This I love playing games, and this lockdown has heightened my online gaming to a really different level. Though I’ve never explored online casino games before as I thought it was illegal in India, but I’ve got to know that there is no ban on international sites. Numerous sites offer online casino games, including slot machines, blackjack, roulette and poker; while some offer the classical arcade games too.

The scope of games in the online world is limitless with a host of choices that are available 24/7, 365 days a year, where one doesn’t have to wait for a seat, make smaller stakes by making a deposit to play. It’s also a standard practice for online casinos to offer casino bonuses when a player signs up int he range of 40-200% of the deposit amount. Bonuses are incentives provided and can be in numerous forms such as free spins, on-site cash or gifts.


To know more visit source https://www.indiacasinos.com/bonuses.

As I set out to explore the world of online casinos, here are three of my favourites games I love to play whether at a Diwali party or in a brick-and-motor casino in Goa or on an online portal:

3 Card Poker
The most simple card game is poker, where you have to use three cards to make a hand. Once the cards are dealt, players compete against the dealer to see who has the best 3-card poker hand. Bet depending upon the cards, especially if one has a Straight Flush or Three of a Kind.

Blackjack
The most popular card game is blackjack, where you have to use the face value of cards to add up to 21 or as close without going over. Once the cards (2) are dealt, the player can either ‘Hit' to ask for another card or ‘Stand’ to hold your total and play. Many Blackjack variations are currently played to add even more fun and intrigue to the game.

Baccarat
The most fun card game in baccarat, popularised in James Bond movies, where the dealer deals cards (2) face up, two each for the player and banker and whichever hand totals closest to nine wins. The player can bet depending on the first cards that are dealt.

I play these games regularly with my family at home, but I’ve now upgraded to play these online, to discover a new form of entertainment. However one must remember that playing online casino games can be addictive and it is important to keep the playing habits in check.

Also if you are interested in exploring online games, check the local Indian laws and regulation before spending time and money, playing. And remember no one will always win, however the fun is in the playing.

Until next time,
~ Nithya

I’ve been so hooked onto Over The Top (OTT) platforms that I needed to top up my internet subscription plan to cater to my every day growing entertainment needs. Yes, I’m one of the 432 million video viewers in India that have turned to good old entertainment to navigate through the tough waters of the COVID19 lockdown.


Yesterday while flipping through the platforms on Alexa, I chanced upon the trailer of the to be launched short film, Chintu Ka Birthday on ZEE5. The film stars Vedant Raj Chibber as Chintu Tiwary, Vinay Pathak as Chintu's father - Madan Tiwary, Tillotama Shome as Chintu's Mother - Sudha Tiwary, Bisha Chaturvedi as Chintu's Sister - Laxmi Tiwary, and Seema Pahwa as Chintu's grandmother.

My very first reaction to the start of the trailer was, which child wouldn’t love an amazing birthday party until when the trailer progressed to an unexpected disruption by two American soldiers at the onset of Chintu’s birthday party. And that wouldn’t be a surprise as the film is set inside a war-torn Iraq, where during the US invasion of Iraq some illegal migrants are awaiting help to return home to India. In such a scenario, one family, the Tiwarys, are preparing to celebrate the birthday of their younger child Chintu.

The two and a half minute film trailer shows how a normal family goes from managing the everyday mundane to preparing for a birthday celebration to finally being locked down for being insurgents. The trailer of the film, ‘Chintu ka Birthday’ comes alive in every little scene, and creates parts of this 80-minute film in the viewers mind. The narrative is a simple depiction of a generous and life-affirming tale of an ordinary family in an extraordinary situation.


Three things that stood out for me after watching the trailer are:

The Plot
Chintu ka Birthday is based on the plight of Indian migrants during the US invasion of Iraq. Though there are a few films on this particular topic, the plot based on how a regular family struggles to do simple things during a direct conflict isn’t. And this is what makes me curious about the film.

The Performances
Chintu Ka Birthday stars Vinay Pathak and Tillotama Shome, do I need to say more? However, the kid Vedant Chibber looks promising.

The Direction
Chintu Ka Birthday has been directed by writer-director duo Devanshu Kumar and Satyanshu Singh. The duo has focused on the story and hence the narrative will be seamless. And as they rightly said in a statement, “Although the film is set in Iraq in 2004, the present situation, where we are locked down in our houses with our families is no different. We have to live in the moment, love each other and keep faith that this too shall pass."

