling narrative, writers and podcast makers are overstating what social media interventions do.”Moving on, Abhinandan and Rajyasree talk about the new Baggit commercial starring Shraddha Kapoor where she promotes the hashtag #PutItOnTheTable. They think it doesn’t resemble a feminist campaign. Abhinandan says, “If this is what a feminism campaign looks like, then good luck, feminism.”Tune in to listen to more.
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This episode of The Awful and Awesome brings you an action-packed week with our hosts—Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen—both of whom discuss everything from a political documentary to a very strange award category.The duo begins by talking about the "Bad Sex award" which is awarded by Literary Review to "an author who has produced an outstandingly bad sexual description in an otherwise good novel". Rajyasree says Japanese author Haruki Murakami also made it to this year’s list, while Abhinandan adds that an Indian author called Anirudh Behl was also part of the same list in 2003.Moving on, they talk about something that’s even more ridiculous in a pop-culture context: the trailer of Rohit Shetty's Simmba, which is a sequel to the Ajay Devgan-starrer Singham. Rajyasree says the trailer does not have a cliffhanger and instead gives away the entire plot. "We should warn you, if any of you go watch the film, then you should be ashamed of yourself,” adds Abhinandan.The hosts then talk about a short film starring Naseeruddin Shah called Rogan Josh, which also features Avantika Akerkar and Shishir Sharma. The duo discusses how this film—which commemorates the anniversary of the terror attacks in Mumbai—is conceptually strong. Both of them agree that the problem of the film is a universal problem in Hindi films, i.e. they over-explain.The discussion then moves towards a political documentary, Fahrenheit 11/9, directed by Michael Moore. Rajyasree says though the film is primarily about American president Donald Trump, it's also about the Flint water crisis, Michael Moore’s connection to Steve Bannon and Jared Kushner, the Parkland school shooting, Obama, Hillary Clinton and more. This overload of information is what is the problem with the film, according to her. “The film, which is about everything, becomes a film about nothing,” she points out.The anchors conclude by talking about Priyanka Chopra’s wedding. Rajyasree says it's ironic that "three truckloads of firecrackers" had been burst at her wedding, even though Chopra endorses an ad that is about asthma. Talking further on Indian weddings, Abhinandan says, “Indian weddings have become an excuse for people who could never make it to showbiz. Aaj mauka mila hai, captive audience mili hai, aaj main nach kar dikhaunga, chahe nachna aata ho ya na aata ho.”Tune in to find out more!
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After a hiatus of two weeks, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekri are back with an episode packed with opinions on several advertisements both from India and around the world, a web series and a film trailer.The duo starts with a discussion on popular advertisements in the Indian media including the Manyavar advertisement, which has Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma engaging in "playful banter". Rajyasree comments: “If you plan on having a romantic relationship with anyone or any sort of relationship built on some meeting of the minds: don’t talk like this to each other. It’s the end of that relationship, for sure!”The discussion moves on to the new Swiggy ad which centres on our tendency to not address people in the service industry by their names. Talking about the conceptualisation and production quality of Indian advertisements, Abhinandan says, “I am amazed at the level of creativity of Indian advertisements. (I think) They are second only to the US or even at par with the US.” They also talk about Dolce & Gabbana’s ad which offended many people in China. Both Rajyasree and Abhinandan agree this advertisement can reduce Dolce & Gabbana's brand value.Rajyasree then takes the discussion forward with Amazon Prime’s new show Mirzapur, which is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani and stars Pankaj Tripathi, Rasika Dugal, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Vikrant Massey and more. She says it’s a well-made show with many characters and dynamics at play. But at the same time, she's disappointed with how the show ends. “I think they get dynamics of the way relationships play out, the different kinds of romantic relationships you can have, the way we hear about it a lot but hopefully we don’t experience it in our milieu. A father-in-law wanting to sleep with his daughter-in-law, the wife not getting sexually satisfied by her husband sleeps with the cook. So there are all sorts of things happening,” she adds.Towards the end of podcast, they talk about the teaser of Disney’s upcoming film The Lion King and the trend of remaking films that is being followed both in India and abroad. They discuss how producers are willing to put money into stories and scripts that have worked in the past. Abhinandan says, “If you want to make a big film, you bet that money on a film that is remade, say a Jungle Book, a Sholay or a Don. This is why all superhero films are the biggest releases of the year. The characters have worked in the past and they will work in future. Nobody creates a new character!”Tune in to listen to this and more!
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In this episode of The Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about the “viral videos” made around the Diwali season and some movies.Rajyasree starts off the discussion by talking about the "#MeToo bag" which has been designed by Priyanka Vachhani and which the designer says can also be used for self-defence. She explains how the #MeToo movement has been used in the fashion business and how the ad that was put out was cringe-worthy. The discussion moves on to HP’s recent Diwali ad titled "#GoLocal" which Abhinandan and Rajyasree think is overly emotionalised.The hosts then talk about the Hollywood movie BlacKkKlansman, directed by Spike Lee and released earlier this year. The movie is a true story about the first Black-American cop who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. The consensus is that our subscribers should watch this fun-packed and well-shot movie, which Abhinandan says is a political statement by the director against Trump. Abhinandan also briefly talks about a 1993 western action thriller called Tombstone.Abhinandan then moves on to romantic comedy-drama Crazy Rich Asians directed by Jon M Chu which released earlier this year. He says it's a classic love story but also reinforces some stereotypes. Rajyasree talks about a commercial by Ghadi Detergent, which steers the discussion into the stereotypes and set standards of gender and class in the Indian community. They discuss a special Karwa Chauth commercial by Nykaa titled "Qaid", featuring India’s first transsexual model Nikkiey Chawla. Abhinandan and Rajyasree ask the same question: “Why has Karwa Chauth been unnecessarily brought in to convey such an emotion?” They agree it's a good commercial, but Rajyasree says it's still a marketing gimmick.This and more, so listen up!
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In its 90th episode, The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap takes you on an entertaining ride of some of the worst and best developments of the week. Our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen talk about two novels, latest shows on Netflix and an awful short film recommended for the mufatkhors!The Twice-Born: Life and Death on the Ganges is a novel written by Aatish Taseer whom Abhinandan calls one of the finest writers of his time. The book is about the Brahmin mind, Benaras, and modern politics. Another book discussed in this episode is Red Birds by Mohammed Hanif. The book is about America's war politics and its victims. Both books are highly recommended by our hosts.Taking a dive from a very highbrow discussion, Rajyasree takes us to Eros Now's latest drama series Smoke. A drama set in Goa and revolving around drugs, Rajyasree says Smoke is one of the most well-shot series and has a Narcos feel to it. The cast of this crime drama includes Tom Alter, Gulshan Devaiah, Kalki Koechlin and Jim Sarbh. Sen also thinks the series is as good as Sacred Games and has an Anurag Kashyap vibe to it.Moving on, we discuss Hasan Minhaj's latest series on Netflix, Patriot Act. Abhinandan and Rajyasree believe Hasan's style of stand-up comedy is different but quite predictable, unlike comedians like Stephen Colbert. With only two episodes out, maybe it's too early to judge what Patriot Act has in store but it's a remarkable feat for an American-Indian to have his own show on Netflix.Another recommendation coming from Netflix is BBC series Bodyguard starring Richard Madden and Keeley Hawes. They also discuss the latest trailer of Kedarnath starring Sara Ali Khan and Sushant Singh Rajput and how it was successful in piquing viewers' interest.The podcast also talks about a short film, The Playboy Mr Sawhney, which turned out to be a torturous watch. Listen to the full podcast to know why it's been highly recommended for our mufatkhors.
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On this week’s episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss everything ranging from the first episode of the latest season’s Koffee with Karan, to the recently released movie Badhaai Ho, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sanya Malhotra.The Sensational Life & Death of Qandeel Baloch, a book written by Pakistani journalist Sanam Maher, the television show Styled by Neha, as well as two popular advertisements released recently during the festive season, are also spoken about.The episode kicks off with a discussion on Satam Maher’s book The Sensational Life & Death of Qandeel Baloch, based on the life of a Pakistani model and actress who was killed by her brother. “It’s an interesting read—especially during this #MeToo movement,” says Abhinandan.Rajyasree then weighs in on two television shows that are trending all over the commercial media space: they are Koffee with Karan and Styled by Neha. The sixth season of Koffee with Karan aired on Sunday night, and its first episode featured actresses Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone, who go on to discuss a lot of things—including their personal experiences with Ranbir Kapoor. Styled by Neha, a new show by Fox featuring former Miss India pageant Neha Dhupia, stylist and model Diva Dhawan, and celebrity make-up artist Elton Fernandez, is criticised by Rajyasree.Both hosts then talk about the recently released movie Badhaai Ho which deals with problems faced by a middle-class family when a mid-aged woman gets pregnant. “It is definitely worth a watch!,” said Rajyasree, and Abhinandan agrees with her.Moving on, Abhinandan and Rajyasree review two advertisements that have received a lot of limelight during this festive season; they are the Diwali special ad of Saregama Carvaan and Fortune Food’s controversial Durga Pooja advertisement.The discussion then shifts to the recent #MeToo allegations against Anu Malik, Sajid Khan and Chetan Bhagat, where our hosts take up different stances.Tune in to find out more.
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On this week's episode, hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri talk about the #MeToo movement, anonymous artist Banksy's painting, and Shweta Bachchan Nanda's new book.The duo also reviews the movie Andhadhun as well as talk about Operation Finale.Rajyasree thinks that the movie Operation Finale—based on the nail-biting Mossad operation— is a treat to watch. “The way they script their films is very impressive,” she said.Moving on to Bollywood, the hosts discuss the movie Andhadhun. Abhinandan praises Ayushmann Khuranna's acting and points out how contemporary cinema is effectively utilising the supporting cast to uplift the whole movie.Next, Rajyasree interviews Shweta Bachchan Nanda on her new book Paradise Towers. “It is better than Twinkle Khanna's book and is a light, breezy read,” she said.Moving forward, Abhinandan speaks about the MeToo movement and both hosts go on to discuss how it has spread like wildfire—from Bollywood to Media houses— as well as its implications and impact on different industries.The anonymous artist Banksy's painting—a video of which recently went viral after it ‘self-destructed’ at an auction—is discussed next, and both hosts don’t really seem convinced about the authenticity of the incident.Tune in to listen to more.
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The latest episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap brings you all-that-happened in the past week. Hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri talk about an advertisement on ‘Kerala Tourism’ by Samsonite, on the occasion of World Tourism Day. Both hosts were impressed by the message sent across by the ad and recommended that everyone give it a watch. “I love that it is sensitive and woke on gender,” expressed Abhinandan.The conversation then moves towards Tanushree Dutta’s sexual harassment controversy where both our hosts discuss the issue. They debate whether #MeToo will work even in the realm of Bollywood, and discuss the reasons whether it will or will not work. Rajyasree expresses that “No A-list star has spoken” and that even women weren’t coming forward to speak up. Abhinandan says: “The stakes in showbiz are so high that if you make it, I mean just the power of the star is so huge that you don’t want to compromise.”Moving on from women in Indian Cinema to Farhan Akhtar’s Rearview Mirror, both our hosts were disappointed with the single from Farhan’s upcoming album called “Echoes.”Both hosts then talk about a documentary movie called Asked the Sexpert, directed by Vaishali Sinha. It is about a sex advice columnist who gains popularity after a school bans sex education. Abhinandan says: “I thought there were a couple of bloopers, the background score, the music was outstanding, perfect not in your face….”Rajyasree moves on to Shilpa Shetty’s new reality show called “Hear me, Love me,” which is the remake of an Italian reality dating show, and expresses how she detests it. Abhinandan talks about the trailer of Thugs of Hindostan which is a Hindi remake of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Joker.Tune in to listen to more.
