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Tumhari Sulu
Director Suresh Triveni draws from his ad-film experience to assemble a tightly-knitted story but loses focus in the second half.
Nov 2017
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Veere Di Wedding
While this one works as a breezy film on girl bonding, it gets a bit tedious while taking a stab at patriarchy. In fact, a message it hopes to convey on the societal pressures endured by women is lazily tucked into a dialogue. “Pehle shaadi karo, phir bachcha, phir bachcha hua toh doosre bachche ka pressure.” It almost seems like old whine in a new bottle.
Jun 2018
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Angry Indian Goddesses
AIG's selling point is the honesty with which the leading women approach their characters and the uncontainable chutzpah they exude.
Dec 2015
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Phobia
Director Pawan Kripalani manages to tightly pack in the thrills, with careful consideration of timing and audio-visual technique.
May 2016
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Mulk
Director Anubhav Sinha touches a relevant nerve with Mulk, and this fictional story seems believable as marginalised groups continue to be routinely targeted in this country.
Aug 2018
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Haraamkhor
...may not be a film that sets a cinematic benchmark but it is an important one as it dares to explore a forbidden subject, without condemning or legitimising it.
Jan 2017
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Jagga Jasoos
Catering to every childhood fantasy, Jagga Jasoos keeps you hopeful and rooting for its spectacled snoop, especially in situations where chances of the eponymous jasoos' survival seem bleak.
Jul 2017
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Manikarnika
Most know of Jhansi ki Rani from the poem that aptly described the fearless queen. This biopic goes beyond heroics to reveal a resolute yet vulnerable figure. And even while the authenticity of all the events detailed here is debatable, it makes for a decent watch.
Jan 2019
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Sniff
That Gupte has the knack of weaving a mountain of a minuscule story is known and even here, while little happens, there's much mood and mayhem to keep you curious and interested through the proceedings.
Aug 2017
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Shivaay
This film could've been one of the best-conceived action films in recent times, if only it could cut back on the melodrama, most dialogues and perhaps, Vir Das.
Oct 2016
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Pari
Pari breaks away from typical Indian horrors even while it leans heavily on tested tropes...
Mar 2018
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Gold
Director Reema Kagti ticks all the boxes here but seems a bit afraid that the proceedings could spill over into forced patriotism.
Aug 2018
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Made In China
...inspire some giggles and the film makes for an interesting watch that also packs a relevant message.
Oct 2019
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Manjhi
A 124-minute film about a man trying to pull down a mountain could be like staring at a construction site while stuck in a traffic jam. But this one weaves in enough entertainment and thrill to be a lot more than that.
Aug 2015
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Ghayal Once Again
...if you're a Sunny Deol fanboy, this one ticks all: lung-tearing screams and crushing punches.
Feb 2016
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Budhia Singh
Despite being a film pegged on fighting over all odds, this one works not just as an inspirational watch, but for being an impression of the despicable state of affairs governing sports today.
Aug 2016
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Super 30
...delivers by excessively leaning on Hindi cinema’s oldest formula — detailing an underdog who strives to rise above his circumstances and even helps those less fortunate achieve ultimate glory.
Jul 2019
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Badrinath Ki Dulhania
...treading the fine line between preachy and peachy, this one keeps you intermittently entertained and interested in the proceedings, even while the shallow attempt at female empowerment seems a bit jaded.
Mar 2017
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A Gentleman
...this offering which packs in comedy, action and everything else, yet doesn't entirely fit into the 'masala' construct. Managing this is a feat in itself.
Aug 2017
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3 Storeys
...is a far cry from most mysteries and even while some of its turns and twists can be predicted, it manages to hold your interest and attention for a large part of the film. Something one can barely say of most films today.
Mar 2018
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Simmba
Shetty navigates a familiar ground here in this formula film mounted on a franchise that has proven its worth in box office gains. It’s not a film that will encourage one to rethink fundamental theories or alter societal thought, even though it aspires to be at one point. But it’s surely a masala entertainer that packs in laughs, drama, dishooms and a lot more
Dec 2018
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De De Pyaar De
Akiv Ali (director, editor) and Luv Ranjan (producer, writer, screenplay) know precisely what each scene in this film is supposed to do and score largely for the tropes they don’t introduce to this story. The build-up gets dangerously close to that tipping point from where one expects it to nose-dive, but it doesn’t.
May 2019
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Saand Ki Aankh
The story of these geriatric grannies who refuse to be determined by their circumstances, age or social barriers, and dare to stray beyond their defined perimeter to break through lends an inspiring narrative. In this regard, Saand Ki Aankh touches a necessary nerve.
Oct 2019
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Kadvi Hawa
Films on how humans consistently pickle the environment tend to get too academic to hold one's attention or interest. Which is why a film such as Kadvi Hawa delivers the goods effectively and precisely without hammering it down.
Nov 2017
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May 2018
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Yeh Saali Aashiqui
...touches this necessary nerve, even if it may be a bit too dramatic in execution.
Nov 2019
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Fan
If you're an SRK fan, you don't care for approval. But even if you aren't, this one's a thrilling watch.
Apr 2016
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Hamid
...details Kashmiri cultural ceremonies and presents the Valley through the eyes of a local — something only a few filmmakers who’ve shot in the region have managed. But it also successfully manages to subliminally highlight the local sentiment without turning into a political statement — which is its biggest victory.
Mar 2019
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Bajirao Mastani
...the cinematic liberties that Bhansali takes to colour the Maratha warrior and his controversial choice of partner, makes this an intense drama with distractingly sharp photography.
Dec 2015