I don’t need another reason to tune in to watch Chintu Ka Birthday that is going to be exclusively streamed on ZEE5 from June 5, 2020, but if you need another reason, the film is a winner of the Viewer’s Choice Award at the recently concluded Jagran Film Festival.

Go watch!

Until next time,
~ Heena

Over the last 2-to-3 years, entertainment in Indian has shifted from viewing to streaming, and viewers have been spoilt for choice. Today there are over 432 million Over The Top (OTT) video viewers in India; and is growing at an alarming rate of 4-8% always looking for content that resonates with them and their lifestyles. Even though there is plenty of content out there, it is ZEE5’s where entertainment comes alive.


I subscribe to ZEE5, the largest multi-lingual online video streaming OTT platform, especially for its Originals. As a viewer who is interested in thrillers, ZEE5 Movies offers amazing fact-paced and action thrillers both fictional and non-fictional; many inspired by true events. Recently when I watched the trailer of Operation Parindey, I was truly hooked onto my couch by #The24HourChase, a ZEE5 Original film.

Sanjay Gadhvi of the Dhoom movies franchise, is making his digital directorial debut with ZEE5's short film based on one of the most controversial true-life jailbreaks in Indian history - Operation Parindey. The thriller stars an impressive cast comprising of Amit Sadh, Rahul Dev, Ameet Gaurr, Kunal Kumar, Aakash Dhaiya and Rucha Inamkar.



The film makes it to my watch list, for many reasons, trust me no spoilers here.... but three of which are: 

The Plot
Operation Parindey is based on a Jailbreak, a concept rarely touched in Hindi cinema. Of course many films and series have a sequence or two of jailbreaks but rarely is an entire film or series based on this narrative. As rightly said, ‘Where there are jails, there will be jailbreaks and when the prison is tougher, the prison break is more exciting’. This is exactly what makes Operation Parindey a novelty, the plotting, the actual break and finally, the chase makes it exciting and warrants a start to finish watch.

The Performances
Operation Parindey stands tall on the shoulders of Amit Sadh and Rahul Dev, who play the Special Task Force officer Abhinav Mathur and Sardar Monty Singh the mastermind behind the jailbreak respectively. Rahul Dev is an absolute delight to watch, he gives goosebumps in the manner he preaches his religious indoctrination to everyone within an earshot. This character takes him from good to exceptionally effortless. Amit Sadh has justified his space in the film with a convincing performance… as playing a cop is no easy task. He makes his character look conventional and realistic, shows a sense of urgency that is needed to the criminals.

The Direction
Operation Parindey has been directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, who knows how to keep a viewer glued to the small screen. The pace of the film that is maintained keeps it alive and kicking, with spectacular visuals, amazing background score and of course the performances. Being a pro at thrillers, Sanjay Gadhvi has infused the film with all his experience making it a bumpy rollercoaster ride of the highest highs and lowest lows of what it takes to plot, plan and action an actual jailbreak. 

So, make the most of your time during social distancing, and catch some of the best shows and films on ZEE5. The OTT subscription packages start at as low as INR 99 for a month up to INR 999 for a year, so go subscribe now and binge-watch!

Until next time,
~ Heena

When people are in a foreign place earning new experiences, the mind is open to everything. The mind processes emotions better and the heart is all set to embark on a new love story. The four-episode series from Viu, 'It Happened In Hong Kong' is something that can be understood on these lines. Played by Amol Parashar and Aahana Kumra, the show elaborates wanderlust and a budding love story between two strangers. If you are having a tough day at work, watch series 'It Happened In Hong Kong' to remind yourself that life can be beautiful. You just need to know how to seize the moment.



A business trip ends up being something very exciting
The web series shows the story of a Bombay girl, Aahana, who is on a solo trip after having a rough patch in her personal life. Amol is a Delhi boy who is facing an existential crisis and is in the middle of a business trip. Both these people arrive in Hong Kong, seeking seemingly different things. However, life gives them both the sweetness of each other's companion. Though the theme is not quite new, VIU offers the story with a vibrant spark from the experienced actors. The strangers agree to spend the last few days of the trip together, engaging themselves in the company of each other. Watch this Hindi web series online for free on VIU.