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On this episode of Awful and Awesome, Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss plus-size Model Tess Holliday’s Cosmo cover, Manto, Serial the podcast and more.The Cosmo cover with Holliday created quite a lot of stir in the media. Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss the reactions it has elicited. Rajyasree talks about Twinkle Khanna’s book, Pajamas are Forgiving and compares Twinkle with Chetan Bhagat in the context of their writing style.The two, then, talk about Manto directed by Nandita Das. Abhinandan didn’t quite like the music in the movie, especially the song by Raftar. Abhinandan feels that Manto, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, deserved a better film. Rajyasree compares the film with ‘poorly made school play’.Moving on, Rajyasree speaks about a new show called Side Hero, starring Kunaal Roy Kapur and directed by Rohan Sippy, and why it’s worth a watch. Abhinandan talks about the third season of the podcast, Serial. He talks about the art of storytelling and also adds that he didn’t find this season as compelling as the last ones. Tune in to find out more.
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After the hiatus last week, The Awful and Awesome Entertainment wrap is back with a bang, along with our hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri. The conversation starts with Rajyasree’s review on the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards; she found all of the 60-minute show boring, and shares the things that were talked about at the awards: Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage—who is known to play Tyrion Lannister in the series—won the 'sexiest dwarf' award. Netflix had many nominations and both hosts discuss how the media-service provider makes its money. Abhinandan goes on to tell us about a Time Magazine article review on the Emmy Awards and his opinion about the show.The conversation then moves towards Big Boss. “I have always felt that Big Boss, in the larger picture, is a commentary on the lowest that is in us as performers, as producers, as viewers and also as advertisers,” said Abhinandan. Rajyasree informs us that this is the last season of Big brother (UK). She then talks about how, apart from Anup Jalota, she had no idea who the other people were in Big Boss 12. Both hosts have a nice laugh at Anup Jalota, his girlfriend who is also his student, and their ‘Vichitr Jodi.’Abhinandan sheds light on the movie called Manmarziyaan, directed by one of his favourite Indian Director Anurag Kashyap. Its cast includes Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu, and Abhishek Bachchan. Abhinandan expresses his admiration for the film’s music, composed by Amit Trivedi, with Shelly on lyrics—especially the song ‘Hallah’. He also thinks that Jr. Bachchan is one of the worst actors in Indian cinema, whereas, on the other hand, Vicky Kaushal did a brilliant job. Rajyasree says: “I felt that the film had potential but then the potential was not achieved.”Rajyasree goes on to review a movie called I Tonya based on the true story of a talented figure skater—Tonya Harding—and her life, which goes down the drain after an attack on a beautiful figure skater named Nancy Kerrigan. According to Rajyasree, it is a dark-humoured movie, and she was amazed at Margo Robbie’s performance in it.Our hosts then discuss Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool. Rajyasree insists on giving this movie, starring Annet Bening and based on a memoir by Peter Turner, a shot. She also highly recommends The Killing of Scared Deer for all the mystery aficionados out there. Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell play lead characters in the movie, making it worth a watch.The new trailer of Captain Marvel also released and it did not impress Abhinandan at all, whereas Rajyasree thought that the trailer did just fine. She mentions that as a child, she grew up watching superhero films. Abhinandan, then expresses his views on the new phenomenon of releasing a book along with a TV series type of trailer, something started by Indian authors Chetan Bhagat and Amish Tripathi. Both hosts discuss the new trailer of Chetan Bhagat’s The Girl in Room 105 and more.Tune in to listen to the entire episode.
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In this issue of The Awful and Awesome podcast, our hosts Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyashree Sen join us with a list of fresh things to explore—and some not-so-exciting things that could wait to be explored.The discussion starts with Quashik Mukherjee’s movie called Garbage. Rajyashree sounds fairly disappointed with the movie but also suggests that Q—as a director—is very impressive since his movies are mainly provocative and about things we don’t usually see in Indian cinema. She explains the storyline in detail and explains why, according to her, the plot was weak, and what went wrong.Abhinandan talks about Stree, the Horror Comedy directed by Amar Kaushik and written by Sumit Arora. He also mentions that this one of the best Hindi movies he has watched in several months. He points out that “Rajkumar Rao and Pankaj Tripathi are a boon to Indian Cinema.” Both hosts agree on the messages conveyed through the movie, like the subtle commentary on politics, discussion about independent women, sexual liberation, and so on.Moving on with the discussion, Rajyashree sheds light on a movie called Once again, released on Netflix. The cast has Shefali Shah and Neeraj Kabi and resembles Lunch Box. According to her, it was a sweet movie—which at times didn’t make any sense.Rajyashree and Abhinandan shed some light on the trailer of an upcoming movie starring Hugh Jackman called The Front Runner. The movie takes us back in time to the set of 1988 which is also based on a 2014 book called All the Truth is out. Abhinandan expresses that it is “a very compelling trailer and it really makes you want to watch the film.”Another trailer which both our hosts review was Andhadhun, starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Radhika Apte, and Tabu. The film is about a blind pianist, and both hosts were thrilled with the trailer and are looking forward to watching it.Rajyashree also tells us about The New Yorker Festival and the Steve Bannon interview controversy and she and Abhinandan put out their views on the subject.Tune in to listen to more.
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This episode of The Awful and Awesome brings you an action-packed week with our hosts—Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyashree Sen—both of whom have a lot to share.The conversation kicks off with a discussion on the new podcast ‘Kalki Presents: My Indian Life’ by BBC World Service, hosted by Bollywood actor Kalki Koechlin. Abhinandan points out that although Kalki is a good presenter, a much more apt title for the podcast would have been “Conversation with Kalki” instead of “Kalki Presents: My Indian Life.” He adds that he doesn’t see any evolution to the stories in the podcast, and concludes that the tone of the podcast is more like an interview with artists and celebrities. He also mentions that a Karan Johar interview would be more entertaining than this podcast.Rajyashree talks about the Video Music Awards and mentions her craze for all the scandals, controversies and mind-blowing performances that take place during the VMAs. But none of that happened except for the VMA Van Guard Award, which was given to Jennifer Lopez, and the tribute paid to Aretha Franklin by Madonna. Both Rajyashree and Abhinandan discussed the tribute given by Madonna even though it was more about herself.They move on to discuss the new Netflix original series called Ghoul, directed and written by Patrick Graham, and starring Radhika Apte. Rajyashree was not really pleased to watch this three-episode series and thought it was like Quantico with Radhika Apte and a demon, whereas Abhinandan really appreciated the production and sound design. Heads-up: the conversation contains a few spoilers.Rajyashree recommends everyone to watch a Persian movie called Under the Shadow and shares a quick review of the movie.She goes on to share her views on another new movie called Alpha and pointed out that the movie is visually appealing, with good cinematography and a unique language.Abhinandan talks about the Twitter threat by Nishant Kaushik and his horrible experience of the Indian Idol, followed by Rajyashree discussing Mini Mathur’s tweet. Tune in to find out more.
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In this episode of the Awful and Awesome, our hosts Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the Asia Argento scandal and debate whether the scandal is as bad as it seems. Rajyasree also discusses a new show called Succession and a movie, Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, which she really liked. She also talked about a new reality food show called the Million Pound Menu. The duo also discusses a Borosil advertisement and two trailers, Vishal Bharadwaj’s Pataakha and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. They also mention the trailer of Rah De Ma and why you shouldn’t miss out on this one.This and more, listen up!
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On this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Rajyasree and Abhinandan discuss the conversation between Kangana Ranaut and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a new category in Oscars and more.Abhinandan watched the new Netflix original called Brij Mohan Amar Rahe and wasn't impressed with the quality one expects from Netflix. Rajyasree also talks about a film she watched on Netflix, Tikli and Laxmi Bomb. Then both discuss the new trailers; Anurag Kashyap's Manmarziyaan and Boy Erased. (In the podcast, Boy Erased was referred to as Boy Trapped by mistake).
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On this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Rajyasree and Abhinandan discuss the Kalyan Jewellers ad, Dove’s new commercial, Mahindra’s #LadkiHaathSeNikalJaayegi and trailers of Helicopter Eela and Lizzie.They begin the podcast by discussing the Kalyan Jewellers ad, which featured Amitabh Bacchan and his daughter Shweta Bacchan. They talk about the outrage surrounding it and how they've acted terribly.The two then go on to discuss the fallacies in the conceptualisation of Dove’s new commercial, and praise Mahindra’s attempt at social change with #LadkiHaathSeNikalJaayeg.In addition to this, Abhinandan caught up with Shubhra Gupta, Meghna Gulzar, Neeraj Ghaywan and Anurag Kashyap at The Media Rumble.Listen up!
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On this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap, Rajyasree and Abhinandan discuss the 19th IIFA awards, Kangana’s comments on Modi and laying down her life for the country, Chalo Jeetein Hain, a film on Narendra Modi, the sixth instalment of the Mission Impossible series, Sharp objects and Sacha Baron Cohen’s ‘Who is America?’.They begin the podcast by discussing the IIFA awards, which was hosted by Karan Johar, again; had ‘Gay’ jokes that are no longer funny and lacked almost all the major celebrities from Bollywood.The two then go on to discuss Chalo Jeetein Hain, a film based on an episode from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Childhood. It was released on Hotstar and all the star properties. Abhinadan, who criticised almost everything about the film, asks Modi supporters to write in and state what they thought of the film and what they think of a person who would approve a film like this about himself.For more on these, Kangna’s comments, Mission Impossible 6 and Baron Cohen’s ‘Who is America?’, listen up!
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This episode opens with a discussion on the 'No Scars cream' advertisement sent in by a listener. Rajyasree describes her experience of watching the advertisement as, “No Scars is a whitening cream, and darkness is like a scar. I just found it bizarre, and it’s so badly written, this ad.”Then, a chat about the government’s new PSA on mosquitoes. “Whoever’s made that ad either loves mosquitoes or hates children," says Abhinandan.Next, a discussion on Netflix’s first original Indian series, Sacred Games. “The production quality, the scripting, the acting, they’ve just nailed it," remarks Rajyasree. “There are very few things that one could say is wrong with this series," Abhinandan adds.On the use of voiceover and file footage as commentary for Indian pop culture of the time, Abhinandan remarks, “I think it works because it had political context, but sometimes, I felt it was a bit forced.”Varun Grover, a co-writer of the show, joins the panel. On the source material, he says, “There are some characters we have removed from the book…because we wanted to focus on the religion and the thriller element, and the war of civilizations in a way.”Then, a glimpse into the writing process: “We started meeting in August 2016, and discussing the ideas, themes, and characters. After 3 months, we started fleshing out the thing into a major season arc. Third stage came in January 2017 when we started writing the episode outlines, putting together all the character arcs, and putting them under the POV of Sartaj or Gaintonde.” This was followed by a year of writing episodes.Grover also discusses working with the source material’s author. “Vikram Chandra has been very generous and open to new ideas. When we shared it with him the first time, he never asked us ‘why did you drop this’….he just accepted it and start giving ideas on how to improve it.”For more on this, RJs giving love advice, and the trailer of Fanney Khan, listen up!
