The Odyssey I His & Hers I Tavishi Paitandy I Reviews I Tillotama Shome I Amol P IAkansha Ranjan

[00:00:04]Hello everyone and welcome to now showing. I'm your host Abby Jean B.

[00:00:10]But the only trips you can afford is a guilt trip.

[00:00:33]favorite film. So without further delay, let's take a look at what's brewing on this week's edition of Now Showing.

[00:00:43]Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is an epic tale of war and homecoming elevated by powerful performances from Matt Damon and Hatheraway and Tom Holland and breathtaking visuals.

[00:00:56]Netflix's His and Hers is a gripping slowburn thriller where everyone is a suspect and every twist changes the game. It's our top recommendation for your weekend binge.

[00:01:09]A freewheeling chat with tilotama shom about making the courtroom drama ika working with akshak khana and sanidol and her bond with van khan and amazon prime videos graham chikit salai season 2 stars Amul parasar akangaranjan kapoor and din lal yadav discuss the realities of the casting process why bollywood doesn't make more rural stories and the growing budget divide between bhjpuri and south Indian cinema All right, now let's start the show with this week's hottest releases and recommendations. Monday to Friday anime Friday.

[00:01:49]I know life's just not fair, but thankfully our entertainment and lifestyle editor is here to guide you to your weekly dose of Dhakar Entertainment. Over to you, Tavishi.

[00:02:02]>> Thanks Abijit. Hey everyone. Christopher Nolan has spent years making us solve puzzles. Momento, Inception, Tennet.

[00:02:12]Sometimes you leave the theater wondering if you need a second viewing or just a white bone. With the Odyssey, the scale is still massive, but the emotions take center stage and the result is spectacular. Based on Homer's epic, the film follows Odessius, played by Matt Damon, as he spends years trying to find his way back home after the Trojan War. But this isn't just a man versus the sea story. It's about choices, duty, identity, and the price of chasing glory.

[00:02:50]One line stays with you. Penelopey says in this world a man does what he chooses. For Odessius it's about freedom. For Penelope it's the opposite.

[00:03:03]Men leave, fight wars, become legends.

[00:03:07]Women stay behind and keep everything from falling apart. And Nolan gives Penelopey the space she deserves. And Hathway is terrific. She's not just waiting for her husband to return. She's running a kingdom, holding Ithaca together and dealing with people who think power only belongs to a king. Her face off with Telmicus over who has really ruled the kingdom is easily one of the film's strongest scenes.

[00:03:41]Of course, this is the Odyssey, so expect the full mythical package.

[00:03:47]Cyclopes, Sirens, Cerse, Calypso, they are all here. And Nolan makes every encounter feel larger than life without losing sight of the people at the center of it. Visually, this is simply stunning. In fact, it's the first feature film ever shot entirely with IMAX cameras, and Nolan makes sure you feel every inch of the screen. The storm sequence where Zuis unleashes absolute chaos at sea is breathtaking. The waves crash, the ship comes apart, and you almost feel like checking whether your own seat belt is fastened. Then there's the tro. We all know how that story ends. Nolan somehow still turns it into one of the film's most suspenseful scenes.

[00:04:41]Credit also goes to Ludvig Gansson whose score keeps your heart racing without trying too hard. Yes, it's almost three hours long, but it never feels in a hurry. The story takes its time, lets the emotions settle, and trusts the audience to stay with it. Matt Damon delivers one of the finest performances of his career. His audacious is brave, flawed and deeply human. An Hathway is the emotional anchor. Tom Holland shines as Talmicus while Charlie's Theron, Samantha Morton, Zendia, and Robert Patatterinson all make their moments count. It's also refreshing to see Nolan take creative casting choices with Lupita Nyongo, Himesh Patel, and Elliot Page making this ancient tale feel surprisingly contemporary.

[00:05:36]Compared to Nolan's recent films, the Odyssey feels less interested in outsmarting the audience and more interested in moving them. And that's what makes it special. The Odyssey is epic film making at its finest, visually breathtaking, emotionally rich, and packed with moments that deserve to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.

[00:06:04]This isn't just one of Nolan's best films. It's one of those rare cinematic events that reminds you exactly why we still go to the movies.

