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Tum Mile
While the first film or the heartistic section is scripted, shot and performed marvellously, the second one, is for want of a better word, sorry. Er..soggy.
Nov 2009
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Daayen Ya Baayen
For all those who care about defiantly individualistic cinema, Daayen Ya Baayen is quite a few steps in the right direction.
Oct 2010
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Feb 2011
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Aug 2010
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Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
...may not be in the league of Johar’s 'Kuchh Kucch Hota Hai' or Aditya Chopra’s 'DDLJ' - far from it - but it is a notch above the B-town fare showing at any of the ‘plexes today.
May 2013
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Peepli [Live]
For avoiding the route of fantasyland, for narrating a story hooked on fact rather than fiction, and for being remarkably observant about the quirks, anxieties and hopes of the BPL (those subsisting below the poverty line), Rizvi makes an auspicious debut as a director of substance.
Aug 2010
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Dedh Ishqiya
...is different and it’s audacious – not without its sack of snafus though. It’s a could-see.
Jan 2014
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Shuddh Desi Romance
An absolutely engrossing shaadi caper for starters which fizzles out into a shallow sermon on the institution of marriage, or the lack of it.
Sep 2013
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Antardwand
Although technically jejune with the tempo slower than a bullock cart at key points, the outcome still arouses your curiosity, and admiration for its indie spirit.
Aug 2010
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Jab Tak Hai Jaan
You may not be completely satisfied this time, but there are several super moments which leave a lasting impact.
Nov 2012
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John Day
...can’t be described as an admirable work. It is certainly not meant for the squeamish or the 'Chennai Express' constituency. Yet, neither is it dismissable as an average, formula thriller. It has it engaging moments.
Sep 2013
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Kai Po Che!
Thanks to the three fast-rising actors, technical finesse and some engagingly directed vignettes, 'Kai Po Che' is a cut above the commonplace.
Feb 2013
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The Dirty Picture
You may have some issues with The Dirty Picture. Never mind because Ms Balan rocks big time.
Dec 2011
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Striker
Arora’s effort does leave an impact but the wallop is not as strong as it could have been. A pity.
Feb 2010
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Feb 2014
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Lootera
...with just some more fluency in the dramaturgy and less self-indulgent pacing, 'Lootera' would have been unforgettable, deserving of an unconditional two, instead of a one thumbs up.
Jul 2013
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Highway
With all its pros and cons, here’s one of those films: ponderous enough to encourage a snooze but also with its rewarding side-effects. Needless to emphasise, Veera lingers on in the memory. And Alia Bhatt’s performance is nothing short of extraordinary, especially her solo stanzas of dialogue, executed in long takes.
Feb 2014
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Dhobi Ghat
...is uneven, particularly in the writing. It's neither totally impressive nor totally dismissable.
Jan 2011
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Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns
...you desperately want to like 'Saheb...' and You-Know-Who-All-Returns, because you admire Dhulia’s craftsmanship and social concerns. In vain, this time.
Mar 2013
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Lahore
...this Indo-Pak treatise may have been wah-wahed at film festivals, but all said and seen just about makes it to a notch above the average.
Mar 2010
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Tum Milo Toh Sahi
You’re glad you saw it for Dimple Kapadia and Nana Patekar. As it happens, the rest of the film doesn’t live up to their participation in the project.
Apr 2010
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Ek Tha Tiger
Like the title Ek Tha Tiger deserves to be spoken of in the past tense. In two words, eminently forgettable.
Aug 2012
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Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
Without Ranbir Kapoor, of course, this one would have been a mere ajab movie. He brings the much-needed underlining of ghazab to it.
Nov 2009
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Inkaar
...may be thematically topical and significant since it deals with the exploitation of women at the workplace, but it’s the director’s tamest work yet.
Jan 2013
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From Sydney With Love
It’s a pleasant surprise that newbie Prateek Chakravarty displays a command on the technical front, extracting competent work from his cinematographer, editor and sound designer.
Sep 2012
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Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya
All said and endured, it isn’t a shudderfiesta. If you have some goodwill for the Deshmukhs, it’ll help considerably.
Feb 2012
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Shanghai
Why Dibakar Bannerjee went derivative is a conundrum, especially when he has a 1,001 real-life stories to tell around him.
Jun 2012