Your Weekend Planner June 5: Choked for aam janta, aam delights for mango season

Dear Reader,

Paisa bolta hai. There's nothing new in that, considering we all grew up in an era where money is all that matters. What is new this Friday is the first full-length film on Demonetisation, the 2016 event that many are still recovering from, and many are still celebrating. Director Anurag Kashyap brings together both these sides in his brand-new Netflix film Choked, which our review says is a must-watch. An interview with Anurag Kashyap will tell you why he too was very happy on the day PM Modi announced the demonetisation, but later got a perspective on it. Choked is pretty much what the we, the aam janta, had to go through back in end-2016, from standing in queues for those pink Rs 2,000 notes to clicking selfies with the booty of that war.

Now we the mango people, after all our work-from-home woes and jhaadu-pocha tasks are done with, have mangoes to fall back on. Take your pick from our list of mango-based desserts and drinks to stir up in the kitchen this weekend. But keep your immunity intact because, well, we all know what we're fighting.

From the bookshelf we have a collection of fantastic sweet ol' horror tales to help you take a break from the horror that 2020 is turning out to be; else, take a trip down memory lane in Delhi with Rana Safvi's City Of My Heart.

Yesterday, we also bid goodbye to the chronicler of Bombay, the brilliant Basu Chatterjee. You can go through our favourite Chatterjee films in the Movies section.

On OTT, there is a wide range of shows and movies to choose from. So sit back and turn that TV on. Or watch on your phone, tab, wherever you want. Don't skip that workout session. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, dress up like Dimple Kapadia from Bobby for your trip to the grocery store. There's nowhere else to go anyway. Don't forget that mask.

Here's your Weekend Planner.

WHAT’S TRENDING

#WeAreTheVirus is one of the top trends on Twitter this week. We indeed are. This phrase is particularly apt for the human race especially after the series of tragic events that unfolded since last week. First, George Floyd’s death. Closer home, it was the death of a pregnant elephant in Kerala.

George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American, died in Minneapolis on May 25 after police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee to his neck for almost nine minutes. Floyd was handcuffed. Pressed to the ground while the heinous act was committed. What was Floyd’s fault? He was suspected of paying for his things at a grocery store with a counterfeit USD 20 bill. The US outraged against his death. Violent protests ensued. The cop has been fired. But Floyd left us forever.

In Kerala’s Palakkad district, on the other hand, a pregnant elephant accidentally consumed a pineapple filled with explosives while she was looking for food in a village. The crackers burst in the elephant’s mouth and she was in unbearable pain. To comfort her agony, she stood in the Velliyar river. And died.

Visuals of both the incidents are out on social media. But we suggest you refrain from looking at them. Or you might as well, if you disagree with the fact that #WeAreTheVirus.

The problem with humans is that we don’t learn. Not even after the coronavirus punishment that the world is still battling. But it’s okay. Nature will continue with its attempt to teach us a lesson. Until we learn to bend. Hence, Cyclone Nisarga. 4 people died after the cyclonic storm crossed several parts of Maharashtra on Wednesday. The damage, though, wasn’t as severe as in Bengal after Cyclone Amphan last month.

Even amidst such deep, dark clouds, the silver lining is the section that has realised animals are precious. That Black Lives Matter. That we are so inconsequential in front of nature. Protests are on and doesn’t matter if former Miss Universe Malaysia Samantha Katie James thinks protestors are “foolish humans”. At the very least, this section is resisting the innate power that several quarters think are endowed with.

This section believes good will win over evil, irrespective. There is no question of hope here. It’s called faith. It’s an affirmation. They know it. And it is on such people that you can count on to heal the world.

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

Everyone is doing their bit to help each sail through these tough times. A 99-year-old woman in Mumbai is also among them. In a video that went viral and left everyone smiling wide, the elderly woman can be seen preparing food packets for migrants. Age is no bar when you want to be kind.

We should not let the negativity take over our lives. A video of several people dancing to Sandese Aate Hain at a quarantine centre in Bihar proves the same.

Here is a video of an emotional reunion of a healthcare worker mom with her two little daughters. The girls had not met their mom for the last 2 months as she was away, trying to save lives amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Zyada senti ho gaya? Check out some uber-cool videos of this sibling-duo dancing to Bollywood songs.

WORKOUT TOH BANTA HAI

Staying fit is of utmost importance at this time and we cannot emphasise on it enough. Apart from eating healthy, working out is also a necessity. Celebrities have been exercising at home and urging fans to do as well. Shilpa Shetty asked her fans to stretch and flex muscles daily as she shared a video of herself doing Janu Sirshasana last week.

