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Aamir Khan and his partner, Gauri Spratt, posed hand-in-hand at the 'Sitaare Zameen Par' bash last night. They were accompanied by Aamir's youngest son, Azad.
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Mint
30 minutes ago
- Mint
Wes Anderson's ‘The Phoenician Scheme' and Aamir Khan's ‘Sitare Zameen Par' — Hidden money lessons
Both Wes Anderson and Aamir Khan have a fan following that is set in their ways. Fans gave Aamir Khan a label 'Mr. Perfectionist'. Makes you wonder why he is remaking a movie - Woody Harrleson starrer Champions - about basketball, a sport that can be described as 'niche interest' for Indians and about a Chak De like plot but with differently abled young people. The debacle of Lal Singh Chaddha wasn't enough for him? Or do Indian writers not have any original stories? Wes Anderson is known for his films that are 'different'. The Phoenician Scheme is as niche as it gets. Fans will flock to watch a film that has big stars like Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, Benedict Cumberbatch, and more… With Benicio Del Toro handing out live grenades to his relatives, fans have a big screen treat in store for them. . Two very different films with totally different plots offer money lessons to the smart investor. Aamir Khan plays an assistant basketball coach with a short fuse and yes, an even shorter temper. His personal failures earn him fines as well as community service (a concept introduced to the judicial system in India only in 2023). He has to coach a team of differently abled people - those who are autistic and afflicted with Down's Syndrome - and win like Kabir Khan a la Chak De, India!. This bunch of rag tag folk with different quirks - one won't bathe because he is afraid of water, but loves animals, another tends to stare at the sky to track flights, and there's one who is scammed by his employer to work at half the pay but longer hours… Every story is meant to touch your heartstrings, but because each comes with a moral science lesson, the film makes you want to upchuck into your popcorn. The film gets 'A' in its report card because the 'Sitare' team wins despite not winning. That lesson is just better than anything else the film tries to 'teach'. This should have been slotted for a Direct to OTT slot, because Woody Harrelson's Champions does the same job much better. If the film teaches us to be more inclusive and that 'our normal is our normal and their normal is their normal', but in front of these differently abled folk, I wish Aamir had at least tried to be genuine rather than put on an act. His whole schtick just feels hollow. But the film teaches us valuable money lessons. Financial stability often requires effort and adaptability. The movie shows that Hargobind, who is on the spectrum, does not trust coaches, and prefers to play alone. The coach has to win his trust, and get him to play in the team. Kudos to the director who manages to convince us that there is joy in playing the game and that winning is not everything. This can be a powerful lesson, reminding viewers that while financial security is important, it shouldn't be the only pursuit. The movie explores themes of overcoming personal struggles and finding redemption, both for Gulshan the grumpy coach and the team members. So take a quick break and call your personal finance manager just to say thank you. After all, your success is because you have a great team working with you. A businessman chooses his successor - his daughter, a young novice who insists she is going to become a nun. He has ten sons as well, who are happiest using a real crossbow aimed at dad. Dad though has survived many assassination attempts across many geographies. His assistants die horribly, and even though he has been shot at and suffered plane crashes, you sit there in the dark grinning. Wes Anderson is obviously going somewhere with these delightful attempted murders. The businessman Anatole 'Zsa Zsa' Korda (played by Benicio Del Toro) is going to divert waters and build a new expansive infrastructure (train, towns et al) across the desert. He has made deals with his family and friends. He needs to renegotiate deals to finish the railroad, which has just fallen short by a few feet. He could put his own money, but this is a Wes Anderson movie, so he embarks on a quest to meet and make new deals with every partner. Feels like a bit of a maths lesson, but who cares when the scheme by this rich man looks so enticing? Zsa Zsa even offers to marry his cousin (Scarlett Johanson!) and plays a game of basketball against Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston… The American government has sent a spy to figure out his business deals and if he's evading taxes. How he manages to survive a fight with his murderous brother (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a fun watch. As an investor though you must realise that investing your money into businesses with family and friends is great until you are faced with the disadvantages. There will always be someone who is dissatisfied with their share of earnings, dividends and what have you to trigger them into finding faults. Zsa Zsa is how we perceive rich oligarchs - travelling in their private jets, dodging taxes because they have different nationalities, men who think nothing of destabilizing governments and exploiting local workers and yes, fathering many children… If you work with someone like Zsa Zsa Korda, or have enough money to plan your own Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia, know the pitfalls of being rich: People will be out to get a slice of your wealth (learn to negotiate!); They will want to kill you (appoint your heirs on time, sign a living will with the help of a lawyer and update your bank KYCs); Have a Plan B in case you don't succeed at creating your Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia (Korda has cooking skills that help him start a restaurant!). And for God's sake, don't evade taxes. Wes Anderson's gallery of scoundrels gets an awesome addition with this beautifully detailed, stylish film. You step out of the theatre with a smile on your face and if you bump into someone who claims 'All Wes Anderson films are the same' you smile wider and reply, 'Help yourself to a grenade'. If only one could persuade Aamir Khan to wipe off that knowing 'I'm so good' smirk and get back to making movies, not moral science lessons. And yes, I also wish more people would watch Wes Anderson who refuses to make 'massy' movies… But will they listen? So I'm off to spend a little more of my hard earned money to watch Dhanush and drink overpriced multiplex coffee. Manisha Lakhe is a poet, film critic, traveller, founder of Caferati — an online writer's forum, hosts Mumbai's oldest open mic, and teaches advertising, films and communication. She can be reached on Twitter at @manishalakhe.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Unpacking Cannes' best & Aamir's bold cinema bet
