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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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Uri
...if the film delved a little more into strategy and emotions, it could’ve been more inclusive, if not a more intense watch. Not the chest-beating JP Dutta-type jingoism, but just a dash on what drives these brave men would’ve gone a long way.
Jan 2019
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India‘s Most Wanted
Given the compelling material to work with at hand, this could’ve rendered a cracking, edge-of-the-seat watch. But predictable turns and lack of cinematic liberties fail to infuse the film with much-required tension.
May 2019
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Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan
The extent to which this film will influence minds or shape opinion on our queer brethren is debatable, but it’s surely a breezy watch. And in this era of iron-fisted rule, it might just be a good idea.
Feb 2020
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Parched
She (Leena Yadav) layers her characters with a delicious mix of pain and pleasure but tries a bit too hard to seek empathy for them.
Sep 2016
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Panipat
Ashutosh Gowariker has Sanjay Leela Bhansali to blame for elevating the scale and cinematic impact of battle sequences. Gowariker ticks all the boxes but struggles to conceptualise out-of-the-box stunts or sequences that could potentially throw us off.
Dec 2019
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Maatr
This may not be as edgy or dark as NH10, but packs in the same amount of trauma.
Apr 2017
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Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota
Some of the fight sequences in the film are reminiscent of Stephan Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle — magnifying the aesthetic and theatrics of every blow for maximum impact. The two films also share a common agenda — to tickle you where it hurts.
Mar 2019
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Phantom
A politically incorrect fantasy, this one will help many Indians feel blissful for most of the 147 minutes of its runtime.
Aug 2015
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Tu Hai Mera Sunday
Director Milind Dhaimade balances the parallel stories in the film evenly and with an underlying vulnerability. He allows his characters to demonstrate their traits and only occasionally, becomes a little too preachy.
Oct 2017
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The Accidental Prime Minister
As political biopics go, this one straddles somewhere between deliberate hagiography and pointed propaganda.
Jan 2019
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Made In China
Given the premise, Mikhil Musale had a potential rib-tickler here. But while he manages to keep one interested and attentive through a large part of the film, his inability to hold the story together, particularly towards the end, takes the wind out of this one.
Oct 2019
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Andhadhun
The trouble with a compelling build-up is that it’s accompanied by unrealistic expectations — which when unmet, can lead to disappointment. Here, it almost seems as if the filmmaker decided to adopt the film’s title as his approach to stitch this one together.
Oct 2018
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Pati Patni Aur Woh
...while it manages to update the betrayed spouse as vengeful partner keen on getting even, the other woman continues to be a dispensable accessory to the equation.
Dec 2019
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Bajrangi Bhaijaan
...there is so little of the Salman Khan that his fans have grown to love and worship that in a way, BBis his Swades. Whether his performance deserves analysis and applause is debatable, but the effort to ditch his characteristic cliches is commendable.
Jul 2015
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Feb 2016
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Raabta
Furnishing a mythical ancient time can be riddled with pitfalls. Right from costumes to situations, everything sits on the fence between reality and ridicule. A little extra or less could topple this imagined world. And while Vijan seems determined in delivering his vision and most CG creations seem believable, this khichdi of past and present lacks tadka and depth.
Jun 2017
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Stree
A film like this required a steady hand to carefully balance the chills and thrills along with the outlandish one-liners, ensuring neither is watered-down by the other.
Aug 2018
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Dear Dad
The problem with it is simple — not much happens. And what does, happens at a lethargic pace, which can be unnerving.
May 2016
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Khajoor Pe Atke
Enough fodder for a black comedy? Perhaps, but this one goes a bit overboard, and the practical humour they hoped to conjure seems only too laboured.
May 2018
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LoveYatri
...Hindi cinema has evolved and a happily-ever-after following a series of misadventures and misunderstandings is a jaded construct most don’t warm up to anymore.
Oct 2018
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Khandaani Shafakhana
Debutante filmmaker Shilpi Dasgupta needed a nudge in the right direction to get all the pieces to fit and to tie the loose ends.
Aug 2019
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Chhota Bheem Himalayan Adventure
Indian animae has been criticized for subscribing to a certain mould. A type that dismisses the need to detail out finer character attributes or attempt infusing them with any distinct expression. Watching this film doesn't alter this perception much.
Jan 2016
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Tum Bin 2
If you're going through a rough patch in your relationship, opt for this one. It will convince you that you're better off by yourself.
Nov 2016
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Pad Man
...it barely alters the squeamish attitude many hold against the routine discomfort biologically assigned to all womankind. And this is where R Balki slips. It was a noble cause for sure, if only the makers would have soaked up some of the melodrama.
Feb 2018
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Pihu
...hopes to give you a taste of how it would be if your minor was left at home alone without adult supervision for an entire day. But given the low voltage jolts in this one, your chances of suddenly dropping dead in a screen near you are less likely.
Nov 2018
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Welcome Back
But if you've had an exhausting week and need some laughs, leave your rational self at home and head for this brain-buster at a theatre near you.
Sep 2015
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Tubelight
Director Kabir Khan admitted in an interview that the objective of this cinematic tribute was to make the inspiring story accessible to a larger audience. And while Salman fans across the world would make for a substantial target, inflicting them with this preachy tale of leaning on 'yakeen' to get through life could be a tad misleading.
Jun 2017