The Awful & Awesome Entertainment Wrap

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

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

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

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

While discussing Indian reality show The Traitors: Abhinandan: What’s the point of reviewing trash? Like what’s the point? Rajyasree: So, the reason why I watched it is because I have seen bits and pieces of The Traitors UK…They’re genuinely funny, they know that it’s campy, that it’s ridiculous that they’re walking around in a cape and all… Abhinandan: So that’s why we’re reviewing the Karan Johar version? Rajyasree: So, I wanted to see how India has – as usual – taken a good concept, a funny concept where you’re not supposed to be serious about it, and fucked it up. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen and Abhinandan Sekhri discuss the movie Anora, Indian reality show The Traitors, documentary series American Manhunt, and the songs Tum Tum and Qatal. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introductions 02:03 - Topics 4:30 - Letters 9:16- The Traitors 21:08- American Manhunt 31:14 - Announcements 33: 49- Anora 41:23- Letters 46:10- Announcements 47: 23- Tum Tum 48: 54- Qatal References & recommendations NL Sena - India’s e-waste underworld The Traitors (India) Anora American Manhunt Tum Tum Qatal La La Land United 93 The Traitors (UK) Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Tista Roy Chowdhury and Anil Kumar, edited by Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines: Rajaysree: In bad news, Kamal Haasan’s comments led to his film Thug Life not releasing in Karnataka. Manisha: In worse news, Akshay Kumar’s Housefull 5 cruised ahead of the box office…I had no idea that five Housefulls have been made. Rajyasree: And also Fardeen Khan has made a comeback! Shardool: Oh god. His debut movie is the worst movie I have ever seen. Rajyasree: Prem Aggan! Shardool: Yeah, I walked out of the theatre! This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Rajyasree Sen, Manisha Pande, and Shardool Katyayan discuss the movies Mountainhead and Stolen, and the second season of the TV series Last of Us. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introductions and announcements 02:20 - Headlines 07:55 - Mountainhead 18:18 - Letters 19:44 - The Last of Us S2 38:20 - Letters 42.16 - Stolen 54:10 - Letter References & recommendations Sign up for the Chennai subscriber meetup NL Sena - The Impunity of India’s Police NL Sena - India’s e-waste underworld Mountainhead The Last of Us S2 Stolen Don’t Look Up Triangle of Sadness Fleabag Scoop: Inside Stories from the Partition to the Present TVF’s Daaru Pe Charcha Ep.03 ft. Vijay Maal Legaya Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Umrav Singh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing The Royals Abhinandan: You’re saying Bhumi Pednekar is good in this? Is she the redeeming factor? Rajyasree: No, she's horrible in this…But it has worked in her favour because everyone has logged on and watched the show. Abhinandan: Why? Rajyasree: Because it’s so bad. Everyone trashed it so everyone logged on and watched it. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the series The Royals, the documentary Flintoff, and multiple subscriber letters. Abhinandan also recommends his new favourite Punjabi song. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introductions and announcements 01:43 - Headlines 11:15 - Letters 19:42 - The Royals 30:03 - Subscriber letters 41:23 - Flintoff 49:40 - Letters 57:37 - Abhinandan recommends a Punjabi song References Cannes like you've never seen it before | BBC Global A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway Upamanyu Chatterjee’s interview The Royals Flintoff Patiala Flow Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Satish Kumar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Jewel Thief: Abhinandan: I tried to find a redeeming quality about the film. I couldn’t find anything. Rajyasree: The romance didn’t inspire you to fall in love? Abhinandan: This film almost inspired me to jump off a high building...In future, I would suggest that you don’t suggest anything we watch. Rajyasree: But then we’d be watching nothing. Abhinandan: Which would still be better than watching Jewel Thief. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movie Jewel Thief. They also interview Anuvab Pal, Rahul DaCunha and Bhargava Krishna – the team behind the upcoming film Pune Highway. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introductions and announcements 03:32 - Subscriber letters 05:52 - Jewel Thief 19:46 - Interview with the team of Pune Highway 1:01:31 - Letters References Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins Pune Highway Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Umrav Singh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines: Abhinandan: I added this headline myself…In good news, Urvashi Rautela’s reels are appearing on my Instagram feed endlessly. And I am so entertained by whatever she says. I’ve seen so much of Urvashi in the last few days, and I didn’t even know who she was…In bad news, she claimed that a temple was made for her in Badrinath. Rajyasree: One kilometer from Badrinath. She’s even given directions in the video. In worse news, the priest there wants the police to take action because the goddess Urvashi has nothing to do with actor Urvashi. Abhinandan: But you know who she reminds me of? Saif. Rajyasree: What nonsense. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the TV series Your Friends & Neighbours, Deli Boys, and the movie Kill. