‘The Family Man 2’ review: A lengthy but befitting follow-up
The Hindu
The new season of ‘The Family Man’ is fun and absorbing, led by the ever-dependable Manoj Bajpayee and a fiery Samantha Akkineni
In the thick of things and trying to avert an imminent threat, a group of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officers ruminate on why politicians can’t look at an issue without being driven by the politics of it all. An officer states that irrespective of whether they agree with an ideology or not, their duty is to serve the country in the interest of national security. Nothing else matters. They agree in unison and gear up for the rest of the fight, knowing well what’s at stake. . Season 1 of Raj and DK’s The Family Man was an absorbing, though a tad overdrawn, story of how these invisible and unsung heroes, led by Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee), counter a terror operation. They left us on a cliffhanger.
A vacuum cleaner haunted by a ghost is the kind of one-liner which can draw in a festival audience looking for a little light-hearted fun to fill the time slots available between the “heavier” films which require much closer attention. A useful ghost, the debut feature of Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke being screened in the world cinema category at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), even appears so in the initial hour. Until, the film becomes something more, with strong undercurrents of Thailand’s contemporary political history.

Sustainability is not an add-on, but stamped firmly into the process: every piece is biodegradable, waste-free and unembellished, free from glitter or beads. “Products should be sustainable and biodegradable so that our planet is not harmed,” says Anu Elizabeth Alexander, a student of Sishya, Adyar. At a recent exhibition, the stars she made sold the fastest, followed by the small diamonds. “I would like people to know about the process, how it is created, and that it is sustainable,” says Anu. Infanta Leon from Kotturpuram developed an interest in crochet as a teenager. It was a hobbyhorse that evolved into a steed that would help her embark on a journey of identity-shaping creative engagement. She started making Christmas-themed decor two years ago, spurred by a desire to craft safe, eco-friendly toys for children. “With a toddler at home, and my elder child sensitive to synthetic materials, I wanted to create items that were gentle, durable and tactile,” she explains. Her earliest creations were small amigurumi toys which gradually evolved into ornaments that could adorn Christmas trees with warmth and charm.











