Entertainment

Masala films have been around for decades. And despite all the new trends in Indian cinema like slow dramas, indie storytelling, international-style thrillers, these loud, dramatic, over-the-top movies still pull people in. Sometimes more than anything else.

You’d think the formula would get old: Hero, Villain, Family problem, Some comedy, a few big songs + action scenes that make no sense in real life. But for a lot of people, THAT is the fun of it! Masala films aren’t meant to be realistic; they’re supposed to feel big and emotional and satisfying. And when done right, they deliver all of that.

There’s something comforting about knowing what to expect. You sit down, and you know there’s going to be a dramatic story, a big fight, a moral victory at the end. It doesn’t matter if the storyline feels familiar. What matters is how it's told and how the emotions hit, how the hero enters, how the music swells at the right moment.

That’s what masala films do well. They know how to create moments.

They’re also built for the BIG screen. These aren’t quiet, subtle films. They work best when watched in a packed theatre where people clap, cheer, even whistle. That shared energy is the major part of the experience. Even someone who usually watches movies at home on Netflix might go out to catch a masala film just to be part of the crowd. 

There’s something special about sitting in a room full of strangers and feeling everyone react to the same scene. Whether it’s a cheer, a gasp, or laughter, it makes the whole moment more alive. It’s that collective buzz that makes the film feel bigger than just what’s on screen.

Sometimes you just want to laugh out loud, feel the tension when everything’s at stake, or sit back with goosebumps after a powerful one-liner from the hero. They’re not trying to mirror real life. They’re built to be larger than life, loud, emotional, and meant to leave you feeling something strong.

Surely, it’s a bit extra, bright visuals, big emotions, over-the-top scenes but that’s what gives it heart. And that’s called a masala movie loved by all. 

By Aditi Sawarkar

Gansta-style frankness on and off screen as well, Neena Gupta recently let her hair down in public about a lesser documented period of her life — the first romance with an IIT-Delhi student, Amlan Kumar Ghose. What was a college romance at its finest soon turned into an impulsive wedding — all for a travel privilege to Kashmir.

Conversing in an offhand manner with News18 Showsha, Neena embarked on a journey down the past when she fell for Amlan while falling in love with him at an inter-college fest. It was a laid-back romance — accidental meetings at college, road trips in the suburbs of IIT-Delhi, and furtive moments here and there during holidays. Having a boyfriend was completely out of limits during that time, and the secrecy only served to enhance the chemistry.

But one meeting turned it all around. Amlan had been organizing a holiday tour of Srinagar with friends when Neena had wanted to join him. Her mother consented — "if her daughter consented to marry," that is. And the two got married in a small Arya Samaj ceremony, without revealing their decision to Amlan's family.".

The two settled in a small flat in Rajender Nagar, Delhi, following the marriage and short honeymoon in Kashmir. Amlan searched for jobs while Neena geared up for her Master's in Sanskrit. But when things became real, differences crept in. Amlan wanted a home-maker. Neena had found theatre as her passion and her dream lay outside the home. The couple was separated within a year.

Neena had reminisced about the days earlier in a nostalgic and truthful manner. "It was young love — exciting and impulsive," she mentioned. Despite her romance with Amlan being futile, it was her period of initiation to discover herself.

Two decades later, following being a sole mother to Masaba Gupta and marrying chartered accountant Vivek Mehra, Neena Gupta has a life still full of bold choices and tear-jerking stories — that brief but unforgettable romance with an IITian that began in love and went all the way to Kashmir.

Want to feel nostalgic and enjoy a twisted Bollywood experience? Metro Inn Dino, the new musical drama with the soulful base of Pritam is here to take you to the emotional journey through the hearts of the city and the rhythm of life. Filled with infectious music, soulful scenes, and a story that speaks to the young generation, this film troubles the viewer to think not about it as something entertaining only but rather as something to experience. Regardless of whether you are into soulful or thrilling tales, Metro Inn Dino will make you sing its tunes even after the closing credits. So, what makes this film one to watch in 2025? Here’s the unbiased Metro inn dino review you have been waiting for.