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Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss the latest biopic in town, Sanju, with Samar Khan from Mumbai. Khan, who is a former journalist, says, “It is a well-made film. It follows Rajkumar Hirani's theory, where he finds good in everything that is bad with the world."Rajyasree is not as much a fan of the film and says, “I thought the film was quite badly made. It is not a fictional film, considering all of Rajkumar’s films have been fictional films. This is a biopic, that has been promoted as a biopic. I understand if you present some facts, especially about a person you have worked with successfully, with a rose-tinted view. This entire thing about hoisting all responsibility of all of Sanjay Dutt’s actions on other people, he took drugs because of someone else who tricked him into it."In response to Rajyasree's comments, Abhinandan says, “In a biopic, you see shades of grey in everybody. However, in this case, he just came across as a caricature villain from a fictional film.” Talking about Anushka Sharma’s character, he says, “I don’t know if there is one such writer who starts crying every time Sanjay Dutt tells a story. It was a completely ridiculous character.”Sen also discusses the criticism of Karan Johar for trying to remake Sairat. “There has been a lot of criticism for Karan Johar because he is making this film called Dhadak, which is starring Sridevi’s daughter and Ishaan Khatar, and I could not understand why he is getting trashed because when I saw the trailer and then the promos and songs, it looks like a Karan Johar film.”Talking about the nature of biopics, Abhinandan says, “After you watch a biopic, it says based on true events, but the next line is that similarities are coincidental. I don’t understand that. If you are making a biopic, then every character and every event should be true in that. Now, there is this new convention that the central character will be real, the rest we’ll make shit up as we go along.”Talking about another film based on a real person, Rajyasree says, “Soorma is the story of this hockey player called Sandeep Singh who made a comeback after he gets shot and he’s put in a wheelchair and how he makes a comeback. I quite liked the trailer, and I quite liked Daljit Dosanjh." In response, Abhinandan says, “Daljit looks the part, but the thing that is of concern to me is the whole ‘based on true events’. That means that probably one event was true, but the rest will be nonsense. These are the kinds of things that piss me off. Either you say that the film is a figment of my imagination and I’ll enjoy it."Rajyasree also discusses Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 by saying, “Tigmanshu Dhulia is directing it for the third time. I felt the trailer was like the first two films. I can’t make out the difference. And Jimmy Shergill has to stop playing a villain. Even he has to be tired of it.” And then there’s the new biopic of Jaggi Vasudev which will be directed by Shashank Ghosh and produced by Rhea Kapoor, and of course, approved by Jaggi Vasudev’s Isha Foundation.Abhinandan closes by talking about an Everest Masala ad with Amitabh Bachchan. “It has this little boy and his mother…I thought that ad was really good.” There’s this and more. Listen up.
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This week’s Awful and Awesome is loaded with reviews from all spheres of entertainment. As a die-hard fan of horror movies, Rajyasree talks about her spooky weekend screening -- Hereditary and Under the Show, which is also available on Netflix. Abhinandan shares his love for animated films and talks about The Incredibles 2. India Today’s “new celebrity interview series” along with Times Network’s campaign are discussed. Netflix special Nanette has got everyone talking about Hannah Gadsby so why should our hosts be left behind?Rajyasree talks about Hereditary for which she had heard grand reviews claiming it to be the “scariest movie of the year”. The Ari Aster-directed movie left Rajyasree very disappointed. She says, “The first 2o minutes held a lot of promise." However, she adds, “There is no way this film can scare you." Abhinandan mentions, “I found Sixth Sense very spooky”.Under the Shadow, a Persian film set during the Iran-Iraq war also claimed to be “one of the scariest films”. Rajyasree confesses, “The film had some moments though, I have to say.” Even though it didn't really live up to its expectations of being a scary-enough horror film, she adds.Abhinandan gushes a little over his love for “animation films and children” and how that prompted him to watch The Incredibles 2. However, he doesn't seem very happy with his decision. He says, “I was disappointed." He mentions, “The plot is that superheroes have been made illegal…and how this family of superheroes does not know what do." He goes onto talk about the importance of political correctness in animation films. He disapprovingly adds, “I really struggled through it.”Netflix original Lust Stories featuring movies directed by four big names in the Bollywood received its share of criticism from Lata Mangeshkar’s family. Rajyasree informs about a scene in the movie which shows “a woman using a vibrator in front of her family” with the backdrop of Lataji’s voice. The ‘inappropriate usage’ of the such a prestigious voice has got Lata Mangeshkar’s family very upset. Rajyasree makes a rational argument while talking about the ownership of the song. Abhinandan talks about the orthodox thinking amongst their family and adds, “I don't think they know we are in 2018.”Rajyasree is thoroughly “surprised” by Senator Ted Cruz’s sense of humour. She talks about the twitter spite between Jimmy Kimmel, a popular talk show host, and Cruz where Kimmel has trashed the Senator for his weight and his unwarranted loyalty to Donald Trump. She adds, “Ted Cruz took it really sportingly." Abhinandan disagrees and says, “I wouldn't be so charitable towards him…he’s such a slimy miserable man." The crux of the matter is well condensed by Rajyasree who uses this example to convey to people to “just be a sport about things” instead of taking every comment personally and offensively.AirBnB’s new commercial starring Rajyasree’s favourite, Saif Ali Khan and Karishma Kapoor, has left Abhinandan disappointed. He says, “It's an ainvayi commercial”. Rajyasree maintains her loyalty to Saif and adds, “I really like Saif so I think most of what he does is wonderful."Times Network launched a new campaign in an ‘attempt’ to promote the importance of female news anchors. Rajyasree expresses her cynicism towards the campaign and mentions, “The copywriter has blown my mind…good job Times Network, as usual." Indian Today TV has started a new series called India Today, India tomorrow. The show is being hosted by Rajdeep Sardesai and has celebrities from two different generations come together. Rajyasree informs “they've said it's a new this thing,” in terms of the concept of the show. She informs the series debuted with Gulzar and Meghna Gulzar (his daughter). Abhinandan feels, “Rajdeep is one of the poorest...as an anchor, he is just the worst." Rajyasree brushes off the topic by adding, “it wasn't bad”.
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On this podcast, Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss celebrities, controversies, review the promo of Gold starring Akshay Kumar and Netflix's Lust Stories.Rajyasree felt that Atul Kochhar’s reaction to Quantico was extreme, to put it mildly. She also comments, “He’s a bit of a fool also because he’s sitting in Dubai, an Islamic country and you’re trash talking Muslims without thinking that there’ll be some repercussions.” Abhinandan adds, “Not only is he a bigot, he's also an idiot!”Rajyasree recaps the whole episode of Virat Kohli’s video post of his girlfriend Anushka Sharma rebuking a person for littering the road. As an experienced A/V professional, Abhinandan says, “Even when you consume video you must always question when you see a video what happened exactly fifteen seconds before this and what happened fifteen seconds after this.” He proceeds to explain his point by recreating a hypothetical dialogue. He concludes, “In this whole episode, no one comes out looking good. So next time, you have to do a good deed, do it and shut up.”Rajyasree talks about The Graham Norton Show episode in which Rihanna was light-heartedly called a ‘wine glass thief’. The episode quickly became a meal for media houses in India who ran it with horrible headlines, and the duo discusses the merit of the media coverage.Abhinandan describes the promo release of the film Gold. The duo finds the promo utterly bad.They talk about the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in which Robbie Williams who performed, showed his ‘middle-finger’ on air.Expressing dissatisfaction on his short appearance, Rajyasree says, “I thought it was blah...He just sang four songs and he left.”Rajyasree also talks about how Robbie Williams once fit one of the ‘Spice Girls’ - his then-girlfriend in a suitcase to evade media.Speaking of the World Cup anthem, Abhinandan says, “It’s a shit World Cup song.”They discuss the new Netflix film-series, Lust Stories. Abhinandan says, “Either the directors did not get the brief, that this is lust stories or they made four films on whatever the fuck you want and then Netflix said let's club them together and call them Lust Stories.” He adds, “Putting in a random sex scene in an otherwise complicated relationship kind of defining film does not become a lust story. If you’re calling something Lust Stories you should explore lust.” He proceeds to enumerate his observations on the film and delivers a rant on Karan Johar.Rajyasree speaks about the fact that after 32 years of operation, Pixar Animation Productions has finally released a short film directed by a woman.
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This week’s Awful & Awesome has our hosts reviewing Rajnikanth-starrer Kaala and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Rajyasree talks about the Netflix series, The Staircase, which is a documentary on a murder investigation spanning 16 years. Abhinandan has some thoughts to share about the latest World Cup anthem. Rajyasree also discusses, “ABC sticking their neck out” for Priyanka Chopra in the latest Quantico controversy.Abhinandan seems to be a little late to the Veere De Wedding party but can't resist sharing his views on it. He says, “I enjoyed it. I didn’t think it was great and I didn’t get knocked out." He mentions the weakness of the film being that “it's made by a guy, so it is his kind of view” about women. He adds, “While it set out to be Dil Chahta Hai, it ended up being Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara."Getting to the films, Rajyasree states, “This is the first Rajinikanth film I have watched...it was surprisingly understated." Abhinandan sheds light on the plot of the film and says, "There is a character Kaala, who is the head of a slum, Dharavi, the largest slum...and his battle against a powerful politician/ builder." Rajyasree lauds the director for his explicit politics portrayed in the film. Abhinandan agrees that it is a “very brave film to make”.Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is next on the list. Abhinandan is definitely unimpressed. He calls it a “really crappy film” that “sucked like a vacuum cleaner”. Abhinandan talks about the Jurassic Park concept that moulded itself into a movie in 1993 and how the portrayal of the same thing has worn out the content and the audience. He adds, “Now its just a money-making thing."The suicide of chef Anthony Bourdain has left both Rajyasree and Abhinandan stunned. Abhinandan talks about Bourdain's life on the road and the possibilities of that contributing to his depression. He adds, "(It is) lonely being on the road." Rajyasree informs us that “he had referred to his depression” in an interview before. She mentions, “He was a very intense man.”The release of the new World Cup anthem, ‘Live it up’ sung by Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi hasn't impressed Abhinandan much. Rajyasree says, “I only remember Shakira and Ricky Martin had sung one." Abhinandan informs, “World Cup anthems, there is no system for them to be chosen." He also adds, “If your song gets picked, the whole fucking world knows you." Rajyasree fangirls over Will Smith. She also talks about ‘Soccer Aid’ started by Robbie Williams in 2006 through which “they raise money for UNICEF…these players play for free”. Abhinandan says, “Football does so much good in the world”.Netflix series, The Staircase has got Rajyasree raving over how good it is! According to her, the documentary “has been shot over 16 years….first 8 episodes were originally aired in 2004”. Like other murder mysteries, this also doesn't really have a conclusion” but it is “spectacular the way they follow the family and the case, Rajyasree says. Abhinandan talks about the nature of documentaries and what adds to their credibility.
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Abhinandan and Rajyasree are back this week to bring you the latest from the world of pop culture.Rajyasree reviews Veere Di Wedding, starring Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania. She says, “In the first half of the film, it’s like none of them have bothered to read the script or learn their lines.”On asking why, she says, “Because they’re acting so terribly. It’s just horrible acting.”But what irritated Rajyasree most was the ridiculous product placement.“There’s Amul ice cream! These ‘rail thin’ women other than poor Shikha Talsania are shown as eating lots of Amul ice cream,” she adds.Abhinandan speaks about his experience dealing with clients as a filmmaker. He says that clients keep wanting the product placement to be ‘seamless’.Rajyasree talks about the film Get Out (2017) that won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and is finally available for viewing in India - but only on HBO. And she’s able to convince Abhinandan to watch it.The duo discuss a recent advertisement on menstrual hygiene - “First Period”. Rajyasree informs us that the advertisement was released on World Menstrual Hygiene Day. Abhinandan says, “Acting is terrible…I don’t understand the message.” Rajyasree talks about mansplaining and how the director, Mozez Singh takes the concept to a “different level”. She adds, “I do feel it’s a bit much for a man, who has never had his period…to tell me, a woman, why my mother did not do something.”Abhinandan is clearly amused by the video of the “dancing uncle”. The video features Professor Srivastava, who teaches electronics in Bhopal. Prof Srivastava “may be teaching electronic but his moves are electric”. Rajyasree adds, “his head movement is very good”. Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss what makes a video go viral in the digital space.The duo also discuss Salman Khan’s Dus Ka Dum, which is back on air after nine years. Rajyasree says, “Such a rubbish concept according to me…very braindead.” She talks about Salman Khan himself issuing a disclaimer and stating, “This is not an intelligent show”. The conversation turns to gym freaks on Instagram. Abhinandan says, “Dus Ka Dum is a shit show and Instagram is a shit concept”. And, Rajyasree definitely does not want to see you all in your gym clothes. Listen up.
