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Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
23 years of Awara Paagal Deewana: 5 Bollywood comedies that bring the same madness
Awara Paagal Deewana gained a cult following upon its June 2002 release, thanks to its brand of frantic comedy, sleek action, and eccentric characters. Famous for its Hollywood-inspired stunts, over-the-top comedy, and a plot that wove between diamonds, dons, and double-crosses, the film was directed by Vikram Bhatt and featured a strong ensemble of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Aftab Shivdasani, and Johnny Lever. On the film's 23rd anniversary, we take a look at other Bollywood films that manage to convey the same sense of comedic chaos by skilfully combining elements of slapstick, crime, and bewilderment. Awara Paagal Deewana poster Laugh out loud with Chal Mere Bhai, Anari No. 1, and Haseena Maan Jayegi—stream these classic Bollywood comedies now on OTTplay Premium. Another multi-hero ensemble film starring Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, and Suniel Shetty, Deewane Huye Paagal by Vikram Bhatt is an energy-filled spiritual sequel. Similar to Awara Paagal Deewana in many ways, this film is rife with ridiculous misunderstandings, cartoonish antagonists, and hilarious set pieces as its protagonists (Rimi Sen) pursue each other while pretending to be someone else. Apna Sapna Money Money The wild energy is still there, but the action is disguised humour in the Sangeeth Sivan film. Starring as a con artist who pulls off a heist while posing as a woman, Riteish Deshmukh leads the cast. The film recalls the carefree spirit of Awara Paagal Deewana with its protagonists' continual betrayal of one another and the mayhem that breaks out in every scene. Bhagam Bhag A murder mystery involving criminals and a missing woman is thrown into the mix in this Priyadarshan thriller set in London, which stars a theatrical ensemble. In this wild farce that combines humour and a whodunit, Akshay Kumar, Govinda, and Paresh Rawal get together. It takes a page out of Awara Paagal Deewana by thriving on ambiguity, unsteady corpses, and trouble-prone individuals. Khatta Meetha Although it's a little more serious, Priyadarshan's Khatta Meetha is nevertheless full of humour and social commentary. The film stars Akshay Kumar as a comically inept small-time contractor fighting entrenched corruption. The tone of the film dances precariously between satire and seriousness, similar to how Awara Paagal Deewana combined crime, comedy, and action. Kanjoos Makhichoos The more contemporary work in this kind, Kanjoos Makhichoos by Vipul Mehta, features Kunal Kemmu in the role of a miserly man who, following a family tragedy, must deal with bureaucratic red tape. Similar to Awara Paagal Deewana (but quieter and less action-packed), it features severe middle-class anarchy, situational comedy, and exaggerated characters. Even though the movie came out 23 years ago, Bollywood's fondness for ensemble storytelling, comedic setups, and chaotic plots is a clear reflection of the Awara Paagal Deewana impact on the comic-action genre. These films show that sometimes the wilder the journey, the more enjoyable it is.
GSM Arena
a day ago
- GSM Arena
Spotify's lossless HiFi update might be coming very soon
It seems Spotify HiFi might be dropping sometime in the near future, if the latest leaks are to be believed. Spicetify, which is a command-line interface tool for the desktop Spotify client, has posted multiple images on its social media account that have mentions of this upcoming feature within the latest v1.2.66 update. Spotify 1.2.66 mentions lossless in more parts of UI 👇#NewSpotify #SpotifyLossless #SpotifyLossless (pigeon) is mentioned in "Connect to the device" sidebar & under the artist in NPB (Now Playing Bar)Lossless will be available up to 24-bit/44.1KHz (FLAC + Widevine). Lossless… — spicetify (@spicetifyapp) June 19, 2025 For starters, the most obvious giveaway is the presence of a new option within the Audio quality setting dropdown, which includes a Lossless setting that can provide up to 24-bit/44.1kHz audio in FLAC. The onboarding for the app also includes mentions of lossless audio for Premium subscribers. Aside from lossless, it seems Spotify also has some new audio features up its sleeve, which, when paired with a compatible pair of headphones, claims to offer "cleaner, more natural sound". Digging further into the code also revealed mentions of spatial audio without further elaboration. What's not visible in these screenshots is what technology is being used for spatial audio, as there is no mention of specific codecs such as Dolby Atmos. It's possible the aforementioned cleaner, natural sound feature could be using Spotify's proprietary spatial audio tech that only works with select headphones. Moreover, there is also no mention of high resolution audio, as sampling rates seem to top out at a decidedly CD-quality 44.1kHz. Spatial Audio is mentioned in the code, however, I don't think it's Dolby Atmos. I don't see any UI or feature regarding Spatial Audio either, just that it exists in code interacting with the player so, don't expect it anytime soon — spicetify (@spicetifyapp) June 