Your Weekend Planner November 20: A world without Apu

Dear Reader,

Apu left his world when life got too much to bear. That was Satyajit Ray's Apu'r Sansar. Soumitra Chatterjee, the world's Apu, left the world the day after Diwali. His battle with Covid-related complications lasted 40 long days. Chatterjee then said goodbye, leaving the world in tears. Keeping quite in tune with 2020. But the thing about artists is the body of work they leave behind. This weekend, maybe find some time to revisit some of Chatterjee's classics. An English-subtitled version of Apu'r Sansar, sadly, is not available online. An unsubtitled version is on YouTube.

While gloom feels like the perennial emotion in 2020, there's some reason to cheer up today. There's good news on the vaccine front. And well, it's another Friday. So while you stay home this weekend, we have The Secret for you to read and go back to the Law of Attraction. If you're planning on that road trip, we suggest you re-think. You can of course travel all across Maldives or Dharamshala virtually, thanks to Bollywood. That's a comparatively safer option these days.

On your screens, three's a lot happening, from quintessential red-and-white-and-green holiday movies from Netflix to the crime thriller Bicchoo Ka Khel on Zee5. On TV there's Kapil Sharma and an Indian Idol 12 crossover, and the grand finale of India's Best Dancer.

And while you're being a couch potato all through the weekend, how about some healthy Potato Kheer to keep you company? You'll find that recipe in our Weekend Planner today. Otherwise, there's Milind Soman to help motivate you to get off the couch.

That's all. Have a fun weekend. Keep that mask on if you need to step out.

Here's your Weekend Planner.

WHAT'S TRENDING?

It was a really different kinda Diwali this time. Quite obviously, because 2020 is all about the chronicles of coronavirus. Bengal, however, couldn’t soak in the spirit of Diwali for long as legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee died just a day after the festival of lights, on Sunday, after a prolonged battle with Covid-19.

Celebrities to politicians including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah bid a fond farewell to Apu on social media. As for Bengal, the loss is far too personal.

Nevertheless, the spirit of Diwali was no less in New Zealand as police officers at the Wellington Police Academy danced to Kala Chashma and Kar Gayi Chull during celebrations. Watch out for their desi thumkas, jhatkas and matkas.

Watch the video here:

In between all of this, the internet laughed out loud after reading about the story of a woman pilot, Hana Khan, and her encounter with an elderly lady passenger on a Gaya-Delhi flight. This particular passenger wished to catch a glimpse of the cockpit and found Hana inside. Her reaction was epic as she was absolutely stunned to find a “chhori” in the cockpit. Oh well, it’s 2020. Seems like the 1700s, no?

Now, there is no dearth of luck for IPS officer Mohita Sharma it seems. After winning a crore on the twelfth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati, Mohita found two sachets of masala in a single packet of Maggi. Viral? You bet!

Just after winning #KBC12, got 2 masala sachets in 1 #maggi packet. Never thought would get so lucky.
God is kind today @GargRushal_IFS @SrBachchan @SonyTV @NestleIndia pic.twitter.com/9NMmbCJm2k — Mohita Sharma Garg (@mohita_ips) November 17, 2020

The festive season is done with for now, till Christmas at least. So, stay put at home because India has recorded over 89 lakh novel coronavirus cases. In case you were not aware of this, there has been an increase in the number of cases in Sri Lanka after a major coronavirus cluster emerged in the Central Fish Market on the outskirts of Colombo in October.

People stopped buying fish. The market closed down. To boost sales, a former Sri Lankan minister ate raw fish during a news conference earlier this week and appealed to people to consume seafood.

Watch the video here:

That’s all for now. Head to the next section for some stories that will definitely make you smile.

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

Do you know Ratan Tata’s office companion is his pet dog named Goa? In a post on Instagram, Ratan Tata shared a picture with Goa and his other furry friends and also revealed the story behind his office companion’s unusual name.

Dogs are the best, no? You just cannot afford to miss this video of a baby and his furry friend. Mila, a husky, refused to get off his tiny hooman’s bed and instead, snuggled and cuddled with him all throughout the night.

This is one of the most beautiful things you will see today

Husky refuses to get out of babies bed then falls asleep cuddling him pic.twitter.com/rCIPTo6jAM — My new page is @hopkinsBRFC2 follow me there guys (@HopkinsBRFC) November 18, 2020

As far as this clip is concerned, you need to keep a box of tissues handy. A little cancer patient wished to meet Batman, so his doctor dressed up as the superhero and surprised him. Awww!

