Your Weekend Planner July 30: Quit Revenge Travelling to the hills
Climate, Covid and a catastrophe await to greet your revenge travel plans. So stay home and check out our Weekend Planner.
Dear Reader,
It hasn't been a particularly great week for travellers who headed out to Himachal Pradesh for a break. We get your frustration at being stuck at home with no real end date in sight, but if the viral videos from the hills are anything to go by, you shouldn't even think about venturing out to the North Indian hills at the moment. It is July, and the monsoon is here with a vengeance. You've seen a stretch of the NH-707 collapse this morning due to a landslide in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur. Then there was the tragic death of Dr Deepa, whose last tweet, a photo of her smiling at the last point of India, went viral after news of her death broke. In all, it has been quite dreary and scary for tourists in Himachal Pradesh. Take our word: stay put. Climate, Covid and a catastrophe await to greet your revenge travel plans.
Now a video of Bachpan Ka Pyaar might help you get over all the news of gloom and doom. There are baby elephants too to make you smile. More when you get to that part of the Weekend Planner.
On your screen, there's Mimi this week, which was delivered on Netflix four days before its due date. There's also a host of other web series and movies on OTT so take your pick.
To the kitchen now. Our recipe this week is some delectable Chocolate Chip Cookies. There's Milind Soman to help you shed those calories. The Dogs Of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst will keep you company in case you're choosing to read this weekend, given that travel is cancelled till who knows when.
That's all for today. Here's your Weekend Planner.
WHAT’S TRENDING?
After Pawri, social media has found its new jam in Bachpan Ka Pyaar. Yes, you got that right. Bachpan Ka Pyaar is that song you have been hearing as the background music of every Instagram reel. Now, do you know the voice behind this viral song? It’s none other than a little boy from Chhattisgarh and his name is Sahdev Dirdo.
Actually, this clip was shot in 2019 but went viral earlier this week after social media users watched Badshah’s video. On Instagram, earlier this month, Badshah shared a remixed version of Sahdev’s Bachpan Ka Pyaar. Netizens, eventually, found the original clip and the rest is history.
Bachpan Ka Pyaar memes are all over social media. Mumbai Police joined in on the trend as well and posted a message on cyber safety. In fact, Sahdev was felicitated by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as well.
That aside, if you enjoy playing games, do check out the Google Doodle page. To celebrate Tokyo Olympics 2020, Google Doodle has been publishing animated games such as archery, rugby and table tennis for social media users to enjoy playing at home.
Speaking of the multi-sport event, Mirabai Chanu became the first Indian to win a medal on the first day of the Olympics and only the second after Karnam Malleswari to achieve the feat in weightlifting in over two decades after finishing second in the women's 49 kg weightlifting event.
That’s all for now. As far as Covid numbers are concerned, here’s your update. India recorded 44,230 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. Do keep that in mind before stepping out of the house.
SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE
Do you remember the US man who went viral earlier this year for his Bollywood dance videos? His name is Ricky Pond and here’s his new video where he was seen dancing to Daler Mehndi’s song Bolo Ta Ra Ra. We loved it as did the internet.
Those who enjoy watching wildlife videos, here’s a special treat for you: a group of baby elephants enjoying a mud bath.
WHAT'S ON MY PLATE?
Chocolates are synonymous with happiness, hands down. It will be difficult to find someone who doesn’t love indulging in chocolates. So, this week why not try your hands on baking something extra special for your loved ones? How about some Chocolate Chip Cookies? Not just you can enjoy them with a cup of hot coffee or tea, but you know how much the kids are going to love it.
For Chocolate Chip Cookies you will need, 1 cup softened butter, 1 and a half cups white sugar, 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 cups all-purpose flour, two-third cup cocoa powder, three-fourth teaspoon baking soda, one-fourth teaspoon salt, 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and dry fruits (optional).
First, pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until it is light and fluffy. Now, combine the dry ingredients - flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt; stir into the butter mixture until it is well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips and dry fruits. Scoop out teaspoonfuls of the dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes in the pre-heated oven, or just until set. Cool slightly on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
DON’T STOP WORKING OUT
Are you feeling really lazy and need serious motivation to hit the gym? Look no further, because Milind Soman’s post will definitely inspire you to stay fit. Milind shared a fitness video in which he can be seen pulling off a handstand with effortless ease.
