Indian megastars Hrithik Roshan and NTR go guns blazing in the first trailer of Bollywood action film War 2, which was extensively shot in Abu Dhabi.
A sequel to the 2019 hit, War, which starred Roshan alongside Tiger Shroff, the big-budget follow-up is scheduled to be released on August 15, India's Independence Day. Actress Kiara Advani joins the starry cast and actor Ashutosh Rana, who was also in the first film, returns.
Ayan Mukerji, whose last film was the 2022 blockbuster, Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva, is the director.
War 2 will follow Roshan's character Kabir, an Indian special agent who goes rogue, while NTR plays Vikram, a special agent who's tasked to capture Kabir.
Both Roshan and NTR are major names in India. Roshan is one of the highest-paid actors in Bollywood, while South Indian star NTR, or NT Rama Rao Jr, is known across the country for the record-breaking 2022 magnum opus RRR, which won Best Original Song at the Oscars.
War 2 is the 14th Indian film to be shot in Abu Dhabi and the latest major production to take advantage of the city's rebate initiative, said Sameer Al Jaberi, the head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission.
The film's high-octane trailer features several Abu Dhabi locations including Yas Island, which played a central role in the recent Hollywood blockbuster F1: The Movie.
"The recent trailer release has certainly engaged film fans and heightened the anticipation for War 2, and for the local crew, including three talented interns," Al Jaberi said. "We look forward to seeing Abu Dhabi on the big screens in cinemas across the world and also feel immense pride at our collective and wide-ranging efforts which have established Abu Dhabi as a home for Indian cinema."
War 2 is also the third film by producers Yash Raj Films to be shot in Abu Dhabi, besides Tiger Zinda Hai and Bunty Aur Babli 2.
"India’s film industry remains at the forefront of partnerships we are establishing and growing with production teams like Yash Raj Films, whose legacy spans over five decades," said Mohamed Dobay, the acting director general of Abu Dhabi’s Creative Media Authority.
"Yash Raj Films brings incredible talent into our nation to see all that Abu Dhabi has to offer in terms of variety of location, established industry talent, experienced and supportive film commission and of course financial assistance so that Abu Dhabi continues to attract global production from India and beyond.”
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
The five pillars of Islam
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
The Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