Metro in Dino Story: Fragments of City Living 

At its core, Metro... in Dino is a musical drama, a blend of intertwined narratives featuring distinct characters from varied backgrounds who are all tied together by the invisible thread of human frailty. Much like ‘Life in a Metro' this film is set in a frenzied metropolitan environment that is honest in portraying emotional defeat, digital intimacy and human connectivity that we all so desperately need. 

The stories begin introducing us to several people who are struggling with their own moral dilemmas and emotional crossroad moments. A couple that are out of love rediscovering love, strangers in shared trauma and a youth in rebellion who is immersed in love and identity, and all of these narratives, grounded, relevant and subtly effective.

Metro in Dino Cast: Impressive Cast, Impressive Performances

The cast of Metro in Dino is a delightful mix of experienced actors and promising new actors. In Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Ali Fazal, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Neena Gupta, and Anupam Kher, there is a wealth of talent doing justice to several diverse characters, all capturing a spirit of warmth. The actors display a remarkable veneer of emotional restraint without losing the message that is intrinsic to Anurag Basu's preference for showcasing a character's feelings and emotions as understated as possible.

Konkona Sen Sharma and Pankaj Tripathi are potential standouts clearly exhibiting how their scenes stay well beyond the credits. Their chemical bond is shown through their understated chemistry and their dialogue is filled with emotionally choiceful moments like the more layered experiences of Life in a Metro.

Metro in Dino Song and Soundtrack

No Basu film would be complete without an exhilarating soundtrack, and Metro in Dino is no exception. The soundtrack was a highlight as it was done by composer Pritam. The Metro in Dino song is sung by Arijit Singh and captures all the essential nostalgia but with a current flair that speaks to modern day relationships. Newer playlists for this song and the rest of the soundtrack are all deserving successors to those featured in Life in a Metro.

Metro in Dino Release Date and Where to Watch:

The Metro in Dino release date was July 5, 2025. After a number of delays due to scheduling and production issues, the movie was released and was worth the wait as per the comments of people across the internet. Currently, the movie is screening in theaters across India, and should come to streaming in several weeks. If you're wondering where to watch Metro in Dino, you can go to your nearby theater or watch it on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video once it's made available.

Metro in Dino IMDb and Public Reaction:

On Metro in Dino IMDb, the film currently has 7.4/10 rating. The reviews from audiences highlight the film's mature storytelling, stirring music and strong performances. Reviewers have pointed out Basu's ability to weave complex narratives together without the unwanted amount of melodrama that real life does not have, and an even balance of heartbreak and hope.

Most reactions from the audience have been positive, especially from urban audiences who find the characters relatable and the circumstances completely similar to their own experiences.

Metro in Dino: Critics Weigh-in

Most of the Metro in Dino reviews celebrate the film's realistic and emotional qualities. Although some have said the film has a slow and dragging pace in places, most reviewers agree that its anthology format enables it to develop a variety of perspectives using the time and space of a feature-length film. The movie has been praised for not being didactic, not overexplaining its themes, and allowing the audience to meditate and interpret.

Metro in Dino: Hit or Flop? 

It is too early to determine the film's box office fate. Box office analysts are cautiously optimistic. Rapid reviews from viewers on social media platforms will likely propel the film. With an ensemble cast, strong word-of-mouth marketing will likely ensure a meaningful financial return will occur. Overall, Metro in Dino will likely recover its production cost. Whether Metro In Dino is a hit or flop can’t be decided yet due to the mixed reaction surfacing online. These reviews are extreme: some are loving it while others are calling it bad. 

Metro… In Dino is an introspective look at the modern city experience, representing love in our current experiences as silence, a mess, and magic. With a quality cast, entrancing music, and one of Anurag Basu's captivating movies, it is a worthy successor to Life in a Metro. You can catch it in theaters or wait to watch Metro in Dino online because either way, this Bollywood musical is truly worth your time! 

 BY- ANANYA AWASTHI

The Education Department has begun disciplinary action against TK Ashraf, a teacher and General Secretary of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, after he publicly criticized Zumba classes introduced in Kerala schools as part of the state's anti-drug campaign.

In a strongly worded note, the Deputy Director of Education, Palakkad, ordered the administration of the school where Ashraf works to act against him within 24 hours. The department blamed a Facebook post by Ashraf, saying that he had insulted the Education Department and the government's efforts. A screenshot of the post was included in the official communication.

