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Cleaning up the ‘System’ might be <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>’s latest passion, but it reverts to stereotypes all too soon and the art of conveying a pertinent message becomes an imperfect endeavour. The saga started with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Queen-OutshinesGulaab-Gang-Total-Siyapaa-Tanks/articleshow/31848837.cms">Gulaab Gang</a>, continued through <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Youngistaan-Falls-FlatDishkiyaoon-O-Teri-Are-Clear-Flops/articleshow/33127458.cms">Youngistaan</a> and climaxed with superstar <keyword id="6357912" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="amitabh-bachchan">Amitabh Bachchan</keyword> returning with the much-hyped <keyword id="828468" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Supernatural">supernatural</keyword> comedy sequel, <keyword id="1906261" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhoothnath-Returns">Bhoothnath Returns</keyword>. This time, we have an adorable 70-plus ghost trying to set things right for the <keyword id="6361831" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="dharavi">Dharavi</keyword> <keyword id="56930" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="slum-dwellers">slum dwellers</keyword> and rooting out corruption in the process. But unlike the 2008 prequel, <keyword id="14780" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bhoothnath">Bhoothnath</keyword>, finger-snapping alone doesn’t do the trick. Instead, <keyword id="2217" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Big-B">Big B</keyword> (<keyword id="291868" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kailash-Nath">Kailash Nath</keyword> aka Bhoothnath in the movie series) gets ready to contest polls, preaches people to go out &amp; vote, and does loads of good work in-between, amply helped by the street-smart brat <keyword id="2199671" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Akhrot">Akhrot</keyword> (<keyword id="1068845" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Parth-Bhalerao">Parth Bhalerao</keyword>). Undoubtedly a great gesture from a spirit who cares, but it carries too much baggage than is good for the <keyword id="678332" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Subtle">subtle</keyword> art of influencing, impacting and entertaining – all at the same time. 
 But that does not mean the fantasy-comedy won’t become a Bollywood hit. In spite of its many faults, Big B spins his magic on-screen and the movie has managed to shake off a slow start. Directed and co-written by <keyword id="368516" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nitesh-Tiwari">Nitesh Tiwari</keyword> of <keyword id="248958" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Chillar-Party">Chillar Party</keyword> fame, Bhoothnath Returns hit around 1,300 theatres at home but had a dull opening on April 11. It netted around Rs 4.07 crore on the debut day and witnessed a low occupancy rate of 25-30%. But <keyword id="2199678" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Weekend-business">weekend business</keyword> literally touched the sky and the movie netted a little over Rs 18 crore at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword> after the first three days. 
 
“BhoothnathReturns Fri 4.07 cr, Sat 5.85 cr, Sun 8.10 cr. Total: 18.02 cr nett. India biz… Excellent growth over the weekend,” tweeted film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh. 
 
But the numbers dwindled on the crucial Day 4 and Day 5 (April 14 and 15). Although official figures are not available yet, the movie totalled a little more than Rs 7 crore on these two days, according to <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">Box Office</keyword> Collection, thus reaching Rs 25 crore (approx) at home. Interestingly, the budget of this movie has not been disclosed yet, but some industry insiders put it at around Rs 30 crore. However, the initial numbers are definitely much better than Kangna Ranaut-starrer <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Box-Office-Queen-OutshinesGulaab-Gang-Total-Siyapaa-Tanks/articleshow/31848837.cms">Queen</a> (Rs 12 crore in first 4 days). Incidentally, <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword> has already netted more than Rs 60 crore at home, as per industry reports. We can’t really predict whether this Big B movie can get into that Big League or enter the Rs 100 crore club, but going by the current trend, it may overtake Bhoothnath’s earnings that managed to gross around Rs 68 crore worldwide. 
 And that brings us back to the basics. With the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword> polls in full swing, Bhoothnath Returns was expected to do much better at the domestic box office, especially as it aims to blend some meaningful messages with fantasy to present a <keyword id="2199680" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Socio-political-satire">socio-political satire</keyword>, loaded with <keyword id="1802565" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="tongue-in-cheek-humour">tongue-in-cheek humour</keyword> and sharp, <keyword id="2199682" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Witty-one-liners">witty one-liners</keyword>. The movie follows that script, but only up to a point, and then loses its pace and crispiness as is the wont of traditional Bollywood flicks. 
 The first half of the movie is quite entertaining, though. Bhoothnath returns from the <keyword id="2199683" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhoot-World">Bhoot World</keyword> as he is under pressure to prove his mettle as a ghost and must be able to scare a kid (his previous caper with Banku clearly hadn’t won the approval of fellow-ghosts). But this time, he has been won over by the slum kid Akhrot (Parth) and soon has a face-off with the <keyword id="2199670" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="evil-politician">evil politician</keyword> <keyword id="602825" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhau">Bhau</keyword> (Boman Irani). The rest of the story gets painfully predictable and then downright preachy, dragging on eternally before reaching an over-the-top climax. As most critics have pointed out, the second half of this flick could have easily passed muster as an infotainment video on ‘<keyword id="2199685" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Why-you-should-vote">why you should vote</keyword>’ and ‘<keyword id="924262" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vote-for-change">vote for change</keyword>.’ 
 