19, 2025 Of course, this was all dug out with the help of the override product state feature in the Spicetify tool and none of it is accessible in the current app. Even with the tool, you can only see mentions of the new features and not actually use them. Spotify announced its lossless HiFi feature all the way back in early 2021. While the company didn't provide a date, it was clear that the feature was imminent and most likely coming at a higher pricing tier than regular Premium. Then, Apple decided to rain on Spotify's parade and launched its own lossless audio feature, complete with high resolution audio and Dolby Atmos, for no additional cost. This likely took the wind out of Spotify's sails as the company immediately dropped all talks of the HiFi feature and adopted radio silence. It seems it was completely caught off guard and since then has been trying to formulate a viable plan to finally launch the service. It's possible the company might still end up charging more for the HiFi plan but we have heard over the years that there will be additional content included to justify it and the company has been building quite the content library outside of just music. As for now, we still don't have an exact date, so this feature could either drop tomorrow, two months later, or never. Source
Int'l Business Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Int'l Business Times
Ford Recalls 300,000 Mustang Mach-Es Over Door Glitch!
In a major move, Ford announced a global recall of over 317,000 Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles due to a critical software glitch that could lock passengers out or trap them inside, prompting an immediate stop-sale order on 20 June 2025. The defect, tied to a 12-volt battery discharge, has sparked widespread concerns about safety and Ford's electric vehicle reliability, particularly as the company ramps up its EV ambitions. Investigate the Recall Issue The car major is recalling approximately 317,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles worldwide, including 196,911 in the United States, due to a 12-volt battery issue that causes electronic door latches to malfunction, per Electrek . The glitch, affecting vehicles produced between 2021 and 2025, may prevent doors from unlocking or opening, posing significant risks in emergency situations, such as accidents or fires. No crashes or injuries have been reported, but the issue has frustrated owners, with X posts like @ElectrekCo's on 19 June 2025 highlighting concerns about safety and reliability. Ford has halted all Mach-E deliveries, test drives, and demonstrations until a software fix is available, a move that underscores the urgency of the defect, per Inside EVs . Identify Affected Models The recall encompasses all Mustang Mach-E variants manufactured from 2021 to 2025, including Select, Premium, GT, and Extended Range models, with an additional 32,569 units affected in Canada, per Yahoo Autos . A separate US recall of 276 2025 Mach-Es addresses defective park rods that could increase crash risks, compounding owner concerns. Ford urges owners to verify their vehicle's status by contacting the company at 1-866-436-7332 or checking the NHTSA website, using recall numbers issued for Q3 2025 notifications. X sentiment, such as @DriveTeslaca's post on 20 June 2025, notes the inconvenience of requiring dealer visits for the fix, as the issue cannot be resolved via an over-the-air update, frustrating tech-savvy EV owners. Assess Ford's Response and Impact Ford is developing a software update, slated for release in Q3 2025, to address the battery issue, with dealers offering free repairs to affected vehicles, per Electrek . The recall adds to Ford's mounting challenges, as the company leads the industry with 76 recalls in 2025, according to NHTSA data mentioned in a Reuters report. Despite these setbacks, Mustang Mach-E sales climbed 11% in May 2025, reaching 4,724 units, and grew 2.8% year-to-date, reflecting strong demand for the £31,200 ($42,000) base model. However, recurring issues could erode consumer confidence in Ford's £4 billion ($5.3 billion) EV investment, per Automotive News . The stop-sale order may disrupt supply chains and dealership operations, raising questions about Ford's quality control processes in its electric vehicle lineup. Safeguarding EV Owners Ahead Ford's recall of 317,000 Mustang Mach-Es highlights the complexities of scaling electric vehicle production while ensuring safety and reliability. The promised software update and proactive stop-sale measures demonstrate Ford's commitment to addressing the issue, but persistent recalls severely challenge its reputation in the fiercely competitive EV market. The owners must remain proactive, diligently checking their vehicle's recall status to ensure safety, while Ford faces mounting pressure to bolster quality assurance, enhance manufacturing precision, streamline production processes, and restore consumer trust in its ambitious electric future, ensuring long-term reliability for its growing EV customer base. Originally published on IBTimes UK
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Did you know Detective Sherdil producer Ali Abbas Zafar made his OTT debut with THIS Ananya Panday film?