The first episode outlines the beauty of Hong Kong, showing the lady's intentions to become a travel blogger. The two travel through Hong Kong, ticking off one place off the book after another. The series is a little fast-paced, showing the developing romance between the couple while they are striking one place off the list after another. The theme is known, but the story would have new twists and turns for the viewers. It is a romantic online Indian web series that shows how life is meant to be enjoyed. Watch series online and make the most of your coffee break.

The expressive ways of the actors impress the viewers
The actors, especially Aahana Kumra, are very expressive throughout the story. This brings out some more character to the story's heroine. Amol Parashar gives off a cool and clean vibe and the two make quite a dynamic duo for the online series. The mutual attraction between the couple comes off as a natural. It is an exciting Hindi web series that will keep you occupied and glued to the screen for a couple of hours. The backstories also shed some originality on the content. The small details make the story much more interesting and inspiring for the viewers.

The beautiful background of Hong Kong attracts attention as does the charming passion of the actors and the budding on-screen romance. The show is unlike the typical Indian web series, which is trying to portray today's society in a raw and unadulterated form. The show is dipped with romance but tries to portray it in a foreign and carefree manner. The series shows how a person can find love at the most unexpected moment. 'It Happened In Hong Kong' is an online web series Hindi that explores the small big moments that can come out when you are travelling.

VIU is an amazing online platform for movies
VIU is an over-the-top video streaming platform from PCCW media and is based in Hong Kong. The media was launched in 2015 and features some premium Korean dramas. But, now the platform is showing some of the most exciting online web series from India. If you like web shows, the platform is very suitable for you. But if you haven't tried out web series, this place can be a storehouse for delight. Enjoy the latest Hindi TV shows and movies on the platform and find out a new meaning to your life.

Resume the journey of your life with some added spark from 'It Happened In Hong Kong'. Find out a way to bring more meaning to your life with the exciting story that befalls two Indians on foreign land. How will their story end? Will they find new meaning in their lives with the newfound passion they discovered for themselves? You can only find out by watching 'It Happened In Hong Kong'.

Motorcycle cruising is so much more than riding down the highway. It is an adventure, an expedition, a look, and you need the right gear for the job. You might envision seasoned cyclists decked out in full leather, but the function of your wear is far more important than the fashion. Investing in heavy duty boots for the road is one of the best moves you can make for your own safety. Rather than buying the first pair you see, though, consider the following five top-rated options.

Top-Rated Motorcycle Boots 

You trust the word of your fellow bikers when it comes to riding advice and gear recommendations. The best way to find high quality motorcycle shoes, then, is to research the ratings of biking enthusiasts like yourself. According to motorcyclists, these are the top boots for the road:

⟡ Gaerne G-RT Aquatech Touring Boot
⟡ Sidi Discovery Rain Motorcycle Boots
⟡ Alpinestars S-MX 5 Waterproof Motorcycle Boots
⟡ Alpinestars Stella Tech 3 Motorcycle Boots
⟡ Baffin Pivot Boots

The right boots for you depend on what kind of biking you plan to do, but one thing’s for sure: biking boots are well worth the investment. One safety study estimates that the risk of open wound to feet and ankles is reduced by a whopping 90 percent when riders wear motorcycle boots along with their appropriate body armor. 


Stay Safe in Style

As much as the raw thrill of riding has its allure, only amateurs are actually excited by recklessness. Serious motorcyclists know how to enjoy the open roads while being safe, and a big part of safety is choosing the right boots. As the aforementioned study indicates, doing so massively reduces the risk of open wound, and there’s nothing adventurous about road rash and broken bones. Invest in your own safety by selecting the right motorcycle apparel and gearing up with any of these top-rated boots.


Every movie buff across generations will definitely remember the iconic film, Sholay. Ramesh Sippy’s 1975 Bollywood classic is what memorable films are made of — a stellar storyline, well thought out characters, meaningful dialogues, and above all powerhouse performers. Each actor left a mark on the audience in their own way...  Every one envied the Jai-Veeru friendship while feeling compassionate towards the young widow Radha, some even expressed the desire to avenge for the shawl clad Thakur and punish the devil incarnate Gabbar.