Zumba classes were introduced in schools all over Kerala to instill physical fitness as well as a healthy school culture under the state's anti-narcotics campaign. Yet, the move has attracted criticism from conservative circles, especially among Muslim organisations.

Ashraf was among the most outspoken critics. In his Facebook update, he stated, "Children are being taken to schools for quality education and not for a cultural practice where boys and girls mingle and dance. Some may find this progressive; however, I am regressive in this instance." His remarks have since attracted both approval and criticism online.

The Wisdom Islamic Organisation condemned the Education Department's order as an attack on freedom of speech. Issuing a formal statement, the group said, "The notion that gender is a social construct is an open door to sexual anarchy," and said imposing such programmes ignores religious and cultural sentiments.

The row has set off a broader discussion of the boundaries of education's ability to integrate culture and the place of moral values in determining school curricula. The government justifies Zumba as an exercise initiative with a public health mission, but critics say it conflicts with conventional standards.

The Education Department has not yet responded publicly to the outcry.

Ram Kapoor recently made headlines when he opened up to an interview about how he has worked hard and earned enough for his family to survive at least four generations. More heart-winning, however, is the way his children are charting out their courses - mostly brilliance and resilience academically, especially his daughter Sia Kapoor.

In her recent vlog, Ram proudly boasted that Sia had topped her ICSE board exams with a staggering 97% and is now off to Columbia University following a hiatus at New York University. Ram, being his usual wisecracker, declared, "I got 47%. How could she be my daughter?" Chortling in her usual comedic style, Farah screamed out, "Tune kya khaake isko paida kiya hai (What did you eat before having her)?"

While Sia and her brother Aks keep a low profile and stay out of the limelight, their stories do make it to the headlines periodically. Sia had earlier been in the news when her mother Gautami Kapoor, an actress herself, revealed that she lost 38 kgs — a transformation that finally inspired Ram to begin his own fitness trail.

Speaking with Hauterrfly in an interview, Gautami spoke of, "What actually encouraged Ram was Sia. She slimmed down prior to him, and it actually motivated him. He saw what was achievable by way of her determination."

Farah Khan's vlog also offered a glimpse into Ram Kapoor's stylish and quirky South Bombay apartment, where he invited Farah on a home tour. The sprawling apartment boasts a big, well-furnished living area, a meeting room dedicated to it, an elegant dining room, and a vibrant in-house bar with green round high stools. But the pièce de résistance was lying in wait in a unexpected corner — the loo.

Farah was speechless when she saw a red lips-shaped, bold sofa in the bathroom. "What is this?!" she queried, attempting to comprehend. Ram laughed and told her, "I saw this in the Maldives and wanted to replicate it. That's Mick Jagger's lips, Farah." Farah's response thereafter left Ram and Gautami in stitches.

Sport is an age-old reflection of human excellence - our capacity to push limits, ignore boundaries and have fun while playing. Sport takes myriad shapes, but within the body of sport. From the odd and gnarled sounds of twin turbocharged engines running through the small, nimble and literal symphony of planning and ultimately executing a pit stop, Formula 1 is not just racing; it is a symphony, at full throttle, enjoyed by millions of people around the world. Formula 1 (F1) embodies the convergence of technology, human dexterity, energy, and spectacle. It includes the bellowing roar of turbocharged engines, the element of pit-stop strategy, and the essence of human nature in every riveting race.

Recently, Formula 1 has experienced a renaissance surge in fandom and interest. This surge is not limited to hardcore race fans, but includes Medium and Casual sports; sports fans and followers, engineering enthusiasts, pop culture followers, and some social justice or environmental crusaders. This influx of interest is not coincidence or coincidence - it's more intentional and a transformational evolution of the sport as a whole, driven by democratisation of the sport through innovation, inclusivity, storytelling, and globalisation. With a multifaceted, emotionally engaged, intellectually, and culturally embedded phenomenon, their own experience also allows Formula 1 to reach new heights that sport enthusiasts are strongly driven by.

Speeding Ahead: A Historical Perspective

With roots tracing back to the period right after the Second World War, Formula 1s early history dates to the first official World Championship in 1950 held at Silverstone, United Kingdom. In its early years, the races barely featured machines of absurd speeds and almost no safety, revealing the testing of human courage displayed by drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Alberto Ascari. Through the years, Formula 1 has matured from eras defined by legendary drivers Jim Clark, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher.

