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Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola
Fun for cineastes, lost on the public. However, the intersection of Bhardwaj’s extravagance, a business end catering to a perceived public palate, and the ineffective delivery of a social message is off centre and misses the bulls eye.
Jan 2013
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Dedh Ishqiya
Abhishek Chaubey's direction is sure footed and - like he did with the first film - he pays attention craft, striving for an uncompromised end product. He succeeds by and large.
Jan 2014
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Pyaar Ka Punchnama
...most guys between 18-40 are going to identify with PKP at some level and love it. On the other hand most girls will strive to delude themselves that they are nothing like any of the characters.
May 2011
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Inkaar
It’s fantastic to see a director who finds himself at ease working out of his comfort zone, challenging himself and transitioning between diverse subjects.
Jan 2013
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Dum Maaro Dum
...tidily brackets itself into a new-age masala film that engages you at a superficial level for a while, but loses its vigour somewhere along the way.
Apr 2011
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Shuddh Desi Romance
It's light, it's unconventional, it's still Bollywood, and it breaks the fourth wall in more ways than one. Ignore the hiccups, and there's no reason you won't enjoy it.
Sep 2013
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Bullett Raja
Here's hoping Tigmanshu Dhulia ditches this spurious chase and returns to form with his brand of movies - forged from truth and insight; straight from the heart - that we've come to love.
Nov 2013
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Jai Ho
Shrewdly combining the mood-of-the-nation-capturing strengths of Raju Hirani with the fairytale nonsensical brutality of, well, brother's previous efforts, Sohail Khan has churned out an idealistic no holds barred allegedly patriotic drama that clocks 'mental' on a scale of 1-to-Gadar.
Jan 2014
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Lootera
As much as I'd like to reward Lootera for it's craft I firmly believe that films can only win you over with the ability to tell a story. And this is where Lootera falters.
Jul 2013
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Murder 2
...isn't quite as bold as it makes itself out to be. There is kissing, but the sex is tame and wholly unnecessary to the plot. There is blood, but it'll hardly make you flinch.
Jul 2011
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Delhi In A Day
...would've been a more relevant a decade ago when the idea of a 'crossover' prevailed on the indie film scene.
Aug 2012
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Chalo Dilli
...a reasonable movie to watch, but a minus half star for filching the story.
Apr 2011
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Love Wrinkle-free
Be prepared though, for a cop out climax that makes a potentially good film, average.
May 2012
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Horror Story
...while I'm not jumping out my seat any time soon, if you're even mildly impacted by bounding chudails, doors slamming on their own accord, and eerie whispering, Horror Story may have you do it at least a few times.
Sep 2013
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Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga
...a laudable effort in the genre but has too many factors working against it.
Mar 2013
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Jab Tak Hai Jaan
...may not be his finest, but even here we are treated to his willingness to tinker and update his own previous work and beliefs in the telling of his concluding romance.
Nov 2012
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Chhodo Kal Ki Baatein
Despite not being original - on the merit of choice of inspiration - this is the film to opt for this week.
Apr 2012
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Ankur Arora Murder Case
...it is a story worth listening to. Just try and take Bollywood out of it.
Jun 2013
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Mickey Virus
The problem lies in execution. Mickey Virus tries too hard to straddle the two worlds of cutting edge tech and laid-back teeny Delhi in a Bollywood film.
Oct 2013
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Joker
That it has not been promoted as a children's movie is confounding because surely the producers did not mean for it to be seen and enjoyed by thinking adults.
Sep 2012
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Bheja Fry 2
...is half the fun of the first installment, despite the film’s canvas being significantly bigger.
Jun 2011
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Student Of The Year
I don't suppose Student of the Year will end up as film of the year, but Karan Johar is definitely in the running for a permanent Mr Bollywood title.
Oct 2012
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Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara
...is a better crafted film than it's predecessor but unfortunately considerably shallower.
Aug 2013
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Krrish 3
Despite the relentless violence and a clobbering of the senses, there's nothing here for anyone older than age 9. Once you accept this, it's a film easier to digest.
Nov 2013
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Bhindi Baazaar Inc.
At the end you're left with a film that started off as a decent idea but went on to become an untidy mess...
Jun 2011
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Mahabharat
...it's not easy to make animated films and - unlike live-action movies where magic maybe created in a moment on set - it requires toil and an imaginative force that must sustain for months and years. And in Mahabharat this endeavour shows, earning it an extra half star. But where are the new ideas?
Dec 2013