The new Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” based on the Marvel Comics characters Sam Wilson / Falcon and Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier is a proof that the small screen is going to be an important avenue for the further expansion of the major superhero franchises as we have already seen with WandaVision and Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which is available in India on Disney+ Hotstar Premium, is set after the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019) with Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan reprising their roles as Sam Wilson (aka The Falcon) and Bucky Barnes (aka The Winter Soldier). Directed by Kari Skogland, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier also stars Daniel Brühl, Emily VanCamp, Wyatt Russell, and Erin Kellyman in pivotal roles.

When at the end of Endgame an aging Steve Rogers had passed his shield to Sam Wilson, it had opened up the exciting possibility of a Black Captain America. Wilson, however, is quick to dash all our hopes when at the beginning of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier he hands over Rogers’ shield to the U.S. government for a museum display. To everyone’s great shock the government soon announces John Walker, a decorated member of the U.S. Army, as the new Captain America and so Steve Rogers’ dream of a Black Captain America goes for a toss.

To make the matters worse, Rogers’ shield is also handed over to Walker. Bucky Barnes, who got recently pardoned, is furious to learn about the new Captain America. Also, he is mad at Wilson for not honoring Rogers’ wish and giving away the shield to the government. Meanwhile, Wilson learns about a terrorist group called the “Flag Smashers” that’s fighting for open national borders, believing that life was better during the Blip when Thanos had wiped out half of the human population. Wilson and Barnes team up to stop the terrorist group but quickly learn that the terrorists are all super soldiers headed by a girl named Karli Morgenthau. Alarmed that someone has recreated the Super Soldier Serum, they embark upon a mission to get to the roots of the conspiracy. When Barnes fails to attend a session of the government-mandated therapy as part of the pardon granted to him, he gets arrested. But Walker has him released. Walker desperately wants to get Wilson and Barnes onboard but the duo considers him unworthy of the Captain America title and refuses to work with him.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier raises some very pertinent issues about the times we live in. It succeeds in establishing a strong dialogue with the Black Lives Matter movement and widespread conversations about racism. It constantly reminds us about the white privilege through its various characters. How John Walker gets offered the coveted title of Captain America on a platter. How difficult it is for the authorities to choose a Black Captain America. Through the story of Isaiah Bradley, a black super soldier who fought the Winter Soldier in the Korean War, we learn how he was imprisoned and experimented on by the U.S. government for 30 years for his super-abilities when he should have been hailed as a hero just a white man like Steve Rogers was. Wilson’s reluctance to carry Rogers’ shield somewhere also stems from his insecurities as a black man living in the US.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is also not hesitant to deal with the issue of refugees. It constantly puts the government under the scanner for its decision-making. Five years after the Blip when the disappeared half of the population suddenly began to reappear it created a major issue for the governments of the world. There is a scene wherein Wilson confronts the politicians and reminds them of their powers and what they are truly capable of doing if they really take it upon themselves to serve the humanity. Living through the pandemic, one does get a similar feeling about the governments and the authorities the world over. Yes, they are increasingly incapacitated by the pressures they are constantly facing but they are still capable of doing a lot more for the people.

Despite all its merits, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier does suffer from occasional ramblings when the plot tends to take a few unwanted turns. Also, the constant total shifts can be a little annoying at times. Some of the scenes set on the fictional island of Madripoor feel like an extension of Blade Runner / Blade Runner 2049 and add little to the story of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. But even during its weak moments the series is saved by its performances. While Mackie and Stan (good to see more of him with newer layers unfolding now that the part is not just that of a killing machine anymore) are solid in their roles, the biggest surprise comes from Wyatt Russell as John Walker. In Walker’s constant efforts to fill in Rogers’ shoes we finally realize the herculean nature of carrying the Captain America title which Steve Rogers made look like a cinch. Another memorable performance comes from Daniel Brühl who is brilliant to watch as the duplicitous Helmut Zemo.

CHENNA: Stand-up comedian Appurv Gupta has launching a series of initiatives through social media to raise awareness on Covid-19, ensure that people don’t panic and help reaches to the person is distress on time. With almost 5 lakh followers in facebook and You Tube Appurv Gupta wanted to use this advantage in the right direction.

In a candid conversation to the Daily Guardian he said that he had started this initiative 24 days ago and he created a group of active volunteers and three teams to mobilize relief work in right direction. First team is the admin to manage operations. The second team is to verify the data and confirm the authenticity of data. The third team handles city wise distribution of relief materials. He has also created a group on Telegram to connect the volunteers directly with the patients.

Appurv has also launched a Facebook Live event to raise awareness on Covid through one on one interaction with doctors. All the concerns raised by viewers are answered by doctors themselves. He avers, “I am overwhelmed seeing people do all they can to help one another without having any connection with each other whatsoever. Soon as I get any request for any sort of assistance, I post it and in most cases we have been able to save lives.” 

