The Indian Next Door

Few production houses can compete with the niche The Viral Fever (TVF) has created for itself since 2011. If Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Dharmatic Entertainment specialise in aspirational stories of ‘People Like Them ’, TVF has found a slot, that of celebrating ‘People Like Us ’. Since their first series Permanent Roommates (2014) to shows such as Aspirants (about UPSC hopefuls), TVF has grown to become a mini factory with three shows ready to return for new seasons this year—Panchayat on Prime Video about a village and its quirks, Gullak on SonyLIV about a family like ours, and Kota Factory on Netflix about the race to become an IIT engineer. They have announced a new series The Great Indian Code dedicated to the IT revolution of India in the ’70s and ’80s. Clearly, they understand the pulse of young India, its urge for jobs, for security and for that golden ticket that they hope will guarantee success. Actor Jitendra Kumar, a staple of Panchayat and Kota Factory, as well as a misdirected IIT Kharagpur graduate, believes the entertainment landscape was lacking in fundamentals before TVF began. “Much of the content operated on a surface level, with only a few exceptions. By basics, I mean the essence of storytelling was absent. Writing didn’t engage people; it felt disjointed and strange,” he says. Kumar adds, “Our emotional connection was often limited to a handful of stars like Shah Rukh Khan. If he shed a tear on screen or faced a challenge, we’d feel it too. But beyond that, the storytelling basics were largely absent. TVF decided to go back to basics. They focused on connecting with people, and that became a major driving force behind their work.” TVF may have had personnel issues but its work has always been on point.

Ayushmann and Nation Building

Ayushmann Khurrana hands over keys to food trucks to empower the transgender community in Chandigarh. The Election Commission of India appoints Khurrana to urge youngsters to vote in the forthcoming General Election. Such headlines are common for the actor, who makes entertaining movies with a message. He is now helping members of the transgender community in Chandigarh to upskill and turn self-reliant. Khurrana has invested in building food trucks for the community so that they can be empowered to run their own businesses. The food trucks are being called ‘Sweekar’, a relevant take on the importance of acceptance for the community in today’s society. Says Khurrana: “Nation-building, in my opinion, hinges on inclusivity and safeguarding the rights of every individual, irrespective of age or background. It is crucial to ensure that the LGBTQIA+ community receives equal opportunities to thrive within our society. At the food truck inauguration, it was heartening to witness the excitement and enthusiasm among the community members as they embarked on this new venture. This food truck not only provides economic opportunities for the community but also serves as a symbol of acceptance and inclusivity.” Dhananjay Chauhan, the first transgender student of Panjab University and an active voice for the community in the state, says, “The definition of progress of a country can be measured in how empowered, how self-reliant and how protected every community feels. Ayushmann has always been a true supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community of India. He has done this through his brand of cinema, as well as in the way he lives his life or how he conducts himself on social media. Chandigarh is his home. So, it is really special that he has stepped forward to aid the transgender community here.”

Scene and Heard

The women-driven Crew has done well at the box office and it’s no surprise, given its eat-the-rich attitude. The middle class likes seeing the rich taken down a peg or two. Starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kriti Sanon, Crew is a thinly veiled attack on Vijay Mallya and the way his Kingfisher Airlines treated its employees— though it’s not the first. Remember Anu Menon’s murder mystery Neeyat (2023) where Ram Kapoor played the flamboyant magnate? A line from Crew encapsulates the middle-class attitudes to wealth. When asked to hurry up while drinking a $100 coffee, Tabu’s character says: “100 dollar ki coffee hai, main to jhag bhi peekar jaoongi (It’s a 100 dollar coffee, I’ll drink its foam).” Celebrating the things money can buy and taking on those who make it is a difficult balance. But Crew manages to hide its svelte socialist heart in plenty of Louis Vuitton encasing.

Ayushmann KhurranaBollywoodcinemaJitendra KumarTabu