Entertainment

Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Celebrates 53 Years

Published

1 year ago

March 24, 2025

Many film enthusiasts believe that Francis Ford Coppola’s *The Godfather* is the most impactful film in cinema history, and I tend to agree. Feroz Khan, who starred in two of the most notable films inspired by *The Godfather*, would likely share this sentiment. Here’s a tribute to the various interpretations and adaptations of the iconic film, from the commendable to the downright terrible.

**Dharmatma (1975):** Feroz Khan was always ahead of his time, making it fitting that he was the first Bollywood director to embrace the *Godfather* phenomenon. This outrageous remake closely mirrors the original, with Feroz stepping into Al Pacino’s shoes and Premnath portraying Marlon Brando. Although it’s a somewhat ridiculous homage, one highlight is the stunning Hema Malini as Reshma, the exotic Afghan beauty who captures Feroz’s heart. Her dance to Lata Mangeshkar’s “Mere galiyon se logon ki yaari ho gayi” might have given Coppola pause in making *The Godfather Part II*. But then again, this was Feroz Khan—he could do anything.

**Aatank Hi Aatank (1995):** Another significant Hindi adaptation of *The Godfather*, this film weaves a complicated narrative that manages to be somewhat engaging. Ishrat Ali plays a Mumbai ganglord reminiscent of Brando’s character, while Rajnikanth and Aamir Khan, in their only collaboration together, take on roles loosely inspired by Sunny and Michael Corleone. The film faced numerous challenges behind the scenes, with drama off-camera arguably rivaling that on-screen.

**Nayakan (1987):** Directed by Mani Ratnam and featuring Kamal Haasan, *Nayakan* is a Tamil classic centered on the life of gangster Varadarajan Mudaliar. It earned a spot on *Time Magazine*’s list of the “All Time 100 Best Films” in 2005, showcasing one of the finest performances by an Indian actor. Kamal Haasan’s portrayal in *Nayakan* rivals Brando’s in *The Godfather*. Following *Nayakan*’s immense success, both the actor and director became too prominent to work together on a single film again, even being family. Kamal has openly discussed his admiration for Mario Puzo and Coppola, acknowledging the influence of *The Godfather* while aiming to ground *Nayakan* in local culture. Feroz Khan later directed a Hindi adaptation titled *Dayavan*, which was a rather indifferent parody of *Nayakan*, itself an astute adaptation of *The Godfather*.

**Sarkar (2005):** One of Ram Gopal Varma’s standout films post-*Satya*, *Rangeela,* and *Company*, features Amitabh Bachchan as Subhash Nagre, a character combining aspects of Brando’s Godfather and Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray. The film presents the “parallel government” theme in a compelling manner, with Mr. Bachchan delivering a performance filled with tension and Abhishek executing his role as the Indian Michael Corleone with impressive finesse.

**Malik (2021):** Mahesh Narayanan’s Malayalam film *Malik* takes inspiration from *The Godfather*, akin to how Gulzar’s *Parichay* drew from *The Sound of Music*. The film opens with an elaborate 12-minute shot of celebrations at Sulaiman’s (Fahad Faasil) home, reminiscent of the wedding scene in *The Godfather*. However, following this impressive introduction, *Malik* becomes a complex narrative that aims to provide a subversive perspective on Coppola’s classic. Cinematographer Sanu Varghese captures the dense atmosphere that permeates the story. Sulaiman embarks on a pilgrimage to atone for his sins but finds himself arrested under TADA at the airport, raising the question: Should we view a “hero” as admirable when he is a suspected terrorist? This aspect caused a disconnect for me. As the film progresses, shifting timelines showcase Sulaiman’s bravery, which feels more clichéd than iconic. Ultimately, *Malik* stands as an ambitious failure—at best, it’s an exploration of flawed heroism, and at worst, it glorifies criminal behavior.

Entertainment

Taare Zameen Par Child Actor Now a Dentist in the UK

Published

18 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

New Delhi: Sachet Seth, who played Yohaan Awasthi in the 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, is now a certified dentist in the United Kingdom. He played the role of Ishaan’s elder brother in the popular movie.

While actor Darsheel Safary continued his career in the film industry, Sachet chose a different path. He studied dentistry and earned his degree from D Y Patil University.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Sachet later received a gold medal in periodontology. He is now a registered dental practitioner in the UK.

Apart from dentistry, Sachet is also passionate about aviation. In 2024, he shared a photo from an aircraft cockpit and spoke about his excitement after completing his first flight. He said the experience inspired him and encouraged him to pursue more opportunities in aviation.

In Taare Zameen Par, Sachet played Yohaan, the disciplined and academically successful elder brother of Ishaan. Despite his achievements, Yohaan cared deeply for his younger brother and supported him through his struggles with dyslexia.

Speaking about his experience working on the film, Sachet recalled that he and Darsheel had a lot of fun during the shoot. He said director and actor Aamir Khan helped the young actors understand their scenes and emotions before filming.

Released in 2007, Taare Zameen Par marked Aamir Khan’s directorial debut. The film tells the story of Ishaan, a young boy with dyslexia who faces difficulties at school and home. His life changes when his art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, recognizes his condition and helps him discover his talent for painting.

The film remains one of the most loved and influential movies in Indian cinema.

Entertainment

Sanvi Sudeep Hits Back at Trolls over Ganesha Tattoo

Published

22 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Singer and actor Sudeep’s daughter, Sanvi Sudeep, has strongly responded to online trolls who criticized her for getting a Ganesha tattoo on her back.

The tattoo recently became a topic of discussion on social media. Reacting to the criticism, Sanvi questioned why she should seek anyone’s permission for decisions about her own body.

“Do I need your permission to get a tattoo? Do I need your approval for every decision in my life?” she said.

Sanvi stated that negative comments do not affect her. However, she said it was disappointing to see people spending so much time and energy trolling her online. She added that some people may be making such comments only to gain attention.

She also addressed criticism over calling her father, actor Sudeep, an “old man.” Sanvi said that she is his daughter and that she will always refer to him that way in a loving manner. She accused some people of looking for any reason to spread hate.

Responding to comments about her achievements, Sanvi said that people are free to express their opinions, but she is not obligated to follow everything they say. She criticized anonymous users who hide behind screens and judge the lives of public figures.

Sanvi further said that constant public attention often affects the personal lives of celebrities and their families. According to her, it becomes difficult to celebrate family occasions or spend private moments with loved ones because of public scrutiny.

She also claimed that some of the people who criticize her online later approach her and her family for photographs when they meet in person. Calling the situation “sad,” she urged people to be more respectful on social media.

Her remarks have sparked fresh discussions online about celebrity privacy and social media trolling.

Entertainment

Woman in Saree Impresses Internet with Michael Jackson-Inspired Dance Moves

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

A content creator from India has gone viral on social media for performing Michael Jackson’s famous dance moves while wearing a traditional saree. The video features Komal Kumari dancing to the King of Pop’s iconic song Billie Jean.

The performance stands out because Komal executes challenging moves, including body isolations, robotic popping, and the legendary moonwalk, with remarkable ease. Many viewers were amazed by her ability to perform such technical steps while dressed in a saree.

The video is presented as a humorous skit. It imagines a situation where Komal’s mother watches the 2026 musical film Michael and becomes obsessed with Michael Jackson’s dance style. The creative concept added an extra layer of entertainment for viewers.

Social media users flooded the comments section with praise. One user wrote, “She’s literally a good dancer though.” Another commented, “Woohooooo.. you go girl,” while a third added, “Mammm u got some movesssss.” Many people appreciated the unique blend of Indian tradition and global pop culture showcased in the performance.