'Berlin' review: Period espionage drama delivers lots of surprises
The unpredictable story is refreshingly different to most formula driven commercial Bollywood films
By Asjad NazirNov 17, 2023
THE early 1990s set Indian spy thriller had its European premiere at the recent London Indian Film Festival. A sign language expert is brought into interview a deaf man, who is accused of spying, under the watchful gaze of competing Indian security factions, ahead of the Russian president’s visit. All is not what it seems, as a larger conspiracy that could directly impact the high echelons of the Indian secret service begins to unravel.
The unpredictable story is refreshingly different to most formula driven commercial Bollywood films. There is no song, dance or unnecessary subplots as the attention focuses on two men from different backgrounds in an interrogation room, who might be getting manipulated by outside forces.
The well-made film has an interesting story, unexpected turns, and enough drama to keep you engaged until the very end. Great performances from the lead cast are the heartbeat of this low-budget movie that punches way above its weight.
Aparshakti Khurana arguably delivers a career best performance as the sign language expert caught in the crossfire of a conspiracy and shows quite comprehensively that there is a lot more to his talent than great comedy.
Ishwak Singh adds to a number of impressive turns in recent years as the deaf man and brings real heart to the role. Perhaps, the surprise revelation is Rahul Bose as the seemingly villainous spy chief. There are also great performances from a solid supporting cast. The atmospheric background score adds an extra layer to the story. The film has delighted audiences on the international film festival circuit because it offers something different and will be well worth finding when it releases. This is the type of Hindi cinema that should be supported.
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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