DON'T STOP WORKING OUT

If this weekend, you plan on exercising and getting healthy; after celebrating a socially distanced and full of tasty dishes Diwali, let the fittest couple, Ankita Konwar and Milind Soman motivate you. The couple never misses a chance to run a marathon and are known to include long runs in their fitness routine. They also went on a trek recently and even cleaned the trail. The couple will be running a marathon this weekend, and Milind shared the news with a picture from you know when. So, why not get some dose of motivation from them and hit the treadmill or your neighbourhood for a quick run.

Or, you can read Masaba Gupta’s journey of overcoming her fears and finally hitting the gym after experiencing intense back issues. We are sure, she will make you hit the grind.

In case you are someone, who needs a partner to hit the yoga mat, take cues from Alia Bhatt and drag your BFF to workout with you. After all, nothing is better than an intense exercise routine with your best friend.

KHAANE MEIN KYA HAI?

Apart from maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Ankita Konwar and Milind Soman also make sure to eat clean. How do we know this? Ankita recently shared her family’s favourite sweet dish that has a special place on their Diwali menu. It is sweet potato kheer and it’s made with jaggery. Without any further ado, see the recipe:

SWEET POTATO KHEER

To make the kheer, you would need 3 sweet potatoes, 1 tablespoon ghee, 3/4 cup coconut milk, 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of jaggery and pinch of salt.

A healthy sweet dish is just the icing on the cake. Geddit?

• Start by peeling the sweet potatoes and cut them into thin slices. Then, heat up your cooking pot and add the ghee.
• Add the sweet potatoes and fry them till they turn brown. Add water.
• Let the sweet potatoes boil till they are cooked. Then, add the coconut milk, jaggery and salt. Let it simmer till it becomes thick enough.
• Turn off the heat and serve when it comes to room temperature.

FROM THE BOOKSHELF

It’s 2020 and nothing seems to be going as per the plan. How many of you remember being excited for the New Year in December 2019? Not feeling so good now, are we? But what if we tell you that there is still a way out of all this negativity and by changing what you think, you can change what happens to you. The Secret, written by Rhonda Byrne, is based on the Law of Attraction and tells us how important our thoughts are and how they impact our life.

Just a week before the movie drops, can you finish the book cover to cover?

The little things matter the most and The Secret to a happy life is keeping your thoughts in check and thinking positive. Finding the silver lining in every situation seems to be the answer to living in 2020.

Recently, it was announced that a film based on the book will release in India on November 27.

FASHION KA JALWA

For this week's Fashion Friday, we take a trip down memory lane and decode Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's look in Guzaarish, as the film turns 10. Aishwarya's Sophia managed to create a perfect vintage romance by mixing European details and Indian prints with her bold and unique dresses in the film. Those vintage deep-toned maxi dresses with voluminous sleeves, braided hairdos, dark lips and dupatta scarves made Aishwarya's ethereal screen presence unforgettable. More on that here.

FELUDA NO MORE

Soumitra Chatterjee fought the coronavirus for over 40 days and finally succumbed, not to it but to comorbidities, on Sunday, November 15. The country had lit up just the evening before, and then there was a gloom of darkness that engulfed us all. Feluda left us, and all that was left was the lingering memory of that megawatt smile! And his plethora of work. It's been nearly a week, and we're still grappling. We don't even know how long it will take.

BOLLYWOOD, FROM MALDIVES TO DHARAMSHALA

In the West (of India), Salman Khan gave us a scare when he isolated himself after his staffers tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Soon, however, it was reported that Bhaijaan and his family had tested negative. Sigh of relief!

Meanwhile, Bollywood's love affair with the Maldives continues. After Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani, Tara Staria and rumoured boyfriend Aadar Jain have also landed up in the Maldives. But it isn't just a spot for lovebirds. Rakul Preet Singh flew off for the Maldives with her family. A much-needed break before she returns to start work on Mayday. More on that here.

Those who're not in the Maldives are in Himachal Pradesh. There's Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and little Taimur along with Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora. And as we look at their gorgeous pics, occasionally comparing them to the Maldives vacay pics, we are torn between our love for the mountains or the sea. Oh well, perhaps not the right train of thought to jump at least in 2020.

So, we return to our usual stuff. Eat. Binge. Sleep. Repeat. Here goes:

On Monday Masala, we celebrated the male item number, and how Ranveer Singh and Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela's Tattad Tattad gave us that. Tuesday Trivia taught us how Robin's catchphrase from Mirzapur 2 - Yeh bhi thik hai - came about. On Wednesday, as is customary, we handpicked the most wahiyat film of all - Simbu's AAA, this time. Then, it was Sushmita Sen's birthday yesterday. And therefore we stilled back to 1994 and her pageant-winning answer on the Miss Universe stage. On Throwback Thursday.