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This week’s Awful and Awesome has Abhinandan and Rajyasree finally lavishing some praise on a film. There are a few trailers, an online series and a commercial to wrap up this episode, and Rajyasree talks about the “grandest wedding in town” as well.Deadpool 2 replaces the otherwise promised review of High Jack (sorry listeners!) Directed by David Leitch and starring Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool 2 is a superhero movie “for adults” that hit the cinemas this week.Abhinandan says: “I was curious to see what is a superhero film for adults”. He feels it is “brilliantly written”. Rajyasree, while admiring Reynolds, talks about the quirkiness of Deadpool 2 which comes from the “cracks about superheroes” in the movie itself. Abhinandan adds that the “opening credits were hysterically funny”. Rajyasree “loved the music in Deadpool”, while Abhinandan recommends it and calls it a “most satisfying film”.Next up, the trailer of Race 3 gets hysterical reception from Abhinandan and Rajyasree. Directed by Remo D'Souza, the movie will star Bobby Deol, among others. Rajyasree sounds almost petrified when she says, “Bobby Deol is back and he is bare-chested!” Abhinandan feels it is the “shittiest trailer… I hope they make Rs 20”.Moving on “from the sublime to the ridiculous and back to the normal”, the trailer of Bohemian Rhapsody seems promising. The film is a biography of Queen singer Freddie Mercury and stars Rami Malek. Rajyasree says: “It’s amazing how much they’ve made him look like Freddie Mercury.” Abhinandan mentions, “Growing up, I have loved Queen’s music, but no I've not been a fan of Freddie Mercury… I was underwhelmed by the trailer”.Another trailer that Rajyasree really likes is of Bhavesh Joshi: Superhero starring Anil Kapoor’s son, Harsh Vardhan Kapoor, who made his debut in Mirziya. It is a “vigilante drama” revolving around a group of boys “who keep seeing things happening around them” and finally decide to take the law into their own hands.Abhinandan approves of the trailer and says “definitely makes you want to watch the film”. Rajyasree adds, “it does look like a cool film”. While she seems impressed by Harsh Vardhan, Abhinandan comments, “every time he opens his mouth, he says something so stupid… just pipe down ya”.The trailer of Mowgli by Andy Serkis wins praise from both Abhinandan and Rajaysree. Abhinandan thinks “it was spectacular” while Rajyasree talks about Serkis' intention to make a dark version of The Jungle Book. Rajyasree adds that it's “spectacularly shot”. Abhinandan, however, talks about how The Jungle Book has “worked in every avatar of its making” and that Hollywood remakes on the original story could jeopardise this film. Moving on to what’s new on Netflix, 13 Reasons Why (Season 2) has been aired. The show revolves around Hannah Baker who commits suicide because she is bullied in school. Rajyasree informs us that it is a “very popular show, based on a book by Jay Asher”.The great "Royal Wedding" of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle caught Rajyasree’s attention over the weekend. She says: “More than 29 million Americans tuned in to watch them getting married”. She also joked about the large number of security personnel present at the wedding. “If a terrorist attack had happened, they would have been able to get rid of half of the British entertainment industry and Oprah Winfrey and the others,” she adds.Finally, a “spectacular commercial” called “Who stole the cup” concludes the agenda of the day. Rajaysree says “it’s a UK production” starring the legends of football. The ad is about a betting site, which Rajyasree could not figure out. Abhinandan asks her: “You didn’t know about the product watching the ad, does that mean it’s a good ad or a shit ad?”All this and much more. Listen up.
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This week’s Awful and Awesome episode with Rajyasree is loaded with entertainment and a little bit of gossip. Abhinandan and Rajyasree talk about Raazi, Mother’s Day ads, and Rajyasree talks to Abhinandan about the celebrity wedding and engagement that flooded everyone’s social media feed, and lots more.The podcast starts with Abhinandan interviewing Meghna Gulzar, where she talks about her new film as a Director and Writer, Raazi. On being asked about the kind of positive reviews the film is getting and does it matter to her, Meghna says: "They will never not matter because you’re creating something to put out there for the people to opine on. That opinion will always be relevant and important. So yes, it is overwhelming because there’s been complete approval across the board barring one or two here and there. The numbers, the way the film is performing at the theatre, are still really growing so there’s a word of mouth. There’s an acceptance from the people. Then you come across messages which people are sending and forwarding, which say we were watching it in this theatre, the audience stood up and clapped at the end. That is my biggest payoff."Then she goes on to talk about her first film Filhaal, problems during the shoot of Raazi, nepotism and more.Abhinandan and Rajyasree then discuss the film that stars Alia Bhatt. While Rajyasree says “I didn’t think Alia acted well”, she also adds, “All the actors were very well cast… I just find it really nice that a mother and daughter played a mother and daughter on celluloid also”.Abhinandan, in agreement with Rajyasree, says, “All the reviews had built it up so much for me” and adds that “I really liked its politics… it kept me hooked throughout”. Rajyasree shares trivia about Hansal Mehta’s films Shahid and Omerta before moving on to the trailer of The Spy Who Dumped Me. Abhinandan comments on it, saying “very ordinary trailer… montage of funny moments”. However, he acknowledges that the movie has a “spectacular cast”, the kind that “will pull you in the cinema”.The Susanna Fogel movie starring Mila Kunis, Justin Theroux and Hasan Minhaj among others will definitely be “very funny”, according to Rajyasree.Chef Vikas Khanna makes his directorial debut with the film The Last Colour, starring Nina Gupta. Rajyasree says “the plot revolves around the Supreme Court order against the age-old tradition of not allowing widows in Vrindavan to play Holi”, which was apparently not obvious in the trailer. She feels the trailer was more of an ad for “Exotic India” and the movie is “highly avoidable”. Abhinandan says the “film is going to be below average”.Rajyasree talks about the “weddings we virtually attended” - of Sonam Kapoor with Anand Ahuja and the engagement of Isha Ambani to the “Piramal boy”. Rajyasree talks about the “romantic” engagement in the temple and Abhinandan talks about how these weddings and engagements went viral on social media.“Every third thing on that day was ‘watch the viral video of Nita Ambani dancing’,” he says. Mother’s Day celebrations catch Rajyasree and Abhinandan’s attention, with ads released by Mother Dairy and Kotak Silk. Rajyasree feels the first ad has a “nice concept” focusing on not just the mother, but “a galaxy of women that bring you up”. Abhinandan, however, calls it “too goody, goody nice acting”.Rajyasree confirms “they are very loving, these mothers I have to say… nobody has a natural reaction”. Abhinandan adds “there should be some reality to these ads”.The Google Assistant ad is the last on the agenda. Rajyasree talks about what is happening and “technology which makes you think you’re talking to a human” and how this feature may be the “beginning of the end of humanity”. Abhinandan agrees and says, “artificial intelligence has gone to a different level”. Lastly, they discuss RJ Naved’s latest prank and what's funny and what's not funny with such pranks.
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This week’s Awful and Awesome episode ends the trauma of having “nothing good to watch or read”.Abhinandan’s favourite actress, Madhuri Dixit, takes the spotlight with the trailer of her upcoming Marathi film Bucket List. While Rajyasree says “she’s pretty much playing her age… her face moves”, Abhinandan comments on the issue of "dramatic" acting by “80s’ actresses when they act in 2018” and also says “this trailer is a really good trailer… although it seems like a regular, feel-good film, the plot seems interesting. There seem to be some really good humour points”.Rajyasree doesn't seem too impressed by Veere Di Wedding starring Kareena Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha Talsania. Abhinandan says “it seems like a more fun version of Angry Indian Goddesses”. He talks about the “first-half comedy and second-half tragedy” approach used in Bollywood. Rajyasree talks more about Bollywood “moving away from the stereotype of portraying leading women as ‘good girls’”.Rajyasree gushes over Saif Ali Khan in his upcoming Netflix TV series Sacred Games, based on the book by Vikram Chandra “Not from NDTV, to be clear”. The story revolves around the two characters from the Bombay underworld and the Maharashtra Police.Next on the agenda is the Rajkumar Rao-starrer Omerta, in which the actor plays the criminal mastermind behind several major terrorist attacks around the world - Omar Sheikh. Abhinandan praises the works of director Hansal Mehta and Anurag Kashyap, but says, “kept (the movie) me hooked… it was really flat but wouldn’t want anyone else making it". Rajyasree feels Omerta is worth watching simply because Sheikh's is an “interesting ‘life”.Avengers: Infinity Wars makes it to this episode, having clocked a billion dollars in its opening week. While the world is going crazy over the movie, Abhinandan says it's “not my favourite”. Moving on to the world of literature, Rajyasree discusses the sexual harassment charges against author Junot Diaz. Rajyasree talks about the #MeToo movement and how it has helped people gather the courage to speak up. Abhinandan comments on how the “Nobel Literature Prize will not be given this year because of similar reasons”.Finally, Priyanka Chopra makes the news of the day with her comments on the controversy around the character “Apu" from The Simpsons. The controversy was triggered by a documentary released by Hari Kondavola addressing the issue.Rajyasree says: “Priyanka Chopra is doing the rounds of the talk shows and so on” for her upcoming season of Quantico. She talks about the actress coming from a privileged background and feels “her trauma is something I have not been able to wrap my head around".Abhinandan dwells more on stereotypes reinforced in Bollywood and the extent of political correctness. And then comes the advice that everyone should take into consideration – “If you’re so offended by Apu, then get a life”.
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On Awful and Awesome this week, we bring to you from the archives Abhinandan in conversation with Sabrina Dhawan, who has written Monsoon Wedding, co-written Kaminey, Ishqiya and Rangoon and been a consultant for Haider. She also teaches screenwriting at New York University. The movie Monsoon Wedding shot her to stardom at a very young age in her career.They talk about the factors that make a film successful, what works and what does not.Films like Kaminey and Ishqiya did well at the box office while Rangoon didn't. Abhinandan questions what could be the reason behind a film's fall and success. Sabrina says: "Unlike writing a book, a film is an intensely collaborative medium. So the writing is one part of it. Even the directing is one part of it. Any one element can sink a film. Eventually, it is a good story that is well told. Because you can have a good idea but if it isn't well told, then that doesn't work. That said, even a great script is not director-proof, it's not casting-proof."Furthermore, she says it is a "miracle" if a movie does well because that means everything came together.Talking about the screenwriting course that she teaches at New York University, she discusses how screenwriting is a "craft" similar to carpentry or plumbing. She acknowledges that one needs to have stories to tell, nobody can teach you that. "What I am teaching them is how you actually craft your idea, a lot of it is also teaching them how to externalise or dramatise something because unlike a book, a script is a story told in pictures."Regarding Monsoon Wedding, she recalls the time when she pitched the idea to a bunch of executives. Her idea was appreciated but the executives felt the movie wouldn't be commercially viable."But we made that film, super low-budget and it ended up finding audiences throughout the world. This taught me a really important lesson, that it's really important to write the story you want to write and write it as truthfully and authentically as possible,” she adds.Abhinandan asks about her challenges when she rewrote the script of Monsoon Wedding from film to theatre. Initially, she thought that since the film is a musical, it would only be a change in formatting because a film and play have different formats. "But it doesn't work like that at all. Going from screen to stage, the fact that you don't have a camera changes everything. You can't cut to location. Of course with sets and production like how many transitions and how do you transition, you can't just keep coming back to the location."Sabrina mentions her love for Zoya Akhtar’s film Luck By Chance. "I thought it was brave and incredibly compassionate. It had this great look and was very satirical and very dark. And the fact that it was made by someone who is an insider in that world and to look into the perspective of an outsider is incredible.”Other films lined up in her list of favourites are Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Deewar.Tune into Awful and Awesome for more!
