Embark on an adventure in Roia – your goal is to guide a river from its humble beginnings all the way down to the sea. Sculpt the landscape by increasing or decreasing the terrain levels to create a perfect riverbed, guiding the water’s descent. A tiny bird flies alongside you, leading you through a variety of landscapes like mountains, forests and meadows. The bird will land at key areas, tweeting to let you know where in the terrain you should be aiming to guide the water. Accompanied by a piano score, Roia’s gameplay is challenging and relaxing at the same time.

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If you’re looking for a movie that will have you laughing until you’re doubled over, then Madgaon Express, directed by Kunal Khemu, is a must-watch!

Three childhood friends, Dodo, Pinku, and Ayush, set out for a fun-filled vacation to Goa, only to find themselves entangled in chaos when they mistakenly switch bags with a dangerous drug dealer. From encounters with eccentric gangsters to navigating police pursuits, the trio goes through a series of hilarious predicaments, showcasing their camaraderie amidst the madness.

Divyenndu’s portrayal of Dodo adds levity with his comedic timing, complemented by Pratik Gandhi and Avinash Tiwary’s charismatic performances as Pinku and Ayush, respectively. The writing delivers punchy humour while the direction keeps the pace brisk, ensuring non-stop entertainment.

Madgaon Express is highly recommended for its blend of laughter, adventure and friendship, offering a refreshing take on the classic buddy comedy genre.

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Right from the opening scene, the latest Indiana Jones adventure keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, taking them on a journey filled with pulse-pounding excitement, intriguing mysteries and unforgettable characters. In fact, the film opens with a 20-minute long spectacular train sequence set in the background of World War II. Fifth in the thrill-filled series, Dr Henry Jones (nicknamed Indy or Indiana), an archaeologist professor, continues to once again enthral and entertain with gravity-defying stunts and his unbeatable wit.

Originally conceived by director Steven Spielberg and created for the screen by George Lucas, it is now more than four decades since Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) became a smash hit and introduced the character Indiana Jones (played by actor Harrison Ford). This unforgettable super-hit was followed by The Temple of Doom (1984), The Last Crusade (1989), The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) and now The Dial of Destiny.

The earlier four films were directed by Steven Spielberg but The Dial of Destiny is directed by James Mangold, who has jointly written the screenplay with Jez Butterworth, David Koepp and John-Henry Butterworth, and carries Spielberg’s vision forward expertly.

The film is co-produced by Lucas Films and Walt Disney Pictures and premiered as an official selection at the 76th Festival de Cannes on 23 March.

The plot sees Indiana Jones retrieving an ancient artefact known as Antikythera, and not letting the Nazis get the better of him. With a time-machine element, the story takes a fresh twist. At the onset, Dr Jones, who is on the verge of retirement, is served divorce papers. Enter his goddaughter, Helena (ably enacted by Phoebe Waller-Bridge) who teams up with him to battle against a German Nazi-turned-NASA scientist, Jurgen Voller (played by Bond villain Mads Mikkelsen), and stop him from changing the course of history by going back in time.

The best part of every Indiana Jones film is not just the story; the action and humour make it a fun watch. The slick cinematography and the unforgettable musical score are the other highlights of the film. With his wonderful score, John Williams reconnects viewers with the classy Indiana Jones theme music. Williams has done it once again, proving that old is indeed gold, considering the composer is 91 years old. Ford, too (despite looking like a senior citizen rather than a typical action hero), continues his legacy as Indiana Jones with aplomb.

The special effects enhance the entire adventure experience, while the stunts and chase sequences speak highly of the talented teamwork that has gone into making this sequel a success. Travelling between 1944 and 1969, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a tale of age, time and family relationships that measure up to the classics that preceded it.

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I went to Norway in November 2022 to swim with orcas (meaninglessly called “killer whales”). Orcas are intelligent creatures that have a varied diet of fish, whales, seals and dolphins, but there is no history of them attacking humans in the wild. Some orcas would follow their prey, herring, to the Norwegian coast in winter.

Skjervøy, the base for the trip, is at 70°N, north of the Arctic Circle. In the six days that I spent on the boat in or near Skjervøy, the daily daylight hours dramatically decreased from two and a half hours to zero. There would be no sunrise from my last day in Skjervøy for another 51 days. Most of our water activities would be conducted in twilight. I spotted the sun exactly once while at sea.