MUMBAI: Singer Aastha Gill who has given hit songs like Dj Waley Babu, Buzz and Proper Patola will be seen as a contestant in the upcoming season of stunt based reality show Khatron Ki Khiladi 11. The singer will be seen engaging in real-time stunts and rage.  Aashta Gill spoke exclusively to The Daily Guardian and shared not only her excitement of being a part of the show but also how she will deal with her fears.

Apart from singing, you will be seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 11, how excited are you?

I am very excited to be a part of Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. I never thought that I will be a part of any reality TV show and then this happened. When I got the call to be part of this show, the first thought was that how will I face my fear but then that’s what kicked me to be part of it and overcome those fears.

Any particular fear that you think you may overcome with the reality show?

I think the fear of insects will be something I would want to overcome through the medium of the reality show. I am scared of an ant but I still want to try to achieve my goal of giving up my fear of insects. My mother will be the most happiest if I get through this.

What preparation have you done for the reality show?

Honestly I have not prepared anything as such. I have just recovered from covid which tends to make you physically weak but I am mentally strong and being mentally strong will help me in the journey of Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. Trying something different always excites me and that’s what make me take-up the show and I am totally looking forward to winning.

You have sung some amazing chartbuster songs, which has been your favourite song and why? 

Thank you so much for the compliment! My favourite song would be Buzz as it was my first song and is my father’s favourite song of mine so it has to be more special.

Your upcoming song projects?

Yes there is a song which is soon going to release but that time I’ll be shooting Khatron Ke Khiladi 11 and wondering how we will promote the song. The song is with Badshaah and not only my fans but also I am very excited for the song.

MUMBAI: Actor Radhika Madan informed her fans that she got vaccinated against the coronavirus on Wednesday, and also urged everyone to register for the same with a social media post. Taking it to her Instagram handle, Radhika shared a picture of herself getting vaccinated at a dispensary.

In the caption, she wrote, “One step at a time #Vaccinated”. She further urged everyone to get themselves registered for their shot and while adhering to all the precautions and discipline at the vaccination centres. “Wear double mask, sanitize your hands, maintain distance and don’t panic. Don’t forget to get a good night’s sleep the day before and stay well hydrated #FightCorona,” Radhika concluded.

Earlier stars like Salman KhanHema Malini, Anupam Kher, Johnny Lever, Saif Ali Khan, Kamal Haasan, Satish Shah and others had also received the vaccination shots. Bollywood actors are constantly striving to create awareness against COVID-19 as well as offering assistance in arranging necessities via their social media.

Imparting hope in these unprecedented times, celebrities have united to spread positivity and awareness pleading everyone to wear masks, maintain social distancing as well get vaccinated to help eradicate the virus.

MUMBAI: ALT Balaji’s Hai Taubba is a four-episode anthology drama. The series depicts society’s perception of these distinct individuals with their unique stories of love. It reminds viewers of how judgemental the world is and reminds a person to check themselves before judging another human being.

Gagan Anand started his career in the fashion industry as a designer and model. He has made his mark in the entertainment industry with major roles in major shows such as Ek Veer Ki Ardaas Veera, Bajirao and Ye Hai Mohabbatein. In the OTT space, he has been absolutely brilliant with shows like Fixerr under his belt. He will currently be seen in a major role in ALTBalaji’s brand new series, Hai Taubba as Nitin.

Gagan Anand exclusively spoke to The Daily Guardian and shared his excitement of being a part of Alt Balaji show.

How excited are you to be back on screen with Alt Balaji show Hai Taubba? How did you bag the role?

Balaji is like a family to me now, working with them since a long time is like working with your loved ones.

Hai Taubba is a story, which has all the emotions which one could feel, and after doing a few grey shades / character I am really excited to play this emotional one which has the same sex love story.

What does your character look like in the show Hai Taubba? How relatable it is?

I am playing Nitin’s character who is a masculine physiotherapist, looks like a strong alpha man but from inside he is really very emotional, falls for a taxi driver Amit. We will see an unsaid love story between them and the separation will make people cry.

You have done TV shows as well, how different was doing a show for OTT platform?

Yes, I have done TV shows as well and I felt, life gets monotonous while doing TV. And the content we created on web now a day really satisfies the hunger of creative minds. We play a lot of character in a short span of time and explore a lot.

How was the experience working with the co actors?

It was fun working with all of them. When you go outdoors for work, you enjoy more and spend a lot of time together while working and shooting, so you make friends, which is a good part of it. Even chilling in Goa after the packup was a great fun. Overall have some good memories of screen as well.

MUMBAI: Hansal Mehtas directorial ‘Omerta’ was released three years ago on Tuesday. He talked about the film and said Rajkummar Rao’s performance stands tall among their projects together. Hansal shared the poster on Instagram of the film and wrote: “3 years of #Omerta. A film I’m super proud of. A performance by Raj that stands tall in our work together.”

‘Omerta’ is a biographical crime drama that had Rajkummar essaying Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, British terrorist of Pakistani descent. The film revolves around the 1994 kidnappings of Westerners in India.

Mehta had helmed ‘Scam 1992’ last year. He will be directing its second instalment ‘Scam 2003: The Curious Case Of Abdul Karim Telgi’.