[00:06:26]If there's one thing his and hers gets right, it's making you suspicious of absolutely everyone. Even the nice neighbor starts feeling a little questionable. Based on Alice Feni's best-selling novel, this six-part thriller follows estranged couple Jack, a detective, and Anna, a TV reporter, who are pulled into the same murder investigation in the quiet town of Dalona. The awkward part, they both think the other might be the killer.

[00:06:59]Talk about unhealthy relationship.

[00:07:02]The show starts strong. The cold wintry backdrop, the muted colors, and the eerie silence set the mood beautifully.

[00:07:12]You know something bad has happened. You just don't know to whom or who's next.

[00:07:19]But this isn't just a murder mystery.

[00:07:22]It's also the story of a marriage that's barely holding together. Jack and Anna are still carrying the grief of losing a child. There's resentment, jealousy, unfinished conversations, and just enough chemistry to remind you why they fell for each other in the first place. Anna is also dealing with her mother's fading memory, adding another emotional layer to an already messy situation. And just when you think you have figured things out, the show changes the game. Everyone in Telenega has something to hide. Every episode throws in another twist and most of them genuinely catch you off guard. Better still, they are not there just for shock value. The series also digs into a traumatic incident from Anna's teenage years. Slowly, you realize this isn't a separate story at all. It's the thread holding everything together. Now, yes, his and hers streaming right now on Netflix is a slowbird. It doesn't rush, but that's exactly why the payoff works.

[00:08:34]The story gradually opens up into something much darker about grief, guilt, revenge, and motherhood.

[00:08:44]By the time the truth comes out, it all clicks into place. The final reveal might feel a little dramatic for someone. borderline soap opera and dramatic, but it's bold and it asks an interesting question.

[00:09:01]How far would you go to protect your version of the truth? Tessa Thompson is terrific as Anna. She keeps you guessing till the very end, balancing vulnerability with quiet strength. John Bernthal brings his signature brewing intensity as Jack and together they make every confrontation feel loaded. Crystal Fox, Marine Island and Suna Money also shine in the cast where nobody entirely feels innocent. Bottom line, his and hers isn't interested in cheap thrills.

[00:09:38]It plays the long game, and thanks to its clever misdirection, emotionally messy characters, and a string of genuinely surprising twists, it's a gripping watch that keeps you hooked right till the end.

[00:09:56][music] Thank you so much Tavishi for those recommendations. And moving on, Trotamash Shom is currently receiving praise for playing public prosecutor Madura Banerjee in last week's Netflix film Ika. She compares her experience of working on Sedhart Pi Mhotra's directorial to a delicious Bengali dish.

[00:10:23]My colleague Shrianka Mazumar sat down with Tilotama for a freewheeling chat recently and spoke to her about making the film and working with the very reserved Akshai Khana and Sanol.

[00:10:35]Tilotama also fondly remembers Ziran Khan and shares anecdotes from their first meeting on the sets of the 2005 film Shadows of Time 2 working together on films like Kissa and Hindi medium.

[00:10:48]Check it out.

[00:10:53]I want to ask you that you the Amedza Sunonni Akshai Khana you guys come from such different cinematic journeys you know so how was how did this was this diversity on set also interesting for you all >> yeah have you you're a Bengali now have you had patchar curry >> yeah it's like that like a churi the best churi that diverse things put together >> and tastes amazing amazing, you know.

[00:11:22]So, so I think it was a bit like that.

[00:11:24]Uh and uh I am so glad to be able to do work and have opportunities that surprise me. You know, um you have a certain kind of filmography and you think your life will go in a certain direction and then when you're surprised by opportunities that come in which directors look at you in a different way, it's it's great. I'm very glad to be working with co- actors and colleagues in this industry who have been around for far longer than I have and our worlds have never met and a story brings us together.

[00:11:58]>> I saw this comment on Instagram that Sanior left on one of your uh photos or videos that you know I'm hoping to work with you again. So you know he's been around for for well over four decades.

[00:12:09]So how does that sort of a respect coming from him? How do you respond to that?