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On Awful and Awesome this week, Abhinandan and Rajyasree are joined by our very own Deepanjana Pal (DJ). This time, she's back as a guest to talk about her first novel Hush a Bye Baby, a thriller about a gynaecologist, Dr Nandita Rai, who is accused of conducting sex-selective abortions.Sekhri and Sen question DJ about her choice of genre. In response to which, Pal says, “So, at a very basic level, I think it’s fair to say that Hush a Bye Baby is kind of in the middle of many genres. It is a thriller, I hope. But it is also a social drama like you’re describing. It does have a lot to do with the society in which all of this is taking place. It isn’t a conventional murder mystery which is what most thrillers tend to be. There are no dead bodies in this. In many ways, it’s a little bit of a cross-genre kind of a thing.”After having discussed the novel extensively, and DJ’s view on abortions and a woman’s autonomy over her own body, Sekhri and Sen move on to discuss the bizarre, shocking, and extremely disappointing comments made by Bollywood celebrities on rapes in India.The greatest superstar of the country, Amitabh Bachchan, also the brand ambassador of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, when asked to comment on the Kathua rape case, said: “‘Don’t bring up this issue, it is terrible to even talk about it.”While it is a disgusting incident, that doesn’t mean you don’t comment on it. As Sekhri commented: “He is a superstar and we respect him but he is like every other uncle.”Next in line is Saroj Khan, who had something to say about the existence of the casting couch in the industry: “Tum film industry ke peeche kyu pade ho. Woh kamse kam roti toh dedeti hai. Rape karke chorh toh nai deti”. To Sen, the justification that she is making is hardly some salvation.While Bachchan’s and Saroj Khan’s old age can be held up as an excuse for making such statements, what reason does Ranbir Kapoor have? Speaking about the casting couch, the Rockstar actor said: "I don’t know if it exists. I have never been expected to do it” and then laughed!Sen had a very obvious remark to make to that, “For everyone who comes from a level of privilege in their sphere of life, to say I’ve never seen this deprivation is ridiculous.”Moving on, the duo discusses the teaser of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Sanju, produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Rajkumar Hirani. Both are highly impressed by the actor’s uncanny resemblance to Sanjay Dutt, but the teaser fails to make a mark on them.According to Sen, “I didn’t think much of the teaser. I thought it was a bit farcical. Like they had just slapped it together. And for some reason, I got the feeling that it was making a hero out of Sanjay Dutt’s stupidities. Because I do think he’s a silly man. He came from the lap of privilege and went wayward. That has been made into a virtue.”Sekhri, however, is less harsh in his opinion on the teaser, “What they’ve attempted is very clever. His life is more tragic than comic. But rather than make the trailer tragic, they attempted to make it almost farcical. I don’t think it works. But it was a clever thing to have tried.”Next, the new Durex Kohinoor Meetha Pan condom ad is reviewed. For Sekhri, the ad is "wrong in all sorts of ways". He also adds, “Ever since Pooja Bedi’s Kamasutra ad, nobody has come up with a classy condom ad. All condom ads have been sleazy.”Talking of advertisements, the next topic of discussion is a print ad commissioned by the ministry of health, to promote healthy eating and being slim. But of course, it’s only directed at women. No surprises there.Sekhri brings out the fallacies that this ad, which shows two women of different sizes, displays.Lastly, Sen talks about an Amazon original that she watched, written and acted in by Sumukhi Suresh, called ‘Pushpavalli’.
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The Awful and Awesome is back this week to give you a dose of the latest pop cultural updates. Rajyasree and Abhinandan take you through three Hollywood trailers, two films (A Quiet Place and October), the National Awards and Beyonce’s performance at Coachella.Starting with ‘A Quiet Place’, the duo believed it wasn’t half as good as the trailer promised. Regardless, both Sen and Sekhri did appreciate the skill required to direct and act in a horror film with minimum dialogue. Abhinandan says, “I won’t say I hated it but when you take up such a difficult job, you have got to be super brilliant to pull it off.”Then we have Sen reviewing Shoojit Sircar’s ‘October’ alone because Abhinandan has pledged to not watch a Varun Dhawan film again (the last Dhawan film he watched was ‘Judwaa 2’, that must explain it). Sircar’s direction and Juhi Chaturvedi’s writing is back after Piku in this film. Dhawan plays a grumpy and disgruntled hotel trainee, Dan. When one of his fellow trainees goes into a coma after an accident, he suddenly finds a purpose in life. Sen finds it difficult to relate to this unusual obsession but liked the way Sircar portrays Delhi. Commenting on Varun’s acting, she says, “He has acted better than he has acted before.”Rajyasree and Abhinandan also discuss the National awards, which started off with understandable awardees such as Newton for best Hindi film and Baahubali for best action, direction and special effect. But Sridevi getting the best actor female award for Mom, according to the two, reeked of sentimentality.Moving on, both our reviewers were highly impressed with the trailers of ‘The Wife’ starring Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce, and ‘Can you ever forgive me?’ starring Melissa McCarthy and Richard E Grant. For the former, Sekhri says, “It is one of the most compelling trailers I have seen in a long time. Think it is going to be great. I hope it is not like ‘A Quiet Place’ where the trailer was 20,000 times better than the film.”However, the two were quite unhappy with the trailer of ‘Solo’, next in the series of Star Wars. A new Star Wars film every year is a ‘money-making machine for Disney’, feels Sekhri.Sen then discusses Beyonce's performance at Coachella and how this was the first time since 1999 that a black woman had headlined the fest. But that wasn’t the only reason why Coachella was making news. Philip Anschutz, the owner of Coachella’s parent company, is, in fact, a Republican donor and a huge supporter of anti-LGBT groups. Which has been all over the news lately. Regardless, Beyonce’s two-hour-long power-packed performance, in which she went through five outfit changes (and also nail polish changes), was definitely worth a watch.Listen up now for all this and more at The Awful and Awesome, and as Sen rightly said, “Pay for free news and better jokes”.
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The Awful and Awesome has a lot in store this week. A special treat for all book lovers is Rajyasree Sen’s interaction with Seema Goswami, author of ‘Race Course Road’, followed by a discussion on the IPL, Salman Khan, ‘Missing’, and Russell Crowe’s genius.Starting off with the book, Goswami’s past work experience with ABP and Sunday Magazine is reflected in her approach towards politics in this fictional political thriller, which starts off with the assassination of Prime Minister Birendra Pratap Singh, and goes on to answer the questions -- Who was behind it? Who will become the next PM?Although fictional, Rajyasree finds the characters mirroring many Indian politicians and doesn’t hesitate in naming them. According to her, these characters are obviously inspired by real-life personalities -- there’s an Arnab, a Barkha Dutt, and there is definitely, definitely a Mamata Banerjee. Sen feels that the book surpasses other thrillers by dealing with themes like the invasion of privacy, the treatment of women in politics, and the role of media.Moving on, we have our dear own Abhinandan Sekhri joining Sen. The ‘Awful and Awesome’ duo makes it a point to discuss as much of ‘awful’ as ‘awesome’ and comments on the glamorisation and commercialisation of cricket, which Sekhri does not even consider a sport (thank you, IPL!). The grand opening ceremony with performances by Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandes, and Mika Singh are not spared, with Hrithik Roshan being the only one praised by our hard-to-please reviewers. If all this isn’t enough, there are two awards -- ‘the most stylish player award’ (Gautam Gambhir seemed as disgusted receiving it as Sen and Sekhri felt discussing it), and the ‘Star Plus nayi soch award’ (what does that even mean?). Abhinandan had one answer to all this, “We just fuck up everything.”Further, Sen and Sekhri have both had their own shares of torture this week, watching ‘Midnight Sun’ and ‘Missing’ respectively. The former has nothing to offer except a cliché teen story where nothing bad happens. The latter, on the other hand, is a disappointing psychological thriller about a child who goes missing during a family ‘business trip’ to Mauritius. As Sen says, Missing can easily go ‘missing from the halls’.Next, they go on to discuss the new iPad advertisement that shows the gadget's use in homework for children -- much to Abhinandan’s distaste, and the commonwealth film by Edelweiss Group, which again fails to impress Mr Sekhri due to its ‘terrible writing’.Of course, this week had to have a discussion on the media coverage of the conviction of our beloved Bhai. It was, as Sekhri puts it, ‘news as entertainment about an entertainment superstar’. Apart from Khan’s non-discrimination among species and colour of skin, unnecessary details (his popularity in China, his earnings from Big Boss) given by the media are discussed. Priya Gupta, co-producer of movies like Blackmail, gets a special mention for her defences given for the superstar.Sen goes on to enlighten us about the innovative method that Russell Crowe has come up with to pay his divorce alimony of 20 million dollars by an auction called the ‘Art of Divorce’, that, ironically, he opened on the day of his wedding anniversary.All in all, the awful and awesome will take you through all this and more, including books, movies, advertisements, and mastering the art of divorcing your wife in style.
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In this episode, we bring you a full dose of entertainment and cinema. Rajyasree discloses her illegal access to cinema, while Abhinandan’s habit of name- and place-dropping is pointed out by Aditi, our Awful & Awesome enthusiast.Sekhri and Sen review Call Me By Your Name, which was banned from being shown at the Beijing Film Festival for no good reason. And they discuss James Ivory’s comment on the lack of full frontal nudity and normal sex scenes in the film.According to Sen, “The film stars a very beautiful man called Armie Hammer whom we’ve seen play the Winklevoss twins in the Facebook film, it also stars Timothée Chalamet, whom we saw in Lady Bird as the rebel boyfriend." She also gives us a sneak peek of the plot, “Timothée Chalamet plays a boy called Elio whose father is a professor. Armie Hammer plays Oliver, is a graduate student of Elio’s father...It’s about the love affair that starts between both of them” and is an “extremely well scripted, beautiful film”. Sekhri and Sen also discuss the significance of the year 1983, which the movie is set in.There’s also talk of why the trailer of Nude was in the news and why it was pulled from the International Film Festival Of India in November. According to our Awesome & Awful duo, the film has a “spectacular trailer”. Sekhri says, "It makes you watch the film. The plot unfolds with a brilliant cast, it’s beautifully shot with perfect lighting. It has a promise to make a political statement but not an in your face sort of political statement.”There’s a little insight about the trailer of the film, Dundee, with Sekhri giving millennials a bit of context about Crocodile Dundee which was a pop culture phenomenon when he was in school (in the Dark Ages).Then, of course, there’s the man for all seasons, Salman Khan’s Being Human summer campaign – Look Good Do Good - where he promotes people who are trying to change the world by doing noble things. Sekhri says, “Salman Khan is ‘looking good’ and others are ‘doing good’”…The purpose of this campaign is to change Salman’s image.”Unsurprisingly, Tetley’s green tea advertisement starring Deepika Padukone is Sekhri’s favourite campaign of the week. There’s an interesting anecdote from Sekhri about Tea and Egypt!There’s also Anurag Kadhyap’s Karta, a short film presented by Kashyap and directed by Randeep Jha – which Sen quite enjoyed. The pièce de résistance though, is a musical rendition of a Punjabi song by Sekhri, while commenting on Punjab government’s proposal to set up a committee to eradicate vulgarity from Punjabi songs. And there’s Sen’s question with an un-Googleable answer (or so she hopes) at the end.Much to look forward to this time.