As the story gets stretched and execution gets lacklustre, Bhoothnath Returns loses its appeal of fantasy (something that never happens in a <keyword id="1837502" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="harry-potter-movie">Harry Potter movie</keyword> in spite of its markedly pronounced good-versus-evil theme), its appeal for kids (hardly a <keyword id="2199690" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fun-movie">fun movie</keyword>, compared to the earlier one) and its appeal for thinking adults (<keyword id="6354633" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajkumar-Hirani">Rajkumar Hirani</keyword>’s Munna Bhai series will impact you better). 
 
But Bhoothnath Returns has its special charms as well. The <keyword id="2199696" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bachchan-magic">Bachchan magic</keyword> and his easy frolic with kids are bound to win many hearts. But the star of the show is the <keyword id="5334" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-debutant">Bollywood debutant</keyword> Parth Bhalerao who is absolutely brilliant. Then there are the cameos – <keyword id="1671" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-Khan">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword>, <keyword id="6357861" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="ranbir-kapoor">Ranbir Kapoor</keyword> and <keyword id="7929" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anurag-Kashyap">Anurag Kashyap</keyword> all fall in line to support the message Bhoothnath is trying to convey. All in all, Bhoothnath Returns is a movie worth watching in spite of its none-too-impressive initial performance and execution flaws. Business may pick up further as the (release) timing has been perfect and Bachchan fans are known to form that <keyword id="828348" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="critical-mass">critical mass</keyword> of movie-goers that can always spell massive success, even if it is a bit late in the day.

Box Office: Bhoothnath
Returns In Style In Spite Of Chinks In Armour And A Tepid Start

Food is a political stuff. Though the basic role of food is to fill the tummy, give the body its share of nutrients and proteins, modern world has discovered more ways of using food as a means to more important ends. 
 
Haven’t we all heard of power lunch? Working lunch? A business brunch or networking at fine dining places? Food, for sure, brings a lot more people together than business alone can. Food has this unique characteristic of moving from the basic premise of a meeting, and creating a short cut into people’s emotional worlds. Food is a lot emotional stuff too. 
 
From being a significant part of human existence, food has gained many shades to itself. Apart from serving its functional purpose, food has turned a political tool, a decisive element in the society and now, into a form of art. 
 
As the journey of the food got exciting, humans who turned into ‘people’ realized it could work more than its share of brief. 
 
It was as though, the magic capacity of food was unleashed over the world. How else would you explain the ‘fine dining’ occasions helping create business deals, run empires and forge bonds? 
 
Over a period of time, after globalization left the borders open for everyone; food also underwent a massive change. People tried cuisines that were unheard of, and surprisingly, realized they took a liking to something so foreign and vivid. 
 
To understand how Americans love Chinese takeaways and UK loves its butter chicken, you need to understand how cheese has become almost inseparable from wine evenings all over the world. 
 
Meals at restaurant weren’t anything like what mothers prepared at home. In fact, meals at restaurant were never meant to taste like home. Hence, homes began to replicate taste of ‘restaurant’ in their kitchens. With time, gourmet cuisine upped the game by a few notches. 
 
With that, meals became more than what they were. Food moved beyond being a matter of taste and nutrition. It assumed the form of art. 
As of today, when gourmet meals are ‘curated’ and created plate by plate, they remain a mark of exclusivity and craftsmanship. And it’s nice to see when artisans are still in awe of their work. After the crafted meal has made its way into the stomach and intestines of its eater, a chef reinvents his art; betters it and adds his creative juices to make the experience even more enjoyable with subsequent time. 
 
The palates long for even more exclusive taste. 
 
Having relished the taste of such art form that has evolved for better; demand for curated meals has only increased in the recent past. Hence it is little surprise that Mumbai launched India’s first home delivery of restaurant style meals. The venture has tasted good success too. 
 Indians are hungry for varied cuisines. They love their share of pasta with biryani, if need be, even working a combo of burritos and pulao depending on the weather. ‘<keyword id="3199820" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="haute-chef">Haute Chef</keyword>’ as a concept is pitted at changing the dynamics of marriage between Indian food and international cuisine. 
 Going by the fact that experience makes human existence complete, these meals, created by celebrity <keyword id="2752932" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chef-Ranveer-Brar">Chef Ranveer Brar</keyword>, have the unique aspect of being able to have a hands on experience of creating these dishes, with perfectly measured ingredients. This truly is the USP of Haute Chef, says CEO Vishal Shah. 
 
For Chef Brar, this experiment of creating an experience that was lost in the tide of time. 
 
“Future of food is bright in India, because our people have a taste for many varieties of cuisines. The situation right now, pertaining to food, is extremely conducive owing to the fact that we have capital, technology and the market to create niche products. Ours is a vibrant scene because food for us, is nothing less than the culture itself” he says. 
 
Haute Chef has an interesting line of dishes with Chicken Cafreal, Veg Crudites, Akhrot Aioli, Biryani Galette, Desi Ratatouille Makhani, Achaari Watermelon and Tahini Raita so on and so forth. 
 