[00:12:14]uh on I was so overwhelmed on honestly because uh I thought like you know you get lucky once uh but if it happens again [laughter] then uh you know there is a there is a a grace that uh that's working for me even if it doesn't happen the fact that he thought about it means a lot >> and left a comment I mean we don't see him doing that that often >> yeah I don't even I don't even know I didn't even think he would have an Instagram account. Honestly, he's a man of very few words and I really like that about him. He's uh keeps to himself, but it's not one of those cold silences.

[00:12:54]It's one of those warm silences. You know, you feel very comfortable in his silence and I quite quite like that in people.

[00:13:03]>> You know, Axana is also quite reticent off screen. So, so how is the dynamic like in between shots?

[00:13:09]>> I have no clue. I think if if if the universe gives me another chance, I just want to see him laugh and smile. Today, Sid shared a photograph of hugging Aka from the back and him smiling. I was like, "Wow, what is this man? Look at his dimples." [laughter] I didn't get to see it. I saw it once like uh you know I think I shared it once but um my my shot for the day was over and I was you know as as usual you know when my day is done I have to I rush took on my makeup was running to get to my car and I see someone crossing me and uh someone saidma hi or something so I was like oh who's this and hi and then so look so familiar and I [laughter] thought and then I realized what and he looked like it was a kana but he was smiling right so I couldn't tell it was him that's [laughter] quite a sight so yeah and I think every actor's process is different he really I think he was the kind of character that he was playing um and we only met in the courtroom set he uh really kept to himself and you know so I never went and spoke to him but with Tanisa we had a lot of interaction action and um it's very warm. I'm a big fan of the Dol family. I think I really like those men, the proper gentlemen, you know.

[00:14:37]>> I can't let you go without asking about Irwan Khan, of course. You know, is there an advice? Is there a moment that you that you look back at even today?

[00:14:47]>> So many. So many. Um we we met first time on the sets of a film called Shadows of Time. An kept coming into the room where I used to sit and read a book on set because I was preparing for some exam as usual and he would say I'm busy and he would walk away. Then finally one day he came in he said today is my last day so I have to talk to you about something. So I said yes please tell me.

[00:15:14]said, "Can you please give me Miran Nay's number or email address and uh cuz you just did Monsson wedding and I've been writing to her but I think I have the wrong email or the wrong number and he said she'd made me a promise that she would work with me after Salam.

[00:15:35]It had been 15 years already since he had done that film.

[00:15:39]I couldn't understand you know at that time what that meant but I did write to Mera they did connect um and then years pass I go to New York to study and he and Taboo were there for the screening of namesake >> namesake >> and uh the lights come on for the Q&A after the film and now in that audience he saysma janamat and then I was like oh my god I'm going to get to meet.

[00:16:12][laughter] Oh my god. So excited. I'm going to meet Taboo. So I meet Thank you so much. Can I please meet Taboo?

[00:16:24]And his face was like [laughter] he was so upset. years later I did Kissa with him and I played his daughter, his son and uh I still don't know what word to describe our relationship you know it's not friends it's not you know but yeah he's a very significant colleague uh who has had a really strong impact in my life even after his diagnosis um the reason I did Hindi medium and English medium was just because I could do spend one day with him and uh between Hindi medium and English medium is when my mom got diagnosed and uh so when he saw me again that freak of a man he again he saw me and said something has changed in you you're very relaxed nowadays are you having an affair with someone I said you know mind is in the gutter man no I'm not having an affair my marriage is really happy beautiful nothing's changing I don't believe it. Something's changed. I asked him a few questions about his treatment and I was like, "Oh, my mom." And he said, "Oh, that's it.

[00:17:44]You know, it's your mom." And it's true.

[00:17:47]I don't think we can really understand life until we are forced to understand death in a certain way. And yeah, so till the very last um you know I feel uh there was some kind of some kind of synergy and some kind of uh thing that you know I don't know I don't know how to explain this. You know what I mean?

[00:18:12]It's not like we hung out.

[00:18:13]>> Yeah.

[00:18:14]>> But he had such a profound but I think so many people feel that way about him.

[00:18:18]I'm not alone in that.