Nine guests, including myself, boarded the M/S Mårøy (pronounced “maw-ray”), our transportation and residence for the trip. I figured out my gear for cold weather snorkelling on the first night. Woollen underclothing plus socks would cover most of the body. Over this would go an additional onesie. I would put on a waterproof drysuit, which would trap an insulating pocket of air next to the body, over these. The holes in the drysuit, for my palms and head, had tight elastic bands to keep them sealed next to my skin. Finally, gloves and hoods would cover my palms and head.

On the first morning, the Mårøy set off from Skjervøy. The seascape and the skies were the most colourful that I had ever seen. From the horizon, the sky lit up in rainbow colours. Mountains rose around us, lit in a gentle glow. Someone spotted the first tall, black dorsal fin of an orca rising above the water, along with a spray of water as the animal exhaled.

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Friends, fun and _______. Add in a bit of adventure and you have the perfect recipe for a fabulous trek! The best part is that a trek can be done by a person who wants to do a slow and leisurely activity as well as someone who is keen to test out their recently developed fitness gains and skills.

Trekking is growing in popularity every year as accessibility to base villages have improved. The green mountains, exhilarating waterfalls, fresh and gurgling streams and a chance to spend time outdoors is a call that is difficult to resist. An overnight trek can involve pitching a tent, cooking on an open fire and survival with scarce food available. There is no feeling like being on a mountaintop with nature and some friends for company. A chance to show off your survival skills is an added bonus.

My fondest memory is of my first trek to a fort with five buddies when I was just 14. On the way, we saw wildlife, butterflies, birds and flowers that we had never seen in the city. The soothing sound of gurgling streams and waterfalls and the stunning views were fantastic. We felt a tremendous sense of achievement once we reached the top. Some of us built a campfire while the others pitched two tents. We cooked our meal of khichdi on an open fire, sang songs, cracked jokes and had fun telling stories late into the night.

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She has proved herself to be a passionate and gutsy explorer who gained a reputation for being a tough adventurer, surviving war zones, coup attempts, and life-threatening bouts with malaria and cholera. Called a ‘real-life Lara Croft’ by the New York Times, she has travelled to almost every continent, visiting some of the world’s most remote and unfriendly places, that too all alone! She is Kira Salak, a contemporary American explorer.

Salak was born on 4 September 1971 in a western suburb of Chicago. Her father was a repairer of mainframe computers and her mother was a waitress. At 14, Salak was sent to a boarding school in Wisconsin. She obtained her B.F.A from Emerson College and M.F.A in writing from the University of Arizona.

Travelling was Salak’s passion, and she followed it seriously. She backpacked through eastern and central Africa when she was 20.

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VERUS FERREIRA was at the Orange Festival of Music and Adventure in Arunachal Pradesh and returned with unforgettable memories of the place.

The fields and mountains around Dambuk, three and a half hours north east of Dibrugarh, are for the most part of the year the playground of cows, goats and orange orchards, with tiny human settlements that comprise mainly the cultivators of the land. But come December and human visitors double up here to stroll in the orchards for the annual Music and Adventure Orange Festival. There’s something about these two words paired together that just feels right. Supported and largely sponsored by Arunachal Pradesh Tourism, festival attendees are encouraged to access the innumerable outdoor opportunities, courtesy National institute for Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) that arranges activities like rappelling, hiking, and whitewater rafting, para sailing, paragliding, scuba diving, in the nearby Dirang and Brahmaputra rivers. The festival also brings together local cuisine and music bands from the North East playing on the same stage as international acts.

Festivities for the four-day fest began on 15 December when the event was inaugurated by Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu. The evening saw the flag-off of the JK Tyres 4X4 fury rally event.

Thereafter the hills came alive with the sound of music as Trance Effect an Indi rock band from Nagaland opened the fest with songs about mental health issues. From then on it was three days of music with bands from across the country showcasing their music. Tamil rock band Jhanu and Nepali singer-songwriter Bipul Chetri and The Travelling Band performed on the first day.

Mornings at the fest were an adrenaline rush for motorsport lovers when a few off-roaders — modified Gypsies and Jeeps engaged in challenging tasks to try and win the JK Tyre Orange 4×4 Fury championship. There were breathtaking moments when the four-wheel drive vehicles performed some daredevil stunts. There was the Log barrier, the swamp crossing, followed by the river crossing, while the final stage was the death-defying river bed run down from a 45 degree hillside and then a rough 75 degree climb to complete the stage. Local favourites, the Manabhum Off-Roaders Club of Arunachal Pradesh, displayed strategic acumen and nerves of steel to win the JK Tyre Orange 4 X 4 Orange Fury title picking up the glittering winners’ trophy as well as Rs 2.5 lakh for their efforts, while last year’s defending champs Gerrari Off-roaders finished a close second.