The lockdown recently became a little less stringent and fitness enthusiasts and marathon runners, Milind Soman and Ankita Konwar took this opportunity to run 5k while together, finally outside their home. Ankita also managed to run 10k, the first chance she got.

KHAANE MEIN KYA HAI?

Boosting immunity is essential right now. Even PM Modi asked citizens to drink kadha. However, there are many more immunity-boosting drinks such as clove tea and turmeric milk, one can easily make with spices available in the kitchen. One can also include food items rich in antioxidants and vitamins, such as dark chocolate and almonds, to deal with anxiety and stress.

However, if you are craving something savoury, why not try this delectable recipe of Prawn Masala from our Soul Kitchen series. There’s also a list of desserts and drinks you can make with mango, to sweeten up your lockdown summers.

KITABEIN BOHOT SI

For your reading, we suggest you pick up Rana Safvi’s City Of My Heart this week. The city here refers to Delhi and the book brings you stories of love, communal harmony, loss and betrayal from the nineteenth century. It is basically a translation of four Urdu narratives spanning from the period of turmoil that led to the Revolt of 1857, to the fall of Mughal empire. Right from grand festivities to some tragic stories, The City Of My Heart gives you a detailed glimpse of life in Delhi during that period of transition.

Is the lockdown getting too boring for you? Why not pick some spooky and thrilling tales to enjoy during the quarantine nights. From Stephen King’s Shining to Terrifying Tales by Edgar Allan Poe, we curated a list of 10 novels which you can read during this time period.

FASHION KA JALWA

Dimple Kapadia is about to turn 63 on June 8 but she was only 16 when she starred in Bobby opposite Rishi Kapoor and made her way into our hearts as the true risk-taking fashionista. Even today, after 47 years of the film’s release, whenever another Bollywood diva is spotted in a black and white polka dot top paired with a black skirt, she is compared to Dimple Kapadia. This week's Fashion Friday, therefore, is all about that - polka dots that came to be known as 'Bobby print' after the stupendous success of the film.

HUMARE PAAS CINEMA HAI

It is a strange coincidence that the news of Basu da leaving us came to us on a drizzling, late Thursday morning. Rim Jhim Gire Saawan, the heart suddenly ached, but then that's all we could collectively do. Basu Chatterjee breathed his last on Thursday, June 4. He was 93. Some would say he lived a long, fulfilling life. Indeed, his work speaks for it. Then why does it feel too soon?

93 or 42 doesn't really matter. The loss of a life pierces the heart equally. Wajid Khan's wasn't quite that easy, either. Wajid left us on Monday, June 1. And, we were still reeling from the loss of Irrfan and Rishi Kapoor. We hadn't quite recovered.

This too shall pass, they say. They don't, however, tell us when.

KABHI KABHI LAGTA HAI OTT HI BHAGWAN HAI

WHAT'S ON NETFLIX?

What to Watch: Choked: Paisa Bolta Hai

You will like it if you liked: Kaafir

Remember November 8, 2016, when demonetisation was announced? The decision to demonetise Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes in a night changed the lives of thousands of people in the country. Anurag Kashyap's Choked is set in the backdrop of that life-changing decision. It stars Saiyami Kher in the lead role who plays Sarita Pillai, a bank cashier, who finds cash flowing out of her kitchen sink. Sarita is struggling to manage the house in her salary as she allows her husband Sushant Pillai (Roshan Mathew) to follow her passion of becoming a musician. The film is streaming on Netflix from June 5.

Read our exclusive interview with Anurag Kashyap here, and the cast Saiyami Kher and Roshan Mathew here. Also, catch our review of Choked here.

What to Watch: Fuller House: Farewell season

You will like it if you liked: Schitt’s Creek

The second part of the final season of Fuller House is now streaming. The Netflix original series is a spin-off of the super hit 80s and 90s television show, Full House. In the second part of Season 5, the spotlight is on the brides-to-be, DJ, Stephanie and Kimmy.

What to watch: 13 Reasons Why Season 4

You will like it if you liked: Riverdale

Season 4 of the Netflix original teen drama began streaming today (June 5). Based on the book by Jay Asher of the same name, the plot revolves around a deceased high-school girl named Hannah Baker, who lists out 13 reasons through a series of tapes that drove her to commit suicide. The fourth and final season is about a secret that needs to be guarded by Hannah Baker's classmates before they graduate.

What to watch: Keeping up with the Kardashians

You will like it if you liked: Gossip Girl

The first two seasons of the insanely popular show started streaming from June 1. The reality show was the reason that everybody today knows about the Kardashian sisters. Follow the lives of Kourtney, Kim and Khloe in this high-on-glamour show.

