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HINDI MOVIE PreviewS
“Love Aaj Kal” Starring Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, Randeep Hooda; directed by Imtiaz Ali; music by Pritam.
If the title sounds familiar, there’s a reason. Director Imtiaz Ali’s 2009 version featured Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone. Ten years later, he follows up with a new relatable love story, again set in two different time periods. One story is set in Udaipur in the early ’90s and other in present-day Delhi. He was featured in last year’s comedies “Luka Chuppi” and “Pati Patni aur Woh,” here Kartik Aaryan stars as both Raghu in 1990 and Veer in the contemporary story. She made her debut in “Kedarnath,” Sara Ali Khan stars as Zoe, an ambitious career-oriented girl with conflicted feelings for Veer, a modern guy who knows what he wants. Newcomer Arushi Sharma plays Leena, a schoolgirl who’s the object of teenager Raghu’s affections in the 1990 parallel story. Music director Pritam’s catchy hit “Twist” from the original gets an update along with several new tracks. 
Reports say Imtiaz Ali, who is known for critically-acclaimed romance dramas such as “Jab We Met” and “Rockstar” is open to the idea of more installments for this franchise in the future if the story is right.
“Chhapaak” Starring Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey; directed by Meghna Gulzar; music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
She won accolades for “Raazi” and “Talvar.” Director Meghna Gulzar depicts complex themes with skillful sensitivity, remember “Filhaal.” Here she examines the true story of Laxmi Agarwal, who was attacked with acid at age 15 and her courageous battle afterward. The word chhapaak is the sound of a splash. Deepika Padukone stars as Malti, she is attacked with acid on a street in New Delhi, in 2005. After an arduous recovery, struggling to come to terms with her appearance, she decides to lead a campaign against the sale of acid, taking the case to the courts. Her journey becomes an inspiration for young women across the country. Vikrant Massey plays Amol, who stand by her during her fight. 
The makers say the film attempts to understand the consequences of surviving an acid attack in India, the medico-legal-social state of affairs that transpires immediately after the acid has been hurled. Reportedly, Padukone had an instant connection with the story and considers the film the most special of her career.
“Panga” Starring Kangana Ranaut, Jassie Gill, Richa Chadda, Neena Gupta, Yagya Bhasin; directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari; music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Sanchit Balhara.
After her promising debut with “Nil Battey Sannata,” director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari won more praise for “Bareilly Ki Barfi.” Tiwari continues with stories centered on new age Indian families. Panga is inspired by the life of a national level Kabaddi player and features a talented start cast. The gifted Kangana Ranaut stars as Jaya Nigam, a young wife and mother, who was once a Kabaddi champion. Jassie Gill plays her supportive husband Prashant and Neena Gupta plays her mother. Jaya has desires to give her life new meaning and dreams of making a Kabbadi comeback, despite her age. The challenge creates an upheaval in her life as she is torn between family responsibilities and her love for the sport. 
It follows her struggle and triumphs as she overcomes stereotypes, showing how important family love and support is for success. Richa Chadda plays Jaya’s friend Meenu. The makers describe this sports drama as an emotional roller coaster tale of a middle-class Indian woman.