Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
There are few films (especially in Bollywood) that leave you with a warm, fuzzy feeling and a big smile on your face as you walk out of the theatre. Akarsh Khurana’s debut film manages to do that almost effortlessly.
It is being called a road trip film. But really, it is a life-changing journey of the three characters who are brought together by death: Avinash (Dulquer Salmaan), a miserable Bangalore-based IT guy stuck in a dead-end job, who holds a grudge against his father for crushing his dream of pursuing a career in photography, resulting in a strained relationship; Tanya, a precocious, liberal and opinionated college student; and Shaukat, the man with the infamous blue van, who has mastered the art of sweeping things under the rug and has a dark sense of humour.
Avinash requests his garage-owner friend Shaukat to help him pick up his father’s dead body from Kochi, after an unapologetic mix-up in the cargo (“You should have checked,” the guy at the company tells Avinash) leaves him with the dead body of his father’s co-passenger in the accident instead.
They pick up Tanya from her college in Ooty on the request of her mother, so the young girl can bid goodbye to her grandmother. The start of the road trip isn’t the smoothest, with a few detours seeming unnecessary, but it all ties in together at the end.
Salmaan certainly makes an impression and will no doubt be a huge hit with audiences who may have not been familiar with the south Indian actor’s previous films. He plays Avinash in an endearingly earnest, subtle and nuanced manner, and his Hindi isn’t bad either – though there were a few times his Malayalam accent slips through.
He has great screen presence and holds his own even in scenes with Khan, who is the true star of the film. He says the most ridiculous things, offers unsolicited advice and pearls of wisdom to all and sundry, and you love him, irrespective of whether or not you agree with him or not. He has a knack for dark humour and breathes life into the film.
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Read more:
Akarsh, Dulquer and Mithila share five secrets from the set of 'Karwaan'
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Palkar successfully breaks out from her ‘cute and bubbly’ stereotype as the bratty Tanya, and may seem like the rebel without a cause, but it is refreshing to see a character who refuses to let judgements faze her.
Another aspect that sets Karwaan apart is its relatability. In fact, through most of the film, as bizarre certain situations may seem, it doesn’t feel like you are watching a film – it is almost like you are watching a series of events from the sidelines, and subtlety on Khurana’s part plays a huge role in this.
In not spoon-feeding the audience and letting them form judgements of their own, he has elevated the film. A small touch I noticed, was in a scene at a pharmacy where Palkar’s character is buying a few supplies, there is a carton of toothpaste labeled ‘Starlit’, perhaps a nod to the hotel the cast and crew stayed in during their schedule, called Starlit Suites.
No journey is complete with good music and a scenic view, and Karwaan offers the both - the easy on the ears and hummable tunes perfectly complement the film without overpowering scenes, and cinematographer Avinash Arun (who has previously worked on Masaan and Drishyam), has done full justice to the scenic beauty of the Malabar coast of India.
Possibly one of the best films of the year so far, this feel-good on-the-road comedy is comfortable, beautiful and smooth.
Unresolved crisis
Russia and Ukraine have been locked in a bitter conflict since 2014, when Ukraine’s Kremlin-friendly president was ousted, Moscow annexed Crimea and then backed a separatist insurgency in the east.
Fighting between the Russia-backed rebels and Ukrainian forces has killed more than 14,000 people. In 2015, France and Germany helped broker a peace deal, known as the Minsk agreements, that ended large-scale hostilities but failed to bring a political settlement of the conflict.
The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Kiev of sabotaging the deal, and Ukrainian officials in recent weeks said that implementing it in full would hurt Ukraine.
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NEW%20UTILITY%20POLICY%3A%20WHAT%20DOES%20IT%20REGULATE%3F
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Agreements%20on%20energy%20and%20water%20supply%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Applied%20service%20fees%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20data%20and%20information%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Prohibition%20of%20service%20disconnections%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customer%20complaint%20process%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Management%20of%20debts%20and%20customers%20in%20default%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Services%20provided%20to%20people%20of%20determination%20and%20home%20care%20customers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Price, base / as tested Dh274,000 (estimate)
Engine 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 245hp @ 4,200rpm
Torque 500Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
LIVERPOOL SQUAD
Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Joe Gomez, Adrian, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, Andy Lonergan, Xherdan Shaqiri, Andy Robertson, Divock Origi, Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
HAJJAN
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Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