In a time-pressed world, CEO Vishal Shah really took a huge risk despite the skepticism of meal kits working in a market that is so accustomed to the ready-to-eat meals. 
 
“Indian food market is rapidly evolving. Our niche segment is as exclusive as our line of products. This is a very promising aspect. It is catering to our idea of bringing artisan meal experience into people’s kitchens, and allow them to rediscover the joy of rustling up magic,” he adds. Magic, it truly is; the food we mean. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

Curated meals are magical, an art that is satiating taste buds

The summer vacation is right here and you must be thinking up some fun activities to keep your little devils engaged. How about a movie marathon as you watch together some of the best kids’ films ever made in <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="40" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>? Here’s a look at the top 10 movies and what they offer. 
 
1. Bhoothnath Returns 
A sequel to 2008’s Bhoothnath, this film starts when Bhoothnath returns to the Bhoot World (the world of ghosts) after bidding adieu to Banku on Earth. But in the Bhoot World, he is taunted right and left for getting bullied by a child. So to redeem himself, Bhoothnath comes back to earth with the mission to scare kids. And this time, he meets Akhrot. Mind you, he’s the only person who can see Bhoothnath. But soon, they become <keyword id="343" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Friends">friends</keyword> and decide to fight against the country’s most powerful and corrupt <keyword id="6378412" type="POSITION" weightage="40" keywordseo="politician">politician</keyword>. Will a ghost win the humans’ battle against corruption? Find out as you watch this tale of good against evil. 
 
2. Stanley Ka Dabba 
This film will take you back to your school days. From sharing your lunch to making friends and ganging up against teachers, this movie has it all and never fails to please. Stanley is an orphan but he keeps it a secret and there is no one at home to pack his lunch. But what happens when his school teacher forbids him to attend school until he comes with a lunch box? What will he do now? Find out as you watch this heart-touching story. 
 
3. <keyword id="248958" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="Chillar-Party">Chillar Party</keyword> 
A must-watch film for kids to give them a lesson or two about the power of unity. A group of happy-go-lucky kids decide to fight against a politician who has made a new rule to capture all stray dogs. Will they win? Find out as you watch this inspirational tale with your kids. 
 
4. Taare Zameen Par Ishaan is brilliant when it comes to painting. But his academic performance is a great cause of concern for his parents who send him to a boarding school. One of his teachers, played by <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword>, finds out that he is dyslexic and decides to help him overcome the disability. In addition to Aamir’s superlative direction, child actor <keyword id="15296" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Darsheel-Safary">Darsheel Safary</keyword>’s performance makes it one of the best kids’ movies ever made in Bollywood. 
 
5. Gattu 
Here’s a touching tale of faith and strong will power. Gattu is the story of a small town boy who has decided to defeat a black kite called <keyword id="84966" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kali">Kali</keyword>, which is believed to be mysterious. Every kid wants to master the black kite but no one has done it. Will Gattu succeed? 
 
6. Blue Umbrella 
Based on Ruskin Bond’s story, this movie is directed by Visal Bhardwaj and tells the story of Biniya, a girl with an enchanting blue umbrella that she has got from a Japanese tourist. A shop-cum-restaurant-owner is jealous of Biniya’s umbrella and manages to steal it, and dyes it red. What will Biniya do now? 
 
7. Halo 
A motherless girl is in search of her lost dog, Halo. She meets a myriad of people and faces several tough situations while trying to find her dog, but Halo is nowhere to be found. Finally, she finds him but sets him free. Are you wondering why? Find out as you watch the movie. 
 
8. Makdee Makdee is the story of the twin sisters – Chunni and Munni. One fine day, the village witch, played by <keyword id="19" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Shabana-Azmi">Shabana Azmi</keyword>, traps them and tortures them. If they want to save their lives, they have to complete all sorts of weird tasks assigned by the witch. Will they be able to escape? Find out! 
 
9. Chota Chetan 
This is the Hindi remake of the Malayalam movie My Dear Kuttichathan (1984), which was India’s first 3D film. When re-released in 1998 as Chota Chetan, more scenes were added to the original to make it a visual delight. Moreover, new characters were also introduced in the later version, including those of <keyword id="1262" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Urmila-Matondkar">Urmila Matondkar</keyword> and <keyword id="2218" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Satish-Kaushik">Satish Kaushik</keyword>. The film is full of excitement and adventure, and your kids will simply love it. 
 
10. Anjali 
Yet another gem of a children’s movie! Directed by Mani Ratnam, this is the story of a two-year-old mentally challenged and terminally ill girl. Her father keeps her away from her mother and tells his spouse that she has given birth to a stillborn. However, the mother eventually finds out about her daughter. The two-year-old protagonist is exceptional in the role and Mani Ratnam has portrayed the day-to-day activities of the kids beautifully. 
 
Image: Indiatimes

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Box Office: Bhoothnath Returns In Style In Spite Of Chinks In Armour And A Tepid Start

Sanghamitra Mandal

Curated meals are magical, an art that is satiating taste buds

Preetam Kaushik

Summer Fun: Check Out These 10 Must-watch Bollywood Movies For Kids

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