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introduction 02:43 - Headlines 08:32 - Letters 11:28 - Deli Boys 20:05 - Kill 27:59 - Letters 30:30 - Your Friends & Neighbours 40:52 - Letters References & Recommendations Deli Boys Kill Your Friends & Neighbours Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Empuraan: Abhinandan: Why is it called L:2 Empuraan? Manisha: The second! Jayashree: Yes, so the first one was Lucifer. But this L is a thing. Something would be happening casually in the movie and a rock will fall in the shape of an L. Or Mohanlal will be walking past a tree which will catch fire in the shape of an L. Abhinandan and Rajyasree: Why? Jayashree: Because he is L for Lucifer, guys. Rajyasree: (cracks up) I’m not going to watch this one. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, Jayashree Arunachalam and Manisha Pande discuss the TV series The White Lotus and The Studio, the movie L:2 Empuraan, and their favourite Val Kilmer roles. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introduction 02:21 - The White Lotus 19:42 - Letters 26:50 - L:2 Empuraan 36:12 - Letters 40:00 - Favourite Val Kilmer roles 47:30 - Letters 52:45 - The Studio References & Recommendations The White Lotus S3 The Studio L:2 Empuraan The Pitt Jubilee Rekhachitram Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced by Priyali Dhingra, edited by Umrav Singh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Emergency: Abhinandan: The only person who said ‘let me try to act in this’ was the actor who played Sanjay Gandhi. Manisha: Not Kangana? Abhinandan: No, her acting was terrible. Her look was perfect. Rajyasree: No! There was Kangana and there was Kangana’s nose. Indira had a long nose but it wasn’t like Pinocchio! This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande discuss the TV series Adolescence, the movie Emergency, and the Kunal Kamra controversy. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introduction 03:19 - Headlines 09:50 - Adolescence 30:50 - Emergency 51:00 - Kunal Kamra controversy References Adolescence Emergency Naya Bharat | A Comedy Special Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and edited by Priyali Dhingra. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing Hyundai’s Women’s Day ad: Abhinandan: It was simple and direct…but the spot where she parked was not that tight. Rajyasree: I can park in that spot. Abhinandan: Are you a good driver? Rajyasree: I’m a very good driver. I used to drive here also. You’ve forgotten? Abhinandan: Salman also used to drive. Doesn’t mean he’s a good driver. Rajyasree: (mimicking Salman) ye log kyu yahan pe so rahe hain! This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss several Women’s Day ads, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and several subscriber letters. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Headlines 06:36 - Women’s Day ads 29:40 - Contribute to our NL Sena 31:05 - Letters 40:05 - Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story 52:10 - Letters References Leap club - The playing field is not equal Cars 24 - Park Your Bias Tanishq | Her Choice Barbie - You Can Be Anything Prega News Hyundai - Break on stereotypes Let Barbie remain the doll she was meant to be How to sell dolls to woke kids Munmun Sen video BBC’s Radhe Maa documentary Contribute to our NL Sena Hafta 527 with Sumeet Mhaskar Produced and edited by Priyali Dhingra and Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing the headlines: Rajyasree: In better news, Kangana has said that Javed Akhtar has promised to write a song for her next film… Abhinandan: Very nice. I wonder what that song will sound like. (Breaks into song) Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga…I will not say anything more. Rajyasree: Yeah, don’t say. I can still get away. You can’t. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the second season of Apple TV’s Severance, the 97th Academy Awards, the trailer for Salman Khan’s Sikandar, and the movie The Honeymoon Crasher. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:34 - Headlines 00:08:13 - Letters 00:16:23 - Severance S2 00:29:03 - Letters 00:30:27 - Oscars 00:38:15 - Letters 00:54:09 - Sikander trailer References Subscribe to NL-TNM Severance S2 97th Academy Awards Sikander Honeymoon Crasher The costs of Reliance’s wildlife ambitions An open letter to Anupam Kher: ‘Where were you when…’ is a lazy argument to make AnA’s review of Black Warrant Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and edited by Priyali Dhingra and Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While discussing a subscriber letter about Rajyasree’s obsession with Sukesh Chandrasekhar: Abhinandan: When you’re at Newslaundry, there’s a chance you may go to prison owing to the several income tax notices we get. If I do go to prison, I will set Rajyasree and Sukesh up! Rajyasree: But you have to go to Mandoli jail. He is not in Tihar...I know everything about Sukesh. Abhinandan: How do I go to Mandoli? Rajyasree: You’ll have to put in a request. They’ll ask why. You say I want to hang out with Sukesh. Abhinandan: Then you can also get a private jet (like actor Jacqueline Fernandez). Keep 70 percent and donate 30 percent to Newslaundry. This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen and Manisha Pande discuss the movies Anuja and Mrs., the TV show The White Lotus, and the controversy surrounding influencers Ranveer Allahbadia and Samay Raina. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:31 - Headlines 00:06:48 - Anuja 00:11:33- Letters 00:13:09- Mrs. 00:21:45- India’s Got Latent controversy 00:43:09 - Letters 00:46:44- The White Lotus S3 55:23:00- Letters References and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNM NL Sena - The Hindu Rashtra Anuja Mrs. The White Lotus S3 Subscriber letter link Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and edited by Ashish Anand and Hassan Bilal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