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Films, ads, magazines, trailers, radio shows, adult film stars and playmates. There's much to discuss this time around. Rajyasree has a lot to say about Rani Mukerji's comeback film, Hichki. There's the Pulse candy and Star Sports commercials, both of which Abhinandan shockingly seemed to like. There's much excitement over a new show on the "Eton of India" and can't decide whether it's a documentary or a reality show.There's movie talk with Cobra Kai, Missing and High Jack's trailer and a new radio show on Radio Mirchi with Pooja Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt named Bhatt Naturally. And how could they possibly not discuss Stormy Daniels' and Karen McDougal's interviews with Anderson Cooper. Listen up!
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Music, movies and more. Abhinandan and Rajyasree have a lot to say about the remix version of Ek Do Teen and Daler Mehendi's side-business of human trafficking. Sekhri shows us why he could be a music producer, if it wasn't for his day job at Newslaundry. There's movie talk with Omerta's trailer and Danny Boyle's new gig directing a woke James Bond. From the world of Netflix, there's the brand new stand-up special by Ricky Gervais Humanity and documentary Wild Wild Country about the cult leader, Osho, his Oregon ranch and the deadly team of ladies who managed his Ashram. And there's Kunal Kamra's excellent new stand-up show, Fresh Thoughts. And let's not forget Snapchat's disastrous ad which tried to make a buck off Rihanna being beaten up by Chris Brown, only to find the tables turned.
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It's a surfeit of women on this episode thanks to International Women's Day. Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss Barbie's new "woke" range of dolls, Jane Walker whisky, the strange housewives of Maggi's new ad and Reliance Fresh's #JeeLeZara campaign. There's movie talk with Coco, which Sen finally watched and recommends, and Rajnikanth's new film Kaala's trailer, which they have a lot to say on. There's a new ad-cum-music video for Apple directed by Spike Jonze. Rajyasree also discusses Rajdeep Sardesai's interview with Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan and Abhinandan tells us why he couldn't watch the full interview. All this and more. Listen up!
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In this episode, Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss two new advertisements - All Out's # StandByToughMums and Peek Freans ‘Cake Up’. They aren't too pleased by Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird, although Abhinandan has a change of heart about Black Panther.It's also awards season with #Oscars 2018 and HT India's Most Stylish Awards. To prove that they both read as well, they discuss Grihlakshmi's cover of model Gilu Joseph breastfeeding a baby, and the backlash to the campaign. And there's Monica Lewinsky's latest Vanity Fair article on the #MeToo campaign. And there's a look at the world of Netflix with Tu Hai Mera Sunday and Icarus which won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Listen up!
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In this episode, Meghnad and Rajyasree discuss Sridevi's legacy and the coverage of her death. They move on to discuss Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, the extremely tedious Filmfare Awards and why it was the worst award show in the last few years. They also talk about the video of singer Papon kissing a child contestant and Papon's response. There's the video criticising AIB's casting of mainly male characters... and to save the best for the last, there's Amruta Fadnavis' song featuring her husband Devendra Fadnavis, the Maharashtra chief minister, and sundry civil servants. A mixed bag of goodies if ever there was one. Listen up.
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Abhinandan Sekhri is back from America to discuss all things pop culture with Rajyasree Sen in this week's podcast.In this week's podcast, does it all add up when it comes to Tinder, Facebook, Pan Bahar and PNB's new commercials? And there's a very special advertisement starring a superstar and a good friend of Sekhri's and Sen's in it. Abhinandan also explains why Black Panther wasn't all it was touted to be.From the world of Netflix, Rajyasree talks about Ryan Murphy, Chris Rock's Tamborine and Netflix's first Original Hindi film, Love Per Square Foot. And of course, there's the BAFTAs and a new question for all Black Panther fans. Listen up!
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In this episode of Awful and Awesome, we have Meghnad making his debut. Rajyasree and Meghnad start the discussion with Padman and Akshay Kumar's acting in the film. Rajyasree talks about movie Peter Rabbit and why the "allergy communities" have taken offence. They also talk about a TV series, Swami Ramdev: Ek Sangharsh, web series Breathe, Queer Eye and Lost.
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In this podcast, Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen start their discussion with Ram Gopal Verma's God, Sex and Truth: A philosophical Treatise of Mia Malkova. Abhinandan talks about RGV's genius-to-insane journey. With reference to it, he talks about a brilliant shot from the movie Shiva. They also talk about Steven Soderbergh's Unsane which was shot on an iPhone, entirely. In addition, Rajysaree talks about critically-acclaimed horror movie Hereditary and Reema Kagti's Gold, in which Akshay Kumar plays the role of a Bengali. Apart from this, she talks about advertisements and Superbowl and Justin Timberlake's hologram tribute.
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In this wrap, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review Padmaavat. They discuss the 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony and the recently launched trailer of HBO documentary Andre The Giant. They also discuss the Jaipur Literature Fest, recent trends in poetry as well as new Netflix series Dirty Money and Manhunt. This, Amruta Fadnavis and India Today's Rahul Kanwal's piece-to-camera at Davos, Vanity Fair's cover and more. Listen up!
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In this podcast, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review The Darkest Hour and talk about Saif Ali Khan's comment on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Padmaavat. They also discuss the recently-launched trailer of Welcome to New York featuring Karan Johar in a double role. Apart from this, they also talk about Prakash Raj's comment on Hinduism and Shah Rukh Khan's speech at Davos. Rajyasree also discusses Neha Dhupia-hosted BFFs with Vogue's latest episode. This, Stormy Daniel's Make America Horny Again and more. Listen up!
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In this episode of Awful and Awesome, Rajyasree Sen joins Abhinandan Sekhri to review Anurag Kashyap's Mukkabaaz and Steven Spielberg's The Post. They also discuss Karan Johar's show, Calling Karan. Apart from this, Rajyasree talks about Black Mirror, David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction and Seinfeld’s Comedians In Cars Drinking Coffee. Abhinandan and Rajyasree also discuss Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming movie, Padmavat.
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The Awful and Awesome is back after a six-month hiatus! This week, Abhinandan Sekhri and Manisha Pande talk about the Golden Globes and Oprah Winfrey's oh-so-awesome speech. They also discuss some of the winners and their works. Our in-house Star Wars junkie and Art and Design Director Anish Daolagupu joins the duo for a discussion on The Last Jedi and why loyalists were miffed with it. Finally, we'd like to crowd-source Bollywood songs that show how poorly understood the idea of consent has been in films through the years. Listen up.
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This week, Abhinandan Sekhri talks to Sabrina Dhawan, who has co-written Kaminey,Ishqiya, Rangoon and Monsoon Wedding and been a consultant for Haider. She also teaches screen writing at New York University. The movie Monsoon Wedding shot her to stardom at a very young age in her career. They talk about the factors that make a film successful, what works and what does not. All this and more, discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Jagga Jasoos, the latest in the Planet of the Apes franchise, War for the Planet of the Apesand the Ava DuVernay-helmed A Wrinkle in Time. The two also weigh in on the IIFA Awards, the new ad Selfie With Didi, and the cuts in Amartya Sen's documentary The Argumentative Indian. And of course, the FIR against AIB. All this and more, discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review Sridevi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui starrer MOM and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Sen and Sekhri also discuss Amazon Prime's first Indian web series, Inside Edge starring Vivek Oberoi and Richa Chadha; Meena Kandasamy's book When I Hit You, a book written by an anonymous author for Bloomsbury, The Incest Diary and the storm it has created before its release, a music video from The Hamilton Mixtape, Immigrants(We Get The Job Done). All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review Cars 3, Netflix's recent release Okja and a short film presented by Imtiaz Ali, Bruno and Juliet. The two also discuss Hulu's series The Handmaid's Tale by Bruce Miller based on the 1985 novel by Margaret Atwood of the same name, Netflix's new series Gypsy starring Naomi Watts and Poorna Jagannathan and journalist Sagarika Ghose's new book Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister, did we really need another book on Indira Gandhi? Finally, the two discuss Serena Williams' pregnant photo shoot for Vanity Fair, is it stretching a trend too far? All this and more discussed, and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri review Salman Khan's Tubelight and how it failed to do well at the box office despite being an Eid release. The two also discuss the trailers for Madhur Bhandarkar's Indu Sarkar, Arjun Rampal's Daddy, as well as Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma's Jab Harry Met Sejal. They weigh in on the new Netflix documentary, Nobody Speak, on the trial between Hulk Hogan and Gawker Media and how it brought down a media empire. And who is Banksy? All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the Rajkummar Rao and Shruti Haasan starrer, Behen Hogi Teri. Is it worth a watch? They also discuss the trailers of Akshay Kumar's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Kushan Nandy's Babumoshai Bandookbaaz and Marvel's Black Panther. CNN dumping Reza Aslan for his anti-Trump tweet also finds a mention. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the much heralded Wonder Woman with Gal Gadot and also Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut, Death in the Gunj. The two also try to decipher the trailer for Sridevi’s new film, MOM. Then there’s comedian Kathy Griffin’s photoshoot with a decapitated Donald Trump and the resulting fallout, Bill Maher and oh, what was Delhi jazz club, Piano Man casteist turn. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Wasim Akram's acting skill in Geo Tv's new ad. The two also weigh in on the documentary An Insignificant Man based on Arvind Kejriwal, Netflix's Brad Pitt and Ben Kingsley starrer War Machine. Ofcourse, then there's Priyanka Chopra's apperance on "Dirty Laundry" and Shiv Aroor's debut novel Operation Jinnah. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss recent releases Half Girlfriend & Hindi Medium, the Indian remake of Rambo starring - wait for it - Tiger Shroff, Netflix's A Very Secret Service. Also, Ketan Mehta's legal notice to Kangana for ‘hijacking’ his film on Rani of Jhansi, Anupam Kher's new show on Republic TV. All this and more, discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Meri Pyaari Bindu, the trailer for Kangana Ranaut's Simran and the resultant controversy around it. The two also weigh in on Netflix's Get Me Roger Stone and Miss Sloane. And they'd be amiss if they didn't discuss Justin Beiber's performance in India, and how disappointing it was. Did you know Shah Rukh Khan's gave a TED Talk? Well, listen in to find out more. The Indian Air Force has a new ad and our podcast duo have many thoughts. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the trailers for Salman Khan's Tubelight and Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. Then there are ads to discuss, from Tata Tea's Jaago Re ad campaign to the Skore condom one, featuring Chris Gayle. The two also go over the furore over Stephen Colbert's homophobic Donald Trump joke and the blasphemy investigation against Stephen Fry's . All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, the trailers for Behan Hogi Teri, Baywatch and ALT Balaji's latest show The Test Case. And of course, there are so many ads to discuss, from Heineken to Shan Food's, created by Ogilvy India and Ogilvy Pakistan. They also weigh in on Vir Das's debut performance at Conan O'Brien's show and Hasan Minhaj's performance at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner and what it says about journalism in the age of Trump. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss The Zookeeper's Wifeand Sonakshi Sinha-starrer Noor, which is based on Saba Imtiaz's novel Karachi, You're Killing Me!The two also discuss Deepika Padukone's new coke ad, Netflix's 13 Reasons Why and Prayaag Akbar's book, Leila. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss Vidya Balan's Begum Jaan and what went wrong with the film. The duo also discusses a short film produced by the India Today Group, This Bloody Line, Raveena Tandon's Maatr woes, Asha Parekh's autobiography, The Hit Girl with a forward written by Salman Khan. And of course the most anticipated trailer of the year--the Sachin Tendulkar biopic, Sachin A Billion Dreams.