However, the one character that caught everyone by surprise was Basanti, the love interest of Veeru... a feisty village belle who rode a horse cart for a living and talked a mile a minute. The film showed multiple facets of Basanti from irritating to silly, from coy to shrewd, from illogical to ferocious — keeping a viewer pegged to her character. However, the most arresting aspect of Basanti was the dare-devil stunts that were performed by the character during crucial points in the film.  At one such point,  Basanti narrowly escapes the villain's goons in a thrilling horse cart chase, the sequence sent shivers down every girl's spine; except for one - Reshma Pathan, the female stunt double who actually filmed the scene for the film. Seriously injured during the chase scene, she bounced back into work within a few days. 

Sholay wasn't the first film Reshma did as a stunt artist but Sholay made her known name in the industry, something which eluded many stunt women during the time in the film industry. The story of most such artists largely remained behind the scenes and would remain anonymous even today if not for director Aditya Sarpotdar’s The Sholay Girl, a biopic on Reshma Pathan. Released on Women’s Day this year, here’s why you should watch The Sholay Girl online which is currently streaming on ZEE5. 

The Sholay Girl is one such film that plots the life of a young girl who began working as a stunt double from the age of 14 years and charted her journey through numerous trials and struggles to reach a milestone in a career that was restricted to men. Check the trailer of the film here. 

The two main characters of The Sholay Girl, Reshma Pathan is played by Bidita Bag of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz fame and Stunt Director Asim is played by Chandan Roy Sanyal. Bidita Bag nails her character to the T and delivers an honest compelling performance that instantly transports viewers to the 70s era. She has so beautifully lived the character throughout the film that it leaves a distinct mark in viewers minds for a long time. Chandan Roy Sanyal delivers a performance that only a few can replicate, and does so effortlessly. The powerhouse duo brings to life every scene they are in, giving a visual representation to bravery, strength and indomitable resilience.

The film is the one with a truly happy ending that celebrates the work of an invisible hero Reshma Pathan, her daring personality and her never-give-up attitude. So, watch ZEE5 original The Sholay Girl online for a truly uplifting, realistic, no-frills biopic that will add a ‘can-do’ spirit to your thoughts. Click here to get more insights on The Sholay Girl. 

In India, entertainment means only two things - Cricket and Cinema. Indian cinema dates all the way back to 1913 with the silent film Raja Harishchandra, the first-ever Indian feature film produced by Dadasaheb Phalke. Over the past hundred years, numerous facets of Indian cinema have evolved and how. The largest and most evident transformation in films have been that for the heroine, the lead actress has gone from feeble to fabulous and fearless. In early cinema, the heroine was restricted to being a perfect woman, who never looked beyond her family especially her husband and was restricted to the home and kitchen. However, today the leading actresses are playing complex challenging roles to reflect the woman of today. 

One such actress who is taking risks with her roles is Kareena Kapoor Khan who entered the industry when she was just 20 years old. She made her debut in 2000 with Refugee and played Nazneen Ahmed with a beautiful mix of confidence and innocence to instantly become India’s sweetheart and win a Filmfare Award for the Most Sensational Debut. 18 years on, she is still considered one of the most prolific and charismatic actresses of our times with a career that has a beautiful mix of roles. Here’s looking at some of her most sensational and path-breaking roles:

Veere Di Wedding (2018)
Synopsis: Four girls on their way to find true love discover that friendship this strong has its consequences.
As Kalindi in Veere Di Wedding, Kareena plays a woman from a broken home who is in two minds about tying the knot with her boyfriend. She convincingly plays the woman who follows her heart, regardless of the consequences of her decisions and backs herself with grace. Audiences will remember this role of a badass woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to voice her decisions. She effortlessly anchors the entire movie beautifully. 

Ki & Ka (2016)
Synopsis: A young, married couple whose relationship challenges the gender roles placed upon women and men in Indian society.
Only Kareena could have pulled off the role of Kia. She represented the character of every ambitious woman who works hard to survive the ups and downs of their personal and professional lives. Also to play a love interest to a younger man is a challenge she took up and executed very well. She is very convincing in her role as a woman of today who wants a career and a personal life but wants to keep motherhood at bay, which a lot of actresses would shield away from. 

