Maanvi Gagroo says Diwali is time to indulge in food, even if it means cheating on diet

For actress Maanvi Gagroo, Diwali is all about spending time with family, friends and indulging in food, even if it means cheating on the diet.“Diwali is one of my favourite festivals, and it has always been about friends and family,” she expressed.

The actress added: “You get dressed up, visit each other’s homes, exchange gifts, enjoy delicious food, dance, play cards—it’s an excuse to spend quality time together and have fun without feeling any guilt. It’s also a time to indulge in food, even if it means cheating on your diet.”

Maanvi also emphasised the importance of safety during the festivities.

The actress, who is an ardent animal lover, said: “While she’s not particularly scared at home, she does get a little startled when we take her for walks during Diwali because of the firecrackers. It’s essential to celebrate Diwali safely, as it involves playing with fire.”“I love lighting candles, which is actually my favourite part of decorating my house for Diwali, but you have to be extremely careful,” she says.

How does she celebrate the festival of lights?

“I do light up my house and decorate it with flowers, diyas, and candles. On Diwali day, it is relatively quiet compared to the festivities of the week. We spend time with family at home, perform a little pooja, and start getting ready in the afternoon. We clean the house to ensure it looks beautiful, take pictures, do the pooja, and then continue with our day.”The actress started her career with “Dhoom Machaao Dhoom” in 2007. She was then seen in series such as “TVF Pitchers”, “TVF Tripling”, “Made in Heaven” and “Four More Shots Please!”

In 2019, she portrayed the character of a plus size woman in a comedy movie “Ujda Chaman” opposite Sunny Singh. She has worked with Ayushmann Khurrana in “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan”, which dealt with the subject of same-sex love.

KA Movie Review

Directed by the duo Sujeeth and Sandeep, this pan-India film stars Kiran Abbavaram in the lead role. How does this film, released in theaters across Telugu states on the occasion of Deepavali, fare? read to find out.

rong>Story

Vasudev (Kiran Abbavaram) is an orphan. He arrives in Krishnagiri, where darkness falls as early as 3 PM. He comes there to work as a temporary postman. There, he becomes acquainted with the people and falls in love with Satyabhama (Nayan Sarika), the daughter of postmaster Rama Rao (Achyut Kumar). Just when things seem to be going well, unexpected events unfold, and Vasudev is locked up in a dark room by an unknown person. Who locked Vasudev in this dark room? Why does a masked man call him a murderer? Who is the masked man asking him questions? Did Vasudev manage to escape? These questions can only be answered by watching the film in theaters.

What about on-screen performances?

As an actor, Kiran Abbavaram took a bold step with this film, stepping out of his comfort zone and exploring shades of gray in his character which is one of the best parts. His hard work, particularly in the action sequences, is evident on screen. Kiran has gone through hell while making this film and his hard work is shown on screen. Nayan Sarika, with her expressive face, delivers her role with 100% conviction. Tanvi Ram also plays a pivotal role in the story, adding depth to the narrative. Achyut Kumar, Saranya Pradeep, Annapurnamma, Ajay, and Bindu Chandramouli, among others, all do justice to their respective roles, contributing solidly to the film.

What about off-screen talents?

At the trailer launch of Ka, co-director Sandeep shared that it’s essential to focus on how a story is presented, noting that ideas themselves are neither new nor old. This is often true as a fresh story may fail in its execution, while an older one, well-presented, can create magic on screen. By the end of KA, viewers come away with a sense of having seen a unique climax, leaving them satisfied and pleased.

But how much novelty does the story itself hold? While the climax stands out, the story set in the 1980s may feel familiar. Many films have tackled women trafficking, from Krishna Vamsi’s Gulabi to Nani’s Krishnarjuna Yuddham. Women trafficking serves as a central theme in Ka, but it’s not the only focal point. The lead-up to the reveal is engaging, and Sujith and Sandeep introduce the story with intrigue.

While the film starts as an investigative thriller, it diverts into a love story, slowing down the thriller’s momentum. A twist at this point, however, reignites interest in the second half, where the suspense holds until the end. Sam CS’s background music is essential to Ka, setting the tone from the beginning and carrying through to the end. While the songs disrupt the flow, his compositions are impressive, with the “Jatara” song adding an energetic vibe. The background music amplifies the heroism well, particularly in the climactic action sequences, which are also well-choreographed. Cinematographers Vishwas Daniel and Sathish Reddy’s work shines on screen, especially in the nighttime scenes.

What’s Hot?

Kiran Abbavaram’s performance
Thrills
Un predictable scenes
Engaged 2nd half Climax

What’s Not?
Routine Story
First half
A few dragged scenes

Verdict:

KA is surely Kiran Abbavaram’s better films in recent times. Though the plot sounds familiar, the way it has been narrated in an engaging manner in the second half makes this film a decent watch this Diwali weekend.