Bollywood stars Varun Dhawan and Keerthy Suresh stopped by in Dubai on Saturday to talk about their latest action film Baby John. Accompanying the duo were Atlee and his wife Priya, who are jointly credited as producers. Directed by Kalees, Baby John is an adaptation of Atlee’s own 2016 Tamil-language action drama Theri, in which the protagonist strives to shield his young daughter from antagonistic forces from his past who are hungry for vengeance.
The release of a Hindi film adaptation of a successful maximalist regional blockbuster wouldn’t make anyone bat an eye a decade ago. However, as an increasing number of South Indian films continue to break linguistic barriers and find success across India, is such a thing necessary in 2024?
“Absolutely,” says Atlee, who goes by just one name. And, he tells The National he's got a strong reason to back his answer.
“If violence against women wasn’t a thing anymore, we wouldn’t need another run at this narrative,” he says.
Atlee’s dogged determination to return to a socio-political commentary against misogyny checks out. His 2023 Hindi-language directorial venture Jawan, which marked his Bollywood debut, starred Shah Rukh Khan as Azad, a jailer of a women’s prison who runs a vigilante group targeting the rich and powerful. The group is made up of falsely incarcerated women in the prison where he works, each broken by misogyny, systemic corruption or class-discrimination of various kinds.
“We live in a generation where we’re momentarily enraged by the headlines we read in the dailies, and our way of processing it starts and ends with either a post or tweet on social media,” Atlee adds. “What if it happened to someone close to us? Wouldn’t we want to feel an earnest need to fight; to get some justice?”
To adapt Theri eight years later, if only for his message to have a wider reach, was the easiest decision to make, he says. “It made me strongly feel that the story is still as relevant now as it was then.”
Dhawan, who’s fresh out of his biggest project so far – Amazon action series Citadel: Honey Bunny, an Indian spin-off to the Russo brothers’ mainline series Citadel – admits he found the physicality he had to commit to in Baby John relatively more challenging.
“When I stepped into this world, I thought I knew what I was getting into; that I’ve seen films of this kind. But it’s only when I did the work that I found out how tricky it was to balance a movie with a plethora of genres and feelings," says the Bollywood actor.
The October actor cites Atlee’s dependability and work ethic as the main reason he knew the adaptation would be completed and released. “Atlee told me he wouldn’t be doing anything else while he was focused on the film, and it felt like a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of things I’ve heard in my time in the industry.”
He gets refreshingly candid as he adds: “I know it sounds like I’m venting, but I’ve been in a lot of situations where I’ve been promised a host of things before the film went on floors. If the film did go on the floor, the promise would fade and the producers would disappear in the background. Any time they’re in public or on set, it’s more of a photo op. Otherwise, nothing really moves beyond your standard ‘let’s put something together'.
“It was refreshing to see Atlee both stick to the promises he made when he first met me, and along with producers Muradbhai Khetani and Jyoti Deshpande, have been so hands on that it’s really helped shape the movie become what it is now.”
“Anytime Atlee sir needs me for any other project, I’m in. It’s how much I’ve come to admire the man.”
Dhawan’s co-star Suresh, best known for her South Indian films, makes her Bollywood debut in Baby John. For her, however, it felt no different to practicing her art form elsewhere. “Cinema, as a whole, is its own language,” the National Award-winning actress says. “And while there are obvious quirks for me, like understanding and thinking in a language I’m not used to, to get the character I essay just right, working here didn’t feel any different. It felt like home.”
One would expect the director of the sixth-highest grossing Indian film of all time globally to follow up with the announcement of a new directorial venture. For Atlee, whose Jawan earned about 11 billion Indian rupees ($136.5 million) on a budget of 3.5 billion rupees ($42 million), shifting to a producer felt like the wisest option. “I’m still looking for the right story to tell at the right time,” he says. “But I’m also not going to throw myself in limbo. Pivoting to production was the perfect decision to make.”
He fully credits his wife, Priya, for making his transition as smooth as possible. “I wouldn’t know head nor tail of the process of a producer if I didn’t have her by my side. She knows this to the T, and her headstrong decisions helped me know exactly how best to support the director and the crew.”
Priya is the co-founder of A for Apple Productions, and has, along with her husband, co-produced the Netflix supernatural thriller Andhaghaaram and Star Studios’ Sangili Bungili Kadhava Thorae, both in the Tamil language.
Was it more of a relief to throw himself into the logistical and financial responsibilities of a producer, or did he feel a certain pressure to hold on to the story he already journeyed through as a director eight years ago?
Atleee says he’s happy he could help pay it forward by giving someone he thought really deserves the chance instead.
“Kalees has been my best friend for 19 years now, and I really wanted this to also be his entry in Bollywood. I’m just content to help the people I love and see them flourish while I take a bit of a backseat," he says.
“I’m very confident in what we’ve created. I really think we’ve made something special that has what it takes.”
Baby John will be released globally on Wednesday
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
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A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Upcoming games
SUNDAY
Brighton and Hove Albion v Southampton (5.30pm)
Leicester City v Everton (8pm)
MONDAY
Burnley v Newcastle United (midnight)
Analysis
Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.
The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement.
We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment.
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