Jab We Met (2007)
Synopsis: A depressed wealthy businessman finds his life changing after he meets a spunky and care-free young woman.
As Geet in Jab We Met, Kareena wins hearts while portraying the transition of a bubbly, fearless, madly in love girl to a jilted in love, lonely girl with amazing clarity and elan. The film belongs to Kareena who pitches in the most memorable performance of her career and gives an entirely new meaning and treatment to the boy-meets-girl story. Audiences will remember her spunk and her fun-loving attitude in the film for which she bagged the maximum Best Actress Awards that year.

Omkara (2006)
Synopsis: A politically-minded enforcer's misguided trust in his lieutenant leads him to suspect his wife of infidelity in this adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Othello'.
As Dolly in Omkara, Kareena went de-glam with a no-makeup look that put the spotlight on her brilliant performance. A simple village girl who was rebellious in love, and went to the extreme to be with the man she loved, portrayed her vulnerability and innocence beautifully. The wedding night scene is still etched in the minds of the audiences and the sheer surprise reflected in her eyes in that scene is still remembered. 

Chameli (2004)
Synopsis: On a rainy night, when an investment banker's car breaks down in the red light district, he takes shelter where he meets and later befriends a prostitute.
In Chameli, there is no trace of Kareena. There is only Chameli - a prostitute with her gaudy makeup, tacky clothes and vulgar language. Kareena stepped out of her comfort zone to play a low-class street hooker waiting in the shadows to entice lonely men with aplomb. The film offered audiences a glimpse of what Kareena was capable of as an actress, earning her a special award at the 2004 Filmfare awards. 

If you have any more suggestions to add to this list, do mention those in the comments.

Until next time, 
~ Heena

No matter what path you choose, destiny has its own plans. Technology and Entertainment are as different as chalk and cheese and yet Abhijeet Satam dared to strike a balance between the two, working closely in two diverse fields of computers and cinema.

He began his journey in the entertainment industry with a play in an intercollegiate festival, which won him the best play and best actor awards. Following the success of his maiden venture, he began a theatre production company with his college buddies and tasted commercial and professional success. The highly successful film ‘Tyre Ki Hawa’ that he directed created waves in both national and international film festivals.

With numerous highs in the entertainment field, he also attained great heights in technology by co-founding an IT firm Comcomm, where they built programming platforms for consumer markets both retail and government.

Playing a perfect juggler in real life between his creative aspirations and his professional achievements, Abhijeet is going strong with a movie lead role in the pipeline. He is looking forward to take a higher leap into the creative field while cruising through technologically. We at iCynosure got an opportunity to speak to him, here is an excerpt from our conversation.

ICynosure: From computer software to television and films, did you ever visualise this journey?
Abhijeet: Officially, I was a student of MD college and unofficially of IIT Mumbai. I used to always hang out with my techie friends to get a deeper understanding of software and tech. The love for entertainment runs in the family with my father being a popular actor. That’s the reason I think, I work closely in both the fields. While I am active on the entertainment front, I am closely working with my company teams on tech ventures, one of them being Ticketees.com which we cofounded few years back in the year 2013.

ICynosure: How did your family react to your decision to simultaneously take both your interests forward?
Abhijeet: Well, they were quite okay with it as they know that I am someone who works with a calm mind. I am not afraid of taking decisions. Also, I work with a good team, who are pretty supportive with me multitasking in both fields.

ICynosure: How did you take the first step towards your cinematic journey?
Abhijeet: It all started in the final year of college. Along with some friends who had similar interests as me, we started a theatre production company. We produced several award winning plays like Mukkam Post Bombilwadi, Sangeet Lagna Kallol, Makeup, Sakhya etc. In spite of being the youngest producers we consistently ranked at the top in terms of Maharashtra theatre circuit. Our got us few prestigious awards also. Some of the recent plays which we produced are Mr and Mrs, Strawberry, Ek Shoonya Teen and Bye bye bayko. Simultaneously, I was working as an actor and director for shorts, documentaries and feature films. One of the shorts which I directed and produced ‘Tyre Ki Hawa..’ got selected at coveted international film festivals and won awards in National level short films competitions. This was seen by several known personalities from advertising fraternity and that opened doors for me to the advertising world, and I started working as a freelance director and producer for various reputed advertising companies and brands. I also co-produced and directed the Marathi feature film Haapus, which went on to become one of the biggest box office grosser of that year. So that’s how it is.