“Breathe, even when everything looks upside down,” Milind wrote while sharing the video. The 55-year-old model-turned-actor proves the saying age is just a number quite right. Practising handstands are quite beneficial because it helps to improve balance and aids in increased circulation and lymph.
FROM THE BOOKSHELF
Carolyn Parkhurst’s The Dogs Of Babel deals with the sudden death of Paul’s wife Lexy with their dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Lorelei as the only witness. The book takes you through Paul’s journey of grieving his dear wife and how he starts believing that he could try to get Lorelei to tell what she knows about Lexy’s death through a series of linguistic experiments.
Through several chapters of the book, the writer tries to take us through Paul and Lexy’s history - from their first adorable meeting to their last day together. The book is a haunting tale of love, loss and tragedy and how, sometimes, you hold on to bizarre things in your quest to find the truth.
FASHIONABLY YOURS
Kiara Advani has a fantastic collection of outfits but do you know that she has a penchant for orange and red shades? Her wardrobe is replete with pantsuits and dresses in such colours and in our Fashion Friday section this week, we listed her top outfits in orange and red shades prior to her birthday on July 31. Do take notes if these colours are your favourite as well.
MOVIES AND MAGIC
The action this week started Sunday evening with the release of Sidharth Malhotra-Kiara Advani's Shershaah on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas at Kargil. The crew, along with Sid, Kiara and producer Karan Johar flew up to Kargil in an ambitious move to launch the trailer of their ambitious project. We tell you all about it here. Sid and Kiara even went live on Instagram and twinned in orange. They even spoke to us exclusively. But how was the trailer? Here you go.
Kriti Sanon's Mimi was delivered prematurely on Netflix on Monday, four days before the original release date. Now, although the buzz is that the makers released the film because it had already leaked online, we feel a premature release of a film that's based on the struggles of an expecting surrogate mother is a great marketing strategy. What say? If you haven't watched the film already, catch it on the streaming platform, but first, read our review here.
Meanwhile, the Raj Kundra saga continues. The likes of Celina Jaitley and Sona Mohapatra have also commented on the matter. The investigation is progressing at a brisk pace, we will keep you updated.
There were plenty of project announcements this week. From Disney+Hostar's hot slate of new films and web shows to Netflix's Monica, O My Darling, there's lots of new content coming our way. Needless to say, we cannot wait.
And on that note, off you go to the new releases on OTT.
INTO THE WORLD OF OTT
ON NETFLIX
What to watch: Mimi
You will like it if you liked: Mala Aai Vhhaychy
Directed by Laxman Utekar, Mimi is the remake of the National Award-winning Marathi film Mala Aai Vhhaychy (2011). Mimi stars Kriti Sanon in the lead role. Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar, Manoj Pahwa and Supriya Pathak play pivotal roles in the film. In Mimi, Kriti plays the role of a surrogate mother. The film released on Netflix on July 26, a day before Kriti's 31st birthday, as it leaked online. Earlier, it was scheduled to release on July 30.
What to watch: How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) Season 3
You will like it if you liked: How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) Season 1 and 2
After two successful seasons, the makers of the German show How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast) have come up with its third season. In the new season, the story moves ahead with Moritz suddenly finding himself all alone with no friends and no plan. He is desperately trying to hold on to power as the CEO of MyDrugs. Moritz gets back with his friend Lenny when the latter’s condition suddenly worsens. The two best friends with Dan work together for one last job.
What to watch: Myth And Mogul: John Delorean
You will like it if you liked: Bad Boy Billionaires
Netflix has another documentary that will blow your mind. Myth And Mogul: John Delorean is a detailed 3-part automotive icon documentary on John DeLorean, who rose from being an engineer to an executive to an icon. But under the hood of his self-created legend lies darkness and deceit, and this documentary attempts to uncover that with exclusive access and interviews. The never before seen footage has been shot by Oscar-winning director DA Pennebaker (Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Back). The series will show how John DeLorean came to capture the world by epitomising the 70s with his grandiose vision of the car of the future. The documentary released today, July 30.
What to watch: The Last Mercenary
You will like it if you liked: The Hitman's Bodyguard
Jean-Claude Van Damme returns to his combative best in The Last Mercenary. He will be seen in the role of a legendary secret agent-turned-mercenary who comes out of hiding to save the son, Archibald, he's never met. He gets in touch with former contacts and protects Archibald while trying to muster the courage to let him know that he's his father.
