Vicky Kaushal takes on the role of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj in Chhaava, a historical drama that brings the Maratha warrior's story to life.
Based on Shivaji Sawant’s Marathi novel of the same name, the film dives into the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s son, blending history with high-stakes drama.
The title, Chhaava, translates to lion cub. While narrator Ajay Devgn rushes through a high-speed history lesson in the guise of a prelude, characters are explained outright rather than allowed to develop organically.
It’s an absolute shame, considering the world is built spectacularly. Saurabh Goswami’s drop-dead gorgeous cinematography captures some of the most visually memorable frames.
The production design and art direction are on full display and, considering director Laxman Utekar’s own work experience as a solid cinematographer, it’s no surprise.
The decision to talk at viewers rather than through the film's characters is baffling. Wars won off-screen? Someone informs viewers by waxing lyrical about the effect the war has had on the kingdom. Did someone die off-screen? Viewers are informed by the characters as they announce it.
It’s not just the explanatory catch-up sessions that are problematic. The quieter moments are awkward too. There are moments of respite, of course. Divya Dutta’s intense, obsessive role and Akshaye Khanna’s powerful, almost unrecognisable portrayal of the ambitious Mughal ruler Aurangzeb are among the film’s highlights.
Their presence demands undivided attention. Khanna, in particular, while given the usual dialogue that painfully drags the story through hot gravel, ends up making a lasting impact despite – and not because of – the narrative.
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
The other performers aren’t far behind. Every person in front of the camera gives it their all, from Kaushal’s impressive physical work as the film’s lead to the supporting cast that includes Ashutosh Rana, Diana Penty and Vineet Kumar Singh. The movie boasts a stacked cast that manages to impress, weathering the bumps in the road.
Unfortunately, nothing else in the movie sticks and by the end of the second act the narrative gets so excruciatingly loud and slow that even the flashy, ultra-violent action can’t save it. The film runs for 161 minutes but feels longer.
As the credits roll on Chhaava, all that lingers is a hollow echo of jingoistic noise. Not even the easy-on-ears soundtrack by Academy Award-winner AR Rahman can drown it out. The film is too loud, too long and edited too carelessly to make any lasting impression.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Race card
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (Dirt), 1,900m
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB), Dh82,500 (D), 1,200m
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB), Dh120,000 (D), 1,400m
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB), Dh92,500 (D)1,400m
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB), Dh95,000 (D), 2,000m
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The Programme
Saturday, October 26: ‘The Time That Remains’ (2009) by Elia Suleiman
Saturday, November 2: ‘Beginners’ (2010) by Mike Mills
Saturday, November 16: ‘Finding Vivian Maier’ (2013) by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
Tuesday, November 26: ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) by Alan J Pakula
Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson
MATCH INFO
Mumbai Indians 186-6 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 183-5 (20 ovs)
Mumbai Indians won by three runs
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Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
Company profile
Company: Rent Your Wardrobe
Date started: May 2021
Founder: Mamta Arora
Based: Dubai
Sector: Clothes rental subscription
Stage: Bootstrapped, self-funded
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
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The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
The Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index
Mazen Abukhater, principal and actuary at global consultancy Mercer, Middle East, says the company’s Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index - which benchmarks 34 pension schemes across the globe to assess their adequacy, sustainability and integrity - included Saudi Arabia for the first time this year to offer a glimpse into the region.
The index highlighted fundamental issues for all 34 countries, such as a rapid ageing population and a low growth / low interest environment putting pressure on expected returns. It also highlighted the increasing popularity around the world of defined contribution schemes.
“Average life expectancy has been increasing by about three years every 10 years. Someone born in 1947 is expected to live until 85 whereas someone born in 2007 is expected to live to 103,” Mr Abukhater told the Mena Pensions Conference.
“Are our systems equipped to handle these kind of life expectancies in the future? If so many people retire at 60, they are going to be in retirement for 43 years – so we need to adapt our retirement age to our changing life expectancy.”
Saudi Arabia came in the middle of Mercer’s ranking with a score of 58.9. The report said the country's index could be raised by improving the minimum level of support for the poorest aged individuals and increasing the labour force participation rate at older ages as life expectancies rise.
Mr Abukhater said the challenges of an ageing population, increased life expectancy and some individuals relying solely on their government for financial support in their retirement years will put the system under strain.
“To relieve that pressure, governments need to consider whether it is time to switch to a defined contribution scheme so that individuals can supplement their own future with the help of government support,” he said.
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