Since its inception, Formula 1 has transformed from a profile worthy of being a European sport to an international theatrical spectacle, and a truly global one at that. Races on five continents, with an annual schedule featuring glittering locations such as Monaco, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi, Formula 1 has taken its rightful place as the world's largest sport, and it has achieved this by creating a massive global audience. In short, it is the evolution of legacy and reinvention which has birthed one of the most exciting sporting products in the world today, and periodical cars changing in size and shape.

Formula 1 was formerly restricted to a narrow audience of wealthy society or auto-racing enthusiasts. Today's fans around the world are now safely informed, owing mostly to technologies like broadcast and communications, as well as media in the digital space and fan experiences sometimes bordering on the unreal. It is safe today to say that F1, and its five continents, gives back to a global audience - where viewership regularly numbers in the millions and a following which expands every season. 

The Thrill Factor: Speed, Skill, and Strategy

Formula 1 uniquely offers a powerful combination of speed, skill, and strategic complexity. Racing at such astonishing speeds (more than 350 km/h), experiencing G-forces that stretch the limits of the human body, and resulting in very slim margins just adds to the volatility of the race.

Unlike other sports where the emphasis is solely on athleticism, Formula 1 is a complex mix of mechanical integrity as well as mental capability. The drivers must have split second reactions, all the while constantly adjudicating reasonably variant tracks, weather conditions, and level of mechanical reliability. Formula 1 is an intellectual sport where tactics - particularly, around pit stops, tire selections, and fuel supply - will generally determine the winner of the race more than pure speed.

The added variables in Formula 1 means that each race becomes not just a contest of mechanical machines, but also an environment of contesting minds, which mentally stimulates the sports fan to dissect and internalize the race to formulate their understanding of what just happened.

Beyond Speed: The Complexity of the Sport

The casual observer may view Formula 1 as a vehicle with 4 wheels going round and round on a circuit, but the true enthusiast understands that it is a nano-second sport with extreme capacity for complexity. It is more than just an assessment of the rate of how fast a car could go; Formula 1 is an assessment of the precision of how much a driver can brake to get into a corner, the efficiency at which a team can execute a pit stop in under three seconds, or how smart engineers can use the data to find performance. 

The vehicles themselves are brilliant pieces of machinery. Thanks to hybrid power units, a sophisticated aerodynamic package, and materials technology (carbon fiber, etc.) each Formula car is a development from the forefront of technological and engineering thinking. Engineers are continually adapting for factors like fuel loads, weather, tire deterioration, track conditions, etc., to maximize performance of a Formula 1 car.

For the sporting enthusiast who enjoys mental challenges as well as physical challenges, Formula 1 offers a world of interest, and are aspects of the sport that create curiosity for eternal fascination. F1 is nothing else but strategy, timing, technology, and human execution working in harmony in a way that very few sports can create.

Worldwide Appeal: A Genuine Global Sport

Formula 1's rise as a global product has opened it up to a much larger fan base. The championship's calendar now features over 20 races in a number of nations from Australia to Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and the United States. Each race weekend is as much an event about speed, and also local culture and world unity. 

 This global exposure appeals to those who love sport and appreciate competition on an international stage. The variety of circuits from a flat out Monza in Italy to the street circuits of both Monaco and Singapore provides variation in thrill to their annual calendar.  It also makes it easier for people to attend a Formula 1 season and experience it live and in person from different geographic locations around the world. 

On top of that, F1’s local content productions, regional commentary, and focus on international drivers has helped create a fan base on all continents (just ask those fans and you will see they are passionate), especially in Asia, Latin America, and most recently the USA.

The Netflix Effect: Making F1 Pop Culture

The most significant moment for Formula 1 in recent years came from the hit Netflix documentary series *“Drive to Survive,”* that aired for the first time in 2019. The show gave the grand prix a human aspect, illustrating the rivalries, elite wants, and psychological strain on drivers and team principals.

For first-time audiences with no knowledge of specific car terminology, there was also a very good way in. Formula 1 was no longer a niche motor sport, it managed to transform a motorsport into a narrative driven drama and thus made it relatable to the masses.