OTT PE KYA CHAL RAHA HAI?

WHAT'S ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO?

What to watch: Middle Class Melodies

You will like it if you liked: Pelli Choopulu

Directed by Vinod Anantoju, Middle Class Melodies is a light-hearted family drama that shares an outsider's perspective on the ups and downs of middle-class life. Starring Anand Deverakonda and Varsha Bollamma in the lead roles, the film is produced by Bhavya Creations. Apart from throwing light on the daily struggles of middle-class families, the film also reflects the aspirations of today’s youngsters who are trying to break free from the routine and make it on their own. Read our review here.

What to watch: The Pack

You will like it if you liked: Marley And Me

The Pack follows 12 teams of dogs who are accompanied by their human guardians. The dogs take part in fun challenges all around the globe. The show is a treat for dog lovers. It started streaming on November 20.

WHAT'S ON ZEE5?

What to watch: Bicchoo Ka Khel

You will like it if you have watched: Mirzapur

Though Munna's journey in Mirzapur has ended he is back in action in another show. Divyendu Sharma, who played the role of Munna, is seen playing the lead role of Akhil in Bicchoo Ka Khel. Akhil becomes a prime suspect in a murder investigation after he shoots people who are responsible for his father’s murder. The crime thriller started streaming on November 18.

WHAT'S ON DISNEY+HOTSTAR?

What to watch: His Dark Materials: Season 2

You will like it if you liked: His Dark Materials

Based on author Philip Pullman’s trilogy, His Dark Materials' second season began streaming on Disney+Hotstar Premium from November 17. The series revolves around Lyra, a brave young woman from another world and her quest to find her kidnapped friend. The series stars Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, James Mcavoy and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others.

What to watch: Marvel’s 616

You will like it if you liked: Just about any Marvel movie and if you're a fan

Marvel's 616 premiered on November 20. The documentary series explores Marvel’s rich legacy of pioneering characters, creators and storytelling to reflect the world outside your window. Each documentary is helmed by a unique filmmaker. The various episodes in this anthology series will include topics including Marvel’s world-spanning artists, the trailblazing women of Marvel Comics, and much more.

WHAT'S ON NETFLIX?

What to watch: The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again

You will like it if you liked: The Princess Switch

The Holiday season cannot commence without watching some Christmas films and Netflix has a number of them. The latest to join the lot is Vanessa Hudgens' The Princess Switch 2: Switched Again. As the name suggests, it is the sequel to the actress's 2018 film The Princess Switch. The film sees Vanessa in a double role. She will be seen in the role of a Duchess from London, who switches her life with an ordinary damsel who’s her lookalike from Chicago and falls for her best friend. Things didn’t work out between them, and now in the sequel, we’ll find out what went wrong. The trailer suggests that the couple are ready to rekindle their love in the second season. Wait, we hear a third Vanessa Hudgens will also appear in the new season. It was released on November 19.

What to watch: Mismatched

You will like it if you liked: The OC

Alright! The wait is Over. After a short film, the popular YouTuber Prajakta Koli is all set to return to your screens with Netflix series Mismatched. The Sky is Pink's Rohit Saraf is also there to make you swoon with his charm. The film is about teenagers trying to find love and other things in this drama. Prajakta plays a young tech wizard, while Rohit will be seen in the role of a lovestruck Romeo. The series is adapted from a book, titled When Dimple met Rishi by Sandhya Menon. The series also features Vihaan Samat, Taaruk Raina, Kritika Bharadwaj, Rannvijay Singha, Muskkaan Jaferi, Devyani Shorey and Abhinav Sharma. The series started streaming on Netflix on November 20.

What to watch: Dolly Parton's Christmas on The Square

You will like it if you liked: Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors: Circle of Love

Another Christmas Special. Dolly Parton's Christmas on The Square is a musical featuring none other than Dolly Parton. The legendary singer plays an angel in the film. Parton is joined by Christine Baranski. The film is promised to be a heartwarming festive tale. So grab your cup of hot chocolate and your favourite blanket and binge-watch this sweet film. It will start streaming on Netflix on November 22.

WHAT'S ON SONYLIV?