Dear Readers, Hope you're all having a fantastic week! Here in Mumbai, the monsoon air is crisp, and so are the conversations swirling around the media and advertising world. We've got some really juicy topics to chew on this time, from the global stage of creativity to a truly bold move by one of India's biggest stars. Let's dive in! Media Moments of Truth: Cannes Lions Top Picks - BE Extraordinary This piece highlights some truly ingenious media campaigns from Cannes . Think about how brands are using data, real-time insights, and even subtle emotional cues to connect with audiences in incredibly smart ways. It's a masterclass in how media can be more than just a channel, but a creative canvas itself. Read here.. Why you should care: Cannes Lions is basically the Oscars for the global advertising and creative industry. These "top picks" aren't just pretty ads; they're the campaigns that are setting new benchmarks for innovation, effectiveness, and pushing boundaries. Understanding what wins here gives you a crystal ball into future marketing trends, consumer engagement strategies, and the kind of creativity that truly cuts through the noise. Cinema First: Aamir Khan's Bold OTT Rejection Aamir Khan, known for his unconventional choices, has reportedly turned down a huge sum by rejecting an early OTT release for his upcoming film. His stance? He believes shorter theatrical windows are "destroying cinema's long-term viability" and wants to ensure films get a fair chance to draw audiences to theatres. This is a bold gamble that could either revive the cinema experience or highlight the irreversible shift towards digital. Read the full story Why you should care: This isn't just about one superstar's decision; it's a potential seismic shift in the economics and cultural consumption of Indian cinema . Aamir Khan's refusal of a massive OTT deal to champion the theatrical experience could redefine the release window strategies for major films. It's a direct challenge to the perceived dominance of streaming and a reaffirmation of the magic of the big screen. Is Cannes the Creative Monarchy? This piece challenges the notion of Cannes as the ultimate, undisputed arbiter of creative excellence. It raises questions about the cost of participation, the representation of smaller agencies, and whether the focus on awards might sometimes overshadow real business impact. A timely and thought-provoking read that pushes us to look beyond the glamour. Click here to read Why you should care: While Cannes is celebrated, it's also a subject of debate. This article digs into the critical question of whether the festival truly represents the diverse, global creative landscape or if it's becoming an exclusive club. For anyone in the advertising or marketing space, it's crucial to understand these underlying dynamics. More from this week Mokobara's Diljit Dosanjh Ad: A Splash of Sci-Fi, Humour and Déjà vu Indian Pay DTH sees 1.3 mn subs drop in Jan-March: TRAI Box office grows 27% in 2025 but Bollywood remains worried Transparency is good but some opaqueness in audience data is essential to protect media value: Zee's Ashish Sehgal WPP media's EssenceMediacom wins Nilkamal's media mandate What a week it's been for the media in India and globally! From creative triumphs at Cannes to pivotal decisions in Bollywood's future, the conversations are as dynamic as ever. This is precisely why we love bringing these insights to our community – to collectively unravel what's next. Tag us on LinkedIn (ET BrandEquity) with your thoughts. Stay tuned for the next edition of the Media & Entertainment newsletter, coming to you every Friday. Until next time, stay sharp and keep creating! —Team ETBrandEquity
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Sitaare Zameen Par' box office collection day 1 (LIVE): The Aamir Khan starrer has a decent start, expected to earn Rs 7-8 crore on opening day
'Sitaare Zameen Par' has now released in theatres on June 20, Friday. The film has been highly anticipated. Though it is not exactly a sequel to 'Taare Zameen Par', it is like a franchise movie which also deals with kids and brings across a special message. The early reviews of the film are encouraging and it may lead to growth in the box office numbers over the weekend. But on Day 1, the opening day number was clearly not expected to be huge, like Aamir's other movies like 'Dangal'. Sitaare Zameen Par Movie Review This clearly is a word of mouth movie and not those big mass blockbusters. Thus, as per trade analysts a single digit number is expected from the movie on day 1. According to Sacnilk, till Friday afternoon, the film has collected Rs 3.89 crore. The number can be expected to increase during the night shows. The film may end up having a Day 1 number of Rs 7.5 or 8 crore. Trade expert Taran Adarsh told ETimes, "This is a word of mouth film. This is not a Dhoom or 'Ghajini' that will open with a bang. Now, as I said, it all depends on the public reports. I think Rs 7.5 to 8 crore is what we are looking at." 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is expected to do better in multiplexes and in big cities as opposed to the two-tier, three tier centres where 'Housefull 5' may still dominate. But it all depends on positive word of mouth, which may eventually lead to more numbers over the weekend. Film trade expert Girish Wankhede, told Etimes, "At this moment, I can say that this film would not do more than 30-35 crores in the weekend." Day wise collection of 'Sitaare Zameen Par' Day 1 [1st Friday till afternoon] ₹ 3.89 Cr ** - Total ₹ 3.89 Cr