[00:18:23]Season two of Grand Chigat Salai opened to rave reviews when it premiered on Amazon Prime Video last month. And up next we have the lead cast members of the show actors Amul Parasar, Akang Sharanjan Kapoor and Desh Lal Yadav in conversation with my colleague Das Chadri about making the show why Bollywood doesn't make more rural stories for the big screen and what led them to choose acting over a career in medicine. Amul and Nagancha also explained the reasons behind casting directors sometimes not getting back to non-stars while DH Lal Yadav shares his thoughts about Bhpuri cinemas's struggle to match the heights of South Indian films. Listen inamilies police officer, huh?

[00:19:41]Doctor finally.

[00:19:45]>> What about you? Maybe I mean you are from a film family but still you ever had that aspiration? But I'm from a film family because my father, my dad was a principal. Okay.

[00:19:56]>> So my dad has five siblings papa was very serious.

[00:20:09]So my upbringing was my dad's upbringing.

[00:20:17]So mine was that because his world was that and he ran away from the doctor engineer teacher manukar life. This is Graham Chikit set in a rural area right I heard you talking about panchaya there was dupa also you know when it comes to the big screen I think today uh most of the stories largely I'm saying are very urban oriented leaning towards that do you think stories big screen TVF is making one premise changed a lot postm that is waves things go in waves move in waves it was there it's not there it'll come back the money starts flowing in that direction so that I think happens a lot with films which leads to the phases like she's saying and then another phase starts at some point experiment and I guess films theatrical films kind of follow that pattern.

[00:21:34]>> This uh series really sort of uh proved to be a gamecher you know for you in in a in different ways. I think it number one we couldn't have imagined seeing you in this setup because you're from Bombay you know you're an urban girl and all of that. Uh how much do you think uh the industry's perception let's say has changed towards you after this?

[00:21:55]>> Yeah I think that's a good one. Industry perception has changed. I feel like >> uh casting our casting is a bit lazy where everybody casts according to what they already know and what they've already seen.

[00:22:10]there's no innovation in casting. So I feel this was I'd give all credit to Arunab and Deepak Sa because they saw through that um and they are like you're a good actor.

[00:22:23]So that was the thing you know um so yeah I definitely thank them for that and yeah ind industry perceptions change like a lot of people who I know who are like deep rooted industry people and they're like oh man you can do that.

[00:22:37]like that's the point.

[00:22:39]>> Yeah, they almost surprised.

[00:22:40]>> Yeah, I I'm happy I could I I hopefully have pulled this off.

[00:22:43]>> But has it ever happened that uh you know you you were like auditioning let's say for a part? You were shortlisted but then the director felt key uh I don't think she'll be able to play this kind of a role because she's too modern, she's too urban and you just lost out on that.

[00:22:59]>> No, I don't think it reaches a point where you get shortlistes and then they say that you in audition only they're like oh but we wanted a more rooted girl. Oh, we wanted a different kind of this. Oh, we wanted we don't want a girl from the state only, for example. And then I'll see the casting. I'll be like, okay, but maybe have you borne the brunt of this somewhere in your career.

[00:23:26][laughter] But don't you ever ask so they will also say something like okay it was not my call I tried my best but you know we were looking for so you get like it's almost like a set email this is when you get fired But uh I then I understand okay I may be saying I can take it but maybe they face problems because of that. Maybe then somebody gets upset because failure is very easy to attribute to other people also.

[00:24:16]again didn't work out this way. Some people have that. I mean some one casting person who does that >> right because the kind of pressures they feel from actors. actors feel like [laughter] actor. So they're also fighting trying to find a balance between servicing their producer director but also trying to do a good job. And maybe this thing of not closing the loop is also important because you never the loop is never closed.

[00:25:09]>> [laughter] >> Okay, goodbye. That's so true.

[00:25:31]You're right. I'm just trying maybe but yes the proper way is to close the loopy in the capacity of a producer really sir.

[00:25:43]>> She has produced two of his films.

[00:25:46]>> Yeah. In Bihar and you have also worked with Jayan and Amitab Bachan.

[00:25:51]I want to say stars they're working there you know regional industry in whatever capacity actor despite all of this And with that we have come to the end of another edition of now showing.

[00:26:54]But I shall be back soon with some more amazing reviews, recommendations and interviews. Till then this is me Ajit Bud signing off. Stay filming, stay fabulous.