What to watch: A Simple Murder

You will like it if you liked: Delhi Belly

It all began with a coincidence leading to a dark comedy of errors! Watch A Simple Murder, streaming from 20th November on SonyLIV.@PriyaAnand @Mdzeeshanayyub @sushant_says @YashVidya @amit_sial @pathak_sachin85 @PO10TIAL_ART @prateekpayodhi @AjayGRai @karshkalemusic pic.twitter.com/GWXqUbf4DH — SonyLIV (@SonyLIV) November 4, 2020

The series premieres on November 20 on SonyLiv. In the dark comedy of errors, Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub is assigned to kill someone. However, a goof-up happens and he kills the wrong person, who is Amit Sial's girlfriend. This leads to endless troubles for Manish as Amit Sial wants to avenge his girlfriend's death.

TV PE KYA CHAL RAHA HAI?

What to watch: Bigg Boss 14 Weekend Ka Vaar

Where to watch: Colors TV, 9 pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Kya captaincy task ke nateeje ke baad @rahulvaidya23 kehlayenge fair sanchalak?

Watch tonight 10:30 PM only on #Colors. Catch #BiggBoss14 before TV on @VootSelect. #BiggBoss2020 #BB14 @beingsalmankhan pic.twitter.com/pY7mcncOVq — COLORS (@ColorsTV) November 20, 2020

Bigg Boss host Salman Khan will be back this weekend and welcome Ekta Kapoor on the stage of Bigg Boss 14. Ekta will say that BB 14 house is full of entertainment and would be accompanied by Divyenndu. They will be promoting their recently launched web show Bicchoo Ka Khel and spend some fun-loving moments with the contestants. This week, the captaincy task was cancelled after contestants got violent with each other. Let's see if Salman Khan reprimands them for it or not.

What to watch: India's Best Dancer

Where to watch: Sony TV, 8 pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Saved all the energy for the finale, and set the stage on fire, LITERALLY! Watch #SwethaTheBest go all-in with her last performance on #IndiasBestDancer! Tune in to #IBDGrandFinale on 22nd November on Sony TV! Set those alarms pic.twitter.com/lgzWsNB76P — sonytv (@SonyTV) November 19, 2020

The dance TV reality show will have the grand finale this weekend. India’s first best dancer would be announced on Sunday. The show is been judged by Malaika Arora, Geeta Kapoor, and Terence Lewis. Bharti Singh and her husband Harsh Limbachiyaa are hosting it. The top five finalists are Mukul Gain, Paramdeep Singh, Subhranil Paul, Swetha Warrier and Tiger Pop. They would be seen impressing the judges and viewers with their power-packed performances and it remains to be seen who will win the show.

What to watch: The Kapil Sharma Show

Where to watch: Sony TV, 9.30 pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Entertainment ka aisa chapter hoga, jisme Sur aur laughter hoga! Miliye Indian Idol ke parivar se Vishal, Himmesh, Aditya aur kuch talented contestants se #TheKapilSharmaShow mein iss Sat-Sun raat 9:30 baje. @KapilSharmaK9 @kikusharda @Krushna_KAS @bharti_lalli @sumona24 pic.twitter.com/NW9mWYqVAl — sonytv (@SonyTV) November 20, 2020

Kapil Sharma will welcome Indian Idol 12 contestants, judges Himesh Reshammiya and Vishal Dadlani and host Aditya Narayan on his show. Aditya Narayan will be seen talking about his wedding with Shweta Agarwal and flirting with female judges on his show.

What to watch: Brahmarakshas 2

Where to watch: Zee TV, 9 pm (Saturday and Sunday)

Apni shaitaani taqaton ke saath woh wapas aa gaya hai, ateet ke apne adhoore kaam ko poora karne ke liye. Dekhiye #Brahmarakshas2, 22nd November se, Sat-Sun, raat 9 baje, sirf #ZeeTV par. #PhirJaagUthaShaitaan #Binder@pearlvpuri#NikkiSharma pic.twitter.com/lo0llvHUeh — ZeeTV (@ZeeTV) November 19, 2020

Produced by Balaji Telefilms, the show features Nikki Sharma alongside Pearl V. Puri essaying the lead characters of the show. Brahmarakshas 2 premieres on November 22.

Happy Diwali and enjoy your weekend!

(Compiled by Ananya Bhattacharya, Nairita Mukherjee, Raya Ghosh, Krishna Priya Pallavi, Vibha Maru, Jyoti Kanyal, Janani K, Divyanshi Sharma, Shweta Keshri, Logesh Balachandran, Grace Cyril, Rishita Roy Chowdhury, Tiasa Bhowal)

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