Streaming of Z5's newest original film, Detective Sherdil, starring Diljit Dosanjh, has begun today, June 20, 2025. Ali Abbas Zafar, the film's producer, who made his producing debut with 2020's Khaali Peeli, now made his return to Z5 (OTTplay Premium) after five long years. Catch Diljit Dosanjh at his entertaining best in Jatt & Juliet 3, Jodi, and Babe Bhangra Paunde Ne—now streaming on OTTplay Premium. Ali Abbas Zafar, who had previously directed blockbuster theatrical features like Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai, made his digital production debut with the Z5 original Khaali Peeli, which featured Ananya Panday and Ishaan Khatter. A pioneer among mainstream audiences' first forays into direct-to-digital distribution, the film debuted during the COVID-19 pandemic when theatres were closed. In the time after, Zafar maintained a consistent rate of production and directing. He oversaw the production and directing of the historical drama Jogi in 2022, which starred Diljit Dosanjh and was based on the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. Due to its delicate treatment of the issue, the Netflix original film launched to positive reviews. An action film directed by Zafar and featuring Shahid Kapoor, Bloody Daddy debuted on now-JioHotstar in 2023. The stylised treatment and digital-first distribution of the high-octane thriller, which was adapted from the French film "Sleepless Night," garnered attention. In 2024, Zafar helmed the massive action entertainer Bade Miyan Chote Miyan that hit theatres. Returning to big-screen extravaganzas after a string of streaming releases, the film featured Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. Detective Sherdil marks Zafar's return to the OTT, albeit this time he is producing genre-based stories rather than directing or producing big-budget films. Diljit Dosanjh brings a lighter side to Zafar's filmography with his comic-investigative part. Not only that, but it shows that he is still actively involved with digital platforms outside of his theatre work. While the film adds to his production credits, it also reflects the increasing overlap between theatrical names and streaming platforms—a trend that continues to shape release strategies across the industry.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prince and Family director Binto Stephen explains why he is not worried about criticism after OTT release
A month after its theatrical release, Dileep's latest film, Prince and Family, has now dropped online. The Malayalam movie, which is directed by debutante Binto Stephen, is now streaming on ZEE5 and OTTplay Premium in Malayalam and Tamil. In an interview with OTTplay, Binto discussed his views regarding the film's successful run in theatres for more than 40 days and why he is not concerned about any criticism after its digital release. From Alappuzha Gymkhana to Prince and Family, Maranamass and more, stream Malayalam's latest movies on OTTplay Premium The young director expressed his joy at Prince and Family's more than 40-day successful run in theatres. "I am not as concerned about the response Prince and Family will receive now that it is making its digital debut. OTT has a distinct audience or a much bigger group of moviegoers,' he remarked. He stated that it will undoubtedly produce a variety of feedback, and I would prefer to handle them all in a constructive way. "I am completely content with the love that people had for the movie in theatres," he continued. Instead of worrying about generating a box office blockbuster, Binto stated that his main goal was to create an enjoyable family entertainer. "After the first day of release, I wanted to know how people were responding. I used to go to movie theatres and ask people what they thought about the movie," he said. He also mentioned how much he liked working on more family entertainers, which Malayalis love revisiting once in a while. Binto underlined that Dileep and the film's producer Listen Stephen's unwavering support was essential to all of this success. "Trusting a debutante filmmaker is kind of difficult. Their support made it possible for this movie to be a box office hit, and I am glad I was able to provide a positive outcome," he said. The director also expressed his happiness at the opportunity to have offered Dileep a role that Malayalis enjoy to see him portray. Also Read: Prince and Family review: Dileep is back with a hearty family entertainer that tackles a relevant subject He also expressed gratitude after receiving praise and feedback on the film from a large number of people. "I received compliments from directors like Lal Jose. Additionally, I was pleased to receive a call from A K Sajan, the director of Asuravithu, where I was a part of the director's team, my first job. He praised me for giving Dileep a deserving comeback," he continued. To his delight, Binto added, several of his old school friends with whom he had lost contact years ago reached out to him to share their opinions about the movie. Also Read: Prince and Family director Binto Stephen: 'Dileep as Prince was in our mind from the beginning' | Exclusive