ICynosure: Which has been the most difficult role you played and why was it tough?
Abhijeet: I guess my role in my friend’s upcoming movie Lagi Toh Chaggi was quite challenging since I was facing the camera after a 4 year break from acting. So, portraying the role of Aalap Sahastrabudhe, a simpleton from Pune was pretty challenging and fun at the same time.

ICynosure: Are you a method actor or someone who is more spontaneous?
Abhijeet: I guess a bit of both, sometimes a particular role demands spontaneity and some roles demand a more methodical way. I feel am a director’s actor so I believe in following the director’s game plan.

ICynosure: Which are three roles across the film industries that you would have loved to play?
Abhijeet: Am a total sci-fi films and video games fan so all three are from the sci-fi world. Captain Spock from Star Wars, Tony Stark and the third am thinking would be Mario from the Mario bros video game.

ICynosure: If and when the opportunity arises, would you like to venture into mainstream Bollywood?
Abhijeet: Yes, would love to do.
ICynosure: Script-Writing, Direction, Acting, you have done it all. What do you enjoy the most?
Abhijeet: I have enjoyed wearing all these hats equally.

ICynosure: What can your fans expect from you in the future?
Abhijeet: Well along with the just released Lagi Toh Chaggi, there is another film which is scheduled to release soon with Mr. Mahesh Manjrekar and another one which have just given a nod for and won’t be able to disclose details. Completely different genres and again pretty fun stuff. There would a new theatre productions, yet untitled and in pre production phases, which would be announced as things fall in the right place. On the tech front, there is lot of interesting tech stuff which we are developing, there are direct consumer platforms and also something for the government.

ICynosure: So what according to you should be the next level of tech in the field of entertainment?
Abhijeet: Tech always has been at the core of entertainment, like right from electricity to cameras to computers to internet to smart phones etc. Let’s take a small piece from the big world of entertainment; web content platforms like Netflix or Prime have as just taken off and I see bigger things are on the way like we feel virtual experiences will impact the way we binge on such content, yes lot of augmented and virtual reality stuff on its way you see.

ICynosure: Also you being a techie, are you working on somewhat same grounds?
Abhijeet: Yes kind of similar can say. We are working on few platforms which would empower digital producers and digital audiences both. Would surely talk more about this as it’s ready.

So we leave you with the trailer/stills of Abhijeet’s upcoming movie. Enjoy!
~ Heena

I am a balanced indoor as well as an outdoor person, so my love for books and board games equal to my love for motorcycles and swings. As an occasional rider, I’ve ensured that my motorcycle is set properly and maintained to the ’T’ by the specialist who clearly know my biking goals, so as to ensure my safety and no compromise to my recreational activity.

After the important set of getting myself the perfect motorcycle, I now need to get my biking gear in place to become the rider I want to be. The two things that I always keep in mind while picking any product is its usability and style, and both these parameters have to be on-point for me to pick the product. As I was looking for some protective and riding gear recently I stumbled upon BikeBandit.com, that offers the most professional motorcycle riding gear from the best brands in the industry including but not limited to Fly Racing, GMAX, Alpinestars. As I continued to research, I’ve made a list of 5 things every rider must have if you want to seriously pursue motorcycling as a hobby or a recreational activity. Even mommy blogger Jhilmil D'Saha has an inspiring list that you can check here.

Jacket
A motorcycle riding jacket that is lightweight and waterproof, would be most perfect for a biker. The style needs to be well cut in order to be wind resistant, and compact. 

Gloves 
A pair of warm, well-fitted gloves is perfect not only as protective gear against the weather but also for a firm grip on the handgrip is a must for every motorcycle rider.

Shoes
A must for any recreational activity would be a pair of sturdy yet breathable shoes that are made from perforated microtex or anti-scratch leather.

Helmet
Nothing is more important than safety and the first rule of biking safety is a helmet. A helmet with ‘Multi-Directional Impact Protection System' technology, well-ventilated and easily adjustable one is what a biker needs to invest in. 

Speedometer
A high-quality analogue smartwatch that also doubles as a bike computer, that indicates the speed, riding time and distance covered; that can be clipped on is ideal. 

If you are looking for specialised motorcycle apparel, it would be most apt to surf an exclusive online motorcycle riding store rather than a general fashion store.