While discussing the topics: Rajyasree: We have Juror #2, which is Clint Eastwood’s latest film. Which Abhinandan has not watched…Why? Because you thought I was talking about the judicial system? Abhinandan: I haven’t even watched Juror #1. Rajyasree: I’ll take that Nataraj pencil and put it through your eye. Abhinandan: Juror #2 is not a sequel to Juror #1? Has Juror #1 got Govinda? (proceeds to dance to a made-up Govinda-esque track) This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movies All We Imagine As Light and Juror #2, and the Golden Globe Awards. PS: Abhinandan also recommends his top five favourite podcasts. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introductions and announcements 02:14 - Happy new year, with the same old A&R 05:55 - Headlines 08:27 - NL Sena 09:25 - Subscriber letter 10:19 - Topics 14:35 - Parinda 16:41 - All We Imagine As Light 26:33 - Subscriber letters 28:46 - Juror #2 38:47 - Subscriber letter 44:06 - Golden Globes 45:51 - Abhinandan’s top 5 podcast recommendations References and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNM NL Sena - Hindu Rashtra All We Imagine As Light Juror #2 Demi Moore Wins Best Female Actor Parinda Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Ashish Anand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Abhinandan: Rajyasree, not today, but I will review this show soon...I think I watched it a little late...Made In Heaven. (producer cracks up) Abhinandan: (stares) Our producer just laughed...What’s so funny? Rajyasree: Why did you watch Made In Heaven? Abhinandan: It was recommended. Rajyasree: Yes, four years back! This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri and Rajyasree Sen discuss the movies Woman of The Hour, Girls Will Be Girls, and Heretic, Shyam Benegal’s cinema, and the new Kim Kardashian music video for Santa Baby. PS: Abhinandan also recommends a new Punjabi song, so do tune in to the full episode. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introductions 03:22 - Announcements 02:57 - Headlines 07:04 - Woman Of The Hour 11:56 - Subscriber letters 22:49 - Shyam Benegal nostalgia 30:00 - Heretic 38:07 - Subscriber letters 41:20 - Girls Will Be Girls 45:02 - Kim Kardashian’s new music video References and recommendations Subscribe to NL-TNM NL Sena - Hindu Rashtra Subscriber Sandeep Banik’s ‘fun ad’ Takeaways from CNN’s Investigation: How Airbnb fails to protect its guests from hidden cameras The Vegetarian by Han Kang What Went Wrong With Capitalism Kalyug by Shyam Benegal Jordan Sandhu | Bottle Free Newslaundry’s Broken Ballots series Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Anil Kumar, edited by Umrav Singh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

While discussing Kal Ho Naa Ho’s re-release: Nikhil: There’s a moment where Shahrukh comes on screen. You just see his back, and the entire auditorium started hooting! Abhinandan: No one has had the kind of screen presence Shahrukh has since Amitabh Bachhan. Rajyasree: How about Akshay? (Abhinandan gives a pensive stare to Rajyasree) This and a whole lot of awful and awesome as Abhinandan Sekhri, Rajyasree Sen, and this week’s special guest Nikhil Taneja discuss the series Freedom at Midnight, and the films The Substance and Kal Ho Naa Ho. Have something to say? Write to us at newslaundry.com/podcast-letters. Timecodes 00:00 - Introduction 06.52 - Topics 07:30 - Announcements 10:00 - Headlines 18:00 - Mike Tyson- Jake Paul bout & boxing as a sport 26:40 - Nikhil Taneja’s Be A Man Yaar! 38:05 - Freedom At Midnight 01:06:00 - Letters 01:08:20 - Kal Ho Naa Ho References Subscribe to NL-TNM Subrata Roy Sahara figures ‘Life Mantras’ from Tihar Be A Man Yaar! Kal Ho Naa Ho Freedom At Midnight Click here to download the Newslaundry app on Android. And here for iOS. Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Aryan Mahtta, edited by Samarendra K Dash. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.