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This week, Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss This American Life and Serial's new podcast, S-Town. Sekhri explains why every journalist should listen to this podcast. The duo also discuss Pepsi's new ad which they had to pull down and the trailers of Half Girlfriend and Noor. Finally, Sen and Sekhri talk about the recently-concluded National Awards. Did Akshay Kumar deserve the best actor award for Rustom? All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss Rahul Bose's Poorna, Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra's Meri Pyaari Bindu. The two also debate Marna Mana Hai, an episode from the web series "Phir Se Ramsay", written and directed by Sasha Ramsay. Pal had lots to say about the new Vicks' ad Generations of Care and the director Neeraj Ghaywan. Shilpa Shetty has a new cooking show and the two have a lot to say about that. All this and more discussed and dissected on this episode of The Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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Last week, two 'lady-oriended' movies, to quote the Central Board of Certification, were released and of course our two culture vultures have a lot to say about both of them. Rajyasree Sen was surprised to find she really enjoyed Anuskha Sharma's new film with Diljit Dosanjh, Phillauri. Deepanjana Pal has a few bubbles to burst as far as Swara Bhaskara's Anaarkali Of Aarah is concerned. Yet, for all its flaws, it warms the cockles of Pal's feminist heart. Find out what Sen and Pal think of Durex's new product, Durex Jeans, Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale and a lot more on this episode of Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, there are beasts and heroes popping up all over the world of pop culture. The new version of Disney's Beauty and the Beast is raking in the moolah across the world. Find out what Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen thought of the retelling of this beloved fairy tale. Hint: they're not very impressed with Belle. However, they've got a lot enthusiasm for the leading ladies of Feud and Big LIttle Lies. As far as Aparna Sen's new film Sonata is concerned, they're a tad bit dubious. Find out why. Sen and Pal also discuss Chetan Bhagat's new plan to become India's Elon Musk and develop an electric car. There's scandal in Bollywood with Nawazuddin Siddiqui taking on Filmfare, a Times of India publication, and asking for an apology because the magazine claims his marriage is on the rocks. Sen is very excited about Spirited Traveller, a new cooking show anchored by chef Kiran Jethwa. All this and more, discussed and dissected in this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.For reference visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/03/22/the-…wrap-episode-36
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What, dear listener, is freedom? Is it the aghori rolling around on the banks of the Ganges so that the American camera crew films him? Is it watching Lipstick Under My Burkha? Is it something that Randeep Hooda and his curly beard will give you? This week, Rajyasree Sen and Deepanjana Pal ponder on all this while they talk to director Alankrita Shrivastava about her "lady-oriended" film, Lipstick Under My Burkha. Hear their reviews of CNN's Believer With Reza Aslan and Hooda's new show on MTV, The Big F. Also, was Mira Rajput's comment on working women worth this much fuss? And both ladies have a lot to say about the allegations of sexual harassment against The Viral Fever's Arunabh Kumar. Also, Baahubali 2! All this and a lot more discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss Hugh Jackman's latest film, Logan. It's Wolverine's last stand and both our culture vultures gave the films two thumbs up. They also discuss Karan Johar blaming Kangana Ranaut for playing the victim card and nepotism in Bollywood. Also, Johar is now a father, which is a good reason to discuss surrogacy in India. On Air With AIB is back. Tanmay Bhat, Rohan Joshi, Gursimran Khamba and Ashish Shakya chatter about nationalism. Could they be India's answer to John Oliver? All this and a lot more discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.Fro references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/03/08/the-…wrap-episode-34
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen go from Bollywood to Oscars, to films the Central Board of Film Certification doesn't want you to watch. Find out what Pal thought of Rangoon. Hear them weigh in on the controversy surrounding the award-winning film, Lipstick under my Burkha. AIB has a new video titled A Woman's Besties, and our two culture vultures have differing opinions on it. And how can they not talk about the Oscars, which celebrated the cuteness of Sunny Pawar and ignored the dark cloud of sexual assault hovering over Casey Affleck? All this and more, discussed and dissected in this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.
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It’s a very special episode this week because Jerry Pinto joins Rajyasree Sen and Deepanjana Pal, all the way from America. Pinto has written a new novel, Murder in Mahim. Set in Mumbai, the novel begins with a dead body that’s found in a local train station toilet. As the bodies pile up, it falls upon retired journalist Peter Fernandes and Mumbai cop Shiv Jende to figure out who is responsible for this killing spree. While unspooling this crime, Pinto takes the reader on a walk through Mumbai’s gay subculture, which is forced to lurk in the shadows because of Section 377. Sen and Pal also talk about Riverdale, a new show based on theArchie’s comics. And of course, our resident culture vultures have a lot to say about Kangana Ranaut on Koffee with Karan. Listen up.
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen have everything from books to award shows on their mind. Find out what they thought of Adele, James Corden and Beyonce's performances at the Grammys. Sen has a crush on Stephen Fry and she might just be turning into a fan of Akshay Kumar after watching Jolly LLB 2. They discuss a bunch of ads, including with Patanjali's ad for a new range of beauty products and Tata Tea's new Jaago Re campaign. Sen and Pal also have for you a quick review of Jerry Pinto's new novel Murder in Mahim. Finally, hear what they have to say about Gurdas Mann's new song, Punjab. All this and more, discussed and dissected in this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/02/15/the-…wrap-episode-31
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen are unimpressed by Badrinath Ki Dulhania but giddy with excitement about Phillauri, Anushka Sharma's new film. Find out what Sen thought of the most expensive film tonne made in China – The Great Wall, starring Matt Damon. There's a brand new series on Netflix - Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. And how can we talk pop culture and not mention Lady Gaga’s half time performance at Super Bowl 2017. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/02/08/the-…wrap-episode-30
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss Sanjay Leela Bhansali being assaulted and the demands of the Karni Sena that is offended by Bhansali's Padmavati. Did you think there would come a day when a Hindu Right-leaning group would raise hell to defend the honour of a Sri Lankan princess as imagined by a Sufi Muslim poet? Sen and Pal certainly hadn't. Find out what our resident culture vultures think of Kaabil, Raees and the much-awaited new film from the MSG series. There's also David Harbour of Stranger Things, who brought down the house at the 23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Shah Rukh Khan's free-wheeling interview with AIB on a podcast that's actually a video. Finally, there are two books that have caught Sen and Pal's attention: The Corpse That Spoke by Sidin Vadukut and Dear Left Sock And Other Letters, by (Khushnaz) Lala. From murder mysteries to kiddie books, who else will bring you a range like this? All this, discussed and dissected in this episode of The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.For references please visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/02/01/the-…wrap-episode-29
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss a new Netflix documentary called The Karma Killings, a new Samsung ad featuring Dangal star Sanya Malhotra, the West Bengal tourism ad featuring Shah Rukh Khan and his new film Raees. And finally, they talk about Vikram Bhatt's new web series Maaya. All this and more is discussed and dissected in this episode of the Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.For reference visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/01/26/the-…rap-episode-28/
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Haraamkhor, and Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor’s Ok Jaanu. They also talk about Sankalp Reddy’s The Ghazi Attack which, as claimed by the makers, is the first Indian film based on and shot inside a submarine. But guess what? They’re wrong. They discuss Karan Johar’s book The Unsuitable Boy and Meena Iyer’s book Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored, co-written with Rishi Kapoor. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/01/19/the-…wrap-episode-27
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss whether Sansui Stardust Awards compare to the Golden Globes. If you thought that everyone in Bollywood had copped out of making a statement, let Sen tell you how Riteish Deshmukh and Abhishek Bachchan did their bit. Sen and Pal are excited about Rangoon -- listen and find out why. Karan Johar’s new book An Unsuitable Boy is out, but has the media handled it responsibly? Pal doesn't think so. We've also got an early peek at the documentary Saints of Sin, which talks to women who have turned "sins" into virtues. Finally, don't miss the politically-incorrect and hilarious video, Housewives of ISIS. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/01/11/the-…wrap-episode-26
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The new year is here, and so are our culture vultures, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen. Can Raees do what Dangal did? Also, what's this new avatar that Ranveer Singh has in the new Thumbs Up ad? And if you've been wondering why Hrithik Roshan is dancing in a detergent ad, Sen has an explanation. There's also a dissection of Aaj Tak anchor Shweta Singh's appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show and a discussion on whether KKK. Finally, how can we not discuss Taher Shah’s new video, "Humanity Love"? All this and more, in this episode. Listen up!For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2017/01/04/the-…wrap-episode-25
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This week, Abhinandan Sekhri joins Deepanjana Pal on the podcast, which means we need to preface this with an advisory: some of the language this time is, ummm, strictly PG-16. Find out what Pal has to say about the criticism that some feminists had for Dangal and Sekhri's favourite film of the year. Find out which was the greatest movie of 2016, according to our duo. Sekhri has a lot to say about Priyanka Jagga's exit from Bigg Boss. And then we have the trailer of Blade Runner 2049, ad campaigns by Pampers and Dainik Bhaskar, and All India Bakchod’s high hopes for 2017 as detailed in "Peeke Mat Chala". All this and more, discussed and dissected, for your listening pleasure. For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/12/28/the-…wrap-episode-24
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What's in a movie trailer? When it comes to Subhash Kapoor’s Jolly LLB 2 and Anurag Basu’s Jagga Jassoos, a lot. Rajyasree Sen and Deepanjana Pal talk about moustaches and other curiosities as they dissect these newly-released trailers. Both of them are fans of Madonna’s speech, delivered after the pop icon won BillBoard’s Woman of The Year award. They're less impressed by Bindass’ web series, The Trip. And there's total disagreement when the two talk about the new cover of National Geographic. Also, they tell you why Amazon Prime's over-cautious self censoring is a bad sign. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap.Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For reference visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/12/21/the-…wrap-episode-23
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen start off with Aditya Chopra’s Befikre, the bizarre characterisation & whether Ranveer Singh & Vaani Kapoor have done a good job. Also, Ok Jaanu’s trailer about yet another couple having premarital sex, Shah Rukh Khan telling us to be his guest in Dubai in a new ad film, La La Land and finally William Dalrymple & Anita Anand’s new book on the Kohinoor. All this and more discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap.Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a gem of a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/12/15/the-…wrap-episode-22
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It's NSFW time on our pop culture podcast, courtesy DJ and producer Nanok's Lay You Down. Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen have a few questions and a little disagreement about the video that shows Monica Dogra and Anushka Manchanda making out in proud, gay abandon. Also on the podcast, our two culture vultures discuss whether the new Pirelli calendar deserves as much applause as it has got. Find out what they thought of Evan, an American short film made in memory of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting of 2012. And finally, the Raees trailer is here!Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/12/07/the-…wrap-episode-21
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Deepanjana Pal And Rajyasree Sen watched Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani 2 for you and the film, unlike its predecessor, hasn't really scored highly for either of them. Find out all the twist and tales in the plot, whether no make-up is equal to great acting and whether Arjun Rampal's handsome face saves the day. There are loads of spoilers in this so don't say we didn't warn you. Listen up and let us know what you think at contact@newslaundry.com.