WHAT'S ON ZEE5

What to watch: Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain Season 3

You will like it if you liked: Broken But Beautiful, Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat

The third season of Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain will premiere on June 6. The series will take a five-year leap. Rohit (Ronit Roy) and Ananya (Mona Singh) have separated and it seems everyone has moved on in their lives. Rohit, Ananya and Poonam's (Gurdip Punj) paths will again cross at Nikki's (Palak Jain) wedding. The new season will introduce a new character, Amaira (Aditi Vasudev), who will be Rohit's new love interest in the show.

What to watch: Chintu Ka Birthday

You will like it if you liked: Yeh Meri Family

Produced by Tanmay Bhatt, Gursimran Khamba, Rohan Joshi and Ashish Shakya, the film tells the story of an Indian immigrant family in Iraq, waiting to return to their homeland during US invasion. Despite such turbulent circumstances, the family decides to celebrate the birthday of the youngest member, Chintu. The film started streaming on June 5. Read our review here.

WHAT'S ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

What to watch: El Presidente

You will like it if you liked: Moneyball

This sports-based Mexican series follows the life of a small football team manager, who finds himself in the middle of the 2015 FIFA corruption scandal. The series began streaming today, June 5, on Amazon Prime Video.

What to watch: Gina Brillon: The Floor is Lava

You will like it if you liked: Ali Wong: Baby Cobra

In this stand-up special, comedian Gina Brillon talks about her unique approach to handling various problems in life, which involves a bit of sass and humour. The show is streaming now, June 5 onward.

WHAT'S ON VOOT SELECT

What to watch: Cribs: Footballers Stay Home

You will like it if you liked: The Blind Side

Cribs: Footballers Stay Home features homes of famous football players. In this special series adapted for the lockdown era, footballers like Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard and Arsenal defender David Luiz open up their homes for their fans to have a sneak peek into their lives. Andreas Pereira, Axel Witsel and FIFA 2017 female player of the year, Lieke Martens, are also part of the series.

What to watch: America's Got Talent Season 15

You will like it if you liked: India's Got Talent

The new season of America's Got Talent will see some new faces and talents, along with your favourite familiar faces. While Simon Cowell is returning as one of the judges with fashion icon Heidi Klum. Actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara will be joining as the new judge. Terry Crew will be hosting the show just like last season. Last season, Indian dance crew V Unbeatable created history by reaching the finals, the upcoming season will see some breathtaking performances by Indian-origin duo BAD-Salsa.

FILMS ON OTT

Amazon Prime Video: Takers (2010) on June 3, Crawl (2019) on June 4, Equilibrium (2002) on June 7.

Disney+Hotstar: Jojo Rabbit on June 2.

TV PE KYA HAI?

Don't let the grandeur of OTT let you underestimate good ol' television content. Did you know Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Mahabharat was made on a whopping budget of Rs 100 crore? Or that it had Oscar-winner Bhanu Athaiya for costume and Omung Kumar as the production designer? No? Read on.

What to watch: Shree Ganesh

Where to watch: Star Plus, 6.30 pm (Everyday)

After re-running Siddharth Kumar Tewary's Mahabharat and Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan, Star Plus is bringing back Dheeraj Kumar's Shree Ganesh. The series, which premiered on Sony TV in 2000, starred Jagesh Mukati, Gajendra Chauhan, Nimai Bali and Sunil Sharma, among others.

What to watch: Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi

Where to watch: Sony TV, 9.30 pm (Monday-Friday)

Shaheer Sheikh and Erica Fernandes's romantic drama Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi is back on television from June 1. The show was a huge hit with the youngsters and fans loved Shaheer and Erica's on-screen chemistry.

What to watch: Bade Acche Lagte Hai

Where to watch: Sony TV, 10 pm (Monday-Friday)

Ram Kapoor and Sakshi Tanwar-starrer Bade Acche Lagte Hai completed nine years recently. The show, which was a huge hit and garnered good numbers on the rating charts during its original run, is back on Sony TV from June 1.

Happy weekend!

(Compiled by Ananya Bhattacharya, Nairita Mukherjee, Raya Ghosh, Krishna Priya Pallavi, Vibha Maru, Jyoti Kanyal, Medha Chawla, Janani K, Divyanshi Sharma, Shweta Keshri, Nishtha Grover, Nisha Singh, Logesh Balachandran)

ALSO READ | Anurag Kashyap on Choked: On demonetisation day, I was also very happy

ALSO READ | Choked Movie Review: Paisa bolta hai. In Anurag Kashyap's new film, of all of us after demonetisation

ALSO WATCH | Anurag Kashyap: Choked is the summing up of the entire demonetisation