The effect of *"Drive to Survive"* has not only pulled in brand new F1 fans into the sport and left a new generation of F1 enthusiasts, but it has enabled audiences to be highly engaged with little direct effort. F1 fans are now not simply watching races, they engage with F1 podcasts, engage with F1 merchandise, engage with F1 fantasy leagues, engage with F1 social media, etc. As they are now emotionally engaged, they have these channels and touchpoints that now make them a part of the F1 community beyond race weekends.

Inclusivity, Diversity, and an Evolving Culture*

Formula 1 is also actively working on becoming a more inclusive, diverse sport. Some examples of initiatives being developed are *F1 Academy, a program that fosters women in motorsport, and partnerships with various organizations/initiatives like *Mission 44*, founded by Lewis Hamilton.

Each of these initiatives opens the door for the sport to broaden its reach from its previous narrow demographic base. 

The sport's active work to become more inclusive racially, geographically, and economically, is not only important from a moral standpoint, but is also critical from a business standpoint in order to attract the growing global audience who is looking for deeper engagement, beyond the television screen. As the sport continues to democratize its access to participation, and spectatorship, the opportunities for new fans and fresh talent will begin to happen exponentially. 

Economic and Experiential Worth

Formula 1 is more than just a race day; it provides significant economic value to host cities, including in tourism, hospitality and global destination exposure. Grand Prix weekends are designed as true entertainment festivals nowadays, including concerts, fan zones, VIP experiences and cultural showcases.

This experience has made attending a Formula 1 event a bucket-list exercise for many sports fans, providing opportunities for travel, entertainment and sport all in one fabulous experience.

For instance, the night race at the Singapore Grand Prix has turned into a global event and globally recognized shake-up in sport, featuring a pace of lights, skyline, and sound. Also, the Las Vegas Grand Prix which started in 2023 brought Formula 1 racing to the literal heart of entertainment capital, wherein new levels of immersive sports-tourism were created for the die-hard 'F1 fan'. 

Challenges and Future Outlook

While along the path of effects of risks and benefits to the sport of professional motorsport, Formula 1 is not without challenges. The sky high costs for entrants, access to sustainable resources, and/or excessive saturation and/or dominance for a few particular elite teams are threats to the integrity of the competition of the sport. In addition, the global reach for races in a multitude of counties, will need to focus on varying cultural sensitivities and unify rules and regulations across nations.

Thus far the FIA nor Liberty Media (the commercial rights holder of F1) have shown an ability and willingness to cope with these challenges. The extended race calendar with more races added to support multiple-day/multiple-race formats, sprint races, re-vamped Paddock Club; as inducting fan engagement models for the streams in formats with regular engagement around teams' driving talent are still all massive updates done with scope to measure and add into the evolving sport. 

The future for Formula 1 looks bright.  In addition to the promising 2026 new engine format presumably leading to even higher levels of technology innovation, and relentless investment opportunities externally with momentum in supporting younger drivers and supporting fan engagement and enthusiasms, with even more scope and aspiration for the wider audience with medium and next level platforms, the future breaks even closer towards more accessibility to frequent masses of and more fiercely competitive events than ever! 

Conclusion: The Height of Passion and Precision* 

Today’s Formula 1 stands for *speed, science, strategy, and spectacle* combined. A sport that requires technical execution and emotional intelligence, individual skills and team synergy, Formula 1 is, for the contemporary sport devotee, not "simply" a race; it is a continually unfolding narrative, an intellectual pursuit, a cultural event, and an emotional engagement.

By extending its international footprint as it has, enjoying increasing digital sophistication, committing to sustainability and human story-telling, Formula 1 is not only keeping pace with a crowded sporting landscape, it is *flying higher*.

More than ever, sports fans want more from an experience than the final score, and Formula 1 comes up with a sizing that is multi-dimensional, interactive, multi-disciplinary, and ultimately satisfying. Whether you're a passionate follower of Ferrari's great ascension, a gawking admirer of Mercedes' supremacy, an unapologetic supporter of Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, or anyone who appreciates the hour of pit wall invention—Formula 1 represents something important for everyone.

In summary, Formula 1 is not changing motorsport—it is redefining what it means to be a sports fan in the 21st century.

BY- ANANYA AWASTHI