Pari is Prosit Roy's first film as the main director and Anushka Sharma's first movie release since her December wedding to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. Universal Pictures
Pari is Prosit Roy's first film as the main director and Anushka Sharma's first movie release since her December wedding to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. Universal Pictures
Pari is Prosit Roy's first film as the main director and Anushka Sharma's first movie release since her December wedding to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. Universal Pictures
Pari is Prosit Roy's first film as the main director and Anushka Sharma's first movie release since her December wedding to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli. Universal Pictures

Film review: 'Pari' flies between fairy tale and horror


Kumar Shyam
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Pari

Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment

Director: Prosit Roy

Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani

Three stars

With Pari, an A-list Bollywood actress has decided to both produce and star in a horror film, so what are the results?

Pari is the first movie of Anushka Sharma to be released since her high-profile wedding to Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli. Co-produced with her brother Karnesh Sharma, Mrs Anushka Virat Kohli's latest project ventures into experimentation with the horror genre. It is tastefully done, although lacks slightly on the fear quotient.

It is difficult to explain the following statement without revealing the plot, but Pari's strength is that it overcomes some of the weaknesses of the experimentation of horror films in the past.

However, in trying to be different, Prosit Roy's directorial debut fails to deliver at the end, even after having plotted and connected the dots well throughout the film.

Roy was assistant director to Anushka in Phillauri, a comedy film in which her character had a supernatural touch. Roy has done well with this horror, with each scene nicely shot and edited to make every second count when it comes to adding to the suspense and plot.

The irritating overuse of darkness and unnecessary eerie music typical of the genre has been avoided. Or rather, should we say, the story has been developed accordingly. The lush greenery of Kolkata, rustic houses, the character of a morgue assistant (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) and a Bangladesh connection all blend in well.

In Anushka's character – a frail fairy of dubious origin who yearns for love - there is not much scope for a supernatural flexing of muscles. But all these elements accentuate the fact that the horror part of the film is compromised. To its credit, compared with horror films usually  characterised by mindless blood and gore, Pari moves along with purpose. Until the bland climax.

Anushka is outstanding right up until the final act, with able support by the ever-dependable Rajat Kapoor and Parambrata Chattopadhyay. Kohli applauded his wife's work after a screening on Thursday, calling it her best work to date, and he's not far off the mark.

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

US tops drug cost charts

The study of 13 essential drugs showed costs in the United States were about 300 per cent higher than the global average, followed by Germany at 126 per cent and 122 per cent in the UAE.

Thailand, Kenya and Malaysia were rated as nations with the lowest costs, about 90 per cent cheaper.

In the case of insulin, diabetic patients in the US paid five and a half times the global average, while in the UAE the costs are about 50 per cent higher than the median price of branded and generic drugs.

Some of the costliest drugs worldwide include Lipitor for high cholesterol. 

The study’s price index placed the US at an exorbitant 2,170 per cent higher for Lipitor than the average global price and the UAE at the eighth spot globally with costs 252 per cent higher.

High blood pressure medication Zestril was also more than 2,680 per cent higher in the US and the UAE price was 187 per cent higher than the global price.

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

Arabian Gulf Cup FINAL

Al Nasr 2

(Negredo 1, Tozo 50)

Shabab Al Ahli 1

(Jaber 13)

Company%20profile
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Pari

Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment

Director: Prosit Roy

Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani

Three stars