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The aliens have landed, Shah Rukh Khan has redefined therapy, Pakistani women are saying "Beat Me" -- so much to dissect, so little time. This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi, the trailer of Martin Scorsese’s Silence and two short films. Tisca Chopra is the star of Chutney, according to Sen and Pal.Find out what they thought of Wes Anderson's ad for H&M, titled Come Together. Pal has much to say about Denis Villeneuve's Arrival, which is being tipped to be an Oscar favourite. Plus, there's the UN Women Pakistan’s ad Try To Beat Me, I Am Unbeatable. Trigger warning: the discussion on Memories of a Machine concerns the topic of child sex abuse. All this is discussed and dissected in this episode of Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap.Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast, This time we changed our style of asking the question, so keep your ears perked. Send your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/11/30/the-…wrap-episode-20
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Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen are back with their weekly entertainment roundup. This week, Pal and Sen go from concert to movie to a Netflix series, to a cooking show with Zarine Khan and finally to ads that make them go hmm. Amit Gurbaxani, co-founder and chief editor of The Daily Pao, is a special guest on the show and he's got all the details of how Global Citizens Festival India went. Heard of Brown Nation, the new Netflix show on Indians in America? Neither Pal nor Sen enjoyed it much. And of course, there's a whole lot about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, JK Rowling's first film as a screenwriter and a return to Potterverse. Listen to find out what is the best pet in these demonetised times, Sonu Nigam's new "musical narration" on the currency ban, and how not to take your work home (Jack Jones and Ranveer Singh, we hope you're listening). And as always, we have a question for you as well. Listen up, and send us your comments and answers to contact@newslaundry.com.For reference visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/11/24/the-…wrap-episode-19
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Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen have a special guest this week - Abhinandan Sekhri, connoisseur of Punjabi pop and one of the few people who watched Rock On 2. The three of them discuss the controversial PayTM ads and you can find out what Sekhri and Shah Rukh Khan (allegedly) have in common. There's no bandh on the drama with these three. There's also Ananya Birla's new album and fans of Shael Oswal, you're in luck. For those of you who haven't heard of either of these two people: listen, learn and enjoy. There's also a round-up of the how the best of America's satirists reacted to Donald Trump's victory. Though the one trumping all of them may well be the winsome John Cleese. As always, there's a quiz question at the end. Listen up and send us your comments and answers at contact@newlsaundry.comFor reference visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/11/16/the-…wrap-episode-18
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Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen have watched a whole lot of television this week. Koffee with Karan, with Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan, had Pal rolling her eyes and Sen a little worried about Khan's multiple orgasms. There's another Star show that's got our critics' attention: P.O.W.- Bandi Yuddh Ke, which is director Nikhil Advani's take on the Emmy-winning series, Homeland. Except who took away Carrie Mathison and turned her into a bearded Major Vikram Singh. Also on Indian televisions, the second season of Love School is here and Sen has watched it, especially for you. Across the waves that Britannia once ruled, there's the new Netflix series,The Crown. Find out why Pal found it meh and why Sen loves it. Plus, a little bit of love for indie artist Prateek Kuhad. And of course, in the end, we have a very interesting question for you as well. Listen up, and send us your comments and answers to contact@newslaundry.com.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/11/09/the-…0%8B-episode-17
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Ae Dil Hai Mushkil created quite a buzz and now that it is out in theatres, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen are ready with the verdict. Catch them dissect the movie and analyse the characters, language, location and everything in between. Sujoy Ghosh's Kahaani 2: Durga Rani Singh trailer is a mystery on its own and managed to baffle the best of us. The planet is dying and we are concerned- the documentaries Before the Flood and Years of Living Dangerously are celebrity packed packages which hit home with substantial content and 'superstar' celebrities. The fun quiz question is back this week AND we also read out a letter from you. Write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments {with love :)}.For references please visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/11/02/the-…wrap-episode-16
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What an eventful week! From Black Mirror to a bucket full of short films, including Neeraj Pandey’s Ouch to Danny DeVito’s Curmudgeon, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen have a lot to say this week. Find out what they think of Aamir Khan’s Dangal, Hrithik Roshan’s Kaabil and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dear Zindagi. Also, moving towards the advertising world, Salman Khan has been dropped as Thumbs Up’s brand ambassador. Can you guess why? Also, Amazon’s new ad campaign, Color’s new promo and finally, the weird W magazine cover.Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.
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Deepanjana Pal wasn't here but that didn't deter Rajyasree Sen from bringing you the next episode of Awful and Awesome, (Abhinandan Sekhri came to the rescue!). "Befikre" has 23 kisses taking place in it; Priyanka Chopra has apologised for her infamous 'traveler' t-shirt; Bigg Boss has 'commoners' this season; and what's in a (sur)name? (Hint: patriarchy). Listen to Episode 14 and broaden your entertainment wisdom. Bonus- Abhinandan Sekhri explains why Shiv Sena cannot survive in Delhi. Also, there’s a fun quiz question at the end. Write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments.For reference visit: www.newslaundry.com/2016/10/19/the-…rap-episode-14/
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It's a special episode this week, with author and columnist Chetan Bhagat. Bhagat joins Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen to talk about his new novel, One Indian Girl. This is the first time Bhagat's protagonist is a woman and he's written it in first person. Find out what Bhagat did to get in the average Indian woman's mind (hint: it includes hot wax). Also, dear listeners, you might want to hear this one on headphones because Bhagat talks about delicate issues like fellatio and cunnilingus. Plus, Bhagat gives you his vichaar on whether Pakistani artists should work in India (he wants to offer them asylum) and Tannishtha Chatterjee’s response to Comedy Nights Bachao and a lot more. Listen up!
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What an eventful week! Bridget Jones’s Baby, the sequel to Bridget Jones’s Diary, is out. Leena Yadav’s film Parched released. Netflix’s documentary on Amanda Knox’s controversial murder charges comes out on October 1 and in celebration of the Presidential Debates in America, Audi has a brand new ad that has Rajyasree Sen and Deepanjana Pal in a tizzy. Plus Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’s trailer launched to an explosive reaction: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena have said they will not let ADHM release because of…Fawad Khan. Pal and Sen ponder on why Bollywood must be the only one to bear the brunt of breaking ties with Pakistan. Oh, and you have to hear what Sen thinks of the “Brangelina” divorce. Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For reference link visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/09/28/the-…rap-episode-12/
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The Emmys were historic this year, and Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen watched have some highlights for you. Katrina Kaif won the Smita Patil Memorial Award, and as far as Sen is concerned, it's not worth outraging over. Find out why. The documentary Bachelor Girls tells us how difficult it is for single women to find a house in Mumbai. In more exotic news, Ellen Page and Ian Daniel's recent visit to India makes up the new episode of Gaycation. Approach with caution — contains Baba Ramdev, who claims to have a cure for homosexuality. Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For reference visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/09/21/the-…rap-episode-11/
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This week, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen leapfrog from critically-acclaimed documentary, Placebo, to the pulpy Freaky Ali.There's little agreement between the two of them on the film front, but when it comes to the new music released this week, there's complete consensus. Find out what they have to say about the "Bolo Har Har" from Shivaay and the first new release from Mother Monster herself, Lady Gaga. And then there were the advertisements. Sen and Pal have a lot to say about the Mia, Adidas Odds and Amazon's #MomBeAGirlAgain campaigns. As always, there's a question at the end of the show. Listen up, and send us your comments and answers to contact@newslaundry.com.For references visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/09/14/the-…rap-episode-10/
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Is "unauthorised" basically leave to speculate? Seems that way from Yasser Usman, who has written Rekha - The Untold Story, a gossipy, breezy read. Amitabh Bachchan's letter to his granddaughters on Teacher’s Day raises a number of questions. Is it just a PR stint to promote his upcoming movie, Pink? Speaking of Pink, we've found the best part of the film: Qurat-ul-Ain Baloch's beautiful rendition of the song "Kaari Kaari". There's a lot of beautiful music in this episode, and there's MSG - Sherdil. Listen up as Deepanjana Pal & Rajyasree Sen help you up your pop culture game. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For references please visit:www.newslaundry.com/2016/09/08/the-…wrap-episode-9/
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From arty films on urban life to lesbians in Indian cinema and Karan Johar's new film, there's a lot that Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen have on their minds this week. Listen up as Pal offers an explanation for why Aishwarya Rai Bachchan chose Jazbaa (and not ADHM) as her comeback film. Sen takes you through two new web series, The 'Other' Love Story and Tripling. There's also their review of Island City by Ruchika Oberoi, which won an award and acclaim at last year's Venice Film Festival and is releasing this Friday. And you know you want to hear what they've got to say about Anthony Weiner's sexting scandal.Up your pop culture game with a little help from these two critics. And as always, there's a question at the end of the podcast. Send us your answers and comments to contact@newslaundry.com.For reference links, visit: www.newslaundry.com/2016/08/31/the-…wrap-episode-8/
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In this week’s episode, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen discuss Chetan Bhagat’s #BeatPeBooty dance, his new novel, One Indian Girl & we even read out some parts from the book. Rohit Shetty directed Return of Ranveer Ching ad & Anouk’s Bold is Beautiful ad both leave us with one question - what on earth was going on? Spending so much money on celebrities and production value and still not making any sense? We tell you how ad campaigns by beauty products are getting the basic idea of feminism wrong, and look! Indian Indie singer Nischay Parikh is on Billboard. Oh also, there’s a quiz question at the end to help you keep up your pop culture game. Write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments.
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Did your last week go by watching uber patriotic videos that made your chest swell up to 56-inch with pride and nationalism and drove you out on the streets to celebrate the Independence Day? No, right? It went pretty much the same for Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen. In this episode, listen to them talk about the videos which did the rounds on the internet giving the occasion of Independence Day their own zing- the funny Kangana Ranaut starring 'Love Your Country' music video, a colonially hungover sketch by All India Bakchod and how can we forego Kangana playing Goddess Lakshmi in a Swachh Bharat campaign video. They also discuss Akshay Kumar-starrer Rustom, the trailer of the upcoming Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Pink, the rubber crocodile in Mohenjo Daro and the new snazzy trailer Ranveer Ching Returns among other things. And oh, we have a cool quiz for you in the end as well. Do write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments.For reference links, visit: www.newslaundry.com/2016/08/17/the-…wrap-episode-6/
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In this week’s episode, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen jump on the bandwagon to discuss what the world cannot stop talking about- Olympics! Dipa Karmakar wins hearts and prayers while American athletes set camp on a ship. Freaky Ali promises to educate Bollywood about golf while The Great Indian Penis Survey hits below the belt (see what we did there?) with enlightening and amusing results. Oh also, there’s a quiz question at the end to help you keep up your pop culture game.Write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments.Produced by Kartik Nijhawan
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It's the only podcast that goes fearlessly from arty Death in the Gunj to pulpy Mamta Kulkarni. Listen up as Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen talk about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the newly-launched TV channel FYI, cheer for the new Ghostbusters, salute Mamta Kulkarni, analyse the furore over Melania Trump’s photos in New York Post. Plus, there’s a quiz question at the end. Write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments.For reference links visit www.newslaundry.com
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Did you miss Comic-Con in America? Don’t worry, we have it covered for you. What is right or perhaps wrong with Tata Salt’s campaign #NamakKeWaastey? In this week’s episode, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen review Kabali, Wonder Woman’s new trailer, Sherlock Holmes Season 4 & a lot more. Plus, there’s a quiz question at the end. Write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments.For reference links visit www.newslaundry.comProduced by Kartik Nijhawan
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Have you wondered what Pokemon Go is doing to the way you see the world? Why does Qandeel Baloch deserve serious respect from all of us? In this week's episode, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen contemplate these questions, sex objects, Tam-Brahm boys, and more. Plus, there's a quiz question at the end. Write to us at contact@newslaundry.com with your answers and comments.For reference links visit www.newslaundry.comProduced by Kartik Nijhawan
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Who tames the Indian male? Can Sid Mallya act his pants off? Is there an ad that you should watch? From films, books, ads, magazines, to YouTube videos, Deepanjana Pal and Rajyasree Sen bring you their picks from the world of culture in The Awful and Awesome Entertainment Wrap. Sen is a consulting editor at Scoopwhoop and a longstanding member of the Newslaundry family. Pal is our managing editor. You've read them both on Newslaundry and now, you can hear them too.In the first episode, Pal and Sen sink their claws into Sultan, cheer for the new Nike ad and tell you the truth about Bollywood award shows. Plus, there's a quiz for you at the end of the podcast. If you know the answer, mail us at contact@newslaundry.com.Visit www.newslaundry.com for reference links.Produced by Kartik Nijhawan
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