Back to the music venue on day two and you had local AP bands taking centre stage beginning with indie singer-songwriter Yugo belting out love ditties to Delhi-based Indie/alternative rock band Yesterdrive who played music from the 90’s in keeping with their band name. Mizoram’s This Chord and Mumbai’s Aarifah Rebello swung the mood with heartfelt songs, keeping the original music vibe intact. The Bluegrass Journeymen changed the night with some groovy sounds on tenor sax and trumpet and blistering bluegrass. The five-man army brought in traditional American bluegrass sounds in their set. The night ended with Mumbai favourites Bombay Bassment bringing on a live set they are well known for.

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SONY DADC, Rs 599

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Johnny Depp
Director: James Bobin

The film that has a huge fan base is back with a new story, a sequel to Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland (2010). Adapted from the 1865 novel by English mathematician Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll, this well-produced film gives insight into the characters from the first movie, Alice In Wonderland, with a storyline that teaches the true meaning of time and letting go. A family entertainer with a good sense of humour, it also packs some great special effects on a vibrant colour palette offering a stunning presentation with a tremendous amount of detail.

Having returned from her sea voyage to China as a sea captain, Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) is faced with many problems. Her financiers have duped her family, and the decisions made by her mother while she was away have all gone wrong. Disgusted by all this, Alice sees a familiar face, the blue butterfly that was once the caterpillar Absolem. She decides to leave her mother and stumbles upon a looking glass that magically transports her back to Underland. Once there she encounters Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) who is not the person she used to know. She discovers that he has lost his “Muchness.” Alice must go back in time using a Chronosphere to save him. She meets Time (Sacha Baron Cohen), a peculiar creature who is part human, part clock, who warns her of the imminent risk in meddling with the past.

Alice takes on the challenge and is reunited with her beloved childhood friends, the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), the White Queen (Anne Hathway), the Tweedles (Matt Lucas), Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) and Absolem the Caterpillar. She embarks on a journey to save not only the Hatter but others as well, but in doing so encounters both friends and enemies intent on stopping her from turning the hands of time.

The film reunites the all-star cast from the worldwide blockbuster phenomenon — Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter along with the voices of Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Michael Sheen and Timothy Spall. We are also introduced to new characters, Zanik Hightopp (Rhys Ifans), the Mad Hatter’s father, and Time (Sacha Baron Cohen).

Action and adventure, science fiction and fantasy, this spectacular adventure is a treat to watch.

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Cast: Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley
Director: Baltasar Kormakur

A major tragedy took place in 1996 when a group of mountaineers decided to take on Mount Everest. The 1997 film Into Thin Air (a made-for-TV movie based on Jon Krakauer’s book Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt Everest Disaster) showed the dangers of attempting to scale the world’s highest peak; this film goes a step further and shows the risks mountaineers take to realize their dreams.

The two-hour feature is based on the true story of that ill-fated climb that writer Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly), who was part of the expedition, wrote about in his book. The movie opens as a group of mountaineers gets ready to leave the airport in Christchurch, New Zealand, on their way to Nepal. We get to know the expedition members one-by-one, including the leaders American Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal), and Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) who has left his pregnant wife Jan (Keira Knightley) behind in New Zealand. The duo takes brash Texan Beck (Josh Brolin), humble mailman/carpenter Doug (John Hawkes), and others on the expedition.

The quest to scale the mighty mountain goes wrong when one of the groups departs before dawn and gets stuck midway due to lack of mountaineering gear. A few make it to the summit, but the others are stranded midway with their health failing them. Disaster strikes when a sudden blizzard jeopardizes their return to the base camp. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, watch it to find out how the story unfolds.

Watching Everest is like being right there on the mountain, suffering along with the climbers and for their loved ones at home waiting for news. The scenery is breathtaking, the whole area is white, cold, and you can almost feel it in your bones. The movie reveals what the mountaineers must have gone through; at times you feel like you are there.

The cinematography, landscapes and acting are all top notch, after all, the movie is filled with stars who deliver heart-wrenching performances that keep you captivated.

Shot in Nepal, Iceland, England and in Italy; this fact is sadly revealed in the bonus material Race to the Summit: The Making of Everest, Aspiring to Authenticity: The Real Story. But you really would not care about it, for the snowy mountains would leave you amazed.

If you really want to feel the surge of avalanches, watch this on a big screen with a good 5.1 surround sound system. Everest makes a great addition to your personal library of films.

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