ON SONYLIV
What to watch: Thittam Irandu
You will like it if you liked: Raat Akeli Hai
Directed by Vignesh Karthick, Aishwarya Rajesh's Thittam Irandu is a crime thriller about a cop, who one day finds herself in the midst of a mystery hunt for the murderer of her childhood best friend. As she follows the clues, she finds that there is more to the murder than what meets the eye. It stars Paval Navageethan, Gokul Anand, Jeeva Ravi, Murali Radhakrishnan, Subash Selvam and Ananya Ramprasad in pivotal roles.
ON DISNEY+HOTSTAR
What to watch: City Of Dreams 2
You will like it if you liked: City of Dreams
Nagesh Kukunoor's political drama City of Dreams returns with Season 2. It is the story of a father and his daughter fighting for power. Atul Kulkarni and Priya Bapat will be seen as father-daughter duo Ameya Rao Gaikwad and Poornima Gaikwad. The show drops today, July 30.
ON VOOT SELECT
What to watch: Lihaaf
You will like it if you liked: Manto
Lihaaf focuses on famous Indian novelist Ismat Chugtai's life. It shows how she had to go through a trial after she published her highly controversial short story, Lihaaf (The Quilt) in 1942. Having been accused of depicting sexual acts between two women, she was asked to apologise. She eventually won the case and didn't apologise. Lihaaf will start streaming on July 31.
What to watch: Lines
You will like it if you liked: Fitoor
How far will you go to reunite with your lover? Watch @eyehinakhan as Nazia in #Lines, streaming now on #VootSelect. #VootSelectFilmFest. pic.twitter.com/6aHbOct5eN — Voot Select (@VootSelect) July 29, 2021
Hina Khan's award-winning film, Lines, will start streaming on July 29. The film was shot in Kashmir and it is about a young girl who makes her journey through the challenges created by mankind. Lines is directed by Hussain Khan and stars Rishi Bhutani, Farida Jalal, Zahid Qureshi and Ahmer Haider in supporting roles.
ON MX PLAYER
What to watch: Chattrasaal
You will like it if you liked: Jodhaa Akbar
Starring Neena Gupta, Ashutosh Rana, Jitin Gulati, Vaibhavi Shandilya and others, the series tells the story of King Chhatrasal. He was a fearless ruler, who started a war against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to free Bundelkhand in 1649. The MX Player series is directed by Anadii Chaturvedi. It released yesterday, July 29.
TUNE IN TO TV
What to watch: Indian Idol 12
Where to watch: Sony TV, 9.30 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Indian Idol 12 will welcome veteran actor Randhir Kapoor this weekend in one of the episodes. Singers Kumar Sanu and Kavita Krishnamurthy will also grace the show this week. The Top 6 contestants will be seen giving some amazing performances as the show is inching towards its finale.
What to watch: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11
Where to watch: Colors TV, 9.30 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
After Nikki Tamboli's elimination in the first week, no one made an exit in the second week of the stunt-based reality show. This week the remaining contestants will be seen competing for the trophy.
What to watch: Super Dancer - Chapter 4
Where to watch: Sony TV, 8 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Super Dancer - Chapter 4 is judged by Geeta Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty and Anurag Basu. However, Shilpa will be missing from the dance reality show this week as well after her husband Raj Kundra's arrest in a porn racket. Popular Bollywood couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D'souza will be seen filling in for her as guest judges. The show's hosts are Rithvik Dhanjani and Paritosh Tripathi.
What to watch: Dance Deewane 3
Where to watch: Colors TV, 8 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Dance Deewane 3 is judged by Tushar Kalia, Madhuri Dixit and Dharmesh Yelande. This weekend, Javed Akhtar will grace the sets of the show to celebrate 100 years of Indian cinema. The show is hosted by comedian couple Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa.
(Compiled by Ananya Bhattacharya, Nairita Mukherjee, Raya Ghosh, Vibha Maru, Jyoti Kanyal, Janani K, Shweta Keshri, Grace Cyril, Rishita Roy Chowdhury, Tiasa Bhowal, Ramya Palisetty, Samriddhi Srivastava, Tanushree Roy.)